Socio-cultural Settings Research Articles

The professional identity of highly educated migrant women: a multinational study of migration processes from a gender and educational perspective

Migration studies often focus on macro-level analyses, emphasising political and economic factors while overlooking personal (micro-level) aspects, whereas social work offers valuable insights into the individual experiences and needs of migrants. Little information exists regarding the perspectives of highly educated migrant women, including about the economic, social and emotional aspects of their migration experiences. This article focuses on how the professional identities of highly educated women in novel sociocultural settings are formed and examines how their professional identities influence their integration. Using snowball sampling, qualitative interviews were conducted with 36 participants from the Netherlands, Slovenia and Germany, supplemented by field notes and a demographic questionnaire. Looking through the micro-level contributes to a better understanding of the everyday lives of highly educated migrant women and the importance of maintaining their professional identities in a new environment in the context of social work and migration. By intersecting gender and education, this article addresses the complexities and the significance of professional identity among highly educated migrant women and its influence on their integration process, highlighting their challenges while also emphasising potential integration strategies and social policies for better social inclusion.

Socio-Cultural Settings and The Meaning of Gun Ownership and Presence: Comparing Pilot Samples from The United States and Israel

Civilian gun ownership is hotly debated in societies around the world, especially in the United States. This study added to the discussion by comparing samples from two countries representing opposite extremes in terms of civilian gun access policy: the US where the right of civilians to own guns is Constitution-based and Israel where civilian access to guns is extremely limited and strictly supervised. One hundred and two American and 142 Israeli citizens completed a series of online measures of exposure to guns, attitudes, meaning attributed to gun ownership, and gun culture. Significant differences were found on all measures. The Israeli sample reported higher endorsement of civilian gun ownership, and Israelis associated gun ownership and presence in the civilian space with enhanced security. Gun culture was predominantly self-defense in both samples, but the US sample also showed higher prevalence of other cultures, such as hunting and sport. Gender played a major role in the results in both samples, with women reporting lower endorsement of gun ownership by civilians and attributing more risk and chance of violence to the presence of guns in their environment. The results are discussed in the socio-political and cultural context.

The Circular Economy: Recent debates and research trends

The Circular Economy is one of the most prominent cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral concepts to emerge in recent decades. It has permeated academia, policymaking, business, NGOs, and the general public, leading to numerous applications of the concept, some of which only partially overlap. In this article, we review recent debates and research trends in the Circular Economy, outlining the ten most common groups of its conceptualizations using the PRISMA (Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) method. We then propose a post disciplinary and transnational research program on the Circular Economy that would not only combine hard and soft sciences in unprecedented ways but also have important practical applications, such as developing tools to embed the Circular Economy in natural, technical, economic, and socio-cultural settings.

Embodied spirituality: Shaolin martial arts as a Chan Buddhist practice

This paper explores the intersection of spirituality and martial arts through an in-depth examination of Shaolin Kung Fu as practiced within the Shaolin Monastery in Henan Province, China. Conducting fieldwork from April 2018 to August 2020, the study employs theories of practice and embodiment to understand how religious teachings are interwoven into physical movements and martial practices. This phenomenological analysis of bodily movement integrates the physical body with the sense of self, highlighting the relationship between individual habitus and the agency of the moving body, referred to as the “lived body.” It argues that Shaolin martial artists engage in a form of dynamic embodiment, where Chan Buddhist doctrines are embedded within the “lived body,” influencing both movement and perception. This process allows practitioners to interpret and interact with their socio-cultural environment through a religious lens, highlighting the deep connection between spiritual beliefs and bodily actions.The paper presents a comprehensive approach, combining intensive participant observation, historical analysis, and a close look at both the communal and individual aspects of monastic life and learning. By examining narratives, daily routines, and pedagogical methods, the study reveals how the socio-cultural setting of the monastery fosters collective habitus and transforms the individual habitus of practitioners. It shows how this transformation contributes to the development of a spiritual dimension in their martial performance. By highlighting the link between the habitus, the lived body, and the dynamic embodiment, the paper extends the current discourse on embodiment, offering a novel perspective on the relationship between spirituality, culture, and physical practice in the context of Shaolin Kung Fu.

Vaccine Hesitancy and Public Mistrust during Pandemic Decline: Findings from 2021 and 2023 Cross-Sectional Surveys in Northern Italy.

