Social Interest Research Articles

Social Enterprise Referents: How Social Enterprises Help Organize Nascent Fields to Address Complex Societal Problems

AbstractAddressing societal challenges requires engaging diverse actors, but clashes between social and commercial interests often hinder coordination. In established fields, conflicting social interests can be integrated by challenging dominant commercial positions and rallying powerful actors. However, creating new fields without established actors and coordination mechanisms is more complex, especially when interests conflict. We explore this challenge through the development of reusable containers for takeaway food and beverages, where incompatible perspectives initially led to a field impasse. A pioneering social enterprise blending commercial and social interests emerged as a referent, facilitating collaboration and breaking the impasse. After initial field organizing succeeded, regulatory changes and increased demand exposed the shortcomings of early solutions, leading to setbacks. New social enterprises developed solutions to fill supply–demand gaps, anchoring new models in a market and driving both standardization and innovation. We introduce the concept of ‘social enterprise referents’ to highlight their essential role in organizing nascent fields to address complex societal issues. Without these referents, models for building new fields struggle to take hold. Successfully transitioning from an underorganized to an organized field requires sustained efforts from multiple social enterprise referents to anchor solutions in a market and uphold collaboration with field actors.

How to Utilize University Nursing Clinic Resources Successfully to Transition Autistic Adolescents into Higher Education

ABSTRACTAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is exhibited through a wide‐range of symptoms including social interactions, communication deficits, limited interests, and repetitive behaviors (e.g., stimming). The prevalence of autism amongst children and adolescents continues to grow with 1 in 36 diagnosed annually (CDC, 2024). Because autism often comes with a myriad of comorbidities (e.g., sleep disorders, seizure activity, nutritional imbalances, gastrointestinal issues, and mental health disorders), children and adolescents are often prescribed medications and/or treatments to help with the management of these chronic diseases. Croen et al., (2006) found that adolescents are six times more likely to be hospitalized than their neuro‐typical peers. Managing autism takes a multi‐disciplinary approach. Navigating a large university system, academics, and being away from home can be challenging for any teenager. But, adding the complexity of managing a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder on top of the new environment could potentially be overwhelming for the autistic adolescent. It makes sense to use all available resources when transitioning into a college setting. Registered nurses (RN) and advanced practice nurses (APN) are employed at university clinics to help manage student healthcare issues including acute healthcare problems (e.g., viruses), traumatic issues, and chronic healthcare issues. This paper will examine how nursing professionals can assist autistic adolescents when they are entering into a college environment by managing medications and other treatment modalities while being a student advocate within a multi‐disciplinary team.

Green human resource management and corporate social responsibility as drivers of organizational performance: mediating effects of employee engagement and corporate reputation in Vietnam

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM), corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance (OP) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by examining corporate reputation (CR) and employee engagement (EE) as mediators in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach This study used the quantitative method with 458 valid responses from mid- to senior-level managers and chief executive officers (CEOs) were obtained and used for data analysis. To analyze and explore the relationships between constructs and mediators, SmartPLS version 4.0 structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data of the SMEs of Vietnam in 2023. Findings The results showed strong and positive relationships between GHRM, CSR and OP in SMEs, with CR and EE serving as significant mediators. Originality/value This research provides new insights into how GHRM and CSR enhance OP by using an integrated model that examines how CR and EE mediate this relationship. It demonstrates that businesses implementing GHRM and CSR can promote sustainable development among stakeholders, leading to improved OP in Vietnam’s dynamic economic environment. The findings have practical implications for executives and managers, emphasizing the need to balance stakeholder, environmental and social interests to optimize GHRM and CSR initiatives and foster sustainable growth. This study’s insights could significantly influence SMEs in the Vietnamese economy.

