Related Social Problems Research Articles

Productivist or multifunctional: An activity theory approach to the development of organic farming concepts in Sweden

ABSTRACTThis study proposes a unit of analysis based on cultural historical activity theory for examining the development of organic farming (OF) concepts. The study investigates whether organic farms are becoming more like conventional farms, with related environmental and social problems. The framework is illustrated with a historical analysis of the Swedish case of organic apple farming. The analysis shows that in Sweden, conventionalization is part of the current dominant “intensive organic farming concept”, while an emerging concept, the “ecology of food systems”, is attempting to break free from this process. The proposed analytical framework can be used for comparing OF concepts and for guiding future development efforts according to the needs of stakeholders.

Interaksi Sosial Siswa Berprestasi dalam Belajar

As a adolescent, smart students who are atudying in class VII junior secondary school should finalized their adolescent developmental tasks. One of the tasks that are able to foster the development of social relationships with peers as well. Fact, from the processing of Alat Ungkap Masalah Umum (AUM Umum) and sosiometri smart students have problems in social relationships with peers. The kind of research is descriptive quantitative research is 50 smart students in class VII MTsN Lubuk Buaya Padang. The instrument of this research is questioner. The result of this research is they did social interaction with individual and group as well.

Mineralized Collagen-Based Composite Bone Materials for Cranial Bone Regeneration in Developing Sheep.

Cranial bone defects remain a great challenging problem in clinical settings, the influences of which are serious because of the intricate complications and related social problems, especially for young children with rapidly growing skulls. Currently, an increasing number of bone materials are being developed for cranial bone defects repair. In this study, two different biodegradable composite bone materials based on mineralized collagen (MC), with compact/porous structure, were constructed to promote bone regeneration for large cranial bone defect repair of one-month-old baby sheep. The porous MC (pMC) scaffold had interconnected porous structure with a porosity of about 73% and a 20-150 μm pore size range, and the compact MC (cMC) showed no distinct pore structure. Mechanical tests indicated that the compressive strength and elastic modulus of cMC and pMC were comparable with those of natural compact and cancellous bone, respectively. Both of these two MC scaffolds possessed good biocompatibility and supported osteoblasts adhesion and proliferation in vitro. A one-month-old sheep cranial bone defect model was first established to investigate the cranial bone regeneration behaviors in vivo, which was evaluated by CT imaging, X-rays scans, and histological assessments. It was found that the pMC promoted bone ingrowth from the diploic layer of surrounding cranium and dura mater-derived osteogenesis at three months after surgery, along with gradual biodegradation. In contrast, the cMC had very little biodegradation but could promote bone formation beneath the scaffold through dura mater-derived osteogenesis pathway. Furthermore, Ti-mesh restricted the growth of surrounding cranial bone in the rapidly growing sheep, thereby causing obvious deformation of the skull at six months after surgery, whereas no visible geometric deformation of skull occurred in the cMC and pMC groups. Our findings suggested that the MC-based composite bone materials have great promise for the repair of large cranial bone defects in a developing skull.

Quality of life and associated characteristics: application of WHOQOL-BREF in the context of Primary Health Care.

This study aimed to identify the characteristics associated to quality of life (QOL) in users of four Basic Health Units (Unidades Básicas de Saúde, UBS) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 930 adult users enrolled in the selected UBS, using a questionnaire containing the WHOQOL-bref instrument and questions about sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and health conditions. Following descriptive analysis, we performed simple and multiple linear regression to evaluate the association between the exposure variables and the QOL domains. The highest mean values of QOL were observed in the social relationships domain. The lowest means were observed in the environment domain, with a statistically significant difference between some of the UBS. The worst perceptions of QOL were related to worse health, housing, education and income conditions, as well as problems in social relationships and psychological conditions. Actions are needed to improve QOL in Primary Health Care users through actions promoted by both health professionals and public managers.

A study of negative emotional disclosure behavior in social network media: Will an unexpected negative event and personality matter?

Why would people feel the need to disclose their negative emotions? Using the theory of conservation of resources, we hypothesize disclosure intention and behavior would be influenced by duration and severity of the negative emotional state. Moreover, we predict the effect of unexpected events and “the Big Five” personality traits on disclosure intention. Besides disclosure intention, we also tapped if the respondents have disclosed their negative emotions on their Facebook profile. In this study, we surveyed 255 Facebook users on their experiences from negative life events under four categories – social relationship, work, health and monetary issues. The results support all of our hypotheses. In particular, our post-hoc analyses show differences between females and males on the influence mechanism behind their disclosure intention. Females are more likely to disclose their problems relating to social relationship, work and health problems on Facebook than males.

WATER-RESOURCES COMPLEX FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: PROBLEMS OF DISTRIBUTION AND WATER SHORTAGE

The article deals with the current problems of providing water resources to the countries of the world and regions of Ukraine, emphasizes the role of the water factor in ensuring further social and economic development. Issues of water shortage and related political, social and economic problems are considered. The regional aspects of the world and national distribution of water resources are considered, an assessment of the water supply of the regions of the country available to the use of water resources.

Ujian Nasional Dan Problem Sosial (Sebuah Analisis Terhadap Kebijakan Pendidikan Sebagai Proses Pengembangan Kepribadian)

<p><em>National exam</em><em> or Final examination as an instrument to determine the student’s achievement by the end of this year still become an interesting discussion to be discussed. This theme is great interesting because it has big implications on many components including on the students. This paper will discuss the implications of national exam to personality development of students. It will begin with the basic policy implemented UN and be continued </em><em>with</em><em> the implications of the implementation of related social problems of personality development students. The writer also reveals about the advantages and disadvantages of many educational components as a result of the implementation of the UN.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><strong><em>Keyword</em></strong><em>; National Exam, Student’s personality development.</em></p>

Environmental influence of problematic social relationships on adolescents' daily cortisol secretion: a monozygotic twin-difference study.

This study investigated the potential environmental effects of peer victimization and the quality of relationships with parents and friends on diurnal cortisol secretion in mid-adolescence. This study used the monozygotic (MZ) twin-difference design to control for genetic effects and thus estimate the unique environmental influences on diurnal cortisol. Participants were 136 MZ twin pairs (74 female pairs) for whom cortisol was assessed four times per day over four collection days grouped in a 2-week period in grade 8 (mean age = 14.07 years). Participants also provided self-reports of peer victimization from grade 4 to grade 8 and of the relationship quality with the mother, father and best friend in grade 8. The expected pattern of diurnal cortisol secretion was observed, with high levels at awakening followed by an increase 30 min later and a progressive decrease subsequently. Controlling for a host of confounders, only within-twin pair differences in peer victimization and a problematic relationship with the mother were significantly linked to twin differences in diurnal cortisol secretion. Specifically, whereas a more problematic mother-child relationship was associated with morning cortisol secretion, peer victimization was linked to cortisol secretion later in the day (diurnal slope). Controlling for genetic influences and other confounders, stressful relationships with peers and the mother exert unique and time-specific environmental influences on the pattern of diurnal cortisol secretion in mid-adolescence.

The Curious Transformation of Boy to Computer

The Curious Transformation of Boy to Computer

Prevalence and predictors of drinking, binge drinking, and related health and social problems in Puerto Rico.

This paper examines prevalence and predictors of drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related social and health problems in Puerto Rico. Respondents constitute a multi-stage household probability sample (N = 1,510) from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The response rate was 83%. Men compared to women (Coeff: .34; 95 CI = .19-.50; p < .001), those with more liberal norms (Coeff: 1.05; 95 CI = .87-1.23; p < .001) and those with more positive attitudes about drinking (Coeff: 1.06; 95 CI= .63-1.49; p < .001) have a higher average number of weekly drinks. Those in the 40-49 age group have a lower mean number of weekly drinks than those in the 18-29 age group (Coeff.: -.23; 95 CI = -.42-.03; p < .02). Those with income between $30,001 and $40,000 a year compared to those with less than $10,000, (OR: .28; 95 CI = .08-1.93; p < .039) report fewer social/health problems. Protestants compared to Catholics (AOR: 1.94; 95 CI = 1.08-3.47; p < .026), those with more liberal drinking norms (AOR: 3.62; 95 CI = 1.87-6.99; p < .001) and more positive attitudes about drinking (AOR: 3.41; 95 CI = 1.04-11.09; p < .001), and those who consume a higher number of drink per week (AOR: 1.03; 95 CI = 1.01-1.05; p < .001) and binge (AOR: 3.52; 95 CI = 2.14-5.80; p < .001) are more likely to report social and health problems associated with alcohol use. The finding that male gender is not associated with binge drinking and social and health problems was not expected. Puerto Ricans appear to drink less than the general population and Hispanics and Puerto Ricans on the U.S. mainland. Up to date epidemiological findings provide information about high risk groups and correlates of alcohol problems in the population. These are now available for Puerto Rico and can be used in the design of prevention interventions. (Am J Addict 2016;25:478-485).

