Abstract: In recent years, the increasing use of social media in the workplace has raised concerns about its potential adverse impact on employee productivity and overall organizational success. Consequently, the aim of the study was to enhance the understanding of the relationship between social media addiction, Fear of Missing Out, cyberloafing, work engagement, and organizational commitment using a network analysis approach. The findings reveal a triangular association between social media addiction, Fear of Missing Out, and cyberloafing. Especially Fear of Missing Out and organizational commitment play a central role within the network, bridging work-related attitudes and problematic social media behaviors. Contrarily, social media addiction and cyberloafing appear to play a less central role forwork-related attitudes within the network. Implications for workplace management and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Abstract: Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL) for both students and teachers. For students, SEL enhances the learning environment, psychological well-being, and academic performance. For teachers, it fosters a sense of meaningfulness in their work and strengthens relationships with students. However, effective SEL requires guidance, a safe emotional environment, and opportunities for personal reflection. This study explored SEL by analyzing the reflections of eight trainee teachers in the United Arab Emirates and six in Finland, who participated in similar SEL courses independently. Utilizing both data-driven and theory-driven content analysis based on Talvio & Lonka’s (2025) levels of processing, the results indicated that over 60% of student responses were elaborative or insightful, while less than 40% were at the reproduction level. The most prominent SEL category identified was Developing Relationship Skills, whereas Responsible Decision Making was the least represented. Overall, the course significantly enhanced participants' theoretical understanding and SEL development, yielding similar outcomes in both countries. The findings suggest that methods promoting responsible decision-making should be further integrated into teacher training for SEL development. 

Abstract: Social media addiction (SMA) and social phobia (SP) are significant adolescent mental health concerns. In Saudi Arabia, despite high social media penetration, the specific association between these two constructs remains under-researched, particularly in the Aseer region. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine this relationship, conducted from January–March 2025, recruiting 384 Saudi adolescents (aged 11–19) from schools using a multistage cluster sampling strategy. Participants completed validated self-report measures, including the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Al-Menayes Social Media Addiction Scale. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe social phobia was 15.3%. A significant, moderate positive correlation emerged between SP and SMA scores (Spearman’s rho = 0.294, p < .001). After adjusting for age, gender, and family income, adolescents with moderate social phobia had 2.17 times the odds of probable SMA compared to those with no social anxiety (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.17; 95% CI [1.03–4.59]; p = .043). Social phobia and social media addiction are significantly intertwined public health challenges among Saudi adolescents in the Aseer region. These findings support the urgent need for integrated mental health and digital literacy interventions that proactively screen for both conditions.

Abstract: Tourism plays an important role in promoting local sustainable development, particularly in regions with strong cultural identity and significant natural heritage. In Wakatobi, Indonesia, efforts to advance tourism as a driver of decent work and inclusive economic growth in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 have encountered challenges, including top‐down policy structures, informal and insecure labor conditions, and limited institutional coordination. This study aims to examine how regional tourism governance can better contribute to decent job creation and sustainable economic outcomes through strengthened institutional evaluation and local community participation. A qualitative case study approach was used, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 25 stakeholders, analysis of policy documents and local news, and field observations. Thematic analysis using NVivo 12 Plus identified key issues such as the dominance of concerns related to labor rights and safety (11.53%), minimal attention to youth employment (3.23%), weak policy implementation (5.6%), and a persistent imbalance between economic productivity narratives and social protection efforts. These findings suggest that tourism governance mechanisms require more contextual, participatory, and community-centered approaches. Strengthening institutional capacity and deepening local engagement are crucial to ensuring that tourism transformation meaningfully supports the achievement of SDG 8 and contributes to equitable and sustainable local development.

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained prominence on sustainability agendas while raising ethical, social, and environmental challenges. This study synthesizes evidence and maps the scientific production on Human-Centered AI (HCAI) at the interface with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2020–2024. Searches in Scopus and Web of Science (Boolean operators; thematic and temporal filters), followed by deduplication, yielded 265 articles, which were analyzed with Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to generate term co-occurrence maps, collaboration networks, and bibliographic coupling. The results indicate accelerated growth and diffusion of the topic, with journals such as Sustainability, IEEE Access, and Applied Sciences-Basel standing out. Three interdependent axes were identified: (i) technical performance, with emphasis on machine learning and deep learning; (ii) explainability and hu-man-centeredness (XAI, ethics, and algorithmic governance); and (iii) so-cio-environmental applications oriented toward the SDGs. Underrepresentation of the Global South, particularly Brazil, was observed. It is concluded that HCAI is consoli-dating as an emerging interdisciplinary field with potential to accelerate the SDGs, although there remains a need to integrate ethical, regional, and impact-assessment dimensions more systematically to achieve global targets effectively.

