Search Results (4,183)

Sloman and Rabb found support for the existence of the community of knowledge (CK) effect, which occurs when individuals are more likely to report understanding and being able to explain even fake scientific information when told that an expert understands the information. To date, no studies have been conducted that attempted to replicate original findings, let alone test the presence of the CK effect in realistic, legal scenarios. Therefore, Study One replicated original CK effect studies in a jury-eligible M-Turk sample (N = 291) using both Sloman and Rabb’s experimental stimuli as well as new stimuli. Study Two then tested the presence of the CK effect using scientific testimony in a mock court hearing from a forensic evaluator (N = 396). Not only did the CK effect improve laypeople’s perceptions of the scientific information in court, but it also improved their perceptions of the expert witness’s credibility, increased the weight assigned to the scientific information, and increased the weight assigned to the expert testimony. This effect was mediated by participants’ perceived similarity to the expert, supporting the theory behind the CK effect. These studies have important implications for the use of scientific information in court, which are discussed. Full article

This study examines the influence of mass media on the career choices of high school students from Brașov County, Romania, with a focus on their underlying motivational factors. Employing a quantitative design, it draws on data from a standardized questionnaire completed by 1314 students from local high schools. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used in the analysis. While some students identify mass media as a key source of career guidance, documentaries and career fairs are more frequently cited as trusted sources. Students’ perceptions of mass media are ambivalent: 55.1% see it as manipulative, while 41.7% and 24.7% acknowledge its informative and educational roles. Personal motivation emerges as the most significant influence, with 64.8% guided by individual talents and abilities, compared to a lower influence from family or media role models. Correlational analysis highlights the importance of personal development, creativity, and collaboration in career motivation. This study suggests that mass media indirectly shapes students’ aspirations by reinforcing values like social recognition, mobility, and identity. Finally, it reveals a strong link between career interest and expectations for respectful, stable, and growth-oriented work environments, pointing to a pragmatic orientation toward professional sustainability. Full article

Objectives: Diabetes Mellitus involves demanding challenges that interfere with family functioning and routines. In turn, family and social context impacts individual glycemic control. This study aims to identify this recursive interplay, the mutual influences of family systems and diabetes management. Design: Data was collected through a cross-sectional design comparing patients, aged 22–55, with and without metabolic control. Methods: Participants filled out a set of self-report measures of sociodemographic, clinical and family systems assessment. Patients (91) were also invited to describe their perception about disease management interference regarding family functioning. We first examined the extent to which family variables grouped dataset to determine if there were similarities and dissimilarities that fit with our initial diabetic groups’ classification. Results: Cluster analysis results identify a two-cluster solution validating initial classification of two groups of patients: 49 with metabolic control (MC) and 42 without metabolic control (NoMC). Independent sample tests suggested statistically significant differences between groups in family subscales- family difficulties and family communication (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression shed light on predictors of explained variance to no metabolic control, in four models: Sociodemographic, Clinical data, SCORE-15/Congruence Scale and Eating Behavior. Furthermore, groups differ on family support, level and sources of family conflict caused by diabetes management issues. Considering only patients who co-habit with a partner for more than one year (N = 44), NoMC patients score lower on marital functioning in all categories (p < 0.05). Discussion: Family-Chronic illness interaction plays a significant role in a patient’s adherence to treatment. This study highlights the Standards of Medical Care for Diabetes, considering caregivers and family members on diabetes care. Full article

Fertility is considered a significant demographic concern, especially in relation to climate change. This study examines how awareness of climate change, measured by five subscales—climate-friendly behavior, knowledge, personal concern, attitude, and multiplicative action—affects fertility intentions, emphasizing the mediating role of threat perception. Data were collected through an online survey administered to a sample of 817 Palestinian citizens aged 18–49 residing in the West Bank. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized for the data analysis. The results revealed that climate change awareness does not directly affect fertility intentions. However, an indirect effect of climate change awareness on fertility intentions was observed, mediated by threat perception as an intervening variable. Individuals exhibiting increased awareness of climate change and perceptions of future risks demonstrated a greater likelihood of reducing their fertility intentions compared to others. Policymakers in the Palestinian territories should prioritize enhancing public awareness regarding climate change and its associated short- and long-term threats. Therefore, incorporating climate education and associated risks into fertility health programs is essential. Full article

