Search Results (813)

Introduction: The main purpose of this study was to test a hierarchical model of motivation that integrates Achievement Goal Theory and Self-Determination Theory to explain and predict exercise adherence. Method: In total, 2180 exercisers (1020 female, 1160 male) aged between 18 and 60 years, from different gyms and health clubs, completed several scales validated in exercise settings, regarding perceived motivational climate, basic psychological need satisfaction, behavioral regulation, and exercise adherence. For the last measure, weekly computer access to a control system over a 6-month period before and after data collection was consulted. Results: Through structural equation models (SEM), it was verified that (1) task-involving climate positively predicted basic psychological needs. In turn, the satisfaction of these needs predicted autonomous motivation, which led to a positive prediction of adherence; (2) a small variation in exercise adherence was explained by the motivational model under analysis. Nevertheless, models significantly improved their analytical power when past adherence was inserted in the model increasing the explained variance in future behavior from 9.2% to 64%. Conclusions: In conclusion, autonomous motivation can predict people’s exercise adherence, and past behavior increases that predictive effect. The present study brings scientific evidence to the popular saying “tell me what you’ve done and, and I’ll predict what you’ll do”. Full article

The Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a single-stranded, segmented RNA virus belonging to the Nairoviridae family, and it is rapidly expanding across Africa, Asia, and southern Europe, probably favored by climate change and livestock trade. Its fatality rate in humans reaches up to 40%, and there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available. Therefore, the development of therapies against CCHFV is essential, and their design requires understanding of the molecular evolution and genetic distribution of the virus. Motivated by these concerns, we present a comprehensive review of the molecular evolution, genetic characterization, and phylogeography of CCHFV, and we discuss their potential implications for therapeutic design. Specifically, we describe the virus’s capacity to increase its genetic diversity through numerous mutations, recombination events, and genomic reassortments, which affect fundamental viral functions such as RNA binding, host–virus interactions, viral entry, and polymerase activity. We also assess the presence of temporal heterogeneous rates of evolution and molecular adaptation among CCHFV coding regions, where purifying selection is generally predominant but diversifying selection is observed in molecular regions associated with host adaptation and transmission. We emphasize the importance of understanding the complex molecular evolution of CCHFV for the rational design of therapies and highlight the need for efforts in surveillance, evolutionary prediction, and therapeutic development. Full article

Background: Human activity is recognised as a major contributor to changes in Earth’s climate, land surface, oceans, ecosystems, and biodiversity. These alterations are largely due to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, mass pollution, and land degradation. In light of these environmental challenges, examining the psychological determinants of pro-environmental behaviour has become increasingly important. Study’s Aim: To provide a comprehensive model evaluating the structural relationships among biospheric values, green self-identity, green self-efficacy, and eco-anxiety to investigate the underlying mechanisms relating to the adoption of various pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs). Methods: An online self-report questionnaire was completed by 510 Italian participants (aged 18–55, M = 35.18, SD = 12.58) between November and December 2023. Data analysis was performed using R statistical software, employing Structural Equation Modelling. Results: The results indicate that eco-anxiety, green self-efficacy, and green self-identity are significant positive predictors of PEBs. Furthermore, green self-identity significantly influences eco-anxiety and green self-efficacy, while biospheric values are a major trigger for both green self-efficacy and green self-identity, but not for eco-anxiety. Conclusions: These findings suggest that while eco-anxiety can be an adaptive motivator for PEBs, biospheric values foster a green self-identity and self-efficacy, which in turn drive pro-environmental actions. The study concludes that encouraging biospheric values and strong green self-identity is crucial for promoting sustainable behaviours. Full article

The environmental detriments of the growing global production and overconsumption of beef, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, are well-documented. However, public awareness of how dietary choices affect the environment remains limited. This study examines sustainability views on beef consumption and the potential for behavioral change as a step toward more sustainable intake levels. An observational web-based survey was conducted (n = 1367) to assess respondents’ current beef intake frequency, views on beef consumption related to planetary health, tropical deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change, and willingness to modify beef consumption behavior. Chi-square tests were used for group comparisons, and weighted average scores were applied to rank levels of resistance to reducing beef intake. Environmental concern related to beef consumption was associated with greater beef cutback intentions and lower long-term intake reduction resistance amongst beef eaters. Beef eaters who strongly agreed that global beef consumption negatively impacts the environment were considerably more likely to express intentions to reduce their long-term beef intake compared to those who strongly disagreed (94.4% vs. 19.6%). Overall, 76.6% of beef eaters indicated wanting to eat less beef or phase it out entirely (30.7% reduce, 29.4% minimize, 16.6% stop), with only 23.4% of them intending to keep their consumption unchanged. Compelling messages that help translate awareness into action, such as the #NoBeefWeek concept explored in this study, may support individuals in adopting more sustainable food choices. These cross-national findings provide evidence for a ‘knowledge–intent’ gap in sustainable diet research, with relevance for health communicators and policymakers. Future research could examine the factors and motivations influencing decisions to modify beef consumption, including the barriers to achieving sustainable consumption levels and the role of suitable alternatives in facilitating this transition. Full article

