Rapid Societal Change Research Articles

4.N. Scientific session: Equity in Child Health: Leveraging Universal Health Promotion Services for Families Amid Uncertainty

Abstract This workshop addresses the urgent need to foster resilience and equity in child health within the context of an increasingly uncertain Europe. Rapid societal changes, exacerbated by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened risks of conflict, climate change and economic instability, underscore the importance of nurturing environments where children can thrive despite challenging circumstances. The workshop aims to explore strategies for promoting well-being and addressing social inequalities in child health within the context of universal health promotion services, such as school health services and child health clinics. Objectives are to 1) Elucidate the importance and impact of universal health promotion services in addressing social inequalities and promoting equitable opportunities for all children, regardless of background or circumstance; 2) Identify actionable steps for interventions mitigating social inequalities and promoting equitable opportunities focusing on health literacy among parents with immigrant backgrounds; 3) Showcase successful models and initiatives in universal healthcare and health promotion services for children and families, emphasizing early intervention and standardized evaluation tools; and 4) Facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange among professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in child and adolescent health promotion. This workshop’s added value lies in its multidisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration for innovative solutions in child health resilience and equity. The coherence between presentations lies in their joint focus on addressing social inequalities in the context of universal health promotion services for children and families. Each presentation offers a unique perspective on these themes, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in child health promotion. • Hanne Nissen Bjørnsen’s presentation on the role of universal services in public health and addressing social inequality sets the stage by examining the structural factors contributing to disparities in child health outcomes. • Kirsti Riiseŕs presentation conveys the importance of user, stakeholder, and community involvement in creating culturally sensitive strategies for effective health promotion services in the context of health literacy among parents with immigrant backgrounds • Kristin Haraldstad’s presentation on Starting Right, an evidence-based assessment of children in municipalities healthcare centers, highlights the importance of early intervention and targeted support in mitigating health inequalities and promoting well-being. Format of the workshop: Three 10-minute presentations followed by a 20-minute moderated discussion to delve into empowerment and equity in child health, encouraging rich idea exchanges. Key messages • Leveraging universal health promotion services effectively empowers children and families while addressing social inequalities amidst periods of uncertainty. • Collaborative, user-centered approaches and evidence-based working strategies are key to promoting equity and building resilience in child health.

Predictive models of intent to repurchase based on customer data

As the business environment becomes ever more complex, predicting future buying patterns has become increasingly important. Moreover, there has been growth in the number of consumers focusing on health and self-care given rapid societal and economic changes. This shift is leading to heightened interest in athleisure wear and an increase in sales volume in this domain. It is accordingly necessary for companies in this field to establish marketing strategies based on predicting consumers’ future purchases to maintain continuous growth and competitiveness. This paper surveyed 400 consumers who purchased athleisure wear and established a predictive model for consumer buying behavior using Multivariate Discriminant Analysis. This paper found that a brand's authenticity and the purchaser’s involvement in sports were significant factors prediction customers’ repurchase behavior. Companies should accordingly engage in authentic business practices and consider clothing designs and marketing strategies that can connect consumers' daily lives with their sports activities.

Anticonformists catalyze societal transitions and facilitate the expression of evolving preferences.

The world is grappling with emerging, urgent, large-scale problems, such as climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and pandemics, which demand immediate and coordinated action. Social processes like conformity and social norms can either help maintain behaviors (e.g. cooperation in groups) or drive rapid societal change (e.g. rapid rooftop solar uptake), even without comprehensive policy measures. While the role of individual heterogeneity in such processes is well studied, there is limited work on the expression of individuals' preferences and the role of anticonformists-individuals who value acting differently from others-especially in dynamic environments. We introduce anticonformists into a game-theoretical collective decision-making framework that includes a complex network of agents with heterogeneous preferences about two alternative options. We study how anticonformists' presence changes the population's ability to express evolving personal preferences. We find that anticonformists facilitate the expression of preferences, even when they diverge from prevailing norms, breaking the "spiral of silence" whereby individuals do not act on their preferences when they believe others disapprove. Centrally placed anticonformists reduce by five-fold the number of anticonformists needed for a population to express its preferences. In dynamic environments where a previously unpopular choice becomes preferred, anticonformists catalyze social tipping and reduce the "cultural lag," even beyond the role of committed minorities-that is, individuals with a commitment to a specific cause. This research highlights the role of dissenting voices in shaping collective behavior, including their potential to catalyze the adoption of new technologies as they become favorable and to enrich democracy by facilitating the expression of views.

