Social Sciences

15 pages, 328 KB

Open AccessArticle

Socioeconomic Status and Self-Rated Health in Older Adults with Disabilities: A Mediation Analysis of Reserve Capacity Using the Korea Welfare Panel Study

by Sanghyun Park and Joonhee Ahn

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020144 - 23 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 504

Abstract

Older adults with disabilities face compounded vulnerabilities due to both functional limitations and socioeconomic disadvantage. In South Korea, where public welfare systems remain fragmented and cultural values emphasize independence and productivity, understanding the mechanisms linking socioeconomic status (SES) to health outcomes is critical. [...] Read more.

Older adults with disabilities face compounded vulnerabilities due to both functional limitations and socioeconomic disadvantage. In South Korea, where public welfare systems remain fragmented and cultural values emphasize independence and productivity, understanding the mechanisms linking socioeconomic status (SES) to health outcomes is critical. This study investigates whether reserve capacity mediates the relationship between SES and self-rated health (SRH) in older adults with disabilities. Data were drawn from the supplementary survey on people with disabilities in the 18th wave (2023) of the Korea Welfare Panel Study (KWePS). The analytic sample included older adults aged 65 and above with registered disabilities. A multiple mediation analysis was conducted using Model 4 of the PROCESS macro in SPSS to examine whether three dimensions of reserve capacity—intrapsychic resources (self-esteem), interpersonal resources (social support satisfaction), and tangible resources (use of public disability services)—mediated the relationship between SES and SRH. Demographic and health-related covariates were statistically controlled. The results are as follows: The direct effect of SES on SRH was not significant; however, significant indirect effects were found through all three mediators. Higher SES was positively associated with intrapsychic and interpersonal resources and negatively associated with tangible resource use. Among the mediators, interpersonal resources had the strongest positive effect on SRH, while tangible resources showed a negative association—possibly due to compensatory activation or increased disease awareness among service users. The findings highlight the importance of psychosocial and relational resources in shaping perceived health among disabled older adults in Korea. Policy interventions should move beyond material assistance and focus on strengthening social networks and psychological resilience to reduce health disparities in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Bridging Socio-Economic Inequalities in Health: Addressing Access Gaps in Low-Income and Vulnerable Populations)

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18 pages, 391 KB

Open AccessArticle

Scrolling Forward, Sliding Backward: How Social Media Threatens the Functionality of Democracy

by Hiroki Takeuchi and Kitty Eid

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020143 - 23 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1067

Abstract

Political theorists have suggested that democracy is at odds with liberalism. Moreover, with fears about the recent rise in populism, there is growing skepticism about whether liberalism and democracy can continue to survive. In her recent work, Democracy Tamed: French Liberalism and the [...] Read more.

Political theorists have suggested that democracy is at odds with liberalism. Moreover, with fears about the recent rise in populism, there is growing skepticism about whether liberalism and democracy can continue to survive. In her recent work, Democracy Tamed: French Liberalism and the Politics of Suffrage, political theorist Gianna Englert argues that voters’ political capacity—rather than democratic political rights—kept nineteenth-century French liberalism open to democracy while fostering citizens’ capacity for democracy. The theorists she discusses anticipated the problems we face today, including citizens being manipulated by unscrupulous and unqualified influencers. Thus, the concern over an uninformed public in democracy is not new. In the meantime, students of comparative politics have found that people can rely on elite cues to make reasoned choices “as if” they had sufficient information, even when they are uninformed and inattentive. However, with social media overtaking traditional media as the primary source of information for many people, this democratic safeguard no longer functions as it should. In this article, to tackle the age-old challenge of ensuring that citizens in democracies are well informed enough to make reasoned choices, we first summarize the problems identified by the nineteenth-century French liberal theorists with the capacity of non-elites to make sound political judgments. We then explore how the comparative politics literature has responded to concerns about an uninformed public in democracy, suggesting that the same mechanism would not work if people get information from social media. We examine the impact of social media on the rise of anti-democratic leaders by manipulating public opinion, which has allowed illiberal, populist politicians to come to power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Challenges to Democracy, Citizenship and Political Participation)

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21 pages, 775 KB

Open AccessArticle

When Does Information Affect Power? Evidence from Strong and Semi-Strong Exchange Networks

by Pamela Emanuelson

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020142 - 21 Feb 2026

Viewed by 483

Abstract

Does the completeness of actors’ knowledge affect the exercise of power in social structures? Exchange theories and the experiments used to test them vary in the level of information availability—ranging from fully transparent to sharply restricted. These paradigms implicitly assume that actors’ knowledge [...] Read more.

Does the completeness of actors’ knowledge affect the exercise of power in social structures? Exchange theories and the experiments used to test them vary in the level of information availability—ranging from fully transparent to sharply restricted. These paradigms implicitly assume that actors’ knowledge corresponds directly to the information provided. While previous experiments have compared exchange payoffs under complete and restricted information, no theory explains why differences in power outcomes should or should not emerge across exchange structures under differing informational conditions. This paper investigates how knowledge shapes the exercise of power in exchange networks, where power is operationalized as payoff differences between actors. Knowledge is defined as what an actor can infer from experimental information and within-structure interactions, rather than as information alone. The study first examines whether restricting information effectively limits actors’ knowledge and finds that it does. It then uses new and previously published experimental data to analyze how information conditions (complete versus restricted) and structure type (strong versus semi-strong) jointly affect actors’ ability to secure advantageous payoffs in exchange relations. The results resolve previously contradictory findings on the relationship between information availability and power exercise in exchange networks by demonstrating that the effects of knowledge depend on both network structure and the form of rationality actors can plausibly employ under given informational constraints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Group Processes Using Quantitative Research Methods)

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23 pages, 295 KB

Open AccessArticle

Between Intention and Engagement: A Reflective Account of Intercultural Citizenship Education in an Online ESL Context

by Hiba B. Ibrahim

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020141 - 21 Feb 2026

Viewed by 588

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present a systematic reflection on my experience teaching international English as a Second Language (ESL) students about Indigenous rights and reconciliation in a year-long university ESL course in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teaching materials and [...] Read more.

