Search Results (424)

Background: This study explored the dynamics of sustainability literacy among industry professionals to advance the adoption of sustainability initiatives within the Malawi construction industry. Specifically, it examined the key attitudinal indicators (KAIs), driving factors, and barriers influencing sustainability literacy. Method: A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing a well-structured questionnaire for data collection with a sample size of seventy-five (75) and built environment professionals as respondents. The collected data were analyzed using two inferential statistical methods: the Mean Item Score (MIS) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Results: The EFA results identified two key components of KAIs that affect sustainability literacy: an inertia mindset and psychosocial inertia. Two primary driving factors were revealed: Perceived Benefits and Integrated Digital Capacity-Building Initiatives. This study also highlighted two major categories of barriers: inter- and intra-institutional barriers and Poor Sustainability Governance. Based on the research findings, this study proposes six policy recommendations: (1) development of a Green Paper on sustainable practices, (2) mandatory SLP on sustainable and green building practices, (3) continuous professional development (CPD) incentives for sustainability literacy, (4) economic incentives for sustainability adoption, (5) establishment of sustainability learning hubs, and (6) leveraging Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies to enhance practical sustainability training. Conclusions: The study concludes that achieving meaningful progress in sustainability literacy requires transformational leadership to drive change across the industry. Full article

The rapid advancement in information and communication technologies (ICT) has improved workplace productivity but also introduced new psychosocial stressors. Workplace telepressure, the urge to respond quickly to work-related messages sent via digital communication tools, often erodes employees’ psychological well-being and blurs work–life boundaries. This study, grounded in the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, investigates the influence mechanism between workplace telepressure and job burnout. Using data collected from 323 middle school teachers in China, results revealed that workplace telepressure significantly predicted job burnout. In addition, work-related rumination partially mediated this relationship, indicating a cognitive mechanism linking telepressure and burnout. Furthermore, perceived organizational support moderated the relationship between work-related rumination and job burnout. Specifically, when perceived support was high, the impact of rumination on burnout was weakened. These findings provide theoretical insights and practical implications for fostering healthy work environments and promoting psychological well-being in the digital era. Full article

Background: Dental professionals face high levels of occupational stress, which intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to increased burnout, diminished well-being, and signs of accelerated biological aging. This systematic review explores the role of physical activity as a protective factor for mental and physical health, with a focus on promoting resilience and long-term occupational sustainability in a post-pandemic volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies published between 2000 and 2024 were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library using MeSH terms related to dentistry, physical activity, stress management, and occupational health. Of 850 records screened, 28 studies were included: 24 cross-sectional, 2 systematic reviews, 1 retrospective, and 1 case–control study. Inclusion and quality appraisal followed standardized criteria. Results: The included studies consistently showed that physical activity was associated with reduced burnout, improved psychological well-being, enhanced postural function, and potential markers of slowed biological aging in dental professionals. Several studies reported moderate-to-strong associations, with effect sizes ranging from small improvements in perceived stress scores to substantial reductions in MSD prevalence. Interventions combining exercise with ergonomic education, stress management, and institutional support demonstrated the stronger and more consistent benefits for professional sustainability. Conclusions: Physical activity, when integrated into comprehensive workplace wellness frameworks, significantly enhances the mental and physical resilience of dental professionals. Embedding movement, ergonomics, and psychosocial support into practice environments offers a promising strategy for safeguarding long-term workforce sustainability and improving public health outcomes. Full article

