Social Processes Research Articles

Context dependent preferences in prestige bias learning about vaccination in rural Namibian pastoralists

Extensive work in the social sciences suggests that vaccination decisions are subject to incentives, biases, and social learning processes, including prestige bias transmission. High status figures, like doctors and public health officials, can be effective messengers for vaccination information and uptake under certain conditions. In communities where there is significant medical mistrust and less interaction with markets and formal medical systems, prestige bias social learning may operate through different channels. Here, we examine the role of prestige bias on vaccine decisions in two ethnic groups (Himba and Herero) with varying levels of market integration and experiences with formal healthcare systems. Participants completed a ranking task, comparing the influence of four prestigious individuals on vaccine decisions and a survey on medical mistrust. Using Plackett-Luce models, we compare the influence of location, ethnic affiliation, and other covariates on rankings. A multi-level model compared the influence of those within and outside one's ethnic group, as well as specialist (doctor/healer) and generalist (chief/governor) prestige figures. Results indicate changes in the rank of prestigious individuals across the rural-urban gradient. Our results demonstrate significant variability in prestige-biased social learning about vaccine decision making. Medical mistrust did not impact rankings. Contrary to previous work, we find that whether a prestigious individual is locally prominent is more important than their expertise in the relevant domain (health and healing). These findings emphasize the need for more context-specific studies of prestige bias, which can improve our understanding of healthcare decision-making and guide public health messaging across diverse contexts.

Human vs. AI Influencer Activism: Exploring Self-Branding and Issue Advocacy Effectiveness Through Social Influence Processes

Human vs. AI Influencer Activism: Exploring Self-Branding and Issue Advocacy Effectiveness Through Social Influence Processes

Exploring the link between foresight and artificial intelligence methods to strengthen collective future-building in contexts of social instability

Purpose The study explores the connection between foresight and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in a community within an environment of social instability in Colombia. It aims to contribute to research on aligning these methods for future-shaping, with the goal of enhancing shared governance, peer learning and collective learning among traditional decision-makers and local communities in emerging countries. The study seeks to foster a community of social actors who are likely to engage constructively in strategic dialogues. To enhancing shared governance and learning a hybrid model is synthesized, combining foresight and computational intelligence. Design/methodology/approach The case study explores the integration of computational intelligence and foresight through Gaston Bachelard's (Bachelard, 1936) phenomenology concept of ante-perception. The mathematical representation of the cone of scenarios provides a structured way to explore multiple future pathways, allowing communities to visualize and compare different trajectories and make informed decisions amid uncertainty. The model facilitates critical reflections on present assumptions, deepening insights into future scenarios. Ante-perception challenges traditional approaches to foresight by encouraging a break from established experiences, allowing for novel insights into possible futures. When enriched by computational intelligence, this reflective process is further strengthened by quantitative approach scenario modeling. Findings This research develops and tests a proposal that includes the logic and methods for constructing a mathematical representation of the cone of scenarios. This process, which is interactive and deliberative, is driven by anticipation and combines qualitative and quantitative approaches within a context of high uncertainty. By combining the critical reflection facilitated by ante-perception with the predictive power of computational intelligence, the model allows communities to transcend established thought patterns and explore innovative future possibilities. This integrative approach helps them envision and work toward social self-transformation. Research limitations/implications The article aims to identify the creation of scenarios in contexts of high uncertainty, to respond to the needs of communities in emerging countries to manage change. Practical implications This article explores a novel approach to using foresight for address collective intelligence by developing a shared future vision in high-uncertainty contexts within local communities in emerging countries. The application of the hybrid model demonstrates that foresight is a key innovative social tool for developing long-term strategic reflection and planning for territories. Social implications In developing long-term reflective processes, explaining phenomena, mechanisms and correlations requires the use of value judgments. This set of value judgments requires a representation that facilitates their treatment, helps to account for their behavior during the inference process to form a shared future vision. Consequently, ensuring the recognition of the opinions of local communities through participatory discussion spaces and their subsequent refinement, from a technical perspective, aims to illustrate the development of this social construction process. While similarities exist, differences add value through a transfer process, often subconscious. This process stimulates collective learning and builds capacities as knowledge is developed through inquiry, evaluation, interpretation and generalization. Originality/value This research provides a unique hybrid model that fosters collective learning and engagement by integrating local community perspectives with advanced computational intelligence methods. By facilitating both reflective and quantitative approach future-shaping, it offers a practical framework for addressing uncertainty while empowering communities to shape their own futures. It underscores the importance of recognizing local community views through bottom-up participatory discussions, thereby widening the stakeholder community to active engagement in addressing broader societal issues. The case study focuses on community collaboration in Puerto Gaitán, a Colombian municipality.

