Social Pressure Research Articles

Membangun Kesehatan Mental Generasi Alpha: Urgensi Konseling dalam Mengatasi Tantangan Bullying di Era Sosial Media Melalui Komunikasi Empati

This research aims to determine the urgency of counseling in overcoming the challenges of bullying in the era of social media through empathetic communication. This research is a qualitative-descriptive study with a phenomenological approach to observe and describe natural phenomena that occur in the alpha generation in the social media era. Research data was obtained from bullying cases on social media, as well as from journal articles and other relevant literature. Analysis of this research data involves data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The validity of the research data was carried out using triangulation testing. The results of this research show that building the mental health of the Alpha generation through counseling is essential in the modern era filled with technology. Counseling creates a safe space to share experiences and feelings, helping them manage technological stress and social pressure. Addressing bullying in the age of social media requires empathetic communication, approaching the perpetrator with tact, providing positive support, and creating a safe place to talk. This can form a culture that is friendly, and supportive, and teaches the values of diversity and respect for others. Counseling and empathetic communication are not only solutions to psychological problems and bullying, but also a strong foundation for the mental and emotional well-being of the Alpha generation in an ever-changing world.

Let’s (not) talk about sexual health: How sexual communication apprehension with healthcare providers and peer communication influence intentions to protect sexual health

ObjectiveThis study examined how patients’ clinical and peer interactions may affect their communication apprehension with healthcare providers, a major communication barrier to sexual health protective behaviors (SHPB). MethodsBetween January 2022 and February 2023, we conducted an online survey with 310 participants recruited through snowball sampling. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we explored relationships among patient-provider interactions, peer communication about sex, communication apprehension with providers, and SHPB intentions. ResultsSignificant predictors of SHPB intentions included lower communication apprehension and more peer communication. Communication apprehension was a significant mediator in paths from peer communication and three types of patient-provider communication to SHPB intentions. ConclusionsOur study indicates the need to address communication barriers to increase patients’ SHPB intentions. Active patient involvement and patient-centered communication may open up discussions about sex in the clinical setting. Peer interactions, informed by scientific guidance, may reduce patients’ apprehension, leading to better health outcomes. Practice implicationsCommunication interventions are needed to promote collaborative patient-provider environments and peer sexual communication. Active involvement and evidence-based discussions can help patients navigate difficult conversations (e.g., like sex), improving SHPB.

Screening for eating disorders in adolescents with chronic pain: the Eating Attitudes Test–16–Chronic Pain

BackgroundFew measures have been validated to screen for eating disorders (ED) in youth with chronic pain. We conducted confirmatory (CFA) of two established factor structures of the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) in a sample of youth with chronic pain attending an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) program and examined the validity of the best-fitting model in predicting ED diagnoses in this sample.MethodsParticipants were 880 adolescents (M age = 16.1, SD = 2.1) consecutively admitted into an IIPT program who completed the EAT-26 upon admission. CFA was conducted and in the case of inadequate fit, EFA was planned to identify alternative models. Factors of the best-fitting model were included in a logistic regression analysis to predict ED diagnoses.ResultsThe TLIs (0.70; 0.90), RMSEAs (0.09; 0.07) and CFIs (0.73; 0.92) suggested poor fit of one model and adequate of the second model. Goodness of fit indices from EFA (TLI:0.85, RMSEA:0.06) did not outperform the fit of the second CFA. As such, the second model was retained with the exception of one factor. The items loaded onto a 16-item, five factor model: Fear of Getting Fat, Social Pressure to Gain Weight, Eating-Related Control, Eating-Related Guilt and Food Preoccupation. Based on chart review, 19.1% of the participants were diagnosed with an eating disorder. Logistic regression analyses indicated the new 16-item measure and Fear of Getting Fat, significantly predicted an ED diagnosis that did not include avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and Social Pressure to Gain Weight significantly predicted a diagnosis of ARFID.ConclusionsAn alternative 16-item, 5-factor structure of the EAT-26 should be considered in screening for EDs with youth with chronic pain.

Deliberate and Self-Conscious Adaptation of Eye-Contact by Autistic Adults.

