Search Results (17,604)

Background The social, physical, and relational environment plays a particularly key role for people living with chronic illness. The available resources must match the needs and abilities of those individuals. Objectives This study aims to describe how people perceive their environment in relation to managing their chronic illness daily. Methods Ethnography was employed to collect and analyze data. The researcher visited each participant at home three times, making observations and conducting interviews. Results Fifteen people with cardiovascular disease took part in the study. Four themes emerged relating to their environment: self-expression/being listened to; decision-making/action; creating a safe space; and overcoming illness. Conclusions A supportive environment enables individuals to recognize their achievements based on the meaning they attribute to them. Although people adapt to their environment according to their abilities and needs, effective communication between people with chronic diseases and healthcare professionals remains essential. Full article

Rapid urbanization-induced extreme rainstorms severely disrupt social functions. Previous research often focused on “de-densification” strategies, which are difficult to adapt to high-density Sponge City Stormwater Management Units (SMUs) that carry core development functions. This study uses Shenzhen as a case study, utilizing Keep movement big data as a “social sensor” for system function perception and introducing the Socio-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS) theory to construct a “recovery (RCN)–resistance (MI)” binary assessment framework. Through systematic clustering and hierarchical regression models, the driving mechanisms of blue landscape patterns, topography, road networks, and the built environment on social behavioral resilience are systematically parsed. The results show: (1) Road network morphology dominates resistance, while multi-dimensional elements collaborate for recovery. Resistance (MI) is primarily dominated by macro road network detour resistance (TPD2000, β = 0.956), while recovery depends on the synergistic support of blue space interspersion (Blue_IJI), topography, and micro-circulation road networks. (2) Green infrastructure fails in the model due to efficiency bottlenecks, empirical evidence of weakened regulation caused by green space fragmentation in ultra-high-density environments. (3) Low-density, eco-centric built environments provide dual synergistic gains for resilience. Based on this, a “Bidirectional Socio-Ecological Resilience Needs Pyramid” model is constructed, identifying four governance types such as the “Synergistic Balanced Type”. This study provides a quantitative basis for the transition from administrative control to precise morphological governance in high-density cities. Full article

Background: Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are widespread environmental contaminants with growing evidence linking them to adverse health effects, including progression and worsening of allergic diseases. As allergies are rapidly increasing among youth (affecting almost 30% of children), this demographic represents a vulnerable population facing emerging environmental threats. Since no prior study has investigated MNP risks perceptions in an allergic population, this study aimed to assess public awareness and risk perception of MNP in Croatian youth, focusing on the influence of urbanicity, education, and allergy status. Methods: A total of 1155 participants (aged 6–18 years) were recruited from three Croatian regions as part of the EU Horizon 2020 IMPTOX and the Horizon Europe EDIAQI studies. Allergy status was determined via skin prick tests (SPT), and standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on MNP awareness and perception. Results: Awareness was significantly higher among allergic individuals (89.5% vs. non-allergic 79%, FDR p value= 0.036) and those with university-level education (88.3% vs. elementary 63.3%, FDR p value = 0.050). Allergic participants were also more concerned about food contamination by MNPs (87.7%) compared to non-allergic individuals (79.2%), FDR p value = 0.005). Media and social media were the primary sources of information regarding MNPs (FDR p value = 0.026). Conclusions: Education and allergy status are the strongest predictors of MNP awareness and related risk perceptions in the Croatian population. Targeted public health communication and educational strategies are needed to translate basic awareness into informed behavioral and policy engagement. Full article

Introduction: University students are vulnerable to psychological distress due to the academic and social demands of this life stage. Mindfulness and self-compassion are effective and adaptable strategies in an academic environment that promote emotional regulation and psychological well-being. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the combined impact of mindfulness- and self-compassion-based interventions (MBSCIs) on psychological distress. It will also analyze their role as predictors of therapeutic change, as well as the moderating influence of sociodemographic and contextual factors. Method: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and single-group pre-post trials investigating the effect of MBSCI on anxiety, depression and stress in college students. Studies were combined using the inverse variance method in a random effects model. Additional subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed, and risk of bias was assessed. The review was pre-registered (PROSPERO registration number: CRD420251003822). Results: Our review included 49 studies with a total of 5043 participants (3721 in the intervention group, and 1322 in the control group). The results provide relevant evidence on the efficacy of MBSCI in the university population, especially in reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. The effect sizes observed were moderate-to-large for stress and small-to-moderate for anxiety and depression, supporting their clinical usefulness in university educational settings. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as no included study achieved low risk of bias, and heterogeneity was moderate-to-high across most outcomes. Conclusions: The results suggest that MBSCI could alleviate psychological distress in university students. However, these results are limited by some methodological issues (risk of bias, heterogeneity, lack of follow-ups, poor standardization). It would be advisable to integrate these practices into the university curriculum as workshops or complementary activities. Further studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and explore sustained effects and differences according to individual characteristics. Full article

