Search Results (1,456)

Background: Maintaining physical activity (PA) is vital for older people, particularly those with frailty and mobility limitations. Wearable activity trackers and digital feedback tools show promise for encouraging PA, but their feasibility and acceptability in aged care remain underexplored. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of using wearable and mobile devices for step tracking and examined the usability of three interfaces (Fitbit, mobile app, and website) for reviewing PA progress in aged care. Methods: This is a user experience and feasibility study that does not involve objective physical activity quantification or device performance analysis. It is a mixed-methods feasibility study conducted with 14 participants aged ≥65 years from residential and community aged care services in metropolitan and regional New South Wales, Australia. Participants used a Fitbit Inspire 3 linked to a study website and a mobile phone step-counting app to monitor their steps across the three interfaces for four weeks. Feasibility was evaluated through enrolment and retention, and acceptability through a facilitator-led survey. Quantitative items on usability, comfort, motivation and device preference were summarised descriptively; open-ended responses were analysed thematically to identify user experiences, benefits, and barriers. Results: Step tracking was feasible, with 82% enrolment and 93% retention. Participants preferred the Fitbit over the mobile phone or website due to its ease of use, visibility and more enjoyable experience. Step tracking increased awareness of PA and supported confidence to move more. Participants valued reminders, rewards and opportunities for social sharing. Reported barriers included illness, usability challenges and occasional technical issues. Conclusions: Wearable step trackers show promise for supporting PA among older people receiving aged care. Despite the small sample and short follow-up, strong acceptability signals suggest that simple digital tools could enhance the reach and sustainability of mobility-promoting interventions into aged care systems. Future studies should examine long-term adherence, usability across diverse mobility and cognitive needs, and conditions for successful scale-up. Full article

Universities frequently provide employability training, such as interview techniques, within classroom settings. However, limited engagement from both students and staff has prompted exploration of alternative content and delivery methods. Three-dimensional Virtual Reality (VR) and two-dimensional desktop simulations have previously been identified as effective and engaging learning environments. This study investigates whether using a VR application could enhance undergraduate students’ learning of interview skills compared to a desktop application or a video-focused lecture presentation. Students were exposed to one environment, and staff engaged with three different learning environments (VR application, desktop application and video lecture). Employability skills development, user experience and immersive presence were assessed. University staff rated the VR learning environment as more effective for employability skills training, immersive presence and enjoyment compared to the desktop condition. They also found the VR environment more enjoyable than the lecture condition, although lectures were significantly more preferred than the desktop environment. In contrast, no significant differences were found between the conditions across any of the measures in the student sample. These findings suggest that VR systems offer a promising alternative for employability training, particularly in enhancing engagement and perceived effectiveness among staff. Full article

Post-industrial waterfronts have become key arenas of urban transformation, where heritage, public space and social equity intersect. This study examined the Xuhui Waterfront in Shanghai under the ‘One River, One Creek’ initiative, which converted former industrial land into a continuous riverfront corridor of parks and cultural venues. The research aimed to evaluate whether this large-scale renewal enhanced social equity or produced new forms of exclusion. A tripartite analytical framework of distributive, procedural and recognitional justice was applied, combining spatial mapping, remote-sensing analysis of vegetation and heat exposure, housing price-to-income ratio assessment, and policy review from 2015 to 2024. The results showed that the continuity of the riverfront, increased greenery and adaptive reuse of industrial structures improved accessibility, environmental quality and cultural enjoyment. However, housing affordability became increasingly polarised, indicating emerging gentrification and generational inequality. This study concluded that this dual outcome reflected the fiscal dependency of state-led renewal on land-lease revenues and high-end development. It suggested that future waterfront projects could adopt financially sustainable yet inclusive models, such as incremental phasing, public–private partnerships and guided self-renewal, to better reconcile heritage conservation, public-space creation and social fairness. Full article