The purpose of this article is to present a systematic reflection on my experience teaching international English as a Second Language (ESL) students about Indigenous rights and reconciliation in a year-long university ESL course in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teaching materials and activities originally aimed to engage students in a pre-political form of intercultural citizenship engagement with the historical struggles and contemporary realities of Indigenous communities in Canada. Over a six-week period, I engaged in a journaling process to (1) explore the opportunities and challenges of teaching this topic in an online course environment and (2) reflect on my attempts to support and challenge students to critically examine their views and assumptions about cultural diversity in Canada and within their own cultural contexts. A qualitative analysis of the reflective notes revealed that students’ engagement with the course activities designed for this theme was limited. While students completed all required tasks, their discussions and artifacts suggest that engaging with reconciliation from a distance constitutes a complex demand for their intercultural learning. This complexity was reflected in students’ reliance on surface-level engagement rather than sustained critical or dialogic exploration. These findings raise questions about the pedagogical framing of the activities, the temporal and experiential distance of the learning context, and the role these factors may have played in constraining students’ ability to meaningfully engage with reconciliation as a lived and ethically charged process. Drawing on scholarship addressing the ethical challenges of the teacher role and positionality in teaching sensitive topics within intercultural citizenship education (ICE), this article concludes with a reflexive discussion of instructional intentions, ethical tensions, and design considerations that may inform future intercultural citizenship pedagogy in similarly constrained teaching and learning contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fostering Intercultural Citizenship through Education: Burning Topics and Ethical Challenges)

22 pages, 507 KB

Open AccessArticle

Wasta and the Erosion of Social Bonds: Evidence from Two Universities in Southern Jordan

by Aida Abutayeh and Afaf Khoshman

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020140 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1068

Abstract

This study aims to explore perceptions among students at Jordanian universities regarding “wasta,” defined as the use of social relations or kinship ties to pressure faculty members into granting them undeserved academic privileges, and to examine the impact of these perceptions [...] Read more.

This study aims to explore perceptions among students at Jordanian universities regarding “wasta,” defined as the use of social relations or kinship ties to pressure faculty members into granting them undeserved academic privileges, and to examine the impact of these perceptions on their academic behaviors and attitudes toward their institution. The study uses Travis Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory, which posits that the strength of social bonds is determined by four key elements: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. The researchers designed a survey using a proportionally stratified random sample of 748 students from two universities in the south of Jordan. The data were collected using a questionnaire whose validity and reliability were deemed suitable for analysis. The findings reveal a varying degree of erosion in social bonds as follows: while students expressed a rejection of wasta on ethical grounds, the involvement of others in such behavior to gain unearned academic advantages undermined their sense of belonging to the university. Participants also indicated that their peers’ reliance on wasta devalued their individual efforts and weakened trust in the fairness of the educational institution. Furthermore, students’ motivation to participate in campus activities was lower when they perceived that opportunities were granted based on connections rather than merit, while statistical significance was observed only for the involvement dimension in favor of the public university. Last, some students saw wasta as a practical resource in the absence of institutional justice, even if they recognized the harm it causes to academic integrity and the value of university credentials. The findings highlight the importance of addressing wasta within academic institutions by strengthening transparent decision making and academic integrity safeguards to enhance fairness and strengthen trust. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Community and Urban Sociology)

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24 pages, 299 KB

Open AccessArticle

Epistolary as Art Form: A Methodology for Truth Telling

by Hugo Kamya and Becky Thompson

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020139 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 620

Abstract

The article explores letter writing as both an artistic practice and a relational method of inquiry. Through an exchange of letters between two academics, the authors reflect on how their correspondence deepened their relationship and created space for honest, vulnerable communication. Their exchange [...] Read more.

The article explores letter writing as both an artistic practice and a relational method of inquiry. Through an exchange of letters between two academics, the authors reflect on how their correspondence deepened their relationship and created space for honest, vulnerable communication. Their exchange began while collaborating on a program addressing racism, where they discovered that sharing personal stories could serve as a foundation for building authentic relationships across difference. By speaking openly about fears and truths typically hidden in academic spaces, their writing resisted the isolation of the academy and transformed silence into collective expression and action. The article includes the letters and poetry that emerged from this exchange, presenting storytelling as a liberatory and decolonizing practice grounded in feminist and decolonial traditions. The authors show how writing can simultaneously function as theory, resistance, and renewal. They ask where creative scholarly passions originate, how social location shapes the pursuit of justice, and what nurtures emerging ideas. Through critical reflection on their vulnerabilities and the process of building trust, they position letter writing as both creative expression and method. Meaning is generated through the act of writing itself, which becomes an invitation to activism and courageous storytelling. Ultimately, they argue that letter writing is an art form and a way of knowing that sustains continuous learning, deepens connection, and inspires action. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Narrative Practices, Stories, Storytelling, Clinical and Community Work: An Intersectional Analysis)

44 pages, 4967 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Diffusion of the Social Capital Index (SoCI)

by Dean Kyne, Daniel P. Aldrich and Dominic Kyei

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020138 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1643

Abstract

Social capital influences community disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. In 2020, Kyne and Aldrich introduced the Social Capital Index (SoCI), a pioneering, publicly available county-level measure capturing bonding, bridging, and linking social capital across the United States. Since then, the SoCI has been [...] Read more.