Abstract: Background: The Big Five personality inventory provides reliable and valid measures through its lexical self-report method. Drawmetrics (DM) is an expressive-semantic personality assessment that evaluates personality attributes through graphical drawings and their corresponding linguistic terms. Methods: Linguistic terms were used to derive psychometric scores for evaluating reliability, and structural, criterion, and convergent validity relative to the Big Five model. The Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) language model was used to process DM data for analysis. Analyses detected patterns in the data, which were then tested. The evaluation included the reliability of the α, ω, and ωₕ parameters, as well as network edge stability and consistency in centrality measurements. Results: The DM assessment achieved high internal consistency and a stable network structure. Network modularity analysis detected five domains that closely followed the Big Five personality trait structure. DM demonstrated convergent validity through high correlation coefficients, while discriminant validity established clear distinctions between DM and the Big Five. Structural validity estimates indicate that the DM domains align with the Big Five latent composites, and the criterion validity assessments confirm this alignment. Conclusion: DM demonstrated its psychometric viability by showing how people express their personality traits through nonverbal symbolic expressions.

Abstract: This article analyzes the effectiveness of Poland's central government administration in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, addressing the context of high-level strategic declarations versus actual policy outcomes. The study employs a qualitative critical document analysis, conducted as comprehensive desk research. This method involves a comparative analysis of official strategic and policy documents (e.g., "Strategy for Responsible Development") against the empirical findings of external audits from the Supreme Audit Office (NIK), supplemented by national (GUS) and international statistical data. The analysis reveals a fundamental "implementation gap." While Poland has successfully created a robust strategic and institutional framework, reflected in high international SDG rankings, this success masks deep deficits and stagnation in key areas, particularly in the environmental dimension. Audits consistently confirm systemic problems with inter-ministerial coordination, ensuring adequate financing, and the lack of reliable evaluation for key programs, such as "Clean Air" or the circular economy roadmap. In light of these findings, the study concludes that operational effectiveness does not match strategic declarations. The analysis identifies systemic weaknesses and recommends urgent, targeted strategic actions to bridge the gap between policy and practice, particularly by strengthening coordination and evaluation mechanisms.

Abstract: This mixed-methods study examines the digital readiness of primary school teachers in Greece and Cyprus working in multilingual and multicultural mainstream classrooms. In response to the increasing diversity in European education, it explores how teachers perceive and implement digital competence to support inclusive and quality education. Using the DigCompEdu framework and an extended TPACK model, data were collected from 146 in-service teachers through a structured questionnaire. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct competence profiles—high, moderate, and low—while Kruskal–Wallis tests confirmed significant differences among them. Thematic analysis of open-ended re-sponses, supported by Pearson correlation analysis, highlighted how teachers’ beliefs, infrastructural conditions, and pedagogical practices intersect. Highly competent teachers reported the use of inclusive digital strategies, yet pointed to systemic barriers such as limited training and poor infrastructure. Less confident teachers expressed foundational challenges and dependence on external support. Across all profiles, contextual fac-tors—school resources, time, student digital readiness, and access to professional development—were key. The study concludes that digital competence is not merely technical, but deeply context-sensitive and pedagogical. It calls for differentiated, equity-oriented professional learning pathways aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 10, contributing to inclusive education and education for sustainability in linguistically diverse classrooms.

Abstract: Cultural family leisure refers to participation in cultural events, visits to museums, attending concerts, and/or any other activity with an artistic or cultural component. Its characteristics shape family coexistence, bonds, lived experiences, memories, and quality family moments. Several authors argue that it influences children’s development and the adolescent stage, as it provides a safe space to explore interests, express emotions, strengthen self-esteem, develop creativity, and foster positive bonds with culture and art. Social changes, globalization and immediacy, and the shortage of time needed to “do it all” (work, studies, health, family, friends, etc.) are reducing its presence, thereby decreasing the quality of family time. This study, in compliance with the ethical principles of research with human beings, analyzes adolescents’ perception of cultural family leisure. The participating sample consists of 1,054 Spanish students aged 11–16 who answered an ad hoc questionnaire composed of 48 items. The study is descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional, and non-experimental. The results show that adolescents perceive that little time is shared as a family and that little importance is attached to family leisure, and that, for the most part, it is organized by external agents rather than within the family itself. However, they underscore the importance of family leisure for communication and personal development. In conclusion, the study proposes socio-educational and cultural actions within the family sphere to promote cultural leisure.

