Social Research Research Articles

Telomere length and cognitive function among middle-aged and older participants from communities underrepresented in aging research: A preliminary study.

Accelerated biological aging is a plausible and modifiable determinant of dementia burden facing minoritized communities, but is not well-studied in these historically underrepresented populations. Our objective was to preliminarily characterize relationships between telomere length and cognitive health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Black/African American (B/AA) middle-aged and older adults. This study included data on telomere length and cognitive test performance from 187 participants, enrolled in one of two community-based cognitive aging cohorts and who identified their primary race as AI/AN or B/AA. Nested multivariable regression models revealed preliminary evidence for associations between telomere length and cognitive performance, and these associations were partially independent of chronological age. Small sample size limited estimate precision, however, findings suggest future work on telomere length and cognitive health in underrepresented populations at high risk for dementia is feasible and valuable as a foundation for social and behavioral intervention research.

Social work research culture in Australian university settings

Social work research culture in Australian university settings

Xenophobia in Juror Decision-Making

Abstract With the upsurge of anti-globalizing ideologies and politics, the increasing institutionalization of xenophobia within the legal system has emerged as a pressing concern. Existing law and social science research has underexplored xenophobic bias in the US legal system. This article conceptualizes xenophobic bias as consisting of racism and nationalism. It investigates whether mock jurors reach different verdicts on defendant companies from foreign countries of origin (Japan, France, and China) compared to domestic (US) companies. Using a test simulating a patent lawsuit, the research finds no evidence of general xenophobic bias in juror liability verdict decisions, yet there is a specific bias against the Chinese company when granting damage awards. The similarity-leniency effect that has been established in the previous literature is corroborated in this article. Additionally, political views moderate the effects of the company’s country of origin on juror decisions. This research offers a more nuanced conceptual framework of xenophobic bias in juror decision-making for future law and social science research and informs judicial policies seeking to improve jury instructions and jury selection to reduce xenophobic bias.

Doing social science with conservation: co-reflexivity on the project model in conservation

Abstract The conservation sector increasingly values reflexivity, in which professionals critically reflect on the social, institutional and political aspects of their work. Reflexivity offers diverse benefits, from enhancing individual performance to driving institutional transformation. However, integrating reflexivity into conservation practice remains challenging and is often confined to informal reflections with limited impact. To overcome this challenge, we introduce co-reflexivity, offering an alternative to the binary distinction between social science on or for conservation, which respectively produce critical outsider accounts of conservation or provide social science instruments for achieving conservation objectives. Instead, co-reflexivity is a form of social science with conservation, in which conservation professionals and social scientists jointly develop critical yet constructive perspectives on and approaches to conservation. We demonstrate the value of co-reflexivity by presenting a set of reflections on the project model, the dominant framework for conservation funding, which organizes conservation activity into distinct, target-oriented and temporally bounded units that can be funded, implemented and evaluated separately. Co-reflexivity helps reveal the diverse challenges that the project model creates for conservation practice, including for the adoption of reflexivity itself. Putting insights from social science research in dialogue with reflections from conservation professionals, we co-produce a critique of project-based conservation with both theoretical and practical implications. These cross-disciplinary conversations provide a case study of how co-reflexivity can enhance the conservation–social science relationship.

Housing First as a global fast policy, economic tool, and disciplinary tactic: can Housing First’s progressive promise be salvaged?

While there are an abundance of studies evaluating the effectiveness of Housing First programs, there is a recent surge in critical social science research that situates Housing First within broader debates about contemporary neoliberal homelessness governance. This paper provides clarity to this evolving and somewhat fragmented work by highlighting three main conceptualisations of critical Housing First research. First, it is interpreted as a technocratic global fast policy that, while appealing to policymakers and government officials, ultimately fails to address the structural causes of housing insecurity and homelessness. Second, it is viewed as an economic tool that prioritises housing for a narrow cohort of ‘chronic homeless’ that incur a high cost to scarce public resources. Third, it is seen as a disciplinary tactic that ignores people’s alternative expressions of home and compels them to abide by the norms of ‘independent living’ and the private rental market. We conclude with an assessment of this critical literature. Whilst acknowledging its key insights, we contend that its treatment of Housing First as yet another form of neoliberal homelessness governance and overreliance on Anglophone-country case studies risks reifying HF’s worst aspects and failing to adequately recognise its transformative potential.

A Study of Financial Socialization in Life Course Context

Although researchers have suggested that financial socialization should be studied using a life course approach, they have offered inadequate research frameworks for studying financial socialization over time. This article offers the life course paradigm (LCP) as a multitheoretical conceptual research framework, within which socialization research in other disciplines has been integrated in recent decades. It derives a financial socialization model from the general conceptual LCP and uses a large-scale national online survey to test the model’s hypothesized relationships across three age groups of 813 adult consumers. Results offer insights into the financial socialization processes, underscoring the importance of various formal, informal, and commercial agents of change as well as contextual factors in the development of financial-related attitudes, skills, and habits at different stages in a person’s life. The article shows how researchers can employ the LCP, which has been increasingly used across disciplines and internationally, as a blueprint to conduct further studies.