Introduction: This study focuses on the adaptation and validation of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire-Short (AEQ-S) to the Spanish sports context. Emotions play a crucial role in athletes’ decision making, making it essential to have reliable assessment tools tailored to this field. Method: The AEQ-S was administered to 998 professional athletes (mean age: 26.83 years). The adaptation followed the Hambleton method and involved the support of sports psychologists. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted, along with tests for reliability and criterion validity. Results: The analyses confirmed that the factor structure of the AEQ-S in sports aligns with the original version, identifying eight key emotions: enjoyment, hope, pride, anxiety, anger, shame, hopelessness, and boredom. Furthermore, positive emotions were positively associated with resilience, while negative emotions showed an inverse relationship. Conclusions: The adapted AEQ-S proved to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing emotions in athletes. Its applications extend to both research and professional practice in the sports domain. Full article

As a representative case that embodies both the attributes of a Buddhist sacred site and those of a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Wutai provides a distinctive research setting for examining behavioral mechanisms in temple tourism. This study aims to construct an integrated model to systematically test the effects of enjoyment, memorability, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on revisit intention (RI), while incorporating social media exposure as a moderating variable. Based on data collected through a two-wave on-site survey, this study analyzed 617 tourists in Mount Wutai and employed structural equation model to examine the relationships among the variables. The results indicate that all five psychological antecedents exert significant positive effects on revisit intention, among them, PBC demonstrating the most substantial impact. Further analysis reveals that social media exposure significantly moderates the relationships among enjoyment, memorability, attitude, subjective norm, and revisit intention, most notably in the “memorability–RI” relationship, whereas its moderating effect on the “PBC–RI” relationship is not significant. These findings not only enrich the theoretical framework by integrating emotional attribution, behavioral cognition, and digital media engagement but also provide practical implications for sacred tourism destinations, enabling them to enhance visitor loyalty through digital communication and experience optimization. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity is a persistent global health challenge, often rooted in early-life dietary patterns shaped within the home environment. Objective: To investigate the association between parents’ culinary skills, children’s eating behavior, and the degree of child involvement in family culinary practices. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study. In the public and private schools in southern Brazil. A total of 205 families with children aged 3 to 13 years participated. Parents or caregivers answered a structured questionnaire on culinary skills and sociodemographic variables. Children’s eating behavior was assessed through the validated Brazilian version of the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Student’s T test was used to compare means, and Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test to compare proportions. Multivariate linear regression was applied to control for potential confounders. Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27.0 and R software. Results: Most parents (90.7%) reported cooking regularly, and 65.9% involved children in cooking activities. The predominant culinary profile (40%) was classified as “convenience cooking,” marked by frequent use of processed ingredients. Healthier parental cooking practices were positively associated with adaptive eating behaviors in children, reflected by lower food fussiness, satiety responsiveness, food responsiveness and food refusal scores and higher enjoyment of food scores domains of the CEBQ. Conclusions: Despite the high prevalence of routine cooking, convenience-oriented practices remain dominant, reflecting broader sociocultural patterns. Engagement in healthier cooking practices was positively associated with more favorable eating behaviors in children. These findings underscore the importance of promoting culinary education and parental involvement in cooking as strategies to support healthy childhood eating behaviors. Full article

Creative thinking has become more important in education globally due to industry demand and a fast-paced world. In this study, boundary objects that can be tangible and digital objects are investigated to understand their role in facilitating creative thinking across five subject areas for teenagers aged 13–18 and their teachers, in their natural learning environment. A multiple case study method is used to investigate learners’ and their teachers’ experience in using boundary objects, to enable communication and understanding between individuals or groups in learning. Participants from an inner London secondary school comprised case groups: 8 Teachers and 16 Learners (8 from the lower school, aged 13–15 years, and 8 from the upper school, aged 16–18 years). Participants were invited through email and a short presentation. Consented participants were organised into male and female across teachers and students and were approached in lessons where boundary objects were being used. Data was collected through interviews and comprised photos of tool use, analysed through Reflexive Thematic Analysis for data analysis. The resulting five themes for teacher and student themes showed that boundary objects were perceived to facilitate creative thinking across all case groups within the studied context, with important insights such as iterative design, which develops real-world skills; metacognition, which is critical in learning and enables students to actively question their own thinking; memory, which is very important in enabling students to remember what they learned and how; and individual liberty, suggesting that learning need not be linear nor prescribed but that there must be freedom to learn in ways that are enjoyable and challenging too, amongst others. This study’s interpretive results indicate that when participants experience the use of boundary objects in a natural classroom or learning setting, the learning process is perceived to bring benefits that allow the process of creative thinking to occur. Full article