Effect of working remotely on new professionals’ learning and adjustment during the first five weeks after professional entry

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the effect of working remotely on new professionals’ learning and adjustment. Organizational socialization is the process of learning and adjusting to a new professional role. Among new professionals working on-site, this learning and adjustment is indicated by a development of role clarity, task mastery and social acceptance. Less is known about the process when working remotely. This was recognized as a key organizational challenge following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach In this study, with a longitudinal design with 242 graduates and weekly data collections for the first five weeks following professional entry in 2021, the authors compared the learning and adjustment among individuals working on-site, in hybrid or remotely using longitudinal analyses of mean response profiles. Findings The group-by-time interaction effects were not statistically significant (i.e. no differences were found in the adjustment of the new professionals of the three groups). Originality/value These results indicate that working remotely does not jeopardize the organizational socialization process. Furthermore, a marginally statistically significant result indicated that participants working only remotely experienced a greater development of task mastery over time: This suggests that remote work may even benefit learning and professional adjustment. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

Trauma and social pathways to psychosis: Examining the role of attachment, social rank and dissociation in a clinical sample.

The trauma and social pathways model of psychosis proposes interactions between trauma, attachment, social rank and dissociation in pathways to psychosis, though this model has yet to be empirically investigated. The primary aim of this study was to examine the overall predictive value of the trauma and social pathways model using regression analysis. A secondary aim was to delineate hypothesized pathways between trauma and positive symptoms of psychosis using serial mediation analysis. This was a cross-sectional study of people attending mental health services for a psychosis-related diagnosis (N = 71). Measures of trauma, positive symptoms of psychosis, attachment, social comparison and dissociation were completed. A model of recurrent trauma, insecure attachment, social rank and dissociation predicted 23.2% of the variance in positive symptoms of psychosis. Recurrent trauma, attachment and dissociation contributed significantly to the model, while social rank did not. Further, serial mediation analysis indicated that the sequence of disorganized attachment and dissociation fully mediated the relationship between recurrent trauma and positive symptoms. Results provide preliminary support for the trauma and social pathways model of psychosis, specifically as it relates to recurrent trauma, insecure attachment and dissociation. Results did not support the social rank component of this model, however. These findings provide clear targets for the development of next-wave psychological interventions that focus on trauma-related variables in psychosis. Future studies should replicate these findings with a larger clinical sample, and consider a measure of shame to further elucidate social processes in pathways to psychosis.

Interpretation of statistical findings in randomised trials: a survey of statisticians using thematic analysis of open-ended questions

SummaryBackgroundDichotomisation of statistical significance, rather than interpretation of effect sizes supported by confidence intervals, is a long-standing problem.MethodsWe distributed an online survey to clinical trial statisticians across the UK, Australia and Canada asking about their experiences, perspectives and practices with respect to interpretation of statistical findings from randomised trials. We report a descriptive analysis of the closed-ended questions and a thematic analysis of the open-ended questions.ResultsWe obtained 101 responses across a broad range of career stages (24% professors; 51% senior lecturers; 22% junior statisticians) and areas of work (28% early phase trials; 44% drug trials; 38% health service trials). The majority (93%) believed that statistical findings should be interpreted by considering (minimal) clinical importance of treatment effects, but many (61%) said quantifying clinically important effect sizes was difficult, and fewer (54%) followed this approach in practice.Thematic analysis identified several barriers to forming a consensus on the statistical interpretation of the study findings, including: the dynamics within teams, lack of knowledge or difficulties in communicating that knowledge, as well as external pressures. External pressures included the pressure to publish definitive findings and statistical review which can sometimes be unhelpful but can at times be a saving grace. However, the concept of the minimally important difference was identified as a particularly poorly defined, even nebulous, construct which lies at the heart of much disagreement and confusion in the field.ConclusionThe majority of participating statisticians believed that it is important to interpret statistical findings based on the clinically important effect size, but report this is difficult to operationalise. Reaching a consensus on the interpretation of a study is a social process involving disparate members of the research team along with editors and reviewers, as well as patients who likely have a role in the elicitation of minimally important differences.

