Representative German Sample Research Articles

Understanding Sociodemographic Differences in Climate Behavior, Climate Policy Acceptance, and Political Participation

IntroductionTo mitigate the global health threat posed by climate change, multifaceted responses are required. In previous work, older, male, and highly educated individuals were shown to exhibit greater general readiness to act against climate change; the same is true for people living in larger communities. Yet, the sociodemographic effects may vary for the single facets of the readiness to act against climate change—namely individual climate-friendly behavior, acceptance of climate-protection policies, and political participation. MethodsData from four waves (2022–2023) of the Planetary Health Action Survey (PACE) were analyzed (N = 3,830, nonprobabilistic representative German sample). Sociodemographic variables (gender, age, community size, education and others) and the three abovementioned facets of the readiness to act against climate change were assessed to examine their relationships. ResultsPatterns varied between the indicators. Women and older individuals exhibited more climate-friendly behavior and policy acceptance. In contrast, levels of political participation were higher for men and younger individuals. Higher education was linked to less sustainable behavior, greater policy acceptance, and higher participation, while municipality size was only linked to the latter two. Additional analyses explore the relations between age and the constructs at item level. ConclusionsFindings underscore the importance of a nuanced understanding of people's readiness to act against climate change. Depending on communication objectives, different target groups may be relevant, e.g., do campaigners want to increase political participation vs. change individual behaviors. While older individuals exhibit greater readiness to act via individual behavior and policy acceptance, it is important to include young people in climate-communication efforts.

Diversity in the acceptance of sustainable aviation fuels: Uncovering varying motivational patterns

The aviation sector’s significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions has spurred interest in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as a means to mitigate environmental impact. This study examines user diversity in the public acceptance of power-to-liquid aviation fuels (eSAF), exploring varying attitudes towards the environment, flying, and eSAF adoption. Through a quantitative survey of a representative German sample, three distinct segments emerged: the Environment-Centered Approvers, the Flying-Centered Approvers, and the Skeptical. The Environment-Centered Approvers prioritize environmental concerns and perceive moral obligations to use eSAF for climate protection. In contrast, the Flying-Centered Approvers prioritize the continuation of flying with reduced environmental impact, while the Skeptical exhibit a more cautious and uncertain stance towards eSAF adoption. The study highlights the importance of tailoring communication strategies based on the unique motivations and concerns of each subgroup to effectively promote eSAF adoption.

Ideological attitudes predicting online hate speech: the differential effects of right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation

IntroductionWhile research on online hate speech (OHS) has expanded in recent years, only few studies adopt a theoretical framework to understand how ideological attitudes differentially motivate individuals to engage with OHS. Drawing on the dual-process motivational model of ideology and on previous political psychological research on OHS, this study examines how individual levels of social dominance orientation (SDO) and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) predict the likelihood of producing OHS for online platforms users.MethodsWe used logistic regressions to analyze the survey data from a representative German sample of social media platform users (N = 7,349).ResultsThe analyses indicate that SDO is related with higher odds of producing OHS, while RWA is related with lower odds. After adjusting for socio-economic factors and controlling for alternative predictors, the odd ratios remain significant, indicating that these two ideological attitudes predict online hate speech in different directions.DiscussionThe results show that high-RWA individuals are less likely to engage with OHS, which is explained through their conservative motivation to conform to social norms and maintain social stability. High-SDO individuals are more likely to produce OHS and may use it following their competitive motivation to increase hierarchical relations and improve their social status within society. The findings are discussed taking into consideration the specificities of the German social context, and corroborate and expand previous research. From these subtle but crucial differential effects, relevant implications are drawn for the platform as well as for social and political levels.

