Social Psychology

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCAI MEDIA USAGE ON ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF FIRST YEAR HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCAI MEDIA USAGE ON ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF FIRST YEAR HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Abdulbari Ahmed Usmail; Gemechu Abera (Asso Prof); Bahar Adem (PhD) This study employed Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to assess the influence of social media on the academic and social behaviors of first-year students at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was utilized, collecting data from 337 students via surveys, and following up with in-depth interviews and observations with a subset of 15 participants. The study first mapped prevalent usage patterns, finding dominant engagement with Telegram (85%) and TikTok (72%), with an average of 3.2 hours of daily use. Quantitative analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between time spent on social media and increased academic procrastination. Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that higher social networking use predicted lower participation in campus clubs and activities, suggesting a displacement of offline social engagement. Qualitative findings, analyzed through the SCT lens, explained these patterns. Students described learning procrastination habits through observation and reinforcement in online peer groups. Social comparison on visual platforms was tied to anxiety and reduced self-esteem, fueled by upward comparisons to idealized peers. Critically, data revealed an efficacy-expectation gap: students reported low self-efficacy for controlling their use despite holding high positive outcome expectations about staying connected, leading to compulsive checking and sleep disruption. The study concludes that social media acts as a powerful environment for observational learning, where both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors are acquired. Its influence is significantly moderated by students perceived selfregulatory efficacy. Recommendations are theory-driven and actionable: 1) The university should integrate SCT-based digital literacy modules into orientation programs to build selfregulation skills; 2) Counseling services should offer workshops focused on strengthening students' self-efficacy for managing technology use; and 3) Students should be encouraged to form peer accountability groups to foster a supportive environment for behavioral change. 70p.

PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLBEING OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN DEDER AND GORO GUTU WOREDAS OF EAST HARARGE ZONE; OROMIYA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLBEING OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN DEDER AND GORO GUTU WOREDAS OF EAST HARARGE ZONE; OROMIYA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA Abdu Birratu; Endris Seid Kassaw (Assis. Prof); Dr.Yirgalem Alemu The objective of this study was to examine the psychosocial well-being of protracted internally displaced people (IDPs) residing in collective centers in Deder and Goro Gutu woredas of East Hararge Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A descriptive research design was employed with 279 randomly selected IDPs displaced from the Somali Regional State and currently living in 10 collective shelters. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics, specifically independent sample t-tests. Results revealed poor psychological well-being, particularly in environmental mastery (M = 1.73, SD = 0.90) and personal growth (M = 1.81, SD = 0.97), alongside generally low social well-being (M = 1.90, SD = 0.65), with social acceptance (M = 1.75, SD = 0.97) and social contribution (M = 1.81, SD = 0.90) scoring lowest. Purpose in life scored highest (M = 4.08, SD = 1.08), indicating that respondents retained a sense of meaning despite adverse conditions. Comparisons across gender and marital status showed slight differences, but none were statistically significant, suggesting that demographic variables exert minimal influence on psychosocial outcomes. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that psychosocial well-being among protracted IDPs is shaped far more by common displacement-related stressors such as confinement in collective shelters, disrupted livelihoods and social networks, loss of property, and inadequate services than by demographic characteristics. This aligns with previous studies emphasizing that trauma exposure, coping strategies, and the quality of community integration are stronger determinants of well-being than socio-demographic factors. The study recommends that government institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders prioritize interventions that strengthen social support networks, promote psychological empowerment, facilitate reintegration and rehabilitation, and expand access to mental health services to enhance resilience and community integration among displaced populations. 80p.

ATTITUDES OF PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES TOWARDS PHYSIOTHERAPY DIRE DAWA, ETHIOPIA

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ATTITUDES OF PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES TOWARDS PHYSIOTHERAPY DIRE DAWA, ETHIOPIA Demeke Zewdie, Barnabas; Alemu, Yirgalem; l Agafari, Tekete This study examined attitudes towards physiotherapy treatment among persons with physical disabilities in the Dire Dawa Administration, Ethiopia. Using a concurrent mixed-methods design, the research assessed attitudes across four dimensions cognitive, affective, behavioral, and demographic and their relationship with perceptions of treatment efficacy. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 300 participants, from whom 290 completed questionnaires were obtained, yielding a 96.7% response rate. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple linear regression in SPSS (Version 26), while qualitative data provided contextual depth. The sample was predominantly male (64.8%), aged 35–45 years (59.7%), and held a first-degree education (76.2%). Descriptive results revealed moderate-to-high positive attitudes across most dimensions, though behavioral engagement (e.g., regular session attendance, home exercise compliance) scored relatively lower. Notably, the demographic dimension, which captured socio-cultural influences, scored highest (mean ≈ 3.87), indicating strong community and cultural influences on treatment-seeking behavior. Correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships (p < 0.01) between all attitude dimensions and overall perception of physiotherapy treatment, with the strongest association observed between the demographic dimension and treatment perception (r = 0.788). Regression analysis confirmed that all four attitude dimensions significantly predicted perceptions of physiotherapy treatment, accounting for 69.5% of the variance (R² = 0.695, p < 0.001). The demographic dimension emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.529, p < 0.001), followed by behavioral (β = 0.266, p < 0.001), affective (β = 0.155, p < 0.001), and cognitive dimensions (β = 0.071, p = 0.037). The model met all necessary assumptions normality, linearity, homoscedasticity, and absence of multicollinearity. The findings underscore that socio-cultural and community factors are critical in shaping attitudes and treatment engagement. The study recommends that physiotherapy programs in similar contexts integrate community awareness initiatives and culturally sensitive approaches to enhance service utilization and outcomes for persons with physical disabilities 63

EXPLORING PSYCHOSOCIAL EXPERIENCES OF STREET GIRLS’ LIFE IN SOME SELECTED KEBELES IN DIRE DAWA CITY, ETHIOPIA

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

EXPLORING PSYCHOSOCIAL EXPERIENCES OF STREET GIRLS’ LIFE IN SOME SELECTED KEBELES IN DIRE DAWA CITY, ETHIOPIA Hailu Sisay; Gemechu Abera (Associate Prof.); Yirgalem Alemu (PhD, ) This study explores the psychosocial experiences of street girls in selected Kebeles of Dire Dawa City, Ethiopia, employing a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological research design to explore their lived experiences. The study aims to identify the push factors contributing to street life, investigate the psychosocial challenges faced by street girls, analyze their coping mechanisms, and assess the availability and effectiveness of psychosocial support systems. A total of 20 respondents, including 10 street girls and 10 key informants, were selected using convenience and purposive sampling techniques, respectively. Data were collected through unstructured interviews, systematic observations, and an analysis of policy documents related to street children. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret the qualitative data. Findings reveal that street girls experience severe economic hardship, social stigma, and psychological distress due to trauma, abuse, and poverty. Coping strategies often involve reliance on peer networks and substance use. The study highlights the inadequacy of existing psychosocial support systems and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and accessible interventions. The results further indicate that economic deprivation, family instability, and social factors significantly contribute to the vulnerability of girls to street life, resulting in profound psychosocial consequences. Strengthening psychosocial support mechanisms is critical to enhancing resilience and improving the mental well-being of street girls. The study recommends targeted interventions, including income-generating opportunities for families, structured psychosocial support programs, enhanced coordination among stakeholders, policy amendments, and further research on the root causes and psychosocial implications of street life among girls in Dire Dawa 93p.