Positive Social Outcomes Research Articles

Are media messages to consume more under‐utilized seafood species reliable?

AbstractConsumers are being encouraged to choose sustainable seafood. In particular, eating less‐popular, under‐utilized species is promoted as a more sustainable seafood choice. This message is advocated in the media by a range of different organizations and individuals; however, evidence of greater seafood sustainability as a result of these messages is lacking. We examine current media messaging around sustainable seafood, focussing on the messages to eat more under‐utilized species, in an Australian and international context. We identify six different intended outcomes of these messages, including that eating more under‐utilized species will take pressure off heavily fished stocks, and explore the conditions under which the perceived outcomes would be realized. We use an economic lens and discuss the effect of certain aspects of consumer demand and seafood product substitutability. We propose that in order to take pressure off overfished stocks, the message to consume more under‐utilized species would need to be accompanied by messages to limit or eat less seafood. In addition, the benefits of eating more under‐utilized species as currently promoted are not always achievable and that the outcomes of some messages, if realized, could lead to overfishing of unregulated stocks and a reduction in overall fish supply. While there are many potentially positive social, economic and environmental outcomes of consuming currently under‐utilized species, media messages should encourage consumers to buy a range of seafood, including under‐utilized species, which can be traced back to a well‐managed fishery, rather than promoting under‐utilized species per se.

Advancing positive youth development-focused coach education: contextual factors of youth sport and youth sport leader perceptions

ABSTRACT Rationale/purpose: Participation in youth sport can lead to positive psychological, social, and physical outcomes. However, youth sport is highly diverse as each specific sport consists of varying contextual factors such as the type of sport, level of sport, and team gender. The current study examines the relationship between contextual factors of youth sport and what youth sport leaders (YSLs) perceive to be prominent issues and topics in their specific sport context. By understanding these relationships, positive youth development-focused coach education can be advanced to meet the diverse needs of YSLs who are charged managing the youth sport context. Design/methodology/approach: A brief online survey was used to identify the issues and topics that YSLs perceive to be the most prominent within their specific youth sport context. Findings: YSLs most frequently identified teamwork, parental influence, and sportspersonship. Moreover, communication effectiveness was most likely to be recognized as important for male sport teams and no-contact sport teams, while positive youth development was considered important by no-contact sports and sports with younger participants. Additionally, missed opportunities related to social justice issues that permeate sport and society are discussed. Practical implications and research contribution: Findings from the current exploratory study can be used to advance PYD-focused coach education by not only identifying common issues and topics across youth sport, but also by addressing context-specific needs.

Judicial outcome and follow up of abused child protection acts in a pediatric emergency department: 12-year experience in a third level pediatric hospital

BackgroundItalian laws allow the protection of a child who is suspected to be a victim of abuse through a procedure that can be put in motion by the attending physician in any Emergency Department (article nr. 403 Civil Code) with a temporarily suspension of parental authority.This study aims at evaluating both the appropriateness of the activation of the protection procedure by ED doctors in cases of suspected child abuse in terms of judicial confirmation and how it impacts children in the long-term.MethodsWe selected cases in which the procedure was activated due to suspected child abuse. The children were admitted to the ED of a tertiary children hospital from 2006 to 2018. We then reviewed the medical charts and collected data from the social services through a questionnaire concerning the long-term outcomes .ResultsTwenty-eight patients were included (75% females, mean age 13.8 years). In 90% of cases the activation of the procedure in the ED was followed by a Court confirmation. Evaluation of long term outcome was possible in 22 cases. Among them, a positive social outcome was achieved in 15 cases (68.2%). The remaining abandoned the program or had critical reintegration in the family. Eighteen percent of patients developed major issues such as aberrant behaviours, substance abuse or psychiatric disorders.ConclusionsThis report identifies a good ability of ED doctors in the activation of an emergency procedure to protect the child. Overall, the social outcome was good for nearly 70% of the patients, highlighting the importance of activation of social support programs for child abuse.

