Vikki Schaffer

This research addresses the gap regarding the need for a brief, state measure of awe by developing and validating the Awe Short Measure (Awe-SM). Study 1 (N = 246) utilized exploratory factor analysis, resulting in a nine-item, three-factor solution with high factor loadings and adequate internal consistency. Study 2 (N = 576) validated the Awe-SM through confirmatory factor analysis, reaffirming internal consistency and establishing convergent and divergent validity against existing measures. The Awe-SM's three-factor solution encompasses connectedness, absorption, and perception, reflecting key aspects of awe concordant with existing theoretical and empirical findings. The Awe-SM demonstrated strong correlations with subscales of the existing Awe Experience Scale, supporting its validity in capturing awe experiences. While awe is multifaceted and can contain elements of fear or threat, its predominantly positive nature was mirrored in the Awe-SM's correlations with positive and negative affect measures. The Awe-SM provides a valid, succinct measure of state awe.

Research on the positive psychological effects of psychedelics has surged since the early 2000s, particularly regarding increased well-being. Studies have demonstrated how psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences play a key role in their positive effects, which has prompted an interest in the emotion of awe in the psychedelic context due to its similar phenomenology and associated benefits. This study examined 60 individuals following their visitation to at least one ayahuasca retreat in a country where ayahuasca use was legal or retreats are approved to use ayahuasca, hypothesizing that not only high levels of awe but mystical experiences characterized by high levels of awe would be significantly associated with higher well-being. Neither hypothesis was supported: higher levels of mystical experience with lower perceived vastness, a facet of awe, was significantly associated with higher well-being, possibly highlighting the synergistic relationship between mystical experiences and perceived vastness on well-being. The study has implications for future research, particularly in terms of understanding how the perceived vastness of a person's psychedelic experience may be modulated to mitigate distress and foster well-being.

Natural soundscapes evoke awe and play a pivotal role in shaping visitor experiences, potentially leading to transformational outcomes. This study, grounded in the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory, examined the effects of natural soundscapes and pre-recorded whale vocalizations on inducing awe and influencing Pro-Environmental Intent (PEI) among whale watchers. Additionally, the study explored how increased whale knowledge impacts PEI. Findings reveal that awe significantly predicts heightened PEI, particularly in fostering connectedness with nature. Interestingly, no significant difference in awe levels emerged between participants exposed to natural soundscapes versus pre-recorded whale vocalizations. However, participants' whale knowledge substantially increased post-tour, contributing significantly to PEI. The influence of soundscapes on PEI was partially supported, with significant differences noted on the “recycle and reuse” subscale. Overall, the study highlights experiences of awe, the acquisition of knowledge, and exposure to natural soundscapes can collectively enhance environmental consciousness and strongly impact pro-environmental behaviours. These insights provide valuable guidance for designing tourism experiences that promote sustainable behaviour.

Climate change and environmental degradation are critical health challenges facing society, with eco-distress increasingly and more widely reported. Previous research indicates that nature relatedness (NR) may be implicated in eco-distress. The current cross-sectional, online study expands research on eco-distress. It was hypothesized that different types of NR would lead to different manifestations of eco-distress. Participants (N = 415) completed measures of NR (nature relatedness scale, pro-environmental self-identity scale, and connectedness to nature scale) and measures of eco-distress (climate change anxiety scale, solastalgia subscale of the environmental distress scale, and climate change worry scale). Results indicated that NR-perspective, pro-environmental self-identity, and connectedness to nature may influence the occurrence of eco-distress, whereas NR-self may be protective against eco-distress. Solastalgia accounted for 29% of the variance in eco-distress, suggesting that solastalgia, not climate change anxiety was the dominant emotional response implicated in eco-distress for those with high NR. Further research is required to develop robust measures of eco-distress and determine the reciprocal nature of eco-distress to environmental degradation and the bearing this has on individual, community, and global actions to advance nature and human wellbeing.

Awe is considered a transformational and multifaceted emotion. Vastness is the core cognitive appraisal associated with awe, which activates a need for cognitive accommodation. Increasingly, studies are evaluating awe’s dimensions including triggers, cognitive and emotional characteristics, and primarily beneficial outcomes. Additionally, numerous emotions have been conceptualised within a cognitive behavioural framework and cognitive behavioural models may be utilised to promote positive human qualities and experiences. Therefore, this paper outlines the results of a systematic review of the literature on awe from a cognitive behavioural perspective to propose a cognitive behavioural model. Databases searched included Psych Net, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, SAGE, JSTOR, Springer LINK, Taylor and Francis, and Wiley with the inclusion of peer reviewed articles. A total of 57 studies were identified. Triggers of awe were primarily related to nature and cognitive processes centred on vastness and the need for accommodation. A range of outcomes associated with awe were identified including increased well-being, spiritual growth, and pro-environmental intent. The key findings from this review informed a cognitive behavioural model of awe. Such a cognitive behavioural model may inform the cultivation of awe for individual, community, or environmental well-being and experience design. Future research is required to validate the proposed model, proposed pathways, and utility.

