Social Pressure Research Articles

Neural Tracking of Perceived Parent, but Not Peer, Norms Is Associated with Longitudinal Changes in Adolescent Attitudes about Externalizing Behaviors.

Adolescents' perceptions of parent and peer norms about externalizing behaviors influence the extent to which they adopt similar attitudes, yet little is known about how the trajectories of perceived parent and peer norms are related to trajectories of personal attitudes across adolescence. Neural development of midline regions implicated in self-other processing may underlie developmental changes in parent and peer influence. Here, we examined whether neural processing of perceived parent and peer norms in midline regions during self-evaluations would be associated with trajectories of personal attitudes about externalizing behaviors. Trajectories of adolescents' perceived parent and peer norms were examined longitudinally with functional neuroimaging (n = 165; ages 11-16 years across three waves; 86 girls, 79 boys; 29.7% White, 21.8% Black, 35.8% Latinx, 12.7% other/multiracial). Behavioral results showed perceived parent norms were less permissive than adolescents' own attitudes about externalizing behaviors, whereas perceived peer norms were more permissive than adolescents' own attitudes, effects that increased from early to middle adolescence. Although younger adolescents reported less permissive attitudes when they spontaneously tracked perceived parent norms in the ventromedial and medial pFCs during self-evaluations, this effect weakened as they aged. No brain-behavior effects were found when tracking perceived peer norms. These findings elucidate how perceived parent and peer norms change in parallel with personal attitudes about externalizing behaviors from early to middle adolescence and underscore the importance of spontaneous neural tracking of perceived parent norms during self-evaluations for buffering permissive personal attitudes, particularly in early adolescence.

Understanding the factors that influence CT utilization for mild traumatic brain injury in a low resource setting - a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework

IntroductionIn low resource settings (LRS), utilization of Computed Tomography scan (CTS) for mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) presents unique challenges and considerations given the limited infrastructure, financial resources, and trained personnel. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) offers a comprehensive theoretical lens to explore factors influencing the decision-making to order CTS for mTBI by imaging referrers (IRs). ObjectivesThe primary objective was to explore IRs’ beliefs about factors influencing CT utilization in mTBIs using TDF in Uganda.Differences in the factors influencing CTS ordering behavior across specialties, levels of experience, and hospital category were also explored. Materials and MethodsIn-depth semi-structured interviews guided by TDF were conducted among purposively selected IRs from 6 tertiary public and private hospitals with functional CTS services. A thematic analysis was performed with codes and emerging themes developed based on the TDF. ResultsEleven IRs including medical officers, non-neurosurgeon specialists and neurosurgeons aged on average 42 years (SD+/-12.3 years) participated.Identified factors within skills domain involved IRs’ clinical assessment and decision-making abilities, while beliefs about capabilities and consequences encompassed their confidence in diagnostic abilities and perceptions of CTS risks and benefits. The environmental context and resources domain addressed the availability of CT scanners and financial constraints. The knowledge domain elicited IRs’ understanding of clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices while social influences considered peer influence and institutional culture. For memory, attention & decision processes domain, IRs adherence to guidelines and intentions to order CT scans were cited. ConclusionUsing TDF, IRs identified several factors believed to influence decision making to order CTS in mTBI in a LRS. The findings can inform stakeholders to develop targeted strategies and evidence-based interventions to optimize CT utilization in mTBI such as; educational programs, workflow modifications, decision support tools, and infrastructure improvements, among others.

Understanding the Social Interaction and Communication Skills in Autistic Children

Abstract: ASD (autism spectrum disorder) presents with social emotional difficulties for individuals who interpret and successfully communicate social signals. This paper reviews the effect of peer influence on social communication and interaction abilities in the children with autism. The paper reviews the available literature and offers intervention strategies that can better the social interaction status of the children. Research points to the fact that there are gender difference patterns in the social communication skills of ASD children, suggesting therefore the need for gender-sensitivity in their understanding and care. The research supports the need for personalized therapeutic strategies and care services. This allows for progressive social and communication advancements for children with autism spectrum disorder. On the other hand, the study also acknowledges several limitations, so that, proper diagnostic tools along with other approaches such as longitudinal studies should be considered for a better understanding of social interaction in ASD.

