Search Results (601)

Background/Objectives: Excessive intake of sugar-sweetened food (SSF) increases obesity risk. Various psychological, physiological, and environmental factors may drive high consumption of SSF. Due to blocking sweet tastes, the herb Gymnema sylvestre (GS) has been shown to reduce SSF consumption, but its impact on motivation to eat SSF is unknown. This research aimed to qualitatively investigate adults’ perceptions regarding effects of GS on their motivation to eat SSF when administered systematically (three times/day in-between meals, i.e., GS-SYS treatment) or ad libitum (up to six times/day at participants’ discretion, i.e., GS-ADLIB) over 14 days, compared to placebo (taste-matched mint; PLAC-SYS). Methods: This study represents the qualitative investigation of a placebo-controlled randomised cross-over trial, conducted as three 14-day phases. The qualitative investigation included interviews at baseline and three post-testing phases. Seven participants (mean age 34.7 ± 13.8 years; two males, five females) agreed to participate. Twenty-eight interviews (across phases) were thematically analysed using NVivo software, identifying themes and highlighting changes in motivation to eat SSFs across the study. Results: The GS-SYS and GS-ADLIB treatments made SSFs unpleasant to eat and increased mindful eating, subsequently increasing motivation to avoid SSFs. External factors could increase or decrease motivation, depending on individual circumstances. Participants preferred GS-SYS and GS-ADLIB over PLAC-SYS, feeling it was more effective at changing behaviours related to SSF intake. Self-control over SSF intake changed during the study, mostly due to external factors, and in part GS-ADLIB. Conclusions: Participants found both GS administrations successful as motivation to avoid SSF; GS-ADLIB was considered most effective. Full article

Curiosity and anxiety are critical emotional factors influencing language learning; yet, existing studies often overlook their combined effects and the mechanisms through which they shape academic achievements. This study aimed to explore the relationships among language learning curiosity, foreign language anxiety, and academic achievement among junior high school students. A total of 870 students from southeastern China, including 7 selected for semi-structured interviews, participated in the study. Quantitative data were analyzed through SPSS and AMOS with structural equation modeling, while qualitative data were examined using thematic analysis in NVivo to identify profile-based patterns. The findings revealed that students showed relatively high curiosity and moderate anxiety in English language learning. Consistent with our hypotheses, curiosity positively predicted academic achievement, while anxiety had a negative effect. Foreign language anxiety partially mediated the relationship between curiosity and academic performance. Qualitative data supported these findings, showing that curiosity fostered engagement and reduced anxiety in real learning contexts. These findings support the control-value theory of academic emotions and offer theoretical and practical implications for emotional regulation in language education. Full article

Background/Objectives: Policy implementers play a crucial role in the effective delivery of policies aiming at promoting a healthy lifestyle in the most vulnerable populations. This study aimed to explore (a) policy implementers’ knowledge and perceptions of the policy framework promoting physical activity and healthy nutrition among children in need in Greece, and (b) self-perceived barriers and facilitators of the framework implementation. The term children in need refers to children who are at risk of poverty and/or social exclusion. Methods: A qualitative study design was employed consisting of semi-structured interviews with 25 policy implementers, who represented four delivery systems (health, social protection, food, and education sectors) from three geographical regions in Greece. Interviews were completed between November and December 2023. Thematic analysis was conducted using inductive and deductive approaches to identify key themes, following data management in the N-VIVO 14 software. Results: Commonly mentioned policies that study participants were involved in included school- and/or community-level-based behavioral interventions. Participants perceived policy implementation efforts that often relied on individual initiatives as inconsistent. Most participants argued that existing policies were not tailored to the needs of children in need. Major self-perceived barriers included limited personnel training, limited facilities and infrastructure, and lack of incentives or opportunities to encourage active participation. Major self-perceived facilitators included personnel motivation, integration of nutrition and physical education into school curricula, and provision of free school meals, which was associated with regular school attendance of children from the Roma communities. Conclusions: Individual, sociocultural, and structural issues are shown to persist across different delivery systems indicating the complexity of tackling obesogenic environments, especially among children in need. This is the first study in Greece to provide evidence on self-perceived barriers and facilitators and could inform ongoing national and European efforts to address obesogenic environments in children in need. Full article

