Family Group Research Articles

Identification of Responsible Socioeconomic Variables for Prevalence of Retinopathy in Obese-Diabetic Adults

This study analysed data collected from 995 adults aged 18 years and above in Bangladesh. The analysis was performed to identify the variables responsible for the prevalence of retinopathy in obese-diabetic adults. There were 30.2% obese adults, 67.0% diabetic patients, and 12.4% patients with retinopathy. All these non-communicable diseases were noted in 4.7% of the adults. The same rate was also noted in males and females also. A higher prevalence rate was found in secondary educated adults (7.6%), adults of families of upper medium income (9.8%), adults of optimum blood pressure (6.3%), and patients with diabetes for longer periods (12.7%). The risks of prevalence for secondary educated adults, adults belonging to upper medium income groups of families, adults with optimum blood pressure, and diabetic patients of longer duration were 1.99, 2.24, 2.20, and 3.08 times, respectively. All 4.7% of the patients were obese. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, smoking habits, blood pressure, body mass index, and duration of diabetes were the identified variables responsible for the prevalence of retinopathy in obese-diabetic adults.

Computing the homology of universal covers via effective homology and discrete vector fields

Effective homology techniques allow us to compute homology groups of a wide family of topological spaces. By the Whitehead tower method, this can also be used to compute higher homotopy groups. However, some of these techniques (in particular, the Whitehead tower) rely on the assumption that the starting space is simply connected. For some applications, this problem could be circumvented by replacing the space by its universal cover, which is a simply connected space that shares the higher homotopy groups of the initial space. In this paper, we formalize a simplicial construction for the universal cover, and represent it as a twisted Cartesian product.As we show with some examples, the universal cover of a space with effective homology does not necessarily have effective homology in general. We show two independent sufficient conditions that can ensure it: one is based on a nilpotency property of the fundamental group, and the other one on discrete vector fields.Some examples showing our implementation of these constructions in both SageMath and Kenzo are shown, together with an approach to compute the homology of the universal cover when the group is Abelian even in some cases where there is no effective homology, using the twisted homology of the space.

The power and potential of space and place in family group conferencing: Reimagining the role of the venue in child protection practice

Family Group Conferencing is a family-led decision-making process used in children’s social care in the UK. Unlike traditional meetings between families and professionals when there is a safeguarding concern, Family Group Conferences are often held outside children’s services’ premises in a ‘neutral’ venue. In this article, we critique the idea that a meeting location can be neutral as spaces may be experienced differently, and hold multiple meanings, for the family, their network and professionals who take part. Starting from the premise that relationships with and in space have the potential to disrupt power imbalances and affect families’ and professionals’ experiences, we propose the meeting location for the Family Group Conference is instead viewed as a core component of the intervention. This bespoke approach begins with the question, how could the meeting venue improve the experiences of Family Group Conferencing for families and professionals? To answer this question, we use two fictional vignettes written from the perspectives of a young woman and her social worker. The vignettes were created based on the combined practice and research experience of the co-authors and are used in the article as a tool to theorise the possible benefits and limitations of considering the meeting venue as an intervention component. By reimagining how meeting somewhere meaningful to the family could influence families’ and professionals’ experiences of Family Group Conferencing this paper contributes to social work research and practice in the UK and beyond.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE “MATCHING” PROGRAM AS AN EFFORT TO REDUCE STUNTING IN BONCAH KESUMA VILLAGE, KABUN SUB-DISTRICT, ROKAN HULU DISTRICT

Addressing stunting in Rokan Hulu Regency remains a top priority. Boncah Kesuma Village is one of the stunting hotspots designated by the Rokan Hulu Regent’s Decree in 2023. The MATCHING Program (Memelihara Ayam peTelur CegaH stuntING – Raising Chickens to Prevent Stunting) is an innovation by the Boncah Kesuma Village government to accelerate stunting reduction, and it is the first village in Rokan Hulu Regency to implement the program. This program is carried out in collaboration with the Village Stunting Reduction Acceleration Team and the Toddler Family Group. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the "MATCHING" program in accelerating stunting reduction in the village. The research method employed is a qualitative approach, with data collection through interviews, observation, and documentation. The data analysis technique used in this study is qualitative descriptive analysis. The results indicate that the implementation of the "MATCHING" program to accelerate stunting reduction has been optimal, with positive impacts on health, economic, and social aspects. It is hoped that this program can serve as a reference for village governments throughout Rokan Hulu Regency, particularly for villages identified as stunting hotspots. By 2024, it is expected that the stunting rate in Rokan Hulu will be reduced to below the national target.

