Social Pressure Research Articles

Psychometric features of the Cocaine Use Motivation Questionnaire (CUMQ)

ObjectivesCocaine use has tended to increase over the past decade, particularly among younger populations. Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit substance in France. Over the past few years, there has been an uptick in cocaine consumption in the country. The observed increase in consumption raises questions about the underlying motives. The goal of the present study is to construct and validate a questionnaire that explores the motivation behind cocaine use. Materials and methodsThis paper consists of two studies conducted on different data collections. In the first study, one thousand, one hundred and thirteen (n=1113) individuals participated and six hundred and seventy (n=670) individuals participated in the second study. All participants were current or former cocaine users. These participants completed an online sociodemographic questionnaire, a constructed questionnaire exploring motivations for cocaine use. This questionnaire was developed using the self-determination theory of (Deci & Ryan, 1985) and 11 semi-structured interviews with users. The purpose of these interviews was to explore the motivation for cocaine use, the expected benefits, and the negative consequences. From literature and the corpus of previously completed interviews, a first version of the questionnaire with 31 items was produced. The research respects the ethical recommendations of Helsinki and has received a favorable opinion from the research ethics committee. The data was collected anonymously and on a voluntary basis. ResultsIn the first study, 574 (51.6%) men and 539 (48.4%) women participated. The mean age of the participants was 25.0 years (SD=5.83) ranging from 18 to 65 years old. In the second study 310 (46.3%) men and 360 (53.7%) women participated. The mean age of the participants was 25.7 years (SD=4.23) ranging from 18 to 48 years old. Initially, an exploratory factor analysis was carried out. This first analysis resulted in a 23-item questionnaire with a four-factor solution: pleasant sensations, social pressure and self-image, absence of motivation, and curiosity and experience. The psychometric indicators were quite satisfactory with X2 (465)=15951, P<0.001 for the Bartlett test and 0.91 for the KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) test. In the second part of the research, the confirmatory factor analysis indicated a solution with three factors and 21 items. Psychometric indicators showed CFI (Comparative Fit Index)=0.89, RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation)=0.06 and SRMR (Standardized Root Mean Square Residual)=0.06. The three main factors for cocaine use were: pleasant and positive sensations, social pressure and self-esteem, and amotivation. ConclusionsThis study laid the groundwork for the development of a valid questionnaire to explore and better understand the cocaine users’ motivations, thereby enabling preventive and therapeutic measures to be adjusted accordingly. This questionnaire can also be used for future research on cocaine use, which is focused on mental health as well as family history and history of traumatic life events, as associated with cocaine use. We may also consider replicating this study on a clinical population with a cocaine-dependency diagnosis, potentially revealing additional motivations.

Factors affecting the adoption of mobile-based electronic payment apps in China: an application of the extended technology acceptance model

PurposeWith the increasing use of Internet and mobile handsets, mobile-based electronic payment apps (MEPAs) are becoming very popular around the world due to having various advantages. The intention of this exploratory study is to investigate the role/impact of selected factors in adopting three MEPAs of China: Wechat, Alipay and UnionPay based on the extended technology acceptance model (ETAM). After conducting a thorough and careful literature review, this study identified and divided seven such factors into three broad categories: (1) technological factors: perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU); (2) personal factors: perceived trust (PT), perceived privacy (PP) and perceived risk (PR); and (3) social factors: social influence (SI) and peer influence (PI) that were assumed to affect the intention to adopt MEPAs (IAMEPAs).Design/methodology/approach1,597 Chinese individuals were selected through purposive sampling technique who regularly used MEPAs at the time of collecting data. For collecting primary data from the selected respondents, a cross-sectional survey instrument was used. The study utilized IBM SPSS 25 for descriptive statistics and a second generation covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) technique through AMOS 25 for testing the hypothesized relationships.FindingsFrom statistical analysis, it was identified that five factors: PEU, PU, PT, SI and PI have significant positive impact on the dependent variable, IAMEPAs while PR and PP have insignificant influence on IAMEPAs.Originality/valueThis is one of the studies ever conducted to discover the factors that can have impact on the adoption of MEPAs using ETAM. It is strongly expected that this exploratory study can motivate the scholars to commence additional investigations regarding this increasingly popular financial technology (Fin-Tech). In addition, it can be anticipated that the MEPA service providers can widen their service effectiveness according to the users’ opinion reflected in this study. Furthermore, policymakers involved with Fin-Tech can also formulate and implement effective policies and guidelines based on the empirical outcomes.

