Societal Variables Research Articles

Cultivating trans-disciplinarity: transcending and transgressing research methods

Transdisciplinarity is creative human agency including cognitive, intellectual and behavioural activities of individuals and groups. These activities define and are mutually defined by beliefs and ideas, knowledge and know-how, language and meanings, norms and rules, and opinions and values. The cultivation of transdisciplinary projects should embrace these cultural, social and psychological predispositions because they are core constituents of a trans-anthropo-logic. This requires transcending common research methods used in scientific studies and using scaffolding that facilitates agency, and positioning individuals and groups. However, scientists are rarely trained to pilot projects involving multiple stakeholders with different positions. This article explains why trained facilitators are needed to pilot transdisciplinary projects. They can cultivate transcendence and transgression – both analysed by the late Julie Thompson Klein – beyond the scope and purpose of common research methods. In essence, transdisciplinary practices respect different ontologies and epistemologies while incorporating ethical principles and moral values. The cultivation of transdisciplinary projects should accommodate and reduce asymmetries of power between politicians, public administrators, property owners, researchers and laypeople that are shaped by extant historical and societal variables in specific situations. Transdisciplinary projects should also apply multiple sources of quantitative data and qualitative information that represent the complexity, diversity and perhaps incommensurability of intentions, meanings, perceptions and values about specific subjects or situations. This is being achieved by innovative projects that should become beacons for change.

Leveraging multiple digital footprint datasets to predict racial, sex-based, and sexual-orientation bias across US states

Introduction & BackgroundRacial, gender, and sexual-orientation biases are pervasive throughout society. Importantly, modern digitally oriented datasets can elucidate important societal variables and potential solutions. One contemporary theory that attempts to explain these biases is parasite-stress: an evolutionary psychology hypothesis suggesting that increased infectious diseases rates increase out-group biases. We present preliminary findings that suggest that disease rates are a meaningful geospatial predictor of multiple biases. Objectives & ApproachWe explored biases using geospatial analyses throughout multiple datasets based on US participants: Project Implicit, American National Election Studies (ANES), Google Trends, and Twitter/X. We included state-based variables to compare between states and assess the most important environmental-level predictors of biases. We built generalised linear and linear mixed-effect models and general linear models. Within Project implicit (n > 3,000,000) and ANES datasets (n > 30,000), we assessed racial and sexual-orientation biases via explicit and implicit measures. For Google Trends and Twitter/X datasets, we assessed racial and sex-based biases via search and tweet-per-state scores. To analyse the biases, we included environmental-level variables, e.g., infectious disease rates (developed by Thornhill and Fincher in 2014), and individual-level variables, e.g., political orientation. Relevance to Digital FootprintsThese preliminary findings analyse everyday people’s online behaviour including volunteered surveys, searches and posts. We attempt to address the pressing societal issue of bias by leveraging modern datasets. Our primary goal is to aid policy makers by recommending cost-effective solutions that can improve several factors of the population’s quality of life. ResultsWe find that the most consistently significant predictor of racial bias is infectious disease rates. When leveraging Google Trends data including anti-women terminology, infectious disease rates and population density are consistent predictors of bias. Finally, we find preliminary results suggesting that increased levels of infectious diseases increases homophobic bias. Conclusions & ImplicationsOverall, we find that as infectious disease rates increase in a state, the level of racial and sexist bias significantly increases. Consistent with parasite-stress theory, we argue that focusing on reducing infectious disease rates in an area can have a plethora of benefits including improving physical and mental health and reducing biases that damage society.

Analysis of the dynamic mechanism of trans-boundary pollution collaborative control in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Climate change mitigation requires simultaneous reduction of carbon emissions and air pollution. This study examines the synergy between pollution reduction and carbon reduction, identifying key variables and strategies to achieve this goal. Using a Geographical Detector model and a Coupling Degree of Coordination model, 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) are investigated. Results show that while controlling PM2.5 has been more successful than managing carbon emissions in the YREB, synergy between pollution reduction and carbon emissions increased by an average of 7.2% from 2006 to 2019. Spatial analysis reveals higher synergy in upstream areas, indicating significant spatial diversity. The impact of pollution and emission reduction synergies is influenced by societal and environmental variables, including industry structure, technological innovation, energy structure, human capital quality, and economic basis. Synergy is amplified when natural limits align with high-quality development drivers such as technical innovation and the digital economy. Recommendations include enhancing city-to-city contact, improving energy and industrial structures, and fostering technological innovation to address regional variations in synergy levels.