This study examines vaccine agreements in South Tyrol, Italy, within distinct socio-cultural and linguistic contexts. Using data from the 2021 and 2023 "COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring" extended surveys, we assessed changes in attitudes towards COVID-19 and other vaccinations during the second and final years of the pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors such as trust in institutions, language groups, and the use of complementary and alternative medicine. The representativeness of the study is supported by good participation rates, ensuring a comprehensive view of attitudes towards vaccination in the region. The results show a shift in public agreement with the national vaccination plan to 64% by 2023, from a rate of about 73% agreement in 2021 (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in trust in health authorities and a negative correlation with complementary and alternative medicine consultations were observed. The results highlight the complex nature of vaccine hesitancy in diverse regions such as South Tyrol and underline the need for targeted communication strategies and trust-building initiatives to effectively reduce hesitancy. This study provides critical insights for the formulation of public health strategies in diverse sociocultural settings.

From subcultural to mainstream? The evolving meaning of cannabis use among youth in a restrictive policy context

Background Cannabis liberalization trends are challenging traditional cannabis markets, opinions, cultures, and ultimately, the paradigms for understanding these social phenomena. Up-to-date studies across various socio-cultural and policy settings of how young people perceive and give meaning to their cannabis use are thus highly relevant for novel prevention and harm reduction strategies. Methods Individual interviews with 28 students (13 girls, 15 boys, 16–19 years) from Norway who had used cannabis. Investigation was based on the sociological concept of framing and thematic analysis. Results Participants tended to emphasize social equivalence between cannabis users and nonusers, and of cannabis and alcohol use in social settings. However, unlike alcohol, cannabis was also framed as a means for providing sleep, or for relieving depressive moods and ADHD symptoms. These framings markedly diverge from the traditional understandings of youths’ cannabis use in nonliberalized settings as either subcultural and opposition-oriented or recreational and normalized. Conclusions Our results indicate that even in a strict drug policy context like Norway, adolescent cannabis use is increasingly given meaning within a mainstream, rather than within a subcultural, frame. In addition, a medicinal discourse seems to be gaining foothold. Findings should be of relevance for various drug strategies aimed toward adolescents.

« Yeah, I am making new stuff! »: responsivity to and negotiations of agency during digital storytelling in preschool

ABSTRACT This study analyses interactions between pairs of children (aged 4–5) together with their teacher during digital storytelling activities in preschool to explore how children express and negotiate their agency and how teachers respond to it. Theoretically, agency is understood as relational and situated meaning that it stems from, and it is shaped by participation in interactions in specific sociocultural settings. Data include 140 h of video recordings in which participants (10 children and 2 teachers) recreate a familiar story using the application Book Creator. The findings show that, even in these activities that were designed by the researcher and the teachers and had a preliminary framework, children expressed their agency by altering the story plot, negotiating the meaning of their drawings with peers, and exploring the design characteristics of the digital tablets. The teachers and digital tables (including the application) mediated the dynamic process of children’s agency. The study concludes by emphasizing a responsive teaching approach that opens up for and encourages children’s agency.

Mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal.

Previous studies have indicated the association between stigma and depressive symptoms among frequently stigmatized groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM). While this association has been suggested in the literature, there is a dearth of evidence that examines whether food insecurity statistically mediates the relationship between stigma and depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study conducted between October and December 2022 among a sample of 250 MSM in Kathmandu, Nepal, recruited through respondent-driven sampling. An unadjusted model including the exposure (stigma), mediator (food insecurity), and outcome variables (depressive symptoms) and an adjusted model that controlled for sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related confounders were used. Bootstrapping was utilized to estimate the coefficients of these effects and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Via bootstrap approach, we find out the mediating role of food insecurity in the association between stigma and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms, stigma, and food insecurity were 19.6%, 24.4%, and 29.2%, respectively, among MSM. Food insecurity was associated with higher age (b = 0.094; 95% CI = 0.039, 0.150) and monthly income (b = -1.806; 95% CI = -2.622, -0.985). Depressive symptoms were associated with condom-less sex in past six months (b = -1.638; 95% CI = -3.041, -0.092). Stigma was associated with higher age (b = 0.196; 95% CI = 0.084, 0.323) and PrEP uptake (b = 2.905; 95% CI = 0.659. 5.248). Food insecurity statistically mediated 20.6% of the indirect effect of stigma in depressive symptoms. Our findings show that food insecurity affects the relationship between stigma and depressive symptoms in this population. Reducing food insecurity and addressing the stigma surrounding sexual orientation should be a priority when addressing mental health concerns among MSM in Nepal and other resource-limited countries with similar socio-cultural settings.