Background: Game-based learning (GBL) grounded in constructivist and experiential learning theories has emerged as a promising strategy to improve engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention in higher education, particularly within STEM disciplines. Methods: This mixed-methods study evaluated the impact of GBL on student engagement, self-efficacy, and knowledge retention in undergraduate biology and architecture courses—two fields where GBL remains underexplored. Results: Thirty-three students (age 19.6 ± 1.6 years) participated, with near-equal representation from biology (51.4%) and architecture (48.6%) majors. Following GBL implementation, students reported significantly higher levels of engagement, participation, and perceived retention (p < 0.0001; effect size V ≥ 0.43). Biology students demonstrated greater gains in engagement and retention, while architecture students showed stronger improvements in participation and self-confidence. Qualitative feedback highlighted GBL’s interactivity and enjoyability, though some students noted distractions and accountability as challenges. Conclusions: Despite limitations such as small sample size and reliance on self-reported outcomes, the findings suggest that GBL is an effective, student-centered instructional tool with distinct benefits across disciplines. Broader, longitudinal studies using objective assessments are recommended to further validate its impact and inform scalable applications in STEM education. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is now the most prevalent chronic liver disorder among children and adolescents, mirroring the rise in pediatric obesity. The Mediterranean diet (MD) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and beneficial effects on different health outcomes across different life stages. The MD’s effect has been explored in adult MASLD, but there is limited information on the pediatric population. However, evidence on pediatric MASLD should be explored given its rising prevalence. Therefore, the aim of this review is to collect human studies assessing the effect of MD interventions on pediatric MASLD, focusing on key pathophysiological mechanisms. It also examines other interventions, including specific energy/macronutrient prescriptions, nutrition education or counseling, and physical activity components. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted using terms related to the Mediterranean diet, nutrition education, physical activity, pediatrics, and MASLD/NAFLD. Pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to collect eligible studies to be included in the review. Study quality was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist. Screening, data extraction, and appraisal were performed independently, with discrepancies resolved through discussion, and the findings were synthesized qualitatively. Results: This review synthesizes findings from eight human studies evaluating the impact of the MD, alone or integrated with structured exercise and nutrition education, on pediatric MASLD. Interventions consistently demonstrated reductions in hepatic steatosis, liver stiffness, and fibrosis markers, alongside improvements in inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress defenses, and liver enzymes. The MD also enhanced lipid and glycemic profiles, lowering triglycerides, total cholesterol, and insulin resistance indices. Nutrition education and family-centered approaches improved adherence, while structured, enjoyable physical activity enhanced outcomes and long-term sustainability. Conclusions: Collectively, the MD, particularly when combined with exercise and tailored education, offers a safe, effective, and comprehensive lifestyle intervention for pediatric MASLD. Nonetheless, current evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneity in protocols, and short follow-ups. Larger, multicenter randomized trials with standardized designs are needed to establish best practices and long-term efficacy. Full article

