Vol. 8 (2025): Proceedings of the 2025 International Conference on Social Sciences and Cultural Studies (ICSSCS 2025)

Published: 2025-11-13

It is with great pleasure that we present the Proceedings of the 2025 International Conference on Social Sciences and Cultural Studies (ICSSCS 2025). This volume collects a selection of pioneering research papers presented at the conference, held from October 17 to 19, 2025, in the historic city of Athens, Greece—a cradle of Western civilization and a fitting backdrop for dialogues that seek to understand the complexities of human society and culture.

The diverse scholarship contained within these pages reflects the interdisciplinary and dynamic nature of contemporary social sciences and cultural studies. The contributions in this proceeding traverse a wide spectrum of critical topics, demonstrating a shared commitment to addressing pressing issues in education, psychology, family dynamics, and societal transformation.

The collection opens with innovative explorations in pedagogy, examining the application of drama in secondary school English classes and the predictive factors of English reading anxiety among university students. It then moves to the vital realm of mental health, presenting empirical research on the practical effects of art therapy for student anxiety. Further deepening the psychological inquiry, one study proposes the novel concept of "Meta-Integration" to deconstruct the psychological mechanisms of game addiction.

Shifting focus to the fundamental unit of society, this volume includes research grounded in Family Ecosystem Theory, analyzing the factors that shape sibling relationships in two-child families. Finally, the scope expands to a macro-cultural and societal level with a literary analysis that draws profound educational implications from a narrative of social transformation in Bulgaria.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the authors whose rigorous research and insightful perspectives form the core of this publication. Our sincere thanks also go to the dedicated program committee members and reviewers for their invaluable efforts in ensuring the quality and integrity of the scholarship presented here.

It is our firm belief that the research contained in this proceeding will not only contribute valuable knowledge to the academic community but will also inspire further inquiry, collaboration, and positive impact across the multifaceted fields of social sciences and cultural studies.

The Editors
October 2025
Athens, Greece