Social capital influences community disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. In 2020, Kyne and Aldrich introduced the Social Capital Index (SoCI), a pioneering, publicly available county-level measure capturing bonding, bridging, and linking social capital across the United States. Since then, the SoCI has been widely adopted across disciplines and applied in diverse research contexts. Five years later, emerging theoretical developments and expanded data availability offer an opportunity to reassess its diffusion and strengthen its methodological foundations. This study addresses three objectives: (1) revisiting the conceptual roots that informed the original index, (2) examining its diffusion through citation and co-citation analyses of published literature, and (3) updating and extending its measurement framework using 2022 data. The results show that theories of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital shaped the index’s design; that the SoCI has diffused across environmental science, public administration, geography, public health, and sociology; and that expanding the index from 19 to 26 indicators enhances its theoretical alignment and empirical coverage. These updates improve the SoCI’s ability to complement existing indicators and deepen understanding of relational capacity, vulnerability, and resilience across U.S. counties. Full article

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16 pages, 976 KB

Open AccessArticle

Children at the Centre: Considering the Whole Child in a National Model of Support for Children with a Parent in Prison

by Nancy Loucks, Sarah Beresford, Polly Wright, Ben Raikes, Alyson Rees, Freya Kenny and Sylvia Stevenson

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020137 - 19 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 601

Abstract

The Welsh Government commissioned research to develop a national model of support to improve wellbeing and educational outcomes for children when a parent goes to prison, with a particular interest in collaboration between prisons and schools. Central to this ASPIRE project (Actioning a [...] Read more.

The Welsh Government commissioned research to develop a national model of support to improve wellbeing and educational outcomes for children when a parent goes to prison, with a particular interest in collaboration between prisons and schools. Central to this ASPIRE project (Actioning a Schools and Prisons Independent Research Evaluation) were children’s rights, listening to the voices of children and families, multi-agency collaboration, evidence-based practice, and solution-focused development. Numerous studies highlight the potentially devastating impact of a parent’s imprisonment on children, but the existing literature is limited regarding what works in improving outcomes for children. Further, a disconnect exists between prison-focused policies promoting family contact and policies relating to the needs and rights of children. Few national policies refer to the needs of children with a parent in prison, and the rhetoric remains focused on the prevention of reoffending or on ‘breaking the cycle’ of offending and imprisonment within families. Positive pockets of support were notable in prisons, schools, and communities, but more work is needed to build on existing practice, promote existing services/resources, and support collaboration. This article considers what a national, rights-based approach to support should look like, recognising a parent’s imprisonment as one of many elements in a child’s life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Support in Mitigating the Impact of Family Imprisonment on Children and Families)

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23 pages, 331 KB

Open AccessReview

The Assault on Universal Human Rights from Intercultural Education: Myths, Facts and a Defence

by Martyn Barrett

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020136 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1486

Abstract

This paper explores the controversial issue of the extent to which human rights values are universal and applicable within all cultural contexts across the contemporary world. It evaluates three claims that are commonly made by those working in the field of intercultural education: [...] Read more.

This paper explores the controversial issue of the extent to which human rights values are universal and applicable within all cultural contexts across the contemporary world. It evaluates three claims that are commonly made by those working in the field of intercultural education: (i) because human rights are a product of Western ways of thinking, they are incompatible with the values and norms of non-Western cultures; (ii) applying human rights to non-Western cultures is culturally insensitive and a form of cultural imperialism; and (iii) human rights are based on an individualistic conception of the human being and are therefore inappropriate for collectivistic cultures. This paper provides a critical review of all three claims, with the aim of evaluating each of them in turn. The review reveals that the claim that human rights are incompatible with the values and norms of non-Western cultures is both factually incorrect and analytically problematic; that historically, the contents of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were shaped and endorsed by both Western and non-Western actors; and that human rights are based on a collectivistic and communitarian—not an individualistic—conception of the human being. It is argued that the approach to human rights that is compatible with these conclusions is relative universalism, according to which the implementation of human rights principles should always display flexibility so that cultural specificities can be appropriately balanced against the general principles of universal human rights. Two further issues that are also discussed are the organised hypocrisy in the policies of many Western governments in relationship to human rights and the need for greater material equality to ensure the effective implementation of human rights. The conclusion that is drawn from the review is that there is no ethical dilemma for those working in the field of intercultural education in embracing and endorsing universal human rights, that a culturally sensitive approach can, and indeed should, be adopted in applying universal human rights principles in all cultural contexts, and that the assault on universal human rights from intercultural education is based on widely repeated misunderstandings and myths about human rights. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fostering Intercultural Citizenship through Education: Burning Topics and Ethical Challenges)

16 pages, 255 KB

Open AccessArticle

Food, Motherhood and Foodwork: Eating Practices During Pregnancy

by Gülsüm Hekimoğlu

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020135 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 525

Abstract

This study aims to examine eating practices during pregnancy as socially organized everyday labor (foodwork) embedded in daily life. Drawing on the sociology of food, it analyzes how pregnancy reshapes eating routines, food classifications, procurement practices, and care responsibilities. The research is based [...] Read more.

This study aims to examine eating practices during pregnancy as socially organized everyday labor (foodwork) embedded in daily life. Drawing on the sociology of food, it analyzes how pregnancy reshapes eating routines, food classifications, procurement practices, and care responsibilities. The research is based on in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with 38 pregnant women living in Türkiye. The findings demonstrate that eating during pregnancy becomes a multilayered social practice shaped by normative expectations, structural inequalities, and identity construction. First, eating routines emerge as a central site for the construction of maternal identity, as women regulate their food practices through expert advice, risk discourses, and norms of “good motherhood.” Second, body-related norms concerning aesthetics and weight control discipline eating practices under conditions of public surveillance and self-monitoring, shaping everyday eating arrangements. Third, pregnancy functions as a social lens that intensifies concerns related to food safety and food security; pesticides, additives, regulatory uncertainty, and economic access become central elements of everyday foodwork. By moving beyond medical and ideological approaches to pregnancy nutrition, this study foregrounds eating practices as foodwork and contributes to the sociology of food by linking motherhood, care labor, and food systems. Full article

20 pages, 499 KB

Open AccessArticle

Everyday Peace Power: Girl Drummers of Gira Ingoma in Rwanda

by Ananda Breed, Odile Gakire Katese, Sarah Huxley and Ariane Zaytzeff

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020134 - 18 Feb 2026

Viewed by 578

Abstract

This article presents an arts-based and polyvocal account of Gira Ingoma (One Drum per Girl), a women- and girl-led cultural initiative in Rwanda that reconstructs drumming, warrior dance, and self-praise poetry to advance gender equality and contribute to everyday peace power. Based on [...] Read more.

