Search Results (993)

(1) Background: With the growing severity of global environmental issues and increasing consumer health consciousness, green consumption has become a prominent focus in both research and practice. However, studies on the mechanisms of health consciousness and environmental awareness influencing the purchase intentions of sports enthusiasts toward sustainable sports products remain relatively limited. This study investigates how health consciousness and environmental awareness impact the green consumption behavior of sports enthusiasts through psychological pathways, including attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, aiming to reveal their underlying mechanisms. (2) Methods: Based on the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study developed a theoretical model incorporating health consciousness and environmental awareness. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey, yielding 407 valid responses. The sample was gender-balanced (52.8% male, 47.2% female), predominantly consisting of young individuals aged 26–35 (44.7%) and 18–25 (28.0%), with primary occupations being company employees/managers (46.2%) and students/teachers (25.3%). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software to systematically evaluate the research hypotheses and the model’s applicability. (3) Results: The model exhibited excellent fit indices, with a χ²/df value of 2.129, an RMSEA value of 0.053, an RMR value of 0.029, and GFI, CFI, NFI, and NNFI values all exceeding 0.90, indicating that the model structure adequately explained the relationships among latent variables. All research hypotheses were significantly supported (p < 0.01), demonstrating that health consciousness and environmental awareness not only directly influence purchase intentions but also exert significant indirect effects through attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. (4) Conclusions: Health consciousness and environmental awareness are critical drivers of sports enthusiasts’ purchasing behavior for sustainable sports products. This study deepens the understanding of the mechanisms underlying green consumption behavior and offers practical implications for related businesses. Companies should enhance product healthiness and environmental friendliness while optimizing consumer psychological perceptions to increase purchase intentions. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to measure changes in preferences regarding health-related quality of life associated with COVID-19 and RSV illness in children and adults from 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) to 2023 (post-pandemic). Methods: A stated-preference survey elicited time trade-off (TTO) values from US adults in spring 2021 (n = 1014) and summer 2023 (n = 1186). Respondents were asked to indicate how much time they would hypothetically be willing to trade from the end of their life to avoid the effects of varying severities of COVID-19 and RSV illness for: (1) children; (2) parents of an ill child (family spillover); and (3) adults. Attitudes relating to COVID-19 vaccination and data on experience with COVID-19 or RSV illness were also collected. The primary outcome measure was the loss in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Changes in preferences over the time period from 2021 to 2023 were evaluated using regression analysis. Results: QALY losses increased with disease severity and were highest for Long COVID. Across all COVID-19 and RSV health states, QALY losses associated with child health states were higher than family spillover or adult health states. In the regression analysis, QALY losses reported in the 2023 survey were significantly lower than 2021 QALY losses for COVID-19, but not RSV. Conclusions: Preferences may change over time in a pandemic context and therefore, economic analyses of pandemic interventions should consider the timeframe of health preference data collection to determine whether they are suitable to include in an economic evaluation. Even with the impacts on health-related quality of life attenuated over time, childhood illnesses still had a measurable impact on caregivers’ quality of life. Full article

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies based on big language models are becoming a transformative power that reshapes the future shape of education. Although the impact of GenAI on education is a key issue, there is little exploration of the challenges and response strategies of GenAI on the sustainability of education from a public perspective. This data mining study selected ChatGPT as a representative tool for GenAI. Five topics and 14 modular semantic communities of public attitudes towards using ChatGPT in education were identified through Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling and the semantic network community discovery process on 40,179 user comments collected from social media platforms. The results indicate public ambivalence about whether GenAI technology is empowering or disruptive to education. On the one hand, the public recognizes the potential of GenAI in education, including intelligent tutoring, role-playing, personalized services, content creation, and language learning, where effective communication and interaction can stimulate users’ creativity. On the other hand, the public is worried about the impact of users’ technological dependence on the development of innovative capabilities, the erosion of traditional knowledge production by AI-generated content (AIGC), the undermining of educational equity by potential cheating, and the substitution of students by the passing or good performance of GenAI on skills tests. In addition, some irresponsible and unethical usage behaviors were identified, including the direct use of AIGC and using GenAI tool to pass similarity checks. This study provides a practical basis for educational institutions to re-examine the teaching and learning approaches, assessment strategies, and talent development goals and to formulate policies on the use of AI to promote the vision of AI for sustainable development in education. Full article

