The evolution of sex differences in competitive and social dream content.

Gene therapy acceptance in a high-consanguinity sickle cell disease population: bridging genetic literacy to therapeutic innovation in Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT This paper examines the conceptual metaphors underlying the perception of English language proficiency, usage, and attitudes in Nigeria, and provides their pedagogical implications. The data comprise transcripts of focus group discussions involving selected Nigerian students on attitudes towards varieties of Nigerian English. The conceptual metaphors in the data were identified and analysed by maximising the merits of conceptual metaphor theory. The analysis indicates that diverse aspects of Nigerian English are conceptualised using six conceptual metaphors, namely: USAGE OF NIGERIAN ENGLISH AS A MASK/DECORATION, FLUENT COMMUNICATION IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH AS LIQUID, PROFICIENCY IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH AS AN INHERITANCE, PROFICIENCY IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH AS BUILDING, PROFICIENCY IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH AS MORALITY, and PROFICIENCY IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH AS EATING/FOOD. While these conceptualisations reflect the participants’ positive attitude towards Nigerian English, on the one hand, and their negative attitude towards Nigeria's indigenous languages, the MASK metaphor highlights a subtle negative perception that English is used to obscure one's true social-economic identity. This study concludes that evaluations of Nigerian English and its speakers are shaped by sociocultural factors reflected metaphorically. By bridging metaphor studies and language attitude research, this work offers a new interdisciplinary perspective that highlights critical implications for English language pedagogy in Nigeria.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) presents a promising approach to addressing their diverse needs. Parents, as the primary caregivers, play a crucial role in deciding how AI is utilized. However, there is limited understanding of the factors that influence parental acceptance and intentions to adopt AI for their children with ASD. Therefore, this research examined the impact of personal attributes and socio-cultural factors on parental behavioral intention (BI) and acceptance of AI for ASD interventions in China. A survey involving 193 Chinese parents of children with ASD was conducted. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the potential factors influencing parents’ attitudes toward AI. Results demonstrated that parents’ acceptance of AI for ASD interventions reflects a multi-level interaction of personal and social factors. These findings highlight the need for usable, confidence-building, and economically accessible AI tools tailored for children with ASD.

Black women's embodied intersecting systems of oppression: A systematic narrative review of body image and maladaptive eating behavior.

The rapid development of the digital age has transformed education, governance, economics, and social interaction by making online participation a key agent of development. However, the digital age has also witnessed a parallel surge in cybercrimes, specifically targeting women—manifesting as online harassment, cyberstalking, identity theft, financial fraud, sextortion, gendered disinformation and sexual exploitation. These cybercrimes cause psychological, financial, and social harm and act as substantial barriers to women’s participation and empowerment in digital domains, thus impeding their holistic development in society. It intersects with patriarchy, economic inequality, and the digital divide, producing cumulative disadvantages for women. Studies like (Sarma, 2024), (Ahlawat & Sharma, 2024) & (Vaishnav & Dewan, 2024) have shown that the prominent presence of gender-based cybercrime limits women’s access to educational, economic, and other official opportunities online. This withdrawal weakens inclusive growth, slows innovation, and reinforces patriarchal exclusion. According to UN Women (2022), one in three women worldwide has experienced some form of online violence, with younger women and women in public life facing the highest risk. The objectives of the study are to identify the most prevalent forms of cybercrime targeting women in the digital age and evaluate the impact of such cybercrimes on women’s personal, professional, and social development. This study shall be conducted through an online survey targeting 60-80 participants in Kolkata on types of cybercrime experienced, frequency, reporting behaviour, psychological impact, awareness and the impact on their digital participation. Convenience random sampling shall ensure the representativeness of the population’s probability of being a victim of cybercrime. The quantitative data shall be analysed through descriptive graphs. The data shall also be thematically analysed to uncover recurring patterns and socio-cultural factors. This research will contribute to the sociological understanding of how gendered online violence functions as a barrier to inclusive development in the digital age.

Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a major staple crop in West Africa and plays a central role in regional food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural identity. Its wide ecological adaptation, diverse maturity periods, and in-ground storage capacity make yams critical to seasonal food availability and resilience of smallholder farming systems. Despite its importance, existing yam research has largely emphasized biophysical and agronomic dimensions, with limited integration of the socio-cultural and ecological factors that shape yam-based food systems. This review addresses this gap by synthesizing interdisciplinary knowledge on yam food ecology, focusing on how socio-cultural values, beliefs, behaviours, and interactions influence production, utilization, and sustainability of yam systems. We examine the roles of culture, politics, power relations, gender dynamics, and community organization in structuring yam production and consumption across the West African yam belt. The review further explores the long-standing human–yam relationship and the implications of eroding traditional knowledge for future food system resilience. By adopting a systems and ecological perspective that integrates life and social sciences, this review provides a framework to inform sustainable yam crop improvement, value chain development, and inclusive policy interventions, thereby supporting long-term food security and rural development in West Africa.

For girls and women, the relationship between mental and reproductive health (MRH) is an important but frequently disregarded aspect of their overall health. This study examines the relationship between mental health outcomes throughout the life course and reproductive health, which includes menstrual health, contraception, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. With important ramifications for gender equity, healthcare delivery, and policy. Biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors combine to shape these experiences. Premenstrual dysphoria (PMDD), perinatal mood disorders, and the psychological effects of reproductive rights restrictions are among the mental health issues that are commonly connected to reproductive events, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. On the other hand, poor mental health can harm reproductive decisions and results. The significance of integrated, gendersensitive health systems that holistically and person-centeredly address mental and reproductive health needs is emphasised in the paper. This article emphasises the importance of giving mental and reproductive health synergy top priority in order to improve the quality of life and long-term health outcomes for girls and women worldwide. It does this by reviewing the most recent research and best practices.

Contemporary understanding of key neural processes has advanced the study of the dynamic, iterative influences between the brain and external events, contributing to a growing evidence base concerning the entanglement between human brain structure and function and socio-cultural contextual factors, with consequent behavioural implications. This is particularly relevant to any understanding of differences in apparently sex-linked human behavioural phenotypes and the role of external factors in producing such differences. Relevant insights are provided not only by the relatively well-established concept of experience-based neuroplasticity, but also by research into the brain-changing effects of social context, which can include gendered attitudes and expectations. The developing study of the socially embedded brain offers a powerful organising framework to inform both methodological and theoretical approaches to an understanding of the brain-based mechanisms of biology/society interactions. Additionally, the emerging application of models of predictive coding processes in the brain to human social behaviour potentially offers wide-ranging insights into the role of rule-based, socio-culturally determined, lived experiences in shaping brain development and function and tracking. This paper aims to demonstrate how this framework could be harnessed in neuroscience research into the dynamic entanglement between sex-related brain processes and social contextual influences such as gender.

Background Feedback is a powerful educational intervention in clinical education, yet its effectiveness depends on how it is integrated into teaching and learning activities. Previous studies have shown that productive feedback in clinical education relies on sociocultural factors such as a supportive feedback culture, trustworthy relationships, and student agency. Co-creation is a promising approach for designing educational interventions that are contextually relevant and aligned with the needs of teachers and students. This study aimed to advance both theoretical and practical understanding of co-creation as a design strategy in health professions education, particularly in developing productive feedback processes tailored to undergraduate clinical education. Materials and methods Eight co-creation sessions were conducted with faculty, clinical teachers, students, and researchers. The process was iterative and grounded in feedback design principles informed by the literature. Co-creation led to the development of a prototype of a Feedback Toolkit, which was piloted in two dyads of clinical-teacher students in a seven-week physiotherapy clerkship. Weekly audio diaries were collected from participants and analyzed using content analysis. Results Data from the co-creation sessions informed the development of a Feedback Toolkit specifically designed for the clinical teacher–student dyad. The toolkit was built upon three design principles: (1) Contributes to a trustful relationship based on continuous mutual support, (2) Envisioned learning opportunities and feedback scaffolding, and (3) Plan the use of feedback. To operationalize these principles, the toolkit included practical materials such as podcasts, infographics, feedback prompts, and a Mini-CEX. The pilot study demonstrated the toolkit’s usability and acceptability and highlighted its value in structuring feedback interactions. Challenges included limited time for full implementation and difficulties in providing constructive feedback. Conclusion The co-creation approach enabled the development of a fit-for-purpose feedback toolkit that aligns with the dynamic needs of clinical education. This study highlights co-creation as a feasible strategy for designing feedback processes in workplace-based learning.

