Meaningful Activities Research Articles

Trastuzumab rezetecan, a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced HER2-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (HORIZON-Lung): phase 2 results from a multicentre, single-arm study.

Trastuzumab rezetecan, a HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with advanced HER2-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (HORIZON-Lung): phase 2 results from a multicentre, single-arm study.

Comparative Analysis of Executive Function and Sensory Processing in Adults with and Without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Their Impact on Participation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can lead to difficulties in various aspects of adult participation. Objectives: This present study aimed to investigate executive function, sensory processing, and participation in meaningful activities among adults with and without ADHD. Additionally, the study explored the relationships between executive function, sensory processing, and participation in meaningful activities in adults with ADHD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 adults aged 18 to 40 with ADHD and 68 healthy peers were recruited from various clinics and centers across Tehran. Executive function and sensory processing were assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version (BRIEF-A) and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile Questionnaire (AASP), respectively. Participation in meaningful activities was evaluated using the engagement in meaningful activity survey (EMAS). Independent samples t-tests were used to compare adults with ADHD to healthy adults. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were utilized to explore correlations. A stepwise linear regression model was applied to assess the predictive effects of various variables. Results: Significant differences were observed in executive function, sensory processing, and participation in meaningful activities between adults with and without ADHD. Significant correlations were found between participation scores and all subscales of executive function and sensory processing. Conclusions: The findings indicate that individuals with ADHD exhibit significant differences in executive function, sensory processing, and participation in meaningful activities compared to their non-ADHD peers. Executive function and sensory processing in adults with ADHD appear to impact their participation in meaningful activities. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Exploring the use of digital media to support meaningful activities for people living with dementia: A qualitative study.

Dementia is a progressive and neurodegenerative condition that leads to a gradual deterioration of the individual's functional capacity and social relations. Engaging in meaningful activities is considered an effective approach to maintaining and increasing the well-being of people living with dementia. Digital media has the potential to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, allowing them to engage in activities that are personally meaningful. This study sought to understand the needs and preferences people with early-stage dementia living in Portugal have for receiving information on meaningful activities. It also explored their relationship with technologies and digital media. Focus groups and interviews were carried out with people living with dementia (n = 21), informal carers (n = 9) and healthcare professionals (n = 8). Descriptive statistics were used for sample characterization and the verbatim transcriptions of interviews and focus groups were subjected to inductive thematic analysis. We developed three main themes: (i) engagement of people living with dementia in meaningful activities; (ii) experiences of people living with dementia with technology and digital resources; and (iii) the importance of a support network. This last theme is associated with the first two. The study identified several meaningful activities, such as household chores and intellectual hobbies, some of which were mediated by technology. People living with dementia reported to primarily use digital media, particularly computers and smartphones, for socialization and entertainment. The barriers identified for technology use and engagement in meaningful activities were both related to mobility problems and cognitive complaints. The support network emerged as essential for the use of digital technologies and engagement in meaningful activities. This study highlights a need to further research and design digital media that offer the opportunity for people living with dementia to be informed and engaged in meaningful activities.

Students’ Difficulties, Perceptions, Feelings, and Types of Technology Used in Learning English

This study aimed to investigate students’ experiences in learning English. The secondary aim was to find out the types of technology students use when learning English. The data were collected by interviewing 15 undergraduate students enrolled on a Social and Political Science program. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed in Indonesian, translated into English, and analyzed to identify categories of the students’ difficulties, perceptions, feelings, and types of technology used when learning English. The study's results show the effectiveness of using a phenomenographic analysis, which may be used to create more interesting and meaningful English teaching and learning activities in second language environments. These could also be used by teachers to help them build the best possible curriculum for teaching second language students.

Empowering and Promoting Children’s Rights by Implementing Skills Labs Using Engaging Learning Activities

Despite the efforts to advance children’s rights’ protection, many children’s rights are still not respected in many places. This makes it more necessary than ever to raise the awareness of children’s rights and prepare new generations of students to protect children’s rights via empowering them to engage in activism. Drawing upon human rights education (HRE) models in conjunction with UNICEF’s methodologies, and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the current conceptual article suggests that by designing theoretically based engaging and meaningful learning activities, teachers can address the goals of HRE by raising the awareness of children’s rights, fostering accountability, and encouraging students to engage in activism to protect children’s rights. First, this article outlines a conceptual framework for designing meaningful and engaging learning activities within an adapted HRE model, combining the elements of HRE and UNICEF. Next, the educational innovation of Skills Labs in Greek education is introduced, and the TPB’s foundation on designing learning activities is briefly explained. To clarify our proposal, three sample Skills Labs with example learning activities are presented, adhering to the three main HRE objectives of gaining knowledge–taking responsibility–taking action to protect and consolidate children’s rights. Finally, this article explains the mechanism of how the TPB can support the effectiveness of this proposition and concludes with some important implications for practice.

