Authors:Pauline Rebecca Hansen, Hans-Helmut König, André Hajek First page: 132 Abstract: Thus far, few cross-sectional studies have investigated the association between pet ownership and psychosocial factors. As longitudinal studies on this topic are mostly lacking, this study aimed to analyze the association between pet ownership and psychosocial factors (in terms of depressive symptoms, loneliness, social isolation, and life satisfaction) using a longitudinal approach. The data used were taken from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS), a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults (n = 12,438 observations). Two waves were used (year 2014 and year 2017). Validated multi-item scales were used to measure psychosocial factors. Linear fixed effects (FE) regressions were performed. In summary, only a few significant longitudinal associations were detected in regression analyses. No associations between general pet ownership and psychosocial factors were found. However, cat ownership was significantly longitudinally associated with increases in loneliness levels among the total sample and men. Cat ownership was also significantly longitudinally associated with increases in social isolation levels among men. Among women, dog ownership was significantly longitudinally associated with decreases in life satisfaction. This study reveals some associations between pet ownership and unfavorable psychosocial factors longitudinally. These associations were only significant for subgroups (cat vs. dog ownership and females vs. males). Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-23 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080132 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Muhammad Naeem Sarwar, Zahida Javed, Muhammad Shahid Farooq, Muhammad Faizan Nazar, Shahbaz Hassan Wasti, Intzar Hussain Butt, Ghulam Jillani Ansari, Rabia Basri, Sumaira Kulsoom, Zaka Ullah First page: 133 Abstract: The current study investigates the effects of a digital growth mindset on the motivation and success of chemistry students. The approach involves the use of technological tools that encourage students to face challenges and keep trying even when things become difficult. Students can achieve milestones by following this fruitful methodology. This study utilized a mixed-method design of an ordered–explanatory type, as identified in one of the categories of mixed-method approaches. The quantitative aspects of the research project were conducted using a matching-only pre-test–post-test control-group design. This was conducted because the study was carried out on secondary school students in Lahore, Pakistan, and the population included students up to the tenth grade. Only the experimental group participated in digital growth mindset activities. The control group was taught using traditional methods. The qualitative aspect of the study involved conducting focus group discussions with students in the experimental group. The results showed a significant improvement in motivation and chemistry achievement among the students in the experimental group, as evidenced by the higher mean scores from the pre-tests and the post-tests compared to the control group. The present research findings reveal that digital growth mindset interventions, when appropriately incorporated into chemistry curricula, possess the capacity to not only improve student engagement and subsequent performance but also to provide educators with valuable insights into instructional practices that are worth implementing in the digital era. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-23 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080133 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Irianna Futri, Chavis Ketkaew, Phaninee Naruetharadhol First page: 134 Abstract: Demographic shifts resulting from population aging are evident globally, including in Southeast Asia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The relevance of advance care plans is becoming increasingly apparent as the worldwide demographic transforms due to aging. This study sought to investigate the factors influencing the use and implementation of advance care plans (ACPs) using the health belief model (HBM) and technology acceptance model (TAM). This study selected a sample of individuals aged 30–60 in Indonesia and Thailand based on established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study utilized the purposive random sampling method, integrating aspects of purposive and random selection. A total of 532 questionnaires were distributed via an online form, and 472 were obtained after data cleaning. Most respondents to this survey came from Indonesia, comprising 238 out of 472 respondents (50.4%), and from Thailand, comprising 49.5%; most respondents were women who were between 36 and 40 years old, and most reported graduating with a bachelor’s degree. A significant construct influences the use of advance care plans, i.e., perceived barriers. The perceived barrier (PBA) construct included data security, accessibility, and language barriers. In summary, overcoming existing barriers can indirectly increase the benefits of advance care plans. The results show that perceived usefulness (β = 0.189, p < 0.001), perceived ease of use (β = 0.150, p < 0.01), perceived susceptibility (β = 0.153, p < 0.01), perceived severity (β = 0.105, p < 0.05), and perceived benefits (β = 0.241, p < 0.001) all had significant positive effects on behavioral intention. In contrast, health motivation (β = 0.073, p = 0.100) and perceived barriers (β = 0.034, p = 0.134) did not show significant relationships with behavioral intention in Indonesia and Thailand, offering insights into both countries’ development strategies and the promotion of advance care plans with media as the technology. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-23 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080134 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Charis Michael Vlados First page: 135 Abstract: This study explores the evolving theoretical divide within the field of International Political Economy (IPE), focusing on the debate between the advocates of new globalization and critics from the anti-globalization perspective. By conducting an integrative review of the contemporary literature, we explore the foundational theories, core components, and primary theorists of both perspectives, aiming to understand their predictions for future global dynamics. The investigation reveals a polarization in theoretical orientation, reflecting divergent views on the implications of globalization. Through a critical analysis, the paper identifies the liberal international order and the respective contemporary neo-Marxist viewpoints as central to the debate, evaluating their critiques and contributions to understanding the new globalization’s trajectory. We suggest a synthesis of these perspectives, positing that the future of globalization—or “new globalization”—will be influenced by structural changes in global power dynamics, ongoing crises, and technological progress. This is encapsulated in the “evolutionary structural triptych” (EST) approach, which perceives the world economy as an evolutionary result of political, economic, and technological structures, which correspondingly reposition the objectives of stability, growth, and innovation in the new emerging era. In conclusion, we advocate for a balanced approach to globalization, emphasizing the need for policies that promote fairness, sustainability, and cooperation in the changing global environment. This leads to the re-introduction of an appealing concept for globalization’s future: a new, realistic, open, and innovative global liberalism. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-25 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080135 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:António Oliveira, Henrique Pereira, Felipe Alckmin-Carvalho First page: 136 Abstract: Despite advances in legislation and social attitudes, workplace discrimination against sexual and gender minority populations remains prevalent, posing significant psychosocial risks. This study aims to explore the occupational health challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ populations, examining factors of discrimination, support, and prevention strategies. Methods: A narrative review of articles from the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases was carried out, focusing on studies published between 2011 and 2024. Articles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were considered. Results: 359 studies were identified, and 11 articles were selected for analysis. The findings reveal pervasive discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA+ workers in the workplace, impacting their mental health and job satisfaction. Factors influencing disclosure of sexual or gender identity at work were identified, including workplace characteristics and anti-discrimination policies. Conclusions: Promoting inclusive and supportive work environments is crucial to the well-being of LGBTQIA+ employees. Recommendations include strengthening anti-discrimination protections, improving education and training on LGBTQIA+ issues, and promoting explicit communication about support and equality. Despite progress, more research is needed to address gaps in understanding and effectively promote the occupational health of sexual and gender minority populations. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-26 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080136 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Juergen Stegmair, Victor Prybutok First page: 137 Abstract: Cyberbullying (CB) is a recurring, long-standing phenomenon that negatively affects people’s lives. Resilience is a personality trait that helps people to react to, cope with, and persist in the presence of obstacles such as cyberbullying. To determine variables and factors affecting coping with cyberbullying incidents, an original research survey was administered to 1317 undergraduate students who attended a large public university in Texas (n = 1086). Exploratory factor analysis revealed four relevant factors: Self-Efficacy, Religiosity, Friend and Social Engagement, and Culture. These findings show that factors supporting resiliency are helpful in achieving a positive behavioral response. The discriminant analysis provided a model verification for the theoretical model for these factors and led to a 79.9% predictability of the function. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-30 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080137 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Kathy Hampson, Sean Creaney, Samantha Burns First page: 138 Abstract: Collaboration is one of the major tenets of Child First justice and yet is proving problematic in its application across the sector, especially where children are compelled through court orders to engage with interventions, creating inevitable power imbalances. In order to facilitate children in genuinely influencing decision-making processes which concern them, their voice needs to be given its proper value. In this article we use the youth justice system of England and Wales to explore the meaning, value and presence of collaboration within youth justice whilst examining the power dynamics at play through the analytical lenses of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological approach and Bourdieu’s analytical tools. This lends itself to a novel conceptualisation of collaboration within the youth justice space, which is applicable to youth justice contexts internationally, distinguishing between different forms of the concept and examining how much opportunity for influence is actually given to children within their own youth justice journeys. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-01 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080138 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Omid Mansourihanis, Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki, Shiva Sheikhfarshi, Fatemeh Mohseni, Ebrahim Seyedebrahimi First page: 139 Abstract: Urban crime prevention remains a critical challenge intertwined with socioeconomic disparities. This study investigates the spatial nexus between urban deprivation and crime decline in Chicago from 2015 to 2022, addressing the question: How do changes in neighborhood deprivation relate to crime reduction patterns' Using comprehensive crime incident and census tract Area Deprivation Index (ADI) data, this study conducted exploratory spatial analysis, regression modeling, and local bivariate relationship analysis. The findings reveal persistent hotspots of concentrated deprivation on Chicago’s south and west sides, alongside a general citywide crime decline. However, the current research uncovered significant spatial heterogeneity in both deprivation patterns and crime reduction, challenging the achievement of equitable public safety outcomes. Surprisingly, while crime incidents in 2015 and 2022 significantly predicted crime change, ADI scores were not statistically significant predictors in our regression model. Local bivariate analysis exposed diverse relationships between ADI changes and crime rate changes across neighborhoods, with 72.2% of census tracts showing no statistically significant relationship. This underscores the complexity of urban crime dynamics and the importance of local context in understanding these patterns. Our research contributes a nuanced understanding of the intricate relationship between urban deprivation and crime patterns, providing valuable insights for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and urban planners. These findings highlight the need for integrated, long-term strategies that address both crime prevention and socioeconomic disparities, ultimately fostering safer, more equitable urban environments and informing evidence-based interventions tailored to specific neighborhood contexts. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-01 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080139 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Yasmin Aldamen, Dilana Thasleem Abdul Jaleel First page: 140 Abstract: The media plays a crucial role in framing and representing humanitarian crises, significantly influencing public opinion. The representation of these crises in the media directly impacts the dissemination of information to the global public. One prominent international crisis is the plight of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, which dates back to the 1970s. News about the Rohingya refugees has been a major humanitarian topic on the global stage. The findings of this study reveal that Rohingya refugees are predominantly represented negatively in popular media platforms in India. Negative framing, including dehumanization and misrepresentation, is often employed in political discourse and developments. The portrayal of Rohingya refugees in Indian media frequently resorts to one-dimensional and stereotypical depictions. The frequent occurrence of dehumanization and misrepresentation, identifiable through the use of language and selective reporting practices, indicates a strong alignment of most Indian mainstream media with the government’s position. However, it is noteworthy that some platforms maintain a critical perspective. The portrayal of Rohingya refugees in India’s mainstream news outlet’s online platforms, such as Hindustan Times Online, NDTV Online, The Times of India Online, and India Today Online, reveals a complex landscape with varying narratives and governmental alignments. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-01 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080140 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:José Carlos Vázquez-Parra, Carolina Henao-Rodríguez, Jenny Paola Lis-Gutiérrez, Sergio Palomino-Gámez First page: 141 Abstract: Undoubtedly, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming increasingly common in people’s lives. The educational field is one of the most reflective on the importance of its adoption. Universities have made great efforts to integrate these new technologies into their classrooms, considering that every future professional will need AI skills and competencies. This article examines the importance of student perception and acceptance in adopting AI tools in higher education effectively. It highlights how students’ positive perceptions can significantly influence their motivation and commitment to learning. This research emphasizes that to integrate AI into university curricula successfully, it is essential to include its technologies in all areas of study and foster positivity among students regarding their use and training. This study’s methodology applied the validated instrument “Perception of Adoption and Training in the Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in the Profession” to a sample of Mexican students. This exploratory analysis highlights the need for educational institutions to understand and address student perceptions of AI to design educational strategies that incorporate technological advances, are pedagogically relevant, and align with the students’ aspirations and needs. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-03 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080141 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Naai-Jung Shih First page: 142 Abstract: Graffiti represents a multi-disciplinary social behavior. It is used to annotate urban landscapes under the assumption that building façades will constantly evolve and acquire modified skins. This study aimed to simulate the interaction between building façades and generative AI-based graffiti using Stable Diffusion® (SD v 1.7.0). The context used for graffiti generation considered the graffiti as the third skin, the remodeled façade as the second skin, and the original façade as the first skin. Graffiti was created based on plain-text descriptions, representative images, renderings of scaled 3D prototype models, and characteristic façades obtained from various seed elaborations. It was then generated from either existing graffiti or the abovementioned context; overlaid upon a campus or city; and judged based on various criteria: style, area, altitude, orientation, distribution, and development. I found that rescaling and reinterpreting the context presented the most creative results: it allowed unexpected interactions between the urban fabric and the dynamics created to be foreseen by elaborating on the context and due to the divergent instrumentation used for the first, second, and third skins. With context awareness or homogeneous aggregation, graphic partitions can thus be merged into new topologically re-arranged polygons that enable a cross-gap creative layout. Almost all façades were found to be applicable. AI generation enhances awareness of the urban fabric and facilitates a review of both the human scale and buildings. AI-based virtual governance can use generative graffiti to facilitate the implementation of preventive measures in an urban context. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-03 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080142 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Ahreum Maeng First page: 143 Abstract: This research demonstrates that individuals make moral judgments based on ideological inferences from facial cues. Using racially homogeneous male faces, four studies showed that individuals infer ideological beliefs—and thus group membership (in- versus out-group)—from a novel face and that the fit between the inferred social identity and the perceiver’s own social identity leads to judgments of moral superiority. Further evidence shows that a salient social identity moderates moral evaluation. These results reflect the automaticity of social categorization, which contributes to moral judgments of a person. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-04 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080143 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Mariana Henriques, Henrique Pereira First page: 144 Abstract: This study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of trans and gender-diverse individuals (TGD) in Portugal regarding the implications on their psychological, social, and psychosexual health. A qualitative investigation was conducted using an electronic interview answered by 32 participants. The data were examined through a thematic analysis, and the following themes were identified: experiences with healthcare services, social interaction, discrimination experiences, mental health, social support systems, self-esteem, social identity, sex and sexual health, quality of life, and sociopolitical enhancement strategy proposals. The analysis of these themes provides information on the perceptions and experiences of the participants and suggests factors that impact the well-being and quality of life of the individuals in the current sample. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-07 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080144 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Prince Reuben C. Belida, Ardvin Kester S. Ong, Michael N. Young, Josephine D. German First page: 145 Abstract: The current diverse opportunities available worldwide have caused an increase in the pursuit of changing jobs in the Philippines for greener pastures, leading to a decrease in organization efficiency due to career shifts or intentions for shifting. With the evident movement of workers, this study aimed to establish a model for determining the factors that influence job-seeking Filipino workers to shift careers and seek greener pastures by holistically analyzing variables using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Value-Belief-Norm. A total of 210 valid responses among employees who shifted careers were collected through online surveys via social media platforms using purposive sampling. Partial least square structural equation modeling as the main multivariate tool was utilized to assess the hypothesized relationships. The findings of this study revealed that self-transcendence values in shaping personal norms and ascription to responsibility affected the intention to career shift or greener pasture-seeking behavior. In addition, subjective norms affected attitude, while organizational commitment negatively affected intention for greener pastures. It was seen that the factors that affect intention behavior the most among Filipinos were better opportunities, financial stability, workplace environment, and work–life balance—a notion that connects with the Protestant Work Ethics. It was evident that self-perception of a better career, growth, and overall profit merged to influence the intention of a career shift. It could be suggested that job rotation and job enhancement may reduce these intentions and lead to satisfaction among employees. Moreover, job roles may be reevaluated to identify (dis)satisfaction among employees, so the spearheading team may evaluate what actions are needed. Enhancement of skills and development through seminars and training may also be considered. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-08 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080145 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Raquel Rodríguez-Díaz, Palmira Chavero, Naftalí Paula First page: 146 Abstract: Television series enhance the social visibility of their content, as is the case with Queen Elizabeth II and The Crown. Netflix is the streaming television platform that has turned Peter Morgan’s successful series (2016) into a television icon where the monarch is the main protagonist, taking us on a biographical journey that mixes the historical and the political with fiction. The main character is made to seem more humane and is brought closer to the general public, all of which leads to a transmedia narrative. This research aims to analyze the content of the messages published on Twitter during the days surrounding the Queen’s State funeral in September 2022 and their connection with the series through the hashtag #TheCrown. The topics that have become trends worldwide are quantitatively analyzed, using different digital tools. The sample collected 1,489,279 tweets published during the days from the announcement of the death of Elizabeth II to the day of her funeral (from 8 to 19 September 2022). The results show nodes of connection between different players and linked communities to #TheCrown while offering the traffic generated by the hashtag with different nodes and edges. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-08 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080146 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Pedro Alemán Ramos, Paula Morales Almeida, Miriam Brito Sánchez First page: 147 Abstract: Background: The transition to adulthood is especially critical for young people who have been in the child protection system, as they face significant challenges in areas such as education, mental health, employment, and economics. Methods: This qualitative study examines the perceptions of 20 young adults from Spain who have exited the child protection system regarding their transition to adulthood. Structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed using IRAMuTeQ software to identify thematic patterns. Results: The young adults reported inadequate preparation and a need for ongoing support, and they faced challenges in areas such as housing, employment, financial education, and mental health. They emphasized the importance of social and emotional support networks for successful adaptation. The results reveal a deficit in training programs and structural support, suggesting the need for a review of existing Spanish policies. Conclusions: Social educators play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to adulthood for young people who have been in protective systems in Spain, providing emotional support and resources to aid in their integration and autonomy. Effective coordination between institutional actors and Spanish society is vital to ensure a successful transition to adulthood. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-08-09 DOI: 10.3390/soc14080147 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 8 (2024)
Authors:Inmaculada Rodríguez-Cunill, Juan José Domínguez-López, Sonia Carlos-García First page: 96 Abstract: The perception of the concept of Eros has evolved through shared cinematic experiences, to the point of shaping collective imagery in Cadiz, Spain. This city is known for its creativity and an extraordinary amount of performances during the period of carnival, and is represented annually by anonymous citizens. The research method employed consisted of an exhaustive analysis of bibliographic, press, and archival references on audience behavior from the introduction of the cinematograph to the present day. The authors have designed a table that organizes the emergence of movie theaters in the city and completed the background information, delving into the historical, geographical, and idiosyncratic factors that have contributed to collective creativity in the city. From there, we analyzed the evolution of the concept of Eros through the perspectives of Byung Chul Han and Georges Bataille. As a result, we recovered the value of projection interruptions in the analog environment as an opportunity for collective interaction, confronting them with the demands of technological perfection. We demonstrated the resilience of the analog through new experiences that show the evolution of the need for collective contact. Future studies will focus on other contexts, such as supermarkets and terraces, to contribute to a broader understanding of urban spaces, social cohesion, and perceptions of Eros. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-21 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070096 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Annosha Mubasher, Tim F. Liao First page: 97 Abstract: This research is concerned with individuals’ symbolic interactions with the Charging Bull statue. We chose this statue because it is an extremely popular tourist attraction and the most visited nonhuman statue in New York City. However, there is no research devoted to understanding how visitors interact with the statue. To fill this gap in the literature, we examine people’s interactions as a unique way of communicating with the Charging Bull statue in New York City through a photo analysis approach. Using the general framework of symbolic interactionism, the paper investigates poses, gestures, and more generally interactions of individuals near or with the statue to gain insights into the impact of the Charging Bull beyond a mere visual representation. The findings reveal various forms of interaction, including souvenir photography, active participation, unexpected interactions, and public-made symbolism. This study of these interactions contributes to the literature on collective memory and the study of statues. Additionally, this research highlights the inventiveness of the dynamic relationship between individuals and statues as symbols in the urban environment. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-22 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070097 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Joëlle Ninon Albrecht, Jérôme Endrass, Michal Sonja Dreifuss, Nina Schnyder, Astrid Rossegger First page: 98 Abstract: Politicians may be particularly vulnerable to hate speech because of their public visibility and exposure to deviating opinions. They play a critical role in the functioning of a democratic system, and therefore, hate speech poses a potential threat because it can impede politicians’ freedom of expression or even lead politicians to resign from office. However, little is known about the prevalence and impact of hate speech targeting politicians. We therefore surveyed the politicians in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, 667 of whom participated (39.8% response rate). The prevalence of hate speech experiences was 29.7% in their total time as politicians and 20.6% in the past 12 months. Participants who had held a political office for longer and were affiliated with a political party on the poles of the political spectrum were more susceptible. Crucially, 29.4% of the affected politicians had contemplated resigning from politics due to hate speech. Thus, our study underlines a need for action. As the participants indicated they wanted to deal with hate speech as little as possible but still desired some form of intervention, political measures should strive for intervention options that require minimal contributions from the victims. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-27 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070098 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:A. K. M. Kanak Pervez, Akira Ishida, Md Shahriar Kabir, Lixia Tang First page: 99 Abstract: Internal rural-urban migration is becoming a priority in social research. However, no one has systematically studied the intentions of farmers to migrate internally to Bangladesh to seek permanent urban residence via paid employment yet. This paper develops a TPB (theory of planned behaviour) model to explain farmers’ intentions to migrate or not migrate to cities for paid employment; then, this paper tests the model against the data collected. A total 372 individuals (migrated farmers) were randomly chosen from 11,200 families who had left a rural area in Bangladesh to collect quantitative data about the issues raised in the model; the data were collected by a telephone interview. The socioeconomic profile of the respondents fits that of internal migrants identified in the literature, and the Cronbach’s alpha as well as composite reliability statistics suggest that the data are representative of the population. According to the structural equation modelling (SEM) data, attitudes towards migration (ATTs) and subjective norms (SNs) have an impact on migration intention (MI), while perceived behavioural control (PBC) show no significant effect. This study used a primary dataset from interviews with rural migrants working in different sectors in different cities in Bangladesh. This suggests that the planned behaviour model may help explain farmers’ decisions to migrate internally in Bangladesh and that policies based on the model may successfully reduce such migration. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-27 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070099 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Julien Quesne First page: 100 Abstract: This paper discusses the pivotal role emotions can play in the higher prevalence of disease and mortality in Black populations in North America. There is a large body of research on the potentially harmful effect of negative emotions upon physical well-being. However, many scholars continue to interpret this link via a biological and reactive lens of emotion. By largely disentangling the embodiment of emotions from the traditional biological framework to which they are typically tied, we seek to analyze the nexus of race, emotion, and health through political, historical, and even ontological lenses. This analysis leverages Barrett’s theory of constructed emotion to elucidate the tangible impact of emotion on physical well-being and, in conjunction with Afropessimist metatheory on race, the potential contribution to understanding premature mortality among Black populations in North America. Barrett’s theory offers insight into how the persistent experience of negative emotions related to race can disrupt the delicate balance of an individual’s body-budget. The detrimental impact of White supremacy’s affective classifications and associated emotion concepts on Black populations is a stark reality, contributing significantly to daily health challenges faced by these communities in North America. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-27 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070100 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Ibrahim A. Elsaher First page: 101 Abstract: WASTA, a word widely used in Arab society, implies using people’s connections to generate mutual advantages. WASTA is rooted deeply in the culture of Arab societies and has a double effect that stimulates a continuous argument. On one hand, WASTA is considered a valuable social practice that optimizes social bonds and dual support to improve the overall quality of life (QoL) for all parties. In contrast, WASTA is regularly criticized for extending inequality and corruption in the community, which might worsen QoL, taking into consideration the mediating impacts of religiosity. This paper investigated the dual effects of WASTA on QoL and the mediating role of religiosity in Arab societies. Three hundred and ninety small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) owners in Saudi Arabia participated in a self-structured questionnaire that was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results showed that the appearance of some dimensions of WASTA in Arab societies can optimize QoL. At the same time, other elements can worsen the QoL of the participating parties, but the adverse effect can be mitigated when religiosity is a mediator. These results suggest that WASTA can act as a positive connection method in Arab societies when accompanied by religiosity but can accelerate corruption in its absence; several practical and theoretical implications were discussed and elaborated. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-27 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070101 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Esther Marin-Alvarez, Sonia Carcelen-Garcia, María Galmes-Cerezo First page: 102 Abstract: The web was conceived in 1997 with the goal of universal accessibility. However, it still presents obstacles for users with diverse abilities. Although interactions in digital environments have improved the quality of life for many people, they remain a source of limitations and frustrations, up to twice as much for users with total visual impairment, which is commonly known as blindness. This article emphasizes the need to provide designers and developers with methodologies and tools that consider users with different abilities in all stages and from the beginning of the design, redesign, and development of digital products and services on the web, collecting their needs and goals and delving into their reactions and emotions. While an approach based on persona archetypes can optimally represent each group of users with disabilities throughout website design processes, serving as a communication and empathy tool for development teams and stakeholders, it is essential that this tool considers all dimensions involved in the experiences of people with disabilities. This conceptual paper develops a methodology that provides designers with a persona tool that effectively captures the goals and emotions of these users in their interaction with the web. This methodology proposal is multidimensional and holistic. It addresses conscious and subconscious dimensions, combines traditional user experience and neuroscientific techniques, focuses on total visual impairment, the most challenging in digital environments, and makes it adaptable to other disabilities. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-27 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070102 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:João Prata Veiga, Luciana Oliveira First page: 103 Abstract: The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 precipitated a humanitarian crisis, prompting the displacement of Afghan refugees seeking sanctuary, including in Portugal. This study aims to rigorously assess public perceptions of Afghan refugee resettlement in Portugal by analyzing national news and subsequent Facebook reactions, seeking to discern sentiment, approval/disapproval, perceived realistic and symbolic threats, and potential hate speech toward migrant resettlement. Employing a mixed-methods approach with a qualitative emphasis, this cross-sectional study involved a volumetric analysis of 40 Facebook posts from mainstream news outlets, followed by a qualitative content analysis of 1000 comments from 10 selected posts based on popularity and controversy. Findings reveal a predominance of negative sentiments and low levels of approval for migrant resettlement. Emotional complexity suggests controversy and polarization, with negativity surpassing positivity. Concerns regarding economic impact ranked highest, followed by security, cultural, and religious considerations. Instances of hate speech, predominantly political in nature, with lesser occurrences of religious and nationality-based content, were evident. This research contributes to the scientific understanding of public perceptions concerning Afghan refugee integration in Portugal, providing valuable insights into societal attitudes towards humanitarian crises and refugee resettlement efforts. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-27 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070103 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Ghalia Al-Thani First page: 104 Abstract: This paper analyzes stakeholder engagement in educational policymaking in Singapore and Finland, two countries renowned for successful education systems. While both countries achieve high academic standards, they employ distinct approaches to engage stakeholders in shaping educational policies. Singapore adopts a centralized model where policymaking is primarily directed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), with limited participation from external stakeholders. In contrast, Finland adopts a decentralized approach, empowering local authorities and schools with significant autonomy and actively involving stakeholders in policymaking. Key stakeholders, including teachers, parents, students and the private sector, play different roles in each country’s education governance. In Singapore, stakeholders are consulted through formal channels but have limited influence on decision-making, whereas, in Finland, stakeholders actively steer fundamental policy directions through extensive participation and consensus-building. The paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and their impacts on education outcomes. Despite differences in governance models, both countries prioritize inclusive education, social cohesion, and holistic development. The analysis underscores the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement in crafting effective education policies that align with national values and visions. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-28 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070104 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Maria Goldshtein, Erin K. Chiou, Rod D. Roscoe First page: 105 Abstract: Demographic data pertain to people’s identities and behaviors. Analyses of demographic data are used to describe patterns and predict behaviors, to inform interface design, and even institutional decision-making processes. Demographic data thus need to be complete and correct to ensure they can be analyzed in ways that reflect reality. This study consists of interviews with 40 people in STEM and addresses how causes of relational (dis)trust in demographic data collection contribute to pervasive problems of missing and incorrect responses and disobliging responses (e.g., non-disclosure, false responses, attrition, and hesitancy to use services). The findings then guide a preliminary set of recommendations for cultivating trustworthiness based on recent developments in trust theory and designing for responsive and trustworthy systems. Specifically, we explore how demographic questionnaire design (e.g., item construction and instructions) can communicate necessary reassurances and transparency for users. The ongoing research provides interview-based recommendations for improving the quality and completeness of demographic data collection. This research adds to other recommendations on improving demographic questionnaires. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-29 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070105 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Diosey Ramon Lugo-Morin First page: 106 Abstract: This study explores the field of artificial intelligence (AI) through the lens of Stephen Hawking, who warned of its potential dangers. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI and its implications for food security using a qualitative approach and offering a contemporary perspective on the topic. The study explores the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in various fields with an emphasis on the global food reality. It also highlights the critical importance of striking a harmonious balance between technological progress and the preservation of local wisdom, cultural diversity, and environmental sustainability. In conclusion, the analysis argues that AI is a transformative force with the potential to address global food shortages and facilitate sustainable food production. However, it is not without significant risks that require rigorous scrutiny and ethical oversight. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-29 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070106 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Mustafa Selim Altınışık, Esat Şanlı First page: 107 Abstract: The internal disturbances that have occurred in Syria since 2011 have led to the displacement of many Syrians and their exposure to stressful life events. In this context, this study aimed to examine the amplifying dimension of suffering experienced by Syrian refugees in terms of various variables. Within this scope, the moderating role of perceived social support on the impact of events on post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees was investigated. This descriptive study, designed according to the relational survey model, was conducted on 448 Syrian refugees in Turkey, who were included using a random sampling method. The data collection tools in this study included the Impact of Events Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Post-traumatic Growth Scale. According to the analysis of the results, it was found that in Syrian refugees, the impact of events on post-traumatic growth is significantly moderated by family support, support from friends, and support from a significant other. Additionally, it was observed that the event impact variable has a positive and significant effect on the post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-02 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070107 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Aleksandra Sygnowska First page: 108 Abstract: This article seeks to explain the political responsibility that Polish right-wing female politicians directly associated with the 2015–2023 Polish government and the then-ruling Law and Justice Party bear in the state-sanctioned violence against minors in the context of LGBT- and immigration-related issues. Its main assumption is that, in times of the nationalist surge that has been sweeping Poland, women using anti-LGBT and anti-immigration discourses helped to legitimize discriminatory state practices and, consequently, made a significant contribution to the enactment of white, Christian, and heteronormative identity on Polish children. Drawing upon Critical Discourse Analysis, this work examines the anti-LGBT and anti-immigration political talk by female politicians who, in their narrative strategies, adopt the position of a “Polish mother” on a mission to save a “child in danger”. Through my analysis, I aim to demonstrate that anti-LGBT and anti-immigration discourses are equally significant areas of women’s political engagement. Despite the prevalent cultural norms of caring motherhood, women do exercise their agency in political struggles as supporters of discriminatory state policies directed against minors by re-politicizing a symbolic figure of the “Polish mother”. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-03 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070108 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Herring Shava First page: 109 Abstract: This study investigates whether consumer ethnocentrism, a concept that refers to the tendency of consumers to favor domestic products over foreign ones, and entrepreneurship education are variables that can be used to strengthen attachment to local brands. Brand attachment is a well-researched concept in marketing literature. Many variables have been found to have different impacts on brand attachment across the globe. However, studies linking consumer ethnocentrism and entrepreneurship education to brand attachment are scarce, and this study contributes in that regard. Furthermore, the study examines whether entrepreneurship education mediates the association between consumer ethnocentrism and brand attachment. The study adopted a quantitative research methodology. Primary data were gathered through a survey. Past and current entrepreneurship education candidates were targeted. Factor analysis, simple linear regression, and hierarchical regression analyses using PROCESS were performed to make sense of the data. The study’s findings reveal that consumer ethnocentrism and entrepreneurship education can be used to strengthen attachment to local brands. The study recommends that marketing practitioners, scholars, and policymakers collaborate to design an impactful entrepreneurship education curriculum with the goal of enhancing consumer ethnocentrism, leading to increased interaction between consumers and local brands. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-03 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070109 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Carla Carvalho, Lisete Mónico, Ana Pinto, Soraia Oliveira, Eduardo Leite First page: 110 Abstract: Achieving the balance between work and family life needs a holistic viewpoint on how these two aspects interact. It poses a significant challenge due to its impact on individuals, organizations, and society. Research suggests that employees engaged in both spheres tend to exhibit more favorable work attitudes, and experience improved health and wellbeing. In this study, we examined the interplay between work–family dynamics and work engagement among 654 university professors in Portugal. Using several statistical methods, including confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and multivariate analysis, we identified distinct conflict and facilitation patterns within work–family relationships. Our findings revealed four clusters representing different conflict-facilitation profiles: those characterized by either work → family facilitation or conflict, and, similarly, family → work facilitation or conflict. Notably, we observed a significant association between work engagement and work–family facilitation, particularly evident in dimensions such as vigor and dedication. Absorption showed fewer significant effects than the other dimensions. We discuss these results, suggesting interventions within the university professors’ careers, as well as further research directions. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-03 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070110 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Biljana Maljugić, Dragan Ćoćkalo, Mihalj Bakator, Sanja Stanisavljev First page: 111 Abstract: This paper conducts a comprehensive review following the PRISMA methodology to explore the evolution and necessity of quality management in the era of Society 5.0, covering publications from 2017 to 2022. Through a meticulous process involving planning, conducting and reporting the review, along with a theory-driven selection and analysis of content, it aims to construct a theoretical model for quality management in Society 5.0. This model underscores the integration of quality management with Society 5.0’s principles, focusing on human-centric technological advancement and addressing social challenges to enhance life quality. The findings reveal a framework that could drive the transition to Society 5.0 by leveraging key inputs for tangible outcomes. The paper’s originality lies in its in-depth analysis and the proposed model’s potential to guide industries and governments towards sustainable development in the context of Society 5.0, marking a valuable contribution to future research in this field. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-03 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070111 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Rawan K. Kahtan, Mahitab A. Hanbazaza First page: 112 Abstract: Food insecurity is a pressing global concern affecting individuals across all age groups. Despite its widespread impact, a notable gap remains in the literature, particularly in reference to the literature concerning university students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and examine its associated factors, including mental and general health and academic performance, among university students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 421 students from King Abdulaziz University participated in this study, completing a questionnaire that measured food insecurity, academic performance, and mental and general health. About 40% of the respondents experienced some level of food insecurity, which was categorized as mild (20.4%), moderate (13.0%), or severe (5.6%). Significant associations were observed between food insecurity and monthly household income (p < 0.001) and general health (p < 0.005), respectively. However, the associations were weaker between food insecurity and perceived stress (p < 0.066) and the impact of COVID-19. Notably, no significant correlation was found between food security and socio-demographic characteristics or academic performance. This study highlights the prevalence of food insecurity among university students in Saudi Arabia and emphasizes the need for further research to gain a better understanding of its complexities. Such insights can empower universities and policymakers to implement targeted interventions, thereby enhancing the learning experience and future success of university students. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-04 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070112 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Tanja Taivalantti, Johanna Norppa, Jan Lofstrom First page: 113 Abstract: In this paper, the constructions of historical personal identity of Finnish-speaking students are analysed. The students participated in a larger study of historical narratives and identities, carried out in 2020 in two schools in Finland and in one European School outside Finland. In the mixed-method study, sixty-one students were interviewed and given writing and drawing assignments on historical identity. In this paper, the students’ visual representations of their personal historical identity and its relationship with wider official history are analysed. The aim is to increase understanding of how 14–16-year-old students visualise and articulate their historical personal identity constructions and the historical elements they use in negotiating this identity. The findings suggest that the students integrate personal and historical social narratives in diverse ways but that the majority of them find it challenging to connect their personal family history with the wider official history. Only twelve students made the connection. In addition to presenting the results for the whole group of students, the visual representations of two selected students are discussed in more detail so as to highlight the difference in the approaches to historical personal identity construction among the students. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-06 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070113 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Ângela Maria Teixeira Leite, Ângela Sá Azevedo, Anabela Rodrigues First page: 114 Abstract: This study aims to validate the impact of sociodemographic factors and differentiate the influence of social variables on the correlation between the number of years of formal education an individual has and the time they allocate to internet usage. To achieve this, we utilized a publicly available database, extracting relevant indicators for our investigation. Subsequently, we conducted analyses involving associations, regressions, and moderations among the variables under scrutiny. The results revealed statistically significant variations in daily internet usage time across different countries, residences, age groups, educational levels, and marital statuses. Factors such as living in an urban or suburban environment, being in the youth demographic, possessing a higher education, maintaining single status, having an extensive social network, holding a negative perception of health, lacking home internet access but having access at work and on the go, along with the facilitation of online communication and remote work, collectively explain the variance in daily internet usage time. The relationship between the number of years of education and the duration of internet usage is moderated by sociodemographic variables (gender, age, and marital status) as well as social variables (locations of internet usage and social contacts). These findings enable us to identify a user profile at a higher risk of developing problematic behavior in relation to internet usage, as indicated by the time invested. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-07 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070114 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Khomeshwaree Mootoosamy, Vahid Aryadoust First page: 115 Abstract: The formulation of the construct of communicative competence (CC) was the consequence of the perceived “inappropriateness” of the theory of linguistic competence and performance. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of second language (L2) CC, a systematic review of 85 studies was conducted to assess how empirical studies have defined and operationalized the construct in the context of L2 learning and assessment. Four main themes emerged from the papers: (1) beliefs and perceptions about CC, (2) expansion of CC, (3) mixed specifications of CC, and (4) tests and measures of CC and communicative language ability (CLA). The analysis of these themes foregrounded several significant findings. First, the construct of L2 CC was significantly more prevalent in the body of research compared to L2 CLA. Second, CC has been perceived as a multifarious construct that has been researched from varied perspectives. It was found that older studies were more consistent with traditional approaches to defining CC and CLA, while the construct shifted focus to technology and self-appraisals in more recent studies. Third, there is no consensus amongst the reviewed studies about tests and methods of operationalization of CC, suggesting that the evidence provided is sample-specific and non-replicable. Importantly, it was found that over the years, CC has undergone a gradual evolution. With the multimodal and intercultural turn, CC has branched into new concepts namely intercultural and multimodal communicative competencies. Pertaining to these concepts, new notions such as telecollaboration, digital literacies, and multiliteracies have emerged. CC has also been, for long, analogous to performance, proficiency, social rules of language use, rules of appropriateness, willingness to communicate, self-perceptions of CC, and the goal of being a native speaker, which can add to the confusion surrounding the construct. The implications of the present research synthesis are two-fold. It becomes imperative to adapt world language classrooms to the rising trend in intercultural and multimodal communicative competencies. In addition, further replicable investigations should focus on developing optimal methods of operationalization that are in line with the new contemporary theoretical frameworks of language in the age of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-08 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070115 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Mohammad Abu Sayed Toyon First page: 116 Abstract: This study examines the relationship between various demographic and situational factors and working students’ decisions to change their study programmes and abandon higher education. It utilises a sample of 1902 working students derived from the Eurostudent VII survey and employs cross-tabulation and chi-square tests. The findings reveal statistically significant associations between several factors and students’ educational decisions. Males are more likely to consider abandoning higher education than females. Younger students, particularly those up to 21 years old, are more inclined to consider changing their study programmes. Financial difficulties significantly influence students’ considerations of both changing study programmes and abandoning higher education. Students in the arts, humanities, and ICT are more likely to consider abandoning their studies. Conversely, age does not significantly affect the likelihood of abandoning higher education. Parental educational attainment does not significantly influence decisions to change or abandon study programmes, whereas living situations, such as living independently and not living with parents, significantly affect changing the study programme. Qualification level affects the likelihood of changing study programmes, with bachelor’s students more likely to consider changes than masters and long-term national degree students, but it does not significantly affect the likelihood of abandoning higher education. Education–job mismatch significantly affects both changing study programmes and abandoning higher education, while the duration of working hours only influences the decision to alter study programmes. By revealing these findings, this research extends the student retention discourse as well as highlights how cultural, economic, familial, and workplace capital influence working students’ educational decisions. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-08 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070116 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Juan García-Fuentes, María Navarro-Granados First page: 117 Abstract: The implementation of the dual vocational training policy establishes horizontal training between schools and the labour market, contributes to educational continuity and is an effective measure against early school leaving. In addition, it has a link with the business sector that enables labour integration and also participates in the training and qualification of students. To approach it, we start from a historical overview of education, where we analyse the different laws passed in recent decades and investigate dual vocational training as an effective policy for training for employment and training of skills, abilities and competences necessary for the acquisition of a job. To this end, we present a study in which we make visible, through interviews, the perspective of students in relation to vocational training in the autonomous community of Andalusia. The majority of those interviewed gave a positive assessment of these studies. Moreover, the interviews show how this educational policy has a positive impact on the labour market insertion of the participants. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-09 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070117 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Domingo Albarracín-Vivo, Eduardo Encabo-Fernández, Isabel Jerez-Martínez, Lourdes Hernández-Delgado First page: 118 Abstract: The development of critical thinking is essential to the treatment of gender perspective in Primary Education. For this reason, this study focused on determining the critical ability of primary students depending on gender, analysing the possible connections between the participants’ breadth of thought and spelling competence. The methodology was based on a humanistic–interpretative ad hoc approach to categorical organisation. A total of 636 Primary Education students from the Region of Murcia (Spain) participated in a field activity in which they created a written composition based on a pretext that contained an image showing a controversial gender situation; this illustration incited a critical response in the creation of each story. The compositions were analysed individually and qualitatively using the Atlas.Ti software (v.8.4). The most relevant results appear to prove the higher critical ability of the girls who participated in this study, and additionally show connections with the spelling competence of these students. However, the critical thinking and spelling values shown were still far from what would be expected of a developed society. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-15 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070118 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Daniel Homocianu First page: 119 Abstract: This paper explores enduring influences on life satisfaction using empirical analysis of World Values Survey (WVS) data (four versions of the most comprehensive dataset, namely 1.6, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0). Five significant values emerged—financial satisfaction, happiness, freedom of choice, health, and democracy. Through rigorous selection processes and various statistical techniques, a subset of three determinants resulted, along with consecrated socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, social class, and settlement size. Advanced methodologies such as feature selection, random and non-random cross-validations, overfitting removal, collinearity and reverse causality checks, and different regressions served to evaluate and validate robust models. Nomograms helped to predict life satisfaction probabilities. The findings contribute to understanding life satisfaction dynamics and offer practical insights for future research and policy. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-15 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070119 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Ana Sabino, Ana Moreira, Francisco Cesário, Mafalda Pinto-Coelho First page: 120 Abstract: In the present study we aimed to fulfill two main goals. The first was to adapt the WRQoL-2 Scale among Portuguese workers and the second was to verify the associations between WRQoL-2 dimensions and perceived organizational performance dimensions (e.g., social and economic). To reach our research goals, we used a sample of 635 Portuguese workers. The WRQoL Scale has been widely used for academic and practical ends and comprises six dimensions: Job and Career Satisfaction, Control at Work, General Well-Being, Home–Work Interface, Stress at Work, and Working Conditions. Recently, the authors proposed a revised measure—WRQoL-2—in which they added a seventh dimension—Employee Engagement. As this second version had not yet been translated into the Portuguese language for Portugal, this was our first goal. By performing a set of statistical analyses such as EFA, CFA, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and invariant analysis, the results suggested a six-factor structure where the dimensions of Job and Career Satisfaction and Employee Engagement were united. The final structure suggested good reliability as well as convergent and discriminant validity as it showcased invariance according to gender and sector. Because there is a lack of studies focusing on the links between quality of work life and organizational performance, we then tested the interplay between WRQoL-2 and perceived organizational performance dimensions, and we verified that, although most are significantly associated, the results suggest a low intensity. This work also presents several theoretical and practical implications. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-16 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070120 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Hiroko Costantini, Muhammad Abdul Aziz Al Mujahid, Kengo Hosaka, Takazumi Ono, Misato Nihei First page: 121 Abstract: While tolerance is recognised as important, especially to diverse societies, understanding tolerance poses complexities, both theoretically and in practical application. Tolerance is relevant in different social contexts, yet these pose distinct challenges to measurement. Thus, understanding the measurement of tolerance is important. This study provides a systematic review of tolerance scales, with the procedure based on the PRISMA statement. The initial collection of over 1600 papers through the systematic review process yielded a set of 11 papers. These papers trace the development of tolerance scales to encompass distinct social contexts over time, including political, cultural, ethnic and racial, racial and religious, gender and sexual, and social. Correspondingly, the approaches reflect particular challenges relevant to these domains for understanding and measuring tolerance. In contrast, some recent contributions aim to develop broader, less context-specific means to assess tolerance. Notwithstanding the breadth of articles included, this systematic review yielded articles that covered only selected Western-centric geographies: this indicates the opportunity for further research to access and integrate non-English-language articles to broaden the geographical and cultural perspectives on tolerance. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-16 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070121 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Jonathan Hussels, Ralph Richter, Suntje Schmidt First page: 122 Abstract: Social innovation (SI) has been credited with fostering novel solutions to the socio-economic challenges many rural areas face. The quest for a substantiated understanding of its potential for regional development has spawned a rich literature on SI impact assessments. Yet, having been instrumental, these assessments harbour several ambiguities as they seek to unveil objective impacts in a results-oriented manner. First, SI processes take diverse directionalities, questioning the idea of them being ‘straightforward facts’ and giving leeway to a more constructivist understanding. Second, a results-oriented perspective tends to obscure social processes that initially contribute to the emergence of impacts. In response to such concerns, we suggest a valuation perspective that explores how SI impacts are constructed iteratively throughout the innovation process. To do so, we operationalise the notion of dissonance as a critical factor embedded in innovative activities in three instances: impulses, turning points, and lock-ins. This perspective allows us to study how value is experienced, assigned, and strategically attracted while shedding light on how SI processes and their impacts are co-constructed in valuation processes. The article uses empirical vignettes from selected case studies with SI initiatives in Northern Germany. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-16 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070122 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Karen Miner-Romanoff, Jessica Greenawalt First page: 123 Abstract: Low-income students from underrepresented communities experience significant educational inequalities, including chronic absenteeism, mental health crises, trauma exposure, and social injustices. These conditions escalate risks of dropping out and justice system involvement. Middle-school youth must navigate intense social and emotional change. To address such challenges, The Arthur Project (TAP) provides intensive, in-school, therapeutic mentoring and family support. The program teaches students essential life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and academic engagement. Students are empowered to strengthen their resilience, perseverance, self-actualization, and confidence. TAP provides up to 500 h of therapeutic mentoring yearly over three years, delivered individually and in small groups by social work interns. The research question was as follows: Does structured, intensive in-school therapeutic mentoring with social work interns increase the socioemotional, cognitive, noncognitive, and academic skills and engagement of underserved middle-school students' This evaluation for the school year 2022–2023 is based on the program of 200 students and 30 mentors, with quantitative mentee, mentor, teacher, and caregiver surveys and qualitative interview data. The program and evaluation methodology are described, with results and conclusions. Students showed significant improvement in all domains; mentors reported student increases in confidence, perseverance, problem-solving, and communication; and teachers and caregivers reported students’ increased academic engagement. The Arthur Project program can become a national middle-school mentoring model to address widespread student inequalities. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070123 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Carla Cruz, Maria João Cunha, Célia Belim First page: 124 Abstract: (1) Background: Studies on women with disabilities (WwD) are rare and tend to reveal certain representation patterns. This study aims to understand how and to what extent WwD and chronic diseases are deemed newsworthy in the Portuguese public news TV station RTP1 primetime news program. Feminist disability, standpoint, agenda-setting, and framing theories are used alongside the concept of intersectionality. (2) Methods: A mixed-method approach is adopted, combining quantitative content analysis of all broadcasted news in January 2020 (n = 704), and qualitative discourse analysis of news items on PwD (n = 5). (3) Results: The results reveal that disability is a reduced issue in Telejornal’s agenda. PwD, in general, are often portrayed in secondary roles and without a voice. The protagonists of news stories about disability or persons with disabilities are predominantly women without disabilities, occupying traditional roles as caregivers (mothers, nurses), while men are more often portrayed as public agents. Discourse analysis deepens understanding by uncovering the prevalence of negative news values and a problem-centred framing, often associated with negativity, rather than presenting solutions. (4) Conclusions: Consequently, WwD were found to be deprived of news representation with a more positive or ‘normal’ focus and an intersectional approach reveals a lack of inclusion, with the few existing news tending to focus on exclusion issues, portraying only white Portuguese women. This study underscores the urgent need for a more equitable approach in media representation, recognising the diversity and positive contributions of WwD to promote an inclusive narrative. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070124 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Luke William John Watkins, Alinka Gearon First page: 125 Abstract: The discussion of factors driving young people’s involvement in serious violence continues to be well documented across policy, news media, and academic research. The government response to riots taking place across the UK in 2011 set a precedent for an increasingly punitive discourse surrounding young people’s involvement in criminal lifestyles, as well as the Criminal Justice System’s response to the overall issue. In order to develop a greater understanding of the complex breadth of driving factors behind serious youth violence and their discoursal representation, this article presents findings of a multifaceted investigation through the interpretivist paradigm, merging macro-level policy with micro-level community insights. The article commences with an argumentative discourse analysis of a selection of Government and Youth Violence Commission policy documents before drawing on three semi-structured interviews with community-level practitioners in England working within policing and youth work organisations. The findings reveal a complex interplay of socio-environmental factors, poverty, domestic trauma, cultural dimensions, and street-based exploitation positioned alongside constructs of social exclusion and masculinity. The study uncovers a broad issue of systemic marginalisation and reduction in community resources, exacerbating conditions of social exclusion that create a greater propensity for involvement in serious youth violence. The findings support calls for the framing of serious youth violence as an issue of ‘public health’, encouraging deeper investigation into underlying socio-economic, cultural, and political conditions. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-18 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070125 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Gerald C. Cupchik, Clara B. Rebello, Renad Albar, Jessica Cocunato, Eva Cupchik, Angelie Ignacio, Emily Faubert First page: 126 Abstract: Students at a large and socially diverse urban university completed an anonymous survey examining online learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic with an emphasis on decisions to keep their cameras on or off during synchronous class. The 505 student respondents used 7-point scales to assess their school performance and everyday life experiences during the pandemic, general classroom values, pre-pandemic and current pandemic experiences, technological proficiencies related to Zoom, and camera on/off attitudes, as well as the online behavior of professors, and the role of social media in their everyday lives. The findings underscored two motivations underlying school engagement. Students could be motivated by a need for belonging involving authentic self-presentation while experiencing the emotional presence of others, and/or be instrumentally motivated by a need to perform well and advance their careers. The importance of professors creating a safe online space to foster a sense of belonging was highlighted. Finally, the findings show that feelings about having one’s camera on or off during online classes are related to everyday social media experiences. The social-emotional and pragmatic aspects of university education are complementary facets of a university experience. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-18 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070126 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Ioannis Zervas, Emmanouil Stiakakis, Ioannis Athanasiadis, Georgios Tsekouropoulos First page: 127 Abstract: Nowadays, transactions carried out with digital currencies are increasing. Modern societies are asked to respond to growing challenges related to the management of digital currencies in their daily lives. However, due to the lack of digital skills of users, the management of digital currencies hides risks. To the best of our knowledge, the originality of the current research lies in the act of combining the concept of digital skills with the use of digital currencies. After all, the use of digital currencies is constantly increasing, which means that citizens should familiarize themselves with their use, an element that makes this study valuable for digital societies. Digital skills effectively contribute to the development of digital societies because they increase the employment of citizens, facilitate access to information, and contribute to the social inclusion of individuals through digital communication, while also increasing efficiency and productivity in the workplace. Also, the government and banking institutions can more effectively sensitize citizens to digital skills for more effective use of digital currencies. In this way, tax payments will be facilitated, the use of e-wallets will be safer, and e-governance will be greatly promoted, while the quality of banking services will be improved. The methodology of this study was based on the Digital Competence Framework for Modern Societies (DigComp) and was applied through a questionnaire completed by 443 respondents. The main objective was to evaluate their digital skills from the perspective of digital currency use. The analysis of the responses was carried out by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The most important result from this research reveals that users of digital currencies are significantly capable of developing communication to solve everyday problems. At the same time, users of digital currencies mostly detect digital threats and effectively manage fake news without being affected by them. However, users of digital currencies consider that security issues are important, but only for transactions and not for their supporting functions. The study concludes with suggestions for improving the experience of digital currency users through individual actions, thus having a positive impact on the state and banking institutions. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-19 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070127 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Ľubica Rumanovská, Jarmila Lazíková, Ivan Takáč, Zuzana Stoličná First page: 128 Abstract: Plagiarism is a serious problem in the academic environment that affects academic honesty. However, there is usually a lack of knowledge regarding what kinds of practices can be regarded as plagiarism, as it is defined according to various ethical rules that differ from country to country. There is no commonly accepted definition encompassing all currently recognized forms of plagiarism. Therefore, some authors consider pedagogy to be the best measure against plagiarism. To research the impact of educating students on how to correctly quote sources on rates of plagiarism and the impact of specific factors causing plagiarism, we analyzed the measures of association among nominal variables from a dataset based on a survey of bachelor’s and master’s degree students in Slovak universities. According to our results from the Slovak universities, we can confirm that education has a positive impact on the elimination of plagiarism; however, teaching itself is not a sufficient measure to fight plagiarism. Other measures, e.g., checking seminar papers for plagiarism or making regular changes in topics for assignments, must accompany the educational measures that make an effort to eliminate plagiarism. The prevention of certain types of misconduct involves a long process; the teachers must implement educational measures and then uncompromisingly demand that students respect those measures. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-19 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070128 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Andrew Brierley, Alison Bruell, Danielle McDermott First page: 129 Abstract: This article examines the perspectives of justice-involved children regarding the obstacles to accessing higher education (HE). It outlines the regulatory approach of the Office for Students (OfS) aimed at ensuring the sector aids disadvantaged children in ‘raising attainment’ through outreach activities to enhance the equality of opportunity. The analysis incorporates both desistance theory and ecological systems theory to understand children’s viewpoints on how being outside mainstream education affects their transition from specialised programs to further learning beyond secondary school. This approach is anchored in the ‘Child-First’ principle, a core aspect of the Youth Justice Board’s strategic plan for 2021–2024, emphasising the importance of children’s voices in efforts to divert them from the youth justice system, thereby reducing victimisation and fostering safer communities. The findings indicate that justice-involved children not in mainstream education who have supportive micro- and mesosystems are more likely to develop an identity aligned with continuing education post secondary school, through positive encouragement and relational environments that promote educational pathways. Thus, higher education can contribute to raising attainment for justice-involved children not in mainstream education by focusing on the broader ecological system surrounding the child, which can encourage a pro-social and pro-educational identity. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-19 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070129 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Raffaela Puggioni First page: 130 Abstract: By focusing on the notion of ‘coming out as undocumented’, this concept paper critically explores whether identity politics has the potential to transform dominant ‘illegalisation’ processes. It argues that although the coming out strategy has helped make marginalised communities more visible and audible, it does not necessarily help disrupt dominant stigmas. Drawing upon insights from Disability Studies and Fat and Queer Politics, it suggests that the celebration of stigmatised identities through coming out events does not necessarily disrupt and transform unequal systems. What is needed is a radical shift in focus: from identity celebration to political projects, from an ‘unliveable’ present to an inclusive tomorrow. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-20 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070130 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Raphael Leao, Luis F. Goulao First page: 131 Abstract: Latin America has witnessed a significant influx of foreign aid aimed at fostering development, particularly in rural areas, over recent decades. Despite these considerable investments, persistently high levels of poverty endure, and rural communities have not consistently witnessed improvements in livelihoods. Rural development initiatives frequently achieve their inherent objectives at the output level but less frequently attain the intended outcomes and are seldom successful in establishing the prerequisites for enduring impact over the long term. The existing literature on this topic is extensive but often fragmented, with some scholars examining the context through socio-economic and political lenses, others scrutinizing the intrinsic characteristics of projects, and still others emphasizing levels of empowerment and local participation. This paper synthesizes and critically evaluates key aspects that influence the sustained impact of rural development projects across these three analytical streams. Through an integrative compilation of insights from these disparate perspectives, this work lays the foundation for a comprehensive analysis, shedding light on crucial considerations that may have previously “fallen into the cracks” through an examination of the segmented discourse. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-07-22 DOI: 10.3390/soc14070131 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 7 (2024)
Authors:Cordelia Onyinyechi Omodero First page: 74 Abstract: The study examines the societal issues that contribute to the level of insecurity in Nigerian society using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) co-integration technique with data from 1991 to 2022. The variables used as independent and societal factors generating insecurity include the unemployment rate; the high cost of living in society; insufficient funds for education, community social services, healthcare services, and infrastructure; and agricultural development. Among the criteria evaluated, inadequate school financing and the unemployment rate appear to be the most significant sources of insecurity in society as a result of young people’s involvement in abduction, violence, and other societal issues. The study recognizes that government measures aimed at reorienting society towards a peaceful environment for habitation are critical. It is of the utmost importance to provide employment for young people and adequately support schools in order to lower the number of youngsters who are not in school. These out-of-school children are readily persuaded to join groups that make society untenable. Thus, free education is strongly suggested to engage and develop their thoughts in a constructive manner so that they can be valuable to society. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-23 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060074 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Juan Carlos Escobar-Lamanna First page: 75 Abstract: This concept paper builds upon nascent research analyzing disability and the practice of videogame livestreaming on Twitch.tv. While a growing amount of scholarship analyzes the structure and organization of Twitch as a platform more broadly, with some attending to the platform’s marginalization of women and BIPOC streamers, few studies investigate the challenges that Twitch’s features and structures present to disabled streamers. This paper addresses this gap in the literature, considering the ways in which Twitch offers disabled streamers unique economic and community-building opportunities through its monetization and identity tag features while simultaneously presenting barriers to disabled streamers through these very same features. Utilizing a critical disability studies perspective and drawing upon forum posts made by disabled streamers and interviews with disabled streamers from online gaming news websites, I argue that Twitch reifies forms of neoliberal-ableism through its prioritizing of individual labour, precarious forms of monetization that necessitate cultures of overwork and ‘grinding’, and targeted harassment, known as hate raids, against disabled and other marginalized streamers to ultimately create a kind of integrative access where disability is tolerated but not valued. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-23 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060075 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Federica Ammaturo, Suntje Schmidt First page: 76 Abstract: Social innovation has been associated with contributing to ‘valuable’ rural development; however, usually, the impact of social innovation has been identified in the aftermath of its development or implementation. This might be too narrow an approach, as an ongoing social innovation process in itself may already lead to effects that contribute to regional and social changes in a local community and beyond. This paper argues that collaborative valuation processes are embedded in social innovation processes, generating effects that contribute to rural development. Focusing on a case study that exemplifies social innovation processes in agriculture and food production carried out by a rural collaborative community in southern Italy, we demonstrate how three valuation phases, such as contestations and negotiations of norms, symbolic capital accumulation and recognition of actions, as well as re-definitions of values, impact community development through joint sense-making, empowerment and societal change. Our empirical results suggest the close intertwining of both social innovation and valuation processes. The empirical results demonstrate how collective valuation processes have micro-effects on the agro-economic system, on local socio-cultural processes, and on place-making activities. Methodologically, this paper builds on ethnographic methods, including participatory observations, semi-structured interviews, oral histories, and socio-spatial analysis investigating moments of valuation embedded in daily collaborative practices. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-27 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060076 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Marco Guglielmi, Olga Breskaya, Stefano Sbalchiero First page: 77 Abstract: As shown by sociological studies, the Catholic Church in Italy is very active in conducting advocacy and providing political representation to immigrants. It is also highly effective in carrying out services for immigrants, as well as fairly receptive to sharing places of worship with them. However, these sociological observations have been mainly conducted at the national level rather than by exploring the life of parishes through an empirical lens. This article aims, by applying the congregations study methodology, to fill this gap by detecting faith communities as the basic social units of religious life at the city/country level. In doing that, we discuss quantitative data collected in 377 Catholic parishes in the cities of Bologna, Milan, and Brescia. The findings suggest that Catholic parishes: (i) illustrate a low proportion of immigrants in their communities; (ii) show high activity in providing services for immigrants; (iii) are not politically engaged in advocacy for foreign persons at the local level; and (iv) similarly position themselves as politically conservative and liberal while expressing commitments to immigrants. This study confirms the sociological argument regarding the solidarity approach of the Catholic Church in Italy toward immigrants, while highlighting some ambivalent aspects related to cultural diversity and grass-roots political engagement within parishes’ life. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-29 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060077 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Jonas Wood First page: 78 Abstract: Most highly developed countries invest considerably in language training programmes for refugees, which are assumed to facilitate economic, social, and cultural integration. Although recent research has turned to particular patterns of host country language acquisition amongst refugees, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has hitherto remained understudied. Consequently, this article assesses changes in refugees’ uptake and outcomes of language training over the onset of the pandemic using longitudinal population data for Belgium (Flanders). Findings confirm theoretical expectations, as refugee cohorts entering the country after the onset of the pandemic exhibit lower Dutch language credentials, mostly due to lower enrolment and lower proficiency at intake for language courses. Furthermore, this study indicates that such changes are considerably weaker for highly educated and female refugees. These findings are interpreted in terms of increased vulnerability resulting from the pandemic as well as within-group diversity in potential barriers to integration in the host country. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-29 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060078 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Tina L. Peterson First page: 79 Abstract: Kinship caregivers encounter complex issues when interfacing with the child welfare system. Most kinship care families are not connected to child welfare. The experiences and extent of child welfare connection among older grandparents raising adolescent grandchildren are understudied. This study describes in-depth reflections from older grandparents raising adolescent grandchildren about circumstances leading to kinship care and the extent of child welfare involvement. Nineteen older grandparents raising adolescent grandchildren participated in qualitative phenomenological interviews. Eligibility criteria included identifying as a primary caregiver aged 40 or older for a grandchild 12 years or older who lived with them at least three days during the week. Respondents were primarily married (58%), white/non-Hispanic (53%), and grandmothers (84%) and had some college education or were college graduates (79%). Older grandparent caregivers described three themes: the intensive child welfare path, the influence of indirect child welfare professionals, and guardians with influence. The onset of kinship care, with or without intensive child welfare involvement, stemmed primarily from child abuse and neglect linked primarily to adolescent pregnancies and parental substance use. Child welfare and other helping professionals must recognize and problem-solve with older grandparent caregivers to meet complex stage-of-life needs in and outside of traditional child welfare settings. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-30 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060079 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Pedro Chamusca First page: 80 Abstract: This research delves into the territorial nuances of political populism, examining Portugal’s CHEGA party as a case study. Through a comprehensive analysis of survey data and correlational studies, this study reveals that discontent, manifesting in the rise of populist movements, is intricately linked to the economic decline and neglect of specific regions. The unexpected success of CHEGA is not merely a socio-economic phenomenon but a product of deeply rooted territorial dynamics. The findings underscore the importance of adopting place-sensitive development policies that address the unique challenges of overlooked territories, steering clear of traditional compensatory measures. The urgency to counteract long-term economic decline, industrial decay, and brain drain demands innovative strategies that tap into latent economic potential and provide tangible opportunities. As we confront the rise of anti-establishment voting threatening European unity, this research advocates for a paradigm shift towards place-sensitive policies to navigate the crossroads of discontent and foster a more resilient, inclusive future. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-30 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060080 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Chen Gao, Eleonora Psenner First page: 81 Abstract: Creative social enterprises are increasingly emerging in rural regions, motivated by a desire to take social responsibility through creative approaches. These enterprises integrate entrepreneurial activities with creative social attributes and are sometimes set in rural collaborative workspaces (CWSs) facilitating entrepreneurial activities. Under the frame of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), we argue that CWSs can be seen as brokers, who (1) link resources as liaisons, (2) hold and pass resources as gatekeepers, (3) enhance resource flows as coordinators, and (4) reproduce experiences as representatives. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a case study of two creative social enterprises in a CWS with a cooperative structure in rural Upper Austria by analyzing entrepreneurial biographies about the demand and use of entrepreneurial resources. Through a comparison between before and after the emergence of the CWS, the findings suggest that the EE for creative and social entrepreneurship undergoes two different types of transformation, a radical and a gradual one. The brokerage process of the CWS enhances local resource networks’ transformation of EE and brings the transformation in terms of translocal resources and integral EE of enterprises in the CWS. Additionally, the CWS generates social impacts on the local community through social enterprises. This paper contributes to ecosystem literature by introducing an actor-centric perspective and giving new insights into social entrepreneurship and the transformative power of CWSs as brokers. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-30 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060081 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Lucas Olmedo, María José Ruiz-Rivera, Mary O’Shaughnessy, Georgios Chatzichristos First page: 82 Abstract: Geography is a significant element of social innovation. This paper focuses on exploring differences and similarities in the characteristics and contributions towards impact of Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs), a form of social innovation which provides otherwise unmet services and opportunities to people at risk of social and economic exclusion and distant from the labour market, in rural and urban areas of Ireland. To do so, we use data from 336 surveys from urban (213) and rural (123) WISEs and conduct an exploratory and spatially sensitive analysis to compare the characteristics, in terms of organisational age, legal and governance form, multiplicity of activities, revenue diversification; and contributions towards impact, in terms of geographical focus/reach, employment, volunteers, and income generation. Our analysis shows that WISEs in urban and rural areas present rather similar organisational characteristics and ways of functioning (legal structure, multiactivity, multiple sources of funding), but their contributions to socioeconomic impact differ according to their spatial location, with urban WISEs generating significantly more employment and income than their rural counterparts. Our study illustrates that socially innovative organisations are spatially sensitive, and that context influences their capacity to create sustainable employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-05 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060082 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Jesús Delgado-Baena, Juan de Dios García-Serrano, Laura Serrano, José Tomás Diestre Mejías First page: 83 Abstract: This study is the result of the debate sessions held at the 1st International Conference on Human Rights and Territories at the Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, aimed at analyzing the impact and the agenda itself in the territorial and local contexts. To conduct the research, five focus groups were organized, focusing on the five elements of the agenda: People, Peace, Planet, Prosperity, and Partnerships, with the participation of over 30 international academics, followed by an analysis of the recorded speeches. The results provide a critical epistemic perspective on the 2030 Agenda and its connection with territories, concluding the difficulty of establishing human rights processes in territories from agendas that are centered from the global to the local level. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-05 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060083 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Valentina Laferrara, Maria Carmen Fernández, Verónica Israel Turim First page: 84 Abstract: The media often limit religious coverage to reporting on statements, appointments, opinions, and activities, ignoring in-depth treatment and emphasizing negative news. Media, rather than helping to combat prejudice and promote understanding between communities, have contributed to fuelling intolerance towards religious communities. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the presence and treatment of religious issues. Through a combination of content analysis focused on Catalan media publications between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021, and a focus group with 12 journalists specialized in religious coverage for Catalan newspapers, this research sheds light on the prevailing trends, seeking to answer what is the space of religious content, which can include both content messages produced by religious communities that refer to their own or other faiths and/or content that discusses issues related to religions or religious groups. Occupies in the media agenda, how this content is addressed, and which are the perceptions of journalists regarding the coverage of religious issues. Moreover, we seek to unveil potential actions needed to improve it. The results of this study suggest that there is a tendency to publish limited religious content in the media, potentially shaping perceptions of religion. Furthermore, when religious topics are covered, they focus on Catholicism and Islam, marginalizing other faiths. What is more, stereotypes and misconceptions persist, which could be due to their continued priority to cover scandalous or negative events related to religion. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-06 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060084 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Gloria Macassa, Ehsanul Huda Chowdhury, Jesus Barrena-Martinez, Joaquim Soares First page: 85 Abstract: In view of global population ageing and of policies that support longer working lives, especially in developed countries, it is important to achieve diversity in organisations through age management. Age management is the “management of human resources, [often] with an explicit focus on the requirements of an ageing workforce.” Through age management practices, organisations will be better able to change their human resource management policies and practices towards accommodating their ageing workforce. Little is known about age management practices in Scandinavian organisations, considering the region’s high prevalence of workers beyond the age of 50 across both private and public organisations. There are indications that Scandinavian business organisations are already practicing age management for all ages, including older workers. Their age management practices include the dimensions of job recruitment, training, lifelong learning, development, and promotion. However, there is a dearth of knowledge on how the health and well-being of workers is ensured in the context of age management practices in these organisations. Given the current and future importance of age management for all organisations globally, public health and other health science professionals need to collaborate with other disciplines, such as management and sustainability science, to better understand how they can contribute to an aged and healthier workforce as well as workplace health promotion. This paper aims to contribute to the discussion concerning age management in public and private institutions in Scandinavia through the public health lens. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-12 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060085 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Liam Harte, Jack Crangle, Graham Dawson, Barry Hazley, Fearghus Roulston First page: 86 Abstract: Recent scholarship has highlighted the heterogeneity of second-generation Irish identities in Great Britain, yet the varieties of self-identification espoused by the English-raised children of Northern Irish parents remain almost wholly unexplored. This article redresses this neglect by examining the relationship between parentally transmitted memories of the Northern Ireland Troubles (c.1969–1998) and the forms of identity and self-understanding that such children develop during their lives in England. Drawing on original oral history testimony and using the concepts of narrative inheritance and postmemory as interpretive tools, it demonstrates the complex correlation that exists between parents’ diverse approaches to memory-sharing and their children’s negotiation of inherited conflict memory as they position themselves discursively within contemporary English society. Based on a close reading of five oral history interviews, the analysis reveals a spectrum of creative postmemory practices and identity enactments, whereby narrators agentively define themselves in relation to the meanings they attribute to inherited memories, or the dearth thereof, as they navigate their tangled transnational affinities and allegiances. The article also explores how these practices and enactments are subtly responsive to narrators’ changing relationships to their narrative inheritances as their experience and awareness of their own and their parents’ lives deepen over the life course. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-12 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060086 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Aurélie Simoës-Perlant First page: 87 Abstract: The aim of this study is to contribute to the debate concerning the intensity of fears in high-IQ children. Many authors have pointed out that this population presents a particular psycho-affective profile that can lead to greater anxieties and fears. One hundred and one children (normal-IQ vs. high-IQ) were subjected to an adaptation of the Fear Inventory (FSSC-R; Inventaire des peurs de l’enfant, IPE-R). The results show that fear of danger and death is significantly more intense than all other fears in children aged 5 to 12. However, the pattern of results obtained did not differ according to the cognitive abilities of the children questioned. These results are important because they challenge the preconceived ideas conveyed in the media and by many practitioners who have made giftedness their stock-in-trade. If there is indeed a difference, it may be linked not to the children’s perception of their own emotional state but rather to its behavioral manifestations, which may be more intense in high-IQ children. These results are discussed in relation to the literature, and research perspectives are proposed. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-12 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060087 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Kelly L. Patterson, Robert Mark Silverman, Ambreen Rehman-Veal, Li Yin, Suiyuan Wang First page: 88 Abstract: Since 2012, twenty-four states have legalized adult-use recreational cannabis. To varying degrees, state laws allow for the production, distribution, retail sale, and on-site consumption of cannabis in licensed businesses. Accompanying cannabis, some legalization has acknowledged that black and brown communities were disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. To address this, social equity provisions have been a component of their public policies related to cannabis legalization. These provisions include measures to expunge cannabis-related criminal records and create social equity set-asides for cannabis business licenses. This paper’s research question asks if, under its current structure and implementation, recreational cannabis laws achieve social equity goals. The methods for the analysis apply content analysis to public policy documents and quantify recreational cannabis licensing outcomes. These methods were applied to a comparative analysis of social equity provisions in state and local cannabis laws applicable to large U.S. cities (2020 population > 600,000). This analysis focuses on the characteristics of set-asides for social equity licenses to sell recreational cannabis. The analysis examines the scope of social equity policies, their administration and implementation, and the characteristics of licensees. The findings from the analysis are used to identify a model policy framework and generate recommendations to strengthen social equity outcomes in recreational cannabis licensing. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-13 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060088 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Ibrahim Mosly First page: 89 Abstract: This study explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into engineering education. Through a review of the literature and a qualitative focus group study, an assessment was made for the role of AI in personalizing learning, enhancing simulation engagement, providing real-time feedback, and preparing students for AI-integrated workplaces. The study emphasizes how AI may significantly improve educational experiences by making them more dynamic, interactive, and successful. It also draws attention to important issues, such as moral questions, algorithmic biases in AI, infrastructure constraints, the need for AI literacy training for educators, and a range of student perspectives on AI engineering education. The results support a systematic approach to AI integration, highlighting the necessity of cooperative efforts by educators, legislators, curriculum designers, and technologists in order to overcome these obstacles. The study makes the case that AI can transform engineering education by negotiating these challenges and providing students with the information and skills needed for the digital future, all the while assuring fair and moral access to technology-enhanced learning. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-13 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060089 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Ángel Rodríguez-Pallas, Myriam Yolanda Sarabia-Molina, María Dolores Sánchez-Fernández, José Ramón-Cardona First page: 90 Abstract: The tourist intermediary industry has faced multiple challenges to adapt their offers to the heterogeneity of tourists, and understanding consumer interests from a gender and age perspective is considered crucial in the design and marketing of tourist products. The aim of this article is to examine the differences generated by the gender and age variables of consumers of Spanish travel agencies when choosing travel and tourist destinations, focusing on different types of travel, the choice between national and international destinations, and specific destination types. An explanatory quantitative methodology was employed with a hypothetical-deductive approach. A questionnaire was administered to individuals who booked through Spanish travel agencies and a sample of 879 was obtained. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26 software and the main statistical tool was the Pearson Chi-Square (χ2) test. The findings show that gender implies significant differences in travel preferences, with women favoring the exploration of new destinations and men preferring relaxation travel. Age groups impact the choice between national and international travel, but have a lesser effect on specific destination preferences. This research underscores the importance of considering gender and age in understanding consumer behavior within the travel sector, with the aim of developing more effective marketing strategies and catering to diverse customer needs. Within the implications, the growing importance of the older traveler segment should be highlighted, which requires future research and comparisons with the younger traveler segment. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-15 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060090 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Claudiu Coman, Carmen Bărbat, Cosmin Goian, Maria Cristina Bularca, Felicia Andrioni, Lavinia Popp, Adrian Netedu, Mihai Burlacu, Dănuț Bălăuță, Nicolae Talpă, Bogdan Popa First page: 91 Abstract: Our study aimed to examine how care centers for older persons acted and adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic period by considering the opinions of the beneficiaries, employees, and managers of such centers. The research was conducted between February and June 2022, and we used a mixed-methods approach. For the quantitative research, we applied a questionnaire to 430 institutionalized older persons from Timis County, Romania. For the qualitative analysis, we conducted interviews with 31 institutionalized older persons, 7 employees, and 4 managers. Most institutionalized older persons were mainly satisfied with their lives in the care centers. The main difficulties they faced were the impossibility of being close to loved ones and the difficulty of adapting to the living conditions within the center. Additionally, the older persons were satisfied with their interactions with the staff of the care centers. The conducted research provides a view of the lifestyle of older persons in care centers during the pandemic. It highlights their struggles and can be used as a reference point for further improvement of the lifestyle of older persons within care centers. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060091 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Conny Roggeband, Andrea Krizsán First page: 92 Abstract: This paper focuses on campaigns against the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). These campaigns not only obstructed ratification processes in a number of countries, but also that the openly hostile and highly gendered attacks had a direct impact on women’s rights activists and their work, seriously hindering their work, but also affecting their well-being and safety. In this paper we explore the violent implications of the campaigns against the Istanbul Convention which are part of wider anti-gender campaigns. We argue that the violence of the campaigns and the violent implications should be considered gendered political violence, which effectively marginalizes women and other targeted groups and obstructs their participation in society and politics and as such is central to current autocratization tendencies and undermining of democracy. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060092 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Louis Moustakas, Marieke Breed, Nynke Burgers, Sarah Carney, Ties Greven, Patricia Grove, Lisa Kalina, Perry Ogden, Karen Petry, Simona Šafaříková, Ben Sanders, Arnost Svoboda, Julie Wittmannová, Pim van Limbeek, Fenna van Marle First page: 93 Abstract: Sport for development (SFD) initiatives have faced numerous criticisms around the focus on individual-level (micro) outcomes and lack of integration at the community (meso) and structural (macro) levels. As a result, there is growing recognition that programmes need to find ways to work with and engage a wide range of community members and stakeholders through more inclusive, participatory approaches. One such approach is known as Living Labs. In the following conceptual article, we present the Sport and Social Cohesion Lab (SSCL) project, which implemented a Living Lab approach in various sport-based programmes from four different European countries. The main components of the Living Lab framework are presented, and practical insights are derived from the project. In addition, the unique and sometimes critical role of sport is reflected upon in relation to the Living Lab context. Through this, this article provides practitioners and academics with potential building blocks to implement Living Labs and/or embed participatory approaches in sport and physical activity contexts and social settings more generally. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-19 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060093 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Domenico Carbone, Cristina Calvi First page: 94 Abstract: This article analyses the ongoing processes in the organisational field of Italian schools in light of the innovations induced by digital education policies. Specifically, it focuses on the relationship between actors and digital policies concerning the experience of distance learning (DL) that characterised the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper reflects on DL outcomes regarding the three expectations that have often characterised the rhetoric associated with the promotion of digital educational policies, namely: the raising of learning levels, the development of digital competences and the increase in school inclusion. Through an analysis of a series of empirical studies exploring the point of view of the paper, this paper highlights what progress has been made in the digital schooling in Italy and what are still its main limitations. The results of the study show both the limits of the effectiveness of educational policies constructed with a top-down approach and highlight the potential for policy recalibration offered by a reorganisation of the decision-making process through the active involvement of all the actors in the educational system. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-20 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060094 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Gabriel Gomes Moreira, Robério José Rogério dos Santos, Victor Diogho Heuer de Carvalho, Francisco José Peixoto Rosário, Agnaldo José dos Santos First page: 95 Abstract: Regional innovation systems (RISs) can stimulate knowledge sharing and collaboration, attracting investments and promoting economic and social progress. This is often linked to what is known as frugal innovation, involving small businesses developing and selling sustainable, low-cost products that meet local needs. This study aims to present and apply a model to measure regional innovation potential, using a multicriteria approach based on the principles of frugal innovation (FI). The analytical hierarchical process (AHP) was used to generate factor weights, enabling score calculation to provide insights into FI potential on a literature-based five-point scale. Data were collected in two stages: (i) from twelve main participants—working in a rural RIS—who responded to a questionnaire, and (ii) from cities through official government channels to collect information about their innovation development initiatives. The results reveal that the RIS analyzed still lacks assistance in the development of public policies to support the development of an innovative culture, indicating the need for appropriate mechanisms to boost innovation actions. The outputs of this study can help cities and regions to analyze their innovation potential, assist public managers in decision-making, support the creation of innovation-stimulating mechanisms, help RISs to address deficiencies, and promote local development. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-06-20 DOI: 10.3390/soc14060095 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 6 (2024)
