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Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being
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Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 8893

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Wenjie Duan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social Work, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
Interests: evidence-based practice; intervention; assessment; QoL; happiness
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an era defined by unprecedented environmental challenges, the interplay between human behavior, the environment, and sustainable wellbeing has become paramount. This Special Issue delves into the intricate relationship between our actions, the natural world, and the pursuit of lasting wellbeing. We invite researchers and scholars to contribute their insights into the complex dynamics that will shape our planet's future.

This Special Issue seeks to explore a wide range of topics, including:

  • The psychology of sustainable behavior: what motivates individuals and communities to adopt environmentally conscious practices?
  • Climate change and human responses: how do people perceive and react to the pressing issues of climate change, and what can be done to foster constructive responses?
  • Biodiversity conservation: examining the crucial link between human activities and the preservation of diverse ecosystems.
  • Sustainable urban planning: investigating the role of city design in fostering sustainable living and human wellbeing.
  • Ecological economics: evaluating the economic aspects of environmental sustainability and how they affect quality of life.
  • Social networks and sustainability: how social networks, both online and offline, influence the spread of environmental awareness and sustainable practices.
  • Community engagement and resilience: understanding the role of communities in building resilience to environmental challenges and fostering sustainable behaviors.
  • Environmental justice and equity: investigating how social and economic factors intersect with environmental issues and exploring strategies to address environmental disparities.
  • Policy and governance: analyzing the impact of government policies and international agreements on shaping sustainable behaviors and practices within societies.
  • Environmental education and awareness: exploring the role of education and communication in promoting sustainable behaviors and environmental awareness.
  • Health and the environment: investigating the impacts of environmental factors on human health and wellbeing, and strategies for improving both.
  • Technological innovations: examining how technological advancements can aid in environmental conservation and foster sustainable practices.
  • Cultural perspectives and sustainability: understanding how cultural values and traditions influence human behavior in relation to the environment.

We encourage a diverse array of submissions that encompass these topics, as they are vital components in the larger narrative of human behavior, the environment, and sustainable well-being.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Wenjie Duan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable behavior
  • happiness promotion
  • assessment
  • intervention
  • cultural differences
  • social policy
  • wellbeing
  • environmental change
  • climate change