Promoting irrigation efficiency is a central pillar of global water sustainability strategies but empirical evidence shows a counterintuitive outcome named the irrigation efficiency paradox or rebound effect. This occurs when on-farm water savings do not translate into basin-scale conservation and may even intensify water scarcity. This paper critically re-examines the rebound effect, moving beyond conventional hydrological and economic explanations toward an integrated socio-hydrological perspective. We argue that the paradox is not merely a technical accounting issue or a form of the Jevons Paradox, but a systemic problem arising from interactions among behavior, institutions, and political economy. The review traces the concept’s evolution and synthesizes global evidence on its main drivers and controversies. It critically evaluates dominant research paradigms, emphasizing the need for greater methodological pluralism. Significant gaps remain, particularly regarding behavioral economics, political economy, and social and environmental externalities. We conclude that overcoming the efficiency paradox requires a policy shift from technological fixes to transformative governance. Full article

Cities worldwide are turning to green infrastructure (GI) as a potential decentralized pathway to stormwater management, heat abatement, and other climate adaptation and wellbeing benefits. As with environmental governance, public engagement in GI planning—from design to implementation and maintenance—is necessary to incorporate diverse perspectives, better understand the potential impact of environmental policies, and ensure fair and equitable outcomes. However, GI is different from broader environmental governance approaches in that it demands on-the-ground labor and long-term maintenance, which are crucial for ecosystem function. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive literature review of 46 articles published between 2014 and 2024 to provide a more nuanced understanding of public engagement for GI in municipal settings. Results reveal diverse and innovative approaches to engagement that involve integrating social and environmental data, on-the-ground activities, and working groups. We further highlight four key characteristics of GI engagement: (1) the multifunctionality of GI, (2) the incorporation of public and private land, (3) effects on community-building and sense of place, and (4) environmental and social justice. By embracing the multifunctionality of GI and centering justice, engagement efforts are more likely to recruit diverse community members, maintain long-term engagement, and simultaneously address multiple social and environmental needs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Online sexual violence is an increasingly prevalent form of gender-based harm facilitated by digital technologies, with significant consequences for the health, well-being, and rights of adult women. Despite growing attention to this phenomenon, women’s lived experiences remain underexplored, particularly regarding sexual consent and institutional responses. This study aimed to examine how adult women experience online sexual violence, how consent is negotiated or constrained in digital contexts, and how coping and institutional mechanisms are perceived. Methods: A qualitative study with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was conducted. Data were collected through three focus groups with 23 women aged 21 to 42 years who were active users of social media. Results: Participants reported diverse forms of online sexual violence, including unsolicited sexual messages and images, persistent harassment, coercion, blackmail, and threats. Sexual consent was often undermined by emotional manipulation, social pressure, and fear, placing women in vulnerable positions. These experiences negatively affected well-being, contributing to anxiety, reduced self-esteem, fear, and difficulties in sexual and emotional relationships. Coping strategies were mainly individual, such as blocking perpetrators or reporting content, while social support was frequently perceived as insufficient. A generalized distrust of institutional responses emerged, with formal mechanisms viewed as ineffective or inaccessible. Conclusions: For the study participants, online sexual violence is increasingly normalized and concealed within digital environments, reinforced by anonymity and impunity. The findings highlight the need for continued research and the development of interventions that include early sexual and emotional education, awareness-raising initiatives, digital regulation, specialized professional training, and the strengthening of victim-centered support networks. Full article

This study examined the perceived quality of life of Portuguese gifted students compared with their non-gifted peers using the KIDSCREEN-27, a widely used instrument for assessing health-related quality of life in children and adolescents. Quality of life is the subjective perception of overall well-being resulting from the interaction of physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Previous research suggests that high intellectual ability does not necessarily ensure greater well-being and may coexist with social–emotional challenges, including perfectionism, anxiety, and difficulties in social integration. The sample consisted of 102 Portuguese students aged between 10 and 15 years old. They were in two groups (gifted and non-gifted), matched by gender. Gifted participants had previously been identified through psychoeducational assessment and were enrolled in the PEDAIS enrichment program promoted by the National Association for the Study and Intervention in Giftedness (ANEIS). Five quality-of-life dimensions were analyzed: physical well-being, psychological well-being, autonomy and parent relationships, peer social support, and school environment. MANOVA results indicated statistically significant differences between the groups, with gifted students reporting lower scores in physical well-being, autonomy and parent relationships, peer social support, and school environment. There were no significant differences in psychological well-being, indicating similar levels of perceived emotional well-being in both groups. These findings highlight the importance of considering the social and contextual dimensions of well-being in gifted education and reinforce the need for educational strategies that combine cognitive development with social–emotional support. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, as the gifted participants were recruited from a structured enrichment program, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to the broader population of gifted students. Full article