This article presents an arts-based and polyvocal account of Gira Ingoma (One Drum per Girl), a women- and girl-led cultural initiative in Rwanda that reconstructs drumming, warrior dance, and self-praise poetry to advance gender equality and contribute to everyday peace power. Based on arts-based qualitative methods (workshops, rehearsals, festivals, interviews, and youth-led Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning), we show how repetitive public performance materialises gender equality beyond policy texts. The article explores core theoretical frames—gender performativity, everyday peace power, spatial approaches to peace, and performance-as-knowledge—while aligning key findings to research questions concerning (1) negotiation of gender through performance, (2) micro-processes of everyday peace power, and (3) observable change in confidence, community engagement, and institutional practice. We conclude with policy measures to embed gender-responsive arts education, resource girls and women across the creative value chain, and set parity targets within cultural institutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Knowledges and Cultures of Equalities in Global Contexts)

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24 pages, 492 KB

Open AccessArticle

Do Inclusive Energy Communities Enable Behavioral and Social Change? Insights from Cases in Denmark, Italy and Norway

by Pariman Boostani, Kenneth Vilhelmsen, Giuseppe Pellegrini-Masini and Gabriele Quinti

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020133 - 18 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 591

Abstract

Energy communities in Denmark, Italy, and Norway were investigated to explore factors that enable or hinder the behavioral and social transformations necessary to achieve a socially just environmental transition, particularly in projects involving vulnerable individuals. This study seeks to understand how energy communities [...] Read more.

Energy communities in Denmark, Italy, and Norway were investigated to explore factors that enable or hinder the behavioral and social transformations necessary to achieve a socially just environmental transition, particularly in projects involving vulnerable individuals. This study seeks to understand how energy communities drive behavioral change and social transformation by examining seven energy communities in Denmark, Italy, and Norway. Consequently, 57 semi-structured interviews were conducted among the seven cases. This paper suggests fostering behavioral shifts towards energy-saving practices in Norway and Denmark to reduce energy consumption and mitigate energy vulnerability. Education and awareness-raising on energy-saving measures in Italy have already led to tangible changes in daily behaviors among vulnerable groups. Across all countries, prior environmental attitudes, trust in project leaders and project plans, and community support were crucial in driving participation and behavioral change. Additionally, financial incentives motivated some participants, especially those from vulnerable groups facing high living costs. Key enablers of change included access to knowledge and a sense of community, while barriers like financial constraints and time limitations hindered broader participation. The study highlights the importance of involving vulnerable individuals in decision-making to enhance their sense of ownership and commitment to energy-saving practices. For sustainable behavioral change, it is essential to address environmental motivations and the financial, political, social, and practical considerations that affect vulnerable populations’ decision to join energy communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Community and Urban Sociology)

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17 pages, 265 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Status Relationship Between Academic and Vocational Education in Urban Norway: Pupils’ Deferential Attitudes to Condescending Opinions

by Anders Tonning Rong

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020132 - 17 Feb 2026

Viewed by 607

Abstract

(1) Background: This article investigates the status relationship between academic and vocational tracks in the four largest cities in Norway. While previous qualitative research has mainly examined academic and vocational tracks separately, this article includes both to highlight the importance of looking at [...] Read more.

(1) Background: This article investigates the status relationship between academic and vocational tracks in the four largest cities in Norway. While previous qualitative research has mainly examined academic and vocational tracks separately, this article includes both to highlight the importance of looking at the relationship between them. (2) Method: A thematic qualitative analysis is conducted to illustrate how interviewees in focus groups express practical and academic ambitiousness. (3) Results: The findings indicate that the relationship between vocational- and academic-track pupils is shaped by a perception of vocational education as a second-tier option. Pupils from the academic tracks express condescending opinions about them, whereas those on vocational tracks demonstrate a deferential attitude towards the academic pupils. This hierarchical distinction becomes particularly noticeable when both tracks are situated within the same institutional context. Thus, the article sheds light on the dynamics of status differences between vocational and academic education that indicate a belief in meritocratic principles. This is of relevance for many countries beyond Norway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Stratification and Inequality)

17 pages, 564 KB

Open AccessArticle

Burnout as a Path Between Decent Work and Turnover Intention: The Buffering Effect of Calling

by Liliana Faria and Sofia Porto

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020131 - 17 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1313

Abstract

Rapid workplace changes have been associated with increased burnout and turnover intention. This study investigates the mechanisms linking decent work to employees’ turnover intention through a moderated mediation framework, in which burnout mediates the association between decent work and turnover intention, and career [...] Read more.

Rapid workplace changes have been associated with increased burnout and turnover intention. This study investigates the mechanisms linking decent work to employees’ turnover intention through a moderated mediation framework, in which burnout mediates the association between decent work and turnover intention, and career calling is hypothesized to moderate both the effect of decent work on burnout and the effect of burnout on turnover intention. A cross-sectional sample of 225 employees from diverse sectors in Portugal completed self-report measures. Data were analyzed using PROCESS, with 5000 bootstrap resamples. Decent work was negatively related to burnout, which in turn predicted higher turnover intention, supporting the mediating role of burnout. Career calling moderated the association between decent work and burnout, with the indirect effect of decent work on turnover intention via burnout significant at moderate and high levels of calling, but not low levels, indicating a partially supported moderated mediation. These findings highlight burnout as a key mechanism linking decent work to turnover intention, show that career calling amplifies the protective effect of decent work, and underscore the relevance of strategies aimed at fostering healthier, resilient, and sustainable workplaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Job Stress and Burnout: Emerging Issues in Today’s Workplace)

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18 pages, 391 KB

Open AccessArticle

When Stories Tire: Narrative Expectation and Compassion Fatigue in Asylum Helping Encounters

by Lotte Remue, Marie Jacobs and Katrijn Maryns

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020130 - 17 Feb 2026

Viewed by 712

Abstract

Given the critical role of national authorities in the asylum process, sociolinguistic research on inequalities in narrative assessment has prioritised the high-stakes hearings within the official process. It is, however, also crucial to analyse how non-state actors play a central role in asylum [...] Read more.