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1675 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Virtual Immersive Public Art on the Restorative Experience of Urban Residents
by Lin Li, Shureen Faris Abdul Shukor, Mohd Sallehuddin Bin Mat Noor and Mohd Fabian Bin Hasna
Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9292; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219292 - 25 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1227
Abstract
This study explores the role of virtual immersive public art in improving the psychological well-being of urban residents. The research is set in the context of urban environments, where virtual immersive public art has the potential to foster innovation, integrate technology, and organically [...] Read more.
This study explores the role of virtual immersive public art in improving the psychological well-being of urban residents. The research is set in the context of urban environments, where virtual immersive public art has the potential to foster innovation, integrate technology, and organically blend into public spaces. The study evaluates the impact of such art on psychological restoration by focusing on three key dimensions: interactive themes, interactive mechanisms, and artistic characteristics. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect participants’ real-life experiences and reactions to these art installations. The results show that virtual immersive public art significantly contributes to the restorative experience of urban residents, offering valuable insights into how these installations can promote mental health. Based on the findings, the study provides practical design recommendations for incorporating virtual immersive public art into future urban planning and design projects to enhance urban living conditions and support psychological recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being)
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15 pages, 5039 KiB  
Article
Sustainable and Collaborative Health Promotion in Urban Communities: Practical Implementation and Outcomes Based on Community Capital
by Chia-Hui Hou
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 9112; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209112 - 21 Oct 2024
Viewed by 645
Abstract
In the context of rapid urbanization, leveraging community capital for health promotion to achieve sustainable community development has become a critical issue. This study examines 60 communities in Taipei City through a resource inventory, application analysis, and impact assessment to explore the effects [...] Read more.
In the context of rapid urbanization, leveraging community capital for health promotion to achieve sustainable community development has become a critical issue. This study examines 60 communities in Taipei City through a resource inventory, application analysis, and impact assessment to explore the effects of community capital and community building on sustainable development. Key findings include: Resource Inventory: The 60 communities identified a total of 3407 resources, averaging 68.14 resources per community. These resources encompass social capital (e.g., community organizations and volunteers), human capital (e.g., professional skills and education), physical capital (e.g., facilities and venues), and financial capital (e.g., funding and grants). Resource Application: of 752 resources applied, 48.5% were for teacher matching, and 24.7% for venue borrowing, highlighting a high demand for these resources in health promotion. Regression Analysis: The results show that social capital (β = 0.35, p < 0.01) and human capital (β = 0.29, p < 0.05) significantly enhance community sustainability. Additionally, the frequency of community-building activities (β = 0.31, p < 0.01) positively correlates with sustainable development. Overall, the study confirms the importance of community capital and community building in fostering sustainable development, emphasizing the need to enhance social and human capital for community health and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being)
24 pages, 12768 KiB  
Article
Thermal Comfort and Restorative Benefits of Waterfront Green Spaces for College Students in Hot and Humid Regions
by Bixue Huang, Yang Zhao, Jiahao Yang, Wanying Wang, Tongye Guo, Xinyi Luo and Meng Du
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 8924; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208924 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 818
Abstract
Global climate change presents a serious threat to the sustainable development of human society, highlighting the urgent need to develop effective adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters. Campus waterfront green spaces, integral to the blue-green infrastructure, have been demonstrated to [...] Read more.
Global climate change presents a serious threat to the sustainable development of human society, highlighting the urgent need to develop effective adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters. Campus waterfront green spaces, integral to the blue-green infrastructure, have been demonstrated to facilitate stress recovery. However, in hot and humid regions, severe outdoor thermal conditions may impair students’ mental and physical health and cognitive function, leading to symptoms such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. This study examined the influence of outdoor thermal environments on health recovery by selecting three different waterfront green spaces in this climate: Space A (medium water body, sky view factor (SVF) = 0.228), Space B (large water body, SVF = 0.808), and Space C (small water body, SVF = 0.292). The volunteers’ thermal comfort and the restorative benefits of these spaces were evaluated via the perceived restorativeness scale (PRS), heart rate (HR), and electrodermal activity (EDA). We found variations in the neutral physiological equivalent temperature (PET) across the spaces, with values of 28.1 °C (A), 28.9 °C (B), and 29.1 °C (C). The lowest skin conductance recovery rate (RSC) at 0.8811 was observed in Space B, suggesting suboptimal physiological recovery, despite higher scores in psychological recovery (fascination) at 15.23. The level of thermal comfort in this hot and humid region showed a negative correlation with the overall PRS score, the “being away” dimension, and heart rate recovery (RHR). At a lightly warm stress level, where PET increased from 31.0 to 35.7 °C, RSC peaked between 1.45 and 1.53 across all spaces. These insights provide guidance for urban designers and planners in creating waterfront green space designs that can improve the urban microclimate and promote thermal health, achieving sustainable health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being)
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16 pages, 967 KiB  
Article
Environmental Justice and Social Work: A Study across Practice Settings in Three U.S. States
by Lisa Reyes Mason, Sierra Roach Coye, Smitha Rao, Amy Krings and Julia Santucci
Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8361; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198361 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1793
Abstract
