Social Environment Research Articles

Students’ Perceptions of Factors Contributing to a Happy School Environment in Iran

Abstract Background School is not only a place for acquiring academic skills but also a social environment where students develop emotional abilities and awareness. Prioritizing well-being in schools can foster confidence, satisfaction, and emotional awareness among students, contributing to their lifelong success and mental health. Objective This research hypothesizes that students will emphasize the importance of individual choice, autonomy, and enjoyment in school, along with a desire for more meaningful activities beyond academics. The study aims to investigate adolescents' perceptions of a happy school and the strategies they believe are effective for fostering this environment. Method Employing a purposive sampling approach, the researchers conducted indepth, semi-structured qualitative interviews involving 41 middle and high school students in Iran to explore their perspectives on the factors contributing to their happiness within an educational setting. Through phenomenological data analysis, four principal themes and thirteen subcategories emerged. Result The main themes included: (1) Enhancing overall health; (2) Creating schools with collaborative decisionmaking; (3) Fostering a love of learning; (4) Supporting joy and well-being in school. Conclusions The identified themes provide new, valuable insights for improving school climate, particularly in relation to student happiness and promoting positive mental health and optimal performance among students.

#PositiveAging: A Content Analysis of Positive Aging TikTok Videos

The communication ecology model of successful aging (CEMSA) proposes that the messages individuals receive from the social environment, and their own communication about aging, shape the communication ecology of aging, which in turn influences the degree to which individuals experience successful aging. This content analysis study provides insight into the communication ecology of aging by examining the messages about aging forwarded by positive aging TikTok videos. Two-hundred and seventy videos from the top five most viewed positive aging hashtags were coded. Messages about appearance and evaluations of aging appear more frequently than messages about ability or advice about aging. Overall, these videos presented aging in a positive light; however, messages about skin, cognitive ability, advice about aging, and the #agingwell hashtag represented aging in a more negative light. The majority of positive aging TikTok videos feature middle-aged and older adults. Implications for the CEMSA are discussed.

Impact of February 6, 2024 Earthquakes on Community Resilience

This study explores the interaction of people and place, the most important elements of geography, in the context of community resilience. Community resilience is the process of adaptation of a society to changing conditions by recovering from the effects of disasters as soon as possible. A resilient community is considered one of the most important components of disaster respons. In the context of increasing disaster risks, interest in increasing community resilience is growing in both academic and policy circles. This study seeks to understand how individuals affected by the February 6, 2023, earthquakes perceive resilience. These interviews were conducted as qualitative research. Typical case sampling was used in the study. Participants were selected from individuals who had experienced both earthquakes (January 24, Elazig and February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş) and equal gender distribution was sought. Interviews were conducted on July 15 and August 15, 2023, six months after the second earthquake. Interviews were conducted with 22 people, consisting of 11 female and 11 male earthquake survivors from Elazig, Kahramanmaraş, and Malatya, the three provinces affected by the earthquake. A descriptive analysis of the opinions obtained after the interviews was conducted. Similar answers were brought together, and conclusions on social resilience were evaluated in terms of social, environmental, economic, built, natura, and institutional environment dimensions.

Environmental public health research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: A blueprint for exposure science in a connected world.

Exposure science plays an essential role in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) mission to protect human health and the environment. The U.S. EPA's Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) within the Office of Research and Development (ORD) provides the exposure science needed to characterize the multifaceted relationships between people and their surroundings in support of national, regional, local and individual-level actions. Furthermore, exposure science research must position its enterprise to tackle the most pressing public health challenges in an ever-changing environment. These challenges include understanding and confronting complex human disease etiologies, disparities in the social environment, and system-level changes in the physical environment. Solutions will sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Our objectives for this paper are to review the role of CPHEA exposure science research in various recent decision-making contexts, to present current challenges facing U.S. EPA and the larger exposure science field, and to provide illustrative case examples where CPHEA exposure science is demonstrating the latest methodologies at the intersection of these two motivations. This blueprint provides a foundation for applying exposomic tools and approaches to holistically understand real-world exposures so optimal environmental public health protective actions can be realized within the broader context of a One Health framework. IMPACT STATEMENT: The U.S. EPA's Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment exposure research priorities reside at the intersection of environmental decision contexts and broad public health challenges. The blueprint provides a foundation for advancing the tools and approaches to holistically understand real-world exposures so optimal environmental protection actions can be realized. A One Health lens can help shape exposure research for maximum impact to support solutions that are transdisciplinary and must engage multiple sectors.

Pergaulan yang Bijak: Analisis Amsal 13:20 dan Aplikasinya terhadap Generasi Z

Social interaction is an unavoidable condition in social life. Scanning the social interactions of Generation Z in the current era, it is very free. Free social interaction means unlimited or uncontrolled interaction that can damage the morals of Generation Z. This research aims to discover Theological Principles in Proverbs 13:20 as advice for Generation Z in their daily interactions. This research method uses qualitative research methods with a literature study approach. The research results show that the theological principles in Proverbs 13:20 are: First, a wise person is one who processes with God. Second, a wise person is one who is consistent. Third, the role of community in social interaction. Fourth, choices and consequences. Fifth, the concept of foolishness. Proverbs 13:20 teaches the importance of choosing friends and social environments. Generation Z is expected to apply these principles of wisdom in their lives to achieve a meaningful life that aligns with God's will.

Social learning is triggered by environmental cues in immigrant birds.

After dispersal, what cues trigger social learning in immigrants? A new study in wild-caught great tits in PLOS Biology suggests that changes in the physical environment, rather than the social environment, are key in prompting social learning by immigrants.

The Impact of Comment Slant and Comment Tone on Digital Health Communication Among Polarized Publics: A Web-Based Survey Experiment.

Public attitudes toward health issues are becoming increasingly polarized, as seen in social media comments, which vary from supportive to oppositional and frequently include uncivil language. The combined effects of comment slant and comment tone on health behavior among a polarized public need further examination. This study aims to examine how social media users' prior attitudes toward mask wearing and their exposure to a mask-wearing-promoting post, synchronized with polarized and hostile discussions, affect their compliance with mask wearing. The study was a web-based survey experiment with participants recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk. A total of 522 participants provided consent and completed the study. Participants were assigned to read a fictitious mask-wearing-promoting social media post with either civil anti-mask-wearing comments (130/522, 24.9%), civil pro-mask-wearing comments (129/522, 24.7%), uncivil anti-mask-wearing comments (131/522, 25.1%), or uncivil pro-mask-wearing comments (132/522, 25.3%). Following this, the participants were asked to complete self-assessed questionnaires. The PROCESS macro in SPSS (model 12; IBM Corp) was used to test the 3-way interaction effects between comment slant, comment tone, and prior attitudes on participants' presumed influence from the post and their behavioral intention to comply with mask-wearing. Anti-mask-wearing comments led social media users to presume less influence about others' acceptance of masks (B=1.49; P<.001; 95% CI 0.98-2.00) and resulted in decreased mask-wearing intention (B=0.07; P=.03; 95% CI 0.01-0.13). Comment tone with incivility also reduced compliance with mask-wearing (B=-0.44; P=.02; 95% CI -0.81 to -0.07). Furthermore, polarized attitudes had a direct impact (B=0.86; P<.001; 95% CI 0.45-1.26) and also interacted with both the slant and tone of comments, influencing mask-wearing intention. Pro-mask-wearing comments enhanced presumed influence and compliance of mask-wearing, but incivility in the comments hindered this positive impact. Antimaskers showed increased compliance when they were unable to find civil support for their opinion in the social media environment. The findings suggest the need to correct and moderate uncivil language and misleading information in online comment sections while encouraging the posting of supportive and civil comments. In addition, information literacy programs are needed to prevent the public from being misled by polarized comments.

