Social Mediation Research Articles

Facing LLMs: Robot Communication Styles in Mediating Health Information between Parents and Young Adults

Young adults may feel embarrassed when disclosing sensitive information to their parents, while parents might similarly avoid sharing sensitive aspects of their lives with their children. How to design interactive interventions that are sensitive to the needs of both younger and older family members in mediating sensitive information remains an open question. In this paper, we explore the integration of large language models (LLMs) with social robots. Specifically, we use GPT-4 to adapt different Robot Communication Styles (RCS) for a social robot mediator designed to elicit self-disclosure and mediate health information between parents and young adults living apart. We design and compare four literature-informed RCS: three LLM-adapted (Humorous, Self-deprecating, and Persuasive) and one manually created (Human-scripted), and assess participant perceptions of Likeability, Usefulness, Helpfulness, Relatedness, and Interpersonal Closeness . Through an online experiment with 183 participants, we assess the RCS across two groups: adults with children (Parents) and young adults without children (Young Adults). Our results indicate that both Parents and Young Adults favoured the Human-scripted and Self-deprecating RCS as compared to the other two RCS. The Self-deprecating RCS furthermore led to increased relatedness as compared to the Humorous RCS. Our qualitative findings reveal challenges people have in disclosing health information to family members, and who normally assumes the role of family facilitator-two areas in which social robots can play a key role. The findings offer insights for integrating LLMs with social robots in health-mediation and other contexts involving the sharing of sensitive information.

Social and metabolic mediation of growth performance in a temperate estuarine fish

Despite the importance of juvenile growth to lifetime fitness, high variability exists within many fish species where some individuals grow markedly faster than others. Here, we explored whether social context mediated growth performance in n = 35 Galaxias maculatus by manipulating the social environment after identifying different growth phenotypes. We found that initially fast-growing fish slowed their growth rate when pooled with similarly fast-growing individuals, whereas none of the initially slow-growing fish markedly improved their growth when pooled with other slow-growers. We examined for any metabolic underpinnings to the findings by measuring standard, routine, and maximum metabolic rates (SMR, RMR, and MMR) at two time points separated by ~4 months. SMR and RMR positively correlated with growth rates when the fish were pooled into growth phenotypes, but not when they were returned to their original (mixed) social groups. We highlight research directions to further elucidate how social context and metabolism interact to govern growth phenotype.

Impact of Mattering on Parental Attachment: Social Support Mediation and Self-Efficacy Moderation in Rural Chinese Children

Strong emotional relationships between parents and children are thought to be essential for developing a child's emotion of mattering, according to earlier research. Through the investigation of these relationships, the study aims to improve knowledge of the psychological and emotional elements that support normal growth in the population. To offer regulation for reinforcement of parental support networks in marginalized groups, it draws attention to the importance of these variables in determining the quality of attachment. This study explores the connection among mattering (MAT) and Parental Attachment (PA) with a focus on the dynamics that affect Social Support (SS) and Self Efficacy (SE) between rural Chinese children. Validated questionnaires assessing PA, MAT, SS, SE, and Parental Support (PS) are utilized to collect data from a sample (190) of Chinese children living in rural areas. Significantly favourable connections, especially between MAT and PA, are revealed by correlation analysis. These results reveal avenues for improving the development of rural Chinese children by underlining the significance of social networks and emotional attachments in fostering psychological well-being.

Social epidemiological mediators of rural and urban differences in perceived need for cocaine use treatment.

Social epidemiological mediators of rural and urban differences in perceived need for cocaine use treatment.

Social processes as the missing link: cross-sectionally testing a conceptual model on social mediators of early psychopathological development.