This study examines the sexual behaviour and risk of HIV transmission of older adults living with HIV in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Qualitative and descriptive quantitative methods were used to collect data through face-to-face in-depth and structured questionnaire interviews. All 50 participants in this study were recruited on a voluntary basis from HIV support groups in the study area. Using a biopsychosocial perspective, the study explored a range of issues, including the meaning of sex, safer sex practices, risk of HIV transmission and sexual behaviour. The study found that more than a third of OALHIV were sexually active and for the majority of respondents, sexual expression and relationships remain important. Respondents were found to have suboptimal safer sex practices and are at risk of HIV re-infection and onward transmission. While biological factors, which include age and health are important determinants of sexual behaviour among OALHIV, socio-cultural factors such as ageism, societal beliefs and expectations, disapproval by children and family members, housing arrangements and the economic situation of respondents also have a considerable influence on the sexual behaviour of OALHIV. As the population living with HIV ages and engages in sexual activity, it is imperative to understand the factors that promote sexual risk behaviour among OALHIV for effective HIV prevention interventions for older adults. Emphasis should be placed on disseminating information on safer sex practices among older HIV-positive persons to prevent onward transmission.

Abstract Purpose This study examines the socio-cultural, religious, and environmental factors that both support and hinder the adoption of cryptocurrencies in Pakistan. Drawing on institutional theory, with particular attention to the cultural-cognitive pillar, it explores how collectivist norms, peer influence, and limited awareness shape individual behaviour. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study approach was adopted, drawing on 23 semi-structured interviews with cryptocurrency traders selected via snowball sampling. Thematic analysis revealed key patterns in motivations, regulatory understanding, risk perceptions, and environmental awareness. Findings Results show that cryptocurrency adoption is driven by peer influence, social media exposure, and the pursuit of financial gain. However, adoption faces significant barriers, including limited technical knowledge of risks, poor understanding of legal and Sharīʿah compliance, and minimal awareness of environmental consequences. Financial literacy, trust in informal networks, and religious-cultural alignment play a central role in shaping behaviour in collectivist settings such as Pakistan. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to Pakistan and relies on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias. Future research could examine cross-cultural or longitudinal perspectives. Practical implications Insights from this research offer guidance to policymakers, religious scholars, and regulators seeking to develop culturally aligned frameworks and strengthen digital financial literacy. Targeted awareness campaigns are needed to promote ethical and sustainable cryptocurrency practices. Social implications The study highlights gaps in financial literacy, environmental awareness, and normative guidance, which need to be addressed to foster responsible innovation and broader financial inclusion in collectivist Muslim societies. Originality/value This paper contributes by bringing together institutional theory with particular focus on socio-cultural dimension of cryptocurrency adoption, offering a distinct perspective on digital finance in a non-Western, Islamic, collectivist context.

This study examines farmers’ perceptions and understanding of adopting innovative and technology-based agricultural practices for sustainability. It identifies the main drivers and barriers influencing farmers’ decisions to adopt technology, with the aim of encouraging farm-level research and promoting agricultural development. The study included 114 respondents and used a descriptive correlational research design. The findings show that farmers have a high level of understanding and positive attitudes toward technological innovation in agriculture. Key drivers of adoption include economic considerations, sociocultural factors, institutional support, and technological aspects. However, several major challenges limit adoption, including insufficient financial resources to purchase machinery, limited access to bank loans, and inadequate farm inputs such as land, quality seeds, mechanization, fertilizers, and pesticides. The results also indicate that years of farming experience are significantly related to economic factors. In addition, the type of agricultural mechanization and tools is significantly associated with technological aspects, while participation in training activities is significantly related to sociocultural and technological factors. Overall, the findings suggest that wider use of modern technology and machinery can be expected if these barriers are addressed.

Communication apprehension is one of the communicative problems and psychological variables that interfere with Moroccan EFL communicative competence and performance. Although the causes of communication apprehension are well established in literature, they are attributed much more to psychological constructs such as the fear of negative evaluation and low self-esteem rather than to the socio-cultural constructs. From this perspective, the present paper aims at reconceptualizing the construct of speaking anxiety from a socio-cultural dimension. To this end, this study aimed at exploring 78 Moroccan EFL students’ perceptions at the faculty of languages, Art and humanities, Ibn Tofail through the use of a five-point Likert scale and semi-structured interviews. Results showed that both psycholinguistic and socio-cultural factors are two major causes of students’ communication apprehension.

