Search Results (3,016)

Existing studies on mate value discrepancy and relationship satisfaction often suffer from two key limitations: they conceptualize mate value as a single, undifferentiated construct and rely on simple difference scores to model discrepancy effects. The present study addresses these issues by examining the relationship between mate value discrepancy and relationship satisfaction using a multidimensional operationalization of mate value and applying response surface analysis. Data were collected in 2016 in Norway via a web-based survey administered by a market research company, with a sample stratified across the country’s 19 counties. The final estimation sample included 904 individuals currently in romantic relationships. The analysis involved a combination of confirmatory factor analysis and response surface analysis. The findings indicate that relationship satisfaction is highest when both partners exhibit high levels of Family orientation, resourcefulness, appearance, sociability, and physical condition. Among these, family orientation emerged as the most important dimension. Notably, relationship satisfaction declined when both partners scored equally low on these traits. Implications for future research and theoretical implications are discussed. Full article

Purpose: Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory, this study analyzed gender differences in the relationships between teachers’ sense of efficacy, basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration (competence), and life satisfaction among Physical Education (PE) pre-service teachers. Method: A sample of 368 PE pre-service teachers (Mage = 23.41 ± 2.37; 48.1% women) participated. A multi-group structural equation modeling approach was used. Results: Male participants reported significantly higher levels of competence satisfaction compared to their female counterparts. Teaching efficacy positively predicted life satisfaction, both directly and indirectly via competence satisfaction. Notably, the indirect effects were stronger among women, while direct effects were observed only in the female group. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the key role of competence satisfaction in explaining how teaching efficacy influences life satisfaction in pre-service teachers. Gender differences suggest that while both men and women benefit from feeling competent, the pathways differ, highlighting the importance of gender sensitive strategies in teacher education programs. Full article

As large language model (LLM) tutors evolve from scripted helpers into adaptive educational partners, their capacity for self-regulation, ethical decision-making, and internal monitoring will become increasingly critical. This paper introduces the Needs-Driven Consciousness Framework (NDCF) as a novel, integrative architecture that combines Dennett’s multiple drafts model, Damasio’s somatic marker hypothesis, and Tulving’s tripartite memory system into a unified motivational design for synthetic consciousness. The NDCF defines three core regulators, specifically Survive (system stability and safety), Thrive (autonomy, competence, relatedness), and Excel (creativity, ethical reasoning, long-term purpose). In addition, there is a proposed supervisory Protect layer that detects value drift and overrides unsafe behaviours. The core regulators compute internal need satisfaction states and urgency gradients, feeding into a softmax-based control system for context-sensitive action selection. The framework proposes measurable internal signals (e.g., utility gradients, conflict intensity Ω), behavioural signatures (e.g., metacognitive prompts, pedagogical shifts), and three falsifiable predictions for educational AI testbeds. By embedding these layered needs directly into AI governance, the NDCF offers (i) a psychologically and biologically grounded model of emergent machine consciousness, (ii) a practical approach to building empathetic, self-regulating AI tutors, and (iii) a testable platform for comparing competing consciousness theories through implementation. Ultimately, the NDCF provides a path toward the development of AI tutors that are capable of transparent reasoning, dynamic adaptation, and meaningful human-like relationships, while maintaining safety, ethical coherence, and long-term alignment with human well-being. Full article

In response to the growing urban–rural dichotomy and escalating human–land conflicts in rural China, this study investigates the role of soundscapes as emotional mediators to enhance environmental satisfaction and foster sustainable human–land symbiosis. To address this need, we carried out a series of systematic field surveys at five representative traditional villages in a major provincial capital city in China, and we implemented a comprehensive questionnaire and surveyed 524 residents about their perceptions of sound, land affection, and environment. We employed a mixed-methods approach combining questionnaire surveys, association rule mining (ARM), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the ‘sound–land–environment’ interaction chain. ARM analysis identified strong associations among tour guide narratives, local dialects, natural sounds (e.g., rustling leaves, birdsong), and tourist-generated sounds (support = 50%, confidence = 78%, lift = 1.33). SEM results revealed that soundscapes significantly and positively influence land dependence (β = 0.952, p < 0.001) and land rootedness (β = 1.812, p < 0.001), which in turn jointly affect environmental satisfaction (β = –0.192, p = 0.027) through a chain mediation pathway. These findings suggest that optimizing rural soundscapes can strengthen emotional bonds between people and land, thereby enhancing environmental satisfaction and promoting performance of sustainable human–land symbiosis. The study contributes theoretically by elucidating the emotional mechanisms linking soundscapes to human–land relationships and offers insights for incorporating soundscape considerations into village planning and developing policies to cultivate land attachment, supporting the sustainable development of traditional villages. Full article