Given the critical role of national authorities in the asylum process, sociolinguistic research on inequalities in narrative assessment has prioritised the high-stakes hearings within the official process. It is, however, also crucial to analyse how non-state actors play a central role in asylum bureaucracies. Accordingly, this article focuses on “helping encounters” with social workers, guardians and lawyers on the “backstage side” of the asylum procedure. Drawing on linguistic-ethnographic fieldwork data in the form of participant observation, interviews and audio-recordings, the article reveals striking parallels between the interactional conditions of different social work settings in which service providers familiarise applicants with narrative expectations. Bureaucratic ideologies permeate these environments where mutual trust is indispensable, and applicant/practitioner relationships risk being compromised as a result. This culminates in “compassion fatigue”, a tension between service providers’ frustrations with procedural constraints and their sincere desire for the applicant to succeed. Social workers, limited by the legal boundaries of the system they operate in, can be seen mimicking officials’ interrogation-like style to reanimate the asylum authorities’ judicial reasoning. In this way, they (unintentionally) reproduce the frontstage “culture of disbelief” in the “trusting” backstage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue International Social Work Practices with Immigrants and Refugees)

19 pages, 1290 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Life-Stage Comparative Study of the Psychosocial Care Burdens and Needs of Middle-Aged and Older Family Carers in Home Care

by Nanami Oe, Yuka Iwata, Yuko Tanaka, Ayuka Yokoyama and Etsuko Tadaka

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020129 - 16 Feb 2026

Viewed by 774

Abstract

Population aging has increased reliance on family carers, whose psychosocial burdens and support needs vary by life stage. This exploratory study aimed to compare psychosocial care burdens and support needs between middle-aged family carers (MFCs) and older family carers (OFCs) providing home-based care [...] Read more.

Population aging has increased reliance on family carers, whose psychosocial burdens and support needs vary by life stage. This exploratory study aimed to compare psychosocial care burdens and support needs between middle-aged family carers (MFCs) and older family carers (OFCs) providing home-based care in Japan from a life-stage perspective. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among family carers registered with a community general support center in Sapporo, Japan. Data from 153 respondents were analyzed. Psychosocial care burden was assessed across perceived burden, underlying causes, and broader life challenges. Support needs were evaluated based on preferences for 20 types of services and supports. Overall, 60% of MFCs and 53.9% of OFCs experienced care burden. MFCs reported significantly greater burdens related to family relationships (Cramer’s V = 0.168) and work-related concerns (Cramer’s V = 0.235). They also expressed higher needs for Care Leave Accessibility, Flexible Work for Care, and Carer Job Support, with small-to-moderate effect sizes. The findings suggest that psychosocial burdens and support needs among family carers may vary across different age-defined life stages. Middle-aged carers balancing work and family responsibilities face distinct challenges, underscoring the need for targeted policies, workplace support, and life-stage-responsive, role-sensitive support systems in aging societies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Family Studies)

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26 pages, 637 KB

Open AccessArticle

Between Borders and Fractures: Journey and Mental Health of Brazilian Immigrant Women in Portugal

by Izabela Pinheiro, Mariana Holanda Rusu, Conceição Nogueira and Joana Topa

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020128 - 16 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 914

Abstract

Brazilian women’s migration to Portugal has increased in recent years, driven by hopes of safety, improved living conditions, and professional opportunities. Yet these aspirations frequently collide with structural barriers and experiences of discrimination that generate profound psychological distress. Drawing on intersectional feminist epistemology [...] Read more.

Brazilian women’s migration to Portugal has increased in recent years, driven by hopes of safety, improved living conditions, and professional opportunities. Yet these aspirations frequently collide with structural barriers and experiences of discrimination that generate profound psychological distress. Drawing on intersectional feminist epistemology and social constructionism, this qualitative study examines how social markers of difference—gender, class, race, and nationality—intersect to shape the psychological well-being of Brazilian immigrant women in Portugal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen women who sought psychological support after migration. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three interrelated themes: the migration journey, exposing the gap between idealised expectations and the realities of bureaucracy, precarity, and exclusion; inhabiting a new territory, marked by social isolation, racism, xenophobia, and professional devaluation; and the mental-health impacts of migration, showing how structural vulnerabilities and institutional racism underpin depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation. The findings challenge the individualisation of suffering, showing that psychological distress stems not from personal fragility but from systems of exclusion and enduring colonial legacies. This study underscores the need for culturally responsive and rights-based mental health care and public policies that recognise migration as a human experience demanding dignity, ethical commitment, and social justice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Health and Social Change)

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16 pages, 441 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research Engagement Among Language Teachers for Refugees and Migrants in Greece

by Achilleas Kostoulas, Chrysa Ntai and Paraskevi Diakogianni

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020127 - 15 Feb 2026

Viewed by 610

Abstract

This study investigates research engagement among teachers specializing in language education for people with refugee and migrant backgrounds in Greece. Given the non-standardized and relatively unstructured nature of language education in such settings, it is expected that reading academic and professional publications (engagement [...] Read more.

This study investigates research engagement among teachers specializing in language education for people with refugee and migrant backgrounds in Greece. Given the non-standardized and relatively unstructured nature of language education in such settings, it is expected that reading academic and professional publications (engagement with research) and conducting classroom-based inquiries (engagement in research) can provide structure and guidance to teaching practice. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to document the teachers’ (N = 48) workplace conditions, personal factors, beliefs about research, as well as the features of research that they deem desirable and their actual research engagement practices. Although the data are inconclusive regarding the relative effects of each variable, they do suggest that teachers can be grouped into three profiles based on their perceived workplace conditions. Implications of this finding for providing targeted instruction are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multicultural and Multilingual Education: Inclusion Issues and the Online and Distance Learning Challenge)

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18 pages, 1060 KB

Open AccessReview

Social Entrepreneurial Initiatives Supporting Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review of Interventions and Outcomes

by Nicoleta Moron

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020126 - 15 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1065

Abstract

The potential of social entrepreneurship to address persistent social problems through innovative and sustainable solutions has been increasingly recognized in recent decades. While persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to face significant challenges related to social participation and educational and professional integration, [...] Read more.

