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Societies
Volume 14
Issue 9
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Societies, Volume 14, Issue 9 (September 2024) – 36 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): In the current complex educational context, social skills emerge as crucial competencies for the comprehensive development of primary school students. These skills encompass a variety of behaviors necessary to interact effectively in individual and group settings. Learning to communicate feelings, resolve conflicts, cooperate, and actively listen not only favors interpersonal relationships but also directly impacts children’s emotional well-being and social adaptation. In an increasingly diverse society, it is vital to explore how different sociocultural and religious contexts influence the acquisition of these competencies. This article proposes to investigate the relationship between culture, religion, and social skills, highlighting the importance of fostering these skills from an early age to prepare students for a future enriched by social interaction and collaborative learning. View this paper
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25 pages, 5909 KiB  
Article
The Role of Networked Narratives in Amplifying or Mitigating Intergroup Prejudice: A YouTube Case Study
by Daum Kim and Jiro Kokuryo
Societies 2024, 14(9), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090192 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 664
Abstract
This purpose of this research is to understand the role of networked narratives in social media in modulating viewer prejudice toward ethnic neighborhoods. We designed experimental videos on YouTube based on intergroup contact theory and narrative frameworks aimed at (1) gaining knowledge, (2) [...] Read more.
This purpose of this research is to understand the role of networked narratives in social media in modulating viewer prejudice toward ethnic neighborhoods. We designed experimental videos on YouTube based on intergroup contact theory and narrative frameworks aimed at (1) gaining knowledge, (2) reducing anxiety, and (3) fostering empathy. Despite consistent storytelling across the videos, we observed significant variations in viewer emotions, especially in replies to comments. We hypothesized that these discrepancies could be explained by the influence of the surrounding digital network on the narrative’s reception. Two-stage research was conducted to understand this phenomenon. First, automated emotion analysis on user comments was conducted to identify the varying emotions. Then, we explored contextual factors surrounding each video on YouTube, focusing on algorithmic curation inferred from traffic sources, region, and search keywords. Findings revealed that negative algorithmic curation and user interactivity result in overall negative viewer emotion, largely driven by video placement and recommendations. However, videos with higher traffic originating from viewers who had watched the storyteller’s other videos result in more positive sentiments and longer visits. This suggests that consistent exposure within the channel can foster more positive acceptance of cultural outgroups by building trust and reducing anxiety. There is the need, then, for storytellers to curate discussions to mitigate prejudice in digital contexts. Full article
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17 pages, 713 KiB  
Systematic Review
Which Dimensions Are Related to Populist Attitudes: An Educational View Based on a Systematic Literature Review
by Ricardo Soares, Carla Malafaia and Pedro D. Ferreira
Societies 2024, 14(9), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090191 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 770
Abstract
In the last decade, we have witnessed increasing knowledge production on populism at the level of individuals. However, the systematization of these studies’ conclusions is still scarce. There is also little research on the relationship between populism and education. Based on a systematic [...] Read more.
In the last decade, we have witnessed increasing knowledge production on populism at the level of individuals. However, the systematization of these studies’ conclusions is still scarce. There is also little research on the relationship between populism and education. Based on a systematic literature review, this article contributes to this by first focusing on what studies have revealed about the relationship between populist attitudes and socioeconomic, political, emotional characteristics and media-related preferences. Based on predefined criteria and a double-screening process, our literature search led to the selection of 68 studies focused on populist attitudes. The analysis of these articles enables us to understand that populist attitudes (i) are influenced by socioeconomic characteristics; (ii) have a nuanced relationship with politics; (iii) are driven by emotional dimensions; and (iv) are associated with diverse views about the media and media consumption preferences. We discuss the main findings of this systematic literature review and point out possible educational responses to individual populist standpoints according to their various causes, particularly in terms of the role of political and media education. Full article
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14 pages, 223 KiB  
Article
Educational Poverty and Deprivation: Attitudes and the Role of Teachers during the Pandemic
by Maddalena Colombo, Diego Mesa, Gianluca Battilocchi and Gianluca Truscello
Societies 2024, 14(9), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090190 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 727
Abstract
Educational poverty is widespread in compulsory education in terms of poor learning and socio-cultural disadvantages; it affects students with disabilities, students with learning difficulties, and those with an immigrant background. During the pandemic crisis, students with special educational needs (SENs) mostly suffered the [...] Read more.
Educational poverty is widespread in compulsory education in terms of poor learning and socio-cultural disadvantages; it affects students with disabilities, students with learning difficulties, and those with an immigrant background. During the pandemic crisis, students with special educational needs (SENs) mostly suffered the risk of an additional deprivation. Within an advanced inclusive model during school closure, the Italian State guaranteed access to schools only to students with disabilities. What effects did this “equalizing” measure produce? What kinds of attitudes have teachers adopted and what roles have they played (active vs. passive) in order to make it sustainable? What was their acknowledgement of the educational poverty and deprivation? To what extent were their attitudes differentiated? This article explores the roles and attitudes of teachers during periods of lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. We assume that the teachers’ attitudes were differentiated on the basis of five cultural dimensions (auto/hetero-referencing; vision of remote teaching; relationship with bureaucracy, relationships with students; teaching as performance or relation), and two functions (classroom teachers/ SENs teachers). The study is based on 42 semi-structured interviews conducted with teachers, principals, and parents in six lower secondary public schools with high rates of SENs students and multi-ethnicity (Northern Italy), and focused on the organisational, teaching, and relational aspects. Results seem to confirm that not all teachers agreed with the Ministry line and adopted a range of responses to the challenge of maintaining inclusivity, from the inert/impatient to the creative/active ones. Their attitudes changed during the post-pandemic period from atomistic to more collaborative, and their preoccupation with the fragile “uncertified students” increased. The article closes with recommendations on teacher training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Diversity Competence and Social Inequalities)
18 pages, 466 KiB  
Article
Affirmative Action for Black, Indigenous and Quilombola Students at a Brazilian University
by Armando Loureiro, Carina Carvalho and Marta de Oliveira Rodrigues
Societies 2024, 14(9), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090189 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Multiculturalism and cultural diversity permeate various sectors of society, including higher education. The educational policies implemented in this sphere appear to promote social and educational equality. The aim of this study was to examine this subject by analysing the affirmative action policy implemented [...] Read more.