This study explores how the consistency between work–family boundary preferences and boundary enactment affects employee well-being by applying polynomial regression and response surface analysis. Using two-wave data from 420 employees in consulting firms in China, recruited via snowball sampling, bootstrapping was conducted to examine whether reduced work–family conflict mediates this relationship. The results show that consistency between preferences and enactment is positively related to job satisfaction and depression–enthusiasm well-being but has no significant effect on anxiety–comfort well-being. Anxiety–comfort and depression–enthusiasm well-being are higher when both preferences and enactment are high compared to when both are low. Work–family conflict plays a mediating role in this relationship. This research adds to the boundary management literature by highlighting the importance of aligning work–family boundary preferences with enactment. The findings suggest that organizations can improve employee well-being by supporting boundary management practices that match individual preferences. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between monetary and non-monetary motivations and financial and non-financial job performance among non-academic staff in Chinese universities. Using data from 356 respondents, analyzed via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) with Smart-PLS4, this study finds that both incentive types significantly affect performance. Monetary incentives such as salaries and bonuses primarily enhance financial performance; on the contrary, non-monetary incentives such as training, career advancement, and supportive work environments have a stronger impact on nonfinancial performance, including job satisfaction and service quality. The findings underscore the importance of implementing balanced motivation strategies that integrate both financial rewards and developmental support. From a policy perspective, this study recommends customized incentive systems to improve administrative effectiveness and contribute to the strategic development of universities. These insights offer practical guidance for strengthening human resource practices and maximizing the performance of non-academic personnel in the context of higher education in China. Full article

Background: Mental health issues among PhD students are rising, a trend believed to be driven by academic and social challenges. Method: A total of 1265 doctorate students from a large university in Barcelona, Spain (739 women; 414 men; 112 marked other options), with a mean age of 32.36 years (SD = 8.20, range: 23–67), were evaluated by means of standardized instruments. Results: Totals of 40.6% and 46.5% of the sample exceeded the cut-off point for anxiety and depression symptoms, and 57.7% for life satisfaction. The proportion of females exceeding the cut-off point was significantly higher than that of males for both anxiety (women: 43.8%, men: 34.5%) and depression (women: 49.3%, men: 39.8%), but not for life satisfaction (women: 57.6%, men: 58.4%). Arts and Humanities PhD students’ disciplines reported higher anxiety and depression scores than those in Social Sciences, Experimental Sciences and Mathematics, and Health Sciences, respectively, while Social Sciences students showed higher life satisfaction and mentoring support than the other groups. Depression scores were significant predictors of life satisfaction across all doctoral programs. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of mentoring in supporting doctoral students’ mental health and life satisfaction and can also inform policies in educational institutions, given that PhD students experiencing psychopathological disorders are at a higher risk of academic failure and dropout. Full article

Facing the global competitive market and ever-changing customer demands, manufacturers must navigate intense competition and uncertain demand while striving to enhance customer satisfaction. As a result, the demand for customized products has become a crucial design consideration. To respond accurately and swiftly in a competitive market, manufacturers must focus on customer needs, analyze market trends and competitor information, and leverage data analysis as a reference for new product development and design. This study presents a new product development model by integrating quality function deployment (QFD), decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), analytic network process (ANP), and fuzzy set theory. It first uses a 2-tuple fuzzy DEMATEL to identify significant interrelationships among factors. A revised house of quality (HOQ) is then constructed to map relationships among customer requirements (CRs), engineering requirements (ERs), and the influences of CRs on ERs. To address uncertainty in human judgment, fuzzy set theory is incorporated into the ANP. The integrated model can determine the relative importance of the ERs. The proposed model is applied to touch panel development, and the results are recommended to the R&D team for new product development. Full article

