10 Fakultät Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/handle/11682/11

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 25
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the personal lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder? : a qualitative interview study
    (2023) Kaltenboeck, Alexander; Portela Millinger, Filipe; Stadtmann, Sarah; Schmid, Christine; Amering, Michaela; Vogl, Susanne; Fellinger, Matthäus
    Background:The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes one of the greatest recent public crises. This study explored its influence on the lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Methods: Between October 2020 and April 2021, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 volunteers with SSDs receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment in Vienna (Austria). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: Three main themes were identified. First, ‘Pandemic life is deprived, lonely and surreal - though certain aspects can be perceived as positive’. Second, ‘Bio-psycho-social support systems were struck at their core by the pandemic and were left severely compromised’. Last, ‘There is a complex interplay between one’s prior experience of psychosis and the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic’. The pandemic situation affected interviewees in various ways. For many, it led to a drastic reduction in day-to-day and social activities and contributed to an atmosphere of strangeness and threat. Bio-psycho-social support providers frequently suspended their services and offered alternatives were not always helpful. Participants indicated that whilst having an SSD might render them vulnerable to the pandemic situation, prior experience with psychotic crises can also provide knowledge, skills and self-confidence which enable better coping. Some interviewees also perceived aspects of the pandemic situation as helpful for recovering from psychosis. Conclusion: Healthcare providers must acknowledge the perspectives and needs of people with SSDs in present and future public health crises to ensure proper clinical support.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Emotional reactions to climate change : a comparison across France, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom
    (2023) Böhm, Gisela; Pfister, Hans-Rüdiger; Doran, Rouven; Ogunbode, Charles A.; Poortinga, Wouter; Tvinnereim, Endre; Steentjes, Katharine; Mays, Claire; Bertoldo, Raquel; Sonnberger, Marco; Pidgeon, Nicholas
    We present a study of emotional reactions to climate change utilizing representative samples from France, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom (UK). Drawing on appraisal theories of emotion, we examine relations between appraisals, emotions, and behavioral intentions in the context of climate change. We compare the four countries concerning emotional differences and commonalities and relate our findings to pertinent models of cultural values. Five distinct emotions were measured: worry, hope, fear, outrage, and guilt. In addition, the survey asked respondents to appraise a set of climate-related statements, such as the causality of climate change, or the efficacy of mitigation efforts. Also, a set of climate-relevant actions, such as willingness to reduce energy consumption or support for climate policies, was assessed. Findings show that appraisals of human causation and moral concern were associated with worry and outrage, and appraisals of efficacy and technological solutions were associated with hope. Worry and outrage are associated with intentions to reduce one’s energy consumption, whereas hope and guilt are related to support for policies such as tax and price increases. A country comparison shows that French respondents score high on outrage and worry and tend to engage in individual behaviors to mitigate climate change, whereas Norwegian respondents score high on hope and show a tendency to support policies of cost increase. Generally, worry is the most and guilt the least intense emotion. Moral concerns and perceived collective efficacy of one’s country in addressing climate change are relatively strong in France, while beliefs in human causation and in negative impacts of climate change prevail in Germany, and confidence in technological solutions are prevalent in Norway. In sum, findings reveal typical patterns of emotional responses in the four countries and confirm systematic associations between emotions and appraisals as well as between emotions and behaviors. Relating these findings to models of cultural values reveals that Norway, endorsing secular and egalitarian values, is characterized by hope and confidence in technological solutions, whereas France and Germany, emphasizing relatively more hierarchical and traditional values, are rather characterized by fear, outrage, and support for behavioral restrictions imposed by climate change policies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Demokratiezufriedenheit und Institutionenvertrauen in Baden-Württemberg
    (2023) Vetter, Angelika; Brettschneider, Frank
    In Baden-Württemberg sind vor allem jene Menschen mit dem Funktionieren der Demokratie zufrieden, die die Wirtschaftslage positiv einschätzen, die das Gefühl haben, dass sich Politik responsiv verhält, und die einer Regierungspartei zuneigen. Sie vertrauen auch politischen Institutionen eher. Ferner stärkt dialogische Bürgerbeteiligung sowohl die Demokratiezufriedenheit als auch das Institutionenvertrauen von Menschen. Allerdings nicht immer. Vor allem die Zufriedenheit mit dem Beteiligungsverfahren ist wichtig. Erst danach spielt die Zufriedenheit mit dem Ergebnis der Beteiligung eine Rolle. Auch bei Menschen, die nicht einer der Regierungsparteien zuneigen, stärkt dialogische Beteiligung die Demokratiezufriedenheit und das Vertrauen. Allerdings: Bewerten Teilnehmende an Bürgerbeteiligung sowohl das Verfahren als auch das Ergebnis negativ, dann sind ihre Demokratiezufriedenheit und ihr Institutionenvertrauen sogar geringer als bei jenen, die nicht an Bürgerbeteiligung teilgenommen haben. Diesen Analysen liegen repräsentative Umfragen aus den Jahren 2021 und 2022 in Baden-Württemberg zugrunde.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Editorial - contemporary threats, surveillance, and the balancing of security and liberty
