Current Psychology

Ogunja, Mirriam; Shurong, Zhao; Ailing, Luo; Wang, Yiting; Anim Mante, David

doi: 10.1007/s12144-024-07254-0pmid: N/A

We aimed to examine the impact of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) on organizational performance within the context of Kenyan small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We employed a comprehensive, integrated fuzzy reasoning approach to address critical research gaps in culturally diverse, resource-limited settings. Data from 1,350 respondents and expert assessments through fuzzy weighted sum techniques provided an indepth insights into how LMX quality correlates with organizational success. Demographically, a proportion of (827)61% was ascertained for males while a value of (523)39% was determined representing females. The youngest and oldest age distributions were observed to be from 26 to 58. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) result confirm positive associations between LMX and improvements in employee well-being, job satisfaction, and organizational resilience, illustrating LMX’s role in fostering a cohesive and resilient work environment that supports team effectiveness and sustainable growth. These findings establish LMX as a vital strategic asset for bolstering employee engagement and driving competitive organizational performance. Our study advances the theoretical understanding of LMX by integrating fuzzy logic with affective engagement analysis thereby offering a practical framework for SME leaders in emerging markets to enhance employee engagement and organizational efficiency.

Kim, Hyunjoo; An, Jae-Sun; Suh, Kyung-Hyun

doi: 10.1007/s12144-024-07255-zpmid: N/A

This study explored the psychological factors related to the intention to avoid childbirth among Korean adult women of childbearing age. The study verified predictive models for this intention using psychological variables and demographic profiles to provide useful information and knowledge for further studies and interventions. The participants were 400 Korean women of childbearing age, aged 18–45 years. The predictive models were verified using stepwise regression and decision tree analyses. The results revealed that neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, behavioral activation system (BAS), behavioral inhibition system (BIS), stress, hardiness, life satisfaction, and expectations for the future were significantly correlated with the intention to avoid childbirth among Korean adult women of childbearing age. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that neuroticism accounted for the greatest variance in the intention to avoid childbirth. Neuroticism, life satisfaction, drive, expectations for the future, and tenacity accounted for approximately 16.5% of the variance in women’s intentions to avoid childbirth in young adulthood. The decision tree model predicting the intention to avoid childbirth included life satisfaction, extraversion, witnessing mothers’ difficulties raising children, religion, and neuroticism. These findings suggest that psychological variables such as neuroticism and life satisfaction may play a more important role in Korean young adult women’s intention to avoid childbirth.

Urfa, Osman; Aşçı, F. Hülya

doi: 10.1007/s12144-025-07298-wpmid: N/A

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the “Body and Appearance Self-Conscious Emotions Scale (BASES)” and “Body and Fitness-Related Self-Conscious Emotions Scale (BSE-FIT)” for Turkish adolescents. Each scale consists of 16 items and four subscales (shame, guilt, authentic pride, and hubristic pride) and items are responded on 5-point Likert scale. The psychometric properties of BASES and BSE-FIT were tested on 332 girls and 264 boys, a total of 596 participants (Mage=13.88, SDage=1.92). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) with multi-group analysis (MGA) were used to test the 4-factor and 2-factor structures and measurement invariance. Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient and composite reliability (CR) were calculated for reliability. According to the model fit indices and factor loadings, the most appropriate model was the 4-factor CFA model for BASES and BSE-FIT. Cronbach’s alpha and CR coefficients were 0.79 and above in the 4-factor CFA structures of both scales. In addition, MGA demonstrated factor structures, factor loadings, intercepts, and measurement error variance of BASES and BSE-FIT were equivalent according to sex, school level, sport status, region, and body mass index. In conclusion, BASES and BSE-FIT are valid and reliable in Turkish adolescents, and both scales provided measurement invariance in adolescents with different demographic characteristics.

Kim, Byung-Jik; Lee, Dong-gwi

doi: 10.1007/s12144-025-07333-wpmid: N/A

This research examines the dynamics between organizationally prescribed perfectionism (OPP), psychological safety, burnout, depression, and coaching leadership in the context of the South Korean workforce. By applying several theories, we developed a moderated mediation model. This model suggests that psychological safety and burnout act as sequential mediators between OPP and depression, while coaching leadership moderates the relationship between OPP and psychological safety. Our data, collected from 413 employees across four waves using a time-lagged design, support our proposed model. Structural equation modeling revealed that OPP directly and indirectly affects depression via psychological safety and burnout. Furthermore, the impact of OPP on psychological safety is reduced under strong coaching leadership. These findings underscore the need to address perfectionism in the workplaces and highlight the central roles of psychological safety and coaching leadership in enhancing employee resilience and well-being. This study enriches existing literature by bringing together different theoretical frameworks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how perfectionism affects employee outcomes. It also provides practical recommendations for organizations seeking to foster a supportive and thriving work environment amidst increasing demands for perfectionism.

Zhang, Qingyu; Khan, Jawad; Salameh, Anas A.

doi: 10.1007/s12144-025-07329-6pmid: N/A

This study examined the relationship between perceived overqualification (POQ) and employee’s negative megaphoning behavior. Further, we have studied the mediating role of job strain and the moderating role of meritocracy. Employees of service sector organizations were surveyed using a time-lagged data design. The study model was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings indicate that (1) POQ is positively related to negative megaphoning behavior; (2) job strain mediates the path between POQ and negative megaphoning behavior; (3) the direct influence of POQ on job strain and indirect impact of POQ on negative megaphoning behavior via job strain is moderated by meritocracy. The findings suggest that organizations should foster meritocratic practices to alleviate job strain and curb negative megaphoning behaviors, promoting a fair and supportive work environment for overqualified employees.

