Pakistan Social Sciences Review

Impact of Parenting Styles on Emotional Maturity and Self-esteem among Special Needs Students

2026-05-10T16:40:22+05:00

This study examined the impact of parenting styles on emotional maturity and self-esteem among special needs students in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The study specifically focused on authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and neglectful parenting styles among students from Bahawalpur, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan divisions. Parenting styles play an important role in shaping the emotional and psychological development of children, particularly special needs students. Positive parenting practices contribute to emotional stability, confidence and self-worth, whereas negative parenting behaviors may create emotional and psychological difficulties among students. The study used a quantitative research design and survey method. The population consisted of special needs students from Southern Punjab, while 320 students were selected through multistage sampling using the G*Power sample size determination method. A structured questionnaire containing 60 items was used for data collection. Data were analyzed through SPSS-27.0 and SmartPLS using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis and hypotheses testing.
The findings revealed that authoritative parenting style had a significant positive relationship with emotional maturity and self-esteem. Authoritarian, permissive and neglectful parenting styles showed significant negative relationships with emotional maturity and self-esteem. Emotional maturity also showed a significant positive relationship with self-esteem. Regression analysis further confirmed that supportive parenting positively influenced psychological well-being among special needs students. The study recommended that parents should adopt supportive and positive parenting practices to improve emotional maturity and self-esteem among special needs students. Educational institutions should also provide counseling services and parent awareness programs to strengthen students’ emotional and psychological adjustment.

Impact of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) on Academic Achievements: A Study of Undergraduate Students

2026-05-14T01:02:05+05:00

This study examines the impact of ICTs on undergraduate students’ academic achievement at LUAWMS. In countries like Pakistan, ICTs have really become a significant part of higher education, especially since the goal is to make teaching and learning better. But the whole thing about whether it actually boosts performance is not clear, mostly because of problems with infrastructure and lack of training to use digital stuff well. We used a quantitative approach for this. Data was collected from 335 undergraduates; the tool questionnaire was employed based on a five-point Likert scale was used for this study. Then SPSS version 25 handled the analysis, and reliability was checked out with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.70. The findings show that ICTs use has a positive link to academic achievement, something significant. Students mentioned that better learning understanding, and more engagement in classes, and easier access to resources enhances their academic achievement. On the other hand, barriers, like unreliable internet, low digital literacy among students, and weak infrastructure overall make it hard to really benefit from ICTs. Universities in Pakistan need to focus on fixing the ICTs setup and making internet more dependable. Training for digital literacy seems crucial too, along with better policies to support all this.

Siblings’ Relationship and Identification Process in school going Children

2026-05-18T16:48:30+05:00

Siblings are a person’s first interaction of their age and until a child starts going to school the only too in most of the cases. The relationship a child has with his or her sibling is an The current study is that siblings share is dependent on a lot of factors. For the present study it is hypothesized that warmth in siblings relationship will be influenced by the gender of the participant and the gender of the sibling. It is also hypothesized that warmth in and de-identification. The data was collected from school level children (N=100), aged 12-17 years of age (M=14.65, SD =1.69). The data was collected as a group after seeking consent from the school authorities. It was a self-report inventory consisting of demographic form, Sibling Influence Scale (Whiteman et al, 2010) and Quality of Sibling Relationship, warmth subscale (Furman & Buhrmester, 1985); it was then entered SPSS version 21. A two way ANOVA showed a significant interaction between the gender of the participant and gender of the chosen sibling, F (1, 96) = 4.32, p=.04. Female reported greater warmth towards brothers while males reported more warmth towards sisters. Multiple regression analysis was carried out F (2, 97) = 853.42, p<0.001. R2= .945, adj R2=0.944 showing that sibling modeling and de-identification significantly predicted the warmth in the relationship. The findings of this study suggests that both gender composition and identification process effects the warmth in sibling relationship.

