Journal of Social Sciences Review (JSSR) is a Multidisciplinary peer-reviewed research journal. It aims to disseminate scientific information, high-quality research and spark discussion on Social Sciences (Miscellaneous) current issues.
SSR's Editorial Board shares the vision of providing free access to information, education, and science for everyone, thus promoting its content through an OPEN ACCESS POLICY, fulfilling the DOAJ definition of open access. The JSSR adheres to an Open Access and Copyright Licensing Policy based on the belief that making research freely accessible to the public promotes greater global knowledge sharing. The JSSR uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. The authors who apply and publish in JSSR consent to abide by the copyright policy set out in the Creative Commons 4.0 license (Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license). Copyright in the Journal of Social Sciences Review is retained by the author(s). Authors also grant any third party the right to use the article freely as long as its integrity is maintained and its original authors, citation details and publisher are identified. While "By 'open access' to this literature, we mean its free availability on the public internet, permitting any users to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles, crawl them for indexing, pass them as data to software, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself."
Imposter Feelings among Medical Students During Medical Education
Impostor syndrome is a prevalent and neglected mental health problem in the area of medical education, as it manifests through the development of self-doubt and inability to internalize performance even when competent. Though it is widely researched in the Western context, it has not been properly explored in Pakistan, where the cultures and academic pressure can increase its impacts. The current research evaluated the prevalence, the levels of the severity, and the predictors of impostor syndrome among medical students in Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was done on 600 medical students (aged 18-25 years) in public (n=300) and private (n=300) colleges in Punjab who were selected using multi-stage stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Impostor Syndrome Scale (ISS) and the Burnout Scale for Medical Students (BSMS). The findings revealed that 64.5% of students had experienced impostor syndrome, of which 51.2% had mild, 38.8% moderate, 8.3% severe, and 1.8% intense levels of the syndrome. The neural networks were analyzed and the findings indicated that the best predictor of impostor syndrome was the percentage of academic performance (marks). Part-time employment and year of study had significant effects and income, gender and residential status were of moderate effects in the case of impostor syndrome. These results indicate that the rates of impostor syndrome are high among Pakistani medical students, and such results can be used to outline the necessity of applying certain psychological, academic, and institutional interventions to make sure that health and professional sustainability are promoted among future medical practitioners.
Copyright (c) 2025 Copyright in the Journal of Social Sciences Review is retained by the author(s). Authors also grant any third party the right to use the article freely as long as its integrity is maintained and its original authors, citation details and publisher are identified. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Role of Demographic Factors on the Positive-Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenic Patients
This paper explored how France has reacted to this move by exclusion to AUKUS not through a direct military confrontation, but through soft balancing and hedging approaches. These included diplomatic outreach, defense co-operation, and diversification of the economy with regional powers such as India, Japan, and ASEAN members. The qualitative research approach is employed to identify official reports, policy reports, and academic sources to describe the identified behaviors of France as the outcome of the assessment of the strategic threats and an effort to maintain the status of influence in the problematic region. The study focuses on the multidimensionality of the objectives of France in balancing-seeking, the significance of norms, multilateralism, and sovereignty. France counters the ambitious nature of China to stabilize the situation in the region in a non-confrontational manner. France considers itself the major security guarantor in the Indo-Pacific. Even at the expense of AUKUS and thus, it is a key contributor to alliances without compromising their own independent status, even after AUKUS.
Intimate Partner Relationship, Coping Strategies and Somatic Symptoms in Married Women
The present study examined the relationship between intimate partner relationships, coping strategies, and somatic symptoms in married women. A correlational research design was used in the research, with a total sample size of N=200 married women. Snowball sampling was used to gather data from married women. Standardized tools measured relationship quality, somatic symptoms, and coping styles, including emotion-focused and problem-focused coping. The results indicated that poor relationship quality was significantly associated with increased somatic complaints or symptoms in married women. Emotion-focused coping was positively correlated with higher somatic complaints, while problem-focused coping showed a negative relationship, indicating its protective role. Furthermore, dyadic coping partially mediated the link between relationship quality and somatic symptoms. Group comparisons revealed that unemployed women reported significantly more somatic symptoms than employed women. Similarly, women from nuclear families showed higher levels of somatic symptoms compared to those from joint family systems. These findings emphasize the psychosomatic impact of relationship stress and coping style and suggest the need for low-cost, culturally sensitive couple-based interventions for married women. Implications can be done in future for further guideline and clinical purpose.
