Shaping Attitudes Research Articles

The crowding of social distancing: How social context and interpersonal connections affect individual responses to the coronavirus*

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigates the degree to which social connections and social context shape attitudes and behaviors surrounding the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States.MethodsIn April and August 2020, we surveyed Americans about their social context and asked a range of questions related to the coronavirus and social distancing.ResultsSocial crowding, social networks, and social context are related to support for social distancing policies and compliance with those policies.ConclusionThe coronavirus pandemic created hardships; hardships made more difficult by the inability to physically interact with extended family and friends and the inability to find space away from immediate family. This research suggests that understanding compliance with public policies requires attention to interpersonal connections.

Our Daily Communicative Contexts: More Evidence for the Food Environment Puzzle

Much of the research on food environments suggests that problematic access to healthy food restricts its consumption, contributing to adverse outcomes such as obesity, stroke, and heart disease. In addition to these direct relationships, we propose indirect relationships involving the Communication Mediation Model (CMM). Using nationally representative survey data from 1435 adults in the United States, we explore the multipronged role that perceived food environments play in shaping communication, attitudes, and reflective food consumption, considering communicative contexts. Results indicate a negative correlation between the perception of a difficult food environment and reflective consumption, supporting prior research. Most importantly, the food environment is also negatively correlated with news media use, discussion, and attitudes about healthy eating within the CMM. Our findings suggest that indirect communication effects of the food environment on reflective consumption compound the detrimental role of its direct effects.

Italians turn to family doctors for information on COVID-19 vaccines

Survey shows key role of GPs in shaping attitudes towards vaccination, with social media playing a minor part. Survey shows key role of GPs in shaping attitudes towards vaccination, with social media playing a minor part.

Child Participation in Estonian and Finnish Child Welfare Removals – Professionals’ Perceptions and Practices

Abstract A child’s right to participate is one of the general principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (crc). It is an integral part of a child’s right to have his/her best interest taken into account as a primary consideration. Therefore, it is indispensable in the decision-making connected with child welfare removals, the effects of which on the child’s life are long lasting and profound. In this article we examine the perceptions and practices of child-welfare professionals in the context of children’s rights, especially participation rights, in two neighbouring countries: Finland and Estonia. The findings are based on a survey and suggest that in the context of children’s rights, legislation also has its role in making children’s rights a reality, both as a prerequisite for reform as well as in shaping attitudes. However, legal regulation is not enough – full realisation also reguires more information, education and resources.

Making sense of business-to-government guanxi amidst the northern-southern and rural-urban divides in China: The institutional vs. the cultural perspective

This study examines Chinese managers’ ethical evaluations of business-to-government guanxi in three regions of China. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 senior Chinese managers in Beijing, Shanghai, and a county of Hebei, representing the urban northern, urban Southern, and rural northern regions of China, respectively. Based on the content analysis of these interviews, we found that the ethical evaluations of the managers in Beijing and Shanghai were more negative than those of the managers in Hebei. Our findings suggest that institutions play a more important role in shaping attitudes toward business-to-government guanxi than culture.

Sustainable Development at University of Pécs

Since 2016, the University of Pécs (UP) has participated in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking. Thanks to its conscious, disciplined environmental ambitions and related achievements, UP has been able to move forward year after year in the ever-expanding rankings and in 2019 it has been ranked among the top 100 greenest universities in the world. UP believes that sustainability must be achieved not only in its operations and university-related services but also in the internal and external natural, social and economic environment associated with the university. UP presents its sustainable development efforts along the lines of achievements in the natural, social and economic environment and explores its future visions. UP stated its mission, that every useful practice, innovation, management in the environment tend to help sustainability and sustainable administration has to be encouraged, with the aid of education and science aiming to strengthen ecological consciousness. It was realized in the spirit of this mission, the development of the 24,8 billion HUF Modern Cities Programme for the built infrastructure of UP, the award of the title "Responsible Employer of the Year" in 2019, the award of the "Energy Efficient Institution" award as the first Hungarian university and the award of the Baranya County Environmental Prize was achieved. In the social and economic environment, as an Energy Efficiency Mentor organization, UP established the Baranya Virtual Power Plant Program in 2019, which, together with social and economic actors, saved 3.5 MW of energy in the South Transdanubian region of Hungary within 1 year. With the support of the Visegrad Fund, UP is trying to build a network of universities between the Visegrad countries and the universities of the Danube Region, where the fight against climate change will become even more effective by means of shaping attitudes. The University of Pécs intends to increase its environmental ambitions in the future