Domestic Violence, Psychosomatic Distress, and Resilience Among Female Cleaners in Pakistan: A Two-Phase Quantitative Study with MBCT Intervention

2026-05-18T17:22:31+05:00

This study explores whether resilience among cleaning women experiencing domestic violence would moderate the relationship between domestic violence and psychosomatic problems in female cleaners from domestic and commercial workplaces in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Cleaning women in Pakistan belong to an occupational class vulnerable to domestic violence, economic deprivation, and reduced access to health care services that may predispose them to psychosomatic problems. The study used a two-phased quantitative methodology. In Phase I, 150 female cleaners completed assessments of domestic violence, psychosomatic symptoms, and resilience. Participants with mild-to-moderate psychosomatic symptoms (n = 25) participated in an eight- session MBCT intervention in Phase II using a pretest-posttest design. Domestic violence positively predicted psychosomatic problems while resilience negatively predicted psychosomatic symptoms. Resilience did not moderate this relationship. MBCT significantly decreased psychosomatic symptoms and significantly increased resilience among participants. Implications for the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions with psychologically vulnerable women are discussed among study participants overall.

Role of Social Media VS Traditional Media in Shaping Public Opinion in Pakistan in the Era of AI-Generated Content

2026-05-23T18:43:42+05:00

The purpose of this study to investigate the impact of traditional media and social media on public opinion in the context of AI generated content. In digital era AI generated content influence public opinion through misinformation, deep fakes. This research examine how artificial intelligent has transformed the communication through newspaper, television, Instagram, twitter'X, YouTube, TikTok in shaping public attitudes and influencing decision making. Using a quantitative methodology and data were collected through online survey from 400 participants. The findings show that most citizens use social media than traditional media or misinformation negatively effects the public trust. Moreover, this study also suggest a strong need of media literacy, ethical use of AI regulation, and ethical government policy to control misuse of AI generated content in Pakistan.

Pakistan's Foreign Policy in the Context of Regional Dynamics: Challenges and Opportunities

2026-05-23T18:46:28+05:00

This study examines the foreign policy of Pakistan in the changing dynamics of the region by considering the existing issues and new opportunities for the country. Pakistan’s geographical position between South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East affects the priorities in its foreign policy relations. Past conflicts, security threats, and economic dependency are the factors that shape the foreign policy of the country. The research utilizes a qualitative methodology, with the use of secondary data sources, policies, and regional cases for analysis. The findings of the research show that the country is constrained from being more influential in the region due to conflicts with India, uncertain situation in Afghanistan, and lack of cooperation with Iran. However, the economic cooperation with China via CPEC increases the country’s influence. Pakistan needs to work for balanced diplomacy and increase regional economic integration while emphasizing dialogue in order to achieve stability.

Role of Legislative Institution in Political Awareness: A Case Study of Pakistan

2026-05-25T15:24:13+05:00

Legislative institutions serve to develop awareness about politics among citizens in Pakistan. While such legislative functions can enhance the participation and awareness of citizens towards the political process in Pakistan, the study highlights legislative activities with media coverage and public knowledge regarding political processes to indicate how debates, laws and policy decisions get communicated to the public. It highlights the relationship that exists between legislative function and an informed electorate which is vital to a properly functioning democracy in Pakistan. This study also identifies barriers to political awareness, such as political illiteracy, media bias and inefficiency of legislative institutions. It offers recommendations to improve transparency in legislative processes, make political information more accessible to the public, and strengthen educational institutions in promoting political literacy to create a more informed electorate in Pakistan.

