Forms Of Social Participation Research Articles

Social Participation in Poland: Links to Emotional Well-Being and Risky Alcohol Consumption

Social participation has been hypothesised to have both positive and negative impact on health outcomes via a variety of pathways, but previous studies have found few significant effects of social participation, and there is a lack of research from post-communist societies, which are known to be low on social capital. Using cross-sectional data from Poland on 2,970 individuals surveyed in 2009, we investigated the individual-level relationships between formal and informal social participation, emotional well-being, and risky alcohol consumption while controlling for demographic variables, socioeconomic status, employment and partnership status, health, religiosity, and generalised trust. Frequent joint activities with friends and neighbours were related to higher positive affect but also to more risky alcohol consumption. Membership in voluntary organisations was associated with more risky alcohol consumption, especially among younger males and for certain types of organisations. In contrast, volunteer work was related to higher positive affect and fewer depressive symptoms in the whole sample and to less risky alcohol consumption among the younger participants. The findings illustrate that some types of social participation, even if they are not typical of a given context (e.g., volunteering in Poland), may be more beneficial than others.

한국 노인의 자원봉사활동참여 관련요인:연령집단별 분석

한국의 고령화로 증가한 노인인구가 행복한 노년의 삶을 사는데 필요한 요소 중의 하나로 사회활동의 참여가 있다. 다양한 사회활동의 하나 중 자원봉사활동은 사회적으로는 시민사회의 기반이 되는 역할을 하며 개인적으로 노인의 삶의 질을 향상시키는 효과가 있다. 본 연구는 한국 노인의 자원봉사활동 현황과 자원봉사활동 참여 요인을 분석하되 노인인구의 다양성을 고려하여 연령집단별로 분석하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 한국 고령화 연구 패널의 2차년도 자료에서 55세 이상의 노인을 예비노인(55세-65세), 전기노인(65세-74세), 후기노인(75세 이상)으로 분류하여 기술통계와 로지스틱 회귀분석으로 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 노인의 자원봉사활동 참여율은 매우 낮았으며, 노인의 사회적 관계가 노인이 자원봉사활동 참여에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 또한 연령별 다양성을 고려해야 할 필요성도 확인되었다. With the increase of the aging population in Korea, the welfare of Korean elderly has become one of main concerns of the society. One essential factor that may enhance the quality of life of the elderly is the active social participation. Involvement in the volunteer activity is one form of social participation that benefits both society and individual. The purpose of this study is to examine the level of Korean elderly's participation in volunteer activities and factors related to their participation in the context of different age group. People aged 55 and over from wave 2 data of Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing are grouped into pre-old(55-64), young old(65-75), and old old (75 and older). Main analytic tools include descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Results indicated that social relationships of the elderly were the most important factors related with their participation with voluntary activities. Also highlighted is the importance of considering the diversity among the older population.

Combinations of social participation and trust, and association with health status--an Australian perspective

A limited number of studies have examined the 'miniaturization of community' model which is based on belief that 'new' individualistic, and narrower forms of social participation, do not promote generalized trust in others. Little is known about miniaturization of community and self-reported health, physical health and psychological health in Australia. Data from a 2009 computer-assisted-telephone-interview survey was used to investigate generalized trust, social participation and health-related quality of life in a regional Australian population (n = 1273; mean age 51.2 years). Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between generalized trust, social participation and poor self-reported health (global self-rated, psychological and physical), and included four social participation/trust categories. A majority (67%) reported high generalized trust of others, 54% were categorized as high social participators. Miniaturization of community was a risk factor for poor self-rated psychological health across genders, and a risk factor for poor self-rated health for males. For women, low social participation (irrespective of trust level) was associated with poor self-reported health. Given current and previous findings, there is a need for further research in a range of contexts which explores the underlying concept of miniaturization of community, that is, the changes in social participation and social networks which may negatively impact community health.

