Cultural Factors Research Articles

Challenges and Solutions in Teaching Writing to Azerbaijani Learners of English

This study explores the challenges and potential solutions in teaching English writing to Azerbaijani learners, focusing on linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical factors that impact writing proficiency. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys, interviews, and classroom observations, the research identifies key difficulties such as grammatical errors, rhetorical differences, and the influence of educational practices. The study also highlights effective strategies, including process-oriented writing activities and culturally responsive teaching methods, which enhance both writing skills and learner engagement. Despite the valuable insights, limitations such as sample size and the focus on short-term outcomes suggest the need for further research, particularly in exploring long-term impacts and the role of digital tools in writing instruction.

Factors affecting women’s mental health in Nigeria in the past and present: A systematic review

This study conducted a systematic review to explore the contemporary and historical determinants influencing women's mental health in Nigeria. Utilizing databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Sage, Medline, and BioMed Central, a comprehensive search was performed to identify relevant literature. After carefully applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 39 published research papers were selected for the review. The study examines various factors impacting women's mental health in Nigeria, including socio-economic, health-related and cultural determinants. Specifically, socio-economic factors such as poverty were analyzed in 21 studies while health-related issues such as postpartum depression were addressed in 8 studies. In addition, cultural elements, including psychological traumas leading to conditions like psychosis, sadness, and stigma, were explored in 10 studies. The findings highlight the need to prioritize women's mental health in Nigeria, emphasizing the interconnectedness of societal well-being, which includes both physical and mental health. Based on these findings, it is essential for policymakers in Nigeria to implement comprehensive mental health initiatives that target the socio-economic, health-related and cultural factors highlighted in the research. The delivery of accessible and affordable mental health services customized to the specific needs of Nigerian women should be prioritized.

ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СТАНОВЛЕННЯ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ ІДЕНТИЧНОСТІ ОСОБИСТОСТІ

The current stage of the formation and development of the Ukrainian state is characterized by the special relevance of the issue of the formation of the national identity of its citizens. This is so, because a high level of an individual's ethnic identity is a significant aspect of the successful formation and development of the state and the harmony of its citizens. At the same time, the public consciousness of Ukrainians is currently filled with political interests and the latest ideological slogans. The latter, in turn, causes the destruction of the national system of values. Globalization and migration processes lead to increased interaction between different cultures and nations, which makes the study of national identity more relevant. Personality is a complex system influenced by both internal personal factors and the external environment, including cultural, social, and historical factors. The study of psychological features of national identity helps to understand how the self-awareness of an individual is formed in the context of its cultural roots and interaction with other cultures. This is important for many areas of life. The study of the psychological features of national identity involves the study of the following aspects: cultural stereotypes, values, self-esteem, a sense of belonging to a certain nation or ethnic group, etc. Understanding these psychological features will contribute to the development of a more tolerant society, as well as the identification of ways to support positive self-determination and identity in different cultural contexts. National identity is the recognition of the people themselves; knowledge and respect for history; national culture, territory, and the people's awareness of their own special features, as well as the understanding of the representatives of the national group of their own interests, goals, and needs. "National identity" is a category whose main elements are national self-determination, national self-awareness and traditional culture. A significant condition for the formation of the national (ethnic) identity of an individual is systematic interaction with the reference group for the purpose of forming common goals, vision and support of the national identity. Such interactions will help to confirm a high level of national identity of an individual and activate the mechanism of ethnic identification. And also to intensify socio-psychological factors and develop the components of the national identity of the individual.

Navigating shared decision-making after the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision Act: a qualitative study of in-depth interviews with terminal cancer patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

End-of-life decision-making, particularly relating to withholding life-sustaining treatment (LST), is a complex and emotionally charged process involving healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers. This qualitative study explored the decision-making process in South Korea, where cultural norms and ethical considerations influence the dynamics of shared decision-making (SDM). In-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers using a grounded theory approach to elucidate the themes and processes underlying SDM for LST. This study used the "6C" framework, which could reflect the intricacies of the SDM process. The results suggest that healthcare professionals face emotional challenges and an ethical dilemma in disclosing prognoses and discussing LST withholding, often deferring such discussions until the condition of patients worsens. Cultural factors, such as collectivist values and societal taboos surrounding death, influence decision-making dynamics, highlighting the need for tailored interventions and cultural competence in healthcare settings. The proposed "6C" framework provides insights into addressing current challenges in SDM and emphasizes the importance of cultural norms and ethical obligations in end-of-life decision-making. Further research is warranted to examine the SDM process in diverse cultural contexts and develop interventions to enhance patient and family involvement in the decision-making process for LST.

