International Cooperation in Developing Countries: Reducing Fatalism and Promoting Self-Efficacy to Ensure Sustainable Cooperation

Daniela Pajardi,Viviana La Spada,Serena Cubico,Monia Vagni

doi:10.3390/su12020547

Daniela Pajardi, Viviana La Spada + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020547

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Jan 10, 2020
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Urbino, University of Verona

Abstract

International cooperation projects aim to support populations in developing countries or affected by emergency situations and to promote their wellbeing in a coherent way and in line with the 10th Sustainable Development Goal and with the principles of the psychology of sustainability and sustainable development. This study analyzed the ways in which such projects influence two psychosocial variables, fatalism and self-efficacy, which are of great importance in determining the attitude of people to promoting change and improving their living conditions by themselves. The sample (N = 510) consists of adult users of Caritas Italiana projects in developing countries, namely, 161 individuals in Argentina, 123 in Bosnia, 96 in Sierra Leone, and 130 in Sri Lanka. The results indicate that the very fact of being involved in cooperation projects, both economic welfare and social promotion projects, favors a reduction in fatalistic attitudes and that greater perception of self-efficacy predicts a reduction in fatalism. Specific effects are presented in relation to the different cultures, and education levels of the countries analyzed.

Highlights

Psychology of sustainability and sustainable development [1,2,3] constitutes a new research area in the field of sustainability science fostering its trans-disciplinary perspective
The present study considers psychological aspects to foster sustainable cooperation according to the new framework of the Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development
The results of this study confirm that self-efficacy is influenced by cultural aspects, so much so that it does not seem to be as associated with the type of project, economic assistance vs. social promotion, that is offered to the participants, as, instead, to the effect of the interaction of the project × country group

Summary

Introduction

Psychology of sustainability and sustainable development [1,2,3] constitutes a new research area in the field of sustainability science fostering its trans-disciplinary perspective This new research area widens the concept of sustainability based on ecological and socio-economic environments. Overcoming the traditional framework based on the three “Es” (economy, equity, and ecology), the psychological perspective pays attention to individual characteristics and resources [4,5,6] and sustainable development [7] in the environment/s. As regards this framework, special attention should be given to the integration and harmonization among resources, sustainable development, and the surrounding socioenvironmental context [8].

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Discussion

Conclusion