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Article History

Received: 4 December 2024

Accepted: 2 September 2025

First Online: 24 October 2025

Competing interests

: The authors declare no competing interests.

: This research paper is part of a PhD thesis that has been extensively reviewed and approved through multiple levels of rigorous scrutiny within the University of Science and Technology Bannu, Pakistan. The study received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Institute of Management Sciences (IMS), University of Science and Technology Bannu (Reference No. 1821, dated 02-06-2024). The IRB is an independent and legally constituted body that ensures research involving human participants adheres to international standards for ethical review, independence, and multidisciplinary oversight. It specifically evaluates whether research involving primary data collection safeguards participants’ rights, minimizes risks, and upholds their dignity, autonomy, and safety. The IRB also ensures compliance with internationally recognized procedures, including the principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration, for the ethical conduct of research and the protection of participants and their data. Approval was granted contingent upon obtaining participants’ free and informed consent prior to their participation. In addition, as part of the PhD process, the research proposal and thesis underwent thorough evaluation by the Graduate Assessment and Recommendations Committee (GARC) and the Advanced Studies and Research Board (ASRB) of the University. These bodies, comprising PhD scholars, professors, and experienced professionals, rigorously assessed the proposal for ethical compliance, methodological soundness, and adherence to institutional research standards before granting formal approval. This rigorous, multi-tiered review underscores the credibility, robustness, and ethical soundness of the research process and outcomes. The study was conducted in line with the ethical principles outlined in the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, ensuring: (1) Minimal risk and protection of rights: Participants’ rights, confidentiality, and safety were strictly safeguarded. (2) Voluntary participation: Participation was entirely voluntary, with informed consent obtained after providing details about the study’s purpose, procedures, and data usage. The online consent form was reviewed and approved by the IRB. (3) Data privacy: No sensitive or personally identifiable information was collected. (4) Data security: All participant data were securely stored in encrypted, password-protected digital files accessible only to the principal investigators. Hard copies were kept in locked cabinets within restricted-access offices. (5) Data retention: Participants were informed that anonymized data would be retained for up to five years solely for academic purposes and would remain accessible only to the research team.

: Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in this study. Participants were provided with clear and comprehensive information about the study’s objectives, methods, potential risks, and benefits. They were explicitly informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty or consequences. Consent was obtained online through a digital consent form embedded at the beginning of the questionnaire. The introductory section clearly stated that participation was entirely voluntary and that respondents were free to decide whether to proceed. Consent was documented through electronic submissions collected by the principal investigators on June 5th, 2024, prior to the commencement of data collection on June 10th, 2024. The consent covered participation in the study, use of anonymized data, and publication of findings. Participants were assured that their data would remain confidential, stored securely in encrypted, password-protected files accessible only to the research team, and retained for up to five years solely for academic purposes. Moreover, the consent form and procedure were independently reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the University’s supervisory Committee, ensuring compliance with international standards for ethical review and participant protection. As the study did not involve vulnerable populations or minors, no additional consent from legal guardians was required. No monetary compensation or rewards were offered.