Lower Social Class Research Articles

OS EFEITOS DA LASERTERAPIA EM CICATRIZAÇÃO MAMILAR PARA MULHERES NO PROCESSO DE AMAMENTAÇÃO

INTRODUCTION: Breast milk is a great source of nutrients for the baby's immunological and psychological development, and has a strong impact on infant mortality. It all starts in the thirty-second week of gestation, as this is the time when the fetus begins to show sucking reflexes. The breastfeeding process can be very difficult, since if there is no monitoring, there may be cracks in the breasts, making the process very painful. METHODS: This is a descriptive and qualitative study, which took place in person and virtually in the city of Porto Velho/RO at the Physiotherapy School Clinic of the São Lucas University Center, with the objective of hearing reports from women/mothers who are or have been exclusively breastfeeding. Thirty-eight female women, aged 20 years and older, were selected to report their breastfeeding process as lactating women. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: One of the reasons for this development is the incorrect breastfeeding process. The main risk factors identified were: the baby's latch on to the mother's breast, where there is incompatibility between mother and child, primary and race/color of the mother defined as white or yellow. Many lactating women end up thinking that all they have to do is let the baby latch on to the breast and perform the suction, since even the positioning of the child interferes in the process. It was also evident in the interviews that most of the women did not perform the procedure due to lack of knowledge, often not being instructed by the health professional, or for fear of the effects of the procedure, since most of the women interviewed are very young and from lower social classes, they end up having this transgression of low performance of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Laser therapy has been shown to be an effective and safe intervention in the treatment of breast fissures, a common complication during breastfeeding that can cause intense pain and difficulties in breastfeeding. By using low-level laser therapy, it is possible to promote healing of injured tissues, relieve pain and reduce inflammation, providing greater comfort to mothers and encouraging continued breastfeeding. The importance of this treatment lies in its rapid and non-invasive effect, offering an alternative to traditional therapies, such as ointments and dressings, which often do not provide immediate or complete relief. In addition, laser therapy helps to prevent early weaning, contributing to the well-being of the baby and the mother, since exclusive breastfeeding is essential in the first months of life.

Language-in-Education Planning for Foreign Languages in Morocco: Analyzing the Historical and Structural Impacts of History, Social Class, Ideology, and Power Dynamics

The present paper analyzes language-in-education planning for foreign languages within the Moroccan educational system. These policies have been adopted and/or implemented as part of three successive educational reforms that the state has undergone in the last 25 years (e.g., the National Charter 1999, the Emergency Program 2008, and the Strategic Vision 2015). Despite the state’s advocacy for varying foreign language instruction, these policies have been marked by a consolidation of French instruction as a primary foreign language and a shift to using it as a medium of instruction for science and technology subjects in middle and secondary education as part of language alternation pedagogy. The study adopts Tollefson’s (1991) Historical-Structural Approach as a conceptual framework to analyze how the constructs of history, class structures, ideology, and power dynamics have influenced language-in-education planning to perpetuate the social, economic, and political privileges of a francophone-oriented elite. The latter have employed their economic and political power to influence the indecisive aspect of the language-in-education policies—both covertly and overtly—to increase socioeconomic inequalities and injustices, including linguistic disparities between the elite and lower social classes. This dominant position of French within the educational system has also been motivated by external influences, manifested in the heavy political and economic relationship with France, the former colonizer.

Using Machine Learning to identify the social determinants of the mid-life decline in mental health

Abstract Background The mid-life decline in mental well-being, depicted as a U-shaped pattern, is debated across disciplines. This study seeks to identify the social determinants of this decline and the overall contribution of social determinants to changes in mid-life mental health. Methods We use data from the 1970 British Cohort Study, from the ages 26, 34, and 42 (N = 6992, 51.5% female). Mental distress was measured using the 9-score Malaise Inventory. Mental distress increased from age 34 (M = 1.67) to 42 (M = 1.86; p < 0.001), with 17.8% declining by at least 1 SD on the inventory. We contrasted this group of decliners with those exhibiting stable mental health. We included socioeconomic and family factors, as well as physical health and health behaviours as potential determinants of mental health decline (at ages 26, 34, or at birth). We combine Random Forest and logistic regressions. Results The Random Forest’s Variable Importance (VI; root Mean Squared Error (MSE)), revealed social class at birth (VI = 0.023), physical multimorbidity at age 26 (VI = 0.22), and income quintile at age 34 (VI = 0.022) as most important predictors. Regressions confirmed that low birth social class (OR = 1.51 [1.25-1.83]), high-income at age 34 (OR = 0.68 [0.53-0.88]), and physical multimorbidity at age 26 (OR = 1.25 [1.06-1.48]) predict mental health decline. For those with high income and social class, the predicted probability of mid-life mental health decline is 0.109 (CI = [0.08-0.139]), rising to 0.277 (CI = [0.227-0.324]) for high risk individuals. Social class does not predict changes in mental health between ages 26 - 34. Interpretation We show that various social determinants of health contribute to the observed decline in mental health during mid-life. Social class at birth, income, and physical health are the most relevant predictors; they reduce the risk of decline from up to 27% to 11%. The contribution of social class appears specific to mid-life, and it could help explain the U-shaped pattern. Key messages • Social Factors Matter: Social class, income, and health predict mid-life mental decline. • Mid-life Class Impact: Social class uniquely affects mental health decline in mid-life.