Abstract: The proliferation of smartphones and social media has reshaped journalistic practices across South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, where “selfie stick journalism” has emerged as a symbolic and practical marker of the new media age. This paper investigates how the democratization of media tools—mobile phones, selfie sticks, livestream platforms, and algorithmic news feeds—has redefined the boundaries of journalism, eroding traditional professional hierarchies and raising critical questions: Who qualifies as a journalist in a networked society? What constitutes journalistic authority, authenticity, and accountability when anyone can broadcast to millions? Drawing upon case studies from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, this study explores the identity crisis confronting professional journalists amidst the rise of “content creators,” “citizen reporters,” and “social influencers.” The research combines theoretical frameworks from Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory, Manuel Castells’s network society, and media convergence literature to examine shifts in professional legitimacy and epistemic authority. Empirical data are drawn from interviews with professional journalists, digital content creators, and social media analysts, as well as content analysis of viral “selfie journalism” incidents during major political and humanitarian events in 2024–2025. The findings suggest a profound transformation of journalistic identity: a movement from institutional to performative, from gatekeeping to self-branding, and from public service to algorithmic visibility. In South Asia’s hybrid media ecology, the selfie stick becomes not just a tool but a metaphor for the spectacle, precariousness, and personalization of journalism itself.

Abstract: Little research exists that focuses on the transition experiences of SWDs from high school to college and scholarly investigation of STEM pathways for neurodivergent students is emergent. The purpose of this current study is to better understand the experiences and perspectives of college freshman with disabilities, following participation in a STEM-focused high school-to-college transition program. Participants in this study completed a yearlong STEM-based college transition program in 2023, followed by a follow up survey and semi-structured interview during their freshman year in college. Results outline participant successes and challenges related to multiple college and career readiness factors. Most participants experienced a successful transition to their first semester in college, continued engagement in STEM-related career development, and several social and extracurricular activities. Future practice and research recommendations are provided.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Despite progress in recognizing sexual diversity, homophobic bullying persists. This study had four objectives: (1) to identify the prevalence of homo-phobic bullying (victims, perpetrators, and bystanders); (2) to explore whether differ-ences exist between victims and perpetrators as a function of sexual orientation with re-spect to emotional factors and psychopathological symptoms; (3) to analyze whether victims and perpetrators of homophobic bullying have sought psychological assistance significantly more often; and (4) to identify predictive variables of victimization and perpetration of homophobic bullying. Methods: The sample comprised 1,558 Bolivian students aged 13 to 17 years (M = 14.64; SD = 0.96), who completed six standardized as-sessment instruments. Results: (1) A substantial percentage of students reported the oc-currence of homophobic bullying behaviors. Victims: 76.6% reported having experienced homophobic behaviors (with a higher proportion of non-heterosexual victims; no gender differences were observed). Perpetrators: 11.8% admitted engaging in homophobic ag-gressive behaviors (no significant differences by sexual orientation; a higher proportion of male perpetrators was identified). Bystanders: 51.9% reported witnessing homophobic behaviors (with higher prevalence among non-heterosexual and female students); (2) Analyses of variance showed that non-heterosexual victims scored significantly lower on emotional regulation, empathic joy, overall empathy, and happiness, and significantly higher on fear of negative social evaluation, overall social anxiety, all psychopathological symptom dimensions assessed (somatization, obsession–compulsion, interpersonal sen-sitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychoticism), and the global severity index. Non-heterosexual perpetrators also displayed significantly higher scores on several psychopathological symptoms (depression, anxiety, hostility, paranoid ideation, psychoticism) and on the global severity index; (3) Victims and per-petrators of homophobic bullying reported significantly higher rates of seeking psycho-logical assistance in the past year compared to those uninvolved in bullying; and (4) Re-gression analyses identified five predictors of homophobic bullying victimization (high scores in the global severity index, fear of negative social evaluation, paranoid ideation, and low scores in empathy and happiness) and four predictors of perpetration (high scores in the global severity index and emotional perception, together with low scores in empathy and obsession–compulsion). Conclusions: The findings underscore the urgency of implementing school-based psychoeducational anti-bullying prevention programs that include activities designed to foster tolerance toward sexual diversity.

