An Integrated Analysis of Social, Economic, and Environmental Indicators' Effects on Public Health and Health Inequality Globally: From the Perspective of Vulnerability.

Public health and health inequality have been widely researched as they are essential for human development and social justice. Although factors influencing public health and health inequality have been explored, an integrated and comprehensive analysis of social, economic, and environmental indicators' effects on public health and health inequality globally is yet to be conducted. The current study addresses this gap by using a theoretical framework that integrates these three dimensions, examining their effects on public health and health inequality from the perspective of vulnerability. Considering the spatial heterogeneity across countries, spatial econometric models and geographically weighted regressions were conducted for the examination of these effects. Our findings reveal the social indicators of urbanisation ratio, social education level, and social governance capacity had positive effects on public health promotion and health inequality elimination globally. Besides these, environmental risk and economic capacity had relatively low impacts on health inequality. Further, the geographically weighted regression results indicate that vulnerability's effects on public health and health inequality varied significantly across countries. This integrated analysis provides national policymakers with a new perspective of vulnerability for public health promotion and health inequality reduction.

The construction and examination of social vulnerability and its effects on PM2.5 globally: combining spatial econometric modeling and geographically weighted regression.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is of widespread concern, as it poses a serious impact on economic development and human health. Although the influence of socioeconomic factors on PM2.5 has been studied, the constitution and the effect analysis of social vulnerability to PM2.5 remain unclear. In this study, a comprehensive theoretical framework with appropriate indicators for social vulnerability to PM2.5 was constructed. Using spatial autocorrelation analysis, a positive global spatial autocorrelation and notable local spatial cluster relationships were identified. Spatial econometric modeling and geographically weighted regression modeling were performed to explore the cause-effect relationship of social vulnerability to PM2.5. The spatial error model indicated that population and education inequality in the sensitivity dimension caused a significant positive impact on PM2.5, and biocapacity and social governance in the capacity dimension strongly contributed to the decrease of PM2.5 globally. The geographically weighted regression model revealed spatial heterogeneity in the effects of the social vulnerability variables on PM2.5 among countries. These empirical results can provide policymakers with a new perspective on social vulnerability as it relates to PM2.5 governance and targeted environmental pollution management.

The Role of Perceptual Interference, Semantic Interference, and Relational Integration in the Development of Analogical Reasoning.

This study aimed to examine the role of perceptual interference, semantic interference, and relational integration (RI) in the development of analogical reasoning, and to compare the interactive pattern of interference and RI in children and adults. In Experiment 1, we tested 31 3- and 4-year-olds, 27 5- and 6-year-olds, and 40 adults for perceptual interference and RI in analogical reasoning. Perceptual interference emerged when proper mapping between analogically matching objects was incoherent with their perceptual features. RI was evaluated via manipulation of the number of objects in an analogical scene. Significant main effects of perceptual interference and RI were found in children and adults. In Experiment 2, we tested 30 3- and 4-year-olds, 27 5- and 6-year-olds, and 40 adults for semantic interference and RI in analogical reasoning. Semantic interference emerged when proper mapping between analogically matching objects was incoherent with their categorical features. Results showed significant main effects of semantic interference and RI in children and adults. The results of both experiments suggested different mechanisms of interference and RI in children and adults. For children, interference and RI depended on shared cognitive sources. If one factor (i.e., interference resolution) needed more cognitive demand, there would be limited resources available for another factor (i.e., RI). Furthermore, for adults, the increased load of RI and interference on adults' analogical reasoning exceeded the sum of their respective singular effects. For 3- and 4-year-olds, the degree of perceptual interference was larger than the degree of semantic interference in the Binary Relation condition, whereas there was no significant difference between the degree of two types of interference in the Quaternary Relation condition. Moreover, for 5- and 6-year-olds, the degree of semantic interference was larger than the degree of perceptual interference in both relation conditions. For adults, there was no difference between the degree of two types of interference in both relation conditions. The article also discusses the theoretical and practical implications of this research.

Environmental pollution, income growth, and subjective well-being: regional and individual evidence from China.

The study of subjective well-being (SWB) has attracted considerable attention from scholars globally. This has stimulated numerous studies that have identified regional and individual factors associated with SWB, but the extant research lacks multi-level studies that simultaneously examine their influence on SWB. Environmental pollution is one of such factors, but few studies have investigated its effect on SWB in China particularly. The current study addressed these problems by conducting hierarchical linear regressions to explore the effects of regional and individual factors on Chinese people's SWB. Three major environmental pollutions (wastewater pollution, domestic waste pollution, and air pollution) were studied using data from the Chinese General Social Survey 2013 and China Statistical Yearbook 2014. The results indicated that wastewater pollution and domestic waste pollution had significant negative influence on SWB. Moreover, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita might contribute more to the improvement of SWB than income inequality. This implies that individuals' SWB might be enhanced by improving absolute income, which is consistent with the micro-level proposition of the Easterlin paradox. Overall, these findings signal that effective management of environmental pollution is essential for promoting the SWB of the people in China.