Optimising decision support tools for the agricultural sector

AbstractSeveral challenges threaten the viability of agriculture in the Mediterranean region, for instance, climate change and variability, land degradation and desertification, environmental and social pressures in rural areas, and the arrangement and extent of properties. These challenges require the attention of farm managers and effective decision-making that can safeguard the natural resource base, enhance resilience and food security, and promote sustainable production landscapes. Decision Support Tools (DSTs) offer valuable assistance in addressing these challenges by improving the decision-making process for both farmers and advisors. They enable data-informed decisions that can enhance the sustainability performance of agricultural businesses in the region. A crucial component of designing a proficient DST is the prompt involvement of stakeholders using a participatory approach to define the needs and requirements of end users. In this study, we engaged twenty-nine stakeholders, including farmers, advisors, extension officers, policy makers, and industry representatives from the Argolida regional unit and the Greek National Ministry of Rural Development and Food. This engagement was aimed at conducting a comprehensive analysis of user needs. To achieve this, we employed the Q-methodology approach to gain a thorough comprehension of the viewpoints and requirements of these diverse stakeholder groups. The results illustrated factors such as the need for user-friendly interfaces, the importance of data accuracy and reliability, the benefit of flexibility and adaptability, and the need for appropriate training and support. These findings can aid the effective development of DSTs so that emerging challenges can be framed in a manner that will facilitate solutions.

“We Just couldn’t Talk About that”: Unmasking Male Student-Athletes’ Experiences of Emotional Abuse

Numerous empirical efforts have sought to understand the emotional abuse experiences of female athletes, but less is known about how emotional abuse is experienced by males in sport. To address this gap, the present study was designed to explore how four male former NCAA student-athletes ( Mage = 32 years) experienced emotionally abusive coaching behaviors and how those behaviors were influenced by masculine socialization pressures. A multiple case study design and inductive-deductive thematic approach were utilized to collect and analyze retrospective data. Results highlight socialization pressures related to orthodox masculinity influenced participant experiences and recollections of emotional abuse.

Learn the ins and outs of mergers, and other alternatives

Today's colleges and universities face numerous challenges, including declining enrollment, increased expenses and operational costs, reduced funding, and social media and political pressures. Revenue difficulties rank as the most common reason for an institution to consider closure, but other possible paths exist. Although institutional leaders should always consider growth and strategic partnerships, they can also consider merging with institutions that have similar missions and goals because such mergers could lead to expanded educational offerings and opportunities without substantially increasing costs.

The Negative Impact of Social Media Networks on Graduates

In today's information age, the advancement of the Internet has accelerated the growth of social media networks, resulting in an increasing number of recent graduates using social media. This study sought to investigate the detrimental impacts of social media networks on attachment anxiety, loneliness, and longing anxiety in recent graduates. Overuse of social media might have a negative impact on fresh grads. The convenience of social media networks, as well as people's lethargy, contribute to these detrimental impacts. The convenience of social media networks, as well as people's lazy dependence, selective indifference to interpersonal interactions, unhappiness, and lack of information, all contribute to these negative impacts. This study proposes related proposals and remedies at the individual, university, and government levels to ease or remove the negative feelings of recent graduates, lessen social pressure, and maintain the stability of society.