Polarisation, News Consumption, and Beliefs in Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories: Early Signs of the Fragmentation of the Public Sphere in Iceland

A common explanation linked to increased polarisation has focused on changes in citizens’ information diets, with like-minded people apparently becoming increasingly isolated in online echo chambers. This article investigates whether news audience polarisation has increased in Iceland in recent years and if there is polarisation in Icelandic society concerning beliefs in misinformation and conspiracy theories. Iceland is an interesting case study since it is very small and still quite homogenous, but experiencing rapid societal changes and a media landscape in turmoil. We utilise data from representative surveys conducted in 2017 and 2022. Findings show that news consumption patterns in Iceland have shifted towards online platforms, with a significant increase in online news consumption across all age groups, and a decline in the use of traditional legacy outlets. News audience polarisation appears, however, to remain relatively low in Iceland, with most news brands reaching a mixed and centrist audience. We find that gender, education, and political ideology are related to beliefs concerning misinformation and conspiracy theories focused on climate change and refugees. Moreover, our results suggest that trust in the mainstream media, as well as news consumption from partisan outlets, are related to beliefs in misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Parental Knowledge and Practices of Sleep Hygiene Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Sleep hygiene is crucial for child development, influencing physical health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. Parental knowledge and practices significantly influence children's sleep habits, yet gaps in understanding persist, impacting sleep quality and overall health outcomes. In Saudi Arabia, rapid societal changes and modern lifestyles pose unique challenges to maintaining healthy sleep habits among children. This study aims to assess parental knowledge and management of sleep hygiene, providing insights for targeted interventions tailored to Saudi cultural contexts. This cross-sectional study assessed parental knowledge and management of sleep hygiene among children in Saudi Arabia. Participants (N=729) were recruited from pediatric clinics and online forums, comprising parents with at least one child aged 0-18 years who completed surveys in Arabic or English. A comprehensive survey collected demographic data, parental sleep hygiene knowledge, practices, and concerns. Data were gathered between January and March 2024 via online and clinic-based distribution and analyzed using SPSS version 25 for descriptive statistics. The survey was completed by 729 participants, predominantly aged 25-44 years (70.4%), holding predominantly bachelor's degrees (34.7%), and employed full-time (49.7%). The majority reported having 2-3 children (54.9%). Findings indicated that 69.1% (504 participants) correctly identified school-aged children's sleep needs, and 71.0% (518 participants) recognized the importance of limiting electronic device use before bedtime. Sleep management practices revealed that 81.3% (592 participants) of parents adhered to bedtime routines, and 65.6% (478 participants) managed electronic device use appropriately. Bedtimes typically ranged from 7 to 9 PM for 90.5% (658 participants) of children, with wake-up times clustered between 6 and 8 AM for 75.6% (551 participants). Parental concerns showed reliance on online resources (60.4%) and pediatricians (54.7%) for sleep information, with 73.9% (539 participants) expressing interest in further education on sleep hygiene. This study highlights parental awareness of sleep hygiene practices in Saudi Arabia but underscores gaps in knowledge regarding caffeine effects and optimal napping practices. Tailored educational interventions are essential to enhance parental understanding and promote healthier sleep habits, thereby optimizing child well-being in the region.