The proliferation of social media has paradoxically facilitated the widespread dissemination of fake news, impacting individuals, politics, economics, and society as a whole. Despite the increasing scholarly research on this phenomenon, a significant gap exists regarding its dynamics in developing countries, particularly how predictors of fake news sharing interact, rather than merely their net effects. To acquire a more nuanced understanding of fake news sharing behavior, we propose identifying the direct and complex interplay among key variables by utilizing a dual analytical framework, leveraging Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for linear relationships and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to uncover asymmetric patterns. Specifically, we investigate the influence of news-find-me orientation, social media trust, information-sharing tendencies, and status-seeking motivation on the propensity of fake news sharing behavior. Additionally, we delve into the moderating influence of social media literacy on these observed effects. Based on a cross-sectional survey of 1028 Haitian social media users, the SEM analysis revealed that news-find-me perception had a negative but statistically insignificant influence on fake news sharing behavior. In contrast, information sharing exhibited a significant negative association. Trust in social media was positively and significantly linked to fake news sharing behavior. Meanwhile, status-seeking motivation was positively associated with fake news sharing behavior, although the association did not reach statistical significance. Crucially, social media literacy moderated the effects of trust and information sharing. Interestingly, fsQCA identified three core configurations for fake news sharing: (1) low status seeking, (2) low information-sharing tendencies, and (3) a unique interaction of low “news-find-me” orientation and high social media trust. Furthermore, low social media literacy emerged as a direct core configuration. These findings support the urgent need to prioritize social media literacy as a key intervention in combating the dissemination of fake news. Full article

Pediatric palliative care (PPC) aims to enhance the quality of life of children with life-limiting conditions and their families through individualized, interdisciplinary support. Among this population, children with neurological diseases represent a substantial and growing group, often facing prolonged disease courses, cognitive impairment, and high prognostic uncertainty. Effective communication is central to PPC; however, it remains deeply influenced by cultural, religious, and spiritual frameworks that shape family perceptions of illness, suffering, and decision-making. This narrative review explores communication strategies in PPC, with a specific focus on children with neurological conditions, highlighting conceptual foundations, cross-cultural variations, and emerging best practices. Key findings highlight the importance of culturally humble approaches, family-centered communication models, and structured tools, such as co-designed advance care planning and dignity therapy, to enhance communication. Additionally, the review highlights the presence of ethical and interdisciplinary challenges, particularly in neonatal and neurology settings, where misaligned team messaging and institutional hesitancy may compromise trust and timely referral to palliative care. Future research, policy, and clinical education priorities should advocate for models that are inclusive, ethically grounded, and tailored to the unique trajectories of neurologically ill children. Integrating cultural competence, team alignment, and family voices is essential for delivering equitable and compassionate PPC across diverse care settings. Full article

Background: This cross-sectional study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and executive function (EF) in older adults, with a focus on the moderating role of attitudes toward own aging (ATOA). Method: A total of 431 community-dwelling elderly individuals from Yakumo Town and Kyoto City, Japan, participated between 2023 and 2024. EF was assessed using the Digit Cancellation Test (D-CAT), and ATOA was measured via a validated subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for demographic and health covariates revealed a significant interaction between BMI and ATOA in the younger-old cohort. Specifically, higher BMI was associated with lower executive function only in individuals with lower ATOA scores. No such association was observed in those with more positive views on aging. Conclusions: These results indicate that positive psychological constructs, particularly favorable self-perceptions of aging, may serve as protective factors against the detrimental cognitive consequences of increased body mass index in younger-old populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia often face considerable psychological and physical strain due to the complexity of caregiving. Although psychoeducation has demonstrated benefits in alleviating this burden, its provision via telenursing remains underexplored in Saudi Arabia. This study evaluated the effect of a psychoeducational program delivered via telenursing on reducing caregiver burden. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used with 60 caregivers from a tertiary mental health hospital in northern Saudi Arabia, who were divided equally into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in a structured four-week psychoeducational program via Zoom, while the control group received routine care. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS), a validated tool designed to measure the objective and subjective burden experienced by family members caring for individuals with mental illness. The FBIS was administered before and three months after the intervention. The statistical analysis included independent and paired t-tests and ANOVA. Results: The pre-intervention scores showed no significant differences, confirming baseline equivalence. The post-intervention scores showed a significant reduction in burden among the intervention group (p < 0.001), while no meaningful change occurred in the control group. Additionally, a lower burden was associated with higher education, sufficient income (i.e., the caregiver’s perception of being able to meet essential household expenses without financial strain), strong family support, and absence of caregiver illness. Conclusions: These findings suggest that psychoeducation through telenursing is an effective strategy for reducing caregiver burden and improving support accessibility, particularly for those in remote areas. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effect of organizational culture on employee-perceived performance and whether this relationship is mediated by perceived organizational support and moderated by employee motivation. Three hundred individuals working in organizations located in Portugal and Angola participated in this study. This is a quantitative, exploratory, correlational, and cross-sectional study. The results indicate that only goal culture, rule culture, affective organizational support perception, and identified motivation have a positive and significant effect on perceived performance. Supportive culture and goal culture have a positive and significant effect on affective organizational support perception. All dimensions of organizational culture have a significant effect on cognitive organizational support perception, with the effects of the supportive culture and the goal culture being positive and significant, while the effects of the innovative culture and the rule culture are negative and significant. The perception of affective organizational support has a total mediating effect on the relationship between goal culture and perceived performance. Intrinsic motivation and identified motivation have a moderating effect on the relationship between all dimensions of organizational culture and perceived performance. This study is expected to help human resource managers understand the importance of the type of organizational culture that prevails in their organization to enhance employees’ perception of organizational support and performance. Full article

