Search Results (799)

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

Today, ‘social sustainability’ is a key feature of many organisations’ environmental, social, and governance strategies, as well as underpinning sustainable development goals. The term refers to the implementation of targets such as reduced societal inequalities, the promotion of social well-being, and the practice of positive community relations. Building a meaningful, accountable, and quantifiable evidence-base from which to translate these high-level concepts into tangible and achievable goals is, however, challenging. The complexities of measuring social capital—often described as a building block of social sustainability—have been documented. The challenge lies in measuring the person, group, or collective in interaction with the context under investigation, whether that be a climate goal, an institution, or a national policy. Social identity theory is a social psychological approach that articulates the processes through which an individual internalises the values, norms, and behaviours of their contexts. Levels of social identification—a concept capturing the state of internalisation—have been shown to be predictive of outcomes as diverse as communication and cognition, trust and citizenship, leadership and compliance, and health and well-being. Applying this perspective to the articulation and measurement of social sustainability provides an opportunity to build an empirical approach with which to reliably translate this high-level concept into achievable outcomes. Full article

Understanding the social drivers of pro-environmental behavior in urban forests and green spaces is critical for addressing sustainability challenges. Subjective norms serve as a key pathway through which social expectations influence individuals’ behavioral intentions. Despite mixed findings in the literature regarding the impact of subjective norms on individuals’ intentions, there is a research gap about the determinants of this construct. This study was conducted to explore how social expectations shape perceived subjective norms among visitors of urban forests. A theoretical model was developed with subjective norms at its center, incorporating their predictors including social identity, media influence, interpersonal influence, and institutional trust, personal norms as a mediator, and behavioral intention as the outcome variable. Using structural equation modeling, data was collected and analyzed from a sample of visitors of urban forests in Tehran, Iran. The results revealed that subjective norms play a central mediating role in linking external social factors to behavioral intention. Social identity emerged as the strongest predictor of subjective norms, followed by media and interpersonal influence, while institutional trust had no significant effect. Subjective norms significantly influenced both personal norms and intentions, and personal norms also directly predicted intention. The model explained 50.9% of the variance in subjective norms and 39.0% in behavioral intention, highlighting its relatively high explanatory power. These findings underscore the importance of social context and internalized norms in shaping sustainable behavior. Policy and managerial implications suggest that strategies should prioritize community-based identity reinforcement, media engagement, and peer influence over top-down institutional messaging. This study contributes to environmental psychology and the behavior change literature by offering an integrated, empirically validated model. It also provides practical guidance for designing interventions that target both social and moral dimensions of environmental action. Full article

As sustainable cultural heritage tourism increasingly demonstrates its unique value and appeal, effectively stimulating tourists’ emotional experiences and value co-creation behaviors has become a focal issue. This study investigates how multiple tourist motivations (self-enhancement, escapism, and social interaction) shape value co-creation through emotional mediators—namely aesthetic, nostalgic, and flow experiences. Data were collected from 470 valid responses from visitors to the UNESCO-listed Suzhou Classical Gardens in China and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that these emotional experiences significantly drive value co-creation behavior: self-enhancement motivation enhances all three experiences, escapism mainly promotes nostalgic and flow experiences, and social interaction primarily affects aesthetic experience. These findings clarify the psychological mechanisms through which tourists’ motivations and emotional experiences influence value co-creation behavior in cultural heritage tourism. This research advances our understanding of the motivation–experience–behavior framework and emphasizes that enhancing emotional engagement is key to fostering sustainable cultural heritage tourism practices. The study provides practical implications for designing experiences and strategies that balance visitor satisfaction with the long-term vitality of cultural heritage sites and local communities, thereby contributing to broader sustainable development goals. Full article

Over the last decade, the scientific community has increasingly focused on forest-based practices for human well-being (FBPW), a term that includes all forest activities (e.g., forest bathing, forest therapy, social outdoor initiatives) important for improving people’s health and emotional status. This paper aims to develop a quantitative literature review on FBPW based on big data analysis (text mining on Scopus title and abstract) and PRISMA evaluation. The two techniques facilitate investigations across different geographic areas (major areas and geographical regions) and allow a focus on various topics. The results of text mining highlight the prominence of publications on FBPW for the improvement of human health in East Asia (e.g., Japan and South Korea). Furthermore, some specific themes developed by the literature for each geographical area emerge: urban green areas, cities, and parks in Africa; sustainable forest management and planning in the Americas; empirical studies on physiological and psychological effects of FBPW in Asia; and forest management and FBPW in Europe. PRISMA indicates a gap in studies focused on the reciprocal influences of forest variables and well-being responses. An investigation of the main physiological indicators applied in the scientific literature for the theme is also developed. The main strengths and weaknesses of the method are discussed, with suggestions for potential future lines of research. Full article