The social-demographic characteristics and pandemic COVID-19 individual experience and their impact on vaccination attitude study aimed to determine the psychosocial interventions targets

A cohort cross-sectional study of the attitude of the population to vaccination against coronavirus infection COVID-19 was carried out using a specially designed questionnaire for mass filling, located on Internet resources 2 months after the start of mass vaccination in Russia. A total of 4172 people were examined at the age from 18 to 81 years. Among the respondents, there were different tendencies in relation to vaccination. Of the total sample, 35.7% of respondents consider vaccination useful, 32.2%—doubt its effectiveness, 8.7%—consider vaccination unnecessary, 12.2%—dangerous, indifference to vaccination was formed in 5.9% of respondents. They indicated that they do not plan to be vaccinated, 30.8%, postpones their decision until more remote data on the results and effectiveness of vaccination are obtained—34.7%, were vaccinated at the time of the study—12.2%. Young people are less focused on vaccination than middle-aged and older people. Among the factors that are associated with the attitude towards vaccination are age, gender, education, fear of possible complications, fear of contracting a coronavirus infection, concern for the health of their loved ones, anxiety about the current situation with coronavirus in general. The reports of scientists, doctors and experts in this field are essential for shaping attitudes towards vaccination. The study results should be considered as the targets for vaccination behavior improvement psychosocial interventions for different social and age population groups

The Role of Education in Shaping Safe Behaviours and Attitudes in the Aspect of Sustainable Development

Education for safety is an exceptionally topical issue in the modern world. It is an indispensable tool for achieving the goals of sustainable development. Who, when and where to educate; what tools to use; and according to what idea – these are essential questions related to raising human awareness. The aim of the article is to analyze and assess the awareness of society in terms of knowledge and skills in the field of safe behavior and attitude, the perception of safety in the context of sustainable development. The results of the research presented in the articleclearly indicate a high level of public involvement in acquiring knowledge and skills on safe behaviours and attitudes. The conclusions obtained allow to develop a strategy that will permit to develop an education system for safety (that will consider formal and informal education) as well as self-education. These conclusions constitute the basis for building cooperation between central government and local government units, educational units, and non-governmental organisations.

Farmers' attitude toward CRISPR/Cas9: The case of blast resistant rice

AbstractNew breeding techniques (NBTs) for genetically modified (GM) crops, such as CRISPR/Cas9, could represent a valuable solution for achieving a sustainable agricultural system. This study examines Italian farmers' attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified blast‐resistant rice in a hypothetical context. It is one of the first studies to investigate farmers' attitudes toward NBTs. Additionally, it explores the role of sociodemographics, farm characteristics, knowledge, perceived risks, and the locus of control (LOC) in shaping attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified rice. The results show that farmers are open to this innovation and will cultivate CRISPR/Cas9‐modified rice if it is available in the market. Moreover, we find subjective knowledge, practice experience, and low perceived risk in the agri‐food business to be positively associated with attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified blast‐resistant rice. Notably, LOC is found to be inversely related to attitude, indicating that having an external LOC improves attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9‐modified rice. The findings suggest that farmers are generally favorable to the introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 technology; thus, a revision of the current European Union policies on GM crops could meet their needs. [EconLit Citations: Q18, Q16].

‘My perspective has changed on an entire group of people’: undergraduate students’ experiences with the Paralympic Skill Lab

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to seek to understand and describe the experiences of university students taking part in the Paralympic Skill Lab (PSL) program in relation to shaping attitudes and perceptions of disability and disability sport. The researchers adopted an interpretivist ontology, where we attempted to make sense of our participants’ interpretations of their lived experiences in the PSL. Data from 35 students were collected via focus group interviews and reflective essays, and analyzed inductively using a three-step approach. Three interrelated themes were constructed based on the analysis that were related to the participants’ experience during the PSL event. In the first theme, ‘My mindset definitely changed’: The power of contact, participants described the manner in which PSL shifted their perspective on individuals with disabilities. The second theme, ‘This moved me so much to be the change’: A call to action, concerned participants desire to implement tangible, actionable intentions and plans as a result of participating in PSL. The third theme, ‘They can shine as much as normal athletes’: Expressions of ableism in the words of participants, depicts the ableist paradigm through which the participants ascribed meaning to their experience, showcasing an idealized notion of normal. These findings support assertions that participation in sport-based disability awareness programs can enhance participant knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives toward persons with disabilities and disability sport.