Effect of the social environment on olfaction and social skills in wild-type and a mouse model of autism

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex, polygenic and heterogenous neurodevelopmental conditions. The severity of autism-associated variants is influenced by environmental factors, particularly social experiences during the critical neurodevelopmental period. While early behavioral interventions have shown efficacy in some children with autism, pharmacological support for core features — impairments in social interaction and communication, and stereotyped or restricted behaviors — is currently lacking. In this study, we examined how the social environment influences both wild-type (WT) and Shank3 knockout (KO) mice, a model reflecting core autism-like traits. Our findings revealed that chronic social isolation enhanced social interaction and olfactory neuron responses in WT animals. Furthermore, it restored impairments in social novelty preference and olfactory function, as well as self-grooming in Shank3 KO mice. Conversely, an enriched social environment heightened social interest toward novel conspecifics in WT mice, but elicited the opposite effect in Shank3 KO mice. Notably, Shank3 KO mice displayed distinct social responses when exposed to WT or Shank3 KO mice. These results offer novel insights that could favor the implementation of behavioral interventions and inclusive classroom programs for children with ASD.

Unraveling the Role of Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Systematic Review.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or simply autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficit, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. Several studies suggested a link between autism and the dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway which is mainly involved in cell fate determination, cell migration, cell polarity, neural patterning, and organogenesis. Despite the absence of effective therapy, significant progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of ASD. Neuropharmacological studies showed that drugs acting on the Wnt pathway like Canagliflozin can alleviate autistic-like behavior in animal models. Hence, this pathway could potentially be a futuristic therapeutic target to mitigate autism's symptoms. This systematic review aims to collect and analyze evidence that elucidates how alterations in the Wnt pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of autism in animal models at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. Comprehensive searches were conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus to identify relevant studies up to March 2024. The inclusion criteria encompassed experimental studies that focused on the link between autism and this pathway, and the quality assessment was ensured by SYRCLE's risk of bias tools. Collectively, the included articles highlighted the possible implication of this pathway in the abnormalities found in autism, which impacted processes such as energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis. These alterations could underlie autistic behavior by affecting synaptic transmission and mitochondrial function.

Ethnopolitical Trends of Party Building in Kazakhstan and China

The role of political parties in multi-ethnic states is quite complex, as they should be focused not only on political governance at the level of the state as a whole, but also on promoting national unity in interethnic relations, forming tolerant cooperation and interaction between different ethnic groups. Aim. This article aims to take the operation and development of political parties in multi-ethnic countries such as Kazakhstan and China as examples to study the role of political parties and to study cases from the practice of their activities in maintaining national stability, promoting social harmony, and protecting the interests of small ethnic groups.Tasks. One of the tasks of political parties in multi-ethnic states is to integrate different social interests and ensure that all ethnic groups have a voice and are represented in the decision-making process at the national level.Methods. Comparative analysis is used to compare models of multi-ethnic governance in different countries or regions, and to analyze the role and effectiveness of different political parties in these models. This will help to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different governance models and identify best practices. It also analyzes the reasons for the successes and failures of different countries and political parties by analyzing their historical practices of multi-ethnic governance. This will help to understand how political parties have responded to ethnic conflicts and governance challenges throughout history.Results. The research paper pointed out that the policies developed and implemented by political parties in multicultural countries in support of the cultures of different ethnic groups, the protection and promotion of the languages, religions, traditions and cultural identities of different ethnic groups, comply with the UN standards and principles on these issues. However, as shown by the political and SWOT analysis of the statutory and program documents of the political parties in the countries studied, there are problems.Conclusion. Certainly, political parties are making efforts to ensure equal opportunities and access for all ethnic groups to the economy, education, employment and so on, in order to promote the creation of a fair and inclusive society, while ensuring the civil rights of minority ethnic groups, or as it is called in international legal literature “national minorities”.