Research suggests that most mental health conditions have their onset in the critically social period of adolescence. Yet, we lack understanding of the potential social processes underlying early psychopathological development. We propose a conceptual model where daily-life social interactions and social skills form an intermediate link between known risk and protective factors (adverse childhood experiences, bullying, social support, maladaptive parenting) and psychopathology in adolescents - that is explored using cross-sectional data. N = 1913 Flemish adolescent participants (Mean age = 13.8; 63% girls) were assessed as part of the SIGMA study, a large-scale, accelerated longitudinal study of adolescent mental health and development. Self-report questionnaires (on risk/protective factors, social skills, and psychopathology) were completed during class time; daily-life social interactions were measured during a subsequent six-day experience-sampling period. Registered uncorrected multilevel linear regression results revealed significant associations between all risk/protective factors and psychopathology, between all risk/protective factors and social processes, and between all social processes and psychopathology. Social processes (social skills, quantity/quality of daily social interactions) were uniquely predicted by each risk/protective factor and were uniquely associated with both general and specific types of psychopathology. For older participants, some relationships between social processes and psychopathology were stronger. Unique associations between risk/protective factors and psychopathology signify the distinct relevance of these factors for youth mental health, whereas the broad associations with social processes support these processes as broad correlates. Results align with the idea of a social pathway toward early psychopathology, although follow-up longitudinal research is required to verify any mediation effect.

Integrating Scientific and Everyday Concepts: Student Leadership in a Language Learning Community

This study examines the role of everyday and scientific concepts in developing student leadership in a self-access learning center (SALC) in Japan. For this purpose, data from three student learning community leaders and one SALC faculty member participating in an 18-month ethnographic case study of the Learning Group (LG), a student-led learning community within a university-based SALC in central Japan, was reexamined according to a framework informed by concept-based learning. Data was first coded inductively utilizing reflective thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) and subsequently deductively using communities of practice theory and the themes of scientific and everyday knowledge. This data highlights numerous ways three leaders of the LG had internalized concepts introduced to them through a SALC-based leadership course administered by a learning advisor (LA) and how this influenced not only their individual learning trajectories, but also the path of their community. Furthermore, the LG leaders were able to develop coherent management/facilitation guidelines for themselves and for future generations of leaders from the social mediation that collaborative group reflection and intentional reflective dialogue afforded. The implications of this study highlight the potential value within SALCs of learning advisors engaging in concept-based instructional approaches where explicit instruction is internalized through dialogic and communicative verbalization and through finding avenues for learners to apply scientific concepts to everyday practice.

Educating gender equity through non-competitive cooperative motor games: Transforming stereotypes and socio-affective dynamics

Non-competitive cooperative motor games hold the potential to educate gender equity from a relational perspective. These motor games present educational relational challenges where different genders interact for mutual benefit. Such interactions generate emotional well-being, enhance socio-affective relationships, and promote feminized motor conducts that potentially perform gender hegemonies and reduce gender stereotypes. This study, grounded in the ethics of care and motor praxeology, explored the effects of non-competitive cooperative motor games on group and cross-gender socio-affective rejections, gender stereotypes and emotional well-being, along with the mediation effects of these interconnected variables. Researchers conducted a quasi-experimental study where 11 participants (Mage = 11.16; SD = 1.35) from a summer sports camp played non-competitive cooperative motor games. The study employed sociometric questionnaires, emotional questionnaires (PANAS-C) and gender stereotype questionnaires (NATGEN). Data were analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistical techniques, social network analysis and mediation analysis. Results revealed the effectiveness of non-competitive cooperative motor games in reducing cross-gender rejections among girls, maintaining low group rejections, promoting emotional well-being and reducing gender stereotypes. Mediation analysis showed that gender stereotypes and positive emotions act as a protective barrier against group rejection. This study presents an innovative educational perspective that combines the scientific foundations of motor praxeology with the theoretical bases of the ethics of care. The research provides teachers and researchers with a practical pedagogical tool based on non-competitive cooperative motor games. These games are designed to enhance gender equity, promote emotional well-being, and reduce gender-based rejection and stereotypes. Keywords: sociometry, group cohesion, non-formal education, friendship, feminism, sport, inclusion, social acceptance