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is closely associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. To develop prevention strategies and interventions, the exploration of cultural norms, societal attitudes, and perceptions related to IPV is vital. This study explored community perspectives on IPV during pregnancy in rural Ethiopia. We used an exploratory qualitative study design to collect data. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) guided by a semi-structured topic guide. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, revealing the following four themes: (1) threats to the health of the mother and the fetus; (2) the contributing factors of IPV during pregnancy; (3) coping strategies for IPV during pregnancy; and (4) the need for intervention. Supportive attitudes toward IPV, early marriage, lack of awareness among offenders about its consequences, alcohol use, poor couple communication, and provocation by wives were found to be the causes of IPV during pregnancy. Participants in this study perceived IPV as a normal and unavoidable aspect of marital relationships. Comprehensive interventions that address challenging the cultural norms that condone IPV, increase community awareness of its detrimental effects, improve couples’ communication skills, and address alcohol abuse among men could play a crucial role in preventing or reducing IPV during pregnancy. Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) with regard to digital dental technologies among dentists in Jiangsu province. Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study enrolled dentists in Jiangsu province during June, 2023. A web-based questionnaire was used to collect the demographic characteristics of the participants and KAP regarding digital dental technologies. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyze the associations between KAP dimensions. Results: A total of 284 questionnaires were collected, of which 212 (74.65%) were valid, and 108 (50.94%) of the participants were male. Their knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 14.33 ± 3.59 (possible range: 0–19), 26.17 ± 3.40 (possible range: 8–40), and 10.73 ± 3.11 (possible range: 4–16), respectively, indicating sufficient knowledge, a positive attitude, and proactive practice. Cone–beam computed tomography (CBCT) was the most well-understood digital dental technology among the dentists (205, 96.70%), followed by intraoral scanning/models and digital impression scanning/facial scanning (198, 93.40%), computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) (177, 83.49%), three-dimensional printing (175, 82.55%), and surgical guides (175, 82.55%). CBCT was the most frequently used technique (90.09%), followed by intraoral scanning (72.17%), impression scanning (54.25%), and CAD/CAM (42.45%). The SEM showed that knowledge had a direct effect on attitude (β = 0.283, p < 0.001), and attitude had a direct effect on practice (β = 0.280, p < 0.001), demonstrating that knowledge had an indirect effect on practice. Knowledge also had a direct effect on practice (β = 0.310, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Dentists in Jiangsu province had sufficient knowledge, a positive attitude, and proactive practice with regard to digital dental technologies. However, policies should encourage dentists to integrate digital technologies into their practice by establishing sufficient understanding and positive attitudes. Full article

With consumers becoming increasingly aware of the effects of human activity on the environment, tourism products and destinations are increasingly marketed as sustainable and socially responsible. As most sustainable practices lead to additional costs, and tourists’ decisions tend to be price sensitive, achieving sustainability goals necessarily involves understanding how much more tourists are willing to pay for sustainable practices as well as the antecedents of such willingness to pay (WTP). The present study aims to advance knowledge on the antecedents of WTP for sustainable destinations (WTP-4-SD), for which it builds on previous studies employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP). In this context, a theoretical model involving ecotourism attitudes, environmental beliefs, climate change-related risk perceptions (CC-RRP), environmental concern during trip (ECDT), and sustainable consumption behavior (SCB) as antecedents of WTP-4-SD is proposed. The model was tested based on data collected through an online survey from a sample of 847 Spanish and Portuguese Gen Z travelers and analyzed through Structural Equations Modeling (SEM). The findings suggest that a cohesive set of attitudes and beliefs regarding the man–nature relationship, the risks of climate change, and the role of tourism—which have been labeled “No Planet-B Attitudes”—is the main driver of WTP-4-SD. The effects of SCB and ECDT on WTP-4-SD have also been confirmed—although the latter is quite small—as well as those of No Planet-B Attitudes on both. The findings bring about insights into young travelers’ attitudes towards nature and the role of tourism in sustainable development, as well as useful implications for sustainable tourism planning and marketing. Full article

