Environment and Social Psychology

The complexity of today’s society is leading to an increase in social problems. This issue (Vol. 8 No. 2) explores interpersonal, environmental, educational, and psychological problems and offers solutions and recommendations for how to address them. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on humanity. As a result, some of the articles in this issue emphasize how the COVID-19 pandemic affects multiple aspects of our society and highlight the most recent societal difficulties. The subject of psychological health is regularly covered in this issue. Articles in this issue discuss mental health level and relationship between psychological well-being and related factors, indicating psychological well-being are affected by various factors and stressing the importance of emotion for mental health. This issue also provides an extensive discussion in terms of issues related to education, which covers students’ attitude towards education system, sustainable development goal related education, and the environmental effect on education. Morando et al.[1] explore the incidence of academic burnout, the personality’s role as predictor and the effect of protective factor like self-efficacy and self-esteem. Some of the findings in this issue are based on the opinions or remarks of others. For example, Rozman et al.[2] supplement the existing literature with new knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence and education, and a multidimensional model of the perceived usefulness of artificial intelligence in students’ perspective about emerging jobs in the Data and AI Cluster was formed. The main findings of their research are important for curricula development and stress theses implications: emphasis on teaching the meaning and importance of AI, integration of AI in coursework, strengthening quantitative skills and developing future work skills that are aligned with emerging trends in the Data and AI Cluster[2]. This issue also covers other common and popular social problems, homophobia and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism. Studies included in this issue are interconnected by the sustainable development goal, and the impact of the goal’s accomplishment is highlighted. In other words, by concentrating on common social occurrences, the articles in this issue offer solutions to associated issues, opening the door for additional research.

Flourishing, an ethical theory founded in Stoic philosophy, centers around emotional control and learning how to live well. It connects strongly with the modern construct of psychological well-being (PWB). PWB programs are increasingly included in workplaces and factors contributing to their success can include individual motivations, accountability and responsibility, organizational support systems and design, and an understanding of mental health conditions. Anxiety, the most commonly experienced mental health condition, is an emotional state that can directly affect PWB, yet it is often neglected in research, as is the concept of who is responsible for PWB. This paper outlines a study to test the hypotheses that: emotional states can affect PWB: emotion can be considered an ethical construct; improving PWB benefits both individuals and organizations and that shared responsibility can optimize organizational PWB program outcomes. Existing information was gathered from a systematic literature review and new information was gathered from a study conducted with the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS). Mixed method research incorporated quantitative and qualitative data collection, testing occupational health and safety (OHS) practitioners’ views on anxiety, and perceptions of factors affecting success or failure of PWB programs. Findings included strong indications that: anxiety can affect PWB and impact performance and productivity; shared responsibility between employees and organizations may improve the outcomes for PWB programs; information and education around self-care, and motivational principles connected to virtue ethics can all assist individuals and organizations to assume responsibility for their role with PWB initiatives.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the extent of the social support provided by parents and teachers among secondary school students during their home-based instruction and the learning anxiety they experience amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Social support was measured based on two constructs: parents and teachers. A descriptive-survey approach utilizing a proportional stratified random sampling was utilized to obtain the samples from a 75,542 total population of secondary students enrolled in school year 2020–2021. Data gathering was carried out during lockdown thus, printed and online surveys were administered. Three problems were investigated in the study: (1) the extent of the social support received by secondary school students from their parents and teachers; (2) the level of learning anxiety they experienced during home-based instruction; (3) whether there is a significant relationship between social support and the learning anxiety of secondary school students. Based on the findings obtained, teachers provided higher support to secondary school students as compared with parents; the learning anxiety experienced by the secondary school students during home-based instruction was moderate; and this study concluded that there is a strong positive relationship between social support and learning anxiety, however, this relationship is not significant.