Methodological principles of forming a system for assessing the effectiveness of achieving strategic goals in the digital economy.

The initial prerequisite for any meaningful activity is goals. Only their presence and clear awareness allow to organize the actions of an individual or an organization, direct them to achieve a certain result, encourage improvement, self-development, learning, and determine the search for the best ways and means of activity. The goal-setting process is of particular importance today in the context of forming motivational mechanisms for development and establishing effective management principles for modern business entities in the context of digitalization of business and society. Quite often, it is economic indicators that are a prerequisite for the formation of the general goals of business entities and serve as indicators of the effectiveness of achieving goals. The basis of this approach is the well-known concepts of classical economists, in particular, A. Marshall in his fundamental work “Principles of Economic Science” notes that the progress of economic theory is due to the fact that “money serves as a fairly tolerable measure of the driving force of most of the motives that shape the way of life of a person” [1]. This economic approach has been used for quite a long time in management science, as the determining measure of the success of managers was measured through financial results. It is the achievement of a certain financial result, certain financial parameters that was an indicator of the success and efficiency of the business entity. However, in the context of modern organizations in the VUCA, SPOD, DEST and BANI World, there is a need to solve a scientific problem – to find tools that would allow assessing the effectiveness of management at different levels of management and monitoring intermediate results with the possibility of making corrective actions at different stages of implementation of strategic goals. Therefore, the main objective of the study and the article is to highlight the experience of using a tool for assessing management effectiveness based on the priority of strategic goals. The study was based on the use of: the method of comparison, generalization – to clarify and formalize the essence of the concept, graphoanalytical method – to provide clarity of the material and schematic representation of a number of theoretical and practical provisions of the study.

High Self-Control Individuals Prefer Meaning Over Pleasure

The link between self-control and success in various life domains is often explained by people avoiding hedonic pleasures, such as through inhibition, making the right choices, or using adaptive strategies. We propose an additional explanation: High self-control individuals prefer spending time on meaningful activities rather than pleasurable ones, whereas the opposite is true for individuals with high trait hedonic capacity. In Studies 1a and 1b, participants either imagined ( N = 449) or actually engaged in activities ( N = 231, pre-registered) during unexpected free time. They then rated their experience. In both studies, trait self-control was positively related to the eudaimonic experience (e.g., meaning) of activities and unrelated to their hedonic experience (e.g., pleasure). The opposite was true for trait hedonic capacity. Study 2 ( N = 248) confirmed these findings using a repeated-choice paradigm. The preference for eudaimonic over hedonic experiences may be a key aspect of successful long-term goal pursuit.

Protective behaviours among orphaned learners in a district of Gauteng province, South Africa

Background: While most orphans have difficulties in coping with the loss of a mother, some of them are motivated by their circumstances to cope with the situation.Aim: The study aims to explore protective behaviours of maternally orphaned adolescents in their daily immediate environments that enable them to cope with maternal death in Tshwane North District, Gauteng province.Setting: The setting was secondary schools in Tshwane North of Gauteng province in South Africa.Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was employed among a subsample of 14 purposively sampled maternally orphaned adolescents using one-on-one, in-depth interviews with open-ended questions. The Ecological Systems Theory was used as a framework for analysis, and data were analysed thematically using NVivo12.Results: Some of the orphaned adolescents possess protective behaviours, which contribute towards resilience as the adolescents gave an account of their daily lives through their interactions within the microsystem. They engage in meaningful activities to disengage themselves from negative thoughts and unpleasant emotions. Resilient orphans demonstrate hope for the future, maintain a positive self-concept and adopt coping mechanisms such as recalling positive memories of their mother. They actively seek support for their physical and psychological needs, engage in constructive tasks and foster supportive relationships for their psychological well-being.Conclusion: Possessing personal protective resources and having supportive socioecological resources enable resilience among orphans when facing adversity.Contribution: Findings of this study will inform interventions geared towards building the resilience of orphaned adolescents to cope with maternal loss.

