Cultural Perspective Research Articles

Examining the Influence of Gratitude on Sleep Quality Among Young Adult Population: A Scientific Exploration

The study investigates the intricate relationship between gratitude and sleep quality within the young adult population, delving into the realms of positive psychology, diverse cultural perspectives, and the physiological underpinnings of these phenomena. The study also uncovers the cross-cultural relevance of gratitude in influencing sleep quality among young adults. The methodology employed encompasses a mixed-methods approach, incorporating quantitative surveys to measure gratitude levels and sleep quality. The sample comprises a diverse group of young adults, ensuring the study's applicability across various demographic backgrounds. The results demonstrate the cross-cultural significance of gratitude in promoting well-being by showing a strong positive connection between gratitude and sleep quality. These results underscore the importance of fostering gratitude as a means to enhance sleep quality among young adults, irrespective of cultural backgrounds.

The discourse of ‘falling standards’ of English in Hong Kong

AbstractThe phenomenon of the ‘complaint tradition’, expressing the belief that language standards are deteriorating in some way, has had a long and vibrant existence in discussions of English in Hong Kong. The contribution of a Cultural Linguistics perspective here highlights the nature and significance of the cultural conceptualisations of language, for example, those that are revealed by the use of metaphor. The article begins with an overview of the discourse in Hong Kong, based on a corpus of media articles. The discourse structure and content of the articles, including their metaphorical aspects, are then analysed in more detail. To help understand the persistence of the discourse I draw on the insight that metaphors constitute ‘mini‐narratives’ which construct identities and identity boundaries. The discussion considers how the prevailing conceptualisations of English—some general, and others more culturally specific—serve to reproduce dominant, standardising views and inhibit the acceptance of local variation.

Structural and Cultural Othering: An Organizational Culture Perspective on Young People’s Participation in Decision-making in Sport Organizations

The purpose of this article is to examine the role played by organizational culture in young people’s continuing underrepresentation in decision-making bodies, despite structural changes, in the context of Norwegian sport organizations. Data is based on a questionnaire centred on the experiences of young people in sport governance ( n = 32 youth representatives) and semi-structured interviews with young (under 26 years) and older representatives of organizations affiliated with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederations of Sports ( n = 10). Findings show that Norwegian sport organizations foster a cultural understanding of young people which takes its structural expression in the separation of elements that are ‘othering’ the youth. Youth have also limited access to resources of power as a result of a lack of trust in older leaders. Prevailing culture mirrors an adult society in which young people need to upgrade their level of professionalism through education before they are invited to decision-making processes.

A Systematic Review on the Reinforcement Loop in Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery: The Interplay of Social Media, Self-Perception, and Repeat Procedures.

This systematic review delves into the impact of social media on self-perception and the escalating interest in clinical aesthetic procedures, proposing that social media significantly influences beauty standards and increases demand for aesthetic enhancements. Following PRISMA guidelines, a mixed-method analysis of 34 articles was conducted, sourced from various databases, focusing on social media's psychological effects on clinical aesthetics decisions. The studies encompassed a broad spectrum, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies, reflecting diverse geographical and cultural perspectives. The quantitative analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation between social media usage and the consideration of aesthetic procedures (r=0.45, p<0.001), indicating a significant impact. Specific findings included a large effect size (Cohen's d=0.8) for the relationship between time spent on social media and the desire for aesthetic enhancements. Individuals spending more than 3 hours per day on social media platforms were twice as likely to consider aesthetic procedures compared to those with less usage, with a 95% confidence interval indicating robustness in these findings. Confirming the reinforcing effect of social media on aesthetic decision-making, this study highlights the complex interplay between digital media exposure, altered self-perception, and the increased inclination towards aesthetic procedures. It suggests a critical need for practitioners to carefully navigate the digital influence on patient's desires, reinforcing the significance of understanding psychological motivations and societal pressures in clinical aesthetics. This comprehensive analysis offers pivotal insights for clinical practice and ongoing research into social media's role in contemporary beauty standards. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Confucianism culture and green innovation: Evidence from Chinese industrial firms

AbstractThis study contributes to the existing literature on green innovation by examining the impact of Confucianism culture on green innovation. Drawing on a culture perspective, we argue that Confucianism culture is significantly positively associated with green innovation. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms in the industrial sector from 2007 to 2019, we provide strong evidence to show that corporate green innovation projects are significantly more prevalent for firms surrounded by a strong Confucianism atmosphere compared to those in a weak Confucianism atmosphere. Additionally, we investigate the mediating roles of CEO myopia and employee‐related CSR, revealing that Confucianism culture, through both CEO myopia and employee‐related CSR mechanisms, influences green innovation. Our study contributes to the extant literature by shedding light into the black box of the positive role of Confucianism in green behavior.

