Participation In Social Networks Research Articles

Too unwell to trust? The effect of mental health on social trust in Europe

Social trust is often thought to be adversely affected by mental health problems. However, rigorous causal evidence required to substantiate this thought is scarce. Here I examine the causal effect of individuals’ mental health on social trust using data from the European Social Survey. Estimating the causal effect, however, is a formidable task since the relationship between mental health and social trust is endogenous due to reverse causality and unmeasured confounding. I circumvent these difficulties by using a recently developed econometric technique that does not rely on valid exclusion restriction for identification. I find strong evidence that mental ill health has a significant negative effect on social trust. Further, I provide suggestive evidence which shows that the adverse effect of mental ill health on social trust arises due to reductions in individuals’ level of optimism and hope, and participation in social networks caused by mental ill health. Overall, the results suggest that for achieving a durable increase in social trust – which often is one of the fundamental objectives of policy makers – interventions to promote mental health of individuals could be extremely useful.

Decentralized geoprivacy: leveraging social trust on the distributed web

ABSTRACT Despite several high-profile data breaches and business models that commercialize user data, participation in social media networks continues to require users to trust corporations to safeguard their personal data. Since these data increasingly contain geographic references that allude to individuals’ locations and movements, the need for new approaches to geoprivacy and data sovereignty has grown. We develop a geoprivacy framework that couples two emerging technologies – decentralized data storage and discrete global grid systems – to facilitate fine-grained user control over the ownership of, access to and map-based representation of their data. The framework is illustrated with a dynamic k-anonymity model that links the geographic precision of shared data to social trust within in a social network. In this framework, users’ spatio-temporal data are shared through a decentralized system and are represented on a discrete global grid data model at spatial resolutions that correspond to varying degrees of trust between individuals who are exchanging information. Our framework has several advantages over centralized geoprivacy approaches, namely trust in a third-party entity is not required and geoprivacy is dynamic and context-dependent with users maintaining autonomy. As the distributed web begins to emerge, so too can the next generation of geographic information sharing tools.

COMPETENCY-BASED APPROACH AND SOFT SKILLS IN MODERN EDUCATIONAL PARADIGM

The article presents the results of the search for optimal forms of cooperation between teachers and students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning. New realities require teachers to react quickly, make extraordinary decisions and take adequate action for the proper functioning of the education system. The expediency of using the competence approach and interactive teaching methods in the distance educational process is substantial. The dynamics of the use of e-learning elements in Ukrainian higher education institutions is trace in the dynamics, the advantages and disadvantages of this form of education are noted.
 Modern education should ensure the formation and comprehensive development of a spiritually rich person who not only has a holistic system of scientific and practical knowledge, but also able to realize themselves according to their own aspirations and abilities, able to navigate the rapid flow of information, has a high culture of thought, social relations and communications. Therefore, one of the important tasks of education is the formation of soft skills. They help to achieve success in life, to find a reasonable balance between academic knowledge and practical skills. The peculiarities of soft skills formation during distance learning are clarify.
 It is proposed to involve not only teachers, but also all stakeholders, first of all – students, from whom a lot of good advice can be heard. An example of a modern vision of the role of a teacher and a set of his/her qualities necessary for the successful organization of the educational process from the point of view of the student is presented. Such qualities include high level of knowledge, involvement in professional communities, ability to learn throughout life, use of the latest technologies, participation in social networks, stress resistance, ability to recover from stress, love of the profession and a certain sacrifice.

"When I hear my language, I travel back in time and I feel at home": Intersections of culture with social inclusion and exclusion of persons with dementia and their caregivers.

Individuals with dementia and their carers often experience a rupture of relationships that co-occurs with declining functional and cognitive abilities, leading to their increased social exclusion in both intimate relationships and community settings. While initiatives have been developed to support meaningful interaction and participation in society, they have broadly ignored the significance of how cultural factors influence experiences of inclusion/exclusion of these individuals. An ethnographic study was conducted by an interdisciplinary research team between April 2018 and January 2019 to explore the intersections of culture and social inclusion/exclusion in a culturally diverse group of persons with dementia, caregivers and staff members of a non-profit organization located in a multicultural neighborhood of a bilingual Canadian city. The participants’ culture was inextricably linked to their experiences in three overarching themes of social inclusion/exclusion: transformation of the person with dementia and the caregiver; participation in social networks and meaningful relations; and styles of care provision in health and social services. Cultural mandates that prescribe practices of intergenerational care shape the way certain caregivers perceive their role and mitigated experiences of exclusion. Culturally specific notions and views associated with dementia prevalent in certain communities increased experiences of inclusion or exclusion. Engagement with the cultural elements of individuals with dementia was shown to be an effective and underexplored tool for fostering inclusion. The results of this study highlight the value of the ethnographic methods for incorporating the perspective of persons with dementia in research.