Rescue and Translocation of Hispaniola Hutia (Plagiodontia aedium) in Pueblo Viejo, Cotuí Mining Concession Area.

Translocation of species is a common practice used in endangered species management and conservation plans, which can have the purpose of establishing new populations which are at risk of being wiped out, increase a species chance of survival or recovery, and to preserve genetic diversity. The present study details the rescue and relocation process of Hispaniola Hutia (Plagiodontia aedium) in the municipality of Cotuí, Dominican Republic. Data are presented for eight individuals, belonging to two different families, detailing capture methods, handling, reintroduction method, and behavior, as well as data on post-release monitoring for both families. It was found that the most efficient capture method was active capture by hand (6/8). The family groups were heterogeneous, although both families had in common the presence of a single adult male. The average weight of the individuals was 1.19 kg. Blood tests were carried out on the animals before being taken to the holding pens and compared with the values of other rodents, showing that hematic values for P. aedium were like those of another hutia species, Cynomys ludovicianus. During the period animals were held in pens before reintroduction, hutias showed trophic preferences for Clusia rosea and Guarea guidonea. The only supplementary food they consumed was Daucus carota. A fight was observed between members of different families during the acclimation period in the holding pen, between a subadult male and another dominant one, evidencing territorial behavior. Post-release monitoring of the families showed that the selection of habitat for relocation, based on the characterization of active burrows in the area, was successful in one of the two families relocated. One of the families abandoned the selected area for translocation during the monitoring. It is important to note that accurate population data of the targeted population, such as abundance and density, are necessary to guarantee the survival of the translocated animals in the new environment. The reintroduction method used in this study may serve as a baseline for future translocation projects for the species.

Which reference groups matter for Taiwanese high school adolescent smoking? A card sorting study

BackgroundAdolescence represents a pivotal period for the initiation of smoking behaviours. While family, peer and social groups serve as significant reference groups influencing adolescents’ decision-making process, there remains a paucity of research that examines how diversified reference groups influence their smoking decisions.ObjectiveThe objective is to compare normative and informative influences given by different reference groups on adolescents’ smoking decision-making.DesignThis study applied reference group theory and used the card sorting technique. Adolescents were presented with 16 cards portraying various reference groups and 27 cards portraying different types of reference group influences. They were asked to construct sentences as smoking-elicited and smoking-inhibited cues and ranked these influences based on their relevance to their smoking decision-making.ParticipantsThe participants were recruited from four cities in the North, Central, South and East regions of Taiwan. The study sample consisted of 297 Taiwanese 11th graders drawn from high schools, vocational high schools and night schools.Primary outcome measuresThe most influential reference group among smokers, former smokers and never smokers.ResultsOur results of multivariable logistic regression show that for current smokers, having a smoking best friend (aOR=7.58,p<0.01), having a smoking colleague (aOR=3.83,p<0.01) and participating in ceremonial dance performances (aOR=4.62,p<0.01) are more likely to smoke. Peers play an important role in providing smoking-elicited cues for current smokers. Families provided the most smoking-inhibited cues for former and never smokers. Normative influences such as encouraging adolescent smoking provided more cues for adolescents than informative influences such as releasing stress by smoking.ConclusionsAdolescent smoking behaviour was influenced by peer norms, while former and non-smoking behaviours are associated with family norms. Therefore, tobacco prevention efforts should focus more on family-level interventions to discourage smoking initiation. Smoking cessation programmes for current smokers should address the reduction of peer pressure to smoke. Moreover, schools and community partners should collaborate to develop effective smoking cessation strategies, particularly for high-risk groups such as adolescents who involved in ceremonial dance performance.

CONSUMER EDUCATION, FAMILY AND REFERENCE GROUP INFLUENCE IN ASO EBI SELECTION IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