Environmental Accountability in Warfare: The Failure of International Environmental Law During the US–Iran War 2026

2026-05-31T19:31:27+05:00

This study examines the inability of International Environmental Law (IEL) to hold states liable for environmental harm resulting from attacks on oil facilities in the Persian Gulf region during the US – Iran War 2026. Current IEL instruments, i.e., Additional Protocol I and the Rome Statute, ambiguous anthropocentric thresholds which have proven ineffective in stopping or condemning environmental harms in armed conflict. The delicate, semi-enclosed marine environment of the Persian Gulf magnifies the effects of hydrocarbon war. This study uses qualitative tracing analysis to examine the environmental life cycle of specific strikes and doctrinal legal analysis of ILC Draft Principles and the Rome Statute. Attack on oil infrastructure results in transboundary air, soil and marine contamination that widespread, long-term and severe damage as required by IHL. Due to unclear legal thresholds, attribution problems, and non-binding instruments, there is accountability gap. IEL needs to be radically reimagined to meet the needs of contemporary hydrocarbon warfare.

Effectiveness of an Anti-bullying Forgiveness Program among Bully-Victims in Early Adolescents: A Pre-Post Study

2026-06-02T21:44:44+05:00

The present research was conducted to examine the effectiveness of an Anti-bullying Forgiveness Program among bully-victims in the early adolescence. The intervention was designed to reduce bullying behavior and anger while improving psychological well-being and academic performance. A pre-test, post-test control group design was employed. The participants (N=36) were screened by using the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ; Olweus, 2006), the Anger Expression Scale for Children (Steele et al., 2009), the Enright Forgiveness Inventory for Children (Enright, 1993) and WHO-wellbeing index (World Health Organization, 1998). In addition, participants’ academic performance was also assessed. Participants were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. The experimental group received eight (08) intervention sessions, with the arrangement of two (02) sessions per week. The participants of control group were considered as waitlist group. Results showed significant improvement in the bullying and anger problems after receiving the intervention at post-test level. The psychological well-being and academic performance of the bully-victim were also improved to a considerable extent after receiving the anti-bullying forgiveness intervention. The findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of the Anti-bullying Forgiveness Program in addressing bullying-related behaviors and emotional difficulties among adolescents. The study further highlights the potential value of forgiveness-based interventions for school counselors, educators, and researchers working in the area of adolescent mental health and school adjustment.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Governance: Evaluating Opportunities and Challenges in Pakistan

2026-06-04T14:21:21+05:00

This research aims to explore the impacts of AI intelligence on the governance system of Pakistan by evaluating its opportunities and challenges. It further examines the AI governance model of China, the United States, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates to bring substantial lessons for the country. This study is carried out by utilizing qualitative and analytical methodology. Primary and secondary sources are reviewed to present a thorough grasp of AI’s impacts on Pakistan governance. The results find that AI brings various opportunities, including administrative efficiency and economic modernization. In contrast, it also poses various challenges for the country as well, comprising institutional constraints and cybersecurity concerns, among many others. The study suggests that responsible governance practices and sustainable technological development International best practices should be adopted through comparative policy learning from global AI governance practices. It is recommended to strengthen digital infrastructure, promoting ethical governance and cross-national policy learning.

Karl Marx's Theory of Communism: An Analytical Study of its Principles, Application, and Critiques

2026-06-05T00:34:12+05:00

This study critically examines Karl Marx’s theory of communism, focusing on its ideological foundations, historical implementation, and political legacy. The primary objectives are to analyze Marx’s vision of a classless and stateless society, evaluate the impact of communist ideology on different states, and assess the major criticisms of Marx’s conception of communism. Karl Marx (1818–1883), together with Friedrich Engels, developed a revolutionary framework that sought to eliminate class exploitation through collective ownership of the means of production and the equitable distribution of resources. Employing a qualitative research methodology, this study utilizes analytical, historical, and descriptive approaches, drawing upon secondary sources and relevant literature. The findings reveal that Marxist communism significantly influenced political developments and revolutionary movements in countries such as Russia, China, and Cuba, where communist governments attempted to establish social and economic equality through state control of resources, universal access to education, and healthcare services. However, the practical implementation of communism often resulted in economic inefficiencies, restrictions on individual freedoms, political authoritarianism, and challenges to productivity and innovation. The study concludes that while Marx’s vision addressed important concerns regarding inequality, exploitation, and social justice, its application in various contexts produced outcomes that diverged considerably from its original theoretical objectives.

