Search Results (1,908)

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products play a vital role in preserving cultural heritage, supporting rural economies, and promoting local breed biodiversity. However, few studies have validated instruments capable of assessing consumer knowledge, perceptions, and trust regarding PDO labels and authenticity cues. This study validated and optimized a survey instrument designed to evaluate consumer attitudes towards PDO cheeses, using Majorero and Palmero cheeses from the Canary Islands as case studies. A total of 539 valid questionnaires were collected before and after structured educational sessions. Cross-validated Canonical Discriminant Analysis techniques were employed to assess the reliability, discriminatory capacity, and predictive accuracy of survey items. Results revealed significant improvements in consumer knowledge and perceptions following the educational intervention. Participants demonstrated greater understanding of PDO regulations, increased confidence in sensory evaluation, and enhanced ability to identify authenticity cues. The discriminant model achieved a classification accuracy of 96.23% (AUC = 0.9925), confirming excellent predictive performance. Consumer attitudes were primarily influenced by territorial attachment, familiarity, and trust in certification rather than technical knowledge. These findings support educational and marketing strategies to strengthen origin labeling, improve consumer literacy, reinforce authenticity perceptions, and promote PDO products’ cultural and economic sustainability while providing a validated framework for future consumer research. Full article

Motivation is a key predictor of success in second language (L2) acquisition, yet how culture and identity shape it among Latin American learners remains under-examined. This study used a quasi-experimental design with non-equivalent control and experimental groups (n = 100) to test the effect of an eight-week culturally responsive pedagogical intervention on the motivation of intermediate-level English-as-a-second-language learners at a public university in Ecuador, measured with the validated Spanish version of Gardner’s Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB). An independent-samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in post-intervention motivation scores between the experimental group (M = 156.1, SD = 31.2) and the control group (M = 134.5, SD = 28.4), t(98) = 3.91, p = 0.002, Cohen’s d = 0.72. The intervention was associated with a medium-to-large increase in motivation, consistent with sociocultural theory, the socio-educational model, the L2 Motivational Self System, and identity-investment theory; because the control group did not receive an equally novel activity, this finding should be read as preliminary evidence for the cultural/identity component specifically. Implications for culturally sensitive language teaching in diverse Hispanic contexts are derived. Full article

Introduction: Tuberculosis [TB] and diabetes mellitus (DM) remain major public health concerns worldwide. TB negatively affects an individual’s glucose tolerance, increasing the risk of developing DM. Similarly, DM reduces the host’s ability to fight TB infection and increases the likelihood of developing TB and poor response to TB medication. This study analysed stigma and health-seeking behaviour in a sub-district of Accra Metropolis. Methods: We used a mixed-methods research approach involving a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews to explore community knowledge, stigma, and health-seeking behaviour related to TB and DM. A total of 437 individuals were selected for a survey using a simple random sampling technique, while 22 participants, including three TB patients, four nurses, one medical doctor, four students from a nursing and midwifery school, five students from a school of hygiene, and five community members, were involved in the study. Healthcare providers and patients were purposively selected, while students and community members were recruited through convenience sampling. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed on the quantitative data using STATA, while the qualitative data were thematically analysed using the MAXQDA software. Results: Participants’ age, sex, and educational levels were significantly associated with their knowledge of TB and DM. Males were 0.600 times as likely as females to be knowledgeable about DM (95% CI: 0.386–0.934, p = 0.024). Social determinants of health, such as poverty, local beliefs, stigma, and negative attitudes from healthcare workers, may influence TB patients’ preference for traditional remedies over biomedical treatment. Conclusion: Therefore, we observed that addressing cultural barriers, stigma, and financial costs related to TB and diabetes care will help increase patients’ willingness for biomedical treatment. Full article