This study, which aimed to instill values effective in developing social adaptation skills in students with special needs through traditional Turkish Cypriot children’s games, employed an action research model within a qualitative research design. The participants in the study were 5 students with mild intellectual disabilities aged 9 to 12. In the first step of the two-stage implementation plan, data were collected by having the students play traditional Turkish Cypriot children’s games, selected by the researchers and containing the relevant values, three times a week. In the second step, on the day following the game phase, the students’ acquisition of the target value was assessed through worksheets containing activities prepared by the researchers, which covered the basic points related to the target value. The aim was to instill 8 core values through applications that continued for a total of 5 weeks. After the completion of the application phase, a one-week break was given. During this period, the aim was to determine the short-term retention level of the targeted values. After a one-week follow-up, the researchers evaluated whether the students had learned the relevant values permanently in the short term through visuals and texts. The findings of this study, in which traditional Turkish Cypriot children’s games were practiced three times a week for five weeks, show that the games positively contributed to the learning of the targeted values and that the children adopted these values. However, the findings reflect only short-term retention; longer-term follow-up studies are needed to assess the long-term internalization of the values. Full article

Structural racism and discrimination (SRD) is a fundamental cause of health inequities that emerge during adolescence and persist throughout adulthood. This scoping review systematically synthesizes the evidence on policy and community-level interventions designed to disrupt SRD exposure among Black adolescents and mitigate its impact on their health behaviors and outcomes. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched five databases for peer-reviewed intervention studies published through October 2025. Of 3417 abstracts screened, 9 studies met inclusion criteria. We examined the study characteristics, theoretical frameworks, implementation strategies, and effectiveness of interventions targeting three primary mechanisms of SRD exposure for adolescents. The majority focused on neighborhood and social integration interventions, with limited representation of resource-based and school-based approaches. Culturally grounded, community-engaged interventions buffered SRD’s negative effects on mental health, empowered youth as change agents, and removed structural barriers to health-promotive resources. The review identified several gaps in the research, including methodological and theoretical rigor, geographic contexts, and follow-up. Findings underscore the potential of culturally grounded, multilevel interventions to reduce inequities across mental health, physical health, and social outcomes for Black youth. This review highlights the need to expand systems-level interventions that address the root causes of the persistent racial health inequities experienced by Black youth. Full article

The Ghanaian economy faces significant challenges in providing robust policy support and cohesive ecosystem structures that enable small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the country to effectively convert entrepreneurial marketing activities into sustainable social outcomes. The research examines the effect of entrepreneurial marketing on sustainable social performance of SMEs using entrepreneurial ecosystem policy as the mediating variable. The Resource Dependency Theory, Resource-Based View and the Stakeholder Theory were utilized, and the study was designed a cross-sectional survey. The data collected were based on 386 SME owners and managers of different sectors in Ghana. Structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 3 was used to test the proposed relationships. The results indicate that entrepreneurial marketing has a significant positive impact on sustainable social performance. In addition to that, ecosystem policy has a strong and positive impact on sustainable social performance. The mediating effect of ecosystem policy in the relationship between entrepreneurial marketing and sustainable social was found to be positive. The research has limitations in that it was cross-sectional and specific to Ghana, which might limit its generalizability. Longitudinal and cross-country designs may be used in future studies to include the dynamic effects of policy interventions. Hypothetically, the research moves towards the mediating role of the ecosystem policy in the relationship between marketing and sustainability. In practice, the study findings highlight the necessity to use combined policy frameworks that empower SMEs to enhance their marketing strengths and social investments to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9, and 12. The research finds that enabling policies of entrepreneurial ecosystems are needed to convert the marketing efforts by SMEs into a sustainable social value. Full article

Water is a vital resource that requires long-term legal protection to ensure both ecological values and societal benefits. The European Union’s Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is central to this aim, establishing binding requirements for good ecological and chemical status in all water bodies and legally binding environmental quality standards. Sweden has implemented the Directive into national law; however, its application has been characterized by legal ambiguities, particularly regarding the possibility of considering disproportionate costs in environmental measures. This study examines the scope and application of the disproportionate cost criterion within the context of environmental law and hydropower regulation in Sweden. A comparative overview of the criterion’s application in other EU/EEA countries is also provided. Based on a legal approach, the analysis focuses on how these rules affect hydropower, where the goal of renewable energy production often needs to be weighed against the requirement for ecological recovery. The study concludes that applying the disproportionate costs criterion requires transparency and legal certainty to ensure a fair balance between the social benefits of hydropower and the need for long-term protection of the aquatic environments. To avoid differences in how the criterion is applied in different EU Member States, harmonized guidelines are needed. Full article

