The Psychology International Conference [PSYCIC ] 2025

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    PublicationOpen Access
    Challenges and Coping Strategies of Sri Lankan Undergraduates in Non-English- Speaking Countries: A Qualitative Exploration Using Schlossberg’s Transition Theory
    (School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Fahumudeen, H; Goonetilleke, N
    International students pursuing higher education in foreign countries are vulnerable to numerous challenges diminishing their experience. Presently, research is dominated by the perspectives of Western students and English-speaking countries; neglecting the perspectives of international students in non-English speaking countries. Through Schlossberg’s transition theory, this qualitative study explored the perspectives of South Asian, specifically Sri Lankan, students in the challenges faced and the coping strategies used – to ultimately develop recommendations improving student experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on eight undergraduates consisting of six women and two men studying in non-English-speaking countries varying from Eastern Europe to Middle Eastern nations. During Thematic Analysis three themes emerged: the role of host country language, discrimination experienced, and how challenges were navigated. Role of language emerged as a significant theme that influenced students’ daily experiences and quality of support provided. Additionally, Sri Lankan students demonstrated agency by developing and maintaining strong socialsupport systems. However, institutions must ensure that international students are provided adequate resources to navigate the challenges they face and encourage intercultural interactions.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Red Flags at Work: A Qualitative Study on Gen Z’s Workplace Turn-Offs
    (School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Gunathilake, S; Ganeshan, A
    As Generation Z enters the workforce, their expectations regarding authenticity, equality and psychological safety are shaping new benchmarks for organisational culture. While global literature has begun to explore these shifts, there are limited empirical evidence on what constitutes workplace "red flags" for Gen Z in South Asia, particularly Sri Lanka. This study investigated the organisational behaviours and environments perceived as red flags by Sri Lankan Gen Z employees. An inductive qualitative approach was adopted, analysing approximately 69 anonymised responses from three Reddit threads posted in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Thematic analysis revealed six core themes: performative culture and corporate hypocrisy; lack of psychological safety and respect; exploitation and burnout norms; unfair HR practices and compensation systems; favouritism, discrimination, and lack of inclusion and organisational dishonesty. Differences were observed across sectors, with IT professionals emphasising overwork, rigid processes, and stagnant roles, while non-IT participants raised concerns about ethical breaches, gender-based microaggressions and superficial wellness initiatives. These themes were consistently evident across all three posts suggesting deeply held generational expectations. The study concludes that for Gen Z in Sri Lanka, alignment between stated organisational values and actual practices is essential.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    A Qualitative Exploration of Pet Ownership and its Perceived Impact on Mental Health and Cultural Perspectives among Young Adults in Sri Lanka
    (School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Rodrigo, R. J; Goonethilleke, N
    Pets have the capacity to offer unconditional love and support through companionship, positively influencing emotional, mental, and social wellbeing. Guided by the Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) framework, this qualitative study explored the views on pet ownership and mental health among young adults in Sri Lanka. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven pet owners aged 20 to 22. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Four key themes emerged: (1) Psychological impact and emotional support, (2) Responsibility and daily structure, (3) Cultural and societal contexts, and (4) Fostering social connections. The findings highlight the meaningful contributions of pet ownership to reduced stress and anxiety, increased empathy, improved emotional regulation, and a sense of routine and responsibility, with cultural and familial factors shaping experiences. Pets occasionally served as social facilitators. Overall, findings suggest that pet ownership may offer valuable support for young adults’ mental health and wellbeing in the Sri Lankan context.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Status of Residential Treatment Centres Offering Addiction Counselling for Persons Living with Alcohol Use Disorders in Sri Lanka
    (School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Rajasuriya, M; Tharinda, C; Wickramarathna, A. D. C. L.
    Residential treatment centres are well known to provide services for persons living with alcohol use disorders (AUD). The interventions of their treatment packages are not always evidence-based. There have been no efforts to test the effectiveness of such addiction counselling packages offered in Sri Lanka. Paving the way to such efforts, this study aimed to describe the treatment packages offered by addiction counselling-based residential AUD treatment centres in Sri Lanka. The list of existing treatment centres was compiled using information from the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB), web search, and word of mouth. An authorised person from each centre was interviewed using a structured interview. Addiction counselling centres in Sri Lanka are required to be registered with the NDDCB, and 17 such centres had been registered in 2023. They provide treatment for various addictions including alcohol,tobacco, drugs, and gambling. Only 9 (52.69%) centres provide services for AUD. Seven (78%) of these centres are owned by private parties and 5 (56%) of them are located in the Western Province. Four (44%) such centres accept involuntary clients through court referrals. Many centres utilise non-evidence-based intervention such as forced abstinence. Three (33%) centres did not report collecting data to evaluate the effectiveness of their programme. The non-governmental sector contributes heavily to the provision of residential addiction counselling in Sri Lanka. These centres are concentrated in the Western Province. The science behind these interventions, and their success, safety, and legality need a closer look.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on Sri Lankan Female Audiences Regarding Psychological Impact of Korean Dramas
    (School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Handapangoda, C.A; Ponnamperuma, L
    Korean Dramas (K-Dramas) have emerged as a prominent form of entertainment, with various storylines featured in nearly all productions. However, exposure to these narratives can cultivate unrealistic expectations, potentially inducing emotional distress when viewers’ anticipations are unmet. This study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of Sri Lankan female viewers, focusing on the emotionalresponses elicited by general K-Drama consumption. A purposive sample of ten females aged 20-25, with at least six months of K-Drama viewing experience, participated in individual interviews lasting 20-40 minutes. Informed consent was obtained, and interviews were audio-recorded and followed by a debriefing. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis facilitated an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of the participants. Findings indicate that viewers engage with K-Dramas for excitement, appealing genres, and emotional processes such as catharsis. Participants also reflected on cultural differences in gender roles and romantic norms between South Korea and Sri Lanka. Overall, the study shows that K-Dramas influence emotional regulation, and personal aspirations, while highlighting the importance of critically engaging with media, knowing its psychological benefits and potential drawbacks
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    PublicationOpen Access
    The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Mental Well-Being
    (School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Weerasinghe, B.A.I.R; Rajakarunanayake, S
    Although the role played by mindfulness in developing mental well-being has received much attention, the mediatory role of self-esteem the realm of positive psychology is discussed rarely, especially in the context of non-state universities of a developing country that has face multiple unprecedented challenges in the recent past. A sample of 329 was collected using a self-administered survey questionnaire from non-state universities in Sri Lanka. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 26 and the mediation effect was computed by using PROCESS Macro. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between mindfulness and mental well-being. A partial mediation of self-esteem was found between mindfulness and wellbeing. The findings suggest academics, administrators, and policy makers to integrate more mindfulness-based interventions in associating with undergraduates to ease their academic burden and life battles whilst paying attention to build self-esteem among non-state university students.