Sociocultural Dimensions Research Articles

Textualizing Historical Individuals in Cicero’s Dialogues

Abstract Focusing on the depiction of Varro in the Academica posteriora, the paper analyses the textualization of historical individuals in Cicero’s dialogues. It starts from the observation that Cicero works with the ambiguities created by the alleged transposition of an oral conversation into the form of literary dialogue. These ambiguities, which concern the perceived ontological status of the speakers, raise questions of merit and responsibility and of the hierarchy between the author and his characters. They cannot be answered by referring to the principle of probability. The paper argues that the ambiguous representation of Varro serves to depict Ciceronian authorship itself ambiguously. With regard to a genre that does not clearly distinguish between fact and fiction, the analysis offers new perspectives on the sociocultural dimension of performing authorship in the Late Republic, and helps to shape our view of the fuzzy aspects of the ancient literary persona.

Barriers and Facilitators to Taking Medication in Newly Diagnosed Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study Based on the Transtheoretical Model.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to taking medication in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at each stage of change from the perspective of the Transtheoretical model.MethodsThis qualitative descriptive study used purposive sampling to select 32 newly diagnosed patients with T2DM, with 8 representing each of the 4 stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action). Participants were recruited at a community health service center in Sichuan Province, China. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and data were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThis study identified barriers and facilitators related to the patient, medication, health care service, and sociocultural dimensions. At the precontemplation and contemplation stages, various barriers across different domains predominated (e.g., incomplete comprehension of the disease; gaps in medication knowledge regarding importance, benefits, and indications; limited access to care; preferred traditional and alternative medication approaches). At the preparation and action stages, although patient, medication, health care service, and sociocultural facilitators were more reported (e.g., awareness of medication benefits, health system financial support, peer medication experiences), medication-related barriers persisted (e.g., medication knowledge gaps regarding side effects, adverse reactions, administration procedures, and missed dose management).ConclusionsThe primary barriers to taking medication in newly diagnosed patients with T2DM are medication-related factors, with barriers and facilitators dynamically evolving across the stages of change. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating stage-matched interventions to promote medication-taking behavior and patient well-being.

Factors influencing livestock grazing in Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

Livestock grazing is a globally common land-use practice, impacting the micro- and macro-ecological dynamics. It is one of the most important managerial issues in the protected areas of India, which are home to most of the floral and faunal biodiversity of country. This study examines the intricate relationship between livestock grazing and factors within the Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, focusing on the extent of grazing and its correlations with socio-ecological variables. We performed Spearman’s rank, Pearson, and Kendall’s Tau correlation tests, coupled with fixed kernel density analysis, and gathered empirical insights into grazing patterns. Results reveal that 15.33% of the total area of the PTR, and 9.12% of its core area, is subject to livestock grazing. Correlation analyses unveil nuanced associations between grazing and demographic variables. While the number of families and livestock numbers inversely correlate with grazing within the core, the percentage of tribal population exhibits a positive correlation, underscoring socio-cultural dimensions of grazing practices. Furthermore, environmental parameters such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and elevation exhibit significant correlations with grazing patterns, indicating ecological preferences and constraints. This study highlights the critical need for holistic management strategies that factor in socio-demographic dynamics and stakeholder engagement in forest management activities for sustainable conservation practices.

Unveiling psychological and sociocultural adaptation patterns of international students in Hungary

The increasing global mobility of students has heightened the need for deeper insights into the psychological and sociocultural adaptation processes in host environments. This study examines the adaptation experiences of 447 international students in Hungary, focusing on the interplay between psychological and sociocultural dimensions of adaptation. Using a cross-sectional design, the study explores how sociodemographic variables, such as gender, age, education level, local friendships, and financial sources, influence adaptation levels. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis reveals that sociocultural adaptation significantly predicts psychological adaptation, underscoring the importance of social integration in fostering overall well-being. The findings suggest that targeted institutional support addressing sociocultural challenges can enhance students' psychological resilience, contributing to their academic and personal success. This research advances the understanding of intercultural adaptation and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and educational institutions hosting diverse student population.