Multiculturalism and cultural diversity permeate various sectors of society, including higher education. The educational policies implemented in this sphere appear to promote social and educational equality. The aim of this study was to examine this subject by analysing the affirmative action policy implemented in a Brazilian university. It sought to understand whether this policy has contributed to the access and completion of undergraduate programmes of black and mixed-race, indigenous and quilombola students. The analysis was conducted based on data relating to the access and dropout of students who enrolled in the university through the quota and reservation systems. Data were collected from university administrative datasets and a questionnaire administered to undergraduate course coordinators and students who had benefited from the policy in question and dropped out of university. The findings reveal, on the one hand, an increase in the intake of black and mixed-race, indigenous and quilombola students. On the other hand, a high dropout rate was observed among these students, which may raise the possibility that the policy in question is not completely successful. Full article
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19 pages, 299 KiB  
Concept Paper
The Personalist Leadership Style of Fabio Vásquez: A Case Study on the Origins of the ELN
by Juan Carlos Sánchez Sierra and Alfonso R. Vergaray
Societies 2024, 14(9), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090188 - 19 Sep 2024
Viewed by 423
Abstract
This article examines the personalist leadership style of Fabio Vásquez, a founding member of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), the Colombian guerrilla group. Personalism, as a theoretical framework for understanding Latin American leaders, has primarily focused on traditional political practices, emphasizing the [...] Read more.
This article examines the personalist leadership style of Fabio Vásquez, a founding member of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), the Colombian guerrilla group. Personalism, as a theoretical framework for understanding Latin American leaders, has primarily focused on traditional political practices, emphasizing the tensions and conflicts among formal institutions, political parties, and personalist politicians. While these studies provide valuable insights, they overlook leaders who operate outside conventional political structures who also rely on personalist strategies to attract and retain followers. This article seeks to bridge this gap by presenting a case study of Vásquez’s leadership style. In an era marked by the resurgence of populism and renewed interest in the effects of personalism on conventional politics, this article argues that examining personalist leadership within revolutionary insurgent groups that reject conventional party politics is necessary for a thorough understanding of the phenomenon. In particular, it offers a comprehensive overview of how Vásquez’s personalist strategies shaped the ELN’s early insurgency, ultimately revealing the strengths and vulnerabilities of such leadership within revolutionary movements. Full article
22 pages, 1277 KiB  
Review
Antimicrobial Resistance: The Impact from and on Society According to One Health Approach
by Maria Pia Ferraz
Societies 2024, 14(9), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090187 - 17 Sep 2024
Viewed by 614
Abstract
Antibiotics are drugs that target and destroy bacteria, and they are hailed as one of the most amazing medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. They have completely changed how we treat infections and have saved countless lives. But their usefulness is not limited [...] Read more.
Antibiotics are drugs that target and destroy bacteria, and they are hailed as one of the most amazing medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. They have completely changed how we treat infections and have saved countless lives. But their usefulness is not limited to just medicine; they have also been used for many years in sectors like farming to prevent infections in animals, especially in less wealthy countries. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites to resist the effects of antimicrobial agents, like antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, that were once effective in treating infections caused by these organisms. AMR presents an intricate challenge that endangers the health of both humans and animals, as well as the global economy, and the security of nations and the world at large. Because resistant bacteria are swiftly appearing and spreading among humans, animals, and the environment worldwide, AMR is acknowledged as a challenge within the framework of One Health. The One Health approach involves cooperation among various fields to attain the best possible health outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. AMR is not merely a scientific or medical issue; it is a societal challenge that demands collective action and awareness. In the intricate tapestry of society, every thread contributes to the fabric of AMR, and every individual holds a stake in its resolution. Full article
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24 pages, 706 KiB  
Review
Cross-Disciplinary Rapid Scoping Review of Structural Racial and Caste Discrimination Associated with Population Health Disparities in the 21st Century
by Drona P. Rasali, Brendan M. Woodruff, Fatima A. Alzyoud, Daniel Kiel, Katharine T. Schaffzin, William D. Osei, Chandra L. Ford and Shanthi Johnson
Societies 2024, 14(9), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090186 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 952
Abstract
A cross-disciplinary rapid scoping review was carried out, generally following the PRISMA-SCR protocol to examine historical racial and caste-based discrimination as structural determinants of health disparities in the 21st century. We selected 48 peer-reviewed full-text articles available from the University of Memphis Libraries [...] Read more.
A cross-disciplinary rapid scoping review was carried out, generally following the PRISMA-SCR protocol to examine historical racial and caste-based discrimination as structural determinants of health disparities in the 21st century. We selected 48 peer-reviewed full-text articles available from the University of Memphis Libraries database search, focusing on three selected case-study countries: the United States (US), Canada, and Nepal. The authors read each article, extracted highlights, and tabulated the thematic contents on structural health disparities attributed to racism or casteism. The results link historical racism/casteism to health disparities occurring in Black and African American, Native American, and other ethnic groups in the US; in Indigenous peoples and other visible minorities in Canada; and in the Dalits of Nepal, a population racialized by caste, grounded on at least four foundational theories explaining structural determinants of health disparities. The evidence from the literature indicates that genetic variations and biological differences (e.g., disease prevalence) occur within and between races/castes for various reasons (e.g., random gene mutations, geographic isolation, and endogamy). However, historical races/castes as socio-cultural constructs have no inherently exclusive basis of biological differences. Disregarding genetic discrimination based on pseudo-scientific theories, genetic testing is a valuable scientific means to achieve the better health of the populations. Epigenetic changes (e.g., weathering—the early aging of racialized women) due to the DNA methylation of genes among racialized populations are markers of intergenerational trauma due to racial/caste discrimination. Likewise, chronic stresses resulting from intergenerational racial/caste discrimination cause an “allostatic load”, characterized by an imbalance of neuronal and hormonal dysfunction, leading to occurrences of chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and mental health) at disproportionate rates among racialized populations. Major areas identified for reparative policy changes and interventions for eliminating the health impacts of racism/casteism include areas of issues on health disparity research, organizational structures, programs and processes, racial justice in population health, cultural trauma, equitable healthcare system, and genetic discrimination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Diversity Competence and Social Inequalities)
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14 pages, 266 KiB  
Article
Syndemic Connections: Overdose Death Crisis, Gender-Based Violence and COVID-19
by Ana M. Ning
Societies 2024, 14(9), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090185 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 565
Abstract
This article will use syndemic theory to identify and analyze overlapping health and social conditions, focusing specifically on how gender-based violence is systemically interconnected with contemporary public health issues. The overdose death crisis that continues to afflict Canadian populations is not an isolated [...] Read more.