The 18th Amendment and Climate Governance Gap in Pakistan: A Principal–Agent Analysis of Coordination Failure

2026-06-05T16:12:02+05:00

This study explores post-18th amendment coordination failures among institutions in Pakistan’s climate governance from the Principal Agent lens. The paper focuses on the impact of the 18th Amendment on institutional coordination, accountability, and the causes of failure behind existing coordination channels, whilst assessing their capacity to produce actionable outcomes. Pakistan has developed policy frameworks and institutional structures aligned with international guidelines to mitigate climate-related adversities. However, the nation’s vulnerability towards climate change remains unabated, raising concerns regarding its effective implementation. To systematically assess the climate governance gaps, this paper employed a document-based qualitative approach. Key policy instruments, relevant documents, and the role of institutional actors at different levels of government were studied. As a result of the 18th Amendment, repetitive mandates, lack of inter-agency coordination, and multi-dimensional coordination were identified as the emerging reasons impeding climate governance. The study recommends policy changes in climate governance through amendments in climate change act 2017, bridging the technical gap by introducing a digital tracking system, and increasing horizontal cooperation along with transparency and efficiency between the federal and provincial governments.

Suppletion and politeness in English, Japanese and Korean: A Morphological Analysis

2026-06-07T20:07:00+05:00

This study investigates the suppletion process in English, Japanese and Korean language, from the comparative morphological aspect. Suppletion is the replacement of a lexical form with any other unrelated form within the same grammatical category. In English, it is commonly present in forms like go/went, be/was, where grammar such as tense and its comparison changes the lexical form. In Japanese and Korean languages, on the other hand, suppletion is influenced by social hierarchy and politeness. Honorific forms in Japanese such as taberu/ meshiagaru and in Korean meokada/deusida show that lexical change can also occur due to respect and social relations, rather than merely the grammatical structure. The study uses a qualitative comparative model and the data is collected from linguistics books and journal articles. Suppletive forms are selected from Korean and Japanese languages to check similarities and differences in their morphological characteristics. The analysis highlights that English language mainly executes grammatical suppletion, whereas Japanese and Korean languages practice suppletion through honorifics in social domains. This research lays stress on politeness as a conditioned suppletion, which is considered an important morphological element, because it works systematically within linguistics structures and social hierarchies. The research contributes to the broader understanding of morphology by highlighting the link between language, grammar and socio-cultural context.

Beyond Biological Determinism: A Comparative Study of Female Situated Identity in Plath's The Bell Jar And Shah's Before She Sleeps

2026-06-10T13:01:56+05:00

The scholarly article presents a feminist inquiry to examine how the medical and biological sciences have shaped the experiences of women in Plath’s The Bell Jar and Shah's Before She Sleeps. Feminist theorists of medicine argue that considering men independent due to their bodily anatomy is the one side of the coin. Women should not be defined on the basis of their biological functioning and gender. They argue that such a framework ignores the importance of culture, knowledge, geography, and power relations. To support the analysis, the study draws upon Donna Haraway's concept of situated knowledge where she questions deterministic and universal claims of traditional science. Haraway proposes a feminist model of knowledge that values situated knowledge which states that meaning is produced from a specific culture, history, and social standpoints in which an entity resides. In The Bell Jar, Esther Greenwood’s encounter with psychiatric institutions exposes how women's emotional and intellectual struggles are pathologized under the guise of medical authority. Dr. Gordon carries out electric shock therapy which is devoid of understanding of Esther's personal and social context. In contrast, Dr. Nolan, who is a female psychiatrist, approaches Esther’s condition with empathy and care. Similarly, in Before She Sleeps, Shah envisions a dystopian society where women are reduced to their reproductive functions by medical and political powers. The only purpose of women in the Green City is to produce children to maintain the population but this causes extreme distress and psychosis in women. On the other hand, the women of Panah resist this reductionist logic by creating a community that values autonomy, solidarity, and acknowledgement of personal histories.

