Search Results (2,071)

Microplastics (MPs) adsorb hazardous substances and are ingested by a wide range of organisms; therefore, indicators for managing their environmental concentrations are needed. Ideally, threshold values should be based on health impacts. However, the diversity of MPs and the complexity of their environmental behavior make it difficult to establish unified environmental concentration standards. In this study, we propose a threshold for the presence of MPs on sandy beaches based on “visual cleanliness,” derived from the amount of MPs that people find psychologically unacceptable. Three types of MPs were used: white polypropylene (PP), blue PP, and white polystyrene (PS; expanded polystyrene). The survey was conducted in Japan, and the number of valid responses was 245. For defining a narrow-range cleanliness threshold, volume concentration was more appropriate than mass concentration. White particles were expected to be less noticeable because they tended to blend with white shell fragments, which are ubiquitous on beaches. In contrast, blue particles were expected to be less acceptable owing to their rarity. However, we found no difference in unacceptability between white PP and blue PP. The threshold, defined as the volume concentration at which half of the respondents find MPs psychologically unacceptable, ranged from 1 to 2 cm³-MPs/m²-sand. Gender, age, travel time to the beach, and frequency of beach visits did not influence unacceptability. Strong concern about marine plastic pollution and experience in cleaning public spaces were associated with a tendency toward low tolerance for MP contamination on beaches. Full article

To address the limited evidence base and lack of replicable methods for age-specific design in corridor-based informal learning spaces (ILSs) in resource-constrained primary schools, this study examines age-related spatial needs through a low-cost mixed-methods approach grounded in environment–behavior research and developmental psychology. Drawing on data from three primary schools in Lüliang, Shanxi, it constructs a three-stage evidence chain integrating preference data, behavioral mapping, and context validation. The findings show that lower-grade children (6–9 years) responded more strongly to salient cues and immediate feedback, with dynamic play and environmental interaction as prominent behavioral patterns. Upper-grade children (10–12 years), by contrast, were more often observed in low-interference settings with organizational support and more often engaged in group collaboration. Of the 113 recorded conflict events, 74.3% clustered in behavioral hotspots, indicating a strong spatial correspondence between conflict events and high-density activity areas, and pointing to structural mismatches among spatial attraction, capacity, and circulation. This study develops a low-cost spatial diagnosis and optimization framework for resource-constrained school environments. Within this framework, Minimum Viable Conditions (MVCs) define baseline usable conditions, the Bottleneck-Prone Node (BPN) identifies risk-prone corridor nodes, and the Cross-School Stability Index (CSI) supports cross-school stability assessment and intervention prioritization. Full article

Urban wildscapes (UWS), characterized by low levels of management and spontaneous vegetation, are increasingly recognized as components of blue–green infrastructure with potential benefits for climate adaptation, health equity, and socio-ecological resilience. However, these benefits depend on individuals’ actual environmental exposure in daily life, which is shaped by mobility, activity patterns, and temporal constraints, leading to unequal access across social groups. Despite this, existing research has largely focused on public perceptions and acceptance of UWS, with limited attention to whether such evaluations reflect real-world exposure processes. This study conducts a systematic review of 30 empirical studies, examining spatial types, evaluation methods and media, and psychological dimensions. The results reveal three patterns: a focus on marginal spaces, the dominance of visual media and scale-based methods, and an emphasis on affective and cognitive responses over functional dimensions. These findings suggest that current research captures mediated perceptions rather than lived exposure, potentially constraining understanding of health outcomes and equity. This paper calls for a shift toward an exposure-oriented framework integrating mobility, activity spaces, and environmental contact. Full article

The present study examined the relationship between eco-emotions (i.e., eco-anxiety, eco-depression, and eco-anger) and pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs), focusing on the moderating role of place attachment. A total of 250 participants (mean age = 33.69 years, SD = 14.67; 170 females) were enrolled. Results showed that only eco-anger was positively correlated with PEBs. Moreover, results indicated that place attachment moderated the association between eco-anger and PEBs, such that the positive relationship was weakened at higher levels of place attachment. No moderating effects of place attachment emerged for eco-anxiety and eco-depression. These findings suggest that place attachment may function as a subjective context-related factor associated with how eco-anger and PEBs co-vary at a single point in time. Overall, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the cross-sectional associations between eco-emotions, subjective place-related bonds, and PEBs. The study offers implications for residential environmental communication strategies grounded in locally feasible behavioural options. Full article