Global Challenges to Inclusive Education in Higher Education: Barriers and Institutional Responses: A Narrow Literature Review
The present study focuses on the challenges of inclusive education across the globe which are confronting with higher education (HE), especially in developing countries. To highlight the key pertinent issues, published articles were scrutinized from Google Scholar between 2019 and 2024. The review shows gender disparity, low socio-economic status of the students, no internet facility for online or e-learning, financial constraints, dissimilarity in curriculum and contents, settlement for refugees, and immigrant students in developed countries. This study offers suggestions to policy makers, curriculum developers, and stakeholders to align their practices and policies with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, findings indicate that digital soft skills courses for students are mandatory for the global employability. More future studies are needed to find innovative solutions for these challenges.
The Impact of Psychological Factors of Celibacy Syndrome on Attitude Towards Marriage
A societal trend of waning interest in romantic relationships and sexual activity, especially among younger generations, is known as celibacy syndrome. This study aims to investigate how young adults’ attitudes toward marriage are impacted by the psychological components of celibacy syndrome, particularly sexual desire and fear of intimacy. Data was gathered using a standardized questionnaire and a quantitative correlational survey approach 310 adults, both male and female, between the ages of 18 and 40, were included in the study using a purposive-convenient sample technique. Participants were presented with an informed consent form followed by a demographic information form, Sexual Desire Inventory-2 (Spector, et al., 2008), Fear of Intimacy (Descutner & Thelen.,1991), and Marital Attitude Scale (Braaten et al.,1998). The research data was analyzed through IBM SPSS 22 software. The results indicated that the psychological factor of celibacy syndrome, specifically fear of intimacy, has a significant impact on attitudes towards marriage. Individuals with a fear of intimacy tend to avoid close relationships and emotional disclosure, which can substitute emotional fulfillment by avoiding closeness. The finding also showed that another psychological factor of celibacy syndrome was sexual desire, which has an insignificant impact on attitudes towards marriage. The findings of this study offer insights into emotional well-being, enrich academic research, and provide practical strategies for balancing personal and professional life. It also promotes societal awareness and acceptance of diverse lifestyles.
The Role of Using Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Improving Information Security: An Analytical Study on a Sample of Employees Working in the Banking Sector
This research aims to evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on information security in commercial banks. It focuses on understanding how these technologies contribute to enhancing protection and detection capabilities against cyber threats. The research relied on a quantitative approach, selecting a random sample of 152 accountants and technicians working in various commercial banks. Data was collected using a specially designed questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. The results indicate a strong, positive relationship between the application of AI technologies and improved banking information security, confirming the effectiveness of these technologies in addressing growing security challenges. The research recommends that banks invest in and develop AI technologies, as well as train their staff on how to use them effectively, to ensure the highest levels of protection and security.
Adoption of Green Accounting Information Its Impact on Sustainability Disclosure: An Analytical Study
The purpose of the current research is to measure the impact of green accounting information systems in the disclosure of sustainability by (social disclosures, environmental disclosures, and economic disclosures) among a sample of employees in Rafidain Bank, and the research summarized this goal for the purpose of answering an important question represented in (Is it possible to adopt green accounting information systems in the disclosure of sustainability at Rafidain Bank, Diwaniyah branch?), As a result, the research relied on the questionnaire tool to analyze its results and measure the level of availability of these variables in the sample, and accordingly (150) questionnaire was distributed to a sample of employees in Rafidain Bank, Diwaniyah branch, and retrieved from them (136) questionnaire, and (13) questionnaire damaged, which means that (123) questionnaire valid for analysis, and the research imposed a correlation and impact between green accounting information systems and sustainability disclosure, The research came out as a result of several results, foremost of which was that the bank's employees have a great interest in building green accounting information systems and disclosure of sustainability, which gives this a strong correlation and influence between these variables, and the research recommended the need to focus the sample on developing the capabilities and capabilities of its employees in order to build a positive awareness they have towards interest in a sustainable work environment. And give a functional and service character towards customers that loves them and attracts them to deal with the bank without resorting to other banks.