In Nigeria, the selection of aso ebi, a traditional attire worn for special occasions, is influenced by various social and familial factors. This study examined the relationship between family influence, reference group influence, and consumer education in the selection of aso ebi in Southwest Nigeria. Two research questions were posed, and two hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. A correlational design was employed to collect data from 1200 adult individuals (aged 18 years and above) in the Southwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria, covering Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states. A validated, reliable, self-structured questionnaire titled "Consumer Education and Behaviour in the Choice of Aso Ebi Questionnaire (CEBCAQ)" was used for data collection. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson’s r and Fisher's Z statistics. Findings revealed a positive but low correlation between consumer education and both family (r = 0.10) and reference group purchasing behaviour (r = 0.14) in aso ebi selection. The relationship between consumer education and consumer behaviour was significantly stronger among male adults than female adults (rmales = 0.62, rfemales = 0.49, Zcal > Ztab); and significantly stronger among older adults than younger adults (rold =0.59, ryoung = 0.48, Zcal > Ztab). The study concludes that the complex interplay of social pressure, family dynamics, reference groups, and economic factors influencing aso ebi choices aligns with consumer behaviour surrounding clothing articles globally. Future research could explore how consumer education programs may be tailored to target families and address social influences in aso ebi selection.

Investigating Correlations in the Inheritance of Fingerprints and Blood Groups of Indian Families, Residing in Gurgaon

Investigating Correlations in the Inheritance of Fingerprints and Blood Groups of Indian Families, Residing in Gurgaon

Family and Friends: Key Influences on Teenage Traits and Behaviors

The teenage years are a critical period of development, characterized by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes. During this time, adolescents are particularly impressionable, with their traits and behaviors heavily shaped by the relationships they maintain. Among these relationships, the influences of family and friends are paramount, serving as the primary socializing agents that guide decision-making, value formation, and identity development. The study examines how family dynamics, including parental affection, communication, and behavioral control, influence adolescent development. The study also examines the influence of peer relationships, highlighting how friendships can reduce or exacerbate behavioral problems. By analyzing both direct and indirect effects, the study found that positive family interactions and supportive friendships are important for healthy adolescent development. Conversely, negative influences from any context can lead to increased risk-taking behavior and emotional challenges. The findings highlight the importance of fostering strong, positive relationships within both the family and peer groups to support adolescent development and well-being. The research is conducted by survey with 466 teenagers to find out the influence of family and friends on their adolescence development. The research aims to identify the roles that family and peers play during this crucial period and to provide recommendations for enhancing their positive impact on adolescents.

System-wide health needs segmentation: innovating integrated care for complex needs households

Abstract Background Health needs segmentation is increasingly used in healthcare delivery and health policy planning to cater for diverse population groups and develop effective and equitable health policies. But existing models often lack a systemic approach, focusing instead on single conditions or settings. This leads to fragmentation, gaps and inefficiencies in service provision and inequities in health outcomes, particularly when addressing complexity, and specifically for children, as adversity clusters in families. Aims To develop a household health needs segmentation model to identify those households with children with high levels of complex cross-sectoral needs, to plan for integrated care services. Methods Data linkage of primary, secondary, mental, community and social care services, mortality records, residential information, and small-area multiple deprivation measures was used to design a rule-based model to identifying households with children with the most complex needs in the UK region of Cheshire and Merseyside (C&M), with large variation in demography, (human) geography, and deprivation. Results Of 2,645,329 individuals in C&M (97% of the registered population in 2021), 1,022,840 lived in 266,939 households with children aged 0-16: 21,527 households had complex needs. This 8% of families accounted for an estimated 34% of health and social care costs for families, £362 million in total, 42% of which spent on children in care of local authorities. Implications The model identified a specific group of families with complex service use patterns, high mental and physical comorbidity and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. These exhibit potential for improved outcomes through better integration of services and targeting of community building and family support resources. Conclusions Our model represents a significant innovation in health needs segmentation. By using whole system linked data, it provides a pragmatic way of profiling complexity for proactive care. Key messages • Complex health and social problems in children cluster in families with adults also having complex needs, so we need to transform fragmented services to support the whole family to improve outcomes. • Household level segmentation using cross-sectoral, whole system data is an innovation to identify households with complex needs with respect to their locality to improve integration of support.

The Role of Digital Technology in Social Interaction of Manembo-Nembo Village Community, Matuari District, Bitung City

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of digital technology in social interaction in the Manembo-Nembo Village, Matuari District, Bitung City using the technological determinism theory approach, believing that technology has a major influence on various aspects of human interaction, especially social and cultural life, as stated by Marshall McLuhan. Using qualitative methods based on observation and interviews by collecting data from purposive sampling, namely determining competent informants, namely 2 community informants, 2 government informants. The results of the study found that the role of digital technology in social interaction has changed according to current circumstances, such as digitalization, such as in families it is easier and faster to interact via digital media with relatives who are in different places, the quality of relationships is maintained by having direct meetings in family groups (arisan), then digital interaction with the community; the creation of virtual togetherness such as people celebrating happy moments virtually by sharing photos, videos, and stories, and sharing information about sad events experienced and becoming a means of digital marketing that can increase family economic income. Digital interaction with the government; in today's public services digitally, especially in the field of population data management (KTP, Family Card, Certificate management) has been done through applications and can be done anywhere, but if there are people who need help, the local government is ready to serve, in accordance with the policy of the Bitung city government to make the Kelurahan Hebat program (digitalization).

