Social Satisfaction Research Articles

Self-Reported Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Patients with Rheumatic Diseases Reported at Rheumatology Centres: A Study of Prevalence and Correlation

Background: The intersection of rheumatic diseases with psychological factors such as stress, resilience, and social support plays a crucial role in shaping the quality of life for patients. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing holistic care strategies that address both the physical and psychological aspects of arthritis. Objective: This study aims to explore the prevalence of stress, resilience, and social support among patients with arthritis and examine their correlation with life satisfaction. Methods: A total of 58 male and female arthritis patients aged 18 to 90 were selected from three hospitals in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, using a stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse socio-demographic variables. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS), Resilience Scale (RS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) assessed psychological factors. Pearson correlation, t-tests, and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25 to explore relationships among variables and the mediation effect of resilience between stress, social support, and life satisfaction. Results: The mean scores for perceived stress (M = 23.31, SD = 5.67), life satisfaction (M = 43.60, SD = 8.28), resilience (M = 74.15, SD = 11.42), and social support (M = 46.32, SD = 18.69) were calculated. Gender differences were non-significant for stress and resilience. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction (r = -.339, p < .01), while resilience showed a strong positive correlation with social support (r = .621, p < .01). Regression analysis highlighted that resilience did not significantly mediate the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction (ΔR² = .02), nor between social support and life satisfaction (ΔR² = .006). Conclusion: The study underscores the profound impact of psychological factors on the quality of life in arthritis patients. While stress negatively affects life satisfaction, resilience and social support emerge as crucial for enhancing well-being. These findings advocate for integrated psychological interventions in arthritis management to improve patient outcomes.

The Relationship Between Individual Social Capital and Life Satisfaction Among University Students in China: The Mediating Role of Resiliency

This present paper has aimed to investigate the university students’ life satisfaction in the city of Ji’nan in China. Due to the important role of university students, their life satisfaction has been valuable and necessary to be examined. The extent literature about students’ life satisfaction has left a blank for the three variables in the study. Therefore, this paper has tried to give an explanation for the relationship among university students’ life satisfaction and individual social capital by the mediating effect of resilience, which may be a new conceptual model seldom conducted in previous studies, especially in Ji’nan. As a non-experimental descriptive research design, a quantitative (deductive reasoning) technique has been employed to quantify the issue, in which survey questionnaire has been used to gather numerical data and then turned into practical statistics.

Beyond the Birthday Cake Emoji: Unraveling Gender Differences and Behavioral Nuances in Nigerian Birthday Disclosures on Social Media

People often congratulate and celebrate one another on social media, unknowingly disclosing critical information about themselves which may lead to privacy issues. Through quantitative, structural equation modeling, and thematic analytical methods used on our data of 700 Nigerian participants using snowball sampling, comprising 48.4% men (339) and 51.6% women (361), we assessed influences on birthday disclosures, emphasizing social gratification, social media usage, and knowledge of privacy settings. Despite a general understanding of privacy measures, many Nigerians prioritize the immediate rewards of social gratification. Prolonged platform usage tends to reduce birthday disclosure. Gender-based differences were notable: with increased social media use, Nigerian men disclosed birthdays less frequently than women. Identification of the unique considerations that Nigerians make before disclosing their birthday, including emotional and religious factors as well as consideration of the impact of disclosure on reputation, sets this study apart from similar previous studies in the Western context. The findings highlight the necessity of acknowledging regional cultural nuances in digital practices and support the call for region-specific digital literacy initiatives.

Social comparison, resilience, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety among earthquake survivors in Turkey

The aftermath of seismic disasters presents a multifaceted challenge for survivors, impacting various aspects of their well-being and mental health. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of resilience in the relationships between social comparison, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. The study included 388 participants (age range: 18–69 years; mean age = 34.50 ± 13.18) who were residing in the most earthquake-stricken regions of Turkey and completed the self-reported measures of social comparison, resilience, life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety using a paper-and-pencil format. The results showed that social comparison significantly predicted resilience, satisfaction with life, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Resilience significantly predicted life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. More importantly, resilience partially mediated the associations between social comparison and life satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. These findings suggest the importance of interventions that contribute to resilience in earthquake survivors. Post-disaster interventions should focus on strategies to diminish the influence of social comparison on mental health and well-being by cultivating the capacity to bounce back from adversity and cope effectively with challenges.

