International Journal of Social Science Research and Review

Mental Health Challenges among School Children and Their Effects on Educational Performance

2026-03-26T22:11:53+00:00

Educational Impacts Most children are experiencing mental problems including stress, anxiety, depression and behavioral disorders that affect them negatively in their academic performance. These difficulties affect motivation, focus and learning achievement. The present study was conducted to assess incidence of mental health problems among school children and assess its effects on academic achievement, classroom behavior, school attendance along with considering role of family and school support system. With a cross-sectional descriptive design, self-report questionnaires were administered on mental health variables of stress, anxiety and emotional symptoms while educational measures used included school attendance and motivation. Stratified random sampling was applied and 400 children aged 10-15 were chosen. The research concluded that psychological problems were rife and teacher support was the most important factor in addressing mental health and boosting academic performance. Coping, such as mindfulness and emotion regulation, was associated with better outcomes. The family atmosphere and the climate of the school were also important when it came to affecting the mental health among students. The research suggests the need to embed policies and programs designed to support mental health and coping in schools as a means of facilitating enhanced emotional and educational outcomes.

A Classroom Action Research: Improving Speaking Skills Using Interactive Learning Media

2026-03-26T22:11:53+00:00

This Classroom Action Research (CAR) that is to be carried out to enhance the English speaking proficiency of students in one of the senior high schools in Kendari, Indoesia. This study was on 21 grade 10 second semester students. Following the action research cycle planning, action, observation, and reflection the study had two cycles. The researchers collected data through classroom observation, document analysis, interviews, and pre- and post-tests. The data show that interactive learning medium increases classroom speaking. Each cycle, students' speaking skills increase. The result of the students in the pre-test was 48.48 that lies in the poor category. The scores of the students improved after employing the interactive learning media in two passages. In the first cycle, the post-test was 50.52 and in the second trip; it was 65.38. This shows that the interactive learning media was found to stimulate the students positively. It may be concluded that the interactive learning media play a great role enhancing the speaking skills among students.

Hybrid Work Models and Their Influence on Employee Productivity and Wellbeing: Evidence from MTN Nigeria, Bayelsa State

2026-03-26T22:11:53+00:00

Hybrid work systems have become a central feature of modern organizational practice, particularly following the disruptions caused by the COVID19 pandemic. This study investigates how hybrid work components namely work arrangement, work flexibility, and organizational support shape employee productivity and wellbeing within MTN Nigeria, Bayelsa State. Anchored on the Job Demands-Resources (JDR) theory, the research adopted a descriptive survey design and analyzed responses from 123 employees using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that all three hybrid work dimensions significantly predict productivity and wellbeing, with organizational support emerging as the strongest determinant of employee wellbeing. The study concludes that hybrid work can enhance employee outcomes when supported by clear structures, adequate digital tools, and responsive managerial practices. Recommendations emphasize strengthening hybrid work policies, improving digital infrastructure, and enhancing employee support systems.

Nutritional Status of Dietary Patterns Among Elderly Population in Bangladesh

2026-03-26T22:11:53+00:00

This cross-sectional study examined dietary patterns and nutritional status of the elderly people (≥ 60 years) in rural Bangladesh, where food habits vary with marked difference by gender. Population for the study was assessed through simple random sampling and geological survey, elderly people who attended a pre-informed medical camp their information’s were taken. A total of 63 respondents were recruited for the study. Data on socio-demographic and food habits were collected by face to face interviews with a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and nutritional status was determined using physical measurements. Body Mass Index (BMI) was classified in accordance with World Health Organization criteria. Cross-tabulations and Pearson’s chi-square test were used to analyse the associations of dietary consumptions with BMI. Mean female age was 65.46, mean male age 67.69 years. The proportion of literate individuals was significantly more in males (39.8%) as compared to females (13.9%). The majority of men had low consumption of protein-rich foods, fruits and vegetables; 77.4% of them ate protein-rich foods less than 3 days per week. Both males and females were affected by malnutrition. There was, however, no significant association between dietary intake and BMI (p > 0.05). The results suggested that malnutrition is a significant public health problem among the elderly living in rural Bangladesh and nutrition interventions should be developed and implemented according to specific nutritional conditions.

