Environment and Social Psychology

Environment and Social Psychology

       ISSN: 

2424-8975 (Online)

2424-7979 (Print)

Journal Abbreviation:

Environ. Soc. Psychol.

Environment and Social Psychology (ESP) is an international open-access academic journal dedicated to publishing highly professional research in all fields related to the relationship between environment and social psychology. All manuscripts are subjected to a rigorous double-blind peer review process, to ensure quality and originality. We are interested in the original research discoveries. This journal also features a wide range of research in ancillary areas relevant to social psychology. ESP publishes original research articles, review articles, editorials, case reports, letters, brief commentaries, perspectives, methods, etc. ESP aims to explore the connections between the environment and human condition, and enhance the environment protection consciousness and behaviors that are crucial to achieve the goals of sustainable development and human development. 

The research topics of ESP include but are not limited to:

  • Environment psychology
      Environmental perception
      Environmental behaviour
      Environmental design
  • Social psychology
      Social perception
      Social Behaviour
      Interpersonal Relationships
  • Environment and mental health
      Mental Health
      Coping mechanisms
      Emotions and the Environment
  • Sustainability and behavioral science
      Sustainable Development
      Behavioural change theory
      Social norms and environmental behaviour
  • Climate psychology
      Psychological impacts of climate change
      Behavioural responses
      Climate education
  • Interdisciplinary research
      Environment and social sciences
      Technology and psychology
        Arts and Humanities
      Culture and environment
  • Social Sciences(Health)
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
      Learning, attention deficit and the environment
      Genderisation, child development and the social environment
  • Neurological and physiological psychology
      Depression and the environment
      Problem Solving and the Social Environment
 

Notice: The ownership of Environment and Social Psychology (ESP) has been transferred from Asia Pacific Academy of Science Pte. Ltd. to Arts and Science Press Pte. Ltd. The new publisher will publish this journal starting from Volume 9, Issue 7 of 2024. Contributors should make submissions to the new journal system (https:/esp.as-pub.com/index.php/esp) from March 25, 2024. Authors of previous submissions can track the publication progress through the original journal system.

