This study investigates the relationship between customers' intention to purchase health insurance in Northern India and perceived behavioral control (PBC), which is based on the decomposed theory of planned behavior (DTPB). Three core dimensions of PBC are identified: social influence, perceived ease of access and financial affordability, discovered through the use of exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The study further investigates how gender and marital status moderate these relationships to inform targeted marketing strategies. Convenience sampling was used to gather primary data through an online poll with 400 participants. The three PBC dimensions were extracted and validated using EFA, and their direct impacts on purchase intention were then tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Moderation effects by marital status and gender were investigated using multi-group analysis (MGA), which produced strong t-statistics and p-values. PLS-SEM reveals perceived ease of access is the best predictor of purchase intention (t=6.070, p<0.001), followed by social influence (t=4.400, p<0.001) and financial affordability (t=5.486, p<0.001). Financial affordability and social influence have a greater impact on women, whereas perceived ease of access had a greater impact on males, according to MGA, which shows significant gender-based moderation. These associations are also moderated by marital status; married people react more strongly to accessibility, whereas single people are more impacted by affordability and social influence. These results offer practical applications for lawmakers and insurance companies undertaking business in developing nations. The study makes recommendations for future longitudinal and cross-cultural research while acknowledging the drawbacks of convenience sampling and a cross-sectional approach. This study examines the dimensional structure of PBC in relation to health insurance purchase intention in a developing-nation situation by integrating PLS-SEM and EFA in a novel way inside the TPB framework. It fills a major vacuum in culturally nuanced consumer Behavior research in emerging nations and provides actionable data for insurers looking to segment their marketing strategies by revealing innovative moderations based on gender and marital status.

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability, significantly affecting quality of life and imposing a substantial economic burden in India. Despite its high prevalence, utilisation of rehabilitation services remains low. In a country characterised by socio-cultural diversity, it's important to understand how individuals perceive chronic low back pain (CLBP) and the role of physiotherapy interventions. This study aims to explore in-depth the perceptions of CLBP and physiotherapy among individuals with CLBP in India. A qualitative approach was used, involving semi-structured interviews with 20 participants who had CLBP. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of physiotherapy among people with CLBP. Participants with CLBP based their management decisions on cultural, social, and personal influences. The major theme, physiotherapy is not a priority for the management of CLBP in India, was driven by four interconnected sub-themes: passive acceptance of pain, the influence of recommendations, perceived limitations of physiotherapy, and a focus on treatment for short-term management of flare-ups but not for long-term management or prevention. These themes illustrate how patients rationalise their pain and navigate available treatments. Perceptions of physiotherapy among participants with CLBP in India were shaped by ingrained beliefs, social influences, and a preference for quick symptom relief over long-term management. These perceptions may contribute to the delayed or limited use of physiotherapy for CLBP management among Indians.

Does ignorance love company? The social dynamics of information avoidance

Decsions about prenatal screening for trisomies are complex for some women. Mobile decision aids (mDAs) can help them make informed decisions based on their values and preferences. To assess pregnant women's intention to use an mDA for prenatal screening of trisomies 21, 18, and 13. This mixed-methods study in Quebec recruited a purposeful sample of women aged 18 or over, at least 16 weeks pregnant or who had given birth in the past year after a low-risk pregnancy. After they completed a paper-based decision aid, we assessed their intention, and its psychosocial determinants, to use a mobile version. Quantitative data underwent descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses; qualitative data were thematically analyzed. 67 pregnant women participated, mostly French-speaking (89.6 %), aged 25-34 (59.7 %). Mean intention to use the mDA was 4.92 (SD: 2.03). Beliefs about consequences (β:1.21; p < 0.0001) and social influence (β:0.17; p = 0.03) were significant predictors of intention, explaining 77.5 % of variance, and 63 % of women evaluated the proposed mDA positively. Beliefs about consequences and social influence were the main pyschosocial factors associated with pregnant women's intention to use an mDA for prenatal screening. Healthcare providers could increase uptake by adopting strategies that underline the social acceptability and benefits of mDAs.