Muslims are religiously obligated to care for the Earth, yet little empirical research exists on how Muslim communities in the U.S. engage with climate change. This study used a mixed-methods approach to explore climate change knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among 82 Muslims in Knoxville, Tennessee, building on prior theoretical or internationally focused work. Results found that participants largely accepted anthropogenic climate change and were strongly willing to act, citing Islamic principles such as stewardship and divine accountability as key motivators. However, many felt underinformed and lacked clarity on how to take action. Religious texts, more than religious leaders, shaped environmental views, offering interpretations that both aligned with and diverged from scientific narratives. Education and personal experience were the most frequently cited sources of climate understanding. Religion emerged as an important source of climate knowledge and a filter through which scientific information was interpreted. The knowledge and environmental attitudes inspired by their religion guided many participants to mitigate climate impacts, although some expressed a more fatalistic view of climate change. These findings suggest that effective climate communication in Muslim communities should integrate faith-based teachings with scientific messaging and engage religious leaders as amplifiers. Expanding this research to include more diverse Muslim populations across the U.S. can provide deeper insight into how Islamic worldviews shape climate engagement and behavior. Full article

In the anti-immigrant national context of the first Trump administration, what motivated Latine immigrants in Texas to pursue naturalization? Based on 31 Spanish and English semi-structured interviews conducted during 2017–2019, we examine how lawful permanent residents’ (LPRs’) perceptions of contemporary immigration policy and their social rights affect their motivations to naturalize. Surprisingly, we find that although fear of deportation was an extremely common motivation, it was rarely the residents’ primary motivation. When asked why they wanted to naturalize, our respondents expressed four primary motivations grounded in their claims for social rights: proactive (gain the right to vote, benefit the group), pragmatic (expedite family reunification, access better jobs, benefit the individual), defensive (protect against deportation), and emotional (formalize a sense of belonging). Although 60 percent of interview subjects mentioned some defensive motivations, citing the current national and state political climate as hostile to immigrants, it was the least common primary motivation for naturalization; that is, they named another motivation first as their most important reason for naturalizing. The need to naturalize to protect their social rights in a shifting political context is a strong subtext to subjects’ narratives about why they choose to become citizens. Defensive motivations undergird all other motivations, but the national hostile climate is moderated by relatively positive local interactions with law enforcement and the larger community. Full article

Background: This review explores the influence of eco-anxiety on sustainable consumption, with a specific focus on the urban context. While the literature on green consumerism continues to expand, the role of emotional and psychological factors, especially eco-anxiety, in shaping sustainable consumption decisions remains underexplored. Most existing studies emphasize cognitive, social, or contextual drivers, often overlooking affective dimensions that may significantly influence consumer behavior. Addressing this gap, the review examines how emotional responses to climate change, such as eco-anxiety, inform and potentially motivate eco-friendly consumption patterns. Understanding these affective pathways offers valuable insights on how individuals and urban communities can effectively adapt to climate change and establish a sustainable consumption culture. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Sciences databases, following a predefined keyword strategy, resulting in 56 initial records. We further implemented a supplementary search of gray literature on Google Scholar to search for additional reports. The full-text screening process identified 12 eligible studies based on the following inclusion criteria: quantitative or mixed-methods studies focusing on adult and young adult individuals, including both measures of eco-anxiety and green consumption and assessing their direct or indirect relationship. Results: Findings suggest that eco-anxiety functions as a cognitive–affective motivator for sustainable consumer choices; however, the strength and direction of this influence appear contingent on moderating emotional and psychological variables and cross-cultural and demographic moderators. Discussion: This review highlights the need for urban-focused intervention tailored communication, marketing, and business strategies that address the emotional dimensions of climate change. Policymakers and businesses are encouraged to consider affective drivers as eco-anxiety to promote sustainable consumption stewardship within urban communities. By addressing these psychological responses, urban societies can become more resilient and proactive in confronting climate change challenges. Full article