Vol. 10 No. 8 (2025): Publishing

Table of Contents

Open Access
Research Articles
by Jing Zhang, Muhammad Hussin, Mohamad Zuber Abd Majid
2025,10(8);    22 Views
Abstract In today’s dynamic and evolving job market, vocational education plays a vital role in equipping students with practical skills for successful careers. This study investigates the employment challenges faced by vocational students in China, an issue that has become a significant societal concern amidst the rapid expansion of vocational education in recent years. Despite increased enrollment in vocational colleges, the unemployment rate among graduates continues to rise, largely due to a gap between the soft skills of students and the demands of the labor market. The study’s objectives are twofold: (1) to assess the level of soft skills and work readiness among vocational students in China, and (2) to explore the relationship between soft skills and work readiness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 132 respondents, including 56 male and 76 female students across various majors. Statistical package for social sciences SPSS) Version 26 was used for analyzing the mean score, standard deviations and the correlation analysis.  The analysis reveals that soft skills among vocational students are generally at a moderate level, with mean scores ranging from 2.53 to 3.32. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between soft skills and work readiness was found (P < 0.01), suggesting that enhanced soft skills could improve students' preparedness for the workforce. Theoretically, this study contributes to the understanding of the role of soft skills in vocational education and their impact on employability. Practically, the findings suggest that vocational education institutions should prioritize soft skills training in their curricula to better align graduates’ abilities with labor market needs, thus enhancing their employability prospects. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and educators in designing curricula that address the growing demand for soft skills in the modern workplace.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Yanli Chen, Fathiyah Mohd Kamaruzaman, M. Khalid M. Nasir
2025,10(8);    29 Views
Abstract This paper analyses the effects of anxiety on the acceptance of the application of digital tools on Chinese vocational college media students and also factors that affect adoption of technology both psychologically and socially. The investigation of the direct correlation between anxiety and the assessments of the perceived ease of use (PEOU) and the perceived usefulness (PU) of digital-based tools was conducted via a mixed-methods method, both including quantitative and qualitative data. Survey involved 200 of the students but 20 others were interviewed to gain insight on the qualitative aspect. The findings indicate that mean total “CARS (Computer Anxiety Rating Scale) score was 3.22 and the average amount of anxiety was moderate. The negative relation between anxiety and the PEOU (-0.47) and PU (-0.45) also indicated a strong negative relation meaning that an increment in anxiety adversely affects how students understand digital tools. Besides, peer influence (r = 0.42 and 0.41, respectively) and institutional support positively correlated with PEOU and PU, as well as technology acceptance rate (r = 0.45). Qualitative annotations identified that complexity of software, fear of failure, and lack of prior knowledge were some of the significant causes of anxiety. The level of anxiety was lower among students who were being supported by their peers and were provided with correct amounts of institutional resources. The research findings summarise that anxiety and its impacts can be minimised by using peer network and institutional support which, in turn, greatly improves acceptance of digital tools by students. Some suggestions to educators and institutions entail the need to improve peer-assisted learning, enhance institutional support, and digitized tools to make them easy to use to encourage technology adoption and overcome anxiety.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Ivanna Shubina
2025,10(8);    28 Views
Abstract This bibliometric study investigates the impact of positive emotions without neglecting the benefits of negative emotions on academic performance and well-being among teachers and students in language education. The current study synthesized retrieved data from 382 relevant studies published between 2013 and 2023 using LENS software and provided suggestions for future studies in the field. Descriptive characteristics of the publications showed an increased number of publications in 2015 and 2018. The top two leading authors by publication amount and citation score were J-M. Dewaele and P.D. Macintyre. The results indicated that positive emotions have a significant impact on academic success, the development of students' skills and abilities, and increase overall well-being among students and teachers in language education. The findings are useful for researchers interested in an overview of publication trends in language education, for teachers and students encouraging a deeper understanding of positive emotions' impact on academic performance and creating an efficient learning environment. Nevertheless, future research should explore the integration of gender, and sociocultural variables to better understand how emotional experiences and their impacts in learning may vary across diverse teaching contexts and learner populations.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Erwin B. Berry, Jason V. Chavez, Bernadette R. Gumpal, Kristopher R. Lopez, Shyla O. Moreno, Jennifer M. Montero, James Q. Grefalde, Rudyard Ryann T. Verano, Sar-Ana M. Abdurasul
2025,10(8);    0 Views
Abstract This qualitative study explores the detriments of self-doubt on a public speaker’s message, particularly among Filipino senior high school student speakers. Using an exploratory design, the research aimed to understand how self-doubt manifests during the preparation and delivery of a speech, and how it affects message clarity, confidence, and audience reception. Fifteen participants shared their experiences through semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis revealed that self-doubt operates on both internal and external levels. Internally, it is triggered by fear of judgment, lack of preparation, and negative self-perception, often resulting in overthinking and emotional withdrawal. Externally, it manifests in disorganized delivery, weak persuasive tone, and noticeable nervous behaviors. Despite these challenges, participants reported coping strategies such as positive self-talk, mindfulness, and grounding techniques that helped manage their anxiety. The findings highlight the importance of addressing emotional readiness in public speaking education and call for supportive environments that empower students to overcome internal barriers and communicate with greater clarity and confidence.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Jason V. Chavez, Joseph B. Quinto, Pearly Jade E. Samilo, Neña Vanessa A. Cabiles, Jhordan T. Cuilan, Abundio C. Miralles, Maria Lady Sol A. Suazo, Rolly G. Salvaleon, Annie Y. Samarca, Josephine L. Cruz
2025,10(8);    50 Views