Unconventional philosophies and practices: Vietnamese family firm performance in multiple countries

ABSTRACT The diversity of business philosophies and practices across family firms suggests their performance is influenced by factors that can be hard to isolate or understand. Based on 215 observations of Vietnamese firms operating in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America, we use fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis techniques to discern the configurational relationships underlying their performance pathways. Of the 64 possible configurations, three pathways with a high consistency (95 percent) for high performance are distinguishable. These three pathways are characterized by varying degrees of family labor involvement, social network-based labor sourcing, and capital contributions from partners. They reveal how cultural factors, spiritual beliefs and practices, as well as the strength of firm networks influence the way these firms perform. Taken together, these insights offer valuable contributions to the theoretical understanding of family firm performance with practical and policy relevance.

RECONSTRUCTING CHILD CUSTODY POST-DIVORCE IN ISLAMIC FAMILY LAW: A BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD-BASED APPROACH IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA

The concept of child custody post-divorce has been a critical issue in Islamic family law, particularly in light of contemporary debates surrounding children’s rights and welfare. In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on the Best Interest of the Child (BIC) standard, which has shaped custody decisions in Western legal systems. This article explores the integration of the BIC principle within Islamic family law, specifically addressing how it can be reconstructed to align with modern child welfare needs. Through a comprehensive literature review, the paper examines Islamic legal sources, including the Qur’an, Hadith, and classical fiqh, to evaluate the traditional understanding of child custody in divorce cases. It further investigates the compatibility of Islamic principles with international human rights frameworks that advocate for the child's best interest. The article highlights the challenges and opportunities in adapting Islamic family law to contemporary child custody norms, considering cultural, legal, and societal factors. It also compares the Islamic approach with Western legal perspectives on child welfare, identifying areas for potential reform. The findings suggest that while Islamic law provides a strong foundation for protecting children's rights, it requires contextual adaptation to ensure the child’s best interests are consistently prioritized. This research calls for a balanced and progressive approach to reforming child custody practices within Islamic family law. Ultimately, it aims to contribute to a more child-centered framework in Islamic legal systems, offering insights for policymakers and legal practitioners.

STALKING E CYBERSTALKING CONTRA A MULHER

In contemporary society, there has been a significant increase in the crime of stalking, resulting in the emergence of a new form of cyberstalking. The crime of stalking is characterized as an obsessive and repetitive pursuit directed at a person, with the intention of causing fear, anguish or disruption in their daily life. In the digital context, cyberstalking involves the use of the internet and communication technologies to perpetuate this same type of persecution, expanding its reach and impact. The article focuses on women, who are the main victims of this violence. Although anyone can be both the perpetrator and the victim of stalking, the central issue to be explored will be: to assess what are the factors that contribute to women being the main victims of stalking and cyberstalking? This scientific article has the general objective of analyzing the practices of persecution, known as stalking, and its virtual variant, cyberstalking, with an emphasis on the impact of these forms of violence on the dignity and psychological well-being of female victims. Furthermore, the article investigates how the Maria da Penha Law can be applied in stalking and cyberstalking situations, assessing the effectiveness of these legal protections. The specific objective includes addressing social, cultural and psychological factors that explain this disparity, in addition to examining the consequences faced by women, ranging from psychological suffering to the impact on their personal and professional relationships. The article also investigates how this legislation has been used to prevent and combat psychological and physical violence resulting from obsessive stalking, in addition to identifying possible gaps in the legal protection offered to victims. This article used a deductive and descriptive approach, based on a comprehensive bibliographic review of public documents, books, scientific articles and online sources. The results show that current laws are insufficient to adequately address the problems of stalking and cyberstalking.

