Social Programs Research Articles

A mixed methods feasibility study of a virtual group-based social support program for older adults in residential care

Objectives In response to calls for inventive ways to mitigate risks of physical distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic for older adults living in residential care, the JAVA Music Club–Digital (JMC-D) was developed. The current feasibility study investigated benefits, usability, and implementation of weekly JMC-D sessions over 6 months. Method Employing a pre-post mixed methods study, depressive symptoms, loneliness, social isolation, and quality of life were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Qualitative interviews were conducted at 3 months. Results Twenty-one residents were recruited. Across the three time points there was a large effect for depressive symptoms, social isolation, and quality of life, though not statistically significant. There was a significant immediate increase in happiness following engagement in the JMC-D sessions. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews generated two overarching themes: Experiencing the JMC-D (subthemes: Benefits, Navigating the virtual platform, Feedback) and Considerations for Implementation (subthemes: Perceived purpose, Characteristics that impact the experience, and Infrastructure and resources). Conclusion Findings are encouraging and suggest that the JMC-D may support emotional and other psychosocial indices of wellness in residential care during times of physical distancing. Appropriate staffing, resources, and internet accessibility are important for implementation and uptake.

Food Waste Management Model Through The Leadership of Women Entrepreneurs in a Sustainable Development Perspective (Study of Entrepreneurs Women's Culinary in Manado City)

The waste production is expected to continue to increase every year in proportion to the increasing population of Manado City. The influential role of women when combined with waste problems ranging from preventing waste generation to processing it is considered capable of realizing the SDGs points mentioned above. The purpose of this study is to analyze the leadership style of female culinary entrepreneurs in Manado City, to analyze waste management regulations, especially culinary waste in Manado City, and to formulate a food waste management model through the leadership of female culinary entrepreneurs in Manado City . The results of the study show that the leadership style of women in some female entrepreneurs is responsible, always directing, thinking with a cool head, fair, always discussing problems faced by employees, wise, firm, trying to give employees motivation and examples (becoming a role model). Progress in waste management is in the form of decentralized waste management, in which waste management is separated for each sub-district, so there are 11 sub-districts. In its management, it still prioritizes the 3R principles (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle). Strategies that can be carried out to make residents participate in waste management are forced waste sorting programs, improving quality or increasing the number of 3R TPSTs with good management, simple composting programs at business locations or household locations and realizing socialization programs to culinary entrepreneurs that in order to be able to run a business, if it violates it, sanctions can be given or its business license revoked.

Translating research into action: Leveraging educator expertise to adapt and improve SEL programming

School staff implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) programs continue to face significant barriers, one of which includes limited confidence in delivering SEL. This paper describes how schools and school systems can mitigate some of these barriers by actively incorporating educator expertise into SEL programming. Elevating educator expertise in SEL can increase confidence, wellbeing, and willingness to flexibly utilize programming, factors that improve effective SEL implementation and impact students, staff, and learning environments. Using the example of TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) Tier 1 SEL, a school- and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based SEL program that offers K-12 programming, this paper describes how leveraging educator expertise before, during, and after content delivery through programmatic features and adaptations can increase educators’ confidence, reduce salient barriers, and enhance positive impacts for students. This paper also offers several practical strategies for schools and school systems for prioritizing and elevating teacher voice in SEL programming.

Occupational balance and associated factors among students during higher education within healthcare and social work in Sweden: a multicentre repeated cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThe aim was to explore whether occupational balance is associated with health, health-promoting resources, healthy lifestyle and social study factors among students during higher education within healthcare and social work.DesignThe...

Teaching Note—Designing and Implementing Interprofessional Simulation: A Social Work, Nursing, and Pharmacy Collaboration

ABSTRACT Simulation is well-documented as an effective pedagogy in teaching social work practice. However, the financial and human resources needed to provide simulation-based teaching in large social work programs are prohibitive. Partnering with other disciplines with established simulation programs is one way to bring simulation to social work students through interprofessional education. This teaching note presents a pedagogical initiative designed to enhance social work, nursing, and pharmacy students’ collaboration on acute care teams. Leveraging social work’s perspectives, the simulation scenario used in this initiative was modified to incorporate a biopsychosocial perspective for assessing and engaging with issues of race, ethnicity, and economic hardship often seen in acute care settings. Implications for curriculum development, pedagogical strategies, and interprofessional education opportunities are discussed.

