https://alqantarajournal.com/index.php/Journal Al-Qantara en-US Al-Qanṭara https://alqantarajournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/657 <p>Music has the potential to reduce psychological depression and stress, as well as enhance overall well-being in individuals. This phenomenon has been particularly noted among university students, with a focus on China, where depression rates are notably high. Consequently, non-pharmacological interventions have gained attraction among researchers as promising methods to address mental health concerns in university settings. This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of music therapy interventions on mental health and psychological well-being outcomes, specifically among Chinese university students. To achieve this, a thorough search across six databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Following a meticulous synthesis process, nine published articles were deemed eligible for inclusion, all of which centered on the relationship between music therapy and the mental health of university students. The review findings suggest that music therapy positively impacts the mental health of university students, with indications that it possesses soothing and relaxing qualities. Moving forward, it is recommended that future studies focus on providing detailed descriptions of music therapy interventions and tailor music selections better to suit the psychological health needs of university students.</p> Xu Yiwei Copyright (c) 2025 Research Journal Al-Qanṭara 2025-01-09 2025-01-09 https://alqantarajournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/662 <p>Chinese consumers have been actively involved in the revolutionary shift of digital advertising techniques brought about by the rise of short-video mediums. Given the market dominance of platforms such as Douyin as well as Kuaishou, it is imperative to comprehend the effect of short-form video marketing&nbsp;on the intent to buy something online. The dynamic as well as&nbsp;captivating quality of brief videos offers a special chance to affect customer behavior. In the backdrop of China, the precise mechanisms underlying this influence are still insufficiently understood. Therefore, the goal of this research study is to investigate how Chinese consumers' intentions to make online purchases are affected by short-video channel&nbsp;advertising. The goal of the research is to identify the&nbsp;relationships that influence consumer choices. The quantitative methodology was considered the most suitable strategy for this investigation. The results of the research study showed that bandwagon perception and conventional interactivity had significant effects on online purchase intentions of consumers. Similarly, flow experience had a significant mediating impact on the relationships among bandwagon perception, interactivity, and online purchase intent. However, consumer attitude is&nbsp;influenced by external factors such as political developments, public&nbsp;health emergencies, or financial circumstances. These outside factors have not been&nbsp;considered in the&nbsp;study.</p> Mengyan Sheng Norazlyn Kamal Basha Anusuiya Subramaniam Raja Nerina Raja Yusof Copyright (c) 2025 Al-Qanṭara 2025-01-14 2025-01-14 https://alqantarajournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/667 <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Consumer buying behavior is a multifaceted process influenced by psychological, social, and economic factors, as well as brand-related constructs such as brand image, brand association, perceived quality, and brand awareness. This study investigates the complex interplay between these constructs and their collective impact on purchase intention and consumer behavior. Employing a quantitative research design, data was gathered from 500 respondents using a structured survey instrument. Statistical analyses, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), were conducted to validate the hypothesized relationships.</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">The findings reveal that brand image (β = 0.42, p &lt; 0.001) and brand awareness (β = 0.40, p &lt; 0.001) significantly influence purchase intention, with perceived quality (β = 0.38, p &lt; 0.001) and brand association (β = 0.35, p &lt; 0.01) also playing crucial roles. Furthermore, purchase intention mediates the relationship between brand constructs and consumer buying behavior, underscoring its pivotal role in translating brand equity into tangible consumer actions. The demographic analysis highlights the prevalence of younger, educated, and financially stable consumers as key decision-makers, emphasizing the importance of tailoring marketing strategies to this segment.</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">The study employs a robust methodological framework to ensure the reliability and validity of its findings. The survey instrument demonstrated high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.80 for all constructs. Model fit indices further validated the proposed relationships, with CFI = 0.95 and RMSEA = 0.05 indicating excellent fit. These results affirm the critical importance of brand management in influencing consumer behavior and provide actionable insights for businesses seeking to enhance their market positioning.