Instructional Approaches That Promote Positive Social Outcomes for Young Children: A Historical Review of Single-Case Design Research

This historical review explores the development of the literature base of single-case intervention research associated with the promotion of social outcomes for young children under the age of 9. Research studies are included from the seminal study conducted in 1956, continuing through 2019. Trends and patterns in study components are noted, such as changes over time in participant populations and the use of natural versus segregated and clinic settings. The evolution of research using particular social interventions is described as well as the various intervention agents used to impact social dependent variables across decades. Future research implications are discussed, including understudied components of social competence, the contextual variables that impact fidelity of implementation, and the need for continued research in natural settings using evidence-based social interventions that also are culturally and linguistically relevant for diverse and inclusive early learning settings.

Field Philosophy and Social Justice

ABSTRACT Field philosophy is a method of philosophical practice. As such, it is open or neutral with regard to topic and content, to the social location of collaborators, and to the type of outcome or product that is its aim. With regard to its criteria, field philosophers may pursue philosophical collaborations in government, business, entertainment, religion, science, or other areas. In this paper, I respond to critiques of philosophers doing politically engaged work and then show that there are several reasons that field philosophy is strongly suitable for the pursuit of social justice. First, researchers with an existing interest in civic engagement and social justice will find field philosophy effective for achieving concrete goals. Second, social justice depends on ethical arguments, so there is an existing interest in incorporating philosophical perspectives. Third, field philosophers can draw on resources developed by feminist and racial justice scholars who have long theorized the association between academic practice and political engagement. And fourth, feminist and progressive inquiry develops insights into the functioning of social institutions. Cross-culturally, field philosophy is a research method that develops reflective participation in knowledge production and that supports academic engagement in decision-making for positive social outcomes, however, those are locally construed.

Can a teacher-led mindfulness intervention for new school entrants improve child outcomes? Protocol for a school cluster randomised controlled trial

IntroductionThe first years of school are critical in establishing a foundation for positive long-term academic, social and well-being outcomes. Mindfulness-based interventions may help students transition well into school, but few...

Locally managed marine areas: Implications for socio-economic impacts in Kadavu, Fiji

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a widely used marine conservation tool designed to preserve marine biodiversity and improve fisheries management. Although the environmental benefits of MPAs are well established, evaluating the social and economic impacts of MPAs is challenging. In this paper we quantitatively identify the economic and social differences between communities based on whether or not the community has a tabu area in their local fishing ground. This is an area permanently closed to fishing within a locally managed marine area (LMMA), a form of MPA in the Pacific region. To do this we analyse survey data at both the household and village level in Kadavu, an administrative province of Fiji. We find there are differences in economic activity and diet between the communities but little difference in overall income and wealth. Our study shows that villages with an active tabu area have more positive social outcomes in terms of perceptions of LMMAs. However, there are some notable negative social outcomes as well. In particular, we find that households not engaged in commercial fishing perceive conflict around the management of marine resources. We also find that households engaged in commercial fishing believe penalties for violating LMMA rules are high. Together, these results could potentially impede the adoption of LMMAs and tabu areas. Overall, our survey results do not indicate that tabu areas are detrimental or beneficial on the whole, either economically and socially.