Protective Effect of EBF Transcription Factor 1 (EBF1) Polymorphism in Sporadic and Familial Spontaneous Preterm Birth: Insights from a Case-Control Study.

This study investigated the potential role of specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes Astrotactin 1 (ASTN1), EBF Transcription Factor 1 (EBF1), Eukaryotic Elongation Factor, Selenocysteine-tRNA Specific (EEFSEC), Microtubule-Associated Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (MAST1), and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) to assess whether these genetic variants contribute to the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). A case-control study was conducted involving 573 women from Croatia and Slovenia: 248 with sporadic sPTB (positive personal and negative family history of sPTB before 37 weeks' gestation), 44 with familial sPTB (positive personal and family history of sPTB before 37 weeks' gestation), and 281 control women. The analysis of ASTN1 rs146756455, EBF1 rs2963463, EBF1 rs2946169, EEFSEC rs201450565, MAST1 rs188343966, and TNF-α rs1800629 SNPs was performed using TaqMan real-time PCR. p-values were Bonferroni-adjusted for multiple comparisons. EBF1 SNP rs2963463 was significantly associated with sPTB (p adj = 0.03). Women carrying the CC genotype had a 3-4-times lower risk of sPTB (p adj < 0.0001). In addition, a significant difference in the frequency of the minor C allele was observed when comparing familial sPTB cases with controls (p adj < 0.0001). All other associations were based on unadjusted p-values. The minor T allele of EBF1 SNP rs2946169 was more frequent in sPTB cases overall than in controls, especially in sporadic sPTB (p = 0.045). Similarly, the CC genotype of ASTN1 SNP rs146756455 was more frequent in sporadic sPTB cases compared to controls (p = 0.019). Finally, the TNF-α SNP rs1800629 minor A allele and AA genotype were more common in the familial sPTB group compared to sporadic sPTB and controls (p < 0.05). The EBF1 SNP rs2963463 polymorphism showed a protective effect in the pathogenesis of sPTB, particularly in women carrying the CC genotype. Moreover, EBF1 SNP rs2946169 and ASTN1 SNP rs146756455, as well as TNF-α SNP rs1800629, were associated with an increased risk of sPTB, representing suggestive potential risk factors for sporadic and familial sPTB, respectively.

Assessment of Gluten-Free Products' Availability and Satisfaction in a Polish Population of Coeliac Disease Patients and Their Caregivers.

Among the most important challenges associated with the gluten-free diet are the high costs and limited availability of gluten-free products, accompanied by the lower nutritional value of gluten-free products. The aim of the presented study was to assess gluten-free products' availability and satisfaction in a Polish population of coeliac-disease patients and their caregivers. The study was conducted in a population of Polish female coeliac-disease patients and female family members/relatives of patients diagnosed with coeliac disease, being members of the Polish Coeliac Society and purchasing gluten-free products. A population of n = 819 was included in the studied group based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria (n = 547 of patients and n = 272 of family members/relatives of patients). The study was conducted as a part of an international project to assess the opinions of coeliac-disease patients about gluten-free products, as well as the availability and prices of gluten-free products in various countries, while an identical questionnaire was applied in all participating countries, with transcultural adaptation applied. Opinions concerning the availability of and satisfaction with gluten-free products were assessed based on a questionnaire of agreement with fixed statements about the accessibility, range and quality of gluten-free products in Poland, with a five-point Likert scale to declare the agreement. This was stratified by the following variables: age, place of residence, being diagnosed with coeliac disease, place of purchasing major grocery shopping, gluten-free products at least occasionally bought online, declared problem(s) with the availability and quality of gluten-free products. While comparing the studied sub-groups, it may be stated that some of them were more satisfied than the other sub-groups with the gluten-free products, including their availability and quality; namely, older respondents were more satisfied than younger ones (p < 0.05), respondents living in small towns/villages were more satisfied than those living in big cities (p < 0.05), respondents undertaking major grocery shopping in hypermarkets were more satisfied than those not doing this (p < 0.05), and respondents not buying gluten-free products online were more satisfied than those undertaking this at least occasionally (p < 0.05). At the same time, respondents diagnosed with coeliac disease were more satisfied with the availability and less satisfied with the quality of gluten-free products, while respondents with diagnosed family members/relatives were less satisfied with the availability and more satisfied with the quality (p < 0.05). The group of female coeliac-disease patients and female family members/relatives of patients diagnosed with coeliac disease was highly diverse in terms of their satisfaction with gluten-free products' availability and quality, whilst older respondents, respondents living in small towns/villages, respondents doing major grocery shopping in hypermarkets, and respondents not buying gluten-free products online were more satisfied. Respondents with family members/relatives diagnosed with coeliac disease declared serious efforts and sacrifice to purchase gluten-free products, which was associated with their higher satisfaction with quality and lower satisfaction with availability, while respondents diagnosed with coeliac disease chose easier options, resulting in their higher satisfaction with availability and lower satisfaction with quality.