</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">The implications of these findings are significant for both theory and practice. From a theoretical perspective, the study extends existing frameworks, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Stimulus-Organism-Response model, by integrating brand-specific constructs. From a practical standpoint, the results offer valuable recommendations for businesses to optimize their branding strategies, foster customer loyalty, and drive sustainable growth. For example, companies should invest in enhancing brand image through targeted marketing campaigns, improving perceived quality via product innovation, and increasing brand awareness through digital engagement and social media.</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">In addition to offering managerial insights, this study identifies areas for future research. While the cross-sectional design provides a snapshot of consumer behavior, longitudinal studies could explore how these relationships evolve over time. Further, the study’s focus on specific industries limits the generalizability of its findings. Future research could expand to different sectors and geographic regions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior in diverse contexts. Investigating emerging factors such as digital transformation, sustainability, and cultural influences could also enrich the literature and provide deeper insights into the evolving consumer landscape.</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">In conclusion, this research underscores the importance of understanding consumer behavior to develop effective branding and marketing strategies. By elucidating the relationships between brand constructs, purchase intention, and consumer behavior, the study provides a roadmap for businesses to enhance their competitive advantage in dynamic and competitive markets. These findings emphasize the need for an integrated approach to brand management, leveraging consumer insights to create meaningful connections, foster loyalty, and drive long-term success.</p> Mudassir Sajjad Malaika Asif Corresponding Author: Anita Rehman Copyright (c) 2025 Al-Qanṭara 2025-01-14 2025-01-14 https://alqantarajournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/663 <p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p>The Andalusian mystic Muḥyī al-Dīn ibn ‘Arabī (d. 638/1240) believes God is immanent in the world most perspicuously as humankind that can be the polished mirror (<em>mir’āt</em>) in which the divine traces (<em>āthār</em>) are reflected. When this potentiality is achieved, the rank of “the Perfect Man” (<em>Al-Insān al-kāmil</em>) is attained. But this is not the essence of God, the “Absolute in His Absoluteness”, which is transcendent. The Christian theologian San Juan de la Cruz (d. 1591) demonstrates remarkable familiarity with Ibn ‘Arabī’s ideas. He likewise maintains that God is immanent in the world in the form of existents who manifest His “traces” (<em>rastros</em>), with humankind being the untainted mirror (<em>espejo</em>) in which God’s immanence is most clearly displayed. When the self is entirely purged, it becomes “the perfect man” (<em>el varón perfecto</em>). But like Ibn ‘Arabī he affirms that God’s essence, “the Ultimate Principle” (<em>el Sumo Principio</em>), is transcendent.</p> <p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Islam; Christianity; mysticism; God; transcendence; immanence; Ibn ‘Arabī; San Juan</p> <p><strong>Resumen </strong></p> <p>El místico andalusí Muḥyī al-Dīn ibn ‘Arabī (m. 638/1240) sostiene que Dios es inmanente en el mundo y, de manera más evidente, en la humanidad, que puede convertirse en el espejo pulido (<em>mir’āt</em>) donde se reflejan las huellas divinas (<em>āthār</em>). Cuando se alcanza esta potencialidad, se logra el rango de “Hombre Perfecto” (<em>Al-Insān al-kāmil</em>). Sin embargo, esto no se refiere a la esencia de Dios, el “Absoluto en Su Absolutidad”, que es trascendente. El teólogo cristiano San Juan de la Cruz (m. 1591) demuestra un notable conocimiento de las ideas de Ibn ‘Arabī. Sostiene así mismo que Dios es inmanente en el mundo a través de los existentes, que manifiestan Sus “huellas” (rastros), siendo la humanidad el espejo sin mancha en el que la inmanencia divina se muestra con mayor claridad. Cuando el yo está completamente purificado, se convierte en “el hombre perfecto”. Pero, al igual que Ibn ‘Arabī, San Juan de la Cruz afirma que la esencia de Dios, “el Principio Supremo”, es trascendente.</p> <p><strong>Palabras clave</strong>: Islam; Cristianismo; misticismo; Dios; trascendencia; inmanencia; Ibn ‘Arabī; San Juan de la Cruz</p> Ismail Lala Copyright (c) 2025 Al-Qanṭara 2025-01-14 2025-01-14