Positive Image Research Articles

Media representations of Venezuelan migration in Portugal and Argentina: Between exceptionalism and a returning diaspora

Abstract Since the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis, Venezuelan migration to Portugal and Argentina has increased significantly, generating media reactions. Even if media discourses about immigrants in general tend to be negative, Venezuelans seem to be an exception, as the image portrayed tends to be positive, associated either with their highly skilled profile or with their European ancestors. By applying mass-media critical discourse analysis, this article analyses dominant media representations of Venezuelan migrants in Portugal and Argentina between 2015 and 2019, and shows how discourses represent them according to the leading policies that frame migrations in each context of destination. In Portugal, Venezuelans are perceived as Luso-descendants returning home, so they are not specifically targeted by immigration policies but are rather ambiguously included in diaspora policies while abroad; even upon return, they are considered national citizens. In Argentina, Venezuelans are seen as talented migrants who bring along qualifications and entrepreneurship capacity to the country, thus deserving exceptional treatment and solidarity due to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Chavez–Maduro regime. Both examples illustrate how positive media images carry different connotations depending on ideological and policy discourses shaped by local–global historical processes and contexts.

Analysis of Guangzhou city image perception based on weibo text data (2019–2023)

With the popularization of smart mobile terminals and social media, a large amount of data containing textual information about the city has been generated on social media platforms, covering all areas of the city. This provides a new way for the study of comprehensive perception of city image. In the Internet era, users express their opinions about cities through social media platforms (e.g., Sina Weibo), and mining this information helps to understand the image of cities on mainstream social media and to target positive images to improve the competitiveness of the city's image. In this paper, 370,000 microblog messages related to “Guangzhou City” between 2019 and 2023 are collected using web crawler technology, and three typical text analysis methods are adopted: Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF), Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), and Sentiment Analysis (SnowNLP), to understand the characteristics of Guangzhou city image. gain an in-depth understanding of Guangzhou's urban image characteristics. The study shows that extensive data analysis methods based on text mining can perceive the dynamics and trends of the city in a timely manner, refine the characteristics of Guangzhou's urban image, and propose communication strategies for Guangzhou's image. This study aims to mine Guangzhou's urban image presented on Weibo, provide data support for relevant departments in China and Guangzhou to formulate communication strategies, and provide references for other cities to manage their urban image.

The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between problematic social media use and the escalating issue of body image anxiety among Chinese high school students. By meticulously analyzing the roles of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison as critical mediating factors, the research uncovers a troubling pattern where a substantial number of students are drawn into a vortex of endless social media browsing and comparative behavior. This engagement is not only linked to an excessive allocation of time on social media platforms but also to the exacerbation of body image anxiety. The findings poignantely illustrate the strong correlations between the propensity for upward social comparison, the absorption of societal beauty ideals, and the subsequent increase in body image anxiety experienced by the student population. The study’s revelations underscore the imperative need for a multifaceted intervention strategy that involves the active participation of social media platforms, educational institutions, and the family unit to cultivate a digital ecosystem that supports mental health and well-being. By addressing the root causes of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison, the research aims to equip stakeholders with the insights necessary to design and implement effective solutions, fostering an online environment that nurtures positive body image perceptions and reduces the psychological distress associated with problematic social media use, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient generation of young adults.

Parties, Planners, and Publics: From Memory of Nights Out to Urban Planning on Union Street

This article explores notions of publicness in relation to the recent history of Union Street, Plymouth, drawing on personal reflection and policy research. Until 2002, I would go ‘downtown’ to this street most weekends, often multiple times a week. Union Street and its many venues were notorious for DJs, cheap drinks, dancing, flirtatious or sexual interactions, violent encounters, and drugs. By 2010 most of its venues had closed, with the street and surrounding area falling into significant economic decline. Framing the street’s past activities through Mikhail Bakhtin’s theory of the carnivalesque and Stephen Lyng’s investigation of edgework, this article repositions the street’s negative image in relation to theories of publicness. On this basis, I present a critique of planning policies that contributed to the physical and conceptual marginalisation of the area. Varied and pluralistic notions of publicness offer a means by which the recent activities of arts and cultural organisations in this area of Plymouth can be analysed, while also offering a way for me to reflect on my own positionality relative to Union Street - a research context and a scene of close personal memories.