Exploring the link between empathy, stress, altruism, and loneliness in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Empathy has been associated with a range of positive outcomes, including social connection, pro-social behavior, and mental health. Nonetheless, acknowledging the multidimensional aspects of empathy, budding research indicates that sometimes empathy may precipitate negative health outcomes. In the present paper, we explore the extent to which the multidimensional aspects of empathy-as measured by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index-may relate to the experience of increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also examine potential behavioral moderators (altruism) and social mediators (loneliness) of any such effect. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of 2595 Danish university students and implemented linear regression analyses to determine the relationships between our key variables. In both crude and adjusted regression models, our findings indicate positive associations between the IRI subscales Fantasy, Empathic Concern, and Personal Distress on self-reported stress and loneliness. Perspective Taking was marginally and inversely associated with stress but not loneliness. Altruism did not moderate these associations, but loneliness did mediate the effects of Fantasy, Empathic Concern, and Personal Distress on stress. Our results emphasize the importance of conceptualizing empathy in multi-dimensional terms. Further, our study highlights the potential negative health consequences of empathy in certain settings. These results may help focus future research in this area and feed into mental health interventions.

Suicidal Ideation Risk Among Chilean High School Students: An Analysis of Social, Educational, and Psychological Mediator Factors

Suicidal Ideation Risk Among Chilean High School Students: An Analysis of Social, Educational, and Psychological Mediator Factors

Exposure to green and blue spaces and depression among older adults from the EPIPorto cohort: examining environmental, social, and behavioral mediators and varied space types

ABSTRACT This study investigated the associations between exposure to different types of natural spaces and depression among urban older adults and explored the potential mediators. We used data on 631 participants aged ≥60 from the EPIPorto cohort (Porto, Portugal). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. We assessed greenness in residential surroundings using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and evaluated accessibility to green and blue spaces. Metrics were calculated separately for agricultural, natural, and urban green spaces. We used logistic regression to estimate associations and mediation analysis to examine the mediating effects of air pollution, temperature, physical exercise, social support, and social activities. Living near urban green spaces was associated with lower odds of depression (OR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.03–0.74). Contrastingly, natural and agricultural green spaces were associated with higher odds of depression (OR = 1.69, 1.02–2.79 and OR = 1.80, 1.23–2.64, respectively). No associations were found for NDVI, accessibility to blue spaces, or green space size. Social support explained a significant proportion (33.9%, p = 0.044) of the total effect between the type of nearest green space and depression. These findings suggest that enhancing the accessibility of urban green spaces holds promise as a strategy for mitigating depression among older adults.

Intergenerational social mediation and youth empowerment in Marseille’s marginalised neighbourhoods

ABSTRACT The synergy between community and institutional networks of social mediation is crucial in empowering young people in vulnerable conditions, improving their quality of life, countering stigmatisation, and fostering innovative solutions to their daily challenges within their communities. While the impact of support networks is evident, the exact mechanisms that drive the emergence of these mediation strategies remain uncertain. We conduct ethnographic research, utilising narrative interviews, life stories, focus groups, and participant observation. Our focus is on the intergenerational dynamics that shape the emergence of youth social mediation strategies in LaFab, a highly marginalised neighbourhood situated in the third district of Marseille, France. What roles do natural mediators and multicultural competent social workers play in developing youth-led or youth-targeted social mediation strategies in marginalised neighbourhoods in contemporary cities? How do young people in vulnerable conditions utilise institutions, and how do institutions and social workers engage in community-informal mediations? We propose the hybrid model of social mediation, an analytical framework for studying historical marginalisation, community resilience through sport and culture, and the roles of natural mentors and multiculturally competent social workers. It offers new research perspectives for studying healthy communities and youth empowerment in the marginalised neighbourhoods of contemporary cities.

Manuscript Mystique

Abstract The following study takes its cue from a body of literature that seeks to challenge the academic discourse on “religion” as transcendent, irreducible, and unique – sui generis. Naturally, a sui generis conception of religion also views religion’s objects through a lens of transcendence and divine authority. These objects possess immense meaning potential and act as social mediators in particular social contexts. In both ancient and modern times, early Christian manuscripts are examples of such religious objects. They are evidence of the literary practices of early Christians and are windows into their social contexts, reflecting how these believers navigated their socio-cultural realities. Modern scholars often use these manuscripts as evidence to postulate the existence of homogeneous Christian communities who created these texts for their theological upliftment. However, are such postulations supported by the material evidence? This paper examines one case study where 𝔓72 has been propped up as a witness to the presence of a coherent unified proto-orthodox Christian community in the fourth century CE in Egypt. The following research concludes that extant evidence points to a socio-religious context in Egypt during this period that was remarkably complex; as such, the existence of such a community cannot be supported.

