Life Choices Research Articles

Promoting Individual Health Responsibility in the Welfare State.

The public health insurance in Germany will face huge economic challenges in the upcoming years. New diagnostic and therapeutic methods as well as the demographic change contribute to constantly rising expenditure. Although incentives for health-promoting behaviour or financial sanctions for an unhealthy lifestyle have been already discussed in the past, there has been a general reluctance to legally establish corresponding mechanisms for fear of eroding solidarity and increasing state control. In the course of the Coronavirus pandemic however, a stronger awareness rose to the fact that personal health-related life choices can have a huge impact on the stability of the healthcare system including public health insurance. Not only in Germany but throughout much of Europe, the pandemic led to a new and more fundamental debate about the relationship between individual responsibility for personal health and the wider responsibility for public health assumed by the community of solidarity.

Cultures of labour: aspiration, developmental futures and the materiality of memory after Chinese economic reform

ABSTRACT This article argues for attention to the affective investments that motivate working people’s life choices in contemporary China by tracing the materiality of the development of aspirations in a rapidly developing context. Turning to the work of Bernard Stiegler, the article contends that for working people, the demand to labour is based not just on the alienation of the means of production (savoir-faire), but also the means of living a good life (savoir-vivre), which is displaced into a future made knowable within the material world in the present. The article shows how the developmental standard-making that produces senses of progress and legitimizes aspiration, thus compelling economic action, is alienated within the materiality of working people’s rapidly changing worlds. By referencing these temporal displacements, developmental subjects assess their own presents by comparison, justifying difficult circumstances by making progress tangible. Understanding the mechanics of aspiration and cultures of labour is vital in light of critiques by labour geographers of the equation of labour agency with traditional, formalized labour politics, as there remains much work to be done to understand how and why people become workers in the first place.

Out-of-pocket expenses and rationing of insulin and diabetes supplies: findings from the 2022 T1International cross-sectional web-based survey.

Continue investigating Out-of-Pocket Expenses (OoPEs) and rationing of insulin and diabetes supplies, including impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in English and advertised by T1International's global network of patient advocates from May through September 2022. Participants provided monthly OoPEs and rationing frequency for insulin and supplies, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and open-ended comments. In the seven most represented countries, mean monthly OoPEs were highest in the United States, followed by Panama, Canada, and India, and were much lower in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden. OoPEs were highest for participants with partial healthcare coverage, followed by those with no healthcare coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted access and/or affordability of insulin and/or supplies for over half of participants. Globally, 19.5% reported insulin rationing and 36.6% reported rationing glucose testing supplies. Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses identified themes such as 'mental health impacts' and 'limits to life choices.' High OoPEs lead to rationing of insulin and supplies for many people with T1D globally. Healthcare systems improvements and price reductions of insulin and supplies are needed to ensure adequate, equitable access for all.

Maximization strategies in relationship and career enhances life satisfaction through meaning making among established adults in South Korea

BackgroundChoosing a partner and job have long been regarded as important developmental milestones to reach in adulthood. In a collective cultural context with high familial and societal expectations to commit to a relationship and job by age 30, maximizing on such life decisions might potentially harm one’s well-being. The literature on maximization-well-being association is complex, and recent research suggests that this relationship might differ by its dimensions and cultural context. In the present study, we examined how engaging in a maximization strategy in relationship and career domains predicts life satisfaction and whether this pathway is mediated by a meaning-making process (search-to-presence of meaning) among established adults in South Korea.MethodsSurvey data on measures of relational maximization strategy, career maximization strategy, search for meaning, presence of meaning, and life satisfaction was collected from 264 South Korean unmarried, working adults in their 30 s to 40 s. A two-step structural equation modeling method was applied to test the hypothesized serial mediation model.ResultsTests of the measurement and structural model showed good fit with the data (CFI = .96, TLI = .95, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .05). Further bootstrapping results supported significant indirect effects of the serial mediation model in the paths between maximization strategy and life satisfaction via a search-to-presence of meaning in both relational (b = .16, 95% CI [.01, -.16], p < .05) and career (b = .26, 95% CI [.11, -.26], p < .01) domains.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that for established adults in a collectivist culture who may experience familial and social pressure on these life choices, searching for alternative options to make the best relationship and career decisions could potentially lead to higher life satisfaction, when done through an intentional meaning-making process.