Perception Of Parents Of Childrens With Autism Spectrum Disorder On Their Social Quality Of Life: A Case Of Langata Constituency, Nairobi- Kenya

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that presents individuals with difficulties in various domains, including social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests (Maenner et al., 2023). This study focused on parents' perception of children with autism on their social QoL in Langata constituency, Nairobi. This study further addressed the following objectives: the perception of parents of children with autism on QoL, the influence education level and gender have on QoL of parents of children with autism. The study had a sample size of 100 participants. This study employed a descriptive survey research design. The theoretical framework used was an elaboration likelihood model. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and the summary was presented in tables. Result indicated that 49. 4% (n = 48) of the participants were within low social QoL, 41.3% (n = 40) of the participants were in moderate social quality of life, while 9.3% (n = 9) of the participants were high in social quality of life. The study recommends support group, a reliable support system as well as advocacy and awareness made a collective responsibility in the communities to prevent all odds that parents of children with autism may face.

Cardiac emergency readiness: A community-level assessment of CPR knowledge in Al-Baha

ABSTRACT Context: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a crucial lifesaving technique in cases of cardiac arrest and should be performed by any member of the community. Aims: To investigate the level of knowledge regarding CPR among the general population in the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Baha from July 1, 2023 to August 1, 2023. Methods and Material: Inclusion criteria were individuals aged 18 and above living in Al-Baha who consented to participate. Exclusion criteria included individuals under 18 years old, healthcare professionals, residents outside Al-Baha, individuals who refused to participate, and incomplete questionnaires. Data was collected using an anonymous self-administered validated electronic questionnaire in Arabic distributed through social media. Statistical Analysis Used: The Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, the Shapiro–Wilk test, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Any result below 0.05 (P < 0.05) was considered significant. Results: A total of 852 were included, with 65.0% of respondents female, the largest age group was 18–30 years old (43.9%). A total of 77.5% had sufficient CPR knowledge, with an average score of 11.2 out of 18. While many knew key CPR practices, gaps in knowledge existed, such as when to start CPR (15.8%). Challenges included determining unresponsiveness (26.8%) and fear of causing harm (73.6%). Social media apps were the primary source of CPR knowledge (53.8%), but 70.0% were unaware of available CPR courses, despite 75.0% expressing interest in enrolling. Conclusions: Population of Al-Baha showed a good level of knowledge, however, gaps remained need to be targeted during education efforts. The preference for social media and interest in CPR courses highlight opportunities for enhancing public preparedness.

Literature Review on Media Ethics

Being the embodiment of the professional ethics of journalists, media ethics plays a vital role in maintaining the authenticity and objectivity of news, protecting the public’s right to be informed and of participation, and enhancing the credibility of news media. In contemporary times, the emphasis on media ethics is not only of incredible significance to fulfill the needs of its sustainable development, but also provides an important guarantee for maintaining social public interests and promoting social stability and harmony. In this context, this paper aims at helping researchers clarify the status quo of relevant researches, main viewpoints put forward already, controversial focus and unresolved problems through literature review from different aspects, including the development of media ethics and the connotation and significance so as to determine the positioning of researches, avoid duplication of work, and find research gaps and breakthroughs. At the same time, it is intended to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation among the academic community by presenting research results and academic viewpoints to build up a benign environment for media ethics and news transmission in the new era.

Engineering under oppressive regimes: exploring the role of engineers during apartheid South Africa

ABSTRACT Engineers’ contribution to society tends to be located in rational, technical constructs devoid of social and political interests. This paradigm presents a challenge to engineering educators tasked with undergraduate engineering curriculum content that links to society in some way. This article reports on a study undertaken by engineering educators who were motivated to understand the role of the social and political on the work of engineers. It explores how engineers conceived of their role during apartheid, an oppressive political regime for the majority of South Africans that officially ended in 1994. Interviews were conducted with engineers and academic staff to examine how participants’ navigated engineering practice and academic work during that period. The thematic findings allow for a conceptualisation of the apartheid ‘system’ they encountered, depicts how they saw their role in this system and explores the underlying reasons for why they behaved in the ways that they did.

