Individual Beliefs Research Articles

Language Teachers' Developmental Trajectories as Materials Developers

AbstractLanguage teachers are increasingly expected to develop teaching materials in many contexts. This trend necessitates greater understanding of how language teachers develop their professional practices as materials developers. Applying an ecological perspective in combination with Wenger's theory of Communities of Practice, the present study examines the developmental trajectories of language teachers participating in a materials development community. Adopting a narrative case study approach, this study collected interview data, policy documents, meeting minutes, and personal materials that four language teachers used for developing materials. The findings show that these language teachers' developmental trajectories as materials developers were not linear and were mediated by individual beliefs and policy requirements upon entering the community; their knowledge and skills and the power relations they experienced during the materials development process; and their beliefs and power relations at the end of the project. These findings suggest that language teachers need individualized support and resources at various points throughout their participation in a materials development community to develop their professional practices throughout the process.

The Impact of Family of Origin on Romantic Relationships: A Psychological Perspective

This review examines the influence of diverse family of origin factors on adult romantic relationships, concentrating on critical elements such as attachment styles, communication patterns, conflict resolution, family cohesion, family structure, and self-differentiation and self-regulation formed by early family experiences. Existing research reveals that early family dynamics significantly affect individuals' behaviours, beliefs, and satisfaction in romantic relationships during adulthood. The paper consolidates empirical findings from multiple studies, accentuating the role of secure and insecure attachment styles in determining romantic relationship satisfaction. It also investigates how family functions, specifically communication patterns, conflict management, and family cohesion, influence relationship outcomes. Additionally, the review highlights the degrees of self-differentiation and self-regulation influence the quality of intimate relationships. Psychological frameworks including attachment theory, family systems theory, and social learning theory offer the primary perspectives for comprehending these influences. The review also recognises critical deficiencies in the literature, including the requirement for more longitudinal studies and cross-cultural social class and gender comparisons. Overall, Individuals who grow up in nurturing, positive family environments with good parent-child interactions tend to have higher quality and more satisfying romantic relationships in adulthood. Studying on the impact of family of origin on romantic relationships can assist society in resolving family emotional conflicts and fostering harmony, it can likewise enrich the theoretical framework of family and emotional-related research in the academic field.

Factors influencing the use of digital technologies in primary mathematics teaching: Voices from Chinese educators

Abstract This study examines the multifaceted aspects of using digital technology in Chinese primary mathematics education through qualitative analysis. Participants included eight primary mathematics teachers and five vice-principals from four primary schools in Chongqing. Through in-depth interviews with these teachers and leaders, the research uncovers a complex interplay of internal and external influences on technology use. These influences range from individual attitudes and teachers' pedagogical beliefs to systemic factors like infrastructure and resource access. Based on these findings, the study proposes the Technological Pedagogical Readiness framework (TPR), which encapsulates the intricate interplay of these factors. The framework advocates for a balanced consideration of internal influences, such as Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and attitudes towards technology integration, and external influences, including educational environment, teacher professional development, educational challenges, students’ technology literacy and parental and community involvement. This framework, developed from the analysis, represents an initial step towards a more comprehensive model for using digital technology in education. It informs theoretical discussions and practical applications, providing a foundation for future curriculum development, teacher training initiatives, and policy considerations. The study's approach to proposing this framework reflects its developmental nature and underscores the need for further empirical validation. This research aims to inspire continued exploration into practical strategies for enhancing mathematics teaching and learning in the digital era by contributing a novel perspective to the ongoing dialogue on digital technology in education.

Assessing Internalized Beliefs: Psychometric Evidences for the Pathogenic Belief Scale in Turkish Culture.

This study was conducted to test the reliability and validity of the Pathogenic Belief Scale (PBS) on adult individuals. Participants consisted of 299 adults, including 189 (63.2%) females and 110 (36.8%) males, with a mean age of 21.16 years (SD = 3.68). Personal Information Form, Pathogenic Belief Scale-R, Cognitive Distortions Scale, and Dysfunctional Attitude Scale were used as data collection tools. The three-dimensional structure of the PBS was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis on the Turkish sample (χ2 = 204.990, df = 186, χ2/df = 1.102, comparative fit index = 0.997, normed fit index = 0.997, standardized root mean square residual = .058, and root-mean-square error of approximation = .019 (90% confidence interval [.001, .032]). Factor loadings were found to be between .470 and .761. The analyses also showed that the internal consistency reliability coefficients were at a quite good level for the undeserving dimension (α = .874, ω = 0.875), the cannot rely on others dimension (α = 0.794, ω = 0.799), and the interpersonal guilt dimension (α = .847, ω = 0.857). The Turkish version of the PBS is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to evaluate the pathogenic beliefs of individuals. The research results were discussed, and certain inferences were made for the future in line with the limitations.

