Search Results (16,893)

This study examined the critical sustainability challenge of regional demographic decline in South Korea by analyzing how young people’s mobility decisions are intricately influenced by structurally and socially constructed meaning systems. Countering strictly economic deterministic views, this research posited that youth out-migration is a complex socio-cognitive process mediated by social representations of place—collectively constructed and circulated meanings attached to regions. Applying a secondary analysis of Q-sort data from 24 undergraduate students at a regional national university, the study integrated Q methodology with Social Representation Theory to systematically identify youth typologies regarding regional identity, territorial stigma, and local extinction. Participants sorted 44 statements encompassing place attachment, local consumption, cultural experiences, and policy effectiveness. Rigorous factor analysis revealed four distinct perception typologies: identity-based strategic mobility, conditional leaving based on internalized success norms, re-anchoring toward alternative lifestyles, and skeptical leaving rooted in profound institutional distrust. The findings empirically demonstrated that identical structural constraints can produce highly divergent mobility trajectories—ranging from active retention to complete resignation—depending entirely on the region’s socio-cognitive representation. This study demonstrates that local extinction is not merely a demographic condition, but a socially constructed framework of meaning and an object of social representation that shapes youth perception typologies and mobility judgments. Accordingly, moving beyond conventional technical interventions, meaning governance, and strategic communication are needed to help reimagine regional futures. Full article

Universities function as social systems in which physical, structural and symbolic dimensions shape students’ relationships and well-being. This study explored the university spaces in which students perceive and manage interpersonal conflicts, analysing differences by gender and academic discipline. A sample of 1262 students completed the University Conflict Questionnaire (UCQ). The three-dimensional structure was validated using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Inferential analysis included Welch’s t-test and ANOVA to compare gender and year group, estimating the effect using Hedges’ g. Finally, a MANOVA was conducted to test for interaction effects. The results indicate that conflicts are most frequently addressed in shared and interactive areas, whilst institutional and study spaces are less prone to conflict. Classrooms were key contexts for both the emergence and resolution of conflicts, underscoring the role of lecturers in fostering inclusion. Women reported fewer conflicts in institutional spaces, and differences related to discipline were modest. The results highlight the influence of structural conditions and the need for institutional strategies that incorporate students’ perspectives and training in mediation. These findings highlight the importance of considering university spaces in the design of strategies to promote coexistence and student well-being. Full article

In Latin America, the double burden of malnutrition is the region’s single most important public health concern for the incoming decade. Latin America’s burden of disease has distinct features in comparison to high-income countries: nearly 20 percent of NCDs are diagnosed in people under 60 years of age in Latin America, whereas only about 13 percent of people under 60 years of age in North America and Europe are diagnosed with these diseases. We aimed to better understand decision-making processes, preferences, and norms around food choices to provide input for future programming and policy suggestions at national and regional levels. We included key informant interviews and focus group discussions with parents and adolescents from urban and rural communities in three regions in Colombia and in Mexico. Results showed that food choices considered to be affordable, acceptable, accessible, and aspirational are driven by environmental and social factors that influence individual cognitive decisions. Across the study groups, cognitive biases influenced food decision-making in relation to eating out, natural, homemade, and “moderation”. At the sociological level, conversations, and social influences at home and in communities were strong indicators of dietary practices, health beliefs, and body size attitudes. Full article

The growing integration of immersive technologies into education is opening new possibilities for teaching and learning, while also raising concerns about the reliability and potential distortion of knowledge in artificial intelligence-mediated environments. Understanding how users perceive and accept artificial intelligence-generated content in immersive learning systems is therefore essential. This study explores the factors that influence user acceptance of artificial intelligence-driven virtual reality educational applications and explains it through a multidimensional framework that extends the Technology Acceptance Model, the Theory of Reasoned Action, and the Theory of Planned Behavior—a new ED-SCALE model. We innovated the previous models by adding an ergonomic dimension, often overlooked in virtual reality-based education. To test the model, we developed an artificial intelligence-driven virtual reality educational escape room designed to simulate adaptive and interactive learning experiences. Data were collected from 213 participants using a questionnaire measuring subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, attitudes toward artificial intelligence-mediated instruction, perceived informational efficacy, and ergonomic quality. The findings show that ergonomic quality, intuitive interfaces, physical comfort, and social influence play an important role in shaping user trust and long-term adoption intentions. The results suggest that the success of artificial intelligence-driven immersive learning systems depends not only on technological performance but also on user experience and social context, confirming our first hypothesis regarding new variables that are conditional for virtual technology acceptance. Full article