The etiology of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) remains incompletely understood, but it is widely recognized as the result of a complex interplay among multiple contributing mechanisms, often emerging during childhood. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the etiology of childhood-onset OCD, with particular focus on whether GM alterations are involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disorder. Specifically, the review first examines both biological and psychosocial determinants of OCD, and then explores the role of the gut microbiome (GM), including the potential of psychobiotics as a novel therapeutic approach. OCD has a strong hereditary component, involving both common polygenic variants and rare mutations. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and microRNA play a role in mediating gene–environment interactions and influencing OCD risk. Dysfunction and hyperactivity within cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits underlie one of the neurobiological bases of OCD. Infections and autoimmune reactions can trigger or exacerbate OCD, particularly in pediatric populations. A range of psychosocial factors have been implicated in the onset of OCD, often in interaction with underlying neurobiological vulnerabilities. Current evidence indicates that GM alterations may also contribute to OCD pathophysiology through immune-mediated neuroinflammation, disrupted gut–brain signaling, and neurotransmitter imbalance. Individuals with OCD present reduced microbial diversity and lower abundance of butyrate-producing taxa, as well as altered IgA levels and increased infection susceptibility. These shifts may affect dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and serotonergic pathways, particularly via tryptophan metabolism and compromised gut integrity. Thus, the GM plays a pivotal role in OCD, constituting a promising approach for understanding its etiology and highlighting the significant clinical potential of microbial-based treatments such as psychobiotics. Nevertheless, despite progress, gaps remain in understanding childhood-onset OCD determinants, including limited longitudinal studies, incomplete characterization of the GM, scarce psychobiotic trials, and a need for integrated multidisciplinary approaches. Moreover, epidemiological evidence is compromised by reliance on lay diagnoses, questionable assessment validity, and insufficient distinction from related disorders. Full article

Background: Over the past two decades, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) has been established as a valid instrument to measure psychosocial stress at work. Currently, the COPSOQ international network is responsible for monitoring and improving the COPSOQ. In 2019, a new questionnaire was published, and the Greek version is now being validated. The aim of the current study was to assess the reliability and validity of the psychometric properties of the Greek long version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire III (COPSOQ-III-GR). Methods: The measurement qualities of the Greek COPSOQ III have been explored in accordance with the usual requirements of a validation study, as defined by DIN EN ISO 10075-3. A sample of observations from 2189 participants surveyed with the COPSOQ in Greece was used to validate the current version with appropriate statistical analyses. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the statistical relationships for many scales. Results: With its 108 items and 40 scales, the Greek COPSOQ III includes all internationally validated psychosocial workplace factors that remain comparable (~72%) with the COPSOQ III German version content. In addition to the primary results, congruence with widely used theoretical approaches such as the demand–control (−support) model (DCM) or the job demands–resources model (JDR) is generally satisfactory. In summary, our validation study for the Greek COPSOQ III version showed adequate reliability and validity, which is in line with the findings of the COPSOQ III questionnaire from other European countries, and it is also compatible with the validation of the German COPSOQ III. Our regression analysis revealed that 34 psychosocial workplace factors (34 “context” scales) could adequately predict the scores of the satisfactory and health scales (6 “outcome” scales). The analysis also revealed the top five predictors (context variables) for each of the six “effect” scales (outcome variables). Conclusions: With the launch of COPSOQ III in Greece, current and new workplace psychosocial aspects could be explored, since COPSOQ III (GR) appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for enterprise research and risk assessment. Full article