Impact of Macroeconomic Variables on Stock Market Returns: An ARDL Analysis of the Indian Market

2026-03-26T22:11:53+00:00

This paper explores how the key macroeconomic variables affect stock market returns on investment (ROI) in the Indian setting with special focus to inflation, exchange rates movement, and foreign direct investment (FDI). Using time-series data related to the Indian economy and its capital markets, the study explores both short and long run processes that correspond to macroeconomic variables and market returns. Augmented DickeyFuller (ADF) test is used to determine the stationarity, and an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) error-correction model is applied to determine the relationship among the variables. The results affirm the presence of the long-run equilibrium relationship between stock markets returns and the macroeconomic factors under study. Inflation did not have a statistically significant impact on returns either in the long or short term whereas exchange rate movements have a significant impact on returns especially in the short term where currency depreciation adversely impacts market performance. The approximate error -correction value is negative and high, which signifies a prompt adaptation to long-run equilibrium after short-run shocks. These findings highlight the significance of exchange rate stability in the performance of the market and provide valuable information to the policy makers and investors, particularly younger and long-term market participants on the macroeconomic risks that determine investment returns in India.

Youth Financial Inclusion, Labor Force Participation and Economic Growth: A Comparative Study of India and the United States

2026-03-26T22:11:53+00:00

This study examined the trends and relationships between youth financial inclusion, labor force participation, and economic growth in India and the United States between 2014 and 2024. It adopted a quantitative, comparative framework using secondary data to analyze patterns over time and cross-country differences. Data are sourced from the World Bank Global Findex Database, World Development Indicators, and ILOSTAT. Trends are analyzed for account and debit card ownership, male and female labor participation, and total youth LFPR. The findings from correlation analysis showed that while financial inclusion supports GDP growth universally, labor force dynamics shape the extent and manner of its impact, particularly in emerging economies. In India, there is a decline in total youth LFPR despite rising GDP and LFPR, and financial inclusion are negatively correlated. However, in the USA, financial inclusion and labor force participation reinforce each other, supporting sustained GDP growth. Thus, the impact of labor force participation on economic performance is context-specific: in India, low female participation moderates total youth engagement, whereas in the US, youth can simultaneously pursue education, participate in labor, and access financial services. These findings underscore that the interplay between youth financial inclusion and labor participation affects economic growth differently across countries, pointing to the need for tailored policy interventions.

Managerial Model as a Strategic Factor for Improving Public Service Delivery at Maputo Central Hospital (2013–2015)

2026-03-26T22:11:53+00:00

This study is situated within the context of Public Administration reforms in Mozambique, particularly in the health sector, during a period marked by the implementation of PEDAP (2011–2025) and ERDAP (2012–2025). Moving beyond the traditional bureaucratic model and recognizing the emergence of a managerial logic oriented towards results and citizen-centred service delivery, the research analyses the Managerial Model as a strategic factor for improving public service delivery at Maputo Central Hospital (MCH) between 2013 and 2015. The central problem consisted of understanding the extent to which the Managerial Model constitutes a strategic factor in enhancing public service provision at MCH, within a context of high demand and structural constraints. The general objective was to reflect upon the role of the Managerial Model in improving services, by identifying institutional challenges, key strategic factors, and the perceptions of both staff members and service users. The study is grounded in Institutional Theory and in the approaches of the New Public Administration oriented towards the citizen. Methodologically, a predominantly qualitative approach supported by quantitative techniques was adopted, including a case study design, interviews with 11 staff members, surveys administered to 50 users, and the application of the Likert scale. The findings reveal progress in organizational modernization, yet also highlight persistent delays, structural weaknesses, and discrepancies between expected and perceived service quality. It is concluded that the Managerial Model is relevant for transforming organizational culture, and it is recommended that results-based management, systematic user satisfaction assessment, and continuous professional training be further strengthened.

Does the Hope of Profit Produce Better Economic Outcomes? Incentives, Innovation, and Enterprise Performance Across for Profit, Charitable, and State Owned Models

2026-04-02T09:47:21+00:00

This essay examines whether the “hope of profit” leads to superior economic and organizational outcomes compared to charitable and state-owned models. Drawing on economic theory, behavioural insights, and historical case studies, it argues that profit-driven incentives play a crucial role in fostering innovation, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. The analysis highlights how financial incentives align individual and organizational goals, encouraging risk-taking, cost control, and technological advancement. In contrast, charitable and government-operated organizations, while often mission-focused, tend to face structural limitations such as resource constraints, weaker incentive mechanisms, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Empirical examples—including the collapse of Kids Company and comparative growth trajectories of France and the United States—demonstrate the challenges faced by non-profit and state-led models in maintaining consistent performance. The essay concludes that, although non-profit and public enterprises serve essential social purposes, profit-oriented firms are generally more effective in driving innovation, adaptability, and sustained economic growth.