Do social capital and networks facilitate community participation?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find theoretical and practical linkages between social capital, network and community participation. The study examines the role of popular social capital and its forms in shaping community participation under the influence of socioeconomic status of individuals.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses household survey data (N = 135) from select north Indian villages to assess the role of social capital and individuals’ networks (measured through their network size) in participation. The participation is measured in terms of attendance and vocal participation.FindingsThe study finds significant evidence that the networks do not play a uniform role in collective participation. The elitist form of social capital exists in the community which can leverage the networks to their benefit, whereas many people, despite large network size, cannot actively participate. Social capital and networks are not entirely conducive for collective participation and favours a few in the community. Additionally, networks do facilitate information flow but do not help in achieving active engagement. Hence, the peer effect is not truly reflected in vocal participation all the time, especially in local governance context.Research limitations/implicationsThe conclusion of the study is based on small sample size from seven villages. Nonetheless, in light of the supporting literature available, it provides useful insights and triggers important questions that need microscopic analysis under the macroscopic umbrella of social capital.Practical implicationsOn policy fronts, takeaway from this paper can be used for policy and law formulation for lower strata of the society such as labour law formulation and labour behavioural practices in community participation.Social implicationsThe research findings can be utilized for the emerging applications of social networks in understanding local governance and community engagement in developing societies.Originality/valueThis research has used a novel field experiment conducted by one of the authors himself. The empirical assessment of social capital and networks in local governance can be replicated elsewhere to study participation in other societies as well. In terms of policy, the research underscores the need of using social capital notion while assessing the community engagement in local governance.

Randomised pilot trial of cash incentives for reducing paediatric asthmatic tobacco smoke exposures from maternal caregivers and members of their social network

BackgroundThe primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of financial incentives for reducing paediatric tobacco smoke exposures (TSEs) through motivating cigarette usage reduction among low-income maternal caregivers and members of...

Ranking of VGI contributor reputation using an evaluation‐based weighted pagerank

AbstractThe quality of volunteered geographic information (VGI) is questionable as it emerges through a diversity of contributors. The reputation of a contributor is increasingly applied to VGI quality assessment and its assurance. Research on how to measure and validate reputation, however, is still required. This study proposes an evaluation‐based weighted PageRank (EWPR) algorithm to provide a ranking metric of reputation. Ranking is established on the basis of the assumptions that: (a) there is an evaluation relationship between VGI contributors; (b) the reputation of a contributor is movable within the VGI community; and (c) highly active contributors are more likely to have high reputation. By means of case studies using OpenStreetMap, two existing methods are compared with the EWPR algorithm. The results show that the algorithms used for web pages and social network participants are applicable to understand the reputation of VGI contributors. This study also applies credibility, based on reputation, as a popular indicator of VGI quality. The high correlation between credibility and VGI characteristics indicates that reputation is useful for dealing with quality variability in VGI.

Twitter, Social Services and Covid-19: Analysis of Interactions between Political Parties and Citizens

The state of alarm caused by Covid-19 has mobilised the population’s digital social participation in social networks. Likewise, the relevance acquired by Social Services as a support for the social and health crisis has generated an unprecedented social debate on Twitter about the reality of these services in Spain. The analysis of this phenomenon is the focus of the present article, in which the tweets on Social Services and Covid-19 published during the confinement have been analysed using the qualitative analysis software Atlas.Ti. The results show the precariousness of social services and that a change in the management and financing model of these services is required to guarantee benefits and satisfy fundamental social rights.

The Direct and Indirect Relationships of Environmental, Interpersonal and Personal Factors with High School Students Physical Activity: An Ecological Approach.