The Specter of the Dangerous Classes

Abstract This article examines a formative moment in Russian social thought. The origins of modern research about urban society lie in the years after 1815, when French and British writers developed new methods for analyzing poverty, crime, and other aspects of city life. This literature, especially in the aftermath of the cholera pandemic and revolutions of 1830–1832, painted an alarming picture of slums teeming with “dangerous classes” of paupers and criminals. Russians joined this discussion with three books about Moscow and St. Petersburg by Vasilii Androssov, Aleksandr Bashutskii, and Andrei Zablotskii-Desiatovskii. These authors adopted the new Western research methods but claimed that Russia was free of “dangerous classes” of the Western type thanks to the unique virtues of the imperial regime and the Russian folk. The article argues that these writers helped to give 19th century Russian social research both its methodological sophistication and its distinctive ideological voice.

Consumers’ Perceptions and Behaviors Regarding Honey Purchases and Expectations on Traceability and Sustainability in Italy

Traceability is a cornerstone of sustainable honey production and consumption. Honey fraud and a lack of traceability have been recently highlighted by the European Commission. Innovative systems aimed at guaranteeing food safety ’from farm to fork’ and improved controls are highly recommended. Within the framework of the BPRACTICES project, part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, and the ERA-Net SusAn initiative—focused on Sustainable Animal Production Systems—an advanced traceability system has been developed. This system utilizes QR code and radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, along with a user-friendly web application, to facilitate direct interactions between producers and consumers. Despite existing research, studies on the information needs of Italian consumers regarding honey and its traceability remain limited. Understanding these needs is vital for creating effective communication strategies that enhance consumer satisfaction and trust. This study aims to identify the needs of Italian consumers’ honey during the purchasing and consumption decisions. To explore consumer perceptions, behaviors, expectations, and needs regarding honey, we employed diverse social research methodologies, including a quantitative online survey, paper-and-pencil interviews, and focus groups. The results of this study indicate a robust demand for more information on honey’s origin, production processes, and beekeeping practices, aligning with the recent EU Directive 2024/1438, which mandates clear labeling. Italian consumers would be willing to pay a premium for honey that offers detailed information about production practices and transparency. The positive reception of QR code technology by consumers suggests a growing openness to digital tools that enhance transparency and access to information. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the need for the beekeeping sector to adopt sustainable practices, improve traceability systems, and actively engage with consumers to foster trust and ensure long-term viability in the honey market. By addressing these information needs, the sector can align itself with increasing consumer demand for quality, sustainability, and transparency.

Unearthing the misconduct and inaccuracies in social science research: a trend analysis of retracted articles based on retraction watch database

Purpose The purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyze the research article retractions in social sciences over the past decade (2014–2023). Design/methodology/approach The study used scientometric methods to evaluate the prevalence, patterns and factors contributing to social sciences article retractions. Bibliographic data of retracted articles were collected from the Retraction Watch Database under an agreement signed with the database. Further, citations of the retracted articles were collected from Scopus and Google Scholar. The analysis encompasses performance assessment and citation-based analysis to reveal the trend of retraction and scrutinize the impact of retracted articles. Findings Over the past decade, article retractions have shown dynamic trends, with notable fluctuations in recent years. Further, investigating the time taken for article retraction reveals the urgency of addressing issues identified soon after publication. Scientific misconduct and publication-related concerns emerge as primary factors leading to retractions. Countries such as Russia, the USA, China and publishers such as Elsevier and Taylor and Francis led in the retractions of social science articles. A significant portion of retracted works had garnered academic attention prior to retraction and even after retraction. Originality/value This study can contribute to a better understanding among scholars and stakeholders of the trends and reasons for retractions of research articles in the social sciences.

Emerging Insights on the Role of Social Networks in Intergroup Friendship

Research on intergroup friendships has historically focused on individuals and dyads. Only recently has research begun to examine intergroup friendship in the context of the broader web of social relationships in which individuals and dyads are embedded. This review highlights emerging research on the role of social networks in intergroup friendship, with a focus on interracial friendship. In particular, we examine how social networks shape opportunities to form intergroup friendships, influence intergroup attitudes, and affect ongoing intergroup interactions and relationships. This emerging work reveals how friendships across group lines are shaped not only by the individuals involved but also by their other friends, the attitudes of those around them, and the structure and context of their broader social network. Though nascent, social network research has already begun to offer novel insights into foundational intergroup theories and inform future interventions to foster intergroup friendships.

