Partial Mediation Research Articles

THE MEDIATION EFFECTS OF FDI ON TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

This paper aims to study the mediation effects of Foreign direct investment (FDI) on the relationship between transportation infrastructure and economic growth in Lao people’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) by using Sobel test. This study is quantitative research using panel data from 2013 to 2022. The regression results conclude that there is a positive relationship between transportation infrastructure and FDI by p-value=0.01. In addition, there is a positive relationship between FDI and Economic growth by significance at 0.05. Result demonstrates that there is direct effect and indirect effect between transportation infrastructure and Economic growth and Sobel test found that FDI was a partial mediator of the relationship between transportation infrastructure and Economic growth as well. In summary, transportation infrastructure enhances the attractiveness and efficiency of a region, drawing in FDI. The resultant FDI brings in capital, technology, and expertise, stimulating economic activities and contributing to overall economic growth. This mediating role of FDI underscores the interconnectedness of transportation infrastructure development, investment attraction, and economic growth.

Exploring the Role of Knowledge on Adoptability of Islamic Banking and Financing Options for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: The Mediating Role of Trialability

Knowledge is the act of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or education. Prior studies have discovered that knowledge has a significant relationship with the adoption of Islamic Banking and Financing Options (IBFOs) amongst Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs). However, this study explores the role of knowledge on adoptability of Islamic Banking and Financing Options (IBFOs) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with the mediating role of trialability. While trialability has been suggested as an adoption factor, it has not been considered important in adoption studies and has thus received debates. A structured questionnaire survey consisting of a Likert scale from 1 to 5 was conducted with 300 MSME owners or managers. The findings revealed that trialability has a partial mediation between knowledge and adoptability of IBFOs. This implies that when IBFOs are offered on a trial basis, it will have an impact on the level of knowledge MSMEs will have about IBFOs with the adoptability of IBFOs. As a result, the banking and financing sector should consider offering IBFOs on a trial basis to enhance the knowledge of MSMEs and lead to its adoptability. This research contributes to literature by offering trialability as a mediating variable in the adoptability of IBFOs. The authors recommend testing trialability as a mediating variable in determining the adoptability of any other product or service or even testing it as a moderating variable.

School Climate and School Identification as Determinants of Internet Gaming Disorder Among Chinese Adolescent Internet Gamers: Cross-Sectional Mediation Study

Abstract Background School climate and school identification are important features of the school environment and potential determinants of adolescent internet gaming disorder (IGD). Objective This novel study investigated their joint effects on IGD and related mediation mechanisms via the interpersonal factor of teacher-student relationship and the individual factors of academic stress and anxiety. Methods A large-scale cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent internet gamers of junior, senior, and vocational middle schools in Taizhou City, China, from February to March 2022 (N=5778). Participants self-administered an anonymous, structured questionnaire in classrooms. Adjusted logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for data analysis. Results Among all participants, the prevalence of IGD was 8% (461/5778). The 4 school climate subscales (student-student relationship subscale: adjusted odds ratio [ORa] 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.91; student-staff relations subscale: ORa 0.87, 95% CI 0.84-0.90; academic emphasis subscale: ORa 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.91; shared values approach: ORa 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.90), the school identification subscale (ORa 0.85, 95% CI 0.83-0.88), and teacher-student relationship (ORa 0.80, 95% CI 0.76-0.84) were significant protective factors against IGD, while academic stress (ORa 1.18, 95% CI 1.14-1.23) and anxiety (ORa 1.16, 95% CI 1.14-1.18) were risk factors of IGD. The SEM showed that the negative associations between school climate and IGD and between school identification and IGD were mediated via (1) three 2-step paths, each involving a single mediator—teacher-student relationship, academic stress, and anxiety, respectively—and (2) two 3-step paths involving 2 mediators—teacher-student relationship and academic stress first, respectively, and then anxiety. The direct effect of school climate on IGD was statistically nonsignificant (ie, full mediation with effect size ranging from 4.2% to 20.4%), while that of school identification was statistically significant (ie, partial mediation with effect size ranging from 4.5% to 38.2%). Conclusions The relatively high prevalence of IGD among Chinese adolescents may be reduced through school-based interventions to improve school climate and school identification. Such improvements may reduce the levels of risk factors of IGD (poor teacher-student relationship, academic stress, and anxiety) and hence the risk of IGD. Future longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to confirm the findings.