The shift toward experience-oriented travel has positioned food as a central driver for attracting visitors to sustainable destinations, directly supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)11 (resilient cities) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption). While prior research has predominantly emphasised marketing outcomes, the role of bodily experiences in shaping gastronomic tourism has received less attention. This study explores how sensory elements (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) and non-sensory elements (including cultural meaning and service quality) jointly influence food-related travel experiences. Twenty-five self-identified food travellers were interviewed in a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) City of Gastronomy, and their narratives were analysed using a three-stage grounded theory approach in NVivo 12. The resulting model identifies four interrelated dimensions: (1) embodied experience, grounded in culinary memories and shared cultural narratives; (2) sensory stimulation arising from food and its surroundings; (3) situated embodiment, shaped by location, timing, and social interaction; and (4) environmental perception, encompassing food presentation, facility quality, cleanliness, and pricing fairness. These dimensions interact to enhance overall experience quality. By integrating an embodied perspective with a sustainability focus, this study advances tourism experience research and offers practical guidance for designing multisensory dining environments, fostering environmentally responsible visitor behaviour, and ensuring a balanced relationship between price and perceived value. Full article

Environmental complexities and continuously evolving scenarios like natural disaster, political instabilities, pandemics have become a major challenge for construction organisations. Since no system or organisation can be designed to anticipate all possible risks, resilience has become a fundamental necessity. To achieve resilience at the organisational level, it is vital to consider, assess and utilise individual resilience of employees as they constitute the core of the organisational system. Though the concept of individual resilience has been extensively applied across a plethora of academic fields, there is a lack of unified understanding of the relationship between individual resilience and organisational resilience. While prior research has acknowledged both constructs independently, their interplay within high-risk sectors such as construction remains underexplored. Thus, the current study employs qualitative research methods, including case studies and semi-structured interviews with 20 construction professionals from various construction organisations of New Zealand. The collected data were analysed through NVivo to identify crucial factors and mechanisms involved between resilient individuals and resilient organisations. The results include mediating factors and a relevant model that can help in establishing the link between individual resilience and organisational resilience of the New Zealand construction industry. The study contributes theoretically by re-conceptualising resilience as a dynamic-mediated construct, and practically by offering targeted strategies for resilience-building within project-based environments. Future studies may explore the gap between resourcefulness and resilience to formulate robust plans and policies to support organisations, government, and other stakeholders during setbacks. Full article

In the era of digital intelligence, digital media landscapes increasingly influence cultural tourism consumption. Consumerism capitalizes on tourists’ superficial aesthetic commonalities, constructing a homogenized media imagination that leads to collective convergence in travel decisions, which obscures aspects of local culture, poses safety risks, and results in fleeting local tourism booms. In this study, semistructured interviews were conducted with 36 tourists, and NVivo12.0 was used for three-level node coding in a qualitative analysis to explore the digital media attributions of conformist travel behavior. The findings indicate that digital media landscapes exert a “digital persuasion” effect by reconstructing self-experience models, directing the individual gaze, and projecting idealized self-images. These mechanisms drive tourists to follow digital traffic trends and engage in imitative behaviors, ultimately shaping the phenomenon of “group roaming”, grounded in the psychological effect of herd behavior. Full article

Introduction: Low medication adherence and low hypertension control are a public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Healthcare system- and patient-related barriers hinder the successful management of hypertension. This study aimed to identify the perceptions of barriers and facilitators to hypertension management among health system stakeholders in Santander, Colombia. Materials and Methods: We conducted a qualitative, phenomenological, and interpretative study, comprising five focus groups, to explore the barriers and facilitators to managing people with hypertension. Each focus group was formed by stakeholders from territorial entities, healthcare insurers, or healthcare providers. Meetings were held between December 2022 and February 2023. The sessions were recorded and transcribed using NVivo Transcription and analyzed using NVivo version 1.6.1. Results: Seven categories of barriers and facilitators were identified: strategies, resources, access, risk assessment, cross-sector collaboration, articulation, and stewardship. Of these categories, articulation and stewardship emerged as the main barriers, as revealed through axial coding and cluster analysis, which highlighted deficiencies in stewardship practices, a lack of clear objectives, and misalignment with public policy frameworks. Conclusions: Multisectoral actions extending beyond healthcare providers and aimed at improving coordination and intersectoral collaboration are essential for enhancing hypertension control in LMICs, such as Colombia. Addressing social determinants and strengthening primary healthcare through community-based strategies are critical, making stewardship and improved access key priorities. Full article

