Self-esteem Research Articles

"Treat people with human dignity": the perspective of older adults on the quality of geriatric rehabilitation.

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the perspectives of older adults on the quality of geriatric rehabilitation (GR) during the trajectory of GR from admission until six weeks after discharge. We conducted a longitudinal qualitative study. Participants were interviewed three times: at the start of rehabilitation, at discharge, and six weeks after discharge. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis. In total, 50 interviews were conducted, with 18 participants being interviewed multiple times. The following themes emerged: 1. A bond of trust with health care professionals (HCPs), 2. Being prepared and informed at all stages of GR, 3. Participants emphasise physical and occupational therapy rather than other aspects of care as comprising GR 4. Changing needs regarding (the extent of) involvement in decision-making, 5. Contact with family and peers. For older adults, preparation for and good organisation of rehabilitation and social interaction with HCPs and other older adults were found to be important for the perceived quality of GR. Social interaction is influenced by how HCPs engage with older adults in all the phases of the rehabilitation process. Older adults have varying preferences about involvement in decision-making during GR. These perspectives should be acknowledged and acted upon in clinical practice to further improve the quality of care in GR.

Because of Who We Are: A Fresh Perspective on Calvin’s Doctrine of the Image of God and Human Dignity

Scholars have connected Calvin’s idea of the imago Dei with the modern concept of inherent human dignity. Others have emphasized how Calvin tried to use the image of God to promote the significance of human dignity without connecting it with political theories. These arguments may be justifiable to some extent. However, my concern is that these scholars focus on the image of God in others rather than on how it transforms individuals who live out its renewal. For Calvin, the restoration of the image of God by the Holy Spirit aimed at enabling a holy and righteous life. In his thought, this life was marked by visible excellence, reflected in social virtues expressed toward others. Based on these insights, I show that, according to Calvin, treating others with dignity, honor, and love is not only made possible by recognizing them as bearers of God’s image but is primarily driven by the renewal of God’s image within those who display these actions and attitudes through the work of the Spirit. This fresh perspective on Calvin’s doctrine of the image of God and human dignity can be presented by analyzing Calvin’s pneumatological account of the imago Dei.

Envisioning the Beloved Community: Racial Justice, Property Law, and the Social Mortgage

Abstract The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was concerned about both poverty and race, inextricably linked because of the long and brutal history of racial injustice in housing, employment, and education. What Dr. King called the beloved community reflected a vision of a world built on peace, human dignity, and shared material abundance for all people. To explore this linkage of poverty and race, I employ two related Christian theological concepts: the universal destiny of the goods of the earth and the social mortgage that encumbers all private property to ensure the equitable provision of those goods to all and for all generations. I analyze the ways in which the universal destiny of goods can be mediated through U.S. property law by structuring the ownership and use of land and buildings within the context of social obligation. But while the law has the capacity to ensure ownership, security, and infrastructure for all, U.S. society has failed to make the necessary payments on the social mortgage that would create this reality—a failure due primarily to severe racial and economic injustices, both historical and contemporary. Yet there is hope: I present examples that offer glimpses of the beloved community.

Endel Tulving. 26 May 1927 — 11 September 2023

Endel Tulving was an Estonian–Canadian cognitive psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist who transformed the study of human memory in the 50 years between 1960 and 2010. He was born in Estonia in 1927, and spent several years in post-war Europe before emigrating to Canada in the late 1940s. He obtained degrees at the University of Toronto and at Harvard University before returning to the University of Toronto as a faculty member in 1956. He was always an independent thinker, and rejected the dominant view of memory and learning in terms of associations in favour of a more cognitive approach in which the organization of remembered events played a major part. He also developed theories on how events are encoded and retrieved, first in terms of behaviour and then in terms of their underlying neural correlates in specific brain regions. His theoretical ideas on different memory systems and their relations to different types of consciousness, laid out in his 1983 book Elements of episodic memory (Oxford University Press), continue to play a major part in current work on human memory. As a person, he retained a somewhat European sense of propriety and formality, which often made him seem quite formidable to new acquaintances. Once someone's scientific seriousness was established, however, Endel was warmly supportive of his students and colleagues. He was much loved by his family, and held in high esteem by his fellow scientists.