Nigerian secondary schools face significant challenges integrating fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies. Little is known about how contextual factors influence teachers’ familiarity with these technologies and their perceptions of student engagement, learning outcomes, and instructional efficiency. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, this study examined those factors in public and private secondary schools across one Local Government Area within each of four Nigerian states (Imo, Rivers, Osun, and Kogi). The quantitative component surveyed 189 teachers (92 public, 97 private). The qualitative component interviewed nine teachers and conducted two focus groups with 12 teachers (six in each group). Quantitative findings showed that teachers reported moderate familiarity with most 4IR technologies (grand mean = 3.11) and positive perceptions of their influence on student engagement (grand mean = 3.64) and learning outcomes (grand mean = 3.80). Private school teachers reported significantly higher familiarity with six of seven technologies and more positive perceptions of engagement (p < 0.001) and learning outcomes (p < 0.001) than public school teachers, except for WhatsApp (p = 0.332). Qualitative thematic analysis revealed four themes explaining these differences: (1) structural and infrastructural inequities (electricity, internet, devices) shape technology engagement; (2) teachers sustain integration through personal financial sacrifice and informal peer support; (3) professional development is perceived as contextually disconnected; and (4) technological engagement reflects interactions between generational confidence, pedagogical identity, and school culture. The joint display of quantitative and qualitative findings shows convergence on the conclusion that infrastructure, not teacher attitude, is the main barrier to 4IR adoption. Policymakers should prioritise investment in electricity, internet, and devices over blaming teachers. Full article

Cruise tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global tourism industry, generating significant economic benefits while also creating challenges related to overtourism, congestion, environmental pressure, and residents’ quality of life. Understanding residents’ attitudes towards tourism is therefore essential for sustainable destination management. Although previous studies have examined the roles of place attachment and quality of life in shaping tourism attitudes, evidence from cruise destinations remains limited. This study investigates the influence of place attachment and quality of life on residents’ attitudes towards tourism in two contrasting European cruise destinations: Kotor (Montenegro) and Athens/Piraeus (Greece). Additionally, it aims to explore the link between place attachment and quality of life, which remains understudied in this context. The study also investigates whether destination moderates the effect between explored variables. To address this objective, Kotor and Athens/Piraeus were purposively selected as a maximum-variation pair. A quantitative survey was conducted among 319 local residents (157 from Kotor and 162 from Athens/Piraeus). The findings indicate that both place attachment and quality of life significantly influence residents’ attitudes towards tourism. Stronger place attachment was associated with more positive perceptions of social interaction with tourists and beneficial cultural impacts, but it also influenced residents’ attitudes indirectly through perceived quality of life. Moreover, place attachment was identified as a significant determinant across all five dimensions of residents’ quality of life. Furthermore, quality-of-life dimensions, particularly heritage and commercial development, socialisation and economic opportunities, and environmental conditions, emerged as significant predictors of tourism attitudes. Destination comparisons revealed overall consistency between both cruise tourism destinations, except for the link between place attachment and health and safety benefits, which was stronger among residents of Athens. The findings provide practical implications for sustainable tourism planning by highlighting the importance of incorporating residents’ perceptions into destination management. Full article

Traditional food products are essential for gastronomic tourism, yet their integration into hospitality is limited by supply chain challenges and a significant attitude-behavior gap. This study identifies perceptual factors, operational barriers, and socio-professional predictors influencing traditional food procurement. The research was conducted on a sample of 307 hospitality managers in Vojvodina, Serbia. Data was systematically analyzed through examination of manager perceptions and procurement decisions. Results reveal that although managers highly rate sociocultural and ecological impacts, these factors were not statistically significant predictors of actual procurement in the estimated model, suggesting the presence of a perceptual–operational gap. Instead, professional characteristics drive decisions. Formal education in hospitality and tourism, combined with 6 to 10 years of professional experience, significantly increases the decision to source traditional products. Among non-procuring managers, operational barriers such as inconsistent quality and delivery issues outweigh economic factors as perceived obstacles to procurement. To address these challenges, this study conceptualizes the Perceptual–Operational Gap (POG) as a diagnostic and integrative analytical framework that receives preliminary empirical support in this study. This three-level framework maps product characteristics, managerial perceptions, and procurement outcomes. The model provides a diagnostic tool enabling practitioners to identify attitude-behavior gaps, understand operational barriers, and recognize which manager groups require targeted attention. Based on these insights, decision-makers can design targeted interventions. The POG model moves focus from cultural promotion to practical professional approaches, offering a replicable solution for integrating gastronomic heritage in destinations worldwide. Full article