Execution of revised BMIM similarity coefficient for part family formation in reconfigurable manufacturing system

The reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) is an advanced manufacturing strategy that enables precise adjustment of functionality and capacity to meet fluctuating demands economically. RMS focuses on part families, allowing configurations to be adapted for new part requirements. Optimizing flow line design to produce various parts involves minimizing reconfigurations and associated costs by enhancing operation sequence similarity. This article proposes a novel sequence optimization using the Longest Common Subsequence (LCS) method to reduce bypassing moves and machine idle times. The study introduces a similarity coefficient derived from LCS and employs average linkage hierarchical clustering to categorize parts in a case study. Unlike traditional methods, this approach considers material movements both before the initial machine and after the final processing station, addressing gaps in bypassing move calculations. The impact of different weighting scenarios for Type-II moves (ω) and machine idleness (β) on clustering was examined. For example, with Type-II move weights (ω) of {1.0, 0.6, 0.3, 0.0} and equal weightings for bypassing moves (α) and machine idleness (β) set at 0.5, a threshold value of 0.3 results in eight clusters, such as Cluster 1 {1, 11, 10, 12} and Cluster 3 {3, 5, 6, 4, 15, 9, 13, 14, 7, 8}. Lower threshold values lead to fewer clusters with larger sizes, indicating a more consolidated part family grouping. Various Type-II move weights and material handling scenarios demonstrate how different weighting configurations affect clustering and part family sizes. This approach enhances RMS efficiency by integrating comprehensive material handling considerations and optimizing clustering based on operational similarities.

Transcriptome Profile and Gene Expression During Different Ovarian Maturation Stages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879).

Macrobrachium rosenbergii, or giant river prawn, is the most economically crucial cultured freshwater crustacean. A predominant challenge in developing crustacean aquaculture is reproduction management, particularly ovary maturation, where identifying regulative mechanisms at the molecular level is critical. Ovary is the primary tissue for studying gene and protein expressions involved in crustacean growth and reproduction. Despite significant interest in M. rosenbergii, its gene discovery has been at a relatively small scale compared to other genera. In this study, comprehensive transcriptomic sequencing data for different maturation stages of the ovary of M. rosenbergii were observed. The 20 female M. rosenbergii samples evaluated were categorised into four maturation stages, 1 to 4. A total of 817,793,14, 841,670,70, 914,248,78 and 878,085,88 raw reads were obtained from stages 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The assembled unique sequences (unigenes) post-clustering (n = 98013) was 131,093,546 bp with an average size of 1,338 bp. The BLASTX unigene search against National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), non-redundant (NR), nucleotide sequence (NT), Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes Orthology (KO), Swiss-Prot, Protein Family (PFAM), Gene Ontology (GO), and euKaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG) databases yielded 27,680 (28.24%), 7,449 (7.59%), 13,026 (13.29%), 22,606 (23.06%), 29,907 (30.51%), 30,025 (30.63%) and 14,368 (14.65%) significant matches, respectively, totalling to 37,338 annotated unigenes (38.09%). The differentially expressed genes (DEG) analysis conducted in this study led to identifying cyclin B, insulin receptor (IR), oestrogen sulfotransferase (ESULT) and vitellogenin (Vg), which are critical in ovarian maturation. Nevertheless, some M. rosenbergii ovarian maturation-related genes, such as small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-activating enzyme subunit 1, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase RNF25, and neuroparsin, were first identified in this study. The data obtained in the present study could considerably contribute to understanding the gene expression and genome structure in M. rosenbergii ovaries throughout its developmental stage.