Feelings of loneliness among adults with mental disorder

Loneliness can affect people at any time and for some it can be an overwhelming feeling leading to negative thoughts and feelings. The current study, based on the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in England, 2007, quantified the association of loneliness with a range of specific mental disorders and tested whether the relationship was influenced by formal and informal social participation and perceived social support.Methods Using a random probability sample design,7,461 adults were interviewed in a cross-sectional national survey in England in 2007. Common Mental Disorders were assessed using the revised Clinical Interview Schedule;the diagnosis of psychosis was based on the administration of the Schedules of the Clinical Assessment of Neuropsychiatry, while loneliness was derived from an item in the Social Functioning Questionnaire.Results Feelings of loneliness were more prevalent in women (OR = 1.34, 95 % CI 1.20–1.50, P\0.001) as well as in those who were single (OR = 2.24, 95 % C I1.96–2.55, P<0.001), widowed, divorced or separated(OR = 2.78, 95 % CI 2.38–3.23, P<0.001), economically inactive (OR = 1.24, 95 % CI 1.11–1.44,P = 0.007), living in rented accommodation (OR = 1.73,95 % CI 1.53–1.95, P<0.001) or in debt (OR = 2.47,95 % CI 2.07–1.50, P<0.001). Loneliness was associated with all mental disorders, especially depression [corrected].

Milano, coltivazione urbana e percorsi di vita in comune. Note da una ricerca in corso

This paper brings to light a depiction of Milan made of small areas connected with the theme of urban agriculture and ‘spaces to care for' within the city. They are projects of different types which have in common the idea of connecting the practice of cultivation with the construction of shared life paths. Thinking which interprets horticulture as a device for ‘cultivating others' is therefore central here. It is a system for social promotion and inclusion, an instrument to practice forms of dissent, a platform for strengthening bonds, a common space for everyday life. In this sense the English community gardens defi nition, which although it places a perhaps excessive emphasis on community aspects, seems apparently more appropriate for referring to this type of experience connected with forms of social participation and a new relationship with the local community.

Building social capital: Examining the impact of Street Soccer USA on its volunteers

Most studies on the use of sport with marginalized populations have centered upon the impact on participants, with few studies examining the impact of these interventions on other stakeholder groups, such as volunteers. While it has been contended that volunteering provides a form of social participation and civic engagement that can foster development of citizenship and social capital, these ideas are disputed and lack empirical evidence. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Street Soccer USA on its volunteers. Street Soccer USA uses soccer to provide a support system to homeless individuals for making positive life changes. The findings of this qualitative study with five teams in the United States revealed that volunteering fostered the preconditions for and actual social capital development by enhancing awareness and understanding about homelessness, building community and relationships with the homeless, enhancing passion to work in the social justice field, and developing self-satisfaction through a ‘feel good’ mentality. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the use of sport to aid in social capital development. By creating increased understanding and a sense of community between different social groups, greater community cohesion and more inclusive social capital can be developed.

A STUDY FOR SOME FACTORS AFFECTING ON FARMERS RATIONAL USE OF WATER IRRIGATION IN NEW VALLEY GOVERNORATE

The recent study aims to: identify the degree of farmers implementations for the recommendations of the technical rationalization of water use in New valley Governorate. In addition, identifying the independent variables affecting the degree of farmers implementations for the recommendations of the technical rationalization of water use as a dependent variable. In order to accomplish the study objectives, new valley Governorate was selected as a filed study. A systematic random sample of 212 farmers was selected. This sample represents about 5% of the total farmers in three villages in New valley Governorate. A questionnaire was designed and collected using the personal interview (after it was pre- tested) during may 2011. Then, the data were tabulated and analyzed by using simple correlation coefficient, stepwise regression. The study finding showed that about 14% of the total sample have low level of implementations for the recommendations of the technical rationalization of water use. Medium category represents about 50%, and high category of implementations for the recommendations of the technical rationalization of water use represents about 36% of the total sample. Results revealed by using stepwise regression showed that three variables affected the degree of implementations for the recommendations of the technical rationalizations of water use, and these variables explained about 51% of the total variance of the implementations for the recommendations of the technical rationalization of water use. Those variables were: farmland holding size, respondent attitude towards the extension activities, finally respondent degree of formal social participation.