Polityka zagraniczna Austrii wobec państw afrykańskich po II wojnie światowej

AUSTRIA’S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS AFRICAN COUNTRIES AFTER WORLD WAR IIAfter the restoration of sovereignty in 1955, a neutral Austria developed intensive contacts with developing countries. Vienna’s open attitude towards them fostered a positive image of the country, also within African states. The peak of activity in the political dialogue with Africa came during the so-called Kreisky era. The activist foreign policy was not accompanied by effective development aid though. From the mid-1980s there is an apparent shift away from an active policy of neutrality and global engagement in favour of European politics. After the accession to the European Union, the development cooperation takes priority and the African continent becomes one of three key regions. The cooperation focuses on the poorest priority countries south of the Sahara: Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Burkina Faso. In spite of programmatic and organisational changes, Austria’s financial contribution still significantly lags behind most small countries of the “old Union”.

The metaphorical image of Irkutsk as a means of creating a positive image of the city

The metaphorical image of Irkutsk as a means of creating a positive image of the city

Longitudinal Associations Between Negative Body Image, Self-Disgust, and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Adolescents: Disentangling Between- and Within-Person Effects.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and negative body image are both highly prevalent among adolescents, and there are theoretically proposed reciprocal associations between them. However, previous research has not differentiated between stable personal traits and time-varying state levels when examining these associations, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To address these gaps, this study investigated the longitudinal associations between negative body image, self-disgust, and NSSI among Chinese adolescents, disentangling the between- and within-person effects by employing random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs). A total of 515 Chinese adolescents (50.7% boys; baseline Mage = 12.34 years, SD = 0.47) participated in a four-wave longitudinal study with 6-month intervals. The results indicated that, at the between-person level, higher levels of self-disgust were associated with more NSSI and more concerns about general appearance, facial appearance, shortness, and fatness, but were not associated with concerns about thinness. At the within-person level, general appearance concern and NSSI positively predicted each other over time through self-disgust. Concerns about facial appearance, shortness, and fatness all positively predicted self-disgust, which in turn positively predicted NSSI over time, but not vice versa. These findings highlight the stable and trait-like associations between self-disgust, NSSI, and most negative body image dimensions. Self-disgust is worth considering as a target for intervention, as it plays a mediating role in the long-term associations between negative body image and NSSI.

Evaluating the Impact of the Nirvana Fitness and Functional Training Programs on Young Women's State Body Appreciation and Its Correlates.

This study examined the effects of the Nirvana Fitness (NF) program on state body appreciation (BA) and its correlates, as well as the mechanisms that could explain these changes. The study participants were allocated to NF (n = 21) and functional training (control, n = 22) groups and participated in an 8-week exercise intervention. The mean age was 24.4 ± 6.7. The participants filled out online questionnaires on state measures of BA, body surveillance (BS), functionality appreciation, body-mind connection, mindfulness in physical activity (SMS-PA), intrinsic exercise motivation (IM), satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and perceived physical fitness (PPF) immediately after the first and last sessions. The results revealed a significant improvement in state BA and its correlates in both groups, with no changes in PPF in the NF group or IM in either group. An interaction between group and time effects was revealed in a change of relatedness, indicating a stronger effect in the NF group. Positive changes in SMS-PA, BS, and satisfaction of the need for relatedness significantly predicted improvement in state BA. These findings highlight the importance of targeting mindfulness, body surveillance, and relatedness during physical activity in interventions aimed at promoting positive body image in university-aged women.

How does body appreciation affect maladaptive consumption through fashion clothing involvement? A multi-group analysis of gender

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of fashion clothing involvement in the relationship between body appreciation and maladaptive consumption, namely fashion-oriented impulse and compulsive buying. The second purpose of this study is to investigate if this mediation varies based on gender.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was adopted in this study, and data were collected via Amazon Mechanical Turk from 255 consumers located in the U.S. aged 18 and above. The collected data were analyzed using the least partial square and multi-group analysis of the structural equation model.FindingsThe results revealed that the relationship between body appreciation and maladaptive consumption is established through fashion clothing involvement. Results also showed that the mediating role of fashion clothing involvement in this relationship does not significantly differ across gender.Originality/valueThis study reports the fully mediating role of fashion clothing involvement in the relationship between body appreciation and maladaptive consumption, highlighting the importance of studying positive body image in the context of fashion and consumption. While previous research findings indicate the negative consequences of negative body image, this research reveals that positive body image can also lead to negative outcomes through possible mediators. Furthermore, this study finds fashion clothing involvement does not differ in mediating the relationship between body appreciation and maladaptive consumption behavior based on gender.

