Comparative analysis of tickling and conspecific play in tame mice and golden hamsters.

Migrant children inhabit a space marked by the tension between imposed vulnerability and their capacity for subjective reconstruction. In the face of restrictive migration policies, systemic discrimination, and cultural uprooting, they experience processes of dispossession that endanger their fundamental rights and identity formation. Nevertheless, these children develop forms of agency that challenge institutional narratives of passivity, engaging in new languages, practices, and social bonds. Migrant childhood is not merely a passive recipient of public policy but a subject of complex adaptation, rights assertion, and symbolic construction. It is therefore essential to rethink reception and protection policies through a lens that recognizes progressive autonomy, the right to difference, and the active participation of migrant children in shaping their social and cultural integration.

<p><strong><em>Background</em></strong><em>: Affective touch aims to convey affection to children. This touch is closely related to emotional needs and social bonds, which strengthen relationships between individuals. Children in orphanages often experience a lack of affective touch, which causes persistent stress.</em></p><p><strong><em>Objectives:</em></strong><em> To determine caregivers' perceptions of the social-emotional development of babies and children who receive baby massage as daily affective touch at the Metta Mama and Maggha Foundations.</em></p><p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: This research is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. The sample consisted of 25 caregivers, using the total population. Data was collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), with each group consisting of 8-9 caregivers.</em></p><p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><em>: Some participants have the perception that a socially healthy child is a child who is able to adapt and interact with others, some participants have the perception that children need social-emotional aspects such as the need for affection, attention, the need to be loved, a sense of security, and a desire to be understood, some participants have the perception that the role of caregivers is very large because it replaces the role of parents, most participants said that baby massage has been done on children aged 0-6 months, some participants have the perception that baby massage can affect the calmness, comfort of babies so that they can be more optimal in carrying out daily activities, some participants have the perception that children who are socially-emotionally healthy behave more understandingly, confidently and more quickly accept the information given and all participants have the perception that it is very important to apply parenting patterns with touch, because of the lack of touch in orphanages.</em></p><strong><em>Conclusions: </em></strong><em>According to caregivers at the Metta Mama & Maggha Foundation, it is important to implement parenting patterns with touch in the form of baby massage as Daily Affective Touch in children's social-emotional development</em>

Research objectives and problems: The aim of this research is to rediscover the educational sources of social and political community. Since these sources originated in antiquity and the Middle Ages, it is useful to revisit the ideas of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. The article is a comparative inquiry into their views on the social and political value of education. Research methods: The source materials consist of texts written by both authors. In my study, I use the method of hermeneutic text analysis to uncover the meaning of their writings, alongside comparative analysis—the main method used—which examines the two authors’ texts in their historical and cultural contexts. Process of argumentation: Such a comparison is possible and legitimate because Aquinas repeatedly commented on, and creatively interpreted, the thought of the Stagirite. Both classical thinkers emphasized the role of proper communication in the co-creation of a social community. Multidimensional education—transmitting knowledge and virtues—served this purpose by constructing a community of shared values. However, while Aristotle’s doctrine focuses on the political dimension of communication and pedagogy (the first part of the article), Aquinas discovers and analyzes the social, pre-political reality of community life (the second part). This generates important differences between them. While Aristotle maintains a strictly political orientation in his understanding of education, Thomas Aquinas emphasizes the more familial nature of social dialogue and instruction (the third part). Research findings and their impact on the development of educational sciences: The analysis shows the need for education oriented toward community-building. These authors’ reflections on social relations and the necessity of mutual communication in a political community remind us of the importance of social education. In Aristotle, we find a strong call for conscious political education of citizens, whereas in Thomas Aquinas, we encounter an appeal for education in social relations and for building smaller communities such as families, associations, and congregations. Conclusions and recommendations: The purpose of this article is to show the importance that classical authors attached to social education as a prerequisite for the existence of a political community. This is important in our postmodern times, which are characterized by radical individualism and the breakdown of community ties. In this commentary, I propose rediscovering the ideas of both philosophers for contemporary education, which help us appreciate and properly apply communication in the creation of social and political bonds.

