Search Results (48)

Psychological distress remains a significant public health concern, particularly among youth. With the growing integration of mobile and wearable technologies into daily life, digital phenotyping has emerged as a promising approach for early self-detection and intervention in psychological distress. Objectives: The study aims to determine how behavioral and device-derived data can be used to identify early signs of emotional distress and to develop and evaluate a prototype system that enables users to self-detect these early warning signs, ultimately supporting early intervention and improved mental health outcomes. Method: To achieve this, this study involved a multi-phase, mixed-method approach, combining literature review, system design, and user evaluation. It started with a scoping review to guide system design, followed by the design and development of a prototype system (ESFY) and a mixed-method evaluation to assess its feasibility and utility in detecting early signs of psychological distress through digital phenotyping. Results: The results demonstrate the potential of digital phenotyping to support early self-detection for psychological distress while highlighting practical considerations for future deployment. Conclusions: The findings highlight the value of integrating active and passive data streams, prioritizing transparency and user empowerment, and designing adaptable systems that respond to the diverse needs and concerns of end users. The recommendations outlined in this study serve as a foundation for the continued development of scalable, trustworthy, and effective digital mental health solutions. Full article

This study presents a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis focused on female-led nanoenterprises in rural contexts, a marginal yet increasingly relevant category within enterprise research. Despite the growing attention to micro and small businesses, nanoenterprises—defined as unipersonal, informal, low-income productive units—remain underexplored and largely excluded from formal economic frameworks. Using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines with the 10-step B-SLR approach, 12 peer-reviewed articles were selected through a targeted search combining terms such as “nanoenterprise”, “women”, and “rural”. The analysis included citation counts, journal impact, country of origin, and thematic focus. Findings indicate conceptual and geographic fragmentation in existing research, with studies concentrated in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, and focused primarily on commerce, personal services, and subsistence agriculture. Gender emerges as a structural axis, as women face compounded barriers in digital access, credit, and formal recognition. The review reveals a lack of theoretical consolidation, comparative studies, and longitudinal research. This work contributes by articulating the distinct nature of nanoenterprises, proposing a research agenda, and highlighting their role in fostering economic inclusion, resilience, and empowerment among marginalized populations. The results call for inclusive public policies and scholarly frameworks that go beyond traditional models of entrepreneurship. Full article

Aged-care services are in crisis through a combination of rising demand and increasing costs. Quality of care is often reported to be insufficient. Medical science has increased lifespans but the overmedicalisation of aged care may affect the financial sustainability and quality of care. Person-centred care was developed as a solution and is generally interpreted as being concerned with consumer choice. This study presents a human rights-based approach to a code of conduct for aged-care consumers and workers to ensure autonomy and participation in aged-care communities, which are fundamental to person-centred care. A test–retest cohort study was used to investigate the impact of a training module about a human rights-based code of conduct on the perspectives of new aged-care workers (n = 11) on a case scenario involving conflicting care priorities. Qualitative content analysis was used to categorise and count the participants’ responses. The analysis found that prior to training the majority of participants were focused on a medical and risk reduction model of care. After the training participants had a more expansive understanding of care needs and recognised the importance of client empowerment to enable clients to participate in decisions affecting their care. The results support the implementation of a human rights-based approach to worker training and client care; such an approach is consistent with person-centred care. Full article

Clinical education, traditionally linked to university training in health care, has found a new declination at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico (FPUCBM) through a free public service aimed at patients, family members, and caregivers. This innovative approach aims to improve health self-management, promote empowerment, and foster the active involvement of patients in their own care pathway. Based on high-quality and safety certified standards (by the Joint Commission International), FPUCBM has launched structured initiatives such as “education box” events to provide clear and accessible information, addressing patients’ educational and emotional needs. The “health education service” integrates several activities, including single-topic educational events, the creation of information materials (brochures and video tutorials), and collaboration with patient associations. Since its launch in 2023, the service has reached more than 400 participants in 22 events, covering topics such as chronic disease management and prevention and the proper use of home devices. In total, 95 information brochures and 9 video tutorials have been produced to expand the available resources. Benefits include improved health awareness, increased confidence in care pathways, and a positive impact on the hospital’s reputation. In conclusion, it represents a replicable model of person-centered health care that combines human care and educational support to promote more effective and informed disease management while improving the overall patient experience. Full article

