Climate change is a serious threat to the future ecological environment, and household behaviors contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Engaging young people in sustainable household...Show moreClimate change is a serious threat to the future ecological environment, and household behaviors contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Engaging young people in sustainable household behaviors is crucial to reduce their carbon footprints. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether young adults’ perceived need for autonomy, relatedness, and competence vary across different living situations (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and if these needs, in turn, promote their motivation to perform pro-environmental behavior (PEB). The hypothesis was that students living in peer co-residentials experience higher levels of these needs, leading to increased PEB. Methods: This observational and cross-sectional study was part of the Horizons research project. The participants included students (N = 214), aged 16 to 26. The Needs-satisfaction Scale (Sheldon et al., 2001) was used to measure perceived autonomy, relatedness and competence for PEB. A modified version of the Behavior-based Environmental Attitude Scale for adolescents (Kaiser et al., 2007) was used to assess PEB. Living situations were categorized as peer co-residentials, parental homes, and other households. One-way ANOVAs were performed to analyse the levels of the needs across the household types. A between-subject ANCOVA was performed to analyse the main effects of household, autonomy, relatedness and competence on PEB, including interaction effects. Results: No significant differences were found in the levels of perceived needs across the household types, p >. 05. Similarly, no main effects on PEB were identified, p >. 05. However, a significant interaction effect between perceived competence and household type on PEB was observed, F(3, 204) = 4.55, p < .001. Regression analysis revealed an interaction between perceived competence and PEB within in parental households, F(1, 74) = 4.39, p = .04, with competence having a significant and positive effect on PEB, b = .77, t(75) = 2.09, p < .001. Conclusion: Within parental homes, students who perceived more competence while performing PEB were more inclined to engage in PEB. Except for this effect, the findings revealed no significant differences in perceived needs or levels of PEB across household types. This study highlights that young adults’ perceived competence in parental homes plays a role in their environmental engagement. Future research may explore how parent-child relationships continue to shape young adult’s perceived needs after they move out. Understanding these dynamics can inform programs aimed at engaging young adults’ pro-environmental behavior, leading to reduced household carbon footprints over time.Show less
Despite efforts to achieve gender equality in the workforce, many Western countries still face challenges in increasing female participation in higher-level roles. Although efforts are being made...Show moreDespite efforts to achieve gender equality in the workforce, many Western countries still face challenges in increasing female participation in higher-level roles. Although efforts are being made to increase female participation, progress has been slow, raising the question of what more can be done to promote equal opportunities. One potential solution is implementing gender-specific diversity initiatives that support women in the workplace, addressing the psychological needs that drive motivation and engagement. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine to what extent feeling involved in gender-specific diversity initiatives impacts female employee’s psychological factors. Conducted within a large financial organization in the Netherlands, representing similar corporate environments, data were collected through questionnaires (N = 127) using the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction scale and the Brief Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale. Results from independent t-tests revealed that women who felt involved in these initiatives reported significantly higher levels of psychological factors compared to those who did not (hypothesis 1). Additionally, a Kruskal-Wallis test showed that while the number of initiatives participated in was significantly associated with perceived competence, there was no similar effect on autonomy, relatedness, or self-esteem (hypothesis 2). These findings highlight the critical role of gender-specific diversity initiatives in fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace. The study suggests that such initiatives not only enhance psychological well-being but also potentially contribute to greater job satisfaction, motivation, and employee retention. This research provides insights relevant to large organizations aiming to promote gender equality and improve overall organizational performance.Show less