Shared Class, Shared Opinion? Policy Preference Congruence Between Citizens and Legislators

AbstractRecent studies have shown that policymakers and policy outcomes in advanced democracies are biased against the preferences of less affluent and working‐class citizens. One reason for this inequality in substantive representation might be that most policymakers are well‐off themselves. In this paper, we explore the effect of shared class background on the congruence between legislators' and citizens' policy preferences. To do so, we rely on original data from surveys conducted among citizens and active legislators in Switzerland. We focus on six economic and welfare policy proposals where we find differences in opinion between social classes. When we match legislators' and citizens' opinion in a one‐to‐many relationship, we find that social class matters more for lower social classes than for the more affluent, at least for some policy proposals.

Who feels they contribute to U.S. society? Helping behaviors and social class disparities in perceived contributions.

Americans in lower (vs. higher) social class contexts are less likely to believe they contribute to society. Helping others by giving one's time is an important way of contributing to others that also varies with social class. Five studies (N = 7,326) investigated whether one source of the social class disparity in perceived contributions is a default model that considers helping distant others (i.e., bridging help, e.g., volunteering) as more of a contribution than helping close others (i.e., bonding help, e.g., caring for family members). In Study 1, Americans in lower (vs. higher) social class contexts perceived they contribute less to society (i.e., self-perceived contributions, Part A) and believed others perceive them as contributing less (i.e., metaperceived contributions, Part B). Studies 2-4 provide evidence for a default model of social good: Americans across social class contexts and even helpers themselves perceived bridging help as more of a contribution than bonding help, in part, because bridging help is perceived as reflecting more choice to help. With a representative sample (Midlife Development in the United States), Study 5 finds that Americans in lower (vs. higher) social class contexts engaged in relatively less bridging help and more bonding help. However, bridging help served as a stronger pathway to feelings of contributing than bonding help did. Together, these studies suggest that people in lower social class contexts may experience a psychological inequality, in part, because some of the forms of help that are most accessible, familiar, and practiced are widely perceived as less of a contribution. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Profiling intimate partner violence in booked pregnant women at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki and associated puerperal depressive sequelae: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) in pregnancy is a physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm by a current or former partner or spouse on a pregnant woman. It is a global public health problem that is common but underreported. Women are at increased risk of psychiatric illness in pregnancy and after delivery with the risk of major depressive disorder being highest during the postpartum period. Intimate partner violence in pregnancy may worsen this problem.ObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in pregnancy, incidence of postpartum depression and the relationship between intimate partner violence, delivery outcomes and postpartum depression among booked pregnant women at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, Nigeria (AEFUTHA).Study designThis study was a prospective cohort study.SettingThe antenatal clinic, antenatal ward, labour ward, postpartum clinic and under five clinic of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, Nigeria were used for the study.Method One hundred and thirty-seven booked pregnant women that received antenatal care at AEFUTHA who met the inclusion criteria and consented to the study, were recruited from 37 weeks to 41 weeks gestation and screened for intimate partner violence and depression. Those with depression were referred for treatment while those that met the inclusion criteria were followed up to delivery and the delivery outcomes documented. They were also followed up to six weeks postpartum when they were screened for postpartum depression. Data were collated, tabulated and then statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software (version 25, Chicago II, USA). Numerical variables including participant’s age, parity and gestational age were presented as mean, median, frequencies and standard deviation (Mean ± S.D), while categorical variables including occupation, level of education, social class and family type were presented as numbers and percentages. Chi-square test (X2) and relative risk was used for comparison between groups for categorical variables while Fisher’s exact test was used when Chi-square test (X2) was not suitable. Binary regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between intimate partner violence and postpartum depression. A P value of ˂0.05 is considered statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of intimate partner violence was 52.6%, as 72 out of the 137 women recruited endured intimate partner violence. The major risk factors for intimate partner violence in the study were low level of education, low social class, polygamy and unemployment. The general incidence of postpartum depression was 29.93% while the incidence among women with intimate partner violence was 56.94%. Women with emotional violence and verbal abuse had a five-fold increase in the incidence of postpartum depression. Sexual violence and physical violence were not statistically significant risk factors for postpartum depression.ConclusionIntimate partner violence is common as seen from the study. It is a significant risk factor for postpartum depression. Women that are emotionally and verbal abused are more likely to have postpartum depression. Screening pregnant women for intimate violence may identify those at risk and allow for proper interventions.