Greene and Pruim’s (2023) theory of adult communicative play (TACP) was developed as an effort to address considerations of (a) pattern and novelty, (b) interpersonal connection, and (c) enjoyment as they pertain to adult conversational activities, within the context of a parsimonious, integrated conceptual framework. Central to their treatment is the notion of quintessential (or “ideal”) play, referring to occasions characterized by (a) receptivity and absorption in the conversation; (b) comprehension and understanding; (c) connection and mutuality; and (d) a sense of discovery and insight. This conception of “ideal play” is viewed as the endpoint of a continuum along which efforts at play may be understood to be successively less and less mutually enjoyable as one moves away from the “ideal” endpoint. The primary aim here is to further refine and clarify the nature of quintessential play. In particular, “ideal” play is posited to: (1) unfold over multiple, mutual conversational entries, (2) be relatively rare and fleeting, (3) be enacted in pursuit of the enjoyment derived from the communicative event itself, (4) involve mutual, improvisational contributions to the interaction, and (5) be both the product and source of enhanced communication skills. Full article

Background: Early relational health is critical for childhood development, and disruptions in infant-caregiver trust can heighten risk. MERTIL for Parents is a brief, universal, online program designed to build parental understanding of relational trust and its role in infant development. This pilot study is the first evaluation of the program. Objectives: To evaluate the acceptability and short-term outcomes of MERTIL for Parents. Methods: Seventy-three parents (n = 69 mothers) of children aged 0–5 years, referred by practitioners, completed the program and online questionnaires at baseline (N = 73), post-intervention (n = 50), and three-month follow-up (n = 25). Results: The program demonstrated high acceptability: 98% of parents who engaged with the program found the content useful, 92% felt the length was appropriate, and all would recommend it to others. Program completion and satisfaction did not vary by sociodemographic or psychosocial characteristics. At three-month follow-up, parents reported significant improvements in their enjoyment of the parent–child relationship (p < 0.001), attunement to their child (p < 0.001), parenting confidence/competence (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003), help-seeking amenability (p < 0.001), and a reduction in irritability toward the child (p < 0.001), with medium to large effect sizes. No significant changes were observed for items assessing reflective functioning or perceived rejection. Conclusions: MERTIL for Parents shows strong acceptability and promising preliminary outcomes as a scalable, attachment and trauma-informed intervention supporting early relational health. Future research should examine long-term impacts and evaluate broader implementation across diverse families and service contexts. Full article

High cybersecurity risks and attacks cause information theft, unauthorized access to data and information, reputational damage, and financial loss in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This creates a need to adopt information security systems of SMEs through innovation and compliance with information security policies. This study seeks to develop an integrated research model assessing the adoption of InfoSec systems in SMEs based on three existing theories, namely the technology acceptance model (TAM), theory of reasoned action (TRA), and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). A thorough review of literature identified prior experience, enjoyment of new InfoSec technology, top management support, IT infrastructure, security training, legal-governmental regulations, and attitude as potential determinants of adoption of InfoSec systems. A self-developed and self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 418 employees, mid-level managers, and top-level managers working in SMEs operating in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study found that prior experience, top management support, IT infrastructure, security training, and legal-governmental regulations have a positive impact on attitude toward InfoSec systems, which in turn positively influences the adoption of InfoSec systems. Gender, education, and occupation significantly moderated the impact of some determinants on attitude and, consequently, adoption of InfoSec systems. Such an integrated framework offers actionable insights and recommendations, including enhancing information security awareness and compliance with information security policies, as well as increasing profitability within SMEs. The study findings make considerable theoretical contributions to the development of knowledge and deliver practical contributions towards the status of SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Full article