Environmental justice is essential for improved quality of life and sustainable wellbeing. This study examines how environmental issues and related injustices are surfacing in U.S. social work practice and social work readiness to respond, and what resources social workers are most interested in. [...] Read more.
Environmental justice is essential for improved quality of life and sustainable wellbeing. This study examines how environmental issues and related injustices are surfacing in U.S. social work practice and social work readiness to respond, and what resources social workers are most interested in. Data are from an online survey of U.S. social workers (N = 337) in Colorado, Ohio, and Tennessee. Participants answered questions about their social work background, current job, environmental issues in practice, resources, and demographics. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. For nine issues, at least 30% of participants reported these as surfacing sometimes or often, with the highest being poor food access (74.7%), extreme cold (58.8%), and poor green space access (43.9%). The extent varied by years of experience, job setting, and practice level. Meanwhile, fewer than 40% of social workers indicated that they were somewhat or very prepared to respond to eight out of nine issues. Interest was higher in the resources that could be used for responding to specific topics rather than environmental justice broadly. In addition to strengthening social work education regarding environmental justice, this study suggests that national, state, and local social work associations can—in partnership with growing numbers of social work scholars working on environmental justice—create and provide training, templates, and guidance for practitioners that are tailored to specific environmental justice issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being)
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20 pages, 3888 KiB  
Article
Research on Cognition and Adaptation to Climate Risks among Inland Northwest Chinese Residents
by Rui Yang, Wei Liang, Peiyu Qin, Buerlan Anikejiang, Jingwen Ma and Sabahat Baratjan
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5775; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135775 - 6 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1366
Abstract
Global climate change poses a significant threat to the sustainable development of human society, highlighting the critical importance of developing effective adaptation strategies in response to climate-related disasters. Public awareness and adaptive behaviors towards climate risks serve as crucial indicators of community concerns [...] Read more.
Global climate change poses a significant threat to the sustainable development of human society, highlighting the critical importance of developing effective adaptation strategies in response to climate-related disasters. Public awareness and adaptive behaviors towards climate risks serve as crucial indicators of community concerns regarding climate change, laying the foundation for effective adaptation strategy design. For this study, we selected inland northwest Chinese residents, represented by Xi’an City, as the research subjects, to investigate their climate risk cognition and adaptation levels. Based on randomly sampled survey data, descriptive statistical analysis and multiple logistic regression models were used to study the public’s climate change awareness, climate risk sensitivity, and climate risk adaptability, as well as evaluation of climate risk adaptation measures in the public sector, and we also analyzed the impact mechanisms of factors such as gender, age, income, and education level on the related indicators. The study found that with the increasing urban heat island effect, residents of Xi’an are more likely to reach a higher level of belief in climate change regarding long-lasting weather events. However, there is still no collective consensus on the reasons for climate change. Residents are overly optimistic about the future impact of climate disasters, and there is high uncertainty in their ability to adapt to climate change risks. Additionally, specific demands were obtained from different groups of urban residents regarding measures in the public sector for climate risk adaptation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being)
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18 pages, 543 KiB  
Article
Under What Conditions Does Climate Change Worry Contribute to Climate Action in Turkey: What Moderates This Relationship?
by Gonca Kurt and Recep Akdur
Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2269; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062269 - 8 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1640
Abstract
Recent studies provide strong evidence that climate change worry leads to climate action. However, there is a need for more studies on the conditions under which climate change worry triggers climate action or causes mental disorders. In this regard, we investigated the relationship [...] Read more.
Recent studies provide strong evidence that climate change worry leads to climate action. However, there is a need for more studies on the conditions under which climate change worry triggers climate action or causes mental disorders. In this regard, we investigated the relationship between climate change worry and climate action and evaluated the role of participants’ knowledge of climate change and natural disaster experience in this relationship. The moderating function of climate action in the relationship between climate change worry and climate-related mental disorders was evaluated. Furthermore, the impact of climate change worry on different climate actions was also researched. Data obtained through an online survey from individuals aged 18–65 years old in a nationally representative sample in Turkey were used (n = 1229). The results show a positive impact of climate change worry on climate action. If climate change information creates a climate change worry, climate action occurs. Whereas climate change knowledge has a moderating role in the impact of climate change worry on climate action, experiencing climate-related natural disasters does not have such a role. However, experiencing climate-related natural disasters combined with climate change knowledge in the context of group impact leads to climate action. The climate change worry score had a positive effect on experiencing a climate-related mental disorder, but climate action does not have a moderating role in this relationship. The climate action most correlated with climate change worry is participating in voluntary activities to raise awareness among individuals. The contribution of climate change worry in different conditions to climate action is clearly supported by these research results. Therefore, climate change communication should be used to support the aspect of climate change worry that is transformed into climate action, and viable and sustainable environments should be created by considering each result of this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Behavior, Psychology and Sustainable Well-Being)
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