Social Theory Research Articles

Behind the screen: Exploring perceptions, attitudes, and coping behaviors toward cyberbullying on Douyin among Chinese undergraduates

ABSTRACT Cyberbullying has emerged as a critical issue among young people, with platforms like Douyin enabling both positive social interactions and harmful online behaviors. This study explores Chinese undergraduate students’ perceptions, attitudes, and coping strategies regarding cyberbullying on Douyin, drawing on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Spiral of Silence Theory as theoretical frameworks. A mixed-methods approach was employed: a structured questionnaire was administered to 760 students from two universities using stratified random sampling, followed by in-depth interviews with selected participants. Findings reveal notable differences in the perceived severity of cyberbullying. Students from public universities demonstrated heightened sensitivity to appearance-based shaming, identity fraud, and physical threats, whereas their counterparts from private universities exhibited more varied and less consistent perceptions. Influencing factors included peer-group dynamics, social pressure, and media influence. Public university students showed more uniform attitudes, while private university students displayed greater diversity in views. In terms of coping strategies, public university students tended to adopt more proactive and structured approaches, while those from private universities employed fragmented and less cohesive responses. Notably, professional psychological support was underutilized in both groups. These results underscore the influence of educational background and social context in shaping students’ experiences and responses to cyberbullying. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, including strengthened campus mental health services, enhanced content regulation on platforms like Douyin, and comprehensive digital literacy education. This research offers empirical evidence and theoretical insights to inform support mechanisms for victims and guide the development of effective prevention strategies within higher education settings.

The Impact of Work Motivation, Organizational Commitment, and Compensation on OCB: A Study in Public Relations and Protocols of BNN Indonesia

Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) is closely related to organizational performance and encompasses employee behaviors that support organizational effectiveness. These include social competence to maintain team cohesion, willingness to participate in collaborative efforts to achieve collective goals, and the ability to maintain moral and psychological balance in achieving personal and organizational objectives without harming others. OCB plays a crucial role in enhancing or diminishing organizational performance. The population in this study consisted of 56 employees from the Public Relations and Protocol at the BNN Indonesia. The sampling technique used was a saturated sampling method, in which the entire population was included as the sample. This study applied a quantitative research approach, with data collected through questionnaires. The data were then analyzed using multiple regression analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics version 29. The findings revealed that work motivation, organizational commitment, and compensation simultaneously have a positive and significant influence on Organizational Citizenship Behavior. Furthermore, the partial analysis indicated that each independent variable—work motivation, organizational commitment, and compensation—individually exerts a positive and significant effect on OCB. These findings align with the principles of Social Exchange Theory, which posit that reciprocal relationships between individuals and their institutions encourage voluntary contributions beyond formal job responsibilities.

Exploring the Influencing Factors of Learning Burnout: A Network Comparison in Online and Offline Environments

This study aims to explore the interrelationships among key factors influencing learning burnout, such as motivation and negative emotions (depression, anxiety, and stress) along with other factors influencing including problematic mobile phone use, nomophobia, and interactive learning, as well as whether their pathways of influence on learning burnout differ between online and offline learning contexts. Using the convenience sampling method, data from 293 college students were collected. Measurements were carried out using the Nomophobia Scale, the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), the Interactive Learning Scale, the Learning Burnout Scale, and the Scale of Motivation for Activity Participation. By applying network analysis and network comparison methods, and based on the Social Comparison Theory and the Affective Socialization Heuristics Model, it was found that under the online learning condition the motivation to pursue value directly affects learning burnout. In contrast, under the offline learning condition learning motivation indirectly affects learning burnout through negative emotions. This study posits that this difference is caused by peer comparison. In a collective learning atmosphere, students’ comparison with their peers triggers negative emotions such as anxiety and stress. These negative emotions weaken the learning motivation to pursue value, ultimately resulting in an elevated level of learning burnout.