“Like it’s wrong, but it’s not that wrong:” Exploring the normalization of risk-compensatory strategies among young drivers engaging in illegal smartphone use

Introduction: Young drivers are the most vulnerable road users and most likely to use a smartphone illegally while driving. Although when compared with drink-driving, attitudes to illegal smartphone risk are nearly identical, smartphone use among young drivers continues to increase. Method: Four in-depth focus groups were conducted with 13 young (18–25 years) drivers to gain insight into their perceptions of the risks associated with the behavior. Our aim was to determine how drivers navigate that risk and if their behavior shapes and informs perceptions of norms. Results: Three key themes emerged: (a) participants perceived illegal smartphone use as commonplace, easy, and benign; (b) self-regulatory behaviors that compensate for risk are pervasive among illegal smartphone users; and (c) risk-compensation strategies rationalize risks and perceived norms, reducing the seriousness of transgression when compared with drink-driving. Young drivers rationalized their own use by comparing their selfregulatory smartphone and driving skills with those of “bad drivers,” not law abiders. Practical Applications: These findings suggest that smartphone behaviors shape attitudes to risk, highlighting the importance for any countermeasure aimed at reducing illegal use to acknowledge how a young person’s continued engagement in illegal smartphone use is justified by the dynamic composition of use, risk assessment and the perceived norms.

Racial prejudice, education, and views of climate change

AbstractObjectiveWe examine the role of education in shaping attitudes about climate change and how it interacts with racial prejudice.MethodsWe analyze data from the 2012 and 2016 American National Election Study (ANES) and 2018 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES).ResultsWe identify a paradoxical relationship in which education is associated with both lower levels of racial prejudice and increased support for climate policies, but also strengthens the negative effects of prejudices that persist at higher levels of educational attainment. For individuals with racially prejudiced views, we find that educational attainment decreases both agreement with the scientific consensus and support for climate policies. Our results hold up in evaluating Democrats and Republicans and using alternative measures of racial bias.ConclusionOur results contribute to our understanding of the barriers to action on climate change and the continued salience of racial prejudice in the United States.

Metode Pembelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial Di Sekolah Dasar Negeri 019 Tambusai Utara Kabupaten Rokan Hulu

In today's era of education, the challenge for teachers to understand students' characteristics that align with the changing times has become increasingly urgent. This is especially pertinent in teaching Social Sciences (IPS) at the elementary school level, where shaping behaviours and attitudes in line with Pancasila values takes centre stage. This research analyses teaching methods to enhance students' comprehension of the IPS subject within the classroom environment. The research methodology employed is a qualitative approach through a literature review, allowing for collecting information from various sources related to relevant teaching methods. The research findings reveal that several effective methods for enhancing students' understanding include Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL), which connects learning concepts with everyday life; Cooperative Learning, which fosters interaction among students; Group Discussions to develop speaking and listening skills; Question and Answer sessions to stimulate critical thinking; Role Playing to understand different perspectives; and Field Trips (Karyawisata) for experiential-based learning. This research is expected to provide valuable guidance for teachers in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences, with the potential to overcome boredom and foster creative thinking patterns among students within the classroom.

The intent of students to vaccinate is influenced by cultural factors, peer network, and knowledge about vaccines

ABSTRACT Young adults are the future vaccine decision-makers as parents or health-care professionals. To understand their attitudes and behaviors toward vaccination, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 2079 students attending the University of Antwerp, Belgium and the University of Pisa, Italy. Principal component analysis was used to investigate associations between survey responses and the intent to vaccinate. Vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among university students in Italy and Belgium were high. However, only one-half of respondents displayed an intent to vaccinate. High levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and confidence in vaccines were positively associated with age, higher level of study, being a medical student, a recent vaccination experience, and not knowing trusted persons who did not believe in vaccines. Country of origin was highly correlated with the survey responses and was clustered with lifestyle, family, and data source variables, suggesting a strong modifying effect of culture and family attitudes on how vaccines are perceived in this age-group. Recent meningococcal vaccination campaigns and public discussions around mandatory vaccination in Italy may have influenced these results. We show that the intent to vaccinate was correlated with two main clusters of variables linked to culture (country, family, lifestyle), and to scholarship (knowledge, attitudes, data source) that together influence the behavior of students with respect to vaccination. Our study reinforces previous findings that knowledge about vaccines is key to shaping attitudes and behaviors, but also shows that cultural and lifestyle factors are another platform that could be leveraged in promoting vaccination among young people.