Legal Complexities of Adolescent Relationships: A Study of Protection of Child Sexual Offense Cases in India.

Introduction The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in India prohibits sexual engagement among individuals under 18 years old. However, societal variables also affect many teenagers' consensual sexual activities. Little research has been conducted on the legal ramifications for consenting to sexual action under the POCSO Act. This study examined consensual sexual assault cases under the POCSO Act and their possible outcome. Methodology Five years of medicolegal records from a tertiary hospital were analyzed for sexual assault victims aged <18 years. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze victim demographics, literacy, sexual acts, reporting patterns, and accused-victim relationships. Result A total of 410 instances of sexual assault were recorded, and 29% involved victims between the ages of 16 and 18. Most victims (73.9%) in this age range were literate, and 85.7% provided consent for sexual relations. Parents or guardians reported all cases, and most of the accused were victims' friends. Discussion The POCSO Act offers legal safeguards for sexual abuse and exploitation. However, their use in adolescent sexual consent has raised concerns. The Law Commission of India's refusal to reassess the POCSO Act's age barrier for sexual consent emphasizes the need for a child-centric approach to negotiating complex teenage relationships. Conclusion Balancing legal obligations and developmental needs is essential to addressing consensual sexual acts under the POCSO Act. While sensitively implementing the law, stakeholders must focus on their children's best interests and healthy development. Child-friendly environments and support systems empower victims and reduce trauma in teenage relationships.

School Connectedness and Risk for Sexual Intercourse and Nonconsensual Sex in Adolescence.

The CDC reports that30% of high school students have engaged in sexual intercourse. Evidence suggests biological, personal, peer, societal, and family variables affect when a child will initiate sex. The school environment plays an important role in a child's development. Evidencesuggests that greater attachment to the school community can modify sexual risk-taking activity in adolescents.Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) comprises a cohort of approximately 4,700 families of children born in the U.S. between 1998-2000, over-sampled for non-marital births in large U.S. cities. Adolescents (N = 3,444 of 4,663 eligible) completed the wave six teen survey at approximately age 15. School connectedness was self-reported with four items measuring inclusiveness, closeness, happiness, and safety felt by the adolescent in their school environment. Sexual intercourse and nonconsensual sex wereself-reported by the adolescent. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted examining sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sex, risk factors, and school connectedness.In this sample of adolescents (48% female, 49% Black, 25% Hispanic, ages 14-19), school connectedness appears to reduce boys' risk of nonconsensual sex (OR = 0.29,p < 0.01),and reduce girls' risk of engaging in sexual intercourse (OR = 0.55,p < 0.01).Findings suggest gender differences in the association between school connectedness and sexual practices in adolescents. School connectedness may conferprotection for boys' risk of nonconsensual sex, and for girls' risk of engaging in sexual intercourse. Further exploration of the relationship between school connectedness may allow forrecommendations into preventative measures for teenage sexual behaviors.

Conceptual Overview of Prevalence of Prediabetes.

Prediabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic renal disease, and cardiovascular disease in a person. In current practice, five alternative definitions of prediabetes are utilized, each based on different HbA1C, fasting glucose, and 2-hour glucose cut points. Prediabetes is a common condition that occurs between normal glycemia and diabetes. It is more common in elderly and obese people. The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes can be influenced by a variety of individual, family, and societal variables. Additionally, as diabetes is the primary contributor to non-communicable diseases (NCD), it is crucial to identify the key temporal variables for diabetes early diagnosis. In turn, effective prediabetes and diabetes awareness, control, and preventive programs may be created by policymakers and public health professionals worldwide. Popular pathogenic pathways in prediabetes include insulin resistance, inflammation, and sensitivity to insulin. HBA1C, OGTT, and FPG are discussed as the diagnostic criteria in order of frequency. The most commonly researched therapies in the realm of prediabetes are metformin, exercise, and physical activity. Physiological markers including BMI, blood pressure, and waist circumference prompted relatively significant concern. Despite declining trends, the study demonstrates that prediabetes and diabetes are widely prevalent. In order to prevent non-communicable illnesses, the research suggests encouraging healthy lifestyles and regular screenings.