The transition to sustainable agriculture is a critical challenge for the U.S. food system. A sustainable food system must support the production of healthy and nutritious food while ensuring economic sustainability for farmers and ranchers. It should also reduce negative environmental impacts on soil, water, biodiversity, and climate, and promote equitable and inclusive access to land, farming resources, and food. This narrative review synthesizes U.S. social science literature to identify the key factors that support or impede the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in the U.S. Our analysis reveals seven overarching factors that influence producer decision-making: awareness and knowledge, social factors, psychological factors, technologies and tools, economic factors, implementation capacity, and policies and regulations. The review highlights the critical role of social science in navigating complexity and uncertainty. Key priorities emerging from the literature include developing measurable, outcome-based programs; ensuring credible communication through trusted intermediaries; and designing tailored interventions. The findings demonstrate that initiatives will succeed when they emphasize measurable benefits, address uncertainties, and develop programs that capitalize on identified opportunities while overcoming existing barriers. Full article

In the context of eco-friendly e-commerce, understanding the psychological and experiential mechanisms that drive consumers’ online purchasing behavior is essential for promoting sustainable platform development. This study aims to fill a critical gap in the literature by examining how social interaction, entertainment, and sales promotion influence consumers’ purchase intentions through the mediating roles of perceived value and immersive flow experience. Grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) theoretical framework, we developed a structural model and conducted an empirical analysis using survey data collected from 438 online shoppers. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and AMOS through SEM. The results show that social interaction and sales promotion significantly enhance both perceived value and flow experience, which in turn positively influence consumers’ purchase intentions. However, entertainment exhibits a negative and significant effect on perceived value and does not significantly affect flow experience, indicating that hedonic content may not always translate into perceived usefulness or deep engagement. Moreover, the influence of social interaction on flow experience was also found to be negative and significant, suggesting that not all forms of interaction necessarily lead to immersive experiences. These findings highlight the complex psychological dynamics in digital consumption. This study contributes original insights by integrating psychological engagement mechanisms with the goal of digital sustainability, offering practical implications for online retailers aiming to enhance user engagement and platform longevity through experience-driven strategies. Full article

Individual willingness to pay (WTP) for green energy plays a vital role in mitigating climate change. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), which emphasizes the dynamic interaction among individual cognition, behavior and the environment, this study develops a theoretical model to identify factors influencing green energy WTP. The study is based on 585 valid questionnaire responses from urban areas in China and uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to reveal the linear causal path. Meanwhile, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) is utilized to identify the combined paths of multiple conditions leading to a high WTP, making up for the limitations of SEM in explaining complex mechanisms. The SEM analysis shows that social trust, social networks, and social norms have a significant positive impact on individual green energy WTP. And this influence is further transmitted through the mediating role of environmental self-efficacy and expectations of environmental outcomes. The FsQCA results identified three combined paths of social capital and environmental cognitive conditions, including the Network–Norm path, the Network–efficacy path and the Network–Outcome path, all of which can achieve a high level of green energy WTP. Among them, the social networks are a core condition in every path and a key element for enhancing the high green energy WTP. This study promotes the expansion of SCT, from emphasizing the linear role of individual cognition to focusing on the configuration interaction between social structure and psychological cognition, provides empirical evidence for formulating differentiated social intervention strategies and environmental education policies, and contributes to sustainable development and the green energy transition. Full article