“Making the Environment Like A Cool Thing:” Exploring generation Z and Millennials’ reception of climate change videos on YouTube

ABSTRACT Generation Z and Millennials engage more in pro-environmental behaviors than previous generations, but their behaviors are still limited. Guided by literature on entertainment education, Social Cognitive Theory, and environmental self-efficacy, this study examines the reception of short videos on climate change on YouTube among Generation Z and Millennials. Using a mixed-method approach, we evaluate the effectiveness of these videos in enhancing climate knowledge and promoting environmentally friendly behaviors. Results show that environmental messages with an entertaining narrative arouse less resistance to change and improve individuals’ perceptions of and intention to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors. Participants are confident in their self-efficacy to engage in specific environmental behaviors. However, both generations hold a pessimistic outlook regarding the responses of corporations, governments, and other entities to public demands for action (external efficacy) and the effectiveness of these responses in effectively mitigating climate change impacts (response efficacy). The inaction of governments at all levels and other power structures discourages individuals from changing their behaviors. Many participants expressed their frustration and a sense of hypocrisy, particularly because the emphasis is on individuals needing to change, while corporations and governments have not adequately addressed the threats posed by climate change. This finding aligns with broader research indicating that individual actions alone are insufficient to tackle the scale of the climate challenges we face, even if most people could be persuaded to make changes.

Beyond the screen: identity-driven exclusion in gaming communities of minority groups in France

ABSTRACT Video games have become a global cultural leisure, diversifying in form, use and audience. However, not all audiences have equal access to these games. Indeed, women and people with disabilities face barriers and feel excluded from this activity. The aim of our research is to identify the antecedents of the exclusion of women and people with disabilities and their relationship with social identity theory and self-categorisation theory, which evolve depending on the context. To achieve this, we employed a comparative thematic analysis, conducting 31 semi-structured interviews to compare men and women, both with and without disabilities. The main findings reveal that the identity of female players transitions from being a player to being a woman due to external factors, leading to exclusion. For people with disabilities, their identity as a player shifts to being identified as a person with a disability when faced with equipment that is not adapted to their condition. Video game developers and designers are advised to consider the impact of social identity on the feeling of exclusion.

Social justice school leadership through the century (1904–2020): from foundations to anomalies

PurposeThis study examines social justice school leadership (SJSL) historical progression across 120 years (1900–2020s) using Kuhn’s structure of scientific revolutions framework.Design/methodology/approachWe analyzed citation network and co-citation network from 177 peer-reviewed SJSL articles. Main path analysis was conducted to identify growth trajectories in the citation network. Co-citation network analysis was conducted to examine the intellectual landscape and evolution of influential works.FindingsMain path analysis illuminates multiple growth trajectories that have progressed from transformative frameworks in leadership preparation to broader applications in diverse educational settings. The results of co-citation network analysis suggest four interconnected sub-areas: (1) educational leadership preparation through transformative frameworks and andragogy, (2) social justice leadership theory and practices, (3) qualitative methods, and (4) critical race theory. Moreover, influential works evolved from moral principles in the 1900s to critical pedagogy focused on social justice and equity in the 2010s.Research limitations/implicationsFuture inquiry is recommended to explore anomalies that the current paradigm fails to adequately explain, challenge fundamental assumptions, diversify methodological approaches beyond qualitative methods, and expand beyond Western contexts.Originality/valueThis study provides the first analysis of SJSL research spanning 120 years and uncovers its evolution from a pre-paradigmatic phase to its current established paradigm.

Individualist and Collectivist Cultures, and the Welfare State: A Global Cross-national Analysis of Over 120 Societies

Cultural differences between societies have turned out to be crucial determinants of various salient political-economic processes, including economic development and governance. The persistent, deeply historically rooted individualism-collectivism divide is especially important in this respect. But does this cultural cleavage also matter for the size of the modern welfare state? Theoretically, the issue seems undetermined. On one side, critical scholars have been warning that individualism erodes social solidarity and cohesion, bolstering self-centered and self-seeking behavior, and thus undermining the prospects of a robust social safety net. On the other side, a wealth of empirical evidence shows individualism is associated with higher trust, more cooperation, and increased prosociality, suggesting it might act as a key structural foundation of the welfare state. Empirically, macro-level studies on the topic performed with large, globally representative sources are sparse to nonexistent. The present study seeks to address this gap in the literature by constructing a panel dataset of 120–140 countries and using the latest comprehensive, non-WEIRD-biased measure of collectivism. A variety of different statistical estimations, including causal instrumental-variable analyses based on the Parasite-Stress Theory of Values and Sociality, uncover no evidence to support the claim that individualism corrodes the welfare state. Instead, correlational random-effects regressions clearly suggest the opposite, with collectivism consistently and significantly negatively predicting the welfare state. Causal instrumental-variable analyses reveal a more mixed result, with many estimates turning out to be non-significant in at least some of the specifications.