The Interplay of Trust and Satisfaction: Fueling E-Wom in Online Cosmetic Shopping

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the determinants of electronic word-of-mouth (E-WOM) within Thailand's cosmetic industry, focusing on social commerce platforms. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in the application of a structural equation model (SEM) and the e-Rough Set Delphi Technique to assess the interplay between social commerce, customer satisfaction, trust, and E-WOM. Design/methodology/approach: Utilizing a quantitative approach, the study analyzes responses from 808 cosmetic product consumers active on social media platforms to understand the dynamics of customer satisfaction and its impact on E-WOM. Findings: The findings reveal that both social commerce functionalities and customer satisfaction play pivotal roles in fostering trust towards online cosmetic stores. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of functional and emotional values in enhancing customer satisfaction, which subsequently influences purchase intentions and the propensity to engage in E-WOM. Practical implications: The research underscores significant implications for practitioners and scholars, suggesting that understanding the factors that drive E-WOM can aid online cosmetic entrepreneurs in Thailand to boost their E-WOM effectiveness. This, in turn, could lead to sustained business growth and a deeper understanding of social commerce dynamics. Original/Value: The originality of this study lies in its examination of factors as an effective force of E-WOM in the cosmetic industry in Thailand. It explores the interplay of trust and satisfaction and the recognition of loyalty's significant role underscores the imperative for retailers to dedicate resources to cultivating enduring E-WOM connections with customers.

Putting down roots: Relationships between urban forests and residents’ place attachment

Many cities seek to improve their urban forests to provide a diverse range of benefits for residents. One of these potential benefits, place attachment, is linked with its own positive outcomes including increased social cohesion, life satisfaction, and environmentally-friendly behaviour. However, it is currently unclear how urban forests relate to place attachment. This case study sought to clarify that relationship. A survey measuring residents’ place attachment, satisfaction/dissatisfaction with urban forest services/disservices respectively, perceived urban forest characteristics, and sociodemographic variables was distributed to residents of the Perth Metropolitan Area in Western Australia. The survey measured these variables at three spatial scales: residents’ homes, streets, and neighbourhoods. The 638 responses were combined with GIS datasets to calculate objective measures of average canopy cover. SEM was used to test relationships between different groups of variables and understand their relationship with place attachment. We found that place attachment was positively associated with residents’ satisfaction with key urban forest services: sense of place, social interactions encouraged by the trees, and fresh air. In turn, place attachment and satisfaction with services were associated with objective canopy cover, both directly and indirectly via perceived characteristics. An analysis of qualitative feedback from residents helped to illustrate nuances around how urban trees relate to sense of place and how the loss of trees can be a source of distress and solastalgia. As such, we recommend that actual and perceived urban forest characteristics, residents’ agency, and tree removal be adequately considered in efforts to maximise urban forest benefits.

GREEN SPACE EXPOSURE’S INFLUENCE ON MENTAL WELL-BEING DURING COVID-19 CAMPUS LOCKDOWNS: A SATISFACTION MEDIATING PATHWAY

Recent research indicates that exposure to green space may have positive effects on the mental health of students, potentially mediated by factors such as environmental satisfaction and social cohesion. However, the specific impact of green space exposure on students’ mental health during the COVID-19 campus lockdowns unexplored. To investigate this relationship, a survey was conducted via social media among 346 current students residing on a locked-down campus, assessing their mental well-being, green space satisfaction, social environment satisfaction, subjective exposure and objective exposure to green space. A structural equation model (SEM) was employed to examine the relationships among various dimensions of green space exposure, satisfaction and students’ mental well-being. The findings indicate that subjective exposure to green space has a positive impact on mental well-being and indirectly through social environment satisfaction. Additionally, objective exposure could indirectly influence mental well-being through green space satisfaction and social environment satisfaction.

Social face consciousness and life satisfaction in new employees: The roles of perceived social support and rumination

To test the relationship between social face consciousness (SFC) and life satisfaction (LS) among new employees in a Chinese context, we administered the Consciousness of Social Face Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Ruminative Responses Scale to 624 employees with 1 year or less of service in the job market. The results showed that SFC had a significant negative predictive effect on new employees’ LS, and indirectly affected new employees’ LS through perceived social support. Further, rumination played a significant role in moderating the influence of SFC on new employees’ LS; specifically, for new employees with a low level of rumination, SFC had no significant predictive effect on LS, whereas for those with a high level of rumination, SFC had a significant negative predictive effect on their LS. Thus, SFC inhibits new employees’ LS and affects LS through the intermediary role of perceived social support, while rumination moderates this relationship. This study provides insight into how new employees can improve their LS in practice.

