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Lyrics of longing: Exploring the role of music in the lived experience of homesickness among college students
The study investigates the multifaceted role of music during homesickness among first-year college students in India. As compared to other mental health outcomes, homesickness is a relatively understudied phenomenon, yet noteworthy due to its direct association with depression and anxiety. Although empirical evidence about music highlights its therapeutic potential for managing stress and anxiety, few studies have explored its role in connection with homesickness. The data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 students about their perception of using music during homesickness. Through interpretative phenomenological analysis, the emerging themes pointed to a mixed influence, highlighting the bittersweet nature of music during homesickness. While music validates feelings and boosts confidence and motivation, it also triggers restorative nostalgia and serves as an escape from confronting homesickness. Moreover, native songs fostered an appreciation for ones culture and helped students connect with their roots. The study contributes to understanding how music is a versatile tool for students dealing with homesickness, offering solace and potential challenges. It serves as a guide to future intervention studies that could explore musics long-term influences. Recognising the diverse ways students perceive and respond to music provides valuable insights for developing tailored interventions and support systems. The Author(s) 2024 -
Artificial intelligence in developing countries: The impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for development
This paper explores the potential impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) on developing countries, considering both positive and negative effects across various domains of information, culture, and industry. Generative Artificial Intelligence refers to artificial intelligence (AI) systems that generate content, such as text, audio, or video, aiming to produce novel and creative outputs based on training data. Compared to conversational artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence systems have the unique capability of not only providing replies but also generating the content of those responses. Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence during the Fourth Industrial Revolution, exemplified by tools like ChatGPT, have gained popularity and reshaped content production and creation. However, the benefits of generative artificial intelligence are not equally accessible to all, especially in developing countries, where limited access to cutting-edge technologies and inadequate infrastructure pose challenges. This paper seeks to understand the potential impact of generative AI technologies on developing countries, considering economic growth, access to technology, and the potential paradigm shift in education, healthcare, and the environment. The findings emphasize the importance of providing the necessary support and infrastructure to ensure that generative AI contributes to inclusive development rather than deepening existing inequalities. The study highlights the significance of integrating Generative AI into the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in developing countries, where technological change is a crucial determinant of progress and equitable growth. The Author(s) 2023 -
Navigating the need for accessible labelling through the narratives of consumers with visual impairment in India
This study aims to understand the strategies consumers with visual impairment (CWV) use in acquiring product information and explores preferences for accessible labelling and its benefits. This study employed the qualitative approach of thematic analysis. A snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data were collected from CWV through semi-structured interviews. The sample size of this study was 12. The data were analysed using NVivo software. The study revealed three strategies used by CWV to obtain product information, namely reliance on caregivers, staff, and technology. However, all the strategies employed have multiple drawbacks. The study reported a high preference for accessible labelling in braille and quick response (QR) codes. Implementing a combination of braille labels and QR codes on product packages was the most beneficial strategy for CWV. The Implementation of accessible labels ensures inclusion in the marketplace. The Author(s) 2024 -
Examining the Impact of TRIPS Agreement on Innovation: A Review and Research Agenda
[No abstract available] -
Students Perceptions on the Generative AI Tool ChatGPT: Examining the Interrelationships Between Knowledge, Willingness and Challenges
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are disruptive innovations of recent times that have tranformed numerous sectors, including education. In the realm of management education, platforms such as ChatGPT are redefining teaching methods, tailoring learning pathways and opening new research frontiers. This study examined MBA students perceptions of their knowledge, willingness to use and challenges encountered when engaging with generative AI tools, particularly ChatGPT considering differences by gender and by usage frequency. Through purposive sampling, responses were collected from 179 MBA students at management institutes in Bengaluru, Karnataka, via an online survey adapted from the validated questionnaire by Chan and Hu. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26 for Windows. Bootstrapped univariate General Linear Models showed no gender-based disparities in students knowledge, willingness or perceived challenges; however, usage frequency of AI tools emerged as a strong predictor of willingness to adopt. Multiple regression results indicated that greater knowledge positively influenced both perceived challenges and willingness, while perceived challenges significantly affected willingness. A Sobel mediation test further demonstrated that challenges partially mediated the effect of knowledge on willingnesssuggesting that increased knowledge heightens awareness of potential challenges, which in turn shapes students willingness to embrace these tools. These outcomes offer actionable guidance for educators and decision-makers, highlighting the importance of enhancing AI literacy, minimizing barriers to adoption and providing inclusive, experiential learning environments to support the responsible and confident integration of generative AI in management education. 2026 XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources -
Exploring the Patterns of Recreational Polysubstance Use and Executive Functions in Indian Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background: Substance use is a serious public health concern and young adults in India often use multiple substances, often together. There is a dearth of research examining this and its neuropsychological consequences. Polysubstance use (PSU) usually indicates higher chances of dependence and negative outcomes. This study aims to describe the patterns of PSU and associated executive function profiles in a sample of young adults in India. Methods: Fifty-four participants aged 1825 years filled out a self-report questionnaire on PSU, for lifetime and current use of seven classes of substances. Thirty-four participants also performed four executive functions (Flexibility, Inhibition, Working Memory, and Planning). A descriptive analysis was used to identify patterns of PSU and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare the executive functions between three groups of substance users with nonusers. Results: Three patterns of PSU were identified in our sample: simultaneous (16.3%), concurrent (37.2%), and mixed (46.5%) patterns of use. Simultaneous and concurrent users reported the most commonly used substance combinations (alcohol/nicotine/cannabis). Performance on executive function tasks was compared among the different groups of substance users and nonusers. Executive function assessments revealed deficits in simultaneous users for inhibition (most errors) and planning (most number of moves) compared to other groups. Concurrent users had the lowest accuracy for the two-back visual working memory. Conclusions: The findings of this small sample study suggest executive function deficits are more common in simultaneous users and underscore the need for more research to examine the synergistic effects of substances on cognition and executive functions. 2025 The Author(s). -
Social-cognitive Skills Training on Interpersonal Understanding of Social Norms During Adolescence
Background: Social-cognitive skills training (SCST) in a therapeutic setup can result in more positive outcomes when incorporated with psychotherapy, especially among adolescents with minor social-cognitive impairments in their social interactions. It may result in multifarious benefits to mitigate their social-cognitive dysfunction. This study aimed to identify the effects of SCST on interpersonal understanding of social norms in adolescents with low social cognition. Methods: In this quasi-experimental research, 80 adolescents (1019 years) with low social cognition, no previous experience of skills training, and absence of any psychological disorders, especially those that affect their social-cognitive functioning, with assent from the participants and written informed consent from the parents/guardian and a score below 58 on the Need For Social-Cognition Scale, were included. They were randomly allocated into SCST or waitlist control group. SCST consists of 20 sessions with indoor activities, games, and discussions, and it has been arranged for 1 hour per 3 days a week for 3 months. Edinburgh social cognition test (ESCoT) was used to assess the degree of interpersonal understanding of social norms among adolescents as part of pre and posttests. Results: The Wilcoxon Sign Ranked Test showed that the interpersonal understanding of social norms after SCST is significantly higher than the interpersonal understanding of social norms SCST with a large effect size. The mean (standard deviation) scores in the ESCoT test improved significantly (P < 0 .001) following [W = 0.001, P < .001, r = 1.000]. Conclusion: SCST effectively improves the interpersonal understanding of social norms, an essential developmental milestone during adolescence. It highlights the importance of focusing on mental health as a developmental asset that can influence social-cognitive development in the future. 2024 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). -
Parental Expectations and Fear of Negative Evaluation Among Indian Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Maladaptive Perfectionism