Fear of cancer recurrence in prostate cancer survivors

Background High fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is an understudied topic in prostate cancer (PCa) survivors. This study aimed to detect the prevalence, consequences and characteristics associated with high FCR in PCa survivors.Material and methods This cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with localized PCa and treated with curative radical prostatectomy between 1992 and 2012. We administered the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) to assess FCR severity (primary outcome measure). Secondary outcomes included distress, quality of life (QOL), post-traumatic symptoms, and multidimensional aspects of FCR. χ2-tests, t-tests and Pearson’s correlations examined the relationship between FCR and medical/demographic characteristics. MANOVA analyses and χ2-tests identified differences between PCa survivors with high and low FCR.Results Two hundred eighty-three PCa survivors (median age of 70.0 years) completed the questionnaires a median time of 7.1 years after surgery. About a third (36%) of all PCa survivors experienced high FCR. High FCR was associated with lower QOL, more physical problems, higher distress and more post-traumatic stress symptoms. PCa survivors with high FCR reported disease-related triggers (especially medical examinations), felt helpless and experienced problems in social relationships. High FCR was associated with a younger age and having received adjuvant radiotherapy.Conclusions Results illustrate that FCR is a significant problem in PCa survivors. Younger men and those treated with adjuvant radiotherapy are especially at risk. Those with high FCR experience worse QOL and higher symptom burden. Health care providers should pay specific attention to this problem and provide appropriate psychosocial care when needed.

Hazardous alcohol use and associated factors in a rural Ethiopian district: a cross-sectional community survey.

BackgroundAlcohol related health and social problems are on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa. This survey reports the prevalence and associated factors for hazardous drinking in rural Sodo district, southern Ethiopia. The survey was part of a multi-center study, Programme for Improving Mental Health Care (PRIME), which is a consortium of research institutions and ministries of health of five low and middle income countries, namely Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa and Uganda in partnership with UK institutions and World Health Organization (WHO).MethodsA cross-sectional community survey was conducted involving 1500 adults, age 18 and above, recruited using multi-stage random sampling. Data on alcohol use was collected using the Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST). Standardised instruments were used to measure potential associated factors, including a validated adaptation of the Kessler 10 (psychological distress), the List of Threatening Experiences (number of adverse life events). Exploratory multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine factors associated with hazardous alcohol use.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hazardous alcohol use was found to be 21 %; 31 % in males and 10.4 % in females, P < 0.05. Factors independently associated with hazardous alcohol use were being male (adjusted OR = 4.0, 95 % CI = 2.44, 6.67), increasing age, having experienced one or more stressful life events (adjusted OR = 1.71, 95 % CI = 1.18, 2.48, and adjusted OR = 2.12, 95 % CI = 1.36, 3.32 for 1–2 and 3 or more adverse life events, respectively) and severe psychological distress (adjusted OR = 2.96, 95 % CI = 1.49, 5.89). High social support was found to be protective from hazardous alcohol use (adjusted OR = 0.41, 95 % CI = 0.23, 0.72).ConclusionHigh level of hazardous alcohol use was detected in this predominantly rural Ethiopian setting. The finding informed the need to integrate services for hazardous alcohol use such as brief intervention at different levels of primary care services in the district. Public health interventions to reduce hazardous alcohol use also need to be launched.

Experiential avoidance, empathy, and anger-related attitudesin antisocial personality disorder

In prevailing opinion, a strong relation exists between lack of empathy and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). However, recent data fail to wholly clarify this relation, especially in consideration of empathy dimensions. In this study our aim was to address ASPD and social functionality from a contextual behavioral science viewpoint. The present study was conducted with a sample of 34 individuals with ASPD and 32 healthy individuals as the control group. The participants were assessed with a sociodemographic form, Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM I and II (SCID-I and SCID-II), Social Functioning Scale (SFS), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II for measuring experiential avoidance, Interpersonal Reactivity Index for measuring empathy dimensions, and the State-Trait Anger Scale for anger-related attitudes. Experiential avoidance, dysfunctional anger regulation patterns, and lack of perspective-taking levels were higher in the ASPD group than in the control group. Experiential avoidance and perspective-taking processes were related with social functioning in ASPD. These findings may provide initial data for understanding ASPD clinical features and related social interaction problems. Further relations between scales and social functionality also analyzed and discussed.