Is this good science communication? Construction and validation of a multi-dimensional quality assessment scale from the audience’s perspective

The expansion of science communication underscores the increasing importance of understanding what constitutes good science communication. This question concerns the public’s understanding and engagement with science. The scholarly discussion has shifted from the traditional deficit model to a more dialog-oriented approach yet remains normatively anchored. There is a pivotal lack of attention to the audience’s perspective regarding the question of what good science communication is. Moreover, different formats of science communication have hardly been researched thus far. Therefore, this paper introduces a multi-dimensional scale to capture the audience’s assessment of specific science communication formats. We utilized a multi-step process to identify relevant criteria from both theoretical and practical perspectives. The instrument integrates 15 distinct quality dimensions, such as comprehensibility, credibility, fun, and applicability, structured according to different quality levels (functional, normative, user-, and communication-oriented). It considered theory-driven and practice-experienced categories and was validated through confirmatory factor analyses conducted on a German representative sample (n = 990). For validation, the scale was applied to a science blog post and a science video on homeopathy. After employing a seven-step process, we conclude that the newly devised scale effectively assesses the perceived quality of both blog and video science communication content. The overall assessment aligns with common target variables, such as interest and attitudes. The results regarding the different quality subdimensions provide a nuanced understanding of their contribution to the perceived overall quality. In this way, the scale aids in enhancing science communication in accordance with audience perceptions of quality. This marks the inaugural introduction of a comprehensive measurement instrument tailored to gauge quality from the audience’s standpoint, rendering it applicable for utilization by both researchers and practitioners.

Determinants of Telemedicine Service Use Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Germany During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

The occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic demanded fast changes in the delivery of health care. As a result, significant growth in the use of telemedicine services occurred. Research, especially from nationally representative German samples, is needed to better understand determinants of telemedicine use. The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of telemedicine service use among middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Cross-sectional, nationally representative data were taken from the German sample of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The German Corona Survey 2 (n=2039), which was conducted between June and August 2021, was used for this study. Reporting experience with remote medical consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic served as the outcome measure. Associations with socioeconomic, psychological, social, health-related, and COVID-19-related determinants were examined using multiple Firth logistic regressions. Psychological factors including feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge (odds ratio [OR] 1.61, 95% CI 1.04-2.50; P=.03), feeling sad or depressed (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.05-2.51; P=.03) and feelings of loneliness (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.07-2.58; P=.02) were positively associated with telemedicine use. Moreover, forgoing medical treatment because of being afraid of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.10-2.97; P=.02) and describing limitations because of a health problem as severe were positively associated with the outcome (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.12-4.00; P=.02). Socioeconomic and social factors were not significantly associated with telemedicine use in our sample. Middle-aged and older individuals in Germany seem to use telemedicine services according to psychological needs and health limitations. Especially when psychological symptoms are experienced, telemedicine seems to be a promising service option in this age group. Future research is needed to confirm these initial findings in postpandemic circumstances.

Psychometric properties of the German version of the Pre-loss Grief Questionnaire (PG-12-R)

This study aimed to develop a German version of the revised Pre-loss Grief Questionnaire (PG-12-R) and examine its factor structure, reliability and validity. The PG-12-R was assessed in a representative German sample (N = 2,515). Of these, 362 (14.4%) reported to have a loved one suffering from an incurable disease and 352 provided full data sets. Principal component factor analysis, scree-plot and parallel analysis were conducted. Results supported a one-factor model of PG-12-R with high internal consistency. Convergent validity was confirmed by negative correlations with psychological well-being and time since diagnosis and positive correlations with a more difficult perception of circumstances surrounding the illness and unpreparedness. The German version of the PG-12-R represents a reliable and valid measurement tool of pre-loss grief. It may be used as a screening measure for high levels of pre-loss grief to identify individuals who may need additional support.

The Good Disobedient Citizen? Students’ Perspectives on Good Citizenship in the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study 2016

Scholars of democratic citizenship and citizenship education have long discussed whether willingness to commit civil disobedience (CD) is an important attribute of citizens to defend and enforce democratic and human rights. In light of the youth protests of recent years, this article examines whether 14-year-old students consider CD important for being a good citizen. Using representative Danish, German, Dutch and Norwegian samples from the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study 2016, this study investigates dimensions of students’ concepts of citizenship and their relatedness to civic knowledge and support for equal rights. Confirmatory factor analysis established CD as a distinct dimension of good citizenship whose scale is metrically invariant across countries. However, linear regressions showed a negative impact of civic knowledge and support for equal gender rights on CD attitudes, raising the question if the empirical pattern of students supporting CD fits with theoretical assumptions of critical or transformative citizenship education.