The Author argues that the audiovisual image of reality cemented in films as audiovisual media reflects in a particular way the developments occurring in the community that produced these images. This refers also to the religiosity of a specific society. The article will begin by providing a brief overview of its main theoretical perspective of social imaginaries formulated and implemented in the field of sociology by Charles Taylor. In order to pave the ground for future studies in the area, the method of implementation of Taylor’s term will be presented to highlight how narrative films and television series as products of audiovisual culture reflect the state of the collective consciousness of the Polish national community in terms of Christian religiosity expressed through attachment to Catholic rituals, practices and customs as well as usage and understanding of religious symbols and also basing personal and collective behaviors and decisions on the value system that arose from Christian ethics. This means that in spite of people moving away from orthodoxy and a shift to postsecular attitudes, Christianity shaped images (including visual metaphors) that still provide people with mental shortcuts or become tools of persuasion as a means of audiovisual communication with the viewer. Full article

Background/Objectives: Telehealth (TH) and Telemedicine (TM) can significantly benefit individuals who live far from healthcare institutions and those with limited financial resources by improving access to essential health services. This review explores the attitudes and determinants affecting the use of TH and TM, focusing on the MENA region with insights from the global context. Methods: A narrative review was created using a compilation of scientific articles published between 2020 and 2025 from PubMed and Scopus. Studies were screened to be relevant with the determinants, attitudes or use of TH and TM. Forty one sources met the eligibility criteria and covered evidence from the MENA region with supporting background from global developments. Results: In the MENA region, although high perceived effectiveness is recorded, the use of TH and TM remains below optimal levels. The majority of the studies reviewed suggested that participants have positive attitudes towards TH and TM. Nevertheless, some studies suggest low awareness and limited utilization of available TH and TM services. Determinants affecting TH and TM included pandemic-based, socioeconomic, cultural, financial, health literacy, and infrastructure-based factors, and those relating to physician implementation. Disparities in utilization of these services were evident among individuals with low digital literacy, older individuals and low-income workers. Conclusions: TH and TM are observed to increase the availability and accessibility of preventative and treatment-based health services, especially in regions facing geographic limitations. The findings exhibit the disparities in institution and uptake of these services due to socioeconomic, geographic and cultural aspects. Interventions at the system level, supported by evidence such as multilingual digital platforms, investments in digital infrastructure and coverage in insurance, need to be implemented to ensure equitable utilization of these services in the MENA region. Full article

Background/Objectives: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a major and growing public health concern, yet awareness of its nature, consequences, and management options remains inadequately studied in the Middle Eastern context. In Saudi Arabia, cochlear implantation is provided free of charge through the public healthcare system; however, adult uptake remains critically low, suggesting that awareness—rather than access—constitutes the primary barrier to timely intervention. In collective healthcare cultures, family members play a central role in healthcare decision-making for older individuals, making family-level awareness a critical determinant of early identification and treatment. This study aimed to assess public awareness, beliefs, and attitudes toward ARHL and its management options among adults in Saudi Arabia, applying the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire adapted from a previously validated survey, with cultural modifications for the Saudi context. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to adults aged 18 years and above across Saudi Arabia. A total of 506 consenting responses were included in the final analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: The majority of participants correctly identified hearing loss as a reduction in the ability to hear (84.6%), and 95.3% regarded good hearing as personally important. However, significant knowledge gaps were observed, with 53.8% believing hearing loss can be cured and 50.4% believing it can be halted. Notably, 34.2% believed cochlear implants benefit children exclusively. Doctors and the internet were the primary sources of medical information, yet 39.3% reported no preventive healthcare visits and 23.9% did not seek any information about hearing problems. When faced with a hypothetical hearing loss, 75.3% indicated they would consult an ENT specialist. Conclusions: Adults in Saudi Arabia demonstrate good awareness of the signs and consequences of hearing loss but exhibit significant knowledge gaps regarding its clinical course and available management options, most notably the belief that cochlear implantation is exclusively a pediatric intervention. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally adapted awareness campaigns targeting family members of older adults, and support the development of community-based hearing health promotion strategies in Saudi Arabia and comparable collective healthcare societies. Full article