Adoption of the use of robots in the foodservice industry has increased, and research in the quality of service provided by robots is required. Our research objective is to determine interrelationships among service quality, perceived value, restaurant image, satisfaction, and revisit intentions among customers at robotic restaurants. Data collection was conducted, with 342 South Korean restaurant consumers considered suitable to offer accurate responses to the survey questions. An online survey was employed to examine hypothesized relationships. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Three dimensions of service quality (atmosphere quality, food quality, and interaction quality) at robotic restaurants were critical for higher perceived value by diners at robotic restaurants. Perceived value increases robotic restaurant image, customer satisfaction, and customer revisit intention. Additionally, findings reveal that robotic restaurant image is a positive predictor of satisfaction, and that satisfaction is a positive predictor of revisit intention. Robotic restaurants have become pervasive in hospitality service environments. Accordingly, theoretical and empirical findings about multiple dimensions of service quality in this context likely will be of interest to marketing researchers and practitioners for sustainable restaurant business. Full article

Understanding ecosystem services (ES) and human well-being interactions is vital for sustainability, yet the impact of supporting services is often overlooked or considered to be insignificant. This study focused on the oasis region along the northern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains, where a survey was conducted among 986 ethnic minority rural households on the subjective perception of ecosystem services and rural residents’ well-being. We used structural equation modeling to identify the impact of ecosystem services on the well-being of rural residents from ethnic minorities. The results indicate the following: (1) Provisioning (score: 3.57) and regulating (score: 3.52) services are highly perceived; material well-being satisfaction (score: 3.588) exceeds non-material well-being satisfaction (score: 3.451). (2) The personal characteristics of the respondents, including gender, age, education level, family income, and residential location, affect their perceived importance of ecosystem services and their satisfaction with well-being. (3) Provisioning, regulating, and cultural services have a synergistic relationship, with regulating services significantly enhancing provisioning services. (4) Supporting services directly and indirectly boost well-being via provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. To improve rural residents’ well-being, it is essential to raise their awareness of ecosystem services and promote the collaborative governance of these services. Full article

Workplace health and safety issues have long plagued the construction industry. While safety efforts have traditionally focused on physical risks, increasing attention is being paid to mental health and work-related stressors, which can negatively affect both productivity and safety. In Saudi Arabia, the construction sector presents a unique context because of its highly diverse, multinational workforce. Workers of different nationalities often operate on the same job site, leading to potential communication barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and inconsistent safety practices, all of which may amplify stress and safety risks. This research aims to investigate the influence of work-related stressors on construction workers’ safety in Saudi Arabia and identify which stressors most significantly contribute to the risk of injury. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 349 construction workers across 16 job sites in Saudi Arabia. The survey measures ten key stressors identified in the literature, including job site demand, job control, job certainty, skill demand, social support, harassment and discrimination, conflict with supervisors, interpersonal conflict, and job satisfaction. Data were analyzed using logistic regression and Pearson correlation to examine relationships between stressors and self-reported injuries. The findings indicated that work-related stressors significantly predict workplace injury. While the first regression model showed a modest effect size, it was statistically significant. The second model identified job site demand and job satisfaction as the most influential predictors of injury risk. Work-related stressors, particularly high job demands and low job satisfaction, substantially increase the likelihood of injury among construction workers. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating psychosocial risk management into construction safety practices in Saudi Arabia. Future studies should adopt longitudinal designs to explore causal relationships over time and include qualitative methods such as interviews to gain a deeper understanding. Additionally, factors such as nationality, organizational policies, and management style should be investigated to better understand their moderating effects on the stress–injury relationship. Full article