Fibromyalgia represents a complex chronic pain condition in which patients experience widespread pain accompanied by fatigue and a broad range of physical and psychological symptoms. Diagnosis relies on symptom-based diagnostic criteria that lack objectivity, making it difficult to properly diagnose and treat. The etiology of fibromyalgia is thought to be multifactorial, including neurobiological, psychological, environmental, and genetic factors. In addition to pain, many patients experience central nervous system-related symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression. Fibromyalgia has recently been recognized as a nociplastic pain disorder. Alterations in sensory processing and pain thresholds in the central nervous system may result in the perception of widespread pain throughout the body. In a recent study, we divided fibromyalgia patients who reported widespread pain into two subgroups based on their pain threshold: a low pain threshold group and a normal pain threshold group. We comparably analyzed these subgroups by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. This hypothesis article provides an overview of the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia and discusses these two subgroups of nociplastic pain. Recognizing the various pathophysiologies of fibromyalgia will allow us to better understand patients’ conditions and select appropriate treatment options for each patient. Full article

Cognitive decline is a global public health challenge, yet the built environments where humans spend 90% of their time are only now being recognized as a means of preventive intervention. This paper presents a mechanistic framework describing how environmental and design features may influence hippocampal neuroplasticity, offering architects an evidence-based foundation for supporting brain health. We describe how eight environmental pathways, five activating features (design that promotes movement, enrichment, orientation features, daylight, views of nature) and three inhibiting features (air quality, noise, visual pattern stress) are hypothesized to converge on cAMP Response Element-Binding protein (CREB), a representative transcriptional integrator regulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression levels in the hippocampus. BDNF is a protein implicated in brain health outcomes including synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival, neurogenesis and cognitive function. Synthesizing evidence from neuroscience, exercise physiology, environmental psychology, toxicology, and visual neuroscience, we grade evidence strength for each pathway and identify the specific design variables involved. Evidence strength varies markedly across pathways: movement and enrichment rest on direct experimental and meta-analytic data, including human studies; air quality and noise rest on direct mechanistic evidence largely from animal and exposure studies; orientation features, daylight, and views of nature rest on indirect mechanistic inference; and visual pattern stress remains hypothesis-generating at the architectural scale. Enrichment and active design pathways show the strongest evidence for CREB activation, while noise, air quality, and non-natural visual patterns are associated with CREB inhibition. From this framework, we derive a consolidated set of design features organized by pathway, evidence strength, and temporal impact on brain health outcomes. These range from immediate synaptic plasticity to long-term neuroprotection. This mechanistic model offers a roadmap for a longer-term research program and outlines the formal structure required for future computational implementations. The framework can serve as a bridge connecting neuroscience to the emerging global movement on brain health that positions the built environment as an underutilized lever for supporting cognitive health across the lifespan. Full article

Despite growing recognition that nurses must be equipped with sustainability competencies to address climate-related health challenges, the psychological mechanisms through which nursing education fosters sustainability attitudes are not yet fully understood. This study examined the mediating role of clinical performance self-efficacy in the relationship between simulation-based learning quality and sustainability attitudes among undergraduate nursing students. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed with a main sample of 679 nursing students from four Egyptian universities. Data were collected using the CHEST, SECP Scale, and SANS_2. Mediation analysis used Hayes’ PROCESS macro with 5000 bootstrap resamples. Simulation-based learning quality significantly predicted both self-efficacy (β* = 0.772) and sustainability attitudes (β* = 0.613). Self-efficacy partially mediated this relationship, accounting for 68.34% of the total effect (indirect β* = 0.419, Boot 95% CI [0.343, 0.494]). Nursing educators should design simulation curricula that deliberately cultivate self-efficacy while embedding sustainability content, producing clinically competent and environmentally responsible graduates. Full article

