Large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT and Gemini, have rapidly become an integral part of daily life, driven by their advanced conversational capabilities and versatility. Despite widespread adoption, understanding of users’ perceptions regarding the balance between beneficial assistance and undue reliance on LLMs remains limited. To close this gap, we conducted a qualitative questionnaire study (N = 223) to investigate how users perceive the impact of LLMs on their daily lives. Results indicate that users find beneficial support through significantly enhanced productivity, creativity, learning, cognitive offloading, and quality of work. However, problematic reliance also emerges, leading to self-doubt, concerns on reduced efficiency, diminished skill confidence, guilt, and negative self-perceptions. Nevertheless, many users maintain a balanced perspective, viewing LLMs primarily as helpful tools rather than necessities and employing deliberate usage strategies to retain autonomy and competence. The findings are discussed through the lens of self-determination theory and contribute important insights into how LLM interactions may fulfill or compromise fundamental psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The findings offer implications for designing technologies that optimize user well-being while mitigating negative effects.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of AI-supported mathematical modeling tasks by examining their alignment with task design criteria through the lens of variation theory. Seven AI-generated tasks related to climate change were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The tasks were assessed based on their realism, relevance, authenticity, openness, and the utilization of modeling subcompetencies. To enhance the quality of these tasks, three different variations were employed. While the criteria of realism and relevance remained consistent across all versions, authenticity, clarity, and engagement with modeling competencies improved significantly in the third variation, which integrated more contextual and scenario-based prompts. The findings indicate that incorporating structured variations can foster more authentic and open-ended tasks, thereby deepening learners' engagement with mathematical modeling processes. This study demonstrates that task variations structured based on Variation Theory enhance AI systems’ ability to discern critical aspects of mathematical modeling processes. This study highlights the potential of AI as a valuable support tool for educators in designing meaningful, contextually rich tasks and calls for further research on its role in culturally responsive and adaptive pedagogy.

Women in STEM careers through the lens of career construction theory: A study on females' experiences in persisting in the engineering field

Decoding customer experiences on meal delivery apps: A cross-platform text-mining analysis of online reviews through the lens of service psychology theories

From visual bias to sensory redemption: Consumer perception of suboptimal fruits through the lens of expectation-disconfirmation theory

Teachers’ work motivation: An examination of predictors and outcomes through the lens of job demands-resources theory

Resilience broadly describes the ability to withstand perturbations. Measures of system resilience have gathered increasing attention across applied disciplines; yet, existing metrics often lack computational accessibility and generalizability. In this work, we review the literature on resilience measures through the lens of dynamical systems theory and numerical methods. In this context, we reformulate pertinent measures into a general form and introduce a resource-efficient algorithm designed for their parallel numerical estimation. By coupling these measures with a global continuation of attractors, we enable their consistent evaluation along system parameter changes. The resulting framework is modular and easily extendable, allowing for the incorporation of new resilience measures as they arise. We demonstrate the framework on a range of illustrative dynamical systems, revealing key differences in how resilience changes across systems. This approach offers a more global and comprehensive perspective compared to traditional linear stability metrics used in local bifurcation analysis, which can overlook inconspicuous but significant shifts in system resilience. This work opens the door to genuinely novel lines of inquiry, such as the development of new early warning signals for critical transitions or the discovery of universal scaling behaviors. The presented exemplary analyses can serve as blueprints for further system-specific investigations and comparative studies on different measures of resilience. All code and computational tools are provided as an open-source contribution to the DynamicalSystems.jl software library.

Wittgenstein famously proposed that language constitutes, rather than merely reflects, reality. We consider identity to be a dynamic, lifelong process shaped by both inherited factors and subjective choice. Collective identity emerges from a shared, unconscious matrix of values, fantasies and affects, with language functioning as a key organiser of belonging. In the current climate of social and political polarisation, language plays a central role in many identity-based conflicts. We examine several international cases in which linguistic tensions are indicative of cultural and historical divisions. Particular focus is given to the Basque Country, a region characterised by chronic identity instability and a long-standing linguistic divide. Through the lens of psychoanalytic theory, drawing on Freud's proposals and later contemporary contributions, we explore how language functions as a medium of representation, as well as a psychic container and scene of internal conflict. In contexts of collective crisis, the idealisation of a lost, “original” language often reflects a regressive drive toward a fantasised unity with the maternal imago and the Lacanian register of the Imaginary. The distinction between the “own” and the “alien” tongue becomes a site of projective identification and defensive structuring, aiming to restore coherence through a return to a mythical past.