Dimensions of responsible tourism and quality of life

Responsible tourism consists in undertaking such activities that enable achieving growth in a way that either does not destroy the existing environment and protects the culture, history, heritage, and achievements of local communities. Besides, the attainment of responsible tourism requires careful management of tourists’ and residents’ behaviors to prevent deleterious effects on the environment, sociocultural setting and visitor satisfaction. This paper is aimed to evolve the factors influencing Dimensions of Responsible tourism and to validate Quality of Life (QOL). The study is made with selected 3 Districts in Tamilnadu respectively Madurai District, Tanjore District and Kanniyakumari District. The respondents are the residents who are located in the three districts nearing tourism spots ,250 Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and only 225 respondents returned the full filled questionnaire. Through IBM SPSS the validity construction is ensured through the Percentage analysis, Descriptive Analysis and Confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability is measured with the consistency of each item score. These tests are guaranteed by representative samples and Convenience sampling method is used to analyse the study. Tourism can have both positive and negative impacts on the QOL of local communities. In general, the domains of QOL that are perceived to be positively affected are the economy, employment opportunities, community pride, cultural exchange, and availability of facilities

Social mediation as a tool of peace and consent at community level

This article is about social mediation and its applicability in Kazakhstanian socio-cultural setting. The author writes that the relevance of this study is determined by the need for scientific understanding of social mediation as a relatively new tool for conflict management and transformation. Social mediation as a new type of socio-communicative practice can contribute to the achievement of peace and harmony within and between communities. The author defines the term, further presents a brief history of its evolution, rooted in the history of the development of human relations, as well as the effectiveness of its application and the role of mediators in the settlement of social conflicts. The methodological basis of the article is the general scientific methods of cognition and the results of the research on the example of 11 conflicts of South Kazakhstan in the period 2006-2021. The article concludes with some conclusions and discussion. In addition, the practical significance of this article will allow to form a strategy of social mediation to prevent social conflicts.

Methodological Leeway and Obstacles in Qualitative Research: Reflections on Procedural and Practical Issues in Tanzania

Despite being subject to criticism, qualitative research methodology remains a unique and valuable approach in collecting rich and informative data. However, this may vary from one context to another and researchers understanding of the context. Grounded on the decolonization notion of qualitative research, this paper explains leeways and obstacles in conducting research, reflecting upon the procedural and practical aspects that represent the reality in Tanzania based on two cases. Our paper emphasizes that it is essential to understand and capture the real-world reflective of the voices of the population whom the study targets, which may be easier for local/native researchers. This is because the local/native researchers may be able to explain the research processes and findings in consideration of the socio-cultural settings and political environment. The paper acknowledges that qualitative research requires patience and time, which may have financial implications. It also acknowledges that some populations are facing research fatigue exacerbated by inadequate research dissemination plans. Understanding the context of the study area or topic and applying appropriate methodological approaches to overcome obstacles and gather required adequate and relevant information is thus of importance.

Decision Making Process of Tharu Women in Their Households, Bhimdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur

This sociological study critically examines the decision-making process of Tharu women in the households of Bhimdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal, with a keen focus on understanding the intricate interplay of sociocultural factors that shape and govern these dynamics, as well as Tharu women’s educational status and decision-making positions in their homes. Research used qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, as well as descriptive and exploratory research, including in-depth interviews and non-participant observations, to investigate the nuanced dimensions of decision-making roles assumed by Tharu women in their familial environments. We included 250 Tharu households. Data from 50 households were gathered to determine a 95% confidence level, 20% population percentage, and 10% margin of error. The study found that Tharu women face significant educational challenges, including limited school access, financial constraints, traditional gender roles, and early marriages, all of which have an impact on their academic advancement and personal development. As a result, the position of decision-making in the Tharu community is far lower than that of men. In the sociological framework, the research study adds to our understanding of gender roles and power dynamics in indigenous societies. This study has important implications for sociological theories about intersectionality, cultural resilience, and adaptation to changing societal norms. Furthermore, the study’s findings have implications for the establishment of more inclusive and culturally responsive policies targeted at promoting gender equity and empowerment in Tharu households and other similar sociocultural settings.

Functions of music, focused on the context of music listening, and psychological well-being in late adolescence regarding gender differences.