Eye gaze is widely recognised as an important element in managing social interactions, receiving information from others and communicating information about ourselves. Atypical eye gaze is one of the characteristic hallmarks of autism. Experimental research has contributed significantly to our knowledge of eye-gaze in autism, however, there is a lack of research exploring how autistic individuals describe and understand the phenomenological experience of eye-gaze and eye-contact. The current study explores the subjective experience of deliberate and self-conscious adaptation of eye-contact by autistic adults. Nine autistic adults were interviewed individually about their experiences of eye-contact. Audio recordings were transcribed, and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Themes included gaining awareness of eye contact differences through feedback from others, the interaction of motivation to make eye-contact with a sense of autistic identity, difficulties listening when making eye contact, the importance of familiarity of conversational partners, and strategies to make eye-contact. This study makes an important and novel contribution to understanding the experience of eye-contact differences from the perspective of autistic adults themselves, highlighting the phenomenology of eye-contact as potentially aversive and the social pressure to engage in it, and exploring factors influencing effective eye-contact, with implications for psychological intervention.

"He'll come with some sugar." A qualitative study exploring the drivers and consequences of schoolgirls transactional sex behaviours.

Transactional sex (TS) is common in areas of sub-Saharan Africa, motivated by reasons beyond financial support. Through this qualitative study we sought to understand the motivation driving TS among adolescent schoolgirls in rural western Kenya where rates are reportedly high. Identifying and understanding drivers within the local context is necessary for implementation of successful public health policy and programming to reduce the associated harms impacting health and wellbeing. To understand the drivers of sexual behaviors, individual views, and socio-cultural norms, we spoke with schoolgirls, male peers, parents and teachers. The three latter groups may influence, encourage, and shape girls' views and behaviors and thus contribute to the perpetuation of cultural and societal norms. One hundred and ninety-nine participants took part across 20 FGDs; 8 comprised of schoolgirl groups, and 4 each of schoolboy, parent or teacher groups. Through thematic analysis, poverty emerged as the key driver of TS and a normative behaviour amongst secondary school girls. Subthemes including parental influence, need for menstrual pads, pressure from boda boda drivers, peer pressure, and blame were part of a complex relationship linking poverty with TS. We conclude that whilst TS is perceived as inevitable, normal and acceptable it is not really a choice for many girls. Exploring ways to encourage communication between families, including around menstruation, may help enable girls to ask for help in acquiring essential items. In addition, education at a community level may shift social norms over time and decrease the prevalence of age-disparate TS among schoolgirls and older, wealthier men in the community.

Public Awareness Campaigns and Their Impact on Youth Gambling in Tanzania: A Case Study of Gallapo Ward in Manyara Region

Youth gambling is a growing concern in Tanzania, with significant participation rates among young people. Public awareness campaigns have been identified as a potential strategy to reduce youth gambling behaviors by educating them about the risks associated with gambling and promoting responsible behaviors. This study aimed to assess the impact of public awareness campaigns on reducing youth gambling in Gallapo Ward, Manyara Region, Tanzania.A mixed-methods approach was employed, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. A sample size of 75 youth who had participated in gambling activities was selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.The findings revealed that public awareness campaigns had a significant impact on increasing awareness of legal age restrictions for gambling and improving understanding of gambling risks among youth. The campaigns also helped reduce peer pressure related to gambling and influenced youth to resist negative influences. Moreover, there was a strong belief among respondents that public awareness campaigns could contribute to a decrease in youth gambling rates.Based on the study findings, it is recommended to continue investing in and expanding public awareness campaigns focused on educating youth about responsible gambling practices. Tailored educational programs and support services should be developed to address specific knowledge gaps and behavioral patterns related to gambling among youth. Collaborative efforts involving various stakeholders are crucial for the success of these interventions.Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of public awareness campaigns in promoting responsible gambling behaviors and advocating for policy measures to safeguard youth from the harms of gambling. These findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers working towards reducing youth gambling impact in Tanzania.