Cultural Tourism Prospects of Bhaleswor Mahadev of Chandragiri Area, Kathmandu

This paper makes an attempt to examine prospects of cultural tourism of Bhaleswor Mahadev in Chandragiri area of Kathmandu by applying cultural heritage studies perspectives. It is a cultural study of completely qualitative nature. Throughout the world, the tourism industry has been an economic generator including conserving the heritage sites. The study area is Chandragiri municipality - 4 and the major historical and religious sites in the foothill of Mahabharat hill range of Chandragiri. Bhaleswor Mahadev temple is situated on the top of the Chandragiri hill in the southwest of Kathmandu valley in 13 km. The shape of the hill looks like a Bhale (rooster) and Nilkantha Mahadev stayed in this hill for some time and at that time heard the sound of rooster so this Mahadev is called Bhaleswor Mahadev. Due to this temple, pilgrims and tourists are increasing day by day to go to Chandragiri hill through cable car. Bhaleswor Mahadev temple and Chandragiri cable car add more benefit in promotion of cultural tourism of Chandragiri area. One can easily go to worship Bhaleswor Mahadev through cable car within twelve minutes. One can observe spectacular view of the Himalayan range of Annapurna range, Langtang range, Everest and other mountains like Cho Oyu, Gaurisankhar etc from the top of the hill. Chandragiri cable car is the second commercial cable car of Nepal. Chandragiri area is very important from historical, cultural and archaeological point of view. The other major historical and religious sites of Chandragiri area in the foothill of Mahabharat hill range are Mahalaxmi Temple, Chandanvarateswor Mahadev, Matatirtha and Machchhe Narayan. These sites give more importance in the development of cultural tourism of Chandragiri area. Despite these studies, there is still hardly found scholarship of cultural tourism prospects of Bhaleswor Mahadev in Chandragiri area, Kathmandu. Therefore, this paper aims to address the gap of cultural tourism of Chandragiri area.

Editorial: Multidisciplinary approach in health: new strategies from the perspective of education, management, culture and gender

Editorial: Multidisciplinary approach in health: new strategies from the perspective of education, management, culture and gender

Contraception: Exploring social, cultural and medical perspectives

Contraception: Exploring social, cultural and medical perspectives

An Exploration of Realism in Death Narratives in Contemporary Chinese and Korean New Youth Films from a Global Cultural Perspective

With the advent of economic globalization leading to cultural globalization, countries are integrating and innovating their indigenous cultures while absorbing and borrowing from the film cultures of other nations. Chinese and Korean New Youth Films employ a multi-genre narrative mode combining "youth" with realism. This paper conducts a comparative study of Chinese new youth film Better Days and the Korean new youth film Next Sohee, exploring the influence of global cultural perspectives on Chinese and Korean New Youth Films from the perspective of death narratives, the realistic application of death narratives in Chinese and Korean New Youth Films, as well as the differentiated narrative strategies of Chinese and Korean New Youth Films. This study further extends to the real significance and value of death imagery in youth films.

Defining well-being for the inhabitants of Mexico City

Studied worldwide, well-being is an important principle for the modern societies and needs to reflect the local cultures of the targeted populations. Semantic networks and graph theory address this issue: a definition of well-being comes directly from a sample of the targeted population. The stage one (N = 201, 52% female and 48% male, volunteers—informed consent provided—, 20 years and older, mean = 39.97 years, S.D. = 13.56 years) semantic networks defined well-being. In stage two the networks were the foundation to construct two scales which were validated (sample N = 427, 55% female and 45% male, volunteers—informed consent provided— 20 years and older, mean = 37.75 years, S.D. = 12.54 years). Analyzed with graph theory, well-being resulted in a social complex system (non-linearity, small world phenomenon, emergency), and showed the main elements to define well-being (affect and cognitive components). Its subgraphs were arranged into three main domains with subdomains: health (physical and psychological), relationships (family, friends, community) and resources (personal, material, time). The scale of satisfaction with well-being (α = .912) and the scale of experiences of well-being (α = .969) showed a good fit and obtained adequate values. Semantic networks proved to be a good resource to help in the construction of a questionnaire to study well-being with a cultural perspective. 