Trust in a Digital World. The Roles of Media Trust and Ordinary Citizen Cues in Online Disinformation’s Credibility

The perception of disinformation as societal risk has reached a troubling peak amid the COVID-19 pandemic, strategically targeting vulnerable audiences through digital media by mirroring characteristics of vox populi disinformation. This study investigates the conditions under which COVID-19-related disinformation referring to a polarized (refugees) and neutral (runners) out-group appears most credible. In the early stages of the pandemic, we conducted a pre-registered online survey experiment with a representative German sample (N = 1,117). Results indicated that those with low trust in the media judged subtle and completely fabricated types of disinformation as more credible than accurate information. Presenting the article as a social media post from an ordinary user, rather than an official source, had no discernible impact on credibility evaluations; participants accurately assessed the credibility of a random source. We conclude that people are generally able to recognize disinformation—unless they already mistrust the media. This paper addresses why disinformation triggers strong reactions in targeted groups and how it thrives in the participatory digital landscape.

Broad and Detailed Agreement: Public Preferences for German Immigration Policy

Immigration policy is often considered one of the most divisive issues in Western Europe and North America. We explore whether that debate has been oversimplified. We start from the position that immigration is a complex issue comprising many specific policy choices. We then investigate whether preferences are consistently open or closed across a range of immigration policy criteria. We analyze an original survey with a nationally representative sample of Germans. Our results suggest that preferences are not consistently open or closed on immigration, integration, and naturalization regulations. Overall, the German public would prefer to be open on some aspects of immigration policy and closed on others. In addition, population subsets who are either “pro-” or “anti-” immigration in general have the same preferences for whether to be open or closed on specific immigration policies. Our findings promote a more detailed approach to studying immigration preferences, which adds nuance to the idea of immigration as a grand societal conflict. In doing so, we highlight how future studies can refine expectations about when policy preferences are more permissive or restrictive.

Is the migrant share really the problem? Size of migrant population and individual authoritarianism as major determinants of xenophobic attitudes

ABSTRACT Contact hypothesis and threat hypothesis are among the most influential theories of xenophobia. The former proposes that intergroup contact may reduce prejudice. The latter suggests that a large outgroup may increase xenophobic attitudes. Using data of a 2018 German representative sample (N = 2,016), we employed multilevel analyses. As predictors, we looked at outgroup size, gross domestic product, and unemployment rate on a county level. On the individual level, we included authoritarianism and a wide range of sociodemographic variables. Individual authoritarianism was identified as the strongest predictor of xenophobic attitudes. On the county level, a higher proportion of migrants was associated with lower values of xenophobia. This serves as an indicator for contact hypothesis. Our results suggest that contextualizing social psychological and micro-sociological theories and employing multilevel analyses are valuable tools to detangle the interplay of individual and contextual influences on xenophobic attitudes.

Are You Worried About Getting Covid-19 or About Losing Your Job?

Although research showed that media consumption during Covid-19 is related to preventive behaviours, we know less about why people turn to quality or alternative media in the first place. We focus on the role of different fears. More specifically, we assumed that fears focusing on health threats were positively associated with the consumption of quality media and negatively with the consumption of tabloids and alternative media. We expected the opposite pattern for fears focusing on economic and societal threats, and that media consumption mediated the relationship between fears and vaccination acceptance. A survey among a representative sample of Germans (N = 1080) showed that the fears correlated as expected positively with the consumption of the respective media type. However, the predicted negative relationships with the other media type often turned out as non-significant. The fears were differentially related to vaccination acceptance via media consumption, indicating the theoretical and practical value of differentiating between different types of fears.

Consensus messaging in climate change communication: Metacognition as moderator variable in the gateway belief model

The issue of anthropogenic climate change is one of the most pressing challenges for society. Thus, the development of efficient strategies to increase the public's awareness of climate change is essential. Previous research has shown that one such strategy, consensus messaging, can correct peoples' misconceptions about their estimation of scientific consensus concerning climate change and increase, for example, their support for measures against global warming. Given the importance of developing reliable strategies, understanding the circumstances under which consensus messaging does and does not work is crucial. Thus, the present study investigated confidence in perceived scientific consensus (PSC) as a moderator variable in the consensus messaging process, using a national representative US sample (N = 898). More specifically, we investigated the role of confidence in PSC for (i) the debiasing process, i.e., the integration of the consensus message into the estimation of scientific consensus, and (ii) the updating process of climate change attitudes (belief in climate change, worry about climate change, and human causation of climate change). Results showed that confidence in PSC significantly predicts how much participants updated their PSC toward the consensus. We replicated those results for a high-consensus country (N = 1110, representative German sample). Furthermore, confidence in PSC played a moderating role in updating participants' beliefs in the human causation of climate change. Our findings suggest climate change related metacognition to be an important factor explaining the formation and updating of corresponding beliefs and highlight the importance of considering metacognitive aspects of climate change communication strategies.

