Cultural Identity Research Articles

The influence of cultural identity on achieving sustainable urban development in developing countries

PurposeAn urban center’s cultural identity (CI) is the tangible and intangible elements instituted and incorporated in the urban placemaking process to provide individuals or groups with their identity, sense of belonging, and ownership. With recent trends in urban growth, especially in developing countries, an in-depth understanding of the elements or determinants of urban development that will ensure a sustainable urban environment has become critical in the global development discussion. This study investigates the influence of CI and its essential elements of sustainable urban development (SUD).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research method using closed-ended questions from a questionnaire survey was utilized to solicit responses from sampled professionals within the urban planning and development space in four urban centers in Ghana. The data obtained were analyzed by employing exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to establish the influence of CI and its elements in achieving SUD and to explain the common underlying dimensions of the elements.FindingsThe findings highlight that elements associated with government initiative and support systems and effective institutional structure for cultural development under cultural identity were identified as the most critical elements that influence the achievement of SUD. Furthermore, the hypothesis tested revealed a strong influence of CI in achieving SUD in developing countries.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is confined to the influence of CI and its essential elements of SUD.Practical implicationsAs part of the practical implications, the study suggests the strong need to consider CI and its elements in the urban placemaking process to attain SUD.Originality/valueIn addition to findings influencing CI and its essential elements of SUD in developing countries, using Ghana as a case study, the study indicates that government initiatives and support systems and institutional structures for promoting and protecting culture are relevant and influential in achieving SUD in developing countries.

Exploring the Role of Tourism on Land Use Value in Rural Areas: A Case Study

This study aims to explain the role of tourism in land use valuation in rural areas of Iran through a case study approach. The research method is mixed (qualitative–quantitative), and survey techniques such as interviews and questionnaires have been used among rural residents. The results indicate that tourism-based development policies in rural areas, through strengthening tourism infrastructure and products, creating job opportunities and income, enhancing cultural identity, preserving cultural heritage and common natural resources and the type of tourism policies, can contribute to improving land value. One of the key factors in increasing land value is the registration and reputation of villages as tourist destination villages. After the official registration of the villages as tourist destinations, land value has significantly increased and the dominant land uses have shifted towards tourism-related uses. This research clearly demonstrates that tourism can serve as an effective approach for improving the rural economy and enhancing land use value, while also playing a significant role in preserving and strengthening the cultural heritage of rural areas.

The living conditions of Syrian refugee women in Zaatari camp

This paper highlights the living conditions of refugee women in Zaatari camp and how to deal with migrants as others. This process involves differentiating between 'us' and 'others' through social power dynamics Gayatai (JAMA 1: 128–151, 1985), often based on ethnic, religious, or cultural identities Siouti (JAMA 107–120, 2022). The research examines the Zaatari refugee camp and its urban development, consisting of a set of diverse institutions that overlap and intertwine to manage the camp and manage daily life within the camp. These institutions work together to meet the needs of refugees, making the camps a rich environment for study from a social and cultural perspective. However, the research shows that refugee camps such as Zaatari are used as a means of excluding refugees to geographically marginalized areas, reflecting their lack of basic infrastructure and civil services. The paper highlights the suffering of Syrian women in Zaatari camp, who are exposed to multiple health, psychological, economic and social problems. These challenges include scarcity of resources and difficulty in accessing them, poor economic and social conditions due to living in an environment and surroundings that lack infrastructure and due to living in caravans that do not have the basic necessities of life that protect them from cold and heat, in addition to the lack of privacy, in addition to many problems facing women in the camp such as violence and sexual violence due to the lack of security and other reasons that this paper shows.

Exploring Cultural Identity Through Profile Pictures: The Use of Cultural Symbols by Chinese Gen Z on Social Media

In the digital age, social media has become an essential platform for self-expression and cultural identity, particularly among Generation Z in China. This study explores how Chinese Gen Z individuals utilize cultural symbols in their social media profile pictures to convey their cultural identities. Through in-depth interviews with 48 participants aged 13 to 28, the research identifies a diverse range of cultural elements, including traditional motifs and modern pop culture symbols, that reflect their cultural heritage and contemporary influences. The findings reveal that profile pictures serve not only as personal representations but also as tools for social connection and cultural expression. Participants often blend traditional and modern elements, showcasing a dynamic understanding of their cultural identities shaped by globalization and digital interactions. This research contributes to the existing literature on social media and cultural identity by highlighting the significance of profile pictures in the identity construction process of Chinese Gen Z, emphasizing the interplay between cultural heritage and modernity in their self-presentation. The study concludes by suggesting avenues for future research on cultural identity in the context of rapidly evolving social media landscapes.