Biological and social cascades of prenatal contextual risk and maternal psychological distress to early-childhood adjustment.

In the peripartum, putative mechanisms in the transmission of prenatal contextual risk and maternal psychological distress include biological and social processes. In this study, path analyses were used to test unique, cascading pathways of prenatal contextual risk and pre- and postnatal maternal psychological distress through social mediators (parenting) and biological mediators (infant stress physiology) on infant temperament and toddler adjustment. The sample is comprised of racially and ethnically diverse first-time mothers (N = 200) living in low-income contexts (< 200% poverty) who were followed from pregnancy to 18-36 months postpartum. In pregnancy, mothers reported contextual risk and psychological distress (anxiety, depression). In the postpartum, mothers reported their psychological distress. At 2-4 months postpartum, observed mother-infant interactions were coded for sensitive responsiveness. Infant cortisol baseline and reactivity to a lab stressor were collected when infants were 4-6 months old. Mothers reported on infant's temperament (negative affect, effortful control) at 10-12 months and on child adjustment (internalizing, externalizing symptoms) at 18-36 months. Prenatal contextual risk predicted infant cortisol reactivity. Prenatal psychological distress predicted postnatal distress but, when accounting for postnatal distress, did not predict putative mediators or indicators of child adjustment. In contrast, maternal postnatal depression predicted subsequent maternal sensitive responsiveness, which in turn predicted later infant baseline cortisol and cortisol reactivity. Baseline cortisol predicted infant negative affectivity, which predicted toddler internalizing and externalizing symptoms. There was no evidence of mediated effects of prenatal variables on child adjustment outcomes, whereas contextual risk, postnatal psychological distress, and parenting were more salient predictors of child adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Childhood adversity and suicidal ideation in older Korean adults: unraveling the mediating mechanisms of mental health, physical health, and social relationships.

Suicide rates in older adults are much higher than those in younger age groups. Given the rapid increase in the proportion of older adults in Korea and the high suicide rate of this age group, it is worth investigating the mechanism of suicidal ideation for older adults. Generally, adverse childhood experiences are positively associated with suicidal ideation; however, it is not fully understood what mediating relationships are linked to the association between these experiences and current suicidal ideation. The data from 685 older Korean adults were analyzed utilizing logistic regression, path analyses, and structural equation modeling. Based on our theoretical background and the empirical findings of previous research, we examined three separate models with mental health, physical health, and social relationship mediators. After that, we tested a combined model including all mediators. We also tested another combined model with mediation via mental health moderated by physical health and social relationships. The univariate logistic regression results indicated that childhood adversity was positively associated with suicidal ideation in older adults. However, multivariate logistic regression results demonstrated that the direct effect of childhood adversity became nonsignificant after accounting all variables. Three path models presented significant mediation by depression and social support in the association between childhood adversity and suicidal ideation. However, combined structural equation models demonstrated that only mediation by a latent variable of mental health problems was statistically significant. Social relationships moderated the path from mental health problems to suicidal ideation. Despite several limitations, this study has clinical implications for the development of effective strategies to mitigate suicidal ideation. In particular, effectively screening the exposure to adverse childhood experiences, early identification and treatment of depressive symptoms can play a crucial role in weakening the association between childhood adversity and suicidal ideation in older adults.

Context-driven communication during deep-sea foraging in a social toothed whale.

Social deep-diving odontocetes face the challenge of balancing near-surface proximity to oxygen and group members with foraging in the deep sea. Individuals rely on conspecifics for critical life functions, such as predator defence, but disperse during foraging to feed individually. To understand the role of social acoustic mediation during foraging in deep-diving toothed whales, we investigated the context of social burst-pulse call production in Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) using biologgers. Dolphins produced context-specific burst pulses predominantly during daytime foraging, preceding or following foraging dives and in the early descent of daytime deep dives. Individuals applied differential short and long burst-pulse calls intended for either near-surface receivers (horizontal transmission) or deep-foraging receivers (vertical transmission). Our results show that deep-diving toothed whales are reliant on acoustic communication during certain foraging contexts, to relay information including foraging conditions or an individual's location. Moreover, they accentuate the importance of maintaining acoustic contact with conspecifics, specifically when dispersed during deeper foraging. It also signifies that our oceanic top predators may be specifically vulnerable to the current strong increase in anthropogenic noise. Potential masking of the signals from group members communicating at a distance could undermine their social cohesion, and hence their capacity to maintain vital life functions.