Parental attitudes and peer victimization experiences in childhood influence anxiety. Depressive rumination is associated with these factors, but the interrelationship between them remains unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that “inadequate parental attitudes” and “peer victimization” experienced in childhood worsen “depressive rumination” and “state anxiety”, and that “depressive rumination” is an intermediate factor that worsens anxiety symptoms in adulthood. We verified this interrelationship by structural equation modeling. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted on 576 adult volunteers, who gave written consent. Demographic data and scores from the Parental Bonding Instrument, Childhood Victimization Rating Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, and state anxiety of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y were collected. Data were analyzed by multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling. In the study models, inadequate parental attitudes (low care and high overprotection) and depressive rumination directly worsened anxiety. Inadequate parental attitudes and peer victimization experienced in childhood indirectly worsened anxiety via depressive rumination. Furthermore, inadequate parental attitudes experienced in childhood indirectly worsened depressive rumination via peer victimization in childhood. Our results indicate that depressive rumination influences the relationship between inadequate parental attitudes, peer victimization, and adulthood anxiety. Therefore, assessing the quality of parental attitudes and peer victimization experienced in childhood and depressive rumination may help to clarify the antecedents of anxiety and how to intervene effectively. Full article

There are global concerns regarding the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens from animals to humans. Especially, companion animals are increasingly recognized as a potential source due to their close interactions with people, despite a limited number of reported cases. Although, social demands regarding comprehensive surveillance for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among companion animals are highlighted, there is a lack of a relevant system in South Korea. In this regard, we conducted preliminary investigation on antimicrobial use (AMU) among small animal clinics, along with veterinary practitioner’s knowledge and attitude regarding this issue in South Korea. We collected data on 684,153 antimicrobial prescription visits for canine and feline patients from 2019 to 2022 at 100 veterinary facilities in South Korea, using electronic medical records. To evaluate antimicrobial use (AMU) and facilitate comparisons across institutions and time periods, we developed the Defined Daily Dose for Animals (DDDA) and the Defined Animal Daily Dosages per 1000 Animal-Days (DAPD). In addition, we conducted an online survey of 362 veterinary practitioners, which included questions on their perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial prescriptions. Simple frequency analyses were performed to examine temporal trends, regional differences and variations by facility size in AMU, and to summarize survey responses. Descriptive analysis using data from 100 veterinary clinics revealed a rising trend in AMU between 2019 and 2022, with higher usage observed in larger clinics and non-capital regions. DDDA values for dogs were generally higher than for cats. Survey results highlighted that, while veterinarians exhibited high awareness of AMR, prescribing practices were significantly influenced by clinical judgments and owner demands, often deviating from established guidelines. The adoption of an electronic veterinary prescription management system (e-Vet) was proposed to enhance antimicrobial stewardship. However, concerns regarding the system’s efficiency and administrative burden were prominent. To our best knowledge, this study provided DDDA for companion animals for the first time in South Korea. Although the indicator should be improved with more comprehensive data and expert opinion, our study showed that it enables reasonable situation analysis regarding AMU in companion animals. The identified factors that affect veterinarians’ prescription practices can also be used to design an effective strategy for promoting appropriate antimicrobial usage. Full article