Background: Contrary to traditional notions of emerging adulthood as a period free from parental pressures, the prolonged transition to adulthood in contemporary society implies that parental influence remains a significant factor in the lives of emerging adults. This presents a potential challenge to emerging adults, as navigating independence while managing parental expectations can result in adverse psychological outcomes. The present study examined the relationship between perceived parental expectations and fear of negative evaluation (FNE) and the mediating role of maladaptive perfectionism. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 466 emerging adults from India between 18 and 25 years old. They responded to the Perception of Parental Expectations Inventory, the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism-Brief Scale, and the Brief Fear of Negative EvaluationStraightforward Items Scale. Results: Correlation analyses revealed significant, positive associations between perceived parental expectations, maladaptive perfectionism, and FNE. Findings from regression analyses indicated that increased perceptions of parental expectations and maladaptive perfectionism predicted increased levels of FNE. The relationship between perceived parental expectations and FNE was fully mediated by maladaptive perfectionism. Conclusion: A key reason for heightened perceptions of parental expectations associated with increased FNE is that emerging adults tend to adopt unrealistic perfectionistic standards. Maladaptive perfectionism represents a vital intervention target for individuals who perceive elevated parental expectations and are at risk for FNE, offering promising avenues for promoting well-being in emerging adults. 2024 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). -
A Methodological Framework for Descriptive Phenomenological Research
Background: Descriptive phenomenological research is crucial in nursing for understanding individuals experiences, perceptions, and relationships, which are essential for person-centered healthcare. However, a common critique is that researchers often use phenomenological methods without fully comprehending their historical and philosophical foundations. Existing literature highlights discrepancies in the application of phenomenological principles by nurse researchers, particularly in their presentation of philosophical underpinnings and methodological details. Aim: This article aims to provide a comprehensive methodological framework for descriptive phenomenological research in nursing, addressing both theoretical and practical aspects to guide novice researchers. Data Sources: This framework synthesizes existing scholarship on descriptive phenomenology. Discussion: Starting from Husserl, this article provides a detailed overview of the history, foundations, and philosophical assumptions of the methodology. It also includes key terms and a comprehensive detailing of all aspects of the research process. Conclusion: This framework enriches existing scholarship by offering a streamlined, step-by-step methodological guide for researchers embarking on descriptive phenomenological studies. It emphasizes the importance of establishing minimum, yet critical criteria for publishing research employing this methodology. Implications for Research: Future nurse researchers are encouraged to enhance methodological transparency in their descriptive phenomenological studies to facilitate rigorous evaluation of method effectiveness and study quality. This framework aims to alleviate potential apprehensions and provide clarity and structure to novice researchers in the field. The Author(s) 2024. -
Sexual awakening: An autoethnography through tales of sexuality beyond binaries
This autoethnography, structured as a short story, traces my journey from childhood to my current role as a female researcher exploring the subversive possibilities of bisexuality in an urban Indian context as part of my doctoral research. My early beliefs were shaped by the social norms of my convent education, a Catholic upbringing and community, each reinforcing a rigid understanding of morality, relationships and sexuality. Through ethnography, I navigate between personal experiences and academic inquiry, encountering unresolved questions and contradictions that challenged these foundational beliefs. This short story highlights the complexities of living within structures that impose normative ideals, social expectations and moral standards, as well as the realities of everyday deviations. It further interrogates the essence of morality while positioning myself as a woman in society and reflecting on how my socialisation and lived experiences influenced my moral reasoning. By situating my personal journey within broader sociocultural contexts, this narrative ultimately questions the hegemonic patriarchal heteronormative and homonormative structures based on monogamy and monosexuality, offering a critical lens on how sexuality is constructed and negotiated in contemporary society. 2026 The Author(s) -
Silent subversions and negotiations: An interview with a married effeminate man in the MSM community
Shambu is a member of staff at the MSM branch of a non-profit organisation in urban Bangalore, India, who works on HIV/STI awareness and prevention. His daily life is a careful balance between family responsibilities, his job, multiple sexual partners and sex work. This piece shares Shambus reflections on his early experiences with sexuality, his engagement in cruising sites, gender performance, engagement with male sex workers, non-consensual sex and the financial realities that shape his life, including his involvement in activism. Defying rigid identity boundaries and societal expectations, he openly discusses his relationships with both men and his wife while expressing a desire to be transgender. He recalls a significant relationship with a man he called his panthi, marked by an intricate dynamic of emotions, sex, dominance, economic exchange and silence. His narrative offers a nuanced exploration of identity, gender, sexuality, activism, consent, morality and economic survival in Bangalore. It defies the hegemonic structure of society by challenging the binary construction of gender and sexuality. 2025 The Author(s) -
Decoding Cognitive Control and Cognitive Flexibility as Concomitants for Experiential Avoidance in Social Anxiety