ABSTRACT This self-study investigates how educator-led shared book reading (SBR) strategies can be optimized to effectively support preschool children’s language and literacy development through the lens of sociocultural theory. Using a self-study of teacher education practices (S-STEP) methodology, the study examines the impact of high-quality interactions, verbal scaffolding, and diverse reading materials on children’s language and literacy developmental outcomes. The study draws on Author 1’s observations and reflections from her own teaching placements and current practice as an early childhood educator, with critical friendship of Authors 2 and 3. The findings reveal the crucial role of tailored interactive SBR sessions in children’s language and literacy development. The study also underscores the need for continuous professional development and improved language skills for early childhood educators to optimize SBR practices and support children’s learning outcomes.

This paper examines Aahuti’s “Gahungoro Africa” through the lens of subaltern theory, analyzing its role in articulating Dalit resistance against caste-based discrimination. The poem not only foregrounds the experiences of Dalits but also situates their struggle within a broader global context of systemic subjugation. By drawing parallels between Dalit marginalization and historical forms of racial and colonial oppression in Africa, Aahuti challenges hegemonic structures that perpetuate inequality. The poem transforms the historically silenced Dalit subject into an active agent demanding dignity, justice, and liberation. Employing the theoretical frameworks of Antonio Gramsci, Ranajit Guha, and Gayatri Spivak, this study investigates how “Gahungoro Africa” disrupts dominant narratives that erase Dalit voices. It explores how the poem critiques religious and social institutions that uphold caste hierarchy, positioning subaltern resistance as central to socio- political transformation. By connecting the Dalit struggle to the global histories of oppression, “Gahungoro Africa” asserts the universality of marginalized voices and their right to justice. This paper argues that Aahuti’s poem is not merely a lamentation but a radical assertion of identity, a call for socio-political change, and aims to dismantle the ‘Caste- System’ to form an inclusive society that acknowledges the voices of the oppressed.

To advance the understanding of chronic illness self-management among Chinese immigrants in Western countries by synthesising evidence and through the lens of the Middle Range Theory of Self- and Family Management of Chronic Illness. Integrative review following Whittemore and Knafl. Two reviewers used Covidence software to screen potential articles. After identifying the sample, reviewers extracted data into a matrix and appraised study quality using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists. Reviewers used the constant comparative method to categorise data into categories: (1) facilitators/barriers, (2) processes and (3) outcomes. Findings were then synthesised and mapped to the theory domains. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO and ProQuest Central (database inception-August 2025). Of 3205 records screened, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria with acceptable quality. Personal characteristics/health status, resources/environment, Chinese-Western cross-cultural experiences, family and healthcare systems, and linguistic barriers shaped the processes of Focusing on Illness Needs (developing illness insights, taking ownership of health needs, and health promotion); Activating Resources (Western health care, traditional Chinese practices, community and family support, and blended spiritual resources); and Living with a Chronic Illness (processing emotions, adjusting, integrating, and meaning-making). These processes lead to outcomes including improved disease control, psychological/cognitive well-being, and healthcare utilisation and unintended negative consequences such as emotional burden and delayed care-seeking. While Chinese immigrants share certain aspects of self-management with Western populations, their approaches are shaped by culturally grounded, family-centred values, traditional health practices, and immigrant experiences, which underscore the need for culturally and contextually sensitive self-management support. The findings also expand the applicability of the guiding theory by identifying new cultural elements. Nurses can support self-management among Chinese immigrants by developing culturally and linguistically tailored interventions, engaging family members in health education and treatment planning, enhancing accessible digital, community and navigational resources, providing language assistance and strengthening staff training. We used the PRISMA 2020 checklist for adherence to review protocols. This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Menstruation is a biological process that is a natural part of reproductive health; however, it is also socially and culturally gendered. Social stigmas around menstruation often construct it as a form of “illness”, “impurity”, or “restriction”. This sociocultural construct defines which activities are considered “forbidden” or “permissible” for women during menstruation, thereby regulating their behaviors and social involvement. Furthermore, menstruation is usually seen as a “private” or “taboo” topic, and when it is discussed, it is often linked with derogatory or shameful language. Discriminatory attitudes toward women’s bodies during the menstrual process are more explicit in developing and underdeveloped countries, while in developed societies, they exist in more subtle forms. Nonetheless, these attitudes are shared by both women and men, emphasizing the universal link between menstruation and gender ideology. This article seeks to conceptualize attitudes toward menstruation through the lens of Ambivalent Sexism Theory, examine the interconnectedness of hostile and benevolent sexism within these cultural representations, and analyze women’s and men’s attitudes toward menstruation. The existing literature is reviewed within a comprehensive framework, aiming to establish a theoretical foundation for future empirical studies on this topic.