Attitude of Secondary School Students' Towards Mathematics

Mathematics is one of the main subject of our life. Information about mathematics helps to make better choices in everyday life. So mathematics knowledge become most important now a days. present study intended to find the Attitude of secondary school students towards mathematics in Jajpur district of Odisha, India. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. 100 secondary school students were selected through a purposive sampling procedure. The data was collected by the Attitude Towards Mathematics Scale (A T M S) developed by Dr. S.C. Gakhar, and Rajni, to measure the attitude of secondary school student’s towards mathematics. The findings of the study revealed that private secondary school students have more positive attitude towards mathematics than government secondary schools. It also found that girl students have more positive attitude than boys.

The Cultural Formulation Interview as a clinical tool in the assessment of eating disorders: a pilot study.

The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) in the DSM-5 is a person-centered instrument for systematically appraising the impact of sociocultural factors in psychiatric assessment. The CFI has been shown to be feasible, acceptable, and useful in various clinical contexts. However, to this date there is only one published report describing the use of the CFI with patients with eating disorders. To explore the potential benefits and challenges of utilizing the CFI in the assessment of eating disorders. As an addendum to an ongoing qualitative study about barriers to treatment for eating disorders for individuals with a migration background in Sweden, we utilized the CFI in the assessment of adult patients (n=8) in specialist eating disorder treatment. Interview data were analyzed employing a thematic analysis framework. Participants provided feedback using a standard form for evaluation of the CFI. Certain CFI questions proved especially meaningful in this context. In response to the CFI question about patient explanatory models, previously unrecognized ideas about causation emerged. These included perfectionism-a known risk factor for eating disorders-based on immigrant parents' career expectations and experiences of strict family control over life choices. In response to the CFI questions on cultural identity and its impact, the participants provided rich descriptions including important themes such as religion, racism, and ambiguities associated with being a second-generation immigrant. The final CFI question, eliciting concern about the patient-clinician relationship, revealed numerous examples of prejudice and unfamiliarity with migrant groups among healthcare providers. The CFI can be useful in the assessment of patients with eating disorders and should be further explored as a standard tool in specialist eating disorder services.

Recreational use of psychedelics at music festivals: Motivation, nature of experiences and learnings

AbstractThe present research study investigated the phenomenon of recreational use of psychedelics at music festivals, analysing whether the resulting experiences could possibly be recognized as valuable in terms of preventive mental health strategies. Quantitative (online survey) and qualitative (interviews) research methods have been combined to illuminate 3 main topics: motivation for the setting choice; the nature of the resulting experiences &amp; their influence on people's lives; learnings from psychedelic experiences at music festivals (PEMF).Among other findings, motivation evolved around fun, enhancing the sensory exploration of the world, and deepening the connection to its diverse parts through engagement with art, nature and other beings. Factors, distinguishing music festivals from other settings, were significant for the setting choice (non-controllability of the environment, community &amp; connection aspect, diversity &amp; richness of the surroundings, pharmacological specifics). Remarkably, the non-controllability of the environment, otherwise avoided in the psychedelic research, contributed to the life-changing effects of PEMF. Exploration of their nature showed that, mostly rooted in poly-drug use, the enjoyable were clearly dominating over the challenging ones. The mystical PEMF appeared to be surprisingly common. Participants shared the related life-changing effects, centred around changed perception (increased empathy, awareness, acceptance; new perspectives, etc.) and changed behaviours (increased mindfulness in all life areas; making different life choices; changed approach to relationships, etc.). Except for post MDMA recovery, a positive impact of PEMF on mental health and the emotional state of the participants was reported, referring to increased levels of happiness, compassion, awe, trust and to emotional balance. This study showed the potential value of PEMF in terms of preventive mental health strategies in various forms. Acknowledging these findings as well as the existence of potential risks for triggering psychiatric conditions, de-stigmatization of recreational use could help introduce meaningful changes, including substance testing availability, prioritization of education as well as mandatory welfare and harm reduction services on-site.