Adapting Argentine Tango for Individuals with Physical Disabilities: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study Evaluating the Impacts

This study investigated the impact of an adapted Argentine tango cur-riculum on the social integration and well-being of individuals with physical disabilities. The curriculum was designed to accommodate diverse physical abilities, focusing on core tango elements such as posture, embrace, and basic steps. A mixed-methods approach was employed to assess the pro-gram's effectiveness. Quantitative data were collected using validated scales to measure changes in social skills, self-esteem, and quality of life. Qualita-tive data, gathered through observations and interviews, provided insights into participants' experiences and perceptions. The findings revealed signifi-cant improvements in participants' social integration, self-esteem, and over-all well-being. The study underscores the potential of adapted dance pro-grams to promote social inclusion, physical activity, and emotional well-being for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the study provides val-uable insights into the development and implementation of inclusive dance programs for individuals with diverse abilities. The adapted tango curriculum proved to be a powerful tool for foster-ing social connection, enhancing self-esteem, and improving overall quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities. By adapting the core ele-ments of tango, the program enabled participants to engage in meaningful social interaction, physical activity, and emotional expression. The findings of this study have important implications for the development of inclusive dance programs and the promotion of social inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

Abstract IA017: Single mouse testing (SMT): An alternative approach to encompass clinical heterogeneity of pediatric cancers

Abstract Patient derived xenografts (PDXs) have become the predominant models for testing novel therapeutics, however the failure rate for new cancer therapeutics remains high around 95%. Several publications have analyzed at what stage failure occurs, some due to unrecognized toxicity in preclinical models, but predominantly failure occurs due to lack of efficacy. For many cancer drugs failure to elicit adequate therapeutic activity may be a consequence of how we do preclinical studies. Through the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) its successor PPT/Consortium we conducted over 2100 tumor/drug studies that included 68 drugs and up to 83 PDX models of childhood cancer. These studies used conventional testing approaches with 10 mice per treatment group for solid tumors and 8 mice/group for leukemia models. Mi imal statistical differences between control and treatment groups was defined as a P value of 0.05. However, such statistical difference does not imply biologically meaningful activity. Limitations of conventional testing include 1) a failure to recapitulate the genomic/epigenomic heterogeneity of a human cancer type, 2) use of activity criterial in preclinical studies that are less stringent than in clinical trials and 3) differences in species tolerance to drugs has not been considered critical for accurate translation. Here we consider the first two limitations. We analyzed 2106 tumor model drug studies. These studies we used 10 mice/group (olid tumors) or 8 mice/group (leukemias), that allowed inclusion of 6-8 models representing a pediatiric cancer type (neuroblastoma, osteosarcom ALL etc.) and asked a simple question: would 1 mouse per group, chosen at random, predict the group median response? The result showed that in 78% of drug studies the single mouse accurately predicted the group response. If some latitude was allowed (+/- 1 response criteria (PR vs CR) etc.) the accuracy was 95%. Further, if we used the same approach to objective responses the single mouse accurately predicted group response for 67 of 68 drugs tested over a range of antitumor activities (0-100%). We have validated the SMT results in prospective testing with different childhood cancer models (solid tumors and leukemias) using PDX models largely not included in the initial analysis, with similar concordance beteeen SMT and conventional testing (CT). Based on these data we consider that SMT allows for inclusion of a greater number of PDX models that more accurately simulate the genetic/epigenetic heterogeneity of pediatric cancers and potentially allows identification of 1) truly acive drugs and 2) biomarkers of response. The SMT approach is now being used by the NCI supported Preclinical Pediatric In Vivo Testing (PIVOT) program. Citation Format: Peter J Houghton, Samson Ghilu, Andrew Robles, Raushan T Kurmasheva, Richard B Lock. Single mouse testing (SMT): An alternative approach to encompass clinical heterogeneity of pediatric cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Functional and Genomic Precision Medicine in Cancer: Different Perspectives, Common Goals; 2025 Mar 11-13; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(5 Suppl):Abstract nr IA017.

Understanding Music Participation for Adults With Down Syndrome.