The Divine Comedy (Hell) through Aristotelian ethics and Thomistic ontology

The first part of the Divine Comedy, the Inferno, should be interpreted through the prism of the Aristotelian conception of virtue. Against all expectations, Dante did not base his work on virtue as defined by Catholic morality, which makes his work seem less guided by established principles, even if the ontological essence of the text reflects the Thomistic structure. This is not without consequence. The characters of the Inferno are not approached from the angle of absolute morality, but rather through the accounts of their concrete lives, which Dante narrates and analyses in depth. In this way, he can position himself uniquely in relation to these figures, expressing his own personal feelings. The poet has a deep respect for those who had a direct or indirect influence on his life (such as Virgil, Brunetto Latini and the fictional character of Ulysses), even if they are among the damned. He sees them not in absolute terms, but relatively, considering their humanity, which, like all humanity, is imperfect and fallible. From this perspective, the term “transhumar”, one of the main vectors of the spiritual habitus in the Comedy, can be seen as an equivalent of the Greek term “eudaimonia”, which designates the supreme good or its quest. This is precisely what the poet aspires to, and what his most beloved characters cling to, whom he saves from eternal damnation by means of Aristotle’s moral teaching. That’s why the play is called “Comedy”. It is, after all, a story with a happy ending. And how could it be otherwise, when Dante, and those he holds in high esteem in the Inferno, aspire to maximum personal fulfilment in the light of “the love that moves the Sun and the other stars”? In the end, the “lectura aristotelica” proves to be a great help in grasping the dialectic of the poem.

Why be moral?

This article critically examines two different answers to the ancient question, why be moral. The first suggests that valid reasons refer to a specific relation between human beings and God. Here, being moral means to treat oneself and others with the respect that is the due of God’s closest friend. The second argues that we have good reasons for being moral when being moral makes us happy (realizes Eudaimonia). The investigation offers two results, one critical and the other constructive. The critical shows how and why both theistic accounts of bestowed human dignity and eudaimonistic accounts offer no relevant reasons for being moral. The constructive result builds on an observation; both accounts presuppose the inherent force of the obligation to act morally right. It shows that the reasons for being moral should be explicated as internal to the very meaning of being moral.

Legal regulation of education in Ukraine. Part 3: equal rights, security and dignity of students and language requirements for admission to an educational institution under the conditions of military emergency

The purpose of this article is to continue the analysis of Ukrainian legislation and international acts that regulate or affect the process of regulating basic human rights and freedoms in Ukraine’s education field. The conduct of this study is due to the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in 2024, which intervened directly during the admission process of students to higher educational institutions during the 2024 admission campaign. The mentioned aspects especially affected the education seekers who declared their desire to study full-time and on a paid basis in graduate school to obtain the third (educational and scientific) level of higher education. Regarding the above, it became necessary to legally examine the observance of basic human rights and freedoms when conducting the admission process under martial law along with implementing and regulating educational activities. In particular, the article examines the main conditions and guarantees of equality of rights of education seekers when enrolling in educational institutions. Additionally, the study underlines the main legal provisions on the human right to safety and dignity, which shall be observed during the admission campaign and when carrying out educational activities in conditions of military emergency as well as in conditions of economic crisis. At the same time, special attention is focused on the need to establish different admission conditions and study conditions for free education and paid education recipients. In addition, the authors analyze the legislation of Ukraine regarding the possibility of using the factor of knowledge of foreign languages as a condition for admission to institutions of higher education, both in the general context and taking into account the specifics of the education received by the student. Thus, this article is the third article from the cycle of research and contains the results of a legal study of the principle of equal rights in the field of education, the principle of safety and human dignity in education, in particular, during the period of military emergency in Ukraine, as well as the principle of Ukrainian-language education in Ukraine.