Interprofessional follow-up for people at risk of type 2 diabetes in primary healthcare – a randomized controlled trial with embedded qualitative interviews

Objective To examine the effects of an empowerment-based interprofessional lifestyle intervention program among people at risk of type 2 diabetes on knowledge, skills, and confidence in self-management, health, psychological well-being, and lifestyle characteristics, and to explore the participants’ perceptions of participating in the intervention. Design and methods In line with the Medical Research Council complex interventions research methods framework, we conducted a randomized controlled trial with embedded qualitative interviews in primary healthcare clinics in Norway between 2019–2021. Of the patients at risk (The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score Calculator (FINDRISC) ≥15 or Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30) 142 accepted the invitation, and 14 participants from the intervention group participated in individual interviews after the 12-month follow-up. Our primary outcome was the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13). Secondary outcomes were EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, WHO-Overall health, WHO-Overall QOL, weight, height, waist circumference, and regularity of physical activity. We used thematic analysis to analyse the qualitative data. Results There was no clinically relevant differences of neither the primary nor the secondary endpoints between intervention and control group. As to the qualitative data, we identified two distinct features: ‘Meaningful perspectives on lifestyle changes’ and ‘Lifestyle change is not a linear process due to challenges faced along the way’ putting ownership of their choices in life into picture. Conclusion The negative results of the RCT stand in contrast to the findings given by the participants voices, perceiving the intervention as a key eye opener placing their health challenges in perspective. How to interpret these seemingly conflicting findings of participants being seen, heard, and understood, helping them to take more conscious ownership of their choices in life, and at the same time demonstrating no improvements in symptoms or measures, is a dilemma that needs further exploration. We should be careful to implement interventions that do not demonstrate any effects on the quantitative outcomes.

Rebuilding life after slavery. Manumission, emancipation, and family networks in European empires, 1750–1900

Wherever and whenever systems of slavery existed, enslaved people struggled to attain freedom. Spanning various imperial contexts from 1750 to 1920, this special issue convenes a team of scholars to investigate the aftermath of emancipation. What did freedom from slavery entail in deeply unequal colonial societies? This issue explores diverse experiences, from maroon communities in the Caribbean wilderness to the forced resettlement of freed slaves in European colonies in Africa, and the legal emancipation of slaves in segregated colonial port cities in Asia. Enslaved people encountered ‘freedom’ with its attendant threats and opportunities in myriad ways. Building on the rich historiographical tradition of slavery studies, this special issue aims to broaden the scope of historical research from the slave trade and the lives of enslaved individuals to their post-emancipation existence. However, even recent literature often treats freedom after abolition and manumission as distinct phenomena, representing different legal paths to freedom—one associated with the early modern period and the other with the nineteenth century. This special issue re-evaluates this presupposition by foregrounding the post-emancipation life events of formerly enslaved individuals. It questions whether and how these different transitions from slave status to freedom can and should be structurally compared in slavery studies. By tapping into previously unexplored sources, re-examining older datasets with fresh perspectives, and employing record linkage to uncover forgotten slave histories, the authors seek to assess the living conditions of formerly enslaved people and their direct descendants after emancipation. In doing so, we aim to explore how past experiences of enslavement influenced future life choices and opportunities, thereby questioning the so-called afterlives of slavery.

"My Dead Body": Development, production, and reception of a documentary that publicly displays the dissection of a human donor.

