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Reconceptualising Communication for Development: An Introduction
Social Biases in AI-Generated Texts: A Mixed-Methods Study in Spain
Sexual Exploitation: Professionals’ and Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Prevention, Assistance, and Protection for Victims in Portugal

Journal Description

Social Sciences

Social Sciences is an international, open access journal with rapid peer-review, which publishes works from a wide range of fields, including anthropology, criminology, economics, education, geography, history, law, linguistics, political science, psychology, social policy, social work, sociology and so on. Social Sciences is published monthly online by MDPI.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High visibility: indexed within Scopus, ESCI (Web of Science), RePEc, and other databases.
Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary) / CiteScore - Q2 (General Social Sciences)
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 34.2 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 4.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2024).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.

Impact Factor: 1.7 (2023)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2076-0760

Latest Articles

13 pages, 452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Why Has China’s Fertility Rate Plummeted in the Past Decade? An Investigation of Fertility Intentions and Influencing Factors Among Single, Unmarried Women of Childbearing Age in China

by Yantong Zhou and Ying Bian

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050293 (registering DOI) - 10 May 2025

Background/Objectives: Currently, the type of population reproduction in China has changed to “low birth, low death, low growth”. Additionally, as the number of single people has increased and the number of women of childbearing age has decreased, the growth of the total [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Currently, the type of population reproduction in China has changed to “low birth, low death, low growth”. Additionally, as the number of single people has increased and the number of women of childbearing age has decreased, the growth of the total population was bound to show a negative trend. Therefore, this study aimed to understand what factors influence fertility intentions from the perspective of single, unmarried women. Methods: We designed our own online questionnaire and collected information on fertility intentions from single, unmarried women of childbearing age (18–49 years). A total of 741 questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 92.6%, and the Theory of Planned Behavior model was integrated into the questionnaire survey. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS 24.0, and AMOS 24.0 software’s analysis of variance was used to determine whether there were differences in attitudes towards fertility intentions among respondents. Structural equation models were constructed via AMOS software for validation factor analysis and path analysis. Results: There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in “monthly income”, “net family income”, “health status”, and “only-child status”. Structural equation modelling revealed that fertility attitudes (β₁ = 0.301, p < 0.05), subjective norms (β₂ = 0.295, p < 0.05), and perceived behavioural control (β₃ = 0.146, p < 0.05) positively influence fertility intentions. Conclusions: The fertility intentions of single, unmarried women of childbearing age in China are influenced by many factors. Therefore, society should pay more attention to the rights and interests of single, unmarried women and provide a better social environment for childbearing; in addition, it is possible to appropriately relax the fertility policy of single births to improve the low fertility rate in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Family Studies)

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16 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gender Stereotypes and Their Impact on Social Sustainability: A Contemporary View of Spain

by Carla Palomino-Suárez and Marta Evelia Aparicio García

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050292 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2025

Gender roles are sociocultural constructs that shape the behaviors, attitudes, and values associated with men and women that influence social structures, equity, and sustainability. While these constructs reflect societal expectations, they also limit opportunities and affect emotional well-being. As their evolution has not [...] Read more.

Gender roles are sociocultural constructs that shape the behaviors, attitudes, and values associated with men and women that influence social structures, equity, and sustainability. While these constructs reflect societal expectations, they also limit opportunities and affect emotional well-being. As their evolution has not been consistent, rigid norms continue to hinder social progress. Ensuring that gender norms evolve toward inclusivity and equality is essential for the long-term well-being of societies. This study examines conformity to gender norms in Spain, considering age and educational level, with the aim of guiding public policies and educational strategies to foster social cohesion and equity. A quantitative methodology was employed, using the Conformity to Masculine Gender Norms Inventory and the Conformity to Feminine Gender Norms Inventory to assess adherence to traditional gender expectations. The sample consisted of 380 individuals aged 18 to 85 years. This study reveals a moderate-to-low level of conformity to gender norms but highlights a resurgence of traditional roles among younger individuals. These findings underscore the need for interventions that promote inclusive models and emphasize the importance of ongoing research to understand the impact of cultural, media, and generational factors on attitudes toward gender roles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Gender Studies)

10 pages, 199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Career Competencies, Preparing Students for the Future

by Marinka A. C. T. Kuijpers

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050291 - 9 May 2025

The changing nature of the labor market demands lifelong development of employees. This places a new responsibility on education to prepare students for a future of lifelong development. An important aspect of this preparation is the development of career competencies. Career competencies are [...] Read more.