How dignity matters for life and lifelong learning: insights from participatory story-telling by university students in South Africa

ABSTRACT The claim made is that dignity matters in both legal and recognitional aspects for flourishing and lifelong learning opportunities for young adults. Dignity is understood here as a foundational capability and functioning to be and to do in ways which matter to a person, requiring the material and non-material conditions which enable and secure equal dignity for each person. The claim is first explored drawing on both the capability approach and conceptualisations of dignity, especially the inflorescent form. Then, to empirically animate the claim, the article draws on a participatory story-telling project undertaken in a South African university in 2020 with graduate students, in which they were co-creators of knowledge. Participants were supported pedagogically in producing their own individual and collective digital stories, focusing on their lived experiences of social justice and specifically of human dignity. The project shows that dignity is an especially important capability for young people’s present and future wellbeing and their aspirations. Dignity is formed in and sustained relationally in collective spaces. Further, dignity enables repair of the injustices of the colonial and apartheid past. If dignity is not fostered in and through education in adult and higher education spaces, education will always fall short of social justice aspirations and lifelong learning conditions.

Antropología, economía y empresa: claves para un método desde la persona

Every economic concept and every company develops according to the implicit anthropology that underlies it. This is why it is so important to know or clarify the specific anthropology that exists in each company and case. This essay attempts to propose a concrete practical method that can help us think about this issue within our organizations. The main key to this method lies in showing the great value of the person, as well as of human dignity, for a development based on freedom and creativity.

The value of family visits as an implementation of maintaining human dignity: a sociological perspective

The value of family visits as an implementation of maintaining human dignity: a sociological perspective

Marriage and Strategic Confrontation: A Critical Analysis of Indian Society

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in General Recommendation no. 21 (the 13th session, 1994) on the declaration of equality between women and men for human rights has discouraged polygamous marriage practices ( https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/recommendations/recomm.htm#top ). Further, the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s assertion in 2000 on the General Assembly of the UN contends about the direct connection of marriage with human dignity and acknowledges only state-approved monogamous marriage can tantamount to social development, by fostering equality, justice and cosmic harmony. On the contrary, polygamous marriage treats humans unequally and subordinates women, following such type of marriages breach the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, recommending the blanket ban of the practice of polygamy. It is significant that treating woman as less than man not only subjugates them but hinders the development of the whole society. To secure social harmony, the state can legislate a rule for all its citizens irrespective of their religion. Notwithstanding, independent Indian Constitutional Laws facilitate monogamy practice on the one hand, and on the other hand allow polygamy as an atypical form of marriage in another personal law. Therefore, in this article, first, I examine the notion of marriage in Indian tradition and then compare Indian marriage standards with the Western approach of monogamy, as a society’s right, as a right to moral independence and as an ethical analogue. Following that, I argue whether contemporary Indian society’s legislation on marriage fits into Western standards or triggers a strategic confrontation.

Benevolent and spiritual – undergraduate social care students’ identification with religious beliefs and moral virtues in a Finnish context

ABSTRACT Moral beliefs guide interpersonal behaviour and responses to ethical situations and are an integral element of professionalism in relationship-based social care practice. This qualitative interview-based study focused on identifying the religious and moral beliefs of undergraduate social care students (N = 19) at the Finnish, non-religiously affiliated Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The participating students’ beliefs are discussed in reference to virtue ethics and efforts to determine positive moral standards for interpersonal relations. The results show that a majority of the students identified as spiritual but not traditionally religious, in accordance with the changing religious landscape in Finland and beyond. However, their moral beliefs were in some respects linked with certain prosocial dimensions of religions; for example, several students stated that they valued the Golden Rule in Christianity. Overall, the students considered benevolence to be the key virtue in character, attitude and action, believing a good person to be someone who respects other people and helps, not harms them. The students’ views are in line with the ethical considerations that recognise social care as a profession that aims to protect and promote human dignity. The implications of this study are discussed in the context of developing future social care professionals’ moral education.