Human Deaths Related to Oleander Poisoning: A Review of the Literature

Oleander poisoning, resulting from the ingestion of Nerium oleander or Thevetia peruviana, is a serious toxicological issue in various parts of the world, particularly in regions where these plants grow abundantly and are easily accessible. Oleander contains potent cardiac glycosides, such as oleandrin and thevetin, which exert powerful effects on the cardiovascular system, leading to symptoms ranging from nausea and abdominal pain to severe arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. This review summarizes the existing literature on the epidemiology, clinical features, pathophysiology, and challenges in treatment management associated with oleander poisoning. While supportive care, gastric decontamination, and the administration of digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments (Digifab) are essential therapeutic measures, limited access to Digifab, delays in intervention, and insufficient supportive care practices remain significant complicating factors. Particular attention is given to findings from autopsy reports, which provide critical insights into the pathophysiological effects of oleander toxins and help bridge gaps in understanding fatal cases. This review acknowledges key limitations, particularly the scarcity of English-language publications, which restricts input from regions such as southern Asia and the Mediterranean—areas where oleander-related poisoning, especially in cases of intentional self-harm, is more prevalent. Additionally, this review highlights the socio-cultural dimensions of oleander ingestion, often linked to intentional self-poisoning, and emphasizes the need for enhanced preventive measures and public education. Future research efforts should prioritize addressing these gaps through autopsy-based studies and the development of more accessible and effective antidotes, which are essential to mitigate the global health burden of oleander-related mortality.

Navigating Hope and Complexity: Turkish Parents’ Experiences with Savior Siblings

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing represents a significant advancement in treating inherited hematological disorders, particularly thalassemia major. This technology enables the birth of healthy children who can serve as compatible stem cell donors for their affected siblings. Türkiye is a world leader in both PGD+HLA typing technology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from savior siblings born through PGD+HLA typing. This study investigated the experiences of Turkish parents who underwent successful savior sibling procedures using PGD+HLA typing and then successful HSCT from the savior sibling for the treatment of the child with thalassemia major. We aimed to understand the medical, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions of this complex process within the Turkish healthcare context. A qualitative study was undertaken using a descriptive phenomenological approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with parents from 16 families who had successfully completed PGD+HLA matching and subsequent stem cell transplantation processes from the savior sibling to the child with thalassemia. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method and MAXQDA 20.0 software. The analysis revealed six main themes: disease stage, treatment, recovery process, social/family, support systems, and recommendations. Parents reported significant emotional challenges but demonstrated unexpected resilience. Religious and cultural factors played nuanced roles, with most parents viewing the process as compatible with their beliefs. Economic burdens, prolonged hospitalizations, and geographical access to treatment centers emerged as key challenges. Extended family support and professional healthcare guidance were identified as crucial support mechanisms. This study highlights the complex interplay between advanced medical technologies and traditional values in Turkish society. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive and culturally sensitive support systems and long-term follow-up for families. The results suggest the value of implementing multidisciplinary care teams and developing specialized support programs for families undergoing savior sibling procedures.

Philosophy of the Future and the Posthuman: Implications and Philosophical Analysis

The relevance of the study arises from philosophical and ideological contradictions regarding human identity, which are intensifying in the scientific worldview and socio-cultural paradigm. The purpose of the article is to reveal the philosophical understanding of existential, anthropological, and axiological transformations of humans in the future. The research task is to highlight prospects for human dimensionality in the near future and global strategies of human existence within an uncertain future model. The analysis is based on reviewing, comparing, and systematising 52 scientific works covering anthropological topics within the context of philosophy, science, and civilisation. The study results indicate the absence of a unified posthuman model due to the uncertainty of human positioning in the future. The modern scientific picture offers only fragmented changes to the traditional idea of humans (biological, social, spiritual). In contrast, philosophy remains a key tool for interpreting developmental vectors of anthropological strategies that ensure the integrity of future humanity. The study’s specificity lies in balancing dichotomous and synergistic principles of philosophical and anthropological dimensions. On one hand, the posthuman contrasts with modern humans from scientific, natural, and socio-cultural perspectives. On the other hand, the formation of the posthuman is driven by processes where scientific, natural, and socio-cultural dimensions influence human transformation. The research prospects involve applying a synergistic model—potentially a methodological foundation for future philosophy—that emphasises pluralistic, interdisciplinary, and multicultural approaches to studying the posthuman. The study highlights the variability in scientific and philosophical discourse regarding the posthuman, leading to turbulence in philosophical and anthropological research. In this context, it is essential to preserve value-existential and functional-practical constants of the world order, correlating the philosophical methodology of the future (posthumanism and transhumanism) with characteristics of the human of the future.