Navigating the Storm: Work Stress, Perceived Social Support, and Female Work Performance

2026-06-10T13:09:36+05:00

This study investigated workplace stress and work performance among female employees in educational institutions of southern Punjab, Pakistan, focusing on the moderating role of perceived social support. Female employees in Pakistan face dual professional and domestic burdens, heightening vulnerability to occupational stress. Stress impairs productivity, especially for women facing discrimination and role conflict. Grounded in conservation of resources theory, perceived social support is proposed as a buffer against stress-induced decline. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected from 200 female employees at four institutions in Vehari and Burewala via convenient sampling. Instruments included the work stress questionnaire, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and individual work performance Questionnaire. Pearson correlation and regression tested the hypotheses. Work stress negatively affected job performance (r = –.457, p < .01) and social support (r = –.524, p < .01). Social support alone did not predict performance; however, its interaction with stress was significant (B = 0.030, p < .001), confirming a buffering effect. The model explained 73.5% of variance in performance. Institutions should introduce counselling and team-building activities to reduce occupational stress among female employees. Future research should explore moderators such as leadership styles across diverse sectors.

Elementary School Teachers’ Perspectives about Life Skills Integration: A Phenomenology Study

2026-06-15T18:47:46+05:00

Life skills in the elementary classroom are becoming more acknowledged and crucial in preparing students for the 21st century. This study aimed to explore elementary school teachers’ perspectives on the experience of life skills integration in the learning process. A qualitative phenomenological research design was used. 8 public elementary school teachers were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded verbatim with the permission of the participants, followed by analysis using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2022). It was found that teachers highly value life skills and have a wide range of interactive strategies that they use to incorporate life skills into subject teaching. The study recommends that the implementation of effective life skills integration necessitates the revision of the curriculum, systematic professional development, and supportive school leadership, as well as teacher creativity and commitment at the individual level.

Perceived Emotional Neglect, Social Emotional Competence, and Psychological Distress in University Students

2026-06-20T13:31:57+05:00

The present study investigated the relationship among perceived emotional neglect, social-emotional competence, and psychological distress among university students in Pakistan. It also examined the mediating role of social-emotional competence in the association between perceived emotional neglect and psychological distress, along with gender-based differences. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed. The sample comprised 300 students selected through convenience sampling from public and private universities in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan. Data were collected using the Emotional Neglect Scale, Social-Emotional Competence Scale, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between perceived emotional neglect and psychological distress, whereas significant negative relationships were found between perceived emotional neglect and social-emotional competence and between social-emotional competence and psychological distress. Regression analyses showed that perceived emotional neglect positively predicted psychological distress, while social-emotional competence negatively predicted it. Mediation analysis revealed partial mediation through social-emotional competence. No significant gender differences emerged. Findings highlight the importance of strengthening social-emotional competencies and mental health support services in Pakistani universities.

Staying Informed or Staying Worried: The Relationship Between FoMO, Social Media Use, and Financial Anxiety During Inflation

2026-06-20T13:38:21+05:00

This study assess the relationship between Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), social media use, and financial anxiety among Pakistani university students during an inflationary period, specifically examining the mediating role of social media use. Rising inflation has increased financial stress among students, while social media exposure may intensify concerns about lifestyle comparisons and economic insecurity. FoMO has been linked to excessive digital engagement and psychological distress, yet its connection with financial anxiety during economic uncertainty remains underexplored. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed. Data were collected from 300 university students in Pakistan through convenience sampling. Standardized measures included the Fear of Missing Out Scale (5 items), Social Media Use Integration Scale (10 items), and Financial Anxiety Scale (7 items), rated on a five-point Likert scale. Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and Hayes’ PROCESS Macro Model 4 with 5,000 bootstrap samples were used for analysis. FoMO showed significant positive associations with social media use and financial anxiety. Social media use was also positively related to financial anxiety. FoMO significantly predicted both social media use and financial anxiety. Mediation analysis revealed that social media use partially mediated the relationship between FoMO and financial anxiety. Universities should promote responsible social media use and financial literacy programs. Psychological interventions targeting FoMO may help reduce students’ financial anxiety during periods of economic instability.

