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This investigation delineates the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) educational games on middle school students’ learning outcomes and motivational dynamics within an astronomy context. Utilizing “Physics Lab VR,” a case study approach compared the efficacy of VR learning against traditional classroom methods and tablet-based instruction. Quantitative analyses, encompassing pre-test and post-test measures, were complemented by qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews to assess both the cognitive and affective dimensions of learning. Results indicated that VR significantly enhances students’ understanding of complex astronomical concepts, as evidenced by superior post-test performance in the VR group. Furthermore, VR educational games markedly improved students’ intrinsic motivation by fulfilling psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness more effectively than conventional teaching methods. Despite the positive outcomes, challenges related to the integration of VR in educational settings, including technological accessibility and curriculum alignment, were identified. The study underscores the potential of VR educational games to transform learning experiences by making abstract concepts accessible and engaging, though it also emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to overcome implementation barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated whether the organisational culture of the country causes a moderating effect on the relationship between motivational factors and knowledge sharing intention (KSI) from the perspective of Toyota managers in Japan and Brazil. The questionnaire applied to Toyota managers, in Brazil (n = 84) and Japan (n = 111) through online access. The data treatment applied structural equation modelling. The results revealed that Brazilian managers attributed higher mean values than the average values of Japanese managers. Analysis of the two samples revealed no significant differences in the structure of the structural equation model through the use of PLS-PM. While for the Brazilian sample only anticipated reciprocal relationship explained KSI, for the Japanese sample, the anticipated reciprocal relationship and sense of self-worth contributed to explaining KSI. Three interactions between the three moderation variables and the three independent variables were significant when analysing the sample of Brazilian managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste picking within the informal sector is essential to solid waste management policy and practice. A healthy number of academic articles have emerged from the practice of waste picking, particularly Ghana, of recent. Nevertheless, a common limitation across many of these articles is the absence of in-depth investigations into the experiences and backgrounds of waste pickers. This study examines the practical aspects of waste picking, uncovering motivational factors that drive individuals to engage in waste picking business and the multifaceted challenges that they encounter. Sixty-one waste pickers were interviewed at the Kumasi Oti Landfill site, and the findings were supplemented with documentary sources and observational data. Through content analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and the relative importance index, our study highlights that despite its necessity for survival, many waste pickers express dissatisfaction and find the waste picking business unpleasant. Additionally, the primary motivational factors for engaging in the waste picking business include lack of jobs, compounded with a lack of general and skilled education as well as social and cultural capital, and the flexibility of the work and family business. Furthermore, our findings underscore the significance of certain challenges, notably low income, health problems and social stigmatisation attached to the work. In light of these findings, it is recommended that government provides socio-economic and social support for waste pickers and facilitate the establishment of cooperatives for waste pickers in the recycling sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumer attitudes towards how they participate in the disposal of solid waste products is a crucial concern in Ghana. The attribution theory in social psychology emerged in the literature as a paradigm that seeks to explain the consumer attitudes towards solid waste products disposables that are negative and individualistic. This study estimates the motivational factors to consumer attitudes and unlawful disposal of solid waste products in Bono Region of Ghana. The results indicated the direct path dimensions of the analysed hostile aggression was CoE (−0.103), SE (0.040), CR (−2.547), p (0.011), learned helplessness was CoE (0.112), SE (0.052), CR (−2.133), p (0.033), and beliefs was CoE (0.049), SE (0.049), CR (0.988), p (0.323). Beliefs were not significant. However, hostile aggression and learned helplessness were significantly related to the unlawful disposal of solid waste products. The mediation for advertising message type was EST (0.622), SE (0.038), p (0.000) significant indirect effect towards the unlawful disposal of solid waste products and moderation interaction for existential consumer EST (0.002), SE (0.000), CR (70.939), p (0.000) was significant towards the unlawful disposal of solid waste products. The results suggest that many consumers who throw away solid waste products participate in unlawful disposal practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on a dynamic view of human capital for the entrepreneurship field, our article covers research performed in this field by examining: the effect of formal versus non-formal Entrepreneurial Education (EE) investments and the development of entrepreneurial human capital assets on the entrepreneurial intention; learning approaches (behavioral, cognitive, or constructive) that are prevalent in formal and non-formal education systems in terms of teaching methods and acquired competences and their effects on entrepreneurial intention, considering different settings at individual and country context level. More than 650 respondents from three countries (Macedonia, Slovenia, and Lithuania) are included in the sample. The research applies structural equation modeling, using two standardized and relevant measurement tools: Entrepreneurial Intention Questionnaire (EIQ) and Assessment Tools and Indicators for Entrepreneurship Education (ASTEE). Non-formal entrepreneurial education has proven to be a stronger