In the absence of uniform national standards, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions have developed distinct name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies. This study utilized a critical theory lens to examine those policies among athletic departments competing at the Power 4 level. Institutional NIL policies and related documents were collected from publicly available sources and systematically evaluated using a content analysis methodology. This analysis revealed four major themes across institutional NIL policies: (1) use of institutional marks, (2) use of institutional facilities, (3) educational programming, and (4) disclosure requirements. Findings indicate that, while many aspects of NIL policies at Power 4 institutions are isomorphic in nature, notable differences remain in certain components, including the scope of permissible activities and NIL deal reporting mechanisms. These discrepancies raise important questions about why institutions adopt varying NIL policies, how such differences may affect college athletes, and what this indicates about power structures in college sport. Identifying these policy variations is of value to better understand their implications for athletes’ ability to monetize their NIL rights and navigate a complex policy environment.

There is an ever-increasing need for hospitals in the United States to improve upon their performance. In particular, it is necessary for hospitals to decrease their costs while improving patient satisfaction. Intuitively, hospitals adopt different strategies to accomplish those goals. Researchers have examined how hospitals that use a focus strategy (i.e., specialization) seek ways to improve performance by increased efficiencies and coordination among resources. Other studies examine the impact of increased hospital services (i.e. breadth) as a means to benefit from economies of scope. This study expands upon those literatures by submitting that focus and breadth do not have to be opposing strategies but can be implemented simultaneously; i.e. breadth of services with specialized focus on a few. The current study also examines how hospital size moderates the relationship between those two hospital strategies and performance. Specifically, this study applies an organizational information processing theory lens to predict that hospital focus and service breadth will impact patient satisfaction and cost per discharge, and how those relationships will be moderated by hospital size. Using a pooled cross-section, a regression analysis shows that hospital focus generally improves patient satisfaction while lowering cost; however, the impact on patient satisfaction is diminished for large hospitals. Additionally, service breadth tends to decrease patient satisfaction and lowers cost per discharge; however, the decrease in patient satisfaction is partially mitigated for large hospitals.

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate why global fans read Korean webtoons (K‐webtoons) and how their motivations vary across different genres. Previous studies have approached the Korean Wave (Hallyu) from a national perspective, emphasizing its influence and primarily discussing K‐pop and K‐drama. However, a research gap remains in understanding K‐webtoons‐which have emerged as a significant pillar of Hallyu‐and the reasons consumers engage with Hallyu content. To fill this gap, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling, interviews, and eigenvector centrality analysis were conducted. As a result, seven key topics were identified: Aesthetic appeal , Reader's loyalty , Digitalization , Fandom‐driven recognition , Imagined soundtrack , Creator's creativity , and Emotional connection . These topics were interpreted through the lens of flow theory, thereby extending the scope of research on both Hallyu and flow theory. Furthermore, the study provides practical implications for the sustainable development of the K‐webtoon industry.

