Sustainability is viewed as a solution to climate change and social unrest, yet the systems we use to understand and implement it often contribute to the very problems they aim to solve. This thesis investigates how stakeholders in the German construction sector integrate sustainability into their daily practices. Using James Lovelock’s concept of Earth as a self- regulating system, the study explores stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainability. Based on qualitative interviews, the research identifies three main themes: certification systems, economic pressures, and the intrinsic connection of stakeholders to Gaia. Findings suggest that while certification systems guide sustainable practices, they are often used due to other motivations than for genuine environmental efforts. Economic pressures further hinder the adoption of sustainable practices, as stakeholders prioritize short-term gains over long-term ecological benefits. However, a strong connection to Gaia and could inspire deeper engagement with sustainability. The thesis concludes that adopting the interconnectedness emphasized by the Gaia hypothesis could lead to more effective and authentic sustainability practices in the construction sector.

Research suggested that the economic and parenting stress experienced by mothers and fathers are important factors in predicting individually children's emotional and behavioral functioning. In a time of economic recession, understanding the mechanisms (e.g., mediators) that may be active in explaining this relationship may prove important. Therefore, this study examined the relationships among the economic and parenting stress experienced by mothers and fathers, their parenting behaviors, and their ratings of their young children's emotional and behavioral functioning. Thirty-three parents who have children ranging in age from 2- to 6-years and who are living in the greater Orlando area completed measures regarding the variables of interest for this study. Results of this study indicated that parenting stress predicts significantly young children's internalizing, externalizing, and total problems; however, economic variables do not predict significantly young children's internalizing, externalizing, and total problem behaviors. This study emphasized the importance of research examining the relationships among economic and parenting stress, parenting behaviors, and the emotional and behavioral functioning experienced by young children in order to ensure better outcomes for families in a time of economic recession.