Genome Sequencing Identifies 13 Novel Candidate Risk Genes for Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Qatari Cohort.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Despite considerable research efforts, the genetic complexity of ASD remains poorly understood, complicating diagnosis and treatment, especially in the Arab population, with its genetic diversity linked to migration, tribal structures, and high consanguinity. To address the scarcity of ASD genetic data in the Middle East, we conducted genome sequencing (GS) on 50 ASD subjects and their unaffected parents. Our analysis revealed 37 single-nucleotide variants from 36 candidate genes and over 200 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene in one subject. The identified variants were classified as uncertain, likely pathogenic, or pathogenic based on in-silico algorithms and ACMG criteria. Notably, 52% of the identified variants were homozygous, indicating a recessive genetic architecture to ASD in this population. This finding underscores the significant impact of high consanguinity within the Qatari population, which could be utilized in genetic counseling/screening program in Qatar. We also discovered single nucleotide variants in 13 novel genes not previously associated with ASD: ARSF, BAHD1, CHST7, CUL2, FRMPD3, KCNC4, LFNG, RGS4, RNF133, SCRN2, SLC12A8, USP24, and ZNF746. Our investigation categorized the candidate genes into seven groups, highlighting their roles in cognitive development, including the ubiquitin pathway, transcription factors, solute carriers, kinases, glutamate receptors, chromatin remodelers, and ion channels.

Behaviorally informed digital campaigns and their association with social media engagement and COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Belize

BackgroundIncreasing vaccination coverage was key to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic globally. However, lack of trust in the vaccine and fear of side effects in regions like the Caribbean resulted in a low uptake despite enough vaccine supply.MethodsWe conducted two correlational analyses and one experiment between five sequential behaviorally informed Facebook campaigns, social media performance outcomes, and district-level vaccination data. First, we ran multivariate linear regression models to estimate the mean differences between the campaigns in (i) social media performance (“Clicks” and “Engagement”) and (ii) COVID-19 vaccination uptake at the district level. “Clicks” were measured by the number of people who clicked on the respective Facebook advert and visited the official vaccination site. “Engagements” were the number of people interacting with the advert through likes and emojis. Second, we took advantage of the experimental design during one of the campaigns to analyze the differential effect of messages conveying information about the number of people reporting vaccination side effects using words (“Few”/ “Majority) and numbers (“3 out of 100 “) on social media performance.ResultsThe correlational analysis showed that the number of “Clicks” and “Engagement” was similar among campaigns, except for the campaign focusing on vaccines’ effectiveness, which had 14.65 less clicks and 19.52 less engagements per advert (including controls and district-fixed effects) compared to the base “It’s safe” campaign. Vaccination rates were highest at times coinciding with campaigns focusing on vaccination safety and effectiveness. Our experimental results showed that informational messages related to side effects that were framed using words (“Majority did not report discomfort”/ “Few persons reported discomfort”) were better at generating “Clicks” compared to those using numbers (“3 out of 100 reported discomforts”).ConclusionsFacebook adverts highlighting vaccine safety had a similar level of social media performance as other campaigns, except for adverts focusing on vaccine efficacy, which performed worse. Communicating side-effect information with words instead of numbers can expand social media interest in low-uptake regions like the Caribbean. Our results serve as preliminary evidence for public health officials to encourage vaccine uptake in high-hesitancy contexts.

From authenticity to fear of growing up: the mediating role of social interest

From authenticity to fear of growing up: the mediating role of social interest

Gender Differences in Vocational Interests Across 57 Countries: A Test of the Interest–Gender-Equality Paradox

Postmaterialist theory suggests that gender differences in vocational interests should be larger in more egalitarian countries, reflecting a counter-intuitive pattern called the “Gender-Equality Paradox.” By contrast, social role theory implies that gender differences in vocational interests should be smaller in more egalitarian countries as gender roles converge. Using multilevel analyses on data from 57 countries ( N = 109,460), we investigate the relationship of country-level gender equality (measured by the Global Gender Gap Index) to gender differences in RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) vocational interests. Results reveal patterns that differ by interest dimensions. In more egalitarian countries, gender differences in Realistic, Investigative, and Social interests are larger, revealing an “Interest–Gender-Equality Paradox.” Conversely, gender differences in Artistic, Enterprising, and Conventional interests are smaller in these countries. These relationships remain largely robust after controlling for country-level economic development (Gross Domestic Product). We discuss possible explanations and implications of our findings.