Validation of the irritation scale on a representative German sample: new normative data

The irritation scale is a widely used and reliable self-report scale for measuring cognitive and emotional strain related to the work environment. It extends existing measures by providing a sensitive assessment for pre-clinical stress at work. Existing normative data are based on convenience samples and are therefore not representative. This study provides new normative data for the irritation scale based on a representative German sample (N = 1480). The new normative data indicate that the overall level of irritation in the German workforce is significantly lower compared to previously published data. Convergent and discriminant validity is confirmed by correlations with depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4 for Depression and Anxiety), somatic symptom scales (Bodily Distress Syndrome 25 checklist, Somatic Symptom Scale-8, Giessen Subjective Complaints List-8, comorbidity), psychological functioning (Mini-ICF rating for activity and participation disorders in mental illness), work-related stressors (overcommitment and bullying) and individual resources (self-efficacy). The results confirm the utility of the irritation scale and provide new benchmarks that avoid an underestimation of the levels of irritation in future studies.

You don't know a person('s taste) when you only know which genre they like: taste differences within five popular music genres based on sub-genres and sub-styles.

A representative German sample (N = 2,086) was surveyed on their musical taste with a questionnaire that asked about their liking not only of a number of genres, but also of relevant sub-genres and -styles. Using Latent Profile Analysis to analyze sub-genre liking patterns, four to six distinct taste classes were found within groups of those n = 1,749 people who liked either European classical music, electronic dance music, metal, pop or rock based on their sub-genre ratings. Across genres, two types of taste classes emerged: one with three classes that differed in the degree of liking all sub-genres, another with one to three classes that were biased in their liking or disliking of easier and more mainstream variants of a genre as compared to harder and sophisticated ones. Logistic regression models revealed meaningful relationships of genre fan groups and within-genre taste classes with sociodemographic variables and BIG-5 personality traits. In sum, our results demonstrate meaningful taste differences within genres and show that these translate to differences in person-related variables as well. These findings challenge earlier genre-based conceptualizations of music tastes, since we find similar structures already on the sub-genres level. It also suggests that different reasons and factors underlie tastes for genres and sub-genres. Future studies should therefore ask about taste in a more nuanced way.

Associations of different types of child maltreatment and diabetes in adulthood – the mediating effect of personality functioning: Findings from a population-based representative German sample

Associations of different types of child maltreatment and diabetes in adulthood – the mediating effect of personality functioning: Findings from a population-based representative German sample

Social origin and political participation: does education compensate for or reinforce family advantages and disadvantages?

Whether educational attainment compensates for or reinforces family disadvantages in political participation is currently a debated topic. Previous research has shown a consistent relationship between social origin and political participation in Western societies: individuals originating from low-socioeconomic-status families participate in politics less than those from high-socioeconomic-status families, which violates the democratic requirement of equality of political voice. In this paper, we investigate whether secondary education compensates for or reinforces the political inequality shaped by social origin. We used a German representative sample of 1012 identical twins aged 21–25 and applied family fixed effects regression models, which allowed us to control for measured and unmeasured social and genetic confounding. We found a positive effect of educational attainment on participation, which is most likely causal. Family disadvantage resulting from low parental education is compensated for by children finishing the academic track (Gymnasium) as opposed to the lower vocational track (Hauptschule). At the same time, family advantage originating from high parental occupational status is reinforced for children completing the academic track. We found no advantage nor disadvantage, compensation nor reinforcement, related to parental income. We conclude that compensation and reinforcement of family disadvantage may remain unnoticed if components of parental SES are not distinguished.

