Managing Young People's Quick Temper and Impulsiveness through Buddhist Teachings for Happiness in Daily Life

Abstract The current global landscape of youth mental health is increasingly characterized by emotional instability, difficulties in regulating emotions, and impulsive behaviors. These challenges are especially pronounced for emerging adults as they navigate the demanding landscape of higher education. In rapidly developing post-conflict societies like Cambodia, these developmental challenges are further exacerbated by significant structural and cultural changes. As the nation shifts from a past marked by significant geopolitical trauma to a hyper-competitive, globalized market economy, its youth find themselves in a psychological crucible. They must navigate contemporary performance anxieties while contending with the weight of inherited intergenerational trauma. In modern clinical frameworks, a quick temper and high impulsiveness are viewed as signs of impaired executive functioning and inadequate emotional self-regulation. If left unaddressed, these behaviors can result in academic failure, interpersonal violence, substance abuse, and long-term psychological distress. Although Western-centric clinical interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are highly effective, they often require substantial resources and may carry an exoticized stigma in non-Western contexts. "This underscores the pressing demand for culturally relevant and scalable psychological interventions." In Cambodia, Theravada Buddhism serves not only as a theological framework but also as the cornerstone of the culture's psychology. The Dharma, which encompasses the teachings of the Buddha, provides an empirical and experiential understanding of the mind. It is specifically designed to dismantle Kleshas, or mental defilements, with a particular emphasis on neutralizing Dvesha (anger and aversion) and Moha (delusion and impulsivity). This study directly explores the intersection of ancient Buddhist psychological frameworks and their application in reducing emotional volatility while promoting sustainable daily well-being among urban university students in Phnom Penh.