European Scientific Journal, ESJ

The Role of Resilience in Managing the Psychological Effects of Infertility Stigma: A Mixed-Methods Study

2026-04-15T13:11:01+00:00

Resilience and coping strategies represent major resources for women experiencing infertility, related stigma, and psychological consequences. This study was to examine how resilience operates in managing psychological distress among women experiencing infertility stigma in evangelical church communities in Zou County, Benin Republic. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed with 384 women, using standardized measures (CD-RISC-10, ISS-SF, DASS-21) alongside focus groups and interviews with 45 church leaders. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. In a matched mixed-method approach, the qualitative data were converted into quantitative value to enhance analysis. More than a quarter of participants presented with low resilience, the average score on CD-RISC-10 being 24.88 out of 40. ISS-SF significantly predicted DASS-21, infertility stigma accounting for 45% of variance in combined depression, anxiety, and stress. Self-devaluation and social withdrawal revealed primary dimensions. Resilience in moderation analysis yielded significant independent effects on psychological outcomes. It functions as an independent protective factor, providing general psychological resources that improve outcomes regardless of stigma levels, rather than buffering the impact of stigma. Quantitative linear models failed to capture specific context-dependent resilience processes revealed qualitatively. The Stigma-Conscious Framework on Resilience and Posttraumatic Change helped to reframe resilience with inputs and resources specific to the sample. It highlights the importance of integrating context-specific features in the underlying mechanisms to move resilience beyond the concept of general protective factor. Recommendations for practice include interventions targeting self-devaluation and social withdrawal and strengthening culturally embedded resilience resources.

The Evolution of the Georgian Notariat: From the StateControlled Soviet System to Professional Independence and Digital Modernization

2026-04-15T13:08:20+00:00

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of Georgia’s state independence, a comprehensive transformation of legal systems began across the post-Soviet space, aimed at modernizing Soviet legal institutions and aligning them with European legal standards. In this process, an institutional reform of the notariat was carried out, resulting in the gradual evolution of the notarial system into a professionally independent legal institution. In a historical context, the notariat functioned as a strictly centralized state institution within the Soviet legal system, where notaries were public officials and their activities were subject to administrative control. This model was ill-suited to the demands of a market economy and private law, thereby necessitating institutional reform of the notariat in the post-Soviet period (Palmer, 2012; Smits, 2020). In the course of this process, a Latin-type (“independent”) notariat emerged and developed alongside the state notariat in some of the post-Soviet countries (Sukhitashvili, 2012, p. 25). This model is based on the professional independence of notaries and the safeguarding of private-law security (Zoidze, 2005). The present article aims to analyze the institutional transformation of the Georgian notariat in the post-Soviet period and assess the impact of legislative reforms on the development of the notarial profession. The study is based on a doctrinal and comparative legal analysis encompassing the comparison of Georgian legislation and European notary systems. It is noteworthy that Georgia was among the first countries to introduce online notarial services. Besides, the study examines the extent to which the transition from the Soviet state notarial model to a Latin-type notarial system has ensured the strengthening of the professional independence of notaries and the improvement of legal certainty in civil transactions in Georgia. According to the research hypothesis, the legislative and institutional reforms implemented in Georgia, have played a significant role in strengthening the notarial profession and enhancing the reliability of legal acts. Nevertheless, the further development of institutional mechanisms and practical legal instruments continues to pose a significant challenge to achieving the full effectiveness of the notarial system and its complete adaptation to the contemporary legal environment, particularly in the context of ongoing digital and technological transformation. The study argues that the Georgian experience reflects a broader pattern in which the hybridization of Latin legal principles with digital governance may constitute an emerging model of post-socialist legal modernization.

Sexual Harassment and Academic Engagement of Female Students in Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria

2026-04-15T13:05:27+00:00

This study explored the impact of sexual harassment (SH) on the academic engagement of female students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Nigeria. The normalisation of gender-based violence (GBV), toxic academic masculinity, a culture of silence, and a lack of active leadership were identified as key features that encourage SH in higher education and may lead to academic disengagement among female students. A qualitative case study and in-depth interview approach were employed for data collection. Students' narratives were organised for analysis of the findings. The thematic focus included: (a) SH experienced by female students, and (b) SH and academic engagement. The study revealed poor academic (cognitive, affective, and behavioural) engagement among students, which was adversely affected by SH. These included difficulties connecting with academic activities, difficulty completing assignments, problems with presentations, a reluctance to ask questions or participate in group discussions, a sense of disorientation and disturbance, fear, a loss of motivation, poor psychological feelings towards school learning, teachers and peers, and students’ inability to receive the needed assistance from the teacher to attain higher academic achievement. However, due to limited trust in the institution, the lengthy legal process, and fear of being blamed, accused, or stigmatised, legal action against the harassers was rarely pursued.