As a preventive measure against the danger presented by COVID, scholastic establishments everywhere in the world have been compelled to totally suspend eye-to-eye instruction, including labs and other learning exercises. Various activities have been dispatched by advanced education suppliers in the realm of Saudi Arabia and in King Khalid University, to present virtual learning joined by a quick change of the educational program. Virtual learning is more helpful since it can provide a dynamic and enthusiastic air for learning. The meaning of virtual learning including its usage, evaluation and significant exploration articles is investigated in this research paper. This research paper expects to explore the mentalities and views of college understudies on the utilization of virtual learning instruments in the English Department at Dhahran Al-Janoub College at King Khalid University. The information was gathered via a questionnaire that was distributed randomly among undergraduate female students in the college. It was responded by 33 students. Items of the questionnaire were designed quantitatively. The organized inquiries estimated the emotional reactions to explain the target reactions and simultaneously, improve the definition of suggestions of the study. For example, network adjustment, recorded talk trade, and the actuation of communications were firmly connected to zones learners recorded for improvement. Additionally, the result of the study shows that the learning exercises of college understudies are huge, and relying upon the educators and innovation apparatuses utilized, the nature of cooperation will contrast. The study recommends making Blackboard more interactive when teaching courses in a blended mode by adding more features to its interface so as to promote the positive learning attitudes of the undergraduates.

Academic burnout is a health issues that largely interests the global community and troubles students at all academic levels. Despite the significant effects on students’ quality of life, well-being, and academic performance, yet, it has not been adequately examined. Therefore, this study is aimed at exploring the levels of academic burnout, the personality’s role as predictor (through Big Five Factors) and the effect of protective factor like self-efficacy and self-esteem. Moreover, in an innovative way, a multi-group analysis will be proposed to verify differences between the variables observed in the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 period. Through a total sample of 609 students, it proposed a multiple-mediation model with a comparison between two phases: pandemic and post-pandemic. Results suggest that among the Big Five Factors, there are strong predictors of the effects of burnout, and specifically that conscientiousness and self-efficacy are important in the management of the academic burnout and that self-esteem could support students and mitigate feelings of inadequacy in different academic challenges. Moreover, the pandemic seems to have worsened emotional instability and negative effect on university stress. Studies such as this provide valuable information for educators and all stakeholders who want to contribute to the education and training for students’ life and educational journey in a way that is certainly more holistic, equitable and accessible to all.

Intrapersonal Emotion Regulation is a widely studied and recognized term as an essential variable in people’s wellbeing, and their optimal psychosocial functioning. It has not been until recent years that Interpersonal Emotion Regulation (IER) has been taken into account in studies focused on emotional life and academic performance. The Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IERQ) is one of the few self-report instruments designed for the evaluation of this construct. As far as we know, there is no tool that evaluates this variable in the Spanish language. The present study aims to adapt and validate the IERQ in the Spanish population (n = 289). Maintaining the internal structure of the original scale, it has been found that the Spanish version of the IERQ (IERQ-S) is a valid instrument for the evaluation of IER in the Spanish population.

The Philippine sports culture is embedded in its communities as they are aggressively engaging in sports initiatives involving the youth from grade school to college levels capturing the passion of the sport’s participants at the grassroots level. Varsity players were exposed to such passion which shaped their competence in sports and physical activity later in life. This research analyzed the motivation and attitudes of the varsity athletes in higher education who have been participating in community sports in their growing years. Ninety (n = 90) varsity players from three state universities and colleges in Zamboanga City, Philippines participated in a Likert-scale survey to determine their level of motivation and attitudes towards community sports initiatives in relation to their athletic participation in the university. Findings revealed that the level of motivation among varsity students for the benefits of sports was very high and their gender and years of being a varsity player. Attitude indicators also revealed that varsity players pursue sports because it develops their competence and social skills. Community sports initiatives promoted a competitive mindset, as well as boosted confidence as players were able to prepare for competitions. This study is important for government and universities to consider the role of community sports initiatives in developing their long-term grassroots sports programs.

This paper aimed (a) to examine whether materialism is related to attitude to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and (b) to test whether environmental concern mediates the relationship between materialism (and its dimensions: acquisition centrality, happiness, and success) and attitude to CSR among undergraduate students. This study used a cross-sectional research design. A questionnaire survey was used to obtain the study data. Participants were recruited from students in Chinese universities. Hayes’s PROCESS and SPSS 22 were employed to analyze the data. The results showed that materialism is negatively related to attitude toward CSR among students. Environmental concern does not mediate the relationship between materialism and attitude to CSR. The relationship between centrality and attitude to CSR was statistically significant in the two models. Happiness and attitude to CSR are positively related. The mediating effect of environmental concern on the relationship between centrality and attitude to CSR was statistically significant.