    (2023) Trüdinger, Eva-Maria; Ziller, Conrad; Noll, Jolanda van der
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    How deliberation happens : enabling deliberative reason
    (2023) Niemeyer, Simon; Veri, Francesco; Dryzek, John S.; Bächtiger, André
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Setting limits to tolerance : an experimental investigation of individual reactions to extremism and violence
    (2023) Trüdinger, Eva-Maria; Ziller, Conrad
    Tolerating others' opinions, even if disliked, is a cornerstone of liberal democracy. At the same time, there are limits to political tolerance as tolerating extremists and groups who use violence would threaten the foundations of tolerance itself. We study people's willingness to set limits to tolerance in case of violence and extremism (scope of tolerance) - under different conditions regarding ideological groups (left-wing, right-wing, religious) and offline/online contexts of free speech. Using data from a large-scale survey experiment conducted in Germany, we show that citizens clearly set limits to tolerance of different groups, especially if the latter have violent intentions, and that people tend to be more tolerant online than offline. Moreover, we find that citizens are more tolerant toward groups that are closer to their own ideological stance. However, violence disrupts such an ideological bias as respondents across the ideological spectrum exhibit low levels of tolerance toward violent groups - irrespectively of their political stance. Our findings highlight the importance of situational factors as foundations of judgments on the limits to tolerance.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Neighborhood socio-economic status influences motor performance and inhibitory control in kindergarten children : findings from the cross-sectional Kitafit study
    (2023) Schott, Nadja; Mündörfer, Andi; Holfelder, Benjamin
    Numerous studies have examined the role of socio-economic status on physical activity, obesity, and cognitive performance in youth or older adults, but few studies have examined the role of neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES) on motor or cognitive performance in kindergarten children. This study aimed to examine whether lower NSES (measured by the social data atlas) was associated with lower motor and inhibitory control performance in kindergarten children. One hundred twenty-nine preschoolers were recruited from eight kindergartens in low and high NSES areas in Stuttgart, one of Germany’s largest metropolitan areas. Motor functioning (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, MABC-2; Manual Dexterity, Aiming and Catching, and Balance) and inhibitory control (Flanker Task, Go/NoGo Task) were assessed in a sample of 3- to 6-year-old children within a cross-sectional study. Children from a low NSES background showed the expected difficulties in inhibitory control and motor performance, as indicated by poorer performance than children from a high NSES background. Sex-specific analysis revealed girls from low NSES areas to have the lowest fine motor control; children with low NSES reach a Developmental Coordination Disorder at-risk status of 13% (boys and girls), in contrast to children with high SES (boys 9.1%, girls 0.0%). Motor performance and inhibitory control correlated positively with regard to the group from a low NSES background. Researchers and practitioners are advised to develop a more nuanced picture of motor and academic achievement in heterogeneous neighborhoods when designing early intervention programs, particularly with regard to sex differences, with the most significant disadvantage to girls with lower NSES.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Efficacy of personalized feedback in encouraging sustainable washing behavior : evidence from a pilot study in Germany
    (2025) Höpfl, Laura; Đula, Ivan; Kiss, Francisco; Walter, Rebecca; Wirzberger, Maria
    Introduction: Reducing household energy consumption through behavioral changes is a key strategy in addressing the emissions driving the climate crisis. Behavioral changes in affluent households toward more sustainable practices can have a significant positive impact. Prior research highlighted the role of individual values and motivational factors in shaping sustainable clusters. A more personalized approach toward encouraging the resulting clusters of people to adopt more sustainable strategies seems promising. Such an approach could incorporate aligned feedback, which has been proven to be a powerful mechanism throughout learning processes.
    Method: Over 9 weeks, a pilot study with 50 participants investigated the impact of different types of feedback on washing behavior. The within-subjects design included (1) a baseline condition, (2) feedback on energy consumption (kWh), and (3) feedback on monetary costs per cycle (EUR). Data collection encompassed pre- and post-condition surveys, a final comprehensive survey, and a diary-formatted table. The primary objective was to evaluate the potential for individualization. Asynchronous structured interviews were conducted at the end to explore participants' perceptions and washing behaviors.