An early intervention to promote maternal sensitivity in the perinatal period for women with psychosocial vulnerabilities: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMaternal mental well-being and social circumstances during pregnancy and early childhood impact the child’s well-being and development. Supportive and sensitive parenting is one of the strongest predictors of positive emotional, social and behavioral outcomes for the child. Knowledge is needed about how to detect and support vulnerable families already during pregnancy and in the postnatal period. The aim of this study is to assemble and evaluate an interdisciplinary cross-sectoral intervention to promote maternal sensitivity among women with psychological or social vulnerabilities.Methods/designThis randomized controlled trial tests the efficacy of an intervention program in the perinatal period compared to care as usual in enhancing maternal sensitivity in a group of psychologically or socially vulnerable women in the Capital Region of Denmark. The intervention consists of four components: 1) detecting symptoms of mental illness in vulnerable pregnant women and initiating treatment if indicated, 2) strengthening parenting skills using the Circle of Security Parenting program, 3) supporting breastfeeding, and 4) sharing knowledge and organizing treatment pathways for families across sectors. Seventy-six families will be randomly assigned to the intervention or care-as-usual. Data will be obtained at study inclusion at 3–5 months of pregnancy, eight weeks after childbirth, and nine months after childbirth. The primary outcome is maternal sensitivity. Secondary outcomes include infant’s socio-emotional development, parents’ mentalization, parental stress, depressive symptoms, and parental wellbeing. Qualitative data will provide insight into the implementation process.DiscussionThis paper presents the rational and background for developing the intervention. Furthermore, the design and protocol of the randomized controlled trial. It is hypothesized that the intervention will be associated with positive changes in primary and secondary outcomes. If effective, the intervention will provide insights into prenatal risk profiles among an identified group of psychosocial vulnerable women important for early screening and point to effective preventive interventions that can support women in the perinatal period, increase maternal sensitivity and promote positive child development -starting before the child is born.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: ID: NCT03190707. Registered June 16, 2017.

Pathways to Livable Relocation Settlements Following Disaster

Mass relocation—the transfer of communities to new housing developments—is often implemented following disasters, despite criticism that past projects have not created livable communities for residents. Livable relocation communities are those where residents experience quality housing, utilities, social infrastructure, neighborliness, safety, and a sense of permanence. Numerous conditions may support livability, such as site location, community involvement, and processes of managing construction and beneficiary transfer. We evaluated relocation communities in Tacloban City, Philippines, applying Qualitative Comparative Analysis to identify pathways, or combinations of conditions, that led to built and societal livability. We found pathways to livability generally differed between government and non-government developed sites, with the former benefiting from a slower pace and standard permitting procedures, and the latter by building fast and using scale and need to prompt improved services. An unexpected combination emerged as a pathway to societal livability—being remote and comprised of households originally from a mix of different communities—revealing a new narrative for positive social outcomes in relocation. Three conditions emerged as necessary for achieving overall livability: fast construction, full occupancy, and close proximity to an economic and administrative center. This analysis demonstrates necessary conditions and pathways that implementing agencies can reference in their quest to create livable relocation communities.

Walking with the illness and life: Experience of the community life of people previously under the services of an integrated community mental health service.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: There have been some studies on the experience and community life of mental health clients receiving integrated community mental health service (ICMHS). Evaluation of ICMHS suggests that the service could have positive clinical and social outcomes, but the results are inconclusive. WHAT DOES THE PAPER ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Research studies have focused on clients and/or staff of the ICMHS, while in this study, the experiences and perspectives of family members are also explored. More comprehensive knowledge about the work for, and community life of, people previously under the services of ICMHS is added to the existing knowledge. This study found that with "timely support" and "family presence," people who had received the services of ICMHS continued to engage in more social activities ("expanding social networks"), had "better family relationships," were "letting go" of thinking too much and more able to relax, and had "better self-efficacy and self-caring" in the community. Professional contact after ICMHS through continuous conversations (e.g. home visits and follow-up calls) and social activities are essential for both clients and their families to carry on living with the illness. Timely support, family presence, support to family members in the community and better social networks are key experiences of ICMHS clients. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Although the ICMHS' resources are limited, better promotion is urgently needed for the public to realize the services and to support mental health clients. Mental health professionals may develop practice models through exploratory and confirmatory factors analyses of the themes identified from this study as the outcome measures. The cost-effectiveness of services and relapse rates over time should also be evaluated for future practice development. Further studies for practice on the difference that family support can make to the community life of former ICMHS clients are warranted. This may be achieved through research designs that compare people with, and without, family members. ABSTRACT: Introduction More comprehensive understanding, from the experiences and multiple perspectives of the clients, families and staff, about the community life of former clients of the integrated community mental health service (ICMHS) is scarce. Aim To explore the community life experiences of people after their discharge from the ICMHS. Method A qualitative approach with an interpretative phenomenological analysis was utilized for this study. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews of 37 participants, including people discharged from an Integrated Community Centre of Mental Wellness, their family members and staff members. Results Six themes emerged from the analysis: "timely support," "family presence," "better family relationships," "expanding social networks," "letting go" and "better self-efficacy and self-care," under the main theme of "walking with the illness and life." Discussion Over and after the ICHMS, with timely support and family presence, there was a positive trend in the experiences of clients in expanding social networks, having better family relationships, letting go of thinking too much and being more able to relax, and improving self-efficacy and self-caring. Implications for practice The study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the experiences of clients, family and staff about the community life of people post-ICMHS, providing insights and clearer directions for research and practice development.