Burnout risks in Bangladeshi Physicians: A multicenter, cross-sectional study

Physician burnout is a global concern that can lead to exhaustion, ineffectiveness, and poor health outcomes. Burnout has been linked to a variety of societal and professional variables worldwide. This cross-sectional, multi-centered study was conducted by face-to-face interviews between April 2019 and December 2021 at sixty-two (62) tertiary level hospitals to identify potential risk factors for burnout among Bangladeshi physicians, which is essential for preventing adverse impact on their well-being, improving overall quality of life, and facilitating measures to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. A simple random sampling technique in conjunction with a structured questionnaire was used to collect a total of 1434 responses, assuming 20 % of the sample as non-responsive. Univariate, bivariate, and multinomial logistic regression statistical analyses were performed to determine the risk factors and associate the level of severity. The distribution of burnout status differs significantly at distinct covariate levels, such as working place, working hour, prevalence of potential interpersonal conflicts (subsequent increase of adjusted odds ratios i.e.; 6.52, 8.82, 11.41, and 37.07 is observed for physicians having interpersonal conflicts with both co-workers & family members), job dissatisfaction, annoyed feeling while dealing with patients (adjusted odds ratios are 529.68, 518.26,983.87 and 849.57 respectively) and some other significant factors of the physicians. This study also reveals that the female physicians, physicians with age 40–49, physicians with additional liabilities, physicians with job dissatisfaction, less salary compared to the workload, less flexibility and security at the job sector as well as obese physicians are at high risk of burnout. These results are statistically significant with a p value ≤ 0.05. To reduce burnout of Bangladeshi physicians, it is necessary to address the risk factors, create supportive workplaces, maintain a healthy work-life balance, provide opportunities for self-care, and promote mental health.

Social Responsibility: A bibliometric analysis of research state and its trend

Introduction: Social responsibility is related to organizations' commitment to society and the environment. Recent research has shown the relationship between organizations' performance and some indicators such as economic performance or corporate image.Objective: This study analyzes the research on social responsibility to know the trend of studies. Method: Based on qualitative and quantitative research and with bibliometric techniques, a statistical analysis is made with the Vosviewer program of 1639 publications from the Scopus database to map the research based on publications, authors, and citations.Results: The geographical distribution shows that the United States and the United Kingdom have the most published documents. They have the greatest scientific impact and a strong collaboration network. From the above, it is evident that social responsibility research has been approached from different angles to verify its relationship with economic, societal, or environmental variables. There is a wide field of knowledge that scholars can address.Conclusions: The results indicate that central research topics include the connection of social responsibility with advancing technologies, globalization, and climate change. Mapping the co-occurrence of keywords by authors reveals four clusters related to ethics and social responsibility, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development.

Social Responsibility: A bibliometric analysis of research state and its trend

Introduction: social responsibility is related to organizations' commitment to society and the environment. Recent research has shown the relationship between organizations' performance and some indicators such as economic performance or corporate image.Objective: this study analyzes the research on social responsibility to know the trend of studies. Method: based on qualitative and quantitative research and with bibliometric techniques, a statistical analysis is made with the Vosviewer program of 1639 publications from the Scopus database to map the research based on publications, authors, and citations.Results: the geographical distribution shows that the United States and the United Kingdom have the most published documents. They have the greatest scientific impact and a strong collaboration network. From the above, it is evident that social responsibility research has been approached from different angles to verify its relationship with economic, societal, or environmental variables. There is a wide field of knowledge that scholars can address.Conclusions: the results indicate that central research topics include the connection of social responsibility with advancing technologies, globalization, and climate change. Mapping the co-occurrence of keywords by authors reveals four clusters related to ethics and social responsibility, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable development

Deconstructing the Fable of Inclusive National Identity in Pakistan Account of Dwindling Kalasha Indigenous Identity in Chitral Authors