In the field of human–robot interaction (HRI), researchers have extensively examined the role of social robot characteristics and how these can influence human–robot relationships. In particular, the robot’s voice is one of the most studied aspects, with numerous studies focusing on specific features such as tone, frequency, pitch, and gender. The robot’s voice represents a powerful social signal, whose design can influence people’s affective evaluations and acceptance of robots. With regard to language, however, relatively few studies have investigated the role of a robot’s accent (native or foreign). This experimental study therefore explores the influence of native accent on trust in robots. The study was conducted on two different samples: 60 Italian participants and 37 Arabic participants. Participants listened to two robot presentations in their native language: one delivered with a native accent and the other with a foreign accent. After listening to both presentations, participants were asked to indicate which robot they trusted. The results showed a 77.3% preference for the robot speaking with a native accent, compared to 22.7% for the robot with foreign accent. These findings demonstrate that, regardless of the language (Italian or Arabic), accent significantly influences the choice to invest trust in the robot, supporting the similarity-attraction effect. Accent calibration thus emerges as a low-cost, high-impact parameter in socially assistive and commercial robotics. Since accent influences trust-based delegation, voice design should be strategically adapted in service, healthcare, education, and customer-facing contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Test anxiety can impair working memory, attention, and executive function, raising questions about what might increase cognitive readiness prior to testing. Methods: This study examined how brief meditation, social media use, and calming or upbeat music influence neural activity and performance on a second-language exam using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Results: Forty-five advanced German students completed two matched exams—one preceded by a randomly assigned three-minute activity and one taken without a pre-test activity. fNIRS measured cortical activity in the prefrontal cortex, Broca’s area, and Wernicke’s area during both the pre-test activity and the exam. Behaviorally, meditation significantly improved exam scores compared to control (p < 0.02), social media use significantly reduced scores (p < 0.002), calming music showed no effect (p = 0.06), and upbeat music had no effect (p = 0.27). Neural analyses revealed that social media increased activation in socially oriented prefrontal regions, including the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), while reducing activation in right Broca’s area, corresponding with lower performance. Due to technical issues, fNIRS data during the meditation condition were excluded from neural analyses. Conclusions: These findings indicate that short pre-exam interventions can influence neural engagement and academic performance, highlighting the potential benefits of meditation and the possible negative impact of social media immediately before testing. Full article

This study aims to analyse the influence of sustainability knowledge on sustainable lifestyles with attitudes toward sustainability as a mediating variable, within the framework of Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR). The study respondents were 311 tourism managers in Yogyakarta with various destinations who were selected using non-probability sampling techniques due to limited population access and the specific needs of subjects relevant to sustainability issues. The data analysis uses Structural Equation Modelling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with Smart PLS. The results of the study show that sustainability knowledge directly affects sustainable lifestyles; in addition, attitudes towards sustainability partially mediate the influence of sustainability knowledge on sustainable lifestyles. Sustainability knowledge is seen as an external stimulus that influences positive attitudes towards sustainability, which then drives a response in the form of adopting a sustainable lifestyle. Although knowledge is often assumed to directly influence behaviour, theoretical and empirical findings suggest that attitudes play an important role as mediators that bridge knowledge with real behaviour. Other results show that sustainable awareness does not directly affect a sustainable lifestyle. Attitude toward sustainability plays a mediating role in the influence of sustainable awareness on sustainable lifestyles. Individuals or tourism managers who have a deep awareness of environmental, social, and economic issues tend to internalise sustainability values, form positive attitudes, and ultimately adopt sustainable lifestyles. This research is expected to make a theoretical contribution by strengthening the application of the SOR framework in sustainable tourism, as well as a practical contribution through educational programme recommendations that emphasise the importance of forming positive attitudes in behaviour transformation. Full article

Background: Chronic pain in children with cancer is a major challenge in pediatric palliative care. It results from the interaction of disease-related and treatment-related factors, psychological distress, and the child’s family and social environment. When poorly controlled, it can impair quality of life, emotional development, social functioning, and family well-being. This narrative review examines the challenges and management strategies for chronic pain in children with cancer from a pediatric palliative care perspective, with attention to pain mechanisms, assessment difficulties, and psycho-emotional influences. Methods: This narrative review was based on a structured literature search conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language articles published between January 2000 and October 2025. Of 135 records identified, 15 studies judged most relevant to the thematic scope of the review were included in the final synthesis. A PRISMA-based flowchart was used to illustrate study identification and selection without implying a formal systematic review. Results: Chronic pain in children with cancer emerged as a multidimensional problem requiring an integrated approach to assessment and management, and some studies suggest that 20–26% of childhood cancer survivors experience persistent pain. Pharmacological strategies, including opioids and adjuvant medications, remain central, while psychological, supportive, and non-pharmacological interventions may complement multimodal care. Conclusions: Chronic pain in children with cancer should be managed through an integrated, individualized, and child-centered approach that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and relational dimensions of suffering and may improve quality of life for both children and their families. Full article