Singing and deep talk are essential in learning because they stimulate emotions, strengthen social bonds, and deepen understanding and retention or the material. This study aims to discover strategies to motivate students to learn Arabic with singing and deep talk at the OCEAN Pare course institution. This study used a descriptive qualitative research method. The data were collected through classroom observation, semi-structured interviews with two purposively selected teachers and two students involved in the learning process, and analysis of relevant documents such as lesson plans and student assignments. Furthermore, the researcher analyzed the data through several steps, namely a) data reduction, b) data presentation, c) describe conclusions, and d) verification. The findings showed that singing and deep talk motivated students in learning Arabic. The increase in learning outcomes from an average of 30 to 80 indicated that there was improvement in learning. The benefits of integrating singing and deep talk: a) Increases learning motivation, b) Strengthens long-term memory, c) Develops listening and speaking skills, d) cultural understanding, e) Builds confidence in speaking Arabic, and f) Makes the learning process more fun and dynamic. The increase in learning outcomes from an average of 30 to 80 showed that there was improvisation learning. This study contributed to understanding innovative strategies in language education by highlighting the unique combination of singing and deep talk as effective tools that enhanced student motivation, engagement, and proficiency in learning Arabic an approach that had been rarely explored in previous studies.

This study aims to explore the art of da‘wah practiced by Kyai Kuswaidi Syafi’ie through interpersonal communication in the Salawat Muhibbin Program in Karangcempaka Village, Bluto District, Sumenep Regency. The research employs a qualitative analytical method, with data collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. The theoretical framework draws upon Interpersonal Communication Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Empathy Theory in communication. The findings reveal that Kyai Kuswaidi applies four forms of da‘wah artistry. First, empathetic communication that takes into account the psychological conditions of the congregation. Second, interactive and participatory communication that encourages active engagement among congregants. Third, the use of religious humor to create a relaxed atmosphere while conveying moral messages. Fourth, a profound personal approach aimed at fostering emotional closeness with the congregation. These approaches are shown to be effective in enhancing the acceptance of da‘wah messages, strengthening social bonds among congregants, and rendering religious preaching more responsive to the needs of rural communities. Through these communicative arts, Kyai Kuswaidi’s da‘wah serves as a role model for the delivery of religious messages grounded in strong interpersonal communication competence, thereby promoting a more humanistic model of da‘wah.

The Board as a Meeting Space: Board Games as a Tool for Supporting Mental Health and Building Social Bonds

Objective and significance of the study – This study aims to understand the psychological and social mechanisms that drive active participation in Social Networking Sites (SNSs). By integrating the Uses and Gratifications Theory, Media Dependency Theory, and Parasocial Interaction, it explores how user motivations, dependency on SNSs, and interactions with other users jointly influence engagement levels in digital platforms. Methodology – An empirical study was conducted with a sample of 904 SNS users in Spain. The research model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the direct and mediating relationships among the key constructs. Findings – The results show that user motivations are a strong predictor of SNS dependency, which in turn enhances parasocial interaction and active participation. In addition, user motivations and parasocial interaction with other users significantly reinforce behavioural engagement. These findings confirm the multidimensional nature of SNS use, shaped not only by functional needs but also by emotional and social bonds. Study limitations – The generalisability of the results may be limited due to the specific geographic context (Spain) and the cross-sectional design. Practical value of the findings – The study offers a validated, theory-based framework that helps platform developers, marketers, and community managers understand the psychological drivers of user participation. The insights can support strategies aimed at fostering user engagement, enhancing content relevance, and strengthening loyalty through emotional and social connection.

ABSTRACT Prior to 1948, Arab Jews were an integral part of the Arab world and its traditional and cultural fabric and played a critical role in economic and political life. Though their presence in Arabic literature was remarkably limited, their image was relatively positive. However, this changed following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. There emerged a large corpus of literary works that deal with Jews, but this time the image was mostly negative. The main objective of this article is to explore Mahfouz's portrayal of Jewish women in three of his novels: Khan al‐Khalili, Mirrors, and Midaq Alley. The article focuses on the portrayal of Jewish women in a predominantly Muslim society and the social and Islamic bonds imposed on them. It explores how these Jewish characters function in the three texts to disturb, disrupt, or offset the then‐prevailing discourses. Though Mahfouz's Jewish female characters can be viewed as stereotypes, the present study will illustrate how Jewish women in these novels act differently, resist classism, and subvert the traditional gender roles. This is significant because it is the first time that Jewish female characters in Mahfouz's work are explored.

Abstract Social relationships are vital for health. We studied residents of the Ojika Islands in Japan to examine how social ties relate to diet and health. Our results showed that, despite strong social bonds and frequent food exchanges compared to urban Japan, some residents are less socially engaged than others. This was confirmed by a cluster analysis of individual data on close relationships and food sharing: 105 adults were divided into the socially Active ( n = 50) and Less Active ( n = 55) groups. Considering both the material (nutritional) and non-material (behavioral or psychological) benefits of close relationships and food sharing, we hypothesized that the Active group would have a more nutritious diet and better health outcomes than the Less Active group. As expected, the Active group had lower sodium intake and fewer cases of high blood pressure. Surprisingly, the Less Active group consumed higher levels of four beneficial nutrients—calcium, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin C. These findings suggest that social relationships can influence the diet and health of island residents in both positive and negative ways.

