Social Acceptance Research Articles

A sense of belonging and cultism in public universities in Kenya: An analysis of Christian Union students’ perceptions

The purpose of the study was to determine Christian Union students’ perceptions of a sense of belonging as a factor influencing cultism in public universities in Kenya. Numerous research indicates that cultism is prevalent and increasing among university students, resulting in several social ills. The study employed a mixed-method research design and was guided by Bounded Choice Theory. The study was carried out in six public universities in Kenya. The total population for the study was 55,600 CU students, and the accessible population was 10,900, out of which a sample of 220 CU students was selected through simple random and stratified sampling methods. The study also included 60 small group Bible study leaders and 6 CU Patrons, one from each selected university through purposive sampling. The study established that a Sense of Belonging (β=0.222; p<0.05) significantly influences cultism. The study concludes that CU students perceived that students were recruited into cults due to the urge to fit into a social group with a promise of social identity and acceptance, especially for fragile learners who are emotionally vulnerable and likely to succumb to recruitment into cultism. The study recommends training of freshers during orientation on critical thinking and discernment to prevent cult recruitment. This study further recommends that universities and CU develop policy frameworks to mitigate cultism. The CU should create an inclusive socio-psychological environment and programs that attract and retain members by addressing members’ needs during vulnerable moments of loneliness, transition, grief, pain and loss.

The Relationship Between Social Acceptance, Tolerance and Xenophobia in the Tourism Industry

The Relationship Between Social Acceptance, Tolerance and Xenophobia in the Tourism Industry

Model of acceptance and use of social customer relationship management in micro and small enterprises

Objective of the study: The article aims to propose and test a Social Customer Relationship Management Acceptance and Usage Model that considers antecedent factors in micro and small enterprises. Methodology/approach: A survey analyzed through structural equation modeling was conducted with managers of micro and small Brazilian companies. Originality/Relevance: The use of social networks as a source of the process of monitoring, analysis and content generation for business strategy is recent and very relevant for the sustainability of micro and small businesses. Main results: Although some hypotheses were not validated, the study fills important gaps in empirical research on micro and small businesses. Replicating this study in different cultural contexts could offer further insights. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The positive results indicate that, despite some hypotheses being rejected, the study confirms the relevance of "Customer Information Processing Capacity" and its influence on the "Use of Social CRM," highlighting the importance of social interactions and engagement capacity for value co-creation in micro and small businesses. Socia /management contributions: Managers can leverage the relationship between the “Ability to Engage the Customer Via Social Media” and “Social Influence” to enhance their social media strategies and improve customer engagement.

The Role of European Equestrian Institutions in Training Professionals: Outcomes from a Workshop on Horse Welfare in Equestrian Education

This paper highlights and summarizes the experiences and perceptions of European equestrian educational experts from a workshop held at the French National Riding School in Saumur. The workshop, which brought together fifty leading experts, aimed to address challenges in equestrian education, identify common ground, and share best practices. Using ‘The World Café’ method, the participants were divided into groups to discuss four key topics: the relationship between horses and humans, diversity of perspectives versus common ground, training philosophy, and social acceptability. A follow-up online focus group was conducted six months later, and the discussions were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results revealed the need for a universal cultural shift towards an evidence-based approach to riding and training horses, with equine welfare at its core. Key challenges, such as anthropomorphism, varying standards across disciplines and countries, and the evolving horse–human relationship, pose risks to the social license to operate. The findings suggest that educational institutions, with their shared values, are well-positioned to lead this change, although further research is needed to address pedagogical challenges. The study also emphasizes the importance of communicating ’good news stories’ to promote evidence-based practices in training and competition.