Associations of different types of child maltreatment and diabetes in adulthood – the mediating effect of personality functioning: Findings from a population-based representative German sample

This study aimed to examine the role of personality functioning in the association between various types of child maltreatment (CM) (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse as well as physical and emotional neglect) and diabetes in adulthood. Analyses are based on representative data of the German population (N=5,041) from 2016 to 2019. Self-report questionnaires assessed diagnosis of diabetes, child maltreatment (CTQ), personality functioning (OPD-SQS), and symptoms of depression/anxiety (PHQ-4). Odd ratios were calculated to examine the association between CM and diabetes, and mediation analyses including PHQ-4 as covariate were conducted to examine the role of personality functioning. All CM types significantly elevated the odds of having diabetes in adulthood. Personality functioning mediated the association between abuse and diabetes (sexual: b=0.012, 95% CI [.002, 0.022], PM=25.0%, physical: b=0.009, 95% CI [.001, 0.017], PM=12.0%, and emotional: b=0.013, 95% CI [.002, 0.024], PM=59.8%), but not between neglect and diabetes. CM is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, with personality functioning being a relevant mediator for CM abuse types. Hence, by focusing on CM prevention and considering impaired personality functioning in diabetes treatment, diabetes self-management and health behavior could be improved.

Psychometric properties, factor structure, and German population norms of the multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI-20).

The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) is commonly used, but its factor structure remains unclear. The MFI-20 consists of five subscales (general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, reduced motivation, and mental fatigue). This study investigates the psychometric properties, including the factor structure, of a general German population sample and tests group hypotheses on gender and age. Another objective is to provide normative data by gender and age groups. Using data from a representative German sample (n=2,509), reliability and convergent validity measures, group hypothesis testing, and confirmatory/exploratory factor analyses were conducted. The MFI-20 demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency and showed adequate convergent validity with the SF-36. All subscales of the MFI-20 were significantly correlated (0.71-0.85). Physical fatigue exhibited the highest (0.42) and mental fatigue had the lowest (0.19) correlation with age. Fatigue scores were significantly higher for women and significantly increased with age. A five-factor structure showed poor model fit; using an exploratory factor analysis, a two-factor structure emerged (a general factor and a mental/motivational factor). The MFI-20 is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring fatigue in the general population, but the five-factor structure is not supported. The subscale general fatigue or the MFI-20 total score might measure fatigue sufficiently. The provided norms can be used for further research and individual assessment.

The importance of effectiveness versus transparency and stakeholder involvement in citizens’ perception of public sector algorithms

ABSTRACT This paper sheds light on how much citizens value different features of public sector algorithms, specifically whether they prioritize effectiveness over transparency and stakeholder involvement in algorithm design or instead see effectiveness as less important. It does so with choice-based conjoint designs that present variants of algorithms used in policing and health care to respondents from representative German samples. Two studies with overall more than 3000 participants show that people are ready to trade away transparency and stakeholder involvement for small effectiveness gains. Citizens thus seem unlikely to demand accountable algorithms even in sensitive areas like policing and health care.

Condemn or Treat? The Influence of Adults' Stigmatizing Attitudes on Mental Health Service Use for Children.

Stigmatizing attitudes towards mental disorders influence parents’ help-seeking behavior for their child’s mental health problems. As untreated mental disorders can cause morbidity and mortality, such parental attitudes are a serious barrier for public health promotion. Therefore, the help-seeking readiness in a distressed child’s broad social environment is essential. However, the role of stigma was unexplored in this context. This study empirically investigated the influence of adults’ stigmatizing attitudes towards mentally disabled people on their readiness to seek professional help for children’s mental health issues. Data from a representative German sample (N = 1906; 52% female) were collected between July and October 2021. A heteroscedastic ordered probit model was used for estimation. An empirical analysis provides evidence for a significant negative relationship between adults’ stigmatizing attitudes and their readiness to initiate mental health support for children (ß = −0.01; p < 0.001). Support acceptance seems to be independent of having children. To tackle stigmatizing attitudes and to promote public health, mental health literacy should be fostered through broad-based approaches. Awareness should be raised that children are also entitled to mental health care, just as they are in other health areas. Policy makers need to promote comprehensive information about mental illnesses and create incentives for acute and preventive service use.