Social Context Research Articles

Purpose This study aims to explore the motivations behind consumer purchasing decisions that account for the well-being of future generations, with a particular focus on how rational and emotional drivers influence intergenerational concern. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in responsible environmental behaviour theory, we conducted a survey of a representative sample of Spanish consumers. The analysis focused on identifying the roles of rational and emotional motivations in shaping purchasing decisions related to intergenerational well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis, linear regression and latent class regression were used in the analysis. Findings The results reveal that while both rational and emotional drivers influence intergenerational concern, their effects are not uniform across the population. Instead, two distinct social mechanisms were identified, each linked to specific social contexts – one primarily driven by rational considerations, the other by emotional motivations. Originality/value This study provides novel insights into the systematic heterogeneity underlying intergenerational concern in consumer behaviour. It highlights the need for further cross-cultural and longitudinal research to understand the varying influence of rational and emotional drivers on sustainable consumption choices.

Pathological narcissism is organized by a pathological grandiose self, a compensatory, defensive structure in which the individual’s experience of self and others is overshadowed by an idealized version of the self (perceived as superior) that replaces a more realistic self-representation that integrates both strengths and vulnerabilities. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a complex psychological condition that involves a consistent pattern of behaviors lasting over time and occurring in various social contexts, which can lead to significant impairments in social relationships and occupational functioning. A contemporary object relations model approach provides a theoretical framework for understanding the distorted and often contradictory representations of self and others that underlie the fluctuating mental states of those with pathological narcissism. In transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) for narcissistic pathology, or TFP-N, the strategies, tactics, and techniques of TFP are adapted and extended with specific modifications to address the special clinical challenges posed by patients with this condition. TFP training serves as a useful, integrative, and dimensional model, which is well-suited for residency programs, allowing residents to gain experience in intensive psychodynamic treatment for personality disorders (PDs). This paper presents a case study of a patient with severe NPD treated in a psychiatry residency program using TFP.

The article examines the relationship between excessive alcohol consumption, social context and perceived cultural norms in three European countries from the perspective of young adults. This generation is the first to come of age in a globalized world, frequently discussed in terms of diminishing national and regional differences. Several scholars have argued that these transformations have contributed to an increasing homogenization of European drinking cultures. The article seeks to analyse how young adults from different sociocultural backgrounds define and interpret excessive drinking, emphasizing both similarities and divergences in drinking practices. In doing so, it demonstrates how such practices are embedded in broader historical developments and contemporary cultural attitudes. Drawing on 24 focus group interviews conducted with young adults in Denmark, Estonia and Italy, the analysis is structured along three dimensions: the perceived (un)acceptability of excessive alcohol use, processes of ‘othering’ in explaining excessive drinking and gender-specific drinking norms.

There has been a proliferation of democratic innovations aimed at improving democratic systems within a particular social, political and economic environment. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which an innovative democratic approach, namely gender equity and equality, has been mainstreamed as part of democratic participation in the new public management in the Kenyan legislature. The study applied three complementary theories, that is, (1) the democratic innovation theory (Asenbaum, 2021; Cunningham, 2002; Elstub et al., 2016; Elstub & Escobar, 2019; Fung, 2015; Smith, 2005; 2009; 2019); and (2) changing organisational culture (Cameron & Quinn, 2006); both leading to (3) competing values in public administration (Hood, 1991). Findings revealed that there were certain achievements, just as there were challenges, in order to achieve the stipulations of the gender rule in a social-cultural and political context. This is because despite its legal basis, a democratic innovation may lack a basis in social-cultural settings and thus by itself, in law or out of law, it does not, and may not, automatically lead to democratic participation. Instead, it is imperative that the social context and both the more informal and formal principal laws operate side by side to promote participatory democracy, rather than a fixation on democratic innovation.