In a society that advocates for human rights, a moralistic, needs-based approach is incompatible with policies and practices that ensure educational inclusion for all individuals regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. This study analyses the perspectives of members of the educational community on sex–gender diversity. Specifically, it presents the views of 32 individuals from four primary schools located in southern Andalusia. A qualitative methodology based on interviews and content analysis was employed, supported by NVIVO12 software. The findings reveal differing understandings of sex–gender diversity; the school’s stance on such diversity and, particularly, on LGBTIQ+phobia; as well as the role of initial teacher training in this area. Full article

Inclusive education emphasizes the right of all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to access equitable learning opportunities in mainstream classrooms. This study presents the implementation and evaluation of a school-based intervention within the BATTIE (Bottleneck Analysis and Teacher Trainings for Inclusive Education) project in Greece, aiming to enhance inclusion through differentiated instruction (DI) and a whole school approach. The intervention was conducted across 26 schools and involved 116 educators and 130 students with SEND. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing structured classroom observations, field notes, and semi-structured interviews with teachers. The data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 11. Findings indicated notable improvements in student engagement, academic participation, and classroom collaboration, especially among students with SEND. Teachers reported enhanced professional confidence, better understanding of inclusive strategies, and improved collaboration with special education staff. However, limitations in interdisciplinary cooperation—particularly with school psychologists—were identified. This study concludes that sustained professional development, school-wide collaboration, and differentiated instruction are essential for fostering inclusive practices. It underscores the potential of structured, whole school interventions to improve learning environments for diverse student populations and provides insights for educational policy and practice reform. Full article

The purpose of this study is to synthesize existing peer-reviewed literature on fashion renting and provide insights into its role within the broader framework of sustainable consumption and business practices within different cultural contexts, while also guiding future research efforts. This review includes only peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters in English, with the search conducted up to 31 March 2025. A total of 95 academic papers published between 2010 and 2025 were analyzed to explore the evolving landscape of fashion rental consumption and business practices. NVivo 14 was used for the analysis of the collected literature. The findings revealed six key motivating benefits and six significant barriers that influence consumer participation in fashion renting. Additionally, five success factors and four critical challenges were identified as shaping the development of the fashion rental market. This research represents the first attempt to synthesize literature from both the consumer and business perspectives of fashion renting. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics related to fashion rental consumption and business practices, shedding light on the key factors that support the sustainability of fashion rental businesses as well as the challenges they face. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed, offering valuable guidance for researchers and fashion industry stakeholders. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aging of workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities is an emerging reality attributed to the rise in life expectancy and improved labor market access. In this study, “workers” is used as an inclusive, neutral term covering all individuals engaged in paid labor—whether employees, self-employed, freelancers, or those performing manual or non-manual tasks. It encompasses every form of work. It is crucial to comprehend the reality of aging workers from the perspectives of the primary individuals involved: the workers, their families, and supporting professionals. Methods: A qualitative study was developed, involving 12 focus groups and 107 participants, using NVivo 12 Pro for analysis; we used a phenomenological methodology and grounded theory. Results: A set of concrete needs was highlighted: among them, 33 were related to declining work ability due to aging and disability (WADAD), and 30 to transition to retirement. These needs were grouped into categories: workplace accommodations, coordination and collaboration, personal and family support, counseling and training, and other types of needs. Conclusions: This study establishes an empirical basis tailored to the needs of this group, enabling the development of prevention and intervention protocols that address WADAD and the transition to retirement. Full article

Workforce transformation is one of the most pressing challenges in the AI-driven construction industry, as traditional skilled labour roles are rapidly evolving into more interdisciplinary, digitally enabled positions. This study aims to investigate how AI is fundamentally reshaping skill requirements within the construction sector, to analyse stakeholder perceptions and adaptive responses to workforce transformation, and to explore strategies for optimizing construction workforce development to facilitate the critical transition from traditional “skilled workers” to contemporary “smart talent.” It employs phenomenological qualitative research methodology to conduct in-depth interviews with 20 stakeholders in Chongqing, and uses NVivo 14 to conduct thematic analysis of the data. The findings indicate that AI has penetrated all areas of the construction process and is transforming jobs to more likely be digitalized, collaborative, and multi-faceted. However, significant cognitive disparities and varying adaptive capacities among different stakeholder groups have created structural imbalances within the workforce development ecosystem. Based on these key findings, a four-pillar talent development strategy is proposed, encompassing institutional support, educational reform, enterprise engagement, and group development, while stressing the necessity for systemic-orchestrated coordination to reimagine a smart talent ecosystem. This study advances theoretical understanding of digital transformation within construction labour markets, while offering real pathways and institutional contexts for developing regions that desire to pursue workforce transformation and sustainable industrial development in the AI era. Full article