Economic and Socio-Cultural Development Dimension—Two Lake-Protected Areas’ Sustainability: A Case of Hungary and Serbia

Economic and Socio-Cultural Development Dimension—Two Lake-Protected Areas’ Sustainability: A Case of Hungary and Serbia

Workers and Wives: How Javanese Women Negotiate Their Public and Domestic Roles in Contemporary Indonesia

Abstract This ethnographic study reveals that the evolving roles of Javanese women do not necessarily signify the replacement of traditional values. Instead, these changes reflect an adaptation of such values to meet new demands while preserving their identity as Javanese women. The contemporary era has brought about a reconfiguration of the konco wingking practice, which traditionally operated within the domestic sphere, but is now extending its scope to the public sphere. Today, konco wingking is no longer confined to the domestic sphere—encompassing activities around the kitchen, bedroom, and water source—but has expanded into public domains, or mergawe. This concept now represents an active role in supporting and managing household life while increasingly engaging in public responsibilities. These transformations highlight an ongoing negotiation of women’s identities, requiring a nuanced understanding of their positions within historical and contemporary societal structures. These shifts encompass both personal and socio-cultural dimensions, illustrating how women navigate their roles across domestic and public spheres. The research data were collected through observations, in-depth interviews, and interactions with informants, particularly women in Paciran involved in processing blue swimming crabs, locally referred to as nguplik.

The Effect of Comfort Theory-Based Nursing Care on Intolerance of Uncertainty and Comfort Levels in Individuals Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and Purpose: Chronic renal failure is a common public health problem worldwide, and hemodialysis has become the standard treatment. During this long and exhausting process, it is extremely important that individuals undergoing hemodialysis receive effective and high-quality nursing care so that accurate prognoses can be made and complications prevented. This study aimed to determine the effect of comfort theory-based nursing care on intolerance to uncertainty and comfort levels in hemodialysis patients. Methods: The sample of this randomized controlled study consisted of individuals receiving hemodialysis at a private dialysis center. The sample comprised a total of 60 patients, 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Patients in the experimental group received training during an 8-week dialysis period using nursing care interventions based on Katharine Kolcaba's comfort theory for health care needs. The training content covered holistic nursing care and consisted of physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions in order to reduce uncertainty and increase comfort levels in the individuals receiving dialysis. This care was based on Kolcaba's comfort theory. A Personal Information Form including the individuals' descriptive, disease, and treatment characteristics, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), and the General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) were used for data collection. Independent two-sample comparisons were performed using the χ² test for qualitative variables and the t test for quantitative variables. Results: In the comparison of the groups, there were significant results for the total GCQ and its subdimensions except for the relief subdimension (p < 0.05). The scores for the total IUS and its subdimensions were significant (p < 0.01). Implications for Practice: It was determined that comfort theory-based nursing care interventions were effective in reducing the level of intolerance of uncertainty and increasing the comfort level. It is recommended that comfort theory-based nursing care guidelines should be used to reduce the sense of uncertainty and increase the comfort levels of individuals receiving hemodialysis.

