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Empowering transgender individuals: A thematic analysis of workplace challenges and mental health outcomes

Syeda Mariam Arshad — 2026-08-17

Transgender communities in our society are always considered as a taboo and people are often seen distancing themselves without making any attempt to understand their issues, especially when they try to become financially independent. This study aims to explore the workplace challenges and the impact of societal behavior on the psychological health of transgender community in Lahore, Pakistan. The study was based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), for which six transgender individuals were selected through the snowball sampling technique and analyzed using thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect in-depth information regarding their experiences. Five major themes were identified after the interviews were transcribed including: societal indifferences, challenges faced during employment, impact on psychological health, self- satisfaction after employment and coping strategies. The results of the study indicated that all the participants encountered absurd societal behavior and faced inequity challenges during employment that resultantly had an adverse effect on their psychological health. Furthermore, the findings suggested various coping strategies that participants used in order to cope with undesirable circumstances and majority of them reported social support and use of optimistic self-talk as the most desirable coping mechanism. Furthermore, the participants pointed out discrimination and inequality they faced during employment. The present study can fill the research gaps with reference to our society and will help the mental health professionals to teach them ways to cope up with the challenges they face, additionally the findings will help to improve the experience of transgender individuals at organizational and societal level.

Equipped yet Reluctant: Comparing the Problem-Solving Skills across University Gen Z Students

Tehreem Fatima — 2026-08-17

This study examines the differences in metacognition, decisional procrastination, affiliated comfort, and problem-solving skills among Generation Z students enrolled in public and private universities. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected from 288 university students (135 males, 153 females) in Lahore through purposive sampling. Participants completed the Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale, Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire, Positive Relations with Others subscale, and Problem-Solving Inventory. Hierarchical regression and independent samples t-test were used. Results revealed gender significantly predicted problem-solving skills, explaining 5% of the variance, while metacognition contributed an additional 11.5% variance and private university students scored higher on the Problem-Solving Inventory as compared to public university students while no significant differences were found in metacognition, decisional procrastination, or affiliated comfort. Findings indicate that institutional social environment may play a role in shaping students’ problem-solving skills and meta-cognitive skills. Future research should include broader geographical sample to enhance generalizability.

Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance and Career Beliefs in Female Frontline Health Workers in Rural and Urban Areas

Aisha Sarfraz — 2026-08-17

The purpose of the current research was to find out the relationship between emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and facilitating career beliefs in female frontline health workers who are single, married, or mothers. A sample of 250 female frontline health workers, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, was taken from different government and private hospitals. The age range of participants was 25–55 years (M = 33.33, SD = 8.41). A demographic information sheet, the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John, 2003), the Distress Tolerance Scale (Azhar et al., 2018), and the Career Beliefs Scale (Waqar & Hanif, 2013) were used. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between emotional regulation and facilitating career beliefs among female frontline health workers. Moreover, results showed a significant negative relationship between emotional regulation and distress tolerance among female frontline health workers who were single, married, or mothers. Furthermore, results from hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that higher emotional regulation is a significant positive predictor of facilitating career beliefs (adaptive and positive self-beliefs about one's abilities, worth, opportunities, and future success that support healthy emotional regulation) among female frontline health workers. These findings suggest that fostering emotional regulation skills among female frontline health workers may support the development of facilitating career beliefs, and that supportive social and organizational attitudes toward these women may help them manage the demands of domestic and professional life.

Social Media Usage, Social Comparison and Feedback Seeking, and Interaction Anxiousness in Youth

Jane Vincent — 2026-08-17

This study aims to explore the relationships between social media use, social comparison, and feedback seeking, and interaction anxiousness among youth. It was hypothesized that (i) there is a positive relationship between social media use, social comparison and feedback seeking, and interaction anxiousness in youth, (ii) Social media use, and social comparison and feedback seeking is likely to positively predict interaction anxiousness in youth, (iii) there are gender differences in term of social media use, social comparison and feedback seeking, and interaction anxiousness in youth. A correlational cross-sectional research design was used in the present study. The sample comprised 208 university students aged 18–35 (M = 21.97, SD = 3.191) from public and private sector universities of Lahore. The assessment measures included Social Media-Activity Questionnaire (Ozimek et al., 2023), Social Comparison and Feedback-Seeking Scale (Nesi & Prinstein, , 2015).) Interaction Anxiousness Scale (Leary et al., 1983). Results revealed that passive social media was positively related to social comparison and feedback seeking and had no significant relation to interaction anxiousness. In contrast, active social media use was positively related to social comparison and feedback seeking and negatively related to interaction anxiousness. Lastly, social comparison and feedback seeking was positively related to interaction anxiousness. The results indicated that passive social media use positively and active social media use negatively predicted interaction anxiousness. Further, social comparison and feedback seeking positively predicted interaction anxiousness. Additionally, the results also showed that men reported higher active social media use, while women exhibited higher interaction anxiousness. Further, no significant gender differences were found in passive social media use as well as social comparison and feedback seeking. Future implications should be implemented to reduce anxiety, youth should be educated on the detrimental effects of social media, and educational institutions should develop strategies that promote responsible usage. Peer support programs and readily accessible mental health services can also assist youths in sharing their experiences and building coping techniques.

