Search Results (888)

Racial diversity is normatively desirable in public organizations, but the social and psychological processes it activates may lead to employees’ negative work attitudes. Combining social categorization theory, perceived organizational support theory, and psychological contract theory, this study investigates whether racial diversity is negatively related to employee work engagement in U.S. federal agencies and whether the perceived effectiveness of agency ethics programs moderates this relationship. Using multilevel mixed-effects regression analyses with data from 10,088 employees nested within 24 federal agencies drawn from the 2016 Merit Principles Survey, we find that racial diversity was negatively associated with work engagement. However, this negative relationship was reduced when employees perceived their agency’s ethics program as more effective. At high levels of perceived effectiveness, the negative association was no longer statistically significant. These findings suggest that the perceived effectiveness of ethics programs is a meaningful organizational condition under which the negative association between racial diversity and work engagement may be attenuated. This pattern has implications for diversity management and human resource practice in ethical, high-performing, and sustainable public organizations. Full article

Objectives: This study aims to assess the acceptance of vaccinations among pregnant women, particularly against influenza, pertussis, COVID-19, and RSV, and to identify factors influencing their willingness to get vaccinated. It also seeks to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal attitudes and behaviors regarding vaccination. Methods: The analysis involved a review of existing literature and studies to evaluate the level of vaccine acceptance among pregnant women before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy, including misinformation, lack of knowledge, and the influence of healthcare professionals, were examined. Results: The findings indicated that, despite scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines during pregnancy, public concerns remain about their impact on the developing fetus. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness of the risk of infectious diseases, but at the same time, its impact on vaccination rates among pregnant women is ambiguous and geographically diverse. Misinformation and decreased access to healthcare during the pandemic negatively affected vaccine uptake. Trustworthy information provided by healthcare professionals emerged as a key factor in promoting vaccine acceptance. Conclusions: To improve vaccination rates among pregnant women, it is essential to provide clear, evidence-based information through healthcare professionals, particularly those directly caring for pregnant women. Educational campaigns should address concerns calmly and without judgment, emphasizing the safety and benefits of vaccinations. Enhanced access to healthcare and vaccinations, along with strategic information dissemination, can significantly improve vaccine acceptance during pregnancy. Lessons learned from past pandemics should be incorporated into the development of healthcare strategies aimed at implementing recommended vaccinations for pregnant women in the future. Full article

The rapid growth of online shopping has increased demand for home deliveries, leading to sustainability issues and logistical challenges such as labour shortages and congestion. Autonomous delivery vehicles, including drones, street robots, autonomous vans, and mobile vending machines, are emerging as potential solutions. Understanding consumers’ perceptions of these technologies is critical for sustainable implementation. This exploratory study aimed to examine consumer reactions to emerging autonomous delivery services, providing insights into how consumers may respond to autonomous delivery systems encompassing multiple vehicle modes and the resulting policy implications. Eight online focus groups (n = 55) were conducted with a diverse range of participants to examine community attitudes to autonomous delivery services. Participants were shown videos depicting various autonomous delivery methods to foster informed responses. Thematic analysis of the transcripts identified recurring themes relating to participants’ preferences, concerns, and expectations. While participants had some concerns, they were largely receptive to using autonomous delivery services. Positive reactions centred around: (i) convenience, (ii) cost reductions, and (iii) novelty. Identified concerns included: (i) job losses, (ii) practical limitations of the delivery devices, (iii) degradation of urban environments, and (iv) facilitation of unhealthy lifestyles. Overall, the results suggest autonomous delivery systems have the potential to be popular, and proactive government policies are thus likely to be needed to ensure they are implemented in a manner that aligns with community expectations and minimises any negative sustainability outcomes. Full article

