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Psychological, Sociopolitical, and Environmental Factors for Sustainable Development and Public Health

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Published Papers

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2023) | Viewed by 7312

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniela Di Santo

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Guest Editor

Department of Political Sciences, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: motivational psychology; cultural and social norms; social cognition and group dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Alessio Tesi

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Guest Editor

Department of Political Sciences, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: social dominance; social power; interpersonal relationships; organization; work engagement; psychometrics; group dynamics; well-being; work-related well-being

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the current era, an increasing amount of research emphasizes the need to achieve sustainable development goals, targets which concern themselves with the means by which global societies meet current needs while preserving the ability to meet the needs of future generations. In this context, it seems crucial to learn more about the psychological, sociopolitical, and environmental factors that can influence the promotion and development of sustainable attitudes and behaviors in individuals, groups, organizations, and communities. This Special Issue is aimed at providing conceptual and/or empirical contributions which aim to expand our theoretical knowledge and develop policies and intervention programs to promote sustainable human flourishing through the lens of social sciences. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

collective action toward sustainable change;
harmony of communities in reaching sustainable development;
cross-cultural psychology of sustainability;
defeating economic, educational, and social poverty;
healthy organizations, entrepreneurship, and innovation;
inclusiveness and reduction in social disparities;
peace, social justice, and gender equality;
political participation toward sustainable change;
socio-psychological factors and attitudes underlying responsible consumption and productions;
public health and healthy societies;
sociopolitical attitudes toward minorities;
sociopolitical attitudes toward the environment;
socio-psychological attitudes concerning the fight for climate;
sustainable development and behavior;
sustainable cities and communities;
sustainable intergroup relationships;
sustainable psychological and subjective well-being;
sustainable social and psychological environment;
sustainable management and leadership;
sustainable organizational cultures and decent work.

Dr. Daniela Di Santo
Dr. Alessio Tesi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

collective action
sustainable change
cross-cultural psychology
poverty
healthy organizations
inclusiveness
social disparities
social justice
gender equality
public health
prejudice
sustainable environment
sustainable cultures
climate
intergroup relationships
well-being
organizational culture

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bridging the Gap: Exploring the Role of Locus of Control in the Transition from Environmental Concerns to Organic Product Consumption in North Portugal, a SmartPLS Study

by Lucía Penalba-Sánchez, Elisa Di Gregorio, Raquel Claro, Mafalda Pinto, Elisabete Pinto and Patrícia Oliveira-Silva

Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1405; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041405 - 7 Feb 2024

Viewed by 628

Abstract

(1) Background: Exploring the drivers of organic food consumption is crucial for designing pro-environmental marketing strategies. This study aims to investigate elements associated with organic product consumption in North Portugal, with a particular focus on food sustainability. (2) Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administered to 295 participants to examine (1) personal motivations, such as beliefs about the impact of consuming organic products on health, concerns about soil, and self-perception of control; (2) attitudes towards contextual motivations, including the value of time, price, labels, and taste; and (3) the frequency of organic product consumption. A partial least squares model was employed to explore the relationship between participants’ motivations and behavior. (3) Results: Perceiving organic food as healthy was positively associated with higher organic product consumption. Positive attitudes towards cost-effective products, spending less time purchasing products, and a high locus of control did not moderate this relationship. While soil concerns were not significantly associated with the consumption of organic products overall, this association was significant in participants with a higher locus of control. A low locus of control was associated with a positive attitude towards pesticides. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that bridging the gap between concerns about soil conditions and pro-environmental behavior involves perceiving oneself as an agent of change and becoming proactive at an individual level. Resources to enhance individuals’ environmental curiosity and literacy may increase their locus of control, fostering a more accurate attitude towards pesticides and, consequently, an increase in organic product consumption. Additionally, companies could strengthen the association between organic food and better health by investing in marketing. These strategies have the potential to positively impact food sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological, Sociopolitical, and Environmental Factors for Sustainable Development and Public Health)

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44 pages, 2044 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ecological Sorrow: Types of Grief and Loss in Ecological Grief

by Panu Pihkala

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020849 - 19 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3251