The changing nature of the labor market demands lifelong development of employees. This places a new responsibility on education to prepare students for a future of lifelong development. An important aspect of this preparation is the development of career competencies. Career competencies are examined from different perspectives. Two meta-studies, analyzing 77 and 80 international studies, highlight two key theories for understanding career competency development: the Intelligent Career Theory (ICT) and the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). This article aims to provide deeper insight into career competencies for students by analyzing them conceptually through various theoretical lenses and linking them to research on educational practice in the Dutch context, where development of career competencies is a mandatory part of the pre-vocational and secondary educational curriculum. The ultimate goal is to develop recommendations for designing a learning environment that fosters career competency development in students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking the Education-to-Work Transition for Young People)

16 pages, 267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regulating Phone Contact and Digital Communication Between Children in Public Care and Their Parents

by Tina Gerdts-Andresen

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050290 - 9 May 2025

This study examines how the Norwegian Child Welfare Tribunal justifies regulating telephone and digital communication between children in public care and their parents. The regulation of such contact represents a distinct form of state interference in family life and must adhere to principles [...] Read more.

This study examines how the Norwegian Child Welfare Tribunal justifies regulating telephone and digital communication between children in public care and their parents. The regulation of such contact represents a distinct form of state interference in family life and must adhere to principles of necessity, proportionality, and respect for children’s rights. Using a thematic analysis of 34 Tribunal decisions involving 44 children, the study identifies four central themes: ensuring stability and emotional security, addressing parental behavior, balancing proportionality and necessity, and considering the child’s view. The Tribunal’s reasoning often reflects a cautious, preventive approach, prioritizing emotional stability. However, the lack of transparent assessments of necessity and inconsistent inclusion of children’s perspectives raises concerns about proportionality and children’s autonomy. Additionally, the limited involvement of children in these decisions risks making restrictions difficult to implement in practice, as children may not understand or agree with them and instead seek unregulated contact. The findings underline the need for clearer justifications and more consistent consideration of a child’s view to ensure that decisions align with their best interests and remain feasible in practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contact between Parents and Children in Child Welfare Care)

16 pages, 2948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Normalizing an Implicit and Discursive Secular Norm in Refugee Selection in New Zealand

by Hanyang Ge

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050289 - 8 May 2025

New Zealand has a long history of accepting refugees, with a refugee quota programme in place since 1987. New Zealand does not have a formal legislative structure for refugee resettlement. Its design and practice of the refugee quota programme are guided and determined [...] Read more.

New Zealand has a long history of accepting refugees, with a refugee quota programme in place since 1987. New Zealand does not have a formal legislative structure for refugee resettlement. Its design and practice of the refugee quota programme are guided and determined entirely by cabinet ministers’ discretion. A significant gap in scholarly research on refugee resettlement in the New Zealand context is the highly unarticulated assumption of the secularism of the New Zealand statecraft that underpins the unregulated state–refugee relationship. This paper examines a previously confidential government document, only released at the request of the author, which provides official guidance on refugee quota selection, along with other key ministerial briefings. Interviews were also conducted with a refugee quota selection officer and a policy advisor involved in informing refugee resettlement policies. This is the first research paper that focuses specifically on refugee selection in the New Zealand context from a religious studies’ perspective. I show that the rhetoric of New Zealand’s state secularism has a significant impact on refugee quota selection, which normalizes an implicit but discursive secular order. The paper argues that refugee selection by a secular state does not necessarily mean a complete absence of the scrutiny of religion. Instead, the statecraft of a secular host country in the West could be so potent that the constant modelling of religious thinking and practices managed by the state could still end up normalizing the exclusion of Judeo-Christian others. Full article