effect on human capital assets. On the other hand, entrepreneurial mindset and constructive entrepreneurial skills have a greater impact on personal attitudes and perceived behavioral control. This could mean that decision-makers should complement formal with non-formal entrepreneurial education, that they should design the entrepreneurial study programs with non-cognitive (that is, constructive) teaching methods and learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored factors that were important to primary teachers' motivation due to increased pressure caused by changes associated with a global neoliberal movement. A questionnaire (n = 243) was conducted to gain an overview of factors causing pressure on teachers. Interviews (n = 13) were conducted to reveal factors relevant to teachers' motivation in the past, present, and future. The study indicated that teachers, regardless of type of motivation, felt the same extent of external control and experienced similar reasons for pressure. The study showed that autonomous motivation was more present than controlled motivation, and that the teachers emphasised support rather than external pressure. The study also found that a type of motivation could change due to the application of a variety of coping strategies. Therefore, when teachers experience external pressures, they benefit from consistent support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide insight into the motivational working mechanisms (i.e. mediators) of an effective physical activity (PA) intervention for adults aged over fifty. Design: The mediation model (N = 822) was investigated in an RCT for the total intervention population, participants who were not norm-active at baseline (targeting PA initiation) and norm-active participants (targeting PA maintenance) separately. Main Outcome Measures: Potential mediators (attitude, self-efficacy, intention, action planning and coping planning) of the effect on PA (6-months) were assessed at baseline, 3 and/or 6 months. Results: The intervention resulted in a decrease in intention (B= −.209; p=.017), and an increase in action planning (B=.214; p=.018) and PA (B=.220; p=.002). Intention and action planning did not mediate the effect on PA. Self-efficacy, although not significantly influenced by the intervention, was found to be the only motivational variable that predicted change in PA (B=.164; p=.007). These results were confirmed among participants initiating PA. Among norm-active participants no significant intervention effects were identified. Conclusion: The motivational factors cannot explain the intervention effect on PA. Most likely, the effect can be explained by an interaction between the motivational factors together. Differences between participants initiating versus maintaining PA, highlight the importance of performing mediation analyses per subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aesthetic surgery of the female genitalia is on the rise. Many procedures are performed. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric disorder and often goes unrecognized in plastic surgery. This review examines actual knowledge of plastic surgery in gynecology, knowledge of motivational factors of women, and BDD. We carried out a systematic electronic search. We used a combination of relevant keywords to construct the search strategy. Included studies were systematic reviews or primary studies published 1990–2017 and containing information about BDD. Reviewers independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed quality, undertaking narrative synthesis. The research revealed a variety of plastic procedures available and why women consider undergoing labia reduction surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine consumers' brand avoidance behaviours toward sportswear brands in the Chinese sportswear market. A theoretical framework was proposed regarding the influence of motivational drivers as well as the moderating effect of country of origin on consumers' brand avoidance behaviours. A focus group study and a web-based survey were used to collect data to test the relationships proposed in the theoretical framework. The results suggested that avoidance toward sportswear brands existed among Chinese consumers. Motivational factors including negative shopping and consumption experience, negative brand identity, and unpleasant advertising had significant influences on Chinese consumers' avoidance behaviours toward sportswear brands. Additionally, brands' country of origin moderated the relationships between brand avoidance drivers and Chinese consumers' brand avoidance toward sportswear brands. This study fills a gap in the literature on brand avoidance, and provides great insight for the sportswear industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The news media's ability to mobilise citizens to participate politically by emphasising elite conflict in politics is not well understood. This article argues that citizens may gain knowledge when exposed to conflict news framing. It further theorises that whether they translate their knowledge into political participation is conditioned by their orientation towards conflict. Individuals who avoid conflict participate less frequently than individuals who do not. The proposed moderated mediation process was tested using a content analysis of news media coverage and a three-wave panel survey (n = 2,061). Results show that the effect of exposure to conflict news framing on (changes in) political participation is positively mediated by knowledge. This mediation effect is moderated by conflict avoidance, where the effect is more positive among conflict non-avoiders than conflict avoiders. This study shows that understanding the news media's mobilising effect on political participation requires attention to both news content and individual motivational factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines the impact of the Ferguson Effect and related public scrutiny on college students' motivation to become police officers. Using data from 654 students located at two US universities with over 20,000 students, the results indicate that students' who perceived that officer motivation and dangerousness has been affected by negative media scrutiny had significantly higher log-odds of strongly agreeing that such scrutiny has negatively impacted their trajectory to work in the police profession and had higher log-odds of strongly agreeing that it has made them apprehensive about applying for police positions in comparison to the reference category. The current study highlights how