Food environment and food insecurity in Northeastern Brazil: assessment using 800m and 1600m buffers

ABSTRACT The food environment is related to physical, political, economic, and sociocultural dimensions, influencing the food security of the population. This investigation aims to assess the relationship between food insecurity and the food environment, considering distances of 800 m and 1600 m de buffers among adults residing in the Northeast of Brazil. The dependent variable is food insecurity, while the independent variables include socioeconomic conditions and the community and consumer food environment. Associations were tested using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Of the 446 participants, 39.2% were experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. There was no statistical difference between groups regarding the number of establishments selling unprocessed foods at any of the metrics. A higher density of mixed and ultra-processed foods was found around individuals with food insecurity, but this difference was significant only at 1600 m. At 800 m, the price of fruits, vegetables, and greens remained associated with food insecurity, while at 1600 m, both the price of fruits, vegetables, and legumes and the presence of promotions for unprocessed foods like ‘buy 3 pay for 2’ remained associated. The results suggest the need for an increase in the number of fair-priced unprocessed food establishments near households, as well as a reduction in excess of ultra-processed food commerces.

Sustainable Development of Mountain Tourism: Reading Mountaineering Narratives from Sherpa and Non-Sherpa Perspectives

After Nepal allowed Mount Everest ascent for foreigners in the 1950s, the number of climbing enthusiasts has been mushrooming each year. The growing number has considerably contributed to the economic development of the local Sherpas and the Nepal government alike. But it has concurrently brought threats to the local culture and the environment, which has consequently drawn serious attention of the locals, environmentalists, policy makers, and writers. The mountaineering writers, Jamling Tenzing Norgay and Jon Krakauer have raised voice for the environmental concern in their narratives: Touching My Father’s Soul and Into Thin Air respectively. My paper aims at exploring how these authors express their views on sustainable mountain tourism, environmental reverence, and cultural preservation through their narratives. After analyzing the narratives from the perspective of responsible tourism and Sherpa spirituality (based on Tibetan Buddhism), the paper finds out that both authors show concerns on the onslaughts induced by commercialization of Everest tourism such as untimely casualties, environmental degradation, and cultural impacts. The paper concludes that both authors, being aware of such detrimental effects of mountain tourism, call for a responsible tourism that works for the development of socio-cultural, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable tourism in the destination area. But, while, for Norgay, sustainability is attenable through the teachings of Tibetan spirituality, for Krakauer, it is through effective tourism policies. Finally, reading these texts from this perspective, the study expects to add a critical reading into the relationship among mountain tourism, Sherpa culture, and environmental reverence.

Provisioning fisheries: A framework for recognizing the fuzzy boundary around commercial, subsistence, and recreational fisheries

ABSTRACT Although sparse, increasing evidence suggests an overlooked population of fishers whose fishing motivations and outcomes overlap across commercial, subsistence and recreational fishing sectors, resulting in underrepresented groups of fishers in management and policy frameworks. These fishers participate in what we frame as “provisioning fisheries,” a concept we propose to highlight the underrepresented values from fishing and fisheries across recreational, sociocultural, psychological, economic, health, and nutritional dimensions. We argue that provisioning fisheries often support underserved groups, provisioning fishers may engage in informal markets, and, that distinction exists from sport-oriented recreational fisheries in power, risks, access barriers, fishing motivation, attitudes, and practices including rule and advisory awareness. We propose that provisioning fisheries should be consciously considered—whether as part of existing fisheries structures or even its own sector to promote more sustainable and inclusive fisheries management. Overlooking this population of fishers may risk further marginalization, conflicts, contaminant exposure, and inaccurate stock estimates. Therefore, we propose provisioning fisheries as a useful analytical category to explore the heterogeneity of fishers and their distinct needs, motivations, and behaviors. As an example of how these fisheries may function, we synthesize what we currently know about provisioning fisheries in North America with hypothesized differences between provisioning and the sport-oriented recreational fisher to encourage greater dialogue and investigation about underrecognized fisheries.

