This article describes the development and validation of a new instrument, the scale (SCAP) which measures community participation (CP) and socio-political participation (SPP). The sample consists of 756 participants in Málaga, residents whose average age is 38.78 years old (SD= 13.96) and of whom 58.5% are women. The results endorse the psychometric qualities of the instrument. We present descriptive analysis of the items, the dimensionality of the scale and its internal consistency. The external evidence of validity shows positive and statistically significant correlations with sense of community and empowerment, variables theoretically related to participation. A confirmatory factor analysis confirms the two-dimensional structure (CP and SPP). Further analysis show a higher CP in women. This instrument extends the quantitative research on citizen participation.
Due to the exponential increase of autism spectrum disorders’ prevalence in Western countries, it is necessary to improve early detection and intervention to enhance developmental milestones. This systematic review identified the most effective screening instrument, which can be used at an early age and which identifies the maximum number of autism cases. We identified several instruments with adequate predictive properties—the Autism Parent Screen for Infants (APSI), Battelle Development Inventory, second edition (BDI-2); Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA); First Year Inventory (FYI); Infant-Toddler Checklist/Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (ITC/CSBS-DP); Program of Research and Studies on AUTISM (PREAUT-Grid); Checklist for Early Signs of Developmental Disorders (CESDD); Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS); and the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT)—that can be applied from 12 months of age in Western countries. The ITC/CSBS-DP has been proposed for universal screening from 12 months of age onwards, complemented by the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised/Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F), which can be used from 15 months of age onwards. This strategy could improve early detection in at-risk children within the current health system, thus allowing for early intervention.
Work-related stress is a significant problem in many work environments and can have negative consequences for both employees and organisations. This review aimed to identify which elements of biophilic design in the workplace affect workers’ stress response. To enable this, a literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, Scopus, and Medline. The search was limited to articles published from 2012 to June 2023. This review only integrated quantitative data, incorporating twelve records for qualitative synthesis. The selected studies suggest that strategies such as access to outdoor environments or the creation of outdoor areas are effective in reducing stress in the workplace. If these are not feasible, the examined research advocates the use of virtual means to recreate such relaxation or break spaces. Furthermore, aspects of interest for future research were identified, such as multisensory stimulation, including the sense of smell, the exploration of views with natural elements, the creation of shelters, or the study of biomorphic forms.
Research in environmental psychology has found a positive relationship between place bonds and behaviors related to care and maintenance of place. Although this relationship has been analyzed in natural environments, it has been less frequently studied in urban environments and has yielded contradictory results. The aim of this study is to analyze behavior related to care and conservation of neighborhood and its possible relationship to place bonds, as well as to other variables that we think may be important in explaining this behavior. The participants were 407 residents from eight different neighborhoods with different sociodemographic characteristics in one Spanish city. The results indicate that the relationship between attachment and behavior is significant only in residents with higher socioeconomic levels. These findings may help to explain the contradictory results found in the literature. Other variables which are significant in explaining neighborhood care are social norms, residential satisfaction, and support for protection policies. Place identity was not found to be significantly correlated with neighborhood care.
This study examines factors related to socially responsible consumption based on a sample of 636 Spanish consumers. The results indicate that socio-demographic factors such as sex, age, education level, and economic activity affect responsible consumption. In addition, it was found that in order to assess the antecedents of socially responsible consumption it is necessary to specify the type of consumer behavior (for example, purchasing specific products or initiatives against the purchase of certain products). It is found that perceived efficacy, affective commitment, and materialism explain different levels of variance in socially responsible consumption. Purchasing cause-related products is most influenced by affective commitment and perceived efficacy. Materialism affects purchasing motivated by firm behavior and the volume of consumption. The study finds that the referents to the responsibility that consumers adopt can be explained independently. In conclusion, with the aim of supporting a more sustainable society, the need for studies on anti-consumption behaviors as an instrument for sustainability is stressed.