Explanations of educational differences in major depression and generalised anxiety disorder in the Irish population

Social inequalities in mental disorders have been described, but studies that explain these inequalities are lacking, especially those using diagnostic interviews. This study investigates the contribution of various explanatory factors to the association between educational level and major depression and generalised anxiety disorder in Irish men and women. The study population comprised a national random sample of 5771 women and 4207 men aged 18 or more in Ireland (SLÁN 2007 survey). Major depression and generalised anxiety disorder were measured using a standardised diagnostic interview (CIDI-SF). Four groups of explanatory factors were explored: material, psychosocial, and behavioural factors, and chronic disease. For both genders, low educational level increased the risk of both mental disorders. Material factors, especially no private health insurance, but also no car, housing tenure, insufficient food budget, and unemployment (for men), made the highest contribution (stronger for men than for women) in explaining the association between education and both mental disorders. Psychosocial (especially formal social participation, social support and marital status) and behavioural factors (smoking and physical activity for both genders, and alcohol and drug use for men) and chronic disease made low independent contributions in explaining the association between education and both mental disorders. Given the cross-sectional study design, no causal conclusion could be drawn. Targeting various material, psychosocial, and behavioural factors, as well as chronic diseases may help to reduce educational differences in depression and anxiety in the general population.

Critical Engagements of NGOs for Global Human Rights Protection: A New Epoch of Cosmopolitanism for Larger Freedom?

Since the mid-1990s, the international norms for global development have been redefined under non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) critical e-mobilizations, powered by new media. International governmental organizations (IGOs) have been forced to make policy adjustments or concessions, resulting in new IGOs-NGOs policy regimes for consultative consensus building and for protecting people’s economic, social, and cultural rights (ESC) for enhancing social quality. This paper examines the emerging cosmopolitanism in the information age, focusing on NGOs’ advocacy networks, to understand the new media-enhanced participatory regime for global governance. It also illustrates a new form of social participation, as promoted by social quality theory, in the age of e-globalization and the information society. The paper has five parts. After outlining the globalization project threatening ESC rights, the second section examines critical engagements of NGOs and IGOs for human rights promotion. Parts three and four discuss, respectively, the struggles for ESC rights in shaping new ethics and norms for global development, and the variations of new social media mobilization. The paper ends with critical remarks on the project for larger freedom and human rights for all.

Formal and informal social participation of the ‘young-old’ in The Netherlands in 1992 and 2002

ABSTRACTThe study compares the formal and informal social participation of 60–69 year olds in The Netherlands in 1992 and 2002, and examines which attributes of the two cohorts favour social participation. Using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, it was found that cohort differences in formal participation (as members of organisations, in volunteer work and in religious organisations) and in informal participation (having a large social network, and in cultural and recreational activities) associated with cohort differences in individual characteristics (level of education, health, employment status and marital status). Descriptive analyses showed an increase between 1992 and 2002 in all forms of participation except religious involvement. The 2002 cohort members were more educated and more engaged in employment, but in worse health and had a higher prevalence of divorce than the 1992 cohort members. Logistic regression analyses showed that the positive effect on social participation of the recent cohort's higher educational level was suppressed by the negative effect of their worse health. Being divorced had mixed effects on formal and informal participation, but the difference in the number of divorcees did not explain cohort differences in social participation. Interaction effects showed that the influence of sex and health on volunteer work and religious involvement changed over time. The paper concludes with a discussion of the prospects for higher levels of formal and informal social participation among future cohorts of young-older people.