Surviving after the Death of a Spouse: A Phenomenological Study of Young and Low-Income Mothers in Turkey.

The aim of this study is to examine psychosocial adjustment of low-income mothers who lost their spouses at a young age. The study was conducted using a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach. The data was collected through focus group interviews. Thirteen women between the ages of 26 and 43 participated in the study. In this study, manifest content analysis was carried out with an inductive perspective. In this scope, five interrelated themes emerged as loss, initial reactions, difficulties, coping ways, and change. For the participants, the death of their spouse was perceived as the loss of a loved one, the loss of their children's father, a loss of security, and the loss of an abusive spouse. The initial reactions that emerged as a result were shock, helplessness, anxiety, and ambivalence. Participants faced social pressure, exclusion, parenting an orphaned child, insufficient basic life skills, and economic difficulties after their spouses' deaths. In order to cope with these difficulties, they sought social support, applied for social assistance funds, focused on their motherhood roles, used religious coping mechanisms, and set boundaries. It was determined that participants learned new skills, gained self-confidence, and developed helping behaviors toward others during the post-loss change process. Findings revealed that participants are unable to access adequate social, economic, and psychological resources in society. This circumstance caused them to withdraw from their social environment and reevaluate their existential goals. The new identity created by these women could be interpreted as a challenge to the culture that marginalizes them.

Tensions in primary care cancer detection: An embedded qualitative intervention development study.

UK cancer mortality is worse than many other high-income countries, partly due to diagnostic delays in primary care. To understand beliefs and behaviour of GPs, and systems of general practice teams, to inform the Think Cancer! intervention development. An embedded qualitative study guided by behaviour change models (COM-B and TDF) in primary care in Wales, UK. Twenty qualitative, semi-structured telephone interviews with GPs and four face-to-face focus groups with practice teams. Analysis used Framework, results were mapped to multiple, overlapping components of COM-B and TDF. Three themes illustrate (1) complex, multi-level referral considerations facing GPs and practice teams, (2) external influences and constraints, (3) the role of practice systems and culture. Tensions emerged between individual considerations of GPs (Capability, Motivation) and context-dependent external pressures (Opportunity). Detecting cancer was guided not only by external requirements, but also by motivational factors GPs described as part of their cancer diagnostics process. External influences on the diagnosis process often resulted from the primary-secondary care interface and social pressures. GPs adapted their behaviour to deal with this disconnect. Positive practice culture and supportive practice-based systems ameliorated these tensions and complexity. By exploring individual GP behaviours together with practice systems and culture we contribute new understandings on how cancer diagnosis operates in primary care and how delays can be improved. We highlight commonly overlooked dynamics and tensions, experienced by GPs as a tension between individual decision-making (Capability, Motivation) and external considerations such as pressures in secondary care (Opportunity).

An Empirical Study on the Turnover Intention among the SME Service Sectors Employees in Beijing, China: A Theory of Planned Behaviour Approach

This empirical study investigates the turnover intention among employees in the SME service sector in Beijing, China, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework. The research aims to understand the key psychological and social factors influencing employees' intentions to leave their current positions. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 400 employees across various SMEs in Beijing's service industry. The questionnaire measured attitudes towards turnover, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and turnover intention. The findings indicate that all three components of TPB significantly predict turnover intention. Attitudes towards turnover, shaped by job satisfaction and perceived job alternatives, emerged as the strongest predictor. Subjective norms, influenced by peer and family expectations, also play a critical role in shaping turnover intentions. Perceived behavioral control, which includes employees' confidence in securing new employment and perceived ease of leaving their current job, further contributes to the prediction model. The study highlights the importance of addressing both individual and contextual factors in managing turnover intentions. For SME managers, fostering a supportive work environment and enhancing job satisfaction can mitigate turnover risks. Moreover, understanding the influence of external social pressures and enhancing employees' perceived control over their career decisions can provide additional strategies to retain talent. This research contributes to the limited literature on employee turnover in China's SME service sector and offers practical insights for improving employee retention strategies. Future studies could explore longitudinal data to understand the dynamics of turnover intention over time and examine the role of additional variables such as organizational commitment and job stress.