Increasing pro environmental behavior may combat environmental deterioration and promote animal and human welfare. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), we investigated how an Australian zoo based seal encounter influenced participants' pro environmental intentions and behavior at 1 month follow up. Participants were 113 seal encounter visitors, with n = 29 providing 1 month post encounter data. Pre encounter, participants reported past and intended pro environmental behaviors, and TPB constructs (attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective and moral norms). Post encounter, participants rated their experience and future pro environmental intentions. At 1 month follow up, participants again reported their pro environmental behaviors. The model explained past pro environmental behaviors and future behavioral intentions (but not plastic use specifically), with subjective norms being the most important. Unlike past research, moral norms were not significant, perhaps due to the zoo based research context. Importantly, participants reported a decrease in plastic use 1 month post encounter. These findings provide suggestions for zoos to design encounters targeting subjective norms to promote pro environmental behavior.

Purpose

In contrast to prior studies examining burnout in academic employees, this paper explores how academic employee agency mitigates burnout risks in the context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and how this agency facilitates research productivity and influences well-being in the face of changes in learning and teaching practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use collaborative auto-ethnography (CAE) in the higher education (HE) sector to probe how an employee productivity group supported the group's members during the pandemic.

Findings

Thematic analysis revealed four emerging themes: burnout, beneficial habits for research productivity, blocking-out-time and belonging. The authors' findings suggest that by acknowledging and legitimising employee-initiated groups, feelings of neglect can be combatted. Purposeful employee groups have the potential to create a therapeutic, safe space and, in addition to the groups' productivity intent, diminish the negative effects of a crisis on organisational effectiveness.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by utilising a CAE approach to provide greater insight into how academics enact agency by creating digital research workspaces, attending to the spatial dimensions of well-being especially during turbulent times.

Islands provide the opportunity to explore management regimes and research issues related to the isolation, uniqueness, and integrity of ecological systems. K’gari (Fraser Island) is an Australian World Heritage property listed based on its outstanding natural value, specifically, the unique wilderness characteristics and the diversity of ecosystem types. Our goal was to draw on an understanding of the natural and cultural environment of K’gari as a foundation on which to build a management model that includes First Nations Peoples in future management and research. Our research involved an analysis of papers in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, original reports, letters, and other manuscripts now housed in the K’gari Fraser Island Research Archive. The objectives of the research were: (1) to review key historical events that form the cultural, social, and environmental narrative; (2) review the major natural features of the island and threats; (3) identify the gaps in research; (4) analyse the management and conservation challenges associated with tourism, biosecurity threats, vegetation management practices, and climate change and discuss whether the requirements for sustaining island ecological integrity can be met in the future; and (5) identify commonalities and general management principles that may apply globally to other island systems and other World Heritage sites listed on the basis of their unique natural and cultural features. We found that the characteristics that contribute to island uniqueness are also constraints for research funding and publication; however, they are important themes that warrant more investment. Our review suggests that K’gari is a contested space between tourist visitation and associated environmental impacts, with an island that has rich First Nations history, extraordinary ecological diversity, and breathtaking aesthetic beauty. This juxtaposition is reflected in disparate views of custodianship and use, and the management strategies are needed to achieve multiple objectives in an environmentally sustainable way whilst creating cultural equity in modern times. We offer a foundation on which to build a co-management model that includes First Nations Peoples in governance, management, research, and monitoring.

Immersion in nature provides various psychological benefits to well-being. Recent research examines whether these benefits can be replicated in virtual reality (VR). This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the psychological effects on well-being of virtual immersion in nature. Databases searched included Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, Psychnet, and Pubmed with inclusion of peer reviewed articles published in English, between 2015 and 2020 (inclusive to July 2020), in which the research design includes VR-based immersion in nature. A total of 21 quantitative studies were identified. Within these articles, most employed quantitative research methodologies within an experimental design. In regard to psychological well-being, some evidence suggests that virtual immersion in nature significantly decreases negative affect. Conversely, other research found no change or an increase in negative affect. Generally, no significant differences were noted for positive affect. Physiological indicators of stress responses to virtual immersion in nature varied. Overall, research exploring the use of virtual reality immersion in nature is limited and the replication of the potential benefits gained from real immersion in nature is poorly understood. Future research is required to advance understanding and knowledge of the outcomes of virtual immersion in nature on human well-being.

Prosperity is one of the five critical areas for Sustainable Development according to the 2030 Agenda. This research develops a prosperity model for a tourism destination and examines stakeholders’ perception of the role of sustainable tourism development in enhancing the prosperity. A set of 18 sustainability indicators were used and identified through a hybrid model that combines results from a systematic literature search and four-stage convergent interviews. Results from 171 participants from five different groups of stakeholders revealed that sustainable tourism development enhances the prosperity of the target destination in general. Sustainability was found to be a medium to strong predictor of key prosperity dimensions, particularly environmental quality and sociocultural empowerment. Finally, the level of relationships were quantified to assist destination managers in identifying where to expend effort and resources to improve the implementation of sustainable tourism while considering the key dimensions of prosperity.