The influence of public environmental concern on the rural living environment in China

BackgroundDespite China's economic growth, rural living environments have often lagged behind. While public participation is gaining importance in environmental governance, the magnitude and mechanism of its impact remain understudied.PurposeThis research investigates the relationship between public environmental concerns and the rural living environment in China and explores how public concerns impact living conditions.MethodologyUsing panel data from 245 prefecture-level cities (2012–2021), we employed the entropy method to measure rural living environment scores and used fixed-effect models to analyze the relationship between public concern and the living environment.ResultsThe findings demonstrate a positive relationship between strong public environmental concerns and improved rural living environments. Further analysis suggests that local government environmental attention acts as a partial mediator in this relationship.ConclusionThis study reveals that public participation can influence government policies, ultimately leading to positive environmental outcomes. Promoting public participation in environmental governance is crucial for improving the rural living environment.

Bivalent Fears of Evaluation in Social Anxiety: Evaluation of an Extended Psychoevolutionary Model.

Fears of negative evaluation (FNEs) and fears of positive evaluation (FPEs) comprise a bivalent model of evaluation that can explain the aetiology and maintenance of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). In this study, we examined an extended version of this model which incorporates two related cognitive processes (concerns about reprisal and discounting of positive outcomes) as partial mediators of the effects of FNEs and FPEs. We built on earlier work by including a broader measure of social anxiety across different social situations and comparing models for groups of participants with and without probable SAD. Structural equation modelling was utilised to test the model in a sample of 890 university students (74.8% female, mean age 29.49). We replicated the findings of Cook et al. in the overall sample and in the group with probable SAD. FNEs and FPEs predicted social anxiety directly and were serially mediated by concerns about reprisal and discounting positive outcomes. The model was also a good fit for those without SAD; however, in the model, FNEs were no longer a direct predictor of social anxiety. The findings confirm the utility of the extended bivalent model and have implications for psychoevolutionary accounts of social anxiety.

Impact of family financial pressure on voluntary work performances OCB & CWBs: Mediating role of family motivation and self-control

This study aims to highlight the determinants and pathways that trigger employee functional and detrimental voluntary work performances i.e. OCB & CWBs. It is unclear whether family financial pressure is functional or nonfunctional for generating voluntary work behaviors. This study spotlights the paradoxical nature of family financial pressure. We theorize that family financial pressure is a double-edged sword that can produce positive OCB and negative CWBs employee voluntary work behaviors. We have collected data from manufacturing and service sector employees working in different organizations in Pakistan. This study found that family financial pressure is the salient determinant that can generate both functional voluntary work performance OCB and counterproductive voluntary work performance CWBs through unique pathways i.e. family motivation, state self-control failure. Family motivation acts as a partial mediator between family financial pressure and OCB and state self-control failure also partially mediated the link between family financial pressure and CWBs. The practical and theoretical implications are also discussed in this study.

Recycling Behavior amid Disruptions

This study highlights key variables affecting Lebanese recycling behavior while revealing the mediation role of intention, and the moderation role that government and appropriate infrastructure might play in encouraging eco-friendly behaviors. Quantitative data collected from 317 respondents were analyzed with the structural equation modeling, using SPSS/AMOS. Findings reveal that attitude, social norms, and awareness affect behavior directly and indirectly through intention, leading to active recycling behaviors, thus highlighting the intention’s partial mediation role. This is not the case for perceived behavioral control. The moderators’ roles are also found insignificant on the intentions/behaviors relationship. Since findings did not fully support the theory of planned behavior adopted for recycling behaviors, the theory’s validation seems to be contingent on the context in which it is being tested, especially in a developing, financially collapsed country. Findings imply that the waste management market should be liberalized, anytime trust in a corrupted government is lost.

Does Brand Attitude Complement Influencer Credibility in Shaping Purchase Intention of Indian GenZ Consumers?