Opportunistic population screening as a hepatitis elimination strategy: the CRIVALVIR-FOCUS program

ObjectivesHepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses are significant causes of primary liver cancer, responsible for over a million deaths annually. We aimed to develop a screening strategy for viral hepatitis elimination in Spain, aligned with WHO's 2030 objectives. DesignThe CRIVALVIR-FOCUS program, conducted at the Consortium General University Hospital of Valencia, aimed to identify individuals with active blood-borne viral infections through opportunistic population screening. The hospital's Health Department serves more than 280,000 adults. ResultsOf the 31,995 adults screened (52% women; 15% immigrants), HBV prevalence was 0.44%, with higher rates in men (0.57%) than women (0.32%), and notably higher in migrants (1.27%) compared to Spanish nationals (0.30%). The 45-64 age group had the highest HBV prevalence (0.65%). HCV prevalence was 0.35%, again higher in men than women (0.51% vs 0.20%) and in migrants compared to Spanish nationals (0.58% vs 0.31%), with the 45-64 age group showing the highest HCV prevalence (0.76%). From the positive tests, 78.0% (110/141) of HBV cases and 71.4% (80/112) of HCV cases were patients previously unaware of their infections. ConclusionOpportunistic screening effectively identifies early cases, potentially enhancing prevention of new infections. Our study highlights the need for targeted interventions for individuals aged 45-64 and migrants. Designing specific screening programs, in collaboration with social workers and cultural mediators, is critical to improve access to care. Training and involving primary care professionals are vital actions for the program's success.

Labour migration of young women from the village to the capital in Bulgaria: A case study of woman servantry in Vakarel

The article is devoted to the maiden servantry in Bulgaria – a relatively late social phenomenon, but with important cultural and social consequences. It is also an indicator of the early modernization of Bulgarian society in the first half of the twentieth century. Using the example of Vakarel in Middle Western Bulgaria, the authors define servantry as a social mediator, facilitating the spread of urban culture and European models in the Shopluk villages around the capital Sofia. The emergence and development of female servantry as an enduring and sustainable social practice charts a path of change in marriage strategies and family patterns in a small rural community and thus in society as a whole. Gradually, from an escape from the adverse socio-economic factors and the harsh life in the village, temporary employment as a servant in the home of a wealthy family in the big city became an important moment in the young girl's growth and socialization, a condition for successful realization of family strategies in the rural environment. As a social phenomenon, servanthood has remained positively valued in the collective memory of the locals as part of the oral stories told within the family.

Value Perception and Streaming Intentions: Exploring Social Identity Mediation in Indonesian OTT Users

Value Perception and Streaming Intentions: Exploring Social Identity Mediation in Indonesian OTT Users

Police Contact and Adolescents’ Attitudes Towards the Police: Is the “Social Identity Mediation Hypothesis” Observed in Different Contexts?

Police Contact and Adolescents’ Attitudes Towards the Police: Is the “Social Identity Mediation Hypothesis” Observed in Different Contexts?

Digitally doing Reggio: mobilising posthuman pedagogical knowledge co-creation with socially mediated performativities of early childhood education

ABSTRACT Through this art-based paper, I bewilder the ‘pioneering’ approaches of Reggio Emilia by troubling how pedagogies mobilise through social media. With research-creation and posthuman theories, I notice a human-more-than-human digital entwinement inter-related with academic performativity. Whilst media lends itself to the sharing of pedagogical aesthetics, meanings can be redacted and partial when entangled within hypercapitalised economies. I contend that mediated performativities both reduce and produce. Whilst the brevity of social mediation can over-simplify, digital doings can be productive. I posit that how media is configured matters, and its mobilisation co-creates pedagogical knowledge as a constantly evolving cultural and critical pedagogy.