This paper suggests a theoretical model (a production function) and an empirical model (Stochastic Frontier Analysis) to empirically evaluate the main impacts of socio-cultural contexts on the effectiveness of some sport policies and to address some main methodological problems of sport sociology. As for methods, I identified 2 governmental ethics to and through sport (national pride NP, social cohesion SC), by measuring achievements in terms of alternative indexes based on Olympic medals (gold, total) from 1994 to 2024. I applied panel-data, by focusing on 4 alternative estimations (individual and collective variables for both NP and SC). I introduced 2 sport policies (a quantitative policy aimed at SC, a qualitative policy aimed at NP), by distinguishing cultural approaches to body in terms of 5 different secular ethics (Aristotle, Husserl, Deleuze, Heidegger, Descartes) and 5 different religious ethics (Buddhism, Christianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism). I referred to income level and income inequality (i.e., GDP and Gini index), to depict alternative social contexts. I applied country dummies, to represent alternative historical and institutional contexts. As for results, if governments pursue SC, there is significant consonance with more communitarian religions and dissonance with more individualistic religions (to a greater extent at a collective level), whereas religions do not affect the effectiveness of sport policies if governments pursue NP. If governments pursue NP, there is significant consonance with secular body approaches deemphasising mind over body (at an individual level only), whereas if governments pursue SC, there is significant consonance with Deleuze, Heidegger and Descartes and dissonance with Husserl (to a smaller extent at a collective level). In summary, this paper empirically highlights the social and cultural contexts affecting some sport policies, by providing a quantitative methodology to identify groups of countries with institutional or historical peculiarities, to be studied by sport sociology with complementary qualitative methodologies.

This study discusses the figure of Baboi or Ibu Adat in Mentawai society, particularly in Sagulubbeg Village, Southwest Siberut, as a representation of female authority in the Arat Sabulungan belief system. Using qualitative research methods with ethnography, this study explores Baboi's role in maintaining balance between humans, nature, and the spiritual world through ritual practices, self-symbolism, and ecological knowledge. Baboi acts as a mediator between ancestral spirits and humans, as well as playing a role in maintaining cosmological harmony, which is manifested in Ti'ti Geilat and Sipaggeu. The results of the study show that Baboi holds a strategic function in preserving traditional values and environmental sustainability, especially through the Simatabaik principle, which emphasizes the wise use of resources. In a social context, Baboi also negotiates women's power within patriarchal structures, while also becoming agents of cultural transformation in the era of modernization. This study shows that Baboi is not only a spiritual figure, but also a local feminist ecological symbol that maintains ethical relations between humans and nature. These findings enrich the discourse of feminist anthropology and cultural ecology in the archipelago by emphasizing the importance of indigenous women's knowledge in the social and ecological sustainability system in the Mentawai region

This article explores the concept of motherhood and social inclusion in psychological and social contexts in a case study of a mother raising a child with special needs (ASD). The psychological context refers to the emotional “container” that provides support and protection for both mother and child. The social context refers to the reduction of barriers that enable participation, engagement, and acceptance within a new community. Adopting a self-narrative approach, the study employs deductive content analysis using bricolage methods in content analysis and the discussion (Kincheloe et al., 2011; Ben-Asher, 2021). The analysis revealed three key insights from content analysis results: the mother’s ability to include her son is grounded in her capability to self-acceptance; Self-acceptance here is shaped by external social norms and personal (inner) traits, that influenced the mother's sense of belonging and integration into a new community; Personality traits, particularly self-criticism, was found to be significant in shaping experiences of motherhood containment and social inclusion.