The Lithuanian Soviet Nomenclature as an Object and Subject of Control

The topic of nomenclature in the context of research on the Soviet period is usually associated with the power and influence exerted by a single group in society. While assessing the evolution of the post-Stalin system, the role of a separate ruling stratum rather than that of an individual leader becomes more apparent. Many studies hesitate to call the post-Stalin system totalitarian and secretary-generals of the Communist Party as unilateral leaders. In individual studies, nomenclature, particularly top ranking, is clearly perceived as an acting and influencing subject, capable of subjecting system resources to its articulated aims. However, the discussion of the role of Lithuanian nomenclature as a certain peripheral elite and its relationship with the system shows that it is impossible to treat it only as an acting subject. The interests and management style of the central government determined greater or lesser control of the Soviet republics. So it is interesting to consider which situations would define the Lithuanian Soviet nomenclature itself as an object of control, and in which areas it could express its own interests and be activity. The Soviet institutional environment was saturated with control. Control measures were designed not only to control processes in society; they were also applied to the system of nomenclature itself by applying hierarchical control principles both to the governing political party and lower executive ranks. Information was collected about ideological compliance and participation in the execution of plans. Transgressions recognised to be ideological were assessed most strictly. The tools of control were diverse: in addition to control bodies (people’s control, GLAVLIT, KGB) Communist party structures and ministries had their own divisions responsible for control of the activities of a particular area and even the suitability of people. In addition to routine planned activity, individual influential officials carried out controlling functions and exposed ad hoc cases. It can be stated that the system was essentially saturated with control activities – the same area was controlled by at least 3-4 levels different levels of officials and this obviously stifled the dynamics of any activity. In the late Soviet period, locality as a factor of social environment can be clearly distinguished whereby local representatives of the nomenclature would often reduce the effect of control by replacing the object ‘what and how to control’ with the consensus of higher ranking officials of the nomenclature regarding the areas and leaders to be controlled and possible consequences of control (including penalties for members of the Communist Party). This model complemented institutional regulation and was applied not only to ensure control inside a republic but also in relation to the supervision carried out by the centre. The government of the republic frequently faced hostility from some leaders controlling the manufacturing industry, but except for one incident, it managed to ‘localise’ both local and arriving leaders, thereby creating a certain closed social network of members of the nomenclature of the republic and simultaneously opening more opportunities for higher ranking officials of Lithuanian nomenclature to express their personal interests, assess the situation subjectively, and act in the area of control as a subject rather than an object. The social network of members of the nomenclature of the republic rather actively and using various measures sought to isolate their own circle therefore ensuring not only the integrity of the circle, but also control of the space subordinate to it, while at the same time maintaining good relations with the centre. The top ranking officials of the republic were very keen to maintain the stability of this network and their primary goal was to preserve the routine of governing, given that this status quo was in line with Brezhnev’s governing style.

EXPLORING MUSICAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT: PERSPECTIVES FROM STAGE THEORY, SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY, AND A LIFESPAN APPROACH

Music has a profound impact on a person's identity and has a complicated and deep relationship with the self. A psychological concept called "musical identity" includes a variety of elements derived from "personal, social, emotional, and musical competencies." It represents how people behave in a cultural and social context and is influenced by their involvement in music and practice. The study of how people acquire their musical knowledge and skills examines the cognitive, emotional, and social facets of this process. The stage theory by Trevarthen and Malloch, which hypothesizes discrete transitions in musical development across the lifespan, is a well-known framework in this area. Another approach is the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) application by Evans and McPherson, which emphasizes the significance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in forming musical identity. Using a lifelong perspective, Lamont emphasizes the impact of social settings and cultural environments on the negotiation of musical identity. Her work emphasizes the significance of early musical encounters, the influence of formal and informal musical interactions during infancy, and the development of musical identity during adolescence and maturity. Understanding these frameworks advances our knowledge of how musical identities are formed and has implications for music education, therapy, and the encouragement of lifelong musical participation.

From Spectators to Participants: Rhetorical Approaches to Digital Nonviolent Resistance in Social Media Video

ABSTRACT This article contributes a rhetorical approach to nonviolent resistance that is enacted in short-form social media video environments. By examining how three viral videos on the platform TikTok reimagine the nonviolent resistance tactics of sabotage, disruption, and civil disobedience, this article considers the similarities, differences, aptitudes, and constraints of digital nonviolent resistance in social media video compared to fully offline counterparts. Consideration of three short-form social media videos that involve sabotaging an antiabortion group’s web portal, disrupting a Donald Trump campaign rally, and enacting civil disobedience by dancing without a headscarf in Iran showcase digital nonviolent resistance in social media video to more rapidly coordinate ad-hoc social networks, be more intensely calibrated for mediation, be more global and lighthearted, and be comparatively limited in scale, scope, efficacy, and risk to participants while still rhetorically generating meaningful consequences.

Integration of Teaching Resources for English Majors under Local Autonomy: Collaboration and Development

In the process of local social governance, educational resources are the basic conditions for social governance, so the integration of English education resources has become the main research aspect of local governments and educational institutions. The integration of key educational resources needs to be supported by local education policies, education systems and education laws, and the corresponding regulations and laws should be improved, and the English cognitive level of the public and the environmental governance of education need to be intervened by local governments, as well as the extensive participation of the public. Laws and regulations should be improved under the guidance of the government to provide support for the integration of English education resources, and the public should widely participate in the integration of educational resources of English majors under the publicity of educational resources, so as to form a good interactive relationship to provide support for local education governance. Therefore, the necessary conditions for the integration of local governments, legal institutions, education departments and the general public, military and local English education resources play a role in promoting the development level of English and the creation of a social environment.