Surrogacy in India: Problems of Legal Regulation

The article examines the problems of legal regulation of surrogacy in India, which are not least associated with such phenomena as medical tourism and the “commercialization” of the female body. “Reproductive” tourism in India in the context of commercial surrogacy, starting in 2002, led to numerous scandals and calls to stop the exploitation of women from lower social classes, which ended with the adoption of the first surrogacy law in 2016, which introduced the concept of altruistic surrogacy and Commercial surrogacy is completely prohibited. Although some restrictions have been lifted in subsequent legislation, the debate surrounding altruistic and commercial surrogacy continues, partly because surrogacy is a relatively new concept in India. With the assisted reproductive technology industry so dominant, a “compensatory” approach to solving the problem is needed, analysts say. Recent changes to India’s surrogacy legislation in 2024 to allow for donation from entities other than married couples mean new regulatory issues for surrogacy that are yet to be resolved.

Gentrification creates social class disparities in belonging.

Gentrification impacts nearly every major city in the United States, posing a potential threat to lower social class residents' sense of belonging in their neighborhoods. In one survey and three preregistered experiments, we investigated how gentrification affects the belonging of residents across the social class spectrum and how to invest in working-class neighborhoods without undermining lower social class residents' sense of belonging. Studies 1-3 (Ns = 141, 1,085, and 510, respectively) provided correlational and experimental evidence that lower social class residents feel less belonging than higher social class residents in gentrifying neighborhoods. Study 3 showed that this belonging disparity was mediated by lower social class individuals perceiving themselves to be less similar to and less trusting of other residents and higher social class individuals feeling the amenities would better suit them in the gentrifying neighborhood. Nevertheless, neighborhood investment does not always threaten lower social class individuals' sense of belonging. Study 4 (N = 402) showed that lower social class individuals anticipated greater belonging and were more supportive when neighborhood investment was community driven (i.e., prioritized the needs of existing residents) than capital driven (i.e., prioritized economic growth). We discuss implications for equitable urban policy and future directions for a social psychology of gentrification. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-dehumanization differences in perception of social class: The mediating role of authenticity

Lower social class is associated with many negative influences in diverse domains (e.g., health, cognition, and emotion). Given these circumstances, lower class individuals may attribute less humanness to themselves. Across three studies (N = 560), including one pre-registered study, we examined whether and how lower subjective social class (SSC) would lead to more self-dehumanization. Results revealed that SSC was negatively associated with self-dehumanization, and authenticity could mediate the relationship (Study 1). Even the experience of lower (vs. upper) SSC results in self-dehumanization via impaired authenticity (Study 2). Finally, we provide additional a causal link between authenticity and self-dehumanization by manipulating authenticity (Study 3). Therefore, these findings confirmed that lower SSC individuals would attribute less humanness to themselves through less authenticity. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological processes shaped by social stratification.

„Na o–bi–ad!”: słuchanie warszawskiej trąbizupki, czyli kuchni ruchomej (1901–1904), jako sygnału oraz praktyki akustemologicznej ludowej społeczności Warszawy