This study examined the impact of entrepreneurship education in sustainability on entrepreneurial intention using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The MEMORE macro was used to analyze within-subject mediation and enabled us to examine how entrepreneurial intention is affected by changes in the factors of the theory of planned behavior (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control). The survey follows a questionnaire-based, pre-test-post-test design (the research involved 271 business administration students in Athens). A paired sample t-test was used to analyze changes in attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and entrepreneurial intention before and after education. The results indicated that after the entrepreneurship course in sustainability, students indicated a significant positive change in entrepreneurial intention, attitude, and perceived behavioral control. MEMORE macro indicated that only the change in perceived behavioral control positively influenced the increase in entrepreneurial intention levels. Based on these findings, entrepreneurship education in sustainability enhances students’ entrepreneurial intentions by increasing their perceived behavioral control. As a result, students’ confidence and knowledge regarding sustainable entrepreneurship are fundamental to the development of sustainable entrepreneurial mindsets. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating targeted pedagogical approaches that enhance perceived behavioral control in sustainable entrepreneurship education by equipping students with practical knowledge and skills to overcome psychological barriers. The use of the MEMORE macro highlights this study’s innovation, uncovering new relationships between the examined variables. Full article

Healthcare abuse is a critical human rights and public health issue, particularly impacting medical interns and trainees who are vulnerable to mistreatment during their formative professional years. This cross-sectional study, conducted from February to June 2024, evaluated the prevalence and psychological impact of harassment and discrimination among 463 healthcare interns in Saudi Arabia from various specialties, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry. Using a self-administered online questionnaire, we found that mistreatment was widely reported, with female interns experiencing significantly higher rates of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. Common perpetrators included residents, lecturers, professors, nurses, and patients, with incidents most frequently occurring in surgical and internal medicine departments. Despite high prevalence, only 9% of interns reported the abuse due to mistrust in reporting systems or failure to recognize the behavior as abuse. These experiences were associated with significant psychological distress, including frustration, reduced motivation to learn, and higher DASS scores, particularly among female interns. The study underscores the need for institutional reforms, including policy development, cultural change, and effective reporting systems to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for future healthcare professionals. Addressing abuse in medical training is essential for individual well-being and the sustainability and integrity of healthcare systems. Full article

This study provides user-centered insights into how inclusive forest design can support the physical, emotional, and social well-being of older adults. It operationalizes universal design principles in natural settings and confirms their relevance through empirical evidence. With the acceleration of global population aging, adapting forest recreation environments to meet the specific needs of older adults is increasingly urgent. This study investigates how infrastructure influences both participation and emotional well-being among older visitors to forest recreation areas. Data were collected from 446 participants aged 65 and older, using a structured survey distributed through in-person contact and digital snowball sampling. Participants reported their infrastructure preferences and their emotional responses related to forest visits. The findings show that older adults highly value site cleanliness, shaded seating, accessible restrooms, and clear signage. Expectations varied significantly according to health status, age group, and visitation frequency. Emotional well-being was positively associated with both comfort and visit frequency. These results demonstrate how inclusive infrastructure plays a vital role in supporting older adults’ access to and enjoyment of forest environments. The study affirms that universally designed forests not only reduce barriers but also promote psychological health and active aging, contributing to developing more equitable and sustainable nature-based recreation areas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCW) have increased the risk of occupational stress injuries and adverse mental health outcomes, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding HCW psychological distress patterns and help-seeking behaviors can inform responsive resource development that may mitigate negative outcomes in future crises. This paper provides insights on monthly trends in HCW distress and support utilization at a large Canadian hospital over a 14-month period. Methods: As part of a hospital-wide wellness initiative during COVID-19, the STEADY program emailed monthly confidential wellness assessments to hospital staff from April 2020 to May 2021. The assessments included screens for burnout, anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress, types of support accessed, and demographic information. Repeated cross-sectional data were summarized as monthly proportions and examined alongside longitudinal COVID-19 data. Results: A total of 2498 wellness assessments were submitted (M = ~168 monthly, range: 17–945). Overall, 67% of assessments had at least one positive screen for distress. Average positive screens were 44% for anxiety, 29% for depression, 31% for posttraumatic stress, and 53% for burnout. Despite high distress, most respondents used informal supports (e.g., family/friends), highlighting limited formal support use. Conclusions: HCWs experienced sustained high levels of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, with burnout remaining a predominant and persistent concern. The limited use of formal support services may indicate barriers to accessing these types of supports. Our findings underscore the need for accessible and acceptable mental health supports for HCW during prolonged crises. Full article

