Implications For Social Policy Research Articles

Short‐term changes in financial situation have immediate mental health consequences: Implications for social policy

AbstractPoverty is associated with psychological variables such as increased anxiety, increased depression, steeper time discounting and greater risk aversion. However, less is known about whether short‐term changes in financial circumstances are coupled to immediate psychological responses. We present data from the Changing Cost of Living study, in which panels of adults in France (n = 232) and the UK (n = 240) completed financial and psychological surveys every month for a year (September 2022–August 2023). We found the expected overall socioeconomic gradients in anxiety, depression and time discounting. In addition, monthly fluctuations in financial situation were associated with fluctuations in depression, anxiety and risk preference. Increases in essential costs, considered separately from fluctuations in income, had an immediate impact on depression. Social support, the instrumental and emotional assistance derivable from one's social network, buffered the effects of short‐term financial fluctuations on depression and time discounting, but did not mitigate the overall gradients. We conclude that declines in income or increases in the cost of living have immediate and measurable psychological impacts, which must be borne in mind in the formulation and evaluation of social policy.

Sexual Violence Victimization and Substance Use among Individuals Identifying on the Asexual Spectrum: Differences between Asexuality, Graysexuality, and Demisexuality

ABSTRACT Despite the growing visibility of the asexual community across the globe, little is known about how individuals on the asexual spectrum navigate their (a)sexual experiences. Asexual individuals may be highly vulnerable to sexual violence victimization due to prejudice against their lack of sexual attraction. Perpetrators may seek to pressure asexual individuals into sexual activities by invalidating their asexuality or manipulating their need for emotional intimacy. Such non-consensual sexual acts or behaviors may have a profound impact on asexual individuals. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of sexual violence victimization and its relationship with substance use among individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum. The data for this study were derived from a global sample of 8,752 individuals on the asexual spectrum from the Ace Community Survey. The results indicated that 67.4% of the participants had experienced at least one form of sexual violence victimization in their lifetime. Experiences of sexual violence were related to more frequent engagement in substance use over the past year. Additionally, the results showed that compared with asexual individuals, graysexual and demisexual individuals were more likely to experience sexual violence, which was linked to substance use. Given the widespread prevalence and detrimental effects of sexual violence victimization, it is important to integrate asexual perspectives into prevention and intervention efforts, while simultaneously raising public awareness about affirmative consent and boundaries. The study also offers significant implications for trauma-informed care, public education, and social policies that address the unique needs and experiences of this population.

Sustainable gains from inland waterway investments at port-city interface

The objective of this research is to identify and quantify the sustainable impacts resulting from transportation investments at the port-city interface. These investments encompass two main components: 1) restoring the local inland waterway fairway for navigation, and 2) constructing a new railway bridge that traverses the primary waterway at the entrance of the seaport. The study is centered on the local transportation system in the northwestern region of Poland. Sustainability is assessed using an analytical tool derived from societal cost-benefit analysis and simulation in the relevant market transport performance in options with and without investment. Economic effects are evaluated in terms of savings in generalized transportation costs, which include transport operating expenses and travel durations. Environmental considerations encompass transport-related air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and well-to-tank emissions. Social aspects focus on issues like transport congestion, traffic noise, and transport-related accidents. Each type of investment yields distinct sustainable gains and distributes them among stakeholders differently. Additionally, the enhanced capacity of the rail bridge reveals the potential for a modal shift in the local passenger transport system, wherein passengers may transition from buses/cars to a fast railway. Tangible gains expressed in monetary terms allow for a sustainable assessment of transport investments. The elaborated research scheme can be employed to assess the sustainable ramifications arising from investments in intermodal transport at any port-city interface. It provides decision-makers with comprehensive insights into the economic, environmental, and social implications of various transport policies and interventions.