We focus on the use of the Modern Lesbian dialect in the linguistic landscape (LL), highlighting its diverse forms and functions. Since LL research primarily investigates written language in public space, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between language, place, and historicity, the growing visibility of the dialect in both physical and digital contexts (cf. the online–offline nexus) is particularly noteworthy. The presence of non-standard varieties in public discourse has been widely studied, revealing that aspects of language choice and use are related to the sustainability of minority languages, the shaping of linguistic attitudes and stereotypes, and the commodification of language as a cultural and economic resource. Within this framework, the data analyzed here illustrate positive attitudes toward Modern Lesbian, expressions of pride and comfort among its speakers, efforts to destigmatize dialectal speech, and indications of broader acceptance of Modern Lesbian. Meanwhile, the increasing commodification of the dialect is evident in its use for the promotion of products and services, capitalizing on its distinctiveness, despite its historical stigmatization vis-à-vis the standard. This development does not dissolve entrenched beliefs on the incompatibility of dialects with written discourse; rather, it capitalizes on the surprise (and humor) generated by their written presence in promotional contexts without resorting to humorous stereotyping. Full article

The global and national skills shortages, shifting employee work attitudes post-COVID pandemic, and the presence of a multigenerational workforce with diverse needs and preferences have sparked interest in employee retention. Traditional one-size-fits-all retention strategies are becoming less effective, and contemporary organisations are focusing on tailored retention strategies. The effectiveness of the tailored retention strategy does not only rely on its design but also on how it is perceived and experienced by employees. However, few studies have explored employees’ perceptions of their organisation’s employee retention strategy in the South African context. Hence, the objective of this study is to explore professional engineers’ perceptions of their organisation’s employee retention strategy and how these perceptions influence their intention to stay or leave the organisation. A qualitative research approach underpinned by the constructivism paradigm was employed in this study. A single case study was adopted, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 professional engineers working at a manufacturing organisation participating in the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that the professional engineers were unaware of, and did not fully understand, their organisation’s employee retention strategy, and they felt that their organisation was not adequately implementing a robust, dynamic one, which resulted in high turnover. They indicated that the retention strategy seemed to lack provisions for career growth opportunities and formal mentorship programs and failed to embrace technological advancement, which influenced engineers to leave the organisation. They perceived that their organisation provided competitive compensation, onboarding, and offboarding, as well as training and development, though implementation gaps existed. This study suggests that organisations should develop a robust, dynamic employee retention strategy and widely communicate it to their workforce. A robust, well-communicated employee retention strategy is likely to positively influence employee perceptions and enhance the organisation’s employer brand, thereby facilitating retention. Full article

Empathy toward animals has received increasing attention because of its relationship to prosocial attitudes, conservation engagement, and environmental concern. Despite growing interest, the way empathy toward animals is measured varies widely across disciplines and applied contexts, making it difficult to compare findings or assess the strength of existing instruments. This paper examines the measurement landscape of empathy toward animals by identifying and describing tools used in both academic research and conservation practice. A search of Web of Science yielded 2155 unique records, resulting in a final sample of 65 peer-reviewed studies with empathy assessment instruments published between 2000 and 2025. These were supplemented by 42 instruments shared by members of the Advancing Conservation through Empathy for Wildlife (ACE for Wildlife^®) Network, one of the largest known networks of professionals focused on enhancing and evaluating empathy toward animals. Across these sources, we observe substantial variation in how empathy is operationalized, including differences in construct emphasis, focal species, intended audiences, and attention to reliability and validity. Academic studies primarily use surveys emphasizing affective empathy toward mammals, whereas practitioner-developed tools are more diverse and often assess cognitive and motivational dimensions across cohort groups. In mapping differences in approaches, we identify persistent gaps and provide suggestions to better align scholarly and applied assessment tools. Full article