Chemical insights into pottery production and use at Neolithic Fenghuangzui earthen-walled town in China

Widespread earthen-walled town construction in the Neolithic middle Yangtze River valley reflects significant sociopolitical changes. The Fenghuangzui site, located far from the Jianghan Plain—the core area of Upper Qujialing and Shijiahe cultures—shows strong cultural influence from the plain through pottery styles. Comparing peripheral sites like Fenghuangzui to core areas offers insights into social differentiation and cultural identity, though research is limited. This study analyzes 129 sherds from Fenghuangzui using X-ray fluorescence, revealing continuity in pottery production with consistent clay sources despite cultural shifts. Comparisons with Zoumaling in the Jianghan Plain indicate independent pottery production at both sites using local materials but shared techniques in forming, shaping, and firing. We argue that the Jianghan Plain’s social complexity arose not from elite control over pottery production but from its effective use for sociopolitical and ideological purposes. Further comparisons with core-area sites like Qujialing and Shijiahe will validate these findings.

Cultural identity, foreign language peace of mind, motivation for language learning, and perceived Arabic language proficiency of international students in Saudi Arabia: does age matter?

ABSTRACT This study investigates how motivation for language learning mediates the effects of cultural identity (ethnic and Saudi) and foreign language peace of mind on perceived Arabic proficiency among international students in Saudi Arabia. It also examines age differences in these relationships. A survey of 415 international students at Saudi universities was analysed using Partial Least Squares Multi-Group Analysis. Cultural ethnic identity, Saudi identity, and language peace of mind positively influenced perceived Arabic proficiency, with motivation mediating these effects. Age differences were found – ethnic identity and language peace of mind effects on motivation and proficiency were weaker for older students, while Saudi identity's effect on proficiency was stronger. Findings suggest fostering cultural inclusivity, addressing language anxieties, enhancing motivation through relevant curricula/activities, and tailoring approaches for different age groups to improve language education for international students.

Analysis of Word Formation in ‘Made You Look’ Song Lyrics by Meghan Trainor

This study examines word formation trends in contemporary popular music through an analysis of Meghan Trainor’s song “Made You Look.” The aim is to explore how linguistic creativity in pop lyrics contributes to emotional expression and social interaction. Utilizing a qualitative approach, specifically discourse analysis, the research investigates how word formation processes shape cultural identity and audience engagement. The study relies on theories from Levitin (2006), Lieber (2009), and Yule (2010) to understand the cognitive, morphological, and structural aspects of language in music. Findings indicate that the lyrics of “Made You Look” incorporate various word formation processes, particularly clipping (3), coinage (1), derivation (1), compounding (4), and conversion (2). Examples such as “nothin’” (clipping), “Gucci” (coinage), and “‘bout” (clipping) reflect the informal, conversational tone characteristic of pop music. These linguistic choices enhance relatability, reinforce cultural identity, and contribute to the song’s rhythmic appeal. Additionally, the study highlights how Trainor’s use of word formation aligns with sociolinguistic trends in informal speech, particularly within African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The study concludes that word formation in pop lyrics is not merely stylistic but also serves as a strategic linguistic tool for self-expression, audience connection, and cultural representation. This research contributes to the broader understanding of language evolution in media and popular culture.

“Can We Unborder?”: Nurturing Border Identity Development Through Student Powered Pedagogy

ABSTRACT The lack of access to Chicano histories and cultural knowledge in public schools serving predominantly Chicano students is detrimental to these communities , as it prevents students from seeing themselves in the curriculum. This study explores the ways that an asset-based pedagogy supported high school students operating in a community-based setting to co-develop a Chicano cultural and historical curriculum for use in an eighth-grade Social Studies course. The development of the curriculum was facilitated by a pedagogical approach we call Student Powered Pedagogy (SPP). Guided by SPP, this study engaged young people in opportunities to 1) learn about their cultural history, 2) reflect on their Border identities, 3) strengthen their cultural identities and research capabilities, and 4) meaningfully contribute to transforming educational spaces in their community. Our study offers one way to empower Latina youth to embrace cultural pride and develop a narrative counter to what Yosso (2006) describes as majoritarian stories along the Chicana/o educational pipeline.

Association Between Disability and Social Support and Cultural Affiliation Among American Indian Older Adults in New York State.