Helping children with disabilities combat negative socio-emotional outcomes caused by bullying through extracurricular activities

ABSTRACT Past studies have indicated students who have disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing bullying victimization in comparison to other student groups. Extracurricular activity participation has shown to establish better social outcomes for students. These positive social outcomes indirectly decrease the amount of times a student is bullied. The following study uses the National Crime Victimization Survey—School Crime Supplement (NCVS/SCS) to analyze the bullying occurrence rates experienced among students, with disabilities being a focal variable. To explore the relationship between extracurricular involvement and bullying occurrence rates, this study employs a binary logistic regression to determine if athletic and non-athletic extracurricular activities have an impact on the number of times a student with disabilities experiences bullying. Implications for future social work practice and research are discussed.

Aggression motivation in prisoners: Association with cognitive and developmental differences

The study investigates aggression motivation and the cognitive and developmental profiles of aggressors. Participants were 210 adult male prisoners, in the UK. All completed measures of aggression motivation, cognitive schemas, aggression normative beliefs, and attachment. Developmental history was also examined. It was predicted that aggression motivation would comprise several motives, in keeping with previous research (i.e. protection, social recognition, positive outcome and pleasure motives). Disciplinarian parenting practice was predicted to associate with reactive aggression and permissive parenting practice with proactive aggression. Related to this, distinct attachment styles were also expected. Cognitive schemas and normative beliefs were predicted to be associated with aggression type. Results indicated that aggression motives comprised three factors; pleasure, protection and positive social outcome. There was thus some similarity to prior research but not complete consistency. Developmentally, reactive types reported more problematic childhood behaviours. Mixed motive types disclosed higher rates of positive childhood experiences, purposeful peer relationships, coupled with elements of severe parental discipline. Reactive and mixed types reported increased rates of fearful-avoidant childhood attachment. Mixed types were also found to have more normative aggression beliefs. Associations were established with maladaptive schemas; the proactive aggressor to an abandonment schema, reactive to a mistrust schema, and other schemas with mixed motive aggressors. Results are discussed with reference to theoretical and clinical implications.

Generating conditions of strong social support for wind power: insights from community-owned wind energy projects

ABSTRACT In community-owned windfarms, community members are involved in initiating, developing, owning and benefiting from the windfarm. As such, these projects facilitate multiple opportunities for local people to participate in development processes and outcomes. However, like any form of development, community-owned windfarms vary significantly from project to project. Specifically, projects employ different business models – including different economic arrangements, governance structures and community engagement practices – which have significant implications for the degree of community participation enabled and the types of social outcomes experienced. Through qualitative analysis of Australia's two (and only) operating community-owned windfarms, this article presents unique insights into the relationships between windfarm business models and social outcomes. The article reveals the importance of participation to realising a range of positive social outcomes, including experiences of empowerment and active support for wind energy. The findings indicate that community participation in windfarm processes and outcomes, over time and in ways that are sustained and multifaceted, contributes to generating conditions of strong social support. The insights are applicable to improving social outcomes across all models of wind development.