Examining implicit and explicit anti-Black racial bias in children: A repeated measure design using the Function Acquisition Speed Test (FAST)

ABSTRACT Anti-Black bias involves negative evaluations of individuals from African-descendent groups. Researchers use explicit and implicit measures to detect this bias and evaluate intervention effectiveness. However, few behavior analysis studies have focused on identifying and addressing racial bias in children, and none have explored the effects of test-retest on implicit measures in this context. This study aimed to identify implicit and explicit anti-Black racial bias in children and examine the test-retest reliability of these measures over three time points. Thirty-four children (average age 8.60 years, 24 females) rated images of Black and White faces on a five-point Likert scale. The Modified Function Acquisition Speed Test (FAST), an implicit measure, assessed how fluently participants categorized Black and White faces with positive and negative images. Results showed no explicit racial bias in the sample. However, implicit measure results revealed an anti-Black bias, with 11 participants consistently displaying this bias across three repetitions. Regarding test-retest reliability, there were no significant performance differences on the implicit and explicit measures across the three repetitions. These findings suggest that the FAST is a sensitive tool for identifying racial bias in children, and the absence of test-retest effects supports its feasibility for repeated use.

Body image and depressive symptoms in Danish adolescents: A cross-sectional national study

BackgroundDepressive symptoms are prevalent in adolescents. We aimed to investigate the association between body image and depressive symptoms, and how Body Mass Index (BMI) affects this. MethodsSurvey data from 2017 with 9963 9th-grade Danish adolescents. Information from the survey about the exposure, body image, was divided into 3 categories: too fat, too thin, and adequate. Depressive symptoms, was measured with Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC4). BMI was categorized as underweight, normal weight and overweight. We used logistic regression and examined for effect modification by sex and BMI and adjusted for self-esteem and bullying. ResultsAn association was found between body image and depressive symptoms, when adjusting for BMI, sex, self-esteem, and bullying. The association was strongest for adolescents feeling too fat compared with adolescents feeling adequate OR:1.61(1.45–1.78), for adolescents feeling to thin compared to adequate: OR:1.21 (1.06–1.37). No effect modification by either BMI or sex was found, but those who perceive their bodies in contrast to their reported BMI faced the highest odds of depressive symptoms, and the results were confounded by self-esteem and bullying, that reduced the estimates after adjusting. LimitationsThis is a cross-sectional study with limited information regarding drop-out, with risk of selection bias. ConclusionWe found an association between negative body image and depressive symptoms among Danish adolescents. This confirms previous studies and is a relevant aspect to adolescents' mental health, especially the contrast between BMI and perceived body image, and the confounding by self-esteem and bulling, with potential for prevention.

Negritude: A Universal Heritage; from the Quartier Latin in France to the City of Chicago in the United States of America

Black is beautiful! Such words from Martin Luther King are much telling about the inner meaning of movements like that of Negritude. Born out of the wings of racism and exclusion, the Negritude movement voiced out the strong need to step out of any form of inferiority complex. With a vision that africanized the notion of Africanity, the movement crossed borders to find roots in the Western and Caribbean lands before fostering around the world. Thus, in this paper, it is targeted to show up how Léopol Sedar Senghor’s and his likes’ positions that splashed away the negative image stuck on the the Black man for centuries, through a cultural crusade. A re-reading of the Negritude is recoursed to to update the other forms of negritude-oriented expressions the African Diaspora has been experiencing so far. Based on the theory of multiculturalism, our analysis has put forwards the challenging exercise to know oneself before any attempt to merge into the main stream of cultural identities.

Unlocking the power of employee word-of-mouth to recruit young talent within university settings