Globally, technologically integrated housing solutions are increasingly relevant in addressing the challenges of aging populations and sustainable urban development. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research investigates how perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and attitudes influence relocation intention to smart retirement villages (SRVs), while also examining any significant differences between the socio-demographic variables and such intention. A total of 305 individuals aged 55 and above participated in an online survey, with data analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 and AMOS-SEM version 25. The findings reveal that elderly individuals of Chinese ethnicity, those who are married, and those aged between 66 and 70 are more inclined to relocate to SRVs. Attitude and perceived usefulness significantly predict relocation intention, while perceived ease of use exerts an indirect effect through usefulness. These results highlight the importance of integrating user-centered technological design with socio-cultural and demographic considerations in the development of age-friendly built environments. The study offers insights for urban planners, policymakers, and developers seeking to create inclusive and sustainable smart housing solutions for aging populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing incidence rates of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), particularly in fair-skinned populations, call for efforts to intensify health education of the general population in addressing this prevalent skin cancer type. As a preparatory step, this systematic review summarizes the published research on the knowledge and risk perception regarding KC among individuals without medical training. Methods: The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024618851) and adheres to PRISMA guidelines. The databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycArticles, and PsycINFO were searched on 30 July 2024. Studies were eligible if knowledge and/or risk perception was assessed in lay people. Risk of bias (ROB) was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for prevalence studies. Comparable outcomes (e.g., awareness of terms for KC) were meta-analyzed. Results: Included reports (n = 17) were published between 1991 and 2024 with 16,728 individuals assessed. Awareness for the most common type of KC, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), was low (20.75% of respondents (95% confidence interval (CI): 15.24–27.61)), while more respondents were familiar with colloquial terms (60.9–72.8%). Meta-analysis indicated an underestimation of the frequency of KC, with only 7.21% (CI: 4.03–12.58) identifying BCC as the most common type of skin cancer. Furthermore, concern about developing KC as assessed in only two overlapping studies was reported by only 25–30% of respondents, indicating a significant gap in risk awareness and a lack of research on risk perception regarding KC. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for targeted health education interventions to improve knowledge and preventive behaviors regarding KC. Given the limitations of the included studies, characterized by high ROB, heterogeneity of results, and a lack of standardized assessment tools, further research is essential to enhance the understanding and awareness of KC in diverse populations. Full article

The green renovation of existing residential buildings is a key way for the construction industry to achieve sustainable development and the dual carbon goals of China, which makes it urgent to make collaborative decisions among multiple stakeholders. However, because of divergent interests and risk perceptions among governments, energy service companies (ESCOs), and owners, the implementation of green renovation is hindered by numerous obstacles. In this study, we integrated prospect theory and evolutionary game theory by incorporating core prospect-theory parameters such as loss aversion and perceived value sensitivity, and developed a psychologically informed tripartite evolutionary game model. The objective was to provide a theoretical foundation and analytical framework for collaborative governance among stakeholders. Numerical simulations were conducted to validate the model’s effectiveness and explore how government regulation intensity, subsidy policies, market competition, and individual psychological factors influence the system’s evolutionary dynamics. The findings indicate that (1) government regulation and subsidy policies play central guiding roles in the early stages of green renovation, but the effectiveness has clear limitations; (2) ESCOs are most sensitive to policy incentives and market competition, and moderately increasing their risk costs can effectively deter opportunistic behavior associated with low-quality renovation; (3) owners’ willingness to participate is primarily influenced by expected returns and perceived renovation risks, while economic incentives alone have limited impact; and (4) the evolutionary outcomes are highly sensitive to parameters from prospect theory, The system’s evolutionary outcomes are highly sensitive to prospect theory parameters. High levels of loss aversion (λ) and loss sensitivity (β) tend to drive the system into a suboptimal equilibrium characterized by insufficient demand, while high gain sensitivity (α) serves as a key driving force for the system’s evolution toward the ideal equilibrium. This study offers theoretical support for optimizing green renovation policies for existing residential buildings in China and provides practical recommendations for improving market competition mechanisms, thereby promoting the healthy development of the green renovation market. Full article