Resilience partially mediates the association between perceived social isolation and life satisfaction in people with systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) negatively affects quality of life, yet the factors influencing life satisfaction, a key aspect of well-being, remain unclear in this population. Social isolation is common in SSc, potentially linked to decreased life satisfaction, but the underlying mechanisms are unexplored. Resilience, a modifiable psychological resource, may act as a mediator in this relationship among people with SSc. This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social isolation and life satisfaction and to investigate whether resilience mediates this relationship. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Social Isolation Short Form, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale were used to assess perceived social isolation, resilience, and life satisfaction. Linear regressions were conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Among 163 individuals with SSc who provided complete data at baseline (mean age = 54.7 ± 11.9 years), 47% had diffuse cutaneous SSc, and 57% had an early disease duration. Perceived social isolation was negatively associated with life satisfaction. Resilience partially mediated the association between perceived social isolation and life satisfaction in people with SSc. Findings revealed a significant association between perceived social isolation and life satisfaction and the mediating role of resilience in this association among people with SSc. Results suggest resilience may act as a protective mediator, counteracting the negative influence of perceived social isolation on life satisfaction. Findings support the promotion of social connection and resilience to enhance life satisfaction in people with SSc. NCT04908943.

A Systematic Literature Review on the Relationships between Social Presence, Learning Satisfaction and Persistence in Online Learning

Online learning has gained prominence due to numerous success stories, becoming a vital component and instrument for reforming classrooms in higher vocational education. However, the physical detachment inherent in online self-directed learning has raised concerns about student disengagement and isolation during the learning process. Social presence theory provides a unique perspective, methods, and tools for researching online learning. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature, with a focus on social presence, learning satisfaction, and persistence. The results reveal the intricate impact of social presence on learning satisfaction and persistence in online learning environments. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to uncover research findings from May 2013 to June 2023. The selected articles underwent a thorough assessment, and duplicates were removed. The updated criteria for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses were used for the literature review. The research team critically analysed, finalised, and deliberated on the significance of the SLR. Out of the 220 papers initially considered, 28 met the specific criteria for adjustment and inclusion/exclusion.

Cumulative Exposure to Social Isolation and Longitudinal Changes in Life Satisfaction among Older Adults

This study examines the longitudinal association between cumulative exposure to social isolation and life satisfaction and whether this association differs by gender. Using seven waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2018 (3,543 adults aged 65 or older), fixed effects models were estimated. Cumulative social isolation was longitudinally associated with a decline in life satisfaction in older adults. Gender-specific analyses revealed that older women exposed to cumulative social isolation continued to experience a decline in life satisfaction up to the fourth and subsequent waves of exposure (relative to the initial wave in which there was no social isolation; b = −13.038, p < .001). In contrast, a decline in life satisfaction associated with cumulative social isolation was less pronounced among older men ( b = −6.200 for the fourth and subsequent waves of exposure, p < .05). Cumulative social isolation can be a persistent risk factor for life satisfaction in older adults, particularly older women. The study’s findings hold important implications for programs aimed at reducing social isolation and improving psychological well-being among older adults.

Associations among Maternal Trauma History, Postnatal Maternal Sensitivity, and Infant Temperament.

Women are at increased risk of trauma exposure and of experiencing prolonged posttraumatic stress. Maternal trauma exposure and associated impairment may adversely impact mother-infant interaction quality, which may in turn be associated with infant temperament difficulties. More research is needed to identify which maternal trauma predictors are most robustly related to infant temperament outcomes. The present study aimed to address this gap by examining maternal sensitivity as a mediator of relations between maternal trauma and infant temperament in a longitudinal study of a rural cohort of mother-infant dyads. Mediation via maternal sensitivity was not supported in any of the primary analyses. Greater maternal trauma exposure was found to predict greater infant regulation behavior, a finding that was in opposition to expected results and which may be explained by protective factors found within the sample. The present sample was skewed toward married, educated women who reported high social support satisfaction and low trauma-associated impairment. The findings elucidate protective factors that may mitigate adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants. Future research models should include additional maternal trauma variables (e.g., recency, type, revictimization/polyvictimization), in utero maternal cortisol exposure, maternal insensitivity/ambiguous response patterns during caregiver tasks, and analysis of the IBQ-R subscales.

