Conceptualizations of Happiness and Vegetarianism: Empirical Evidence from University Students in Spain

Vegetarianism improves human and planetary health in addition to animal welfare. Motivations for meat-reduced diets include health-related and ethical reasons, with the latter being the main driver for eschewing meat. However, evidence on vegetarian happiness is inconclusive and the results reported are mixed. This constitutes a challenge for policy aiming to encourage people to shift toward plant-based diets. In this research, we aim to provide some evidence on this question: to what extent is there a link between the different moral codes related to ideas of happiness and vegetarianism? To do so, we apply the happiness moral codes from the Conceptual Referent Theory, and assess vegetarianism from the perspective of the psychological aspect of vegetarian identity (flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, and vegan) and dietary behavior (vegetarian self-assessment scale). Analyzing a sample of university students in Spain, we discover that some happiness constructs (tranquility, fulfilment, and virtue) are positively related to vegetarianism while others are inversely related (enjoyment and stoicism). In terms of policy implications, we find that ethical grounds one holds on happiness in relation to vegetarianism may play a role in fostering or hindering plant-based lifestyles.Universidad de Granada/CBUASpanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación and the European Regional Development Fund (project ECO2017–86822-R)The Regional. Government of AndalusiaThe European Regional Development Fund (project ECO2017–86822-R); the Regional. Government of Andalusia and the European Regional Development Fund (Projects P18-RT-576 and B-SEJ-018-UGR18)The University of Granada (Plan Propio. Unidad Científica de Excelencia: Desigualdad, Derechos Humanos y Sostenibilidad -DEHUSO)

Economic poverty and happiness in rural Ecuador: The importance of Buen Vivir (Living Well)

This research paper addresses the endemic dimensions of having or not having a good life using a concept of poverty based on self-reported subjective well- being. We build a subjective well-being poverty (SWBP) line and compare it with two income poverty (IP) lines. The endemic dimension comes from rural Ecuador and the indigenous happiness idea of Buen Vivir (Living Well), which has been the focus of growing attention in the scientific and the political arena. Discrepancies between SWBP and IP are deeply explored building models that explain SWBP with IP, as well as control variables and Buen Vivir related variables. We show that income poor households are more likely to be poor in terms of their reported subjective well-being. However, households that grow their own food and are in an indigenous community are less likely to report to be subjective well-being poor. The results suggest that low SWBP values in contrast with high IP may be explained by idiosyncratic components of the Buen Vivir philosophy. The components of the Buen Vivir ethos related to SWBP give rise to the idea of building multidi- mensional concepts of poverty based on what ethnic people consider to be good or bad for their specific way of life. In a general context, our study raises the importance of considering poverty and its dimensions taking into account the endemic factors of specific groups of people and cultures. That is, to take into account what is important for their lives.Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economics and Competitiveness (Project ECO2012-32189) and the Government of Andalucía (Project P11-SEJ-7039 and Project P12-SEJ- 1436)

How does sustainable water consumption in the shower relate to different dimensions of perceived well-being? Empirical evidence from university students

Water scarcity is already a worrying issue and it is predicted to get worse in the future. This creates an imperative to use water efficiently and sustainably. In the domestic sphere, one of the main uses of water is showering, not only for hygiene reasons but also as a wellness activity. In order to gain insight into the implications of sustainable shower use, in this paper we analyse the relationship between subjective well-being and water consumption in the shower. We thus provide the first quantitative evidence on water consumption and subjective well-being taking into account a specific use of this resource. Specifically, we aim to answer the following questions: 1) How does shower water consumption relate to subjective well-being, 2) Does this relationship with subjective well-being differ depending on showering habits (time spent in the shower, and number of showers per week), and 3) Does this relationship differ depending on the season (winter and summer). The dataset contains information on 937 students from different disciplines at the University of Granada, Spain. The different interpretations of subjective well-being considered are life satisfaction, affect, and vitality. Results suggest that there is a negative relationship between water consumption and subjective well-being, in line with the literature that identifies a well-being dividend from green behaviour (being pro-environmental helps the environment and increases happiness). All subjective well-being dimensions are negatively related to time spent in the shower, regardless of the season. In contrast, the frequency of showering is not significantly related to well-being. Therefore, it appears that higher water consumption does not translate into higher perceived well-being, indicating that there is no conflict between efficient shower water use and individual well-being.European Regional Development FundSpanish Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónRegional Government of Andalusi

The role of nature contact and connectedness to nature as determinants of household water use: A case study from Spain