The Process of Leaving a Domestic Violence Shelter for Mothers and Children

ABSTRACTDomestic violence (DV) shelters provide a safe place for women and children; however, they are only intended to be a temporary solution until residents can find a safe place of their own. In Sweden, the social services are responsible for helping and supporting victims of DV to get away from the violence, which can include everything from practical help and housing to emotional support. The present article aims to investigate mothers' descriptions of leaving a DV shelter where they were staying with their children. Interviews with 13 mothers of children aged 0–6 years are analysed using thematic analysis. The results show that the process of leaving a DV shelter begins almost as soon as the mother and her children arrive, as it can take quite some time to find a new safe place and to mentally prepare for the move. Additionally, it takes a lot of effort to plan for life outside the shelter. This involves hardship for the mothers and children, meaning that they need support from both shelter staff and social services. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.

The power of faith in Israeli Druze parents of children with disabilities across the lifespan

ABSTRACT This study addresses the underexplored topic of parenthood for children with disabilities within the Druze community in Israel. While existing research predominantly focuses on Western cultures, this qualitative investigation involves 21 Israeli Druze parents across different age groups. Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews revealed three key themes: Challenges and strengths, Parents’ faith-based narratives, and The empowering role of religious faith. Notably, age-related distinctions emerged in experiences of loneliness and social support. The implications for social work practice and policy, and future research are discussed, emphasizing the significance of considering cultural and faith-based dynamics in supporting parents of children with disabilities.

Social Entrepreneurship and Impact on Community Empowerment in Indonesia's Coastal Areas

This study uses quantitative analysis to look at how social entrepreneurship and social initiatives affect community empowerment in Indonesia's coastal regions. Key characteristics were measured using a Likert scale in response to a standardized questionnaire completed by 150 individuals who are involved in social entrepreneurship or initiatives. Data analysis was done using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The results show a strong correlation in favor of social entrepreneurship, community empowerment, and social projects. Furthermore, the moderation analysis highlights the significance of stakeholder participation and organizational structure in enhancing the beneficial effects of social initiatives on community empowerment. These findings have implications for social development policy and practice as well as the transformative ability of social entrepreneurship and community-led projects in promoting empowerment within coastal communities.

Do Not Risk Homicide: Abortion After 10 Weeks Gestation.

When an abortion is performed, someone dies. Are we killing a human person? Widespread disagreement exists. However, it is not necessary to establish personhood in order to establish the wrongness of abortion: a substantial chance of personhood is enough. We defend The Do Not Risk Homicide Argument: abortions are wrong after 10 weeks gestation because they substantially and unjustifiably risk homicide, the unjust killing of a human person. Why 10 weeks? Because the cumulative evidence establishes a substantial chance (a more than one in five chance) that preborn human beings are persons after 10 weeks (if not before then). We submit evidence from our bad track record, widespread disagreement about personhood (after 10 weeks gestation), problems with theories of personhood, the similarity between preborn human beings and premature newborns, miscalculations of gestational age, and the common intuitive responses of women to their pregnancies and miscarriages. Our argument is cogent because it bypasses the stalemate over preborn personhood and rests on common ground rather than contentious metaphysics. It also strongly suggests that society must do more to protect preborn human beings. We briefly discuss its practical implications for fetal pain relief, social policy, and abortion law.

Inequalities in caregiving strain during the COVID-19 pandemic: conceptual framework and review of the empirical evidence

The COVID-19 pandemic poses specific risks to vulnerable population groups. Informal carers for older adults are especially at risk of increased strain, as support from social networks and professional care services is no longer available or in short supply. Already before the pandemic, caring was unequally distributed within societies, with women and people in lower socio-economic status groups bearing a higher risk of caring strain. In this article, we propose a conceptual framework of (unequal) caring strain during the pandemic. We then summarise the state of empirical research, suggest questions for future studies and outline implications for social policy.