Purpose The purpose of this systematic literature review (SLR) is to critically synthesize the fragmented research on nudge marketing using the Theory-Context-Characteristics-Methodology (TCCM) framework, integrating antecedents, mediators and consequences to provide a consolidated conceptual framework. This approach identifies key themes, gaps and clusters in the literature, guiding future research on underexplored areas such as sociocultural factors, financial influences and product characteristics. Design/methodology/approach This study employs an SLR using the TCCM framework to synthesize nudge marketing research from 2008 to 2024. In total, 71 articles were selected from Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and ProQuest using rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were analysed for theoretical frameworks, research contexts, authorship, publication trends and methodologies. Word cloud and lexicometric analyses were also performed to identify evolving themes and key patterns in nudge marketing literature. Findings The synthesis of existing literature identifies the under-researched areas in the domain and provides insightful directions to advance the research work based on theory development, context, characteristics and methodology used. Originality/value In general, this systematic review contributes to the nudge literature and provides practical directions to marketers and policymakers to address societal issues that can be addressed through the implementation of the nudging technique.

Introduction: Self-harm or torturing oneself by intentionally injuring or cutting which is done to relieve the suffering felt. Self-harm behavior is often done by teenagers who are followed by mental health disorders such as symptoms of depression and anxiety. The purpose of this research analyzing predisposing factors of self-harm in adolescence at SMA N 1 Pejagoan. Methods: This study employed a quantitative research using descriptive analytic method with cross sectional approach, sampling using proportional random sampling. The number of samples in this study were 285 adolescents at SMA N 1 Pejagoan. Using 2 questionnaires to determine self-harm behavior using (self-harm inventory instrument) and to determine predisposing factors of self-harm using a predisposing factor screening instrument which has been declared valid, The validity tests indicated that all variables were statistically significant with P-values of <0.001, confirming that the instruments accurately measured their respective constructs and reliable was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha with p-value 0.769 and 0.784. Data analysis using Descriptive statistics were applied for univariate analysis to summarize demographic characteristics and study variables. Results: The results of this study were 271 (95.1%) respondents included in the Self-Harm Group and 14 (4.9%) respondents included in the non Self-Harm group. The majority of predisposing factors causing self-harm behavior were biological with a low category of 138 (48.4%) respondents, for psychological factors the majority were in the medium category of 186 respondents (65.3%) and for socio-cultural predisposing factors the majority were in the low category of 209 (73.3%) respondents. Conclusion: The majority of teenagers are in the self-harm group as many as 271 (95.2%). The biological predisposition factors are mostly in the low risk category as many as 138 (48.4%) respondents, the psychological factors are mostly in the medium risk category as many as 186 (65.3%) respondents and the socio-cultural predisposition factors are mostly in the low category as many as 209 (73.3%) respondents. The results of this study are expected to be a reference material for the need to include mental health material in the school curriculum and recommend further research on the analysis of screening factors predisposing to self-harm in adolescents at SMA N 1 Pejagoan.

Introduction. Physical inactivity constitutes a priority public health challenge in the department of La Guajira, intensified by sociocultural and territorial factors that restrict access to healthy environments. Within this framework, a multicomponent physical activity program is implemented for urban adults between 27 and 59 years of age. This program offers a biopsychosocial approach addressing biological and psychosocial dimensions and the promotion of physical fitness. Objective. The purpose of the proposal is to analyze the impact of the “Actívate Guajira” program on body composition and physical fitness of the participants. Methods. A quasi-experimental repeated-measures pre-test-posttest design was used in a sample of 373 adults from three different regions of the department of La Guajira. Participants were evaluated using the AFISAL-INEFC battery, tested and validated for a local population (Cronbach’s α > 0.80). For data analysis, paired-sample t tests were used (p < 0.05). Results. The results revealed in women significant reductions in weight (p = 0.002), body mass index (p = 0.0008), waist-hip ratio (p = 0.001), and body fat percentage (p = 0.011), along with improvements in strength, coordination, abdominal endurance, flexibility, and VO2max. In men, significant improvements were observed in waist-hip ratio and flexibility. Conclusions. These results provided relevant empirical evidence and were consistent with previous research supporting the effectiveness of supervised community-based interventions. It was concluded that “Actívate Guajira” constitutes an effective, sustainable, and culturally appropriate strategy to optimize physical health in adult populations from vulnerable contexts.