Traveling in haze: How air pollution inhibits tourists' pro-environmental behavioral intentions.

Although air pollution is an important environmental concern in tourism, it is rarely studied in the field of sustainable tourism. Thus, we investigated how air pollution influences tourists' pro-environmental behavioral intentions (TPEBIs) through two laboratory experiments (studies 1 and 2) and one field study (study 3). Study 1 (n = 104) revealed the negative influence of air pollution on TPEBIs, both explicitly and implicitly. Study 2 (n = 108) further explored the mediating effect of state anxiety on the relationship between air pollution and TPEBIs. Furthermore, study 3 (n = 350) investigated a real sample of traveling tourists. Study 3's results confirmed the laboratory findings of studies 1 and 2, indicating the buffering effect of tourism nostalgia (i.e., a moderated mediation model) in a real traveling context. These findings advance the understanding of air pollution's impact on TPEBIs and can serve as practical advice for sustainable tourism management.

Individualist-Collectivist Differences in Climate Change Inaction: The Role of Perceived Intractability.

The willingness to take action against climate change may be shaped by cultural orientations. The present study investigated individualist-collectivist differences in climate change inaction as well as the mediating role of perceived intractability. In Study 1, a survey of 182 undergraduates showed that greater perceived intractability of climate change was significantly related to a lower frequency of climate-friendly actions in the preceding 6 months. In Study 2, participants who were exposed to information concerning the intractability of climate change (experimental group, n = 98) reported a significantly greater perceived intractability of climate change and lower intention to assume a low-carbon lifestyle than those presented with neutral information (control group, n = 83). Based on Studies 1 and 2, participants with collectivist or individualist orientations were recruited from a pool of Chinese undergraduate students in Study 3. We found that participants with a more individualist orientation (n = 62) are more subject to perceived intractability, and less likely to take climate-friendly action than those with a more collectivist orientation (n = 94), and individualist/collectivist status affects climate change inaction through perceived intractability as mediator. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the promotion of public engagement with climate change by mitigating perceived intractability.

Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Physical and Psychological Health: Lifestyle as a Mediator.

Health is correlated to people's socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle. This study examined the impact of SES on respondents' physical and psychological health. Moreover, we explored the potential mediating effect of lifestyle on the relationship between SES and health. The participants were 986 respondents from the 2015 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationship between the variables. The results indicated that SES had a significant impact on people's physical health, but the impact of SES on psychological health was not significant. Lifestyle had significant positive effects on both physical and psychological health. In addition, lifestyle mediated the relationship between SES and health. This research is helpful in gaining a better understanding of the relationship and mediating mechanism between SES, lifestyle, and health. It is recommended that research with longitudinal design and comprehensive indicators be undertaken in the future.

Mindful Learning Improves Positive Feelings of Cancer Patients' Family Caregivers.

Positive feelings are an important health dimension for family caregivers of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Langerian mindfulness is a valid proactive method to increase the positive feelings of family caregivers for cancer patients. Participants were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness group or a mindlessness group and completed the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) as a measure of caregivers' feelings before the intervention. Subsequently, both groups were given four sessions of mindfulness training using "innovation classification". Finally, participants completed the Langer Mindfulness Scale (LMS) and the Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) scale as post-intervention measures. The results revealed that participants in the mindfulness and mindlessness groups differed significantly in LMS and PAC scores, with the mindfulness group having higher levels of positive feelings than those in the mindlessness group. The results also indicated that mindfulness level significantly predicted positive feelings of caregivers. Thus mindful interventions may play a meaningful role in promoting family caregivers' spirituality and faith, improving the willingness of sharing their thoughts, beliefs, and grief, which could be useful for increasing the positive feelings of caregivers.

The end effect in air pollution: The role of perceived difference.

As the common saying goes: All's well that ends well. This research was the first to explore whether the end effect could be observed in the perception of air pollution and further examined the effect of perceived difference on the end effect. In Experiment 1, participants went through a short trial of 30 severe air pollution pictures and a long trial of 45 pollution pictures containing 15 extra moderate pollution pictures at the end. The results showed preference for the long trial as well as more willingness to experience it again, which verified the end effect. In Experiment 2, the long trial was adjusted to 45 severe air pollution pictures, which caused the end effect to disappear. In Experiment 3, it was confirmed that perceived difference had an impact on the end effect, as the end effect worked when subjects cognitively focused on the variated pollution extent but disappeared when they focused on the air pollution quality. These results advance our understanding by directly demonstrating the influence of perceived difference on the end effect as well as providing a useful view to intervene in people's perception of air pollution. Further theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

The effects of mindful learning on pro-environmental behavior: A self-expansion perspective.