NAVIGATING ADOLESCENCE: UNDERSTANDING HEDONISTIC LIFESTYLES AMONG INDONESIAN TEENAGERS

During adolescence, teenagers are often influenced by various factors that shape their lifestyle choices. This study investigates the hedonistic lifestyle among "X" students at SMP 16 Palembang, focusing on the impacts of parental influence, financial management, environmental factors, and social dynamics. Employing a qualitative descriptive research method, data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation. The findings reveal that parental neglect and excessive pocket money contribute to students' consumptive behavior, exacerbated by societal trends and peer pressure. The allure of a hedonistic lifestyle, characterized by materialistic pursuits and gadget dependency, poses risks to students' well-being and social development. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for parental guidance and societal support in promoting balanced lifestyles and responsible behavior among adolescents. These findings underscore the i

Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Food Security, Barriers to Healthy Eating, and Empowerment among Dietetic Interns and Physician Assistant Interns: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Students are required to complete supervised practice hours prior to becoming Registered Dietitians and Physician Assistants. Research suggests that environmental and social factors affect dietetic interns' diets during their internship, although these factors have not been studied among physician assistant interns. This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to compare dietetic interns' (n = 81) and physician assistant interns' (n = 79) fruit and vegetable intake, food security, barriers to healthy eating, and empowerment for making healthy dietary choices during an internship. Differences were assessed via independent t-tests and chi-square distributions. The significance was set at p < 0.05. Dietetic interns had a higher vegetable intake (p = 0.002) while physician assistant interns had higher rates of food insecurity (p = 0.040). Dietetic interns reported a greater impact on their dietary choices due to mental fatigue (p = 0.006), while physician assistant interns' dietary choices were more heavily impacted by peer influence, interactions with patients, and interactions with preceptors (p < 0.05). There was not a group difference in overall empowerment (p = 0.157), although both groups rated empowerment for asking for help with food and nutrition challenges the lowest of the empowerment sub-items. Addressing interns' unique needs may support students' educational success and wellbeing once they are professionals, promote a diverse workforce, and ensure optimal care for patients.

The illness that dare not speak its name: HIV/AIDS in Gil de Biedma’s diaries

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the implications of illness and queerness for the identity Gil de Biedma constructs through his personal diary of 1985. This is a unique case of a Spanish author providing a complex picture of the effect of HIV/AIDS on his own life and work. In addition, the author’s diaries are a rare example of Spanish autobiographical writing on illness. Gil de Biedma kept several diaries throughout his life. The last diary, titled “Diario de 1985”, is an account of his stay at a French hospital while undergoing treatment for Kaposi’s sarcoma. This short diary offers crude yet insightful material on human illness, suffering and the stigma of HIV/AIDS in Spain during the 1980s. By close reading a selection of fragments of the author’s diary, utilizing an approach that combines psychoanalysis and social history, this paper exposes the connections between illness, sexuality and identity in Gil de Biedma’s autobiographical writing. This paper claims that Gil de Biedma (un)consciously represses naming the illness in his diaries while being very descriptive about the physical symptoms of AIDS and its treatment. This evidences the brutal social and familial pressure to conform to a certain identity, ultimately giving way to a very particular symbiosis between the author’s literary persona and his bourgeois self.

Social pressures and their impact on smartphone use stickiness and use habit among adolescents

Excessive smartphone use has become a growing issue among adolescents as they develop mentally and socially. While researchers have examined individual and technological predictors of smartphone addiction, few studies consider broader societal influences. This study explored how social pressures such as mimicry, coercion, and norms impact persistent conscious smartphone use (use stickiness) and unconscious smartphone use (use habit). A survey was administered in two phases to 309 college students at a university in Southern China to gather data on perceptions of social influences and their degree of smartphone overuse. The relationships were analysed using a structural equation model. The study confirms the impact of three social pressures - mimetic, coercive and normative - on adolescents’ degree of smartphone overuse (use stickiness and use habit). The mimetic pressure positively impacted use stickiness but not use habit. The coercive pressure positively impacted both the use stickiness and the use habit. The normative pressure positively impacted use habit but not use stickiness. This study provides a novel perspective on overlooked social drivers of problematic smartphone tendencies among youth. Our study also provides insights for educators, parents, and policymakers to more effectively intervene in adolescent smartphone overuse.