Recently, there has been an emphasis on keeping the study of anatomy using donor material confined to the domain of medical and allied healthcare professionals. Given the abundance of both accurate and inaccurate information online, coupled with a heightened focus on health following the COVID-19 pandemic, one may question whether it is time to review who can access learning anatomy using donors. In 2019, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) obtained a Human Tissue Authority Public Display license with the aim of broadening the reach of who could be taught using donor material. In 2020, BSMS received its first full-body donor with consent for public display. Twelve workshops were delivered to student groups who do not normally have the opportunity to learn in the anatomy laboratory. Survey responses (10.9% response rate) highlighted that despite being anxious about seeing inside a deceased body, 95% felt more informed about the body. A documentary "My Dead Body" was filmed, focusing on the rare cancer of the donor Toni Crews. Viewing figures of 1.5 million, and a considerable number of social media comments highlighted the public's interest in the documentary. Thematic analysis of digital and social media content highlighted admiration and gratitude for Toni, the value of education, and that while the documentary was uncomfortable to watch, it had value in reminding viewers of life, their bodies, and their purpose. Fully consented public display can create opportunities to promote health-conscious life choices and improve understanding of the human body.

Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Assisted Dying: A Qualitative Study

Assisted dying became a legal choice in November 2021 following the passing of the End of Life Choice Act (2019) in New Zealand. This new means of dying allows individuals to pursue the right to die should they meet the legislated criteria. The availability of assisted dying raises questions regarding nursing practices and responsibilities in relation to the service. The aim of this study was to gain insight into nursing students’ views about assisted dying in Aotearoa New Zealand. A qualitative descriptive study using a qualitative survey with a paper-based questionnaire was undertaken among nursing students enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) programme at a single tertiary education organisation in 2019. Responses from 192 students were analysed using content analysis. Three categories were identified: supportive on the basis of personal choice; disapproval on the basis of personal beliefs; and taking a professional stand as a nurse. The categories present the distinct and opposing views expressed by nursing students regarding assisted dying, with the extent of support or disapproval being supported by their recognition of personal autonomy, their own belief systems and their views of roles expected of nurses. This research highlighted that nursing students’ views about assisted dying were influenced by both personal and professional factors, and at times these were dichotomous. Ethical and practice challenges concerning assisted dying must be recognised and acknowledged. The nursing education sector should include topics related to assisted dying in the curricula and work with students to, where necessary, reconcile any ethical issues that arise. This will ensure that future nurses are prepared and equipped with knowledge and skills in providing care to patients and families considering or requesting assisted dying. Te reo Māori translation Ngā whakaaro o ngā pia tapuhi ki te mate whakaahuru: He rangahau kounga Ngā Ariā Matua I whakamanaia ā-turetia te mate whakaahuru o te tangata i te marama o Nōema 2021 i muri i te pāhitanga o te Ture mō te Whiringa mō te Mutunga o te Oranga (2019) i Aotearoa. Mā tēnei ara hou ki te matenga ka taea e te tangata takitahi te whai i tana tika kia mate, ki te tutuki i a ia ngā paearu ā-ture. Nā te wāteatanga mai o te mate whakaahuru mō te tangata, ka ara ake ētahi pātai mō ngā tikanga mahi tapuhi me ō rātou haepapa mō te kaupapa āwhina hou. Te whāinga o tēnei rangahau he whai kia mārama ki ngā whakaaro o ngā pia tapuhi ki te mate whakaahuru o te tangata i Aotearoa. I mahia tētahi rangahau whakaahua kounga nā te whakamahi uiuinga kounga, ki tētahi rārangi pātai pepa i waenga i ngā pia tapuhi i rēhitatia ki tētahi akoranga Paetahi mō Te Tapuhitanga (BN) i tētahi whare whakaako kotahi i 2019. I tātaritia ngā whakautu mai i ngā ākonga 192 nā te whakamahi tātaritanga kōrero. E toru ngā kāwai i tautuhitia: ērā i tautoko i runga i te whiringa whaiaro; te korenga e whakaae i runga i ngā whakapono tāngata takitahi; me te tū hei tangata ngaio, arā, hei tapuhi. Ko ngā kāwai kei te whakaari i ngā tū motuhake, tauaro hoki i whakapuakina e ngā pia tapuhi mō te mate whakaahuru, me kī, kei te āhua o tō rātou whakaae ki te mana motuhake o te tangata mōna anō, o ō rātou pūnaha whakapono, me tō rātou titiro ki ngā mahi e tika ana mā te tapuhi, te kaha tautoko, te kaha whakahē rānei ki te ara hou. Tā tēnei rangahau he whakatairanga i te kawenga o ngā whakaaro o ngā pia tapuhi mō te mate whakaahuru e ngā pūtake whaiaro, me ngā pūtake ngaio, ā, i ētahi wā he noho tauwehe ēnei pūtake e rua. Me mātua kite, me mātua urupare ki ngā wero matatika me ngā wero i te wāhi mahi o te mate whakaahuru. Me uru ki te rāngai akoranga tapuhi ētahi kaupapa e pā ana ki te mate whakaahuru i roto i te marautanga me te mahi tahi ki ngā ākonga ki te tuitui tahi i ngā take matatika ka ara ake, i ngā wāhi e tika ana. Mā konei ka tika te whakangungu, te hoatu pūkenga hoki ki ngā tapuhi o āpōpō, ka whiwhi hoki i te mātauranga me ngā pūkenga e tika ana hei tiaki i ngā tūroro me ō rātou whānau e whiriwhiri nei, e inoi nei rānei, ki te mate whakaahuru mō rātou. Ngā kupu matua mate whakaahuru; te taurimatanga i te mutunga o te ora; ngā ture; te akoranga tapuhi; ngā pia tapuhi; te rangahau kounga