Development of the Liverpool Jewry Historical Database

The Liverpool Jewish community was the earliest to be formed in the north of England (c1745) and for much of the 19th century, it was the largest UK Jewish community outside London. However, examination of this important minority community from a social, demographic, and genealogical perspective has been severely hampered by the lack of a unified source of information about Jewish individuals and families resident in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries. This paper describes how a searchable database of all Jewish persons with a documented connection with the Liverpool area, from the earliest times to 1881, has been produced as a resource for historical, demographic, sociological, and genealogical research. It explains how Jewish individuals were identified by a novel use of distinctive names, occupations, and birthplaces in the secular census and vital records and, in combination with extant records held within the Jewish community, have been used to produce a database of several thousand persons, linked into family groups. It concludes that the principal aim of the project has been achieved, and the approach could act as a template for other religion/ethnicity-based groups.

The Role of Family Members on Decision Making Related to Fast Food

When it comes to consumer behavior, the impact that family members have on choices surrounding the consumption of fast food is a significant factor that plays a vital role. An investigation of the ways in which the dynamics of families influence preferences, choices, and consumption patterns within the fast-food sector is presented in this paper. The purpose of this study is to expose the complex web of decision-making processes that occur inside families by analyzing the roles and dynamics that exist within families, such as parental authority, sibling influence, and preferences that are passed down from generation to generation. In addition, it investigates the role that family norms, beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds have on the decisions that people make about fast food, offering insight on the ways in which these elements jointly affect consumer behavior. For marketers and politicians who want to encourage healthy eating habits and address social problems connected to nutrition and health within family groups, it is essential to have a solid understanding of these interactions.

The archaeology of Old Nuulliit: Eigil Knuth’s investigations in the Thule region, North Greenland, 1952–1990

Count Eigil Knuth succeeded in finding a Palaeo-Eskimo settlement named ‘Old Nuulliit’ on the well-known Nuulliit site in the Thule area. This site was interpreted as having been settled by the first immigrants to Greenland – a hitherto unknown culture group, ‘the Old Nuulliit Culture’, which was closely related to Palaeo-Eskimo culture groups in Alaska. Knuth never published his findings in detail, and they became a mystery in Arctic archaeology circles. New investigations by the author of the material show that the site was settled repeatedly by the first immigrants between 2500 BC and 1900 BC, and in addition that a total of ten family groups of the Pre-Dorset culture had settled there – the first real settlement of the Pre-Dorset culture in Greenland to be described. The finds underscore the cultural and historical diversity of the Thule area.

EXPRESS: Curbing Adolescents’ Risky ‘Drinking’ Behavior with Authenticity

Adolescents’ risky drinking behavior continues to be a public policy concern and insights into effective messages and behaviors that resonate with adolescents is needed. Evidence points to the potential of tapping into adolescents’ need for authenticity. Drawing on authenticity literature and implementing a mixed methods approach using family group interviews, followed by a 1x3 between-subject experiment with adolescents, this research conceptualizes a novel authentic engagement framework for reducing adolescent risky behavior. The findings identify and test that messages about drinking need to acknowledge positive aspects while warning of the negative consequences (i.e. mixed messages) across three dimensions - social, hedonic and safety. Alongside mixed messages, parents need to be honest about past experiences and align their behavior by acting as positive role models. Importantly, adolescents need an environment which enables them to experiment while having clear boundaries. Together this translates into openness and authenticity; critical for trust and the ability for adolescents to be true to themselves. The research has implications for parents and policy makers/marketers engaging with adolescents authentically about risky behavior, by providing information on message type and behaviors for effective training/educational programs and responsible drinking campaigns. The framework can be transferred to other contexts involving risky behavior.

Genes or nurture? Discussion of the wrong question

The paper presents a polemics with a thesis formulated by J. Harris that group socialization theory is an alternative to family nurture. The thesis, indeed, “annihilates” the nurture category and the existing achievements of education sciences off the scientific discourse. The text focuses on an analysis of consistency of arguments regarding the main aspects of the theory in question, identified at four levels of tensions between: genes and environment, child and adult, family and peer group, and being raised in the family and socialization in peer group. The inconsistencies and overinterpretations, expressed by J. Harris in her “systemic” depreciation of child-rearing, inspired some reflections about the possible roles of nurture viewed in the paradigm of biological and spiritual evolution synthesis.