Abstract Parental involvement is a critical factor in English language learning, as it extends exposure and practice beyond the classroom, creating a continuous and supportive learning environment. However, limited research examines how Filipino parents intentionally instill discipline to strengthen language learning at home. This study employed a qualitative descriptive research design and purposively selected 18 Filipino parents who actively engaged in their children’s English language learning. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, recorded with consent, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes. Three core parental practices emerged: (1) Imposing strictness through structured routines, rules, and corrective feedback to ensure accountability; (2) Repetition of language use in daily tasks, stories, and games to enhance fluency and vocabulary retention; and (3) Creating a supportive environment that combined emotional encouragement with consistent guidance. These strategies led to improvements in children’s confidence, technical language skills, and frequency of English use in everyday situations. Findings suggest that discipline-oriented yet supportive parenting fosters both linguistic competence and motivation. Aligning with Vygotsky’s social development theory, the study highlights the importance of structured interaction and positive reinforcement in language learning. Intentional parental involvement—balancing firm discipline with emotional support—significantly enhances children’s English language acquisition. Educational programs should promote home-based language strategies and school–parent partnerships to strengthen English proficiency.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Wang Guopeng, Syamsul Bahrin Zaibon
2025,10(8);    0 Views
Abstract This deductive study aimed to examine the impact of social media brand community engagement and brand awareness on brand loyalty, with the mediating role of brand trust and the moderating role of word of mouth (WOM). In this quantitative cross-sectional study, data were collected at the primary level through a fully structured questionnaire distributed via an online survey link to social media users of fashion brands in China. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS and SPSS. The findings indicate that incorporating WOM effects enhances the influence of brand knowledge on brand trust in fashion brands. However, WOM is only effective when consumers’ awareness significantly shapes their confidence in a brand; otherwise, its value is limited. This study highlights that brand knowledge, trust, and WOM are interconnected factors, and neglecting any one of them can negatively affect the market reach of fashion businesses.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Fitri Ayu Kusumaningrum, Sri Lestari, Lusi Nuryanti, Eny Purwandari, Taufik Taufik
2025,10(8);    32 Views
Abstract Problematic social media use (PSMU) among adolescents has emerged as a growing global concern due to its documented impact on mental health. This study provides a bibliometric analysis of research trends on adolescent PSMU by examining publications indexed in the Scopus database. Articles were mapped based on year of publication, country of origin, and associated psychological constructs. Using VOSviewer software, the study employed co-occurrence analysis to visualize relationships among recurring topics and keywords. The findings reveal a marked annual increase in publications on adolescent PSMU, with the United Kingdom and the United States leading in scholarly output. Prominent thematic trends include depression, mental health, well-being, healthy behaviors, addictive behaviors, anxiety, sleep disturbances, social support, and loneliness. These topics are clustered around both internal factors (e.g., self, emotion, cognition, personality) and external factors (e.g., peers, parents, family, social context, attachment). Frequently used methodological keywords include clinical studies, cross-sectional studies, controlled studies, and surveys. The implications of this analysis underscore its value as a reference point for future empirical investigations in the field.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Yegen Ouyang, En-wei Cao, Pinghua Wu
2025,10(8);    24 Views
Abstract This research paper investigates consumer reviews influence on buying decisions regarding ceramic products in online marketplaces where one cannot use touch to make the judgment. By exploiting the mixed-methods design, we paired natural language processing, machine learning, and a survey experiment involving 847 participants, to review 15,847 reviews on Taobao, JD.com and Amazon. Sentiment polarity, descriptive richness, and cultural but also emotional tone are review that were compared with psychological drivers like trust formation, perceived quality, cultural value, and functional assessment. Psychological permeability, or the state to which an attitude and decision making by a consumer can be affected by external sources of information (in the form of emotional and informational cues) turned out to be essential moderating factor that increased the influence of culturally enriched review narratives. In structural equation modeling, mediation effects were significant, where cultural background moderated the effects of cultural cues, such that the domestic consumers responded more on heritage related contents whereas international consumers focused on functions. Differences were noted platform-specific: on Taobao, interface design led to stronger persuasive effects of embedded-cultural reviews, whereas the mixed presentation style led to stronger positive and negative feedback salience on Amazon. This evidence helps to comprehend the role of informational quality, cultural resonance, and platform design interactive influence on the behavior in e-commerce. These outcomes have practical strategic brand implications in culturally rich categories of products where digital marketing has featured prominently, and where it is important to consider the matching review presentation with the psychological receptivity of consumers.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Jason V. Chavez, Pearly Jade E. Samilo, Neña Vanessa A. Cabiles, Sar-Ana M. Abdurasul, Rasmil T. Abdurasul, Erwin F. Maturan, Salita D. Dimzon, Ma. Celestial M. Acha, Jelyn M. Magno, Annie Y. Samarca
2025,10(8);    0 Views
Abstract This qualitative study explored how Filipino parents balance the use of Filipino and English when teaching and communicating with their children at home. Twenty parents participated in semi-structured interviews to share their experiences, routines, challenges, and strategies in supporting bilingual language development. The study found that parents decide to use Filipino or English depending on the situation, with English mostly used for academic support and Filipino for emotional and cultural connections. Parents also employed routines like bilingual reading time, storytelling, and real-life conversations to help children learn both languages. Despite their efforts, many parents faced challenges such as children’s preference for English due to school and media influences, limited time, and parents’ own language confidence. The findings reveal that parents play an important role in nurturing bilingualism by creating a supportive home environment that values both languages. This study adds to the understanding of bilingual parenting in the Philippine context and offers insights for families and educators who aim to promote balanced bilingual development.
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Open Access
Research Articles
by Wei Yuqin, Mohd Faiz Mohd Yaakob
2025,10(8);    0 Views
Abstract This study examines the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between leadership communication, organizational culture, and job satisfaction among academicians in Chinese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 346 academicians across five HEIs in Zhejiang, China, and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results revealed that organizational culture positively influenced both self-efficacy (β = 1.279, p < 0.001) and job satisfaction (β = 0.573, p = 0.012), while self-efficacy also had a significant positive effect on job satisfaction (β = 0.164, p = 0.032). In contrast, leadership communication showed a significant but negative direct effect on job satisfaction (β = –0.176, p = 0.015) and had no significant impact on self-efficacy. Mediation analysis confirmed that self-efficacy partially mediated the effects of both organizational culture and leadership communication on job satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of fostering a strong organizational culture and enhancing self-efficacy to improve job satisfaction among academic staff, while also suggesting that leadership communication alone may not yield positive outcomes unless supported by internal psychological resources.
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Announcements