Ideological and Cultural identities are commonly observed as a few of the integral facets of human societal identity variables, but in Pakistan, ideological alterations are oftentimes equated as binary to the commonly shared notion of Islamic identity. The animistic ideological identity of the Kalasha community in Chitral holds a global prominence and recognition that dates back to centuries, but in recent decades their indigenous identity and norms have been under a consistent spell of exclusivist identity projection, leaving their distinctive identity norms and animistic cultural values at the peril of hovering extinction. The study initially builds on the ongoing religiously influenced national identity formation in Pakistan aiming further to highlight the systematic causes of the Kalasha community's endangered indigenous identity decline, using the lens of Identity Subordination theory’. The paper aims to unveil how exclusive identity formation through incentivized stratagems is being perpetuated against the community by the dominant religious Sunni (Clerical) group. The paper finally proposes the need for the adoption and implementation of inclusive attitudes and actions, along with much-needed measures both at the grassroots and state level for combatting the ethno-terrorism carried out against the Kalasha identity and indigenous culture.

Can School Principals Manage Recruitment and Retention of Maths and Science Teachers in Rural Secondary Schools? A Case Study in the Vhembe District, South Africa

Mathematics and science subjects are critical subjects in high schools across South Africa. This study explored how principals managed the recruitment of scarce skills subjects’ teachers, based on demand and supply in Vhembe District. Myriad studies assert that Mathematics and science teachers are in short supply across South African rural schools, which creates a concern for the education system. This problem is prominent in rural Vhembe District, Limpopo. This study examined how rural secondary schools in the Mutale area recruited and retained permanent mathematics and science teachers. An interpretive paradigm was employed to understand the phenomenon under study. This study used a face-to-face qualitative methodology, where targeted principals, teachers, heads of departments, and circuit and district managers were interviewed. Participants were selected via purposive and simple random sampling for the one-on-one structured interviews. All the interviews were audio-recorded with the permission of the 10 participants and were thematically analysed. Various crucial factors have an impact on principals' ability to control the supply and demand of subjects with important, rare skills. Environmental and societal variables participate in the recruitment and retention of rural schools’ struggle to hire and retain maths and science teachers. Findings further revealed that these teachers need incentives to be employed and retained in rural schools. The study, therefore, recommends that teacher training programmes be supported with adequate bursaries or funding for pre-service teachers, while Maths and science teachers should be well remunerated to attract and retain them in rural schools.

Societal stigma and mistreatment in healthcare among gender minority people: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundGender minority (GM; individuals whose gender is not aligned with that traditionally associated with the sex that was assigned to them at birth) people have widely reported mistreatment in healthcare settings. Mistreatment is enacted by individuals within society who hold stigmatizing beliefs. However, the relationship between healthcare mistreatment and societal stigma (i.e., the degree to which society disapproves of GM people) is unclear and not measured consistently.MethodsWe analyzed data from 2,031 GM participants in The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality (PRIDE) Study’s 2019 Annual Questionnaire to determine whether societal stigma was associated with participants’ past-year reports of mistreatment (defined as denial of healthcare services and/or lower quality care) in medical or mental healthcare settings. We created a proxy measure of societal stigma by incorporating variables validated in existing literature. Participants reported whether they had experienced mistreatment in medical and mental health settings independently.ResultsHealthcare denial and/or lower quality care during the past year was reported by 18.8% of our sample for medical settings and 12.5% for mental health settings. We found no associations between the societal stigma variables and past-year reports of healthcare denial and/or lower quality care in medical or mental healthcare settings.ConclusionsAlthough a high proportion of GM people reported past-year healthcare mistreatment in both medical and mental health settings, mistreatment had no relationship with societal stigma. Factors other than societal stigma may be more important predictors of healthcare mistreatment, such as healthcare workers’ knowledge of and attitudes toward GM people. However, other measures of societal stigma, or different types of mistreatment, may show stronger associations. Identifying key factors that contribute to mistreatment can serve as targets for intervention in communities and healthcare settings.

