Journal of Contemporary Social Science and Education Studies (JOCSSES) E-ISSN- 2785-8774

THE RELATIONSHIP OF INTERNET USAGE WITH ALCOHOL DRINKING AND DRUG ABUSE: A CASE OF MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2026-02-05T03:20:48+00:00

Malaysia ranks as the 10th largest consumer of alcohol; it holds the 71st position in terms of per capita cigarette consumption, averaging 646 cigarettes smoked by each adult annually. The primary aim of this research was to examine the connections between the purpose of Internet usage, attitudes towards the Internet, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption. This quantitative study utilized a survey design by employing a questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 440 individuals from the University Putra Malaysia. The selection of students was done through stratified random sampling. The majority of the participants were Muslims, constituting 69% of the sample, followed by Buddhists at 19.1%. Christianity and Hinduism represented the minority religions. The majority of respondents were pursuing undergraduate studies. Concerning income, less than half of the participants (30%) reported earning between 2100 to 3000 Malaysian Ringgits (RM) per month, with the remainder earning 1000 to 2000 RM per month. The association between Internet usage purpose and alcohol consumption or drug abuse did not show significance. While there was no correlation between attitude towards the Internet and alcohol consumption, a significant relationship was found with drug abuse. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results indicated significant mean differences in religion concerning alcohol usage, whereas such differences were not observed for drug usage. The findings regarding the relationship between level of education, income and drug and alcohol consumption revealed no disparities in both alcohol and drug usage across different levels of education and income

CULTIVATING CRITICAL THINKING AND REFLECTIVE SKILLS IN JOURNALISM THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOP LEARNING

2026-02-11T01:06:24+00:00

This study investigates the effectiveness of a workshop-seminar designed to forge and strengthen critical thinking skills among Grade 6 pupils through journalism activities. Critical thinking, defined as the ability to analyze, evaluate, and create reasoned judgments, is an essential competency for academic success and responsible citizenship. The seminar-workshop aimed to equip pupils with practical strategies to enhance their critical thinking abilities by engaging them in interactive, real-life journalism exercises. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 40 participants through reflective surveys and analyzed to identify the most impactful facilitation strategies and participants' areas for improvement. Findings reveal that student engagement, meaningful content, and facilitator delivery were key factors that contributed to improved critical thinking. Pupils reported increased confidence, creativity, and analytical skills, which they acknowledged as vital for applying journalism as a tool to positively influence their broader communities. The study concludes with a proposed Reflective Critical Thinking Cycle to guide future educational interventions. This research underscores the importance of interactive, context-based learning to foster critical thinking and advocates for the replication of such workshop-seminars to benefit larger pupil populations.

'HE'S MY ANCHOR': A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON SPOUSAL SUPPORT FOR WOMEN UNDERGOING CANCER TREATMENT

2026-02-11T01:33:53+00:00

This qualitative study explores the multifaceted role of spousal support in the cancer journey of women, examining how intimate partnerships influence treatment adherence, psychological well-being, and quality of life during cancer treatment. A phenomenological approach was employed, conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with 24 women currently undergoing or recently completed cancer treatment. Participants were recruited from three oncology centers and ranged in age from 32-67 years with various cancer types. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and meanings in participants' experiences. Four primary themes emerged: (1) Emotional Anchoring - spouses providing psychological stability during treatment uncertainty; (2) Practical Navigation - assistance with medical appointments, medication management, and daily activities; (3) Identity Preservation - helping maintain sense of self beyond the patient role; and (4) Advocacy and Communication - serving as intermediaries with healthcare providers and family members. Participants consistently described their spouses as essential "anchors" providing stability during the tumultuous cancer experience. Spousal support represents a critical but underutilized resource in cancer care. Healthcare providers should systematically assess and integrate spousal support systems into treatment planning. Future interventions should focus on enhancing spousal coping skills and communication strategies to optimize patient outcomes.

EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF KHARIA TRIBES IN PURBA MEDINIPUR DISTRICT: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY

2026-03-10T03:05:33+00:00

This study investigates the emotional and social adjustment of Kharia tribal adolescents in Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, with a focus on the impact of gender and parental education. A quantitative descriptive survey method was conducted with 200 school-going Kharia students from the Patashpur 1 no. block. The research utilized the Adjustment Inventory for School Students (AISS) developed by Dr. A.K.P. Sinha and Dr. R. P. Singh in 2019 to assess emotional and social adjustment. The findings revealed that the emotional adjustment among Kharia tribes in Purba Medinipur District was 15.73, while social adjustment was 15.19. Female students showed higher emotional and social adjustment than males, but the differences were statistically not significant. Students whose fathers and mothers had attained secondary education exhibited higher emotional and social adjustment, with the difference being statistically significant. The study stresses the importance of maternal education in promoting the emotional and social well-being of tribal adolescents. Recommendations include enhancing educational opportunities for parents, especially mothers, to foster better developmental outcomes for Kharia tribal children, contributing to their successful integration into broader society.