Cultivating Empathy and Environmental Stewardship: Harnessing the Partnerships of Parents, Teachers and Communities for Sustainable Moral Development and Social Cohesion

Objective: This study aims to delve into how integrating the Islamic principle of Rahmatan Lil Alamin with the concept of empathy development can, through the collective efforts of parents, teachers, and communities, nurture empathy and environmental stewardship. This synergy aims at fostering sustainable moral development and social cohesion. Theoretical framework: Grounded in the Islamic principle of Rahmatan Lil Alamin, which advocates for mercy, love, and benevolence towards all creation, including our planet, this study intertwines this principle with the concept of empathy development. This emphasizes compassion and understanding between people and towards the environment. Drawing on theories of moral development, social cohesion, and environmental education, this framework seeks to explore the interconnectedness of these concepts within the study. Method: Employing a systematic literature review, this paper aims to establish a theoretical base and identify gaps within existing research on this subject. Results and conclusion: Anticipated findings suggest that the integration of Rahmatan Lil Alamin and empathy development into environmental management and education could highlight the crucial role of collaborative partnerships among parents, teachers, and communities. This collaboration is expected to foster a culture of environmental stewardship. The study's conclusion is poised to showcase how such an integrated approach can contribute to nurturing a culture that values stewardship of the environment. Implications of the research: The study has significant implications for environmental management, education, and social policy. Demonstrating the integration of Rahmatan Lil Alamin with empathy development could lead to more inclusive educational approaches to environmental stewardship, benefiting educators and practitioners alike. Originality/value: The distinctiveness of this study lies in its interdisciplinary approach, linking Islamic principles and empathy with environmental education and management. By showcasing how integration can lead to sustainable moral development and meet sustainability goals, the paper offers valuable insights for educational practitioners and policymakers worldwide.

Invited Commentary: Implications of Social Policy for Injury.

Invited Commentary: Implications of Social Policy for Injury.

Dismantling green colonialism: energy and climate justice in the Arab region

The concept of "green colonialism" has emerged as a critique of environmental policies and projects that perpetuate inequities and injustices, particularly in regions disproportionately affected by climate change. In the Arab region, efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and mitigate climate change have raised questions about environmental justice and the distribution of benefits and burdens. This article provides an analytical examination of the concept of green colonialism in the context of energy and climate justice in the Arab region. Through a comprehensive review of literature and analysis of case studies, this article explores the social, economic, and environmental implications of renewable energy projects and climate policies, and assesses their alignment with principles of justice, equity, and sustainability. The article argues that dismantling green colonialism requires a shift towards participatory decision-making processes, equitable distribution of resources, and recognition of the rights and priorities of marginalized communities, in order to ensure that energy and climate policies contribute to inclusive and sustainable development in the Arab region.

Examining the Association between Punishment and Reward Sensitivity and Response Inhibition to Previously-Incentivized Cues across Development.

Processing and learning from affective cues to guide goal-directed behavior may be particularly important during adolescence; yet the factors that promote and/or disrupt the ability to integrate value in order to guide decision making across development remain unclear. The present study (N = 1046) assessed individual difference factors (self-reported punishment and reward sensitivity) related to whether previously-rewarded and previously-punished cues differentially impact goal-directed behavior (response inhibition) in a large developmental sample. Participants were between the ages of 8-21 years (Mage = 14.29, SD = 3.97, 50.38% female). Previously-rewarded cues improved response inhibition among participants age 14 and older. Further, punishment sensitivity predicted overall improved response inhibition among participants aged 10 to 18. The results highlight two main factors that are associated with improvements in the ability to integrate value to guide goal-directed behaviour - cues in the environment (e.g., reward-laden cues) and individual differences in punishment sensitivity. These findings have implications for both educational and social policies aimed at characterizing the ways in which youth integrate value to guide decision making.

How to explain social innovation in elderly care services: The role of for-profit and non-profit social enterprises

AbstractSocial innovation and social enterprise are two major factors in addressing the challenges of population ageing since both are aimed at solving social problems. One of these challenges involves providing quality care services for the elderly. However, few studies have analysed how social enterprises can promote or manage social innovations in this sector. This research therefore studies said relationship, paying particular attention to the for-profit and non-profit nature of social enterprises. Specifically, to test the hypotheses, we use data from a survey of nursing homes in southern Spain, where care services are expanding with the support of welfare state social policies. The results show that non-profit social enterprises tend to develop more social innovations in care services, and that the social mission and participative governance positively influence the implementation of social innovations in this activity sector. Consequently, implications for social policies are suggested to better meet the needs of the elderly.