Presenting a Model for the Evaluation of the Quality of e-learning at Payam Noor University

The current study aims to design a quality evaluation model of the electronic education system at Payam Noor University by applying a mixed methodology. The statistical population of the qualitative section includes twelve professors, researchers, and experts in the field of e-learning, who were selected by selective sampling. The conceptual model of the research was collected after conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data based on a questionnaire designed by the researcher was collected from 274 professors and students with experience teaching or studying in the electronic education system of Payam Noor University. The data was analyzed using the structural equation modeling method in PLS3 software. The research results show that quality is a concept consisting of four categories behavioral, scientific, cognitive ability, and virtual learning experience. The study’ findings also reveal that cultural, pedagogical, learner, communication, infrastructural, and institutional factors affect the quality of Payam Noor University's electronic education system. Also, the results show that these characteristics will help universities achieve the four outcomes of competitiveness, job opportunities, economy, and reputation by establishing a quality education system. The ideal model for evaluating the quality of e-learning at Payam Noor University is a process approach in which the three dimensions of factors, quality indicators, and outputs are examined and measured. In other words, electronic education is successful when it can create a valuable experience of virtual education while empowering the learners scientifically, behaviorally, and cognitively to let all the stakeholders of higher education benefit from a valuable electronic education.

Prevalence of Kala-Azar and Its Contributing Factors Among Rural Population in Selected Community of West Bengal

Background: Kala-azar is a serious form of leishmaniasis. It is a long-term infectious disease. The study was aimed to assess the prevalence of Kala-azar, and it’s contributing factors among the rural population. Methods: In this retrospective study population was previously treated Kala-azar patients (Visceral Leishmaniasis and Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis) from 2017 to 2021. The settings were villages under Kushmondi and Harirampur Rural Hospital under Dakshin Dinajpur. 90 samples were selected through Non-Probability Purposive sampling technique. Demographic data were collected by applying Semi structured interviewed schedule. Record analysis format was used to identify the prevalence of Kala-azar and the disease profile. An observational checklist and structured interview schedule were used to assess the contributing factors of Kala-azar. Results: Maximum prevalence of Kala-azar (1.4%) seen in the year 2017. There were statistically significant mean differences among the contributing factors as the ANOVA test calculated F-value (2507.18) is higher than table value of F (2.60) with df (3, 356) at 0.05 level of significance. Environmental factors contributed more than other factors as the mean value (13.00) was more than other factors. There is a statistically significant relation between environmental factor with utilization of services, economic factors with socio- cultural factors & utilization of services, as well as socio- cultural factors with utilization of services as the p-value is <0.05, at 0.05 level of significance. There was a statistically significant association between contributing factors and selected demographic variables like age, gender as the calculated value of chi square 7.391 and 4.888 is higher than table value c² (df)2=5.99 p ,c² (df)1=3.84 p <0.05 at 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: The study has implications in nursing practice through the awareness of the rural population about the contributing factors of Kala-azar. The study concluded that the trends of prevalence were decreasing in nature and the environmental factors contributed more than other factors. Keywords: Prevalence, Kala-azar case, Environmental factors, Economic factors, Socio- cultural factors & Utilization of services.

Development of Sustainable Marketing Within Industrial Businesses: The Decisive Influence of the Cultural and Politic Context

In recent decades, the incorporation of sustainable development principles into marketing has increased significantly. Consequently, researchers have explored the contrasting relationships between the two areas to evaluate their respective relevance. In response to this change, researchers and practitioners have explored the possibilities of incorporating sustainability concepts into marketing. Therefore, the aim of this study is to focus on the cultural and political factors that explain the development of sustainable marketing in Cameroonian industrial enterprises in light of the existing literature on sustainability and marketing. To achieve this goal, we collected qualitative and quantitative primary and secondary data from a sample of 74 Cameroonian industrial enterprises in the Centre, Littoral and West regions. We used different statistical tools such as descriptive, exploratory, correlation and explanatory analysis. The results of this approach show that cultural and political factors such as human resource development, religion, language, ethnicity, compliance with laws and regulations, adherence to standards, and quality explain the implementation of sustainable marketing in industrial enterprises in Cameroon. Therefore, we recommend that public and private organisations strengthen their environmental discourse, especially in developing countries, in order to successfully transition to more responsible practices.

