Survey Data Research Articles

How institutions do (not) contain personalized politics: centralized personalization in a decentralized electoral system

ABSTRACT The Danish general election in 2022 appeared to foster a paradox: the campaign was remarkably personalized, while voters were less likely to vote for an individual candidate compared to the last five elections. Personalization in the campaign did not seem to spill over to voting behaviour. The study argues and shows using register and survey data that institutional barriers limited the direct expression of personalized electoral behaviour, but voters strongly motivated by political leaders compensated by casting party list votes. The true paradox of the Danish election was that decreasing preferential votes actually reflected increasing personalization, concentrating personal votes in the hands of party leaders. This finding speaks to a general concern about how different arenas of political personalization interact. It suggests that political institutions can only partly contain the personalization of politics because political actors – elites as well as ordinary voters – navigate within the given institutions to maximize their personalized political preferences, finding opportunities to compensate for the institutional barriers. Democracies must, therefore, consider institutional designs as well as political cultures when meeting the possible challenges posed by increased personalization of politics.

Intensities of the hydrogen Balmer lines of solar-like stars revealed by the LAMOST spectroscopic surveys

The intensities of the hydrogen Balmer lines of solar-like stars are investigated for stellar chromospheric activity by using the co-source spectral data of the LAMOST Low-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey (LRS) and Medium-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey (MRS). The Balmer Hα\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha$$\\end{document}, Hβ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\beta$$\\end{document}, Hγ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\gamma$$\\end{document}, and Hδ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\delta$$\\end{document} lines in the LRS data and the Hα\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha$$\\end{document} line in the MRS data are analyzed. The absolute flux indexes, defined as the ratios of the absolute fluxes at the centers of the Balmer lines to the stellar bolometric flux, are employed to indicate the intensity magnitudes of the Balmer lines in response to stellar activity. The Hα\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha$$\\end{document} indexes derived from the LRS data and the MRS data, respectively, are calibrated to be quantitatively consistent with each other. It is found that, as the Hα\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha$$\\end{document} index increases, the Hβ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\beta$$\\end{document}, Hγ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\gamma$$\\end{document}, and Hδ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\delta$$\\end{document} indexes first present trend of increasing and then decreasing, and finally increase synchronously with the Hα\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha$$\\end{document} index. The distributions of the Balmer line indexes also reveal the three distinct stages of stellar activity (normal stage, intense stage, and extremely intense stage), in which the extremely intense stage is characterized by the synchronous growth of the indexes of the four Balmer lines. The different behaviors of the Hβ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\beta$$\\end{document}, Hγ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\gamma$$\\end{document}, and Hδ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\delta$$\\end{document} lines from that of the Hα\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\alpha$$\\end{document} line can be interpreted by the different mechanisms by which the line-core intensities are formed, and the three distinct activity stages imply the very different magnetic field environments and physical conditions of solar-like stars.

Motivation of Lithuanian Saturday school heritage language teachers

Working (or volunteering) in a Lithuanian Saturday (or Sunday) school abroad is difficult. Teachers must balance work, family, and teaching in those schools, give up their free time to prepare for classes, and spend Saturdays working. Some of them need to find not only teaching materials, but also a place for teaching. Moreover, some parents often have very high expectations for the school—they do not speak enough Lithuanian at home, or not even at all, but they expect that the school will teach their child to speak it fluently in a half of a day. In addition, the Lithuanian language is a quite rare, non-international language for teaching and learning of which another motivation needs to be found rather than size, usefulness, and prestige. However, the number of schools abroad not only do not decrease in number, but every year more and more are established, and in more distant countries. The fact that this number of schools is growing tells us that teachers who want to take on the challenge can in fact be found. This article aims to find out why people choose to work or volunteer in these schools, what brings them there, and what keeps them there—what is their motivation. This article is based on the data of a quantitative survey about Lithuanian Saturday school teachers’ attitudes and motivation (2021–2022).