A study on alcohol use and its related health and social problems in rural Puducherry, India.

Introduction:Harmful use of alcohol was the cause for 5.9% of all deaths and 5.1% of the global burden of disease and injury. India is the third largest market for alcoholic beverages in the world with estimated 62.5 million alcohol user in 2005. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence of alcohol consumption, pattern of drinking, and its effect on people's health and social consequences.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in 850 households selected from 19 villages of two Primary Health Centers. A total of 30 clusters were selected, and from each cluster, 28 houses were surveyed by random walk method. Information was collected on predesigned and pretested questionnaire forms and analyzed using Epi Info 3.4.3. Chi-square test was used for statistical significance.Results:The overall prevalence of alcohol use among ≥18 years of age was 9.7% and exclusively among males was 17.1%. The highest prevalence (17.1%) was among 46–55 years age groups and the residents of joint families (37.0%). One-third of the users began drinking before 20 years of age and half of them consumed for getting relief from pain/strain/tiredness. About half of the users had strained relations with their family members and neighbors both. The majority had alcohol dependence problems and about one-fifth had chronic health problems, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.Conclusion:The prevalence of alcohol use in Puducherry was low and restricted to males only. The prevalence was high among low uneducated farmers and labors. About one-third of users had alcohol dependence problems and one-fifth had chronic health problems.

The Protection and Valorization of Cultural and Environmental Heritage in the Development Process of the Territory

As is well-known, art and science are two ways of presenting the history of the world, not two subjects in contrast with each other. Art, in other words cultural and landscape heritage, rightly considering as such also the environment, is linked to the history of man. Related to this, are the various artistic expressions and, therefore, the various generational movements with their related social events and problems from the past to the present, which are linked to each other temporally. It is true that “Nature does not support the human footprint”: this is what the World Wide Fund for Nature highlights in describing the great imbalance that exists due to the consequent irreversible damage that occurs with the passing of time. In the processes directed at the possible reacquisition of the compatibilities to protect nature, life conditions and the historical-artistic heritage, some case studies are reported that have been carried out over the years. The research concerned the protection and valorization of the “system: artifact of historical-artistic interest-conservation environment-biota” and dealt with the following problems: atmospheric pollution, degradation of monuments and historical-artistic environments – protection and consequent benefits; conservation and monitoring in confined environments.

IDENTIFIKASI, OEDIPUS-KOMPLEKS DAN KRISIS PARUH BAYA DALAM MIDNIGHT ALL DAY KARYA HANIF KUREISHI: PEMBACAAN PSIKOANALISIS

The research is aimed at looking at social relationship and personal problems in the United Kingdom through the eyes of a Pakistani-British writer, Hanif Kureishi. This will be done through the possibility of applying three psychoanalytic concepts, namely identification, Oedipus complex and midlife crisis to literary works. The short stories selected were ‘Strangers when we meet’, ‘That was then’, and ‘Girl’ which were published in Midnight All Day, a short story collection written by Hanif Kureishi, an English writer. The analysis was conducted on the characters of the stories which were subjected to the concepts. The results revealed that the concepts could be applied to the relevant characters. Besides, through the applications, we can see the problems experienced by the characters in the story which may reflect the real people in the United Kingdom.

Factors impacting the quality of peer relationships of youth with Tourette's syndrome.