Adults with Down syndrome are living longer and have high risk of experiencing Alzheimer's disease as they age. With few services available, music is a promising modality that has been shown to support cognitive functioning. This study reported on the frequency of music participation for adults with Down syndrome and explored associations of age, race and level of intellectual disability with music participation. The research team administered a survey to care partners of adults with Down syndrome (n = 27) that measured music participation in terms of 'listening' and 'playing' using the Guernsey Community Participation and Leisure Assessment. 44.4% of care partners reported providing over 50 h of care a week. 92.6% of adults with Down syndrome listened to music, and 33.3% played music either weekly or daily. 74.1% of care partners reported that adults with Down syndrome could listen to music unaccompanied, and 48.2% of care partners reported that adults with Down syndrome could play music unaccompanied. A statistically significant association was found between race and playing music. Knowing that multiracial adults with Down syndrome had a higher frequency in playing music, a potent future research direction is better understanding the musical needs and preferences of these diverse adults. Broadly, those developing services and supports could consider utilizing music as a meaningful activity that does not add care partner burden. University of Pittsburgh's Institutional Review Board: 22080146.

Occupational Therapy’s Role in the Treatment of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Across Levels of Care

With the push for cutting-edge approaches to treating avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), understanding different disciplines’ roles within the care team is critical. Occupational therapy offers crucial opportunities for individuals with ARFID to develop, practice, and implement strategies and skills which support improved eating behavior, distress tolerance, positive interactions with food, communication skills, health rehabilitation/maintenance, and participation in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapy offers support and resources to individuals with ARFID applicable throughout their recovery process. Further research is needed to explore benefits of and barriers to including occupational therapy in the treatment of ARFID.

Therapists’ perspectives on an interdisciplinary approach of arm-hand rehabilitation in cervical spinal cord injury: a qualitative study

Purpose To explore therapists’ experiences on what elements arm-hand rehabilitation should contain, their importance, and the information needed to apply them in clinical practice. Materials and methods This qualitative study, with an exploratory approach, used focus group discussions with purposive sampling. Based on Braun and Clarke’s methodology, inductive thematic analysis was employed to develop themes, subthemes, and categories. The study included seven physiotherapists and seven occupational (≥2 year experience) therapists from three spinal cord rehabilitation wards in Belgium and the Netherlands. Results The data analysis revealed five major themes, i.e., gathering knowledge, the process of thinking and acting, practice beyond therapy, and motivation. The first theme involves collecting information about the person and their client system. The second focuses on the goal-setting process for a patient-tailored therapy plan, described in the third theme as goal task-oriented with an individualized therapy dose. The fourth theme highlights meaningful activities to enhance performance beyond therapy, while the fifth emphasizes maintaining motivation through rehabilitation. Conclusion Therapists highlight centralizing the person and their social environment in arm-hand rehabilitation, leading to a personalized goal-setting process and a patient-tailored therapy plan incorporating meaningful tasks. This approach can increase therapy dose and improve patients’ motivation.

THE CULTURALLY EDUCATED SPIRIT AND ITS FATE

This essay surveys and assesses Hegel’s general account of the role of crises in the formation of a culture of lived freedom. Ultimate resolution of crisis, according to Hegel, depends on a superintending divine agency that resolves the fractures, alienation, and competitive individualism of modern Enlightenment culture – a view that cannot be supported. Hegel’s specific analysis of that culture in the Phenomenology appears in the section on “Culturally Educated Spirit,” which includes his reading of Diderot’s Rameau’s Nephew. Following Alasdair MacIntyre, I argue that there is no straightforward general way for human agents to avoid succumbing at least in part to Lui’s self-professed mercenary individualism. The result is a culture of generalized alienation and dissatisfaction, in which crises of opposition are all at once universal, irresolvable, and insignificant in playing no role in the achievement of meaningful freedom. Modern self-making is important, but its polymorphic and mutually opaque varieties threaten to overwhelm any possibilities of involvement in joint, meaningful activity. (In Sartre’s terms, hell is other people.) Despite this bleak diagnosis, however, I gesture, drawing on Stanley Cavell’s Pursuits of Happiness, to possibilities of developing the skill of mutual appreciation, as an immanent teleology makes itself locally manifest within a relationship, surprisingly and in the face of crises of misunderstanding rooted in competitive-acquisitive individualism.