Abstract Background The implementation of LGBTIQ policies in Europe reveals significant differences among EU member states, particularly concerning children and adolescents, who often become the focus of debates on sexuality without having a voice. The experiences of LGBTIQ youth are heterogeneous, and their impact in daily life may vary according to the prevailing social, legal, and political context. Methods This study analyses the knowledge, beliefs, and experiences of LGBTIQ adolescents in Lithuania, Hungary, and Spain, comparing them within their respective social and political contexts. Using data from a quantitative survey ( N = 2078), we conduct a bivariate analysis linking these factors to the country of residence. Results Findings indicate that political contexts shape adolescents’ sexual education and awareness of their rights. While differences in beliefs and experiences among respondents are smaller, specific variations highlight the impact of LGBTIQ policies on wellbeing. Conclusions and Policy Implications This research emphasise the crucial role of inclusive public policies in fostering a supportive and safe environment for LGBTIQ adolescents, particularly in challenging contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main goal of conducting a study on LGBTQ rights is to look into and understand the social, legal, and political context that surrounds those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals’ rights. The purpose of this study is to shed light on the struggles and obstacles that LGBTQ people and communities confront, as well as the strides that have been achieved to advance their rights. This was achieved by conducting a bibliometric study utilizing the Web of Science database, which examined global research trends on LGBTQ rights over a 14-year period, from 2009 to 2022. A total of 397 publications were found and analyzed using bibliometric parameters such as publication trends and citation analyses. The study looked into the most productive authors, countries, collaborative institutions, and keyword clustering. The findings revealed a significant increase in multidisciplinary research in LGBTQ rights studies over the last decade. In total, 397 documents were examined, accomplishing 4766 citations for an average of 12 citations per document (ACPD). The examination of collaborative universities revealed that the top ten most collaborative institutions were all in the United States, with the University of California System topping in terms of published documents. Furthermore, the study emphasised the significance of undertaking research on underrepresented communities within the LGBTQ community and investigating the interconnectedness of LGBTQ rights with other social justice concerns.

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, making effective vaccine uptake a priority. Although individual factors such as awareness, education, and place of residence are known to influence vaccination decisions, there is a gap in understanding how these socio-economic attributes interact with social context to shape choices under peer influence. This study addresses this gap by applying the Multi-Population Curie-Weiss Model, a statistical mechanics framework, to analyse binary vaccination decisions influenced jointly by private incentives and social interactions. Data were obtained from the 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey (GMIS), which included 3,004 women. Analysis showed that 93.54% of respondents intended to vaccinate their children, whereas 6.45% did not. Among those in favour, 72.10% had received formal education, while 27.90% had not; 40.10% were aware of the malaria vaccine, whereas 56.90% were unaware. Among respondents who did not intend to vaccinate, 78.35% were educated and 21.65% were uneducated; 28.87% were aware of the vaccine, while 71.13% lacked prior awareness. In the absence of social interactions, factors such as education, vaccine awareness, and place of residence were associated with vaccination decisions. Rural women with some education demonstrated a modest increase (1.62%) in intrinsic motivation, indicating a positive association between education and vaccination. When social interactions were incorporated, educational attainment and vaccine awareness exhibited significant associations with vaccination choices. Notably, the interaction strength among urban educated women yielded a negative estimate ( 4.06%), suggesting limited imitative effects, whereas rural uneducated women appeared to exert greater social influence on their educated rural counterparts. These findings provide insights for public health authorities seeking to design strategies to improve malaria vaccine uptake and reduce the disease burden among vulnerable populations in Ghana.

Eating disorders have increasingly emerged as a significant health issue among young women in China, yet the problem has long been overlooked. While medical and psychological approaches remain important, this study argues for the necessity of exploring eating disorders through a cultural and sociological lens. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with ten young women with eating disorders and participant observation with three of them, this study focuses on the illness narratives of patients, analyzing the complex interplay between illness, the body, subjectivity, and society. The findings reveal that physical suffering and bodily perception in patients are often deeply intertwined, manifesting not only as physiological pain but also as discomfort rooted in moral dimensions. In the process of pursuing gendered values, self-realization, and a sense of security, patients exert control over their bodies, causing the body to simultaneously carry meanings from three intertwined dimensions. Consequently, bodily changes impact multiple aspects of their self and may trigger a profound sense of collapse, which makes body weight and food intake central to preserving their sense of order in life. Resisting traditional body ideals becomes a key strategy for constructing new subjectivity among young women with eating disorders, however, such resistance may simultaneously entangle them into new constraints shaped by healthism and fitness-oriented aesthetics. These bodily narratives synthesize the embodied experiences of young women as gendered subjects, and recognizing this allows for a deeper understanding of the social contexts they inhabit, offering an essential perspective for interpreting contemporary Chinese women’s lived conditions.