Environmental and social influences on cycling adoption: A socio-ecological mode choice analysis in Greater Melbourne

Social influences in network and households’ e-commerce entrepreneurship in rural China

A social hierarchy is an ordered ranking of individuals that arises through their interactions and governs relative access to resources and social influence. This form of social organization is pervasive across animal species and has a crucial role in shaping survival and reproductive outcomes. Across species, the routes to high status vary widely. As social groups become more complex, the basis of hierarchy shifts from simple residency rules to fighting-based dominance and finally to alliance-based systems. In this Review, we first examine the neuroendocrine and subcortical mechanisms that support status transitions in residency-based hierarchies. We then discuss plasticity within hypothalamic and mesolimbic circuits that underlie fighting-outcome-based social learning, through which fighting-based hierarchies emerge. Finally, we explore alliance-based hierarchies in cognitively complex species, in which individuals attain status through coalition formation, cooperation and reputation. We review evidence that cortical regions encode information about the strengths, emotions, experiences and intentions of other individuals and use this to navigate complex social interactions and attain status. As social hierarchies have shifted from primarily fighting-based to increasingly alliance-based strategies over evolutionary time, neural control of status has, thus, transitioned from subcortical social behaviour circuits to a more elaborated cortical network in humans.

Culture and demographics as moderators of psychological and social influences in personal financial management behavior among Indian young professionals.

Advanced diabetes technologies are standard of care for people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, inequitable access contributes to disparities in outcomes. To characterise barriers and enablers to the use of advanced diabetes technologies among individuals with T1D and to synthesise these determinants using the Theoretical Domains Framework. EMBASE, Cochrane, PubMed, and MEDLINE were systematically searched from January 1, 2000, to September 30, 2025. We included studies of any design examining characteristics associated with the use of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGM), or automated insulin delivery (AID) in T1D. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data using a standardised tool. Determinants were categorised as non-modifiable or potentially modifiable barriers or enablers. Modifiable determinants were mapped to TDF domains to enable theory-informed synthesis. Of 3081 citations identified, 303 studies (1 864 469 participants) were included. Non-modifiable determinants most frequently associated with technology use included racial/ethnic minority status (n = 90), age (n = 53), sex (n = 36), and socioeconomic status (n = 40). Potentially modifiable determinants clustered primarily within six TDF domains, most commonly Environmental Context and Resources, Social Influences, Knowledge, Skills, Beliefs about Consequences, and Emotions. Within these domains, key barriers included financial constraints (n = 117), provider gatekeeping and clinic processes (n = 43), and physical burden or body image concerns (n = 41). Key enablers included supportive patient-provider relationships and shared decision-making (n = 42), patient education and knowledge of device benefits (n = 40), and proactive provider engagement (n = 24). A large proportion of abstracts (35.3% overall; 70.6% of interventions), potential publication bias, exclusion of grey literature, predominance of US-based studies (62.4%), and few AID-only studies (6.9%) may limit generalisability. Barriers to diabetes technology use map to key TDF domains, with structural factors predominating. Multilevel interventions targeting health system processes, provider practices, and education are needed to improve equitable uptake.

Emotional eating is associated with overweight/obesity and lower socioeconomic status. Food-related emotional expectancies-the anticipated emotional outcomes of consuming different foods-are theorised to be some of the potential drivers of emotional eating, and to be amenable to modification. However, the study of food-related emotional expectancies in relation to overweight/obesity and socioeconomic status is limited, with no qualitative research. This co-produced, mixed-methods study investigated lived experiences of food-related emotional expectancies in a sample of individuals with overweight/obesity differing in socioeconomic status. Twelve participants (age 41.42±16.24 years) engaged in semi-structured interviews, completed the Anticipated Effects of Food Scale, and reported sociodemographic information. Nutrition information was obtained for foods mentioned in free responses, and categorising foods based on the nutrient profiling model indicated that foods high in fat, sugar, and/or salt were frequently implicated in accounts of positive and negative expectancies. Deductive thematic analysis generated five themes: (1) food as friend and foe; (2) social influences on the formation of food-related emotional expectancies; (3) changes in food-related emotional expectancies after stressful life events; (4) childhood and adulthood body image impacts on food-related emotional expectancies; and (5) food-related emotional expectancies as an inner battle. Participants with low socioeconomic status (n=7) provided accounts of negative experiences in childhood that contributed to their food-related emotional expectancies. On the Anticipated Effects of Food Scale, there was a trend for participants with lower versus higher socioeconomic status to report stronger positive and negative expectancies. Changing food-related emotional expectancies may reduce emotional eating and socioeconomic disparities in overweight/obesity.

