Search Results (4)

Studies have established a negative correlation between residents’ perceptions of anti-social behaviours (ASBs) and their sense of community (SOC) within their neighbourhoods. Yet, whether their relationship persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic was under-researched, when daily life significantly changed. Theoretically, the pandemic’s impact on ASB and SOC was multifaceted, as lockdowns and work-from-home arrangements led to an increased time spent at home, potentially exacerbating neighbour nuisances and vulnerability to ASB, but also fostered opportunities for community building. Residents spent more time in their neighbourhoods engaging in neighbourly interactions and mutual aid initiatives, potentially strengthening SOC. To investigate these contrasting effects, this study analysed data from two questionnaire surveys conducted among private housing residents in Hong Kong before and after the onset of the pandemic. It finds that perceived ASB seriousness and SOC levels increased during the pandemic, yet the negative correlation between ASBs and SOC persisted. This research contributes to the literature by exploring the pandemic’s effects on SOC and ASB in high-density, high-rise contexts and expanding beyond noise nuisances to include various unacceptable behaviours in assessing ASBs. The paper concludes with policy implications and outlines a future research agenda focusing on the interplay between ASB control and SOC development in pandemic scenarios. Full article

In the present study, questionnaires and field measurements were carried out to investigate the thermal sensation, thermal preference, and adaptive behavior of 216 elderly people living in rural mutual aid homes in central Inner Mongolia from 15 December 2020 to 31 December 2020. The main objective of this article was to understand the thermal comfort of the elderly at different ages and provide a reference for the design and construction of mutual aid homes from the perspective of adaptive thermal comfort. The obtained results showed that the average clothing thermal resistance of the elderly is 1.36 clo, and the thermal neutral temperature is 20.52 °C. Moreover, the 80% acceptable temperature range of the elderly is 15.48–25.56 °C, and the thermal expectation temperature is 21.09 °C. Then, an adaptive thermal comfort model was established for the elderly in rural mutual aid hospitals in the region. It was found that the thermal resistance, thermal neutral temperature, and thermal sensitivity of the clothing of the elderly of different ages are significantly different. The difference is especially more pronounced for the elderly over 80 years. Therefore, the differences in the thermal comfort needs of the elderly of different ages should be considered in the construction of rural mutual aid homes. This article is expected to provide a reference for the design of rural mutual aid homes and the update of heating systems. Full article

Given the increasing numbers of elders in need of support living at home, digital solutions are developed to ensure good home-based care and support. From a perspective of qualitative urban sociology, the presented study aims to provide an overview of existing technologies for communication as well as networking social support for older adults especially in rural areas, as well as requirements for their dissemination. The focus is on digital networking via apps and platforms in Germany that provide digital support in the areas of participation/communication, mutual aid and/or professional services for older adults. For this purpose, interviews with representatives of 12 projects as well as workshops were conducted. Support mediated via the digital solutions was not always accepted as expected, not even during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure a sustainable and long-term use of the digital solutions, it is necessary to take into account the digital skills of the users, to deploy a supervisor and local networker, to find a suitable spatial dimension, to create an awareness of existing problems on site and to anchor the support in suitable structures. Full article

Research concerning the impact of earthquake victims’ individual behavior and its association with earthquake-related injuries is lacking. This study examined this relationship along with effectiveness of earthquake rescue measures. The six most severely destroyed townships during the Lushan earthquake were examined; 28 villages and three earthquake victims’ settlement camp areas were selected as research areas. Inclusion criteria comprised living in Lushan county for a longtime, living in Lushan county during the 2013 Lushan earthquake, and having one’s home destroyed. Earthquake victims with an intellectual disability or communication problems were excluded. The earthquake victims (N (number) = 5165, male = 2396) completed a questionnaire (response rate: 94.7%). Among them, 209 were injured (5.61%). Teachers (p < 0.0001, OR (odds ratios) = 3.33) and medical staff (p = 0.001, OR = 4.35) were more vulnerable to the earthquake than were farmers. Individual behavior was directly related to injuries, such as the first reaction after earthquake and fear. There is an obvious connection between earthquake-related injury and individual behavior characteristics. It is strongly suggested that victims receive mental health support from medical practitioners and the government to minimize negative effects. The initial reaction after an earthquake also played a vital role in victims’ trauma; therefore, earthquake-related experience and education may prevent injuries. Self-aid and mutual help played key roles in emergency, medical rescue efforts. Full article