MY BODY, MY BUDDY: FORGING PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE BODY POSITIVITY AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

2026-03-10T03:26:26+00:00

Exposure to various notions of physical beauty on social media has led to cases of bullying and body shaming in primary and secondary schools. Partnership projects between universities and local communities can promote body positivity among school children to address this issue. This paper aims to present the perspectives of university students on how a university-community partnership (UCP) project enabled them to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote a sustainable lifestyle and positive self-image among school students. This study adopted a narrative research design to describe the university students’ experiences and challenges faced during the implementation of this partnership project. Interviews with the project participants (university student volunteers and partner school students) were triangulated with documentary evidence (i.e., portfolios, journals) and observation field notes. The results from data analysis using ATLAS.ti rendered the following themes: student involvement; key learning from a UCP project; and dealing with challenges in the process. The findings of this research can guide other educators and project developers in higher education ways to design meaningful learning engagements for student volunteers and local communities. It also highlights policy implications for fostering impactful university-community partnerships.

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING ACTION RESEARCH IN PRE-SERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

2026-03-11T01:17:24+00:00

The focus in teacher education has been said to be typically theory-based, resulting in a disengage between theory and practice. Action research can bridge this gap by allowing pre-service teachers to transform their conceptual knowledge into practical experience through actively addressing a real-world teaching or learning issue. This study aimed to explore pre-service teachers’ experience when they engaged in action research, with a focus on the challenges faced and how they addressed these challenges. Data for this qualitative research was collected using interviews. The analysis of data involved coding and categorising the codes into themes. The findings revealed that the pre-service teachers faced numerous challenges such as identifying a research direction, reviewing the literature, and lacking research skills at the proposal writing stage. At the implementation stage, data collection and analysis posed challenges to them. To address these issues, they sought advice from their supervisors and mentors, discussed with their peers and looked for potential solutions on the internet. This study suggests that it is crucial to empower pre-service teachers as self-directed reflective practitioners in their action research journey so that they can continue to reflect on their experiences, actions and decisions made towards a high-quality pre-service teacher education.

UNDERSTANDING THE CAREERS OF STUDENTS: INSIGHTS FOR EFFECTIVE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING STRATEGIES

2026-03-11T01:53:06+00:00

The primary objective of this research was to develop a guidance and counseling program specifically designed to address the career-related needs of undergraduate Psychology students at Cavite State University-Silang. The methodology involved administering a needs assessment questionnaire to the entire student population, employing total population sampling to collect data from 565 undergraduate Psychology students. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics frequency, percentage, and ranking methods to identify and prioritize student concerns. Demographic analysis showed that the sample was predominantly female (81.77%). By year level, fourth-year students made up the largest group (31.33%), followed by third-year (28.85%), first-year (23.54%), and second-year (16.28%) students. Importantly, students identified their paramount career concern (Rank 1) as the need for more information about their personal traits, interests, skills, and values (43.01%). Secondary concerns included uncertainty about their current course (10.97%, Rank 2) and the need for more information about specific courses and occupations (9.20%, Rank 3). These findings led to the proposal of a Guidance and Counseling Intervention Program aimed at equipping students with awareness and confidence in their career choices while proactively addressing challenges. The program also seeks to bridge the gap between students and available guidance and counseling resources. This study's results provide a solid foundation for enhancing Guidance and Counseling services in both private and public schools across Cavite, ensuring that students receive relevant support tailored to their career development needs. This approach aligns with best practices in career counseling for undergraduate psychology students, which emphasize self-awareness, exploration of personal traits, and preparation for career decision-making to improve adaptability and confidence in career planning.

MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY, PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS: A HIERARCHICAL REGRESSION ANALYSIS

2026-03-25T02:28:27+00:00

This study investigated mental health literacy (MHL), perceived social support, and psychological distress among 138 Filipino special education teachers from private and public schools in Cavite, using validated instruments: the Mental Health Literacy Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Participants showed high perceived social support (M = 5.89, scale 1-7), strongest from significant others (M = 5.95), then family (M = 5.89) and friends (M = 5.81), signaling strong relational protections against stress. MHL was moderate (M = 3.27, scale 1-5), indicating fair knowledge of disorders, causes, self-help, and resources, but room for enhancement. Distress levels reflected mild severity (M = 21.37, scale 10-50), typical of routine stressors rather than severe pathology. Hierarchical regression treated distress as the outcome. Model 1 found social support explained 6.2% of variance (R² = .062, F(1,136) = 8.914, p = .003; β = -.248), confirming modest protective effects. Model 2 incorporated MHL with no added variance (ΔR² = .000, F(1,135) = .038, p = .846; β = -.066), yet the full model stayed significant (R² = .062, F(2,135) = 4.445, p = .014). Correlations matched expectations: social support (r = -.248) and MHL (r = -.066) inversely linked to distress. Findings validate social support's buffering role in demanding roles, though limited effects suggest influences like workload. Moderate MHL highlights needs in recognition and stigma reduction. Results endorse interventions, peer networks, MHL workshops, policy wellness programs to build resilience, encourage help-seeking, and strengthen mental health support for special educators in under-resourced Philippine contexts, safeguarding teacher wellness and student success.

MAPPING PARENTING STYLES AND PRACTICES AMONG SOMALI COMMUNITY: THE CASE OF HARGEISA, SOMALILAND

2026-03-26T01:30:12+00:00

This study examined parenting styles and practices among Somali parents in Hargeisa, Somaliland, with attention to cultural, religious, and educational influences. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data from 120 parents with 14 semi-structured interviews. Parenting styles were assessed using Baumrind’s typology, and thematic analysis provided qualitative insights. Quantitative results indicated that authoritarian parenting was most dominant (M = 3.82; 55%), followed by neglectful tendencies (M = 3.55; 18.3%). Authoritative parenting showed moderate presence (M = 2.55; 16.7%), while permissive parenting was least observed (M = 2.09; 10%). Qualitative findings reinforced these results, highlighting obedience, discipline, and sharaf (family honor) as central values. Islamic socialization emerged as the strongest contextual influence (M = 3.89), while socio-economic pressures (M = 3.50) and urban challenges (M = 3.33) complicated parenting, sometimes leading to neglect. Education moderated parenting approaches: parents with higher education demonstrated more authoritative tendencies, incorporating reasoning and emotional support, whereas less educated parents relied on authoritarian and neglectful practices. Overall, Somali parenting in Hargeisa reflects a transitional landscape—authoritarian norms remain dominant, but urbanization and education are fostering gradual shifts toward more balanced, child-centered approaches.

COUNSELLING ADOLESCENTS IN NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: ISSUES AND NEW PERSPECTIVES

2026-03-26T01:51:22+00:00

The paper explores the meaning of adolescence in diverse context and terms. It analyzes the developmental peculiarities and experiences of the Nigerian adolescents and their counselling needs particularly in Nigerian tertiary institutions of learning. It therefore explored adaptable approaches to counselling adolescents in Nigeria universities taking into cognizance the adolescents’ counselling needs, new approaches and perspectives that can be adopted in counselling adolescents in Nigerian tertiary institutions. This was operationalized by adopting the conceptual and literature-based approach, that rely primarily on existing knowledge, theories, concept and published literatures. Relevant literature on adolescent development and counselling practices in tertiary institutions were reviewed from scholarly journals, books, and policy documents. It focuses particularly on redefining, refining, critiquing and clarifying different ideas about process and approaches adopted to provide counselling support for the postmodern adolescents in the Nigerian universities. It also presents the new perspectives for counselling adolescents in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

APPLICATION OF THE ‘4C CONCEPT’ IN 21ST CENTURY LEARNING AMONG TRAINING TEACHERS

2026-03-31T06:07:45+00:00

This study investigates the self-reported practice of the 4C concepts - collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication - among trainee teachers enrolled in the Bachelor of Teaching Degree Programme (PISMP & PPISMP) at Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Perempuan Melayu, Melaka, within the context of 21st-century learning. A survey design was employed, involving 121 trainee teachers from various fields of specialisation. Data were collected using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire comprising 14 adapted items and analysed descriptively using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The findings reveal that the overall practice of the 4C concepts was at a high level, with collaborative learning recording the highest mean score (m = 4.72) and creative thinking the lowest (m = 4.48). While all four concepts were positively rated, the findings suggest that critical and creative thinking require further enhancement to ensure a more balanced development of 21st-century pedagogical concepts. Overall, the study underscores the importance of strengthening the 4C framework in teacher education to better prepare future teachers who are collaborative, reflective, communicative, and intellectually responsive in contemporary classroom settings.