This article will use syndemic theory to identify and analyze overlapping health and social conditions, focusing specifically on how gender-based violence is systemically interconnected with contemporary public health issues. The overdose death crisis that continues to afflict Canadian populations is not an isolated health issue. Across Canada, it is intertwined with mental health, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and structural violence—the chronic and systemic disadvantages affecting those living in poverty and oppressive circumstances. Opioid use is an often-avoidant coping strategy for many experiencing the effects of trauma, relentless fear, pain, ill health and social exclusion. In particular, Indigenous and non-Indigenous women’s experiences with opioid addiction are entangled with encounters with gender based-violence, poverty and chronic ailments within structurally imposed processes and stressors shaped by a history of colonialism, ruptured lifeways and Western ways of knowing and doing, leading to disproportionate harms and occurrences of illness. While biomedical models of comorbidity and mortality approach substance misuse, gender-based violence and major infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 as distinct yet compounding realities, this article argues that these conditions are synergistically interrelated via the critical/reflexive lens of syndemic frameworks. Through secondary research using academic, media and policy sources from the past decade in Canada, complemented by prior ethnographic research, the synergistic connections among opioid addiction, gender-based violence and the effects of the COVID pandemic on diverse women will be shown to be driven by socio-structural determinants of health including poverty, intergenerational trauma, the legacy of colonialism and Western optics. Together, they embody a contemporary Canadian syndemic necessitating coordinated responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Social Politics of Gender-Based Violence: A Critical Canadian Health Perspective, 2024)
15 pages, 306 KiB  
Article
Everyday Life Infrastructure Impact on Subjective Well-Being in the European Union: A Gender Perspective
by Gloria Alarcón-García, Edgardo Arturo Ayala Gaytán, José Manuel Mayor Balsas and Claudia María Quintanilla Domínguez
Societies 2024, 14(9), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090184 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 528
Abstract
This paper processes the 2015 Benefits of Gender Equality through Infrastructure Provision (BGEIP) Survey, a representative survey for the EU-28, to estimating the impact of everyday life infrastructure access on subjective well-being (SWB) from a gender perspective in Europe. Our estimations prove that [...] Read more.
This paper processes the 2015 Benefits of Gender Equality through Infrastructure Provision (BGEIP) Survey, a representative survey for the EU-28, to estimating the impact of everyday life infrastructure access on subjective well-being (SWB) from a gender perspective in Europe. Our estimations prove that accessing everyday life infrastructure in Europe indeed increases SWB, but it contributes to increasing more the SWB of women than that of men. Women’s well-being is positively affected for all kinds of everyday life infrastructures, but the differences with respect to men are larger for the Nursery category for children up to 3 years and for the Centers category for people with long term disabilities. In contrast, men’s well-being is only sensitive to the Health infrastructure and to the Gym and Workout places. Clearly, targeting infrastructure investment helping women in caring children, and other dependents in the family constitute an excellent vehicle for increasing women’s SWB and reducing gender inequality in Europe. Full article
19 pages, 311 KiB  
Concept Paper
Translating Values into Quality: How We Can Use Max Weber’s Ethic of Responsibility to Rethink Professional Ethics
by Harald A. Mieg
Societies 2024, 14(9), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090183 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 472
Abstract
A risk-based reinterpretation of Weber’s ethic of responsibility can resolve core problems of professional ethics (the role of values, the multilevel problem, etc.) and address current issues—such as the social responsibility of professions or the accountability of professionals. From this perspective, professions as [...] Read more.
A risk-based reinterpretation of Weber’s ethic of responsibility can resolve core problems of professional ethics (the role of values, the multilevel problem, etc.) and address current issues—such as the social responsibility of professions or the accountability of professionals. From this perspective, professions as organizations and professionals as their individual members share and distribute responsibility (and risk) in that the primary responsibility of a profession is to provide domain-specific quality standards, while that of individual professionals is to be able to justify service against those standards on a case-by-case basis. In this way, as argued in the paper, professionalism translates (sometimes conflicting) values into a case-specific quality. Full article
16 pages, 607 KiB  
Article
Impact of a Health Promotion Program on Knowledge, Physical Health, Mental Health, and Social Health Behaviors in Individuals at Risk for Colorectal Cancer
by Surachet Fakkiew, Supat Teravecharoenchai, Panit Khemtong and Wanich Suksatan
Societies 2024, 14(9), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090182 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 606
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Thailand. While numerous studies advocate for regular screenings and health promotion programs to mitigate CRC risk, there is a notable lack of tailored health promotion models specifically [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Thailand. While numerous studies advocate for regular screenings and health promotion programs to mitigate CRC risk, there is a notable lack of tailored health promotion models specifically designed for high-risk groups in Thailand. This research aims to develop a health promotion model to prevent CRC in high-risk groups through a quasi-experimental design. The study involved 68 Thai participants aged 40–70 years, divided equally into experimental and comparison groups. Independent-Samples t-test, Paired-Samples t-test, and one-way variance test (F-test) were employed to analyze the data. The comparison of baseline average scores for physical health, mental health, social health, and knowledge on health-promoting behaviors between the experimental and comparison groups revealed no significant differences. However, following the experiment, the average scores in physical health (t = −2.81, p = 0.01) and mental health (t = −10.30, p < 0.001) were significantly higher compared to pre-experiment levels, with the exception of social health (t = 0.07, p = 0.94). Furthermore, the average knowledge scores related to promoting physical, mental, and social health in the experimental group also showed a significant increase after the experiment (t = −4.53, p < 0.001). The findings suggest that health personnel should advocate for annual CRC screening and the implementation of health promotion programs, especially focusing on physical, mental, and social aspects for at-risk populations. This study underscores the need for long-term health promotion models to achieve continuous and sustainable health improvements in these groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Lifestyle: The Relevance of Health Promotion for Society)
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19 pages, 588 KiB  
Article
Kinnecting Caregivers to Services, Resources, and Supports: Findings from an RCT of Colorado’s Kinship Navigator Program
by Greg Forehand, Marc Winokur, Lauren Alessi, Sunil Butler and Jeannie Berzinskas
Societies 2024, 14(9), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090181 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 524
Abstract
This study reflects the evidence-building journey for the Colorado Kinnected kinship navigator program. Colorado Kinnected expands the scope of services, resources, and supports offered to kinship families through an innovative approach that enhances an earlier Kinship Supports Demonstration Project. The Colorado Kinnected target [...] Read more.