Today’s medical professionals function within an increasingly complex landscape—one that is medical, scientific, social, cultural, political, ethical, and technological in nature. Responding to these complexities, U.S. medical education has emphasized Systems-Based Practice and Health Systems Science competencies to prepare learners to deliver excellent patient-centered care within dynamic clinical environments. Despite recognition of these competencies and broader calls for developing health systems citizens, operationalized and scaffolded learning and assessment across undergraduate medical education remain limited, with few validated assessment tools or defined learning trajectories to help novices become experts. In this conceptual synthesis article, the authors argue for the relevance of health systems thinking to everyday clinical situations and introduce a metacognitive systems thinking framework to conceptualize how professionals navigate systems-level complexities embedded in daily work. Drawing from the literature across disciplines, the framework highlights three related yet distinct processes: recognizing salient features of a complex situation (sensemaking), aligning and coordinating relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes (integration), and making decisions and taking action in response (action). Emphasizing these as separable processes enables scaffolding learning and assessment as well as targeted formative feedback. The authors further integrate this framework with an evidence-centered design approach, associating concrete and measurable knowledge and skills with each process. This structure allows health systems thinking to be elicited and evaluated across diverse clinical scenarios (e.g., objective structured clinical examinations), supporting intentional development of systems-informed, reflective, and adaptive clinicians. Full article

Biodiversity conservation is closely linked to human willingness to conserve individual species. However, fish, as the least visible group of vertebrates, are often overlooked, despite the fact that they constitute almost 60% of all known vertebrate species and are characterized by great morphological and color diversity. Our study aimed to identify phenotypic traits of freshwater fish that influence their attractiveness and, at the same time, the perceived need for their conservation. The research consisted of two parts: a touchscreen-based evaluation of 30 fish species followed by an online survey focusing on a selected subset of 15 species. The most attractive species were those with colorful coloration, unusual body shape and distinctive fins. Respondents also attributed a high conservation value to species with striking or unusual features. An interesting finding was that even less attractive species were able to arouse a willingness to protect them thanks to their unusual appearance, which evoked prehistoric signs and aroused a feeling of compassion. Only species with serpentine body shapes received the lowest rankings in both attractiveness and willingness to protect. Based on these findings, we recommend using attractive and atypical fish species as so-called flagship species, which can effectively support the protection and preservation of the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. The results also represent a starting point for the creation of educational programs that can shape positive public attitudes towards fish and their conservation. Full article

Background: Ageism is a global public health concern associated with poorer health outcomes and inequities in care. Culturally adapted instruments are needed to assess ageist attitudes among healthcare professionals in Spain. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the preliminary psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA-SV). Methods: A methodological study was conducted, including translation and back-translation, expert review, and a pilot test. Content validity was assessed using the content validity index (CVI), the modified kappa coefficient, and Aiken’s V. A descriptive cross-sectional pilot study was conducted with 101 healthcare professionals from a single health department in Valencia to evaluate comprehension and reliability. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. Results: Content validity indices indicated acceptable agreement among experts (S-CVI = 0.745; Aiken’s V = 0.770). All items were retained to preserve conceptual and structural equivalence with the original instrument. The FSA-SV demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.903; McDonald’s omega = 0.915). The mean total score was 51.2 (SD = 9.62), with no significant associations observed between ageism and participants’ sociodemographic or professional variables. Conclusions: This pilot study represents a first step in the cross-cultural adaptation and preliminary psychometric evaluation of the FSA-SV for use among healthcare professionals in Spain. The results suggest that the instrument shows promising initial properties for the preliminary assessment of ageism, supporting its potential utility in future research and in evaluating educational and organizational interventions aimed at reducing ageism and improving the quality and safety of care for older adults. Further studies with larger, more diverse samples are required to evaluate additional psychometric properties, including the factorial structure. Full article