Exploring Community Perceptions on Underreporting of Suicide in Indian Rural settings from Psychosocial and Cultural Perspective

BackgroundThe Indian rural population is recognised as one of the vulnerable segments of the society in terms of reporting suicide. Inconsistencies in the reporting of suicide impede the real suicide case, that in turn hinders efforts to prevent suicide. There are differences in suicide motives in rural areas due to the clear cultural and social borders, that could affect reporting. Very few studies have examined these psychological and sociocultural variables in rural context. Thus, the main goal of the current investigation is to comprehend these aspects and recommend strategies accordingly. MethodThe present study employed in-depth interviewing using focus group discussions on a sample of 93 participants. Through purposive sampling 12 areas were shortlisted from four districts from Bihar State, India. Only those areas were selected, where suicide had occurred in the last one year. All the twelve discussions were finally transcribed and using the thematic analysis approach qualitative data were analysed. ResultsThree themes appeared followed by their subthemes. First theme was apprehensions and fears and the subtheme emerged were society's reaction towards suicide and legal procedure. Second theme was religious belief related to suicide and the subthemes were, soul wandering, unfulfilled desire of the soul, and life after death. Third theme was females were more underreported and subtheme emerged i.e., protecting the honour of the family, and laws related to women social issues. ConclusionFindings of this study suggest that psychosocial and cultural factors serve as barrier in reporting and hinders suicide prevention process. This finding indicates that formulating multisectoral approach in reducing community attitude and stigma of rural population towards suicide.

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AS A STRATEGY TO LEARN ABOUT CULTURES

This study explored EFL students’ perceptions of merging the project-based learning strategy (PjBL) and the three-part cultural framework (products, practices, and perspectives = the 3Ps) to learn about cultures. Shortly after having been exposed to twenty-four-week lessons on their home and English-speaking cultures using the PjBL strategy and the 3Ps framework, thirty-four research participants completed questionnaires and were interviewed. Data analysis indicated that the participants held highly favorable opinions in regard to combining PjBL and the 3Ps as an effective strategy for culture learning in EFL classrooms. Students acknowledged that they gained a deeper understanding of American, British, and their home cultures, specifically in relation to the five thematic units they explored systematically. Despite challenges militating against its implementation, the amalgamation of PjBL and the 3Ps framework was reported to have offered multiple learning opportunities to autonomously bolster the research participants’ knowledge of cultural practices, products, and perspectives.

Service quality assessment in a Greek teacher training program: a cultural perspective

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the relationship between prospective teachers’ cultural profiles and service quality expectations in a pedagogical training program in Greece. Design/methodology/approach Using the EppekQual scale and an alternative Hofstede’s cultural scale, 113 prospective teachers in a Greek training program were surveyed. The study uses descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression, validating measurements through confirmatory factor analysis. Findings Prospective teachers exhibit a low-power orientation and a preference for feminine values. Rejecting hierarchy correlates with quality expectations, especially in the curriculum dimension, emphasizing student-centric education. A positive correlation with acceptance/avoidance of uncertainty is observed, notably in learning outcomes and administrative services. The cultural aversion to ambiguity shapes individuals’ prioritization of all quality dimensions. A realistic long-term perspective correlates positively with expectations in learning outcomes, aligning with Greek culture’s emphasis on security. Contrary to expectations, a predilection for feminine values positively impacts service quality expectations, particularly in curriculum, learning outcomes and academic staff dimensions. The hypothesis related to individualism/collectivism is not substantiated, indicating a negative association with the curriculum dimension. Practical implications Tailoring program designs to embrace student-centric and collaborative learning environments is recommended. Acknowledging cultural aversions to uncertainty, program flexibility and clarity are essential. Integrating career planning and mentorship aligns with realistic long-term perspectives. The need for a balanced approach to personal and intellectual development is also suggested. Originality/value This study uncovers specific cultural dimensions that shape quality expectations within a Greek teacher training context.

Animal Conceptual Metaphors in Kotowaza: A Cognitive Linguistic Study

The primary objective of this study is to examine the cognitive linguistic perspective of Japanese culture in relation to animal-related kotowaza. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze 15 kotowaza from the comic book dictionary "Doraemon no Kotowaza Jiten." The objective is to determine the grammatical and idiomatic meanings of these kotowaza, as well as to comprehend the mental metaphor of animals present in them. The research findings suggest that Japanese society employs animal kotowaza as metaphors to convey implicit messages about an individual's character. The kotowaza conveys intricate messages regarding moral principles in everyday life, as well as a profound comprehension of flawed circumstances, through the use of conceptual analogies. Various animal metaphors, including fish, horse, bird, cat, and monkey, are employed to symbolize different facets of existence and human nature. 

Uloga ruskih emigranata u kreiranju jugoslovenskog javnog mnjenja o životu u Sovjetskom Savezu tokom 1929. i 1930. godine

This paper explores the role of Russian emigration in shaping Yugoslav perceptions of Soviet life, drawing on authentic testimonials from “experts on Russian issues” in the 1929–1930 Belgrade newspaper. Adopting a cultural perspective, the analysis of these narratives unveils diverse observational positions, exemplified by the reporting of two Prague Russians: Left SR Vladimir Ivanovich Lebedev and “Krest’yanskaya Rossiya” party deputy, Sergey Semyonovich Maslov. The case study, centered on articles from Politika, Vreme, and Pravda, underscores the multifaceted nature of Yugoslav attitudes towards the Soviet Union during this period, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the impact of Russian emigration on public opinion.