As social beings, humans make decisions partly based on social interaction. Observing the behavior of others can lead to learning from and about them, potentially increasing trust and prompting trust-based behavioral changes. Observation-based decision making involves different neural structures. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) are known as neural structures mainly involved in processing emotional and cognitive decision values, respectively, while the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a pivotal role as a social hub, integrating the afferent expectancy signals from the OFC and LPFC. This paper presents a neurocomputational model of the interplay between observational learning and trust, as well as their role in individual decision making. Hence, our model provides a framework for investigating how emotional and rational responses may change when individuals observe the action–outcome associations of an alleged expert. We have modeled the neurodynamics of three cortical structures (OFC, LPFC, and ACC) and their interactions, where the neural oscillatory properties, modeled with Dynamic Bayesian Probability, represent the observer’s attitude towards the expert and the decision options. As an example of an everyday behavioral situation related to climate change, we use the choice of transportation between home and work. The model generates EEG-like signals that show how patterns of neural activity change during observation-based decision making. The simulations suggest that higher levels of trust influence both emotional and rational evaluations when individuals observe the actions and outcomes of an expert. Overall, the proposed framework provides insight into how observational learning and trust work together to shape decision making. It highlights the dynamic interplay between emotional and cognitive processes and offers a mechanistic understanding of how social information can influence behavior. Full article

Mathematics achievement in South African schools continues to be limited by identifiable barriers to instructional improvement, including inadequate technological infrastructure, excessive teacher workloads, and inconsistent institutional support for professional learning. Although data-driven instruction is widely promoted, little is known about how psychological constructs such as instrumental attitudes, perceived control, social norms, and self-efficacy influence teachers’ use of data. This study, therefore, explored mathematics teachers’ perspectives on data use, guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). TPB was selected because, unlike purely cognitive or socio-cultural models, it integrates individual psychological factors, attitudes, perceived control, and self-efficacy with social and contextual influences on behaviour, making it particularly well suited to examining data use within complex, resource-constrained school environments. A qualitative design was employed, involving focus-group discussions with senior-phase mathematics teachers. Data were thematically analysed using NVivo 14, with iterative coding aligned with TPB constructs. Findings revealed that while teachers valued data for diagnosing learning gaps, they perceived data tasks as administratively demanding. Collegial collaboration fostered authentic engagement, whereas hierarchical accountability and limited technological capacity reduced motivation and autonomy. The interaction among attitudes, social norms, and perceived control showed that both belief systems and institutional conditions shape teachers’ behavioural intentions. The study concludes that professional development should strengthen teachers’ data literacy, encourage collaborative learning cultures, and improve infrastructural support to promote effective data-driven mathematics instruction in resource-constrained contexts. Full article

With a focus on how both traditions influence identity, memory, and lived spirituality in African contexts, this article examines the theological and cultural interactions between Christianity and African Traditional Religion (ATR). This study highlights the ongoing interaction between ATR and Christianity as two significant systems ingrained in African life, notwithstanding the continent’s religious diversity. In Africa, religion and culture are inextricably linked, influencing social customs, moral standards, and a sense of community but also constantly changing due to personal experience. African spiritual systems were frequently disregarded by missionary Christianity in the past, which led to conflicts that still exist in modern African Christianity. The importance of ancestors, rituals, and supernatural beliefs all of which are still fundamental to the worldviews of many African Christians are areas where these conflicts are especially noticeable. This article makes the case for a positive theological approach that acknowledges ATR as an essential tool for African Christian identity rather than as a rival or subpar system, drawing on the idea of inculturation. The article illustrates how African spirituality serves as a storehouse of collective memory and identity over generations by delving into issues of ancestry, ritual, and spiritual mediation. Additionally, it offers a liberative and dialogical theological concept that promotes understanding between Christianity and ATR. Such an approach not only bridges spiritual divides but also contributes to the development of a contextually grounded liberation theology that affirms indigenous knowledge systems while remaining open to global theological discourse. Full article