ABSTRACT Businesses today face the dual challenge of achieving organizational effectiveness while fostering human flourishing in a morally pluralistic world. Moral systems offer guidance, yet differ widely in their precepts and societal impact. This paper argues that contemporary business ethics requires more than ad hoc value statements or profit‐driven codes of conduct; it calls for a robust ethical framework capable of uniting diverse stakeholders and sustaining long‐term success. Engaging with a range of moral traditions, we propose Catholic Social Teaching (CST) as a particularly rich development of virtue ethics that integrates classical insights with actionable principles for organizational life. Grounded in human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, participation, and the common good, CST offers a normative system that not only enhances business performance but also strengthens the social bonds on which thriving economies depend. By demonstrating how CST's virtue‐based approach aligns organizational practices with universal human values, this paper presents a pathway toward a more ethically grounded and human‐centered business paradigm—one that builds community, inspires purpose, and contributes to the common good.

ABSTRACT This study explores narratives of cosplay event participation through the analytical lens of play theory and leisure studies, examining how different manifestations of play sustain the cosplay experience and account for its paradoxical nature as both a creative form of play and a serious leisure pursuit. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 16 frequent participants of ChinaJoy, China’s largest digital entertainment convention with a major presence of cosplay events, the current study identified four interrelated themes, a sense of belonging and a collective playground, the emergence of rituals and ceremonies, tension between free play and serious play, and identity exploration. These findings demonstrate that play not only sustains joy and entertainment during cosplay activities but also underpins shared meaning and collective identity, fosters lasting social bonds, enables ritual enactments, and facilitates greater self-understanding that situate cosplay as a paradoxically playful yet serious leisure pursuit. These insights carry broader implications for how practitioners and event organisers sustain creativity and inclusivity in fan-based events and festivals, offering directions for future research on participatory leisure and event design.

The interiors of refugee camps are spaces of necessity, resilience, and constant negotiation. Far from static or predetermined, these environments evolve through the improvisational agency of displaced communities. This visual essay illustrates how Syrian refugees retrofit and reconfigure shelter units to recreate spatial conditions that mirror deep-rooted cultural practices. Within the constraints of standardised humanitarian planning, refugees enact makeshift adjustments that transform rigid layouts into dynamic and culturally resonant interiors. Through these adaptive practices, ranging from self-built partitions and communal extensions to informal marketplaces, camps become sites of unplanned interiority, where social bonds and spatial memories materialise despite displacement. This research draws from extensive fieldwork in Al Zaatari Refugee Camp, incorporating photography, video documentation, and diagrammatic analysis to capture the evolving spatial negotiations within the camp. By foregrounding the lived experiences of refugees in Al Zaatari Camp, the study challenges conventional notions of planning and design as top-down processes. Instead, it highlights the agency embedded in informal and emergent spatial interventions that contest the anonymity of the humanitarian shelter. Through critical engagement with concepts of temporality, maintenance, and shared authorship, this study situates refugee camps as evolving, co-produced interiors that extend beyond mere crisis planning and accommodation. Ultimately, it argues for an expanded understanding of interiority — one that recognises unplanned spatial practices as central to sustaining community, identity, and belonging in the face of ongoing uncertainty.

ABSTRACT The growing numbers of cybercrime, of which a huge proportion can be attributed to hacking, results in an increasing demand for IT security experts to protect organisations from cyber threats. Understanding the motivations behind hacking and the transition from illicit activities to legitimate roles like penetration testing is crucial. We conducted in-depth interviews with seven former hackers and used reflexive thematic analysis to explore their narratives of pathways into and out of illegal hacking behaviour. Our findings reveal that hacking often starts as a form of gamification, with offenders later rationalising their actions through victim-blaming and minimisation. Transitioning to legal roles appeared to involve forming significant social bonds and moving away from the gamified aspects of hacking in a process of de-gamification. All interviewees remained in the IT sector, using their skills legally, challenging traditional desistance theories and emphasising hacking's unique nature within criminological research.

This study examines the social and emotional motivations underlying code-switching in everyday bilingual interactions in Pakistan. It aims to investigate why bilingual speakers alternate between languages in daily life and how such practices reflect identity construction, emotional expression, politeness, humor, and social relationships. The study challenges the perception of code-switching as a linguistic deficiency and instead frames it as a purposeful and meaningful communicative practice. A qualitative descriptive research design was adopted to explore natural language behavior. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 15 bilingual young adults aged 18–35 who regularly use Urdu and English in informal, educational, and professional settings. The data were analyzed thematically, drawing on the theoretical framework of situational and metaphorical code-switching to interpret social and emotional language choices. The findings reveal that code-switching is strategically employed to manage context, express emotions, negotiate identity, maintain politeness, build social bonds, and regulate power relations. Urdu was commonly associated with emotional intimacy and cultural affiliation, while English was linked to professionalism, authority, and formality. These findings contribute to sociolinguistic theory by reinforcing the view of bilingual language use as dynamic and context-sensitive.