Abstract

Ecological changes evoke many felt losses and types of grief. These affect sustainability efforts in profound ways. Scholarship on the topic is growing, but the relationship between general grief research and ecological grief has received surprisingly little attention. This interdisciplinary article applies theories of grief, loss, and bereavement to ecological grief. Special attention is given to research on “non-death loss” and other broad frameworks of grief. The dynamics related to both local and global ecological grief are discussed. The kinds of potential losses arising from ecological issues are clarified using the frameworks of tangible/intangible loss, ambiguous loss, nonfinite loss and shattered assumptions. Various possible types of ecological grief are illuminated by discussing the frameworks of chronic sorrow and anticipatory grief/mourning. Earlier scholarship on disenfranchised ecological grief is augmented by further distinctions of the various forms it may take. The difficulties in defining complicated or prolonged grief in an ecological context are discussed, and four types of “complicated ecological grief” are explored. On the basis of the findings, three special forms of ecological loss and grief are identified and discussed: transitional loss and grief, lifeworld loss and shattered dreams. The implications of the results for ecological grief scholarship, counselling and coping are briefly discussed. The results can be used by psychological and healthcare professionals and researchers but also by members of the public who wish to reflect on their eco-emotions. They also have implications for policy makers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological, Sociopolitical, and Environmental Factors for Sustainable Development and Public Health)

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22 pages, 934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Specialization Threatens Sustainable Mental Health: Implications for Chinese Farmers’ Subjective Well-Being

by Xing Ji, Jia Chen and Hongxiao Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14806; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014806 - 12 Oct 2023

Viewed by 934

Abstract

China’s agriculture is increasingly becoming more specialized. However, specialized production has disrupted traditional farming culture and may threaten sustainable mental health. This study takes Chinese farmers’ subjective happiness and agricultural production outsourcing as the research object, in an attempt to reveal the possible unhappy impacts of Chinese-style agricultural specialization represented by agricultural production outsourcing. First, we construct a theoretical framework of the relationship between agricultural production outsourcing and farmers’ subjective well-being. Secondly, based on more than 3800 household survey data collected by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in 2020, we use the classical econometrics and psychological analysis methods such as the Ordered Probit model and the instrumental variable estimation to conduct a rigorous impact assessment. The results show that for every doubling of agricultural outsourcing expenditure, the probability that farmers think they are very happy decreases by about 21%, and the probability that they think they are relatively happy decreases by about 9%. The groups affected by the negative psychological impact mainly include farmers growing rice and corn, farmers in hills and mountains, and farmers with small-scale operations. Further analysis shows that outsourcing risks, the weakening of farmers’ professional autonomy, and family split caused by agricultural outsourcing bring unhappiness, and the increase in income cannot offset the negative psychological effect of outsourcing. The findings of this study may bring inspiration to other countries with agricultural outsourcing markets and programs to improve the national subjective well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological, Sociopolitical, and Environmental Factors for Sustainable Development and Public Health)

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Review

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21 pages, 5717 KiB

Open AccessReview

Dynamics of Health Financing among the BRICS: A Literature Review

by Pragyan Monalisa Sahoo, Himanshu Sekhar Rout and Mihajlo Jakovljevic

Sustainability 2023, 15(16), 12385; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612385 - 15 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1918

Abstract

Despite economic progress, government efforts, and increased healthcare investments, health deprivation continues to persist in the countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). Hence, addressing the growing demand for health financing in a sustainable way and adopting unique approaches to healthcare provision is essential. This paper aims to review publications on the existing health financing systems in the BRICS countries, analyze the core challenges associated with health financing, and explore potential solutions for establishing a sustainable health financing system. This paper adhered to the PRISMA guidelines when conducting the keyword search and determining the criteria for article inclusion and exclusion. Relevant records were obtained from PubMed Central using nine keyword combinations. Bibliometrics analysis was carried out using R software (version 4.1.3), followed by a comprehensive manual narrative review of the records. BRICS countries experienced increased health expenditure due to aging populations, noncommunicable diseases, and medical advancements. The majority of this increased spending has come from out-of-pocket payments, which often lead to impoverishment. Due to limited fiscal capabilities, administrative difficulties, and inefficiency, providing comprehensive healthcare through public funding alone has become exceedingly difficult for these countries. Public-private partnerships are essential for achieving sustainable health financing and addressing challenges in healthcare provision. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychological, Sociopolitical, and Environmental Factors for Sustainable Development and Public Health)

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