In the context of promoting sustainable mobility, walking and cycling have been widely recognized for their environmental and health benefits. However, a notable gap often exists between residents’ motivation to engage in these modes and their actual behavior. This study focuses on this motivation–behavior discrepancy and explores how heterogeneous information interventions—within the constraints of the existing built environment—can effectively influence residents’ travel psychology and behavior. Drawing on Protection Motivation Theory, this study aims to uncover the psychological mechanisms behind travel-mode choices and quantify the relative impacts of different types of information interventions. A travel survey was conducted in Yangzhou, China, collecting data from 1052 residents. Cluster analysis was performed using travel psychology data to categorize travel motivations and examine their alignment with actual travel behavior. A random forest model was then employed to assess the effects of individual attributes, travel characteristics, and information intervention attributes on the choice of walking and cycling. The results reveal a significant motivation–behavior gap: while 76% of surveyed residents expressed motivation to walk or cycle, only 30% actually adopted these modes. Based on this, further research shows that informational attributes exhibit a stronger effect in terms of promoting walking and cycling behavior compared to individual attributes and travel characteristics. Among these, health-related information demonstrates the maximum efficacy in areas with well-developed infrastructure. Specifically, health-related information has a greater impact on cycling (21.4%), while environmental information exerts a stronger influence on walking (7.31%). These findings suggest that leveraging information to promote walking and cycling should be more targeted. Full article

Geographic disparities threaten equitable access for children to health-promoting safe green spaces, and quality early education in the communities in which they live and grow. To address gaps in the field, we integrated the fields of developmental psychology, public health, and environmental science to examine, at the population level, associations between the environmental burden, socioeconomic vulnerability, and kindergarten readiness in a diverse urban county. Three administrative datasets were integrated through an early childhood data sharing research partnership in Miami-Dade County. The Bruner Child Raising Vulnerability Index, the five domains of the Environmental Burden module from the Environmental Justice Index, and public school kindergarten readiness scores were aggregated at the census tract level. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analyses found associations between socioeconomic vulnerability and race/ethnicity. The socioeconomic vulnerability levels were highest in census tracts with a higher percentage of Black residents, compared to all other races/ethnicities. Areas of greater social vulnerability had lower kindergarten readiness and a higher environmental burden. A higher environmental burden predicted lower kindergarten readiness scores above and beyond race/ethnicity and socioeconomic vulnerability. The findings advance our understanding of global challenges to sustainable healthy child development, such as the persistence of a disproportionate environmental burden and inequitable access to resources such as green spaces and early education programs. The present study results can inform community health improvement plans to reduce risk exposures and promote greater access to positive environmental and educational resources for all children. Full article

Background: Psychological problems post-stroke can negatively impact stroke survivors. Although general psychological services exist (e.g., NHS Talking Therapies), access remains limited, particularly for individuals with post-stroke communication and cognitive impairments. Stroke service staff report low confidence in managing psychological distress. This study is the first to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing a novel intervention package comprising a cross-service care pathway and staff training to enhance post-stroke psychological provision. Methods: Staff from stroke and mental health services in four UK regions, recruited through purposive sampling to ensure diversity of services and professional roles, participated in semi-structured interviews or focus groups, guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), before and after implementation of the intervention package. Pre-implementation interviews/groups identified anticipated barriers and facilitators to implementation and training needs, informing the development of site-specific intervention packages; post-implementation interviews/groups explored experienced barriers, facilitators and perceptions of the intervention. Interviews underwent thematic analysis using the TDF. Results: Fifty-five staff participated pre-implementation and seventeen post-implementation, representing stroke (e.g., nurse, physiotherapist, consultant) and psychology (e.g., counsellor, psychological therapist) roles across acute, rehabilitation, community, and voluntary services. Challenges anticipated pre-implementation included: limited specialist post-stroke psychological support; low staff confidence; and fragmented service pathways. Post-implementation findings indicated increased staff knowledge and confidence, enhanced screening and referral processes, and stronger inter-service collaboration. Implementation success varied across sites (with some sites showing greater ownership and sustainability of the intervention) and across staff roles (with therapy staff more likely than nursing staff to have received training). Conclusions: Effective implementation of an intervention package to increase psychological provision post-stroke requires staff engagement at all levels across all services. Staff investment influenced ownership of the intervention package, beliefs about priorities and overall enhancement of service capability. Full article