Although American Indian and Alaska Native people make up less than 2% of the US population, they are disproportionally affected by adverse health outcomes, including disabilities. The Indigenous community of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne has faced significant environmental contamination since the 1970s, resulting from operations of three aluminum foundries near the community. The aim of this study was to explore the potentially moderating effects of social support and cultural identity on disability, taking into account age, sex, and health comorbidities among 119 Akwesasne Mohawk adults. We used the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DAS II) to measure disability, the Duke University Social Support Scale with Likert-type responses to quantify social support, and the Orthogonal Ethnic Identification Scale to calculate cultural affiliation. We found that overall social support was significantly negatively associated with disability related to self-care (Relative Risk (RR) = 0.96, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.93, 1.00). Both family support (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94, 0.99) and non-family support (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94, 1.00) were negatively associated with disabilities that prevent full participation in society. Cultural affiliation to either the white culture or the Mohawk culture was not significantly associated with disability. Although preliminary, our findings may help inform clinicians advising American Indians and Alaska Natives with disabilities on helpful interventions to provide greater social support. This may in turn improve the quality of life of indigenous communities facing a high prevalence of disability.

The Impact of International Media on the Cultural Identity of the Palestinian Society

This study aims to monitor and analyze the media elites' attitudes towards the impact of international media on the image of the cultural identity of the Palestinian community abroad. It seeks to identify the extent of exposure of media and cultural elites to international media, as well as to examine the role of international media in promoting Palestinian cultural authenticity from the perspective of intellectuals and media professionals. Furthermore, the study investigates the role of the Palestinian community in preserving its cultural identity in the face of international media influences and highlights the main challenges Palestinian media faces in maintaining the authenticity of its cultural identity.The study was conducted using a purposive sample consisting of 20 academics, media professionals, and intellectuals. Through in-depth interviews, the main findings indicate that there is a variation in the patterns of exposure to international media among the media elites and intellectuals. This reflects an advanced professional awareness of the media's role and the necessity of following international media coverage, particularly regarding the Palestinian issue. There is a preference for selective exposure linked to major events. The results also show that media elites and cultural figures rely on international media as analytical sources, with varying degrees of dependence based on the nature of the media outlet. Some exhibit critical awareness, prompting them to verify the credibility of information from multiple sources. International media outlets demonstrate clear differences in how they address Palestinian culture. Some media outlets that align with the Israeli narrative use culture as a tool to marginalize Palestinian identity and distort its heritage, while media outlets supporting the Palestinian cause fail to separate cultural from political narratives, which limits the recognition of culture as an independent value.

Prevalence and Molecular Typing of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria in Hospital Water Sources of Tehran, Iran

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pose a growing public health concern, especially in regions with high prevalence rates. Iran, situated near high-burden countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, is particularly vulnerable. This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology of NTM in water samples from Farhikhtegan Hospital, Tehran. Methods: A total of 70 water samples were collected from various hospital departments. After culture and phenotypic identification, 33 mycobacterial isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the rpoB gene. Results: Mycobacterium fortuitum type I was the most prevalent NTM species, accounting for 81% of the isolates. Mycobacterium kansasii type I and Mycobacterium gordonae type I followed, each comprising 6% of the isolates. Less common species included M. gordonae type II and Mycobacterium intracellulare. The PCR-RFLP method proved to be a sensitive and accurate tool for identifying NTM species. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the NTM profile in Farhikhtegan Hospital and underscores the importance of effective surveillance and control measures to mitigate the risk of NTM infections.

Menggali Kearifan Lokal Melalui Tradisi Melemang 10 Muharram

Melemang tradition is a form of local wisdom of the people of Karang Raja Village, Muara Enim, which is held every 10th of Muharram. This tradition not only has cultural values, but also has social and religious values such as gotong royong, caring, and sharing. However, in the midst of modernisation and the declining interest of the younger generation in traditional culture, the question arises of how best to keep the Melemang tradition from disappearing. The purpose of this research is to study ways to preserve the Melemang culture and develop methods that can be used to introduce the culture to the general public. This research uses a descriptive-analytical approach and a qualitative approach through, interviews, and literature research. The results showed that the involvement of the younger generation is necessary to preserve the Melemang tradition. It is hoped that this effort will strengthen cultural identity and introduce the melemang tradition to the general public.