Background: Across countries, young people are not sufficiently physically active. The evidence confirms that beyond demographic and individual agents, individuals participate within their social and physical environment. The ecological model enables a search for the modifiable factors in specific populations, as it allows consideration of factors affecting individuals’ lives on different levels, as well as considering the interplay of those factors. The aim of this study was to examine the complex interconnections among environmental, social capital and motivational factors at different levels, within an ecological model for high school students’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during their leisure time. Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study included 1285 students from 14 to 18 years old, with a mean age of 16.14 ± 1.22. Physical activity, neighborhood physical activity recourses, neighborhood safety, social capital, physical activity motivation and sociodemographic factors were evaluated. Logistic regression, mediation and moderation analyses were performed predicting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during leisure time. Results: In the final multivariate logistic regression model, greater social participation (OR 1.03 [1.01–1.05]), higher relative autonomy index (OR 1.11 [1.06–1.15]) and male gender (OR 1.71 [1.13–2.57]) directly predicted meeting MVPA recommendations. Any significant moderation effects (p > 0.05) of environmental characteristics were not found for the relationship between social capital, motivational factors and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The evidence of positive indirect mediation effects was found in all five models for social capital components as all CIs for its βs do not contain 0, though standardized effect sizes were between 0.02 and 0.07, indicating small effect sizes. Conclusion: These findings provide support for the presence of some direct and indirect pathways from social capital to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Future intervention strategies should focus on strengthening physical activity motivation by encouraging the development of social network and social participation as well as family, neighborhood and school social capital within the framework of the ecological model.

ВІД ПРАКТИК НЕОЛІБЕРАЛІЗМУ ДО ПАРТИСИПАТИВНОЇ ДЕМОКРАТІЇ ІНТЕГРОВАНОГО МІСЬКОГО РОЗВИТКУ: ШЛЯХ МІКРОРАЙОНУ ЖК “ЛІКО-ГРАД”, КИЇВ

Most major cities in Ukraine are experiencing widespread use of neoliberal approaches in urban planning and governance. These approaches are focused on economic priorities and the accumulation of capital by individual government-private coalitions both for new urban projects and practices of modifying urban space in areas of existing development. They ignore the needs of the local people, who, in turn, do not have a deep awareness of their importance and role in making management decisions regarding urban development. Simultaneously with the application of neoliberal urban practices, some integrated urban development projects are being implemented in a number of cities or districts of cities of Ukraine within the framework of international technical assistance and exchange programs. They provide opportunities for all segments of society to understand the consequences of decision-making in a particular area. These efforts increase the importance of this research task which aims to analyze the processes of public participation in urban decision-making and the formation of integration in new local and multi-family residential housing development in Kyiv where there is no involvement in international cooperation in integrated urban development. The authors consider these issues using the example of the new “Liko-Grad” residential development. Our working hypothesis examines the dominance of neoliberal urban practices prevailing in such areas. The results of a survey of residents, conducted in 2018 and 2020, raises issues related to integrated development, the inclusiveness of urban space and the extent of involvement of residents in decision-making related to housing and urban landscape. These results as well as expert analysis of open-source data about the development, help to understand that the residential complex “Liko-Grad” which was built by a developer based on neoliberal management decisions. The potential residents were unable to participate in the decision-making process on building and planning the infrastructure. Today, in the process of community formation, residents reveal they are somewhat satisfied with the level of landscaping and are taking the first steps to address certain issues as evidenced by their active participation in social networks and some non-systematic landscaping activities and other small projects within the public budget. The survey also revealed low levels of job opportunities, social infrastructure, poor street infrastructure, and public transport needs as well as a low level of urban inclusion. These results, together with the lack of business activities and function, do not enable the residents of “Liko-Grad” to become a multifunctional urban space according to the integrated approaches designed for this space. We conclude that the path of Ukrainian cities to participatory democracy is just emerging; it requires a deep awareness of local communities of its importance of such efforts and also incorporating management decisions which affect the interests of all residents.

Building Social Capital in Higher Education With Online Opportunistic Social Matching

Recently, colleges and universities have been forced to utilize distance learning. With students spending less time on campus, their sense of community may decrease because they would be less likely to participate in the community. This puts higher education commuter institutions at a disadvantage in terms of generating and maintaining social capital. The authors investigate the possibility to counter this disadvantage by actively promoting participation in a mobile online social network (OSN) supported by a context-aware notification and recommender system (NARS) to achieve opportunistic social matching, which mitigates information overload by considering each user's relational, social, and personal context as predictors of match opportunities. The results suggest that introducing a purposefully designed OSN has the potential to facilitate the creation of structural and relational social capital, but that it might not have an effect on cognitive social capital.

Social Integration and Risk of Dementia Among Older Adults

We examine the relationship between social integration and cognitive impairment and dementia among older adults using longitudinal data from Waves 1-8 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The sample includes 7,492 respondents age 65 and older at baseline. We test multidimensional measures of social integration and cognitive well-being using discrete-time hazard models. The risk of dementia is calculated by a series of performance-based tests. Measures include levels of dementia: no dementia, cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND), and dementia, and three domains of cognition functioning: orientation, executive function, and memory. Social integration is an additive index measured by several questions, including marital status, living arrangement, social network, social contact, and social participation. Our results indicate that people with higher social integration have a lower risk of both cognitive impairment (not dementia) and dementia compared to those with lower social integration. This pattern continued across specific domains of cognitive functioning, including lower risk of orientation impairment, executive function impairment, and memory impairment for those with higher social integration. Tests of both gender and racial interactions did not yield any significant differences. Our findings demonstrate the strong association between social integration and lower risk of dementia among older adults. This study can speak to policy makers as the life expectancy of Americans increases and the aging population grows, highlighting the importance of giving support to older adults who are lack of social connectedness.