The relationship between psychological resilience, perceived social support, acceptance of illness and mindfulness in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration

To investigates the current status of mindfulness in patients with Wilson’s disease (WD) and to explore the effects of psychological resilience, perceived social support, and acceptance of illness on their mindfulness. By using the convenient sampling method, 136 patients with WD were selected from May 2019 to January 2023 in 12 tertiary hospitals in Chengdu. General information questionnaire, five facet mindfulness scale, resilience scale, acceptance of illness and perceived social support scale were used to conduct the investigation. Structural equation model was used to analyze the data. The score of mindfulness of patients with WD was (128.63 ± 22.62), and there were statistically significant differences in different courses of disease, clinical classification, and hospitalization times (P < 0.05). Perceived social support (β = 0.18, P < 0.01) and psychological resilience (β = 0.36, P < 0.05) directly affected mindfulness, perceived social support (β = 0.21, P < 0.01), and acceptance of illness (β = 0.11, P < 0.05) indirectly affected mindfulness through psychological resilience. Patients with WD have moderate levels of mindfulness, psychological resilience, perceived social support and acceptance of illness directly or indirectly affect their mindfulness. Nursing staff can help patients improve their mental defense ability, actively seek more social support, dialectical view, and accept the disease to improve their level of mindfulness to promote physical and mental health.

Assessing the Public’s Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Management in Taiwan

Assessing the Public’s Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Management in Taiwan

Understanding the Causes of Social Acceptance and Rejection of a Uranium Mine Development Project in Northwestern Spain

Understanding the Causes of Social Acceptance and Rejection of a Uranium Mine Development Project in Northwestern Spain

Social Acceptability of Critical and Strategic Minerals (CSMs) Development: A Systematic Review with a Particular Focus on Quebec, Canada

The social acceptability (SA) of mining projects is a crucial issue for the sustainable development of territories and local communities. This article aims to identify the issues and examine the factors influencing the SA of exploration, exploitation and processing projects of critical and strategic minerals (CSMs) in Quebec. A systematic review guided by the PRISMA approach was conducted, selecting 57 relevant documents after excluding several others. The results reveal that between 2000 and 2024, the publication of studies on SA in the mining sector has increased significantly, particularly since 2013. Research is mainly concentrated in North America, with a predominance of case studies. Their critical analysis indicates that the SA of mining projects is based on various issues, including the need for greater consideration of the perspectives of local communities, as well as open and inclusive communication between all stakeholders. However, SA is affected by various factors, including demographic, economic, environmental and governance, which can have positive or negative effects depending on the context. Following this analysis, future research should explore the complex interactions between these factors, determining how some may act as mediators or moderators in various contexts through real case studies.

The incremental validity of level of personality functioning over borderline personality features in associations with early adolescent social reward processing.

More work is needed to establish the validity of the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Acceptance of the AMPD as the primary model of personality disorder requires identifying neurocognitive validators of AMPD-defined personality functioning and demonstrating superiority of the AMPD over the traditional categorical model of personality disorder. It is also important to establish the utility of the AMPD in a developmental context given evidence that personality disorder emerges in adolescence. We assessed the incremental validity of AMPD-defined level of personality functioning (LPF) versus borderline personality features (BPF) in explaining alterations in neural processing of social acceptance feedback in early adolescent girls. One hundred nine girls (Mage= 12.21, SD=1.21; N= 79 with a psychiatric history) completed a computerized peer interaction task to elicit neural response to social acceptance feedback via electroencephalogram (EEG). Subjects or caregivers reported adolescent psychopathology. In hierarchical regressions controlling for neural response to social rejection and internalizing and externalizing symptoms, LPF incremented BPF and all other covariates in predicting response to social acceptance, but BPF did not. Higher LPF impairment was associated with enhanced reactivity to social acceptance (St.b =0.274, p=0.018). LPF appears to provide additional information about neural response to social reward in early adolescence beyond that provided by borderline personality features. These findings add to an emerging literature demonstrating the validity and superiority of the AMPD and help build the rationale for moving toward the AMPD as the primary model of personality disorder classification.

Effect of telehealth yoga on loneliness and social isolation among rural older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives Loneliness and social isolation are associated with a range of deleterious health outcomes. Yoga is a mind-body physical activity that is used in health care settings and increasingly in a telehealth group format. This trial aimed to determine the effect of a brief course of telehealth yoga on loneliness among rural older adults. Method In this pragmatic trial among rural-residing Veterans Affairs patients over age 60 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05431166), participants were randomized to eight, 60-minute telehealth yoga classes delivered to their homes or waitlist control. The primary outcome was loneliness at 10 wk. Additional outcomes included measures of social isolation, fidelity, and acceptability, as well as interview findings. Results Of 70 participants, 52 completed follow-up (mean [SD] age 67.8 [5.9] years). Loneliness significantly decreased between baseline and follow-up in both groups, but there were no significant between-group differences in loneliness or social isolation. Ratings of fidelity and acceptability were high. Qualitative findings indicated benefits related to the telehealth format and aspects of social connection not captured in quantitative measures. Conclusion A brief course of weekly telehealth yoga was feasible and acceptable among older rural patients but not effective at reducing loneliness and social isolation.