The Power of Beliefs in Recovery-Oriented Practice: A Brief Report from the STIGMAPRO Survey.

Despite the international incentives and the worldwide development of recovery-oriented policies, it has proven challenging to establish recovery-oriented mental health services that take into account users' subjectivity and perspectives (Slade et al., World Psychiatry 13(1):12-20, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20084 ). The objective of this study was to identify individual beliefs that are correlated with six recovery-oriented practices in schizophrenia among mental health professionals. Seven individual beliefs were examined for their association with each of the aforementioned practices: belief in recovery possibilities, biological beliefs, desire for social distance, perceived similarities, professional utility beliefs, continuum beliefs, and categorical beliefs. The results indicated that belief in the possibility of recovery from schizophrenia and professional efficacy beliefs were the most strongly associated with the six recovery-oriented practices examined. Conversely, there was a negative association between stigma score (desire for social distance) and the six recovery-oriented practices. The remaining four beliefs-biological, perceived similarity, categorical, and continuum-were found to be more weakly associated with recovery-oriented practices. In light of these findings, it is evident that mental health professionals' individual beliefs warrant further consideration in research endeavors aimed at fostering and facilitating the implementation of recovery-oriented practices.

Effects of culturally-appropriate group education for migrants with type 2 diabetes in primary healthcare: pre-test-post-test design

BackgroundThe global incidence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly rising, particularly among migrants in developed countries. Migrants bear a significant burden of diabetes. However, this study is the only to evaluate the effects of a culturally appropriate diabetes intervention for these migrants on diabetes knowledge and health outcomes, adding a novel perspective to the existing literature.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects on diabetes knowledge, HbA1c, and self-rated health of a previously developed, culturally appropriate diabetes education model, based on individual beliefs about health and illness, underpinned by knowledge, and conducted through focus group discussions.MethodsObservational study evaluating the intervention using a pre-test-post-test design. It involved structured interviews and HbA1c measurements before, immediately after, and three months post-participation in the group-based intervention. The study included 22 migrants from the Middle East and Africa, divided into eight focus groups. The group education was conducted by a multi-professional team, led by a diabetes specialist nurse, in primary healthcare settings. Descriptive and analytical statistics applied in analysing data.ResultsThe findings showed that participation in the diabetes education significantly improved the knowledge levels, led to an initial change and possible short-term improvement in HbA1c (better immediate post-intervention), albeit statistically insignificant, but no change in glycaemic control over time and in self-rated health (SRH).ConclusionsThe findings supported the hypothesis of improved knowledge. Moreover, the findings showed a possible initial change in glycaemic control, but no overall effect. The study showed no change in self-rated (perceived) health. Further studies involving other populations and long-term follow-ups are needed. This study highlights the importance of culturally tailored diabetes educational programmes in our multicultural society. By recognising individual beliefs about health and illness, this education programme can significantly increase knowledge and thereby contribute to improved self-care and thus, overall health. Furthermore, it is recommended for daily practice in primary healthcare, supporting healthcare professionals with a proven strategy to increase knowledge.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Families Addressing Cancer Together for Parents With Cancer: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Families Addressing Cancer Together (FACT), a web‐based, individually tailored, psychoeducational intervention for parents with cancer to improve illness‐related communication with their minor children.MethodsParents with stage I‐IV solid tumors who had children ages 3–17 were randomized to 6 weeks of FACT versus waitlist control. Feasibility was assessed by rates of recruitment and retention. Acceptability (primary outcome) was defined a priori as ≥ 75% of FACT participants rating FACT ≥ 12 (on an 18‐point study‐specific scale), and semi‐structured interviews provided additional qualitative acceptability information. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to assess preliminary efficacy for communication self‐efficacy, depression, and anxiety; Fisher's exact tests explored differences in individual communication beliefs and behaviors.ResultsForty‐eight approached patients enrolled (recruitment rate: 73%), 85% were retained through the post‐intervention assessment, and 78% rated FACT as acceptable. In the FACT group compared to control, the modeled improvement in CSES scores from baseline to post‐intervention was 9.5 versus 0 points (p = 0.004). FACT participants were more likely to have told their children that they have cancer (83.3% vs. 52.2%, p = 0.03) and felt more prepared to answer their children's questions about cancer (p = 0.02). Groups did not differ in depression or anxiety.ConclusionsFACT was feasible, acceptable, and demonstrated potential to improve parents' communication self‐efficacy, beliefs, and behaviors. A large scale randomized controlled trial of FACT is needed to confirm these benefits and evaluate longer‐term effects on psychological outcomes for parents with cancer and their children.