Disparities in public awareness, practitioner availability, and institutional support contribute to differential rates of MAiD utilization: a natural experiment comparing California and Canada

ABSTRACT Even though California and Canada both legalised medical aid in dying (MAiD) in 2016 and have similarly sized populations, only 853 medically assisted deaths occurred in California versus 13,241 in Canada in 2022, the most recently reported year. Ten testable hypotheses were proposed to explain this 15-fold differential in MAiD utilisation. A demographically representative online survey of adults 60 and older in both jurisdictions (N = 556) revealed no differences in moral acceptance of MAiD or willingness to use it. However, only 25% of Californian participants were aware that MAiD was legally available versus 67% of Canadian participants. Evidence in the public domain revealed that there were 6.0 times more MAiD practitioners per capita in Canada than in California, and there was far greater support for MAiD by Canadian healthcare institutions. The evidence did not support hypotheses presuming more restrictive laws in California or greater access to palliative care/hospice. While other reasons may contribute to the difference in MAiD utilisation, limited public awareness, fewer MAiD practitioners per capita, and sparse support by healthcare institutions may significantly reduce California residents’ ability to exercise their autonomy when making end of life choices.

The Moderating and Mediating effects of Low Income and feelings of Perceived Deprivation on Madrassa Students

Religious education in the country like Pakistan is considered mandatory and when it comes to make for life choices, majority of the parents chose religious education. Hence, majority madrassas students come from poor background because they cannot afford or acquire education in general subjects, compared to kids of their age studying in private and government schools which leads to feelings of perceived deprivation. To measure the impact of such deprived feelings on the madrassa students, this study applied quantitative method to examine the impact of perceived feelings. Out of 283 registered madrassas, 40 were selected randomly, whereas, 25 Questionnaires were distributed to each madrassa. The model was tested using structural equation modeling to examine the effects of low and high income, and the mediating impact of perceived deprivation on the criterion constructs. The moderating effects of low income indicate that six out of nine hypotheses were found significant; whereas the results for the impact of high income on criterion constructs demonstrate that out of the nine hypothesized relationships, only four were found significant. Nevertheless, the effects of perceived deprivation (mediation) demonstrate that the mediation with funding, religious gatherings and ethnic and religious affiliation have significant effects on the radicalization. On the other hand, the mediation effects between syllabus and radicalization were found statistically non-significant.