Getting More Women on Boards: Cultural and Institutional Antecedents That Matter

The purpose of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the multiple cultural and institutional antecedents which can positively (or negatively) impact the incorporation of more women on corporate boards (WoCB). Many contemporary discourses about quotas versus voluntary actions by corporations as drivers of greater gender diversity on boards are largely based on cross-country mimicking. These discourses often fail to integrate country-level configurations and conditions, as drivers or barriers to change. We advance this research by seeking to understand the complexity of such multiple antecedents to getting WoCB. Results show multiple macro factors involved in getting WoCB in Europe. We test the complex inter-relations of factors such as legislation, cultural, societal, economic, political, and institutional variables, and their effects. Findings highlight important drivers of more women on boards such as gender equality in political empowerment and institutional settings; government-regulated maternity and paternity leave; specific legislative or soft quota policies; and societal cultural variables, such as (low) power distance and (high) assertiveness, as drivers of getting WoCB. These results prove the need to consider and complement legislative policies to specific cultural and institutional conditions in each country. To help policymakers, we provide insights into which multiple macro factors act as drivers or barriers in their organizations or societies for getting more WoCB. This will help decision makers in organizations or policymaking bodies to match gender diversity goals to the multiple country-level conditions they need to navigate, hence making a better world together.

The Centrality of Work: A Comparative Analysis of Work Commitment and Work Orientation in Present-Day Societies

This paper aims to comprehensively examine the effects of societal and individual characteristics on work-related attitudes, specifically work commitment and work orientations, using a single dataset and comparable models. It also seeks to relate these attitudes to classic theories and understand how societal factors shape work-related attitudes. The analysis is based on data collected by the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) in its work orientations survey. Data is analyzed using factor analyses, correspondence analyses, and multilevel regressions. The paper provides an overview of work-related attitudes at the country level and a detailed analysis of societal and individual variables that shape these attitudes. The results indicate that individual attitudes reflect large societal trends and developments, which are discussed with reference to current studies and classic theories. This paper contributes to understanding work-related attitudes by offering a comprehensive analysis of the effects of societal and individual characteristics, using a single dataset and comparable models. It also relates these attitudes to classic theories and discusses how societal factors shape work-related attitudes. The findings also have policy implications, particularly in the recruitment and retention of highly qualified and motivated workers in different countries.

Developing Students’ Capacity Against Examination Malpractice Behaviours Through Selected Psychosocial Strategies

Examination malpractice refers to all forms of cheating and illegal examination related offences that gives student unmerited grades, promotion or higher placement. Some causes of examination malpractice include those connected to institutional, societal and personal variables. As expected, several solutions have been suggested to curb it and those tested have shown some results. But yet, the strategies have not done much in addressing the personal variables, particularly those that should target changing the cognitive and affective antisocial orientation and build their capabilities on ethics and study. These are expected to help students desist from examination malpractice behaviors. One researcher noted that it is almost a routine for students to cheat. The present researcher perceive that the right intervention has not been used to curb examination malpractice among students across all level of the education, which may be the reason it still persists. In fact, examination malpractice is equally evolving in sophistication and assuming innovative dimensions, so this intervention is apt. Suffice to emphasize that examination malpractice in the education system if not curbed continues to undermine the achievement of quality education and production of quality graduates. The consequences of it among middle and high skilled work force has caused the society so much disappointment and loss. Losses incurred in retraining programs to enhance work adjustment of employees, inability to perform as a graduate when called up to, to mention some. Therefore, intervention in student’s classroom learning is needed such as lessons on how to process information and to make use of memory strategies in studying. This is with the view to besides achieving good academic performance, but to help more of them to be self-reliant, productive and employable in this 21st century economy and beyond. The paper concludes that unlearning examination malpractice behavior among students is achievable. Adoption of these intervention strategies can increase students’ confidence, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Overall quality education would be engendered. Suggestions such as instructors should be more creative in teaching and students should imbibe good study habits were made.