Trends in socio-demographic characteristics and substance use among high school learners in a selected district in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Substance use is an escalating public health problem in South Africa resulting in risky behaviours and poor educational attainment among adolescents. There is a huge battle to overcome substance use among learners as more drugs become easily available with the mean age of drug experimentation reported to be at 12 years of age. It is important to continuously understand the trends in substance use in order to assess if there are positive changes and provide evidence for the development of context-specific effective interventions. This paper outlines the prevalence of substance use among selected high schools in a district in Limpopo province. To determine the prevalence of substance use among selected high school learners in a district in Limpopo Province, a cross-sectional school survey of 768 learners was conducted. Data was analysed using SPSS v 26. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the independent and dependent variables and Chi-Square test was used to investigate associations between demographic characteristics and substance use among high school learners. The most abused substances by learners were alcohol (49%), cigarettes (20.8%) and marijuana (dagga/cannabis) (16.8%). In a lifetime, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in cigarette smoking with gender, school, and grade; with more use in males (14.2%) than females (7.6%); in urban schools (14.6) than peri-urban (6.7%) and more in Grade 12 (6.4%). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in alcohol use with more use in Grade 10 (12.6%) and varied use among male and female learners but cumulatively more alcohol use in females (27.7%). Drug use varied, with an overall high drug use in urban schools (20.7%). Substance use is rife among high school learners in the district and health promotion initiatives need to be tailored within the context of socio-demographic characteristics of learners including the multiple levels of influence such as peer pressure, poverty, unemployment and child headed families. Additional research is required to investigate the factors leading to a notable gradual increase in use among female learners and into the environmental and family settings of learners in influencing substance use.

‘What’s a D and C between friends?’ Space, intimacy and the medicalisation of unmotherhood in modernist literature

This essay theorises what ‘unmotherhood’—or, living outside of motherhood—means within the specific context of ‘the modern’. Unmotherhood is an actively constructed state; it is explored through the parameters of agentive...

Left-behind Children in Chinese Urban Areas

“Left-behind children” are a pronounced social issue in China. Colossal attention has been paid to left-behind children in Chinese rural areas. However, as its economy advanced, the issue also surfaced in urban areas. Compared with their rural counterparts, urban left-behind children face more complicated psychological challenges and social pressures, which have the potential to negatively affect their physical and mental growth as well as their future social integration. This article focuses on delineating the special characteristics of urban left-behind children and looking into the issues confronting them and the factors contributing to their predicament.

Peers Influence on Youth Political Behavior: A Systematic Review

Youth political behaviour plays a crucial role in shaping the democratic system of a country. Several factors, such as socio-economic status, employment opportunities, and educational background, have been extensively studied in relation to their impact on youth political behaviour. However, there is a deficiency in systematic reviews specifically focusing on the influence of peers on youth political behavior. This article aims to address this gap by conducting a systematic review of relevant studies from the Web of Science, Scopus, SpringerLink, and ProQuest databases. In total, 30 studies were identified through comprehensive search terms such as “peer influence”, “youth”, “political knowledge”, and “political behavior”. Through this review, four key themes emerged: (1) political knowledge, (2) group discussion, (3) peer pressure, and (4) identity development. The findings highlight the significance of identity development and peer pressure as the most influential factors shaping youth political behaviour. By adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this review encompasses studies conducted in various countries without any geographical restrictions. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of how peers influence the political behaviour of youth can provide leaders and policymakers with crucial insights for encouraging knowledgeable peer networks.