This study reflects the evidence-building journey for the Colorado Kinnected kinship navigator program. Colorado Kinnected expands the scope of services, resources, and supports offered to kinship families through an innovative approach that enhances an earlier Kinship Supports Demonstration Project. The Colorado Kinnected target population includes kinship caregivers caring for children and youth of any age with an open child welfare case. The primary purpose of the program is to reduce child welfare involvement by limiting traditional foster care and congregate care use when out-of-home placements are required. A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June to November 2020 to examine the impact of the Colorado Kinnected kinship navigator program on the kinship placement outcomes of 402 children and youth with an open child welfare case in seven Colorado counties. The initial study found that children and youth placed with kinship caregivers who received Colorado Kinnected services were significantly more likely to reunify with their parents after their kinship placements ended than were children and youth who received kinship supports as usual. The sustained effects study featured additional analyses of traditional foster and congregate care entry rates within six months of kinship placement for the same sample of children and youth. Children and youth in the intervention group were significantly less likely than children and youth in the control group to enter foster care or congregate care within six months after the end of their kinship placements. Overall, both analyses indicate that the Colorado Kinnected program promotes sustained permanency among children and youth in formal kinship placements. Data equity analyses to explore the contextual sensitivity of the intervention are detailed, and implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building the Evidence Base for Innovative and Contextually Sensitive Programs to Prevent and Treat Child Abuse and Neglect and Reduce Child Welfare Involvement)
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17 pages, 1068 KiB  
Article
Brace for Impact: Facing the AI Revolution and Geopolitical Shifts in a Future Societal Scenario for 2025–2040
by Michael Gerlich
Societies 2024, 14(9), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090180 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1320
Abstract
This study investigates the profound and multifaceted impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geopolitical developments on global dynamics by 2040. Utilising a Delphi process coupled with probabilistic modelling, the research constructs detailed scenarios that reveal the cascading effects of these emerging forces across [...] Read more.
This study investigates the profound and multifaceted impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geopolitical developments on global dynamics by 2040. Utilising a Delphi process coupled with probabilistic modelling, the research constructs detailed scenarios that reveal the cascading effects of these emerging forces across economic, societal, and security domains. The findings underscore the transformative potential of AI, predicting significant shifts in employment patterns, regulatory challenges, and societal structures. Specifically, the study forecasts a high probability of AI-induced unemployment reaching 40–50%, alongside the rapid evolution of AI technologies, outpacing existing governance frameworks, which could exacerbate economic inequalities and societal fragmentation. Simultaneously, the study examines the critical role of geopolitical developments, identifying increased nationalisation, the expansion of conflicts such as the Russia–Ukraine war, and the strategic manoeuvres of major powers like China and Israel as key factors that will shape the future global landscape. The research highlights a worrying lack of preparedness among governments and societies, with a 10% probability of their being equipped to manage the complex risks posed by these developments. This low level of readiness is further complicated by the short-term orientation prevalent in Western businesses, which prioritise immediate returns over long-term strategic planning, thereby undermining the capacity to respond effectively to these global challenges. The study calls for urgent, forward-looking policies and international cooperation to address the risks and opportunities associated with AI and geopolitical shifts. It emphasises the need for proactive governance, cross-sector collaboration, and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure that the benefits of technological and geopolitical advancements are harnessed without compromising global stability or societal well-being. As the world stands on the brink of unprecedented change, the findings of this study provide a crucial roadmap for navigating the uncertainties of the future. Full article
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25 pages, 805 KiB  
Article
Comparison of the Living Conditions of the Immigrant Population in Major European Countries
by Roberto Robutti
Societies 2024, 14(9), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090179 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 842
Abstract
Specific aspects and territorial characteristics of migration have been extensively studied, while the primary living conditions of foreigners have been less compared in-depth. Using data from the Labor Force Surveys and EU-Silc for the year 2019, relating to six key aspects of daily [...] Read more.
Specific aspects and territorial characteristics of migration have been extensively studied, while the primary living conditions of foreigners have been less compared in-depth. Using data from the Labor Force Surveys and EU-Silc for the year 2019, relating to six key aspects of daily life, in this study, foreign-born people living in the five main European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and the European Union were compared for the frequency of costs (e.g., for welfare services) and benefits (e.g., for employment) for the host society. Subsequently, the comparison of them, made by juxtaposing natives and non-natives, allowed for a definition of the level of primary integration (distance of immigrants from natives on the same aspects). The results show that the degree of congruence between the frequency of costs and that of benefits in the immigrant population is strongly influenced by the economic situation, favorable for Germany and the United Kingdom in 2019, with a lower recurrence of hardship cases among immigrants, but high wealth did not automatically reduce their differences. Instead, a small gap between immigrants and natives may also be due to the progressive impoverishment of the latter (Italian case). Therefore, especially in periods of economic stagnation, the different impact of it and of welfare measures on the immigrant population compared to natives requires the analysis of their actual living conditions, as the traditionally used economic aggregates (especially GDP) do not reveal the disparities in the distribution of resources between the various social and ethnic groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Society and Immigration: Reducing Inequalities)
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14 pages, 230 KiB  
Article
Cross-State Validation of a Tool Supporting Implementation of Rural Kinship Navigator Programs
by Brianna Routh, Christine McKibbin, David Wihry, Jennifer A. Crittenden, Ayomide Foluso and Jennifer Jain
Societies 2024, 14(9), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090178 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 620
Abstract
While kinship care is prevalent and preferred over out-of-family care, there are relatively few measurement tools validated for use with this audience. The Title IV-E Clearinghouse, used to rate Families First Prevention Services such as Kinship Navigator Programs, requires valid tools. Such families [...] Read more.