19 pages, 388 KiB

Open AccessReview

Investigation into the Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Special Education: A Literature Review

by Esraa Hussein, Menatalla Hussein and Maha Al-Hendawi

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050288 - 8 May 2025

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in special education has the potential to transform learning experiences and improve outcomes for students with disabilities. This systematic literature review examines the application of AI technologies in special education, focusing on personalized learning, cognitive and behavioral [...] Read more.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in special education has the potential to transform learning experiences and improve outcomes for students with disabilities. This systematic literature review examines the application of AI technologies in special education, focusing on personalized learning, cognitive and behavioral interventions, communication, emotional support, and physical independence. Through an analysis of 15 studies conducted between 2019 and 2024, the review synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of AI tools, including intelligent tutoring systems, adaptive learning platforms, assistive communication devices, and robotic aids. The findings suggest that AI-driven technologies significantly enhance students’ academic performance, communication skills, emotional regulation, and physical mobility by providing tailored interventions that address individual needs. This review also highlights several challenges, including limited access to AI technologies in low-resource settings, the need for more comprehensive teacher training, and ethical concerns related to data privacy and algorithmic bias. Additionally, the geographic focus of the current research is primarily on developed countries, overlooking the specific challenges of implementing AI in resource-constrained environments. This review emphasizes the need for more diverse and ethical research to fully realize the potential of AI in supporting students with disabilities and promoting inclusive education. Full article

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17 pages, 1122 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Experience of Transition from Hospital to Community Care of Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Narrative Review of Patients’, Families’ and Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives

by Flavia Hurducas, Codrina Csesznek and Daniela Mosoiu

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050287 - 7 May 2025

Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize qualitative research on the experiences of patients, families, and healthcare professionals during the transition of advanced cancer patients from hospital to community care. Methods: A systematic search of qualitative studies published between 2010 and 2023 was [...] Read more.

Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize qualitative research on the experiences of patients, families, and healthcare professionals during the transition of advanced cancer patients from hospital to community care. Methods: A systematic search of qualitative studies published between 2010 and 2023 was conducted. Thirteen studies were selected for their relevance to the transition from hospital to community care. The studies were thematically analysed to identify recurring patterns and significant findings. Results: The analysis revealed six key themes: (1) planning and managing transitions, (2) communication between actors involved in the process of transition, (3) constraints on health systems, (4) family, as a unit of care, (5) needs of patients and families in the process of transition to community care, and (6) emotions and feelings of actors involved in the transition. This review highlighted that transitions are often poorly managed, with inadequate communication, which contributes to anxiety, a sense of loss, and disruption in care continuity. Conclusions: This review emphasizes the importance of better planning, communication, and support during transitions from hospital to community care. A coordinated approach addressing the holistic needs of patients and families, including emotional support and clear communication, is essential for smoother, more effective transitions. Full article

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11 pages, 228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Organizational Culture and Emotional Intelligence: Enhancing Healthcare Professionals’ Job Satisfaction

by Vasiliki Georgousopoulou, Maria Amanatidou, Pinelopi Vlotinou, Eleni Lahana, Anna Tsiakiri, Ioannis Koutelekos, Eleni Koutra and Georgios Manomenidis

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050286 - 6 May 2025

Job satisfaction is a critical factor in healthcare settings, influencing both healthcare professionals’ well-being and patient care quality. Nurses, as frontline healthcare professionals, experience various stressors that impact their job satisfaction. Organizational culture (OC) and emotional intelligence (EI) have emerged as significant determinants [...] Read more.

Job satisfaction is a critical factor in healthcare settings, influencing both healthcare professionals’ well-being and patient care quality. Nurses, as frontline healthcare professionals, experience various stressors that impact their job satisfaction. Organizational culture (OC) and emotional intelligence (EI) have emerged as significant determinants of nurses’ job satisfaction. However, research on how these factors interact in different cultural contexts remains limited. Objective: This study examines the impact of organizational culture and emotional intelligence on nurses’ job satisfaction. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 338 nurses working in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Greece. Data were collected using the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), and Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore the associations between job satisfaction and study variables. Results: Nurses reported moderate job satisfaction (JSS mean score = 115.24 ± 20.84). Clan culture was the dominant organizational culture, while Hierarchy culture was the most preferred. EI was recorded at high levels among participants (WLEIS mean = 86.52 ± 12.24). Higher emotional intelligence, permanent employment status, and having children emerged as the most significant predictors of job satisfaction (p < 0.05). Notably, Hierarchy culture did not significantly predict job satisfaction, suggesting that while structure influences satisfaction, it does not solely determine it. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the importance of job security, emotional intelligence, and personal responsibilities in shaping job satisfaction. To enhance satisfaction, healthcare organizations should promote EI training, supportive leadership, and flexible policies that align organizational culture with healthcare professionals’ needs. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in diverse healthcare settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Work, Employment and the Labor Market)

16 pages, 541 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategies That Transform: Self-Regulation and Volitional Control as Keys to Academic Achievement

by Abílio Lourenço, Maria Olímpia Paiva and Sabina Valente

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050285 - 5 May 2025

In recent years, research has highlighted a concerning lack of commitment and motivation among students on a global scale, leading to persistently low levels of competence across various areas of study. This phenomenon and its social consequences reveal a growing unease and an [...] Read more.