Social Media in Political Mobilization and Civic Engagement in Nigeria: A Conceptual Approach

In Nigeria, social media has transformed the political landscape, by playing a critical role in political mobilization and civic engagement. This conceptual paper explored the intersection of social media and political activism in Nigeria, focusing on how platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram etc, have enabled citizens to organize, mobilize, and influence political outcomes. Drawing on the Social Movement Theory (SMT), this paper analyzed the dynamics of online activism, its impact on the political and media processes, and the broader implications for Nigerian democracy. This study also considered some challenges such as misinformation, digital divide, and the life-threatening government’s surveillance on the social media activists.

“I have never done that before, so I will probably succeed”: higher education students' self-efficacy after the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of traditional exams for Norwegian upper secondary schools, resulting in the “COVID-19 cohort” graduating with little or no exam experience. This study explores how this impacted their self-efficacy upon entering higher education. Guided by Bandura's social cognitive theory, it identifies mastery experiences, modeling behaviors, verbal persuasion, and physiological states as key predictors.MethodsTo explore this, we conducted a survey among first- to third-year students (n = 248) at a Norwegian university in autumn 2022.ResultsStudents emphasized "prior experiences" and "teacher feedback" as vital for self-efficacy, though many reported receiving limited feedback. Interestingly, despite lacking exam experience-a central predictor of self-efficacy-students largely felt unaffected by this.DiscussionThe pandemic's impact may not necessitate significant curriculum adjustments in higher education. However, some students believed easier coursework would enhance self-efficacy, a view inconsistent with self-efficacy theory, which underscores the value of challenging, resilience-building experiences.

The effects of physical exercise on the time management of college students: a chain mediation effect test

In an era of increasing academic pressures and digital distractions, time management has become an important competency for college students, with significant implications for their academic performance, psychological wellbeing, and lifelong success. Drawing on the frameworks of social cognitive theory and neurobehavioral science, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of physical activity on college students’ time management ability and its psychotransmission mechanisms, with a particular focus on the interlocking mediating roles of sensation-seeking and self-efficacy. A questionnaire was administered to 714 Chinese university students (mean age 20.3 ± 1.8 years), and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM, a statistical method for analyzing complex relationships among variables) and the Bootstrap method (a re-sampling technique for assessing statistical significance). The results indicated that (1) physical activity had a significant and strong positive predictive effect on college students’ time management ability (β = 0.416, p < 0.001); (2) sensation seeking (effect size = 0.067) and self-efficacy (effect size = 0.065) each played a moderately independent mediator role; and (3) the chained mediation paths formed by the two (effect size = 0. 017) further explained 3.31% of the variance, suggesting that physical activity indirectly optimized time management through the sequential path of “stimulus-driven behavioral choice → reinforcing efficacy beliefs → optimizing goal execution.” In addition, it was found that the degree of exercise structuring (e.g., a team training program) significantly enhanced the cascade effect (β = 0.15, p < 0.05), whereas high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may weaken the transfer efficiency due to short-term cognitive load. The findings contribute to the construction of an integrated “behavioral-psychological-behavioral” model that reveals the complex mechanisms by which physical activity affects time management, and practically suggests that colleges and universities should design a collaborative program of “structured physical education curriculum + cognitive training” to systematically improve students’ time management ability and academic efficacy.

Why do teachers with voice disorders keep teaching? Insights from applications of social capital motives

Introduction This study investigated why teachers with voice disorders continue teaching by surveying their motives described in social capital theory. Methods Teachers were asked to rate their motives for continued teaching even with voice disorders using online surveys. The five key motives (social capital framework) were: Motive #1 (selfishness), Motive #2 (internal validation), Motive #3 (external validation), Motive #4 (transcendence or altruism), and Motive #5 (belonging). Results As teachers’ income increased, so did the relative importance of the transcendence motive. Income maintenance (selfishness) accounted for 47% of the total motivation, with teachers with a master’s degree and higher incomes being less likely to prioritize this motive. Teachers reporting bad voice quality were more likely to prioritize income (selfishness) and less likely to be motivated by helping others (altruism) or feel connected to other people (belonging). Conclusion Voice problems can negatively impact a teacher’s sense of fulfilment and motivation beyond financial constraints. These findings highlight the need for implementing preventive measures for voice disorders in schools that can address voice problems before they significantly affect teachers’ performance and students’ learning. Moreover, competitive teacher salaries and benefits may create a supportive environment where educators feel empowered to focus on their students’ needs.