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption remains critically low in Thailand despite government initiatives, with limited understanding of how adoption factors vary across different user segments. This study investigates the determinants of EV adoption intentions across three distinct groups—internal combustion engine (ICE) users, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV/PHEV) users, and current EV users—to develop targeted adoption strategies. Data were collected from 3794 Thai vehicle users through on-site administered questionnaires and analyzed using multi-group structural equation modeling, integrating the Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and environmental psychology constructs. Results reveal significant differences in adoption pathways across groups: ICE users show the strongest sensitivity to perceived ease of use, indicating technology apprehension as the primary barrier; HEV/PHEV users demonstrate transitional characteristics with the highest experience-usefulness relationship, while current EV users exhibit stronger influence from environmental identity and social norms. All 14 hypotheses were supported, though with varying effect magnitudes across groups. Surprisingly, the attitude-intention relationship was consistently weak across all segments, suggesting unmeasured cultural or contextual factors. This study contributes the first empirical evidence of segmented adoption patterns in an emerging market, revealing a progression pathway from technology-focused concerns (ICE) through balanced considerations (HEV/PHEV) to identity-driven adoption (EV). Findings provide actionable insights for policymakers to design segment-specific interventions: technology familiarization for ICE users, transition facilitation for hybrid users, and community-building for EV users. Full article

The purpose of this study is to examine how three pedagogical interventions, collaborative learning, authentic problem-solving, and ongoing formative feedback, are associated with student engagement in a design thinking course. While prior research has examined these interventions in isolation, less is known about their relative contributions when implemented concurrently. This study employs a quantitative survey design, with data collected from 77 undergraduate students working in self-selected teams on industry-sponsored design thinking projects. The course design integrated the three interventions to foster active, reflective learning, and regression analysis was used to examine their relative influence on student engagement. All three interventions positively predicted engagement, with authentic problem-solving and collaborative learning emerging as the strongest contributors. Formative feedback exerted a significant but smaller effect, suggesting its impact depends on how students internalise and apply it within group processes. Findings suggest that engagement in design thinking education can be understood through social, cognitive, and regulatory interventions, although the interaction between these dimensions was not empirically tested in this study. The study contributes a layered conceptual model of engagement and offers practical guidance for designing engaging learning environments. While the results provide useful insights, they are based on a single course context and self-reported data, and should therefore be interpreted with appropriate caution. Full article

This study examines the transformation of the Balaton region in Hungary from a traditional tourist destination into an international retirement migration destination for older adults from Western Europe. Migration theories and models are applied to illustrate the relationships between migration and development and to explore how tourism, lifestyle aspirations, and socio-economic factors influence the settlement decisions of older migrants. Empirical findings suggest that prior tourism experience can mitigate the uncertainty associated with migration and foster belonging. However, many retirees move to Hungary with limited knowledge of the country, relying on social networks and real estate agents for information. These retired migrants also utilize local services and infrastructure, including healthcare and community spaces, which shape their daily lives and help them integrate into the community. The migration of older adults stimulates the development of peripheral rural areas through real estate purchases, renovations, and small-scale entrepreneurial activities, particularly in the accommodation sector. This challenges the traditional perception of older-age migrants as inactive. Full article

From a sustainability perspective, lifestyle choices shape behavioral patterns that extend beyond individual experiences, influencing both human well-being and environmental outcomes. Amid escalating human-induced climate change and its widespread social and ecological consequences, understanding lifestyle transformation has become increasingly important. This study traces the trajectories of lifestyle change within globalized contexts and examines the evolving relationships between lifestyle orientations and life satisfaction, with the aim of informing individual-level strategies to support sustainable development aligned with China’s 2060 carbon neutrality goal. Using data from Chinese General Social Survey across three time points (2003, 2013, 2023), a series of two-way analyses of variance reveal that individuals aged 19–35 with higher levels of income and education are more likely to adopt consumption-oriented lifestyles, whereas those aged 60 and above with middle income and lower educational attainment tend to exhibit leisure-oriented lifestyles. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses further indicate that both consumption-oriented and leisure-oriented lifestyles are positively associated with life satisfaction beyond the effects of income alone, although the strength of these associations varies across stages of the life course. Overall, the findings suggest that promoting leisure-oriented lifestyles may offer a viable pathway for enhancing subjective well-being while advancing long-term sustainability goals in contemporary China. Full article