Increasing ethnocultural diversity in kindergartens makes preschool teachers’ multicultural teaching competence (MTC) a core professional requirement. Therefore, it is important that, during initial preschool teacher education (IPTE), candidates come to regard the standards embedded in MTC as professionally relevant—what we conceptualize in this paper as endorsement of MTC standards—as this may shape their later development and enactment of MTC in practice. Yet, previous research has not examined the extent to which preservice preschool teachers endorse MTC standards or the antecedents of such endorsement. To address this gap, we assessed preservice preschool teachers’ (N = 88) endorsement of MTC standards and the related antecedents. Exploratory factor analysis of the adapted Multicultural Teaching Competency Scale identified three dimensions: multicultural teaching knowledge, equity-driven classroom practice, and multicultural content implementation standards. Participants reported high endorsement of equity-driven practice and multicultural teaching knowledge, but lower endorsement of multicultural content implementation standards. Linear regression analyses showed that multicultural attitudes were positively related to endorsement across all three dimensions, while multicultural ideology and frequency of traveling abroad were related only to multicultural content implementation. Implications are discussed for improving initial and continuing preparation programs, including through anti-bias education and intersectionality-informed frameworks. Full article

Background: Sexuality remains an important dimension of well-being in later life, yet it is often surrounded by misconceptions and ageist stereotypes. Understanding sociodemographic, cognitive, attitudinal, motivational, and behavioral aspects of sexuality among older adults may contribute to a more comprehensive view of sexual well-being in aging. Objectives: This study aimed (1) to describe older adults’ knowledge, attitudes, sexual motivation, behaviors, and satisfaction; (2) to examine differences between individuals who reported engaging in partnered eroto-genital activity during the previous six months and those who did not; and (3) to identify sociodemographic (age, gender, religiosity and health condition), cognitive, attitudinal, and motivational factors associated with engagement in partnered eroto-genital activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 186 adults aged 65–88 years (M = 73.29). Participants completed the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS) and a Sexual Behavior Questionnaire assessing sexual motivation, sexual behaviors, and sexual satisfaction. Descriptive analyses, group comparisons, and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Participants showed relatively adequate knowledge and generally favorable attitudes, although several misconceptions persisted. Affective behaviors were more frequent than eroto-genital practices. Individuals reporting partnered eroto-genital activity showed higher knowledge, more positive attitudes, greater perceived importance of sexuality, and higher sexual satisfaction. Regression analyses indicated that age, gender, attitudes toward sexuality, and perceived importance of sex were significant predictors of partnered eroto-genital activity, with perceived importance of sex showing the strongest association. Conclusions: Sexuality in later life reflects diverse patterns shaped by cognitive, attitudinal, and especially motivational dimensions. These findings highlight the central role of subjective importance and attitudes in sexual engagement, suggesting that interventions may benefit from moving beyond information provision to also address motivational and relational aspects of sexuality in aging populations. Full article

Nature-based tourism is expanding rapidly, placing new pressures on fragile ecosystems and governance structures that were not designed for the intensity and diversity of today’s visitors. Despite this trend, protected areas face unique management constraints and rapid socio-environmental changes. While motivational segmentation of tourists can provide valuable information to policymakers, this subject remains understudied/under-researched. This study addresses the gap by examining the motivations, behaviours, and attitudes of visitors to Romania’s national and natural parks, using a structured survey (n = 509) and a two-step approach combining dimensionality reduction with visitor segmentation. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals distinct motivational dimensions related to visitors’ desire for immersion in nature, wildlife observation and learning, active recreation, and social–cultural engagement. Based on these dimensions, three visitor segments emerge through cluster analysis, with significantly different patterns of landscape use, expectations of recreational services, and perceptions of interpretation media. This research provides practical insights for targeted communication, zoning, and adaptive governance and proposes integrating visitor typologies with park management to support sustainable rural development. The findings highlight how a nuanced understanding of tourist segments can inform more effective policy measures that balance recreational demand with the long-term protection of natural and cultural resources, offering practical value for the sustainable development of protected areas, local communities, and other stakeholders. Full article