The Moderating and Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Susceptibility to Normative Influence in the Relationship Between Brand Love and Brand Loyalty

Purpose: The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the role of Self-Esteem (SE) and Susceptibility to Normative Influence (SNI) in the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry in Sri Lanka. Specifically, this study aims to determine whether SE and SNI act as moderators or mediators in this relationship. Since there is an unambiguously identified gap in the literature, there still exists insufficient agreement and acceptance in the existing literature about the correct role of Self-esteem and SNI in the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty, and previous researchers' findings are contradictory. Examining the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty across cultures and industries is another well-stated necessity. Design/methodology/approach: This investigation used a quantitative methodology and thus, a self-administered survey was distributed to the 390 participants in the sample who are consuming FMCG products in Sri Lanka. The sample was selected using a purposive sampling technique. Regression analysis was carried out to test the hypothesized relationship between dependent, independent, mediating, and moderating variables. Findings: Researchers concluded that in the FMCG sector of Sri Lanka, SE and SNI do not exert significant moderation on the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty. However, it was observed that SE and SNI do play a partial mediating role in this relationship. Originality: Despite a clearly identified gap in the literature, there remains insufficient consensus regarding the role of SE and SNI in the relationship between brand love and brand loyalty. Existing studies present contradictory findings, highlighting the need for further investigation to clarify these roles. This research is the first to clarify whether SE and SNI function as moderators or mediators in the relationship between Brand Love and Brand Loyalty, with a specific focus on the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry in Sri Lanka. It makes a substantial and original contribution to the existing body of knowledge. Implications: This research addresses a gap in empirical knowledge by clarifying the precise roles of SE and SNI as evidenced by the findings. Additionally, the study contributes to the literature by examining the brand love-loyalty relationship in the Asian context and the FMCG industry, offering a more generalized theoretical conclusion applicable worldwide. The findings support the Brand Resonance Model's emotional path, particularly in Sri Lanka's FMCG industry.

Ethical Aspects of Human Genome Research in Sports-A Narrative Review.

Human genome research in sports raises complex ethical considerations regarding the intersection of genetics and athletic performance. Pursuing genetic enhancements must uphold fairness, equality, and respect for human dignity. This narrative review explores the ethical dimensions of human genome research in sports, its potential implications on athletes, and the integrity of sports. As a narrative review, this study synthesizes the existing literature and expert insights to examine the ethical aspects of human genome research in sports. This study extensively examined the current literature on genetics, sports performance, ethical concerns, human rights, and legal regulations within the European context. The literature was searched using the SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases. Exploring human genome research in sports reveals significant ethical implications, including potential genetic discrimination, impacts on human rights, and creating a genetic underclass of athletes. There are also definite benefits surrounding genetic testing. In conclusion, this review contends that integrating ethical considerations into developing and applying genetic technologies in sports is crucial to upholding fundamental principles of fairness, equality, and respect for human dignity. It stresses the importance of open and inclusive dialogue about the potential consequences of genetic advancements on athletic performance, future generations, and the integrity of sports.

Validation of a novel medical device (Chloe SED®) for the administration of analgesia during manual vacuum aspiration: a randomized controlled non-inferiority pilot study.

Millions of women worldwide annually undergo manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) with no pain medication, which is a violation of their basic human dignity. We designed a novel device (Chloe SED®) to administer paracervical block (PCB) during MVA in countries where pain medication is not typically given due to the high cost of the necessary tools. We conducted a single-blinded, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial including 61 patients at two hospitals in Kisumu, Kenya, to validate Chloe SED® for administration of PCB during MVA. PCB administered with Chloe SED® was compared to PCB administered with a standard spinal needle. Patients requiring MVA were block randomized in blocks of six, each provider completing six PCBs-three with the Chloe SED® and three with the standard spinal needle. The trial was registered with the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board, ECCT/19/03/01 (https://ctr.pharmacyboardkenya.org/applications/index/protocol_no:RUNDVC8xOS8wMy8wMQ__/filter:/investigator:/sites:/pages:5/start_date:/end_date:/disease_condition:/users:/ercs:/stages). An intention-to-treat analysis was completed. The primary outcome was the non-inferiority of the pain score during uterine evacuation with a non-inferiority margin of 2 points on an 11-point numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes included the non-inferiority of the pain score at four other time points and patient satisfaction. Chloe SED® showed non-inferiority of the primary outcome with a mean pain score during evacuation of 3.8 [90% confidence interval (CI): 3.1-4.6] compared with the spinal needle at 4.1 (90% CI: 3.5-4.7). Non-inferiority of the pain score was shown at all time points. Most patients expressed a desire for the continued use of the device to administer PCB for MVA. No adverse events were noted. In summary, the Chloe SED® appears non-inferior to the spinal needle and desirable for the administration of PCB during MVA.