Using Implementation Science to Assess Barriers to Agreement on Sedation Goal Setting and Assessment.

Sedation assessment and goal setting using a validated assessment tool are key components of the ICU Liberation bundle. Appropriate integration of these bundle elements into daily practice remains challenging. Understanding barriers is an important step toward implementation of these best practice bundle elements. Two-phased explanatory mixed methods assessment carried out 2022-2023. Forty-bed quaternary PICU. Bedside nurses and prescribers caring for mechanically ventilated patients on sedative infusions. None. Forty-one nurses and 32 prescribers participated in the phase 1 pre-education assessments (2022). We identified lack of correlation between the providers' stated State Behavioral Scale (SBS) numerical goal and descriptive goal and hypothesized that this discrepancy was either due to a knowledge gap or disagreement on sedation goals. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a phase 2 assessment (2022-2023), starting with a multipronged educational activity, followed by a repeat survey that included a qualitative interview. One hundred ninety nurses and 45 prescribers received the educational activity. Twenty-eight nurses and 22 prescribers participated in the phase 2 assessments with the qualitative interview. Although correlation of the sedation goal between providers improved, it remained poor. Subsequent qualitative interview data indicated that the reasons for persistent disagreement in the sedation goal for a given patient were related to individual providers' beliefs and attitudes toward sedation, rather than lack of understanding about using the SBS to set a target sedation goal. Barriers to setting and managing daily patient sedation goal in the PICU extend beyond providers' knowledge gaps. An improved understanding of underlying barriers is essential for successful implementation of evidence-based sedation guidelines.

The public mental representations of deepfake technology: An in-depth qualitative exploration through Quora text data analysis.

The advent of deepfake technology has raised significant concerns regarding its impact on individuals' cognitive processes and beliefs, considering the pervasive relationships between technology and human cognition. This study delves into the psychological literature surrounding deepfakes, focusing on people's public representation of this emerging technology and highlighting prevailing themes, opinions, and emotions. Under the media framing, the theoretical framework is crucial in shaping individuals' cognitive schemas regarding technology. A qualitative method has been applied to unveil patterns, correlations, and recurring themes of beliefs about the main topic, deepfake, discussed on the forum Quora. The final extracted text corpus consisted of 166 answers to 17 questions. Analysis results highlighted the 20 most prevalent critical lemmas, and deepfake was the main one. Moreover, co-occurrence analysis identified words frequently appearing with the lemma deepfake, including video, create, and artificial intelligence-finally, thematic analysis identified eight main themes within the deepfake corpus. Cognitive processes rely on critical thinking skills in detecting anomalies in fake videos or discerning between the negative and positive impacts of deepfakes from an ethical point of view. Moreover, people adapt their beliefs and mental schemas concerning the representation of technology. Future studies should explore the role of media literacy in helping individuals to identify deepfake content since people may not be familiar with the concept of deepfakes or may not fully understand the negative or positive implications. Increased awareness and understanding of technology can empower individuals to evaluate critically the media related to Artificial Intelligence.