Scoping Review Peran Konteks Sosial dalam Pemberian ASI Ekslusif

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life has been proven to provide significant benefits, both in terms of health and developmental outcomes. However, in many countries, including Indonesia, the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding remains very low, contributing to high rates of malnutrition, including stunting. This scoping review was conducted to identify and analyze the social factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, with the aim of informing more effective intervention strategies. The study employed a scoping review methodology, involving a comprehensive literature search across three major databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2014 to 2024. Of the 401 articles identified, 7 were selected for analysis following a rigorous selection process. The review findings indicate that support from husbands, extended family, and the broader social environment are key factors in the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Identified barriers include a lack of family support, the influence of local cultural beliefs, misinformation about breastfeeding, and misconceptions regarding infant needs. These factors significantly affect mothers' decisions to practice exclusive breastfeeding. Furthermore, the role of healthcare professionals in providing accurate education to mothers and families is crucial in improving exclusive breastfeeding rates. In conclusion, to enhance the success of exclusive breastfeeding, a comprehensive approach involving the entire family and considering local cultural contexts is required. Policy support, intensive educational campaigns, and improved access to lactation counseling services should be prioritized to achieve higher exclusive breastfeeding rates in Indonesia.

CHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY DETECTED IN WATER BODIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BARCARENA/PA, AMAZONIA, BRAZIL

Population growth linked to greater exploitation of nature compromises the quality of water, which is considered a limited natural resource and is vitally important for the survival of living organisms and directly influences the economy, leisure, culture and the social environment. This study evaluated the physicochemical, toxicological and microbiological parameters of rivers and streams in the municipality of Barcarena, State of PA, Amazonia, Brazil. We collected 58 samples in the period from 2021 to 2022. The average values ​​verified were above the limits allowed by Brazilian legislation (CONAMA 357/2005) for true color (µ = 218.09 ± 223.843), BOD (µ = 31.30 ± 64.992) and Escherichia coli (µ = 1243.76 ± 2838.743) in stream samples when compared to those from the river, demonstrating that there are statistical differences in these parameters between these two environments. We also analyzed traces of 10 toxic metals (Al, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Pb). The average levels of these pollutants ranged from 0 (&lt;LD) to 1,504 mg/L. The highest concentration was found for Aluminum, which ranged from 0.003 to 1.504 mg/L with an average of 0.275 ± 0.289 mg/L. The greatest concentration similarity (75.16%) of these soluble metals was observed between the Pará river and the Dendê stream. Therefore, the studied area presents contamination of aquatic ecosystems due to mining activity, which has caused serious impacts on the remaining communities on the banks of the municipality's rivers that cross the Municipality of Barcarena-Pa.

High Rates of Obesity and Chronic Diseases Among North Carolina United Methodist Clergy: An Updated Analysis

Background Varied demands and stressors experienced by clergy can contribute adversely to their overall well-being. Data from United Methodist Church (UMC) clergy in North Carolina in 2008 revealed that clergy had significantly higher non-communicable disease (NCD) rates than their fellow North Carolinians. Methods Using data from the Clergy Health Initiative and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, the present study provided an updated analysis of obesity and 6 other NCDs among North Carolina UMC clergy compared to the general North Carolina population. First, we described the prevalence of each health condition among North Carolina UMC clergy and the general North Carolina population across multiple waves from 2008 to 2021. Then, we compared the predicted probabilities of each health condition in 2021 using logistic regressions to adjust for age, sex, and race. Results Comparing the unadjusted prevalence of health conditions between 2008 and 2021, we found that North Carolina UMC clergy have higher rates of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, angina, arthritis, and asthma than North Carolinians overall. Adjusting for age, sex, and race, we found that significantly higher rates of obesity, severe obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and asthma persisted among UMC clergy in 2021 compared to all North Carolinians, with the higher rates of severe obesity being particularly concerning. Limitations While the current study is limited to an update of health prevalence among UMC clergy, pastors across denominations are influential leaders in their communities, shaping the physical and social health environments of their congregations. Conclusions Further research is needed to investigate risk factors, such as relocation and adverse childhood experiences, which may influence the higher prevalence of NCDs within and potentially beyond the UMC.

Social Trust, Environmental Violations, and Remedial Actions in China

Social Trust, Environmental Violations, and Remedial Actions in China

Institutions matter: The role of institutions in the relationship between decision-making power and contraceptive autonomy.

Several academic papers have shown that the distribution of household decision-making power has a positive influence on women's contraceptive autonomy. This paper considers the role of the social or institutional environment (as captured by place of residence) in ameliorating or contributing to this relationship. Our study focuses on the context of Nigeria, a country with diverse gender norms and religious practices, often determined by geographic location. For example, Western common law is more prevalent in the southern Nigeria, while Sharia law is largely practiced in the North of the country. The analysis uses the Performance and Monitoring for Action (PMA) dataset (2019-2020), and analysis is done using logistic regressions. We find evidence that the relationship between household decision-making power and contraceptive autonomy is mediated by institutions (city). More specifically, we show that in Lagos-a state characterised by the increasing empowerment of women-women have more contraceptive autonomy as they gain decision-making power in the household. The opposite is true in Kano-household decision-making power has no bearing on contraceptive autonomy.

Changing perspective from being to becoming—An alternative approach to language development and speaker categorization based on longitudinal data

Abstract In the face of transnational mobility and migration, globally networked communities and super-diverse social environments, traditional research practices of speaker categorization such as the distinction between native and non-native speakers, first, second, and third language users and mono-, bi-, and pluri-/multilinguals, which rest on the assumption of categorical differences between types of speakers and the general stability of speaker categories as biographical fact, are increasingly called into question. Critical voices point out that in real life, differences between language users turn out to be fuzzy, gradient, and continuous, and that conventional speaker categorizations are conceptualized from a monolingual perspective, providing grounds for discriminatory practices. Based on a longitudinal study design, the paper aims to offer an alternative quantitative approach for researchers who are dissatisfied with common practices of speaker categorization and wish to shift perspective to a more comprehensive way of studying language development within communities. The analysis draws on the results of c-tests for German, Italian, and English that were specifically designed for the study and administered to the same students (n = 170) in their first and final year at lower secondary school.

Improving Older Adults’ Technology Adoption on Mobile Map: A Gamification Approach

In the era of digitalization, it is critical to improve older adults’ digital literacy and inclusion by enhancing their technology adoption to create a more accessible and inclusive social environment. However, older adults always exhibit lower levels of technology usage, and there is insufficient support available to meet their specific needs. Gamification, with its potential to motivate people, presents a great opportunity to address the issue of technology adoption among older adults. Despite gamification being predominantly applied to younger generations, this study offers a unique contribution by examining the impact of gamification on supporting older adults’ technology adoption. A case study of tailor-made gamification for Google Maps was constructed based on the game-based learning model and game mechanics. The effectiveness of the proposed gamification strategy has been assessed through interviews and observation. The results revealed a significant positive effect of gamification on enhancing older adults’ technology knowledge and adoption intentions.

Parenting Styles and Coping Strategies among Vietnamese Adolescents

Coping ability is one of the crucial factors helping adolescents face and overcome changes and difficulties during this developmental stage. The selection and use of coping strategies by adolescents are influenced by various factors from family, school, and social environment, including parenting styles. This study aims to examine the influence of parenting styles, as perceived by adolescents, on their coping strategies. Using a cross-sectional design, the study employed the Proactive Coping Inventory and Parenting Scale. Results showed that parental autonomy support, psychological control, and behavioral control have different effects on adolescents' coping strategies.

Abstract 4137820: Extreme heat and cardiovascular disease in a changing climate: An urgent need for risk management and health research

Background: Extreme heat can trigger or exacerbate cardiovascular disease (CVD) through ischemia or thrombosis, and its deleterious impacts are inclined to worsen as increased heat exposure and heightened vulnerability from climate change interacted with natural and social environment. Research Questions: Previous studies have primarily focused on quantifying the increased risk of CVD due to heat exposure, while lacking a comprehensive understanding of the association, underlying mechanisms, and vulnerability in CVD patients. Consequently, there is a scarcity of clinical and public health interventions aimed at preventing the convergence of extreme heat exposure and the risk of CVD within the context of climate change. Methods: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to December, 2023, and we retrieved articles which assessed the effects of extreme heat or climate change on CVD. Results: In this review, we outline the existing evidence on the epidemiology and pathophysiological mechanisms that elucidate how extreme heat affects the risk of CVD. Extreme heat is associated with increased risks for CVD morbidity and mortality, where older persons, low socioeconomic status, pre-existing medical conditions, and unfavorable living environments confer greater susceptibility to heat. The adverse effects of extreme heat on cardiovascular system involved a wide range of complex mechanisms between different organs and regulatory pathways (Figure 1). Additionally, we identify the factors that contribute to the vulnerability of CVD patients to heat exposure. The discrepancy in heat-related risk can be attributed to individual susceptibility, sociocultural factors, population temperature adaptations, and environmental factors. Future climate change is projected to exacerbate the burden of extreme heat, particularly due to the interaction of air pollution, population aging, and urbanization (Figure 2). Conclusions: Addressing extreme heat should be within the framework of the prevention of CVD. Health professionals and scientists are responsible for mitigating the cardiovascular effects mediated by extreme heat, with an emphasis on engaging in risk management tactics and health research to implement preventive strategies. As CVD is a climate sensitive disease, evidence-based interventions during heat extremes are urgently needed to cope with the cardiovascular risks associated with the inevitable trajectory of climate change.