Integrative Knowledge and Contemporary Issues: Evaluating Amin Abdullah's Paradigm of Multidisciplinarity

This study investigates the evolving nature of knowledge in addressing contemporary issues that arise with rapid societal changes. Motivated by the need for adaptive solutions beyond traditional monodisciplinary approaches, this research examines the new paradigm introduced by Amin Abdullah in his seminal work, "MIT" (Multidisciplinary, Interdisciplinary, and Transdisciplinary). Employing a qualitative methodology with a library research approach, the study analyzes primary and secondary sources related to Abdullah's framework. Content and historical analysis techniques were utilized to interpret the data. The findings reveal that Abdullah’s paradigm integrates three clusters of knowledge—Naql (Revelation), Aql (Reason), and Qalb (Intuition)—through a trialogue involving subjective (religion), objective (science), and intersubjective (conscience) aspects. This approach promotes a comprehensive framework for addressing contemporary complexities by merging hadarah al-nas (religion), hadarah al-falsafah (philosophy), and hadarah al-‘ilm (science). Abdullah advocates for dialogical and integrative values, emphasizing semipermeable boundaries, intersubjective testability, and creative imagination as tools for effective problem-solving in a multifaceted world. This paradigm offers a significant shift from stagnant scientific approaches, proposing a dynamic model that fosters adaptability and holistic understanding.

Investigating Health and Well-Being Challenges Faced by an Aging Workforce in the Construction and Nursing Industries: Computational Linguistic Analysis of Twitter Data.

Construction and nursing are critical industries. Although both careers involve physically and mentally demanding work, the risks to workers during the COVID-19 pandemic are not well understood. Nurses (both younger and older) are more likely to experience the ill effects of burnout and stress than construction workers, likely due to accelerated work demands and increased pressure on nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we analyzed a large social media data set using advanced natural language processing techniques to explore indicators of the mental status of workers across both industries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This social media analysis aims to fill a knowledge gap by comparing the tweets of younger and older construction workers and nurses to obtain insights into any potential risks to their mental health due to work health and safety issues. We analyzed 1,505,638 tweets published on Twitter (subsequently rebranded as X) by younger and older (aged <45 vs >45 years) construction workers and nurses. The study period spanned 54 months, from January 2018 to June 2022, which equates to approximately 27 months before and 27 months after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The tweets were analyzed using big data analytics and computational linguistic analyses. Text analyses revealed that nurses made greater use of hashtags and keywords (both monograms and bigrams) associated with burnout, health issues, and mental health compared to construction workers. The COVID-19 pandemic had a pronounced effect on nurses' tweets, and this was especially noticeable in younger nurses. Tweets about health and well-being contained more first-person singular pronouns and affect words, and health-related tweets contained more affect words. Sentiment analyses revealed that, overall, nurses had a higher proportion of positive sentiment in their tweets than construction workers. However, this changed markedly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since early 2020, sentiment switched, and negative sentiment dominated the tweets of nurses. No such crossover was observed in the tweets of construction workers. The social media analysis revealed that younger nurses had language use patterns consistent with someone experiencing the ill effects of burnout and stress. Older construction workers had more negative sentiments than younger workers, who were more focused on communicating about social and recreational activities rather than work matters. More broadly, these findings demonstrate the utility of large data sets enabled by social media to understand the well-being of target populations, especially during times of rapid societal change.

Sociocultural Factors Influencing Marital Satisfaction in Modern India: A Large-Scale Survey Analysis

This research paper investigates the sociocultural factors influencing marital satisfaction in modern India, focusing on how traditional and emerging sociocultural dynamics shape marital outcomes in the context of rapid societal changes. Utilizing a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design, the study collected data from 2,000 married individuals across various Indian states using structured questionnaires. The methodology included stratified random sampling and data analysis through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess the direct and indirect effects of sociocultural variables on marital satisfaction. Key findings indicate that egalitarian gender roles, economic stability, and effective communication significantly enhance marital satisfaction, while urbanization and traditional family structures have complex influences. The study underscores the buffering role of traditional family support against the stresses of modernization. The results highlight the importance of tailoring marital counseling and interventions to regional and cultural specifics, suggesting that policies aimed at enhancing marital satisfaction should consider the broader sociocultural context. These insights are crucial for stakeholders aiming to develop programs that foster healthier marital relationships in a culturally diverse society like India.