Walking Methodologies in the Uplands of the North York Moors National Park

As a research interviewer, walking alongside research participants is a creative methodology that enables researchers to discover more democratic, richer data on places, spaces, and surroundings. This article reflects upon walking methods in National Park landscapes from experiences of working on a social research project, which applied a walking methodology in the North York Moors National Park. From the findings of this project and drawing on walking methods literature, the article argues that walking blurs any cultural–natural divisions and allows the interview to be placed into a natural environment where the interview is influenced and shaped by the landscape. The article contributes to the social sciences by innovatively demonstrating how walking acts as an everyday, collaborative research method which through its multi-sensory interactions is an important approach to understand non-human environments and protected landscapes. Applying a participatory research lens, the article reveals the relationships between walking and routine, heritage, participation, nature, sensory immersion, and identity in a contested environment.

The Effect of Environmental Social Governance, Research and Development, Intellectual Capital, and Leverage on Firm Value

The Effect of Environmental Social Governance, Research and Development, Intellectual Capital, and Leverage on Firm Value

Efficacy and Effectiveness Research on Interventions in Sweden Between 1990 and 2019

Purpose: This article investigates the extent of effectiveness studies of behavioral, psychological, and social interventions aiming for measurable changes at the individual level in Sweden 1990–2019. Methods: The data stems from a retrospective analysis of published literature on effect studies between 1990 and 2019. Results: The results show an increase in published articles reporting on effect studies in Sweden the past 30 years, accelerating the past 10 years. However, only 25% of the studies focuses on core social work practices and only certain target groups and areas, especially children and elderly, are covered. Of these studies, only 4% are conducted by social work scholars. Conclusions: Effect studies still holds a weak position in Swedish social work research, despite of processes of professionalization and academization with national efforts to promote knowledge production for practice. This is discussed in relation to competence, opportunity, and motivation in Swedish social work and beyond.

Adolescents' offline and online social support: A study on latent groups and their relationship with mental health.

The internet has become a common space for adolescents to connect with others and find information. However, it remains unclear whether online encounters can serve as new sources of social support for Chinese adolescents. The present study aimed to identify distinct patterns in Chinese adolescents' social support from both offline and online sources and to examine how these patterns relate to individual and family factors and adolescents' mental health conditions. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 1031 Chinese adolescents (47.1% female, mean age = 13.67) in Foshan, Guangdong province. Latent profile analysis was performed with Mplus. Associations between the identified classes and auxiliary variables were examined with the "R3STEP" procedure and the DCON command in Mplus. We identified four groups. Three groups showed consistent patterns in terms of receiving social support from offline and online sources, namely, the high support group (24.8%), moderate support group (43.8%), and low support group (15.3%), respectively. The fourth group received a moderate level of offline but low level of online support (16%), named the moderate offline-low online support group. The groups differed in individual and family characteristics. Higher support was associated with higher life satisfaction, lower depression, and social anxiety, but also higher problematic internet use. Overall, the moderate offline-low online support group showed better mental health than the other groups. Our study extends social support research by revealing heterogeneity in adolescents' social support patterns. The findings encourage a balanced use of offline and online support.

HELLO: a protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial to enhance interpersonal relationships and team cohesion among ICU healthcare professionals

BackgroundMental health symptoms among healthcare professionals (HCP) in intensive care units (ICUs) are a significant concern affecting both HCP well-being and patient care outcomes. Cross-sectional studies among members of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) report up to 50% burnout rates. Determinants of burnout include communication, team cohesion, psychological support, and well-being promotion. We designed the 'Hello Bundle' intervention to mitigate burnout among ICU-HCPs by fostering positive social interactions and a supportive work environment. This justification synthesizes evidence from social psychology, positive psychology, and healthcare communication research to support the intervention. The 'Hello Bundle' aims to enhance interpersonal relationships, improve team cohesion, and reduce burnout rates. The six components include: Hello campaign posters, email reminders, integrating greetings in morning huddles, hello jars, lead-by-example initiatives, and a daily updated hello board in each ICU. This protocol describes a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.MethodsThis protocol describes a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted among ESICM-affiliated ICUs, consisting of at least 73 clusters with in average of 50 respondents per cluster, totaling approximately 7300 participants. Intervention clusters will implement the 6-component Hello Bundle between October 14 and November 10, 2024, while control clusters will be wait-listed to receive the intervention in January 2025 after the RCT concludes. Clusters will be matched based on ICU size (fewer or more than 20 beds), region, and average 2023 mortality. The primary outcome is the proportion of HCPs with burnout between intervention and control clusters at the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes include comparing the following between clusters: (1) number of HCPs with high emotional exhaustion; (2) number with high depersonalization; (3) number with loss of accomplishment; (4) perception of ethical climate (5) satisfaction at work (VAS); (6) professional conflicts; (7) intention to leave the ICU (VAS); (8) patient-centered care rating; (9) family-centered care rating. The last secondary outcome is the comparison of burnout rates before and after the intervention in the intervention cluster. Outcomes will be based on HCP reports collected within four weeks before and after the intervention.DiscussionThis is the first large trial of healthcare communication, social, and positive psychology intervention among ICU-HCPs. It holds the potential to provide valuable insights into effective strategies for addressing burnout in ICU settings, ultimately benefiting both HCPs and patients.Trial registration: This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.Gov on June 18, 2024. Registration: NCT06453616.