The potential of social entrepreneurship to address persistent social problems through innovative and sustainable solutions has been increasingly recognized in recent decades. While persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to face significant challenges related to social participation and educational and professional integration, there are social entrepreneurs that have developed initiatives to address their needs. This paper aims to identify and map such initiatives in order to emphasize the dimensions of the interventions and their outcomes. Our study is based on a scoping review and analysis of 41 articles published in international databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest and Google Scholar. The findings reveal distinctive features of SEIs targeting people with ASD. Some positive outcomes of social enterprises (SEs) have been identified, including favorable effects on beneficiaries and significant social return on investment (SROI), but most research is limited to short-term results with relatively fragmented presentation of data. Considering the complexity of the issues addressed, further research on the impact of SEs and the extension of studies to long-term outcomes is essential for a better understanding of their sustainable social benefits. This study offers an overview of the existing literature in the area, identifies the gaps, and provides guidance for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Innovation: Local Solutions to Global Challenges)

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22 pages, 514 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Home- and Community-Based Long-Term Care Centers in Taiwan

by Jui-Ying Hung

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020125 - 14 Feb 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1057

Abstract

In Taiwan, with the increase in the elderly population and the emergence of a super-aging society, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has developed various long-term care (LTC) centers, offering different types of services to effectively improve the overall service quality. The [...] Read more.

In Taiwan, with the increase in the elderly population and the emergence of a super-aging society, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has developed various long-term care (LTC) centers, offering different types of services to effectively improve the overall service quality. The Taiwanese LTC Service Quality Enhancement Plan, based on Articles 5 and 39 of the LTC Services Act and Article 3 of the Regulations Governing the Assessment of LTC Centers, seeks to realize guidance, supervision, inspection, and assessment, and reward successful actions. One of the most important purposes of LTC service assessment auditing is to guide the subsidization of LTC facilities by the MOHW. In this study, a rigorous and impartial assessment system was used to measure the service quality of the majority of the LTC centers (approximately 92.07%) in a county in Taiwan from 2023 to 2025, covering both community-based service centers (daycare centers) and home-care centers. According to the results, the perceived service quality is a multidimensional and multilayered reflection of the intrinsic assessment results, rather than a value judgment based solely on interim results. It is suggested that customer-oriented and customer rights concepts should be progressively introduced when planning and designing assessments of the implications and effectiveness of LTC services, with differences in competitive strategies between centers. Moreover, according to this study, LTC centers should focus on case-centered, integrated professional care and seek to establish a continuous competitive advantage. With the increasing burden on informal caregivers and the gradual disappearance of traditional family care functions, maintaining the most basic levels of safety and professional care to ensure the quality of LTC services is crucial, seeking to ensure the sustainable development of the care system and realize significant socioeconomic benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Work and Social Policy: Advances in Theory and Practice)

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16 pages, 233 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sexism in the Classroom: Analysis from a Teacher’s Point of View

by Álvaro Manuel Carmona Góngora, Esther Santaella-Rodríguez, Gracia González-Gijón and Nazaret Martínez-Heredia

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020124 - 14 Feb 2026

Viewed by 785

Abstract

Despite the progress made in recent decades, sexism is a prevalent problem today and has permeated society at a systemic level, including education. This study seeks to analyse the perception of sexism by senior secondary school teachers and trainee teachers. The research was [...] Read more.

Despite the progress made in recent decades, sexism is a prevalent problem today and has permeated society at a systemic level, including education. This study seeks to analyse the perception of sexism by senior secondary school teachers and trainee teachers. The research was carried out using qualitative methodology, using a semi-structured interview as a data collection instrument. The analysis consisted of the collection of teachers’ experiences for subsequent evaluation and comparison. The results obtained describe similarities between the groups in the perception of sexism in the classroom, but distinguish the justification behind sexist behaviour, and make explicit the lack of specific training for teachers in both groups in the area of sexism in science. These results point to the perceived need for more comprehensive training on sexism among secondary school teachers, according to the experiences and interpretations reported by the participants. Full article

13 pages, 589 KB

Open AccessArticle

Leadership Status, Sexual Harassment Training, and Women’s Expectations About Working with Men

by Justine E. Tinkler and Jody Clay-Warner

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020123 - 14 Feb 2026

Viewed by 637

Abstract

Background: Occupational gender segregation is a key driver of labor market inequality and is prominent across occupations, within occupations, and within workplace task groups. This paper explores how structural arrangements and cultural messages shape women’s preferences for working with men vs. women. With [...] Read more.

Background: Occupational gender segregation is a key driver of labor market inequality and is prominent across occupations, within occupations, and within workplace task groups. This paper explores how structural arrangements and cultural messages shape women’s preferences for working with men vs. women. With respect to structural arrangements, we analyze how women’s relative power on a team influences their partner preference. With respect to cultural messages, we examine how one common source of information that has the potential to either challenge or reify notions of gender difference—sexual harassment policy training—affects partner preference. Methods: We conducted a laboratory experiment in which we placed 100 college-aged women in positions they may commonly find themselves in at the start of a new job—identifying coworkers to partner with on group tasks—and varied (1) their relative power on the team (leader or helper) and (2) exposure to workplace training (sexual harassment or ergonomic computer setup). We then assessed their attitudinal and behavioral preference for working with a female vs. a male partner on a decision-making task. Results: Women, particularly women assigned to a leadership position, more often chose to work with a female partner. Sexual harassment training did not affect women leaders’ attitudes about working with a male partner but those in a helper role expressed more positive attitudes about working with a man after sexual harassment training. These findings document how macro-level processes can shape workplace gender segregation, thus identifying mechanisms underlying the reproduction of gender inequality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Group Processes Using Quantitative Research Methods)

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19 pages, 400 KB

Open AccessReview

Walking and Biking the Beat: Operationalizing Proactive Community Engagement

by Ethan M. Humphrey, Narelle S. Hickmon, Nathan Cronin and Rachel B. Santos

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020122 - 14 Feb 2026

Viewed by 939

Abstract

Community-oriented policing (COP) has long been hailed as an approach to enhancing community trust in police, addressing community problems proactively rather than reactively, and fostering police-community engagement. However, some law enforcement agencies experience difficulty in translating the broad philosophy of COP into a [...] Read more.