“Eks me oleme kõik natuke idealistid.” Muuseumite ja keskkonnahariduskeskuste õppeprogrammide juhendajad

The diverse and egalitarian nature of Estonian education has been attributed to the relatively high degree of teachers’ autonomy. Among other things, teachers are free to decide how and where to teach, and it is very common to teach in out-of-school settings such as museums, science centres, etc. The network of different learning sites that schools use has not been thoroughly described in previous literature and is thus somewhat hidden and vulnerable to rapid societal changes. Thus, this article aims to describe the practice and perceived role in formal education of on-site educators from museums, environmental centres, and other similar institutions of science and culture. Seven semi-structured focus-group interviews were carried out with 27 educators. This purposeful sample was compiled with the help of experts in the field. The limitation of this sample was that it brought together representatives of outstanding providers of curriculum-related learning activities, and so it describes the practice of excellent rather than novice or un-motivated educators. On the other hand, such a sample gives us a deeper understanding of the best practices and possibilities of the field. We found that similarly to previous results, the core practice of on-site educators involves creating, developing, and carrying out learning activities, and general organisational work. Based on the interviews, the practice of on-site educators can be described as flexible, spontaneous, collaborative, seasonal, place- and theme-specific, and project-based. Their practice is also diverse in terms of tasks both on daily/yearly basis and throughout their careers, thus illustrated by low routine and high creativity. The background of on-site educators is diverse and there are no standard career or education paths, but they can be described as strongly oriented towards constant self-development and learning, although the majority of interviewees had obtained both theoretical and pedagogical training from university and had also worked as teachers at some point in their careers. They enjoy their work and feel that it is important to connect students with nature, culture, art, or whatever their field is, to enrich their lives, support their studies, and build a better society. Thus, they often explain the value of their work through the lens of life-long learning of their students. We conclude that out-of-classroom education in the form of field trips to museums and other similar institutions is deeply connected with curriculum and helps to achieve sustainable development goals. However, as the funding for field trips has steadily increased in the past years and there are more and more schoolteachers who have no professional pedagogical training, an increasing number of schoolteachers seem to be unprepared to support students in out-of-school learning environments. We describe and expand on good practices to support schoolteachers in out-of-school learning activities and in collaboration of museum on-site educators and schoolteachers; for example, joint training programmes for in-service schoolteachers and on-site educators (especially for supporting students with special needs and content- and language-integrated learning in the context of Russian speaking students), and career changes between schools and museums (on-site educators becoming teachers and vice versa). We documented some clever funding schemes that act as boundary objects and enhance collaboration between schoolteachers and on-site educators, but we also suggest avoiding pressuring the content of learning activities through funding, as this could hinder teacher autonomy and lead to unnecessary standardisation. We suggest creating coherence between different ministries who govern schools, museums and providers of environmental learning activities, and involving on-site educators more in wider educational discussions. Education is much more than schools, and on-site educators should be considered as equals to schoolteachers when it comes to funding and decision-making about education.

The Need for Social Training of Students on Islamic Ground: A Study of Contemporary Challenges

In an era marked by rapid societal changes, globalization, and the proliferation of information, the social training of students on Islamic grounds has become a subject of paramount importance. This study delves into the critical examination of the challenges faced by students in contemporary society, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to address these challenges through social training rooted in Islamic principles. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, whereas the data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a total number of ten respondents. Two interview schedules were designed: one for formal school principals and madrasa heads and another for parents of the students. The collected data were purged from the redundancy and then thematically analyzed. This study revealed that a unified effort to prioritize the social training of students on Islamic grounds is a means to empower them with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Only through a holistic and well-informed approach to education can the values of compassion, tolerance, and understanding help to guide the hearts and minds of future generations, which will ultimately lead to fostering a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Understanding Rural Migration in the Mid-Twentieth Century: Examining Dimensions of Social Change and their Effects in Cisternino, a Southern Italian Town