Background to health education and the family support system and the prevention of deviant behaviour in children

Health education is primarily the acquisition and implementation of knowledge, but also the desire to shape attitudes and behaviors that have a significant impact on the child's future and consequently its positive development and attitude in adulthood. Young people in adolescence often do not show too much care for their health, its protection and strengthening. Therefore, childhood and adolescence seem to be the optimal time for implementation through education of correct attitudes regarding this topic. During this period, pro-health or risky behaviors are shaped. Activities in the field of health education should be implemented independently and in conjunction with active pedagogical support, which should be provided to families in a situation identified each time, when parents provide the child with incorrect patterns, insufficiently meet the needs or insufficiently care for his emotional and reactionary sphere of development, and thus clearly pose a greater threat to the child's mental and social development. Also in situations where the educational impacts seem insufficient or erroneously erroneous and the child begins to take risky behaviors that significantly affect the quality of its functioning, health and safety.

EDUKASI MENGENAI PENGGUNAAN ANTIBIOTIK YANG RASIONAL DI LINGKUNGAN SMK NEGERI 1 TAMBELANG BEKASI

Antibiotics are antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial infections. High prevalence of infectious diseases, increasing the use of antibiotics in society. The high rate of antibiotics use without a doctor's prescription makes their use irrational and leads to drug resistance. One of the factors causing drug resistance is the lack of public knowledge about the use of drugs, especially antibiotics. Knowledge plays an important role in shaping certain beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. The higher the level of education, it is expected that the better the level of knowledge on drug use. Studies to know the level of knowledge of residents using antibiotics, carried out in SMA and SMK Tambelang District Bekasi Regency, show that most respondents have insufficient knowledge (52.4%) of antibiotics. For this reason, PKM activities have been carried out in the form of education on the rational use of antibiotics, which was attended by 53 residents in SMK 1 Tambelang Bekasi, consisting of teachers, students, and educational staff. Before and after education, pretest and post-test were carried out to assess knowledge of antibiotics use. The mean pretest score was 8.08 points, and the post-test mean score was 9.42 points. Statistical analysis showed a mean difference between the pretest and post-test values of 1.34 points with a p-value of 0.008 (p <0.05). With the results obtained, it is expected to increase the knowledge of the residents of SMK 1 Negeri Tambelang Bekasi in the rational use of antibiotics so that it will indirectly reduce the incidence of resistance to antibioticsABSTRAK:Antibiotics are antimicrobial drugs used to treat bacterial infections. High prevalence of infectious diseases, increasing the use of antibiotics in society. The high rate of antibiotics use without a doctor's prescription makes their use irrational and leads to drug resistance. One of the factors causing drug resistance is the lack of public knowledge about the use of drugs, especially antibiotics. Knowledge plays an important role in shaping certain beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. The higher the level of education, it is expected that the better the level of knowledge on drug use. Studies to know the level of knowledge of residents using antibiotics, carried out in SMA and SMK Tambelang District Bekasi Regency, show that most respondents have insufficient knowledge (52.4%) of antibiotics. For this reason, PKM activities have been carried out in the form of education on the rational use of antibiotics, which was attended by 53 residents in SMK 1 Tambelang Bekasi, consisting of teachers, students, and educational staff. Before and after education, pretest and post-test were carried out to assess knowledge of antibiotics use. The mean pretest score was 8.08 points, and the post-test mean score was 9.42 points. Statistical analysis showed a mean difference between the pretest and post-test values of 1.34 points with a p-value of 0.008 (p <0.05). With the results obtained, it is expected to increase the knowledge of the residents of SMK 1 Negeri Tambelang Bekasi in the rational use of antibiotics so that it will indirectly reduce the incidence of resistance to antibiotics

Strategic calculations? Partisan differences in support for Puerto Rican migration to the mainland USA