In recent years, research has highlighted a concerning lack of commitment and motivation among students on a global scale, leading to persistently low levels of competence across various areas of study. This phenomenon and its social consequences reveal a growing unease and an urgent need for sustainable solutions. Within the educational context, social cognitive theory explores self-regulated learning processes as the ability to manage and master a set of crucial factors for high-quality learning and academic excellence. Managing volitional control strategies is also essential in achieving academic success. The study aimed to analyze, through structural equation modeling, how self-regulated learning processes influence students’ academic performance. It also investigated how the volitional control strategies adopted by students might mediate between self-regulated learning and academic performance. The sample included 647 students (M_age = 12.9) from the primary education cycle in Portuguese schools. The results showed that students with higher levels of self-regulated learning achieve better academic outcomes and more frequently employ volitional control strategies. Consequently, students who apply more volitional control strategies obtain superior academic performance, confirming the mediating role of these strategies. Some educational implications are discussed. Full article

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20 pages, 823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Collective Action: A Case Study of Identifying Assets and Actions During Community Mental Health Workshops to Address the Effects of Environmental Inequities

by Natasha M. Lee-Johnson, Jennifer L. Scott and Tara Powell

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050284 - 2 May 2025

Environmental changes, which have led to frequent and severe climate-related disasters, profoundly affect individuals and communities in Louisiana that display already existing disparities in vulnerability. An increasing body of evidence documents the relationship between the effects of climate change and poor mental health. [...] Read more.

Environmental changes, which have led to frequent and severe climate-related disasters, profoundly affect individuals and communities in Louisiana that display already existing disparities in vulnerability. An increasing body of evidence documents the relationship between the effects of climate change and poor mental health. This underscores the importance of utilizing an environmental justice framework to assess and innovate strategies for addressing disasters’ unequal burden. As part of a broader Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) project on the effects of a community-based intervention to improve mental health resilience in communities affected by disasters and crises, we included 12 churches in a community asset mapping process to identify resources within their communities and discuss actions that could improve their neighborhoods and build additional support. We conducted deductive and inductive content analysis of asset maps and field notes from 32 small groups. We found the following: (1) the church was seen as a central asset; (2) key distinctions in how participants discussed their tangible and intangible resources according to their geography, and (3) the themes of charity, resource facilitation, connecting the most vulnerable, and absence of government support typified how groups discussed possibilities of action. Full article

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

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23 pages, 320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Motherhood as a Prism Shaping Financial Literacy for Retirement Among Generation Y Women

by Li-Noy Green and Anat Herbst-Debby

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050283 - 2 May 2025

This qualitative study adopts a feminist perspective, delving into the cultural and moral dynamics inherent in financial literacy for retirement among Generation Y women in Israel. Employing the theoretical framework of gendered cultural schemas and focusing on the motherhood model, the research provides [...] Read more.

This qualitative study adopts a feminist perspective, delving into the cultural and moral dynamics inherent in financial literacy for retirement among Generation Y women in Israel. Employing the theoretical framework of gendered cultural schemas and focusing on the motherhood model, the research provides valuable insight into the social and moral forces that underlie young women’s financial literacy perceptions and actions regarding retirement in Israel. Based on interviews with 46 young Israeli-Jewish women from the Y generation, results underscore the significant embedded nature of the cultural model of intensive motherhood in young women’s financial literacy and their approach to retirement planning. This study emphasizes the role of culture in explaining gender inequality in retirement planning, shedding light on the role of young women’s agency operating within the boundaries of a gendered social structure. It calls for the inclusion of feminist approaches to enhance our understanding of social phenomena. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Gender Studies)

19 pages, 305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Masculinity in the Margins: Race, Gang Violence, and the Code of the Street

by Narayanan Ganapathy

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050282 - 30 Apr 2025

This study examines the intersection of race, class, and gang violence in Singapore, with a particular focus on the structural dynamics linking racial minorities, street gangs, and institutionalized Chinese secret societies—the archetype of organized crime in the city-state. By integrating race as both [...] Read more.

This study examines the intersection of race, class, and gang violence in Singapore, with a particular focus on the structural dynamics linking racial minorities, street gangs, and institutionalized Chinese secret societies—the archetype of organized crime in the city-state. By integrating race as both an ideology and a system of social relations into the study of gang formation, this research sheds light on why and how racial minorities become disproportionately involved in gang violence. The study revealed that beyond economic marginalization, racialized hierarchies embedded within gang contexts shape the motivations, participation, and mobility of minority individuals in both street gangs and the broader criminal underworld. Drawing on the concept of racialized masculinity, it is argued that racial minorities mobilize their gender and racial resources to compensate for status disparities resulting from structural exclusion in both legitimate and illegitimate spheres. In a postcolonial, multiracial society, like Singapore, where racial and class marginalization intersect, gang affiliation emerges as a means of negotiating power and social standing. The findings contribute to scholarship on race, crime, and social stratification while informing policies aimed at addressing racial inequalities and reducing gang violence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventing Gang Violence)

16 pages, 540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Virtual Exchange on College Students in the US and China

by Hongmei Zhang, Jian Wu, Yanju Li, Chad Marchong, David Cotter, Xianli Zhou and Xinhe Huang

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050281 - 30 Apr 2025

Virtual Exchange (VE) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional physical exchange, experiencing exponential growth in recent years to enhance students’ learning outcomes. However, the ways in which VE can effectively and mutually benefit diverse student populations remain unclear. This study introduces [...] Read more.

Virtual Exchange (VE) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional physical exchange, experiencing exponential growth in recent years to enhance students’ learning outcomes. However, the ways in which VE can effectively and mutually benefit diverse student populations remain unclear. This study introduces a specifically designed VE project utilizing the “Zoom-Sandwiched Cross-Chapter Concept Map” model and investigates its impact on college students enrolled in an introductory-level course in the US and China. The ten-week VE project incorporated both academic and cultural components. While our previous publication focused on the academic component and its benefits on student academic performance, this article emphasizes the cultural component and the integrated nature of the project. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of this project in promoting students’ career readiness competencies, particularly teamwork and communication skills. Additionally, our comparative data highlighted how this project significantly improved the behavioral dimension of Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC) and influenced career & self-development for Chinese students while fostered leadership skills among US students. The VE project presented in this article provides valuable guidance for integrating VE into curricula across various disciplines, helping to shape future VE initiatives globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global and Virtual Sociological Teaching—Challenges & Opportunities)

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17 pages, 971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transforming Local Knowledge(s) into European Recommendations: A Methodological Approach to Co-Creating Policy Briefs for Educational Inclusion

by Sofia Almeida Santos, Mariana Fonseca, Ana Cristina Torres, Eunice Macedo and Amélia Veiga

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050280 - 30 Apr 2025

This article explores the process of developing policy briefs (PB) as strategic tools to translate knowledge stemming from the analysis of local educational practices into inclusive European policy recommendations. This paper highlights how educational practices from eleven partner institutions across Denmark, Norway, Poland, [...] Read more.

This article explores the process of developing policy briefs (PB) as strategic tools to translate knowledge stemming from the analysis of local educational practices into inclusive European policy recommendations. This paper highlights how educational practices from eleven partner institutions across Denmark, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Spain informed recommendations to prevent early leaving from education and training (ELET) and to enhance youth’s school engagement. Educational practices involved a collaborative dialogue among multi-stakeholders to establish a shared vision about educational inclusion, and the co-creation of educational practices supported by monitoring, evidence collection, and the identification of promising examples. These elements reflect the aim to embed educational inclusion in policy development, while underscoring the role of PBs as mechanisms of participatory knowledge transfer between countries and sectors, bringing together diverse voices from policymakers, educators, researchers, and young people. In doing so, the methodological approach to produce PB recognised local produced knowledge as a catalyst for informed decisions promoting quality education. The analysis of PB highlights elements of the identified educational practices addressing ELET challenges, such as (i) implementing co-creation methodologies in both educational contexts and political formulation; (ii) addressing student citizenship as central to meaningful learning; (iii) valuing cross-sector partnerships to address systemic challenges, and (iv) reinforce relational pedagogies that enhance student–teacher and student–student relationships. Full article

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12 pages, 202 KiB

Open AccessArticle

University Distance Education in Prisons as a Tool for Rehabilitation and Social Inclusion

by Gina López-Armijos and Laura Ponce de León Romero

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050277 - 30 Apr 2025

Many countries use the deprivation of liberty as a punitive strategy to ensure citizen security. Nowadays, a rehabilitative perspective has also been included to promote social inclusion. University education is a potential tool for achieving this goal. The aim of this article is [...] Read more.

Many countries use the deprivation of liberty as a punitive strategy to ensure citizen security. Nowadays, a rehabilitative perspective has also been included to promote social inclusion. University education is a potential tool for achieving this goal. The aim of this article is to gather the opinions of twenty students and ten professors concerning the realities of university education in an Ecuadorian prison. This study uses an onto-epistemological approach and concentrates on the perception of individuals, employing a qualitative methodology. The results show that these educational programs have positive effects on the students, improving their life projects, their behavior inside and outside jail, and their digital knowledge and ICT skills, reducing recidivism and promoting labor market reintegration. The conclusions suggest that university distance education is a tool for rehabilitation and social inclusion and that greater involvement is required on the part of the State, companies, and the community in general to facilitate the graduates’ labor reintegration, as well as follow-up and social support services for ex-offenders and their families. Full article

17 pages, 210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Struggle to Maintain Schools in Times of War

by Izabel Ramadan and Michal Razer

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050279 - 29 Apr 2025

This article explores the distinct challenges facing Arab school principals in Israel, particularly in the context of existential fears stemming from a complex political landscape and rising violence in schools. These concerns are intensified by feelings of isolation from decision-making processes and the [...] Read more.

This article explores the distinct challenges facing Arab school principals in Israel, particularly in the context of existential fears stemming from a complex political landscape and rising violence in schools. These concerns are intensified by feelings of isolation from decision-making processes and the ineffectiveness of policies aimed at addressing the specific needs of Arab communities. Through an action research approach, this study analyzed the experiences of 15 elementary school principals over four years and introduced an intervention model called “empathetic inquiry”. This model, comprising four stages, creating a safe space for emotional expression, framing and reframing events, and formulating alternative actions, was implemented through group discussions and techniques like roleplaying. Findings revealed that the model facilitated open emotional sharing, enhanced principals’ sense of competence, and transformed their perception of authority from a rigid to a reflective role. Participation in the group fostered solidarity among staff and improved conflict management skills. Ultimately, this study highlights the “empathetic inquiry” model as a promising strategy for fostering empathetic leadership and reducing existential anxiety in Arab schools, although future research is necessary to evaluate its broader applicability and long-term effects, reflection, and self-awareness. This model contributed to their ability to cope with conflicts more effectively and to develop empathetic leadership. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking the Education-to-Work Transition for Young People)

18 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sport-Based Interventions as Non-Formal Education: Enabling the Education to Employment Transition for Young People

by Haydn Morgan, Harry Bowles and Anthony Bush

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050278 - 29 Apr 2025

Traditionally, qualifications and skills developed through formal learning have been the cornerstone of enhancing the employability of young people. However, the trajectory from education to work in contemporary society is far from linear; hence, the purpose of this paper is to evidence the [...] Read more.

Traditionally, qualifications and skills developed through formal learning have been the cornerstone of enhancing the employability of young people. However, the trajectory from education to work in contemporary society is far from linear; hence, the purpose of this paper is to evidence the potential benefits that non-formal educational practices, specifically involving sport-based interventions (SBIs), may offer to support the transition to employment. This paper presents data from 19 semi-structured interviews that were conducted with participants from organisations that either designed and/or delivered SBIs focused on enhancing employability or were from organisations that had experience of commissioning or funding sport-based employability projects. This paper outlines why SBIs may offer an effective alternative form of education to employment provision and also how SBIs enable young people to navigate non-linear education to employment transitions. Crucial to enhancing this transition is the provision of a supportive and inclusive non-formal educational environment where young people can acquire both propositional and procedural knowledge, whilst concurrently (re)connecting them with formal educational systems to expedite the transition to work. Importantly, this paper highlights that this concurrent blend of non-formal and formal education is particularly critical for young people without formal qualifications and who are furthest from an employment destination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking the Education-to-Work Transition for Young People)

13 pages, 240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supervisor Phubbing in Part-Time Jobs: Examining Its Relationship with Supervisor–Employee Rapport

by Michael Langlais and Emma Welch

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050276 - 29 Apr 2025

Using the Leader–Member Exchange theory, the goal of this study is to test the relationship between supervisor phubbing and supervisor–employee rapport in the context of part-time jobs. Data for this quantitative investigation come from 211 participants who completed an online survey regarding frequency [...] Read more.

Using the Leader–Member Exchange theory, the goal of this study is to test the relationship between supervisor phubbing and supervisor–employee rapport in the context of part-time jobs. Data for this quantitative investigation come from 211 participants who completed an online survey regarding frequency of supervisor phubbing and their rapport with supervisors for their last three part-time jobs, if applicable. The results from regression analyses revealed that supervisor phubbing negatively predicted supervisor–employee rapport for participants’ first and second part-time jobs, even when controlling for length of time working, frequency of communicating with supervisor, and amount of technology use by supervisor and employee. These findings imply that even limited interactions, when disrupted by mobile phone use, can hinder part-time employees’ relationships with their supervisors and employee engagement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Work, Employment and the Labor Market)

20 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Work-Based Learning in Migrant Education: The Case of Finnish Vocational Education

by Katarzyna Kärkkäinen, Maarit Hannele Virolainen, Anne Virtanen and Päivi Tynjälä

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050275 - 29 Apr 2025

This study examines adult migrant students’ and Finnish vocational teachers’ experiences of migrant students’ learning in workplaces as part of vocational education and training qualifications. Theoretically, this study draws on previous research on students’ work-based learning, including insights from the 3P model (presage–process–product [...] Read more.

This study examines adult migrant students’ and Finnish vocational teachers’ experiences of migrant students’ learning in workplaces as part of vocational education and training qualifications. Theoretically, this study draws on previous research on students’ work-based learning, including insights from the 3P model (presage–process–product factors), as well as the literature on learning and working in a new linguistic and cultural context. The data were collected through individual interviews (n = 11) and a group interview (n = 6) with migrant students and individual interviews with vocational teachers (n = 13). The analysis provides insights into learner-specific and workplace-specific presage factors of migrant students’ learning at workplaces. We propose that these insights should be recognised when searching for new pedagogical solutions aiming at enhancing understanding of migrants’ learning at workplaces. The findings highlight the need to develop the integration of school-based and work-based learning while recognising (1) the benefits of workplace learning for migrant students’ learning and their journeys toward becoming members of work communities, and (2) stereotypical views that may hinder migrants’ efforts to access the benefits of learning in the workplace. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Integration of Formal Education and Work-Based Learning)

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Wrapping a Rainbow Around the Medicine Wheel: A Scoping Review of Social and Emotional Wellbeing for Queer, Trans, and Two Spirit Native Youth

by Autumn Asher BlackDeer

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(5), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050274 - 29 Apr 2025

Queer, trans, and Two Spirit Native youth are rarely represented in research, with extant evidence continuously pointing out health disparities and pathologizing individual characteristics rather than accounting for the structural aspects of colonial society. Global Indigenous scholars have put forth a holistic conception [...] Read more.

Queer, trans, and Two Spirit Native youth are rarely represented in research, with extant evidence continuously pointing out health disparities and pathologizing individual characteristics rather than accounting for the structural aspects of colonial society. Global Indigenous scholars have put forth a holistic conception of social and emotional wellbeing that integrates Indigenous sovereignty, strengths, and cultures, positing that Indigenous health is a culturally bound phenomenon. To move beyond these deficit-based framings and collate available scholarship, the present work presents the results of a scoping review surrounding the social and emotional wellbeing of queer, trans, and Two Spirit Native youth. Informed by the Indigiqueer ecological medicine wheel, the present work includes a breadth of health and wellbeing concepts for QT2S Native youth across micro and macro domains. A total of 27 articles met the criteria and were reviewed to (a) illuminate current experiences of QT2S Native youth, (b) provide recommendations for health providers to better support QT2S Native youth clients, and (c) suggest future research and data recommendations to build towards a holistic understanding of social and emotional wellbeing for queer, trans, and Two Spirit Native youth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Social and Emotional Wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Young People)

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