Model of Risk Behavior for Prevention of HIV/AIDS Transmission Based on Self-Efficacy in Adolescents

Background: Adolescents are a group that is vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS due to risky behavior such as unprotected sexual intercourse and drug use. One approach that can be used to understand and reduce this risky behavior is self-efficacy, which is an individual's belief in their ability to take preventive action. The purpose of this study was to test the model of risky behavior towards preventing HIV/AIDS transmission based on self-efficacy in adolescents in Sumenep City District, Methods: This study is an observational analytical study, the population of the study is all adolescents aged at least 16 years in the Sumenep City District Results: Based on the Goodness of Fit table, the final model for adolescent risk behavior in the Sumenep City District can be said to be fit when viewed from several criteria, for example the Chi-square value of 0.001 (which is expected to be small), the GFI value of 0.915 (standard> 0.90), the NFI value of 0.934 (standard> 0.90), and the RMR value of 0.030 (standard <0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the self-efficacy-based behavioral model is effective in reducing risky behavior and increasing preventive measures for HIV/AIDS transmission among adolescents in the Sumenep City District. This approach can be an effective strategy in preventing HIV/AIDS in the adolescent community by increasing their confidence in their ability to take appropriate preventive measures.

PENINGKATAN EFIKASI DIRI PASIEN HIPERTENSI DENGAN METODE PEER GROUP SUPPORT

Self-efficacy or an individual's belief in their ability to manage their health condition is very important in the management of hypertension. In patients with hypertension, self-efficacy affects how well they can implement the changes needed to control blood pressure. Patients who have high levels of self-efficacy tend to be better able to follow the treatment plan and are more proactive in changing risky lifestyle habits. Psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, as well as social support from family and friends, can affect the level of self-efficacy. Peer Group Support is one method that can be done in an effort to increase the self-efficacy of hypertensive patients, namely through behavioral modeling, emotional support, shared experiences, constructive feedback, goal setting, skill development, role models and stress reduction. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of peer group support on the self-efficacy of hypertensive patients. The research design was pre-experimental. The sample in this study was part of the hypertensive patients, namely 42 respondents. Simple random sampling is the sampling technique used. The tool used to measure self-efficacy is a questionnaire. Data were processed using the Paired Samples T Test. The average value of self-efficacy before the intervention (pre) was 66.12 with a standard deviation of 7.006. The average value of self-efficacy after the intervention (post) increased to 75.64 with a standard deviation of 7.870. The results of the pretest-posttest self-efficacy data analysis using the Paired Samples T Test obtained a value of ?Value = 0.000 with ? = 0.05. Because ?Value <?, there is an influence of peer group support on self-efficacy in hypertension patients. It is hoped that health workers will plan routine activities that involve fellow patients. Where hypertension patients can strengthen each other, share information and convince fellow patients to improve their quality of life

Political Regimes, Religious Dominance, and Economic Preferences: Insights from the World Values Survey and Global State of Democracy Indices

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis research explores how political regimes, individual incomes, and religious dominance influence societies' attitudes toward freedom, equality, and income inequality. This work applies an empirical framework on political regimes and socio‐religious contexts to study the impacts of political regimes and socioeconomic variables on individual beliefs about freedom, equality, and income inequality.MethodsUtilizing data from the World Values Survey (WVS) along with the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) indices, the study employs a two‐stage regression model to control for issues of endogeneity. This approach helps to understand differences in preferences for freedom and equality under democratic, authoritarian, and hybrid regimes, along with the influence of income and religious dominance.FindingsThe results show that democratic regimes prioritize equality, especially among the poor and members of non‐dominant religious groups. Under authoritarian regimes, however, high‐income populations tend to favour freedom. Hybrid regimes exhibit varied tendencies, with both income status and religious dominance significantly influencing perceptions of equality.ConclusionThis research contributes to understanding how political, economic, and religious factors shape societal preferences. The results provide insights into the complex interplay between governance, socioeconomic conditions, and individual preferences.

Social norms and consumption tax evasion: unpacking passive consumer participation

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the social norms influencing consumer participation in consumption tax evasion (CTE) by examining both passive and active roles from a social marketing perspective. The study aims to identify the factors that prompt consumers to engage in or abstain from CTE, with a particular focus on the interplay of descriptive and injunctive norms and perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE).Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes a scenario-based experimental design involving 306 respondents in India, stratified by demographics and tax compliance attitudes. We used the PROCESS Macro to analyze the data using established scales for measuring descriptive and injunctive norms and PCE.FindingsThe results indicate that descriptive norms significantly increase the intention to engage in CTE, while injunctive norms weaken this relationship. PCE strengthens the moderating effect of injunctive norms. These findings highlight the mechanisms driving passive participation in CTE.Social implicationsThis study underscores the importance of societal norms and individual efficacy beliefs in shaping ethical behaviors such as tax compliance. By understanding these factors, governments can better design social marketing campaigns and public policies that foster a more compliant and ethically aware society.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in its examination of both passive and active consumer participation in CTE, a relatively understudied area within tax compliance literature. It extends the discourse on social norms and tax evasion by incorporating the nuanced roles of descriptive and injunctive norms and offers valuable insights for academicians, tax authorities and policymakers interested in behavioral interventions.