Exploring the Reasons for Preferring Digital Games Over Physical Activity Games in Adolescents: A Qualitative Study

PurposeIn the current world, adolescents are less likely to turn to physical activity games and often prefer to spend more time in the technological and digital world and have fun with digital games. This study aimed to explore reasons for preferring digital games to physical activity games in adolescents. MethodsTwenty-one adolescents participated in this qualitative study. The participants' age ranged from 11 to 19 who participated in semistructured interviews. The recorded interviews underwent thematic analysis to identify overall themes. ResultsFive overall themes were identified from the interviews regarding reasons for preferring digital games over physical activity games. Identified themes included game characteristics, game space, game outcomes, peer pressure, and accessibility. DiscussionThe findings of this research contribute to design adolescent-centered interventions that sustain/increase adolescents' interest in physical activity games and protect them from excessive/harmful use of digital games.

The Influence of Ecological Systems on Primary School Learner Performance in Informal Settlements in Namibia

Learners’ underperformance in primary schools in informal settlements is a concern worldwide. Families living in urban informal settlements of Windhoek, Namibia face overwhelming social and economic challenges, which affect children’s academic performance. A qualitative inquiry was informed by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory with reference to the microsystem, mesosystem, and the exosystem, which emphasizes the complex interactions between individuals and their environment. Three primary schools were selected in the informal settlements of the Khomas Region, Windhoek, Namibia and a purposive sample of participants was chosen comprising school teachers, principals, school board chairpersons, parents, and Grade 7 learners. Data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews and analyzed according to themes. Findings indicated that challenges in the microsystem (poverty and socio-economic context), mesosystem (parental engagement and peer pressure), and exosystem (school infrastructure) were the main contributory factors to poor learner performance in the selected schools. The interconnectedness between learners and their ecological systems and how these systems interact have a direct bearing on learner performance.

E-cigarettes in Nigeria: A scoping review of evidence.

E-cigarettes will continue to be a public health issue in Nigeria. To curb the growing menace of the e-cigarette use in Nigeria through evidence-based approach, it is crucial to first map the empirical research landscape of e-cigarettes in Nigeria. No known study has mapped the existing empirical evidence and gaps concerning e-cigarettes in Nigeria; hence, this scoping review was conducted. This scoping review adopted the research design by Arksey and O'Malley. Four databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, and APA PsycINFO) were searched to retrieve literature on e-cigarettes in Nigeria. With the aid of Rayyan web application, all retrieved literature were deduplicated and screened based on the review's eligibility criteria. Only those peer-reviewed journal papers meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Relevant data from the included papers were charted, collated, and summarized. A total of six papers were included in this review. The reviewed papers reported a lifetime prevalence of e-cigarette use (or vaping) ranging from 5.8% to 19.8%, with a current e-cigarette use prevalence of 11.8%, among different population groups in Nigeria. The major determinants of e-cigarette use, as reported in these articles, include being a youth, having a health condition, severe anxiety, tobacco use, peer influence, and current alcohol use. Dry mouth and oral lesions (gingival inflammation and oral ulcers) were also identified to be the medical conditions associated with e-cigarette use in Nigeria. Lastly, one of the included papers identified a lack of clear regulation on e-cigarettes in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for more scientific investigations on the sociodemographic, economic, health, and regulatory landscape of e-cigarettes in Nigeria, as robust empirical evidence is needed for the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based policies and interventions on e-cigarettes control and regulation in Nigeria.