PurposeOur study, based on signaling and social identity theories, explores how companies develop employer brand strategies through university partnerships and employee-centered practices. We also identify key factors that encourage employees to share positive word-of-mouth, enhancing the company’s appeal to potential and current talents.Design/methodology/approachUsing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, we analyzed a sample of 687 employees from various industries in Greece.FindingsIn our research, we highlight the role of employees' affective commitment in generating positive word-of-mouth recommendations for their company, as a desirable employment destination through interactions within their alma mater universities. This commitment, tied to their understanding of the company’s employer brand and their perceptions of its pre-recruitment practices, fosters a positive employer image among potential candidates. Our study confirms that leveraging employees as brand ambassadors enhances a company’s appeal to younger generations.Practical implicationsCompanies should prioritize cultivating employees' affective commitment and facilitate interactions between employees and young candidates at their alma mater universities. It is crucial to ensure that employees understand the company’s employer brand both during their experience as candidates and as employees. By understanding the factors influencing employees' willingness to act as brand ambassadors, organizations can strengthen their employer image and attract younger candidates.Originality/valueOur findings enhance the understanding of employee word-of-mouth dynamics, offering insights to improve pre-recruitment HR practices aimed at attracting students and recent graduates. By emphasizing employees' perceptions and actions regarding their social interactions at alma mater universities and their employer brand awareness, we can add value to employee-centric pre-recruitment strategies. Designed and implemented by employers, these strategies aim to attract emerging talent through universities.

Suit up or dress down: exploring the impact of CEO attire on corporate perceptions

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence of CEO attire formality on consumers’ perceptions of corporate image, drawing on first impression theory and spillover effect theory.Design/methodology/approachFour experimental studies were conducted to test the proposed effect, the underlying mechanism and the boundary condition.FindingsThe formality of CEO attire significantly influences consumers’ perceptions of corporate image. Specifically, formal CEO attire creates a stronger perception of corporate authority among consumers, mediated by perceived rule-following of the CEO. In contrast, informal CEO attire leads to a stronger perception of corporate friendliness, mediated by perceived psychological distance of the CEO. Moreover, a matching effect exists between the type of industry and CEO attire formality, where consumers perceive a greater match between authoritative industries and formally dressed CEOs, and between friendly industries and informally dressed CEOs. This alignment strengthens consumers’ corporate attitudes.Practical implicationsThe findings offer valuable insights for CEOs aiming to foster a positive image through their attire, providing strategic guidance for aligning corporate image with industry characteristics.Originality/valueThis research extends the understanding of how consumers’ perceptions of CEO attire can spill over to affect the corporate image, offering a novel perspective on corporate image communication.

The Role Of Government Public Relations In Building A Positive Image

Image is one of the crucial things needed by an organization, it determines how an organization is viewed by the public. However, the image of an organization does not automatically form. Therefore, it is necessary to have the role of a Public Relations. Good or bad image of an organization is determined by how a Public Relations builds an image, if the image is built in a good direction, it will certainly provide benefits. Conversely, if the image is built in a bad direction it will cause losses. The research was written with the aim of knowing the role of Public Relations in building the image of the Surakarta Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC TMP B Surakarta), using qualitative methodology and data collection techniques, namely interviews, observations and literature studies. To test the validity of the data, this research uses a credibility test with triangulation techniques. In this research, Public Relations of the Surakarta Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC TMP B Surakarta) is the subject of research. With this research, it is hoped that it can help the agency's Public Relations in building a positive image of the company to face the increasing number of negative news exposure that can reduce public trust in the agency.

Evaluating the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities associated with pediatric scoliosis utilizing ResearchMatch.

The goal of this study is to characterize the self-reported prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among patients with adolescent scoliosis. Eligible patients across the US were surveyed using ResearchMatch, a validated online platform. The survey collected patient demographics, type of scoliosis, scoliosis treatment received, and the mental health diagnoses and interventions. Nearly all (98%) of the 162 respondents were patients themselves, the remainder of which were parents. The majority of whom were female (93%), Caucasian (85%), and diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (63%). The median age of diagnosis was 13 (IQR 11-18). Most respondents had mild to moderate scoliosis (65%), and 17% received surgical treatment. 76 of 158 (48%) responded that scoliosis affected their overall mental health, and 92 (58%) had received a mental health diagnosis-76% were diagnosed after their scoliosis diagnosis. Of the 92 with mental health diagnoses, the most common diagnoses were clinical depression (83%), anxiety (71%), negative body image (62%). Over 80% of patients received medical treatment or therapy. Of those with depression, 38.4% received counseling and 45.2% received medication. 52% of the respondents also had immediate family members with mental health diagnoses, with siblings (48%) having the highest proportion. According to the CDC, the prevalence of US teenagers with diagnosed depression was found to be 3.9% and anxiety disorder to be 4.7%, notably higher among adolescent girls. In this national sample, over half of adolescent scoliosis patients report psychiatric comorbidity, often diagnosed years later. The most prevalent psychiatric condition is depression, anxiety, and body-image disturbances. These findings highlight the importance of awareness of the psychiatric impact of adolescent scoliosis, and importance of screening and treatment of comorbid mental health conditions. IV.