Introduction The social media landscape has undergone radical changes and has revolutionized consumer perspectives, purchasing habits, and behaviors. Amidst this emerging trend is the rise of influencer marketing and its impact on the purchase intentions of followers. The objective is to explore the characteristics of influencers that contribute to their credibility. This research aims to explore the role of consumers’ attitude toward brands on their intention to adopt brands endorsed by influencers. Methods This cross-sectional research was undertaken among GenZ in the urban landscape of India. Data collected was analyzed using SmartPLS4 software. Findings Trust, expertise, and similarity were the significant antecedents of the formation of influencer credibility. Attractiveness did not have a significant influence on influencer credibility. A complementary partial mediation of Attitude towards a brand is observed in the association between influencer credibility and the purchase intention of followers. Attitude towards the video also had a significant positive influence on purchase intention. Conclusion The study found that Gen Z places little importance on an influencer’s attractiveness, as it has no significant impact on credibility. However, attitude toward the brand strongly influenced purchase intention and partially mediated the relationship between influencer credibility and purchase intention.

The mediating and moderating role of coping on occupational stress and psychological well-being among the construction workforce in South Africa: the psychological stress theory approach

Purpose The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the direct relationships between occupational stress (OccS), coping and well-being (WB). The study further examined the mediating and moderating roles of adaptive coping and maladaptive coping on OccS and WB among the construction workforce in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from construction companies in South Africa, and the sample were conveniently selected based on proximity and familiarity with the researcher. A total of 201 subjects were suitable for conducting the study after data were screened. A quantitative research approach was used, and data were analysed in IBM SPSS v28 for descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The reliability and validity of the constructs were measured and met the minimum thresholds. Furthermore, IBM AMOS v28 was used for confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling to test the hypothesised relationships. Process macro v4.2 was also used to test the mediation and moderation relationships. Psychological well-being was measured using the validated WHO-5 Well-being Index Measure. Findings The finding of the study revealed that subjective well-being was good, with a score of 77.97 out of 100. The finding also revealed that there were no significant relationships for the hypothesised mediation relationships between either adaptive coping and maladaptive coping as mediators between OccS and WB, although there was a partial mediation relationship when both maladaptive and adaptive coping mediated the relationship between OccS and WB. Furthermore, adaptive coping acted as a moderator between OccS and WB. Research limitations/implications The study only focuses on the mediation and moderation relationships between OccS and subjective WB. Adaptive coping was limited to social support and active coping, while WB was limited to quality of life. The study is quantitative and suffers from the limitations associated with this type of research. Furthermore, while sound measures were used to ensure validity and reliability, the study relied on the opinions of the respondents, and opinions may not necessarily present facts. Practical implications This study highlighted some of the effects of coping on mental well-being of the South African construction workforce. The findings provide insight to some areas of concern relating to OccS management to improve the overall WB of the workforce. Social implications The construction industry relies on a healthy and active workforce. To ensure sustainability of the workers and to ensure that each worker returns home safe to their family, it is important to address workers mental health especially at work where workers spend majority of their time. This is important in an industry that employs the poor and marginalised. Originality/value This study addressed both the knowledge and population gap. Majority of the study have focused on construction professionals who constitute about 30% of the entire workforce. The current study examined stress across all professions. Furthermore, the study used the psychological stress theory to examine coping and its impact on the workforce.

Efforts to Improve Employee Performance through Emotional Intelligence and Interpersonal Communication with Teamwork as an Intervening Variable (Study at Pt Lestari Banten Energi)

The performance level of the steam power plant industry sector owned by PT Lestari Banten Energi is expected to provide the best service and quality electricity supply to PT PLN (Persero) in order to illuminate the Java, Madura, and Bali regions known as JAMALI. This study aims to test and analyze the effect of emotional intelligence and interpersonal communication on employee performance through teamwork as an intervening variable. The research methodology used in this study is descriptive with a quantitative approach with a sample of 132 people with simple random sampling through a questionnaire, then the questionnaire data was tested and analyzed using SmartPLS software version 3.29. The results of this study indicate that emotional intelligence has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, interpersonal communication has a positive and significant effect on employee performance, emotional intelligence has a positive and significant effect on teamwork, interpersonal communication has a positive and significant effect on teamwork, teamwork has an effect on employee performance, teamwork is able to mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and employee performance through partial mediation, and teamwork is able to mediate the relationship between interpersonal communication and employee performance through partial mediation.