Late adolescences, as a developmentally challenging transitional period between childhood and adulthood, provides a number of pressures that impact well-being of youth. Among approaches for facilitating well-being, music is reported to be one of the most effective ones, which was especially proven during Covid-19 pandemic. Given the significance of music and music listening in late adolescence, our study sought to examine the relationship between psychological well-being and music listening among university students (N = 603; Nfemale = 356, Nmale = 247) with a focus on the social, intrapersonal, and sociocultural context of music listening. The RESPECT music scale, the SPWB, and the PANAS were used to measure positive and negative affect as well as the six components of psychological well-being. The findings revealed that, while there were no gender differences in the sociocultural setting, females reported to listen to music more frequently than males in intrapersonal and social contexts. In two areas, female students rated their psychological well-being higher than male students: personal growth and positive relationships with others. They also reported experiencing positive and negative affect more frequently than men. Regression analyses revealed that the functions of music explained only a small amount of the variance in psychological well-being. Specifically, music listening in a social and sociocultural context significantly explained two aspects of psychological well-being: personal growth and positive relations with others. The intrapersonal context of music listening predicted a positive affect, while the social context predicted a negative affect. Our study highlights several implications of music listening in youth regarding gender either in everyday activities or in educational and clinical setting.

Re-enchanting Paul?

Abstract The Galatian community is disrupted with different notions of the gospel than Paul intended. Paul, surprised that this community is confused so easily, sets out in Gal 3 to explain what justification by faith entails. Paul and his letter to the Galatians are products of a first century CE context. The problem when faced with Galatians, particularly Gal 3:1–14, is that research on rhetoric abounds, but the curse language, which is an embedded in Paul’s context is often dismissed or ignored. My focus here is to trace Paul’s meaning, specifically focusing on curse language in the argument of Gal 3 in order to show that Paul is embedded in a apotropaic imaginary as befits his socio-cultural setting and Greco-Roman discursive reality.

Impact of Interventions Supporting Girls’ Education on Early Marriage, Pregnancy and Work Participation: Evidence Synthesis

This article synthesises the evidence on the impact of interventions supporting adolescent girls’ and young women’s education on delaying marriage, childbearing and improving work participation. A total of 13 studies (eight from sub-Saharan Africa and five from South Asia) during the years 2000–2020 met our inclusion criteria. A major focus of the included studies was to reduce the schooling cost, with limited focus on strategies such as supplementary coaching, making schools girl-friendly, monitoring performance and sensitising communities about educating girls. Most studies that measured the effects on marriage and childbearing showed a positive impact. However, interventions were less successful in influencing work participation. Although a majority of studies reported positive effects on educational outcomes, fewer measured or reported positive effects on other social and health outcomes. This evidence synthesis suggests a need for studying long-term effects of such interventions on girls’ and women’s family, work and social life in order to inform policy. Studies that explore the varying impacts of such interventions on girls and women from different sociocultural settings are needed. Our evidence synthesis underscores the importance of making comprehensive efforts to support girls’ education in order to meet the global development commitments of ensuring equitable life opportunities for adolescent girls and young women.

Enhancing rural Ghanaian women’s economic empowerment: the cassava dough enterprise

ABSTRACT Grounded in a qualitative case study design and relying on key informant interviews and focus group discussion, this study assesses the influence of the cassava dough enterprise on women’s economic empowerment in a rural Ghanaian community. Women in the study community are marginalised in accessing arable land, which is a critical livelihood asset. Cassava dough processing, which is a women-dominated activity, has become an alternative and lucrative business for women. Women's engagement in cassava dough processing is driven by myriad factors that are rooted in their sociocultural settings and gender norms. Women engaged in cassava dough processing and sales have enhanced their economic empowerment through increased access to regular income, improved financial autonomy and saving behaviour, and contributed to community development. The study recommends the need to prioritise policies, programs, and interventions that create an enabling environment for community-based women’s economic empowerment strategies in poor and vulnerable communities.

Optimising scale-up for public health impact: a multimethod implementation science research protocol to improve infant health outcomes in Ethiopia

IntroductionChild mortality rates remain high in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. We are conducting a cluster randomised control trial in the Gondar zone of the Amhara region to determine the impact...