“Electronic Pickle”: Causes and Strategies of Media Dependence in the New Media Era

In the new media era, “electronic pickle” is a form of media presentation that is meaningful to people in terms of emotions and social interaction. However, it will also cause excessive media dependence, social alienation, and other related issues. From the perspective of media culture, this paper analyzes the causes of the audience’s dependence on “electronic pickle” and the coping strategies, to optimize and reconstruct the cognition of this media and standardize normal social life.

Research on Mandarin Words from Dialects of Neologism

Based on the Dictionary of Neologism and CCL corpus of Peking University, this paper studies the distribution of mandarin words from dialects and different periods through literature research, quantitative research, contrast and induction, and analyzes the causes of the distribution. From the perspective of linguistics and social culture, this paper investigates the ways and paths of dialectal words entering neologism, in order to reveal the interaction between dialectal words and mandarin words, find out the evolution track of dialectal words in the synchronic plane, and provide new ideas for linguistics, sociology and other disciplines.

Ontological ekphrasis Elena Shvarts’ poem “Memory of the Fresco of Fra Beato Angelico ‘Baptism’ at the Sight of the Head of John the Baptist in Rome”

Scientific interest in the problem of ekphrasis and the peculiarities of ekphrastic description has increased over the past decades. The article analyzes the ekphrastic poetics of E. Shvarts’ poem “Memory of Fra Beato Angelico’s fresco ‘Baptism’ at the sight of the head of John the Baptist in Rome”. The aim of this article is to identify the intermedial correlation of the verbal level with the visual level, revealing the ontological ekphrasis in this poem. The author of the article examined how the three levels of the image in the poem correlate in their ratio: artistic text, frescoes’ visual images, and symbolism (cultural codes). Ontological ekphrasis helps the poet find new ways to reveal traditional Christian themes. Visual images of the early Renaissance fresco acquire an ontological status in the text (dove, “rose,” gray color, water, fog, coal [fire], flower, river, blood, wine, relics [the head of John the Baptist], Lapis Niger, dawn). Through symbols and cultural codes, these images reveal the metaphysics of Baptism from a historical, cultural, and modern perspective, leaving the reader with options for interpretation. In the spirit of the early Renaissance artist himself, Shvarts ontologically recodes the medieval symbolism of Baptism, immersing it into thereality, perceiving Christian history as a struggle of life and death, culminating in the eschatological hope of the Second Coming of Christ. Fra Angelico turned out to be in tune with Shvarts precisely as an artist of the early Renaissance, in the painter’s movement of medieval mysticism to Renaissance ontologism and humanism.

Cultural Continuity and Change: A Study of the Sixteen Samskaras in Modern Hindu Society

This paper explores the cultural continuity and changes surrounding the sixteen samskaras within modern Hindu society. Drawing from a synthesis of scholarly works and classical texts, the study examines the historical significance and contemporary relevance of these rituals. Ramaswami Aiyer, Pandey, and Shelat provide foundational insights into the cultural heritage of India, emphasizing the enduring nature of the samskaras and their role in shaping Hindu identity. Shrutiprakashdas, Dave, Shukla, Vivekpriyadas, and Gnaneshwardas offer philosophical, sociological, and cultural perspectives, elucidating the spiritual dimensions and adaptive qualities of these ceremonies in response to societal shifts. Through an analysis of these sources, this paper seeks to understand how the sixteen samskaras continue to uphold tradition while accommodating changes in modern Hindu society. The Sixteen Samskaras, deeply rooted in Hindu philosophy and tradition, represent a series of sacred rites of passage that mark significant milestones in an individual’s life journey. These rituals, spanning from conception to cremation, play a vital role in shaping the spiritual and cultural identity of Hindus across different regions and communities. Each samskara is imbued with profound meaning and symbolism, reflecting the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices that define Hinduism.

Traditional Rural Culture in Xinyang Tea Packaging Design

Rural traditional culture is an important component of China's traditional cultural system, and has been an important supporting force for the national rejuvenation in the recent years. It has also been widely used in many industries, with the aim to promote rich cultural connotations into the development of rural traditional cultural elements. Xinyang Maojian tea, as being one of China’s most famous product, comes with various tea packaging designs that portray the richness of tea in its own traditional tea culture. Using rural cultural symbols to convey tea culture can reflect regional characteristics and tea types in most prominent way. Therefore, this study would skillfully integrate rural cultural content, combining symbol design theory and using information means to carry out Xinyang tea packaging design that can reflect the market awareness of tea and expand the popularity of Xinyang Maojian. From the perspective of traditional rural culture, this paper analyzes the packaging design of Xinyang tea, aiming at improving the publicity effect of Xinyang tea and carrying forward the traditional rural culture of Xinyang.