The Impact of Public Opinion on Digital Media

As Internet technology rapidly evolves and digital media technology becomes more widespread, Users can not only access content on digital media, but also participate in content on digital media through likes, comments, shares, and other means. This paper mainly studies the positive and negative impacts of public opinion on digital media. Conduct research through methods such as literature analysis, case analysis, and review. This paper finds that individuals have greater opportunities to offer their opinions on digital media. In this way, digital media enhances freedom of expression, and public opinion expressed through digital media serves to safeguard and uphold public rights as well. However, polarized public opinion in digital media can also have adverse effects, such as peer pressure and cyber bullying. Therefore, governments, schools and individuals should take their respective responsibilities to maintain the positive effects of digital media on public opinion, solve problems with public opinion in the digital media and better utilize the benefits of digital media and public opinion.

The charade of discreetness: Exploring the paradoxical lifestyles of romance fraudsters

AbstractThis study examined mechanisms that influence romance fraud perpetrators' public display of affluence, an aspect of romance fraud research that has received little attention in the literature. The study collected data through semi‐structured interviews with eight offenders from two Ghanaian cybercrime hotbeds and three law enforcement officials, using a qualitative research approach based on the critical realist paradigm. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis, which revealed that the social environment, peer influence, links with high‐net‐worth individuals (upper structure clientelism), the involvement of social media and collaboration with some corrupt state officials all had a substantial influence on cybercriminals' public display of wealth. Furthermore, upper structure clientelism shows systemic flaws in financial institutions that must be addressed in order to reduce online romance fraud. The significance of social media in fostering public displays of wealth emphasises the importance of education and awareness initiatives as preventative measures. To effectively prevent online romance fraud, law enforcement should prioritise interagency cooperation and transparency among governmental institutions.

Effect of peer education on knowledge and frequency of smoking among high school students in disadvantaged districts: a quasi-experimental study

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of peer education on changing the knowledge and frequency of smoking of high school students. Method: The quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Turkey, during the 2021-22 academic year, and comprised students of either gender from the 9th to the 11th grade. After baseline assessment, training that blended peer education with the photovoice technique was administered between March 2021 and January 2022. Post-intervention assessment included smoking frequency, cigarette exposure and health literacy. Data was analysed using R version 4.0.5. Results: Of the 465 students available, 395(84.95%) were part of the baseline assessment, while 434(93.3%) took the post-intervention assessment. At the baseline, 365(93.8%) participants were males and 24(6.2%) were femaes. The overall median age was 15 years (interquartile range: 15-16 years). Post-training, smoking rate and indoor exposure to cigarette smoke among the students were statistically lower than the baseline values (p&lt;0.05). The mean health literacy score post-intervention was significantly higher than the baseline score (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Photovoice combined with peer education seemed beneficial in terms of positive effect on smoking behaviour among youths. Key Words: Peer education, Smoking cessation, Peer influence, Smoking prevention, Adolescent, Health literacy.

“Be more positive and more kind to your own bodies”: Adolescent and young adult preferences for how parents can support their children with weight-related pressures

Body dissatisfaction is a key factor contributing to the development of disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction is often influenced by media, peer, and parental pressures during adolescence. Little research has explored ways in which parents can help their children manage pressures from social media and their peers. The present study used the MyVoice National Poll of Youth, a large text-message cohort of young people (14–24 years old) in the United States, to collect and examine qualitative data about their experiences with parental weight-related communication and how they think parents can best support their children regarding messages they see/hear surrounding weight, body shape and size by their peers and media sources. 801 participants responsed to at least one question. Results from the present study suggest that young people want their parents to model healthy relationships with food and their body, teach body neutrality/acceptance, and normalize all body types. Findings suggest that there are many proactive, practical approaches parents can adopt to help support their children and offset weight-related pressures from other sources.

International development policies in Central and Eastern Europe since EU accession: increasing divergence?