The transition toward sustainable energy systems is not only a technological and economic challenge but also a social one, with public acceptance playing a decisive role in the success of sustainability transitions. While traditional technology acceptance models primarily emphasize cognitive and utilitarian determinants, increasing attention has been directed toward underlying motivational processes. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) provides a valuable framework for understanding how autonomous and controlled motivation shape attitudes and behaviours toward sustainable energy technologies. This systematic review synthesizes empirical and theoretical research on the application of SDT in the context of social acceptance within this domain. Following PRISMA guidelines, studies published between January 2000 and April 2026 were identified through searches of Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, with 34 eligible studies included in the thematic analysis. The findings from many of the reviewed studies suggest that autonomous motivation, supported by the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs, is associated with greater technology acceptance, trust, engagement, and long-term behavioural support. In contrast, controlled motivation is more often associated with resistance, weak internalisation, or short-term compliance. The review further highlights the important moderating role of contextual factors, including policy design, communication strategies, trust, and socio-cultural environments. By integrating SDT into sustainable technology acceptance research, this review advances motivation-based perspectives on sustainability transitions and provides practical implications for policymakers, technology developers, and communication practitioners seeking to foster enduring public engagement with sustainable innovations. Full article

Introduction: The Awareness/Acceptance/Action Model (AAAM) was initially developed by one of the authors to explore stigma and prejudice towards people living with HIV/AIDS. In the present study, the AAAM was examined for its personal and professional relevance to people affected by the Troubles, 30 years of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. When unchecked, judgmental or reactive attitudes can undermine intentions to consistently deliver services in line with professional standards and human rights. Methods: Despite a devolved, power-sharing government and steps to address longstanding political and religious grievances, cultural sensitivities and animosity remain on both sides of the divide. A university in Northern Ireland recruited 11 practice teachers and 18 social work students, who participated in one of four focus groups. Mindfulness principles and techniques were used to allow participants to visualise “the other” before exploring how prejudice might impact personal and professional interactions. Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts was conducted using Braun and Clarke to assess the presence and nature of labelling, stereotyping, out-grouping and discriminating against people perceived as “the other”. Findings: Given the potential differences in identity, background, and experiences of social work practitioners and service users, it is important that we critically reflect on how we serve people based on direct or intergenerationally transmitted encounters. The AAAM was then piloted in undergraduate social work degree programmes and shared with practice teachers. Feedback confirmed that it offers a theoretical framework to promote anti-oppressive practice and critical reflection during professional social work training. Using Mindfulness techniques to visualise “the other” prompted participants to listen well and look deeply at the origins of their prejudices or fear, and how these could lead to biased interactions with service users. Full article

Background/Objectives: While there is an existing body of quantitative data on the psychological and mental burden of suicide-bereaved parents, further qualitative research is needed to explore suicide-bereaved mothers’ living experiences in specific sociocultural contexts, especially in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Given the persistent stigma surrounding suicide in these societies, and the fact that previous research has often overlooked mothers’ perspectives in favor of broader samples of bereaved parents, we explored the psychosocial needs of Greek-speaking suicide-bereaved mothers in the Republic of Cyprus, and their experiences in accessing formal mental healthcare support. Methods: An inductive, secondary content analysis of qualitative data collected through personal semi-structured interviews with ten suicide-bereaved mothers was employed. Results: Participants’ psychosocial needs centered around a “persistent orientation towards protection,” encompassing three interconnected domains: (1) self-protection and the need for acceptance by shielding themselves from stigma, social judgment, and emotional disintegration, (2) ensuring a safe and protective environment for the surviving family by safeguarding the psychological well-being and cohesion of surviving family members, and (3) protecting the posthumous dignity and memory of the deceased child. Rather than seeking formal support, participants overwhelmingly avoided mental health services, citing a lack of empathy, cultural misunderstanding, and fear of further stigmatization. Mental health professionals were often perceived as inadequate or even harmful, undermining participants’ need for protective attitudes, self-reliance and self-respect during bereavement. These responses reflected how stigma and gendered social expectations surrounding suicide shaped participating bereaved mothers’ disengagement from the healthcare system, despite their intense psychological needs. Conclusions: These findings underscored how gendered social expectations, combined with the stigma surrounding suicide, created significant psychosocial barriers to mental health care for women navigating traumatic grief, particularly in sociocultural contexts where suicide remains highly stigmatized. Full article