Social Cognitive Processes in Children With Specific Learning Disorder: The Importance of Language

Children with specific learning disorder (SLD) have poor academic skills, but they also experience difficulties with their peers, including an inability to recognize interpersonal conflict, infer emotion, and resolve social conflict. In addition, children with SLD are known to have problems with language. The importance of language to social cognition is well-established in research with children with typical and atypical development. Thus, we review literature that investigates language and social cognition in children with SLD compared with their peers. We also explore the link between language and social cognition in children with typical and atypical language development. Review of this literature suggests that the language deficits associated with SLD put children with SLD at a risk for deficits in social cognitive skill. The literature also points toward a critical need for early identification of SLD and research investigating social perspective taking in individuals with SLD across the lifespan. Last, we propose that clinicians should assess language before diagnosing and implementing intervention for the academic and social difficulties that children and adolescents with SLD experience.

Reviewing and Revisiting the Processes and Emergent States Underlying Team Diversity Effects

Understanding explanatory team processes and emergent states is crucial for facilitating potential benefits and hindering potential pitfalls of team diversity. This systematic review synthesizes research regarding the processes and states related to team diversity since the categorization-elaboration model’s (CEM) introduction, against which we evaluate the literature. According to the CEM, an interplay of social and informational processes shapes diverse teams’ effectiveness. We show that despite the wide recognition of this interplay logic, there is a misalignment between CEM’s theoretical propositions and the actual conceptualizations and measurements of processes and states in primary studies. This misalignment is accompanied by primarily static designs and conceptualizations. Our review expands scholarly understanding of the interplay between social and informational processes and states in diverse teams, advancing knowledge of the diversity–team effectiveness relationship. Finally, we delineate imperatives for future research, embracing the dynamic nature of team processes and states.

The impact and value of the Parkinson’s nurse specialist to people with Parkinson’s and their care partners: a grounded theory qualitative study

BackgroundWhere available, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists (PNS) provide a range of care, support, guidance, and advocacy for people with Parkinson’s (PwP), and, where appropriate, their care partners (CP). Parkinson’s is a complex and progressive condition. Consequently, evaluating health outcomes is not a reliable method to understand the value and impact of PNS. Previous research has identified PNS can improve the subjective well-being of PwP in the community, also that barriers to care include heavy caseloads and a lack of time. Yet little is known about the value of the role of the PNS, particularly about the impact of pharmacological management and review. This research aims to close this research gap by providing explanatory theories of the impact and value of PNS to PwP, their CP, and other professionals.MethodsA social constructivist grounded theory approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three groups, PNS, PwP, and CP. Interviews were analysed using NVivo for coding and categorising and Word for memo-writing. Data was analysed inductively and iteratively to identify contexts, social processes, actions, and behaviours, before final emergent theories were identified.Results46 semi-structured interviews (PNS 18, PwP 19, CP 9) led to four data categories and 13 sub-categories that delineated PNS value. (1) Expert Counsel; provision of emotional support, education, and lifestyle guidance; CP inclusion; provision from diagnosis; and across all stages of Parkinson’s. (2) Conduit of Care; signposting, referral, and connection to PwP, CP, others; PNS barriers and facilitators; (3) Team/Partnership; continuity and partnership, ‘working together’; (4) Pharmacological Support, PNS prescribing; concordance; speed of treatment. Where PNS were accessible they could offer personalised support and partnership, so providing person-centred care that improves health and well-being.ConclusionWhere a PNS is accessible due to service availability and manageable caseloads, to provide person-centred care, they deliver several benefits to PwP and CP which improve health and perceived well-being. Where PNS are not available, PwP and CP often struggle to manage their Parkinson’s with negative impacts on health and well-being.

Early neural development of social interaction perception: evidence from voxel-wise encoding in young children and adults.

From a young age, children have advanced social perceptual and reasoning abilities. However, the neural development of these abilities is still poorly understood. To address this gap, we used fMRI data collected 122 3-12-year-old children (64 females) and 33 adults (20 females) watched an engaging and socially rich movie to investigate how the cortical basis of social processing changes throughout development. We labeled the movie with visual and social features, including motion energy, presence of a face, presence of a social interaction, theory of mind (ToM) events, valence and arousal. Using a voxel-wise encoding model trained on these features, we find that models based on visual (motion energy) and social (faces, social interaction, ToM, valence, and arousal) features can both predict brain activity in children as young as three years old across the cortex, with particularly high predictivity in motion selective middle temporal region (MT) and the superior temporal sulcus (STS). Furthermore, models based on individual social features showed that while there may be some development throughout childhood, social interaction information in the STS is present in children as young as three years old and appears adult-like by age seven. The current study, for the first time, links neural activity in children to pre-defined social features in a narrative movie and suggests social interaction perception is supported by early developing neural responses in the STS.Significance Statement This study investigates the neural basis for social scene perception ability in children using fMRI data collected while participants watch a short, animated movie. Unlike most prior studies with movies, we labeled a range of visual and social features in the movie and used machine learning analyses to link each feature to fMRI responses in adults and children ages 3-12. Notably, our results demonstrate strong evidence that children as young as three years old show significant responses to most visual and social features in the movie, including social interaction responses in the superior temporal sulcus (STS), a region in the brain that is well known to be important in social interaction processing in adults.