The main goal of this paper is to supplement the existing literature with new knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence and education, which relates to the importance of courses in statistics, quantitative methods, and students’ perspectives about emerging jobs in the Data and AI Cluster. A multidimensional model of the perceived usefulness of artificial intelligence in students’ perspective about emerging jobs in the Data and AI Cluster was formed; it includes constructs students’ knowledge of the meaning of “artificial intelligence”, their perception of its usefulness in their studies, the perceived ease of use of AI, the perceived usefulness of statistics and quantitative methods, students’ perspective on work skills for the future, and their perspective on emerging jobs in the Data and AI Cluster. The empirical research included 197 undergraduate and postgraduate students from the University of Maribor, Faculty of Economics and Business in Slovenia, who had prior knowledge of statistics obtained during their studies. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The main findings of our research are important for curricula development and stress these implications: emphasis on teaching the meaning and importance of AI, integration of AI in coursework, strengthening quantitative skills and developing future work skills that are aligned with emerging trends in the Data and AI Cluster.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and education for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia are examined in this paper. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. Its fourth goal is to improve educational quality and enable socioeconomic mobility to help people escape poverty. The problem for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia is that they are not officially recognized by the host government. This study has been conducted using a qualitative approach. Purposive sampling has been chosen to identify respondents like United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR) personnel, Rohingya refugees, and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A semi-structured interview question was used to collect the information from the respondents. As a result, one of the consequences is that their children are not permitted to attend government-run schools for formal education. This situation has left them dissatisfied and concerned about their future in Malaysia. Nonetheless, in order to leverage the SDGs’ goal and achieve its motto of “leaving no one behind”, the UNHCR, as an international UN body, made an effort to provide access to the education sector. These efforts aim not only to improve educational quality, but also to strengthen ties between the refugee community and the host society. The local NGOs also collaborate with UNHCR in terms of financial support to further their secondary and even tertiary study. Despite those challenges, it still strives to achieve the SDG No. 4 target to reach the quality of education for Rohingya refugees. As a result, efforts to improve education for Rohingyas in Malaysia are ongoing, and all stakeholders must work together to make it a reality.

Positive mental health is a state of mental health, which supports people in face of different difficulties, enabling them to identify their social skills, with the aim of being more productive, emotionally stable and proactive, and helping and promoting community development. Objective: We analyzed the positive mental health level of outpatients according to socio-demographic variables in community mental health centers in Arequipa, Peru. Methods: Descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study; 1440 outpatients from community health centers over the age of 18 participated. The Lluch Positive Mental Health Scale, which was verified by Calizaya et al. for Peru, was applied, taking into account adaptability, personal satisfaction-autonomy and frustration tolerance. Results: The general level of PMH in the patients was the medium level (89.2%); in the adaptability dimension (F1), the level was high (73.1%). However, the levels of satisfaction and personal autonomy (F2) and tolerance to frustration (F3) were low, 88.5% and 86.0%, respectively. There was no difference in PMH between female and male patients, nor by diagnosis of any disease (p > 0.05). However, due to the educational level (p < 0.05), patients with a higher educational level obtained higher scores. Likewise, older adults and those who are married, dependent workers, and residents of residential areas presented higher PMH levels than the other comparison groups. Conclusion: Outpatients who used the services provided by mental health centers showed a moderate level of positive mental health, as well as the ability to adapt to unfavorable situations. However, they presented problems in personal satisfaction and autonomy, as well as in frustration tolerance

Since the emergence of rising environmental issues, firms urgently require a supply chain strategy that will allow them to compete effectively in the marketplace. Implementing lean and green supply chain management strategies have been recommended to achieve sustainability and competitiveness. Yet, there is some ambiguity about how these practices must interact with one another. While lean practices have been around for a while and are widely adopted by businesses, the green movement is still evolving in the supply chains for most industries. This paper aims to identify the most important lean-green practices in supply chain management and their relative importance to firms’ sustainable performance in automotive industry context using Best Worst Method. The results reveal that green related practices are the most important to achieve environmental, economic, and social performance respectively. Whereas most lean practices remain the least important. As mentioned by the results three green practices, namely Environmental Management System (EMS), Green Purchasing (GP), and Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R), are the most important, while Small Lot Sizing (SLZ) is the least important lean practice. These practices contribute to the improvement of environmental, economic, and social performance respectively. The findings of this research offer a theoretical and empirical roadmap for decision makers seeking to identify key practices that are most likely to contribute to improving various aspects of sustainable performance in automotive context.