Are members of mutual aid groups better equipped for addiction recovery? European cross-sectional study into recovery capital, social networks, and commitment to sobriety

An increasing body of evidence shows that informal mutual aid groups benefit those in addiction recovery. However, attention for mutual aid groups in practice and policy varies internationally and is only recently emerging in continental Europe. Existing evidence is mostly limited to studies of Alcoholics Anonymous groups in the United States. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between membership of a variety of mutual aid groups and recovery capital, participation in social networks, and commitment to sobriety for individuals in drug addiction recovery (N = 367), living in the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium. A convenience sample of participants completed an extensive assessment about their recovery experiences. Sixty-nine percent of participants reported lifetime (ever) membership of different mutual aid groups. Analyses reveal that membership of mutual aid groups is strongly associated with more participation and (self-reported) changes in social networks, greater levels of recovery capital, and a stronger commitment to sobriety. The findings suggest that participation in mutual aid groups may support addiction recovery through multiple mechanisms of change in favor of recovery. These findings highlight how mutual aid support may complement formal addiction treatment.

Contributions of the Research Line on Literacy and Digital Inclusion of Women: Overcoming Digital Divides and Obtaining Real Benefits in their Daily Lives

This research follows a trajectory of work in the field of women’s studies and learning with digital technologies. The research is undertaken by the DIME HUM 833 research group from University of Seville (Spain). Extensive research projects have basically focused on: (a) characterize the processes of digital inclusion and know how women (with different profiles professionals, entrepreneurs, unemployed, students ...) learn with technologies and overcome digital divides (MAIA Project), (b) to value the processes of participation and learning in social networks and their influence on the subjective and emotional well-being of women (RURAL WOMEN Project). A third research in process is presented on the line (ALCMENA Project). The aim of this project is (c) describe the situation of middle-aged and older women in the Andalusian Digital Society and learn about their experiences with digital technologies. Mixed-type research has been developed from a survey studies and qualitative studies based on techno-autobiographical interviews and thinking aloud protocols. The final sample was made up of 1340 women for the MAIA Project and specifically 478 in rural areas for the RURAL WOMEN Project. The results show a moderate degree of digital inclusion of women. The results point to the research offers a detailed knowledge of the role that current digital technologies are playing in the lives of a wide diversity of women. The results show different learning ecologies from the women with different profiles. The results are shown in detail in the book Jiménez-Cortés et al. (2016). At the same time, the research shows that participation in democratic processes online has the potential to improve the quality of life of women and gives them greater control over their lives and satisfaction. This knowledge allows women to prepare for an active and full digital citizenship, which brings them well-being. The results are shown in detail in other papers (Jiménez-Cortés, 2015; 2016). The expected results of the ALCMENA Project will show processes of digital empowerment and strategies of middle-aged and older women that serve as a reference to guide the actions of interested social agents and institutions.

Influencia de las TIC en el rendimiento escolar de estudiantes vulnerables

El sistema educativo contemporáneo está influenciado por los movimientos migratorios y el desarrollo de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC). Este trabajo analiza la influencia de las TIC en el rendimiento escolar de estudiantes vulnerables. Para ello, se estudian las relaciones del rendimiento escolar con el país de origen del estudiante, la conexión a Internet en el hogar y el uso diario de dispositivos digitales. Apoyado en la metodología de investigación en educación comparada, se contrastan las muestras representativas de las poblaciones de España, los países miembros de la Unión Europea y la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos. Se utilizan fundamentalmente los datos publicados por el Ministerio de Educación en los informes PISA 2018 y OCDE 2019. La estadística descriptiva sustenta los resultados obtenidos. Se analizan las variables participación diaria en redes sociales, participación diaria en juegos online, lectura diaria de noticias online y la nota media de Ciencias y Matemática respectivamente. Los hallazgos muestran que en España existe un bajo rendimiento escolar relacionado con el origen del estudiante; la conexión a Internet en el hogar y que un uso diario de dispositivos digitales puede ser beneficioso, si las exposiciones son moderadas y controladas.