Editorial: 15 years of Frontiers in Human Neuroscience: social cognition and discourse processing

Editorial: 15 years of Frontiers in Human Neuroscience: social cognition and discourse processing

Self-determination and self-affirmative paths of trans* and gender diverse people in Portugal: Diverse identities and healthcare

Abstract Background Trans* and gender diverse (TGD) people are very heterogeneous. While legal contexts and healthcare practices have been growingly endorsing self-determination and consent for gender affirmative care in some countries, gender affirmation trajectories need to be understood as unique and fluid processes, constructed and negotiated by each individual in a given social and cultural context. This study aimed to characterize diverse profiles of TGD people in Portugal, regarding individual choices and trajectories in social, legal, and medical gender affirmative processes. Methods A questionnaire, first developed in France and used in Brazil, Italy, Norway, and Chile, was adapted to the Portuguese context. The conducted survey is comprised of 120 questions, organized into six sections: 1) sociodemographic variables; 2) gender affirmation processes and medical and psychological care; 3) general health and sexual health; 4) mental health; 5) sexuality and sexual concerns; 6) experiences of discrimination and gender identity. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 115 adults who identified as TGD. Content analysis was performed on the written responses, and later categorized. Results Approximately 21% of people identified as men, 17% as trans men, 7% as women, 12% as trans women, 26% as non-binary persons, and 17% as agender or other identifications. Differences were calculated among profiles of TGD participants and their choices for affirmative care, social, and legal transition, revealing an association between the way people self-identify and the request for legal recognition of gender identity, as well as the choices of procedures (or aspirations) for medical affirmation (i.e., hormonal treatments, top surgery, bottom surgery). Conclusions The provision of health care practices consistent with the principles of self-determination requires training of health care professionals and adjustment of public policies, to allow for unique trajectories and profiles.

Influence of social factors on prompt reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: results from the KRAMI multicenter registry

Abstract Background The time from symptom onset to reperfusion therapy was particularly important for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. We sought to investigate the impact of social factors on prompt reperfusion in STEMI patients. Methods A total of 5,264 patients with a diagnosis of STEMI from Korean Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction (KRAMI) was participated in present study. The association between social factors and process of symptom onset-to-timely reperfusion was evaluated. Process of symptom-to-reperfusion time was included door-to-balloon (DTB) time, symptom-to-door (STD) time and symptom-to-balloon (STB) time. Results In the entire study population, the median times of DTB, STD and STB were 55 min, 117 min and 175 min, respectively. With 3 parameters, only DTB was associated with in-hospital mortality (Fig. 1 and 2). Old age and male were more likely to delay treatment (p for age=0.000; p for gender <0.0001). Moreover, higher education was linked to reduction of STD and STB time (p<0.05). Living alone was associated with prolonged STB time, and symptom appearing outside was linked to delay medical care. Transportation with ambulance was significantly associated with reduction of reperfusion time, and inter-hospital transportation was particularly prominent (STD: OR 5.450, 95% CI 4.796 - 6.193, p<0.0001; STB: OR 4.593, 95% CI 4.038 - 5.225, p<0.0001). In addition, treatment time during off-hours was relatively delayed DTB time. Conclusions Door to balloon time is directy related to in-hospital mortality. Social factors, such as age, gender, and education level, and transportation with ambulance were related to timely reperfusion in STEMI patients.

Asking to Listen: Engaging Social Scientific Methods as a Listening Practice in Global Catholicism

Asking enables listening. This paper explores how the practice of asking, when enacted as an intentional social scientific process, can facilitate the synodal value of listening across the global Catholic Church. Drawing upon social science methodologies and evidence, it demonstrates that effective listening is not merely passive reception but proactive invitation to engage diverse or silenced perspectives. Systematic asking incorporates everyday people and experiences otherwise overlooked and creates space for difficult topics. Seeing listening as a practice of asking underscores the value of setting rules for engagement that promote a posture of reception that fosters trust and openness through humility, curiosity, and willingness to step into worlds different from one’s own. Embracing this mutual approach can prompt a more inclusive synodal process, enhancing the church’s ability to engage meaningfully with all in its midst.

