Cultural Perceptions Research Articles

Advancing research on femicide prevention: A mixed methods approach.

Femicide, the killing of women, girls, and infants, is a pervasive problem affecting all global societies. Policy and research are impeded by inaccurate and missing prevalence data, gaps in understanding of femicide, especially for hard-to-reach marginalized populations, and conflicting perceptions between jurisdictions. Leveraging on a combined socio-ecologic model and Public Health approach, the paper spans the methods of a computed tomography-based injury study, an in-depth media-analysis, a legislation evaluation study, and a data barriers' study. Injury patterns, media depiction, and end-user consultations will close the loop on residual problems such as implementation, data gaps, and cultural perceptions. By mixed methods research representing multiple regions, and stakeholders, this project will enhance knowledge on interpersonal, institutional, and societal factors of femicide, advancing the humanitarian forensic discipline. The research method will identify emerging trends and facilitate improvements in tertiary prevention of femicide, specific to resource settings.

Kinship Care Disruptions and Child Institutionalisation in Bali, Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study explores the factors contributing to the disruption of kinship care and the subsequent institutionalisation of children in Bali, Indonesia. Through in-depth interviews with 50 children residing in child welfare institutions and 16 parents or familial caretakers, the study examines the changing social and cultural perceptions of child institutionalisation and its impact on traditional Balinese kinship systems. The findings reveal that economic hardship, family circumstances and the perceived benefits of institutional care for education are the primary drivers of child institutionalisation. The study highlights the need for strengthening family support systems, adhering to national standards of care and promoting community-based alternatives to institutional care, particularly kinship care and foster care, as part of a continuum of care. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, practitioners and researchers to address the challenges faced by children and families in Bali and to promote family-based care.

Sociocultural perceptions of physical activity and dietary habits for hypertension control: voices from adults in a rural sub-district of South Africa

BackgroundOver half of adults from rural South Africa are hypertensive. Apart from pharmaceutical treatment, lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and reducing dietary salt have been strongly advocated for the control of hypertension. However, the control rates of hypertension for adults in rural South Africa are low. In this paper we explore whether this is due to the recommended lifestyle intervention not aligning with the individual’s socio-cultural determinants of behaviour change.AimTo explore the social and cultural beliefs, perceptions and practices regarding physical activity and diet as a hypertension control intervention on hypertensive adults living in a rural sub-district in South Africa.MethodsNine focus group discussions were conducted with hypertensive adults aged 40 years and above from Bushbuckridge sub-district in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa using a semi-structured interview guide. Each session began with introductions of the discussion theme followed by a short discussion on what the participants know about hypertension and the normal blood pressure readings. Physical activity and dietary habits were then introduced as the main subject of discussion. Probing questions were used to get more insight on a specific topic. A thematic analysis approach was used to generate codes, categories, and themes. A manual approach to data analysis was chosen and data obtained through transcripts were analysed inductively.FindingsParticipants had a lack of knowledge about blood pressure normal values. Perceived causes of hypertension were alluded to psychosocial factors such as family and emotional-related issues. Physical activity practices were influenced by family and community members’ attitudes and gender roles. Factors which influenced dietary practices mainly involved affordability and availability of food. To control their hypertension, participants recommend eating certain foods, emotional control, taking medication, exercising, praying, correct food preparation, and performing house chores.ConclusionLifestyle interventions to control hypertension for adults in a rural South African setting using physical activity promotion and dietary control must consider the beliefs related to hypertension control of this population.

Perceptions of organizational culture among mental health providers at a Veterans Affairs hospital.

A mixed method approach was utilized to assess the organizational culture of the mental health service line at a large Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. The goals of the study were to assess the organizational culture, identify how employees differ in perceptions of organizational culture, and identify areas of strength and challenges. Two hundred thirteen participants returned a questionnaire assessing perceptions of organizational culture using the Organizational Culture Assessment Questionnaire (Sashkin & Rosenbach, 2013). Additionally, 22 employees and seven service line leaders participated in five focus groups that assessed for perceptions of culture. Quantitative results suggest that employees had a generally average to high average opinion of the organizational culture of the mental health service line within their VA hospital. Subscale scores suggested that customer orientation was a particular strength of the organization. Relative areas of weakness were that staff felt many decisions were imposed from outside the service line and that hard-working clinical staff were not always sufficiently recognized or rewarded for their actions. In general, demographic variables were not significantly related toward respondent opinion of the organizational culture. Substantial overlap existed between the qualitative and quantitative results. This study suggests that, at this VA's mental health service line, customer service was a strength. However, increased recognition of employees and externally imposed decision-making needed improvement. Although interventions have been implemented in these areas, it would be useful to repeat aspects of this study over time and across different institutions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring the Intersections of Cultural Constructs and Parental Beliefs: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Indian Families