Membangun Platform Digital Desa Margamulya Tanjung Kait Untuk Menuju Masyarakat Society 5.0

The village of Margamulya Tj. Kait is one of the foster villages of LPPM Ukrida. From the results of interviews and direct observations, there are several main issues faced by partners, including: limited access and dissemination of financial information and village profiles to external parties as well as to the villagers themselves. Community service is conducted by utilizing technology to develop a digital village community ecosystem where social media-based platforms serve as everyday communication, socialization, and collaboration tools. The implementation method is carried out through: (1) development of social media platforms; (2) training on platform usage. With the developed social media platform program, the target output is achieved through the evaluation of activities, where the benefit of interaction between village officials and villagers, as well as the dissemination and access to important information, becomes easier. Keywords: digital platform; village digitalization; digital village; margamulya village

Factors that Promote and Protect Against Financial Toxicity after Orthopaedic Trauma: A Qualitative Study.

Financial toxicity is highly prevalent in patients after an orthopaedic injury. However, little is known regarding the conditions that promote and protect against this financial distress. Our objective was to understand the factors that cause and protect against financial toxicity after a lower extremity fracture. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 20 patients 3 months after surgical treatment of a lower extremity fracture. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes. Data saturation occurred after 15 interviews. The percentage of patients who described the identified themes are reported. A total of 20 patients (median age, 44 years [IQR, 38 to 58]; 60% male) participated in the study. The most common injury was a distal tibia fracture (n = 8; 40%). Eleven themes that promoted financial distress were identified, the most common being work effects (n = 14; 70%) and emotional health (n = 12; 60%). Over half (n = 11; 55%) of participants described financial toxicity arising from an inability to access social welfare programs. Seven themes that protected against financial distress were also identified, including insurance (n = 17; 85%) and support from friends and family (n = 17; 85%). Over half (n = 13; 65%) of the participants discussed the support they received from their healthcare team, which encompassed expectation setting and connections to financial aid and other services. Employment protection and workplace flexibility were additional protective themes. This qualitative study of orthopaedic trauma patients found work and emotional health-related factors to be primary drivers of financial toxicity after injury. Insurance and support from friends and family were the most frequently reported protective factors. Many participants described the pivotal role of the healthcare team in establishing recovery expectations and facilitating access to social welfare programs.

Analisis Distribusi Dana Bantuan Perum Perumnas dalam Mendukung Tujuan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan (TPB)

Organizations and companies as integral elements in society are faced with the responsibility to understand and manage the impact of their operations on the environment, social and economy. The company program, especially BUMN, including Perum Perumnas, which supports the TPB, is the Social and Environmental Responsibility Program (TJSL). This research aims to analyze the role of Perum Perumnas in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (TPB). This research method is data analysis research or company reports, especially the Perum Perumnas sustainability report for 2021-2022. The results of this research are that Perum Perumnas in 2021-2022 contributed to 10 of the 17 TPB. The order of cumulative TPB aid funds for 2021-2022, from largest to smallest, is TPB 16 (Peace, Justice and Resilient Institutions), TPB 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), TPB 6 (Clean Water and Decent Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 2 (No Hunger), SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy), SDG 14 (Protecting Marine Ecosystems), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and TPB 10 (Reducing Inequality). The trend in the distribution pattern of Perum Perumnas TPB assistance areas in 2021-2022 follows the project locations handled by Perum Perumnas with the distribution of Perum Perumnas TPB assistance areas still focused on Java Island.

Breastfeeding practices and social norms in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A qualitative study.

Breastfeeding has many benefits for both mothers and children. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. However, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, slightly under half of children under six months are exclusively breastfed. This study aimed to describe breastfeeding practices and to explore perceived social norms regarding breastfeeding among mothers in Kinshasa. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Kinshasa from June to July 2013. This study purposively sampled 54 mothers of infants aged 6 to 12 months, who participated in six focus group discussions. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the discussion guide explored infant feeding in the first six months, knowledge of breastfeeding, perception of the feasibility of exclusive breastfeeding, and perception of the social norms with regard to exclusive breastfeeding. The content analysis approach was used to analyse data. Mothers had good breastfeeding knowledge; however, few of them had practised exclusive breastfeeding as recommended during the first six months. Exclusive breastfeeding was considered unfeasible in their context. Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding were reported as baby's cries, social pressure, warm climate, and poor maternal diet. Social norms were supportive of breastfeeding but unfavourable to exclusive breastfeeding. In Kinshasa, mothers have a good knowledge of breastfeeding. However, few practise exclusive breastfeeding. Social pressure plays an important role in the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding before six months. In order to improve the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in this context, social and behaviour change programmes should target the entire population rather than mothers only.