Background: Refractory epilepsy refers to a type of epilepsy in which anti-epileptic medications do not yield results, necessitating alternative medical interventions. The ketogenic diet (KD) is utilized as a non-pharmacologic treatment for refractory epilepsy. This study aims to assess details regarding caregivers’ awareness and practices, challenges faced, and other details regarding the KD as a treatment option for children with refractory epilepsy. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 15 caregivers of children with refractory epilepsy who adhere to the KD. Data were collected using an online, self-administered questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics and descriptive aspects of KD on 15 caregivers. Results: Caregivers’ awareness scores varied, over half of the caregivers (53.3%) demonstrated low awareness levels, scoring below the midpoint on the awareness scale, while both caregivers’ adherence (t value = 31.5; p < 0.001) and patients’ adherence levels (t value = 26.1; p < 0.001) significantly exceeded the minimum expected thresholds, indicating effective implementation of the diet protocols. Challenges faced by caregivers were categorized as follow: logistical challenges (e.g., issues related to KD availability, cost, and weighing (15.6%)), behavioral challenges (e.g., avoiding prohibited foods (18.8%), feelings of hunger, the social environment, and never eating without caregivers), and medical challenges (e.g., frequent blood glucose monitoring (25%)). The most common side effects of the KD were gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation (33.3%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Physical symptoms such as dyslipidemia were also reported by 13.3% of participants. In terms of neurological and behavioral improvements, the three most reduced symptoms following KD adoption were hyperactive attention deficit (25%), tremors (20%), and insomnia (20%). Conclusions: This study reveals a significant gap between high adherence and low awareness of the KD among caregivers of children with refractory epilepsy. While adherence is crucial for the success of KD, this discrepancy highlights the need for comprehensive caregiver education that not only focuses on practical implementation but also on the underlying rationale of the diet. This study underscores the importance of multidisciplinary support, by including dietitians, to bridge the knowledge gap. These findings suggest that dietary education programs should aim to improve caregivers’ understanding, ultimately enhancing adherence and long-term outcomes. Future research should explore the psychosocial factors influencing adherence and the role of trust in healthcare professionals in shaping caregiver behaviors. The findings also call for further exploration into the impact of caregiver education on child health outcomes in the long term. The varied knowledge among caregivers indicates a need for further educational interventions or increased visits from dietitians. Strategies need to be framed to overcome the challenges faced and improve adherence. Full article

Background/Objectives: School-age children with food allergies (FAs) face substantial psychosocial challenges. Herein, we aimed to synthesize the experiences of such children. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022359854). A systematic search was conducted of eight databases. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The data were synthesized through meta-aggregation, and the confidence in the findings was assessed using the ConQual approach. Results: Seventy-three unequivocal findings were extracted and synthesized into three integrated findings. (1) Children with FAs live with daily fear, social restrictions, and emotional stress. To ensure their safety and foster self-management skills, the trusted adults in their lives must be well-informed about allergy management. (2) Children with FAs experience isolation, teasing, and exclusion from peers, whereas peer communication can foster understanding and acceptance. To address this, schools must promote peer empathy, provide allergy education, and build inclusive environments that empower children to express their needs safely. (3) Motivated by curiosity and personal goals, some children engage in oral immunotherapy or allergen reintroduction, leading to meaningful outcomes, such as increased food choices, social inclusion, and reduced anxiety. At the same time, they face emotional and physical burdens, highlighting the need for safety-focused, informed, supported care that considers both the benefits and burdens. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for child-centered, emotionally supportive, and inclusive care involving families, schools, and healthcare providers. However, the moderate ConQual score of the synthesized findings indicates that the recommendations should be considered with caution. Full article

This study analyzes the relationship between ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors and labor productivity using a bibliometric approach through a general analysis and one that includes inclusion criteria such as English language, open access, and primary research publications to identify only those articles that explicitly address the relationship between ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors and labor productivity. It is recognized that both physical and psychosocial conditions of the work environment directly influence workers’ health and organizational performance. For this purpose, a bibliometric review was conducted in academic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Taylor & Francis, resulting in the selection of 4794 relevant articles for general analysis. Additionally, 116 relevant articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Tools and methodologies, such as Rayyan, Excel, VOSviewer 1.6.20, and PRISMA, were used to classify the studies and identify trends, collaboration networks, and geographical distribution. The results reveal a sustained growth in scientific production, with clusters on occupational safety and health, work environment factors, and the characteristics of the population, approach, and methodologies used in the studies. Likewise, Procedia Manufacturing, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, and Ergonomics stand out as the main sources of publication, while countries such as Sweden, Poland, and the United States lead the scientific production in this field. In addition, the network of co-occurrence of keywords evidences a comprehensive approach that articulates physical or ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors with organizational performance, while the network of authors shows consolidated collaborations and studies focused on analyzing the relationship between physical demands and musculoskeletal disorders from advanced ergonomic approaches. Full article