The home context can complement formal schooling in writing. However, the family’s potential for promoting how children learn to write is still relatively underexplored, particularly in primary education. The present study used a qualitative approach based on parent focus groups to analyse the practices and support given at home to Spanish primary school students. It also examined the challenges families face and the strategies they suggested for improving their involvement in writing. Focus groups were interviewed involving 32 parents of children in the first (6–8 years old), second (8–10), and third (10–12) cycles of primary education. The results indicate that informal writing practices are carried out at home, related to communication, leisure, and reflection, along with formal writing practices based on supporting schoolwork and stimulating specific writing skills. The formal practices are based on school requirements and children’s needs, while the informal practices are a constant presence throughout primary schooling. The study also identified parental writing support that was instructional (modelling, guiding, explaining, correction), motivational (reinforcement, play, emphasising writing’s importance), and organisational (resources and organisation), which varied as children developed. The families identified challenges to enriching the writing environment at home linked to factors related to the children (lack of motivation, frustration with mistakes, and negative views of writing), to their own availability or lack of knowledge, and to the influence of school and the digital context. Their main suggestions for improvements included improved coordination between school and family and promoting writing experiences based on enjoyment and functionality. Despite the difficulties, the families offered varied writing practices and support that can complement how writing is taught at school. Full article

Nature bonding (NB), alongside place identity and place dependence, is among the most frequently discussed and empirically validated contributing factors of place attachment (PA) within urban environments. While PA has been extensively studied through its psychological, personal, and spatial dimensions, the specific contribution of NB across these dimensions and spatial scales remains insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this study aims to demonstrate the importance of NB in fostering PA by highlighting the need for spatially sensitive urban planning that integrates natural elements across scales to enhance community satisfaction and well-being. Elmwood Village in Buffalo, New York, recognized as one of the top ten most livable American neighborhoods and part of the historic Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parkway system was chosen as a case study. A three-stage investigation was conducted using survey data. First, the three dimensions of PA—place, person, and psychology—were identified. Second, NB was categorized into three levels: attachment, enjoyment, and oneness with nature. Third, the variability of these bonds across three spatial scales—building, street, and neighborhood—was tested to assess their spatial relevance. The findings reveal that the strength and form of NB differ significantly across spatial contexts, shaping how individuals emotionally and behaviorally connect to urban places. By integrating NB into the spatial understanding of PA, this research provides a framework for urban designers and environmental psychologists to better interpret and enhance human–nature relations in the built environment. Full article

Background/Objectives. Self-harm is a heterogeneous behaviour with a lifetime prevalence of around 20% in young people aged 16–25 years old. Recent neurocognitive evidence suggests that, for some individuals, self-harm is associated with motivational processes similar to addiction, including maladaptive mental imagery, reward anticipation, and goal pursuit. However, our knowledge of young people’s subjective experiences of rewards and goals in relation to self-harm behaviour remains limited. Our study aimed to investigate how young people who self-harm experience enjoying and wanting rewards and pursuing goals in daily life and whether this experience changes during periods of self-harm. We also explored their use of mental imagery as a key cognitive process to support motivation. Methods. We conducted two parallel focus groups online (total of N = 12) with young people (mean age = 12.2, SD = 3; nine women, two men, and one non-binary) with a past-year history of self-harm behaviour. Qualitative data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Two young people with lived experience of self-harm informed the topic guide and data interpretation. Examples of questions were “Do you think your experiences of enjoying and/or looking forward to pleasant things are related in any way to self-harm, or not?” and “Do you visualise things you enjoy or may look forward to? If you do, how is that experience?”. Results. There were six themes: rewards need deserving, high self-standards, keeping control, trapped into long-term goals, unhelpful mental imagery, and self-harm alters the experience and anticipation of rewards and goal attainment. Most young people reported enjoying conditional rewards and working towards long-term goals that tend to be unattainable and beyond their control. Imagining these goals was experienced as unhelpful by most. For all young people, periods of self-harm thwarted enjoyment and goal achievement, shifted the preference to short-term immediate gratification, including from self-harm behaviour, and devalued long-term goals. However, our data cannot determine if these experiences are specific to young people who self-harm. Conclusions. Our findings indicate that the reciprocal relationship between motivational processes and self-harm behaviour in young people warrants further investigation. Helping individuals develop more adaptive rewards and goals, including appreciation of short-term goals and use of motivational mental imagery, could represent valued support for young people with self-harm. Full article