IJCM_42A: Nutritional Assessment and Association of Malnutrition with Food Insecurity among Adolescent Females of Age 15-19 Years in an Urban Slum of Raipur City

Background: Adolescent girls constitute about one-tenth of our country’s population. They suffer the brunt of malnutrition due to increased nutritional needs; compounded by urbanization, peer and social pressure. They are food insecure either due to unavailability, lack of resources or lower priority in food allocation. The NFHS-5 revealed that in the age group of 15€“19 years, about 39.7% of girls were thin, while 5.4% were overweight or obese. Objective: To assess the nutritional status of adolescent females of age 15-19 years in the urban field practice area of the CFM department of AIIMS Raipur and to determine if malnutrition is associated with food insecurity. Methodology: A sample size of 401 was determined, using the prevalence of 46.1% malnourishment among girls aged 15-19 years from NFHS-4 data. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were selected using consecutive sampling method, and anthropometric measurements were taken. Food insecurity was measured using Food Insecurity Experiential Scale. Results: According to WHO BMI-for-age Z scores for adolescents, 2% had severe thinness (&lt;-3SD), 9.7% had thinness (-3 to &lt;-2SD), 5% were overweight (&gt;1 to 2SD) and 1.5% were obese (&gt;2SD). The odds of being thin (low BMI for age) were high among girls who faced moderate to severe food insecurity [OR 3.2, CI 1.5-6.8, P &lt;0.002]. Conclusion: The high prevalence of thinness and its significant association with food insecurity as revealed in our study, calls for immediate nutritional policy interventions to make this vulnerable group, food secure.

IJCM_189A: Prevalence of Substance use and associated factors among Undergraduate Medical students in a medical school in Jammu City of UT of J&amp;K

Background: Globally, the available literature indicates a disturbing and increasing trend of high levels of alcohol use, illicit drug use and misuse of prescription psychoactive drugs among the medical students. This interferes with the learning of medical students because of the cognitive and psychological impact the substance use can have on an individual and is also a cause of concern because of the direct negative impact substance use can have on the safety of patients, not to mention the conduct and efficiency of future doctors. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of substance use and the association of various socio-demographic factors associated with substance use among Undergraduate Medical students. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 482 Undergraduate Medical students pursuing M.B.B.S. at GMC Jammu from September to mid-November 2023. First of all the socio-demographic data was collected, followed by an assessment of substance use. It was done using the WHO ASSIST questionnaire, which was distributed to the participants in electronic format (Google form). The participants were instructed to read and answer each question honestly and to the best of their knowledge. Proportions with 95% Confidence Interval were used to summarize the substance use. Results: A total of 482 Medical undergraduates participated in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 20 years (± 1.34). The substance with the most prevalent use was alcohol (12.2%). Tobacco, sedatives and cannabis consumption was reported to be 6%, 1.9% and 1.5% respectively among the respondents. Conclusion: Despite being aware of the potential hazards, medical students continue substance abuse, which is indicative of a lack of awareness about one’s health as well as increased peer and academic pressure and a lack of parental supervision. Proper counselling with well-planned policies should be implemented to address the evil of substance abuse among aspiring doctors.

Turbulente Zeiten für Betriebe: Ukrainekrieg und 12-Euro-Mindestlohn

Abstract The year 2022 was characterised by extraordinary social and economic pressures. Russia’s war against Ukraine led to major energy policy and economic upheaval, high inflation and the challenge of taking in refugees from Ukraine. At the same time, the statutory minimum wage was increased twice in 2022 from 9.82 € to 10.45 € in July and to 12 € per hour in October. With regard to this significant increase in a difficult economic environment, many questions arise: How many and which firms were affected by the minimum wage increases in 2022? How severely were these establishments affected by the war in Ukraine? What are the challenges they are currently facing?

Creating “Safe Places” in Social Media: Japanese Youth’s Tactics of Self-Presentation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article explores the self-presentation strategies of young Japanese people (aged 19–21) on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on their creative resistance to social constraints. Drawing from ethnographic investigations conducted with Japanese college students, we delve into the creative practices undertaken by these individuals to carve out “safe places” within the digital sphere amid the prevailing peer pressure in Japanese culture to rigidly adhere to quarantine rules. Our findings illuminate the diverse strategies employed by Japanese youth to not only project a “socially responsible” self-presentation during the pandemic but also strategically navigate the boundaries between public and private spheres while challenging dominant structures on media platforms and societal norms to assert their agency and autonomy through creativity. These tactics ranged from the management of self-expression on social media to overt acts of defiance against societal expectations. By examining individual cases of Japanese youth, we shed light on the nuanced ways in which individuals leverage hyperconnectivity across various social media platforms to manage their identities and challenge societal norms, thus shaping their experiences of the pandemic. This article also contributes to understanding the dynamic interplay between culture, virtual social networks, and individual agency in times of crisis.