Caregiving for LGBTQIA+ Older Adults: Religious Exemptions and Cultural Discord in Long-Term Care

ABSTRACT Religious and moral exemptions have burgeoned since the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed marriage equality in 2015. These laws allow individuals to refuse services based on religious or moral beliefs. LGBTQIA+ advocates have raised concerns regarding exemptions to deny care to LGBTQIA+ individuals with heightened health needs. Research suggests that LGBTQIA+ individuals have higher anticipated needs for nursing home care; however, a gap in empirical research exists on how nursing home staff understand religious exemptions in the context of their caregiving. This study, thus, employs a qualitative case approach to examine this question: How do nursing home staff make sense of staff refusal to provide care to LGBTQIA+ residents because of religious or moral beliefs? Data includes semi-structured interviews of nursing home staff (n = 90) and was analyzed with thematic analysis. While dominant narratives present religious exemptions as a conflict between religious liberty and equality, staff employed a variety of cultural frames to reconcile cultural discord and achieve social coherence about whether to accommodate a colleague who refused care to an LGBTQIA+ resident. Cultural frames included individual rights, individual religious belief, fairness, job obligations, resident safety and comfort, and legal compliance.

Journeying with the Dying—Lessons from Palliative Care Physicians

AbstractWitnessing suffering and death in palliative care can cause moral distress, emotional exhaustion and maladaptive coping strategies. How sense and meaning is made from these experiences influences how physicians think, feel and act as professionals (professional identity formation or PIF). It also determines how they cope with their roles, care for patients and interact with other professionals. Timely, personalised and appropriate support is key as shaping how these physicians develop and contend with sometimes competing beliefs and roles. The Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP) and the Krishna-Pisupati Model (KPM) offer a means of mapping PIF and thus moulding, coping and meaning making. This study uses the RToP and KPM to explore how caring for end-of-life patients impacts the personhood of palliative care physicians. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 13 palliative care physicians—eleven females and two males aged between 35 and 50 years—at a cancer specialist centre were conducted. Transcripts of the audio-recorded interviews underwent content and thematic analysis where complementary themes and categories identified were combined to form domains that highlighted the physicians’ key experience of providing end-of-life care. The domains identified were (1) identity formation, (2) conflicts, (3) KPM elements and (4) support systems. Together, results revealed that palliative care physicians are driven by Innate, Individual, Relational and Societal belief systems that create an intertwined professional and personal identity, enabling them to find meaning in their experiences and adapt to present contexts within cultural norms and professional expectations. However, their failure to recognise their need for support when hampered by evolving personal, existential and clinical factors underlines the exigency for ongoing surveillance and a potential role for a RToP-based tool and portfolio system that can detect and direct timely, appropriate support to in-need physicians.

Exploring changes in perceived employability in Australian engineering undergraduates: A pilot study

The paper is part of a pilot study exploring how undergraduate engineering students at one Australian university perceive their own employability development over the span of their degree. The paper outlines approaches to defining employability and the individual factors within employability. Students across a range of year levels were surveyed about their perceived employability, which refers to how likely it is that an individual believes they will be able to gain employment. The paper discusses the survey results and finds that perceived employability drops as students progress through the year levels of their degree. The study strengthens previous research in this area, and reinforces the need for universities to ensure that students are supported as they enter the labour market to become the engineering professionals of the future.