Background and objectives: Avoidance is regarded as a central hallmark of social anxiety. Experiential avoidance is perilous for social anxiety, specifically among university students (young adults). Additionally, cognitive control and cognitive flexibility are crucial components of executive functions for a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. The current research is a modest attempt to understand how cognitive flexibility and cognitive control affect the emergence of experiential avoidance in social anxiety in young adults. Methods: Using an ex-post facto design, the Social Phobia Inventory was employed to screen university students with social anxiety based on which one hundred and ninety-five were identified. Thereafter, participants completed the standardized measures on experiential avoidance, cognitive control and cognitive flexibility. Results: A stepwise multiple regression analysis was computed wherein the cognitive control predicts an amount of 5% of variance towards experiential avoidance, whereas a 10% of additional variance has been contributed by cognitive flexibility. Interpretation and Conclusions: The statistical outcome indicated that cognitive control is positively associated with experiential avoidance which is a negative correlate to cognitive flexibility among university students. Both also emerged as significant predictors of experiential avoidance and add a cumulative variance of 15% towards the same. This conclusion supports the need for improved and efficient management techniques in counseling and clinical settings. The Author(s) 2024 -
Hope, Belief in Just World and Trust in Government: An Interaction Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic in India
The outbreak of COVID 19 has brought about changes in all spheres of human life. In the present times of pandemic, human life has suffered not only from physical stresses but also encountered and endured several mental stresses. In recent times people adopted several measures to bring positivity to their life. The present study explores the relationship between- Hope, Belief in Just World, Covid ?19, and Trust in the Government in India, during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Data was collected online from young adults, via Google forms, using the tools- Adult Hope scale, Covid Anxiety scale, Belief in Just world scale, and Trust in Government. Results showed a significant correlation between the three variables. Hope, Belief in Just World, and Trust in government. Regression analysis found these three variables to significantly impact Covid anxiety. Further, Belief in Just World was found to mediate the relationship between Hope and Covid anxiety. During challenging times, it is important to boost mental health in the right direction. Implications have been further discussed in the article. The Author(s) 2023 -
The role of family structure in shaping psychological experiences of emerging adults: A mixed methods study
Background: Family structure plays a pivotal role in shaping individuals psychological development, particularly during emerging adulthood. Aim: In India, where joint and nuclear family systems coexist, understanding how these structures influence psychological variables such as conformity, loneliness, perceived self-efficacy, psychological distancing, and the need for affiliation is critical. Method: This study employed a mixed-methods approach to examine these variables among 470 emerging adults (298 females, 172 males) aged 18 to 25?years, recruited from urban and semi-urban areas in India. Quantitative data were collected using standardized tools, while qualitative insights were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants. Results: Quantitative results revealed that emerging adults from joint families reported significantly higher levels of self-efficacy compared to those from nuclear families (U?=?18,945, p?=?.03), while no significant differences were found in loneliness (U?=?25,140, p?=?.73) or conformity (U?=?20,735, p?=?.57). A weak negative correlation was found between loneliness and self-efficacy (rs?=??.20, p?<?.05), indicating that higher loneliness is associated with lower self-efficacy. Qualitative findings highlighted the role of family as a source of emotional security, with technology bridging emotional gaps across family types. Participants exhibited a present-focused planning mindset, emphasizing adaptability over rigid long-term goals. Both joint and nuclear family participants relied on familial and peer networks to fulfill affiliative needs, though the nature of these networks varied by family structure. Conclusion: The study concludes that while joint families were associated with higher self-efficacy, both family types provided emotional security and fulfilled affiliative needs in distinct ways. These findings underscore the importance of considering both structural and relational aspects of family dynamics in understanding young adults psychological well-being. Future research should explore these dynamics across different cultural contexts and age groups to identify universal and culture-specific patterns. The Author(s) 2025 -
Non-linear Dynamics of Trade Openness and Income Inequality: New Evidence from a Dynamic Panel Threshold Analysis
This study examines the non-linear relationship between trade openness and income inequality in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) over the period 19902020. It explores how different levels of trade openness affect inequality, with an emphasis on identifying threshold effects. Using a dynamic panel threshold estimation technique, the analysis reveals a U-shaped relationship: trade openness reduces inequality up to a critical threshold of 50.877%, beyond which further liberalisation exacerbates inequality. The JKS panel causality test indicates a unidirectional causal relationship from trade openness to income inequality. These findings highlight the need for calibrated trade policies in BRICS nations. Promoting trade openness up to the identified threshold may reduce inequality, but liberalisation beyond this point should be accompanied by redistributive and institutional measures to mitigate adverse distributional outcomes. 2025 Indian Institute of Foreign Trade -