Applying Roof Gardens in Existing Egyptian Administrative Buildings: Evaluating its Social Acceptance in Cairo, Egypt

Applying Roof Gardens in Existing Egyptian Administrative Buildings: Evaluating its Social Acceptance in Cairo, Egypt

Developing Capacity for Transdisciplinary Studies of Changing Ocean Systems

Addressing global challenges such as climate change requires large-scale collective actions, but such actions are hindered by the complexity and scale of the problem and the uncertainty in the long-term benefit of short-term actions (Jagers et al., 2019). In addition to climate change, socio-ecological systems face the cumulative pressures associated with resource needs, technology development, industrial expansion, and area conflicts. In marine systems, this has been called “the blue acceleration” (Jouffray et al., 2020) and is referred to as “socio-ecological pressures” in this paper. These socio-ecological pressures reduce our ability to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals and meet the challenges of the UN Ocean Decade, and require integrating knowledge within a shared conceptual framework. For example, achieving sustainable growth must integrate ecological, socioeconomic, and governance perspectives on a larger scale by considering ecological impacts, ecosystem carrying capacities, economic trade-offs, social acceptability, and policy realities. This requires capacity development whereby actors unite to bridge disciplinary boundaries to meet challenges of complex systems.

Public acceptance of microbiome management strategy in dairy calves: A European survey on colostrum, probiotic provision and prolonged cow-calf contact

The microbiome plays a crucial role in the calves’ early stage of life. Several management practices can be considered to enhance the development and composition of the microbiome in calves. However, their social acceptance is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the public acceptance of innovative microbiome management practices aimed at improving the health and welfare of calves and to assess the factors influencing these levels of acceptance. Data used in the analysis were obtained from an online survey conducted in July 2023. The final sample consists of 3 220 citizens from four EU countries (Finland=813, France=803, Ireland=801 and Poland=803). Participants were asked to assess four management practices designed to improve calves’ health and welfare: (1) using colostrum, (2) providing mix probiotics powder, (3) providing probiotics as yogurt or kefir and (4) prolonged cow-calf contact. Participants were provided with different levels of information: one group received only a short description of the intervention, while the other group received both the intervention description and information on aspects such as potential costs and environmental impact of the intervention. Participants were asked to rate the acceptance on a standardised scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating “strongly agree” and 5 indicating “strongly disagree”. Additionally, the participants were questioned about their socio-demographic background (e.g. age, education). They were also asked to provide their perspectives on various dimensions concerning familiarity with farming and microbiome, food safety, environmental awareness, cost consideration, cultural perspective of consuming dairy products. Obtained data was analysed using ordinary least squares regression model. The findings reveal that prolonged cow-calf contact was the most acceptable measure among tested interventions in all countries (79% of responders agreed or strongly agreed). Attitudinal and socio-economic variables were found to have a differential effect across the studied management strategies. For instance, individuals with greater familiarity with farming systems and microbiomes were more inclined to accept all four interventions, while women, compared to men, showed higher acceptance of prolonged cow-calf contact. Results also indicate that the provision of additional information to the participants was associated with a decrease in the acceptance of the measures. In conclusion, the public’s perceptions regarding microbiome management strategies in dairy calves are shaped by complex factors. Also, our discussion emphasizes the importance of clarity and transparency of messages, ethical dissemination of scientific knowledge, and the necessity for balanced and coherent communication.