Abstract Building on research about political determinants of migration attitudes, this study examines whether public opinion is influenced by the potential political participation of migrants themselves. We use the opportunity presented by the recent increase in the number of US citizens moving from Puerto Rico to the mainland to investigate how partisanship and political calculations shape attitudes toward their migration. Using data from an online survey experiment in early 2020, we find partisan differences in support for Puerto Rican migration. Democrats were significantly more likely than Republicans and independents to support Puerto Rican migration to the mainland in the aftermath of recent natural disasters, while Republicans were more likely to support Puerto Ricans returning home for the rebuilding process. The partisan divide was exacerbated when respondents were given additional information about the voting eligibility of Puerto Ricans and the possibility that their votes could help a Democratic presidential candidate win the state of Florida in the 2020 election. Specifically, Republicans who received this information were significantly less likely than all other respondents, including Republicans in the control group, to support Puerto Rican migration to the mainland USA. Findings on several related variables also show significant partisan differences, though treatment effects are less pronounced. Although further research is necessary to determine whether similar patterns hold in situations where migrants are not immediately eligible to vote or perceived as supporting one side, this study provides initial evidence that strategic partisan calculations can influence attitudes toward migration in a competitive political context.

Transmission of Vaccination Attitudes and Uptake Based on Social Contagion Theory: A Scoping Review.

Vaccine hesitancy is a complex health problem, with various factors involved including the influence of an individual’s network. According to the Social Contagion Theory, attitudes and behaviours of an individual can be contagious to others in their social networks. This scoping review aims to collate evidence on how attitudes and vaccination uptake are spread within social networks. Databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Scopus were searched with the full text of 24 studies being screened. A narrative synthesis approach was used to collate the evidence and interpret findings. Eleven cross-sectional studies were included. Participants held more positive vaccination attitudes and greater likelihood to get vaccinated or vaccinate their child when they were frequently exposed to positive attitudes and frequently discussing vaccinations with family and friends. We also observed that vaccination uptake was decreased when family and friends were hesitant to take the vaccine. Homophily—the tendency of similar individuals to be connected in a social network—was identified as a significant factor that drives the results, especially with respect to race and ethnicity. This review highlights the key role that social networks play in shaping attitudes and vaccination uptake. Public health authorities should tailor interventions and involve family and friends to result in greater vaccination uptake.

A qualitative study of foundation year two (F2) doctor's attitudes towards psychiatry carried out in Northern Ireland

AimsRecruitment into psychiatry is a major issue nationally. Northern Ireland (NI) consistently punching above it's weight with psychiatry recruitment - in a region that only attracts 31.8% of F2s to enter into any training programme, Core psychiatry has been consistently oversubscribed. Here we look to examine the experiences of F2s in NI, including those who have had a placement in psychiatry and those who have not - what can we learn from NI?BackgroundThe exposure to psychiatry during the F2 year is a crucial time for recruitment to psychiatry. In NI, where there has been an 100% fill rate at core training level for many years, trainees and consultants have pointed towards a positive experience in the F2 year.MethodQuestionnaires were given out at a sample of F2 Generic Skills sessions, gathering a range of quantitative and qualitative data. A representative sample of over half of current F2s wrote about there preconceptions and experiences of psychiatry, whether they had worked in it or not. An a priori approach was taken towards generating codes as part of a framework analysis from which 4 major themes were identified.Result93/148 F2 doctors who were approached responded to the survey of which 36.6% had experienced a Foundation placement in psychiatry. Major qualitative themes that emerged were exposure to psychiatry, the nature of working in psychiatry, being valued and stigma. Doctors who had an F2 placement were much more likely to be willing to pursue a career in it, regardless of whether they had been allocated a placement with psychiatry by choice or not.ConclusionThis survey adds to the literature that exposure to psychiatry in undergraduate and postgraduate level has a huge role in shaping attitudes towards the specialty of psychiatry, and indeed the likelihood of a foundation doctor going on to become a psychiatry trainee. Stigma in the medical profession towards mental illness and psychiatry remains prevalent.

Procedural justice and legal socialization among juvenile offenders: The role of defense attorneys

AbstractResearch is increasingly focusing on how young people interpret their experiences with the legal system and whether and how this shapes attitudes and beliefs about the system. This study adds to the extant literature by examining the relationship between perceptions of procedural justice and attitudes toward the law and legal system for a sample of youth (N = 227) in residential placements. Specifically, it focuses on how youths’ perceptions of their defense attorneys shape their attitudes toward the legal system. Results demonstrate that youth who feel they were treated more fairly by their defense attorneys viewed the police and courts as more legitimate. White youth viewed the police as more legitimate than did youth of color and girls viewed courts as less legitimate than did boys. Attitudes toward the legal system were also related to other contextual characteristics.