Trąbizupka – Warsaw’s mobile field kitchen – was a charitable initiative of the early years of the 20th century; a cart going around Warsaw sold nutritious and cheap soup, and its arrival was accompanied by the sound of a trumpet. This peculiar sound phenomenon existed in the city’s phonosphere for a short time – the residents had to learn to interpret it, but after a few years, trąbizupka’s activity was suspended. The functioning of trąbizupka (manifested through its sonicity – literally, in the sound of the trumpet, and figuratively, in the name itself) was coupled with a class discourse on charity – from admiration for the initiative to the feeling of shame of Warsaw’s folk classes, as reported “first-hand” by the positivist “Przegląd Tygodniowy” [Weekly Review], linked to eating a pauper’s meal “on the street.” At the same time, trąbizupka became an element of urban folklore, preserved in popular polkas for piano and as a sound characteristic of Warsaw. Trąbizupka, as a case study analyzed from the position of historical sound studies, allows us to ask questions about the sound signal as a vehicle of communication and about the acoustemology of the city’s residents, especially of the lower social classes, at the turn of the 20th century. Key-words: acoustemology, audiosphere, sound history, sound studies, Warsaw

Menstrual Disorders and Self-Care Practices: A Study on Prevalence among Female Undergraduate Students

Background: Menstrual disorders are a significant global public health issue affecting many women during their reproductive years. These disorders include irregularities in the menstrual cycle, heavy bleeding, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), leading to physical, behavioral, and emotional changes. Factors such as weight changes, stress, drug use, hormonal imbalances, and recent childbirth or miscarriage can disrupt menstrual patterns. Menstrual issues not only impact women's health and quality of life but also result in economic consequences and poor academic performance. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of menstrual disorders and self-care practices among female undergraduates in Bangladesh, as well as explore potential factors that may influence these disorders. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 180 female students at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (outdoor) in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from January 2021 December 2021. It aimed to assess the prevalence of menstrual disorders and self-care practices. Participants, aged 18-25 years and willing to participate, were selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, menstrual history, and self-care practices. SPSS version 26.0 was used for statistical analysis, employing descriptive statistics and the chi-square test to explore associations. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant, providing a comprehensive assessment framework. Result: The sociodemographic profile of 180 participants shows that most are aged 21-25 years, with a mean age of 22.48±1.68 years. Early menarche was common among 88.33%, and 62.22% belonged to the low social class living in hostels. A significant proportion (82.78%) were single, with only 2.78% having experienced pregnancy. Parental sponsorship for education was prevalent (72.22%). Most participants correctly identified menstruation as a physiological process (66.67%) and knew menstrual blood originates from the uterus (62.78%). Common absorbent materials were disposable sanitary pads (88.89%). Patterns of menstrual health and self-care practices revealed proper hygiene but suboptimal management of menstrual disorders. Age, social class, education sponsorship, and knowledge of menstrual disorders significantly influenced self-care practices. Premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea were the most common menstrual disorders. Conclusion: This research examines menstrual health knowledge, disorders, and self-care among female undergraduates, highlighting the impact of socio-demographic factors and educational support. It reveals significant knowledge gaps and underscores the need for better educational initiatives. Insights into menstrual disorders and self-care strategies provide guidance for targeted interventions and support within academic environments.

Risk factors in children with recurrent urinary tract infection among patients attending Al Zahra Teaching Hospital in Iraq

Abstract Urinary tract infections (UTI) are considered one of the most common infections that occur in the pediatric age group, leading to very serious morbidity and mortality. The detection of risk factors for urinary tract infection helps in the management and prevention of the recurrence of the infection. This study attempts to review current information on UTIs and determine different risk factors in association. To study the risk factors that are associated with recurrent urinary tract infection in different age groups of childhood among children attending AL Zahra Teaching Hospital. A case-control study was conducted in AL Zahra Teaching Hospital during the period from October 1st, 2021, to July 30th, 2022. It included 76 children with highly suggestive histories, their examination, and results of the investigations (e.g. urine cultures), as well as 150 healthy children who were taken as controls. The controls were without a history of recurrent UTI and were similar to patients in age, sex and other risk factors that were mentioned in the study. A completed questionnaire was given to each child’s mother, and then the results were analyzed. The study showed that non educated mothers OR (3.2), vesicouetrerall reflux OR (3), uncircumcised male OR (2.94), female gender OR (2.7), age groups below than 6 years OR (2.4), low social class OR (2.1) and residency in rural area (OR 2.5) contributed to UTI issues. When compared to control groups, non educated mothers and vesicoureteral reflux were highly significant risk factors, and other risk factors such as female gender, uncircumcised male, age less than 6 years, low social class and rural area were significant for febrile recurrent urinary tract infection in children.