Perceptions of Domestic Violence and Some Contextual Correlates: The Case of Uganda

2026-04-02T12:14:39+00:00

Domestic violence (DV) in any form permeates cultures and geographic regions. Research on this phenomenon is abundant, but results remain incomplete due to its multidimensional nature. This paper examines contextual factors (i.e., social, economic, and demographic factors) that shape perceptions of DV towards women and children in Uganda. The data source was the 2022 Uganda Round 9 Afrobarometer dataset, which comprises 2,400 respondents. A multivariate analysis indicated that DV remains common in Uganda. Statistically significant factors associated with perceptions of DV were age, place of residence, gender, and education. Most Ugandans perceived violence against women as a private matter rather than a criminal matter. Physical discipline of children and child neglect were common, but little or no help was available to the abused children. The policy implications of these findings are 1) raising awareness of the effects of physical discipline on women and children, and 2) improving law enforcement through sensitivity and gender-equality training. It is suggested that policy measures to address DV in the country should consider the influences of the significant factors discussed in this study.

A Bibliometric Analysis on the Growth of the Indian Premier League and Its Effect on the Game of Cricket, Its Players and Society

2026-04-07T11:02:58+00:00

A detailed understanding of sport dynamics is essential to the modern societies since professional leagues nowadays support employment, social unity, and development policy. The Indian Premier League (IPL), launched by BCCI in 2007, exemplifies rapid market growth through its innovative franchising model, attracting significant sponsorships and viewership, thereby transforming cricket into a lucrative entertainment industry and creating new fan loyalties. This paper focuses on the growth of the Indian Premier league (IPL) as an international phenomenon to evaluate the structural forces, such as the payment of athletes, commercialization, and hiring of talents, as well as the sociocultural aspects such as youth engagement and improvement of professionalism. Bibliometric and visual mapping techniques were imposed using a Scopus database of 252 publications using VosViewer, which outlined key research areas, including performance evaluation and predictive analytics. It was found that India is a key global node of sports scholarship, and there is an observable movement towards the analysis of performance conditioned by machine-learning methods. The findings highlight the role of the IPL in raising the standards of cricketing at the same time leaving the franchise owners exposed to financial risks. The research provides practical conclusions to the stakeholders who are located in the sports and economic fields.

Third Law of Thermodynamics and Insecurity in Nigeria

2026-04-07T12:01:36+00:00

Nigerian society is currently plagued by widespread insecurity, evident in various forms of violence such as armed robbery, insurgent bombing, communal clashes, herdsmen menace, drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal arms trafficking, political violence, religious and ethnic violence, cyber-crimes, kidnapping, abduction and banditry, prompting this work to explore the causes and potential solutions through an analogy with the third law of thermodynamics, where insecurity is likened to entropy and the root causes and solutions are represented by temperature and cooling methods, respectively. High rates of poverty are primary drivers of insecurity in Nigeria, often leading individuals to engage in illegal activities. A high rate of unemployment causes poverty. Lack of education, apprenticeship, Technical and Vocational Training and low productivity of Nigeria’s agriculture sector also led to poverty in Nigeria. Evaporative cooling involves exposure of the hot material to water for cooling. Water symbolizes abundance, life, prosperity and fertility. To subdue poverty, there must be abundance of food, job, knowledge and resources. Government should provide more centers of entrepreneurship, establish and equip Technical and Vocational Education Training institutions. Investing in agriculture is critical to ensuring improved food productivity. Government should focus on job creation and quality education, as these can deter crime by providing legal opportunities. The insecurities driven by the pursuit of excessive wealth and power, often leads to political turmoil and instability. Magnetic cooling involves the exposure of a material to magnetic field and demagnetization. The strong attractive force of a magnet can be seen as an attachment or connection to power and possessions. Demagnetization symbolizes emotional detachment, reflecting the idea that true happiness and contentment come from within rather than from external possessions or the pain and suffering of others, while also emphasizing the importance of empathy and the pursuit of inner peace through understanding and non-attachment. Sadism involves the experience of pleasure from others' pain and suffering. Sadists join armed groups or engage in criminal activities (like kidnapping) to carry out their acts with a particular brutality and enjoy the suffering they cause. In laser cooling, exposure to light causes cooling of the material to a temperature close to 0K, leading to low entropy. Light symbolizes truth, happiness, positivity, goodness, knowledge and transformation that lead to peace. True happiness comes with goodness and positivity. It does not depend on the pain and sadness of others. It is recommended that they seek help with a therapist and specialist to manage the most remarkable symptoms. Ensuring security in the country involves government, individuals, businesses, religious groups, and civil society. Religious leaders should emphasize contentment, detachment from wealth and power, empathy and treating others the way you want them to treat you.