Abstract This article examines the migration transition in Cisternino, a rural town in Southern Italy, after the Second World War, and analyses the social changes that influenced the observed migration shifts. Based on archival research, statistics and primary data, the article presents the town and its migration patterns before and after the Second World War. It then examines the town’s main social changes over the 1950–1990 period, and shows that three processes explain the changing migration patterns: the expansion of the state, cultural transformations and the restructuring of the local economy. The article shows that, after the war, migration became an adaptation strategy in reaction to rapid societal changes, including new aspirations among local residents. Therefore, migration became of vital importance at a time of high uncertainty. The article also shows the many ways in which, at crucial moments of transition, the state affected local livelihoods and people’s decision to either adapt locally or migrate.

Instructional Design of Classroom Instructional Skills Based on the ADDIE Model

Abstract: With the rapid societal changes, the diversity of educational design approaches has increased. Educational professionals are now confronted with new challenges in training pre-service music teachers. They are required not only to employ emerging technologies for knowledge transfer but also to focus on cultivating teaching abilities to better meet the demands of prospective employers. This study utilizes the five phases of the ADDIE model (Analysis、Design、Develop、Implement、Evaluate) to design and develop a classroom teaching skills module aimed at enhancing the teaching abilities of pre-service music teachers. The application of the ADDIE instructional model in designing and developing modules for teaching pre-service music teachers is explored. The research findings indicate that the classroom teaching skills module has significantly improved the teaching abilities of pre-service music teachers. This study aims to reveal pathways for instructional reform in pre-service music teacher education, aligning it more effectively with societal needs and expectations.

Enhancing Resilience in Primary Education: Addressing Societal Challenges and Fostering Holistic Student Development

This study explores educational resilience in primary education, focusing on how teachers can effectively nurture this crucial trait amidst rapid societal changes and an information-rich environment. Utilizing qualitative focus group discussions with ten primary school teachers, the research examines four key themes: student-teacher dynamic, peer influence, family and community engagement, and school environment. The findings reveal that while teachers recognize the importance of building resilience in students, they face challenges due to curriculum demands and resource limitations. Teachers expressed a desire to foster empathetic relationships, positive peer interactions, and engage families and communities but often found these goals hindered by systemic constraints. This research underscores the need for a holistic approach to education beyond traditional academic learning. It highlights the need for professional development, strengthened school-community partnerships, and educational policy reforms that prioritize comprehensive student development. The study concludes that fostering resilience in primary education requires addressing classroom practices and systemic barriers, aligning with contemporary resilience theories and emphasizing the need for classroom interventions to support students' overall well-being and competence.

Has globalization of the Japanese economy contributed to satisfying career‐building for women? The case of Japanese female migrants to East Asia

AbstractThis paper analyzes the shift in career strategies among Japanese women due to the globalization of Japan's economy since the 1980s. It highlights how economic changes led to a gender‐based division of labor, propelling women to seek opportunities abroad. The research draws on interviews with 81 women who moved to financial centers in East Asia, mainly in Hong Kong and Shanghai, examining their experiences in the workforce, the impact of human resource agencies in their migration, and the challenges and opportunities they encountered. The study reveals a complex landscape where Japanese women navigate gendered expectations and discrimination both in Japan and abroad in pursuit of career advancement. The conclusion emphasizes three points. First, women found opportunities abroad to do what they wanted, even if it was not what they initially expected before leaving Japan. Second, although supportive and subordinate to male managers, their work was indispensable to the management of Japanese companies abroad. Their contribution has long been underestimated but needs to be considered. Third, the experience abroad gave them direct interaction with various clients and colleagues and a view of rapid societal change in Hong Kong and China, contributing to choosing their diverse career trajectories and life plans.