Advancing Climate Services in South Asia: The SARCI Framework for Actionable Climate Information and Regional Capacity Building
South Asia, home to over a quarter of the global population, faces escalating climate risks that demand scientifically credible and actionable information. However, existing global climate models exhibit persistent temperature and precipitation biasesvariables central to impact assessmentsreaching up to 25% and 100% of their mean values, respectively, over this region, thereby limiting their reliability for climate-informed long-term planning. To address these limitations, we introduce the South Asia Regional Climate Information (SARCI) frameworka regionally optimized framework designed to deliver credible, high-fidelity climate information for South Asia. The framework features a customized atmospheric model, based on NCAR CESM/ CAM, with targeted improvements in deep convection, landatmosphere interactions, and gravity wave dynamicsprocesses linked to major regional biases. These enhancements are guided by empirical understanding of regional climate behavior and refined through rigorous model tuning to achieve regional improvements without compromising global performance. The customized model substantially improves simulations of temperature and precipitation, along with a more realistic representation of regional circulation. The framework further incorporates a synthesized lower-boundary forcing component derived from skill-based CMIP models, adjusted to reduce biases in its low-frequency variability. A statistical downscaling module then refines the projections to a quarter-degree resolution, providing fine-scale, policy-relevant regional climate information. The SARCI framework demonstrates how regional optimization, coproduction, and institutional capacity building can deliver credible, policy-relevant climate information for South Asia, with broader relevance for other regions of the Global South facing similar challenges. 2026 American Meteorological Society. -
New distribution records and molecular characterization of six commercially important groupers (Teleostei: Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the Lakshadweep Islands, India
This study documents the first recorded occurrence of six commercially important grouper fish species (Teleostei: Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the Lakshadweep Islands, India. The species documented in this study are the Snubnose grouper Epinephelus macrospilos (Bleeker, 1855), Brownspotted grouper Epinephelus chlorostigma (Valenciennes, 1828), Dotted grouper Epinephelus epistictus (Temminck and Schlegel, 1842), Slender grouper Anyperodon leucogrammicus (Valenciennes, 1828), White-edged lyretail Variola albimarginata Baissac, 1953 and Oblique-banded grouper Epinephelus radiatus (Day, 1868). Both morphological examination and molecular analysis were carried out to characterize and confirm the identity of these species. This investigation represents the first documentation of these six grouper species from the Lakshadweep Islands. The results enhance current understanding of the marine biodiversity of the region and provide valuable information for the management and sustainability of its commercially important fisheries. Copyright 2026 Magnolia Press -
Larval descriptions and natural history of two endemic frogs (Amphibia: Anura) from the Western Ghats, India
Western Ghats of India is known for its high anuran diversity; however, the larvae of many anurans are still unknown. Studies on anuran larvae can provide insights into their natural history and evolution, help identify cryptic species and aid in amphibian conservation. In this study, we describe the tadpoles of two poorly known species Indirana bhadrai and Micrixalus candidus from the Western Ghats, India using morphology and molecular techniques and provide details on their natural history. The morphology of the tadpoles reflected their habitats. The tadpole of Indirana bhadrai was semiterrestrial, adapted to wet rocky slopes while the tadpole of Micrixalus candidus was fossorial, found under small rocks and sand in slow-flowing streams. Molecular analysis using the 16S rRNA gene showed 100% identity between tadpoles of Indirana bhadrai, and Micrixalus candidus with their adults respectively. The larval descriptions provided in this study can help understand the ecology of the frogs from the Western Ghats. Copyright 2025 Magnolia Press. -
Relationship between Parenting Styles and Identity Formation among Emerging Adulthood
Emerging adulthood is a stage of brain development during which people learn about intimacy and mutual trust, deepen existing friendships, engage in family-focused socialization, and develop the social skills that are fundamental to human existence. Parenting style and identity formation are considered to be crucial factors at this stage. This study was conducted to explore the impact of parenting style on identity formation among emerging adulthood. Three hundred and nine college students from different colleges in Tiruvannamalai city were selected through stratified random sampling and the data was administered by using Parental Authority Questionnaire by Buri, 1991, and Aspects of Identity Questionnaire by Briggs and Cheek, 2013. Results revealed that the authoritative parenting style dimension of parenting style was positively associated with dimensions of identity formation such as personal identity, relational identity, social identity and collective identity. Furthermore, emerging adults significantly differed in their demographic categories such as gender and area of living. Jeyaseelan M et al., 2025.