Anthropocene disorder and the transcultural search for common-ness

In this article I seek a new way to understand the Anthropocene and its ecological crisis. I argue that we must first deconstruct the mainstream Herderian concept of culture, as it seems inadequate to capture how we deal with our life circumstances and choices, especially on the level of global events like the Anthropocene. I also suggest that the concept of transculturality may serve the purpose of understanding this situation better and may even offer a prospect of a process that might induce the common-ness that we are lacking as a species. After discussing the Anthropocene concept, I examine the idea of the search for a common-ness of humanity as a remedy for Anthropocene disorder. Finally, I present an overview of new universalist approaches to the Anthropocene and propose that the concept of transculturality as advanced by Wolfgang Welsch may provide a better basis for understanding the Anthropocene as a human predicament.

The Role of Vocational Schooling in the Empowerment of Rural Migrant Girls in Western China: A Case Study of Ethnic Mongolian Girls

Ethnic minority women in rural parts of China remain excluded from many pathways to economic and social success, including most forms of traditional education. While technical and vocational education and training (TVET) offers an alternative, it carries a degree of stigma and its benefits for these communities are not well-documented. This study uses structured interviews with TVET graduates in a small Inner Mongolian city to explore the benefits and limitations of vocational training for the cultural, economic, and social empowerment of ethnic minority women. Ten participants in the city of Eu-Qi participated in semi-structured interviews. They reported on their experiences in secondary and tertiary TVET programs, their post-graduation careers, and life choices. The study identifies an overall positive trend of empowerment, growth, and self-actualization: these young women lived better lives, had more opportunities, greater friendships, and far more freedom than did women of the previous generation who had remained in rural villages in the surrounding parts of the Mongolian plateau. The systemic barriers they faced were still substantial, however, including a limited local job market and the stigmas attached to vocational schools. Future work should systematically evaluate how well China’s vocational training policies are meeting stated goals, especially in ethnic minority regions.

Population Change as an Aspect of Suburbanization of Major Cities in Poland

Abstract Cities function in people’s minds as reservoirs of opportunities and possibilities. For many people, living in a city seems an attractive and logical life choice compared to areas perceived as provincial. However, the reality of the modern city is also associated with numerous nuisances. The occurrence of these disadvantages has led to the development of mechanisms intended, at least in principle, to counteract the ills of urban life. One such mechanism is the phenomenon of suburbanization. The outpouring of urban functions beyond its boundaries occurs all over the world. However, this phenomenon also entails exacerbating transport bottlenecks, requires a lot of local investment, contributes to the deterioration of the environment, and disrupts household time budgets. This paper addresses population change as one of the demographic aspects of suburbanization. The trends characterizing the outflow of population from cities and the inflow of population to suburban areas has been examined. The study covers several of Poland’s largest cities using data from the 2011 and 2021 National Censuses. The main objectives of this study are to assess the scale of suburbanization in large and medium-sized Polish cities, so as to determine whether suburbanization occurs similarly regardless of city size. To identify those urban centers where the population change in neighboring municipalities is particularly high so as to raise the awareness of decision-makers and real estate market participants in relation to the challenges posed by suburbanization. In addition, using one city as an example, an assessment of how the influx of population affects number of transactions on selected real estate market was carried out. The results of the study may be useful in analyzing investment needs for various types of infrastructure, including roads and technical infrastructure.