MANAGING COMPETITIVENESS AND RISK: THE EFFECT OF SHARIAH COMPLIANCE AND THE CENTRAL ROLE OF REPUTATION AND INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY

Business practices, especially in Muslim-majority countries, are more influenced by religious values. Therefore, CSR is less relevant or relatively limited to be implemented as an accountability mechanism, so it is advisable to consider religious values as an alternative approach to business ethics. In this context, adopting Sharia Compliance (SC) is seen as one of the dimensions of accountability, a form of business ethics implementation, and a manifestation or proxy of business ethics other than CSR. Therefore, based on the theory of business ethics, this study develops and tests a trivariate relationship model to explain how reputation and investment efficiency play a role in the relationship between SC and competitiveness and risk as proxied by the cost of equity capital. Using 825 observations, the estimation results indicate a partial mediation effect of reputation in the relationship between SC and risk (cost of equity capital). However, there is no mediation effect in the relationship between SC and competitiveness. Other estimation results indicate a partial mediation effect of investment efficiency in the relationship between SC and the cost of equity capital and competitiveness. This indicates that investment efficiency can provide additional totals in the relationship between SC and the cost of equity capital and competitiveness. However, the mediation effect of investment efficiency in the relationship between SC and SC competitiveness produces a total negative effect. Therefore, it can be said that the mediation of investment efficiency in the relationship between SC and competitiveness is an inconsistent or competitive mediation model. Overall, the partial mediation effect of reputation and investment efficiency indicates (1) there are other mediators (hidden mediators) in the relationship between SC and equity capital costs and competitiveness, (2) SC in reducing equity capital costs and producing competitiveness, among others, by building a good reputation and utilizing positive NPV investment opportunities.

Quality management practices toward project performance in healthcare sector: modelling the mediating role of intellectual capital

PurposeThe study examines the influence of quality management practices (QMP) on project performance (PP) and the indirect association of QMP with PP through the mediating role of intellectual capital (IC). QMP may be one of the most successful strategies to improve project performance. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and institutional theory, the study examines the impact of QMP on PP through the mediating role of IC.Design/methodology/approachThe sample frame of 329 employees in different NGOs and public healthcare organizations was selected. Data were analyzed on SmartPLS 3.2.7 by applying SEM.FindingsThe outcome reveals that QMP has a significant impact on PP. The results found partial mediation of IC on the linkage between QMP and PP.Research limitations/implicationsThe key research limitation was that it examined only two antecedents (QMP and IC) of project performance based on RBV and institutional theory, which did not yield deep insights from other institutional forces that could influence the model, such as mimetic pressure, institutional pressure and business orientation.Originality/valueQMP is highly significant in the healthcare sector; however, research on the relationship between QMP, IC and PP is lacking. Thus, this research is an initial attempt to investigate these relationships empirically. We add to our understanding of RBV by investigating the role of IC in mediating the QMP-PP linkage.

Work-family conflict, role clarity, and psychological depression among female social workers: The moderating role of social support

The tendency of psychological depression among social workers is increasingly evident and has become a significant public health concern. We explore the associations between work-family conflict (WFC), role clarity, social support, and psychological depression, with a sample of 944 Chinese female social workers. Our results show that WFC has a significant positive influence on the psychological depression experienced by female social workers, particularly among those who are unmarried. Role clarity serves as a partial mediator between WFC and psychological depression, while social support acts as a positive moderator in mitigating the impact of WFC on psychological depression. Our findings offer both theoretical insights and practical guidance for effectively addressing WFC and psychological depression among female social workers.

The mediating role of resilience in the relationship between meaning in life and attitude toward death among ICU nurses: a cross-sectional study.