Effectiveness of School-based Substance abuse Prevention Programme (SSPP) on awareness, attitude, peer pressure, and life skills among adolescents in selected public schools of Pokhara, Nepal–A cluster randomized trial protocol

ObjectiveEarly substance use has been linked to various adverse outcomes and escalates quickly during adolescence. Delaying the onset of substance use among adolescents is a primary public priority as it is associated with severe effects. The objective of the study is to develop and determine the effectiveness of a School-based Substance Abuse Prevention Programme (SSPP) on awareness, attitude, peer pressure, and life skills towards preventing substance abuse among adolescents. MethodPhase I of the study is a qualitative approach, where a focus group discussion (FGD) will be conducted among different stakeholders to explore their perceptions regarding the prevention of substance use among adolescents. The anticipated sample size is 38. Thematic analysis will be done by using ATLAS.ti software. The inputs given by the stakeholders will be incorporated in developing the intervention (SSPP). Phase II is a cluster randomized controlled trial. A minimum of 210 adolescents (105 each in the intervention and control groups) between the age group of 13 to 15 years from 8th and 9th grade will be recruited for the study. In this study, the school will be the cluster and will be randomly assigned either to an intervention or control arm. The data will be collected at pre, post, 3-month, and 6-month intervals. The ethical approval was obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council Committee, Nepal (NHRC 276/2023). The trial was also registered under the Clinical Trial Registry of USA-Clinical Trials.gov (CTRI 06004726/2023/08/22/). Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used to analyze the data. Expected resultsImplementation of the SSPP module will improve the awareness, attitude, peer pressure, and life skills of adolescents toward preventing substance use behavior. Overall, the study aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.5- ‘Good Health and Well-being; strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.’ ConclusionThe present study protocol will help to develop a unique training module (SSPP) focused on preventing substance use behaviour among adolescents in Nepal.

Exploring autonomous and controlled motivations for nature contact to maximise health benefits

Abstract Increasing evidence indicates contact with nature supports mental, physical and social health. However, beyond a widely reported number of barriers to nature contact, the constellation of motivations for human contact with nature is under‐theorised and under‐studied. We begin to develop indicators of autonomous and controlled motivations for nature contact informed by self‐determination theory. These include intrinsic motivation (i.e. enjoyment), integrated regulation (alignment with identify and life goals), identified regulation (a means to an end), introjected regulation (emotional reasons like guilt avoidance) and external regulation (such as peer pressure). We compare these motivation indices in a nationally representative sample of 5082 adults in Australia in 2022 with the Nature Relatedness Scale (NR6), and also test associations between them and five outcomes: time spent in nature, smartphone use in nature, interest in nature prescriptions, physical activity and self‐rated health. Statistical analyses were adjusted for potential confounding. Results demonstrate people have complex mixtures of motivations with varying potency for visiting natural settings and the extent to which those motives are autonomous or controlled matters for what they do, and the benefits accrued. For example, our analyses show that more direct considerations of intrinsic, integrated and identified forms of autonomous motivation have superior explanatory power than the NR6 for time spent in nature, interest in nature prescriptions, adherence to physical activity recommendations and self‐rated health. External regulations emphasising peer approval were associated not only with no additional time in nature but also with more distractive activities when in natural environments, as defined by more smartphone and social media use while there. While introjected regulations emphasising guilt avoidance were associated with increased nature contact, they were similarly associated with time spent on smartphones and social media when in natural environments, which has been shown to undermine restoration. Synthesis and applications: We need to formally measure autonomous and controlled motivations for nature contact to better understand both why some people visit natural environments, and whether they are mindfully maximising the health benefits of those experiences. This will help to inform robust nature‐based interventions that are acceptable, effective and sustainable for everyone. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Investigating Chinese university students’ foreign language enjoyment and anxiety in the EFL class

Abstract Emotion research in second language acquisition has flourished under the growing influence of Positive Psychology in recent years. The present study focuses on foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) of 263 Chinese undergraduates in relation to learner variables as well as the sources of enjoyment and anxiety in the English class. Surveys with scales and open-ended questions were applied to collect data. Quantitative analysis revealed that learner variables, such as participants’ gender and their year of university, affected their FLCA but not FLE, while participants’ perception of their English levels was significantly linked to both FLE and FLCA. Furthermore, the uniqueness of Chinese FL learners’ FLE and FLCA was uncovered from participants’ narratives of their emotional experiences in College English class. The results of open-ended questions clarified that interesting teaching content, students’ good performance and progress, and well-designed classroom activities were effective boosters for foreign language (FL) learners’ enjoyment. Moreover, public speaking, the teacher’s random call, and peer pressure were closely related to spikes in students’ in-class anxiety. This study concluded with implications for EFL teaching, along with directions for further research.