Efikasi Diri Akademik Sebagai Strategi Pengembangan Pembinaan Penyesuaian Psikologis Santri di Pesantren

The academic self-efficacy of Madrasah-Aliyah (MA) students is a description of the form of psychological dynamics of students in self-adjustment in Islamic boarding schools. Academic self-efficacy is defined as an individual's belief in his or her ability to do assignments, to manage his own learning activities, to realize academic expectations, both academic expectations from himself and from others. This study aims to describe the dynamics of academic self-efficacy of MA students in self-adjustment in pesantren. The study uses a case study research design, in the process of collecting data the researcher uses observation, interview and documentation methods. The research uses data analysis techniques that reduce data, present data and draw conclusions or verification. The research was carried out at MA Tarbiyatut Tholabah Kranji Lamongan. The results of the study show that students at MA Tarbiyatut Tholabah Kranji Lamogan who have high self-efficacy tend to be more successful in adjusting to the pesantren environment. They showed the ability to manage their time well, which had an impact on discipline and efficiency in carrying out daily routines. In addition, strong self-efficacy improves their performance, as they carry out each task with seriousness and confidence, which results in optimal results

Perceived Control and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review.

Perceived control, defined as an individual's belief in their ability to influence life events and circumstances, has been implicated in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some research has demonstrated a link between perceived control and blood pressure, a major CVD risk factor. However, methodological differences across studies, including variability in definitions and measures of perceived control, preclude a clear understanding of this relationship. This systematic review describes the evidence regarding the association between perceived control and blood pressure, with a specific focus on integrating the literatures across multiple control-related constructs to provide a comprehensive understanding of their relationship with blood pressure. A systematic search was conducted across five databases. Data were extracted from 24 studies that quantitatively examined the relationship between perceived control and blood pressure and met inclusion criteria. Results across studies were narratively synthesized. Limited evidence emerged across studies showing a negative relationship between perceived control and both resting blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure, but no studies reviewed found that perceived control was associated with lower blood pressure reactivity to a lab stressor. The findings here provide preliminary evidence that perceived control may serve as an important protective factor against high blood pressure. The findings highlight the need for additional quality research to examine this link more thoroughly. Recommendations for future research are provided.

Assessing Risky Riding Behaviors Among Food Delivery Motorcyclists in Thailand: Insights from the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire and Health Belief Model

Background: Food delivery motorcyclists face unique risks that often lead to risky riding behaviors. Thailand, with one of the highest rates of motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities globally, has seen a surge in food delivery services following the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the number of motorcyclists on the roads. Delivery motorcyclists are especially vulnerable due to frequent exposure to traffic congestion, time pressures, and adverse weather. This study aims to identify key health beliefs and external factors contributing to risky riding behaviors among food delivery motorcyclists in Thailand. Methods: The study surveyed 2000 food delivery motorcyclists across five regions in Thailand, employing the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire and the Health Belief Model. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships between health beliefs and risky riding behaviors. Results: The analysis revealed that health motivation, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and cues to action were negatively associated with risky riding behaviors. Conversely, perceived barriers positively influenced these behaviors. Fatigue and aggressive riding were significant predictors of increased risky behaviors at the 0.001 level. Conclusions: Addressing individual health beliefs and external factors like fatigue and aggression is essential for reducing risky riding behaviors and preventing severe injuries.

Italians and Global Warming Skepticism: opinions and Ways of information

Scientists, policy-makers, entrepreneurs, and citizens are strongly concerned about the harmful consequences of climate change. Individual beliefs about social norms and economic and political orientations regarding trust and social relationships call into question values ​​such as care for the environment, autonomy, freedom of choice, and risk. Given the influence of the media on public perceptions, it is essential to consider how, with what means, and towards which issues citizens orient themselves to address this epochal phenomenon. Using quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis, the present study investigates the characteristics and reasons of the individuals who are skeptical of the evidence of global warming in Italy and how the Italians inform themselves about this issue. Quantitative analysis was performed on two representative samples of 1011 and 1030 individuals from Observa Science in Society in 2022 and 2023 through a structural equation model (SEM) to study the dimensions associated with climate change skepticism. Qualitative research on a panel of 93 Italians selected by gender, cultural level, and area of residence further highlighted the information channels, methods of use, and the main dimensions of interest in climate change. This robust mixed-mode methodology, which ensures the credibility and reliability of the study's findings, is a key strength of this research. Our results confirm that less trust in science and older age are associated with skepticism. Furthermore, traditional media are the primary means of information despite the growing importance of social relations - including social networks - in shaping opinions on the environment and climate change. The conclusions also reveal that experts influence the public, even if personal experience often mediates this effect. These findings have practical implications for understanding and addressing climate change skepticism in Italy, equipping researchers, policymakers, and individuals interested in this issue with the knowledge to make informed decisions and take effective action.