AUKUS Fallout: France's Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Quest for Autonomy
This paper explored how France has reacted to this move by exclusion to AUKUS not through a direct military confrontation, but through soft balancing and hedging approaches. These included diplomatic outreach, defense co-operation, and diversification of the economy with regional powers such as India, Japan, and ASEAN members. The qualitative research approach is employed to identify official reports, policy reports, and academic sources to describe the identified behaviors of France as the outcome of the assessment of the strategic threats and an effort to maintain the status of influence in the problematic region. The study focuses on the multidimensionality of the objectives of France in balance-seeking, the significance of norms, multilateralism, and sovereignty. France counters the ambitious nature of China to stabilize the situation in the region in a non-confrontational manner. France considers itself the major security guarantor in the Indo-Pacific. Even at the expense of AUKUS and thus, it is a key contributor to alliances without compromising their own independent status, even after AUKUS.
Social Media Usage, Parasocial Interactions and Existential Anxiety among Adolescents
This study aimed to explore how social media use relates to parasocial interactions and existential anxiety in adolescents. It was hypothesized that there would be a connection between social media usage, parasocial interactions, and existential anxiety in this age group. To investigate this, a cross-sectional research design was implemented. Researchers used multistage sampling to select a sample of 700 students from private schools and colleges in the Gujranwala district of Punjab, Pakistan. Social Media Engagement Questionnaire (SMEQ) by Przybylski et al. (2013), the Celebrity Persona Parasocial Interaction Scale (CPPI) by Bocarnea (2007) and the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire (EAQ) by Weems et al. (2004) were used for data collection. Correlation and regression analyses were performed, using SPSS Version 24 for statistical analysis. The Cronbach alpha showed that social media has a positive correlation with parasocial interaction (r = .36, p < .01), while social media usage do not show a significant relationship with existential anxiety (r = .01, p ˃ .01). Further, parasocial interaction was negatively correlated with existential anxiety (r = –.09, p < .05). Regression analysis result shown that social media usage significantly predicts parasocial interaction F (1, 698) = 102.58, p < .001, and have 13% of the variance (R² = .13). In contrast, social media engagement did not significantly predict existential anxiety, F (1, 698) = 0.12, p = .73, R² = .00. However, parasocial interaction was a significant negative predictor of existential anxiety, F (1, 698) = 5.50, p = .019, accounting for less than 1% of the variance (R² = .008). It was concluded that social media usage was related to parasocial interaction and increase in parasocial interaction leads to decrease the existential anxiety. The results of this study add in comprehending these phenomena among Pakistani adolescents, highlighting the impact of social media usage on parasocial interactions and existential anxiety.
Digital Financial Inclusion, CO2 Emission and High Quality Development: A Panel Data Approach from South Asian Economies
This study examines that relationship between the High Quality Development index (HQDI) and Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) in nine South Asian Economies between 2013 and 2023. By using CO2 emissions as a mediating variable, it examines the direct and indirect effects of DFI on development quality. The Endogenous Growth Theory, which highlights the financial integration and technological advancement as important forces behind sustainable development, serves as the theoretical underpinning for the study. To evaluate the impact and mediating pathways, the study used the Sobel mediation analysis and fixed effects panel regression. The findings shows that DFI increases CO2 emissions and positively and significantly contributes to HQDI, suggesting a trade-off between development and environment. The relationship between DFI and HQDI founds to be mediate by CO2 emissions, indicating that although digital finance promotes growth, it also presents environmental challenges. To make the model stronger, the control variables like GDP, population growth, and the use of renewable energy also added. These findings have significant implications for policymakers who aim for a balance environmental sustainability and digital transformation. Encouraging green digital finance policies could improve the region’s high-quality development while reducing carbon risks.
Role Inflationary Stress on Marital Satisfaction and Psychological Wellbeing: Mediating Role of Resilience
This study explores how stress brought on by rising prices, called inflation, plays off against someone's ability to bounce back or recoup after experiencing difficulty. Using a sample of 300 participants, this study applies descriptive statistics and correlation analysis to explore the relationships between resilience, psychological well-being, and financial stress. The results show a negative connection between feeling tough inflation pressures. This means that when there is stronger pressure in the economy, people don't do as well in dealing with stress, overall. Results suggest that strengthening resilience strongly correlates with improved mental health outcomes. So, people who are more resilient tend to do well psychologically, too. This study's results share key findings stating that becoming more resilient helps people handle the stress caused by high inflation and leads to more positive outcomes.