This study introduces Edible Streets as a distinct and scalable model of community-led urban food growing, specifically investigating the drivers and barriers to the initiative. Unlike traditional urban food-growing initiatives, Edible Streets explores the integration of edible plants into street verges and footpaths with direct community involvement of the people who live/work in a street. This study contributes new knowledge by evaluating Edible Streets through the COM-B model of behavioural change, through policy and governance in addition to behaviour change, and by developing practical frameworks to facilitate its implementation. Focusing on Oxford, the research engaged residents through 17 in-person interviews and 18 online surveys, alongside a stakeholder workshop with 21 policymakers, community leaders, and NGO representatives. Findings revealed strong motivation for Edible Streets, driven by values of sustainability, community resilience, and improved well-being. However, capability barriers, including knowledge gaps in gardening, land-use policies, and food preservation, as well as opportunity constraints related to land access, water availability, and environmental challenges, hindered participation. To address these, a How-to Guide was developed, and a pilot Edible Street project was launched. Future steps include establishing a licensing application model to facilitate urban food growing and conducting a Post-Use Evaluation and Impact Study. Nationally, this model could support Right to Grow policies, while globally, it aligns with climate resilience and food security goals. Locally grown food enhances biodiversity, reduces carbon footprints, and strengthens social cohesion. By tackling key barriers and scaling solutions, this study provides actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners to create resilient, equitable urban food systems. Full article

What motivates industrial companies to decarbonise? While climate policy has intensified, the specific factors driving corporate decisions remain underexplored. This article addresses that gap through a mixed-methods study combining qualitative insights from a leading automotive supplier with quantitative data from over 800 manufacturing companies in Germany. The study distinguishes between internal motivators—such as risk reduction, future-proofing, and competitive positioning—and external drivers like regulation, supply chain pressure, and investor expectations. Results show that internal economic logic is the strongest trigger: companies act more ambitiously when decarbonisation aligns with their strategic interests. Positive motivators outperform external drivers in both influence and impact on ambition levels. For instance, long-term cost risks were rated more relevant than reputational gains or regulatory compliance. The analysis also reveals how company size, energy intensity, and supply chain position shape motivation patterns. The findings suggest a new framing for climate policy: rather than relying solely on mandates, policies should strengthen intrinsic motivators. Aligning business interests with societal goals is not only possible—it is a pathway to more ambitious, resilient, and timely decarbonisation. By turning external pressure into internal logic, companies can move from compliance to leadership in the climate transition. Full article

The accelerating climate crisis demands innovative approaches that address both systemic drivers of environmental degradation and the psychological barriers to sustained pro-environmental action. Traditional climate communication often relies on fear-based messaging, which risks triggering eco-anxiety, disengagement, or paralysis, ultimately underlying long-term behavioral change. This paper proposes mindfulness as an evidence-based alternative to foster sustained pro-environmental behavior (PEB) by integrating insights from neurocognitive science, self-determination theory (SDT), and social diffusion theory. We present a novel framework outlining five pathways through which mindfulness cultivates PEB: (1) enhanced emotional regulation, (2) intrinsic motivation and value-behavior alignment, (3) nature connectedness, (4) collective action, and (5) cognitive flexibility. Critically, we examine structural barriers to scaling mindfulness interventions—including inequities, commercialization risks, and the individualism paradox—and propose mitigation strategies grounded in empirical research. By bridging contemplative science with sustainability praxis, this work advances SDG-aligned strategies (SDG 12, 13) that prioritize both inner resilience and systemic change. It offers a roadmap for research and practice beyond fear-based approaches. Full article

This study aims to identify and quantify the critical factors influencing construction labor productivity. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024 were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. This study synthesizes findings from a variety of global studies and calculates the relative importance index of various factors affecting construction labor productivity. The findings indicate that 66 CFs, categorized into 12 groups, influence construction labor productivity. The results findings underscore the pivotal role of labor-related factors, particularly “worker experience and skills”, and site management factors, such as “competent supervisors” and “effective communication”. Additionally, environmental factors, such as “weather conditions”, have been demonstrated to play a significant role. The meta-analysis identified substantial regional variations and an increasing importance of factors like worker motivation and technological advancements. Moreover, in light of the evident disparities among regional influential factors, including but not limited to climate, economics, and culture, the findings of this study underscore the imperative for customized, localized management methodologies to enhance construction labor productivity, which will provide practical suggestions for project managers in the region and globally. Full article