Authors:Antonio Javier Lucas, Francisco Alonso, Mireia Faus, Arash Javadinejad First page: 56 Abstract: Traffic accidents represent a major problem worldwide. Public and private entities launch communication campaigns in order to educate the population about this problem. The aim of this study is to analyze the evolution of the presence of road safety in the Spanish media and its influence on the reduction of road accidents. A content analysis of six major Spanish newspapers between 2000 and 2008 (an important period in the reduction of the accident rate in Spain) was carried out in which the presence of news related to traffic accidents and the intensity of them were quantified using a set of criteria designed for this study. Furthermore, the correlation between the accident rates and the presence and intensity of news in the same time frame was measured. There has been an evident increase in the news related to traffic accidents during the analyzed period, both in terms of the presence of such news in general and in terms of intensity. The correlation analysis also shows a strong relationship between the increase in news presence and intensity and a sharp fall in accident rates in Spain. Although correlation analysis is not enough to establish a causal relationship between the variables studied here, the findings suggest that informative campaigns had a positive effect on encouraging pro-social behavior, were successful in disseminating related information, and, therefore, contributed significantly to lowering accident rates, although that was not the only reason. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-23 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050056 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Layla Van den Berg, Karel Neels First page: 57 Abstract: This study investigates the association between women’s relative employment positions and the transition to parenthood, focusing on women of Maghrebi, Turkish, and Southern European origin in Belgium. Whereas gender specialization is associated with higher chances of entering parenthood in the older literature, the economic preconditions to parenthood have shifted and more recent studies indicate that couples where both partners work are more likely to start a family. However, whereas this shift has been extensively studied among majority populations, we lack insight into whether similar patterns can also be found among population subgroups with a migration background. This paper uses Belgian census data from 2011–2015 to explore how women’s relative employment positions are linked to the likelihood of entering parenthood and whether this association varies by women’s age, generation, and origin of the male partner. The results indicate that couples in which both partners are employed are more likely to enter parenthood regardless of migration background. However, the results for women of Maghrebi or Turkish background suggest that single-earner couples and couples where both partners are unemployed delay entry into parenthood to a similar extent. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-26 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050057 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Gabriela Christmann, Ariane Sept, Ralph Richter First page: 58 Abstract: In many (remote) rural areas of Europe and the world, rural communities are facing various challenges. One response is residents leaving their communities. However, there are also many empirical examples of residents staying, launching project initiatives, developing new solutions and experimenting with new practices. This is what we call social innovation. What experiences do actors have in these processes' Can we speak of empowerment' To what extent can such initiatives have an impact on community development' In this article, we explore these questions, for which there is little related empirical research. By applying a multi-sited individualising comparison to case studies in three European countries (Germany, Ireland and Portugal), we obtain empirical evidence of the following dimensions of empowerment that Avelino et al. outline conceptually: the achievement of autonomy, competence and relatedness and also impact, meaning and resilience. Often, however, it is not the individual actors for whom such effects can be reported. Rather, the social initiative as such or the local administration has acquired new skills and autonomy. Regarding community development, ‘pathways to impact’, such as infrastructure improvements and/or the creation of new employment opportunities and/or the influx of new residents, could be identified. However, this development often depended on both opportunity and the cooperation and goodwill of many stakeholders. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-28 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050058 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Antonio Díaz-Lucena, Pablo Hidalgo-Cobo First page: 59 Abstract: This research aims to analyse the work of two international information verification agencies on TikTok—MediaWise and Politifact—according to their evolution, approach, content, and format. To this end, a quantitative approach has been used with an inductive content analysis with nominal variables, which offers specific nuances adapted to the unit of analysis. In a first phase, an empirical analysis was carried out, focusing on the measurement and quantification of the number of publications and interactions of the audience, from the time Fthey started operating on this platform until 31 December 2023. The total number of posts extracted was N > 704, which generated N > 4,166,387 user responses. In a second phase, an in-depth content analysis of all the posts published by these two agencies in four months (October and November 2021 and October and November 2023) was carried out, allowing us to analyse their evolution, but also to compare the two agencies in terms of approach, themes, and style. The most important findings show that both agencies adapt the style and narratives to this social network through the use of dynamic resources, a casual and informal tone, and elements of humour. In addition, both contribute to public reason through different strategies: MediaWise focuses on media literacy and Politifact on verification, using resources, effects and content in line with that purpose. Finally, we observe a downward evolution in terms of reach and impact on the audience, as well as a lower dynamism in 2023 than in 2021, which opens the door to future lines of explanatory research that delve deeper into possible causes. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-28 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050059 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Eleni Samsari, Nektaria Palaiologou, Georgios Nikolaou First page: 60 Abstract: Over the last two years, the prolonged massive school closure due to COVID-19 has provoked significant constraints for refugee children. The present study aimed to investigate the perceptions of Greek pre-service teachers on refugee education during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire was addressed to 32 native university students (n = 32) who attended Education Departments in Western Macedonia in Greece. The results showed that the prevalence of distance education affected pre-service teachers’ perceptions. The access to devices with internet capability as well as the cultural barriers was considered to be crucial factors for the school attendance of refugee children. Participants’ perceptions of the level of teacher preparation in a distance learning environment were related to their level of self-efficacy for supporting refugee students. The findings suggest that in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, the international community should make efforts to ensure the school attendance of all refugee students. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-30 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050060 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Zitong Cheng, Yukari Nagai First page: 61 Abstract: In recent years, the animation market in China has flourished, and many brands use animation as a popular promotional platform to showcase their products and brands through product placement, benefitting from this marketing approach. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate the impact of product placement on Generation Z consumers—the primary audience for animation. In this study, we used popular Chinese animation to investigate Generation Z consumers’ cognition, attitude, and purchase intention regarding product placement. The results show a significant correlation between brand cognition, attitude, and purchase intention. Low-profile brands achieve better product placement effects in animation than high-profile brands. This study also established a mathematical model of participants’ post-cognition, post-attitude, and post-purchase intention regarding product placement in animation through factor analysis. This mathematical model intuitively shows that the effect of product placement in animation is primarily determined by the audience’s post-attitude. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-02 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050061 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Zoe Trodd, Catherine Waite, James Goulding, Doreen S. Boyd First page: 62 Abstract: The new Domestic Workers Dataset is the largest single set of surveys (n = 11,759) of domestic workers to date. Our analysis of this dataset reveals features about the lives and work of this “hard-to-find” population in India—a country estimated to have the largest number of people living in forms of contemporary slavery (11 million). The data allow us to identify child labour, indicators of forced labour, and patterns of exploitation—including labour paid below the minimum wage—using bivariate analysis, factor analysis, and spatial analysis. The dataset also helps to advance our understanding of how to measure labour exploitation and modern slavery by showing the value of “found data” and participatory and citizen science approaches. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-03 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050062 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Michele Fabiani First page: 63 Abstract: The concept of active aging has become central to the public debate in many Western countries, given the increasing aging of the population and the future challenges associated with it. This phenomenon is tightly intertwined with choices regarding the retirement period, which can be postponed for different reasons by individuals in a society. The purpose of this paper is to understand the personal and family characteristics that influence future choices about retirement date in Italy. Utilizing data provided by the Bank of Italy in the Survey on Household Income and Wealth (SHIW), a logistic regression is performed to observe the impact of different covariates on the hypothesized retirement date of individuals close to retirement, i.e., over the age of 50 who are still in working status. The results show that the decision to delay retirement has increased in recent years, and is influenced by personal (e.g., matrimonial status), work, and economic factors. In addition, these factors have different impacts between males and females. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-06 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050063 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Carmen Peñafiel-Saiz, Lázaro Echegaray-Eizaguirre, Amaia Perez-de-Arriluzea-Madariaga First page: 64 Abstract: This work analyses the treatment of elements such as biases and their relationship with disinformation in international academic production. The first step in this process was to carry out a search for papers published in academic journals indexed in the main indexing platforms. This was followed by a bibliometric analysis involving an analysis of the production and impact of the selected publications, using social media techniques and a semantic content analysis based on abstracts. The data obtained from Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions, relating to health, biases, and fake news as well as post-truth, show how these works have multiplied in the last decade. The question relating to this research is as follows: How have cognitive biases been treated in national and international academic journals' This question is answered with respect to the scientific or research method. The results, which date from 2000 to 2024, show a considerable academic dedication to exploring the relationship between biases and health disinformation. In all these communities we have observed a relationship between production with the field of medicine as a general theme and social media. Furthermore, this connection is always tied to other subjects, such as an aversion to vaccines in Community 10; disinformation about COVID-19 on social media in Community 5; COVID-19 and conspiracy theories in Community 6; and content for the dissemination of health-related subjects on YouTube and the disinformation spread about them. The community analysis carried out shows a common factor in all the analysed communities—that of cognitive bias. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-08 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050064 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Abilio Almeida First page: 65 Abstract: In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in the study of emotions, demonstrating their importance in understanding diverse human and social dynamics. However, as this field of study develops and diversifies, a structural yet simple question remains virtually undiscussed: Is it really possible to say that societies possess emotions or a certain sensitivity akin to individual experiences' This exploratory study, based on documentary analysis, endeavours to identify and examine emotional patterns across six different periods, spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. Among the eight secondary findings, three fundamental conclusions stand out: (1) throughout history, societies have experienced different emotional atmospheres, sometimes simultaneously; (2) although societies generally propose an emotional model to follow, the reality does not always conform to it; and (3) it is mainly through the culture that society creates a certain emotional harmony, allowing the social body to remain cohesive and develop, thus postponing or preventing its disintegration. This study aims to offer a modest contribution to the complex and under-explored discussion on the correlation between specific emotional climates and particular social contexts. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-10 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050065 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Amparo López-Meri, Hugo Doménech-Fabregat, Silvia Marcos-García First page: 66 Abstract: The surge of disinformation in the digital sphere following the COVID-19 pandemic presents a considerable threat to democratic principles in contemporary societies. In response, multiple fact-checking platforms and citizen media literacy initiatives have been promoted. The fact checker has indeed become a new professional profile demanded by the sector. In this context, this research delves into the study of digital skills applied to information verification by journalism students. Adopting a comprehensive understanding of digital skills that extends beyond technical proficiency to encompass a shift in mindset, journalism students’ perceptions of their verification abilities are examined using a quantitative survey technique. This examination is based on an original list of competencies prepared specifically for this study. The results indicate that journalism students demonstrate awareness of the implications of disinformation, exhibiting scepticism towards content from unfamiliar sources or displaying clear signs of deceptive intent. Furthermore, they emphasise the importance of verification and fact-checking practices and express confidence in their proficiency in analysis, critical thinking, and social skills. However, their confidence in handling computer applications for verification and specialisation in data journalism is comparatively lower. Notably, significant gender disparities were observed in these areas, with women exhibiting greater confidence in social skills, collaborative work, and innovation, while men displayed a heightened proficiency in computer applications. Consequently, there is a need for improvements in teaching practices, which could potentially create new job opportunities for journalism students. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-11 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050066 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Rosa Scardigno, Carmela Sportelli, Paolo Giovanni Cicirelli, Angelica Lops, Francesca D’Errico First page: 67 Abstract: Online mothering is an arising and multifaceted phenomenon as the online world offers unique opportunities and risks in a particularly challenging period. The overall aim of this work is to investigate the features of the hashtag movement #itcouldbeme, which was born after a terrible news event concerning a newborn’s death, specifically concerning (a) the e-activation levels; (b) the emotional arousal; (c) the potential presence of deconstruction of stereotypes concerning intensive mothering. To investigate positioning, reactions, and emotions, a database of 394 online posts gathered from popular Italian social networks was created, manually codified, and analyzed through the chi-square test. The results enabled us to deepen the associations among these variables, thus revealing the opportunities for empowerment offered by the socio-cultural positioning, different emotional pathways, and adhesion to this online movement. Finally, implications for professionals and public health issues are discussed. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-13 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050067 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Ana Lendínez Turón, José Manuel Ortiz Marcos, Oswaldo Lorenzo Quiles, Fiorela Anaí Fernández-Otoya First page: 68 Abstract: The objective of this study was to propose a teacher training program based on the flipped classroom model with MOOCs to strengthen access to information and information literacy among primary education teachers in the Lambayeque region of Peru. The non-experimental design was assumed with a quantitative approach and a propositional, descriptive type. A diagnosis was made using a questionnaire given to 917 primary school teachers. It was discovered that nearly all of the items in the questionnaire revealed a deficiency in the ability to navigate, search, and filter information, data, and digital content; the highest percentages were at the Basic level, with the exception of the item expressing information needs in an organized manner, which was at the Advanced C2 level. The lowest percentage was at the Advanced C1 level, and the majority of the lower percentages were at the Advanced level. In addition, there are competency deficiencies in the evaluation of information, data, and digital content of nearly all the items: the highest percentages were at the Basic level, with the exception of the item involving the processing of information, data, and digital content, where 26.4% were at the Intermediate B1 level and just 2.8% managed to be at the highest level, which is Advanced C2. Furthermore, when it came to storage and retrieval of information, data, and digital content competency, all the high percentages were at the Basic level, and all the low percentages were at the highest level, that is, Advanced. These findings helped us to understand that teachers have only a basic knowledge of information literacy and information competency. As a result, it is necessary to advocate for a teacher training program based on the flipped classroom model with MOOCs. This idea was supported by the opinions of five experts, who stated that its implementation would enable primary teachers of Regular Basic Education in the region of Lambayeque (Peru) to develop their access to information and information literacy competency area. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-15 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050068 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Lois Bosatta, Mariana Crespi de Valldaura, Kevin Bales, Helen Spiby, Laoise Ni Bhriain First page: 69 Abstract: This article aims to illuminate the little-studied phenomenon of asylum-seeking child-bearing women in the UK, survivors of violence and human trafficking. This is a significant issue in terms of the proportion of women affected and the paucity of care and support currently available to them as mother survivors. This study looked to examine the frontline support services of one project to survivor mothers through two collaborating organisations, Happy Baby Community and Hestia, and how their services support mothers’ experiences of perinatal mental health, infant feeding, and the general experiences of migrant women and trafficking survivors in maternity care in the UK. Using evidence collected from semi-structured service-users’ interviews and focus groups, and an anonymous online staff survey, this article shows the types of care and support that are required to address not only the challenges faced by any new mother, but also the additional challenges experienced with trafficking and seeking asylum such as mental health, housing, and legal and access to other support. This article illustrates the many complex and inter-related challenges these women face, and the way the project meets practical, informational, emotional, appraisal, and social needs. It concludes by identifying several implications of the support provided and/or needed, which could be considered by other services or policymakers looking to meet the fundamental needs and rights of this cohort. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-16 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050069 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Carla Brailey, Brittany C. Slatton First page: 70 Abstract: The racial disparity in Black maternal healthcare outcomes in the U.S. reflects the devastating impact of systemic racism embedded within the healthcare system. This study addresses Black maternal health by centering Black women’s perspectives to illuminate how systemic barriers, racism, and unequal care manifest in their maternal health experiences. We conducted six focus group discussions with 27 Black women in Harris County, Texas, an area with an alarmingly high Black maternal mortality rate. The analysis revealed three main themes: (1) institutional barriers to equitable maternal care, (2) inequitable clinical care and provider–patient interactions, and (3) navigating experiences of everyday interpersonal racism. The women’s narratives provide insights into how systemic factors such as racism and unjust policies compromise the pursuit of optimal maternal care. By centering their situated knowledge, we can understand and develop solutions that emerge directly from the lived realities of this community. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050070 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Tove Mentsen Ness, Mai Camilla Munkejord First page: 71 Abstract: Various forms of colonisation and discrimination processes are unfortunately common to Indigenous Peoples worldwide. In this article, the focus is the lived consequences of colonisation in the Norwegian part of Sápmi (the Sámi traditional lands), where systematic state-imposed colonisation officially ended decades ago. Thus, based on a thematic analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews with 12 South Sámi aged 67–84, the aim was to examine how stories about hopes and worries for the future can shed light on how colonisation is experienced among older South Sámi today. The voices of these participants are important, as they can be considered triply muted, due to (a) ageism and (b) continued yet unconscious colonising practices against the Sámi in general and (c) against the South Sámi people in particular, a minority within the minority. Inspired by decolonising perspectives, this article reveals that older South Sámi are worried for the future, not only due to memories from the past but also their experiences with persisting colonial practices such as the ongoing enlargement of windmill parks and cabin areas in the midst of the winter pastures of the South Sámi reindeer herders. Hopefully, the time has come to finally put an end to colonial practices and take collective responsibility for creating a more just future for both coloniser and colonised. Similarly to the participants in this study, the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission also stresses issues such as loss of language, experience of racism, and reindeer husbandry being under pressure. This report may therefore be used as an important tool to ameliorate the conditions of the Sámi people if taken into consideration in the time to come. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050071 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco First page: 72 Abstract: This article addresses the concept of “typicality” in community products, proposing a performative interpretation of this category. It ethnographically demonstrates how identifying products as “typical” is a process that involves a community in constructing both the product and its meaning. To illustrate this, this study delves into the case of Torta Mattone from Bressana Bottarone (PV) and its history. It highlights how, over 50 years, this dessert has been created and recreated as a symbol of the community in response to the pressing needs it faced amidst socio-economic changes. In doing so, this paper details its micro-gastronomic history, illustrating how the Torta Mattone has become instrumental in maintaining the social and cultural cohesion of the Oltrepo Pavese area. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050072 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Vrindavani Avila, Jennifer Elyse James First page: 73 Abstract: Prisons in the United States serve as a site and embodiment of gendered and racialized state violence. The US incarcerates more people than any other nation in both numbers and per capita rates. Individuals incarcerated in women’s prisons are 10% of the total prison population, yet women’s prisons remain understudied, and the violence that occurs in women’s facilities is rampant, widespread, and operates in particular racialized and gendered ways. This paper centers the forced sterilizations that occurred in California state prisons over the last two decades. We consider how reproduction and the nuclear family have served as a primary site of racial capitalism and eugenic ideology. While eugenic policies were popularized and promoted across the US and globally in the 20th century, the violent ideas underlying eugenic ideology have been a constant presence throughout US history. The height of the eugenics era is marked by the forcible sterilization of institutionalized ‘deviant’ bodies. While discussions of eugenics often center these programs, the reach of eugenic policies extends far beyond surgical interventions. We utilize a reproductive justice lens to argue that the hierarchical, racialized social stratification necessary for the existence of prisons constructs and sustains the ‘deviant’ bodies and families that predicate eugenic logic, policies, and practices. In this conceptual paper, we draw from ongoing research to argue that prisons, as institutions and as a product of racial capitalism, perpetuate the ongoing violent legacy of eugenics and name abolition as a central component of the fight to end reproductive oppression. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-05-19 DOI: 10.3390/soc14050073 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 5 (2024)
Authors:Amaia Yurrebaso Macho, Raquel Guzmán-Ordaz, Eva Picado-Valverde, Álvaro Jáñez González First page: 48 Abstract: This study examines gender differences in levels of sexism among university students and evaluates variations in assessing sexist attitudes toward professors. The aim is to analyze potential disparities between men and women regarding ambivalent sexism (both hostile and benevolent) and to determine if these differences influence the evaluation of specific behaviors by teaching faculty. Additionally, the present study seeks to validate the variability hypothesis, asserting that men are over-represented in the extremes of distributions compared to women concerning analyzed sexist attitudes. Eighty university students participated voluntarily and anonymously, completing three questionnaires on ambivalent sexism, neosexism, and the assessment of sexist behaviors by their instructors. Consistent with prior research, the results reveal higher levels of sexism among men in this context. Despite these differences, both men and women align in evaluating specific behaviors in teaching faculty, irrespective of their individual levels of sexism. Finally, the data presented support the variability hypothesis, indicating greater variability in sexist attitudes among men than women. These findings suggest that general attitudes assessed in most questionnaires might not be representative of the behaviors and attitudes that people display in real specific situations. This could change how future research and interventions approach these issues. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-08 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040048 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
Authors:Beatriz Catalina García, María del Carmen García Galera, Mercedes Del Hoyo Hurtado First page: 49 Abstract: As disinformation has become a topic of conversation in the media in recent years, the theory of agenda setting is once again making its presence known. The aim of this research is to verify the degree of interest in disinformation by the media (mainstream press) and in academic writing (scientific communication journals) according to frequency and whether or not such disinformation can be observed in the field of science. The primary research has been carried out through quantitative content analysis of three Spanish newspapers (El País, Abc, El Mundo) and 32 Spanish scientific communication journals included in the SJR-SCImago Journal Rank database from the year 2000 to 2023. The results were 732 units of analysis. From those, it can be concluded that once again, the pandemic represents a before and after. Firstly, a general increase in disinformation has been observed, as well as a corresponding rise in false information in certain fields of science, especially that of health. Secondly, a gradual increase in public interest in disinformation has also been detected, which indicates that the issue is on the agenda of both the media and citizens. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-09 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040049 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
Authors:Barbara Barbieri, Marina Mondo, Silvia De Simone, Roberta Pinna, Maura Galletta, Jessica Pileri, Diego Bellini First page: 50 Abstract: In recent years, Italian Public Administrations (PAs) have swiftly adapted to flexible work arrangements due to the impact of COVID-19. The flexible work has led to addressing new challenges including the need to balance work demands with family commitments, a lack of social support, struggles with inadequate technology, and managing home interruptions that negatively affect home performance. Based on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, the present study aims at examining the negative impact of home interruptions on smart working performance and the moderating role of two potential job resources: organizational support and perceived quality of the smart working. A convenience sample of 301 Italian public employees engaged in smart working completed an online questionnaire. Multivariate regression analysis results showed that organizational support plays a moderating role in reducing the negative effect of interruptions on home performance. However, the findings did not support a moderating role for the perceived quality of smart working. Overall, these findings highlight the critical role of social factors in buffering the negative effects of smart working, as compared to the quality of the technological arrangements. This information could be valuable for organizations looking to enhance the effectiveness of smart working by focusing on organizational support. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-10 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040050 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
Authors:Karla Lorena Andrade-Rubio, José Moral-de-la-Rubia, Simón Pedro Izcara-Palacios First page: 51 Abstract: The concept of vulnerability to sex trafficking has been the subject of intense academic debate. It is well documented in the literature that child sex trafficking is facilitated by the abuse of a position of vulnerability, though limited research has focused on children’s order of birth as an element of vulnerability to sex trafficking. The objective of this article, based on a sample of 112 Central American women smuggled to the United States for the sex trade before they had attained the age of eighteen years, is to examine whether the order of birth constitutes an element of vulnerability to sex trafficking. Trafficked minors had vulnerabilities linked to structural-level and individual-level factors. We conclude that sisters occupying the first place in the order of birth are the most susceptible to being recruited by an international network that smuggles women for prostitution. On the contrary, the youngest and middle sisters are less at risk due to the protection and guidance of the other sisters. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-11 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040051 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
Authors:Anca-Livia Panfil, Simona C. Tamasan, Lucretia Marin-Bancila, Bianca Matei, Minas G. Musca, Claudia C. Vasilian, Alina Petrica, Diana Lungeanu First page: 52 Abstract: Health professionals are regarded as important sources of information and guidance for healthy living. Knowing health determinants and risks, and invested with credibility in society, many struggle with their own human limits to apply these principles. A cross-sectional study was conducted among advanced medical students to assess their attitude towards recreational cannabis consumption, intention to use it, and their opinion of its legal status. Secondary objectives were to explore the relation of these primary outcomes to: (a) potentially addictive habits (such as smoking and drinking); (b) individuals’ disturbances in self-organization (DSOs), defined in the ICD-11 as pervasive chronic effects of traumatic experiences or stressful events. An anonymous online questionnaire active in November 2022 collected data from 171 medical students, of which almost 56% were in favor of recreational cannabis legalization. In a logistic regression analysis, each additional point of own consumption intention (on a scale from 1 to 5) was found to increase the odds of a positive opinion of legalization by three times, when controlling for gender, age, smoking, drinking, onset age of smoking, and DSO: OR = 2.918, 95%CI (1.893–4.497). In conclusion, health professionals’ personal beliefs and practices regarding substance use have a significant subjective component. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-11 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040052 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
Authors:Stefan Denda, Marko D. Petrović, Zlata Vuksanović-Macura, Milan M. Radovanović, Edna Ely-Ledesma First page: 53 Abstract: Local markets have been a special setting throughout human history. Apart from their important social role, they had immeasurable economic importance as primary forms of exchange of goods (trade). Nonetheless, they experienced numerous transformational changes that affected their functioning. Like other countries, Serbia has a long tradition of market activity. However, several novelties have been introduced in recent years. Among many, the process of e-fiscalization is the main issue. Therefore, the focus of our research is based on a qualitative analysis of online media content (news and comments) related to the fiscalization of market activity. The attitudes of different categories of participants (state authorities, vendors, and customers) were analyzed. LIGRE open-access software was used for this purpose. The results of the analysis showed conflicting parties. Legislators emphasize the exclusive positive effects, while vendors point to the negative side of fiscalization. As a third party, customers (service users) have an undefined attitude in relation to fiscalization (pros/cons/neutral). There is an agreement to introduce market activity into legal flows. However, the key prerequisite is the prior resolution of a number of problems (working conditions, business costs, market monopoly, etc.). Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040053 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
Authors:Ranajit Ghosh, Prolay Mondal First page: 54 Abstract: Poverty, particularly in developing regions, is a complex, multifaceted issue deeply embedded in various interrelated factors. It extends beyond mere financial insufficiency, encompassing limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and overall living standards. This study examines both the unidimensional and multidimensional aspects of rural poverty in Suri Sadar Sub-Division, located in Eastern India. For the unidimensional aspect, this study employs the poverty headcount ratio and the Poverty Gap Index to gauge the incidence and intensity of poverty. In contrast, the multidimensional approach utilized three dimensions and 12 indicators to assess the incidence, severity, and multidimensional poverty index utilizing the Alkire–Foster (AF) methodology. The unidimensional analysis, focusing on income and consumption, highlights significant economic disparities, particularly in the western Community Development Blocks, namely, Khoyrasole, Md. Bazar, and Rajnagar. The highest levels of multidimensional poverty are generally consistent with the unidimensional findings, particularly in the western blocks. These results underscore the need for comprehensive poverty reduction strategies that address both economic and broader aspects of poverty. In areas like the western blocks, where both income-based and multidimensional poverty rates are high, strategies should integrate economic development, improved healthcare access, enhanced educational quality, and living standards improvement. Therefore, this study serves not only as an academic endeavor but also as a vital tool for informed policymaking in poverty alleviation, providing planners, administrative officials, and researchers with essential insights to develop effective, localized, and sustainable poverty reduction strategies. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-17 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040054 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
Authors:Eleni Samsari, Nektaria Palaiologou, Georgios Nikolaou First page: 55 Abstract: The aim of the present study is to capture the teachers’ reflections and lived experiences on the inclusion of culturally diverse students in Greek school settings. Through a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, teachers share their personal accounts and stories about their efforts, initiatives, and moves towards more inclusive schooling, as well as the barriers they face in the school environment. Five (n = 5) primary school teachers were recruited purposefully because of their work experience with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in mainstream, integration or reception classes. Narrative-discursive analysis unravels the effectiveness of inclusive practice in Greece for culturally diverse students according to specific aspects of inclusive pedagogy such as progressive education, transformative learning, innovative practices, and strategies, as well as school–family partnership. Teachers’ experiences revealed their complex work to handle the increasing diversity in schools and to respond to all students’ needs in a context of slow but steady measures towards inclusion. Citation: Societies PubDate: 2024-04-21 DOI: 10.3390/soc14040055 Issue No:Vol. 14, No. 4 (2024)
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