Pandemic Emotional Impact on Academic and Professional Worries while Controlling for Satisfaction with Life and Perceived Social Support

In this article, we test the associations between the Covid-19 pandemic’s emotional impact and academic and professional worries among social work students when controlling for life satisfaction as a part of subjective well-being and perceived social support. Therefore, we aim to test the controlling variables’ role as mediators in explaining how academic and professional worries can be reduced. The survey was conducted in Romania in 2021 on a sample of 329 students attending full-time courses in the field of social work, both bachelor’s studies and master. The study was cross-sectional but considered a causal orientation for the variables (i.e., past pandemic emotional impact – present social support and satisfaction with life – future academic and professional worries). The findings showed that although life satisfaction does not significantly determine academic and professional worries, perceived social support has a significant direct effect. Indirect effects indicate a decrease in academic and professional worry when controlling for perceived social support alone and while controlling for both perceived social support and satisfaction with life. Additionally, our findings show that students who were less emotionally impacted by the pandemic effects had no worries about their capacity to continue or complete their studies or their employment perspectives.

TikTok and the Prevalence of Self-Diagnoses and Psychological Disorders Among Teen Users

The negative implications of social media use on teen mental health are well documented. The effects of TikTok, the world’s most popular social media platform, on the mental health outcomes of developing adolescents are an increasing concern. The biological and psychological changes occurring during puberty cause teenagers to seek greater and instant social gratification through a platform with a majority teen user base. Due to the app’s complex algorithm that pushes dangerous content to vulnerable teen users, its overly accessible nature, and the prevalence of digital social contagion on the app, TikTok poses a significant risk of promoting mental health disorders and self-diagnosing among its users. This study focuses on two main disorders that have garnered significant attention on the social media platform, Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Despite the diseases’ rarity, there has been a marked influx of self-diagnosed teens on TikTok. As false self-diagnoses strengthen stigmas and stereotypes while delegitimizing those who actually have the disorder, the need to address this trend of teen self-diagnosing is further exacerbated. Some ways that this trend of teen self-diagnosing could be averted is through 1) limiting teen use of the app, 2) creating a better content filtering system, 3) providing professional checks on mental health content creators, and 4) considering the dimensional HiTOP diagnostics system over the categorical DSM-5. Further research on the full implications of the social media app on the mental health of teenage populations is needed.

Depression follow-up monitoring with the PHQ-9: an open cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Outcome monitoring of depression treatment is recommended but there is a lack of evidence on patient benefit in primary care. To test monitoring depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) with patient feedback. An open cluster-randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 141 group practices. Adults with new depressive episodes were recruited through record searches and opportunistically. The exclusion criteria were as follows: dementia; psychosis; substance misuse; and suicide risk. The PHQ-9 was administered soon after diagnosis, and 10-35 days later. The primary outcome was the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) score at 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were as follows: BDI-II at 26 weeks; Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) and EuroQol EQ-5D-5L quality of life at 12 and 26 weeks; antidepressant treatment; mental health and social service contacts; adverse events, and Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale (MISS) over 26 weeks. In total, 302 patients were recruited to the intervention arm and 227 to the controls. At 12 weeks, 254 (84.1%) and 199 (87.7%) were followed-up, respectively. Only 40.9% of patients in the intervention had a GP follow-up PHQ-9 recorded. There was no significant difference in BDI-II score at 12 weeks (mean difference -0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.16 to 1.26; adjusted for baseline depression, baseline anxiety, sociodemographic factors, and clustering by practice). EQ-5D-5L quality-of-life scores were higher in the intervention arm at 26 weeks (adjusted mean difference 0.053; 95% CI = 0.013 to 0.093. A clinically significant difference in depression at 26 weeks could not be ruled out. No significant differences were found in social functioning, adverse events, or satisfaction. In a per-protocol analysis, antidepressant use and mental health contacts were significantly greater in patients in the intervention arm with a recorded follow-up PHQ-9 (P = 0.025 and P = 0.010, respectively). No evidence was found of improved depression outcome at 12 weeks from monitoring. The findings of possible benefits over 26 weeks warrant replication, investigating possible mechanisms, preferably with automated delivery of monitoring and more instructive feedback.

Satisfaction with social connectedness is associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in neurodiverse first-semester college students.

How satisfied people feel with their social connections and support is related to mental health outcomes for many different types of people. People may feel less socially connected at some times in their life-like when they start college. Feeling disconnected from others could lead to depression or anxiety. The transition to college may be especially difficult for autistic students as they are more likely to have difficulties adjusting socially. In our study, we asked 263 college students to answer questions about their emotions and social satisfaction twice per week during their first semester of college. We found that students who reported being less satisfied with their social connectedness (either at the beginning or throughout the semester) tended to express more symptoms of depression and anxiety. This relationship between social satisfaction and anxiety was even stronger for people who had a strong desire for social interaction (i.e. were more socially motivated). Students with more autistic traits tended to report more mood concerns, and they also reported being less satisfied with friendships at the beginning of the semester. This information may help to support ongoing efforts to better address mental health in autistic college students by encouraging efforts to improve social satisfaction.