Re-empowering social workers through the online community: The experience of SWForum in Hong Kong

This paper focuses on the new form of social participation created by information and communication technologies (ICTs), as experienced by an online professional community, SWForum, in Hong Kong. The group has expressed resistance and contributed to social welfare policy development since 1997, when frontline social workers were disempowered and lost their previously influential status. From this experience, we argue that the online community has created an arena for alternative discourse on social policy and it shows that the technology can be harnessed to create a more equitable participation in policy making in a society.

The Maastricht social participation profile: development and clinimetric properties in older adults with a chronic physical illness

To develop and test the Maastricht Social Participation Profile (MSPP), an instrument measuring the actual social participation by older adults with a chronic physical illness, in accordance with their own definition of social participation. The development process consisted of a number of steps, ending with a field test in two waves (n = 412 and n = 125) among a random sample of people older than 59 years with either COPD or diabetes mellitus. Reproducibility was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and smallest real differences at group level (SRDs(group)). Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated with Pearson correlation coefficients between the MSPP and the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). The MSPP consists of four indices: consumptive participation, formal social participation, informal social participation-acquaintances and informal social participation-family. Each index measured diversity and frequency of participation. ICCs ranged between 0.63 and 0.83. SRDs(group) ranged between 0.05 and 0.09. Convergent and discriminant validity were supported by the correlations between the MSPP(frequency) and the FAI. The MSPP has good validity and acceptable reproducibility. Its distinguishing features are its focus on actual social participation and the possibility to calculate both diversity and frequency scores.

If work is out of sight. Activation and citizenship for new refugees

Activation has become an important paradigm for social policies in Europe. New migrants and refugees especially constitute a category with particular problems in accessing the labour market, and have thus become a prime target group for activation in some countries. The article addresses the tension between aims of employment and economic self-sufficiency, and social inclusion and participation in a wider sense. Using data from the implementation of the Norwegian introductory programme for newly arrived refugees, we analyse local caseworkers' attempts at negotiating this tension when working with clients whose labour market prospects are conceived of as poor. Two distinct frameworks of interpretation, with distinct consequences for practical implementation, are identified: an activation discourse where the main emphasis is on labour market inclusion; and a citizenship discourse which broadens the goals to include other forms of social participation.

Changes in Social Participation and Volunteer Activity Among Recently Widowed Older Adults

Widowhood eliminates a key source of support that may trigger greater involvement in social activities and volunteer participation, which are related to better late-life health and functioning. We reexamine and build upon 2 recent studies exploring recent widowhood and social participation. Using different data, we perform a quasi-replication of Utz, Carr, Nesse, and Wortman's (2002; "The effect of widowhood on older adults' social participation: An evaluation of activity, disengagement, and continuity theories," The Gerontologist, 42, 522-533) study and employ different analytic strategies to Li's (2007; "Recovering from spousal bereavement in later life: Does volunteer participation play a role?" Journal of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62, S257-S266) study. A synthetic cohort of recently widowed individuals aged 60 years and older (n = 228) was compared with random, non-widowed older adult controls (n = 228) across 3 waves of Americans' Changing Lives data. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the impact of widowhood on levels of social participation and formal and informal volunteerism, controlling for social, economic, demographic, and psychological factors. Similar to Utz and colleagues, we found that widowhood was positively related to informal social participation, net of other effects, but did not reproduce this finding for formal social participation. Unlike Li, we did not find a significant relationship between widowhood and formal or informal volunteerism. Controlling for prior participation, widowhood remained significantly related to informal and formal social participation. Older adults increase their reliance on sources of other social support following spousal loss but do not change their volunteer activities. This suggests that continuity of volunteer engagement and enhanced social participation are important following widowhood. Given their positive associations with late-life well-being, efforts to help older widows and widowers increase their social participation and maintain established patterns of volunteerism following spousal loss are warranted.