Pengaruh Brand Image dan Kualitas Produk Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Minuman Esteh Indonesia di Kecamatan Kedamean Kabupaten Gresik

The beverage industry is becoming increasingly competitive, making it crucial for businesses to establish a strong brand image and product quality to attract consumers. This study aims to analyze the influence of brand image and product quality on purchase decisions for Esteh Indonesia drinks. A quantitative research method was employed, untilizing non-probability sampling techniques. Data was collected through questionnaires distributed to 50 respondets in Kedamean District, Gresik Regency. Multiple linear regression analyseswas used as the data analysis technique. The findings revealed that brabd image has a positive impact on purchase influence, while product quality does not have a significant positive impact on purchase decisions for Esteh Indonesia drinks. However, the influence of brand images was found to be stronger than that of product quality. These findings suggest that Esteh Indonesia should maintain its brand image and enhance product quality to reinforce consumer purchase decisions. additionally, Esteh Indonesia should cultivate a positive brand image through various marketing strategies to enchance brand appeal among costumers.

Hubungan Body Image dengan Self Esteem pada Siswa SMA dan Implikasinya dalam Pelayanan Konseling

This research is motivated by students who have low self-esteem because students feel they have a negative body image. Students tend to be dissatisfied with their body shape, and even consider physical condition to be a mandatory standard that other people pay attention to. This research aims to describe body image and self-esteem in students and their implications for counseling services. This type of research uses a quantitative approach with descriptive methods. The population of this study was 694 students of SMAN 1 2x11 Enam Lingkung who were registered in the 2024/2025 academic year, the sample for this study was 328. Sample selection used proportional random sampling technique. The data collection technique uses a scale for body image and self-esteem. Data were analyzed using descriptive techniques. The research results show that overall body image is in the medium category, while overall self-esteem is in the high category. Services that can be provided to students to improve body image and self-esteem include information services and group guidance services.

Examining the relationship between CEO power and modern slavery disclosures: The moderating role of board gender diversity in UK companies

AbstractDrawing on agency and gender socialisation theories, this study examines the effect of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) power on corporate modern slavery disclosures (MSD) and investigates whether board gender diversity might influence this relationship. Based on a sample comprising the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 companies from 2016 to 2020, the findings indicate that, although there has been progress in corporate transparency concerning modern slavery, a significant gap persists in the reporting on the measurement and monitoring of the effectiveness of their policies. This may stem from powerful CEOs' desires to maintain a positive corporate image, leading to minimal disclosure of potentially damaging information. The fixed effects panel regression analysis reveals a negative relationship between CEO power (CEOP) and the extent of modern slavery disclosures (MSD), with a significant moderating effect observed when female board representation is substantial. This evidence suggests that female board members may challenge groupthink and introduce diverse perspectives that can alter the board's dynamics, potentially mitigating the negative impact of CEOP on issues like modern slavery disclosure by encouraging more ethical and collective decision‐making. This research underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in addressing modern slavery and promoting more responsible business practices.

The impact of body image on social cognition: Fear of negative evaluation mediates the relationship between body surveillance and interpersonal distance in women

Interpersonal distance (IPD) refers to the distance naturally maintained during social interactions, while peripersonal space (PPS) refers to the immediate space surrounding the body, or the space within reaching distance. Previous research has preliminarily indicated that IPD is associated with body image disturbances. We sought to expand extant literature by exploring associations between aspects of positive and negative body image, IPD, and PPS. Seventy-five women from the United Kingdom aged 18–40 years completed measures of body appreciation, body image flexibility, body shame, body surveillance, and body dissatisfaction. IPD boundaries were estimated using a lab-based comfort-distance task, whereas PPS boundaries were estimated using an audio-tactile reaction-time task. Measures of body acceptance by others and fear of negative evaluation were completed as potential mediators. Overall, we identified positive associations between IPD, body surveillance, and fear of negative evaluation, with no statistically significant associations identified between the other indices. The association between active IPD and body surveillance was mediated by fear of negative evaluation, even after controlling for demographic factors. These findings suggest a nuanced relationship between IPD and body image-related factors, highlighting the role of social evaluation anxiety. Future investigations should use experimental designs to further understand these relationships and their implications.