Healthy eating is a complex and often confusing topic, especially for young people. Conflicting advice, trends, and body ideals contribute to a stigmatising food environment in which social media influencers (SMIs) strongly shape perceptions of what counts as a 'healthy' diet. However, little is known about the specific food content that emerging adults encounter in their own social media feeds and how this influences their understanding of healthy eating. Guided by Source Credibility Theory and Expectancy-Value Theory, this study used a photo-voice approach combining content analysis and focus group discussions. Emerging adults collected 559 food-related images from their social media feeds, which were later used as discussion prompts. This multi-method design enabled an in-depth examination of the health-promoting food content shared by influencers, its alignment with dietary guidelines, and the features shaping perceived credibility. Results showed that 30% of analysed posts contradicted dietary guidelines, mainly by featuring too large portions of red meat. Most inaccurate content (78.3%) appeared in recipe posts and was almost exclusively shared by uncredentialed influencers (90.7%). Focus group discussions revealed that participants often overlooked subtle misinformation due to shortcomings in credibility evaluation. Many relied on perceived expertise, such as scientific language or a "healthy" appearance, rather than formal credentials, while others viewed recipe posts as harmless, underestimating their impact on perceptions of healthy eating. Overall, findings suggest that although influencer content can promote healthier food choices, improving digital literacy is crucial to help emerging adults recognise and critically assess misleading nutritional information.

Promoting healthy eating through social media influencers: A multi-group analysis of generational cohorts.

Guided by Leininger's Theory of Culture Care, this hermeneutic phenomenological study explored how social and cultural contexts shape engagement in advance care planning (ACP) among people living with cancer in Taiwan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 stakeholders, including 8 patients, 7 family caregivers, and 11 healthcare providers, recruited from oncology and ACP outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, and home care services at a tertiary medical center. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Naeem's six-step approach. Six interrelated influences on ACP engagement were identified: socioeconomic circumstances, prior experiences and personal background, religious beliefs and life values, relational dynamics with family and significant others, wider social norms, and political and legal requirements. These factors shaped whether ACP was seen as acceptable, when it was introduced, who was involved in decision-making, and how discussions were negotiated within families and with healthcare professionals. The findings show that ACP engagement in Taiwan is a relational, culturally embedded process. Culturally congruent, nurse-led ACP approaches that address relational, socioeconomic, and legal structural influences are needed to support family-centered cancer care.

Government agriculture schemes in the presence of social influence and technological advancement

Methotrexate is a cornerstone disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), effectively controlling disease activity and reducing cardiovascular mortality. Despite its efficacy, parenteral methotrexate, which offers higher bioavailability, faster response, and fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to oral administration, remains underutilized in clinical practice. Understanding the factors influencing its utilization is critical to improving RA management. To explore the barriers and enablers towards using parenteral methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients from the perspective of Australian healthcare professionals (HCPs). A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews between May and August 2022. Participants were recruited via advertising and snowballing. The Theoretical Domains Framework was used to guide the development of the interview guide and data analysis (directed content analysis), supplemented by conventional content analysis (inductive content analysis) to identify emergent themes. Nineteen HCPs (57.9% male, 42.1% female, 63.2% with more than 10years of experience) were interviewed, including 14 rheumatologists, 3 pharmacists and 2 nurses. Findings related to domains "environmental context and resources", "social influences" and "skills" were frequently identified, whereas the domains "intention", "reinforcement" and "emotion" were least reported. The most prominent enablers related to HCPs' knowledge and skills. Necessary skills were grouped into communication, logistical planning, and patient selection. Other enablers included the accessibility of injection support services, availability of prefilled syringes and online resources for patients ("environmental context and resources") and social influences. The most common identified barriers related to the logistics of implementing parenteral methotrexate. Other barriers included issues with the Occupational Health and Safety guidelines, time constraints ("environmental context and resources"), concerns about patients withdrawing methotrexate from the vial ("emotion") and patients' low acceptability or affordability of the injectable medication ("social influences"). Our findings suggest that training and guidance on selecting appropriate patients, utilization of systems to support education of patients and to minimize occupational exposure, and availability of patient-friendly devices would support greater implementation of parenteral methotrexate in practice.