Association between serum cotinine and muscle mass: results from NHANES 2011–2018

PurposeRecently, the detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on muscle metabolism has attracted much attention, but the relationship between cigarette smoking and muscle mass is poorly understood. Thus, this study investigated the association between exposure to cigarette smoke, defined based on serum cotinine, and muscle mass in the US population.MethodsWe utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data between 2011 and 2018 for analysis. Data on serum cotinine, muscle mass (quantified by appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, ASMI), and covariates were extracted and analyzed. Weighted multivariate linear regression analyses and smooth curve fittings were performed to investigate the association between serum cotinine and ASMI. Subgroup analyses were stratified by gender, race and smoking status. When nonlinearity was detected, the threshold effects were analyzed using a two-piecewise linear regression model.ResultsIn total, 8004 participants were included for analysis. The serum level of cotinine was negatively associated with ASMI in the fully adjusted model. Furthermore, comparing participants in the highest vs. the lowest tertile of serum cotinine, we found that ASMI decreased by 0.135 Kg/m2. In subgroup analysis stratified by gender and race, the association between serum cotinine and ASMI remained significant in all genders and races. In addition, the association remained significant among current and former smokers, but not among those who never smoked. Smooth curve fittings showed nonlinear relationships between serum cotinine and ASMI, with the inflection points identified at 356 ng/mL.ConclusionsOur study revealed that serum cotinine was negatively related to muscle mass. This finding improves our understanding of the deleterious effects of cigarette smoking on muscle mass and highlights the importance of smoking cessation for muscle health.

Changing labour migration flows after Brexit: An analysis of UK survey and administrative data

Changing labour migration flows after Brexit: An analysis of UK survey and administrative data

An Indian Enigma? Labour market impacts of the world’s largest livelihoods program

We examine the labour market impacts of the largest livelihoods programs in the world, India’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). A key aspect of this program is to mobilize rural women into self-help groups (SHGs). We combine administrative data on SHG membership across districts in India with survey micro-data on labour force and employment outcomes of rural women between 2011 and 2019. Using a generalized difference-in-differences approach, we find that SHG membership is positively associated with labour force participation and employment of rural women. We also find evidence that SHG membership is associated with a shift towards self-employment and a crowd-out of casual work among the employed. Our supplementary analysis based on large primary survey data from Maharashtra allows us to examine the relationship between SHG membership and economic activity at the individual level. The results confirm our main result of a positive association between SHG membership and economic activity. Further, we show that longer duration of SHG membership is associated with higher participation rates.

Utilization of Telemedicine to Supervise Medical Students in the Post-Acute/Long-Term Care Setting

ObjectivesTelemedicine has become a widely accepted alternative to face-to-face patient encounters. Although there have been several peer-reviewed journal articles on incorporating telemedicine into the medical school curriculum, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, assessments of the effectiveness of remote supervision of medical students have not been reported. This prospective cohort study of student subjects using observational survey data evaluated the efficacy of telemedicine as an educational resource by comparing learning outcomes between osteopathic medical students receiving direct (physically present) supervision with a group who received remote (telemedicine) supervision by clinical faculty within a post-acute/long-term care (PA/LTC) setting. Learning outcomes in the domains of patient rapport, attitudes, knowledge, and behavior were measured using standardized survey instruments. DesignProspective cohort study of student subjects using observational survey data. Setting and ParticipantsA total of 167 fourth-year osteopathic medical students at a teaching nursing home (TNH). MethodsA total of 167 fourth-year osteopathic medical students (OMS-4s) were randomly assigned face-to-face PA/LTC patient encounters at the TNH. The encounters were follow-up visits to residents of the TNH that were supervised by faculty geriatricians. Half were accompanied by the physician and the other half were supervised by the physician through telemedicine. Evaluation using validated survey instruments measured patient rapport, verbal communication, and physical examination skills as well as attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors of the student/subjects. ResultsA nonparametric statistical analysis of 4 dependent variables measuring patient rapport, attitudes, knowledge and behavior showed no significant difference between the 2 teaching modalities. Conclusions and ImplicationsThe results of this prospective cohort study indicate that telemedicine supervision is comparable (noninferior) to direct supervision of medical student trainees in a PA/LTC setting.