This current article explores the differential effects of mindful learning on pro-environmental behavior from the perspective of self-expansion. A total of 253 participants were recruited for four experiments. In Study 1, the mindful-learning group reported greater levels of pro-environmental behavioral intentions compared to a randomized control. In Study 2, we utilized different learning materials focusing on self, humans, or the biosphere in three sub-experiments. Study 2a manipulated mindsets by a self-related focus and revealed participants in a mindfulness condition had lower pro-environmental behavioral intentions than those in the mindlessness group. Study 2b centered on "humans" and results showed that participants in a mindfulness group reported higher levels of pro-environmental behavioral intentions. Finally, Study 2c induced mindsets with a biospheric focus, showing participants in the mindful-learning condition had greater pro-environmental behavioral intentions. Combined, the studies provide empirical evidence that mindful learning could influence self-reported pro-environmental behavioral intentions both positively and negatively.

Association between hair cortisol concentration and perceived stress in female methamphetamine addicts.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to explore whether hair cortisol concentration is associated with explicit stress or implicit stress in female methamphetamine addicts. METHODS: Hair samples were collected from 51 female methamphetamine addicts from inpatient addiction treatment programs. Perceived stress was assessed by both explicit and implicit measures through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Implicit Association Test (IAT), respectively. RESULTS: The positive relationship between hair cortisol concentration with D-scores of the IAT reached statistically significant difference. A marginal correlation between hair cortisol concentration and scores of the PSS was observed. Additionally, linear regression analysis indicated that D-scores of the IAT are strongly predictive of hair cortisol concentration. CONCLUSION: Hair cortisol concentration is strongly related to implicit stress but only weakly related with explicit stress.

The implicit sociometer effect and the moderating role of relational self-construal.

The present study examined how negative feedback influenced implicit self-evaluations and how individuals' level of relational self-construal (RelSC) moderated these relationships. One hundred Chinese university students completed the relational-interdependent self-construal scale and were randomly assigned into one of three conditions (social exclusion, personal failure, or control). After receiving the manipulation, participants completed two Brief Implicit Association Tests (BIATs) that measured their implicit self-liking and self-competence. The results indicated that people with a highly RelSC typically had higher implicit self-liking, but they decreased their implicit self-liking more than those with a low RelSC after experiencing social exclusion. However, RelSC did not influence the effect of personal failure on implicit self-liking. In addition, RelSC was not associated with implicit self-competence in any situation.

Mindful learning can promote connectedness to nature: Implicit and explicit evidence.

Environmental problems have attracted increasing attention, yet individuals' connectedness to nature remains a significant concern for potential solutions to these problems. In this article, we propose a novel method to promote connectedness to nature: mindful learning. One hundred and thirty-four students participated in the experiment. First, baseline measurements using the Connectedness to Nature Scale were obtained. Participants were then assigned to either a mindful or mindless learning condition. Finally, as a posttest, participants completed the Implicit Association Test and the Inclusion of Nature in the Self Scale. The performance of the mindful-learning group was better for both measures. Participants in the mindful-learning condition performed better on the Implicit Association Test and scored higher on the Inclusion of Nature in the Self Scale. These results provide empirical evidence that mindful learning may promote connectedness to nature, both implicitly and explicitly.

Connections with nature and environmental behaviors.

The influence of environmental attitudes on environmental behaviors has long been discussed. However, few studies have addressed the foundation of such attitudes. In the present study, we explored primitive belief underlying environmental attitudes, i.e., connections with nature, and its relationship with pro-environmental behaviors. Specifically, we used scales, a computerized Implicit Association Test, and a situational simulation experiment to examine both explicit and implicit connections with nature, both deliberate and spontaneous environmental behaviors, and to find correlations between environmental connectedness and environmental behaviors. Results showed that explicit connectedness was positively correlated with deliberate environmental behaviors, while implicit connectedness was positively correlated with spontaneous environmental behaviors. Additionally, explicit and implicit connectedness was independent of each other. In conclusion, the current study confirms the positive role played by connections with nature in promoting environmental behavior, and accordingly suggests means to encourage pro-environmental behavior by enhancing people's connectedness to nature.

Improving spatial abilities through mindfulness: effects on the mental rotation task.

In this study, we demonstrate a previously unknown finding that mindful learning can improve an individual's spatial cognition without regard to gender differences. Thirty-two volunteers participated in the experiment. Baselines for spatial ability were first measured for the reaction time on the mental rotation task. Next, the participants were randomly assigned to either a mindful or mindless learning condition. After learning, the mental rotation task showed that those in the mindful learning condition responded faster than those in the mindless learning condition. This study provides promising evidence for applying mindful learning to education.