Purpose This research aims to investigate how the social and spatial properties of Sydney’s social housing units have evolved over four socially defined eras (1890–1939, 1940–1969, 1970–1999 and 2000–present). It asks three questions as follows: (1) Which syntactic and dimensional shifts characterise each era? (2) How changing social contexts and delivery modes influence housing form? (3) What lessons can inform contemporary design practice? Design/methodology/approach This research analyses the syntactic and dimensional characteristics of 45 social housing units in Sydney, constructed between 1914 and 2020. A computational approach is employed, combining justified plan graph analysis with plan area properties derived from archival drawings. Findings The results show a correlation between the integration values of the “private” and “communal” sectors and their corresponding area ratios. Notably, the private sector’s integration during the “Golden Age” (1940–1969) and its connectivity and mean depth in the “Deceleration” era (1970–1999) differ significantly from other eras. Originality/value The study’s findings, including adaptive-JPGs, reveal how past layouts responded to social dynamics, offering lessons for contemporary design. The combined evolution of syntactic and dimensional properties in housing plan layouts over time has not previously been examined in such a comprehensive manner. Beyond contributing to digital design knowledge, these insights inform future planning strategies for developing adaptable and effective social housing solutions.

Developmental cognitive neuroscience studies the evolution of the bidirectional links between biology and cognition during development. An area of recent focus is the impact of social factors on the biology-cognition link. Indeed, recent calls-to-action encourage a more dynamic approach to investigating mechanisms related to the development of the social brain. To address this need, we utilized a burgeoning innovation in cognitive neuroscience known as “hyperscanning”, which allows for real-time synchronized measurements of biological signals (e.g., brain signals via electroencephalography, EEG; cardiac activity via electrocardiogram, ECG) across two people engaged in social interaction. The potential of hyperscanning has yet to be tapped for research with diverse and developmental populations underrepresented in neuroscience (and science broadly), including pediatric clinical and racial minority populations. The present manuscript provides proof-of-concept for the use of naturalistic and inclusive hyperscanning paradigms. For this research, we adapted a collaborative conversation task that allowed us to examine differences in synchronized measures of sociocognitive mechanisms (specifically, motivation and language) across different social contexts (familiar child dyads, stranger child dyads, familiar adult-child dyads, and stranger adult dyads). Preliminary results from a pilot study with 45 racially diverse autistic and non-autistic participants indicate that, at the group level, youth are less accurate and need more hints than adults, peer dyads (i.e., child-child, adult-adult) are more approach-motivated, and dyad features (e.g., familiarity) influence how linguistically aligned individuals are during the task. Additionally, we provide initial evidence for within-person biology-behavior links and asymmetrical between-person alignment of approach motivational brain states that indicate that one's current motivation state was predicted to be opposite of their partner and vary subtly across social contexts. Overall, this hyperscanning task is sensitive to developmental and contextual factors and will propel our understanding of social and cognitive processes. We encourage cognitive developmentalists to consider recommendations laid out in the current proof-of-concept to take actionable steps in moving the field toward more inclusive and pervasive research.