The state of contemporary intergroup conflict in the Papua New Guinea Highlands

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the scholarship over the past 30 years on what used to be called Melanesian warfare or “tribal fighting” and is termed in this paper “intergroup conflict” in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The paper categorises the drivers of intergroup conflict that make up the landscape for conflict in the Highlands. It starts with cultural factors and the understandings about conflict that have long been used to explain such violence, then adds newer factors. It argues that while the individual existence of each driver is important, far more important is the way in which they interact with each other in reinforcing feedback loops that propel the actors involved towards violence. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a thorough review of the scholarly and grey literature on the topic, drawing from the fields of anthropology, criminology, political science, law, justice and peacebuilding. Findings The overall finding of the paper is that the nature of intergroup conflict, its scale and dynamics, has changed considerably over the past 30 years, most prominently in the entanglement of the state with local-level conflicts. This has significantly affected the nature of intergroup conflict today, deepening the attractors towards violence and conflict, while weakening the ability of existing state and non-state systems to prevent it. The picture that emerges is one in which the interconnectivity of factors promoting violence has intensified, the rate of change is accelerating and levels of violence are amplified. Originality/value This paper is an original work.

Pandemic-Era Trends in US Automatic Payment Adoption: A 2022 Behavioral Analysis

Introduction: This study analyses the adoption trends of automated payment methods among different racial groups in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. It investigates the correlations among financial literacy, risk attitudes, customer sentiment, and the adoption of automated payment mechanisms for bill settlements. Method: An analysis of responses from a diverse demographic is conducted using logistic regression on data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finance. This analysis investigates the trends associated with subjective and objective financial literacy, consumer sentiment as evaluated by economic perceptions, and risk attitudes among several generations, taking into account race as well. Results: Initial results suggest disparities in the degrees to which financial literacy, risk attitudes, and consumer sentiment are connected with adoption rates among various racial groups. The statistical analysis highlights disparities in the adoption of automated payments among different racial and ethnic groups. Discussion: The findings underscore the complex interplay among socio-economic status, behavioral variables, and technology adoption in the period after the pandemic. This methodology aligns with current scholarly works on behavioral finance, which emphasize the need to consider both individual psychological aspects and wider social impacts in the process of making financial decisions. By incorporating racial diversity into the research, the study provides a valuable understanding of how cultural and demographic factors interact with behavioral aspects in the particular setting of financial technology adoption during a time of substantial economic transformation.

The Development of Intercultural Competence for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language through an Instructional Design Project

Most teaching pedagogies in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes prioritize linguistic skills development over exploring how cultural factors shape language interpretation. To address the gap, this study developed and evaluated an instructional design project using the attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction (ARCS) motivational design model combined with critical pedagogy through computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools. The purpose of this research is to enhance EFL teachers’ intercultural competence. Multimedia resources were used to capture participants’ attention, and news articles were selected to connect to their lived experiences. Online forums were used to build their confidence, and intercultural activities provided satisfaction through practical engagement. Critical literacy pedagogy guided the design of questions to encourage EFL teachers to explore assumptions, challenge perspectives, and critically analyze language. Data from 16 EFL teachers’ questionnaires, online comments, and interviews indicated that task attractiveness and the online environment motivated EFL teachers to develop critical literacy skills. Future studies could explore additional strategies for integrating intercultural competence into EFL teaching and examine how cultural dynamics within groups influence online communication.

Financing white rule: How Luxembourg became a banker for the Belgian Congo and Apartheid South Africa

Abstract In this article, I offer a historical analysis of how bankers in Luxembourg came to be important service providers to borrowers in the Belgian Congo and Apartheid South Africa. I demonstrate how a series of unique political and cultural factors linking Luxembourg and these two (neo)colonial regimes account for the financial activities that developed between the three jurisdictions. As such, I show that officials in the Belgian Congo and Apartheid South Africa were able to count on their Luxembourg-based bankers for a variety of finance-related services, including the provision of Eurocurrency loans and the formation of offshore companies. In doing so, the article contributes to a body of literature in the social sciences of finance that has grown significantly in recent years: on the imperial and neocolonial basis of the contemporary global financial system.