Social Participation Revisited

In this analysis of formal and informal social participation in the Netherlands between 1975 and 2000, period, life-cycle and cohort effects are disentangled and the factors that could have driven these changes are examined. Use of diary data enables an assessment of four types of social participation: formal involvement in associations, maintenance of informal contacts within the home and outside the home, and distant social contacts. Our results indicate that several changes have been taking place. A large decrease (of approximately 3 hours per week between 1980 and 2000) is found in the time people spend on social activities within the home (consisting mainly of paying visits and receiving visitors). This trend is connected with increases in work and television watching. Other changes manifest themselves as cohort differences. While younger cohorts reflect considerably less activity in formal participation, they spend more time on informal social activities outside the home. Decreasing levels of religiosity play a role with respect to both trends.

Social Exclusion and Forms of Social Capital: Czech Evidence on Mutual Links

In this article the authors investigate the relevance of social capital to the economic and social inclusion of economically disadvantaged people. The analysis is based on data from a survey conducted on a special kind of sample, which is homogenous in one dimension of economic exclusion (income disadvantage), enabling a more in-depth study of how strongly this dimension of exclusion is associated with other dimensions of economic and social exclusion and how various forms and patterns of social capital influence economic and social inclusion (in these dimensions). The results of the analysis confirm that individual forms of social capital often play distinct and mutually independent roles. The analysis also reaffirmed findings that informal social capital is more important in the post-communist Czech Republic than formal capital and that the level of formal social participation and trust is quite low even in this specific population. All forms of social capital (distinguished here in terms of Woolcock s typology) have proven to be substantially associated with a degree of material deprivation; with informal networks showing the strongest correlation. Although these networks provide some protection against social exclusion, they are not a reliable buffer, since people of lower economic and social status have limited access to quality social networks, and other forms of social capital are often absent.

Health Benefits of Volunteering in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study

We investigate positive effects of volunteering on psychological well-being and self-reported health using all four waves of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Confirming previous research, volunteering was positively related to both outcome variables. Both consistency of volunteering over time and diversity of participation are significantly related to well-being and self-reported health. The relationship of volunteering to psychological well-being was moderated by level of social integration, such that those who were less well integrated benefited the most. Mattering appears to mediate the link between volunteering and wellbeing. Controls for other forms of social participation and for the predictors of volunteering are employed in analyses of well-being in 1992. We find volunteering effects on psychological well-being in 2004, controlling for 1992 wellbeing, thus providing strong evidence for a causal effect.

Escribir para dialogar: la construcción de un espacio público entre estudiantes de nivel medio

This work develops how the students of intermediate superior level (CCH-Sur) in the context of strike of the UNAM (1999-2000) impelled the conformation of a space of public opinion through the written productions. These productions were oriented by the appropriation of particular written genres and diverse sources and materials of the written culture. Also, the literacy practices were articulated with the construction of the authorship and power relations maintained between publishers and reading public, all of them from the same student group. In this institutional circumstances, the students used the writting as instrument of expression and “concretion” of the circulating arguments and as a strategy to promote the dialogue and a new form of social participation.

Empowerment status of rural women: Insights from dairy cooperatives

Our study shows that membership of a dairy cooperative helped women to become economically independent and self-confident, with improved prestige in the community. Formal social participation and group actions increased and hence the overall empowerment of cooperative members was more. Women's participation should be ensured in cooperatives, training institutions, credit institutions, agricultural labour institutions etc, so that they can be able to organise themselves, identify their needs, build a positive image, and be aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Social determinants of sports participation revisited. The role of socialization and symbolic trajectories

This paper discusses the sociological debate of detraditionalization in the case of sports participation in Flanders. Sports participation remains to a great extent predictable by means of social characteristics. Traditional position-bound stratification mechanisms, based on age and gender identities, remain important determinants of sports participation behaviour. But more intentional socialization mechanisms such as the educational level, the formal social participation as well as the respondents’ media preferences and TV viewing habits, appear to be important in explaining sports participation.