Community-oriented policing (COP) has long been hailed as an approach to enhancing community trust in police, addressing community problems proactively rather than reactively, and fostering police-community engagement. However, some law enforcement agencies experience difficulty in translating the broad philosophy of COP into a practical and actionable strategy. Agencies cannot expect to fulfill COP objectives without a structured plan and accountability for achieving this goal. Therefore, drawing on existing themes for operationalizing proactive community engagement, this paper brings current research and best practices together to present a set of evidence-based strategies for COP foot and bike patrols. We highlight relevant considerations and tips that may be underscored in the minutiae of implementation within the COP foot and bike patrol process, yet remain critical to success. By operationalizing COP foot and bike patrols at several stages, the authors aim to assist agencies in striving for more than just symbolic or temporary approaches to COP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Police Community Engagement and Evidence-Based Crime Reduction Strategies)

20 pages, 708 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Sextuple Helix Innovation Model: Positioning Generative AI as an Epistemic Agent in Creative and Sustainable Knowledge Economies

by Lutz Peschke

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020121 - 13 Feb 2026

Viewed by 839

Abstract

This paper introduces the Sextuple Helix Innovation Model as an extension of the Quintuple Helix Innovation Model by Carayannis and Campbell. The epistemic perspective considers the understanding of generative AI (GenAI) as a sixth helix of knowledge production in sustainable innovation ecosystems. Accordingly, [...] Read more.

This paper introduces the Sextuple Helix Innovation Model as an extension of the Quintuple Helix Innovation Model by Carayannis and Campbell. The epistemic perspective considers the understanding of generative AI (GenAI) as a sixth helix of knowledge production in sustainable innovation ecosystems. Accordingly, the knowledge economy of GenAI will be discussed in the context of the innovation processes of cultural and creative industries. While GenAI is largely described in social discourses as a disruptive tool that potentially replaces human creativity and thus destroys jobs, this paper discusses GenAI as an entity with a specific knowledge economy that contributes to creative innovation processes in exchange with the five established helices of science, politics, economy, the media- and culture-based public, and the natural environment of societies. With the help of a scoping review, a comprehensive evaluation of academic literature from the fields of creative industries, cultural policy, and innovation research, based on a constructivist epistemological approach and knowledge economy theory, confirmed that the positioning of GenAI as an epistemic actor in the Sextuple Helix Innovation Model reframes and redefines discourses beyond the prevailing narratives of disruption and regulation. Full article

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20 pages, 989 KB

Open AccessArticle

Grit as a Key Factor in PhD Students’ Work Engagement and Burnout

by Kaja Lillelien, Elena Menichelli and Gunhild Bjaalid

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020120 - 13 Feb 2026

Viewed by 624

Abstract

Background: This study aims to explore the potential factors that can support Ph.D. students in completing their theses in a timely manner while maintaining their mental well-being. Theory: Based on the JD-R model, we discriminate between two independent processes: (1) Job demands are [...] Read more.

Background: This study aims to explore the potential factors that can support Ph.D. students in completing their theses in a timely manner while maintaining their mental well-being. Theory: Based on the JD-R model, we discriminate between two independent processes: (1) Job demands are a health impairment process that may lead to exhaustion and burnout. (2) Job resources are a motivational process that may lead to job satisfaction and engagement. In this study, we also wanted to explore grit as a potential mediator variable and how it could impact exhaustion at work and work engagement among Ph.D. students. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey design was used, from a sample of 194 Ph.D. students in Norway. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling. Results: Our results indicated that demands at work, not resources, had a positive significant effect on Ph.D. students’ grit, which acted as a mediator variable for exhaustion at work and work engagement. Conclusions: This study improves our understanding of the factors affecting Ph.D. students’ mental well-being and sheds light on how institutions can optimize resources and demands to promote timely thesis completion while minimizing the risk of severe mental health challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Job Stress and Burnout: Emerging Issues in Today’s Workplace)

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7 pages, 195 KB

Open AccessOpinion

Building Safe AI Chatbots for Rural Mothers Seeking Breastfeeding Support: Understanding Hallucinations and How to Mitigate Them

by Ayokunle Olagoke, Lisette T. Jacobson, Opeyemi Babajide and Ziwei Qi

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020119 - 13 Feb 2026

Viewed by 858

Abstract

AI-enabled chatbots are increasingly positioned as a remedy for breastfeeding support gaps in rural maternal health, offering private, immediate assistance amid persistent shortages of lactation specialists and limited access to care. However, their clinical promise remains constrained by the probabilistic nature of large [...] Read more.

AI-enabled chatbots are increasingly positioned as a remedy for breastfeeding support gaps in rural maternal health, offering private, immediate assistance amid persistent shortages of lactation specialists and limited access to care. However, their clinical promise remains constrained by the probabilistic nature of large language models, which can generate hallucinations that undermine maternal–infant safety. This article argues that safely integrating AI into breastfeeding support requires treating hallucination not as a singular technical flaw but as a systems-level risk shaped by design, governance, and use context. We identified key risks of AI systems that could result in hallucination such as, false citations, transcription errors, prompt injection and jailbreaking, and incorrect generalization or personalization, and analyze how each error introduces distinct safety vulnerabilities. Drawing from systems thinking, we outline mitigation strategies including retrieval-augmented generation grounded in authoritative breastfeeding sources, layered guardrails, adversarial testing, uncertainty-aware messaging, and domain-specific fine-tuning. By linking AI system design choices to downstream health consequences in resource-constrained settings, this paper reframes AI-assisted breastfeeding support as a governance challenge central to equitable, safe maternal health innovation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Community and Urban Sociology)

20 pages, 687 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing Sources of Instrumental and Relational Support: Motivating Workers for the Job and Beyond

by Ryan Gibson, Karen A. Hegtvedt, Cathryn Johnson and Kate Hawks

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020118 - 13 Feb 2026

Viewed by 573

Abstract

Workplace productivity fundamentally involves group processes where vertical authorities interact with lateral peer relationships, involving various types of resources. Leveraging theoretical arguments from self-determination, social exchange, and justice perspectives, we argue that different types of support matter for cultivating workers’ job motivation and [...] Read more.