While kinship care is prevalent and preferred over out-of-family care, there are relatively few measurement tools validated for use with this audience. The Title IV-E Clearinghouse, used to rate Families First Prevention Services such as Kinship Navigator Programs, requires valid tools. Such families face a myriad of needs in supporting children in their care. Previous research has established the significant challenges faced by rural families. Accurate assessment of these needs, particularly for rural families, is an essential component of kinship navigation services. In this study, we examined the face validity of the Family Needs Scale for use with kinship caregivers in rural programs. Methods: The evaluation teams with each respective kinship program conducted four virtual focus groups comprising kinship caregivers (n = 18) in three rural states. Participants were recruited from outside an ongoing Kinship Navigator Program Evaluation sample but had previously received program support as kinship caregivers. All states received IRB approval from their respective universities. Verbal consent was obtained at the time of the focus group. Focus groups lasted approximately 60–90 min and participants received a gift card incentive. Data were transcribed and qualitatively coded by question set and individual questions to identify phenomenological trends. Findings: Across four focus groups, we found four themes: (1) Broad agreement regarding the face validity of most assessment items; (2) Lack of clarity and shared understanding of several terms used within the tool, (3) Responses change with Ages and Stages of kinship family, and (4) Perspective considerations varying when completing the assessment. Discussion: Findings indicate that most assessment items had strong face validity, where there are a few opportunities to clarify key concepts relevant to rural kinship families and assess additional needs to understand the situational scope of the kinship experience. Overall, the needs assessment tool appears to have validity in assessing current kinship needs and outcomes within Kinship Navigator program evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building the Evidence Base for Innovative and Contextually Sensitive Programs to Prevent and Treat Child Abuse and Neglect and Reduce Child Welfare Involvement)
23 pages, 860 KiB  
Article
Social Identity and Voting Behavior in a Deeply Divided Society: The Case of Israel
by Rami Zeedan
Societies 2024, 14(9), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090177 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 655
Abstract
This paper examines what best explains political behavior in a deeply divided society. Despite the democratic nature of the Israeli political system, we suggest that Israel’s society is characterized by social affiliations mainly defined by social identity that include race, ethnicity, and religion [...] Read more.
This paper examines what best explains political behavior in a deeply divided society. Despite the democratic nature of the Israeli political system, we suggest that Israel’s society is characterized by social affiliations mainly defined by social identity that include race, ethnicity, and religion and amount to tribalism. Based on the results of the 2020 election, we examined whether these social affiliations or other socioeconomic characteristics better explain voting behavior. First, we found a significant correlation between tribalism and voting behavior in Israel and socioeconomic characteristics and voting behavior in Israel. When comparing tribalism’s correlation versus other socioeconomic characteristics, we found that the correlation between tribalism and voting behavior in Israel trumps the correlation between socioeconomic characteristics and voting behavior in Israel, except for the Ashkenazi Jews. In other words, voting behavior is better explained by affiliation to the social group, that is, by kinship, race, ethnicity, and religion, than by other socioeconomic characteristics such as education level, economic status, or geographic location. This extends the idea of “in-group favoritism”. Full article
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77 pages, 914 KiB  
Review
Intersectionality of Disabled People through a Disability Studies, Ability-Based Studies, and Intersectional Pedagogy Lens: A Survey and a Scoping Review
by Gregor Wolbring and Laiba Nasir
Societies 2024, 14(9), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090176 - 7 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1053
Abstract
Disabled people face many social problems in their lives, as outlined by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These problems often increase when disabled people also belong to another marginalized identity. The first aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
Disabled people face many social problems in their lives, as outlined by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These problems often increase when disabled people also belong to another marginalized identity. The first aim of this study was to report on the extent and what intersectionalities are mentioned in academic abstracts in conjunction with disabled people. Various intersectional concepts are used to discuss intersectionality-related issues. The second aim was to ascertain the use of intersectionality-based concepts to discuss the intersectionality of disabled people. The field of intersectional pedagogy emerged to discuss the teaching of intersectionality linked to various marginalized identities. The third aim was to ascertain the coverage of how to teach about the intersectionality of disabled people in the intersectional pedagogy-focused academic literature we covered. Ability judgments are a general cultural reality. Many ability judgment-based concepts have been developed within the disability rights movement, disability studies, and ability-based studies that could be used to discuss the impact of ability judgments on the intersectionality of disabled people and enrich the area of intersectional pedagogy. The fourth aim was to ascertain the use of ability judgment-based concepts to analyze the intersectionality of disabled people. To obtain data for the four aims, we performed a manifest coding and qualitative content analysis of abstracts obtained from SCOPUS, the 70 databases of EBSCO-HOST and Web of Science, and an online survey in which we ascertained the views of undergraduate students on social groups experiencing negative ability-based judgments. As to the 34,830 abstracts that contained the term “intersectionality”; the 259,501 abstracts that contained the phrase “intersection of”; and the 11,653 abstracts that contained the 35 intersectionality-based concepts, the numbers for these abstracts that also contained the disability terms we used for our analysis were 753, 2058, and 274 abstracts, respectively, so 2.16%, 0.79%, and 2.35%, indicating a low academic engagement with the intersectionality of disabled people. We found many different intersectionalities mentioned in conjunction with disabled people, but most were mentioned only once or twice, with the main ones mentioned being race and gender. The literature covered made little use of most of the 52 intersectionality-based concepts we looked at (35 identified before the study and 17 more identified during the analysis). The literature covered also did not link to the area of intersectional pedagogy. Of the 25 ability judgment-based concepts, only the term ableism was used. As to the surveys, most students saw many of the social groups experiencing negative ability judgments, suggesting that the ability judgment-based concepts might be a useful tool to discuss intersectional consequences of ability judgments, such as intersectional conflict. Our data might be useful for intersectionality studies, intersectional pedagogy, disability studies, ability-based studies, and other academic fields that engage with intersectionality or with disability issues. Our study might also be useful for academics covering various topics to engage with the intersectionality of disabled people as part of their inquiries. Full article
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12 pages, 503 KiB  
Concept Paper
Research Duos: Unveiling the Collaborative Essence of Research
by Ekaterina Glebova
Societies 2024, 14(9), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090175 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 371
Abstract
Through an integrative literature review and theory adaption approach, this research aims to shed light on the efficacy of research partnerships and their implications for academic scholarship and knowledge production. Adapting the concept of creative duos to research activities presents a promising avenue [...] Read more.