Introduction: This study explores obstetric providers’ perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV) screening in the Chinese clinical setting, guided by the social–ecological model. Methods: Purposive sampling was employed to recruit eight obstetricians and 12 obstetric nurses from a tertiary general hospital in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted between December 2024 and September 2025. Results: Guided by the social–ecological model, this study examines factors influencing healthcare professionals’ engagement in intimate partner violence screening across four levels. A multilevel framework was distilled; four key themes were identified, including the intrapersonal level, interpersonal level, institutional level and community and policy level. (1) The intrapersonal level—healthcare professionals’ competence (knowledge base, communication skills, role identity, screening attitudes, and diagnostic ability); (2) the interpersonal level—interdisciplinary collaboration (internal referrals and external support); (3) the institutional level—hospital screening efficacy (screening resources and management systems); and (4) the community and policy level—social environment (policy support, educational resources, and cultural context). Conclusions: Multilevel factors impact IPV screening in China. These results indicate that a multidimensional model of intervention should be designed to promote IPV screening in China, including integrating IPV curricula into mandatory medical student training, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, conducting public education on IPV, implementing socio-cultural adjustments, challenging authoritative attitudes, and providing comprehensive social support. Full article

Digital cultural consumption has become an increasingly important form of cultural participation, yet its implications for sustainability remain insufficiently understood. While previous studies have examined digital culture, digital competencies, and pro-environmental behavior separately, little is known about how these factors jointly contribute to environmental engagement in digital cultural contexts. This study develops and empirically tests an integrated structural model explaining the relationships among functional motivations, digital competencies, digital cultural consumption, and environmental engagement. Environmental engagement was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct encompassing environmental awareness, attitudes, and pro-environmental behavior and was operationalized as a single latent construct due to the substantial empirical overlap observed among these dimensions. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on data collected through a nationwide CAWI survey of 620 digital cultural consumers in Poland. Functional motivations positively influenced digital cultural consumption (β = 0.264, p < 0.001). Digital competencies exerted a significant positive direct effect on environmental engagement (β = 0.142, p = 0.002), indicating that individuals with higher digital competencies are more likely to demonstrate stronger environmental engagement in digital cultural contexts. Digital cultural consumption was positively associated with environmental engagement (β = 0.405, p < 0.001) and partially mediated the relationship between functional motivations and environmental engagement (β = 0.107, p < 0.001). The study contributes to the literature by integrating research on digital cultural participation and sustainability within a single explanatory framework, highlighting digital cultural consumption as one of the mechanisms linking users’ motivations with environmental engagement. The findings suggest that strengthening digital competencies and fostering motivation to participate in digital cultural activities may support more sustainable forms of digital cultural participation. Full article

This study investigates a secondary science teacher’s beliefs and attitudes toward marginalized minority students and examines how these beliefs and attitudes influenced students’ science identity development. The study focused on an experienced Black female biology teacher with an MEd in STEM education and her students at an urban high school in a U.S. state where anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion influences on curriculum were particularly strong. All students in the class (N = 21) identified as marginalized minority students. Data sources included teacher interviews, classroom observations, field notes, and student surveys. These data were analyzed and interpreted through the frameworks of Critical Race Theory and culturally responsive teaching. Findings showed that students expressed a strong sense of belonging when their diverse voices, backgrounds, and experiences were acknowledged in the classroom. However, many students also described feeling disconnected from the traditional image of a scientist, which contributed to self-doubt about their potential participation in scientific careers. This study highlights the importance of educators actively engaging with students’ identities, promoting diverse representations within science, and creating supportive and inclusive classroom environments. At the same time, the findings reveal the limits of classroom-based support for science identity development when broader structural barriers and dominant stereotypes about science remain strong influences. Full article