Background/Objectives: Perceptions of obesity critically influence people’s eating behaviors and responses to food stimuli. However, few studies have investigated the impact of negative body perception on behavioral and neural responses to food stimuli. This study investigates how elevated body dissatisfaction modulates food-related inhibitory control. Methods: Fifty-one participants comprising three cohorts—overweight/obese individuals (OO), normal-weight participants exhibiting high negative body image (HNN), and healthy controls—performed a food-specific inhibitory control task under EEG recording. Results: The results showed that the HNN cohort achieved superior no-go accuracy and enhanced inhibitory control compared to controls. An event-related potentials (ERPs) analysis revealed increased conflict detection (P200) for high-calorie foods and reduced conflict resolution (LPP) in the HNN group, similar to the overweight/obese group. A multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) identified earlier neural discrimination in the HNN group, suggesting more efficient inhibitory processing. Conclusions: These findings underscore negative body perception as a critical modulator of food-related cognitive control mechanisms. Full article

(1) Background: This article aims to understand the forms and elements through which the inhabitants of the city of Medellin have configured their subjectivity in the context of the application of neoliberal policies in the last two decades. In this way, we can approach the frameworks of understanding that constitute a fundamental part of the individuation processes in which the incorporation of their subjectivities is evidenced in neoliberal contexts that, in the historical process, have been converging with authoritarian, antidemocratic and neoconservative elements. (2) Method: A qualitative approach with a hermeneutic-interpretative paradigm was used. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 inhabitants of Medellín who were politically identified with right-wing or center-right positions. Data analysis included thematic coding to identify patterns of thought and points of view. (3) Results: Participants associate success with individual effort and see state intervention as an obstacle to development. They reject redistributive policies, arguing that they generate dependency. In addition, they justify authoritarian models of government in the name of security and progress, from a moral superiority, which is related to a negative and stigmatizing perception of progressive sectors and a negative view of the social rule of law and public policies with social sense. (4) Conclusions: The naturalization of merit as a guiding principle, the perception of themselves as morally superior based on religious values that grant a subjective place of certainty and goodness; the criminalization of expressions of political leftism, mobilizations and redistributive reforms and support for policies that establish authoritarianism and perpetuate exclusion and structural inequalities, closes roads to a participatory democracy that enables social and economic transformations. Full article

Chronic musculoskeletal pain negatively affects patients’ quality of life, and pain perceptions may significantly influence rehabilitation outcomes. This study investigated the relationships among pain intensity, pain perceptions, and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. No previous studies have examined these variables in combination. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 37 participants with non-specific chronic musculoskeletal pain for at least 6 months, affecting the neck (n = 8), lower back (n = 18), upper limbs (n = 5), lower limbs (n = 5), or shoulder (n = 1). The following validated tools were used: (a) Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI), (b) the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), and (c) the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Spearman r correlation analyses were performed. Total kinesiophobia scores were positively correlated with (a) total pain intensity (McGill score) (r = 0.37, p = 0.022), (b) present pain intensity (PPI) (r = 0.52, p = 0.001), (c) pain duration (r = 0.51, p = 0.001), (d) the “mystery” factor of pain perception (r = 0.41, p = 0.013), and (e) the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (r = 0.42, p = 0.009). The total pain perception scores were positively associated with the “fear of injury” factor of kinesiophobia (r = 0.36, p = 0.028). The McGill pain scores were strongly correlated with both PPI (r = 0.63, p = 0.001) and VAS (r = 0.51, p = 0.001). There is a significant relationship between pain perception and kinesiophobia levels in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Limitations of the study include a small and heterogeneous sample regarding pain localization. Further research is required using larger, more homogeneous populations to confirm the present findings. Full article