Overcoming the Fear of Snakes: A Clinical Case Report of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Ophidiophobia

2026-06-21T10:58:17+05:00

The aim of this case report was to assess and treat severe ophidiophobia (specific phobia, animal type) in a 31-year-old male using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and to assess the changes in fear, avoidance and anxiety symptoms post intervention. Ophidiophobia is one of the most common animal-type specific phobias, characterised by intense fear and avoidance of snakes. It frequently results in substantial psychological suffering and impairment in work and daily life. A qualitative single case design was utilised. The client was tested using Clinical Interview, Mental Status Examination, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Fear Survey Schedule-II (FSS-II), Snake Phobia Questionnaire (SPQ) and Behavioural Avoidance Test (BAT). A comprehensive ten session CBT treatment was implemented including psychoeducation, relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, imaginal exposure, in-vivo exposure and relapse prevention. Assessment revealed acute anxiety, significant avoidance and high snake-related phobia. There were large reductions in anxiety symptoms, catastrophic beliefs and avoidance strategies after therapy. Functional improvement at occupational activities was also seen. Early detection and treatment of certain phobias is suggested. Future research should evaluate the long-term efficacy of CBT with bigger clinical samples and follow-up evaluations.

From Distress to Suicidal Ideations: A Qualitative Exploration based on Family Functioning of Young Adults

2026-06-21T15:36:31+05:00

Objective of this study was to access family functioning of young adults with suicidal ideation based on Satir’s Growth Model and to explore risk and protective factors through their lived experiences. Suicidal ideation is a complex phenomenon based on conviction that life has no purpose to the deliberate creation of a plan to end it. Young adulthood is a vulnerable period because of their changing identities and expectations at home. Suicidal ideation is correlated with family functioning. Purposive sampling was utilized and data was collected from eight young individuals through semi-structured interviews. Six main themes and sub-themes were generated. Results showed that this study can be significant in the field of family functioning and family can be served as a protective factor while dealing with suicidal ideations. Study recommends that future studies should examine family-level interactions and should incorporate family therapies that can help to improve young suicide prevention initiatives.

Exploring the Perceptions of Pakistani University Undergraduate Students on Social Media Addiction and its Impact on their Academic Performance

2026-06-21T15:39:13+05:00

Social media is being extensively used as an easily accessible source of communication worldwide. It facilitates people to have a quick and easy connection beyond geographical barriers. However, deep concerns are being shown about social media addiction among young people and its negative effects. This study aimed to find out the perceptions of university undergraduates about social media addiction on their academic performance. A qualitative case study method was used to collect data from students at the University of Malakand Chakdara, Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the views of 21 students based on their personal experiences of using social media. The thematic analysis method was applied to analyze the data. The findings showed that spending much time on social media restricted them from preparing for class assignments and their timely submission. Students spent a lot of time on social media, which badly affected their exam preparation. It was also discovered that extensive engagement of students on social media resulted in poor academic grades. Students further reported that spending more time on social media added to their stress and anxiety, and they became physically exhausted after engaging increasingly with peers and friends. This has caused sleeplessness among them; they experience headaches and feel sleepy during class time, and it has severely affected their motivation to study. It has caused poor classroom attention during the teacher's lecture due to physical and mental exhaustion. It is suggested that the results of this study may further be investigated in other contexts for confirmation.