The Effects of Financial Inclusion and Institutional Quality on the Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from Top 30 High Greenhouse Gas Emitter Countries
The study investigates the effects of financial inclusion (FIN) and institutional quality (INQ) on the environmental sustainability (ES) in the highest 30 greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter countries from 2004 to 2021. The study created composite indexes from the facets of the FIN and INQ, using principal component analysis (PCA). In the preliminary analysis the study conducted cross-sectional dependency (CSD), slope homogeneity, structural breaks and unit root test for ultimate review of the dataset. The study adopted 3rd generation cross-sectional autoregressive distributed lag model (CS-ARDL) to estimate long and short run relationships. The empirical findings of the study reveal that the FIN is significantly reducing environmental pressures. However, the INQ increases environmental dilapidation. Further, the findings of the interactive nexus of FIN and INQ on the ES is not momentous. Finally, the study recommends valuable policy suggestions for the policymakers of the developing and developed world for endorsing their ES.
The Bright Side of Youth: Profiling Positive Attitudes and Behaviors in University Students
The current study aimed to profile and examine the predictive role of positive attitudes, namely hope, kindness, meaning in life, and sense of humor, and positive behaviors, including self-reflection, self-monitoring, self-leadership, and self-motivation, in relation to personal growth among university students in Pakistan. The Objective of the Study was to assess the level of positive attitudes and positive behaviors among university students. : A Multistage random sampling technique, a probability sampling technique, was used. A total of 900 participants completed self-report questionnaires comprising demographic information and nine standardized psychological scales. Data were analyzed using cluster analysis to explore the contributions of individual factors and student subgroups. The analysis identified three student profiles. Cluster 1 (High positive profile) showed high levels of positive traits and personal growth. Cluster 2 (Moderate profile) had mixed trait levels with lower personal growth. Cluster 3 (Low traits/high growth) had lower positive traits but the highest personal growth, suggesting growth despite fewer internal strengths. These findings underscore the bright side of youth by highlighting how positive attitudes and behaviors shape growth and define meaningful psychological profiles.
Reconceptualising Justice and Authority: Interpretive Conflicts in The Sultan’s Dilemma by Tawfiq Al-Hakim
This research paper seeks to explore the disruption of conventional schemas of authority and justice in Tawfiq Al-Hakim’s The Sultan’s Dilemma. The study applies Peter Stockwell’s Cognitive Poetics, particularly Schema Theory in order to revisit and reconstruct the already existing schemas related to law, authority, and religion. This research argues that the conscious disruption of already set notions enhances the irony and philosophical depth of the narrative. The core tension emerges when the Sultan, once an enslaved person, finds himself coerced to seek legal authorization for his actions. This scenario creates disruption in the minds of readers, compelling them to reshape their notions of justice, not something rigid, but flexible, constructed by society, and rich in diverse interpretations. The research uses qualitative research methodology grounded in close reading and textual analysis and divulges how the language and structure of the play challenge the readers’ anticipations, forcing them to consider the multiple layered meanings. The pre-existing schemas are disrupted by adding the new information, wich become the source of their reconfiguration. This study concludes that schema disruptions in The Sultan’s Dilemma interrogate fixed conceptions of authority and justice, making readers to critically reassess societal norms through irony and cognitive reflection.
An Analysis of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Isolation and the Shattered Self in Present-day Society: Cramped in the 'Room'
This work focuses on the major works of existential philosophy and socio-psychoanalytic theory on the dome and world of Emma Donoghue’s Room, particularly on the dread of isolation and self-identity formation. The dark trauma of mental and physical confinement, control with artificial and present-day modern technology is reshaping the psyche of the being. The Room is both a literal symbolic prison and a metaphor of present-day alienation in the epoch of modern exploration disguised under the burden of technology. This study relies on Kierkegaard philosophy of life, and the analysis shows how Ma, in the process of supportive parenting, regains herself while her child, Jack, finds meaning within the confines of his building fascination. This dichotomy represents a universal bitter truth: even in the face of disturbing and oppressive man-control systems, purposeful life is created through minute acts of struggle and fight. Beyond a depraved story of a boy and a mother’s kidnapping, Room is a profound reflection of today’s disintegrated identities, the product of social disconnection and systems of survival. The story offers a metaphor of survival which turns in on itself to critique modernity, exposing alienation while simultaneously grappling with the hope of self-reinvention through social bonds. The primary source is the original text of the novel.