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder whose prevalence has continually increased over the years but its definitive cause remains unknown and thereby parental perceptions and beliefs about its cause are shaped by existing cultural notions. However, research has rarely focused on understanding the nature of these beliefs and their influence on parenting behaviors. India is home to several culturally diverse groups, but little attention is put toward understanding the diversity in cultural beliefs and perceptions of parents of children with autism. Drawing on semi-structured, in-depth interviews, this study demonstrates the cultural beliefs about ASD and elucidates the experiences of 20 parents who have a child with ASD from Chandigarh-Tricity, India. The study employs a qualitative methodology, and the analysis revealed different themes that are explored in the article.

Ukrainian Refugees’ Differentiated Treatment: A Critical and Systematic Review

ABSTRACTThis review examines the distinct treatment of millions of displaced Ukrainians amidst the ongoing conflict, compared to previous refugee groups in Europe, presenting a synthesis of research encompassing traditional and grey literature. Evaluating resettlement processes, the analysis underscores the unique factors shaping Ukrainian refugees' reception, shedding light on disparities compared to other refugee groups. Cultural perceptions, vulnerability, demographics and the framing of Russia as a common adversary influence responses from individuals, organizations and nations in unprecedented ways in Western societies. The discussion critically dissects these findings, proposing the concept of ‘promising victimhood’ for a nuanced understanding of differential treatment, while urging further theoretical development. This concise systematic review serves as a crucial benchmark for both academics and policymakers, emphasizing the need to address systemic injustices in refugee reception across various levels and sectors.

Safe provision of nursing care as predicted by nursing students: A cross-sectional study

Background & Aim: Assessment of safety culture and nursing students’ competencies in patient safety is essential for readiness to provide quality and safe care. The objectives of the study are to examine how nursing students perceive patient safety culture and to evaluate factors that may influence their perceptions. Methods & Materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using the Slovak version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture for Nursing Students and the Questionnaire for Measuring Demographic Variables and Information on the Education Process. The study involved 242 nursing students from two faculties in Slovakia. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: None of the dimensions of patient safety culture was rated by the nursing students above the necessary level of 75 %. Statistically significant correlations and differences were found between the nursing students’ perceptions of patient safety culture and some selected sociodemographic variables. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant associations between the nursing students’ perceptions of patient safety culture and overall patient safety grade, the number of reported events in the workplace, and the number of reported events by nursing students. Conclusion: Recognising nursing students’ perceptions of patient safety culture enables identification of weaknesses, and early implementation of targeted interventions and educational initiatives to increase overall patient safety in care provision. Future research should focus on recognizing relationships between perceived patient safety culture, teamwork, education, and indicators of safe and quality care during clinical training from nursing students’ perspective.

Lived experiences and perspectives of women who had undergone perinatal loss in Nairobi county, Kenya: a qualitative study

BackgroundThis study explored the lived experiences and perspectives of women who had suffered a perinatal loss in Nairobi county, Kenya. Existing research works have established that perinatal loss often comes...

Cultural Perceptions, Emotional Intelligence, and Conflict Resolution Abilities of High School Students: A Study on the Influence of Ghanaian Traditional Culture

Significant gaps in understanding perceptions of traditional Ghanaian culture affect secondary school students' emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills. This study was conducted to analyze the influence of conventional Ghanaian culture on students' perceptions of their own culture, as well as how it impacts their emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills in the school setting. To assess these relationships, the study utilized a quantitative research design with partial least squares structural equation modeling. The study targeted a diverse sample of 674 students aged 16-18 from various educational institutions. The data collection method used was a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings showed that emotional intelligence significantly mediated the relationship between perceptions of traditional culture and conflict resolution skills. This study emphasizes integrating cultural elements into the educational framework to enhance conflict resolution skills. The implications of this study include actionable recommendations for educators and policymakers to develop culturally responsive strategies to encourage more effective conflict management in schools.