Oral language enrichment in preschool improves children's language skills: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Oral language skills provide the foundation for formal education, yet many children enter school with language weaknesses. This study evaluated the efficacy of a new language enrichment programme, the Nuffield Early Language Intervention-Preschool (NELI Preschool), delivered to children in the year before they enter formal education. We conducted a preregistered cluster randomised controlled trial in 65 nursery schools in England (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN29838552). NELI Preschool consists of a 20-week whole-class language enrichment programme delivered by a teacher each day for 20 min. In addition, children with the weakest language skills in each class are allocated to receive additional targeted support delivered by classroom assistants (whole-class + targeted). The language skills of all children (n = 1,586) in participating classrooms were assessed using the LanguageScreen automated app (https://oxedandassessment.com/languagescreen/). Settings were then randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The children with the weakest language in each class (whole-class + targeted children n = 438), along with four randomly selected children in each class allocated to the whole-class only programme (n = 288) were individually tested on a range of language measures. Children receiving NELI Preschool made larger gains than children in the control group on an oral language latent variable (whole-class children d = .26; whole-class + targeted children d = .16). This study provides good evidence that whole-class intervention delivered in preschool can produce educationally significant improvements in children's language skills. The intervention is scaleable and relatively low cost. These findings have important implications for educational and social policy.

Gender, entrepreneurship and social policy in tourism: tying the knot

This article, and the special issue, seek to unpack the gendered nature of entrepreneurial pathways, specifically in relation to the role of social policies. We achieve this aim by first conceptualising gender, entrepreneurship, and social policy, to highlight the need to generate a stronger research agenda on the role of social policy within gender and tourism entrepreneurship research. We next outline an overarching framework for delineating the intersection of gender, entrepreneurship, and social policy, based on a critical review of existing studies, as well as by situating the papers in this special issue. We present this discussion through three thematic framings: (1) gender and entrepreneurship, (2) gender and social policy and (3) entrepreneurship and social policy. In conclusion, we discuss the implications for social policy and practice, and in doing so call for a research agenda that situates social policy more centrally within considerations of gender and tourism entrepreneurship.

Social Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Upper-Middle-Income Countries: Social Policy and Sustainable Economic Development Implications

This study aims to explore how a region’s degree of vulnerability influences the perceived level of support toward social entrepreneurship from a social entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective. The study of social entrepreneurial ecosystems (SEEs) constitutes a promising area for its potential to support high-impact entrepreneurs, but they are currently underexplored in upper-middle-income countries. This study also combines a macro-level (countries) and a meso-level (vulnerability regions) analysis to better understand how national policies may affect the perceptions of different ‘regions’ and, consequently, sustainable economic development. This study follows principal component analysis and non-parametric statistics to compare the means of the countries and the levels of regions’ vulnerabilities based on the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s regional data from Chilean (n = 276) and Mexican (n = 188) experts. At the macro level, the results show that experts in Chile have a better perception of social policies for social entrepreneurship than their counterparts in Mexico. At the meso-level, experts in high-vulnerability regions have a better perception of the social ecosystem dynamism than those in the low-vulnerability regions. The results contribute to the urgent dialogue to set up strategies that allow upper-middle-income countries and their regions to achieve greater impact and sustainability.

Governing failed neoliberal subjects: Representations of women’s mental health in Australian mental health policies

This paper uses Carol Bacchi’s ‘What’s the problem represented to be?’ (WPR) framework to explore representations of women’s mental health in federal and South Australian mental health policies. It argues that mental health policies govern women through neoliberal discourses that individualise mental health and illness while neglecting the social structural factors which significantly influence mental health outcomes and health equity. In a ‘self-monitoring’ neoliberal society, people are increasingly required to seek medical and pharmaceutical intervention to promote ideal personhoods, with women overrepresented in this group. The disciplinary power of the medicalisation discourse categorises women as either ideal or failed neoliberal subjects. This is concerning for social workers because neoliberal and medicalisation discourses shape how women’s mental health is represented in policy and responded to in practice. This paper challenges biomedical and neoliberal discourses underpinning policy representations and identifies the implications for social work and social policy.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGING: FROM VULNERABILITY TO ACTION