An Analysis of Factors Affecting the Successful Implementation of Educational Policies in Developing Countries

This research sought to evaluate the variables influencing the successful implementation of educational policies in underdeveloped countries, with a particular emphasis on Ghana. In this study, a quantitative research approach was taken, and data were gathered through the administration of a survey to a sample size of one hundred fifty policymakers and instructors in Ghana. In order to evaluate the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. According to the conclusions, there is a favorable correlation between successful implementation and the governmental, economic, social, and societal variables as well as technological factors. The strongest associations were identified for technological and cultural variables, which suggests that expenditures in technological advancement and cultural awareness can have a beneficial effect on the implementation of educational policies. According to the findings of the multiple regression analysis, all of the variables had a substantial favorable impact on the successful implementation of the plan, with the technological elements demonstrating the strongest effect. According to the findings of the research, in order for educational policies to be successfully implemented in developing countries, a holistic strategy that takes into consideration all of the important variables is required. By considering these variables, policymakers in developing countries will be able to improve the efficacy of educational programs and encourage egalitarian access to education. This research provides important insights for policymakers and stakeholders interested in the administration of educational strategies in underdeveloped countries.

Breast cancer in Africa: an extensive surgical burden of paramount importance – letter to the editor

Breast cancer in Africa: an extensive surgical burden of paramount importance – letter to the editor

The early-stage entrepreneurial activity of women in individualistic versus collectivist country groups: Motives, drivers and inhibitors

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether differences in female entrepreneurial rates are explained by inherited cultural, societal, and technological factors. Women's early-stage entrepreneurial activity in two groups of countries is examined in this study. As part of the analysis, we used data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and employed Logistic Regression, the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique, and Firth logistics for rare events. Collectivist countries have higher rates of early-stage entrepreneurial activity among women, but these occur in less technologically advanced sectors. Women’s primary motivation for entrepreneurship in countries with lower disposable personal income is necessity. New technology adoption rates in early-stage entrepreneurial activity are significantly higher in collectivist countries. Young women's entrepreneurial rates are slightly affected by the loneliness phenomenon. study's weaknesses are the overconfidence of interviewees in their ability to self-assess their skills, the low rate of women entrepreneurs, and the omission of essential variables due to missing data. This study tests the adage that individualistic behavior promotes entrepreneurship and examines the impact of societal variables on women's entrepreneurship, contrary to certain assumptions made in the GEM report. The study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding female entrepreneurship.

Family Influences on the Dental Caries Status of Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Systematic Review.

Oral health is a likely source of health inequalities in children with special health care needs (CSHCN), according to multiple studies. This systematic review aimed to explore the evidence of family influence-as well as family features, such as societal variables and parents' perspectives-on these children's dental caries status. Embase, Ebsco, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were all searched. All cross-sectional research published on the variables of family impact ranging from 2010 to 2021 were considered. The DMFT and dmft index was utilised for the report data of dental caries, whereas the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) was used for the purposes of assessing quality. Of the 3861 records identified, 14 were eligible. Further, most of the studies had a caries prevalence of over 50%, (p-value &lt; 0.005). Family influences imparted a significant relationship and association towards the dental caries status of the demographic being studied. The influences on the children included tooth brushing behaviour, parents' education level, parents' occupation level, diet pattern, dental visit, snacking frequency, parents' psychological status, family size, and parents' knowledge towards oral health. Future research should further explore the family functioning domains, specifically among the CSHCN population. This study was registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42021274923.

Social Behavior and COVID-19: Analysis of the Social Factors behind Compliance with Interventions across the United States.

Since its emergence, COVID-19 has caused a great impact in health and social terms. Governments and health authorities have attempted to minimize this impact by enforcing different mandates. Recent studies have addressed the relationship between various socioeconomic variables and compliance level to these interventions. However, little attention has been paid to what constitutes people's response and whether people behave differently when faced with different interventions. Data collected from different sources show very significant regional differences across the United States. In this paper, we attempt to shed light on the fact that a response may be different depending on the health system capacity and each individuals' social status. For that, we analyze the correlation between different societal (i.e., education, income levels, population density, etc.) and healthcare capacity-related variables (i.e., hospital occupancy rates, percentage of essential workers, etc.) in relation to people's level of compliance with three main governmental mandates in the United States: mobility restrictions, mask adoption, and vaccine participation. Our aim was to isolate the most influential variables impacting behavior in response to these policies. We found that there was a significant relationship between individuals' educational levels and political preferences with respect to compliance with each of these mandates.