In Côte d'Ivoire, the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of adolescent girls is a neglected issue in research, given the lack of existing scientific work on the subject and the absence of targeted actions for this specific population, particularly in underserved areas. This research, which focuses on a vulnerable and at-risk population, was conducted in the Gbêkê health region, specifically in vulnerable areas. It provides a socio-anthropological assessment of the situation of adolescent girls living in vulnerable or disadvantaged areas in terms of SRHR in the Gbêkê health region and determines the implications for them. Qualitative and quantitative in nature, it is based on a data set comprising 48 interviews (6 focus groups and 42 semi-structured interviews) and 337 questionnaires administered. This integrated data set allows for an in-depth analysis of the situation of adolescent girls. The results show that, in these study areas, access to sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) is very limited, due to a combination of environmental, socio-cultural, economic, structural and geographical factors, among others. These results demonstrate the value of a systemic approach that brings together different stakeholders in the implementation of policies for the education and empowerment of adolescent girls. Such an approach will improve adolescent girls' access to SRHR, which will have positive repercussions on their lives in the medium and long term, in social, economic, health and educational terms, and on the balance of the health environment.

Introduction: Family planning is widely recognized as a key component of women’s health and social well-being, particularly in urban contexts where socio-cultural conditions shape access to and continuity of contraceptive use. Non-hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) are long-acting and reversible contraceptive methods; however, their utilization remains relatively low in Pekanbaru City, Indonesia, where socio-cultural factors continue to influence contraceptive choices. Objective: This study aims to assess the socio-cultural sustainability of non-hormonal IUD use among family planning acceptors in Pekanbaru City. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional study with an exploratory analytical approach was conducted in 2025, which involved 99 women registered as family planning acceptors in Tuah Madani and Sail districts. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) to generate a socio-cultural sustainability index. Root Mean Square (RMS) analysis was applied to examine attribute sensitivity, and the model strength was assessed by using a Monte Carlo simulation. Results: The socio-cultural sustainability index reached 58.1, which indicated a moderately sustainable condition. Religious norms and knowledge-related attributes demonstrated higher sensitivity within the sustainability configuration, while socio-demographic, relational, and service-related attributes showed moderate sensitivity. Attributes related to attitudes toward environmental impact and exposure to rumors exhibited lower sensitivity. The model demonstrated good stability (stress = 0.14; R² = 0.95). Conclusion: The sustainability of non-hormonal IUD use in Pekanbaru City is formed by the interaction of multiple socio-cultural attributes. Strengthening culturally sensitive communication, improving access to accurate contraceptive information, and enhancing spousal and community engagement may support more sustainable family planning practices.

Gold has traditionally remained one of the most preferred investment avenues among rural households in India due to its cultural significance, liquidity, and perceived financial security. This study examines the determinants influencing gold purchase behaviour among rural investors, focusing on economic, socio-cultural, psychological, and financial awareness factors. The research further analyses how trust in gold as a safe asset, accessibility to alternative investment avenues, and financial literacy impact the frequency and volume of gold purchases. A descriptive and analytical research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 180 rural respondents using a structured questionnaire. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression analysis, and chi-square tests were employed to analyse the data. The findings reveal that socio-cultural factors and trust in gold significantly influence purchase decisions. Gold continues to be perceived as a safe haven asset, particularly in the context of income uncertainty and inflation. Psychological aspects such as risk aversion and security perception further strengthen gold preference among rural households. However, increased financial awareness and improved access to alternative investment options demonstrate a negative relationship with gold purchase frequency, indicating gradual diversification among informed investors. The study concludes that although financial inclusion initiatives are expanding, cultural attachment and strong trust in gold continue to dominate rural investment behaviour. The research provides insights for policymakers and financial institutions to design targeted financial literacy programs and diversified investment products suitable for rural populations. Understanding these determinants is essential for promoting balanced investment practices and sustainable financial development in rural economies