Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology最新文献

Political polarisation on the issue of climate change is an obstacle to an effective public debate on the measures needed to tackle the problem. Communication that focuses on the economic dimension could be one way to increase the limited support of right-wing audiences for climate policy. In two experimental studies, we examined how a message advocating a switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources affects participants' support for this policy. The message focused on the environmental or economic consequences of the policy (Studies 1 and 2), was framed in terms of gain or loss (Study 1) and was attributed to different sources (Study 2). Participants' political orientation and their beliefs and concerns about climate change were also assessed. The results showed that attitudes towards climate change and support for the policy were strongly related to political orientation. Right-leaning participants were significantly less concerned about climate change and less supportive of the proposed policy. This effect was moderated by the focus of the message, as right-leaning participants agreed more with the economic focus message than the environmental focus message, while left-leaning participants did the opposite. The discussion focuses on the role of communication and message framing in integrating climate action into the political agenda and bridging the existing political divide.

An impact evaluation of a large-scale field study tested the effects of biographical intergroup contact on children and adolescents' willingness to have intergroup contact with individuals from 12 social categories. Biographical contact was implemented through the anti-prejudice programme led by the educational charity the Anne Frank Trust UK, based on the life of the Jewish teenager Anne Frank. Before and after participating in the programme, young people between the ages of 9 and 17 years (N = 1413 from 69 participating schools) completed a ‘Contact Star' measure of their willingness for close social contact with individuals from each of the social categories. Biographical contact substantially improved willingness for contact with Jewish people (the initial target group) as well as with all 11 other groups, as measured by the Contact Star. Additionally, increased willingness for contact with Jewish people was strongly predictive of increased willingness for contact with the other groups, thereby demonstrating a secondary transfer of improved intergroup attitudes. The effect was similarly large in the case of outgroups that were less similar or familiar to participants, contrary to the idea that secondary transfer weakens as the outgroups become less similar (a generalisation gradient). Theoretical and practical implications of this potentially powerful new form of contact are discussed.

Existing research exploring perspectives on gardening has primarily focused on Western populations. The present study, employing qualitative semi-structured interviews with 21 urban-dwelling Chinese older adults, investigated their perceived benefits and barriers to gardening. Reflexive thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed that urban Chinese older adults perceive gardening as beneficial to their living environment, physical, psychological and social wellbeing, and as a source of home-grown products. Perceived barriers include the lack of suitable gardening sites, insufficient time and support, difficulties in obtaining materials, the inseparability of gardening and living areas and low self-efficacy in gardening. Cultural and socially specific influences are reflected in gardening practices, such as plant symbolism, household structures, and residential conditions, highlighting the importance of locally tailored strategies for future gardening programmes.

In literature, there is a paucity of research examining the outcomes of mentoring programs for mentors. The goal of this study was to enhance understanding of the long-term impact of mentoring experiences on mentors' social well-being by testing a model in which the perceived influence of mentoring on work choices, volunteer choices and level of active participation in the community are associated with social self-efficacy, civic engagement (attitudes and behaviours), and, in turn, with social wellbeing. This study surveyed cohorts of former mentors (N = 203; 83% female) who took part in the mentoring and service-learning program called Mentor UP in Italy. Results showed the mediating role of social self-efficacy between the influence of mentoring on active participation in the community and social well-being (β = 0.05, p = 0.042) and between the same perceived influence of mentoring and civic engagement behaviour (β = 0.08, p = 0.009). Moreover, the influence of mentoring and social well-being was fully mediated by participants' current levels of civic engagement (attitudes and behaviours). These findings suggest that mentoring experiences can sustain college students' interpersonal effectiveness, civic responsibility and social well-being in long-lasting ways. Mentoring programs should therefore promote and measure these outcomes.

Sport-based prison interventions may particularly benefit women, a vulnerable population within the penal system. However, evidence of their impact is mainly based on men's experiences. This study qualitatively examines the experiences of 11 women enrolled on the Twinning Project, a football-based prison programme designed to reduce recidivism and enhance employability. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed positive outcomes for participants, such as improved self-perceptions and intentions to help others. However, the prospective long-term impact of vocational qualifications was less evident. Barriers to engagement were identified in parts of the programme's structure and delivery, women's health issues, and participants' perceived lack of control over post-release outcomes. Enablers included support from peers and staff, the appeal of football itself, and the absence of criminal identities. The findings highlight the Twinning Project's potential to benefit women prisoners and underscore the need for sports programs to accommodate gender-specific experiences in prison.

Gajić, T., S. Veljović, M. D. Petrović, M. M. Radovanović, V. N. Kholina, and L. D. Dávid. 2025. “Does Empowerment of National Minorities Through Sustainable Ethnic Tourism Overcome Prejudices? Lessons From Serbia.” Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology 35: e70031. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.70031.

Lóránt Dénes Dávid has two additional affiliations as provided below:

Savaria Department of Business Economics, Savaria University Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University; Szombathely, Hungary

Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary

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Attention has been given to increasing the sense of belonging of students from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups in higher education (HE). Research in belonging has focused on objective indicators of socioeconomic status (SES; i.e., educational status, household income), yet focus on subjective socioeconomic status (SSS) is more limited. We address this gap in two studies, including a cross-sectional survey (N = 503) and semi-structured interviews (N = 16), to address two questions: (a) to what extent SSS and a sense of belonging are associated; and (b) what are the social identity processes that might help to explain the relationship between SSS and belonging. As expected, SSS was positively associated with a sense of belonging, such that higher SSS was associated with higher levels of a sense of belonging. Together, these studies illustrate that SSS (a) is yet another way that SES operates to benefit some and disadvantage others; (b) provides an opportunity to analyse the role of intergroup relations in individuals' experiences and (c) is interlocked with intersectional identities, such as ethnicity and race.