ABSTRACT The contribution discusses how the international development policies of four Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) evolved following their accession to the EU. The four states started these policies in the run-up to accession, driven by pressure from the EU. The policies put in place were underfunded and received little political attention, resulting in functionally similar approaches. In the past 10 years however, these policies began to diverge in practices and motivations. This paper provides a comparative analysis of the four policies, focusing on strategies, aid volumes and allocation. The analysis reveals that while Hungary’s approach has diverged the most from the other three, all four are now developing distinct donor profiles. International development policy has become relatively politicized in Hungary and Poland, where governments have used it to promote economic nationalism, ideology and security goals, and have resisted socialization pressures arising from membership in the EU and the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia however, the policy had little political salience, leaving space for aid bureaucracies to shape it according to the norms promoted by these organizations.

Associations Between Social Networks and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in 4 Rural Alabama Counties: Survey Findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how vaccination decisions are influenced by misinformation, disinformation, and social pressures, leading to varied and inequitable uptake rates. In this study, we examined how COVID-19 vaccine messages received via social networks were associated with vaccine uptake in rural Alabama. From November 2021 through March 2022, we collected 700 responses to a telephone survey administered in 4 rural Alabama counties. We asked respondents to indicate whether certain social relationships (eg, family, businesses) tried to influence them to (1) obtain or (2) avoid a COVID-19 vaccine. We used χ2 tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Mantel-Haenszel χ2 tests, and Fisher exact tests to examine the associations between vaccination status and survey responses. Respondents in majority-African American counties were significantly more likely than those in majority-White counties to have received ≥1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine (89.8% vs 72.3%; P < .001). Respondents who received ≥1 dose had a significantly higher mean age than those who had not (58.0 vs 39.0 years; P < .001). Respondents who were encouraged to get vaccinated by religious leaders were more likely to have received ≥1 dose (P = .001), and those who were encouraged to avoid vaccination by family (P = .007), friends (P = .02), coworkers (P = .003), and health care providers (P < .001) were less likely to have received ≥1 dose. Respondents with more interpersonal relationships that encouraged them to avoid vaccination were more likely to be unvaccinated (P < .001). Interpersonal relationships and demographic characteristics appeared to be important in COVID-19 vaccine decision-making in rural Alabama. Further research needs to identify how to facilitate vaccine-positive interpersonal relationships, such as peer mentoring and trusted messenger interventions.

To SHARE or not to SHARE: Exploring incarcerated women's decisions about enrolling in exposure-based group therapy.

Exposure therapies effectively treat traumatic stress sequelae, including that which follows sexual violence victimization (SVV). Carceral facilities house women with significantly higher rates of SVV than community samples, yet they rarely implement this form of treatment. In this study, women with histories of SVV (n = 63) completed semistructured qualitative interviews about their decision to enroll or not enroll in an exposure-based group therapy called Survivors Healing from Abuse: Recovery through Exposure while incarcerated. All study participants were previously incarcerated in a prison, where they were offered the opportunity to enroll in Survivors Healing from Abuse: Recovery through Exposure. We used the theory of planned behavior to analyze factors that affected enrollment decisions. Results revealed that enrollment decisions among incarcerated women can be categorized within the theory of planned behavior framework. Interview responses indicated that recognizing current problems as related to experiences of SVV, holding positive attitudes about mental health treatment, observing peers engaging in help-seeking behaviors, and perceiving treatment as accessible were linked with enrollment. Negative perceptions of treatment, fear of judgment, and negative peer influence (e.g., distrust of peers) were linked to decisions not to enroll. While certain beliefs were influenced by contextual features of incarceration (e.g., peer interactions outside of group therapy), many overlapped with factors found to influence help-seeking among nonincarcerated populations. Findings have implications for how to engage members of underserved populations in resource-deprived contexts who have a great need for treatment of traumatic symptoms secondary to sexual violence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effect of a community-led HIV self-testing model among adolescent girls and young women in Rural Northern Uganda: a quasi-experimental study protocol

BackgroundAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa face a disproportionately higher HIV/AIDS burden despite the global decline in incidence. Existing interventions often fail to adequately address their unique social, economic, and cultural challenges, limiting access to essential HIV/AIDS services, including HIV testing. Emerging evidence indicates that HIV self-testing, a user-friendly and confidential method, enhances HIV diagnosis and linkage to care by targeting these barriers. This study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of a peer-delivered, community-health worker (CHW)-facilitated HIV self-testing intervention for AGYW in Northern Uganda.MethodsThis mixed-methods quasi-experimental implementation science study will employ a three-fold approach. Firstly, we will conduct baseline formative qualitative research with 50 AGYW, 50 parents/partners to AGYW, 30 CHWs, 15 community leaders, and the district health office to inform the design of a peer-delivered CHW-facilitated HIV self-testing intervention tailored to AGYW’s needs in Northern Uganda. Secondly, we will implement a mixed-methods pilot study to assess the intervention’s feasibility and acceptability, involving 415 AGYW, 30 AGYW peer leaders, and 10 CHWs in selected parishes and villages in Omoro district, Northern Uganda. Lastly, we will evaluate the implementation outcomes and preliminary impact of the intervention on HIV self-testing rates and linkage to care by collecting and analyzing quantitative data pre- and post-intervention, laying the groundwork for a future robust randomized controlled trial.DiscussionOur intervention combines CHWs and peer-led strategies to address the unique challenges of AGYW in Northern Uganda, leveraging community resilience and peer influence. Successful completion of this project will provide a scalable model to be evaluated in a randomized trial and replicated in similar contexts.Trial registration numberPACTR202404851907736. Registered with the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry on April 22, 2024.

Earnings management: the influence of peer group and the corporate governance intervention

PurposeOur study investigates the influence of peer performance on the earnings management decisions within publicly traded Indian companies. There is mixed evidence in the literature, with the impact of peer performance on earnings management in emerging markets being notably underexplored. Additionally, the study explores whether robust corporate governance mechanisms can mitigate earnings management practices. Our study offers policy insights into these areas.Design/methodology/approachOur study used a longitudinal panel dataset from 2011 to 2020, utilising idiosyncratic returns of peer firms as an external measure of peer performance. This approach is further enhanced by the usage of alternative discretionary accrual metrics, which could be a robust measure for both market leaders and followers.FindingsOur study employs two distinct methods, accrual and real earnings management, to assess earnings management. The findings indicate that peer performance triggers earnings management within peer groups, showcasing managerial opportunism in financial reporting to align with peer achievements. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that robust corporate governance effectively curtails earnings management, especially in industries where peer influence is significant.Practical implicationsOur study offers valuable insights for regulators, highlighting that enhancing the institutional framework with stringent corporate governance mechanisms can effectively reduce earnings management in companies within emerging markets.Originality/valueThe paper is a novel attempt in emerging markets to show that managers engage in opportunistic reporting to align with the performance of their peers and that governance strategies effectively mitigate these practices in such markets.

How Political Ideology and Media Shaped Vaccination Intention in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

As a pharmaceutical intervention, vaccines remain a major public health strategy for mitigating the effects of COVID-19. Yet, vaccine intake has been affected by various cognitive and cultural factors. We examine how a selected set of factors (i.e., knowledge, concern, media, peer influence, and demographics) shaped COVID-19 vaccination intention in the early phase of the pandemic (Fall 2020). Using a survey conducted in three US states (Idaho, Texas, and Vermont) just prior to the rollout of the first vaccines against COVID-19, we find that COVID-19 concern was the primary driver of vaccination intention. Concern was shaped mainly by two factors: political ideology and media sources. Yet, ideology and media were much more important in affecting concern for those who leaned politically conservative, as opposed to those who leaned liberal or remained moderate. The results from our structural equation models affirm that the information politically conservative respondents were receiving reinforced the effects of their ideology, leading to a greater reduction in their concern. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for future pandemic preparedness.