Abstract: This comprehensive qualitative research study examines the multifaceted historical transformations of Hajj pilgrimage from its Prophetic origins in 632 AD to the contemporary digital era of 2025. Employing document analysis, archival research, and comparative historical methodology, this investigation explores how political, social, economic, technological, and health factors have fundamentally reshaped the pilgrimage experience across fourteen centuries while preserving its essential spiritual core. The research analyzes an extensive corpus of primary sources including classical Islamic texts, medieval geographical accounts, Ottoman administrative records, colonial documents, and contemporary government reports, supplemented by secondary scholarly literature spanning multiple disciplines.Findings reveal six distinct evolutionary phases of Hajj transformation: the Prophetic foundation and early expansion (632-661 AD), imperial Islamic administration (661-1517 AD), Ottoman centralization and international challenges (1517-1924 AD), Saudi unification and infrastructure development (1932-2000 AD), digital integration and mass management (2000-2020 AD), and pandemic adaptation and future visioning (2020-present). The study demonstrates how Hajj has evolved from a relatively small-scale, hazardous desert journey undertaken by thousands to a sophisticated, technology-enhanced, globally coordinated mass gathering accommodating over 2.5 million pilgrims annually.Key contributions include: (1) a comprehensive chronological framework for understanding Hajj transformations; (2) identification of recurring patterns in the relationship between state capacity and pilgrimage quality; (3) analysis of how international health concerns shaped modern pilgrimage governance; and (4) examination of successful integration of contemporary technologies with ancient religious practices. The research provides critical insights for contemporary pilgrimage management, international religious diplomacy, and future Islamic studies scholarship while contributing to broader theoretical understanding of religious adaptation in modern societies.

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between natural resource rents and income inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The empirical analysis covers 24 countries over the period 1998-2020. Econometric estimations are conducted using both fixed and random effects models to account for country-specific and time-invariant factors. Using the Gini coefficient as a proxy for inequality, the results suggest that total natural resource rents do not have a statistically significant effect on income inequality in the region. In contrast, access to financial services and digital technologies appear to be more influential in reducing inequality. The findings highlight the potential importance of inclusive development policies, such as allocating resource wealth to social programs in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Additionally, promoting economic diversification and strengthening governance institutions may support more effective management of natural resources. The observed negative and statistically significant associations between information and communication technology (ICT) and financial development with inequality indicate that investments in ICT infrastructure and measures to enhance financial inclusion could contribute to addressing income disparities in the region.

Abstract: Construction and demolition waste is a pivotal lever for operationalizing the circular economy in the built environment, yet implementation remains uneven across Europe. This study provides a comparative overview of Serbia and EU countries using harmonized survey data from the European Demolition Association. We analyze company profiles, revenue structures, and activity mixes across demolition, decontamination, and waste-management value chains. Serbia’s firms exhibit limited circular-economy uptake: 69% report <25% of revenue from demolition activities, whereas 45% of EU firms derive >75% of revenue from demolition. In waste management (sorting/transport/recycling), 80% of Serbian companies earn <10% of revenue, compared with 33% in the EU; decontamination revenues show a similar gap (Serbia: 80% <10% vs. EU: 38% <10%). Although Serbian contractors show signs of maturation (50% medium and 13% significant by 2019 self-classification), activity remains concentrated outside high-value circular economy loops, and subcontracting shares remain skewed toward low-complexity segments. These findings suggest untapped potential for advancing the circular economy through targeted policy instruments (e.g., incentives for on-site sorting and secondary-materials markets), workforce training and certification, and digital traceability of construction and demolition waste flows. Strengthening these enablers could accelerate alignment with EU circular-economy objectives, reduce primary resource use, and improve environmental and public health outcomes in Serbia’s construction sector. Limitations include reliance on 2018 activity data and partial market coverage; future work should integrate newer waves and administrative datasets to track policy impacts over time.

Abstract:

Background/Objectives: The present study seeks to address an important empirical gap by examining the associations of workplace gaslighting with symptoms of anxiety and depression, quiet quitting, and work engagement among a sample of Greek employees. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece in December 2024, with 291 employees, aged 18 years or older, who reported at least one year of work experience. The validated Greek versions of already published tools were used to measure workplace gaslighting (GWS), anxiety and depression (PHQ-4), quite quitting (QQS) and work Engagement (UWES-3). Associations between gaslighting and mental health and occupational outcomes were tested using multivariable linear regression adjusting for demographic and occupational covariates. Results: Higher workplace gaslighting scores were significantly predictive of anxiety (b = 0.565, p < 0.001) and depression (b = 0.571, p < 0.001). Gaslighting was also a significant predictor of both quiet quitting (b = 0.368, p < 0.001) and work engagement (b = -0.373, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results highlight the negative consequences of gaslighting on the mental health and work engagement of employees. Employees should be encouraged to report instances of supervisory gaslighting, while senior leadership and organizational governance structures ought to implement and enforce a zero-tolerance policy toward such behaviors.