A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a community leader-driven kit-based diabetes self-management education approach in improving diabetes control and care: study protocol for the DElhi Diabetes INTervention Trial (DEDINTT)

IntroductionDiabetes self-management education (DSME) helps patients self-manage their condition and improve outcomes/quality of life. However, access to DSME is limited, particularly in low-income areas. This study aims to develop a DSME training kit (EK-DIN), understand barriers to implementation, and evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of community leader (CL)-based rollout using a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial format.Methods and analysisThe mixed methods study will begin with a qualitative study to evaluate the facilitators and barriers towards CL-based DSME. The in-depth interview notes will be transcribed for thematic analysis. These results will be utilized for a stakeholder’s workshop to develop the EK-DIN kit, a patient-interfacing app, and an implementation plan. Rollout will be conducted in 30 clusters in Delhi, preselected by the DEDICOM-II survey in 5 steps (6 clusters every 3 months: 2 each from each socio-economic category; randomly selected per sequence). A CL from each cluster will be trained in using the EK-DIN kit/app over 1 month. The trained CL will conduct DSME sessions among the cluster residents using the EK-DIN kits provided fortnightly for 3 months. Compliance and blood parameters data will be collected at baseline, 3 months after the intervention, and every quarter thereafter till completion. Change in HbA1c before and after the intervention will be evaluated as the primary outcome using the swCRTdesign package for R version 4.0.2 and the swSummary function. The sustainability of the effects will be evaluated using the change in quarterly parameters after intervention completion.DiscussionA positive result will set the template for a generalizable public health intervention with proven community effectiveness, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and positive quality-of-life impact. While a negative result will require the testing of alternative approaches, it would still add substantially to existing knowledge on the subject. Given the diverse socio-cultural setting in which the trial is being proposed and the high power of the study, the results (positive or negative) should be widely applicable and have policy implications.Trial registrationCTRI/2023/07/054963. Date of Registration: 7th July 2023.

Moral injury in a global health emergency: a validation study of the Italian version of the Moral Injury Events Scale adjusted to the healthcare setting

ABSTRACT Background: When exposed to events that transgress one’s moral beliefs, a plethora of negative consequences may follow, which are captured by the concept of moral injury (MI). Despite its relevance to experiences of healthcare workers during a global health emergency, there is lack of validated MI instruments adapted to the healthcare setting. Objective: The present study aims to provide a validation of the Italian version of the Moral Injury Events Scale (MIES) adjusted to the healthcare setting by assessing its factor structure, internal consistency and construct validity. Methods: A sample of 794 healthcare workers (46% nurses, 51% female) engaged in hospital facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy completed measures of MI, PTSD, anxiety, depression, burnout, meaning in life and positive affect. Results: Using an exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) we assessed the scale factor structure for the entire sample and separately for nurse professional and female healthcare worker groups. Findings support a three-factor solution: Factor 1 ‘perceived transgressions by others’; Factor 2 ‘perceived transgressions by self’; and Factor 3 ‘perceived betrayals by others’. Findings also indicate some level of convergence with measures of PTSD, anxiety, depression and burnout. Conclusion: Results suggest that the MIES may be useful in capturing unique experiences of moral injury amongst healthcare workers engaged in a global health emergency. The low range correlations with measures of psychological distress might potentially indicate that MI, which captures cognitive value judgements rather than manifest symptomatology, may uniquely explain a certain amount of variance. Implications for the development of new empirically derived and theoretical guided tools are discussed, highlighting the need for future research to examine the role of individualising and social binding moral principles in gaining a more nuanced understanding of moral injury experiences amongst healthcare professionals across different socio-cultural settings.

Hearing the voices of adolescents: Evaluating the quality of care for young adults with chronic illnesses in the UAE

BackgroundQuality care for adolescents and young adults with chronic illnesses has been under-explored in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and internationally, especially from patients' perspectives. Most available international studies focused on quality of life and the transition to adulthood rather than service quality. AimThis research assesses care quality for adolescents with chronic illnesses in the UAE, aiming to understand their perspectives, appraise current practices, and identify service gaps. MethodsA cross-sectional survey employed a validated questionnaire examining 33 essential care components. Participants comprised 576 adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions from five UAE Emirates. ResultsParticipant's reports indicated that none of the 33 care elements were received consistently. Most participants (80.6%) reported crucial care aspects were absent, and across most investigated items, 19.4%–46.5% of participants reported receiving the services they were supposed to receive only some or many of the times, indicating significant areas for improvement. ConclusionsFindings demonstrate significant care quality gaps for UAE's adolescents and young adults with chronic illnesses. These may critically affect their ability to manage their conditions and ensure holistic growth. These insights can guide healthcare enhancements tailored to this demographic. Practice implicationsThere is an urgency for enhanced patient-centered care in UAE healthcare, emphasizing clinicians' roles in supporting adolescents with chronic illnesses, especially during transitions. Healthcare managers should prioritize standardized care policies, improved communication, and training that emphasizes consistent patient feedback and transition readiness. Further research into care gaps and tailored interventions within the region's distinct sociocultural setting is essential.