Examining Islamic Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Current and Future Research– A Bibliometric Analysis

This bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive look at the current research trends in Islamic environmental, social, and governance (ESG) over 12 years, from 2012 to 2023. The study encompasses a dataset of 54 papers from the SCOPUS database and employs various bibliometric metrics, including author-based, country-based, and organization-based citations. The results indicate a variable growth in the number of publications in this research domain over the period, with a particularly significant surge observed between 2021 and 2023. The descriptive analysis identifies the most prolific countries and document types within Islamic environmental, social, and governance realms. The citation analysis identifies the most influential authors, organizations, and countries shaping this field. In summary, the results show that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research and practices that include Islamic teachings and values still demonstrate a significant gap, and recommendations are provided for future research based on the primary issues and gaps discovered from the current trends. These findings are valuable for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking insights into this study area.

Social care research: international cooperation is vital to prepare for future health shocks

Social care research: international cooperation is vital to prepare for future health shocks

Marginalized measures: The harmonization of diversity in precision medicine research.

The production of large, shareable datasets is increasingly prioritized for a wide range of research purposes. In biomedicine, especially in the United States, calls to enhance representation of historically underrepresented populations in databases that integrate genomic, health history, demographic and lifestyle data have also increased in order to support the goals of precision medicine. Understanding the assumptions and values that shape the design of such datasets and the practices through which they are constructed are a pressing area of social inquiry. We examine how diversity is conceptualized in U.S. precision medicine research initiatives, specifically attending to how measures of diversity, including race, ethnicity, and medically underserved status, are constructed and harmonized to build commensurate datasets. In three case studies, we show how symbolic embrace of both diversity and harmonization efforts can compromise the utility of diversity data. Although big data and diverse population representation are heralded as the keys to unlocking the promises of precision medicine research, these cases reveal core tensions between what kinds of data are seen as central to 'the science' and which are marginalized.

Good Friends Have Boundaries: Provider Strategies for Creating Support Boundaries in Friendships

ABSTRACT Minimal social support research has studied support boundaries, defined as a support provider’s parameters around the amount and/or type of support they are willing to offer. I argue that evaluating support boundary creation is one communicative pathway for understanding difficult supportive relationships and how support providers navigate no longer offering the same amount and/or type of support to their friends. Analyzing 22 semi-structured, narrative-focused interviews, this study proposes an initial typology for how support providers create support boundaries. Participants utilized indirect (i.e., implicit strategies and behaviors to minimize support seeking and provision), direct (i.e., explicit parameters around the support they were willing to provide), and collaborative (i.e., open and honest conversations with their friend to establish mutually agreed upon expectations) support boundary creation strategies with their friends. By creating boundaries skillfully, providers can mitigate and manage potential negative outcomes of support, as well as protect themselves and their friendships. Investigating how providers create support boundaries is crucial for current research gaps in understanding challenging supportive relationships from the provider’s perspective, and how support providers navigate discrepancies between their needs and the needs of support seekers.

Exploring the influence of contextual factors on social entrepreneurial intentions: A study of generation Z

With the increasing trend of social entrepreneurship intention research, the literature is majorly fragmented into examining the influence of individual personality level factors. Little attention has been given to the role of contextual factors which affect the social entrepreneurial intention process. The purpose of the study is to explore the inter-relationships between contextual factors i.e., perceived support and perceived barriers with social entrepreneurship intentions of Generation Z in the presence of theory of planned behaviour. Data was collected from 610 students in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. PLS-SEM 4.0 was used for the analysis. PLSpredict and IPMA were employed. Results of our study highlights the significant positive impact of perceived support and negative impact of perceived barriers on social entrepreneurial intentions. Theory of planned behaviour holds different significant as a mediator for both the contextual factors. Majority of the current body of literature on social entrepreneurship has focused on testing intentions of older generations. Therefore, empirically testing the impact of contextual factors (combined) from entrepreneurship support system framework on social entrepreneurial intentions among the Generation Z in a developing economy context provides valuable insights.