Ethical Issues in Online News Reporting in Nigeria

The central narrative guiding ethical concerns in Nigeria's media landscape is the alarming rise of fake news, hate speech, questionable source credibility, quackery, and weak internal censorship—practices that contribute significantly to ethical lapses across online journalism platforms. In an era increasingly dominated by sensationalism and disinformation, there is diminishing emphasis on ethically sound and balanced reporting, which traditionally underpins objective journalism. This study investigates the ethical challenges associated with online reporting practices in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the proliferation of fake news across digital media platforms. Anchored in the Social Responsibility Theory, the research employs focus group discussions and key informant interviews for data collection. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 5,944 registered journalists, media scholars, and members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ ethics committee from all six geo-political zones. Data were analyzed through detailed thematic probes and discussions. Key findings reveal a significant lack of comprehensive understanding of media laws among practitioners, many of whom are unaware of the legal implications tied to their professional responsibilities. The study highlights the critical need for clearly defined editorial policies to enhance source credibility and mitigate the spread of fake news and hate speech. Furthermore, ethical non-compliance is largely driven by the presence of untrained individuals posing as media influencers across various internet-based platforms. The study recommends deliberate efforts to improve awareness and enforcement of media laws, the establishment of a strong regulatory framework by both government and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and ongoing training and retraining programs for digital media practitioners to uphold ethical journalism standards.

See something, say something: A meta‐analytic review of safety voice

Abstract Safety voice – the cornerstone of safe workplaces – is a form of safety communication in which an employee speaks up about workplace safety‐related issues with constructive intentions to help prevent incidents, reduce hazards and improve overall safety of the work environment. When workers feel comfortable speaking up about safety concerns, organizations are gifted with opportunities to take proactive measures to protect their workforce. Through the lens of social exchange theory, this review presents the results of a meta‐analytic compilation of 49 independent studies with a total of 50856 participants. Utilizing meta‐analyses, meta‐regressions and meta‐analytic path analyses, we explore a series of research questions investigating safety‐related and general work‐related factors associated with safety voice, and examine how safety voice relates to workplace safety behaviours and outcomes. Findings suggest that safety voice (1) is significantly more prevalent when work environments, organizational leaders and workers at all levels are safety‐supportive, (2) is positively associated with safety compliance behaviour and (3) can help to explain employees’ safety compliance behaviour, beyond safety knowledge and safety motivation alone. We discuss the implications of these findings for research and practice.

Beyond Behavior: Understanding ADHD Burnout and the Need for Belonging in UAE Schools

ABSTRACTAttention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the UAE and poses specific difficulties in school settings. There is a wide gap in researching internationally, and within the UAE specifically, ADHD burnout, defined as emotional fatigue and mental overwhelm, is an emerging concept. Despite growing awareness, ADHD burnout is under‐researched and poorly addressed in education systems. This qualitative study explores parents' views on ADHD burnout and its connection to the children's sense of belonging in schools in the UAE. Informed by Social Identity Theory and Cognitive Load Theory, the study aims to understand how these theories, when combined, impact the students' experiences. Eight parents took part in four online focus groups, and discussions were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Four key themes were identified: (1) Assailable humans—feelings of overwhelm and the struggle to fit in; (2) Behavior as communication—manifestations of social isolation; (3) The surrounding ecology—supportive relationships versus lack of understanding; and (4) Collective assistance—challenges in maintaining pace with peers. The findings emphasize the need to address ADHD burnout and school belonging, highlighting the need of met staff training and policy initiatives aimed at fostering neuro‐affirming practices in inclusive schools.