Impacts of Climate Change in Exacerbating Gender-Based Violence in District Mohmand, Pakistan
Generally, climate change and Gender Based Violence have been studied separately. The present research explores the nexus between climate change and Gender Based Violence in District Mohmand, Pakistan. The study focuses on how the impacts of climate change triggers gender-based violence. The study employs a qualitative approach in which data has been collected from thirty women by using purposive sampling and furthers presented through thematic analysis. The findings of the study reveal women in study area are engaged in different unpaid activities such as water fetching, farming, collecting firewood from the mountains and domestic work. Due to climate change factors the underground water table has depleted which has further impacted on agriculture sectors, local forests and shrubs and other water related needs of the targeted community. As due to local norms, the women are mainly responsible for carrying out these activities. As a result, gender-based violence has also increased in form of carrying out water and collecting firewood from long distances, health issues during carrying out heavy vessels like nerves pain, headache, depression and frustration. On economic side, the women are facing time poverty as majority of their precious time is spend in arranging this unpaid labour resulting them backward in availing health and education services. The study recommends that further research should be conducted to cover the policy side of this phenomenon.
Climate Change in Pakistani Media: An Ecolinguistic Analysis of Dawn Climate Reports (2020–2025)
This study investigates how Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper, constructed climate change between 2020 and 2025. Using a corpus-assisted ecolinguistic approach, texts were analyzed through Stibbe (2015) framework of “stories we live by,” focusing on six stories: framing, metaphor, identity, conviction, erasure and salience. LancsBox X (v5.5.1) software was employed to generate keywords, collocations, and concordances, which were then interpreted qualitatively. The findings reveal that media narratives are shaped less by neutral reporting and more by discursive strategies that foreground particular problems while sidelining others. Quantitative coding indicates that framing (28%) and identity (25%) are the prominent strategies, positioning climate change as a security, finance, and development crisis while portraying Pakistan both as a frontline victim and as a state with conditional resilience. Salience (22%) shows repeated emphasis on floods, heatwaves, and financial injustice, while metaphor (20%) dramatizes climate change through war and reckoning imagery. Visualizations, including a pie chart and year-wise bar graph, confirmed the dominance of framing and identity and showed their increase after the 2022 floods. The study concludes that Dawn’s discourse amplifies urgency and moral obligation but narrows ecological imagination by privileging finance and governance frames over community-led and ecological perspectives. By documenting what is emphasized and what is omitted, this research fills a gap in ecolinguistics and media studies. It offers a baseline for analyzing climate discourse in South Asia. It calls for a more inclusive media narrative that integrates local voices and ecological ethics alongside policy and finance.
Cognitive Processing in Multilingual Contexts: Evidence from Reading Speed and Comprehension of Urdu (L1) and English (L2)
Around eighty percent of the world population is multilingual. In many multilingual countries the medium of instructions in educational institutes is L2; however, the level of proficiency in L2 can affect the overall academic performance of the students. Reading is an important part of education and therefore it is important to see if the reading speed and comprehension of individuals is affected because of their multilingualism or not. The present study aimed to achieve this purpose. Four reading and comprehension tests (two in L1 and two in L2) were conducted with the adult students participants followed by retrospective interviews. The data was analysed in the light of Single-Route model of reading (Seidenberg & McClelland, 1989). The findings of the study showed that reading speeds vary in L1 and L2 in such individuals; however, the patterns could be different favouring the L2 more. This could be attributed to the language dominance and exposure to one particular language in case of L1 and L2.