‘The bike breaks down. What are they going to do?’ Actor-networks and the Bicycles for Development movement

This article reports on an empirical study of ‘Bicycles for Development’ (BFD) – a nascent movement whereby used bicycles are collected (often in the global North) and distributed in development contexts (often in the global South) with the aim of achieving a range of positive social outcomes (e.g. access to education). Drawing from interviews ( n = 32) with participants from 19 BFD organizations, and informed by actor-network theory (ANT), the analysis presented herein specifically highlights three key factors that facilitate and/or hinder BFD work: (a) government regulations that potentially stem or ease the flow of bicycles into development contexts; (b) the bicycle’s material constitution, and specifically its sturdiness (or lack thereof); and (c) environmental conditions that impact how bicycles are made, distributed and used. A key theme that cuts across these findings is the potential for non-humans to cause ‘frictions’ that potentially disrupt, divert, but also help in realizing the programmes of action of BFD organizations. We consider the relevance of these findings for both the BFD movement in particular and the wider Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) movement in general. Based on study findings, we argue for ANT as a useful framework for achieving a widened analytical focus and thus for delivering more robust accounts of development contexts under study.

A Preliminary Study on the Effect of Cognitive Bias Modification on the Attribution of Positive Social Outcomes in Socially Anxious Individuals

A Preliminary Study on the Effect of Cognitive Bias Modification on the Attribution of Positive Social Outcomes in Socially Anxious Individuals

The Direct Relationship between Bullying Rates and Extracurricular Activities among Adolescents and Teenagers with Disabilities

ABSTRACTPast studies have indicated students who have disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing bullying victimization in comparison to other student groups. Extracurricular activity participation has shown to establish better social outcomes for students. These positive social outcomes indirectly decrease the amount of times a student is bullied. The following study uses the National Crime Victimization Survey – School Crime Supplement (NCVS/SCS) to analyze the bullying occurrence rates experienced among students, with disabilities being a focal variable. To explore the relationship between extracurricular involvement and bullying occurrence rates, this study employs a binary logistic regression to determine if athletic and non-athletic extracurricular activities have an impact on the number of times a student with disabilities experiences bullying. Implications for future social welfare practice and research are discussed.

Role of Sub-constructs of Psychological Capital and Transformational Leadership in Engaging Employees in Service Sector

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between transformational leadership (TL) and employee engagement through the mediating role of the sub constructs of psychological capital. The article has used a single cross-sectional descriptive design. The sample consisted of 450 full-time employees working in the service sector in India. The data were mainly analyzed through structural and measurement model. The result of the study revealed that TL has an influence on employee engagement. The relationship between TL and employee engagement is mediated by sub-construct hope of psychological capital. Implication of this study is of high importance for organizations continuously working to increase the level of employee engagement to further enhance competitiveness. Prior research has examined the antecedents of employee work engagement, but little is known about the role of TL and a positive psychological state, in shaping employee work engagement. Imparting TL training and style can help to generate psychological capital which will positively drive employee engagement. Organizations with transformational leaders will be able to make employees feel valued and happy by igniting feeling of hope. The engaged workforce will result in the positive social outcome. This study is original as earlier studies have not explored the important role of hope and also optimism as dimensions of psychological capital. The article supports the critical role of leadership and psychological capital in creating highly engaged employees which have not been studied in an Indian context with specific focus to the service sector.

Commentary on the Special Issue on Network Analysis: Assessment, Intervention, Theory, and the Nature of Reality: Actualizing the Potential of Network Perspectives on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