Decision analysis of Integrated Pest Management: A case study on invasive sea lamprey in the Great Lakes Basin.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides a powerful framework for addressing threats to human well-being caused by nuisance species including invasives. We examined the hypothesis that adaptive management could erode barriers to IPM implementation by developing a decision-analytic adaptive management framework for invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) IPM in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America. The framework addressed objectives associated with coordinating multiple sea lamprey control actions at the regional scale and objectives associated with internal validity of control actions. We reduced the scope of possible management actions by orders of magnitude to the set of 6432 alternatives expected to be both socially acceptable and technically feasible. Using utility theory, we identified the management actions that optimized expected utility for all possible objective weighting schemes that considered tradeoffs between maximizing learning about control tactic efficacy and minimizing cost to the IPM program. Sensitivity analyses revealed that assumptions about the social acceptability of deploying electric weirs to control invasive sea lamprey influenced selection of the optimal control action, suggesting that resolving this source of uncertainty through iterative application of the framework may lead to improved sea lamprey control outcomes. Overall, we found that adaptive management enabled learning processes useful for overcoming barriers to IPM of invasive sea lamprey. It formalized learning about sea lamprey control tactic efficacy as an objective of the IPM institution, questioned previously held assumptions about what constitutes a viable control strategy, and enabled a management experiment with temporal and spatial replication.

Impact of Job Satisfaction on the Young Community Engaged in the Plantation Jobs: Evidence from Sri Lanka

The plantation industry can be recognized as a sector that contributes greatly to the economy of Sri Lanka. However, it has been found that the labor shortage caused by the youth community leaving plantation jobs, especially in large-scale tea estates, has directly contributed to the decline in Sri Lanka’s tea production and export capacity. The main objective of this study is to identify the job satisfaction of the young people doing plantation jobs and its effect on the young community to leave the plantation jobs, about 106 young people working in the Spring Valley Tea Estate of Haliela Divisional secretariat, Badulla District, Sri Lanka were selected as a sample through stratified random sampling method. Primary data collection was done on the socio-economic data of the youth and their satisfaction with the internal factors of the job using questionnaires and interviews. Furthermore, Binary logistic regression model and Likert scale intervals were used for data analysis. According to research data, 78% of young people working on plantations are dissatisfied with their jobs. It was revealed that the internal factors of the job such as the low level of social acceptance of the job, the low salary paid by plantation management in comparison to alternative jobs, the inadequacy of basic facilities provided in the work environment, the weakness of residential facilities, problems in supervision, prolonged working hours, insufficient overtime and additional allowances have mainly affected to increasing job dissatisfaction of youth, and for they leaving from plantation employment. The binary logistic model revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between factors such as education level, age, and job satisfaction, and a significant positive relationship between daily income, service time, and job satisfaction. It was also possible to recognize that men are more likely to be satisfied with jobs compared to women. Accordingly, Measures such as providing formal training, adequate living wage, improving basic facilities in the work environment, providing quality residential facilities, developing job security, making a systematic and formal performance evaluation system, improving existing social recognition for plantation jobs, and introducing small-scale contract farming system (SCFS) to the youth in Plantation jobs can be recommended as the most appropriate measures that can be taken to prevent the youth working in tea estate from leaving the plantation jobs.

Exploring the Impact of Digital Literacy on Microtransaction Decisions in Online Gaming Among University Students

This qualitative study explores the influence of digital literacy on microtransaction decision-making among university students engaged in online gaming. This demographic is significant as they exhibit varying levels of digital literacy and are key consumers in the gaming market. Through in-depth interviews with three purposively selected participants who have been active gamers for over five years, we analyze how digital literacy impacts behaviors related to virtual items. The findings indicate that students with higher digital literacy are better equipped to make informed purchasing decisions. In contrast, those with lower digital literacy struggle to discern reliable information, leading to impulsive buying behaviors and financial regret. The study highlights the important role of social influences and emotional engagement in spending decisions. Peer pressure and the desire for social acceptance often drive participants to make purchases that align with their friends’ behaviors, while emotional connections to games increase susceptibility to impulse buying. In conclusion, this research emphasizes the need to enhance digital literacy among gamers to empower informed financial decisions. By promoting digital skills, stakeholders can foster a healthier gaming environment that encourages responsible spending practices. Targeted educational initiatives are recommended to equip players with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of microtransactions effectively, ultimately fostering more sustainable gaming habits

QR Codes and Mobile Marketing: Advertising Strategies and Consumer Intentions in Developing Economies