Shaping Safety: Unveiling the Dynamics of Incident Reporting and Safety Culture in Saudi Arabian Healthcare.

Patient safety is a critical concern in healthcare systems worldwide. Understanding the interplay between safety culture and incident reporting behaviors among healthcare professionals is essential for improving patient outcomes. To examine the perception of patient safety culture among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia and its impact on their attitudes toward incident reporting, considering variables such as level of care, ownership, and professional background. A cross-sectional survey was distributed both online and onsite to 453 healthcare professionals, with 402 completing it. The survey assessed various dimensions of safety culture and incident reporting behaviors. Statistical analysis included correlation matrices, regression models, and comparative assessments across different types of hospital settings. The study revealed significant associations between perceived safety culture and incident reporting behaviors (p < 0.01). Specifically, management (B = 0.64, p < 0.01), working conditions (r = 0.51, p < 0.01), and job satisfaction (r = 0.52, p < 0.01) were identified as crucial for improvement. The study highlighted the importance of fostering a blame-free culture and establishing clear reporting guidelines to enhance reporting frequencies. Enhancing the perception of patient safety within healthcare settings positively influences the likelihood of incident reporting. Strategic interventions aimed at improving safety culture could significantly advance patient care quality.

Cultural Perceptions of Health in Asian Indian Adults

ObjectiveTo gain an understanding of the cultural perceptions of health among Asian Indian adults in an urban setting. DesignQualitative semistructured interviews. SettingMidwest urban community ParticipantsAsian Indian adults (n = 20) aged ≥25 years, who self-identified as 100% Asian Indian descent. Phenomenon of InterestIndividual interviews were conducted by a trained interviewer to assess cultural perceptions of health. AnalysisTranscript analysis was performed by 2 independent coders using verbatim transcripts. Content analysis was used to identify themes using a grounded theory approach. ResultsThe salient themes that emerged were a cultural definition of health, acculturation, mental health, and health information. Participants believed good health was associated with the ability to perform daily activities, regular exercise, and eating well. There was a lack of awareness of Asian Indian-specific body mass index categories and that overweight and obesity were an important risk factor for chronic diseases. Conclusion and ImplicationsThese data provide a context for health promotion efforts and underscore a gap in awareness of risk factors risk for chronic diseases among the Asian Indian community. Culturally specific interventions targeted at the Asian Indian population, considering their worldview and perceptions of health, will help address this important public health concern.

Caregivers' and Health Care Providers' Cultural Perceptions of and Experiences With Latino Patients With Dementia

Caregivers' and Health Care Providers' Cultural Perceptions of and Experiences With Latino Patients With Dementia

Perception of Industrial Heritage Tourism Destination Image Based on Web Text Analysis: A Case Study of Beijing Shougang Park

With the transformation of China's economic structure, industrial heritage tourism has gradually become a new form of tourism. This paper uses Beijing Shougang Park as a case study. Utilizing Octopus software to collect reviews from Dazhong Dianping and Mafengwo, and employing ROST CM6 software, the paper analyzes tourists' image perceptions of Shougang Park based on the "Cognitive-Affective" model. The results indicate: Firstly,natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, and activity experiences are the basic cognitive images for tourists; Secondly, tourists generally have a positive emotional response to Shougang Park, with negative emotions primarily stemming from issues such as fees, holiday crowding, service attitude, and the park's large size; Thirdly, overall image perception mainly involves six aspects: tourism motivation, tourist attractions, tourism environment, tourism support system, tourism experience, and tourism evaluation. There is strong perception of natural and cultural landscapes, but weaker and more fragmented perception of historical culture. The study identifies problems in the scenic area and provides suggestions to offer effective practical guidance.

Bibliometric Analysis and Research Trends on Creative Accounting from 2000 to 2023

This study employs a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore the extensive landscape of creative accounting research from 1958 to 2024. By analyzing thematic clusters, research trends over specific years, potential research topics in less explored areas, and patterns of author collaboration, the study provides a multidimensional view of the field's evolution and current state. Thematic analysis reveals core areas such as policy, earnings management, and the role of external audits, illustrating their interconnectedness within the research community. Temporal trend analysis identifies shifts from regulatory and ethical discussions to more complex issues like technology’s impact on creative accounting practices. Emerging research topics suggest future areas of study, including the influence of cultural perceptions and technological advancements on creative accounting. Furthermore, the author collaboration network highlights influential researchers and suggests robust collaborative ties within the community, offering insights into the social structure of academic collaboration. This study maps the development of creative accounting research, providing a foundation for future academic inquiry and practical application in the field.