The bold decision to go “all in”: Understanding the reasons behind consumers' willingness to migrate to the metaverse

AbstractThe study explores the reasons that drive and hinder consumers' willingness to migrate to the metaverse. To determine them, a mixed‐methods approach is used: phase 1 (qualitative) involves conceptual development of a model based on in‐depth consumer interviews, and in phase 2, the conceptual model is empirically tested via structural equation modeling. Results show that social presence is a crucial enabler, while realistic and symbolic threats are significant inhibitors of the willingness to migrate. Preusage cognitive dissonance significantly mediates the relationships between social escapism, social pressure, realistic threat, symbolic threat, and willingness to migrate. Specifically, the mediating influence between empowerment and willingness to migrate is higher for individuals with low metaverse anxiety. Results of the artificial neural network technique indicate that social presence is the most significant antecedent of willingness to migrate, and results of the fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis highlight the presence of six distinct configurations that indicate a high willingness to migrate. This study enriches the behavioral reasoning theory by examining the interplay of the reasons influencing the willingness to migrate. Further, it contributes to the intergroup threat theory by investigating the potential link between willingness to migrate and the presence of realistic and symbolic threats.

A Quantitative Study Examining the Relationship Between Parental Socioeconomic Status, Body Image, Peer Influence, and Self-esteem Among Adolescents

People with high self-esteem are better able to take delight in life's little pleasures, handle difficult situations, overcome challenges, establish lasting relationships, and strengthen their weaknesses. This study examined socioeconomic status, body image, and peer influence on self-esteem among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. The descriptive survey design of the correlational type was used during the investigation. This study employed a multi-stage sampling technique. Three hundred and forty-five in-school adolescents made the study sample. Data was collected using reliable instruments: (Peer Influence Scale α = .78; Body image scale α =0.83; Parental Socioeconomic Status Scale α =0.89; Self-Esteem Inventory α=.71). From the results, socioeconomic status (r = .533; p.<05), body image (r =. 577; p.<05), and peer influence (r = .331; p.<05) had a significant relationship with (self-esteem). Body Image made the most significant contribution (β = .371; t = 7.555; p<0.05) followed by Peer influence (β = .316; t = 8.112; p<0.05) and Socioeconomic status (β = .312; t = 6.374; p<0.05). The study underscores the need for counseling and orientation programs for adolescents in all ramifications; this will help ease the psychological strain that could hamper their self-esteem.

Friendship Circles and Self-Discovery: Peer Pressure's Impact on Adolescents' Personality and Life Satisfaction

This research delves into the interplay of friendship circles, self-discovery, and peer pressure on adolescent personality and life satisfaction. It examines the role of friendships in emotional and cognitive development, navigating positive and negative peer influences. Personality traits like resilience and self-esteem are analyzed within the context of peer dynamics, alongside conflicts' long-term effects. Life satisfaction emerges as a central theme, correlated with friendship dynamics. Strategies for positive peer influence are proposed, aiming to mitigate negative impacts. By shedding light on these complexities, this study informs stakeholders, fostering environments conducive to adolescent well-being and resilience.

The Role of Coping Strategies in Children’s Repeated Suggestive Interviews

Often in the forensic context, child victims and witnesses are interviewed several times, exposing them to suggestive questions and social pressures. The present study had the main purpose of verifying the effect of coping strategies on the levels of immediate suggestibility and on the Resistant Behavioral Responses (RBRs) of children subjected to repeated suggestive interviews. A sample of 90 children, aged between 11 and 14, were administered the two parallel Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales (GSS2 and GSS1) a few months apart and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) to detect their coping strategies. The results showed that the avoidance coping increased suggestive vulnerability and reduced resistant responses. Task-oriented coping favored responses with greater source monitoring, which allow for the rejection of misleading information. Coping strategies did not show direct effects on the management of the socioemotional aspects involved in the suggestive interaction. After the negative feedback that invites children to be more accurate, a smaller effect of the avoidance strategy was recorded, indicating how actively requesting greater source monitoring can lead children to better recognize misleading information.