Sexual orientation, gender identity and virologic failure among people with HIV: a cohort study in all of US research program

BackgroundSexual and gender minorities (SGMs) are at higher risk of HIV incidence compared to their heterosexual cisgender counterparts. Despite the high HIV disease burden among SGMs, there was limited data on whether they are at higher risk of virologic failure, which may lead to potential disease progression and increased transmission risk. The All of Us (AoU) Research Program, a national community-engaged program aiming to improve health and facilitate health equity in the United States by partnering with one million participants, provides a promising resource for identifying a diverse and large volunteer TGD cohort. Leveraging various data sources available through AoU, the current study aims to explore the association between sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and longitudinal virologic failure among adult people with HIV (PWH) in the US.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used integrated electronic health records (EHR) and self-reported survey data from the All of Us (AoU) controlled tier data, version 7, which includes participants enrolled in the AoU research program from May 31, 2017, to July 1, 2022. Based on participants’ sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex assigned at birth, their SOGI were categorized into six groups, including cisgender heterosexual women, cisgender heterosexual men, cisgender sexual minority women, cisgender sexual minority men, gender minority people assigned female at birth of any sexual orientation, and gender minority people assigned male at birth of any sexual orientation. Yearly virologic failure was defined yearly after one’s first viral load testing, and individuals with at least one viral load test > 50 copies/mL during a year were defined as having virologic failure at that year. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to explore the association between SOGI and longitudinal virologic failure while adjusting for potential confounders, including age, race, ethnicity, education attainment, income, and insurance type.ResultsA total of 1,546 eligible PWH were extracted from the AoU database, among whom 1,196 (77.36%) had at least one viral failure and 773 (50.00%) belonged to SGMs. Compared to cisgender heterosexual women, cisgender sexual minority women (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.05–3.27) were at higher risk of HIV virologic failure. Additionally, PWH who were Black vs. White (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.52–3.04) and whose insurance type was Medicaid vs. Private insurance (aOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.33–3.21) were more likely to experience virologic failure.ConclusionsMaintaining frequent viral load monitoring among sexual minority women with HIV is warranted because it allows early detection of virologic failure, which could provide opportunities for interventions to strengthen treatment adherence and prevent HIV transmission. To understand the specific needs of subgroups of SGMs, future research needs to examine the mechanisms for SOGI-based disparities in virologic failure and the combined effects of multi-level psychosocial and health behavior characteristics.

Extreme weather exposure and corporate carbon emissions management: Evidence from forty countries

Utilizing survey data for firms from 40 countries, we explore the impact of extreme weather exposure on corporate carbon emissions management. Our findings indicate that firms manage their carbon emissions better if they have suffered losses due to extreme weather events. These results persist after considering endogeneity concerns, including placebo tests, the Heckman two-stage method, propensity score matching, the instrumental variables approach, and other robustness tests. Cross-sectional analyses reveal that this impact is more pronounced for firms located in developed countries and in countries with superior climate protection and lower levels of carbon emissions. Furthermore, the effect of extreme weather exposure is more significant for firms with foreign ownership and political connections and those subject to an energy tax. Finally, improved management of carbon emissions accompanied by extreme weather exposure can lead to increased corporate capacity utilization and reduced production costs.

“I will find the best method that will work for me”: navigating contraceptive journeys amongst South African adolescent girls and young women

BackgroundGiven that South Africa has one of the highest rates of pregnancy amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) globally, the provision of contraceptives to this group has been a key focus in recent years. Pregnancy prevention involves an on-going continuum of decision-making around contraceptive method choice, uptake, use, experience, continuation, and discontinuation.MethodsThis paper presents analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey with 2376 AGYW, as well as qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 54 AGYW, inclusive of contraceptive journey narratives. We examine the preferences, valued characteristics, choices, beliefs, understandings and experiences of choosing and using contraceptives amongst AGYW in two South African communities characterised by high rates of pregnancy.ResultsThese findings shed light on the preferences towards, beliefs about, and experiences of choosing, using and discontinuing contraceptive methods amongst this population, with survey data suggesting that the most popular methods were the injection, followed by the implant, and then the oral pill. Findings illustrate the complexity and dynamic nature of contraceptive decision-making and the varied embodied and lived experiences of contraceptive use, and how these are impacted by contraception service provision.ConclusionsOur findings show that contraception experiences of each individual are cumulative, and comprise a continuum of method initiation, use, discontinuation, method switching and on-going circular decision-making influenced by multiple social, structural, contextual and interpersonal factors, combined with shifting preferences, values and needs. To maximise the use of contraceptives amongst South African AGYW, it is necessary to provide responsive contraception service provision to reflect the changing contexts and preferences of users, in order to ensure that pregnancy prevention needs are catered for throughout their reproductive life course.