Experiencing art creation as a therapeutic intervention to relieve anxiety -a case study of a university's ceramic art course.

University students are anxiety prone. Due to their changing their social roles, the proportion of university students with anxiety is relatively high. In this study, using the simple random sampling, we surveyed 53 university students, including sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This paper examines the relationship between art creation and anxiety. This study uses the Self-Assessment Anxiety Scale (SAS). The test form measures the presence and extent of their anxiety problems through a series of questions. We tested the effects of an art creation process on SAS scores and suggest best practices for course settings and teaching methods for art-related subjects. Art therapy intervention reduced anxiety. The most effective technique was found to be slapping the clay board during the creation process. Other actions relieved anxiety as well. Results suggest that the art creation process is an application of art therapy effective in relieving anxiety in university students. Key actions in the process of creating art are closely related to the treatment approaches used in art therapy interventions. This has the potential to not only improve mental health, but also to promote the health and well-being of students. Implications for future research: Rapid societal changes increasing competition for employment creates work and life pressures. University students face challenges with learning, peer competition, and employment, often resulting in anxiety. A diversified curriculum can alleviate anxiety through proper curricular planning and design. Based on this, the university's arts courses should be able to study how to improve and optimize the existing teaching and learning outcomes and can be integrated with the university's general education curriculum planning. Through appropriate teaching content and learning methods, the courses of university general education can play a role in reducing students' anxiety and promote physical and mental health, thus contributing to sustainable development of the society.

Examining the Relationship between Body Image Dissatisfaction and the Onset of Eating Disorder in Men and Women

This comprehensive study delves into the complex dynamics of eating disorders, with a particular focus on anorexia nervosa and its social impact. A large portion of the study was devoted to body image dissatisfaction, revealing worldwide trends among adolescents over the past decade. Most importantly, the research emphasizes the profound impact of gender differences on the prevalence and expressions of these disorders. The paper emphasizes that while both genders are affected, the social pressures and expectations they face can differ noticeably, leading to different patterns of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder behavior. The study also emphasizes the role of cultural transformations in shaping perceptions of body image, suggesting that rapid societal changes may aggravate body dissatisfaction in both men and women. The study delves into the psychological foundation, touching on implicit social cognition, self-esteem, and deep-rooted social stereotypes, all of which play a key role in shaping an individual's attitudes and self-perceptions. The paper concludes by emphasizing the critical need for culturally sensitive therapy interventions to address the unique challenges faced by both genders in the field of eating disorders.

HAS THE RACIAL/ETHNIC DIGITAL DIVIDE AMONG OLDER COMMUNITY DWELLERS DEEPENED OR IMPROVED IN THE 2010S?

Abstract After the rapid societal and technological changes that occurred during the 2010s, it is unclear whether the racial/ethnic digital divide has deepened or improved. Guided by critical race theory, this study aims to examine trends of the racial/ethnic effect on the first- and second-level digital divide and how race/ethnicity interacts with gender and education. Data from three rounds (2011, 2015, and 2019) of the National Health and Ageing Trend Study were used in this study. Older community dwellers with normal cognition were included (2011: n = 5214; 2015: n = 5543; and 2019: n = 3242). The first-level digital divide was measured by Internet access. The second-level digital divide was measured by the usage of six online activities. Using weighted multiple logistic regressions, we found that race/ethnicity became not significantly associated with the first-level digital divide in 2019 but was consistently associated with the second-level divide. Neither gender nor education moderated the first-level digital divide association across the three years. For the second-level digital divide, education moderated the racial/ethnic digital divide on online grocery shopping and banking in 2011 and 2015 but not in 2019; by contrast, education’s moderation effects on buying prescriptions, contacting health providers, and getting health information online were significant in 2015 and 2019. No general trends were found for the moderation effect of gender on the second-level digital divide. Racial/ethnic gaps in the first-level but not the second-level digital divide were alleviated. More interventions should be provided for racial/ethnic minorities, especially those with low education.