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

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

Evaluation of drought hazards and coping strategies adopted by pastoral communities in the Cholistan Rangeland of Pakistan

Drought is a common feature of all rangelands, which directly affects biotic life including local dwellers by various means. These drought-prone dwellers have adopted various strategies to survive in severe weather conditions. These strategies vary according to locality and depend on multiple socioeconomic factors. It is crucial to record different coping mechanisms at the local level to reduce the risks associated with recurring droughts given the forecasts of increased drought impacts in pastoral regions and other social pressures. The objective of this study is to estimate the severity of drought and look at short-term drought coping mechanisms in the Cholistan rangeland and characterize its characteristics. 320 respondents were selected from different areas of the Cholistan rangeland by using a random sampling technique. The Standardized Precipitation Index was used to estimate the severity of drought through rainfall data from 1987 to 2017, obtained from the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources. The results revealed that severe droughts occurred in Cholistan during the years 1999 (−10), 2002 (−11.6), 2014 (−2.69), 2015 (−2.93), and 2017 (−0.53). Migration, livestock sales, herd splitting, and destocking are the four important short-term coping strategies adopted by pastoralists before and during droughts in Cholistan rangeland with 50.4%, 27.4%, 10.3%, and 11.97% respectively. The chi-square result showed that there is a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in strategies adopted by pastoralists in different localities, as well as residence and herd size, and also significantly affect (p ≤ 0.05) the strategies adopted by pastoralists from the Cholistan rangelands. Drought in Cholistan is evident through various ecological and socioeconomic effects and pastoralists adopt different measures against drought by mostly relying on existing resources.

Exploring the resistance to e-health services in Nigeria: an integrative model based upon the theory of planned behavior and stimulus-organism-response

Despite the evident advantages of electronic health services (eHS), there is a noticeable opposition to their acceptance, which has raised a crucial question about why people, particularly in developing nations, oppose the acceptance of eHS. This study was designed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the rigid opposition to eHS by integrating two theoretical models: the Stimulus-Organism-Response theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior. In our detailed survey, 543 respondents over 18 years old from various regions of Nigeria participated. We evaluated the proposed model using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicated that lower health literacy was associated with a greater opposition to using eHS. In addition, communication and choice overload and perceived risk contributed to a negative attitude toward eHS. Subjective norms played a significant role in influencing the intention not to use eHS, which highlights social pressure’s effect. Further, a greater perception of behavioral control reduced the intention not to use eHS. Ultimately, the intention not to use eHS affected eHS rejection behavior significantly, which makes resistance to it a substantial problem. This research unveils factors that contribute to this behavior and provides insights for policymakers in the health field, with the goal to improve people’s acceptance of eHS. Further research is recommended in different geographical samples and contexts to gain a better understanding of the factors related to eHS rejection behavior.

Relationship of Peer Pressure and Emotional Intelligence with Mental Well Being among Young Adults

This study focuses on the connections between peer pressure, emotional intelligence (EI), and mental well-being in youthful grown-ups. Findings reveal a significant negative correlation between peer pressure and mental well-being (r= -.234, p < .05), indicating that higher peer pressure is associated with lower mental well-being. Conversely, a significant positive correlation is observed between emotional intelligence and mental well-being (r= .565, p < .01), suggesting that greater emotional intelligence is linked to enhanced mental well-being. However, no significant correlation is found between peer pressure and emotional intelligence (r= -0.003, p > .05). These results highlight the detrimental impact of peer pressure on mental well-being and underscore the beneficial role of emotional intelligence in fostering mental well-being.

Learning approaches of undergraduate medical students at exit and entry of their medical schools.