The Use of Drama Series and Persuasive Techniques as Soft Powers to Influence Cultural Identity: A Descriptive and Analytical Study of Algerian Viewers’ Reception of the Turkish Series “Shakir Pasha Family”

The Use of Drama Series and Persuasive Techniques as Soft Powers to Influence Cultural Identity: A Descriptive and Analytical Study of Algerian Viewers’ Reception of the Turkish Series “Shakir Pasha Family”

AUGMENTED REALITIES: POWER, IDENTITY, AND REVOLUTION IN THE POST-COLONY

This paper explores the intersection of body augmentation, power, identity, and resistance within postcolonial contexts, focusing on African societies. It delves into how bodily modifications, from traditional practices like scarification, circumcision, and elongation to contemporary technological enhancements, serve as expressions of self-empowerment and cultural identity. The paper draws on key theoretical frameworks from postcolonial studies and the work of scholars like Victoria Pitts, the study examines the symbolic and literal significance of the body as a battleground for race, identity, and power dynamics. Using Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Wizard of the Crow as a primary text, the paper investigates the role of bodily augmentation in the post-colony, particularly among people of African descent. It highlights how characters in the novel undergo various forms of physical and spiritual transformations to navigate and resist oppressive regimes. This literary analysis is juxtaposed with historical and contemporary practices of body modification, such as the use of tribal marks for identity, circumcision for cultural rites of passage, and the oppressive use of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and limb shortening during conflicts like the Liberian civil war. The paper argues that bodily augmentations in African cultures, whether for traditional, aesthetic, or oppressive purposes, reflect deeper societal values, power structures, and the ongoing impact of colonial legacies. It posits that these practices, while rooted in cultural traditions, are also sites of resistance and negotiation, challenging dominant narratives imposed by colonial powers and contributing to the discourse on postcolonial identity and agency. Through this exploration, the study aims to illuminate the complexities of body politics in postcolonial Africa and the diverse ways individuals and communities reclaim agency and assert their cultural identity.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0908/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Exploring the value creation mechanism of agricultural heritage creative tourism based on SEM and fsQCA

Creative performance is essential for tourists to engage in community activities at heritage sites. However, there is a theoretical gap in how creative performance affects the willingness of tourists and residents to co-create values together in an important agricultural heritage site. Therefore, the research combines two methods, SEM (structural equation modeling) and fsQCA (fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis), to investigate the antecedent paths of tourists’ willingness to co-create value at tea cultural heritage sites. The results show that self-identity and cultural identity play a complex chain mediating role in creative performance, influencing tourists’ value co-creation. Meanwhile, “cultural identity * creative performance * awakening of enjoyment * cultural learning” is the optimal pathway for achieving tourists’ value co-creation. This study advances research on the conservation and development of creative agriculture and cultural heritage communities. Finally, it provides a realistic basis for research on the interaction between tourists and residents.

Lesson study with caregivers as a resource for a culturally sustaining mathematics pedagogy for multilingual learners

Abstract Research has affirmed the importance of asset-based family partnerships, yet it does not often recognize the complementary roles of multilingual caregivers and teachers to enact culturally sustaining mathematics education. Our theoretical framework brings together the perspectives and tools of positioning theory and community solidarity through a lesson study that integrated the participation of caregivers. Our research questions explore ways that caregivers, teachers, and university facilitators participate in and position each other and themselves for learning throughout a mathematics lesson study and how hierarchical positions are disrupted. Using positioning theory, we analyzed the discourse from a year-long study group with teachers and caregivers of multilingual children ages 7–10 in the USA. Our findings describe four events that underscore moment-to-moment interactions between participants in which they situate themselves and their work within racialized storylines and disrupt typical power hierarchies that might have emerged. We find several ways the principles of community solidarity, which undergirded our lesson study model, created new opportunities for educators and multilingual caregivers to be positioned as witnesses, advocates, partners, and co-designers to work towards culturally sustaining mathematics education for multilingual students. We conclude with implications for future mathematics education partnerships to co-construct mathematics learning opportunities that affirm multilingual students’ cultural and linguistic identities.