Abortion Incidence among Young Women in Urban Slums and Non-Slums in Kinshasa, DR Congo

Background: Worldwide, around 73 million induced abortions take place every year. Of these, 45% are unsafe and can lead to complications. The evolution of the legal and practical landscape of abortion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the last few years necessitates a re-examination of the experience of induced abortion, leading this study to measure the incidence of abortion among young women (15 to 29 years of age), as well as the heterogeneity of this problem according to the residence of these young women (slum vs. non-slum areas). Methodology: We used representative survey data on women aged 15–49 in Kinshasa, collected from December 2021 to April 2022. The survey included questions about the respondents’ and their closest confidants’ experience of induced abortion, including the methods and sources used. We estimated abortion incidence and heterogeneity over one year based on residence in the city of Kinshasa according to sociodemographic characteristics. Results: The fully adjusted one-year friend abortion rate in 2021 was 131.5 per 1000 (95% CI: IQR 99.4–163.6). These rates were significantly higher than the corresponding estimates of respondents. The incidence of induced abortion for respondents was 24.4 per 1000 (95% CI: 15.8–32.9) abortions per 1000 women. The incidence rates of induced abortion were much higher among the respondents residing in slums than among those residing in non-slums (29.2 vs. 13.0 per 1000; p < 0.001). Slum respondents indicated higher use of non-recommended methods than non-slum respondents. Conclusions: More precise estimates of the incidence of abortion indicate that the incidence rate of abortion was higher among young women residing in slums who were unmarried and had no children. These incidences were higher among confidants than among respondents. There is still a lot of work to be done to fulfill the obligations outlined in the Maputo Protocol. The aim is to decrease the occurrence of unsafe abortions and their associated effects.

Career variety and turnover intention: mediating role of job crafting and moderating role of HR innovators and integrators

Purpose Previous studies have indicated that career variety offers numerous benefits in the work environment; however, knowledge regarding the mechanisms that retain employees with diverse career experiences is scant. Drawing on person–environment (P–E) fit theory and the job crafting perspective, this study aims to explore the relationship between career variety and turnover intention, and the roles of job crafting and HR innovators and integrators in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the nonlinear effect of career variety on turnover intention using survey data collected from 509 employees (Study 1) and 346 employees and their supervisors (Study 2) in China. Findings Career variety and turnover intention exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship – mediated by job crafting. Additionally, the HR innovator and integrator moderated the relationship between career variety and job crafting. When the HR innovator and integrator were strong, employees engaged in more job crafting at intermediate levels of career variety. Originality/value The findings not only deepen our understanding of the inherent capabilities and preference traits of employees with diverse career backgrounds but also enrich the body of research on career variety, reconcile inconsistencies across previous studies and offer new insights into strategic organisational interventions for retaining a workforce with varied career experiences.

A study of the driving factors of the intention and behavioral deviations of rural residents in waste classification

Introduction: The deviation between the stated intentions and actual actions of rural residents regarding waste classification constitutes a significant impediment to the effective implementation of environmental management strategies in rural areas. It is therefore recommended that steps be taken to reduce the deviation between the stated intentions and actual behaviors of rural residents. Doing so will help to reinforce environmental governance in rural communities and provide the necessary support for rural revitalization.Methods: This study establishes an analytical framework for examining the deviation between the internal perceived efficacy and external environmental policies among rural residents. The relationship between intention and behavior can be classified into three distinct scenarios: “intention with behavior,” “intention without behavior,” and “no intention with behavior.” Furthermore, an empirical analysis is conducted using survey data collected by Nanjing Agricultural University in the China Land Economic Survey in June and July 2021.Result: The results show that 1) the perceived efficacy has a significant positive influence on the deviation between the intention and behavior of rural residents in domestic waste classification, while the environmental policy has a significant negative effect on it; 2) the guiding policy has a significant negative moderating effect on the influence of perceived efficacy on the deviation between the intention and behavior of rural residents and the situation of “with intention and without behavior,” while the reward–punishment policy has a significant positive moderating effect on the influence of perceived efficacy on “without intention and behavior;” 3) the perceived efficacy has a masking effect on the impact of environmental policies on the deviation between the intention and behavior or “with intention and without behavior” of rural residents and a partial mediating effect on the impact of the environmental policy on “with intention and behavior” or “without intention and behavior.”Discussion: In consideration of these findings, the study proposes policy recommendations that emphasize the interconnectivity of the government, village collective organizations, and rural residents. The recommendations include the implementation of environmental policies and initiatives designed to enhance rural residents’ awareness of waste classification.