One of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6 is to increase water-use efficiency in all sectors to ensure the availability of water resources. In the domestic sphere, water consumption is largely conditioned by the habits and behaviour of individuals, but the influence of their relationship with nature on those habits remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigate the influence of connectedness to and contact with nature on five different uses of water at home. Using ordered probit regressions with a sample of 874 students from the University of Granada (Spain), we found that connectedness to nature and nature contact is positively or nonsignificantly related to different dimensions of water efficiency. The results indicate that in order to encourage pro-environmental water use habits at home, efforts should be made to develop an ecocentric vision in schools and to promote school trips to explore and understand the nearest natural areas.European Regional Development FundSpanish Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónRegional Government of Andalusi

Pro-Environmental Behavior, Connectedness to Nature, andWellbeing Dimensions among Granada Students

This paper aims to answer the following research questions: Are there di erences between individual and collective pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) in their relationship with wellbeing? What role does connectedness to nature play in those relationships? We understand individual PEBs as e orts to consume less and to reduce the environmental impact of consumption, whereas we define collaborative PEBs in terms of environmental activism. We consider connectedness to nature as a potential factor moderating the relationship between PEBs and wellbeing. The study incorporates several dimensions of wellbeing: cognitive, a ective and eudaimonic. We use regression analysis to study the extent to which individual and collective PEBs explain the three wellbeing dimensions and we explore the moderating role of connectedness to nature using data from a sample of 973 students at the University of Granada (Spain). Results indicate that individual PEBs are positively related to the eudaimonic dimension of wellbeing but they do not explain the cognitive and a ective dimensions. In contrast, collaborative PEB is negatively related to life satisfaction, our measure of the cognitive dimension, but not significantly related to the other wellbeing measures. Based on this evidence, we can answer our first research question in the a rmative. As for the second question, our results suggest that connectedness to nature plays a moderating role in the relationship between life satisfaction and collaborative PEBs, as the initially negative relationship is reversed when people feel highly connected to nature.Ministry of Economy, Industry and CompetitivenessSpanish State Research Agency (SRA)European Union (EU) ECO2017-86822-RJunta de AndalucíaEuropean Union (EU) P18-RT-576 B-SEJ-018-UGR18University of Granad

What is Sumak Kawsay? A Qualitative Study in the Ecuadorian Amazon

A qualitative study of the main characteristics of sumak kawsay (buen vivir, living well/good life) in the Ecuadorian Amazon shows that it has four constitutive elements of which a multitude of interpretations coexist: an indigenous and nature-focused worldview, community, an economy based on solidarity, and ancestral knowledge. Understandings of sumak kawsay are rooted in the practices and beliefs of the communities interviewed rather than in theoretical constructions of idyllic community forms, and in this connection differences can be observed between the academic “indigenist” view of it and local discourses. Una aproximación cualitativa a las características principales del sumak kawsay (buen vivir, living well/good life) en la Amazonía ecuatoriana muestran la existencia de cuatro elementos constitutivos del sumak kawsay en los que colindan multitud de interpretaciones: cosmovisión indígena y naturaleza, comunidad, economía solidaria, y conocimiento ancestral. Las comprensiones del sumak kawsay enraízan con prácticas y creencias de las personas y no con construcciones teóricas de formas comunitarias idílicas, y al respecto, apreciamos diferencias entre la visión académica “indigenista” del sumak kawsay y los discursos locales.This study was partially funded by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación and the European Regional Development Fund (project ECO2017-86822-R); the Regional Government of Andalusia and the European Regional Development Fund (projects P18-RT-576 and B-SEJ-018-UGR18), the University of Granada (Plan Propio. Unidad Científica de Excelencia: Desigualdad, Derechos Humanos y Sostenibilidad -DEHUSO-), and Universidad Internacional SEK Research Project, Ecuador (No. P021718

An empirical assessment of the indigenous Sumak Kawsay (living well): the importance of nature and relationships

The Andean indigenous way of life Sumak Kawsay (living well in Kichwa) is related to reciprocity, solidarity, collective participation, social justice, and harmony with nature and with the community. This paper uses a representative national sample in Ecuador to assess how certain features of Sumak Kawsay relate to subjective well-being. In this vein, we propose several variables associated with this particular way of life: collective participation activities (mingas), enjoying a portion of land (chakra), living in a rural area and indigenous identity. The results indicate that most Sumak Kawsay features are positively related to life and environmental satisfaction. An important exception is indigenous identity, which is negatively related to life satisfaction and not significant for environmental satisfaction. We suggest that Sumak Kawsay is important for subjective well-being in Ecuador, but indigenous people’s subjective well-being would benefit if their needs are better taken into account in the political arena.This research has been partially supported by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, the State Research Agency (SRA) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (project reference ECO2017-86822-R)