Law of Ukraine on Palliative Care: to be or not to be

The author has conducted an analysis of the laws on palliative care acting in foreign countries:(Italy, Spain, Germany, Slovakia, France), determined their peculiarities, which areconcordant for a national law, the necessity of which has grown in Ukraine. In particular, thegiven peculiarities include: 1) a value-oriented focus of the laws (quality of life, informed consentetc.); 2) the litmus paper — the confirmation of human dignity, anchored in the internationalstandards; 3) the struggle for life «in the boundaries»; 4) an appropriate pain relief as akey algorithm of medical assistance; 5) the foundations of the law constitute a conceptual-categoricalapparatus.The author has formed a mosaic of the strategy of a special law through the prism of a preambula,the definitive-categorial apparatus and the principles, as well as the author's view ofthe content of the act. The author hallmarked that the structure of the domestic palliativecare law should contain, inter alia: the legal status of palliative patients, the legal representativesof palliative patients, the members of their families, as well as the legal status of medicalemployees, which fulfill the provision of palliative care. The author outlined, that amongthe rights of palliative patients, the following possibilities should be concordant to be included:the refusal from medical interventions, an advance directive, the respect to human dignity,obtaining medical information and the refusal of obtaining it, right to autonomy and voluntaryinformed consent to a medical intervention. The author underlined that the palliativecare law should contain a distinct chapter, dedicated to the peculiarities of providing palliativecare to children, as specific subjects of receiving such care. The author focused the attentionto the fact that distinct chapters would have to regulate the legal status of palliative careproviders and their interaction, and contain the division of powers, since the interdisciplinarityof the sphere would combine two institutions of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and theMinistry of Social Policy of Ukraine, various institutions and establishments.The author justified the necessity of determining the key definition of the research sphereprecisely as palliative care, without the hospice one.

Strategic Framework for Human-Centric AI Governance: Navigating Ethical, Educational, and Societal Challenges

Abstract: Humanity is at the precipice of a profound transformation, propelled by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). Once confined to the realm of science fiction, AI now permeates every aspect of daily life, promising significant changes to our social, economic, and personal spheres. As AI systems continue to advance and surpass human capabilities in various domains, they present unparalleled opportunities as well as formidable challenges. This composition explores the dualistic nature of AI, acknowledging its capacity to either augment or disrupt our existence. By examining AI's current state, potential risks, and ethical considerations, we emphasize the pressing need for a comprehensive framework to govern its development and integration. We propose a multifaceted framework built on five fundamental principles: human centered design, transparency and interpretability, accountability and governance, education and upskilling, and inclusive and equitable access. These principles are designed to ensure that AI systems enhance human capabilities, promote transparency, uphold ethical standards, and provide equitable access to the benefits of technology. Through in-depth case studies, we illustrate the practical application of this framework, showcasing AI's impact across various industries while emphasizing the importance of addressing ethical and societal challenges. This composition calls for a collective effort among governments, corporations, and individuals to navigate the rapid expansion of AI responsibly, fostering a future where AI and humanity coexist harmoniously. The ultimate goal is to harness the potential of AI to revitalize society, ensuring that technological progress elevates human dignity and collective well-being instead of rendering us obsolete.