The rapid evolution of information technology has positioned digital intelligence as a transformative force across socio-economic domains, necessitating rigorous scholarly examination of its applications and implications. This paper systematically explores the digital intelligence empowerment in Building Lifecycle Management (BLM) under the framework of Construction 4.0. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a systematic literature review with bibliometric visualization analysis using CiteSpace to map the intellectual landscape, identify key technological drivers (for example, Building Information Modeling, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and blockchain), and elucidate integration mechanisms across planning, design, construction, and operational phases. A comparative case study of BLM adoption further demonstrates the transformative impacts of digital intelligence on project efficiency, sustainability, and safety. The research highlights the role of digital intelligence in addressing industry challenges, including resource waste (global construction generates 30% of total waste), safety risks, and stagnant productivity, while fostering innovation and sustainable development. This study advances a holistic model for digital transformation in BLM, offering actionable insights for stakeholders to bridge the academia–industry divide and prioritize strategic investments in interoperable systems, workforce upskilling, and governance frameworks. Full article

The integration of human rights-based approaches (HRBAs) into water resource governance has gained significant momentum, particularly in regions facing complex water security challenges. It is now recognized that to address water security, we must address the human side of insecurity, and the HRBA endeavors to do this. Importantly, research projects are primary drivers of water management innovation. As research methodologies directly influence subsequent water management practices, the integration of HRBA in research becomes crucial for ensuring human rights considerations in future water governance. This study examines HRBA implementation in water research programs within the Mekong sub-region, where water insecurity significantly impacts local communities dependent on the Mekong River basin. Through an analysis of six research projects under the Sustainable Mekong Research Network, we assessed HRBA implementation using five dimensions: accountability, transparency, policy engagement, participation, and empowerment. Our mixed methods approach combined document analysis with semi-structured interviews. Projects revealed a spectrum of HRBA implementations from ‘thick’ to ‘thin’ applications, with political sensitivities and varying institutional capacities influencing implementation depth. This study introduces a novel framework for evaluating HRBA in water research, offering practical guidance for researchers and policymakers working in regions with complex socio-political dynamics. The resulting frameworks provide actionable tools that can be immediately applied in research design, stakeholder engagement processes, and policy development, enabling more equitable and effective water governance practices across diverse institutional contexts. Full article

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska communities faced an extremely challenging situation given their socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic characteristics, as well as issues related to remoteness and colonial legacy. This paper seeks to advance the understanding of the gendered impacts and implications of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous women in Alaskan urban and rural communities through a resilience lens. The paper addresses two primary research questions: (1) What are the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous women in urban and rural Alaska, and specifically what are the gendered implications in the personal, sociocultural, and economic domains? (2) What are the strengths associated with women’s responses to COVID-19 that contribute to individual and community resilience during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and what are the constraints? This research is based on seventeen in-depth thematic interviews conducted in the city of Anchorage, the hub community of Nome, and its neighboring rural communities on the Seward Peninsula. Using the deficit-based approach combined with a strength-based perspective, this study provides a comprehensive examination of Indigenous women experiences during the pandemic across key domains of gendered impacts and responses, also providing a first-ever analysis of differences between rural and urban settings. The results revealed that despite significant challenges in personal, sociocultural, and economic domains, women demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness, while serving as caregivers at home and across their communities. The Indigenous holistic concepts of health and well-being, along with values of care, mutual support, and strong social and kinship ties, combined with traditional land- and water-based activities and cultural practices, play a crucial role in times of crisis, significantly contributing to building resilience and fostering empowerment at both the individual and community levels. Full article