The majority of elderly individuals prefer to spend their final days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ICU nurses are key providers in hospice care, and their attitudes toward death influence the quality of end-of-life nursing. Positive psychology emphasizes promoting positive attitudes toward death. A sense of meaning in life and resilience are critical aspects of positive psychology, which are essential for shaping ICU nurses' attitudes toward death. This study aims to investigate whether a sense of meaning in life indirectly affects attitudes toward death through the mediation of resilience. A total of 212 ICU nurses from four tertiary general hospitals in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, China, participated in this study. They completed an online questionnaire, including the Death Attitude Profile-Revised, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the China Meaning in Life Questionnaire for ICU nurses. ICU nurses scored highest in natural acceptance (3.26 ± 0.53), followed by escaping acceptance (2.54 ± 0.59), and fear of death (2.53 ± 0.78). The proposed model fit the data well. Both the presence of meaning and the search for meaning were positive predictors of resilience (β = 0.313, p < 0.05; β = 0.256, p < 0.05). Resilience, the presence of meaning, and the search for meaning positively predicted natural acceptance (β = 0.299, p < 0.05; β = 0.294, p < 0.05; β = 0.177, p < 0.05). Conversely, these factors negatively predicted fear of death (β = -0.179, p < 0.05; β = -0.251, p < 0.05; β = -0.192, p < 0.05) and escaping acceptance (β = -0.208, p < 0.05; β = -0.208, p < 0.05; β = -0.219, p < 0.05). Mediation analysis indicated that resilience had a partial mediating role. The presence of meaning and the search for meaning influence attitudes toward death, with resilience serving as a partial mediator. It is recommended that nursing administrators consider ICU nurses' attitudes toward death and emphasize the importance of meaning in life and resilience in death education. This approach can help protect the psychological well-being of ICU nurses, promote a deeper understanding of life's meaning, and develop a scientific perspective on death. Such measures are crucial for providing better humanistic care and psychological comfort to terminally ill patients and their families, thereby improving the quality of end-of-life care.

Understanding Fatigue, Insomnia, and COVID-19 PTSS Among Mainland Chinese During Initial Post-Zero-COVID Infection Wave: A Multi-Group Analysis.

In early 2023, China experienced its first widespread COVID-19 outbreak after a policy shift. This study examines the relationship between fatigue and COVID-19-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in infected and uninfected individuals, exploring the potential mediating role of insomnia symptoms. An online survey of 5953 Chinese participants was conducted from 10 to 16 January 2023. Participants reported their COVID-19 infection status, fatigue, insomnia symptoms, and PTSS. Multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test whether the mediation paths differed between infected and uninfected groups. The prevalence of fatigue, insomnia symptoms, and COVID-19 PTSS were 30.0%, 36.4%, and 5.8%. The SEM based on the bootstrapping showed that after controlling for demographics, chronic fatigue positively associated with COVID-19 PTSS in a significant way, with insomnia symptoms playing a mediating role. The multi-group analyses further revealed a partial mediation effect of insomnia symptoms on the relationship between fatigue and COVID-19 PTSS in the uninfected group (UG). However, for the infected group (IG), insomnia symptoms fully mediated the relationship between fatigue and COVID-19 PTSS. Infected individuals were more subject to the aforementioned mechanism than uninfected individuals. Addressing chronic fatigue, insomnia, and developing targeted interventions are crucial for supporting mental health across different infection statuses.

The Mediating Effect of Knowledge Sharing and Usage on Human Resource Practices and Innovative Behavior

As work contexts dynamically evolve, enhancing managerial human resource practices (HRP) becomes crucial to foster employee innovative behavior (IB) while promoting positive knowledge usage (KU) and sharing (KS). This paper examines their latent ambidexterity resulting from HRP and strategies. After a thorough literature review, evidence of the relationship between HRP and IB is revealed, mediated by KS and KU. A quantitative questionnaire is designed, and data from Lebanon and the GCC region are analyzed using SPSS. Findings reveal a direct HRP-IB link with partial sequential mediation by KS and KU in the GCC. The effects of HRP and IB are significant with sequential mediations. This study offers insight into the HRP-IB correlation, emphasizing the mediating roles of KS and KU. It highlights the importance of effective HRP and the utilization of KS and KU in the organizational macroenvironment. Focusing on Lebanon's crisis and the GCC's prosperity, the study uniquely examines these variables' relationship, providing a comprehensive understanding of their dynamics in the workplace.

Social media use by teachers during work and its effects on their performance: the role of teacher’s wellbeing and social media addiction

BackgroundAlthough extant literature has investigated the impacts of social sites on employees’ job performance in different sectors, scholars have given little attention to teachers’ job performance (TJoP) in higher educational institutes.PurposeWe aimed to investigate the direct and mediating impact of social media use (SMU) on TJoP. Based on social cognitive theory, this study proposed a model that consists of six hypotheses.Methodology: To empirically test the model, we develop a survey link to collect data from respondents working in universities in Jiangsu province, China. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) using SmartPLS 4 has been used for analyzing 454 respondents.ResultsResearch findings demonstrate the significant effects of SMU on TJoP, well-being, and social media addiction (SMAdd). In addition, teachers’ well-being and SMAdd have a positive and negative significant effect, respectively, on TJoP. Moreover, this research evidenced a significant partial mediation of teachers’ well-being and SMAdd.ConclusionThis study points out the key role of SMU in the direct and indirect influences of TJoP through well-being and SMAdd. Further, it brings into view the urgency of higher education to prudently consider the implications of SMU on performance and general well-being among its faculty.