Abstract: To address social challenges arising from extensive exploitation of rural tourism resources—including degradation of natural ecosystems and erosion of ethnic cultural heritage—this study establishes a synergistic assessment framework constrained by habitat quality, resource endowment, and facility accessibility. By integrating the InVEST model, kernel density function, and cumulative cost distance algorithm, we developed a spatial overlay analysis tool to evaluate these three dimensions in the dry-hot valley of Lujiang Dam (LJD) within China's Nujiang River Basin. This approach identified natural spatial suitability for tourism development (NSSTD). Key findings reveal that LJD exhibits high overall habitat quality (844.88 km², 64.55% of total area), yet demonstrates pronounced spatial heterogeneity—prime habitats concentrate in western and southeastern sectors, contrasting with a central low-quality habitat belt. Natural/cultural resources display a barbell-shaped spatial configuration, clustering at southern and northern extremities. Tourism accessibility manifests concentric spatial patterns, with 88.08% of resources accessible within 90-minute travel thresholds. NSSTD zones (54.74 km²) predominantly located in southern LJD encompass 17 land-use types and 70.73% of villages. These results provide critical spatial decision-making support for: Sustainable tourism resource management in dry-hot valleys, precise village planning, territorial spatial optimization strategies. The methodology demonstrates operational value in balancing ecological conservation and rural development priorities.

Abstract: Studies on colonial grid urban planning often use the latest examples of cities founded in penin-sular Spain towards the end of the 15th century as a basis for knowledge for new foundations in America. This study proposes that the city of San Cristóbal de la Laguna (1496) is configured as a final urban planning trial, an intermediate point in the Canary Islands, which adds value to the experiences of early colonial urban planning. This first model of a city-territory, not having a de-fensive character due to its insularity, developed a grid adapted to the terrain, organising a new social order inspired by the religious doctrine of the time, where religious architecture - mainly convents, but also churches, hermitages and hospitals - played a very prominent role in the origin and consolidation of the urban layout of the city. Comparing this case study with the first Ameri-can experiences: Santo Domingo (1502), the first island city, and Panama Viejo (1519), the first city on the mainland, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, we have been able to verify the influence of this intermediate urban planning experiment on the evolutionary process of the early colonial model and confirm the role of convent foundations as articulating pieces of the territory.

Abstract: Screencasts have traditionally been used in education as teacher-created videos for delivering instruction or feedback, reflecting a teacher-centered model of learning. This study explores an innovative reversal of that practice by examining Stu-dent-Created Screencasts (SCSs) as a form of assessment in higher education. The ap-proach positions students as active creators who demonstrate and explain their work through screen-recorded videos, promoting authentic learning and reducing depend-ence on generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to complete assignments. A quanti-tative survey of 203 university students who submitted SCS-based assignments was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to identify key factors influencing their acceptance of this assessment form. The results show that students generally hold positive attitudes toward creating screencasts, with perceived usefulness for future applications exerting the strongest influence on ac-ceptance, followed by perceived performance benefits and ease of use. Moderation analysis indicated that demographic factors such as gender, discipline, and study mode did not significantly alter these relationships, although senior students perceived SCSs as more effortful. These findings suggest that student-created screencasts can serve as an effective, meaningful, and authentic alternative to traditional written as-sessments, placing students at the center of their learning while fostering skill devel-opment and accountability in an AI-pervasive academic environment.

Abstract: This study examines how gifted students in STEM subjects are identified and supported at Seafarers College, a bilingual Catholic boys’ secondary school in Madrid. Using a participatory action research (PAR) methodology within a constructivist paradigm, data were collected through interviews, observations, focus groups and online questionnaires with teachers, students, and parents. The theoretical framework draws on the Three-Ring Model of giftedness to conceptualise giftedness and incorporates Critical Race Theory alongside Freire’s notion of education as liberation to address issues of equity and empowerment. Findings reveal that provision for gifted learners is minimal at Seafarers College. Identification tends to be reactive and largely parent-driven, and classroom pedagogy remains exam-oriented, teacher-led, and non-differentiated. Moreover, the bilingual setting further complicates gifted identification, often privileging dominant-language speakers. The study concludes that effectively supporting gifted students in such contexts requires not only culturally responsive pedagogy and structural reform, but also greater teacher agency and a shift from a compliance-driven culture to one of collaboration.