Specific features of defining inheritance as escheated within civil law doctrine and legal enforcement practice

The author has studied the problem of escheated inheritance. The problematic aspect of this legal phenomenon is also stipulated by the lack of its legislative definition, disputes in regard to the legal nature of relations of escheated inheritance. The relevance of this problem is evidenced by the fact that it is appropriate to assume an increase in objects of escheated property in terms of the martial law and post-war reconstruction due to inability of lawful heirs to accept inheritance (death as a result of hostilities, leaving the country for permanent residence in other states, etc.), destruction and damage of property. Therefore, the registration procedure and usage of escheated property at the level of territorial communities may be revised in terms of the martial law. It has been noted in the paper that escheated inheritance cannot be considered as hereditary and legal definition by its legal nature, because: it is based on the obligation, but not on the right to accept inheritance; its purpose is to satisfy the public interest in maintaining the stability of property relations in society; it is legal succession. The author has proved that the construction of interest in the system of legal relations of escheated inheritance is complex and combines public (social) and economic (property) interests. Public (social) interest consists in preserving the stability of property relations in society. Economic (property) interest has a public and private orientation, in particular, it satisfies the interests of the territorial community, both an acquirer of the ownership right and a creditor regarding the satisfaction of an ancestor’s obligations at the expense of escheated property. At the same time, a public entity assumes the burden of the ancestor’s obligations sometimes not in own interests, but in order to satisfy the stability of property relations in society. The procedure of recognizing inheritance as escheated has the following stages: detection of escheated property, in particular from reports of neighbors, from the authority in charge of the residential stock; examination of discovered property, whereat a formal note is taken; collection of information regarding the status of escheated property; in case of establishing the fact of damage (destruction), the commission puts forward a proposal to terminate the ownership right to such an object; preparation of a claim to the court on defining inheritance as escheated and transfer of property to communal ownership; hearing the case according to the rules of a separate proceeding; adoption of a court judgement on transfering escheated inheritance to communal ownership; the decision of the local self-government agency’s session on the acquisition of the right of communal ownership of escheated property; state registration of property for the relevant territorial community; maintenance and use of escheated property.

Trends and challenges in hydrogen production for a sustainable energy future

AbstractRecurring environmental challenges and the global energy crisis have led to intensified research on alternative energy sources. Hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution, produced through electrochemical, thermochemical, and biological methods. This study presents the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies. It also provides pertinent data on hydrogen production, identifying world‐leading countries in hydrogen production, such as the USA, Japan, and China, and the government policies that they have adopted. It reports market trends such as hydrogen synthesis by water electrolysis, the high cost of the electrolyzers used, and incentives for the carbon market to become competitive with other alternative energy sources. It also highlights startups from around the world that are developing innovative methodologies for producing hydrogen. The study concludes that integrating hydrogen production concepts with social, environmental, and industry interests is essential.

Adult Neurogenesis and the Initiation of Social Aggression in Male Mice.