Nature connectedness, a sense of identification with the natural world, has been identified as an important psychological antecedent of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour. Understanding its psychological correlates therefore carries both theoretical and practical relevance. Mindfulness and nonattachment, two dispositional qualities rooted in contemplative traditions, have each been associated with enhanced well-being and a greater appreciation of one’s interconnectedness with the environment, yet their specific interrelationships with nature connectedness remain poorly understood. The present cross-sectional study therefore examined conditional indirect associations between trait nonattachment, dispositional mindfulness, and nature connectedness in a sample of 152 university students completing validated self-report measures. Two alternative models including conditional indirect effects were tested via structural equation modelling with bootstrapped confidence intervals. Correlational analyses revealed positive associations between study variables, with mindful awareness, but not acceptance, significantly correlated with nature connectedness. Structural equation modelling revealed a significant indirect effect of nonattachment on nature connectedness through mindful awareness. These findings contribute to the growing literature on psychological antecedents of nature connectedness and carry theoretical implications for mindfulness-based approaches to pro-environmental attitudes. Future longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to establish the directionality and practical relevance of the observed associations. Full article

Despite increased interest in sustainable consumption, the fundamental psychological factors affecting individuals’ intentions to purchase green products have not yet been fully elucidated within an integrated framework. This study addresses this gap and examines the impact of hedonic and eudaimonic orientations on green purchase intention within the framework of Norm Activation Theory (NAT). Analysis of data from 346 participants revealed that personal norms are the strongest predictor of green purchase intention, with awareness of consequences and ascription of responsibility also having significant positive effects. The results also indicate that eudaimonic orientation enhances awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility, and personal norms, while the indirect effect of eudaimonic orientation on green purchase intention via personal norms is not significant. On the other hand, while hedonic orientation increases environmental awareness, it weakens personal norms, leading to a negative indirect effect on green purchase intention. Overall, the results suggest that hedonic and eudaimonic orientations influence green purchase intention mainly through cognitive considerations and moral obligations, rather than directly. This study contributes to the green consumption literature theoretically by integrating hedonic and eudaimonic orientations into the NAT model and provides strategic implications for sustainability communication and consumer segmentation. Full article

Negative life events (NLEs) are robust environmental correlates of adolescent internalizing problems (IPs), yet the psychological mechanism and boundary conditions remain unclear. To examine whether self-esteem accounts for the association between NLEs and adolescent IPs, and whether resilience conditions these links, 400 adolescents completed anonymous measures assessing NLEs, IPs, self-esteem, and resilience. The results show that (1) NLEs were positively associated with IPs, (2) self-esteem mediated the association between NLEs and IPs, (3) resilience moderated the relationship between NLEs and IPs, and (4) resilience also moderated the link between NLEs and self-esteem, such that associations were weaker at higher resilience. The index of moderated mediation was significant, indicating that the indirect effect via self-esteem decreased as resilience increased. These findings suggest that reduced self-esteem is an important link between exposure to negative life events and internalizing symptoms. Moreover, the findings indicate that resilience functions as a protective factor that attenuates both direct and indirect associations, suggesting potential targets for school-based prevention aimed at strengthening self-worth and resilience. Full article

Environmental degradation represents a critical global challenge. Given its profound impact on ecosystems and societies, understanding the psychological factors that motivate individuals to engage in natural resource conservation behaviors has become increasingly important. Because efficacy beliefs (i.e., self-efficacy, response efficacy, and collective efficacy) are key psychological drivers of both plans and actions, a meta-analytic approach was used to estimate the associations between efficacy beliefs and conservation-related intentions and behaviors. The moderating roles of data collection method, population type, culture, and participants’ gender were also examined. Five meta-analyses synthesized the findings from 50 studies on conservation intentions and behaviors, revealing medium-sized positive associations with self-efficacy (intention, r = 0.47; behaviors, r = 0.41) and response efficacy (intention, r = 0.36; behaviors, r = 0.34), whereas the association with collective efficacy was small (single index, r = 0.28). Although substantial heterogeneity was observed, none of the tested moderators reached statistical significance, highlighting the need for future studies. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of strengthening individuals’ beliefs in their ability to engage in conservation behaviors. Full article