Children's everyday food practices have a profound impact on their physical, mental, cultural and social health and wellbeing. Grounded in social practice theory, the focus of this paper is the examination of the performance of food practices, rather than the practitioner. This approach supports health promoting efforts to move away from victim blaming and instead explore the intersections between individual, social and structural determinants of food practices. With foundations in the New Sociology of Childhood, this article explores eight- to twelve-year-old children's perspectives of the enablers and constraints to their performances of everyday food practices through a social practice theory lens. Children participated in sequential creative draw-and-tell interviews and Photovoice methods. Through abductive analysis of qualitative data, diverse interlinking configurations of the meanings, materials and competences were attributed by children as either facilitating or constraining food practice performances further impacted by transitioning times, places, social settings and contexts. A case study of food shopping practices was able to present a holistic narrative of how individual, social and structural determinants intertwined across the temporal and spatial dimensions. This study showcases how a social practice led approach that privileges children's voices can be used to inform more holistic, equitable, engaging and effective health policy and practice that endeavour to impact children's routine and habitual food practices.

This study examines religious discrimination and inclusion in U.S. higher education through the lenses of Christian privilege and Critical Religious Pluralism Theory. Using data from the 2025 National Survey of Student Engagement, we analyze how students from diverse religious backgrounds perceive campus inclusivity and how religious discrimination relates to satisfaction. Findings reveal persistent inequities across religious groups and underscore the need for structural reforms to foster genuine religious pluralism on college campuses.

ABSTRACT Managers increasingly face pressure to balance the economic and social aspects of running a business, and the tension between these competing demands presents a significant challenge. This study explores how managers of small businesses interpret and respond to such tensions through the lens of paradox theory. Through 23 structured interviews with managers of small businesses, the study identified three distinct managerial mindsets: survival, reserved, and paradoxical. These mindsets differ in their proactive or reactive approach to tension, the depth of the engagement, emphasis on short-term versus long-term outcomes, logic of engagement, and beliefs regarding achieving social impact. Many managers remain constrained by limited resources, contextual barriers, or deeply held assumptions, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of mindset cultivation. This study surfaced the need for levers for mindset development to support managers in navigating tension by leveraging motivation, building capability, and seizing opportunity. By introducing the intermediate “reserved” mindset and clarifying levers for mindset development, this study shows how small business managers slowly extinguish tensions between the economic and social aspects of running a business.

Background: Education is recognised as a cornerstone for national development and economic sustainability. However, many challenges arise that result in the compromise of quality education, especially in middle- and low-income neighbourhoods. Various interventions, including chess, are explored as solutions to the challenges of deteriorating education standards. Aim: The study explores the game of chess as an intervention to improve academic performance in the Foundation Phase in rural schools and offers insights into how transformational leadership influences the success and sustainability of chess programmes. Setting: The study was conducted in public primary schools in the King Cetshwayo District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a district comprising of rural, semi-urban, and urban communities. It focused on schools implementing the Tsogo Sun Moves for Life programme, which integrates chess into the Foundation Phase curriculum. Methods: Through the lens of Transformational Leadership Theory, this qualitative study used observations and interviews with 14 teachers in South Africa’s King Cetshwayo District schools under the Tsogo Sun Moves for Life chess programme to gather data. Results: The study found that the success or failure of a chess programme depends on several factors, including the quality of preparation and training, perceived educational benefits, level of support and motivation and the contextual challenges. Participants shared that chess has an educational value, but the sustainability of the benefits depends on the leadership of the programmes. The study reveals that a mismatch between goals and incentives, a lack of training and insufficient contextualisation can lead to programme failure. Conclusion: The study concludes that transformational leaders are important for chess programmes to thrive in rural schools. Contribution: The findings of this study contribute to the discourse on innovative educational strategies in under-resourced contexts and offer recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance learning outcomes in South Africa and similar settings.

This study applies a practice theory lens to explore how deepfake technology impacts journalism. Based on an interview study of journalists and media and journalism experts ( n = 20), we find that on a micro-level, the emergent deepfake technology impacts the presentation and packaging of journalistic output (e.g., heightening possibilities for personalization) as well as skills needed for deepfake verification. We highlight the role of data literacy in handling both the technology’s risks and potentials and emphasize the need of enhancing journalists’ (traditional) fact-checking skills. Further, the technology also affects staffing. On a meso-level, the technology is altering the production-processes of journalistic content and fact-checking and triggers the development of new guidelines. It may also have financial implications. Finally, on a macro-level, deepfake technology is discussed considering the principles and objectives of journalism, with new trends (e.g., personalization) and implications for journalistic quality and the audience relationship at the center. Based on the results of this study, recommendations for research and practice are derived.