Background/Objectives: Team-based learning is an educational strategy that promotes active learning and student engagement through structured team activities. It contrasts with traditional teaching models by emphasizing student preparation and collaboration. The TBL-SAI is a reliable and valid instrument designed to evaluate students’ attitudes towards TBL, assessing dimensions such as accountability, preference for lecture or team-based learning, and satisfaction with TBL. Validating the TBL-SAI in different languages ensures its applicability and accuracy in diverse educational contexts, supporting the global adoption of TBL methodologies. Thus far, no Italian validation of this tool has been performed. The aim of this study is to validate the Italian version of the Team-Based Learning Student Assessment Instrument (TBL-SAI) among nursing students. Methods: A methodological-driven translation process and a cross-sectional study design were used. The study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 and involved 202 nursing students from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy). Convenience sampling was employed to recruit participants who had experienced at least one TBL session during the academic year 2022/2023. The validation process included translation, back-translation, and expert panel review, followed by a pilot test to ensure clarity and comprehension. Data were collected using the self-administered TBL-SAI. The responses were analyzed using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) to assess the scale’s validity and McDonald’s ω to evaluate internal consistency. Results: The ESEM results supported the validity of the Italian TBL-SAI, maintaining the factor structure proposed in the original instrument. The model fit indices indicated a good fit (χ²(318) = 384.097, p = 0.0065; RMSEA = 0.032; CFI = 0.974; TLI = 0.957). McDonald’s ω values exceeded 0.70 for all factors, confirming adequate internal consistency. Conclusions: This study successfully validated the Italian version of the TBL-SAI, demonstrating its reliability and validity for assessing perceptions of TBL among Italian undergraduate nursing students. However, future studies should employ Confirmatory Factor Analysis to further test the proposed factor structure and explore the instrument’s applicability in various educational settings. The validated TBL-SAI is recommended for use in evaluating students’ attitudes towards TBL, providing actionable feedback for educators to improve teaching methods and integrate TBL methodologies effectively. Full article

The use of flexible work arrangements (e.g., remote, hybrid) has spread during the pandemic and cumulative studies provide mixed findings on the positive vs. negative consequences of these working methods for employees and organizations. The present study examined the potentially curvilinear effects of employees’ attitude towards flexible work options (i.e., flexible work orientation; FWO) on individual- (i.e., performance, job satisfaction, stress, work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict) and organization-related outcomes (i.e., organizational social support, organizational justice, affective organizational commitment). Anonymous survey data were collected in 2021 from 1061 in-person and flexible workers nested within 100 Italian organizations. Measurement invariance across the two subsamples was supported and subsequent structural model analyses suggested a differential pattern of results for in-person and flexible workers. Results indicated a curvilinear U-shaped relationship between FWO and organizational support, justice, commitment and job satisfaction for the in-person subsample as compared to a positive linear relationship for flexible workers. Moreover, in both samples of flexible and in-presence workers, FWO exerted a positive linear effect on performance and a mainly negative linear effect on stress, WFC and FWC. Overall, flexible workers displayed linear relationships among all the study variables, whereas in-person workers showed the curvilinear effects of FWO on support, justice, commitment and satisfaction, all of which increased at high levels of employees’ positive attitude towards FWO. Results are discussed in light of the globally elevated rates of flexible work arrangements and mixed findings on their implementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Effective communication between nurses and patients plays a crucial role in the delivery of quality healthcare services, especially when caring for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. It fosters trust, understanding, and collaboration and contributes to better health outcomes and satisfactory nurse–patient relationships. The aim of the study is to assess the factors and barriers affecting nurses’ communication when providing care for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive design is used with an online survey instrument. The study involved registered nurses employed in Jeddah’s hospitals. The study utilized a convenience sample for data collection and used the latest version of the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS version 21) for data entry and analysis. Results: A study of 367 participants found significant barriers to nurse–patient communication, with a mean score of 2.84 on a three-point scale. Key challenges included language differences between nurses and patients with a mean score of 2.87, and cultural and religious differences with a mean score of 2.83 and 2.81, as well as nurses’ communication skills, attitudes, and self-confidence and patients’ awareness, attitudes, and resistance to communication. The multifaceted nature of these barriers emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to improve nurse–patient interactions and enhance care quality. Conclusions: The study highlights the impact of various factors on effective communication between nurses and patients, emphasizing the need for nurses to develop their communication skills and to receive adequate training from nursing officials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, debilitating condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and psychological distress. There is a lack of qualitative studies on the unique experiences of patients with FMS in Arab countries, particularly through social media. Despite the availability of diagnostic criteria, diagnosing and managing patients remains challenging. This study aimed to describe the experiences of patients with FMS in Arab countries, their understanding of the illness, and perceptions of treatment. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using a content analysis of patients’ narratives published in a supportive group, describing their experiences with fibromyalgia. The dataset included 2305 quotes from 192 main posts and 2113 comments collected between 2019 and 2024. Results: The analysis of the posts and associated comments revealed six main themes: patients’ experiences with the syndrome, symptoms, searching for a doctor, pharmacological management, self-management, and the impact of fibromyalgia and peer support. Most posts and comments focused on patients’ experiences with self-management approaches and coping strategies, highlighting significant noncompliance with therapeutic modalities. Factors influencing patients’ experiences and decisions included their relationship with physicians, medication side effects, personal fears, and physical and mental health. Conclusions: Patients with FMS in Arab countries face similar challenges to those in other regions, including physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts. Many patients reject conventional therapeutic management strategies and adopt coping mechanisms to mitigate adverse effects and healthcare costs. The findings suggest that the physician–patient relationship, as well as the physician’s knowledge and attitude toward fibromyalgia syndrome, are the cornerstones of gaining patients’ trust. Full article