This commentary on the Journal of Traumatic Stress special issue on network analysis explores the network perspective on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emphasizing the advances in research made in this collection of articles. The commentary is organized around the following themes related to actualizing the perspective's methodological, assessment, and intervention potential and the potential shift in the theoretical underpinnings of mental disorders that networks models imply. First, extant data using network analysis suggest that reactions to traumatic stress are more complicated than once thought but that this complexity does not mean efficient, relatively simple heuristics to aid assessment and intervention do not exist. Attention to methodological issues in symptom assessment may help move this aspect of the research forward. Second, the extant research is largely correlational and has not yet established causal linkages, although temporal associations underlying network models are being identified. Prospective and intervention studies employing network analysis are critical. Third, the network perspective of PTSD symptoms may advance research on the mechanisms of risk and resilience (e.g., neurodevelopmental, cognitive behavioral, emotional, and social models) by helping link symptoms to theoretical causal processes. A developmental framework that views the effect of traumatic stress in terms of temporal cascades of reactions with both negative and potentially positive cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional outcomes fits the network analysis model. Fourth, network models call into question some of the fundamental assumptions underlying the conceptualization of mental disorders, leaving several ontological questions and implications currently unanswered; research examining the implications of the new assumptions is needed.

Research Priorities for Achieving Healthy Marine Ecosystems and Human Communities in a Changing Climate

The health of coastal human communities and marine ecosystems are at risk from a host of anthropogenic stressors, in particular, climate change. Because ecological health and human well-being are inextricably connected, effective and positive responses to current risks require multidisciplinary solutions. Yet, the complexity of coupled social–ecological systems has left many potential solutions unidentified or insufficiently explored. The urgent need to achieve positive social and ecological outcomes across local and global scales necessitates rapid and targeted multidisciplinary research to identify solutions that have the greatest chance of promoting benefits for both people and nature. To address these challenges, we conducted a forecasting exercise with a diverse, multidisciplinary team to identify priority research questions needed to promote sustainable and just marine social–ecological systems now and into the future, within the context of climate change and population growth. In contrast to the traditional reactive cycle of science and management, we aimed to generate questions that focus on what we need to know, before we need to know it. Participants were presented with the question, “If we were managing oceans in 2050 and looking back, what research, primary or synthetic, would wish we had invested in today?” We first identified major social and ecological events over the past 60 years that shaped current human relationships with coasts and oceans. We then used a modified Delphi approach to identify nine priority research areas and 46 questions focused on increasing sustainability and well-being in marine social–ecological systems. The research areas we identified include relationships between ecological and human health, access to resources, equity, governance, economics, resilience, and technology. Most questions require increased collaboration across traditionally distinct disciplines and sectors for successful study and implementation. By identifying these questions, we hope to facilitate the discourse, research, and policies needed to rapidly promote healthy marine ecosystems and the human communities that depend upon them. © Copyright © 2020 Friedman, Halpern, McLeod, Beck, Duarte, Kappel, Levine, Sluka, Adler, O’Hara, Sterling, Tapia-Lewin, Losada, McClanahan, Pendleton, Spring, Toomey, Weiss, Possingham and Montambault.

The De-automatizing Function of Mindfulness Facets: an Empirical Test

Building upon the theoretical model of de-automatization, according to which the de-automatizing effect of mindfulness on cognitive processes has desirable health and social outcomes, we hypothesized that (1) dispositional mindfulness facets would be related to higher well-being (higher life satisfaction, lower perceived stress), and positive social outcomes (greater perspective taking, lower use of stereotypes); (2) these effects would be mediated by lower rumination, higher cognitive flexibility, higher decentering, and lower thought suppression, identified as de-automatization mediators. We tested this mediational model with SEM, in a large sample (N = 1153). Results supported the hypothesized model more for individual than for social outcomes. Cognitive flexibility, decentering, and to a smaller extent suppression mediated the relationships between mindfulness facets and the two well-being outcomes, while rumination was a mediator only in the model for perceived stress. Acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity had mixed relationships with perspective taking: positive via cognitive flexibility, negative via rumination; rumination instead conveyed a positive association between observing and perspective taking. Cognitive flexibility also mediated the positive relationships between observing and describing and perspective taking. Acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity were negatively related to stereotyping only via reduced suppression. Effects sizes (standardized indirect effects) were small to medium (from 0.02 to 0.20 in absolute value). The association between dispositional mindfulness and mental health indicators may be partially explained by a reduction in maladaptive automatized cognitive processes, while only some features of de-automatization positively relate to social outcomes.