Through an integrative literature review and theory adaption approach, this research aims to shed light on the efficacy of research partnerships and their implications for academic scholarship and knowledge production. Adapting the concept of creative duos to research activities presents a promising avenue for interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced productivity. This review explores the application of research partnerships, akin to creative duos, in academic contexts. Research duos involve pairs of scholars who collaborate closely to investigate specific topics, address complex problems, or advance knowledge within their respective fields. This paper delineates the characteristics and potential benefits of research duos, drawing parallels to creative partnerships in various artistic domains. Additionally, it examines the advantages and disadvantages of researching in duos, roles within partnerships, the possible role of artificial intelligence as a partner within a duo, and factors contributing to successful research collaborations and identifies best practices for forming and sustaining effective research duos. By recognizing duos as the fundamental unit of collaborative research, we can understand how their inherent strengths contribute to the effectiveness of larger groups, supporting efficient communication, strong interpersonal bonds, and clear organizational structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Social Sciences and Intelligence Management)
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17 pages, 268 KiB  
Concept Paper
Crip Digital Intimacies: The Social Dynamics of Creating Access through Digital Technology
by Megan A. Johnson, Eliza Chandler, Chelsea Temple Jones and Lisa East
Societies 2024, 14(9), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090174 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 544
Abstract
Disabled people are uniquely positioned in relation to the digital turn. Academic ableism, the inaccessibility of digital space, and gaps in digital literacy present barriers, while, at the same time, disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent people’s access knowledge is at the forefront of innovations [...] Read more.
Disabled people are uniquely positioned in relation to the digital turn. Academic ableism, the inaccessibility of digital space, and gaps in digital literacy present barriers, while, at the same time, disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent people’s access knowledge is at the forefront of innovations in culture and crip technoscience. This article explores disability, technology, and access through the concept of crip digital intimacy, a term that describes the relational and affective advances that disabled people make within digital space and through digital technology toward accessing the arts. We consider how moments of crip digital intimacy emerged through Accessing the Arts: Centring Disability Perspectives in Access Initiatives—a research project that explored how to make the arts more accessible through engaging disabled artist-participants in virtual storytelling, knowledge sharing, and art-making activities. Our analysis tracks how crip digital intimacies emerged through the ways participants collectively organized and facilitated access for themselves and each other. Guided by affordance theory and in line with the political thrust of crip technoscience, crip legibility, and access intimacy, we argue that crip digital intimacy emphasizes the interdependent and relational nature of access, recognizes the creativity and vitality of nonnormative bodyminds, and understands disability as a political—and frequently transgressive—way of being in the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Disability in the Digital Realm)
21 pages, 544 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review of Economic and Concrete Support to Prevent Child Maltreatment
by Gretchen Cusick, Jennifer Gaul-Stout, Reiko Kakuyama-Villaber, Olivia Wilks, Yasmin Grewal-Kök and Clare Anderson
Societies 2024, 14(9), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090173 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1161
Abstract
The association between poverty and maltreatment is well established, and numerous studies show the detrimental effects of economic and material hardship on maltreatment, child welfare involvement, and family well-being. In turn, an increasing body of literature suggests the value of programs and services [...] Read more.
The association between poverty and maltreatment is well established, and numerous studies show the detrimental effects of economic and material hardship on maltreatment, child welfare involvement, and family well-being. In turn, an increasing body of literature suggests the value of programs and services that provide economic and concrete support in stabilizing and supporting families and, ultimately, reducing occurrences of maltreatment. In this article, we examine the effectiveness of economic and concrete support in reducing primary outcomes of child maltreatment and child welfare involvement and in improving secondary outcomes of child and adult well-being through a systematic review of the literature. We review studies published between 1990 and 2023 through searches of scholarly databases, child welfare websites, and evidence-based clearinghouses. We used a two-stage review process to identify a final sample of articles for data extraction. Twenty-four studies with low risk of bias were included in the synthesis. Regardless of delivery mechanism, we found consistent, favorable evidence of the impact of economic and concrete support as a prevention strategy to reduce child maltreatment and child welfare entry and to a lesser extent, improvements in child and adult well-being across these studies. Implications for policy, practice, and racial equity are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building the Evidence Base for Innovative and Contextually Sensitive Programs to Prevent and Treat Child Abuse and Neglect and Reduce Child Welfare Involvement)
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11 pages, 723 KiB  
Article
Assessing Racial and Class Bias in Child Welfare: Development and Piloting of the Race and Class Bias in Child Welfare Scale
by Monica Faulkner, Catherine A. LaBrenz, Anna Wasim and Laura Marra
Societies 2024, 14(9), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090172 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1339
Abstract
Research has highlighted racial and socioeconomic disparities for families in child welfare, with calls to address inequities through trainings and structural change. However, few measures have been developed to assess the recognition of racial and class biases among child welfare practitioners, one key [...] Read more.
Research has highlighted racial and socioeconomic disparities for families in child welfare, with calls to address inequities through trainings and structural change. However, few measures have been developed to assess the recognition of racial and class biases among child welfare practitioners, one key step in addressing implicit biases and reducing racial disparities. While the Families First Prevention Services Act has prioritized evidence-based practices, it is crucial to ensure that practitioners are culturally responsive. This study developed and piloted the Race and Class Bias in Child Welfare Scale to measure the awareness of implicit and structural biases among child welfare practitioners. The development and validation of the Race and Class Bias in Child Welfare Scale included three parts: (1) scale development; (2) scale piloting using exploratory factor analysis; and (3) scale validation using confirmatory factor analysis. Two main factors were identified that explained 68.05% of the total variance; eight of the nine items loaded onto the two factors. Items on the first factor reflected implicit bias recognition, and items on the second factor reflected structural bias. Preliminary findings suggest that a two-factor scale presents good internal reliability and validity. As the Family First Preservation Services Act continues to prioritize evidence-based practices, it is important to consider the cultural sensitivity and responsiveness of providers administering them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building the Evidence Base for Innovative and Contextually Sensitive Programs to Prevent and Treat Child Abuse and Neglect and Reduce Child Welfare Involvement)
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13 pages, 260 KiB  
Concept Paper
Theorising Pandemic Necropolitics as Evil: Thinking Inequalities, Suffering, and Vulnerabilities with Arendt
by Anastasia Christou
Societies 2024, 14(9), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090171 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 766
Abstract
A conceptualisation of the COVID-19 pandemic through the analytic lens of a ‘necropolitics as evil’ brings to the fore Hannah Arendt’s theorisation that evil is both an expression of, and a threat to, humanity and its plurality as an intersectional assemblage, and by [...] Read more.