Character Strengthening Model of Religious Moderation Praxis Method to Improve and Develop Student Morale

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify various models of strengthening the character of students' religious moderation that have been applied in Madrasah, as well as to determine their strengths and weaknesses. Methods: This method develops model concepts that have been tested for validity, reliability, and effectiveness. This praxis method is a way of thinking, or a mindset that can influence behavior, attitudes, and thoughts, controlling in determining various choices in life. Specifically, praxis is a method in which there is Action, or action on reflection, or evaluation and reflection on action. Results and Conclusion: The results of research and development of a model for strengthening the character of religious moderation of MTs Negeri 2 Purworejo students. The implementation of strengthening the character of religious moderation is combined with strengthening character education in habituation, intracurricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities. The implementation has not been designed or evaluated so that it does not know the outputs and outcomes. Research implications: The application of the character strengthening model of the religious moderation praxis method with valid and reliable instruments can increase effectiveness from an average score of 77.55 to 86.10 up 11.49% in the way students think, act, and reflect both in the Madrasah, family, and community environment. Originality/value: The originality of this research lies in the object at the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia which issues technical guidelines for coaching and strengthening moderate character for Madrasah students with design integration methods, and curricula so that they can be implemented as expected.

Socioeconomic determinants of happiness: Empirical evidence from developed and developing countries

This study aims to understand the factors that contribute to people's happiness or life satisfaction in 166 countries (51 developed, 115 developing) from 2005 to 2020. The study considers the effects of various socioeconomic factors, such as per capita income, social support, freedom to make life choices, perception of corruption, air pollution exposure, and gender inequality, on the level of happiness. We used panel two-way robust fixed effects and panel quantile regression for empirical analysis. The results show that per capita income, social support, and freedom to make life choices positively impact happiness, while air pollution exposure has a negative impact. However, gender inequality does not significantly affect happiness levels. These findings highlight the relevance of the Easterlin Paradox, which suggests that income can mediate happiness by promoting emotional well-being, gender equality, and a clean environment. Therefore, policymakers should focus on creating a more holistic approach to improving the well-being and happiness of its citizens.

Pharmacists' Attitudes towards Medically Assisted Dying.

We aimed to explore pharmacists' attitudes and support toward medically assisted dying (MaiD) through the End of Life Choice Act 2019 (EOLC), their willingness to provide services in this area of practice, and the influences on their decisions. The study was conducted via an anonymous, online QualtricsTM survey of pharmacists. Registered New Zealand pharmacists who agreed to receive surveys from the two Schools of Pharmacy as part of their Annual Practicing Certificate renewal were invited to participate through an email with a Qualtrics URL link. The survey contained questions regarding demographics, awareness, knowledge, support for, and attitudes and willingness to participate. Of the 335 responses received, 289 were valid and included in the analysis. Most participants supported legally assisted medical dying (58%), almost a third of participants did not support it (29%), and 13% of respondents were unsure. The five primary considerations that participants perceived to be beneficial included support from legislation, respect for patient autonomy, discussions around morality, ending suffering, and preserving dignity. The main concerns were legal, personal bias, palliation, stigmatisation, and vulnerability. The influences on the decision by pharmacists to support and willingness to participate in the provision of services consistent with the EOLC are complex and multifactorial. Diverse factors may influence attitudes, of which religion is the most significant factor in not supporting the Act or willingness to participate. Clarity and standardised guidance to ensure that assisted dying queries are appropriately managed in practice would help to address any potential access issues.

A sociology of existence for a late modern world. Basic assumptions and conceptual tools

AbstractIn the present article, we outline basic assumptions and conceptual tools for a sociology of existence. First, we address man's fundamental conditions of existence: that life's finitude and encounters with the uncertainty of existence are fundamental experiences that construct social relations. Second, we outline how existential meaning‐making and the ability to cope with the unpredictability of life are dependent on power resources, where especially the resource poor may experience ‘existential nausea’. Third, we discuss how existential dilemmas may intensify under certain historical eras. Therefore, studying individuals' existential dilemmas is a tool to examine the dominant social issues at a particular time and place. Fourth, we elaborate on the importance of studying turning points during individuals' life courses, as existential meaning – or lack thereof – becomes particularly salient at these times. This includes an understanding that death and rebirth are experienced in the form of various endings and beginnings in everyday life. Fifth, and finally, we emphasize an analysis in which the direction of people's lives is conceptualized in a broad time perspective, where past, present, and future interact and influence life choices and social relations constructed during a lifetime.