Zhang, Wanli; Wood, Stephen

doi: 10.1007/s12144-025-07343-8pmid: N/A

Awareness of age-related change has been shown to outperform chronological age on a variety of outcomes. More specifically, its two dimensions, awareness of positive and negative age-related changes, have been shown to be, respectively, positively and negatively associated with work-related proactivity, and that they are better predictors than chronological age and subjective age for key types of proactivity. In this paper we construct and test a model of the mechanisms that may explain these relationships. Drawing on two aging theories, socio-emotional selectivity theory and selection, optimization and compensation theory, we hypothesize that future time perspective and goal setting mediate the relationship between awareness of age-related change and proactivity. Using data (n = 410) from a survey of Chinese teachers, the tests of the model support it in the case of two dimensions of proactivity, task and development proactivity. Awareness of age-related change does not, however predict a third dimension, organization proactivity, as having a managerial role is a more dominant factor. The study further quells doubts about older employees’ ability to contribute creatively to their roles and highlights the virtues of aging processes rather than chronological age in understanding work-related behaviors.

Wang, Hongyu; Gu, Yu; Wan, Pengyu; Zheng, Junwei

doi: 10.1007/s12144-024-07256-ypmid: N/A

In the realm of project management, leadership has long been a focal point of concern. However, the emergence and significance of informal leadership within the project context remain underexplored. This study, drawing on social exchange theory, hypothesizes the relationship between leader-member exchange (LMX) and the emergence of informal leadership, as well as the moderating effects of organizational complexity and ethical leadership. Using an experimental study (Study 1) and a multi-source survey (Study 2) with 198 participants from 68 project teams, this research demonstrates how informal leadership emergence acts as a mediator between LMX and project performance. Further analysis reveals that organizational complexity and ethical leadership strengthen the connection between LMX and informal leadership emergence. These findings offer a comprehensive explanation of how informal leadership emerges within project teams, identifying key conditions that facilitate it, and reveal its role and impact on project performance. By unveiling these dynamics, the study provides crucial insights into identifying and fostering informal leadership to enhance project performance.

Frisari, Francesca Valeria; Bonora, Matteo; Parisse, Chiara; Livi, Stefano; Kosic, Ankica

doi: 10.1007/s12144-025-07310-3pmid: N/A

Within the framework of Moral Foundations Theory (MFT; Haidt & Graham, Social Justice Research, 20(1), 98–116, 2007; Haidt & Joseph, Daedalus, 133(4), 55–66, 2004), the aim of the present study is to adapt and discuss the psychometric features of the Moral Foundations Questionnaire 2 (MFQ-2; Atari et al., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2023) in the Italian context. Utilizing a sample of 947 Italian adults, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted, which confirmed the six-factor solution initially proposed for the MFQ-2. Each moral foundation demonstrated acceptable reliability, underscoring the robustness of the questionnaire’s internal consistency. Correlation analyses between the MFQ-2 and MFQ-1 dimensions indicate a significant consistency across the dimensions of both versions, affirming the convergent validity of the MFQ-2. Additionally, Multi-Group Confirmatory Analyses (MGCFAs) indicated that the MFQ-2 exhibits configural invariance across genders. Despite several limitations, this study provides precious insights into the adaptation process of the MFQ-2 for the Italian cultural context, contributing to a broader understanding of the MFT in Italy.

Butt, Akasha; Shahzad, Muhammad Farrukh; Lodhi, Rab Nawaz; Shahzad, M. Kashif; Nigar, Natasha

doi: 10.1007/s12144-025-07278-0pmid: N/A

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in unprecedented challenges globally, significantly impacting mental health and wellbeing. This study examines the impact of social disconnectedness on mental health, when it is imposed as forced action to control the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, the impact of family support and religious commitment as key factors of subcontinent culture are analyzed in moderating variables on psychological distress due to social disconnectedness. The data was collected from 450 participants from Pakistan through a web-based survey using pre-validated scales and analyzed using structure equation modelling (SEM). The results of the study indicate that social disconnectedness significantly influences psychological distress. Moreover, family support and religious commitment significantly moderate the relationship between social disconnectedness and psychological distress. The social disconnectedness strategy adopted during the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in a psychological crisis. Such intervention in countries with weak economies and health systems may result in another pandemic of mental stress. The study highlights the critical need for policymakers to integrate culturally relevant support mechanisms, such as family and faith-based interventions when designing public health strategies. Incorporating such approaches can mitigate the mental health repercussions of future crises, ensuring holistic community wellbeing while combating pandemics.

Kim, Min Sun; Amar, Tserendorj Mend

doi: 10.1007/s12144-024-07132-9pmid: N/A

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effects of acculturative stress and loneliness on the relationship between perceived discrimination, depression, and somatization among international students from Mongolia living in South Korea. Data were collected from 288 Mongolian international students in South Korea, and 268 responses were analyzed after excluding 20 participants who were not university students or had incomplete responses.The analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0 programs to evaluate the structural equation model. The results indicated that perceived discrimination had a significant direct effect on acculturative stress, depression, and somatization. However, the direct path from perceived discrimination to loneliness was not significant. Additionally, acculturative stress had a significant effect on loneliness, depression, and somatization, suggesting that higher levels of acculturative stress are associated with increased loneliness, depression, and somatization. Furthermore, loneliness had a significant negative effect on both depression and somatization. The mediated effects of loneliness and acculturation were significant, indicatingthat perceived discrimination canincrease acculturative stress, which in turn can increase loneliness, leading to depression. Finally, perceived discrimination had a significant indirect effect on somatization through acculturative stress and loneliness.