An Overview of the Community College Student Government Association

ABSTRACT Community colleges are increasingly adopting and relying on student engagement activities to build a sense of belonging and improve graduation rates. One such measure undertaken at many colleges is the use of traditional student affairs programs, including student government associations. These student governments not only build a sense of community among students, but add to student learning and the overall operation and sense of inclusiveness on campus. Using a sample of 150 community colleges, senior student affairs professionals were surveyed about their student governments and their agendas. With a near 60% response rate, survey data revealed that community college student governments typically had an advisor with multiple responsibilities that leaders regularly met with college presidents, and were funded by student fees or a direct allocation from the college. The data also included information on the range of student government offices and how agendas were aligned across campus constituencies. Cross tabs were also used to explore sources of funding support and constituent agenda alignment, noting that direct institutional allocations resulted in the highest level of agenda alignment. Respondents also noted several key agenda items that their student government addressed, including student mental health, building community on campus, and additional academic support.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and HIV-Related Stigma: A Quantitative Survey of Tanzanian Men, June 2019.

Experiencing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may impact personal opinions, attitudes, and judgments, which can further result in HIV-related stigma. HIV-related stigma consequentially may impact HIV preventive measures such as HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake, and condom use. The extent to which ACEs influence HIV-related stigma perception has not been well studied. Therefore, the study aimed to examine the association between ACEs and perceived and interpersonal HIV-related stigma among Tanzanian HIV-negative men. Quantitative survey data were obtained from the Tanzania STEP (Self-Testing Education and Promotion) project established in four wards: Mabibo, Manzese, Tandale, and Mwanyanamala. A total of 507 men responded to the ACEs and HIV-related stigma questionnaires. ACEs were operationalized as types of ACEs (environmental, physical/psychological, sexual abuse) and ACE score (0 (reference) vs. 1, 2, 3, ≥ 4). Perceived HIV-related stigma was analyzed both as a binary (HIV stigma vs. no HIV stigma) and a continuous variable. Unadjusted and adjusted multinomial logistic and linear regression models were used to assess the associations between ACEs and HIV-related stigma. ACE types were associated with HIV stigma (b = 0.237, 95% CI [0.122-0.352], p = < .0001). Findings of the adjusted multinomial logistic regression model show that experiencing one ACE (aOR = 1.9; p-value = 0.023), two ACEs (aOR = 1.8; p-value = 0.044), four or more ACEs (aOR = 4.1; p-value = < 0.0001) were associated with greater perceived HIV-related stigma. Moreover, experiencing environmental (aOR = 8.6; p-value = 0.005), physical/psychological (aOR = 2.5; p-value = 0.004), and sexual abuse (aOR = 3.4; p-value = < 0.0001) were associated with higher odds of HIV-related stigma. Our study findings suggest that those who experience childhood trauma are more likely to have a higher perception of HIV-related stigma. Intervention programs targeting HIV stigma should consider addressing ACEs entailing the behavioral and psychological impact of childhood trauma.

Emergency department staff opinion on newly introduced phlebotomy services in the department. A cross-sectional study incorporating thematic analysis.

The demand for ED services, both in terms of patient numbers and complexity has risen over the past decades. According to reports, there has been an increase in the ED patient presentation rate from 330 per 1000 to 334 per 1000 between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023. Consequently, new care models have been introduced to address this surge in demand, mitigate associated risks and improve overall safety. Among these models is the concept of 'front loading' clinical care, involving the initiation of interventions at the point of arrival. The present study evaluates the impact of introducing phlebotomists at triage. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using purposive sampling at a single quaternary metropolitan ED with an annual census of greater than 90 000, encompassing all clinical staff in the ED. The survey data were analysed quantitatively and complemented by a thematic analysis. The response rate for the questionnaire was 61% (n = 207), with good representation from all ED craft groups. Nearly all the staff (99.5%) reported being aware of the presence of phlebotomists in the ED, whereas only 57% of the staff reported working in triage (P = 0.05, 0.00 to 0.04). 'Valuable/vital resource' featured as a common response. Early decision-making, patient safety, staff and patient satisfaction emerged as consistent themes. Staff expressed satisfaction that patient care now begins in the waiting room, especially after extended waiting periods prior to cubicle allocation. They assert that this improvement significantly enhances timely treatment and disposition decisions, as well as overall patient satisfaction.