Abstract Older people are particularly susceptible to extreme climate change events. This is attributable to physiological susceptibility, but also to factors such as social isolation, digital exclusion, ageism, and living arrangement. Unfortunately, older people are often not considered in mitigation and adaptation climate change policies contributing to their heightened susceptibility in the face of extreme climate events. Compounding this challenge, it is younger people who are seen as the face of the climate change movement, at times, blaming older people for their (in)action, which has contributed to the current climate situation. Nevertheless, research has shown that older people engage in pro-environmental behaviors and can highly benefit from taking part in climate change activism. The present symposium aims to tackle this topic by discussing the challenges pertaining to older populations occasioned by climate change, and how older populations can engage in being part of mitigation solutions.. The first presentation by Carr and colleagues addresses global population aging and heat exposure with a particular focus on implications for wellbeing and social policy. Delving into the country level, Cherry and colleagues discuss findings concerning long term mental health effects of exposure to a single versus two extreme weather events. Moving to possibly mitigation and adaptation measures, Nikitin and Rupprecht address opportunities associated with exposure to nature, whereas Kohon and colleagues discuss the role that aging and old age capture in climate change policies. The symposium concludes with a theoretical conceptualization by Diehl which reframes aging in the context of climate change. This is a Climate Change and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Credits, Social Policies and Consumption In Buenos Aires City

At the turn of the twenty-first century, social policies became one of the fundamental instruments on which the current capital accumulation regime is based, given their massive nature and global character. So-called conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) were a milestone in this direction. The objective of this article is to study the consumption practices – the what and how – that CCTs impose on their recipients and the latter’s relationship with credit in Buenos Aires City. The qualitative methodology is based on documentary analysis and semistructured interviews with CCT recipients and public servants. The implications for social policies can be summarised as: (a) re thinking the links between the market and the State, as these regulations involve politics of the body/emotions; and (b) deepening the connections between social policies (in the form of CCTs), consumption, and credit.

Selling hope versus hate: the impact of partisan social media messaging on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThis study aims to examine the role of hope and hate in political leaders’ messages in influencing liberals versus conservatives’ social-distancing behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the increasing political partisanship across the world today, using the appropriate message framing has important implications for social and public policy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use two Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods – a pretrained package (HateSonar) and a classifier built to implement our supervised neural network-based model architecture using RoBERTa – to analyze 61,466 tweets by each US state’s governor and two senators with the goal of examining the association between message factors invoking hate and hope and increased or decreased social distancing from March to May 2020. The authors examine individuals’ social-distancing behaviors (the amount of nonessential driving undertaken) using data from 3,047 US counties between March 13 and May 31, 2020, as reported by Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports and the New York Times repository of COVID-19 data.FindingsThe results show that for conservative state leaders, the use of hate increases nonessential driving of state residents. However, when these leaders use hope in their speech, nonessential driving of state residents decreases. For liberal state leaders, the use of hate displays a directionally different result as compared to their conservative counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsAmid the emergence of new analytic techniques and novel data sources, the findings demonstrate that the use of global positioning systems data and social media analysis can provide valuable and precise insights into individual behavior. They also contribute to the literature on political ideology and emotion by demonstrating the use of specific emotion appeals in targeting specific consumer segments based on their political ideology.Practical implicationsThe findings have significant implications for policymakers and public health officials regarding the importance of considering partisanship when developing and implementing public health policies. As partisanship continues to increase, applying the appropriate emotion appeal in messages will become increasingly crucial. The findings can help marketers and policymakers develop more effective social marketing campaigns by tailoring specific appeals given the political identity of the consumer.Originality/valueUsing Neural NLP methods, this study identifies the specific factors linking social media messaging from political leaders and increased compliance with health directives in a partisan population.