the negative attention directed towards law enforcement is adversely influencing college students' motivation to enter the police profession. Police departments must make a concerted effort to mitigate such negative scrutiny in order to ensure a strong candidate pool for prospective police officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify and define potential positive and negative factors in patient experiences and patient-provider interactions that are associated with the pursuit and maintenance of treatment by those suffering from substance use disorders (SUD). Methods: Two focus groups with patients in treatment for SUD were performed. The focus groups focused on questions aimed at mapping factors associated with initiating and maintaining treatment along the transtheoretical model of change. Four in-depth interviews with healthcare providers involved in the treatment of patients with SUD were also conducted to understand providers' perspective on similar factors. Results: Fourteen patients were included in the focus groups. Patients identified their life prior to treatment as chaotic and further identified internal and external factors that influenced seeking treatment. The four healthcare providers identified primarily social issues such as lack of housing as an external barrier. Both patients and providers cited the importance of a trusting and empathetic relationship between the patient and providers, as well as the patient's willingness to change as primary motivating factors for the initiation and maintenance of treatment. Conclusions: From a patient and provider perspective, facilitators and barriers for initiating and maintaining may vary by person and are multifactorial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to examine motivations for practicing physical activity on holiday. In particular, the objective is to compare home habits to holiday experiences and identify differences and commonalities in individuals’ attitude towards physical activity. The methodological approach is to conduct a survey among tourists during a holiday stay by employing a self-administered questionnaire. Findings identify three motivational factors (Decompress, Performance and Shape) and a cluster analysis reveals the coexistence of four different profiles of physical activity performers (Shapers, All-around Pursuers, Sport Performers and Decompress Seekers). Results show diffuse distinctiveness of motivations for practicing physical activity on holiday compared to the motivations for practicing it at home. Specifically, Decompress motives increase and Shape motives decrease. The study contributes to deepen the knowledge on consumer behaviour in leisure and holiday and provides useful insights to destination managers and policy-maker to address the sport tourism market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need to redirect tourist policies and products towards a more economically and environmentally sustainable model. The main objectives of this paper were to identify the profile of hiking cultural tourists; to segment the hiker profile using the intensity of the sports activity undertaken, and according to the pursuit of various cultural activities during their stay; and finally, to model the factors of being a cultural tourist. Based on a sample study composed of hikers, four groups were distinguished based on their physical capabilities and propensity towards risk, as soft and hard hikers and soft and hard cultural tourists. The analysis reveals different characteristics and patterns of associated behaviour, justifying the development of differentiated commercial strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the driving forces behind Asian students studying tourism and hospitality in the United Kingdom at 3 stages: (a) choosing a foreign country, (b) selecting the United Kingdom as the host country, and (c) undertaking tourism and hospitality courses. We collected data using questionnaires distributed among tourism and management students attending a major higher education provider in the United Kingdom. The findings identified subgroups of push and pull factors that explain the movement patterns of Asian students toward studying tourism and hospitality in the United Kingdom. Using a mathematical equation, this study reveals that seeking a better life, the nature of the program, and external influences significantly impact students’ movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:The aim of this research was to examine socioeconomic disparities in quitting smoking and the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and steps in the smoking cessation pathway. Methods:We conducted an 11-year longitudinal cohort study examining the association between SES and quitting smoking among 721 current smokers at baseline. At the follow-up survey there were 466 smokers composed by those who continued smoking since baseline and those who began ore relapsed smoking. Among these we then studied the association between SES and steps on the pathway of quitting: nicotine dependence, motivational factors (expectancy of gains in quality of life after quitting; worries about health; favourable attitudes about smoking), beliefs about quitting (intention to quit smoking within the next 6 months; self-efficacy), and past quitting history. Results:Smokers with fewer years of education were less likely to quit. Higher nicotine dependence was associated with lower education and with workers classified as managers and professionals, who were also more likely to record favourable smoking attitudes, and to have made ≥1 quit attempts. Manual workers reported lower self-efficacy in quitting, and were less likely to report 6 months of abstinence. Conclusions:Higher education levels may predict quitting smoking over a long period. Interventions are needed to reduce dependence and to enhance self-efficacy in lower educated smokers, as well as to reduce favourable smoking attitudes among higher occupational classes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recruitment is known to be a challenge for intervention programs targeting youths, including sports programs. Following the popularity of the Alter-Action program of the Montreal-based organization DesÉquilibres, we wanted to understand the motivations and barriers to youths' recruitment in this voluntary sports community program. A qualitative methodology was favored. We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews (n= 27) with participants, 5 (n= 5) with the partners, and we carried out a focus group with 5 (n= 5) of the organization's service