Objective: There is growing interest in analyzing whether ethical climates influence the emotional states of organizational members. For this reason, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between a benevolent ethical climate, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization, taking into account the mediating effect of job autonomy. Methodology: To evaluate the research hypotheses, data were collected from 448 people belonging to six organizations in the Colombian electricity sector. Statistical analysis was performed using two structural equation models (SEMs). Results: The results show that a benevolent climate and its three dimensions (friendship, group interest, and corporate social responsibility) mitigate the negative effect of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. A work environment focused on people and society triggers positive moods that prevent the loss of valuable psychological resources. On the other hand, job autonomy is a mechanism that has a direct impact on the emotional well-being of employees. Therefore, being able to intentionally direct one’s own sources of energy and motivation prevents an imbalance between resources and demands that blocks the potential effect of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Practical implications: This study has important practical implications. First, an ethical climate that seeks to build a caring environment needs to strengthen emotional communication among employees through a high perception of support. Second, organizations need to grow and achieve strategic objectives from a perspective of solidarity. Third, a benevolent ethical climate needs to be nurtured by professionals with a clear vocation for service and a preference for interacting with people. Finally, job autonomy must be accompanied by the necessary time management skills. Social implications: This study highlights the importance to society of an ethical climate based on friendship, group interest, and corporate social responsibility. In a society with a marked tendency to disengage from collective problems, it is essential to make decisions that take into account the well-being of others. Originality/value: This research responds to recent calls for more studies to identify organizational contexts capable of mitigating the negative effects of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Full article

Against the backdrop of evolving global climate patterns, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased significantly, posing unprecedented threats to agricultural production. This change has particularly profound impacts on agricultural systems in developing countries, making the enhancement of farmers’ capacity to withstand extreme weather events a crucial component for achieving sustainable agricultural development. As an essential safeguard for agricultural production, agricultural insurance plays an indispensable role in risk management. However, a pronounced gap persists between policy aspirations and actual adoption rates among farmers in developing economies. This study employs the integrated theory of planned behavior (TPB) and protection motivation theory (PMT) to construct an analytical framework incorporating psychological, socio-cultural, and risk-perception factors. Using Jiangsu Province—a representative high-risk agricultural region in China—as a case study, we administered 608 structured questionnaires to farmers. Structural equation modeling was applied to identify determinants influencing insurance adoption decisions. The findings reveal that farmers’ agricultural insurance purchase decisions are influenced by multiple factors. At the individual level, risk perception promotes purchase intention by activating protection motivation, while cost–benefit assessment enables farmers to make rational evaluations. At the social level, subjective norms can significantly enhance farmers’ purchase intention. Further analysis indicates that perceived severity indirectly enhances purchase intention by positively influencing attitude, while response costs negatively affect purchase intention by weakening perceived behavior control. Although challenges such as cognitive gaps and product mismatch exist in the intention-behavior transition, institutional trust can effectively mitigate these issues. It not only strengthens the positive impact of psychological factors on purchase intention, but also significantly facilitates the transformation of purchase intention into actual behavior. To promote targeted policy interventions for agricultural insurance, we propose corresponding policy recommendations from the perspective of public intervention based on the research findings. Full article

The University of the Balearic Islands is undertaking a significant energy transition toward a zero-emissions model, motivated by escalating energy costs and strong institutional commitments to climate neutrality. This study investigates the technical and operational feasibility of deploying 7.1 MWp of photovoltaic capacity across the campus, integrated with Li-FePO₄ battery systems and thermal energy storage. Through a detailed analysis of hourly energy demand, PV generation profiles, and storage constraints, the research evaluates how these technologies can be optimized to meet campus needs. A linear optimization model is applied to assess system performance under the constraint of a 3 MW grid export limit. Furthermore, the potential of demand-side electrification, implemented via a centralized HVAC plant and a 4th–5th generation district heating and cooling network, is analyzed in terms of its ability to maximize on-site PV self-consumption and reduce reliance on grid electricity during non-generation periods. Full article

A clear understanding of drought perceptions and adaptation behaviors adopted by farmers is an important way to cope with climate change and achieve sustainable agricultural development. Karst is a type of landscape where the dissolving of the bedrock has created sinkholes, sinking streams, caves, springs, and other characteristic features. The study took the Huajiang karst dry-hot river valley area located in the southwestern part of Guizhou as the study area and used questionnaire survey method, the index of perception and the diversity index of adaptation strategy to explore the risk perception, adaptation perception and adaptation behavior of farmers to non-climatic droughts in the subtropical karst dry-hot valleys. A total of 530 questionnaires were distributed and 520 were returned. The results show that (1) the farmers’ risk perception of drought is stronger than adaptation perception, which shows that although farmers are well aware of the possible risks posed by drought, their subjective initiative and motivation to adapt to drought are weaker; (2) in the face of drought, farmers prioritize selected non-farm measures for adaptation, followed by crop management and finally water resource management; and (3) compared to farmers in arid and semi-arid regions, those in karst hot-dry river valleys exhibit distinct adaptive behaviors in response to drought, particularly in water resource management. Full article