Breaking the Barriers in a Patriarchal Society: Political Leadership and Contributions of Begum Nasim Wali Khan
This study aims to explore Begum Nasim Wali Khan's life, services, political career, and the achievements she made. The political history of Pakistan and the available research establish that hereditary politics is the only source of female political leaders in Pakistan. The main argument of the study is that Begum Nasim Wali Khan is a case in the contrary. Although she had a political background but pursuing and retaining a political position was solely her interest in active politics, adept use of political strategies, and thorough study of Pakistani politics. Begum Nasim Wali Khan demonstrated some rare leadership qualities that won her a prominent place in Pakistan's political fraternity. Her adept analysis of the political situation assisted her in neutralizing, overcoming, and benefiting from the political crisis. Her political foresight gained her substantial popular support and admiration even from her political competitors. The study proves that she was not just a political figure but also a social activist.
Competitive Leadership as a Catalyst for Development and Transformation
“A leader is, who leads at the front and change the fate of the nation”. Leadership in any circumstance i.e. organizational, political, social and economic is a concentrate able term to understand its application and how it motivate and bring transformation at subordinate level and team members to achieve set common goals. Leadership style adoption varies from situation to situation and may also vary in regional settings and values. In this qualitative study, it is strive to understand the approaches of leadership application, styles and their impact on nation’s development. Through, thorough analysis of cited literature, the base hypothesis are accepted and some suggestions are offered as the study is only limited for Pakistan region.
Disappearing Command: Assassinations, Purges, and the Erosion of Russian Military Leadership in the Ukraine War
The research paper analyzes the attrition of senior Russian military leadership in the Russia-Ukraine conflict of 2022 to 2025. It highlights two apparent figures of external decapitation and potential internal cleansing on the one hand, dealings with established battlefield deaths, and on the other hand, killings of targeted assassinations in Russian territory. The research features military dispatches, open-source intelligence (OSINT), investigative journalism, and satellite-confirmed incidents to provide a strategic appraisal of what the researchers refer to as command disintegration, the gradual loss of trust, cohesion, and operational security in Russia's upper military reaches. Instead of some speculative claims, the analysis is based on those incidents of high-valued losses of confirmed cases where kinetic attacks and cognitive warfare intersect to disconcert leadership organization in authoritarian command systems.
Exploring the Role of Brand Hate in Mediating the Impact of Deficit Value on Consumer Behaviors in the Apparel Industry
In the dynamic context of contemporary branding, consumer-brand interactions have undergone substantial transformation. Recognizing the strategic relevance of this phenomenon, the present investigation aims to elucidate the impact of deficit value on consumer behaviors—specifically, brand switching, brand avoidance, brand retaliation, and complaining—while positioning brand hate as the focal mediating construct. Employing a quantitative, deductive methodological framework, the research targets the apparel sector of Pakistan. Data were garnered via a structured online survey, comprising a 30-item instrument, which was disseminated to participants through a convenience sampling technique. Out of 500 questionnaires distributed, 327 were returned, culminating in 301 valid responses that comprised the final sample. Analytical rigor was maintained through Structural Equation Modeling—Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) as executed within Smart PLS 4.0. The statistical inquiry confirmed all articulated hypotheses, thereby contributing refined understanding of the intricate mechanisms that govern consumer conduct. Interpretation of the hypothesis-testing outputs reveals that deficit value exerts a decisive influence on the four examined behaviors, with brand hate serving a crucial mediating function in each of the identified pathways.Awareness of deficit value’s negative influence on brand perception and resulting consumer actions empowers marketers to formulate counteractive strategies that preserve and enhance brand equity. Through careful analysis of these interrelated dynamics, practitioners can design interventions that diminish the probability of harmful consumer choices and promote enduring brand allegiance.
The The Dark Side of Matriarchy: Control, Repression, and Tragedy in The House of Bernarda Alba: A Psychoanalytical Study of Motherhood in Lorca's Rural Spain
This study examines Lorca's portrayal of motherhood and rural household as an epitome of matriarchal control, a suffocating household and the contagious nature of oppression within a family structure. The central character, Bernarda, exudes the image of hierarchical power which engulfs the freedom of her own daughters in the house, notwithstanding her mother and servants. This attitude of hers brings the family to a tragically heightened stage where the youngest commits suicide and the elder ones live like the dead. This research accentuates the nature of power in both ways; as an active force in the form of Bernarda's dictatorial behavior and as a passive force that has overcast the whole house making the girls no more than puppets in the hands of their irrational despotic mother. Drawing on Jungian theory, this research argues matriarchy can be destructive when rooted in patriarchal values, harming women themselves. The paper does not limit the study to the text of the play as a specimen of the destructive nature of the mother figure, but also includes the feminist strains, cultural implications and the behavioural and psychological patterns of certain characters in specific situations in order to highlight and elaborate on the selected character of Bernarda Alba from multiple critical viewpoints. The paper provides an extensive study of Bernarda Alba's character and household not only as the darker side of the mother figure and female destructive powers but also the household as a politically charged sphere of power, control and repression which ultimately brings forth the tragic confrontations and Adeila's suicide.