Leveraging digital skills to reduce cognitive strain: Implications for academic self-efficacy in medical education

BackgroundDigital literacy influences academic behaviors, especially in medical education, where students encounter considerable academic challenges. However, the effects of this phenomenon on academic self-efficacy and cognitive load remain inadequately understood. ObjectivesThis research explores the relationships between digital literacy and academic self-efficacy, emphasizing the mediating role of cognitive load and its various dimensions among medical students in Islamabad, Pakistan. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from seven medical colleges in Islamabad, Pakistan, from October to December 2023. The research employed meticulously validated measurement tools encompassing a digital literacy scale, academic self-efficacy scale, and cognitive load scale and collected data on 633 medical students. Descriptive statistics and inferential testing (mediation analysis) were performed to investigate the direct and indirect relationships of the study variables. ResultsThe empirical results revealed that digital literacy significantly enhances academic self-efficacy both directly and indirectly. First, the total cognitive load score showed partial mediation (β = 0.165, p < 0.001). Then, individual subscale analysis revealed that intrinsic cognitive load (β = 0.147, p < 0.001) and extraneous cognitive load (β = 0.144, p < 0.001) were significant mediators. However, the mediation effect through self-perceived learning (β = 0.105, p = 0.361) was not supported, suggesting variability in how students perceive their learning gains or other influencing factors influencing this relationship, which warrants further investigation. ConclusionThe research finding underscores the crucial integration of digital literacy instruction into medical curriculums to bolster students' academic self-efficacy by adeptly managing cognitive load. While digital literacy notably reduces intrinsic and extraneous cognitive loads, its impact on perceived learning appears context-dependent and requires further exploration. Additional studies are needed to understand these relationships across educational settings and identify other potential influencing factors.

Neighborhood Social and Physical Environments and Sedentary Behaviors: Importance of Early Childhood in Shaping Health Behaviors.

This study aims to investigate the persistence of sedentary behaviors from early childhood to adolescence and the longitudinal association between neighborhood social and physical environments and childhood sedentary behaviors. Using the Future of Families & Child Wellbeing Study (N = 2716), we conducted a cross-lagged path analysis to examine the longitudinal association between neighborhood social and physical environments (neighborhood socioeconomic status, observed physical disorder, and crime rates) and sedentary behaviors at subsequent measurement points, after controlling for demographic factors and family socioeconomic status. We observed the continuity of sedentary behaviors in early childhood, extending throughout adolescence. Neighborhood socioeconomic status was significantly associated with sedentary behaviors at subsequent measurement points from early childhood to adolescence. Observation-based physical disorder and crime rates were associated with engagement in greater sedentary behaviors in adolescence but not in early and middle childhood. We also observed a partial mediation effect of neighborhood physical disorder and crime rates in the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status and sedentary behaviors in adolescence. Our results demonstrated the importance of early childhood in shaping healthy behaviors and highlighted the contribution of unfavorable environments to sedentary behaviors. These findings call for the need to support disadvantaged neighborhoods, particularly by addressing safety concerns and physical disorder, for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors among adolescents.

The Effects of Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth on Environmental Degradation in Cameroon

Developing countries, like Cameroon, usually face a dilemma between promoting economic growth and development and conserving their natural environment. Two key factors that influence this dilemma are foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth. Nowadays, it is obvious that sustainability is a vital development goal for every society. This study is designed to assess the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth on environmental degradation in Cameroon. Data for this study is gotten from the World Development Indicators and Environmental Footprint Network over the period 1961 to 2017. Based on a structural equation model technique, it was found that FDI has a negative and statistically significant effect on environmental sustainability, and economic growth has a negative and statistically significant effect on environmental sustainability. The Baron and Kenny approach reveals that there is partial mediation of economic growth on the effect of foreign direct investment on environmental degradation in Cameroon.