The Evolution of Fasakh in Indonesia and Malaysia: A Legal Comparative Bibliometric Review

Fasakh, a legal mechanism in Islamic family law, allows a wife to seek marriage annulment under specific conditions, differing from talaq, which is initiated by the husband. While both Indonesia and Malaysia recognize fasakh, their legal frameworks differ; Indonesia regulates it under the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI) with significant influence from customary law (adat), whereas Malaysia enforces it through the Islamic Family Law Enactment, varying across states. This study aims to compare the legal, procedural, and socio-cultural dimensions of fasakh in both countries, employing comparative legal analysis through doctrinal research and bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer to map the evolution of fasakh-related studies from 2018 to 2024. The findings reveal that courts in both jurisdictions acknowledge domestic violence, financial neglect, religious conversion, contagious diseases, and fraud as primary reasons for fasakh, with an increasing recognition of psychological abuse and economic vulnerability as legitimate grounds. This study contributes to comparative Islamic legal scholarship by systematically analyzing fasakh across jurisdictions and introducing bibliometric analysis to trace its scholarly development, identifying emerging trends such as identity fraud, psychological abuse, and digital documentation in marital disputes. Additionally, the study underscores the role of ijtihad in expanding the interpretation of fasakh, aligning it with contemporary maqasid al-shariah (objectives of Islamic law) to ensure justice. Theoretically, the findings highlight the adaptability of Islamic jurisprudence in modern legal contexts, while practically, they provide insights for legal practitioners, policymakers, and religious authorities to enhance judicial consistency and improve access to legal aid for women seeking annulment. This study reinforces the necessity of balancing Islamic legal principles with evolving human rights perspectives, ensuring fasakh remains a protective mechanism within contemporary Muslim societies.

Financing Risk Mitigation Strategy with Governance Approach, Local Wisdom, and Religiosity at Sharia Rural Bank (BPRS) of Riau

&lt;p&gt;This study presents an innovative approach to financing risk mitigation strategies at BPRS in Riau by identifying causal factors, solutions, and strategies. Using a qualitative approach with the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method involving regulators, practitioners, and academics to reveal the interconnection between internal and external factors, sociocultural dimensions, and religiosity affecting financing performance. The findings show that implementing good governance, community and local wisdom, and religious values in the customer selection process reduces financing risks and strengthens the relationship between Sharia Rural Bank (BPRS) and the community. The results of this study provide significant contributions to developing a more comprehensive and sustainable risk mitigation framework, policies, and practices for BPRS in Riau, inspire the application of similar principles in other Islamic financial institutions, and encourage regulators to develop regulations to support the development of BPRS.&lt;/p&gt;

The The street names in East Central European cities and towns in the pre-industrial period from a comparative perspective

This research explores the realm of pre-industrial street names within East Central European cities, aiming to unveil the historical, linguistic, and socio-cultural dimensions they encapsulate. Through a cross-regional analysis, common archetypes and naming patterns were researched, transcending geographical confines. The study underscores the relevance of historical atlases in facilitating comparative research, shedding light on street names as repositories of narratives. These names, carrying echoes of professions, ethnic origins, and geographical landmarks, serve as windows into urban evolution and societal dynamics. By embracing the complexity of street names, this research emphasizes the importance of studying street names as sources of urban history.

Sustainability Analysis of Bali Cattle Farming (Bos Javanicus) in Tebo District

Tebo Regency is known as one of the centers for beef cattle farming in Jambi Province. Raising Balinese cattle on people’s farms is dominated by local cattle, especially Bali cattle (Bos javanicus). The study aims to stop the business index for Bali cattle farming integrated with oil palm plantations in Tebo Regency on intensive and extensive rearing patterns. This research uses a survey method, a longing index using a Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) approach called Rap-CP (Cattle Palm), a modified approach from the rapfish program. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) RAP-CP method (palm cattle). The results of the analysis of the inventory index values for the economic, legal-institutional, technological-infrastructural, socio-cultural and ecological dimensions of intensive and widespread maintenance patterns, respectively in the categories entirely sustainable (68.72) and very sustainable (88.44), entirely sustainable (67.05) and less sustainable (40.67), entirely sustainable (55.34) and less sustainable (32.87), less sustainable (39.94) and less sustainable (37.04), quite sustainable (52.46) and entirely (74.41). The results of sustainability index analysis indicate that Tebo Regency has sustainable potential for establishing a Bali cattle farming enterprise using an extensive rearing system.