A conceptualisation of the COVID-19 pandemic through the analytic lens of a ‘necropolitics as evil’ brings to the fore Hannah Arendt’s theorisation that evil is both an expression of, and a threat to, humanity and its plurality as an intersectional assemblage, and by extension as freedom in political action. Arendt accepts that while evil—as an expression of our humanity—can never be eradicated, it must—as a threat to our common humanity—be confronted. From this perspective, the functioning of race, gender, and wider structural inequalities as operational hinges of COVID-19 capitalism required spaces for resistance and change within the political economy of global inequalities during the recent pandemic. This (concept) paper explores such a conceptualisation through stories of the pandemic and with a particular focus on Indigenous people, marginalised groups such as migrants and asylum seekers, as well as the homeless. It is through the viral logics of cytopathic COVID-19 capitalisms that we confront and resist theoretical pathologies by re-theorising evil as conceptual currency to confront this conjuncture, critique limitations, and meaningfully translate the current societal landscape through this lens. This allows for engaging in a particular kind of reading of Arendt that is contextualised in terms of the stakes of the paper: the importance of thinking about convivialising solidarities in the ongoing pandemic that has been perpetuated by ‘evil political formations/evil governance’ under capitalism, and as such, the structural pathologies that exacerbate COVID-19’s deathly effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Social Research in Economics, Environment, Education, and Philosophy)
14 pages, 253 KiB  
Article
Echoes of Madness: Exploring Disability and Mental Illness in Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
by Sina Torabi and Jeff Preston
Societies 2024, 14(9), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090170 - 3 Sep 2024
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Video games are known for many things, but nuanced portrayals of characters with mental illness might not be one of them. This trend, however, has gradually started to shift with games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, which aim to convey a genuine experience [...] Read more.
Video games are known for many things, but nuanced portrayals of characters with mental illness might not be one of them. This trend, however, has gradually started to shift with games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, which aim to convey a genuine experience of mental illness to the player. Through a close reading of different instances in the game, this paper shows how Hellblade complicates the usual sanist ideas seen in most other games by taking an ambiguous stance, using mental illness as a representational tool. Furthermore, it avoids some of the more sensationalist and problematic tropes often employed in such representations, like the supercrip and the Cartesian divide of the body and mind. In order to show this, we have employed Mitchel and Snyder’s concept of narrative prosthesis to demonstrate how the game does not in fact rely on Senua’s disability as an exotic feature of the narrative to hook players in. By combining insights from disability and mad studies, we show how this game is a step in the right direction when it comes to challenging the perceptions of mental illness prevalent in pop culture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Disability in the Digital Realm)
22 pages, 298 KiB  
Article
Understanding University Students’ Foreign Language Learning Attitudes: An Analysis Based on Stereotypes
by Selime Güntaş Işık, Fatma Aslantürk Altıntuğ, Sibel Süzek Birkollu and Ahmet Güneyli
Societies 2024, 14(9), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090169 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 672
Abstract
The study aims to understand university students’ perceptions of stereotypes in foreign language learning in Cyprus, a multilingual and multicultural island. The goal is to comprehend how stereotypes impact foreign language education, enabling educators to tailor teaching environments and methodologies accordingly. The research [...] Read more.
The study aims to understand university students’ perceptions of stereotypes in foreign language learning in Cyprus, a multilingual and multicultural island. The goal is to comprehend how stereotypes impact foreign language education, enabling educators to tailor teaching environments and methodologies accordingly. The research question probes the extent and the influencing variables of stereotypes held by students in Cyprus during their language learning journey. This quantitative descriptive study involved 832 students from various faculties of a private North Cyprus university during the 2021–2022 academic year. A sample of 550 students, comprising 269 males and 281 females, was randomly selected. The stereotyped thought scale for a foreign language, a tool developed by Ünal in 2015 with 42 items across 8 sub-dimensions, was employed to gauge students’ stereotypical thoughts. The study’s results revealed an average score of 2.99 out of 5 on the scale, indicating that students’ stereotyped thinking falls within the average range. Notably, several variables, including gender, age, education, family, and language proficiency, significantly influence the stereotypes students hold during their language learning process. Full article
16 pages, 5904 KiB  
Article
Urban Parks and Office Workers’ Health: Considering the Influence of Marital Status and Different Qualities of Urban Parks
by Xuanxian Chen, Massoomeh Hedayati Marzbali and Aldrin Abdullah
Societies 2024, 14(9), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090168 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 501
Abstract
This study addresses the impact of urban parks on the self-rated health of office workers under 40, a demographic experiencing significant increases in depressive symptoms during the pandemic. This study in Baise City, China, aims to fill this gap by exploring the relationships [...] Read more.
This study addresses the impact of urban parks on the self-rated health of office workers under 40, a demographic experiencing significant increases in depressive symptoms during the pandemic. This study in Baise City, China, aims to fill this gap by exploring the relationships between landscape quality, leisure time spent in parks, place attachment, and self-rated health among 411 office workers aged 18 to 40. Structural equation modeling was used to assess these relationships, and multigroup analysis (MGA) in SmartPLS evaluated differences between subgroups. The findings reveal a strong link between urban park landscape quality and leisure time spent in parks, place attachment, and self-rated health. Although the old-fashioned park showed lower overall performance in the study variables compared to the modern park, it had a stronger relationship between landscape quality and place attachment. Leisure time spent in parks did not directly impact self-rated health but was mediated by place attachment. MGA results indicated that while leisure time in parks positively affected self-rated health for single participants, it had a negative effect for married participants. These results underscore the importance of tailoring urban park design and management to accommodate the varying needs of different demographics. This research provides new insights into enhancing office workers’ self-rated health through environmental design and supports the objectives of the Healthy China strategy and Sustainable Development Goal 11. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family, Work, and Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Is the Legacy of the Pandemic and What Have We Learned about the Work–Family Nexus and Health?)