This study examines the psychological mechanisms through which anthropomorphic artificial intelligence (AI) relates to consumer adoption intentions in fragile, low-trust economies. Integrating the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework with the Computers Are Social Actors paradigm, Institutional Trust Theory, and Privacy Calculus Theory, we investigate how human-like AI design shapes cognitive and affective responses within Sierra Leone’s banking sector. Using survey data from 277 banking customers and partial least squares structural equation modeling, we find that AI anthropomorphism exhibits no direct association with adoption intention (β = −0.013, p = 0.760). Instead, its influence is entirely indirect—transmitted in parallel through perceived social presence (β = 0.144, 95% CI [0.062, 0.226]) and trust in the AI system (β = 0.139, 95% CI [0.068, 0.210]). Critically, customer skepticism—shaped by institutional fragility—functions as a boundary condition that substantially attenuates both pathways: among highly skeptical users (+1 SD), anthropomorphism’s conditional effect on social presence becomes non-significant (β = 0.098, p = 0.124) compared to low-skepticism users (β = 0.412, p < 0.001), while its effect on trust is reduced by more than half (β = 0.118 vs. 0.284). These findings identify a critical boundary condition on human-like AI design: in low-trust environments, anthropomorphism operates not as a standalone adoption driver but as a relational amplifier whose efficacy depends on foundational trust and is substantially weakened when skepticism is high. The study challenges universalist assumptions in human–AI interaction research and underscores the need for institutionally sensitive design approaches in fragile economies. Full article

The smart city concept has become a dominant framework for contemporary urban governance, largely driven by advances in digital technologies and data-driven decision-making. However, the prevailing technocratic orientation of smart city development risks marginalising the sociopolitical dimensions of urban governance, particularly citizen and stakeholder participation. Although smart governance frameworks increasingly recognise participation as a normative principle, limited empirical attention has been paid to the participation motivators that drive engagement among different urban stakeholder groups. This study addresses this gap by analysing the key motivators influencing stakeholder participation in urban development within a smart city context. Building on established behavioural and participation theories, the article develops an Urban Participation Motivator Model comprising four core motivators: social pressure, emotional trigger, rational motivation, and reward for participation. The model is empirically tested using quantitative survey data from 620 respondents representing four stakeholder groups in Riga, Latvia: municipal residents, municipal employees, municipal politicians, and real estate developers. Data are analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric methods, including the Kruskal–Wallis test. The results reveal statistically significant differences in the perceived importance of participation motivators across stakeholder groups. Emotional triggers and social pressure emerge as the most influential motivators overall, while rational motivation is particularly salient for professional stakeholders. Reward for participation plays a weaker but differentiated role, being most relevant for municipal employees. These findings highlight the need for differentiated motivator-sensitive urban communication and participation strategies to enhance inclusiveness, democratic legitimacy, and long-term engagement in smart city development. Full article

Mountain Social–Ecological Systems (MtSES) are global assets, providing essential ecosystem services to nearly half of humanity, yet they are disproportionately vulnerable to global change, experiencing “polytraps” of depopulation, poverty, and environmental degradation. Despite the inherent human dimension in sustainability, the social pillar remains conceptually chaotic, forming a highly fragmented “publication labyrinth”, and is often neglected in favor of more easily quantifiable environmental and economic metrics. These oversights leave mountain communities in a precarious state, underscoring an urgent need for robust, context-specific assessment tools. This paper addresses this critical gap by employing a two-step methodology: first, a literature review identifies prevailing social sustainability issues in mountain contexts; second, a comparative analysis evaluates prominent frameworks and indicator-based tools against these themes, using Ostrom’s multi-tier Social–Ecological Systems (SES) framework as the theoretical lens. Our findings reveal a persistent environmental bias in MtSES research and highlight the necessity for frameworks that integrate local knowledge, address power imbalances, and support bottom-up governance. A tool is proposed with indicators specifically for mountainous contexts. This study contributes to theory by offering a structured approach to unpack the elusive “social” in SES and to practice by providing a model and tool for developing actionable, context-sensitive social sustainability assessments, thereby fostering resilience and equitable development in vulnerable mountain regions. Ultimately, by operationalizing these social dimensions, this research provides a direct roadmap for achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in marginalized high-altitude contexts, particularly focusing on No Poverty (SDG 1), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable Communities (SDG 11), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16). Full article