Abstract Due to a demonstrated relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and a range of psychological, physical, and social risks, there has been a growing movement to integrate routine ACEs screening in pediatric settings. As screenings have increased, there has also been a call for research to uncover areas for improvement in the implementation of these screenings. The Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS) is one common tool used for screening that has demonstrated construct validity in identifying three domains of adversity: maltreatment, household challenges, and social context. A second version of PEARLS (PEARLS v2) was adapted and refined in response to feedback collected from public health professionals, physicians, clinical psychologists, mental health specialists, and patients in a variety of settings, including clinics, state advisory boards, and health equity counsels. To ensure acceptability, this study examines caregiver feedback on PEARLS v2 through semi-structured interviews with 13 caregivers of child patients in Federally Qualified Health Centers. Using Rapid Qualitative Analysis, results highlight caregiver feedback on the addition of a written introduction to the screener and overall implementation preferences (i.e., location, length of time). Results also underscore caregiver feedback and suggestions on item clarity and acceptability, the addition of strength-based questions, perspectives on caregiver honesty in completing the screener, and preferences regarding provider response and resources. Findings support PEARLS v2 adaptations and provide caregiver-driven feedback to address acceptability and implementation of the screener in pediatric settings.

The role of moral emotions in repairing interpersonal relationships is one of the most important research topics. Based on existing studies, researchers have systematically explained the role of moral emotions in interpersonal relationship repair. However, there are still some gaps in these studies, such as deeply relying on a single situation and not elaborating on the chain role of different moral emotions. Therefore, the research theme of this thesis is the role of three moral emotions (guilt, embarrassment, and compassion) in interpersonal repair and their application in educational situations. In general, this article adopts the evaluation literature review method to objectively review the existing research and add further discussion. The results show that guilt can stimulate the motivation of individuals to take recovery actions. Embarrassment as a signal of willingness to repair. Empathy stimulates the ability of transpositional consideration and tolerance. The chain interaction between them can be summarized as embarrassment causes individuals to 'want to repair, guilt causes individuals to 'make behaviors of repair, and empathy causes repair to be 'accepted. This mechanism is also applicable in the education scenario, and specific practical measures include empathy training, teachers' apology guidance, etc. In general, this paper further analyzes the chain role of three kinds of moral emotions and proposes reasonable practical measures for repairing interpersonal conflicts at the educational level. However, there are also shortcomings, such as the neglect of longitudinal research and cross-cultural research, which provide a direction for future research.

Social context, occupational demands, and life-stage transitions all shape womens mental health. This mechanism-driven narrative review primarily examines how mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) work for women by focusing on the underlying mechanisms they activate rather than the program brands, in other words, the type of the program. Specifically, this paper analyses evidence showing that training sustained attention and acceptance can enhance conflict monitoring and non-reactivity of stress-elicited thoughts and emotions, enabling the decentering/reperceiving of those thoughts and emotionstogether with their associated bodily sensations and self-referential appraisals (e.g., self-criticism), and thus supporting better emotion regulation. This paper reveals how these connected processes are conditioned by contextincluding work/academic pressures and changing roles across the life stagesand identifies mechanisms that recur across settings and stages. This paper argues that care should be mechanism-led and context-based: practice needs to be paired with low-barrier supports that fit the individuals life stage, which allow these mechanisms to align with womens social identities and living conditions.

Sexual aspects play a crucial role in the long-term success of family planning programs, necessitating their inclusion in all related interventions and policies. Health service providers must be equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills to openly and sensitively discuss the sexual effects of various contraceptive methods. Furthermore, gender biases that hinder communication regarding women’s sexual rights should be addressed to ensure family planning programs provide more optimal and inclusive benefits. This study aims to examine the correlation between contraceptive use among mothers and the intensity of sexual relations among couples in the working area of Community Health Centers across Paser Regency. The study employed an observational design with a survey technique conducted among 320 family planning acceptor couples. Data were collected through questionnaires and observation, and analyzed using Chi-square tests. The findings reveal a fairly even distribution of sexual intensity across age groups, with no significant negative correlation between the use of oral contraceptive pills and sexual activity intensity (p=0.18). The study concludes that the use of contraceptive pills does not significantly affect the decrease in sexual frequency or intensity, suggesting that other factors such as individual characteristics and social context should be considered in evaluating sexual satisfaction among family planning acceptors.