There is a lack of studies comparing PE teachers’ reflections on the role of sport in different regions. Using Kirk’s conceptualization of the role of sport, this qualitative comparative study aimed to explore and compare fifth-grade physical education (PE) teachers’ perceptions and experiences related to PE teaching in Finland and in the Kurdistan region of Iraq (KRI). In-depth interviews were conducted with eight Finnish and six KRI teachers, and the data were analyzed using the NVivo qualitative analysis program. The results showed that the Finnish teachers’ reflections were classified into four themes: joy and competence rather than sport, sport and curriculum, the status of sport in society and prerequisites for physical activities and sport. The KRI teachers’ reflections were also classified into four themes: sport as an aim in PE, the teacher as a model and leader of the sport, sport raising one’s status and PE being not only about sport. The role of sport in PE was recognized by teachers from both regions, although from different perspectives. The Finnish teachers made a clear distinction between PE and sport. The KRI teachers perceived PE and sport almost as one, in the belief that PE primarily teaches pupils about sport and that sport itself is a central goal. Both groups of teachers aimed to enhance their pupils’ well-being and encourage a physically active lifestyle through PE. The KRI teachers believed that engaging students in sports would promote these aims, whereas Finnish teachers saw sport as just one of many components needed to achieve these objectives. The Finnish teachers emphasized the national PE curriculum guiding their work, while the KRI teachers had no standardized PE curriculum in primary school. This comparative study highlights the importance of implementing a well-structured PE curriculum in primary schools in the KRI. Further studies should examine how the implementation of such a curriculum will affect KRI teachers’ teaching and the role of sport in PE. Full article

The construction industry is moving towards the era of industry 4.0; 5.0 with Building Information Modelling (BIM) as the tool gaining significant traction owing to its inherent advantages such as enhancing construction design, process and data management. However, the integration of BIM presents risks that are often overlooked in project implementation. This study aims to develop a novel amalgamated dimensional factor (Techno-organizational Aspect) that is set out to identify and align appropriate management strategies to these risks. Firstly, it encompasses an in-depth analysis of BIM and risk management, through an integrative review approach. The study utilizes an exploratory-based review centered around journal articles and conference papers sourced from Scopus and Google Scholar. Then processed using NVivo 12 Pro software to categorise risks through thematic analysis, resulting in a comprehensive Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS). Then qualitative content analysis was employed to identify and develop management strategies. Further data collection via online survey was crucial for closing the research gap identified. The analysis by mixed method research enabled to determine the risk severity via the quantitative approach using SPSS (version 29), while the qualitative approach linked management strategies to the risk factors. The findings accentuate the crucial linkages of key strategies such as version control system that controls BIM data repository transactions to mitigate challenges controlling transactions in multi-model collaborative environment. The study extends into underexplored amalgamated domains (techno-organisational spectrum). Therefore, a significant contribution to bridging the existing research gap in understanding the intricate relationship between BIM implementation risks and effective management strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family self-care (FSC) is increasingly recognized as a vital aspect of caregiving in pediatric chronic conditions. However, its development in families of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine how families construct and sustain FSC, and to identify factors that shape its development across four domains: physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using an abductive approach, combining inductive thematic analysis with a deductively applied theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine families of children with ID in southern Portugal. The children ranged in age from 4 to 15 years, and the parents were aged between 29 and 53 years. The data was analyzed using Bardin’s content analysis, supported by NVivo software, and organized according to the FSC framework. This study followed COREQ guidelines. Results: The families described a range of self-care strategies, including environmental adaptations, experiential learning, emotional regulation, and long-term planning. These practices were shaped by contextual factors such as access to healthcare, relationships with professionals, emotional support networks, and socioeconomic conditions. Four emergent conclusions illustrate how structural and relational dynamics influence FSC in daily caregiving. Conclusions: FSC is a dynamic, multidimensional process shaped by lived experience, family interactions, and systemic support. The findings support inclusive, family-centered care models and inform clinical practice, training, and policy in pediatric IDs. Full article