Problematic video game playing (PVGP) in adolescents is associated with an array of mental and behavioral problems. Identifying the function of video game playing that are associated with poorer outcomes may provide a better understand of the problem so that adolescents can be helped to foster a healthier relationship with their devices. The aim of the present study is to assess whether sociodemographic factors, drug use, bullying victimization and perpetration, and mental health symptoms are associated with playing video games with the intent to alleviate problems among Brazilian eighth grade students. A cross-sectional survey nested in a cluster randomized controlled trial was used. The participants included 3939 eighth grade students who answered a self-report questionnaire anonymously. Weighted logistic regressions were used to investigate the associated factors. The results showed that 57% (CI = 55.85; 58.15) of these adolescents reported playing with an escapism function. Playing to forget or alleviate real life problems is associated with being male, using tobacco, bullying victimization and perpetration, healthy levels of prosocial behavior, and emotional symptoms; the strongest association was with emotional symptoms (OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.73; 2.28). Playing video games as a form of escapism has been shown to be a relevant aspect for investigation among this population, as it is related to mental health symptomatology in adolescence. An understanding of these data through an experiential avoidance, within an acceptance and commitment perspective is suggested, since it may help broadening the understanding of the problems related to video game playing, its comorbidities and may have direct treatment implications.

The challenges and problems faced by Health Centers in Batam City include work discipline, motivation, compensation, competence, and employee performance. Due to these problems, it is necessary to conduct research entitled “The influence of work discipline, motivation, and compensation on employee performance through competence at Health Centers.” The models used are Structural Equation Model (SEM). In this research, the number of respondents was 127 respondents. This study’s sample was taken from a population of 186 respondents (census method). The research results were as such: determination variables like work discipline, motivation and compensation showed a positive and significant correlation to competence; determination variables like competence, work discipline, and motivation showed a positive and significant correlation to employee performance, whereas the determination variable of compensation showed no significant correlation to employee performance. Square multiple correlation to competence is 88.2% and to employee performance is 98.9%. All variables are determined to be significant except for the compensation variable. It is suggested that employee compensation needs to be increased so that the performance of Health Center employees increases.

Problematic video game playing (PVGP) in adolescents is associated with an array of mental and behavioral problems. Identifying the function of video game playing that are associated with poorer outcomes may provide a better understand of the problem so that adolescents can be helped to foster a healthier relationship with their devices. The aim of the present study is to assess whether sociodemographic factors, drug use, bullying victimization and perpetration, and mental health symptoms are associated with playing video games with the intent to alleviate problems among Brazilian eighth grade students. A cross-sectional survey nested in a cluster randomized controlled trial was used. The participants included 3939 eighth grade students who answered a self-report questionnaire anonymously. Weighted logistic regressions were used to investigate the associated factors. The results showed that 57% (CI = 55.85; 58.15) of these adolescents reported playing with an escapism function. Playing to forget or alleviate real life problems is associated with being male, using tobacco, bullying victimization and perpetration, healthy levels of prosocial behavior, and emotional symptoms; the strongest association was with emotional symptoms (OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.73; 2.28). Playing video games as a form of escapism has been shown to be a relevant aspect for investigation among this population, as it is related to mental health symptomatology in adolescence. An understanding of these data through an experiential avoidance, within an acceptance and commitment perspective is suggested, since it may help broadening the understanding of the problems related to video game playing, its comorbidities and may have direct treatment implications.

The tourism industry plays a significant role in the economy of Bangladesh, particularly in the world-renowned coastal town of Cox’s Bazar. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted this sector, leading to substantial economic losses and shifts in customer satisfaction and behavior. This study aims to analyze the change in customer satisfaction in Cox’s Bazar hotels and resorts before and after the pandemic. In order to identify user-generated content from 9481 reviews from 11 hotels, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22) software was used for text analysis, followed by factor analysis and regression analysis. The study highlights the increased importance of “Financial Stability” post-pandemic, likely due to price reductions and special offers. Additionally, “Digital Culture” and “Illness” emerged as new dissatisfaction factors. The insights offer valuable implications for businesses, policymakers, and tourism stakeholders to strategize effective customer service and foster sustainable recovery in the post-pandemic era.