ABSTRACT Generative AI is reshaping how friendships are maintained, yet the implications of this technology for such social bonds in online contexts remain unclear. We conducted two 2 × 2 factorial between-subjects experiments to investigate this issue. In Study 1 (N = 341), we manipulated the source of a greeting message (human-written vs. AI-generated) and text personalization (non-personalized vs. personalized). In Study 2 (N = 325), we manipulated message source (human vs. AI) and the closeness of the friend (distant vs. close friend). Across both studies, AI-generated wishes were perceived as less sincere and as requiring less effort than human-generated wishes. As a result, recipients liked the AI-generated wishes less and reported lower friendship satisfaction. Additionally, personalization mitigated AI’s drawbacks, restoring perceived sincerity and effort; closeness buffered AI’s harm, so close friends’ AI messages were judged less negatively. These findings refine gift-giving theory and pinpoint when AI-generated messages undermine or sustain interpersonal bonds.

In this Community Service Program (KKN) activity, the main goal is to strengthen social solidarity among the residents through the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day in Penagan Ratu Village. Social solidarity is one of the key factors in maintaining harmony and togetherness within the community. However, in today’s modern era, the spirit of cooperation and mutual assistance tends to decline due to individualism and people’s busy daily routines. Therefore, the Independence Day celebration serves as a strategic moment to revive the sense of brotherhood, unity, and social awareness among the villagers. This program was carried out with the active participation of all community members, including village officials, youth organizations (karang taruna), women’s groups, children, and teenagers. Various activities were conducted such as community clean-up (kerja bakti), traditional games, art performances, and a local MSME (UMKM) bazaar. The implementation method was participatory, emphasizing the active involvement of the community in every stage. The results of the program showed a high level of community participation, stronger social bonds, and an increase in the spirit of mutual cooperation. Moreover, the event brought a positive impact through the empowerment of local MSMEs. Thus, the Independence Day celebration was not merely ceremonial, but also served as an effective medium to strengthen social solidarity, fostering a more cohesive, respectful, and socially aware community in Penagan Ratu Village.

The DIROSA Program (Quran Education for Adults) is an innovative method for learning to read the Quran, implemented among adult women in Toddopulia Village. This method is specifically designed to address difficulties in learning to read the Quran through a practical, systematic, and engaging approach. The implementation of the program over 20 sessions showed significant results in improving participants' Quran reading skills. A total of 30 women participated in the program, with an attendance rate reaching 85%. Evaluation results indicated that 80% of participants improved their reading ability by two levels, and 85% were able to master correct letter articulation (makhraj). The program not only successfully enhanced participants' cognitive abilities but also revived their learning enthusiasm and strengthened social bonds among community members. The sustainability through Muslimah Wahdah Islamiyah Tanralili as the implementing partner, which will continue the mentoring on an ongoing basis.

The foundations of social cohesion are shared values and norms within a given community and social bonds between its members based on trust and solidarity, which in turn facilitate members’ cooperation for the common good. The article verifies the hypothesis that the individual dimension of social cohesion, that is attachment to place and community, is of practical value in reducing concerns towards foreign group members. It also answers the question of what role social cohesion may play in the process of settling foreigners within a given locality. The most obvious example of such foreigners are immigrants; hence the article fills the research gap on the local effects of the migration crisis in Poland. This article presents the results of a survey (N=505) conducted in a medium sized Polish city in January 2023. The results obtained indicate a moderately positive attitude towards foreigners and the existence of a positive correlation between this attitude and two variables included in the social cohesion index: a sense of safety and attachment to the place of residence.

This research examines the influence of slang on social identity formation among teenagers in the digital era. With the rise of digital communication platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, slang has become an essential tool for teenagers to express themselves and navigate social relationships. This qualitative study combines semi-structured interviews and content analysis of social media interactions to investigate how teenagers use slang to construct their online identities. The findings reveal that slang is a crucial marker of group membership, reinforcing social bonds and facilitating resistance to societal norms. Teenagers associate their use of slang with belonging to specific peer groups and online subcultures. The study also highlights the role of digital spaces in shaping the evolution of slang and identity. The implications of these findings suggest that educators and parents should recognize the role of slang in adolescent development and digital communication. Future research should explore the cross-cultural variations of slang and its long-term impact on identity formation among teenagers.