Defining Work Ethics in the Modern Labour Market: Ethical Competence Criteria Emerging from Technological Development and Moral-Theological Documents

Ethical competence is not an easily defined concept, especially with respect to the job requirements resulting from new technologies and digital transformation of the economy. The present paper attempts to define the competence profile of a worker in knowledge-based economy and workplaces using automation and digital technologies, but in relation to sources from encyclicals and other moral-theological documents. This profile includes specific ethical criteria, which are relevant and valid regardless of the times. Moreover, in the face of technological progress in modern economies, these criteria seem to have the power to influence the effectiveness of work processes. Thus, features such as respect for human dignity, responsibility, honesty, quality, courage, trustworthiness, justice, and secrecy should be considered as key for recruitment and evaluation of human capital in the modern labour market. As these are values mentioned in moral-theological documents, including papal encyclicals, they refer to the essence of human work and ensure that no man is reified.

Global legal trends in fertility interventions: A criminal justice perspective

The global decline in birth rates has heightened the urgency of addressing infertility, a condition that affects approximately one in six individuals worldwide. This paper explores the complex causes of infertility, including genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and environmental exposures, which collectively contribute to reproductive challenges in both men and women. The advent of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), particularly In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), has revolutionized infertility treatment since 1978, providing hope to millions. Despite the remarkable advancements in ART, these technologies raise significant legal and ethical concerns, necessitating robust regulatory frameworks. This paper examines the historical development of ART, with a focus on global trends and data from ART registries, highlighting the steady increase in ART cycles worldwide. Furthermore, it delves into the legal and ethical challenges associated with ART, including issues related to donor rights, parental responsibilities, and the potential health risks for children born through these technologies. The paper advocates for continued refinement of ART practices and regulations to ensure safety, efficacy, and ethical integrity. It also underscores the importance of ongoing research into the long-term health implications for children conceived via ART and the broader societal impacts. By addressing these concerns, ART can continue to offer a viable solution to infertility while upholding human dignity and societal well-being.

‘Ubuntu’ African Philosophy or ‘Ubuntu’ as a Philosophy for Africa

This paper tries to develop a tenable philosophical idea of Ubuntu, that is, more specifically, a crystallized and sanitized African indigenous ethical perspective. Africa as an idea seems to be a “contested” concept in this contemporary post-colonial era due to the influx of different nuances, races, values, and beliefs that are in contention. Should this be a source of worry? So far, Ubuntu theory and practice in Africa seem to have become emotive, politicized, and not inclusive enough due to grandstanding about ownership, poor conceptual and theoretical articulation, as well as antagonism from other related foreign dominant worldviews that wish to become the development paradigm for most African social and political systems. This raises relational and dialogical issues about meaning from an African viewpoint. The search for an African endogenous paradigm for development is urgent given the real consequences of a (neo)colonial tendency that has threatened and disadvantaged the development of most countries due to its dominant paradigms of alienation, exploitation, and marginalization. These values have altered or affected African behaviour and thinking. This transformation of the African personality raises issues about agency. The underlying values of a development paradigm or philosophy of development for Africa require an ethical basis for human existence in political and social order. Generally, social order in most parts of Africa is beset by the problem of a negative dominant social paradigm (DSP) or core social values of hatred, intolerance, the abuse of human rights, dehumanization, exploitation, authoritarianism, poverty, and oppression. This often leads to tension, violent conflicts, and wars. So to build a viable and stable endogenous paradigm for development in most African sociopolitical environments, we attempt to use the main pillar of interconnectedness among human beings, which is central to Ubuntu as a humane and humanistic social system, to underscore some key moral and democratic values required for human liberation and transformation. The research question is: What concrete elements or values of Ubuntu can be useful as paradigms of endogenous African development? Specifically, our findings suggest that Ubuntu ethics is defined by a set of human values central among which are reciprocity, the common good, peaceful relations, an emphasis on human dignity and the value of human life, as well as consensus, tolerance, and mutual respect. Thus, the paper argues for the possibility of utilizing Ubuntu ethical correlates as materials for establishing stable and viable development worldwide and specifically in Africa.