Social media reels are now a popular means of communication among university students, which influences their interaction, enjoyment, and communication with each other. This study explores the factors influencing Bangladeshi university students’ engagement with social media reels, focusing on psychological motivations, social influences, digital literacy, and cultural contexts. A qualitative research approach was employed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 24 undergraduate and graduate students from public and private universities in Bangladesh. The data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 to identify major patterns and relationships across participants' experiences. Findings showed that emotional satisfaction, stress reduction, and mood management are the key driving factors in the use of reels. Peer validation, social recognition, and following popular trends amplify active participation. content creation is enhanced by the level of digital literacy and creative competence, whereas culture and gender expectations shape the forms of self-expression and the style of participation. Students try to balance academic work and leisure by managing their time on social media. While reels are entertaining and engaging, they can also distract students and reduce productivity. In some cases, excessive use may lead to social comparison and influence self-perception. Future research should focus on the long-term behavioral effects and ways to promote balanced, ethical and skill-based use of short-form video platforms among university students.

This study examines the relationship between knowledge, perceived usefulness, Shariah compliance, social influence, and understanding of Arabic terminologies and the perception of Islamic banking products. University students in Pakistan were selected as the target population because they represent both current and potential users of Islamic banking services, making their perceptions particularly significant for the industry’s future growth. Data were collected through an online survey questionnaire completed by 269 students from Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS software, while descriptive statistics were computed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicate that knowledge, perceived usefulness, Shariah compliance, and social influence have significant positive relationships with students’ perceptions of Islamic banking products. However, understanding of Arabic terminologies does not demonstrate a significant relationship with perception. The study faced certain limitations, including reliance on online data collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic and time constraints that restricted the sample size. Based on the findings, Islamic banks are encouraged to enhance awareness through social media marketing initiatives and interactive digital strategies, such as educational gaming platforms targeting youth. Furthermore, Islamic banking operations should be structured in a way that clearly differentiates their products from those of conventional banks to strengthen consumer understanding and perception.

Is beauty in the AI of the beholder? Exposure to human vs. virtual influencers and effects on appearance dissatisfaction and interest in cosmetic surgery.

Having outgroup friends not only improves attitudes toward the (primary) outgroup but potentially also toward other (secondary) outgroups. This "secondary transfer effect" is attributed to the generalization of intergroup contact, but it may also reflect social influence as friends shape each other's outgroup attitudes. In three studies (two empirical and one simulation), we applied stochastic actor-oriented models to longitudinal network data representing friendships between adolescents. Across Studies 1 (n = 812) and 2 (n = 2,559), we found no evidence that having more primary outgroup friends was associated with a change in secondary outgroup attitudes; instead, adolescents' attitudes became more similar over time to those of their primary outgroup friends. Study 3, a simulation, further showed that social influence can lead to either more positive or more negative attitudes toward secondary outgroups. Thus, friendships with primary outgroup members may have negative implications for secondary outgroups when those friends hold more negative attitudes. We discuss how social influence can advance research on the generalization of intergroup contact effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Malaysia has transitioned to digital reporting, known as the Malaysian Business Reporting System (MBRS), which may increase efficiency and provide useful reporting and distribution information among businesses in Malaysia. This study examines factors influencing the preparer's intention to adopt the MBRS using the UTAUT model. In addition, this study has identified challenges faced by corporate secretaries towards MBRS. The data have been collected through a survey measuring Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Trust, Security, Perceived Risk (PR), and Behavioural Intention (BI), which involved preparers, who are known as corporate secretaries working in accounting firms. These findings indicate that Performance Expectation (PE), Effort Expectation (EE), Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), and Trust (TR) are positively related to intention to adopt MBRS, whereas Perceived Risk (PR) is negatively related to intention to adopt MBRS. In addition, the findings indicate that the most significant challenges are related to increasing fees, data transparency issues, and operational costs. This study also contribute to the validation of the UTAUT in the context of government digital reporting in Malaysia in order to promote the usage of MBRS to Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM).