Structuring Research Articles

The effect of a collective competence intervention on collective efficacy, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing: a quasi-experimental study of a sample of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

The health crisis associated with COVID-19 led to a period of increased demand on the operational and social organization of healthcare centers, which often had a negative impact on the psychological and social wellbeing of healthcare workers. In order to tackle this issue, an intervention plan was designed to develop collective competences through various participatory strategies. This study sought to determine the effect of this intervention on the variables collective efficacy, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing in healthcare workers by performing a pretest and posttest comparison with a control group. The variables were evaluated using a non-probability, purposive sample of 80 healthcare workers from three Family Healthcare Centers (CESFAM) located in the Coquimbo Region, Chile, within health crisis context. The intervention group was composed of voluntary participants, while the control group only completed the evaluations. The intervention consisted in 6 training workshops focused on improving collective management, group synergy, collaborative problem-solving, communicative strategies, and overall team care. The analysis shows that the collective competence intervention had a positive effect on the collective efficacy, psychological wellbeing, and social wellbeing of the participating healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Only specific factors of these variables did not undergo a significant impact. The results of this study suggest that interventions aimed at improving collective organizational competences, apart from increasing collective efficacy, can have a positive impact on healthcare workers' psychological and social wellbeing in a context of occupational adversity.

Commentary on: Military Institutions and Citizenship in Western Societies

This is a commentary on Morris Janowitz’s article, “Military Institutions and Citizenship in Western Societies,” published in February 1976, in Armed Forces & Society, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 185–204. In the article, Janowitz links sociopolitical changes to the rise and subsequent fall of mass popular Armies. Military service during the 19th century was an integral part of citizenship. However, in the 1960s, mass militaries based on compulsory service began to transform into smaller volunteer forces “with profound implications for social structure, political power, and nationalism.” In this article, I highlight Janowitz’s analysis of the rise and fall of the mass armed forces. I also discuss the three sets of factors Janowitz used in his analysis: (a) technological and organizational change, (b) a rise in small professional militaries that are unrepresentative of the larger society, and (c) ideological and normative change. I end with a brief discussion on how Morris Janowitz’s legacy helps to shape our understanding of civil–military events that have taken place over the last 50 years.

An unsupervised machine learning approach to the spatial analysis of urban systems through neighbourhoods’ dynamics

Urban systems’ dynamics are the result of two intertwined processes that operate at different rhythms: their physical structure and underlying social processes. This paper suggests a novel approach to the spatial analysis of urban systems, using neighborhoods as a basic building block. Neighborhoods are usually the minimal homogeneous geographical unit in urban areas, both regarding their physical, and social characteristics, and the availability of governmental data. Using unsupervised machine learning algorithm, an extensive real-estate transaction dataset, and census data, a multi-scale analysis of neighborhoods’ dynamics in England and Wales is performed. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the resulting clusters of neighborhoods highlights the urban challenges faced by entire urban systems. The results suggest that processes triggered by urban inequalities may affect not only the social structure of cities (for example, through gentrification and displacement), but also the environmental sustainability of the whole urban system at a much larger scale: Suburbanization pressures seem to threaten rural areas at an unprecedented magnitude. The identification of the areas where this pressure is acute allows for the design of appropriate urban policy responses. The main message for the analysis of urban dynamics is that physical transformations and socio-political rearrangements that are intrinsically intertwined: Therefore, the joint management of the both aspects is the key to a sustainable future. The analysis also highlights the potential of machine learning algorithms for the benefit of urban science in general, and the study of urban dynamics in particular.

Protective factors for the risk of suffering intimate partner violence in help-seeking women survivors from a social organization in Chile.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem in Latin America. The present study investigates the protective factors that contribute to minimizing the risk of exposure to IPV analyzing different variables in a sample of Chilean women victims of IPV. We used data from the Cicatrices Foundation, a nonprofit Chilean organization providing psychological support to IPV victims. Relevant variables for IPV prevention were identified analyzing a database containing all the information reported by victims during a structured interview. A final sample of 444 women suffering IPV was used in the present study. Logistic regression analysis was calculated in order to make predictions related to IPV protective factors, showing that having a support network (OR = 2.85), treatment compliance (OR = 2.05) and being younger (OR = 0.95) increased the probability of not living with the aggressor. Another logistic regression analysis was calculated in order to predict IPV victims´ health taking medication intake as an indicator. A significant association was observed between this variable and working outside (p = 0.002) and between mediation intake and age (p < 0.001), with an OR of 1.987 and 0.93, respectively. Working outside and being younger were identified as protective factors against consuming medication. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies conducted in Chile on the prevention of IPV in a sample of victims seeking for help. Our results will contribute to guide policy makers, researchers and other women in the prevention of potential risks for IPV.

The Spatiality of Buddhism in Shenzhen: Exploration Through Guattari’s Three Ecologies

This article explores the spatiality of Buddhism in the metropolis Shenzhen through its revitalization process in the past decades alongside the rapid expansion of the city. The author explores Buddhist practice communities within an urban village (chengzhongcun 城中村) and the central Buddhist temple build in the same neighbourhood. The article aims to illuminate some of the particularities and tensions of urbanization, environment, and the revival of Buddhism in the PRC. Building on Felix Guatarri's thesis of the three ecologies, the author presents a descriptive account of the main active communities in the examined neighbourhood. Furthermore, the article argues that, in order to understand the workings of Buddhist configurations in contemporary urban China, we must look at the registers of the environment, social structure, and human subjectivity. The article suggests that these three ecologies are interconnected and make up the ecology of Shenzhen Buddhism.

How to manage being bullied as a nurse leader.

Bullying has existed in health and social care organisations for many years. Although researchers have examined the effects of bullying on nurses and nursing students, there has been too little focus on bullying behaviours inflicted directly or indirectly on nurse leaders and managers. This article provides concise and practical guidance for nurses in leadership or management roles on how to identify and manage bullying behaviours directed at themselves. •Overt or covert bullying in nursing can happen at every level of the organisation. •Bullying negatively affects practice, teamwork, staff morale and patient care. •Identifying bullying is the first step in addressing unacceptable behaviours. •Admitting that you may be being bullied and seeking support to manage bullying is a hallmark of an effective nurse leader. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: •How this article might improve your practice when managing being bullied as a nurse leader. •How you could use this information to educate your peers about managing being bullied as a nurse leader.

Strategi Nafkah (Livelihood Strategies) Petani Sawah Tadah Hujan pada Era Pandemi Covid-19 di Desa Kalampadu Kabupaten Ogan Ilir

Each household has a livelihood strategy. The livelihood strategy model carried out is related to the livelihood assets they have, but not all assets can be maximized well in farming household livelihood engineering. Livelihood assets are natural capital, physical capital, financial capital, human capital, and social capital. This study analyses livelihood strategies in the COVID-19 pandemic for rainfed rice farmers in Kalampadu Village, Muara Kuang District, Ogan Ilir Regency. This study will discuss research issues through the theory of livelihood strategies from Herbon and Manig through engineering farmers' livelihood assets. Researchers used descriptive research with a qualitative approach because the issue of rural livelihoods requires farmer subjectivity and in-depth data analysis. Data collection techniques used were participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and literature studies. Researchers use phenomenological research strategies to explore the true meaning of livelihood strategies in identifying social, cultural, economic, and ecological farmers. The results showed that there were seven livelihood strategies for farmer households, namely 1) acquisition strategies, 2) allocation strategies, 3) production strategies, 4) social relation structure, 5) transformation strategies, 6) consumption strategies, and 7) reproduction strategies. The livelihood model of the farmer's household depends on the farmer's livelihood assets that are adaptive to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social Experiences, Social Support and Residence as Determinants of Sedentary Behaviour Among Indigenous Adults in Saskatchewan

Centuries of ongoing colonization, assimilation and historic trauma have changed social structures, roles and responsibilities among Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Social factors and experiences can influence sedentary behaviour; however, relationships between social determinants and sedentary behaviour among Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan are unclear. Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine historic trauma, social support and residence as determinants of sedentary behaviour for Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan. Design: Historic trauma, social support, discriminatory experiences, residence type and sedentary behaviour were evaluated through questionnaires by 111 Indigenous adults from the University of Saskatchewan in 2018-2019. Results: Regression associated community, family and positive perceptions of social support, as well as rural/urban home communities, northern/southern home communities and age with continuous sitting among Métis (N=38, R=0.88, p&lt;0.001). Among First Nations (N=69), regression associated age and friend support (R=0.40, p=0.01) with screen time, and community support (R=0.27, p=0.04) with continuous sitting. Regression among Indigenous participants (N=111) associated discrimination, on- and off-reserve home communities, and age (R=0.40, p=0.001) with sedentary behaviour, and discrimination and positive perceptions of support (R=0.33, p=0.01) with continuous sitting. Conclusion: Social supports, home communities and discrimination experiences are important determinants of sedentary behaviour, screen time and continuous sitting for First Nations and Métis, with experiences specific to each identity.

To confront or not to confront? Seeing minorities’ responses to ethnoracial stigmatisation through Goffman’s ritual interaction order

The last decade has seen a proliferation of sociological research on minorities’ responses to ethnoracial stigmatisation. Compared to social and cultural structures, face-to-face interaction has thus far received insufficient theoretical attention, even though social situations are a prime site for stigmatisation. This has resulted in three shortcomings in the research: (1) a tacit individual–structure dualism; (2) neglect of situational variation; and (3) neglect of dialogical concerns behind people’s responses. Building on 20 in-depth qualitative interviews with Norwegians of ethnic and/or racial minority backgrounds, and homing in on non-confrontations to ambiguous stigmatisation, we investigate the role of face-to-face interaction as such. We rely on Erving Goffman’s theories of interaction order and interaction ritual. The interaction order highlights social interaction’s semi-autonomous existence vis-a-vis both human personalities and social structures, and is sustained by interaction ritual, that is, the mutual protection of selves in interaction. Among our key findings is that non-confrontations are concurrently self- and other-oriented, mirroring Goffman’s concept of facework. Regarding situational variation, we distinguish, for instance, situations of hierarchy from those of assumed equality; interactions with strangers from established relations; situations framed by professional ethics from those not; work from private settings and public spaces.

Communication in organizations: An overview and provocations

AbstractThe role that communication plays in social organization and processes of organizing has received considerable scholarly attention from multiple disciplines over several decades. This paper provides a review of the diverse literature that has sought to contribute to the understanding of communication and its implication for management and organization studies. An analysis of the SCOPUS database for the period 1980–2022 enabled us to cluster reference material and identify five perspectives which emerge from a review of the literature: communication as transfer, discourse, conversation (analysis), narrative, and Communicative Constitution of Organizations. These categories are not intended to be exhaustive, but they do provide a useful critical heuristic for navigating a field of study that might otherwise appear overwhelming. To map the terrain's theoretical underpinnings, our study also adopted a problematizing approach to the review which revealed various conspicuous conceptual and empirical absences at a ‘field level’ which merit further attention. The paper offers provocations and suggestions that we expect will inform future studies of organizational communication. Possibilities for developing the field include paying attention to: (a) paralinguistic dimensions of communication; (b) communication in relation to actual work practices; (c) monologic communication and (d) organizational communication in non‐Western contexts.

Modalities of dismissal in Serbia

The development of any legal institute, as well as the valid form of such an institute, largely depends on the state itself, that is, on its state and social organization, culture, tradition and history. Same can be said about dismissal. In this paper, therefore, various modalities of dismissal in Serbia will be presenteed, both through the eyes of the Labour law, as the main law in the field of labour relations, but also through the practice of Serbian courts. However, the paper will be limited to the issue of dismissal within the sphere of general employment regime, thus leaving out the specifities of special regimes.

Nationalism as collective narcissism: the pathology of an everyday practice

The article brings together the social psychoanalytic approach by Erich Fromm with current research on nationalism in Western democratic societies. While current research often focuses on the extreme forms of nationalism, the work of Erich Fromm contributes to an understanding of nationalism that encompasses the whole society in a world structured by nation states. The notion of a social unconscious helps to reflect upon both visible and often unnoticed forms of nationalism and links it to an interconnected understanding of psychic and social structure. With Fromm we can understand nationalism as collective narcissism which has been preceded by a loss of self-esteem. Relevant threats to self-esteem in Western democratic societies shaped by a neoliberal ideology, like individualisation and singularisation, will be outlined in the article.

Changing the Frame: New Epistemic Frameworks and Social Transformation in African Feminist Theory

Abstract This article discusses African feminist approaches to decolonization and social transformation. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in African feminist scholarship towards African concerns and Africa-centered solutions. Today’s turn to Indigenous knowledge, social structures, and gender relations is no longer just about shedding light on the precolonial past, but about fundamentally changing the epistemic framework in the sense of developing alternative epistemologies beyond the dominant ‘Western’ framework. But what is meant by ‘alternative epistemologies’? How do African feminist thinkers conceptualize social change today? And how do they relate epistemic and social change in their thinking? These questions are explored in this article, focusing on work by Sylvia Tamale (Uganda), Wangari Maathai (Kenya), and Anthonia Kalu (Nigeria) and drawing on the discourse of ecofeminism and Ubuntu as two models of alternative epistemologies.

Speaking Against Silence: Examining Social Work’s Response to Genocide

Since October 7, 2023, the world has witnessed Israel’s unrelenting mass assault against the people of Gaza, killing more than 37,000 Palestinians. The response to this genocide in most sectors of professional society has largely been one of denial and suppression of solidarity with Palestine, unveiling extremes of the longstanding Palestine exception in progressive politics. This article contextualizes the social work profession’s response to Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinian people after October 7, 2023, including responses from schools of social work, social work agencies and organizations, and academic journals. This examination finds that social work institutions continue to engage in three primary silencing tactics: passive silence, active repression, and the drawing of false equivalences. Despite the profession’s pervasive silencing, many of us in social work continue to engage in efforts toward a free Palestine, aligned with the profession’s stated values. This article highlights and juxtaposes the grassroots efforts of social workers and social work students for a free Palestine with the repression from our professional institutions. We demonstrate a range of existing and emerging possibilities for sustained solidarity among social workers seeking to end rather than manage state violence, with Palestine as no exception.

Fitness consequences of variation in social group size are not population‐specific but are associated with access to food in the communally breeding rodent, Octodon degus

AbstractStudies that concurrently investigate the functional benefits of group living in multiple populations of the same species are rare. Over a 3‐year period (2014–2016), we examined two ecologically contrasting populations to test multiple hypotheses for the adaptive significance of group living in the communally breeding rodent Octodon degus. We quantified the size of social units (number of adults, number of adult females), edible vegetation at burrow systems, and per capita offspring weaned (PCOW) in each population. Contrary to expectations, we did not observe population‐specific associations between group size and edible vegetation or PCOW nor universal benefits of group living. In one population, PCOW increased in mid‐sized groups with more edible vegetation. However, this trend was not consistent across years. Notably, we observed a complete reproductive failure in one population during the first year of study, one that was characterized by low rainfall and no detectable edible vegetation. This result is important because reproductive failure occurred regardless of group size, suggesting that communal living may not buffer degus against the harshest of environmental conditions. Examining how social organization shapes individual reproductive success under extreme variation in food availability is an important step towards understanding how populations will respond to a changing climate.

Several Thoughts on the Protection of the Legitimate Rights and Interests of College Teachers under the Appointment System

This paper focuses on the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of university teachers under the appointment system. By analyzing the existing issues in the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of university teachers under the appointment system, several considerations regarding the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of university teachers are proposed. Currently, there are problems such as insufficient attention to the protection of university teachers' rights in China, slow updates of laws, and insufficient coordination among relevant parties. There are shortcomings in the protection of university teachers' rights by universities, educational administrative authorities, social organizations, and judicial organs. Drawing lessons from advanced practices in other countries and regions, this article proposes several suggestions based on the current situation in China, focusing on the legal relationship between universities and teachers, legal status, position allocation, teacher initiative, and teacher appointment procedures. These suggestions aim to explore feasible solutions for improving the system of protecting the rights and interests of university teachers under the appointment system while maximizing the protection of teachers' rights.

Silent Rebellion: Dialectics of Individual and Collective

This review delves into the core social phenomenon reflected in "The Silent Majority"-the conflict between the individual and the collective. By analyzing relevant discussions and examples in Wang Xiaobo's works, it reveals the multiple facets of this conflict, including its manifestation in the specific socio-cultural context of China and its profound impact on individual identity, freedom, and social structure. The paper explores the roots of the individual-collective conflict from cultural, historical, and social structural perspectives and analyzes the manifestations and development trends of this conflict in the ever-changing modern society. It also discusses how to balance individual freedom and collective interests in the face of this conflict and the importance of this balance in promoting social harmony and individual development. Through a detailed analysis of "The Silent Majority" and its corresponding phenomena, this review aims to provide insights for understanding and addressing the complex relationship between individuals and the collective and to propose constructive thoughts and suggestions for contemporary society.

The research landscape of bipolar disorder in Germany: productive, but underfunded

BackgroundThe recurrent mental illness bipolar disorder is a major burden on the healthcare system, which underlines the importance of research into this disease. Germany is one of the most productive countries in this research activity. This bibliometric analysis aims to outline the social and conceptual structure of the German research landscape on bipolar disorder over the last decade. Furthermore, we provide a short overview over current public funding.ResultsConcerning the social structure, most of the German publications were collaboration projects, both with a national but also international orientation, in the latter case predominantly with countries of the global North. Analysis of the conceptual structure of German research activity identified psychiatric genetics, early recognition of bipolar disorder, neuroimaging, and pharmacological interventions as important topics within the field. In the context of a survey, only few publicly funded research projects were reported, many of which did not exclusively investigate bipolar disorder but followed a transdiagnostic approach.ConclusionsOur bibliometric analysis revealed internationally well-networked German research activities on bipolar disorder. In stark contrast to its high prevalence and correspondingly high financial burden to the healthcare system, current grant support for research on this illness is strikingly low, particularly concerning the development of novel treatments.

Exploring the Gendered Dynamics of Work and Family Life. A Secondary Descriptive Analysis in the Romanian Context

This paper focuses on work and family life in Romania, with particular emphasis on gender, seen as a social structure. The methodology employs the secondary descriptive analysis of data drawn from NIS, Eurostat, and the European Value Survey/World Value Survey datasets. The findings show a Romanian work landscape with slow progress in embracing work flexibility, with considerably lower percentages of remote work and part-time employment compared to EU averages. A notable gender disparity exists in the professional sector. Women exhibit a 18.8% lower participation in economic activities compared to men, a gap that increases with the number of children. Moreover, 36.5% of women, in contrast to 2.7% of men, are professionally inactive due to familial responsibilities. These results align with Nancy Fraser’s (2013) viewpoint on how the intersection between capitalism and patriarchy shapes women experiences. The lack of family-friendly work structures disproportionately impacts women, leaving them vulnerable professionally and financially. Family continues to be the most important institution for Romanians, with trends regarding age of marriage and child births mirroring previous years. While there's a gradual decrease in unpaid household and childcare activities, it is mostly due to technological progress (Popescu, 2009) while women still work “double shifts” (Hochschild, 2012). The paper’s findings highlight that cultural norms and societal pressure compels women to prioritize family responsibilities. Creating “brave new families” (Stacy, 1990) or fostering “confluent love” (Giddens, 1992) requires post-modern cooperation between partners, backed by multi-level actions (Walby, 1989) at individual, organizational and societal levels.

Design and Implementation of a Web-Based Self-Care Application for Patients with Kidney Stone Treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Background: The prevalence of kidney stones reduces the patients’ quality of life and imposes high costs on patients and health care system. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a safe procedure to treat urinary stones. Appropriate strategies such as self-care programs can effectively reduce the prevalence and recurrence of this disease, and increase quality of life, save costs, and prevent diseases by increasing patient participation. The aim of this study is to design and implement a web-based self-care application for patients with kidney stones undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Methods: This paper is an applied study and was performed in Sabalan Hospital in Ardabil affiliated to the Social Security Organization of Iran in three stages including needs assessment, design and evaluation. For needs assessment and application design, a questionnaire was designed by searching library resources. The questionnaire was completed by clinical specialists and specialists in health information management and information technology. Then, based on the approved information elements and capabilities, a web-based self-care application was designed. The usability of the designed program was evaluated with the participation of 20 users. Results: The results of the survey showed that the experts confirmed all the identified items and components, and considered them necessary. Users rated the usability of the self-care program at a good level with an average score of 7.9 out of 9. Conclusion: The usability of the self-care application was satisfactory to users in various areas of overall application performance, screen, terminology and information, learning and general impressions.