Towards a sustainable use of shower water: Habits and explanatory factors in southern Spain

One of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6 is the efficient use of water resources in all sectors in order to tackle water shortages. In the home, showering is one of the main water consuming activities. How can people make more sustainable use of shower water? To answer this question, this research analyses showering habits and explanatory factors of shower use. The study is carried out with data from 945 students of the University of Granada, Spain. Significant differences are observed in shower use during the summer and winter months: the average duration is 8.8 and 11.6 min, respectively, and the frequency is greater in summer (with an average frequency of eight showers per week). Determinants of different shower water use include gender, ideology, pro-environmental actions, inherent values, and connectedness to nature, among others. Those variables relate differently to duration and frequency of showers, according to the season, thus highlighting the importance of seasonality. The results show that there is room to achieve a more sustainable use of the shower, in terms of frequency and duration, through awareness measures that are tailored to groups that make a less sustainable use of showers. The main recommendation is that awareness campaigns should be designed on the basis of the user profile as well as the season.Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Spanish State Research Agency (SRA) and European Regional Development Fund (project reference ECO2017-86822-R)Regional Government of Andalusia and European Regional Development Fund (projects P18-RT-576 and B-SEJ-018-UGR18)University of Granada (Plan Propio. Unidad Científica de Excelencia: Desigualdad, Derechos Humanos y Sostenibilidad-DEHUSO)Spanish Aid Program for Predoctoral Contracts for University Teacher Training (FPU) 2019 of the Ministry of Universities (FPU19/02396 and FPU19/00665)Funding for open access publishing: Universidad de Granada/CBU

Determinants of the acceptance of domestic use of recycled water by use type

In the circular economy model, the recycling of water is an alternative option that can reduce the pressure on water resources and guarantee water supply. This water policy measure is currently widespread in agriculture, but thus far few countries have opted for the domestic use of recycled water. In part, this is because it is the source of water with the lowest levels of public acceptance, which poses a threat to the success of the necessary investment. We analyse the degree of acceptance of recycled water for different domestic uses. The main contribution of this study is the analysis of the determinants of acceptance of recycled water by use type. The research was based on data from a questionnaire given to 844 university students in Andalusia, southern Spain. Results are obtained from ordinary least squares regressions that relate the determinants of recycled water acceptance to each of the water use classes. The 'yuck factor'—variously defined as ‘disgust’ or ‘psychological repugnance’—and the perceived risk are found to be the main determinants of the low degree of acceptance of recycled water for ingestion by people and pets. For other uses, such as body washing, laundry and cleaning, environ- mental awareness stands out as a determining factor. The main conclusion is that if au- thorities were to opt for measures to promote the use of recycled water, they should take into account the fact that the reluctance to use recycled water and the determinants of acceptance differ according to the intended useEuropean Regional Development FundSpanish Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónRegional Government of Andalusi

Referee home bias due to social pressure. Evidence from Spanish football

This paper analyses referee home bias due to social pressure with data from the matches played in the First Division of the Spanish football league between the 2002/03 and 2009/10 seasons. The aim is to assess the behaviour of the referee in relation to two decisions, namely free kicks awarded and players booked. The variables used to explain referee behaviour are the number of spectators attending matches, the percentage occupation of the stadium and the existence or not of running tracks, all of which are intended to represent social pressure, in addition to referee experience. Furthermore, two control variables concerning ball possession and shots at goal are included. Regarding methodology, two random effects panel data regression models are estimated. The first model explains the difference in the number of home team fouls and away team fouls, while the second explains the difference in yellow and red cards shown to local and away teams. The results obtained cannot confirm, at least in the period under analysis, that Spanish football referees have been biased in favour of the home team when it comes to awarding free kicks. However, once a free kick has been awarded, there does appear to be a referee home bias in the punishment a player receives for committing a foul. These findings suggest that when there is a large crowd in the stadium, the referee tends to find it easier to book away team players than home players. A sensible hypothesis that could explain this result is that the time the referee has to make a decision does affect the final outcome. While referees are not biased when it comes to awarding a free kick, they are when given more time to make a decision, allowing social pressure to work in favour of the home time.Social pressure; crowd effect; referee home bias; sports economics