Women’s reproductive decisions and life trajectories are shaped by an interplay of biological, social, and ecological factors. While Life History Theory (LHT) has traditionally been applied in biological sciences to examine reproductive trade-offs, its integration with Life Course Theory (LCT) and empowerment frameworks offers a novel approach to understanding how structural and environmental conditions shape women’s reproductive behaviours and household roles. This study applies Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) to identify key profiles of women’s lives in two ecologically distinct rural communities in Timor-Leste—Ossu and Natarbora—and examines how these patterns relate to early life conditions. Building on a longitudinal study conducted in these communities, our findings reveal four distinct profiles: (1) Tech and Sanitation, linked to household labour-saving technology and higher education; (2) Traditional, reflecting large household size and livestock ownership; (3) Contraception, associated with fertility control, particularly among younger cohorts; and (4) High Fertility, characterised by more births, greater child mortality, and being born in high-altitude regions. By combining LHT, LCT, and the empowerment framework, this study analyses how reproductive strategies and household ecology intersect with structural inequalities. These findings offer key insights for policies aimed at improving women’s autonomy, access to resources, and reproductive health in rural Timor-Leste. Full article

This article reflects on six years of work that implemented various participatory research methods with young women linked to gangs in El Salvador. The reflection focuses on the fundamental role of emotions and trust in contexts marked by violence and social exclusion. From the Freirean perspective of popular education and the approaches of Haraway and Butler, it also analyzes how these participatory methodologies with an autobiographical focus contribute to the re-signification of identities, the construction of agency, and the creation of safe spaces for dialogue. Through methods such as the systematization of experiences, life narratives, and critical ethnography, not only was the complexity of the participants’ lived realities captured, but the investigative process also became a vehicle for empowerment and social transformation. This article highlights how the ethical management of emotions, combined with the construction of trust-based relationships and the use of an autobiographical approach in participatory methodologies, redefines research as a humanized and transformative practice in the study of stigmatized and excluded populations. The findings emphasize the recognition of the contribution participatory research makes in contexts of violence and exclusion for the design of public policies, programs, or reintegration strategies. This underscores the need to promote research lines and funding that advance such proposals from the social sciences, establishing them as key tools for structural transformation. Full article

Education levels in Burkina Faso, especially among women, remain low despite efforts made by government authorities and development partners to implement priority area 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This situation presents difficulties for women in terms of their being economically and socially empowered. At the same time, the infant mortality rate in Burkina Faso is higher than the average for sub-Saharan Africa. This study analyses the combined effect of education level and women’s economic empowerment on infant mortality in Burkina Faso. It uses a linear probability model with instrumental variables approach to demographic and health survey data. The results highlight the positive impact of women’s level of education, understood in terms of literacy, and of their economic empowerment, in terms of probability of gain and decision-making power. Nevertheless, the impact of mothers’ level of economic empowerment remains mixed. Based on the findings of this study, policymakers should strengthen policies related to girls’ education, while improving the education system by integrating vocational training into the school curriculum. For better child well-being, mothers’ economic empowerment policies must be accompanied by legal measures aimed at eradicating traditional gender norms and sociocultural values restrict which limit their decision-making power. Full article

This study investigates the factors driving micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) empowerment, tourism development, and sustainable tourism villages, focusing on Ponggok Tourism Village as a case study. The purpose is to address gaps in understanding how leadership, innovation, governance, collaboration, capacity building, and technology contribute to empowering MSMEs and achieving sustainability in rural tourism contexts. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative analysis of survey data and thematic analysis of interviews with MSME actors, facilitators, and local government officials. Key findings reveal that leadership and innovation are critical drivers of MSME empowerment, with technology in service quality significantly impacting tourism development. However, technology in governance and transparency shows limited direct influence on tourism, emphasizing the need for better alignment with tourism strategies. Additionally, MSME empowerment strongly influences both tourism development and the sustainability of tourism villages, creating a mutually reinforcing relationship. This study provides a novel framework for integrating leadership, technological advancements, and governance improvements with local tourism strategies. By highlighting Ponggok’s village potential as a model, the findings offer practical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance rural tourism through MSME empowerment. Future research could explore scaling this framework to other contexts and refining technological tools for governance in tourism. Full article