There is little qualitative research on the support needed by workers with type 1 diabetes to effectively self-manage at work and maintain work ability. In this UK study, 21 workers with type 1 diabetes participated in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis and then characterised under the Psychosocial Flags Framework. Findings highlighted several obstacles to maintaining self-management, including systemic workplace issues (black flags), individual attitudes and beliefs (yellow flags), and workplace issues (blue flags). Participants generally lacked confidence in voicing their needs, emphasising a requirement for a more supportive, inclusive workplace culture. This indicates a need for employers to foster an environment where workers with T1D feel comfortable seeking support without penalty. Addressing unhelpful perceptions of T1D seems key to this, making increased knowledge and awareness crucial for the harmonious integration of T1D with work. But delivering effective interventions may be challenging, since they must account for the complex biopsychosocial interplay of obstacles to work ability that this qualitative investigation emphasises. Full article

The present study focuses on investigating the contribution of puppetry as a pedagogical and psychosocial tool in special education, addressing the literature gap in the systematic documentation of the experiences of special education teachers, concerning its use in daily teaching practice. The main objective is to capture the way in which puppetry enhances the learning, social and therapeutic support of students with complex educational and psychosocial needs. The study employs a qualitative phenomenological approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with eleven special education teachers who integrate puppetry into their teaching. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings highlight that puppetry significantly enhances cognitive function, concentration, memory and language development, while promoting the active participation, cooperation, social inclusion and self-expression of students. In addition, the use of the puppet acts as a means of psycho-emotional empowerment, supporting positive behavior and helping students cope with stress and behavioral difficulties. Participants identified peer support, material adequacy and training as key factors for effective implementation, while conversely, a lack of resources and time is cited as a key obstacle. The integration of puppetry in everyday school life seems to ameliorate a more personalized, supportive and experiential learning environment, responding to the diverse and complex profiles of students attending special schools. Continuous training for teachers, along with strengthening the collaboration between the arts and special education, is essential for the effective use of puppetry in the classroom. Full article

Background: Parents of children with type 1 diabetes play a key role in managing their child’s self-management, which can be stressful and burdensome. High involvement can lead to reactions such as emotional, cognitive, and physical exhaustion in parents. Understanding parents’ psychosocial impact due to their child’s disease is crucial for the family’s overall well-being. The purpose of this study was to describe stress and burden experienced by parents in families with children living with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative approach, analyzing interviews with 16 parents of children aged 10 to 17 years living with T1D through qualitative content analysis. The data collection occurred between January and February 2025. Results: Managing a child’s Type 1 diabetes can be tough on family relationships, affecting how partners interact, intimacy, and sibling relationships. The constant stress and worry might leave parents feeling exhausted, unable to sleep, and struggling to think clearly, on top of the pain of losing a normal everyday life. The delicate balance between allowing a child with type 1 diabetes to be independent and maintaining control over their self-management renders these challenges even more demanding for the parents. Conclusions: Parents’ experiences highlight the need for robust support systems, including dependable school environments, trustworthy technical devices, reliable family and friends, and accessible healthcare guidance. These elements are essential not only for the child’s health and well-being but also for alleviating the emotional and practical burdens parents face. Full article

As digital transformation progresses, schools are increasingly confronted with psychosocial challenges such as technostress, digital overload, and unequal participation in digital (learning) environments. This article investigates the conceptual relevance of digital well-being for school development, particularly in relation to social inequality. Despite growing attention, the term remains theoretically underdefined in educational research—a gap addressed through a theory-driven review. Drawing on a systematic search, 25 key studies were analyzed for their conceptual understanding and refinement of digital well-being, with a focus on educational relevance. Findings suggest that digital well-being constitutes a multidimensional state shaped by individual, media-related, and socio-structural factors. It emerges when individuals are able to successfully manage the demands of digital environments and is closely linked to digital inequality—particularly in terms of access, usage practices, and the resulting opportunities for participation and health promotion. Since the institutional role of schools has thus far received limited attention, this article shifts the focus toward schools as key arenas for negotiating digital norms and practices and calls for an equity-sensitive and health-conscious perspective on school development in the context of digitalization. In doing so, digital well-being is repositioned as a pedagogical cross-cutting issue that requires coordinated efforts across all levels of the education system, highlighting that equitable digital transformation in schools depends on a critical reflection of power asymmetries within society and educational institutions. The article concludes by advocating for the systematic integration of digital well-being into school development processes as a way to support inclusive digital participation and to foster a health-oriented digital school culture. Full article