With the rapid development of live streaming e-commerce, green agricultural products have become an important consumer category. However, sales still face challenges such as weak brand effects, content homogeneity, and the lack of professional hosts. Research shows that various factors influence consumers’ purchase intentions, with design-driven attributes and brand image playing crucial roles. However, their impact in the context of green agricultural product live streaming remains underexplored. This study, based on the S-O-R theory, investigates the factors that stimulate consumer purchase intentions for green agricultural products and reveals the influence of design-driven attributes on purchase intentions. A total of 472 valid responses were collected through a questionnaire. The results indicate that social presence and brand image have a positive impact on purchase intention, with green perceived value and emotional attitude acting as full mediators. However, design-driven attributes do not have a significant direct impact on purchase intention. Nevertheless, emotional attitude plays a significant mediating role between design-driven attributes and purchase intention. This study contributes to the research on consumer behavior and perceived value in live streaming environments, particularly emphasizing the importance of design-driven attributes, and provides insights for optimizing live streaming strategies and improving agricultural product design. Full article

The increasing popularity of social media and the growth of gourmet food culture have elevated molecular gastronomy as a unique dining experience that enhances consumers’ perceptions of value through innovative food presentation and sensory marketing strategies. This study investigates consumer acceptance of molecular gastronomy by utilizing the value–attitude–behavior (VAB) model and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). We examine the interplay between utilitarian and hedonic values, product innovation, and sensory stimulation to understand consumer reactions and attitudes toward molecular gastronomy. Through convenience sampling, we surveyed individuals who had experienced molecular gastronomy, collecting 407 valid responses, with a response rate of 95.3%. Our findings reveal that both utilitarian and hedonic values significantly influence consumers’ attitudes (β = 0.635, p < 0.01; β = 0.750, p < 0.01). Attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and sensory stimulation play crucial roles in shaping behavioral intentions (β = 0.770, p < 0.01; β = 0.719, p < 0.01; β = 0.791, p < 0.01). Although subjective norms and product novelty also have positive effects on intentions, their impact is less significant (β = 0.511, p < 0.01; β = 0.416, p < 0.01). These insights suggest that practitioners in the dining industry should prioritize utilitarian value, hedonic appeal, consumer attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and sensory experiences when creating and marketing molecular gastronomy dishes. This research not only enhances our understanding of consumer behavior within this innovative culinary domain but also offers practical strategies for boosting market acceptance and engagement with such avant-garde dining experiences. Full article

Background/Objectives: This article highlights the importance of addressing the mental health of LGBTQ people, specifically through psychoeducation/intervention programs. The primary objective was to understand the effects of participating in an online affirmative program. The theoretical frameworks of the minority stress model and the concept of decompensation were used to understand and address disparities with the general population. Methods: A detailed protocol was designed to understand the participants’ experiences. An analysis of the results was carried out using a content analysis of the data collected from a convenience sample of participants from two groups. Results: The findings show that the participants’ experiences were satisfactory, especially with developing coping skills and changing their attitudes towards homophobia, also showing improvements in mental health indicators. Conclusions: This study concludes that online LGBTQ-affirmative psychoeducation programs can be positive in enhancing the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQ population. The research highlights the importance of extending these programs to LGBTQ family members. It is also important to acknowledge the specificities of each subgroup. Full article