Food waste presents a significant challenge to sustainable development, resulting in annual economic losses of more than USD 1 trillion. It contributes to 8–10% of global human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for nearly 30% of agricultural land use. Households are responsible for over half of this waste, with fruits and vegetables being the most frequently discarded items. This highlights the urgent need to promote sustainable consumption habits. This 2024 study surveyed a sample of 923 individuals who consume at least one of four categories: fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, processed fruits, or processed vegetables. It used cluster analysis to segment consumers based on the amount of food waste and fruit and vegetable losses. Three distinct segments were identified. Cluster 1 (Proactive & aware, 56%): Characterised by high environmental awareness (approximately 75%) and efficient food management skills, such as frequent shopping list preparation (48%), resulting in the lowest wastage levels. Cluster 2 (Convenient & situational, 38%): Driven by “convenience waste” mechanisms, where lack of time, poor portioning (44%), and a lack of culinary ideas lead to moderate waste levels despite mid-range awareness. Cluster 3 (Disorganised & wasteful, 6%): Reveals a significant attitude–behaviour gap; despite declaring a desire to limit waste, this group reported the highest perceived levels of waste. This is partly explained by the reverse sunk cost fallacy, where produce from own cultivation is devalued due to the absence of a market price. The findings emphasise that food waste is not a monolithic phenomenon but results from diverse behavioural deficits. The results provide a foundation for tailored behavioural interventions (nudges) and educational strategies to enhance food management skills and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Full article

Background: The Operating Room Management Attitudes Questionnaire (ORMAQ) is widely used to assess operating room (OR) staff attitudes toward patient safety and teamwork across diverse contexts. However, no validated French version currently exists, limiting its use in francophone settings. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the ORMAQ into French and to evaluate its psychometric properties, while also reporting OR professionals’ attitudes explored during the validation process. Methods: A cross-sectional methodological study was conducted among OR professionals, including surgeons, anesthetists, anesthesia nurses, operating room nurses, and residents. The original ORMAQ was translated into French using a standardized forward–backward translation procedure and pretested with 20 OR professionals. Content and concurrent validity were examined. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency, test–retest reproducibility, and dimension-level consistency. Construct validity was examined using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Results: The overall response rate to the survey was 76.5% (n = 303). The French ORMAQ demonstrated good internal consistency, as evidenced by both Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.842) and McDonald’s Omega (ω = 0.98). For the individual dimensions, reliability values ranged from 0.597 to 0.891 for alpha and from 0.75 to 0.89 for Omega. Test–retest analysis showed excellent reproducibility (ICC = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.92–0.98). Factor analyses supported the eight-factor structure, with the CFA confirming good model fit and meaningful item loadings across dimensions, with standardized loadings ranging from 0.40 to 0.83. Conclusions: The French version of the ORMAQ showed satisfactory psychometric properties. It represents a robust tool for assessing safety and teamwork attitudes among OR professionals in francophone countries. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of counseling and educational interventions delivered during pregnancy and early motherhood in promoting maternal health knowledge, self-care behaviors, and related health outcomes among adolescent and young women. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies published in English or Spanish was conducted using Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cinahl, and the Cochrane Library. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools, and risk of bias was evaluated using the Risk-of-Bias 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Data were synthesized narratively and in tables. When comparable outcomes were reported, preliminary meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences with random-effects models. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Seven studies (n = 7) involving 776 participants were included. Interventions consisted of counseling or educational programs delivered through face-to-face sessions, group activities, or digital resources. Overall, the interventions were associated with improvements in pregnancy-related knowledge, self-care behaviors, psychological outcomes, and maternal health practices and attitudes; however, the certainty of evidence was low to very low and a high risk of bias was identified across studies. Meta-analysis suggested a possible beneficial effect favoring the intervention for pregnancy-related health knowledge (SMD = 1.90; 95% CI: −0.02 to 3.83) and self-care behaviors (SMD = 2.39; 95% CI: 0.29 to 4.49), although substantial heterogeneity was observed. Counseling and educational interventions during pregnancy may contribute to improvements in pregnancy-related health knowledge and self-care among pregnant adolescents and young women; however, the current evidence is limited and of low certainty. Further well-designed studies conducted in diverse settings are needed to confirm these findings and strengthen the evidence base. Full article