Technology-Enabled Agent Choice and Uptake of Social Assistance Programs: Evidence from India’s Food Security Program

Problem definition: Beneficiaries of social assistance programs with transfers of undifferentiated commodities often have a designated agent to collect their entitlements from. This gives monopoly power to agents over beneficiaries. When coupled with weak government monitoring, agents do not have incentives to adhere to stipulated operating guidelines, leading to reduced uptake by beneficiaries. Some governments are attempting to break the monopoly by allowing beneficiaries to choose agents. However, the impact of choice on uptake may be limited by lack of alternate agents in beneficiaries’ vicinities, restricted ability of agents to compete with undifferentiated commodities, and collusion among agents. Methodology/results: Using a reverse difference-in-differences framework on data from a food security program in two neighboring states in India, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, we find that providing agent choice results in a 6.6% increase in the quantity of entitlements collected by the beneficiary households. We also find that increase in uptake is about four times higher in regions with high agent density compared with those with low agent density. This emphasizes the importance of having an alternate agent in the vicinity for choice to be effective. Nearly all of the increase in uptake is attributable to new beneficiaries collecting entitlements from their preassigned agent. This is suggestive of agents improving adherence to operating guidelines in response to choice. We find associative evidence for this response in the number of days agents keep their shops open. Managerial implications: Governments executing in-kind transfers of undifferentiated commodities are piloting interventions to provide choice to their beneficiaries. Replacement of in-kind transfers with cash, an increasingly popular intervention, may be challenging in volatile markets, as the magnitude of the transfer needs to be periodically adjusted. Our results indicate that alternate designs of providing choice even in a limited form, that is, the place where the beneficiaries can collect their entitlements with products and prices fixed, can present a viable alternative. Funding: This research was partially supported by a grant from the Omidyar Network to the Digital Identity Research Initiative at the Indian School of Business. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0528 .

Branded Social Campaign and the Politics of Representation

Introduction: The low awareness of clean living made a company, through one of its product brands, initiate a social program through a donation campaign to improve sanitation and poor quality of health in the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT— Nusa Tenggara Timur ), Indonesia. An advertisement was then aired frequently in national media to support the campaign. However, this advertisement was protested by the people who represent NTT citizens. Methodology: Employing Karatani's (2003) representation theory and Schiappa's (2008) concept of representational correctness with a discourse analysis approach, the research critically analyzes the politics and problems associated with Lifebuoy's social campaigns that sparked protests and denials from various NTT community groups. Results: This study found that the landscaping of the representation problems of the advertisement included the problems of 'speak about' and 'speak for.' Also, the power of prejudice or racial stereotypes of eastern Indonesian people was permanently attached to poverty and underdevelopment. Discussion: The protest(ers) representation was also problematic and political. There were numerous struggles of agenda and identity politics among protesters. Therefore, Lifebuoy's social campaign did not only serve as the object of protest but at the same time also criticized the protesters. Conclusions: This study contributes essential lessons for brands about the urgency of mapping and reading political voices in the field when a social program is launched and implemented so that various obstacles are well anticipated.

Comparative study of social welfare programme effectiveness perception in peri-urban and rural in Indonesia

ABSTRACT This article examines the impact of social welfare programmes on poverty reduction in peri-urban and rural in Indonesia. The study analyses this programme through a perception survey of households, which has significantly reduced poverty in peri-urban and weakly in rural areas. It was influenced by access to information, education level, and mobility. Tailoring policies to address specific challenges in rural and peri-urban areas is essential to make social assistance work better. This study contributes to the social welfare insight on government interventions and ongoing efforts to fight poverty and helps policymakers make informed decisions.

Social participation among residents of serviced housing for older people versus community-dwelling older people in Japan: a propensity score matching analysis

Abstract Aim Housing has a significant impact on the health, safety, and social participation of older individuals. Japan’s Serviced Housing for Older People (SHOPs) is one such model that provides supportive services and accessible living spaces. Method This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between living in SHOPs with social activity programs (SAPs) and levels of social participation. We conducted a self-reported survey of SHOP residents and compared the proportions of participants who participated in social activities in the SHOP with a control group of community-dwelling older people selected from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study using propensity score matching. Results The survey obtained responses from 189 eligible participants. SHOP residents were primarily female, older, educated, unmarried, and had a better financial status than the control group. SHOP residents (n = 143) were 2.57 times more likely to exercise (p < 0.001), 1.62 times more likely to participate in hobbies (p = 0.004), and 4.37 times more likely to participate in learning activities (p < 0.001) than the control group (n = 398). However, volunteering, senior citizen clubs, neighborhood associations, and community gathering places participation did not differ significantly between the SHOP and control groups. Conclusion The findings suggest that SHOPs with SAPs have the potential to promote social participation and healthy aging among older people.