Announcement about Artificial Intelligence in Academic Writing issues

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT and other large language models, is becoming increasingly prevalent in research publications. Art and Science Publishing House is dedicated to continuously refining and updating its policies regarding the use of AI tools in academic writing. In alignment with COPE’s position statement on AI tools, we hereby outline the following guidelines:  

Authorship and Accountability 

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of a manuscript. This is because AI tools cannot take responsibility for the content of a submission, nor do they possess the ability to manage copyright and licensing agreements.  

Transparency in Disclosure 

Authors who use AI tools in the preparation of their manuscripts—whether for writing, data collection, or data analysis—must transparently disclose the use of such tools. This disclosure should include:  

A description of how the AI tool was used.  

The specific AI tool(s) employed.  

This information should be clearly stated in either the "Methods" or "Acknowledgments" section of the manuscript.  

Author Responsibility  

Authors bear full responsibility for the content of their manuscripts, including any portions generated by AI tools or data analyzed using AI during the research process. This ensures the integrity and accuracy of the published work.  

Consequences of Non-Disclosure

Failure to disclose the use of AI tools in a manuscript will result in serious consequences. “Environment and Social Psychology” and Art and Science reserve the right to reject or retract any submission found to have concealed the use of AI tools.  

These guidelines are designed to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and transparency while embracing the potential benefits of AI in research. We encourage authors to use AI tools responsibly and to provide clear and honest reporting of their use.  

For further clarification or questions regarding these policies, please contact our editorial office.  

Posted: 2025-01-20
 

Call for papers

The Environment and Social Psychology (ESP) invites submissions of original research manuscripts in all areas of Environment psychology, including Human-Environment Interactions, Sustainability and Pro-Environmental Behavior, Climate Change Psychology, Restorative Environments, Urban Planning and Design, Place Attachment and Identity, Environmental Stressors and communication. 

Since 2022, ESP has been indexed in SCOPUS, further enhancing its visibility and academic impact. We encourage researchers interested in publishing with ESP to submit their work for consideration.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to the journal.

Posted: 2024-12-23
 

Announcement of New Editor-in-Chief

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Gabriela Topa as the new Editor-in-Chief of Environment and Social Psychology (ESP), effective December 1, 2024. Professor Topa, who is currently affiliated with Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) in Spain, brings a wealth of expertise in Social and Organizational Psychology to this prestigious role.

Having previously served as an esteemed member of our Editorial Board, Professor Topa has demonstrated exceptional leadership and scholarly acumen. Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for ESP as we continue to advance our mission of publishing cutting-edge research in social psychology and related disciplines.

Environment and Social Psychology is a fully open-access journal committed to disseminating high-quality research across a broad spectrum of topics within the field. Under Professor Topa's guidance, we are confident that ESP will reach new heights of academic excellence and influence.

 

The ESP Editorial Team and Publisher

Posted: 2024-12-01
 
More Announcements...