Workplace productivity fundamentally involves group processes where vertical authorities interact with lateral peer relationships, involving various types of resources. Leveraging theoretical arguments from self-determination, social exchange, and justice perspectives, we argue that different types of support matter for cultivating workers’ job motivation and their engagement in extra-role behaviors in the workplace. We investigate how workers’ perceptions of managers and coworkers, regarding their instrumental support (aid for job tasks) and relational support (fairness in decision-making and treatment) contribute to increased motivation, which in turn leads to more reciprocal behaviors like making suggestions, helping coworkers, and volunteering for extra work. Our distinctive approach, involving both types of support from both sources, extends work that concentrates on just one type or source. We draw on survey data from 2062 workers across various occupations. Path analytic results largely confirm the hypothesized positive effects of support from authorities and coworkers on job motivation and extra-role behaviors, and show the extent to which job motivation mediates the effects of the types and sources of support. Nuanced results regard which type and source of support influence which type of extra-role behavior. We conclude by noting that our dual-process approach to workplace group processes may be useful for fostering overall productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Group Processes Using Quantitative Research Methods)

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23 pages, 621 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cohabitation and Child Educational Outcomes: An Examination of Family Stability and Transition in Australia

by Shana Pribesh, Emily E. Pulsipher, Mikaela J. Dufur, Jonathan A. Jarvis, Ashley Weisman and Yuanyuan Yue

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020117 - 12 Feb 2026

Viewed by 821

Abstract

Cohabitation has become an increasingly common context for childrearing, yet children living with cohabiting parents often exhibit poorer academic outcomes than peers with married parents. This study examines whether these disparities stem from cohabitation itself, subsequent family transitions, or underlying mechanisms related to [...] Read more.

Cohabitation has become an increasingly common context for childrearing, yet children living with cohabiting parents often exhibit poorer academic outcomes than peers with married parents. This study examines whether these disparities stem from cohabitation itself, subsequent family transitions, or underlying mechanisms related to resources, stress, or selectivity. Using data from the Growing Up in Australia: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), we follow 920 children born to cohabiting parents and track family structure changes alongside teacher-rated literacy and mathematics performance from ages 6 to 11 years. Generalized estimating equation models show that, although children whose parents transitioned to single-parent or other non-cohabiting arrangements initially appear to score lower academically, these differences are no longer significant once resource, stress, and selectivity variables are included. Instead, parental education, parental efficacy, homeownership, extracurricular participation, residential mobility, and parents’ region of origin more consistently predicts educational outcomes. Children with stably cohabiting parents and those whose parents later married do not differ significantly. Findings suggest that among children born to cohabiting parents in Australia, differences in later educational outcomes are largely explained by differences in parental education, efficacy, housing stability, and related factors, rather than by cohabitation or family instability alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Childhood and Youth Studies)

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27 pages, 370 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Narrative Literature Review: The Contribution of Experts by Experience to Diverse Forms of Social Work Teamwork

by Joanna Fox and Petra Videmsek

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020116 - 12 Feb 2026

Viewed by 691

Abstract

A commitment to co-production in which social workers co-create research, knowledge, and practice with people from multi-disciplinary backgrounds and people with direct lived experience of accessing services, who are termed experts by experience (EbEs), underpins social work ethics and values. EbEs are understood [...] Read more.

A commitment to co-production in which social workers co-create research, knowledge, and practice with people from multi-disciplinary backgrounds and people with direct lived experience of accessing services, who are termed experts by experience (EbEs), underpins social work ethics and values. EbEs are understood to be people who use their experiences of accessing health and social care services to influence and change all forms of social work. Despite this, EbEs have, to date, had limited involvement in teamwork in social work practice, although their contributions to social work education, research and practice innovations, as peers in the team, are of growing significance. A narrative review was undertaken to explore the gap in the routine involvement of EbEs in different forms of social work practice-based teamwork. This narrative review identified three over-arching themes to understand how EbEs contribute to social work teamwork: involvement in team relationships and in decision-making, involvement in knowledge production, and involvement in health and social care practice innovations. However, it must be acknowledged that the everyday involvement of EbEs in social work, including in multi-disciplinary teamwork, apart from small pockets of mental health practice, such as peer support workers, is lacking. It appears that EbEs are involved in practice innovations, rather than everyday practice; therefore, despite social work’s political and ideological commitment to co-production, it is less advanced than is often claimed. Full article

19 pages, 324 KB

Open AccessArticle

California’s Homelessness Assistance System: Structural Barriers, Engagement, and Housing Outcomes

by Peter George Kreysa

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(2), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15020115 - 12 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1954

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of California’s homelessness assistance system by integrating national, state, and county-level trends with an analysis of structural barriers, policy implementation gaps, and service coordination challenges. Despite substantial public investment, homelessness in California has continued to rise, underscoring the [...] Read more.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of California’s homelessness assistance system by integrating national, state, and county-level trends with an analysis of structural barriers, policy implementation gaps, and service coordination challenges. Despite substantial public investment, homelessness in California has continued to rise, underscoring the need to assess not only system capacity but also the mechanisms through which individuals access and transition through services. To address this gap, this study examines sustained engagement as a potential driver of successful exits from homelessness. Using 24 months of Los Angeles County outreach data (N = 88,353), findings show that 30% of individuals exited to interim or permanent housing. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant, moderate positive association between engagement and housing exits (r(21) = 0.42, p = 0.045), indicating that higher engagement levels correspond to improved individual outcomes even within a constrained housing environment. These results highlight the importance of relationship-based service models, cross-sector coordination, and governance reforms to strengthen California’s homelessness response system. Full article

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Soc. Sci., Volume 15, Issue 2 (February 2026) – 88 articles

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