A Gender Analysis of Perceptions of Traditional Medicines by Sikerei

This paper analyzed gender perceptions of traditional medicine by sikerei in Mentawai Islands Regency. Traditional medicine by sikerei still exists amid the modernization of medicine. The Mentawai Islands are one of the unique regions in Indonesia with a rich culture and traditions. One of the important aspects of Mentawai culture is the system of traditional medicine developed by shamans or sikerei. Sikerei is an individual who has knowledge and skills in traditional medicine and is recognized as a religious and spiritual leader in the Mentawai community. The Mentawai people develop traditional medications through rituals and use leaves as medicine in the healing process. Traditional medicine by sikerei in the Mentawai community is a practice that has existed for a long time and continues to be passed down from generation to generation. The people of the Mentawai Islands Regency view males as the ones who prioritize logic in their actions and tend to be different from females, who prioritize their feelings and hearts. This also impacts their perception of the traditional sikerei healing culture. This is in line with the Perception Theory proposed by Bimo Walgito, which states that perception is a view of an object that is obtained from the process of sensing, organizing and interpreting the object received by a person so that it is something meaningful and an integrated activity within oneself. The research method used in this research was a qualitative approach with data collection through in-depth interviews. Research participants were selected purposively by considering variations in gender, age, and socio-economic background. Interviews were conducted with sikerei, men and women in several villages in the Mentawai Islands. The study took 150 samples from the Mentawai Islands. Data was analyzed using a thematic approach. Data collected from interviews were processed and analyzed to identify the patterns and themes that emerge in the perception of traditional medicine by sikerei. Comparisons between female and male perceptions were made to explore the differences and similarities in their perceptions. The results indicated that there is a relationship between gender and perceptions of sikerei traditional medicine. The chi-square test showed the number 6.732 with df 2 which meant there was a relationship between the two variables, while the contingency coefficient test showed the number 0.214 which meant that there was a low positive relationship. Keywords: Gender perception, traditional medication, sikerei

Implementation of a hospital-based end-of-life and bereavement care program in a latin American middle-income country. A source of light and compassion in the midst of cloudy times

BackgroundThe death of a child is one of the most devastating events a family can face, resulting in significant physical and psychosocial morbidity. Bereavement support programs have been developed in high-income contexts to address this need. However, little is known about implementing bereavement programs in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Here, we describe the implementation of a bereavement program for parents whose children died due to cancer or other catastrophic illnesses.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis to describe the implementation of a hospital-based End of Life (EoL) care and bereavement program. This program was developed in several stages, including an assessment of bereaved families, development program guidelines, staff training, piloting of the program, refinement, and standardization. The program was developed between 2019 and 2021 in a nonprofit, teaching hospital and referral center for southwestern Colombia.ResultsSeveral tools were developed as key components of the bereavement program: a virtual bereavement course; guidance for EoL and bereavement communication and care, memory making, and follow-up calls; a condolence letter template, and group support workshops. A total of 956 healthcare professionals were trained, 258 follow-up calls to bereaved parents were made, 150 individual psychological follow-ups to parents with complicated grief occurred, 79 condolence letters were sent, and 10 support group workshops were carried out. Challenges were identified and overcome, such as limited resources and staff, and cultural perceptions of death. In 2021, this program received an award by the hospital as the Best Strategy to Humanize Healthcare.ConclusionsThis study highlights the feasibility of developing and implementing EoL and bereavement care programs for parents and families within hospitals in LMICs. Lack of resources, staff, and training are some of the identified challenges to implementation. Utilizing methodological tools allows us to identify facilitator factors and deliverable outcomes of our EoL and bereavement program. This model provides a valuable framework for resource-limited settings.