practitioners. We also conducted a participant observation with youth cohorts and during preparatory meetings. Five factors influencing recruitment emerged: (1) socialization/belonging; (2) training/physical aspects; (3) ‘extraordinary’ dimension; (4) practicality of the program; and (5) social influences. Four key elements thus appear important to consider when promoting the recruitment of youths in voluntary community programs: (1) favoring social interactions; (2) insisting on the specific and beneficial elements of the program; (3) allowing youths to experiment a trial period; and (4) including testimonies of former participants in the information session. Further recommendations for psychosocial intervention programs targeting youths are discussed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This interdisciplinary (spirituality/psychology/sociology) study explores the motivation of women entering and remaining in religious life from 1,116 Roman Catholic Sisters who responded to an open-ended questionnaire. A noteworthy pattern was the tendency to cite inner call, which increased in recent generations while the tendency to cite Sisters example decreased. The vast majority of Sisters cited their commitment to God and their religious community as motivation to remain in religious life. The results indicate the importance for Sisters to live out their mission (nationally/internationally) through public service, faith formation, and as advocates by providing role models and inspiration for future Sisters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently there has been growth in the home brewing of beer. The purpose of this exploratory study is to identify the motivational factors for becoming a home brewer and the motivational factors for continuing to participate in the home brewing activity. A mixed-mode study utilizing semi-structured interviews and a survey instrument was used to understand home brewer motivational factors. The results indicate that home brewers engage and continue to participate in the activity primarily because of intrinsic motivational factors of fun, excitement, and enjoyment, and to a lesser degree by extrinsic motivational factors of learning opportunities and non-monetary savings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cyprus is established as a summer destination. To aid the destination in developing its winter season as well, this research uses a qualitative, interpretive, inductive approach to explore the tourists' visitation motivations in order to establish whether Cyprus can be perceived as a year-round destination. The research indicates that the sun and sea image prevails and determines visitations. This in effect dissuades tourists from seeing it as a year-round destination. Nonetheless, increasing the pull factors of the destination through the development of unique special interest products can help in extending the tourism season as well as broaden its narrow image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The papers in this Special Issue compellingly show that older adults' everyday cognitive life is governed not by the decline in elementary cognitive processes as measured in the lab, but by a multitude of compensatory mechanisms, most of which are of the social/motivational variety. Much of this compensatory behavior can be elicited with no or only little experimental prodding, underscoring the self-organizing or self-initiated nature of this type of behavior, even in advanced old age. We suggest that the study of compensation and the orchestration of cognitive, social, and motivational compensatory mechanisms in effective and healthy aging provides a meaningful challenge to traditional ways of examining developmental changes in cognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examined the factors motivating 52 U.S. women religious (ages 66-83 years) to enter and remain committed to the vowed life. The main motivational factors to enter religious life were the example of Sisters and the experience of an inner call. In terms of remaining committed, the major factor was the Sisters' commitment to God and to their community. Although the Sisters did identify future changes that would intensify their commitment to the vowed life, they also boldly stated that their commitment is firm, regardless of these changes. Cross-generational investigations might provide additional insights in regard to Sisters' motivational factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the goals of contemporary artisans. Two strands of literature offer different conceptualizations of artisans, the first inferring proclivity towards co-operation and community involvement, the second assuming prioritization of lifestyle goals over growth. Each conceptualization presents alternative implications for regional development. To assess the contrasting theories of the character and socio-economic role of artisans, a qualitative study was undertaken, involving in-depth interviews with 20 artisan food producers in the north of England, exploring their goals and activities. Results give strong evidence of both lifestyle goals and commercial ambitions and skills in the sample. Analysis further suggests that when operating in buoyant niche markets, artisan producers offer the potential for valorization of local resources, skilled employment, and development of localized supply chains. However, under adverse market conditions it is hypothesized that artisans may follow one of two pathways, both of which lead to a loss of socio-economic benefits. Further in-depth research is recommended at the individual firm owner level, to gain more insight into the balance of artisan goals and perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivational models of road-user behaviour are characterized by a heavy reliance on the concept of risk as the main motivating factor influencing behaviour. Using speed choice as an example of risk-taking behaviour, empirical evidence is presented that other factors, such as pleasure in driving and the behaviour of others, also play a major role. Attempts to influence speed choice through publicity measures and police enforcement activities demonstrate that speed-choice behaviour, but not the attitude towards that behaviour, can be changed without changing the perceived level of risk. It is concluded that the development of models that take account of motivating factors other than risk is necessary for accurately predicting road-user behaviour and for developing effective measures that can influence driver behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]