EFFECTS OF PROBLEMATIC SOCIAL MEDIA USE (PSMU) ON PARENTING IN NIGERIA

This study examines the challenges posed by Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) on parenting in Nigeria, while recognizing social media’s positive potential as a platform for knowledge sharing, education, and improved family communication. Drawing from Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the research investigates how excessive and compulsive social media use disrupts traditional parenting practices, neglects responsibilities, and exposes children to online risks. The methodology employs a combination of systematic and narrative approaches, integrating structured literature review and qualitative accounts to explore the socio-cultural and moral dimensions of PSMU within the Nigerian context. The findings reveal that there are dangers to compulsive involvement in social media platforms, it can also enrich parenting by providing access to valuable resources and maintaining family connections, particularly in situations of physical separation. Two key recommendations emerge from this analysis: first, parents should set clear boundaries for social media usage and prioritize offline family interactions to strengthen bonds and minimize risks. Second, policymakers should implement digital literacy programs and promote awareness campaigns to encourage responsible social media use and ensure children’s online safety. The study advocates for a balanced approach to social media use that maximizes its benefits while mitigating its drawbacks to foster healthier parenting practices in a digital age.

Stigmatization of people with mental illness - a matter of milieu-specific worldviews? Results from a population-based survey in Germany.

Despite numerous awareness campaigns and anti-stigma programs, people with mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, are still stigmatized. Although the society is both cause and solution, societal-level conditions, such as society's customs and policies that legitimize and perpetuate stigmatization is often neglected. We used a milieu approach to investigate how shared social, cultural and political orientations and expectations are associated with manifestations of the mental-illness related stigma. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 3,042 adults aged ≥18 years from a national vignette-based representative survey on the stigma of mental illness in Germany from 2020. For milieu classification, we used an established population segmentation tool based on values and political preferences. Two stigma measures associated with the stereotype and status loss/discrimination components were assessed (i.e., the Social Distance Scale and a list of well-known stereotypes associated with depression or schizophrenia). Descriptive analyses and one-way ANOVAs with post-hoc pairwise contrasts between milieu groups were used to evaluate agreement on stereotypes and the desire for social distance towards people with depression or schizophrenia. Negative stereotypes about people with a depression (i.e., beliefs about being weak-willed) and schizophrenia (i.e., beliefs about dangerousness) tended to be more common in milieu groups leaning more toward the authoritarian pole. Milieu groups with a more liberal attitude on the socio-cultural dimension further expressed a lower desire for social distance towards people with depression (p<0.001). However, the extent of differentiation between the milieu groups was less pronounced regarding the desire for social distance towards people with schizophrenia than towards people with depression. Our findings suggest that socio-cultural and socioeconomic dimensions of the society can be used for both describing heterogeneous societies and illuminating the underlying social structure of stigma. In addition to making blind spots more visible (i.e., schizophrenia), milieu-specific knowledge could be useful in deciding which intervention components are most appropriate for which milieu groups and how to apply them successfully.

An exploratory study of ASEAN students’ engagement dynamics with local communities in China, Japan, and South Korea

Abstract Drastic shifts in geopolitical and economic landscapes in East Asia have escalated competition among China, Japan, and South Korea for higher education market share within ASEAN countries. This surge in ASEAN tertiary student enrollments in these countries has been altering the internationalization dynamics of not only the host universities but also the surrounding societies. Extant literature needs to be updated to address this recent influx of ASEAN tertiary students, particularly their connections with local societies within East Asia. To fill in the gap, this study explores the engagement dynamics of ASEAN students with these local societies, as well as the resultant impacts. Through semi-structured interviews, this study involved 27 participants, including ASEAN students, university administrators and staff, and representatives from local governmental and non-governmental organizations across selected locales in the 3 countries. The findings identified varying degrees of engagement among ASEAN students with local societies of the three countries across economic, socio-cultural, and diplomatic-political dimensions. This cross-national variance is potentially attributable to divergent governmental strategies and university motivations for recruiting ASEAN students.