This innovation introduces a digital storytelling approach to teaching the Law of Tort, with a focus on the landmark case Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562. Traditionally, legal education relies heavily on text-based learning which often poses challenges for students in grasping and retaining complex case principles. To address this gap, a narrative-based video was developed to present legal case in narrative form, making it relatable and easier to digest. The core innovation lies in the integration of storytelling and visual media to transform case law from a static text into a dynamic learning experience. By presenting the case as a story, students are not only able to understand the legal principles more clearly but also to appreciate the human and social context behind the law. This educational tool leverages narrative learning theory, which emphasizes the role of stories in enhancing memory, comprehension and critical thinking because they can connect legal principles to the story. The video uses visuals, narration and simple scenarios to make complex legal ideas easier to understand while keeping the law accurate. The potential benefits of this approach include increased student engagement, improved retention of legal concepts and the development of deeper analytical skills. Furthermore, the model is highly adaptable and can be applied across various areas of law and other disciplines. Ultimately, this innovation demonstrates how technology and storytelling can enrich legal education by making complex knowledge accessible, memorable and impactful.

This paper examines the evolving dynamics of sociolinguistics in the 21st century, focusing on how language reflects and shapes social realities in diverse societies, with a comparative lens on India and Azerbaijan. Both nations present postcolonial, multilingual, and digitally transforming complex linguistic ecosystems where power, identity, and tradition are encoded in language practices. By integrating traditional sociolinguistic theory with contemporary developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), this research explores how technological mediation is reconfiguring linguistic hierarchies, access, and representation. The study adopts a comparative sociolinguistic methodology, combining ethnographic insights, AI-enabled linguistic corpus analysis, and critical discourse analysis of public and social media. It interrogates how variationist phenomena (e.g., code-switching, diglossia, lexical borrowing) operate across caste, ethnicity, and region in India, and across post-Soviet national identity formations in Azerbaijan. The impact of AI—particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP), machine learning-based dialect analysis, and voice recognition algorithms—is analyzed for its dual role: as a democratizing force in linguistic research and as a potential agent of linguistic erasure and bias. Drawing from scholars such as Labov, Hymes, Woolard, and Gikandi, the paper argues that AI tools are often trained on dominant linguistic codes, reinforcing existing inequalities. Language embodies not only communication but "a repository of memory and identity," which technology risks flattening through algorithmic standardization.

Neuroscience has advanced rapidly over the past century by applying reductionist methods to dissect brain function at molecular, cellular, and circuit levels, primarily in animal models. While this approach has generated extraordinary insights, the field now faces an epistemological bottleneck: efforts to build holistic models of human cognition from fragmented reductionist data are failing to capture the complexity of real-world brain function. Current translational pathways are dominated by a clinical mission-using dysfunction to model normal function-which limits ecological validity and reinforces blind spots. We argue that neuroscience must broaden its ontological mission beyond treatment of DSM-defined disorders to include functional misalignments and productivity in everyday life, encompassing education, workplaces, and social contexts. To achieve this, we propose the concept of behavioral "wind tunnels," an analogy to the facilities that transformed aerodynamics. Like wind tunnels, such environments would provide a controlled yet naturalistic middle ground between laboratory reductionism and the uncontrolled complexity of real-world settings. They would enable scalable capture of cognitive traits and states across wide populations, long time horizons, and multiple functional dimensions, yielding ecologically valid feedback loops essential for both theory and application. Embedding neuroscience into real-world contexts would align the field with pressing societal needs-optimizing human skills in an AI-disrupted economy, fostering resilience to global crises, and advancing brain health as an economic and societal asset. Just as wind tunnels transformed aviation from theory to reliable practice, neuroscience must now adopt analogous infrastructures to realize its full potential for humanity.