In jest we trust: unravelling the connection between humour and well-being among Indian college students

This qualitative study examines the complex relationship between humour and well-being among Indian college students. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of college students (N=12) from an elite Indian institute. The analysis was done using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis method revealing five key themes: humour conceptualization, well-being of self and others, source of coping, belongingness, and supporting communications. Our findings present humour's multifaceted role in the residential college students community as a psychological resource for managing stress, building social connections, and maintaining emotional equilibrium. The study also highlights potential negative impacts of certain forms of humour, particularly dark or offensive content, on individual well-being and social cohesion. Drawing on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and Social Identity Theory, our research contributes towards strengthening the understanding of humour as a dynamic psychological mechanism in maintaining the emotional climate of higher education institutions. These insights can inform the design of student support programs, enhancing interpersonal communication, and stress management workshops, ultimately promoting a more balanced and psychologically healthy academic environment.

The role of artificial intelligence and bureaucracy in frugal innovation for social and environmental performance: A structuration theory approach.

The role of artificial intelligence and bureaucracy in frugal innovation for social and environmental performance: A structuration theory approach.

Private Vehicle Dependency In Pontianak City Through The Social Action Perspective

In Pontianak City, the increasing reliance on private vehicles has significantly contributed to traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and challenges in urban mobility, raising critical concerns about the declining use of public transportation options such as the oplets. This study investigates the underlying reasons for the preference for private vehicles among the residents of Pontianak and examines the resulting impacts of the shift from public to private transportation. Grounded in Max Weber's Social Action Theory, the research employs a qualitative method involving 14 purposively selected informants, with data analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s Interactive Model. The findings reveal that residents favor private vehicles due to a combination of internal factors—such as flexibility, comfort, time efficiency, convenience, economic considerations, safety, and travel purposes—and external factors, including inadequate public transportation infrastructure and weather conditions. These factors reflect how individual motives, rational choices, and situational influences shape transportation behavior. The shift has led to various impacts, including traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, higher accident risks, reduced social interaction, social stratification, and increasing individualism. The study concludes that enhancing the quality, accessibility, and attractiveness of public transportation is essential to reduce overdependence on private vehicles and promote more sustainable urban mobility in Pontianak.

Reviving political economy in pursuit of human emancipation: the case of Amartya Sen and Cambridge Social Ontology

ABSTRACT This paper compares the approaches of Amartya Sen and Cambridge Social Ontology (CSO) as two perspectives that, while following different trajectories, seek to revive political economy in pursuit of human emancipation within a broader Cambridge tradition. It examines the consequences of their divergent ontological orientations for their understanding of human flourishing and the strategies to achieve it. Sen, noted for his contributions to Social Choice Theory and the Capability Approach, integrates ethical insights into economic theory but remains reluctant to engage explicitly with ontology. In contrast, CSO, led by Tony Lawson, seeks to revive political economy as a comprehensive social science by advocating an ontological turn in economics. CSO rejects the indiscriminate reliance on mathematical-deductivist methods and advances theories such as Social Positioning Theory and Critical Ethical Naturalism, which conceptualise the social realm as an open normative order. Sen’s work is shown to be shaped by analytical inconsistencies and embedded liberalism, which constrain its ability to address structural issues and drive transformative change. Meanwhile, CSO’s concepts—such as eudaimonic bubbles and communities of care—are explored as a potential alternative framework for analysing flourishing communities and enquiring into emancipatory strategies.

Quantifying the influence of sociocognitive factors on land use changes in agricultural regions: Application of the social cognitive theory

Quantifying the influence of sociocognitive factors on land use changes in agricultural regions: Application of the social cognitive theory

Can They Keep You Hooked? Impact of Streamers’ Social Capital on User Stickiness in E-Commerce Live Streaming

Amid the rapid growth of social media and live streaming platforms, streamers, who serve as a crucial link between products and users, have garnered significant attention from both academia and industry. This study explores the impact of the streamer’s social capital (S) on user stickiness (R), as well as the mediating roles of perceived value and flow experience (O) in light of the Stimuli-Organism-Response (SOR) framework and social capital theory. A total of 322 valid samples were analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The results from the SEM indicate that the structural capital, cognitive capital, and relational capital of streamers in e-commerce live streaming significantly influence users’ perceived value, while structural capital and relational capital substantially impact users’ flow experience. Furthermore, both perceived value and flow experience are found to have a significant effect on user stickiness, with chained mediating effects observed between perceived value and flow experience. The fsQCA results further identify three configurational paths influencing user stickiness: the perceived value-oriented path, the flow experience-oriented path, and a hybrid path. This study offers valuable insights and practical implications for e-commerce merchants and companies involved in live streaming activities.