Home-based self-management using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques: empowerment and risks in breast cancer survivors' fulfillment of health-deviation self-care requisites.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-based self-care is widely practiced among cancer survivors worldwide, particularly in China. For Chinese breast cancer survivors (BCSs), it embodies both an expression of ethnomedical cultural identity and a means of health self-empowerment. However, this practice often occurs without professional supervision, posing potential risks. This study aims to explore BCSs' experiences and perspectives to elucidate the purposes and influencing factors behind their home-based TCM self-care engagement, thereby informing future optimization strategies. A focused ethnographic design was utilized, with a research framework integrating the COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Results were mapped onto constructs of a behavioral wheel derived from the COM-B/TDF matrix. Data analysis followed conventional qualitative content analysis procedures. Participants viewed TCM-based self-care as a complement to rather than a substitute for standard care, primarily for relapse prevention. Facilitators of this practice included (1) strong cultural beliefs and confidence in ethnic medicine, (2) a sense of health responsibility, (3) heightened internal health locus of control, (4) prior beneficial experiences, (5) incentives from online key opinion leaders and fellow survivors, (6) support from family and peers, and (7) reduced time and financial costs. Barriers were (1) insufficient TCM knowledge and skills and (2) uncertainty about efficacy; and (3) safety concerns. Additionally, (1) the home-based treatment setting and (2) the immature internet-based TCM nurse service acted as both barriers and facilitators. The interrelated facilitators and barriers underscore that BCSs' home-based TCM self-care constitutes a complex medical-sociological issue involving cultural, economic, information communication, and healthcare service delivery dimensions. Only a minority of survivors are aware of the possible adverse medical consequences. Within a patient-centered framework, healthcare providers must identify the unique health-deviation self-care requisites of BCSs in a culturally sensitive manner, and partner with them in their self-health management, such as telemonitoring their home-based TCM self-care using eHealth technologies. There is also an urgent need to develop clinical guidelines or expert consensus to support these practices. BCSs' TCM self-care represents an intentional healthautonomy strategy beyond conventional biomedicaldominance, necessitating professional supervision toequilibrate health self-empowerment and iatrogenic risk.

From vulnerable to valuable: a strengths based approach to international student teaching placements

Abstract Australia is experiencing a significant teacher workforce shortage, particularly in the field of early childhood. International students, who reflect the diversity of Australian early childhood classrooms, have the potential to provide rich, cultural strengths to the early childhood workforce. However, international preservice teachers (IPSTs) experience unique challenges during their initial teacher education training. This paper reports on an action research project that engaged with twenty-nine IPSTs to co-construct a series of workshops, underpinned by culturally responsive pedagogies to support them to complete their first teaching placement. The research aimed to develop the IPST’s knowledge of the Australian teaching context and make explicit the cultural strengths IPSTs bring to teaching. The findings of this study evidenced the coupling of university and school-based workshops as significant in supporting IPSTs to not only familiarise themselves with the Australian teaching context, but also maintain a positive cultural identity and view this as an asset within their developing pedagogy. This research is important in developing approaches to enable IPSTs to shift from being vulnerable to valuable cultural assets to the Australian teaching workforce.

Unpacking the “cultural costs” of social license to operate on environmental governance among ethnic minorities in China

This study explores the role of social license to operate (SLO) in environmental policy governance, focusing on the cultural complexities in ethnic minority regions. It argues that cultural costs, an often overlooked aspect of SLO, play a significant role in shaping community acceptance or resistance. Using a case study from a Yao ethnic community in Guangdong Province, China, the research highlights the unintended consequences of environmental policies, particularly relocation efforts. Findings reveal that such policies are likely to contribute to the erosion of traditional knowledge, the weakening of cultural identity, the restriction of cultural practices, and the undermining of indigenous governance, leading to distrust among the Yao people. This study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural costs in policy design to ensure environmental measures are both effective and culturally sensitive.

Pemberdayaan Kelompok Tenun Ikat Tonu Wujo Yang Berbasis pada Kearifan Loka dan Partisipasi Masyarakat di Desa Tiwatobi Kecamatan Ile Mandiri

The Kani Wujo Ikat Weaving Group in Tiwatobi Village, Ile Mandiri District is a representation of local wisdom that plays an important role in maintaining cultural identity and supporting the local community's economy. However, the group's development faces challenges in the form of limited product innovation, narrow market access, and lack of managerial training that meets local needs. This study aims to examine an empowerment model based on local wisdom and community participation to strengthen the sustainability of the Kani Wujo Ikat Weaving Group. The type of research used is qualitative descriptive with a case study approach. Data was collected through in-depth interview techniques, participatory observation, and documentation studies, involving weavers, traditional leaders, and village officials as the main informants. Data analysis is carried out interactively through the process of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawn, according to the Miles and Huberman analysis model. The results of the study show that group empowerment based on local wisdom and community participation encourages the maintenance of cultural values in weaving production, strengthens social solidarity, and increases adaptation to information technology in marketing. However, there is also a need to improve design innovation, expand market access, and strengthen the capacity of group financial literacy. In conclusion, approaches based on local wisdom and community participation are effective in maintaining the sustainability of traditional businesses and strengthening the economic resilience of communities. The suggestion for further research is to expand the focus on developing cultural-based business model adaptation strategies in the midst of global market dynamics and to quantitatively assess the economic impact of community empowerment based on local wisdom.