Financial literacy and borrower discouragement

This study provides first empirical evidence on the impact of entrepreneurs’ financial literacy on borrower discouragement. Using novel survey data on Italian micro-enterprises, we find that less financially knowledgeable entrepreneurs are more likely to be discouraged from applying for new financing, especially due to higher application costs. Our results are robust to several sensitivity checks, including accounting for potential endogeneity. Furthermore, we show that the observed self-rationing mechanism is rather inefficient, suggesting that financial literacy might play a key role in reducing credit market imperfections.

Modeling L2 motivation change and its predictive effects on learning behaviors in the extramural digital context: a quantitative investigation in China

Abstract Language learning in the extramural digital (ED) context has recently gained momentum because it focuses on second language (L2) learners’ autonomous, unstructured, online learning activities beyond the classroom. Drawing upon Dörnyei’s L2 motivational self system (including the ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and L2 learning experience) to operationalize L2 learners’ motivational mindsets, this study aims to investigate whether L2 English learners’ ought-to L2 self can be translated into their ideal L2 self and predict learning behaviors within the ED context. Survey data from 310 undergraduate students in a top-tier Chinese university were collected and analyzed following a structural equation modeling approach. The results indicate that participants’ ought-to L2 self can facilitate the development of their ideal L2 self only through the full mediation effect of the L2 learning experience in the ED environment. Also, while students’ ought-to L2 self cannot directly predict their motivated learning behaviors in the ED context, there exists a significant indirect impact through the joint mediation of the L2 learning experience and ideal L2 self. These findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about L2 motivational dynamics by unveiling the conversion and interaction of different L2 motivational forces in digital and out-of-class settings.

User Experience of a Just-in-Time Smartphone Resonance Breathing Application for Substance Use Disorder: Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility.

Addressing the negative impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on individuals, families, and communities is a public health priority. Most treatments and interventions require engagement with a healthcare provider or someone who can offer recovery support. The need for interventions that facilitate self-management of relapse triggers at the moment they occur is also critical. Our study aimed to explore the user experience of individuals using a just-in-time smartphone episodic resonance breathing (eRPB) intervention to address stress, anxiety, and drug cravings. We conducted an 8-week pilot study of the eRPB with 30 individuals in recovery from SUD. Data on 3 indicators of user experience-acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility-were collected using survey questions (n = 30) and semi-structured interviews (n = 11). We performed univariate analysis on the survey data and deductive thematic analysis on the qualitative data. A majority of the survey respondents agreed that the application (app) was acceptable (> 77%), appropriate (> 82%), and feasible (> 89%). Several interview participants stated that the app helped them relax and manage stress and cravings and expressed appreciation for the simplicity of its design. Participants also reported barriers to feasibility (such as forgetting to use the app) and recommendations for improvement (such as the addition of motivational messages). Our findings show that individuals in recovery from SUD had highly positive experiences with the eRPB app. A positive user experience may improve adherence to the intervention and, ultimately, the self-management of stress, anxiety, and craving relapse triggers.

Institutional pressures and greenwashing in social responsibility: reversing the link with hybridization capability

PurposeDespite the ongoing scholarly interest in greenwashing, it is not well known the impact of multiple institutional pressures on greenwashing in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Following the institutional logics perspective, this study investigates how three distinct logics – commercial, public, and social welfare – drive greenwashing and whether organizational capability for blending diverse CSR expectations reverses this link.Design/methodology/approachThe current study conceptualized and tested an original model on how three institutional logics influence greenwashing in CSR, with the mediation effect of hybridization capability as a response to logic plurality. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was performed on a survey data, which was collected from 150 middle managers in Turkey.FindingsThe results show that while commercial logic has no direct or indirect impact on greenwashing, public and social welfare logics drive greenwashing in CSR. However, these effects are reversed when the CSR hybridization capability increases.Practical implicationsThis study contributes to the understanding of what predicts CSR greenwashing by integrating a comprehensive theoretical framework involving multiple institutional logics, conflicting stakeholder demands, and organizational hybridity.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that theoretically and empirically analyzed how the exposure of multiple external pressures affects the CSR greenwashing and how it can be reversed by CSR hybridization capability. This capability mitigates the threats and challenges of multiple logics and turns them into an opportunity to gain legitimacy in the eyes of stakeholders by preventing greenwashing.