Analyzing the Japanese movie reviews given by both Chinese and Japanese movie followers, this research provides empirical evidence to explore the cultural and social well-being diversified preference. The results show that cultural inspiration and social well-being have a significant influence on movie reviews and preferences. The more collectivist Chinese followers prefer starring and giving their comments to the movies. Whereas even Japanese reviewers give their review scores, but they are more uncertain to share their feelings to praise or blame the high and low-score movies. The findings reflect the culture and social value and provide considerable social policy decision-making significance to increase social well-being sustainability.

In Kerala’s economy, information technology (IT) sector adorns a place of pride, Kerala being a state in India with the topmost literacy and a large share of technically qualified population. Kerala’s IT sector contributes significantly to the employment creation and also the foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) by way of software exports. As the long-term sustainability of any sector depends on equity and distributive justice among its employees, this study critically analyses the inequality among the IT sector employees at InfoPark in Kerala State in India. A sample survey methodology has been used in this study. Analytical tools like Gini co-efficient have been adopted in the study. The study has revealed clear inequalities among the IT sector employees in their career progression. Women, lower castes, certain religious minorities, etc., are the major sufferers, especially the SC/STs. The share of Muslims among the IT sector employees is low, and the inequality is the least. Based on the study findings, the paper suggests strategies for the sustained growth of IT sector.

Background: Socioeconomically challenged students are the prospective source of relevant development in higher education to actualize an inclusive education. Their situation shapes their individual skills which are integral, especially in learning and subsequently becoming contributors to national development as they become productive members of the community instead of becoming a part of the attrition or unemployment statistics. Objectives: This study analyzes the narratives of working students, particularly self-management practices, specific academic arrangements, and curriculum features that can be integrated into the higher education curriculum. Methods: Four (4) working students, four (4) professionals who were working students in their college years, and four (4) curriculum designers were interviewed to shed valuable narratives and information for the intent of this research. Results: The current and former working students were in unison in saying that they needed more priority in the guidelines of educational engagements because they are already economically disadvantaged and do not have the fluidity of time. Narratives reflect the opportunities for higher education to integrate new forms of learning that are inclusive to those socioeconomically challenged. Conclusion: Curriculum designers recommend that working students are already tailored to succeed because of their ability to manage resources but would be able to self-manage in reducing retention or longer time elapses in their stay in college if the curriculum and policies in the schools were flexible and lenient to their state.

Conflict is considered an inevitable aspect of human social relationships and an inevitable and significant occurrence in all organizations. This study will review the literature on preference conflict organizational management style in Malaysia. From 2013 to February 2023, a systematic examination of the three most databases was conducted. Articles from peer-reviewed journals that examine conflict management styles in Malaysia and are consistent with the theory of conflict management style were included to achieve the research goals. The reviewers independently applied the selected criteria, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the study. Eleven of the 635 studies discovered met the inclusion requirements. The findings indicate that Malaysia’s preferred management style is integrative and compromising. However, if the organization’s demographics are multicultural, Malaysians tend to employ a conflict-avoidance style to avoid significant conflicts. Depending on the circumstances, the research indicates that Malaysians are pacifists and fighters in conflicts threatening their well-being. They attempt to become more respectful while maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved. The study provides several significant contributions for practical purposes and knowledge to interested parties, such as managers and organizational leaders, in determining the best practice for conflict resolution. Further research is required to investigate the state of the employee-employer relationship following the implementation of the proposed conflict resolution style.

Communication is an elementary component of human coexistence. Thanks to our language, we can formulate thoughts and ideas and pass them on to others. However, with this also comes a certain responsibility. This article describes the concept of homophobia. For example, the UEFA Euro 2020 was minting by politics and protests about LGBTQIA+ rights as well as racism. There were both pro and contra protests and the concept of homophobia emerged as a big issue. That should be reason enough to revisit the term itself. The aim of this article is to explain why the term is already a problem in itself. The article reflects the opinion of the authors and are intended to simulate discussions.