This paper builds on place theory and the psycho-social approach to the study of perceived residential environmental quality to examine the relationship between environmental perceptions and residential action in the neighborhood. An exploratory study on (N = 185) Italian respondents assessed the role of perceived residential environmental quality (i.e., perceived quality of green areas and perceived maintenance levels within the neighborhood), awareness of neighborhood environmental problems, neighborhood descriptive norms, and place attachment (attachment to the neighborhood) as predictors of self-reported individual residential engagement (engagement in improving the environmental quality of the neighborhood). Likert-type measures of the corresponding constructs were included in a structured questionnaire and used to carry out an online survey. Findings showed problem awareness and descriptive norms to directly predict residential engagement. Problem awareness mediated the relationship between perceived maintenance levels and residential engagement. Place attachment was directly predicted by perceived residential quality (quality of green areas), but did not show an independent predictive power vis-à-vis residential engagement. Results suggest new possible research avenues for modelling the individual commitment to improve the environmental quality of one’s own residential architectural and green environment. Full article

With accelerated population aging, the importance of older adults’ self-rated health is constantly increasing. Self-rated health is influenced by complex relationships between the built environment and psychosocial factors. Therefore, this study constructs a pathway framework of “material (housing quality and environmental pollution)–psychological (depression and social capital)–self-rated health” elements to explore the influencing mechanism of older adults’ self-rated health. This study utilized the 2018 China Labor Force Dynamics Survey Database to explore the relationship between built environment factors (housing quality and environmental pollution), depression, social capital, and older adults’ self-rated health, using structural equation modeling. The heterogeneity between urban and rural areas is also analyzed. Better housing quality and less environmental pollution were found to be related to higher levels of self-rated health. Depression and social capital were important mediators in the relationship between housing quality, environmental pollution, and self-rated health. Regarding urban–rural heterogeneity, the direct impact of environmental pollution on self-rated health was only significant among urban older adults. Secondly, the multiple mediating roles of social capital were only reflected among rural older adults. The government and relevant entities should promote improvements in housing quality and reduce environmental pollution to achieve a healthy and livable environment. Full article

Extended reality (XR)-based rehabilitation is an emerging therapeutic approach that combines real and virtual environments to enhance patient engagement and promote motor and cognitive recovery. Its clinical utility in children with cerebral palsy (CP), particularly regarding gross motor skills, balance, and psychosocial well-being, remains underexplored. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of XR-based rehabilitation on gross motor function, balance, parental stress, and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy. Thirty children with cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to an extended reality training group (XRT, n = 15) or a conventional physical therapy group (CPT, n = 15). Both groups received 30 min sessions, three times per week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), assessed pre- and post-intervention. A 2 (group) × 2 (time) mixed ANOVA was conducted. The XR group demonstrated improvements in GMFM-88, PBS, and FIM scores, with decreased PSI and increased PedsQL scores. Although most interaction effects were not statistically significant (GMFM-88: η² = 0.035, p = 0.329; PBS: η² = 0.043, p = 0.274), a marginal interaction effect was observed for PSI (p = 0.065, η² = 0.059), suggesting a potential benefit of XR-based rehabilitation in reducing parental stress. This preliminary study indicates that XR-based rehabilitation may provide beneficial trends in motor function and psychosocial health in children with CP, particularly in reducing parental stress. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings. Full article