Ray resection in pediatric population after trauma injuries.

The aim of this study is to assess the functional, emotional, and social adaptation of pediatric patients submitted to a hand ray resection to treat a traumatic hand injury. Retrospective study of pediatric patients undergoing hand ray resection, in the period 2013-2022, performed in two hospital institutions. Inclusion criteria: age less than 18 years, primary/secondary resection due to traumatic etiology and follow-up time of more than 1 year. Data concerning demographic information, lesion location, traumatic mechanism and surgical description were collected. Functional outcomes (QuickDASH Score), social and emotional integration (PEDSQL) and satisfaction were evaluated. Seven patients were included, with male predominance (n = 4) and the right side was the most affected (n = 5). Median age at the time of surgery was 10 years (2-15). Primary ray resection, without previous revascularization, was performed in three patients. Secondary ray resection was performed in four patients. Three patients with an unsuccessful revascularization procedure attempt another patient with a sequela with severe deformity. All patients presented a good adaptation to daily living activities, with good pinch and grip function. The median follow-up was 4 years (min:1; max:9). The scores were collected on six out of seven patients. Median QuickDASH score of 14 (min:11; max:22), and PEDSQL[physical] of 95.31 (min:78.13; max:100) and PEDSQL[social] of 93.47 (min:66.3; max:100). Hand ray resection is a rare procedure in pediatric age and usually difficult for patients and parents to accept. However, it is a useful and safe technique that allows for an improvement in overall hand function and psychosocial readaptation in specific and selected cases. Level of evidence: Level of evidence IV - case series.

Corporate social responsibility, customer satisfaction, and trust in the restaurant industry

ABSTRACT As well as contributing to society, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have frequently been utilized by businesses to gain a competitive edge. Nevertheless, despite companies’ endeavors to leverage their CSR initiatives, limited stakeholder awareness of these efforts poses challenges to fully realize the strategic value of CSR. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to examine the distinct impact of various components of CSR on satisfaction, trust, and loyalty within the restaurant industry. Data were collected (n = 239) from restaurant customers in Tehran, and the results found no significant relationship between the economic dimension of CSR and customer satisfaction and customer trust, while there was a positive and significant relationship between the other aspects of CSR (e.g. legal, ethical, philanthropic and environmental) and customer trust and satisfaction. Finally, there was also a positive and strong relationship between customer trust and customer loyalty in the studied restaurants. This study offers an enhanced comprehension of CSR strategy in the restaurant sector, providing valuable insights by highlighting how specific CSR activities influence customer satisfaction and loyalty.

What matters most in determining European farmers’ participation in agri-environmental measures? A systematic review of the quantitative literature

Successful implementation of Europe’s agri-environmental policies faces various obstacles, several of which are closely linked to participation. Effectively increasing adoption of agri-environmental-climate measures (AECM) requires a deeper understanding of farmers’ motives. Various case-study research has targeted ex-post studies but offers context-specific recommendations. Earlier literature reviews provide certain insights, but have not yet clarified how the evidence on adoption can be optimally applied to AECM design. We explore farmer decision-making by synthetizing results from three decades of ex-post empirical studies on AECM adoption in Europe. Our approach applies a theoretically informed participation framework that offers practical insights for AECM design. We systematically scrutinize how different stage-specific constructs, grouped into ‘alignment’, ‘opportunity’, ‘engagement’, and ‘contracting’, influence farmer decisions. We identify eight determinants of participation and 38 variables capturing their contribution to decision-making. Variables explaining the role of social contexts and satisfaction with contract design are seldom observed but prove significant in around 60 percent of cases. Conversely, variables capturing the relevance of AECM to farmers and the opportunity of participation are frequently included, but often ineffective in explaining uptake. Enhancing the alignment of the measures with farmers’ needs encourages adoption, but excessive alignment carries the risk of self-selection bias toward baseline-complying agents, which likely jeopardizes AECM additionality. Our findings highlight how crucial it is for adoption studies to properly account for farmers’ opportunity costs and self-selection bias. We draw policy-makers’ attention to the importance of carefully considering all four constructs during policy design.

Social Reintegration and Life Satisfaction among Uganda Migrant Worker Returnees from Middle East

Social Reintegration and Life Satisfaction among Uganda Migrant Worker Returnees from Middle East