Examining student and faculty attitudes in developing a social justice studies minor

Social justice in education is becoming a more prominent and necessary area of study in higher education. Facets of social justice align directly with values of liberal arts education, and students who are exposed to social justice pedagogy develop the knowledge and skills necessary to meet critical learning outcomes associated with the liberal arts. Given such demands to incorporate social justice pedagogy and practice into curriculum, the purpose of this study was to understand student and faculty attitudes and values regarding social justice education in order to guide the creation of this academic program at our college, as well as other institutions, particularly liberal arts colleges and/or predominately white institutions, that are interested in creating or enhancing their social justice education programs. Themes from focus groups with students and faculty revealed needs, desires, and concerns from the campus community regarding social justice education. Additionally, we created a social justice studies program for our institution using a strategic review of existing curriculum, resulting in a new academic minor built on existing courses that required no new faculty lines and little additional work on behalf of the faculty. Insights from this process are shared.

Migration process of Venezuelan women to Brazil: living conditions and use of health services in Manaus and Boa Vista, 2018-2021.

The last decade saw the emergence of a new significant migration corridor due to the mass migration of Venezuelans to neighboring countries in South America. Since 2018, Brazil became the third host country of Venezuelan displaced populations. Little is known about how migratory processes affect needs, access to social programs, and public health services of migrant women. The goal of this study is to shed light on the socio-economic profile, living conditions, and use of health services of Venezuelan migrant women in two main reception cities in Brazil. A survey was conducted using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in the cities of Boa Vista (Roraima), and Manaus (Amazonas). The study included 2012 Venezuelan migrant women aged between 15 and 49 years old who migrated from Venezuela to Brazil between 2018 and 2021. Relative prevalence was calculated, and the χ2 test was used to analyse the homogeneity of proportions. All analyses considered the complex sampling. The main reasons for migrating relate to difficulties obtaining food (54%) and accessing health services (37.8%) in their country of origin. They were young and mixed race (65.7%) and had high school education (69.9%). In Manaus, 3.7% of the interviewees declared that they had no family income in the last month, while in Boa Vista, it was higher (66.2%) (p-value < 0.001). Almost one-third of them sought health care in the last 15 days, and 95% of them received care. The residents of Boa Vista arrived more recently and family income and access to paid work improved with time of residence in Brazil. Given the increasing flow of Venezuelan migrants crossing to Brazil, a reception system was established for the provision of food, shelter, access to health services, and income transfer programs to migrants. This was the case despite high unemployment and poverty levels and income inequality, particularly in the city of Boa Vista. However, the majority had legal migrant status and had access to the public and universal healthcare system in Brazil (SUS). The use of the SUS was similar in both cities, acting as a buffer for the differences in opportunities offered.

The influence of family‐based social assistance programs and parenting on child development: A conceptual framework for research with U.S. families in poverty

AbstractNearly three decades since the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, federal cash assistance to families in poverty in the United States has entered political discourse once more with the Biden Administration's introduction of the American Families Plan. At the heart of this discussion are theories of change that derive from the family and developmental sciences. As a result, scientists in these fields have a duty to understand the history of the last reform and the consequences it has since had for children in poverty. In this paper, I review the history of perspectives toward government social assistance programs, as well as extant research demonstrating the mechanisms through which maternal employment and federal cash assistance impact child wellbeing. Lastly, I propose a conceptual framework for understanding the influence of family‐based social assistance programs and parenting on child wellbeing to guide future research.

Determinants of immunization defaulters among children aged 12–23 months in Ambo town, Oromia, Ethiopia: A case–control study