Chasing the Perfect Look: Navigating Global Beauty Standards and University Girls ‘Everyday Struggles
Beauty Standards have become increasingly homogenized in the era of digital globalization. It often reflects Eurocentric beauty standards that shape how young females perceive themselves and interact socially. These beauty ideals are continuously reinforced through social media, advertisements, and peer group culture that affect the women’s self-image and emotional wellbeing. Yet female university students show resilience as they negotiate these beauty norms while striving to maintain individuality and purpose of lives. The present study aimed to explore the influence of global beauty standards on self-perceptions and social lives of female university students. The current study inspired from objectification theory and social comparison theory to explore this phenomenon with the help of field data. A qualitative phenomenological research design was used, and 10 participants enrolled in the M. Phil programs at the Fatima Jinnah Women University and Rawalpindi Women University were selected through purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted, and data were analysed through thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: 1) Shaping of self-perception in globalized beauty culture, 2) Social challenges concerning beauty norms, and 3) Coping strategies. The findings disclosed that the beauty standards affected the self-worth of participants, causing body image dissatisfaction. They consistently bear family and peer pressure to meet beauty norms. This study also provided future directions for conducting research emphasizing intersectional perspectives.
Pakistan's Quality Assurance Standards For Higher Education: Implementation and Students’ Satisfaction
The structured and systematic evaluation process of an institution to determine whether or not accepted standards of infrastructure, scholarship, and education are being reached, maintained, and improved is known as quality assurance. Policies are proposed by the Higher Educatıon Commission to improve and make strong standards for the support of students at higher education, to maiing the way for higher level students to pursue higher education with all the support they needed in their institution. The purpose of the current study is to assess how well policies are being implemented and how satisfied students are with higher education in relation to the requirements set by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), HEC. Descriptive research design was used for quantitative investigation. All NUML students were the population, while 160 students from the departments of psychology, education, and English were chosen as a study sample. Data was gathered from the respondents using a standardized 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha, and the result was 0.671 (range: 0.5 to 0.9). After verifying the fundamental assumptions, Ordinal Regression Analysis (ORA) was used to examine the gathered data. The findings show that there was an acceptable degree of student satisfaction with the services provided and that student support services were implemented correctly, which raises student satisfaction. Governing bodies must guarantee that students have access to support services, and it is advised that academic administrators and legislators examine every facet of student support services for quality assurance.
Citizen Journalism and Shaping Environmental Activism: A Study on the Impact of Deforestation Narratives in Sindh
This study discovers the role of citizen journalism in shaping deforestation narratives and promoting environmental activism in Sindh, Pakistan. While environmental journalism has obtained extensive scholarly attention, limited research reports how citizen journalists precisely frame deforestation and influence public engagement. Using Framing Theory as the analytical lens, this research uses qualitative content analysis of blogs, social media posts, and videos produced by citizen journalists. The findings specify that deforestation is framed as a complicated issue linked to governance failure, corruption, and ecological degradation. These narratives emphasize the urgency of policy reform and advocate for balanced forest management. Though the study depends on digital content, it demonstrates the potential of citizen journalism to raise awareness and mobilize collective action. The research contributes to academic discourse on the media–environment connection and highlights the grassroots power of digital environmental advocacy.
Emotional Intelligence and Self-Esteem: A Correlational Study among University Students
This research examined the association of emotional intelligence with self-esteem among university students in Quetta, Balochistan. Using a quantitative correlational design, data were collected from 219 students aged 17-30 years through online questionnaires comprising the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results showed a statistically significant but weak positive correlation (r=.21, p<.01) between Emotional Intelligence and Self-Esteem. This indicates that higher emotional intelligence is linked to higher self-esteem. Regression analysis confirmed Emotional Intelligence as a significant predictor, accounting for 4.3% of Self-Esteem variance. These findings align with the global literature, which highlights the role of Emotional Intelligence in shaping self-concept and psychological adaptation. The study suggests that enhancing Emotional Intelligence in the university can promote healthier self-esteem and emotional functioning. However, limitations include the use of convenience sampling and self-report measures. Future research should explore additional variables to better understand the mechanism of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Esteem within diverse cultures.
A Study of Compound Formation and Semantic Opacity in Punjabi
This research aims to investigate how Punjabi compounds are formed and in what way the formation of some of these compounds contributes to semantic opacity. This is qualitative research, where data have been analyzed descriptively. The study identifies and categorizes various types of compounds, including endocentric, exocentric, copulative, and verbal compounds. The study reveals that exocentric compounds are formed without the interfixes and follow patterns such as A+N, N+A, N+V, and A+V patterns. Endocentric compounds are found in N+N, A+N, and N+A combinations. These are found with and without interfixes, though compounding with interfixes is noticed as a rare morphological process in Punjabi. Copulative compounds are observed in N+N, A+A, and V+V patterns. These are also formed without the interfixes. Verbal compounds are seen in N+dv and A+dv. Notably, semantic opacity is found in exocentric and copulative compounds. The research underscores a need for detailed work on semantic opacity in Punjabi compounds.
Constructing Identity Through Fandom: A Study of K-pop Fans in Pakistan
This paper discovers the social identity construction of K-pop (Korean popular music) fans in Pakistan, focusing on their understanding of social categorization, identification, and comparison within the local and global cultural landscape. Drawing on social identity theory and employing a qualitative research design, this study investigates how Pakistani K-pop fans construct and interpret their membership within the fandom, highlighting the unique features of this community in a local cultural context. To gain in-depth insights, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with both male and female fans. The study has examined fans' perceptions of boundaries between themselves and non-fans, societal interpretations, and the stereotypes that influence their K-pop experiences. It delves into the personal significance of being a K-pop fan, the impact on self-identity, and the ways fans express their affiliation to the K-pop community. The study explores how participants negotiate their K-pop fandom alongside other dimensions of their cultural and social identities, illustrating the dynamic interplay between global popular culture and local identity formation. The findings reveal the interchange between global cultural phenomena and local identity formation, shedding light on the evolving aspects of fandom culture in Pakistan. By engaging in social comparison, fans develop their connection to the global K-pop community and contrast it with local fandoms. The study contributes to the understanding of the global diffusion of K-pop and its implications for identity construction among K-pop fans. The study contributes to the understanding of the global diffusion of K-pop and its implications for identity construction among K-pop fans.
Exploring the Impact of Perceived Academic Stress on Social Competence: The Moderating Role of Co-Curricular Activities
The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between Perceived Academic Stress (PAS) and Social Competence (SC) and the moderating role of Co-curricular activities between PAS and SC. The study was quantitative in nature, and the research design of this study was a purposive sampling technique. For this purpose, Perception of Academic Stress (PAS)(Bedewy & Gabriel, 2015) and Multidimensional Social Competence Scale (MSCS) (Trevisan et al., 2018) were used, whereas co-curricular activities were identified through a demographic form. A total of 300 participants were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. All these participants were university students residing in Karachi, Pakistan. The students were from both private and government universities, like the University of Karachi, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, ILMA University, and Bahria University. The hypothesis of this study was that there would be a relationship between PAS and SC. Another hypothesis of the study was that the co-curricular activities play a moderating role between PAS and SC. The results were analysed through SPSS 22 using regression and moderation analysis. Thus, the results clearly showed that the first hypothesis was accepted. This means the individuals who have elevated academic stress had greater social competence as they put effort into establishing peer networks or improving communication skills to successfully handle stress. However, the relationship between PAS and one of the subscales of SC, verbal communication, is negative. Another hypothesis was rejected, but the moderation on the context of verbal conversation skills was found to be significant. Academic stress impacts more than achievement; it fosters social-emotional growth and interpersonal development among students.