Barriers to the Implementation of Infant- and Family-Centered Developmental Care From Focus Groups With Neonatal Care Providers.

Although infant- and family-centered developmental care (IFCDC) is scientifically grounded and offered in many hospitals to some extent, it has not yet been universally implemented as the standard of care. In this article, we aim to identify barriers to the implementation of IFCDC in Belgian neonatal care from the perspective of neonatal care providers. We conducted 8 online focus groups with 40 healthcare providers working in neonatal care services. An inductive thematic analysis was carried out by means of Nvivo. The focus groups revealed barriers related to contextual, hospital, and neonatal unit characteristics. Barriers found in the hospital and neonatal unit were related to financing, staffing, infrastructure, access to knowledge/information and learning climate, leadership engagement, and relative priority of IFCDC. Contextual barriers were related to peer pressure and partnerships, newborn/parent needs and resources, external policy, and budgetary incentives. Three main barriers to IFCDC implementation have been identified. Resources (staffing, financing, and infrastructure) must be available and aligned with IFCDC standards, knowledge and information have to be accessible and continuously updated, and hospital management should support IFCDC implementation to create an enabling climate, including compatibility with the existing workflow, learning opportunities, and priority setting.

A Qualitative Analysis of Beliefs about Masculinity and Gender Socialization among US Mothers and Fathers of School-Age Boys.

Internalization of culturally dominant masculine gender role norms can have harmful impacts on the physical and emotional health of men and boys. Although parents play an important role in influencing gender-related beliefs in their children, limited research has examined how contemporary parents conceptualize masculinity and their role in gender socialization. The current study conducted 13 focus groups with Black, Latino, and White parents (N = 83) of school-age boys from rural and urban areas in a large southeastern state in the US. Parent beliefs about masculinity existed across a spectrum from "rigid" (representing narrow, culturally dominant masculine norms) to "flexible" (defining a broader set of behaviors and attitudes as masculine). In general, more flexible beliefs were expressed by mothers than fathers, and by White than Black and Latino parents. Most parents reacted positively to messages about potential harms associated with restrictive masculinity norms; however, many saw these issues primarily as parenting challenges (e.g., teaching boys to resist negative peer influences) rather than related to gender socialization. Some unique themes also emerged within racial/ethnic groups, with Black parents noting the impact of racial discrimination on societal expectations for Black men and fathers, and Latino parents describing generational shifts towards more equitable gender role attitudes and parenting practices. These findings highlight the need for more complex and nuanced messages about masculinity norms and their relationship to health and well-being and can help inform the development of interventions to promote healthy masculine gender socialization, increase health equity, and prevent injury and violence.

Female Malady: A Psychoanalytic Exploration of Woman’s Madness in Shirley Jackson’s “The Daemon Lover” and “The Tooth

This paper presents a psychoanalytic exploration of woman's madness in selected short stories of Shirley Jackson. Through the analytical lens of Elaine Showalter's concept of the "female malady," this study delves into the intricate layers of psychological complexity experienced by the female protagonists in two selected short stories "The Daemon Lover," which reveals the protagonist’s obsession with her lover, and "The Tooth," which explores the interplay of anxiety, feminine identity, and societal pressure. The study is qualitative one, it is going to answer whether female’s madness is an inherited treat in women’s mentality or it is acquired due to the social pressures imposed upon women. A psychological theory is applied to demonstrate how seemingly mundane events can evoke profound psychological turmoil. This analysis uncovers the ways in which patriarchal system, individual psychology, and societal norms. The characters' experiences are dissected through the lens of suppressed desires, societal expectations, and the negotiation of identity within restrictive contexts.