Objective: To Compare the learning approaches of medical students at the exit and entry of their medical school, to evaluate the influence of gender and to look for factors leading students towards a change in their learning approach, if any, through interviews. Study Design: Concurrent Mixed Method study. Setting: Ameer-ud-deen Medical College, Lahore. Period: March 2021 to March 2022. Methods: Sequential mixed method 100 first year and 100 Final year MBBS students were included in the study for quantitative analysis. ASSIST Questionnaire is used for identifying student’s approach to studying as either deep, surface or strategic and the correlation of gender with preference of study approach. Descriptive statistics wer`e performed. Student’s t-test was used for statistical comparisons. Qualitative data was collected through in depth semi structured interviews of final year students. Thematic analysis was done to interpret the data and triangulation method was used for validation. Results: There is an over-all predominance of deep approach in the both first and final year MBBS students. The number of first-year students employing a strategic approach were significantly in majority as compared to final year students doing the same. No significant difference is seen in the learning approaches of male and female students. Interviews indicated reasons of shifting away from strategic learning approach in the final year medical students. No significant difference was seen in the selection of approach between female and male students of both groups. Conclusion: Study suggests that there is a predominance of deep approach in the medical students both at exit and entry points. This is due to their clinical exposure and environment, assessment methodologies, curriculum planning, seniors and peer pressure and most importantly their immediate teachers. The more we understand these learning styles, the better we can guide our future generations towards deep learning and improve their attitude and professional skills.

Chiang Mai's Royal Crematorium: Siamese Influence Evident in Lanna Cremation Heritage

The Chao Luang crematorium was a temporary architecture made for the cremation and funeral of Chao Luang Chiang Mai (King of Chiang Mai). The creation of the Chao Luang crematorium reflected the social and political pressures of Siam that influenced Lanna territories during the reign of Phra Chao Inthawichayanon in 1873 till 1932 (coup d’etat), resulting in a change in the architectural style of these funeral structures. This research aims to study the architectural style changes of Chao Luang crematorium in Chiang Mai from the moment when Siam began to draw power from Lanna to the central part of the territory. The study results reveal that, originally, the funeral rites of Chao Luang followed a specific form of Lanna rituals. However, during the reign of Phra Chao Inthawichayanon, the 7th Chao Luang of Chiang Mai, new power from Siam was imposed on Lanna, which resulted in changes to the Lanna architecture and cremation traditions, aligning them more closely with Siamese traditions. Eventually, the traditional Lanna rituals were amalgamated into the style of Siam. The evolving architectural style of the Chiang Mai Royal Crematorium provides evidence of Siamese colonization’s ongoing impact on Lanna.

Live Experiences of Former Gang Members in Cebu City, Philippines

This paper explores the lived experiences of former gang members in Cebu City. Specifically, it determined the following: experiences of the informants as former gang members, including the reasons why they join, stay and leave the group and the impact of gang membership of the informants as former gang members. This study employed a qualitative method of research employing a phenomenological approach that involves qualitative analysis and assessment of themes derived from semi-structured interviews and follow up questions has been made and with an aid with interview guide, observation and exploring the lived experiences of former gang members. The study was conducted in highly urbanized cities, namely Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City. A purposive convenient sampling was employed to select the informants. There were fourteen (14) informants in the study. Fifteen (6) emergent themes were created. For the experiences of former gang members on reasons why they join the gang, three themes emerged, namely: Personal Safety, Peer pressure, and lastly, Broken Homes. For the reasons why they stay in the gang, two themes emerged, namely: Give and Earn Money, The Thug Lifestyle, and More Fun and Happiness. For the reasons why they leave the group, three themes emerged, namely: Family and Job Responsibilities, Realization to Have a Happy and Peaceful life; and In-group Rivalry. Regarding the impact of gang membership and the positive experiences of the informants as former gang members, three themes emerged: A sense of Belongingness, Develop Respect and Trust, and School Achiever. Regarding the negative experiences, three themes emerged: Gang War and Violence, Crime Involvement, and Incarceration. The community must create and sustain a collaborative process for working toward a community free of gang membership and violence. This includes providing a clearinghouse for information on resources, strategies, services, best practices, and funding to prevent, intervene and suppress gang violence.