Profiles in intelligence: an interview with the 17th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Moshe (Bogie) Ya’alon

ABSTRACT During the summer of 2023, I conducted an interview with Moshe (Bogie) Ya’alon, a veteran of over 30 years in key roles within the Israeli Defense Forces. As a leading authority on national security and intelligence, Ya’alon provided critical insights, particularly regarding the intelligence failures of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and how these failures inform present-day security dilemmas. Although this interview was conducted three months before the surprise Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, Ya’alon stressed the significance of lessons from previous conflicts and significant geopolitical developments. He also underscored the importance of cultural and emotional factors in intelligence failures and the dynamics of Israel’s relations with the Five Eyes alliance, offering insights that illuminate some of the challenges Israel would encounter three months later. This interview is part of an ongoing oral history project designed to gather diverse perspectives on intelligence and national security leadership in Israel, enhancing our understanding of the security dilemmas of the Middle East and the world of espionage.

Cultural Spanish adaptation, factor structure, and reliability of implementation science instruments for suicide prevention.

Research on the implementation of community gatekeeper training interventions for suicide prevention in Spanish-speaking countries is limited. Gatekeepers identify warning signs of suicidal behavior in at-risk population and refer them to specialized mental health care. To identify factors that influence the implementation of evidence-based practices, standardized measures are needed in Spanish. We culturally adapted and evaluated the factor structure and reliability of two measures for use in the Mexican population: the final version of Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility of the Intervention (Weiner et al., 2017), and the Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC; Shea et al., 2014). Our study consisted of two consecutive phases. The first addressed the cross-cultural adaptation. In the second phase, we administered an online survey to a nonrandom sample of 453 middle school personnel and performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Participants were 73.95% female, 25.17% male, and 0.88% nonbinary/other and came from the 32 Mexican states. CFA indices for the Mexican Spanish version of the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility measure yielded values of comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.96, Tucker-Lewis fit index (TLI) = 0.94, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.05, and standardized root-mean-square residual (SRMR) = 0.03. Internal consistency was Ω = 0.95. CFA indices of the Mexican Spanish version of the ORIC were CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.08, and SRMR = 0.03, and internal consistency was Ω = 0.94. We conclude that both instruments show preliminary psychometric properties that support their validity and reliability in the Mexican Spanish-speaking context. These findings promise to drive research on the implementation of gatekeeper interventions and other evidence-based practices in Spanish-speaking school settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cultural Factors Influencing the Incidence of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in Pregnant Women in the Langke Majok Health Center Work Area

ntroduction: Nutrition of pregnant women is one of the focuses of attention in improving community nutrition because it has a significant impact on the condition of the fetus. Mothers with risk KEK can have a negative impact on him itself such as anemia, bleeding, the mother's weight is not increase in a way normal and caught disease infection. KEK on Mother pregnant can cause miscarriage, baby born dead, dead in content and disabled carry-on. Case KEK Which happen in Manggarai Regency is caused by many factors, one of which is is the eating culture of pregnant women influenced by culture area local. The research results show that pregnant women's eating practices are carried out because of beliefs and habits in the family. Biological parents encourage mothers to abstain from eating because of the habits and beliefs in the family. Food taboo habits in the family are divided into two, namely food taboos that are carried out because of the habits of the biological family and habits that follow the husband's family after marriage. The husband's parents were also found to be a driving force for the mother to abstain from eating. Community health centers need to provide education regarding dietary restrictions not only to pregnant women but also to families and the community so that the nutritional needs of pregnant women are met. Objective: Study This aiming for describe factor culture that influences the occurrence of KEK in pregnant women in the work area of Langke Majok Health Center, including the eating practices of pregnant women, the role of parents and the eating culture of pregnant women. Method: This type of research is qualitative with an ethnographic research design. The informants consist of informants The key is eight pregnant women with KEK and eight supporting informants, with the instrument used being an interview guideline conducted by means of in-depth interviews, observation and documentation. The data analysis technique used is based on the approach taken by Miles and Huberman by means of data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. Results: Research results shows that mothers' eating practices pregnant done because of beliefs and customs which exists in the family which requires the mother to follow the habit. This is supported by the role of biological parents who require the mother to do food taboos because of the habits and beliefs in the family. In addition to following the habits of biological parents. Food taboos carried out by pregnant women because of the role husband's parents as giver information, because after Marry a wife must follow customs and beliefs who is in the family husband. Culture abstinence Eat Which There is in area local directly not require Mother pregnant for do food taboos, but the belief in the tradition of food taboos that exist in the biological family that is carried out by the mother during her life. In addition, in the tradition of Manggarai culture, when married, the wife follows the customs of the husband's family as a form of respect for her husband, marked by the wife living with her husband's parents. Conclusion: Eating practices are carried out because of beliefs and customs in the family. The role of parents in eating taboos as a provider of information on eating taboos to pregnant women, the culture of fasting at night in the local area does not require pregnant women to carry out eating taboos except to follow the beliefs and traditions that exist in the family.

Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risks (EDAR) in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Clinicians in Japan and the UK.

Eating and drinking are fundamental to life. However, older patients are often restricted with oral intake due to feared risk of aspiration. Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risks (EDAR) is an alternative process which enables comfort, dignity, and autonomy for these patients. While national guidance has been developed for EDAR in the UK, other ageing societies such as Japan do not have such guidance. To understand the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals regarding the complex decision-making process around EDAR we planned a mixed methods study comparing the two countries. This was the qualitative phase of the study. Twelve healthcare professionals (two doctors, nurses and speech and language therapists each in Japan and the UK) participated in semi-structured interviews on their roles and experiences related to EDAR in older adults. We analysed the data thematically, and three themes emerged: (1) healthcare professionals and healthcare systems, (2) priorities in decision-making and (3) relationship with family and patient. There were many similarities but also differences across the countries, in the setting, training and individual experience. Decision-making was shaped by a complex combination of individual, structural and cultural factors, which indicated in the Japanese culture a greater likeliness to defer clinical decision-making and to side with families' wishes. Healthcare professionals' experiences and attitudes towards EDAR differed depending on various factors related with the individual and environment. The next quantitative phase of our research aims to establish the mechanism to increase confidence around EDAR in professionals and training options.

Leading Through Generations: Crafting Adaptive Leadership Styles for Modern Enterprises

This contribution examines the evolution of leadership styles over time. It explores the ways in which these styles have adapted to changing economic environments and generational shifts, also highlighting the intricate interplay between leadership and cultural nuances. The research applies a longitudinal lens to the development of leadership styles, focusing on their adaptability across the lifecycle stages of two universities in Austria and Ukraine. The findings stress the importance of leadership adaptability to organizational and generational changes and emphasize the influence of cultural factors on leadership styles. The investigation employs two case studies, enabling an exploration of the interplay between leadership, lifecycle, culture, and generational nuances. The findings reveal differences in leadership styles, underscoring the impact of cultural, lifecycle and generational factors on leadership genesis. The study concludes that leadership must be adaptive and evolve in tandem with the lifecycle stages of an organization. It also stresses generational differences in leadership and the crucial role of culture in shaping leadership styles. This contribution augments the discourse on leadership adaptability, offering insights for future research and practical implications for leadership and governance in varying cultural and generational settings.

Understanding student participation in a Mozambican university: the student perspective

ABSTRACT Student participation in university classrooms plays a pivotal role in student learning and success in higher education. We conducted a qualitative study to comprehend how students navigate complex classroom environments. Our aim is to understand how students perceive class participation and interactions with teachers and how they interpret teaching practices vis-à-vis their participation. Data from 23 undergraduate students at one university in Mozambique were collected and analysed. The findings indicate nuanced views and experiences regarding student participation and interactions with faculty. Deterrents to classroom participation and interactions were identified. Contextual and cultural factors were paramount in revealing the types and qualities of interactions and classroom participation reported in this study. Furthermore, innovative teaching practices and faculty’s caring attitude and behaviour were linked to more active participation and positive feelings about learning.