SPORTS IN AUSTRALIA’S SOFT POWER STRATEGY: OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY OTHER COUNTRIES

Australia, being a successful example of using sports for foreign policy, has significantly improved its international influence in the Pacific region. Yet, political, cultural, and economic peculiarities can doubt the similar application of sports by other countries. This article examines Australia’s use of sports and sports diplomacy as key instruments of its international strategy. The purpose of the article is to analyze Australia’s use of sports within soft power efforts, explore its methods, principles, and frameworks, and evaluate whether this framework can be applied by other countries to achieve similar soft power objectives. This study performs a comprehensive review of literature, official Australian government publications, and specific case studies to understand the outcomes and applicability of the approach. The novelty of the research lies in its detailed examination of the specific conditions and strategies that have made Australia’s sports diplomacy successful. Key research findings highlight that Australia’s effective use of sports diplomacy is rooted in its effect of sports on national identity, strong sports culture, advanced infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and connections with communities, particularly within the Pacific region. The article proves that the 2015-18 and 2030 Sports Diplomacy Strategies have successfully fostered cultural, sports, and people-to-people connections and enhanced Australia’s influence and presence globally. The article concludes that while Australia’s sports diplomacy model is highly effective, its application by other countries may be challenging. The reasons refer to varying levels of national perception of sports, sports culture, financial resources, and international influence. For actors with similar conditions, a comprehensive approach is applicable, whereas for emerging and developing nations it may be best to adopt specific elements of the strategies depending on the needs and resources.

‘I think it takes balls, girl balls, to challenge those stereotypes’: Women’s perceptions of board game culture

‘I think it takes balls, girl balls, to challenge those stereotypes’: Women’s perceptions of board game culture

A Polyvocal Approach to Virtual Heritage: An Immersive Case Study

Large parts of museum collections, particularly in the Netherlands, are a legacy of the colonial past, guiding people’s societal perceptions of cultures and histories. There have been increasing efforts to ensure that museums acknowledge and reveal to visitors the multiple (e.g., cultural) meanings and contexts attached to objects in these collections. We address this as an effort to increase polyvocality . The present work contributes to the effort to emphasize, but objectively acknowledge, multiple (perhaps conflicting) perspectives attached to cultural resources. We provide a measurement to assess polyvocality amongst individuals and a case study including an adaptive, polyvocal exhibition design. The developed Virtual Reality (VR) exhibition curates the flag of Suriname (1975 - today), in which participants interactively encountered multiple perspectives on the flag’s colors and, in three different sceneries, learned how those relate to Suriname’s history. Our quantitative findings (obtained among a smaller sample of N = 20) revealed that the experience fostered a polyvocal mindset, which is supported by our qualitative analyses highlighting key polyvocal elements in the virtual environment. In sum, the present approach further explicates the polyvocality construct, proposes ways of assessing a polyvocal mindset, and recommends design principles to tailor polyvocality-enhancing VR applications.

Patient safety culture perceptions among dentists in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia

ObjectiveSafe patient care can help reduce treatment costs, morbidity, and mortality. This study aimed to assess dentists’ perceptions of patient safety culture and related factors in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used a sample of 271 dental professionals working in private and public dental hospitals and clinics in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The Safety Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ), a validated tool consisting of 36 items on a 5-point Likert scale, was used to assess dentists’ perceptions of patient safety culture. The score of SAQ ranges from 0 to 100 and a cut-off ≥ 75 is considered a positive attitude toward patient safety culture.ResultsThere were 53.9% males and 46.1% females in the study with a mean age of 35.56 ± 6.87 years. Almost half of the participants (52%) attended a course on patient safety and 22.1% experienced medical error in the last month. The mean score of the SAQ of the sample was 65.14 ± 13.03 and the patient safety score was significantly related to the marital status (P = 0.041), attendance of patient safety course (P < 0.001), and experience of medical error (P = 0.008). The highest mean score (73.27 ± 20.11) was for the job satisfaction domain, followed by the safety climate domain (67.69 ± 16.68), and working conditions domain (66.51 ± 20.43). About one-quarter of the participants (22.5%) demonstrated positive attitudes toward patient safety culture. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that dental professionals who attended a patient safety course were 4.64 times more likely to demonstrate positive attitudes toward patient safety than those who did not attend a course (P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study showed that patient safety culture was significantly related to the attendance of safety courses, marital status, and experiencing medical error. About one out of four dental professionals demonstrated a positive attitude towards patient safety culture which was significantly associated with the attendance of the safety course.