ABSTRACT Immunization is a public health intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality among children. However, vaccination becomes more effective if the child can receive the full course of recommended vaccination doses according to the schedule. Many children fail to complete the full course of vaccination. To identify the determinants of immunization defaulters among children aged 12–23 months in Ambo town, Oromia, Ethiopia. A community-based, unmatched, case–control study was done from October 1 to 25, 2021. A simple random sampling was used to select 317 (106 cases and 211 controls). Data were collected by using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Data were coded and entered to Epi-data version 3.1 and then transported to SPSS version 21.0 for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis like frequency, mean, and percentage was calculated. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done. Finally, variables with a p value < .05 were considered statistically significant. Urban residences (AOR = 0.288, 95% CI, 0.146, 570), government employee (AOR = 0.179, 95% CI, 0.057, 0.565), number of family members more than four (AOR = 2.696, 95% CI, 1.143, 6.358), higher income (AOR = 0.250, 95% CI, 0.099, 0.628), attending ANC (AOR = 0..237, 95% CI, 0.107, 0.525), and good awareness (AOR = 0.070, 95% CI, 0.005, 308) were significant predictors of immunization defaulters. This study has found that urban residences, government employee by occupation, number of family members more than four, higher monthly income, and attending ANC were identified as determinants of childhood immunization defaulters. Social Behavior Change intervention programs should focus on providing health information about the importance of the vaccine and vaccine schedule. Due attention should be given for rural residents and farmers who had limited access to information and are more prone to defaulting. Policy-makers should consider those identified factors while designing intervention programs to enhance vaccination coverage.

Unpacking the black box: Investigating the role of social protection programmes in promoting decent work and economic growth in low‐income countries

AbstractThis study investigates the intricate nexus between low‐income countries, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the multifaceted phenomenon of unemployment. Amid the global endeavour to achieve SDGs, these marginalised nations assume a pivotal role, confronting distinctive challenges and opportunities. We employ meticulous analysis and structural equation modelling techniques to unveil a complex network of relationships among diverse socio‐economic indicators and unemployment across 27 low‐income countries, encompassing nations such as Afghanistan, Zambia, and others. Our empirical findings underscore the paramount importance of economic advancement, as epitomised by GDP per capita, in fostering employment prospects. Concurrently, environmental endeavours, epitomised by CO2 emissions, underscore the potential of green employment in mitigating unemployment. Investments in education and healthcare, as indicated by primary completion rates and life expectancy, emerge as pivotal determinants of employability. Moreover, access to clean energy sources and mobile cellular subscriptions indirectly influence unemployment rates, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the issue. Furthermore, our analysis reveals the intricate interplay between economic progress and social well‐being. These insights give policymakers invaluable direction, stressing the significance of tailored strategies that harness education, healthcare, technology, and environmental initiatives to alleviate unemployment, cultivate inclusive growth, and advance the overarching aspirations of sustainable development in low‐income countries.

Cracks within capitalism: Alternative rental practices and a politics of care among small-building owners in Chicago

ABSTRACT The United States is currently in the fourth decade of an ongoing, and worsening, affordable housing crisis, due in part to neoliberal financialization and the retrenchment of social safety net programs. Research has illuminated the role that landlords play in maintaining, and profiting, from this neoliberal turn in the housing market. Meanwhile, low-income renters and other marginalized people have engaged in strategic resistance and activism, drawing on a politics of community care and collectivism that runs counter to neoliberal market ideology. It is within this wider context—a housing market where neoliberal and collective care politics clash—that I analyze the viewpoints and rental practices of a unique group of housing market actors: resident landlords, or people who live in the same buildings as their tenants. Among a wider sample of 52 owner-occupants, I interviewed 22 owners who held anti-oppression viewpoints, and who attempted to put their politics into practice by adopting atypical rental practices. Drawing on Black radical and feminist traditions in urban political economy, I theorize these activities as political decisions that created sites of opportunity, where building owners and residents attempted to reconfigure their relationships under capitalism, providing a window into possibilities for more caring housing arrangements.

Spatial issues in social work education in Chile: curriculum analysis of universities and professional institutes

ABSTRACT In response to the growing use of spatial concepts in social work, this article addresses their incorporation in the curriculum of undergraduate programmes and the differences among diverse types of higher education institutions. The aims were 1) to identify how spatial issues are incorporated in social work curriculums in Chile and 2) to compare how this incorporation is made in social work programmes in different higher education institutions. The method was a quantitative and descriptive analysis of the curricula of the totality of the programmes in the country (N = 45). We defined 11 concepts to search: community, spatial concepts (territory, environment, place, space), spatial phenomena (city, rural, housing), and social concepts associated with spatial issues (networks, poverty, citizenship). The results show that community is the most relevant concept. Nevertheless, when viewed collectively, spatial concepts hold similar significance. However, there are noticeable differences in how different higher education institutions use spatial concepts. Professional institutes often overlook spatial concerns compared to universities. We recommend regulating social work education to incorporate a minimum curriculum that addresses these issues. Further research is needed to evaluate course content, references, and scientific publications in Chilean social work.