Background: Eating disorder (ED) symptoms and body image (BI) concerns involve serious risks to the physical and mental health of women and men. Social networking sites have amplified the promotion of idealised body images, contributing to this issue. Objectives: This study examines the link between personal and emotional factors, social media body image-related behaviours, BI concerns, and ED symptoms, as well as the differential role of these factors according to gender. Methods: A cross-sectional design was applied. The participants were 201 Spanish adults (mean age = 28.26; 76.6% women) who completed self-reported measures on BI (MBSRQ), ED symptoms (EAT-26), perfectionism (EDI-2), anxiety, depression, stress (DASS-21), emotional dysregulation (DERS), life satisfaction (SWLS), and social media BI-related behaviours. Results: Significant relationships between ED symptoms and BI concerns with personal and emotional factors and social media body image-related behaviours have been found. Women have scored higher in ED symptoms and social media BI-related behaviours than men. Multiple regression analyses showed that the difficulty in accepting emotions and not posting images due to BI dissatisfaction were risk factors for ED symptoms in both men and women. Furthermore, the adverse effect of perfectionism and low life satisfaction on women’s ED symptoms were demonstrated, whereas in men, goal-directed behaviours were associated with ED risk. Conclusions: These results suggest that prevention programmes focusing on emotional regulation and healthier social media use can be effective for ED symptoms and BI concerns. Full article

Adolescents’ psychological well-being results from the interaction between individual traits, such as optimism and perfectionism, and contextual factors. According to the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the living environment can promote well-being by fulfilling basic psychological needs. Perceived parental support or control may influence the satisfaction of these needs and the development of dispositional traits, with significant consequences on well-being. This study, conducted on a sample of Italian adolescents (N = 500, M_age = 18; SD = 0.7), aimed to explore the mediating role of dispositional optimism and both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism in the relationship between perceived parental support and control and adolescents’ well-being. Structural Equation Model (SEM) results showed that optimism mediated the relationship between paternal support and well-being (β = 0.029, p = 0.05), while adaptive perfectionism mediated the effects of both maternal and paternal support on well-being (β = 0.062, p < 0.001; β = 0.038, p = 0.001). In contrast, maternal control had an indirect negative impact on well-being through dispositional optimism and maladaptive perfectionism (β = −0.045, p = 0.012; β = −0.040, p = 0.009), whereas paternal control was not significant. These findings underscore the importance of supportive parenting in promoting adolescent psychological well-being and the risks associated with excessive control. Full article

Background/Objectives: Missed nursing care (MNC), defined as any omitted or delayed aspect of required patient care, is a global concern affecting both patient outcomes and nurse well-being. In Saudi Arabia, few studies have examined its relationship with job satisfaction. This study assessed the prevalence of MNC, job satisfaction, and their association among nurses in government hospitals. Methods: A correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2025 in government hospitals across Albahah, Hail, and Almadina. A total of 366 registered nurses participated. Data were collected via a structured online questionnaire including demographic information, the Missed Nursing Care Scale, and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and regression analysis. Results: Basic care activities such as mouth care, bathing, and meal assistance were the most frequently missed tasks, mainly due to staffing shortages and high patient loads. The median MSQ score was 60 (44–71 Interquartile Range), reflecting moderate job satisfaction. A significant negative correlation was observed between MNC and job satisfaction (r = −0.267, p < 0.001), indicating that increased missed care was associated with lower satisfaction levels. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need for healthcare administrators and policymakers to implement strategies to improve staffing levels and work environments. Addressing these organizational factors is essential to reducing missed nursing care, enhancing nurse job satisfaction, and ultimately improving patient safety and care quality in Saudi government hospitals. Full article

Background: Problematic digital gaming has emerged as a significant behavioral concern among adolescents, with potential implications for well-being. Understanding the mechanisms through which problematic digital gaming affects life satisfaction and how these mechanisms may differ by gender is important for targeted interventions. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between problematic digital gaming and life satisfaction among adolescents. Method: The sample consisted of 458 Turkish adolescents (232 females, 50.7%) aged between 14 and 18 years (M = 16.27). Participants completed the Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents—Short Form, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale—8. Results: Problematic digital gaming was found to have a significant negative association with life satisfaction. Difficulties in emotion regulation significantly mediated the relationship between problematic digital gaming and life satisfaction. Furthermore, gender moderated this mediation effect, with difficulties in emotion regulation being more pronounced among males than females. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of emotional regulation in understanding the negative impact of problematic digital gaming on adolescents’ life satisfaction, particularly among males. These results suggest the need for gender-sensitive approaches in interventions aimed at improving emotion regulation skills and reducing problematic gaming behavior. Full article