Stakeholders engagement model- Social Marketing strategies to improve students’ eating behaviour

Abstract Previous studies have adopted the social marketing framework to investigate change behaviours towards healthier eating habits. However, despite the unequivocal link between Mediterranean Diet and healthy eating, the adoption of social marketing strategies to foster the adherence to such food pattern, remains unexplored, particularly in the context of HEIs. One research goal was to develop a stakeholder engagement model, in order to better craft social marketing strategies aligned with stakeholders’ needs. Hence, as different stakeholders call for different engagement designs, we consider that crossing the Social Marketing Framework with the Stakeholder Engagement Model, provides a solid basis to understand how to engage key stakeholders in the implementation of a program aimed at changing and influencing healthier eating habits aligned with the Mediterranean Diet within public HEIs canteens. Behavioural change in such contexts, demands a systemic and holistic approach, able to engage a diverse range of stakeholders, beyond those whose behaviour is expected to change. Social Marketing provides a strategic framework to promote behavioural change towards collective welfare. In the specific context of public health interventions towards healthier eating habits, this framework has been particularly useful. Hence, in-depth understanding on which stakeholders need to be involved in the social marketing process and at what stages, may yield insights into why some interventions change behaviour and why others do not. Findings revealed that it is not enough to create a single stakeholder engagement model throughout the social marketing plan in a more global perspective, as if one solution fits all. This study highlights the importance of designing glocal social marketing strategies, embedding glocal models of stakeholder engagement: standardizing the tools and practices that are possible and adapting what is necessary so that it has success in different national realities

1.O. Scientific session: Trans & Gender-Diverse Individuals’ Mental & Behavioral Health Risks & Intervention Needs

Abstract Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals are at a greater risk for various poor mental and behavioral health outcomes than cisgender individuals, including higher rates of suicide, psychiatric diagnoses, and behavioral health problems. For example, research has documented a seven-fold increased risk for lifetime suicide attempts among young TGD people, compared with the general population. Less is known about the age of onset of such mental and behavioral health disparities and how these disparities may vary across other intersectional socio-demographic variables. It has been well-documented that trans and gender-diverse individuals often encounter discrimination and transphobia across various social, educational, professional, administrative, and healthcare settings. This discrimination, as highlighted in the literature, frequently poses obstacles to accessing both general and trans-specific healthcare services due to experiences of discrimination (e.g., misgendering, refusal of care, lack of adequate services). The right and ability to self-determine and the accessibility to gender-affirming care without discrimination are key to closing the gap in TGD individuals’ mental and behavioral health outcomes, and for them to live authentically and thrive. Tailored and affirming mental and behavioral health interventions to reduce these health inequities are pivotal for TGD individuals to achieve the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health: a key fundamental human right. Considerable gaps in the literature remain concerning the onset and determinants of gender identity-based health disparities and healthcare approaches that are respectful, inclusive, non-pathologizing, and grounded in human rights principles for TGD individuals. This workshop intends to address these knowledge gaps by delving into the mental and behavioral health needs of TGD individuals. The workshop seeks to further foster dialogue on strategies to overcome resistance to implementing approaches that uphold the human rights and well-being of these communities. Dr. Richard Bränström (Karolinska Institutet) will present a study that explores the age at which gender identity-based disparities in psychiatric diagnoses and treatment can be first identified. Dr. Gonzales (Vanderbilt University) will examine disparities in mental health and social determinants of health among TGD individuals with private insurance. Dr. Moleiro (Lisbon University Institute) will review TGD persons’ ways of identifying with the choices and trajectories in social, legal, and affirmative healthcare processes in Portugal. Dr. Lelutiu-Weinberger (Columbia University School of Nursing) will present findings from a study that assessed tobacco use and cessation attitudes, facilitators, and barriers to quitting, and intervention components and delivery modality acceptability among TGD individuals, as well as sexual minority individuals, in Romania to inform a tailored and affirming smoking cessation intervention. Key messages • Transgender and gender-diverse are at increased risk for a variety of poor mental and behavioral health compared with the general public. • There is a critical need to foster healthcare services for transgender and gender-diverse individuals that are tailored and affirming.