P175: Cohort differences in depressive burden in old age: role of psychosocial, behavioral, and functional factors

Objective:Rapid societal changes occurred during the course of the 20th century. Previous literature has found an increase in depression over time for younger and middle- aged populations. Among older adults, the prevalence of major depression has been found to be stable over time, while for the milder forms, the findings are limited by the largely non-representative nature of analyzed samples. Given the dramatic secular changes in several factors linked to old-age depression, a careful examination of depressive symptom burden and prevalence of depression in representative cohorts of similarly-aged older adults separated in time is required.Methods:We will analyze data on 2,041 older adults from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. Separate individuals, aged 60 and 81 years were assessed with a Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) during detailed clinical examinations, separated in time by 15 years (2001 vs. 2016). Information on 21 depressive symptoms, is subsequently combined into diagnoses of major depression (presence of at least one core symptom [low mood and/or loss of interest], and at least five out of the nine symptoms); minor depression (presence of at least one core symptom, and two to four symptoms in total), and subsyndromal depression (presence of at least two symptoms in the absence of any other depression diagnoses). Psychosocial (loneliness, bereavement), behavioral (alcohol consumption, smoking), and functional factors (impairments in activities of daily living) are used as potential explanatory factors for any observed cohort differences in symptom burden or prevalence of depression.Results:For the 60-year old age-group, comparison of symptom burden and diagnostic status will be done across 739 participants assessed in 2001 and 677 people assessed in 2013. For the 81-year old age- group, comparisons will involve 236 people assessed in 2001, 194 people assessed in 2010, and 195 people assessed in 2016.Conclusion:Preliminary results are expected by March, once data entry and cleaning are completed. We hypothesize that the burden of depressive symptoms and the prevalence of depression will be lower in later born cohorts and that explanatory factors may account for some of the cohort effect.

Neuropeptide Y gene variants and Agreeableness: interaction effect with the birth cohort and the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a powerful regulator of anxious states, including social anxiety, but evidence from human genetic studies is limited. Associations of common gene variants with behaviour have been described as subject to birth cohort effects, especially if the behaviour is socially motivated. This study aimed to examine the association of NPY rs16147 and rs5574 with personality traits in highly representative samples of two birth cohorts of young adults, the samples having been formed during a period of rapid societal transition. Both birth cohorts (original n = 1238) of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS) self-reported personality traits of the five-factor model at 25 years of age. A significant interaction effect of the NPY rs16147 and rs5574 and birth cohort on Agreeableness was found. The T/T genotype of NPY rs16147 resulted in low Agreeableness in the older cohort (born 1983) and in high Agreeableness in the younger cohort (born 1989). The C/C genotype of NPY rs5574 was associated with higher Agreeableness in the younger but not in the older cohort. In the NPY rs16147 T/T homozygotes, the deviations from average in Agreeableness within the birth cohort were dependent on the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism. The association between the NPY gene variants and a personality domain reflecting social desirability is subject to change qualitatively in times of rapid societal changes, serving as an example of the relationship between the plasticity genes and environment. The underlying mechanism may involve the development of the serotonergic system.

Rapid Response Collecting and the Irish Abortion Referendum

The last decade in Ireland has seen rapid societal change, including the enshrining of equal marriage and women’s right to bodily autonomy in the constitution via public referendum. In response, the National Museum of Ireland enacted a programme of collecting the material culture of such significant contemporary events in Ireland, which led to the formal establishment of the Contemporary Ireland Collection. The material culture of the referendum on the abolishment of the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution (Repeal the 8th) to allow for the legal termination of pregnancy formed the nucleus of the collection, and the rationale behind the identification of the representative themes and subsequent object choices has become the template on which further contemporary collecting is now based. This has enabled the institution and its curators to work collaboratively with the public in the expansion of its collections to fill the historic gaps and become more inclusive and representative of Ireland’s varied and difficult history.