Contemporary cultural infrastructure globally faces a critical architectural challenge: balancing the demand for spatial adaptability (e.g., flexible layouts, interactive technologies) with the absolute necessity of inclusive access for diverse demographics. This tension is particularly acute in rapidly urbanizing environments. However, current research lacks integrated methodologies to systematically evaluate these intersecting issues. This paper addresses this gap by developing a systematic, multi-method framework for post-occupancy evaluation (POE). To empirically illustrate and test the applicability of this framework, a comparative multi-case study was conducted in Wuhan, China, focusing on two distinct exhibition hall typologies within the Hubei Science and Technology Museum and the Qintai Art Museum. Grounded in environmental psychology, the methodology systematically triangulates spatial mapping, behavioral observation, and semi-structured interviews. The empirical application reveals that while highly adaptive elements enhance curatorial flexibility, they frequently introduce unintended cognitive barriers that disproportionately exclude vulnerable visitor groups. For the international research community, this study contributes a culturally responsive evaluation protocol, providing researchers with operational tools to systematically decode the socio-spatial frictions between adaptable exhibition design and universal inclusivity. Full article

Promoting farmers’ adoption of sustainable agricultural practices is essential for advancing agricultural green transformation and ecological conservation in the Poyang Lake Basin. Current research frequently relies on a single theoretical perspective and insufficiently reveals the synergistic mechanism linking knowledge conversion, psychological cognition, and institutional support. This study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Organizational Support Theory (OST) to construct a holistic “knowledge–psychology–behavior–institution” analytical framework. Based on a questionnaire survey of 485 farmers from 12 districts and counties surrounding Poyang Lake, we use structural equation modeling and the Process macro to examine direct effects, mediating effects, and the moderating role of government support. The results show that sustainable knowledge sharing and application significantly improve farmers’ behavioral intention through attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, thereby positively promoting actual sustainable practices. Government support plays a significant positive moderating role in the translation of knowledge and psychological factors into behavioral intention. This study enriches the theoretical interpretation of farmers’ pro-environmental behavior from the synergistic perspective of individual cognition and external institutional constraints. The findings provide empirical support for local governments to optimize agricultural extension services, improve policy support systems, and promote coordinated development between ecological protection and high-quality agriculture. Full article

Background/Objectives: The dental setting has been suggested as a location for opportunistic diabetes screenings. Diabetes screening is a pathway consisting of several steps that must be completed to reach a diagnosis. Previous research has found that most patients in the dental setting, when offered the opportunity to screen for diabetes, are willing to do so; however, amongst those who are referred for medical follow-up, there is low compliance. If diabetes screening in the dental setting is to be effective, strategies are required to maximise uptake and ensure completion of the screening pathway. Methods: This qualitative study examined participants in a diabetes screening trial held at dental clinics in Victoria, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone, transcribed and analysed thematically. The themes identified were then deductively mapped onto the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Results: Ten individuals who were screened for diabetes and referred to their general medical practitioner (GP) for a diabetes diagnosis were interviewed. The themes identified from the interviews were mapped to five COM-B domains: reflective motivation and automatic motivation, social and physical opportunity and psychological capability. These were linked to eight TDF domains associated with issues related to knowledge, environmental context and resources, memory, attention and decision processes, social influences, beliefs about consequences, emotions, and beliefs about capability. Conclusions: This study investigated the determinants influencing individuals’ decision to participate in diabetes screening and comply with referral advice. The results demonstrate the need to increase community knowledge around diabetes and screening for the condition, facilitate risk interpretation, and streamline the referral pathway between oral health professionals (OHP) and GPs. The study provides evidence that can be utilised for the development of future interventions that promote diabetes screening participation and maximise medical follow-up of referred individuals. Full article

Tourism drives economic growth but also intensifies environmental pressure at travel destinations, particularly by exacerbating local challenges in waste management. Rather than merely testing the theoretical validity of the norm activation model (NAM), this study utilizes its key constructs—specifically moral and accountability variables—as a strategic framework to examine the psychological drivers of waste reduction in the urban context of Vientiane, Laos. Data from 382 domestic tourists were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression. Ascription of responsibility (AR) (β = 0.219, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of intention, followed by personal norm (PN) (β = 0.173, p < 0.01) and actual waste management behavior (β = 0.160, p < 0.01). Notably, environmental knowledge and awareness of consequences—factors often emphasized in traditional environmental campaigns—had no significant influence. The findings demonstrate that, in addressing urban waste challenges in developing regions, fostering internalized moral sentiments (AR and PN) is far more effective than mere pro-environmental education. This study concludes that sustainable waste management may benefit from operationalized interventions that activate personal accountability rather than relying solely on general environmental awareness. Full article