    Results: While we found effects for the feedback manipulation, we found no differences between user clusters in individual washing behaviors. Furthermore, participants qualitatively reported habitual changes, feeling more knowledgeable about the monetary impacts of specific washing programs and temperatures, and wished for a more accessible preset time function. Most participants expressed willingness to switch to a dynamic energy price if it translated to significant cost savings.
    Discussion: Our findings may support the notion that individualized behavior change strategies are promising. In general, these strategies should be easily applicable, cost-effective, and promote habits to be exerted regularly. Arising methodological limitations suggest further research in this domain. From an applied perspective, our research provides valuable insights for designing products, services, and regulations by governments and companies, empowering them to develop more effective strategies for reducing energy consumption.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Digital interactive experience- and game-based fall interventions for community-dwelling healthy older adults : a cross-disciplinary systematic review
    (2025) Ciemer, Celina; Kröper, Lisa; Klotzbier, Thomas J.; Ghellal, Sabiha; Schott, Nadja
    Introduction: Falls pose significant health risks to older adults, impacting their quality of life. Preventive strategies are crucial, as research shows that fall prevention interventions can effectively reduce fall risks. However, these interventions often suffer from low adherence and uptake. Digital, interactive interventions, incorporating experience-, and game-related aspects, offer a promising solution, making this topic inherently cross-disciplinary. Objective: This review aims to assess the current landscape of digital interactive experience and game-based fall interventions for community-dwelling, healthy older adults. It focuses on integrating Human Movement Science and User Experience & Game Design perspectives, emphasizing the cross-disciplinary nature of this research.
    Methods: We employed a cross-disciplinary literature search framework, searching the databases ACM-DL, IEEE-Xplore, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review focused on healthy community-dwelling older adults (50+), including those at risk of falling. Excluded were studies involving chronic diseases, non-age-related impairments, other age groups, or individuals receiving care. Only digital, interactive fall prevention interventions without commercial software were considered. Studies published between 2000–2024 were included. A qualitative thematic synthesis was conducted, focusing on four categories: Objectives (O), Design and Development (D), Types of Intervention (T), and Evaluation Methods (E).
    Results: The search yielded 2,747 results, with 59 articles included in the final synthesis. Objectives were mainly driven by a combination of HMS and UXG rather than a single aspect. In Design and Development it was observed that concept-based design was scarce, with most being procedure-based. Descriptions of interventions frequently lacked specificity, particularly in-depth experience-related terminology and exercise descriptions. Evaluation methods were found to be more frequently informed by both HMS and UXG, although only four studies used a mixed-method approach to explore their interplay. Among included articles, most aspects incorporated both HMS and UXG across all four categories: O( n = 37), D( n = 37), T( n = 54), and E( n = 21).
    Conclusion: The review underscores the importance of digital interactive experience- and game-based fall prevention interventions. It highlights the need for enhanced cross-disciplinary collaboration between HMS and UXG to address gaps, such as the lack of a shared thesaurus and standardized guidelines, which are vital for improving transparency, reproducibility, and the refinement of these interventions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Muscle wobbling mass dynamics : eigenfrequency dependencies on activity, impact strength, and ground material
    (2023) Christensen, Kasper B.; Günther, Michael; Schmitt, Syn; Siebert, Tobias
    In legged locomotion, muscles undergo damped oscillations in response to the leg contacting the ground (an impact). How muscle oscillates varies depending on the impact situation. We used a custom-made frame in which we clamped an isolated rat muscle ( M. gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis : GAS) and dropped it from three different heights and onto two different ground materials. In fully activated GAS, the dominant eigenfrequencies were 163 Hz, 265 Hz, and 399 Hz, which were signficantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the dominant eigenfrequencies in passive GAS: 139 Hz, 215 Hz, and 286 Hz. In general, neither changing the falling height nor ground material led to any significant eigenfrequency changes in active nor passive GAS, respectively. To trace the eigenfrequency values back to GAS stiffness values, we developed a 3DoF model. The model-predicted GAS muscle eigenfrequencies matched well with the experimental values and deviated by - 3.8%, 9.0%, and 4.3% from the passive GAS eigenfrequencies and by - 1.8%, 13.3%, and - 1.5% from the active GAS eigenfrequencies. Differences between the frequencies found for active and passive muscle impact situations are dominantly due to the attachment of myosin heads to actin.