Mobile Marketing is a form of marketing which enables planners to communicate and persuade consumers through any mobile device or network. In developed economies, QR Code-supported advertising campaigns were started not long ago however fast-paced developing economies are catching up with the momentum. Many types of research had mixed results about the process of proliferation of QR Codes however in developing economies, organizations are completely ignoring cultural and societal effects on the popularity and accessibility of QR Codes being used on different mobile devices. The purpose of this study is to investigate the accessibility and intentions of QR Codes used in any advertising campaign in relation to trust and cultural environment. It is hypothesized that QR Codes might not be as successful as it was in developed countries due to new media literacy and social acceptance of such a technology. This research will provide a guideline for marketers to distinguish the grey line of using QR Codes with respect to a particular product rather than just following a bandwagon of developing economies. The data will be collected through a survey of 975 respondents from Turkey, China, and Pakistan. Knowledge Attitude and Behavior of consumers towards scanning QR Codes will be tested in association with their cultural and environmental settings.

Exploring Ethical Frontiers: A Content Analysis of Perceptions Surrounding Genetic Editing in Mental Health Treatments Over Time

Genetic editing has become a pivotal biotechnology tool in healthcare, enabling precise manipulation of DNA through insertions, deletions, modifications, or replacements. Its applications have expanded from treating monogenic diseases to addressing polygenic conditions, including potential mental health therapies. This study examines public sentiment and ethical considerations surrounding genetic editing systems like CRISPR- Cas9, zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Analyzing a decade of medical literature, the research highlights a growing public acceptance of these technologies despite ethical concerns, such as off-target effects and unintended consequences. Positive sentiment trends indicate that social acceptance may support the integration of genetic editing in mental health treatments, driving advancements in healthcare. Addressing risks, including long-term impacts and ethical dilemmas, remains critical for responsible implementation. As public attitudes continue to improve, genetic editing may become a widely accepted therapeutic approach, fostering innovation in healthcare. Future research should focus on mitigating risks and enhancing the safety and efficacy of genetic editing to ensure its sustainable development and adoption.

Socioeconomic Legitimacy of Surface Mining: Assessing the Role of Environmental Change, Trust, and Reclamation Satisfaction in Southern Appalachia of Kentucky, USA

Growing public interest in climate-friendly energy sources, combined with abandonment of mining operations in coal communities have resulted in declining social acceptance of mining. This study analyzed whether and how perceived environmental changes, trust in mining operators, and reclamation satisfaction impact the socioeconomic legitimacy of mining in rural Appalachia in Kentucky, USA. Analysis of responses from a survey of residents using structural equation modeling implied interactional and institutionalized trust to have the strongest and most direct impact in shaping socioeconomic legitimacy. While perceived environmental impact and satisfaction with reclamation, respectively, had negative and insignificant direct effects, their indirect effects were mediated through trust, underscoring the importance of trust for mine operators among mining community residents in sustaining the socioeconomic legitimacy of their businesses. While this study focused on mining, its findings offer valuable insights for promoting the social acceptance of other projects in resource extraction facing public opposition.

An Empirical Analysis of ESG Performance Impact on Corporate Value: A Before-and-After Comparison Based on Code of Governance for Listed Companies

The impact of ESG performance on corporate value is one of the key research topics in today's research. Researchers have found that there is a significant correlation between ESG performance and corporate value, however, there is still a research gap on the mechanism of specific policies affecting ESG performance on corporate value, and there is still a lack of unified interpretation and cognition. Therefore, it is of great significance to deeply explore the specific impact path and effect of ESG performance on corporate value in the policy context to improve corporate governance and promote sustainable development. This study conducts a regression analysis of corporate ESG performance and corporate value based on the specific time of policy issuance. Explore the impact of ESG performance on corporate value over time. The study finds that in the long run, corporate ESG performance has a significant impact on corporate value, and it is particularly noteworthy that since the implementation of the revision of the Code of Corporate Governance for Listed Companies in 2019, the impact of ESG performance on corporate value has changed significantly, from a non-significant correlation to a clear positive correlation. This shift may be due to the increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors among investors and the market, prompting companies to strengthen their ESG practices, which in turn increases their market value and social acceptance.