Rationale and recommendations for occupational therapy and physiotherapy in positioning adults with acute respiratory failure connected to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A narrative review.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support system that facilitates gas exchange in patients experiencing catastrophic respiratory failure. ECMO connection can last from a few days to several weeks, resulting in muscle atrophy, pathological changes in the lengths of both active and passive joint stabilising structures, and alterations in the alignment of body segments. These dysfunctions may be exacerbated if patients do not maintain proper positioning, which can delay rehabilitation. Therapeutic positioning (TP) is a fundamental tool in caring for patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit. Adequate TP application helps prevent immobility complications, promotes body alignment, and enhances the patient's functionality during recovery. From a biomechanical perspective, TP supports preserving essential musculoskeletal functions such as strength, joint mobility, and endurance, facilitating patient participation in meaningful activities. Its implementation should be based on biomechanical principles, personalised adaptations, and continuous monitoring to ensure effectiveness in rehabilitation. This review examines the rationale for TP in adults with acute respiratory failure on ECMO from occupational and physical therapy perspectives. Additionally, recommendations are provided to improve the application of this intervention, particularly in the increasingly common context of prone positioning in patients with ECMO.

Participation and Quality of Life Among Older Adults: Comparison Study of Ethnic Majority and Minority Groups.

Participation is a central determinant of older adults' health and quality of life (QoL). Examining participation and QoL among older adults from different ethnic groups through an occupational justice lens is vital in occupational therapy. To compare participation (objective and subjective) and QoL among older adults from two ethnic populations (Arab and Jewish) and to examine the relationships between sociodemographics, health-related variables, and participation with QoL in both groups. Cross-sectional quantitative and comparative. Community-dwelling older adults in Israel. A total of 190 adults ages 65 yr and older (90 Arabs, 100 Jews) who had not been hospitalized in the past month. We used a background questionnaire, the four-item Patient Health Questionnaire for Anxiety and Depression, the Experiencing Day-to-Day Life Questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version. The minority group reported lower education, poorer health, and lower participation and QoL scores compared with the majority group. Making ends meet, education, health-related variables, and participation were significantly correlated with QoL in both groups, with a higher correlation between subjective participation and QoL in the Arab group. Participation and QoL vary among older adults from different ethnic groups, with sociodemographics and health-related variables interconnected in both groups. The findings support the study hypotheses, highlighting the potential role of social factors on participation and the importance of encouraging subjective participation to enhance QoL, especially among minority groups. Further studies among diverse minority groups are recommended. Plain-Language Summary Participation, or involvement in purposeful and meaningful daily activities, is a central determinant of older adults' health and quality of life. This study examined differences in sociodemographics, health, participation, and quality of life among older adults from ethnic majority versus minority groups. The study emphasizes the potential impact of social aspects on participation and the importance of encouraging subjective participation to improve quality of life, especially among minority groups. Developing and tailoring occupational therapy intervention programs that address inequities through the lens of occupational justice can promote participation in meaningful activities and enhance older adults' quality of life, especially among minority groups.

Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for people with spinal cord injury: a scoping review.

Scoping review. To synthesize the effects of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) on health-related outcomes of individuals with spinal cord injury. The included studies were conducted across four countries: The United States, Iran, China, and The United Kingdom. This review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guideline. Seven databases were searched until November 2024 to identify studies published in English-language that evaluated MABIs' effects on health-related outcomes in people with spinal cord injury. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two reviewers independently. A narrative data synthesis was conducted. Of 2389 records, nine studies were included with designs of randomized controlled trials (n = 4), quasi-experimental studies (n = 3), and case studies (n = 2). Acceptance commitment therapy (n = 4) and mindfulness-based interventions (n = 5) were employed. MABIs demonstrated significant improvements in psychological health outcomes (depression, n = 3; anxiety, n = 3; stress, n = 2) with medium-to-large effect sizes ( ) and other health-related outcomes (chronic pain, n = 1; functional independence, n = 1; engagement in meaningful activities, n = 1; and quality of life, n = 1). Participants found the MABIs to be acceptable and satisfactory. Study quality varied from weak (n = 6) to strong (n = 2). The findings generally support the acceptability and effectiveness of MABIs for improving the overall well-being of individuals with SCI. Future research directions regarding designing MABIs and exploring effectiveness mechanisms were recommended for maximizing its benefits.