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18 pages, 2368 KiB  
Review
Initiatives of Female Empowerment in Computing Implemented at the High School Level: A Systematic Mapping
by Ramayane Bonacin Braga, Mirelle Amaral de São Bernardo, Sara Luiz de Farias, Thalia Santos de Santana and Marcos de Moraes Sousa
Societies 2024, 14(9), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090167 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 637
Abstract
Gender disparities in technology are evident, and affirmative actions are necessary to increase female representation. This article is part of an umbrella project that systematically maps related studies and aims to understand the current literature on initiatives to attract girls to high school [...] Read more.
Gender disparities in technology are evident, and affirmative actions are necessary to increase female representation. This article is part of an umbrella project that systematically maps related studies and aims to understand the current literature on initiatives to attract girls to high school through female empowerment projects in computing. Through a systematic literature mapping (SLM), we identified studies published between 2017 and 2022 that were available in databases and search engines, namely ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore Library, Scopus, and SBC Open Lib. Only primary studies returned in an automated search process were considered, without combining them with other search strategies. A priori, 264 articles were returned with the application of a search string and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 61 articles were selected. Of this number, 41 projects were named in the articles that describe activities involving high school. To answer the established research questions, it was found that the studies discussed projects implemented in secondary education in the Americas, Europe and Africa, indicating the importance of expanding these initiatives to other territories, increasing female participation in information technology and promoting gender equality, which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender and Class: Exploring the Intersections of Power and Inequality)
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21 pages, 8119 KiB  
Concept Paper
New Globalization and Energy Transition: Insights from Recent Global Developments
by Dimos Chatzinikolaou and Charis Michael Vlados
Societies 2024, 14(9), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090166 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1027
Abstract
This paper explores the combined impacts of certain geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts on the global energy transition, focusing on developments related to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreements. The New Globalization Scenario [...] Read more.
This paper explores the combined impacts of certain geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts on the global energy transition, focusing on developments related to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreements. The New Globalization Scenario Matrix (NGSM) and a correlative SWOT analysis in transnational terms are utilized to understand and conceptualize potential future global trends in the emerging new globalization. Findings suggest that the examined contemporary global events may enhance the overall performance of the global system, thereby accelerating energy transitions. Consequently, a re-envisioned approach to the International Political Economy (IPE) of energy is proposed, blending repositioned realism and liberalism to foster a realistic and innovative new global liberalism. Full article
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15 pages, 239 KiB  
Article
Accepting Different Faiths: Insights from Religious Narratives of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Poland
by Monika Parchomiuk, Katarzyna Ćwirynkało and Agnieszka Beata Żyta
Societies 2024, 14(9), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090165 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 522
Abstract
There is a dearth of research on how people with intellectual disabilities perceive different faiths, both their own and other people’s. The aim of this study was to explore certain aspects of religious identification among adults with intellectual disabilities: their declared affiliation with [...] Read more.
There is a dearth of research on how people with intellectual disabilities perceive different faiths, both their own and other people’s. The aim of this study was to explore certain aspects of religious identification among adults with intellectual disabilities: their declared affiliation with a specific denomination, their perceptions and subjective knowledge constituting the image of a “good follower”, their self-assessment, and their attitudes toward representatives of other denominations. In 2023, interviews were conducted with 34 adults with intellectual disabilities in three Polish cities to achieve this aim. The study was of an inclusive character and involved co-researchers with intellectual disabilities who participated in designing the research, conducting the interviews and the analysis. We found that people with intellectual disabilities do not always know how to define their religious affiliation and have limited knowledge and experience in relationships with individuals of different faiths, and their attitudes toward such individuals are varied. Nonetheless, they engage in various forms of religious activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Disabled People/People with Disabilities (Non-Medical Coverage))
16 pages, 1685 KiB  
Article
The Power of Laughter: Emotional and Ideological Gratification in Media
by Abilio Almeida and Helena Sousa
Societies 2024, 14(9), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090164 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 480
Abstract
This study examines the role of laughter in media content, focusing on traditional non-humorous entertainment talk shows with hosts, guests and a studio audience. The analysis, which documents over 20,000 instances of laughter in just 60 episodes (one laugh every 20 s), highlights [...] Read more.
This study examines the role of laughter in media content, focusing on traditional non-humorous entertainment talk shows with hosts, guests and a studio audience. The analysis, which documents over 20,000 instances of laughter in just 60 episodes (one laugh every 20 s), highlights the central role of laughter in this reality. The study concludes that: (1) hosts laughed more than guests and studio audiences; (2) in the programmes analysed, female hosts generated almost twice as much laughter as male hosts; (3) laughter followed a recognisable ‘U-shaped’ pattern, peaking at the beginning and end of the programme; (4) jokes with sexual connotations elicited the highest levels of laughter; (5) public service episodes had fewer instances of laughter; and (6) the programme with the host who laughed the most had the largest audience. In conclusion, laughter provides not only emotional, but also ideological gratification, based on the (post)modern concept of happiness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Democracy, Social Networks and Mediatization)
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25 pages, 360 KiB  
Article
Datafication of Care: Security and Privacy Issues with Health Technology for People with Diabetes
by Alessia Bertolazzi, Katarzyna Marzęda-Młynarska, Justyna Kięczkowska and Maria Letizia Zanier
Societies 2024, 14(9), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14090163 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 499
Abstract
Through the conceptual framework of datafication, dataism and dataveillance, this study investigates beliefs and attitudes regarding datafication and the related privacy and security concerns among individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Qualitative research was conducted through interviews among fifty-two individuals with Type 1 diabetes [...] Read more.
Through the conceptual framework of datafication, dataism and dataveillance, this study investigates beliefs and attitudes regarding datafication and the related privacy and security concerns among individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Qualitative research was conducted through interviews among fifty-two individuals with Type 1 diabetes in Poland and Italy. The findings reveal a dynamic interplay between self-discipline and empowerment. The majority of interviewees emphasized the benefits of technologies for gaining a better understanding of their health condition and for more effective disease management. However, a minority of interviewees perceived the negative effects of datafication, including dataveillance, which leads to hyper-control of the disease, and dataism, characterized by excessive reliance on and dependency on technology. Critical beliefs about technologies fuelled rejection attitudes, leading some interviewees to suspend or abandon their use. Lastly, reflexivity on privacy and security issues appears to be low, particularly among older individuals with lower levels of education and socioeconomic status. This results in a poor understanding and underestimation of the potential risks associated with security and privacy. The findings increase the understanding of the factors that can facilitate or hinder the adoption of technology among people with diabetes. Full article
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