Cooperativism as pedagogy: Conversation with Gustavo Machado a lecturer and researcher from Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad de la República

This conversation with Gustavo Machado discusses the role of cooperativism as a pedagogical process in Uruguay. Machado emphasizes how cooperatives serve as models for housing production and transformative social learning processes, embedding collective action and mutual aid into daily life. He distinguishes between housing, habitat, and inhabitation, advocating for a broader understanding of living that transcends physical structures and integrates social, cultural, and communal dimensions. Our conversation delves into the political significance of cooperatives in the face of neoliberalism, positioning them as alternatives to market-based housing models. Machado discusses the challenges cooperatives face, such as state regulation and the need for flexibility in adapting to changing life circumstances. He also reflects on his personal experiences growing up in a cooperative during Uruguay's dictatorship, which shaped his political and professional views. The article highlights the intersection of cooperativism with broader social movements, such as gender equality and mental health, and the importance of international dialogue in expanding cooperative housing models across Latin America.

Community gardening: metaphorical reconstruction of transformative health governance

Abstract Transdisciplinary working has been defined by the inclusion of non-academic stakeholders in the process of knowledge production. While theoretical, phenomenological and experimental dimensions have been described in the literature, Rigolot proposes transdisciplinarity as a ‘way of being’ that stretches beyond professional life. The promise of transdisciplinarity however does not always meet the expectations in practice. How to get started, maintain and overcome barriers requires guidance. In an action-oriented evaluation research study we explored this dimension in the Dutch All about Health collaborative platform, which since 2014 facilitates a continuous development of bottom up health initiatives, networks, alliances and other forms of collaboration and learning. From our case studies we developed the Transformative Health Governance model. The model shows the ongoing and reciprocal connections between the actions, the context and intermediate results that were verified in a survey among 103 platform participants. Five types of returns are also building blocks that increase the chance of real (yet hardly measurable) increasing health benefits. They reinforce each other in a continuous process of ideation, integrative approach, innovation, implementation, and impact. The context provides for acceleration or deceleration of that process. With the help of a cartoonist we translated our model into an ongoing cycle of community gardening and maintenance. This metaphor makes the intangible of underlying social processes more tangible, providing a bit more grip on the building blocks, timing and time aspects, as well as deeper understanding the role and necessity of conflict and explicit conflict engagement rather than management. Moreover the cartoon elicits recognition, acknowledgement and spirit to continue their rowing against the systems-invoked tide for better health. It serves as a concrete aid to transdisciplinary working towards planetary health.

Social Comparison, Belongingness, Self-Doubt, and Stress: The Case of Hispanic Students at Hispanic Majority Institutions

Social comparison processes can affect academic and interpersonal outcomes for minoritized college students. However, the literature has not addressed how these processes play out for Hispanic students who attend Hispanic Majority Institutions, in which Hispanic students comprise more than 50% of the population. In this study, such students ( N = 191) completed online assessments for social comparison orientation (SCO), belongingness, academic self-concept, and perceived stress. Results showed that, regarding belongingness, SCO was positively correlated to rejection/exclusion, but not acceptance/inclusion. Regarding academic self-concept, SCO was positively correlated to self-doubt, but not self-confidence. Mediation analyses showed that perceived stress fully mediated the relationship between SCO and rejection/exclusion, and partially mediated the relationship between SCO and academic self-doubt. In other words, SCO was associated with increased stress, which was then associated with increased feelings of rejection/exclusion and self-doubt about academic abilities. These findings offer additional insight into Hispanic college students’ experience.

Midwifing Modernity: Popularizing Modern Health Care for Women in Late Imperial Russia

AbstractThis article examines the discourse on Russian women’s health care in the late Imperial period within the context of modernization. One of the hallmarks of modernity, health care is also one of the most intimate areas of contact between the agents of modernity and the public at large. The discussion was starkly divided between those concerned with peasant women and those concerned with educated women, but both were firmly situated in the overarching project of healthification (ozdorovlenie). While the authors concerned with peasant women’s health sought to overcome traditional beliefs and practices and replace them with the findings of modern science, the literature directed at the educated public illustrates the anxiety that accompanied the modernity project. The authors writing to and about educated society were far more conflicted about the array of problems they observed developing as traditional beliefs and practices were challenged by changes in society. The article explores the development and role of women’s health care, the tensions between professional and popular health care practitioners, and their relationships with the population from cultural, political and gendered perspectives, and analyzes modernization as a site of contention over women’s agency as well as a social and cultural process.