“A room of our own”. Social media use amongst youth with immigrant background in Norway

Abstract Background Social media includes webpages, apps and digital games, where content can be created and shared, and participation in social networks is possible. It is known that social media impacts the lives of youth in a complex way. So far, little is known about how immigrant youth use social media and how that impacts their lives. The immigrant population is heterogeneous and complex, but overall, experiences a heavier burden of disease. In this study, we explored how immigrant youth use social media, and particularly how social media could contribute to health promotion. Methods We collaborated with non-governmental organisations to establish six focus group interviews that lasted for two hours each. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed by thematic content analysis. Results Immigrant youth met both barriers and benefits related to their background through their participation on social media. Barriers related to lack of knowledge about relevant social codes and to limited access due to negative social control. Benefits were the social interaction with people of similar identity. The youth navigated and carved rooms on social media to discuss topics like identity, social control, and to escape attributed identities and social control. They used several platforms established by immigrant youth and their organisations that contributed positively. Conclusions Social media represents arenas that serve as resources for immigrant youth. We found examples of use and platforms established by immigrant youth that can be incorporated into public health strategies. Yet, social media consists of social codes and structures, and unequal accessibility, like other social arenas. Such barriers can be addressed by providing more equal access to these social arenas. Key messages To youth with immigrant background in Norway, social media represents valuable arenas for health promotion. Social media signifies fruitful opportunities to navigate identities and social control.

Relationship between Social Capital and Mental Health among the Older Adults in Aceh, Indonesia

Background: It is recognized that social capital plays an important role in health, including mental health. However, there are only a few studies that explain the role of social capital in the mental health of older adults in Aceh, Indonesia. This study aims to assess the relationship between social capital and the mental health of older adults. Method: This study used cross-sectional design by involving 483 respondents aged 60 or above, which are retrieved by using multistage random sampling in Aceh Barat District. Data collection was conducted for four months in 2019. SPSS Version 21 was used to analyze the data through a logistic regression test. Result: The result shows that the average age of respondents is 69.76 years and female respondents are 68.9%. The result of logistic regression analysis to conclude the relationship between social capital and mental health resulted in confidence level (p=0.044), social cohesion (p=0.021), social network (p=0.001), and social participation (p=0.119). Conclusion: The result indicates that social capital includes a social network, social cohesion, and trust are significantly relevant to the mental health of older adults.

What makes social media-based supplier network involvement more effective for new product performance? The role of network structure

Fueled by continuing advances in information and social media, the ever-improving social media networks provide firms with unique opportunities to communicate conveniently with their supply chain partners in a dynamic manner. However, a critical unknown is whether buying firms, aiming at enhancing new product performance, can benefit from their suppliers’ participation in social media networks. Building on social network theory, and using a longitudinal design and secondary proxy dataset of 256 buying firms and their suppliers, the authors find that social media-based supplier network involvement can generate superior new product performance of buying firms. Additionally, social media-based supplier network involvement is more effective for new product performance when this network of suppliers shows strong network strength and network heterogeneity. In contrast, network density is found to be counter-productive. The results provide guidelines for managers interested in improving their innovation outcomes through social media networks.

Influence of social network participation, regional density, and customer interaction on the adoption of sustainability initiatives

ABSTRACT This study extends the extant literature on sustainability adoption by investigating the influence of business network participation, regional density, and the channels for customer interaction on companies’ adoption of sustainability initiatives. Data were collected from 311 wineries in Oregon. The results suggest that participating in a business network is a significant and positive determinant of wineries’ adoption of sustainability programs. Regional density also has a significant impact on sustainability adoption, such that wineries operating in less dense regions are more likely to adopt sustainability initiatives. Interestingly, the winery density of a region also moderates the impact of business networks on sustainability adoption. Specifically, the effect of business networks on sustainability decisions is stronger for wineries in dense regions. The research results also suggest that wineries with more channels for direct customer interactions are more likely to adopt sustainability initiatives.

The Mechanism of Linkages Between Online Community Participation and Festival Attendance: A Case Study of a Chinese Music Festival

Online social network participation, and its impacts on festival attendees' motivation, have been investigated in previous studies. However, the results have been inconclusive. Social network participation motives have also been researched but have mostly been limited to Facebook and other social media from the West. Social media participation motives in the East, for example in China, and its causes and effects on music festival attendance have remained underexplored. This study adopted a qualitative approach, using semistructured interviews and netnography to empirically examine the connection between online social network participation and music festival attendance. Data collection included using netnography to explore a music festival social network chat group (online community) and then conducting in-depth interviews with festival attendees who were active members of the online community. The study sheds new light on festival attendees' motives for online social network participation, a plausible mechanism and model to explain how an online music festival community sustains and connects its old and new members.