Social network intervention for loneliness and social isolation in a community setting: the PALS cluster-RCT.

Loneliness and social isolation are associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes in adults. However, there is a lack of existing research on effective interventions and the contexts in which these could be implemented. To assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a social network intervention compared to usual care among at-risk populations. A pragmatic, community-based, cluster randomised controlled trial with embedded health economic evaluation, process evaluation and qualitative study. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. The study was conducted in collaboration with 44 community-based organisations in two regions in England. Adults aged≥18 years at risk of loneliness and social isolation. A facilitated social network tool ('project about loneliness and social networks'; PALS) designed to link people to opportunities for social involvement. First, participants map and reflect on personal social networks. Second, identification of local resources based on individual preferences, available support, and health and wellness needs. The primary outcome was mental wellness at 6-month follow-up, measured by the Short Form questionnaire-12items mental health component score (MCS). Secondary outcomes included the Short Form questionnaire-12items Physical Health subscale, loneliness, social isolation, well-being and collective efficacy. Economic measures assessed the cost-effectiveness of the intervention in terms of costs, quality-adjusted life-years and net monetary benefits. We recruited 469 adults into the study, with 120 withdrawals (25.6%). The main trial results indicate little to no treatment effect of the intervention on either the primary or secondary outcomes compared to usual care. The within-trial economic evaluation found that PALS was inexpensive to deliver but there was no significant difference in quality-adjusted life-years, measures of well-being capability or costs, and the intervention did not lead to demonstrable cost-effectiveness in terms of net monetary benefits. The process evaluation found PALS to be acceptable to all types of community organisations, but low resource availability and capacity to sustain PALS was found across all community organisational contexts. Qualitative interviews (n=20) highlighted that participants wanted to engage with meaningful social activities but barriers to doing so were psychological (i.e. confidence and competence) and practical (i.e. transport or cost). The timing of COVID-19 and associated restrictions (approximately splitting trial follow-up into thirds of pre-COVID, during the first lockdown, and following the trial reopening) meant its impact on the trial is difficult to assess. There were high levels of missing data (20-30% for most outcomes at 6 months), though methods to handle missing data did not change the conclusions of the trial. Our findings do not provide strong evidence of the efficacy of the PALS social network intervention to address the complexities of loneliness and social isolation. Although the intervention was acceptable to participants and community organisations who hold the potential to deliver such an intervention, sustainability would require a networked approach between organisations to mitigate against the challenges found in each organisation. Future interventions for loneliness would likely benefit from utilising a multistep approach providing tailored psychological, relational and social components. This trial is registered as Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN19193075. This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (NIHR award ref: 16/08/41) and is published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 13, No. 1. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Do Regulatory Pressures and Stakeholder Expectations Drive CSR Adherence in the Chemical Industry?

The chemical industry plays a pivotal role in the health of the world’s economies despite facing significant criticism for its contribution to environmental degradation, particularly in pollution management and sustainable development. This paper investigates the key factors motivating executives in chemical companies to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR), including regulatory pressure, profit maximization, stakeholder demands, and environmental concerns. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of over 400 executives worldwide, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test four hypotheses examining the relationships among various variables. The findings indicate that regulatory pressure positively influences CSR adoption, although a profit-maximization orientation negatively moderates this relationship. This suggests that companies with an excessive focus on profits are less likely to engage in meaningful CSR activities beyond mere compliance. Additionally, unmet stakeholder needs drive environmental commitment, highlighting that managers and executives are responsive to the environmental expectations of consumers, society, and investors. In turn, environmental commitment strongly correlates with implementing pollution-prevention mechanisms, emphasizing the role of intrinsic motivations in promoting authentic CSR practices. This research expands on prior studies of CSR in high-impact industries by proposing a more integrated theoretical framework, drawing from Institutional Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Practical implications underscore the value of incentives that encourage firms to make substantial CSR commitments without jeopardizing profitability. Limitations of the study include its cross-sectional design, which calls for longitudinal research to understand causation better. Future studies could also explore additional industries to produce findings applicable across various sectors.

Activity and safety of atezolizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with advanced or recurrent thymic carcinoma (MARBLE): a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial.

Activity and safety of atezolizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with advanced or recurrent thymic carcinoma (MARBLE): a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial.