Journal of Research in Social Sciences

Parental Stress, and Parental Self-Efficacy as Determinants of Work-Family and Family-Work Conflict among Working Fathers

Anila Mukhtar — 2026-06-30

Present study examined the relationships among work-to-family conflict (WFC), family-to-work conflict (FWC), parental self-efficacy (PSE) and parental stress in full-time employed fathers. Total sample of one hundred fathers (N=100), aged 22-52, with their children aged between 1-12 years, were selected through snowball-purposive sampling technique. The data was collected using the Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES; Woolgar et al., 2023), the Parental Stress Scale (PSS; Berry & Jones, 1995), and the Work-Family Conflict Scale (WAFCS; Carlson, Kacmar, & Williams, 2000). Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results showed significant positive correlations of both WFC and FWC with parental stress. However, parental self-efficacy (PSE) has a significant but week positive correlation both with WFC and parental stress scale, while FWC-PSE showed no significant correlation. On the basis of these results, findings suggested WFC has significant association with parental stress, while PSE may inconsistently increase stress due to performance pressures. This study addresses a gap in literature, enhancing understanding of working fathers' mental health and their work-life balance. Future implications highlight the critical role of work-family conflict in shaping employee well-being, specifically for working fathers, and its impact on organizational success and sustainable development. Suggesting family-friendly policies to reduce stress and enhance parental self-efficacy can boost job satisfaction, productivity, and workplace resilience. Prioritizing work-life balance supports long-term economic stability and fosters a healthier, more sustainable workforce.

Containing Digital Extremism and Anti- State Narrative in Pakistan: The Role of State and Society

Syed Sibtain H. Shah — 2026-06-30

This study aims to explore the dynamics of online anti-state extremist narratives in Pakistan and assess the effectiveness of state and societal responses to this growing challenge. Following the enactment of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in 2016, Pakistan’s cybercrime framework particularly measures addressing digital radicalization has undergone periodic amendments; accordingly, this study covers the period from 2016 to 2025. Social Identity Theory examines how extremist groups use social media to radicalize individuals, while Gatekeeper Theory provides a lens to examine how state and societal actors regulate and control online extremist content. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining qualitative analysis of policies, legal frameworks, and case studies of online extremism in Pakistan with content analysis of extremist material and counter-narratives. The findings reveal that major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp, are widely exploited for youth radicalization and recruitment by extremist groups in Pakistan. The study further identifies weaknesses in state surveillance mechanisms, along with insufficient engagement by political, nationalist, religious leadership, and civil society in promoting effective counter-narratives.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and Its Implications for the Stability of the South China Sea

Sajjad Hussain Awan — 2026-06-30

This research analyzes some of the political and military intentions of the United States (US) in South China Sea (SCS), the hard contested region of substantial geopolitical, economic, and strategic significance. Preserving the freedom of passage in a heavily traversed maritime trade route stands as a crucial imperative for the US, thereby ensuring the uninterrupted flow of international trade. Abundant natural resources, such as oil reserves and fisheries, also attract US attention. The motivation behind this quest arises from the recognition of the significant role played by global market stability and the endorsement of states' privileges to independently harness their resources. This research investigates the geopolitical dimension of the United States' policy to counter China's assertive territorial claims. The article emphasizes the importance of the US military presence and relationships in the area, highlighting their important role in the security-oriented Indo-Pacific Strategy.

War and Economy in Syria: A Socioeconomic Analysis up to Julani’s Ascendancy

Sobia Jamil — 2026-06-30

This study examines the socioeconomic dimensions of the Syrian conflict from the outbreak of the Arab Spring in 2011 to the political transition that followed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024. The research investigates whether the Syrian conflict is more effectively explained through the Greed and Grievance framework or the Frustration-Aggression Theory of armed conflict. Specifically, it addresses the following questions: (1) What socioeconomic factors contributed to the outbreak and persistence of the Syrian civil war? (2) To what extent do the Greed and Grievance and Frustration-Aggression theories explain the Syrian case? and (3) How have economic inequality, youth unemployment, corruption, and democratic deficit shaped patterns of conflict and instability in Syria? Employing a qualitative and analytical research design, the study draws upon secondary sources, conflict literature, policy reports, and socioeconomic indicators to assess the drivers of unrest and violence. The findings suggest that while elements of grievance are evident, the Syrian conflict is more comprehensively explained through the Frustration-Aggression framework. Prolonged economic hardship, limited employment opportunities, entrenched corruption, political exclusion, and restrictions on political participation generated widespread frustration that eventually transformed into collective mobilization and violent conflict. The study concludes that socioeconomic deprivation and institutional failure played a central role in shaping the trajectory of the Syrian crisis and contributed significantly to the erosion of social stability and state legitimacy.

Pakistan’s Foreign Policy in a Multiplex World: The Logic of Hedging

Saria Ahmad — 2026-06-30

The international order is undergoing profound transformation, generating renewed debate over the concepts through which it should be understood. While much of the existing discourse describes these changes in terms of multipolarity, this paper posits that the concept of ‘multiplexity’, which takes into account both the multiplicity of actors and the complexity of their interactions, provides a more comprehensive explanation of the nature, dynamics, and organisation of the emerging order. Using a qualitative and interpretive research design based on academic literature, official documents, and expert insights, the study examines the implications of an increasingly multiplex international system for Pakistan’s foreign policy. It argues that while balancing and bandwagoning remain important strategic responses to changes in the distribution of power, neither provides a satisfactory framework for advancing Pakistan’s interests in the contemporary international order. The paper concludes that hedging offers Islamabad the most viable strategy for managing competing security, economic, and diplomatic interests while preserving flexibility.