Psychological Distress, Mental Health Stigma and Help Seeking Behavior in University Students

Saima Ahmad — 2026-08-17

The purpose of this study is to explore the association among psychological distress, mental health stigma and help-seeking behavior in university students. For this purpose, a correlational cross-sectional study was designed. The study was conducted at three universities of Lahore i.e. Lahore College for Women University, Government College University, and Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore. In the current study, 100 males and 100 females, aged 20-25 (M = 22.89, SD = 1.32), were included. Data were collected using purposive sampling. Assessments were conducted using a self-constructed demographic sheet, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Stigma Scale, and the Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help—Short Version. Different statistical techniques were used to analyze the results through SPSS. The results showed a moderate positive relationship between psychological distress and stigma of mental health, and a negative association between stigma of mental health and help-seeking behavior. Female students reported higher psychological distress and greater stigma of mental health than male students. Moreover, day scholars have higher psychological distress and stigma of mental health as compared to students living in hostels. However, no gender based or residence-based differences were observed in help-seeking behavior. Multiple regression analysis revealed that psychological distress and stigma of mental health significantly predicted help-seeking behavior, accounting for 38.0% variance.

Clinical Management of Frotteuristic Disorder: A Case Study

Anam Maqsood — 2026-02-02

A 30-year-oldmale was referred to a mental healthcare institute in Lahorewith presenting complaints of deriving pleasure from rubbing or touching a non-consenting person, exhibiting aggressive behavior (such as beating) towards his family members,and irritability. After informal and formal assessment, the client was diagnosed with Frotteuristic Disorder,in a controlled environment. This case was conceptualized using Wolf’s Cycle of Sexual Offending (Wolf, 1984). The management plan for this case was devised according to the behavioral paradigm. A total of 12sessions were conducted with the client,in which he was given psychoeducation about his problem and the strategies to cope with it. The main technique employed for managing his harassmentproblem was covert sensitization. For anger management, he was taught relaxation techniques and was also guided about relapse and its prevention. The client reported a significant improvement at the end of therapy.

Effectiveness of Third Wave CBT Techniques for Anger Management among Pakistani University Students

Sidra Zaki — 2026-02-02

This study examines the effectiveness of third-wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques in managing anger among university students in Pakistan. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 25 years. A quasi-experimental design was used and conducted in two phases. In the initial phase, 75 participants were screened using the Clinical Anger Scale (CAS). Forty participants exhibiting moderate to severe anger were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. In the second phase, the experimental group received third-wave CBT interventions, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based techniques, while the control group received treatment as usual. Findings revealed that third-wave CBT techniques led to a significant reduction in anger symptoms compared to the control group. These results highlight the cross-cultural applicability of third-wave CBT and its potential to enhance emotional regulation and resilience among university students.

Development and Validation of ChatGPT Reliance Scale

Syeda Farhana Kazmi — 2026-02-02

As ChatGPT becomes more common in universities, many people are concerned about its effects on students’ learning, research quality, originality, and even procrastination habits. In response, this study developed and validated a detailed ChatGPT Reliance Scale for university students. The goal was to provide a reliable and accurate tool for capturing the complex ways students use ChatGPT in higher education. To this end, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,000 students from various universities and postgraduate colleges in Abbottabad and Peshawar. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the first segment of the dataset, comprising 409 participants. The EFA indicated a three-factor structure that explained 61.99% of the total variance. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was then conducted on the remaining 400 participants, supporting the three-factor model and yielding acceptable fit indices (χ² (235) = 1074, p < .001; CMIN/DF = 4.57; CFI = 0.91; GFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.06). All factor loadings were statistically significant (p < .001) and ranged from 0.54 to 0.85. Overall, the scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.92, McDonald’s ω = 0.93), suggesting it is a reliable instrument for assessing how and to what extent university students rely on ChatGPT.

Appearance Anxiety, Subjective Happiness and Mental Health Issues among University Students

Noreena Kausar — 2026-02-02

The study measures the relationship among appearance anxiety, subjective happiness and mental health issues in university students. Using Cross-sectional survey research design, a total of 616 students were included in the study through stratified sampling. Data were collected through Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Using SPSS-24, results indicated a negative relationship between appearance anxiety and subjective happiness and a positive relationship between appearance anxiety and mental health issue (r = .526). Correlation analysis also revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between subjective happiness and mental health issues (r = -.13) among university students. Regression analysis revealed that appearance anxiety is a significant predictor of mental health issues in university students. Through the findings, the role of body image in students’ overall well-being is highlighted. Further, it also sheds light on the importance of mental health related services in the universities for the promotion of mental well-being of students. The significant relationship among appearance anxiety, subjective happiness and mental health issues suggests that providing counseling and intervention services for appearance anxiety not only enhances overall well-being, but also reduces the mental health issues among students.

The Algorithm of Anguish: Examining Doomscrolling and Gen-Z Mental Health

Laiba Labeeb Bajwa — 2026-02-02

The present research explored the association between doomscrolling, and mental health problems in Gen-Z. In this correlational and cross-sectional research, data (N=250) was collected from students of both private and public universities by using purposive and quota sampling technique. The sample included equal number of males, and females (125 each) with age range of 18-25 years. The data collection protocol included permission letter, consent form, demographic sheet, Doomscrolling Scale (DS; Sharma et al., 2022), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). IBM-SPSS statistics was used to run the statistical analysis. Correlation analysis showed doomscrolling to have a significant positive moderate relationship (0.27^**) with mental health problems. Regression analysis depicted doomscrolling to be a significant positive predictor of mental health problems in Gen-Z. Future research should explore the longitudinal impacts and the effectiveness of digital literacy programs as a preventive approach.