Digital disparities remain a significant challenge in Indonesia, particularly across its diverse regions, with uneven access to digital infrastructure, skills, and economic opportunities. This study aims to map these digital disparities at the district level, analyze the spatial distribution and clustering of digital transformation using the Digital Society Index of Indonesia (IMDI), and investigate the key drivers of digital inequality across four core pillars: Infrastructure and Ecosystem, Digital Skills, Empowerment, and Jobs. To measure the IMDI, primary data were collected from the industrial sector and the general population over three years (2022–2024), combined with secondary data on internet usage and service standards. A multistage random sampling approach ensured representativeness, considering demographic variations and industrial segments. The analysis employed spatiotemporal methods to capture temporal trends and spatial clustering. The results revealed a significant IMDI increase from 37.80 in 2022 to 43.18 in 2023, followed by stability at 43.34 in 2024. The hotspots of digital transformation remain concentrated on Java Island, while low spots persist in eastern Indonesia. This study provides critical insights into Indonesia’s digital readiness, identifying priority areas for targeted interventions to bridge the digital divide and foster equitable digital development. Full article

In major emergencies, psychological crisis intervention plays a critical role in safeguarding public mental health and supporting post-disaster recovery. However, uneven resource allocation underscores the urgent need for more efficient resource integration pathways. This study, based on data from Chinese governmental and health departmental reports in 2022, employs a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to evaluate the efficiency of psychological crisis intervention resource integration across various regions. It investigates the combined effects of internal and external factors on improving integration efficiency through a configurational approach. The findings reveal that while the overall efficiency of resource integration is relatively high, there are notable differences between institutions. The analysis identifies five key pathways: policy support-driven (H1), professional capability-driven (H2), comprehensive synergy-driven (H3), resource optimization (NH1), and community empowerment (NH2). Despite regional disparities, effectively integrating key resources can enhance overall efficiency. Coordinating internal and external factors and optimizing essential resources are crucial for improving the effectiveness of psychological crisis interventions. This research offers actionable insights into integration strategies to strengthen psychological crisis intervention during emergencies. The findings also provide practical solutions to improve disaster preparedness and intervention efficiency, addressing a key gap in crisis resource management research. Full article

Light pollution imposes significant and far-reaching adverse effects on human society, necessitating its stringent regulation. However, intervention policies could be customized to suit the unique characteristics of each region, taking into account local conditions. To address this challenge, we have developed a comprehensive light pollution risk assessment model using a combination of objective and subjective weighting methods, including analytic hierarchy process (AHP), independent weighting method (IWM), entropy weight method (EWM), coefficient of variation (CV), criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC), and principal component analysis (PCA). This model facilitates a systematic evaluation of light pollution risk levels across diverse regions in China. Subsequently, we have proposed intervention policies targeting light pollution risk reduction and assessed their efficacy using the synthetic control method. Our findings reveal elevated light pollution risk levels in coastal and mountainous regions with heightened concentrations closer to urban centers. Strategies focused on enhancing lighting hardware, optimizing lighting schedules, and upgrading light sources demonstrated the impact on reducing light pollution risk levels (LPRL). This study not only lays a solid theoretical foundation for assessing urban light pollution risks but furnishes empirical evidence to aid relevant authorities in formulating effective light pollution control strategies. Full article

Design thinking is an interdisciplinary problem-solving approach that combines user-centered focus, challenge framing, visual thinking, experimental methods, and cross-functional collaboration. It has always been regarded as an important means to improve corporate sustainable innovation capabilities and team performance. However, its effectiveness is a controversial topic, with some proponents praising its ability to solve systemic problems while others question its applicability within traditional business processes and its impact on sustainable innovation success. Because of its exploratory nature, there is currently a lack of quantitative empirical research on its impact. Therefore, this study takes Huawei’s electric vehicle R&D sustainable innovation project as an example to explore the impact of design thinking on corporate sustainable innovation capabilities and team performance by analyzing the relationship between design thinking and team empowerment. The study included hypotheses, semi-structured qualitative interviews, quantitative questionnaire data, and structured equation model analysis. This study reveals the mechanism by which design thinking operates in industrial enterprises. There is a positive correlation between design thinking practice and team performance in sustainable innovation projects. Moreover, through the regulation of design thinking, team performance can be strengthened. However, the applicability of design thinking in highly sustainable innovation environments needs further research. In summary, this study provides fundamental insights into the complex relationships between design thinking, corporate sustainable innovation, and team performance, and provides direction for future research. Full article