Class differences in gratitude and entitlement drive response to COVID‐19 measures

AbstractOwing to the COVID‐19 pandemic, strict government interventions in China have been implemented for more than 3 years as of 2023. How do people of high or low social class respond to the prolonged COVID‐19 measures? Recent evidence has yielded inconsistent conclusions. In this study, we move beyond such debate and focus on the underlying motives that are closely related to both social class and COVID‐19 measure responses. Using a large Chinese sample (N = 1193, 48.50% women, Mage = 30.92 years, SD = 6.08), we found that participants with higher (vs. lower) social class, whether subjective or objective, reported greater gratitude, which in turn increased their willingness to support COVID‐19 measures (i.e. greater public health support and self‐prevention behaviour, and less pandemic burnout). However, those with higher (vs. lower) subjective social class also reported more psychological entitlement, which decreased their willingness to support COVID‐19 measures (i.e. less public health support and greater pandemic burnout). These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of how social class may influence people's response to COVID‐19 measures.

Association between lifestyle-related risk behaviors, chronic diseases, and body image distortion: gender differences in follow-up 1 of the ELSA-Brasil cohort.

To determine the prevalence of body image accuracy/distortion in Brazilian men and women and to investigate sociodemographic and lifestyle-related factors, and the presence of chronic diseases associated with body image distortion. Data from 6,357 men and 7,657 women participating in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) were collected using a multidimensional questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, heath conditions and body image perception. Most participants (53.5% of the women and 54.7% of the men) were found to have an accurate self-perception of their body. When the factors associated with the perception of being heavier than reality were investigated, adopting weight loss measures and not being hypertensive proved protective against this distortion, both in women and men. Conversely, the perception of being lighter than reality was associated, in both women and men, with better education, being black or of mixed race, adopting weight loss measures and not being hypertensive or diabetic. Additional factors associated with underestimating weight were not consuming alcohol (only in women) and belonging to a lower social class (only in men). These findings may contribute to the implementation of public health policies and interventions to promote health and well-being in the Brazilian population.

Underreporting of Cases in the COVID-19 Outbreak of Borriana (Spain) during Mass Gathering Events in March 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Determining the number of cases of an epidemic is the first function of epidemiological surveillance. An important underreporting of cases was observed in many locations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. To estimate this underreporting in the COVID-19 outbreak of Borriana (Valencia Community, Spain) in March 2020, a cross-sectional study was performed in June 2020 querying the public health register. Logistic regression models were used. Of a total of 468 symptomatic COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the outbreak through anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology, 36 cases were reported (7.7%), resulting in an underreporting proportion of 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.5-94.6%), with 13 unreported cases for every reported case. Only positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction cases were predominantly reported due to a limited testing capacity and following a national protocol. Significant factors associated with underreporting included no medical assistance for COVID-19 disease, with an adjusted odds ratio [aOR] of 10.83 (95% CI 2.49-47.11); no chronic illness, aOR = 2.81 (95% CI 1.28-6.17); middle and lower social classes, aOR = 3.12 (95% CI 1.42-6.85); younger age, aOR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.94-0.99); and a shorter duration of illness, aOR = 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99). To improve the surveillance of future epidemics, new approaches are recommended.

The social class of orthopedic rehabilitation patients: Are there differences in subjective health, return to work motivation, and participation in aftercare interventions?

This longitudinal quasi-experimental study examines the relationship between social class, subjective health, motivation to return to work (RTW) following medical rehabilitation, and participation in aftercare interventions, utilizing the Social Cognitive Theory of Social Class. To do so, a prospective multicentric study was conducted. The analysis was based on data from N = 1044 orthopedic rehabilitation patients in three clinics in Germany. Latent growth curve models, fixed-effect linear regression models, and multilevel binomial logistic regression were employed for data analysis. As hypothesized, the findings demonstrate that lower social class is associated with poorer subjective health, while higher social class is linked to increased solipsistic motives, characterized by pursuing personal goals in the context of RTW. Conversely, individuals from lower social classes exhibit contextualist motives, which indicate a focus on social and environmental threats influencing their motivation to RTW. Surprisingly, social class does not significantly impact participation in aftercare interventions, probably due to low variance and potentially the successful inclusion within the German healthcare system. These findings emphasize the importance of considering diverse motivation profiles derived from the Social Cognitive Theory of Social Class. The study contributes to our understanding of the social determinants of health and has implications for reducing health disparities by highlighting the motivational aspects, including solipsistic and contextualist motives, associated with social class.

Cashless to classless: a case study of the role of technology and the state in E-payments at Lazada and Shopee in the Philippines

This paper is about how E-Payment systems in online marketplaces such as Shopee and Lazada contribute into the transition towards cashless transactions. Through these technological advances, it is seen to give greater availability for people at all social classes to access financial services such as online payment or transactions without the traditional maintaining fees that are seen in institutional banks. As for methodologies, the data gathering was proceeded with one-on-one interviews for consumers and MSMEs, while Focus Group Discussion is done for government offices with the usage of thematic analysis to treat the coded themes from interviews. Results showed greater access to financial services rendered support for all social classes in the case of the usage in LazadaWallet and ShopeePay and its intermediary medium GCash. One of the major challenges is technicalities within the apps associated and internet connection. Digital literacy also stood as a threat for respondents to fully understand and utilize the benefits that e-payment systems offer. The following data implied that the growth of e- payments to support and uplift the lives of lower social classes heavily relies on the development of technological infrastructure of e-payments and internet system providers. Integrated curriculums, programs, and seminars for technological education are also recommended so that persons of all ages can utilize the services. Multilateral agreements or talks must also be held if Shopee and Lazada sellers must be entitled to taxes as most of the products are also diverse of its origins.

Amatérské divadelnictví slezských spiritistů

The study focuses on the phenomenon of amateur theatre of the lower social classes, using the example of the Spiritist Association Bratrství (Brotherhood) in Radvanice in Silesia, today Ostrava-Radvanice (1914–1951). In the years 1918–1939, the association developed a very rich educational, lecture and social activity, headed by exhibitions of media drawings, which was joined in 1926–1939 by an amateur theatre. The dramaturgy of the Brotherhood’s drama department oscillated between original plays with spiritual and occult themes and hilarious plays or musical theatre with the potential to appeal to a wider audience. The company generated two prolific authors who had a major influence on the dramaturgy and artistic quality of the ensemble – Čeňka Štěrbová and Jan Rösner (Kunčický).

Social class, smartphone advertising exposure, self‐esteem, and materialism: The case of children in Lebanon

AbstractThe current compounded economic crisis in Lebanon has increased poverty rates and widened the gap between families of different socioeconomic classes. Little is known about the impact of advertising, particularly smartphone advertising, on the self‐esteem and materialism levels of children in developing countries like Lebanon. This study aimed to measure the differences among children coming from lower and upper socioeconomic classes in the following: smartphone advertising exposure, materialism and self‐esteem, vulnerability to the effects of smartphone advertising exposure on materialism, and vulnerability to the effects of materialism on self‐esteem. It was found that advertising affected negatively the self‐esteem of the children coming from lower social classes, including the “newly poor,” because in the current economic situation, children who are more exposed to advertising are more likely to believe in advertising, have lower self‐satisfaction, and believe themselves to be inferior for not owning the various products that are advertised, which lead them to become more materialistic than children from wealthier families. On the other hand, advertising had a reinforcing effect on materialism among more affluent children. In addition, and contrary to the expected, children from higher social classes, and not children from deprived households, were more susceptible to the impact of advertising on materialism. These findings enlighten us on the significant role that today's advertising plays in societies with wide socioeconomic disparities.

How the Challenges for Somali Muslim Men in the UK Affect their Identity Resilience?

Somali men living in the UK mostly encounter difficulties related to racism, discrimination, Islamophobia, social position, and economic circumstances, which may be attributed to their relatively recent arrival in the UK. The current study explores how the intersecting identities of Somali Muslim men in the UK affect their lives, challenges and identity resilience. The objective of this research is not to generalize the difficulties encountered by Somali men in the UK. Instead, the purpose is to thoroughly investigate how the personal experiences of Somali men impact their identity resilience. The study adopts the qualitative research methodology, employing semi-structured individual in-depth interviews with Somali men in the UK, and applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The research findings revealed that the intersection of race and religion, being a first generation and the lack of a concrete role model among Somali men, low social class and socioeconomic standing, and finance and interest-related matters seem to create unique challenges for Somali men in the UK. Moreover, these challenges experienced by Somali men in the UK seem to impact their emotions. It appears that the challenges faced by Somali men also negatively affect the identity principles of “self-efficacy”, “self-esteem”, “distinctiveness”, and “continuity”, which are fundamental concepts in Identity Process Theory (IPT) and the recently developed “Identity Resilience Model”. Although the religious identities of Somali men in the UK usually create challenges that negatively impact or threaten their identity resilience, their religious beliefs and religiosity also strengthen their identity resilience by providing a strong coping mechanism for their challenges.