BackgroundTourette’s syndrome (TS) is a poorly understood neurodevelopmental disorder consistently associated with impaired peer relationships. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between TS and the ability of diagnosed youth to form secure attachment relationships with peers. A quantitative study examined differences between youth with TS and typically developing peers in social functioning, relationship problems and attachment security. Qualitative studies sought to identify factors that enhanced or impeded the ability to form secure peer relationships, including the impact of tic severity, comorbidity and personality traits. All research was conducted from the parental perspective.MethodsThe research consisted of a controlled, survey-based qualitative and quantitative study (Study One) of parents of youth with TS (n = 86) and control group peers (n = 108), and a qualitative telephone interview-based study of TS group parents (Study Two, n = 22). Quantitative assessment of social functioning, peer problems and peer attachment security was conducted using the Paediatric Quality of Life inventory, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Attachment Questionnaire for Children. Qualitative data relating to personality was classified using the Five Factor Model.ResultsResults revealed significantly higher rates of insecure peer attachment, problems in peer relationships, difficulty making friends, stigmatisation and lower levels of social functioning for the TS group. Significant between-group differences in number and type of factors impacting peer relationships were also determined with ‘personality’ emerging as the most prevalent factor. Whilst Extraversion and Agreeableness facilitated friendships for both groups, higher rates of Neuroticism were barriers to friendship for individuals with TS. The TS group also identified multiple ‘non-personality’ factors impacting peer relationships, including TS and comorbid symptom severity, the child’s psychological and behavioural adjustment to their disorder, coping strategies and the behaviour and attitudes of peers.DiscussionOur findings suggest that, whilst Extraversion and Agreeableness facilitated friendships for both groups, higher rates of Neuroticism were barriers to friendship for individuals with TS. Notwithstanding the fact that these findings are based on parental report and not the perceptions of youth themselves, this study may help clinicians to identify youth at increased risk of developing insecure peer relationships and guide the development of targeted supports.ConclusionsThe findings from the study may help clinicians, parents and individuals with TS to better understand and cope with the difficulties experienced in interactions with peers.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40359-015-0090-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Attachment and social cognition in borderline personality disorder: Specificity in relation to antisocial and avoidant personality disorders.

Theory and research point to the role of attachment difficulties in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Attachment insecurity is believed to lead to chronic problems in social relationships, attributable, in part, to impairments in social cognition, which comprise maladaptive mental representations of self, others, and self in relation to others. However, few studies have attempted to identify social-cognitive mechanisms that link attachment insecurity to BPD and to assess whether such mechanisms are specific to the disorder. For the present study, empirically derived indices of mentalization, self-other boundaries, and identity diffusion were tested as mediators between attachment style and personality disorder symptoms. In a cross-sectional structural equation model, mentalization and self-other boundaries mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and BPD. Mentalization partially mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and antisocial personality disorder (PD) symptoms, and self-other boundaries mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety.

Effectiveness of Family-Based Behavioral Treatment Based on Medication Behavior Barkley Compared with Drug Therapy in Reducing the Symptoms of Children with Attention Deficit Disorder-Hyperactivity

Children with attention deficit and hyper activity disorder have various problems such as low academic performance, social and communication problems, anxiety, depression, aggression, conduct disorder and delinquency, and also when they become adults, they have problems in social relationships that these problems can increase or decrease in dealing with family. Hence, this study was performed in order to examine the impact of family-based behavioral treatment compared with Barkley behavior therapy in reducing symptoms of children with attention deficit disorder—ADHD. To meet the aim, 20 of children with age range of 7 to 12 years old with attention deficit disorder—hyperactivity were selected in both experimental and control groups, and exposed to the treatment of behavioral family therapy groups and changes in behavior Barkley. Before and after the treatment, they were evaluated according to the scale of the Conner’s Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short Form (CPRS-R: S). Results of multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that there were significant differences between the experimental group who had received family-based behavioral treatments based on changes in behavior Barkley and a control group who had received drug treatment in variables, including conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic symptoms, and signs of impulsive hyperactivity, anxiety and hyperactivity (p < 0.01). These results could be guidance for counsel or sand therapists for children with attention deficit disorder—ADHD.

Should we Care what the Pope Says About Climate Change?

The brokerage firm, E.F. Hutton, used to have a tagline that went, “When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen.” On climate change, the Pope has spoken, but will people listen? And should they? The first question is empirical; the second, normative.The papal encyclical, Laudato Si’, was released in May 2015 to much acclaim. It is an extraordinarily wideranging document. Although I will focus, in particular, on its discussion of climate change, it is worth noting that the encyclical addresses virtually the entire litany of environmental problems—loss of biodiversity, hazardous chemicals and wastes, marine pollution, replacement of virgin forests with monoculture plantations, and lack of access to clean drinking water, among others—as well as related social problems such as extreme poverty and urban overcrowding.