The hippocampus is important for social behavior and exhibits unusual structural plasticity in the form of continued production of new granule neurons throughout adulthood, but it is unclear how adult neurogenesis contributes to social interactions. In the present study, we suppressed neurogenesis using a pharmacogenetic mouse model and examined social investigation and aggression in adult male mice to investigate the role of hippocampal adult-born neurons in the expression of aggressive behavior. In simultaneous choice tests with stimulus mice placed in corrals, mice with complete suppression of adult neurogenesis in adulthood (TK mice) exhibited normal social investigation behaviors, indicating that new neurons are not required for social interest, social memory, or detection of and response to social olfactory signals. However, mice with suppressed neurogenesis displayed decreased offensive and defensive aggression in a resident-intruder paradigm, and less resistance in a social dominance test, relative to neurogenesis-intact controls, when paired with weight and strain-matched (CD-1) mice. During aggression tests, TK mice were frequently attacked by the CD-1 intruder mice, which never occurred with WTs, and normal CD-1 male mice investigated TK mice less than controls when corralled in the social investigation test. Importantly, TK mice showed normal aggression toward prey (crickets) and smaller, nonaggressive (olfactory bulbectomized) C57BL/6J intruders, suggesting that mice lacking adult neurogenesis do not avoid aggressive social interactions if they are much larger than their opponent and will clearly win. Taken together, our findings show that adult hippocampal neurogenesis plays an important role in the instigation of intermale aggression, possibly by weighting a cost-benefit analysis against confrontation in cases where the outcome of the fight is not clear.

Effects of Adler's Theory‐Based nudge volunteer program on middle school students

AbstractAdler emphasized social interest as a social adaptive lifestyle. The study used a nudge strategy to generate social interest in middle school students through a volunteer program. If student gets a good reward for volunteering, it can be a nudge naturally toward social interest. The dependent variables for the volunteer program as a nudge are inferiority complex, social interest, and game over‐immersion. Using convenience sampling, it was assigning 28 participants to two groups each. The experimental group participated in an intervention consisting of 9 sessions of 90 min each, once a week. Both groups were assessed before and after intervention and at a 4‐weeks follow‐up. Program effectiveness was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results showed that it was a significant difference in inferiority complex between the experimental and control groups immediately after intervention, and that it was a strong difference in social interest and game over‐emersion both immediately after the experiment and 4 weeks later. Therefore, it proposes that volunteer programs to increase social interest and transition to a pro‐social lifestyle be included as a nudge in school extracurricular activities or curriculum.

العلاقة بين الإكتئاب وأساليب المعاملة الوالدية لدى الشباب والراشدين (دراسة حالة)

The current research aimed to reveal one of the reasons supporting the exacerbation of depression disorder among young people, and to study their cases, where the research tried to answer the following questions: What is the degree of depression in a sample of depressed young people? And what is the relationship of parents in the emergence of depression? To answer the research questions and test the hypotheses, we used the clinical approach in studying one of the cases in adulthood. To collect information, the Eysenck Personality Inventory, Hamilton Depression Scale, and Beck Depression Scale were used. Then, we prepared detailed clinical reports and psychological reports, and created a complete diagnosis by referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental and Psychiatric Disorders. The results of the research showed: Children who are treated well by their parents are more psychologically and socially compatible, and they are more distinguished in masculine and feminine behavior than children who are treated poorly and are exposed to cruelty, rejection, neglect, or excessive pampering. The sound psychological and social development of children is linked to several factors that we will clarify below: A- Psychological and social compatibility. B- Psychological and social tendencies and interests and their proper satisfaction. C- Feeling of security, reassurance, love and affection. D- Family guidance and counseling.

When news is entertainment: explaining the persistence of misinformation through the information environment

ABSTRACT Why does misinformation persist despite its corrections? To address this issue, we propose the ‘news as entertainment’ framework, explaining how commercial considerations of the media industry shape news consumption. Using a strategic case study, we examine India's information environment through this paradigm. Guided by industry metrics, we reveal the interplay of competing social and economic interests in a context marked by high choice and political polarization. Within this framework, we examine misinformation correction in practice, highlighting its contextual underpinnings and the potent role of mainstream media. Finally, we discursively analyze how audience responses underscore their ties to specific news environments. The ‘news as entertainment’ framework exposes the disjunction between contextually shaped misinformation and correction methods, emphasizing how media contexts influence audience receptivity to facts or falsehoods. This insight informs our understanding of misinformation mechanisms, correction, and persistence with implications for addressing these challenges.