Socioeconomic Background Research Articles

Navigating educational inequities in the USA: A statistical analysis of socio-economic and cultural barriers faced by young adults in formal education

Young adults in the USA face a multitude of challenges, particularly those from multi-disadvantaged backgrounds. This paper examines the socio-economic and cultural barriers impacting the educational experiences of young adults aged 18–29 within formal education settings in the USA. Utilising theoretical frameworks of life course research, intersectionality, and spatial justice, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted barriers that hinder educational attainment. Drawing on data collected from surveys, interviews, and secondary sources, we employ robust statistical techniques, including regression and factor analysis, to identify and analyse key socio-economic barriers such as income, employment status, and parental education. Additionally, we explore cultural barriers, including language proficiency, ethnicity, and cultural capital, and conduct an intersectional analysis to uncover the compounded effects of these factors. Our findings reveal significant disparities in educational outcomes linked to socio-economic and cultural factors, highlighting the pervasive nature of educational inequities in the USA. The analysis indicates that young adults from lower socio-economic backgrounds and minority cultural groups face substantial obstacles in accessing and succeeding in formal education. These barriers are exacerbated by institutional and structural factors, emphasising the need for targeted policies and practices to support vulnerable populations.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND DIETARY PRACTICES AMONG SCHOOL-GOING ADOLESCENTS

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of socioeconomic factors on nutritional knowledge and dietary practices among school-going adolescents in rural areas of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The primary objectives were to assess the relationship between socioeconomic status and adolescents' nutritional knowledge and dietary practices, and to identify barriers to adopting healthy dietary practices in the context of socioeconomic disparities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, encompassing data from 385 adolescents, with variables such as family income, parental education, and access to nutritional resources being analyzed. Results: The results revealed significant correlations between higher socioeconomic status and better nutritional knowledge and dietary practices. Adolescents from wealthier families and those with more educated parents demonstrated superior understanding and adherence to healthy dietary guidelines, while those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds exhibited gaps in knowledge and poorer dietary habits. Additionally, the study highlighted the presence of nutritional health issues, including both underweight and overweight adolescents, indicating a dual burden of malnutrition in the region. Conclusion: The conclusion emphasizes the need for targeted public health interventions that address the socioeconomic disparities influencing adolescent nutrition. Such interventions should include enhanced nutritional education, improved access to affordable nutritious foods, and culturally sensitive programs that respect local dietary practices while promoting balanced nutrition. The findings underscore the critical role of socioeconomic factors in shaping adolescents' nutritional behaviors and call for multi-faceted approaches to improve nutritional outcomes in rural communities. KEYWORDS: Nutrition knowledge, Dietary practices, Adolescent Nutrition, Public Health, Nutritional Education

Students' Needs and Preferences for Digital EFL Learning Materials

While research on digital language learning materials has received lots of attention, there was a scarcity of studies focusing on specific locations, like Sambas in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Located near the border of Indonesia and Malaysia, Sambas has a unique EFL learning environment influenced by its geographical location and diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Understanding students' needs and preferences in local contexts is crucial in designing culturally relevant teaching materials. This study aimed to assess the needs and preferences of students in Sambas and provided valuable insights into optimizing the utilization of digital teaching materials for English language learning. This study employed a survey research design to elicit information about current materials, the student's needs, perceptions, and preferences concerning digital materials in English students' needs and preferences, and technological resources. The participants of this study were first-year students of junior secondary school (20 students) in Sambas. The findings revealed that students need videos, movies, and songs with English subtitles as learning materials. Furthermore, the study might shape future research in developing and implementing digital EFL materials customized to the Sambas' cultural context, including local language, customs, and traditions, and their effectiveness in engaging students and improving English language acquisition.

Mitigating digital transformation risks for circular construction in emerging economies: an empirical investigation in Vietnam

Although emerging economies are increasingly adopting digital solutions, integrating these technologies with circular construction practices remains relatively unexplored, which could impede the sector’s transformation. This study addresses this gap by investigating the complex risk landscape, identifying 23 critical concerns through a quantitative approach. Utilizing data collected from 248 construction professionals in Vietnam, this study scrutinized and assessed these risks using reliability testing, Kruskal-Wallis test, exploratory factor analysis, relative importance index, and risk mapping techniques. The results revealed the differences in how clients, contractors, and consultants perceived digital transformation risks for circular construction. In addition, the findings indicated the most significant risks, including negative returns on investments, income loss, competition, legal uncertainties, cyberattacks, and high digitization costs. Furthermore, a comparative analysis showed that countries with similar socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds may exhibit markedly different risk profiles. Theoretically, this work bridges circularity and digitalization, offering theoretical insights into risk dynamics in emerging economies. Moreover, the practical implications are substantial, providing valuable strategies for decision-makers and stakeholders in Vietnam and beyond, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for the construction industry.

Safety Profile of Mass Administration of Albendazole Among School Children (6-19 Years): A Prospective Active Surveillance Study.

Infections with Soil-transmitted Helminths (STHs) impact about 24% of the global population. A disproportionate number of individuals, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, live in emerging nations. In India, between the ages of one and fourteen, almost 220 million children are susceptible to intestinal worm infestations caused by parasites. The National Deworming Day (NDD) initiative was started by the Indian government in February 2015 as a part of the National Health Mission to address this problem. Though the adverse effects of albendazole in routine therapy are known, the mass administration of the medicine in children as part of a public health program has not been adequately studied. This study aimed to determine the occurrence, type, and severity of adverse drug reactions resulting from mass administration of albendazole in school children aged 6-19 years in a district of northern India. Twenty specified clusters were randomly chosen from a total of 94 clusters in the state to participate in this prospective, descriptive, observational study that was carried out in Karnal, Haryana. Both a passive approach and an active adverse drug reaction reporting system were used in the study. The six-step process known as Deb's Active Surveillance & Assisted Reporting System was employed in our study. Adverse drug reactions were recorded using the suspected Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting form of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI). Twenty clusters with a combined total of 94 schools and 12,751 students were observed during the study. In this study, there were more female participants (N = 8,060; 63.21%) than male participants (N = 4,691; 36.78%). A total of 29 ADRs were reported. All reported ADRs were mild in nature. It was discovered that there were 1.37 incidences for every 1000 individuals. As illustrated in Fig. (1), the most frequently reported Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) were vomiting (N = 10), nausea (N = 4), abdominal pain (N = 2), and headache (N = 1). The majority of ADRs were categorized as probable (N=18; 62.06%), followed by possible (N=11; 37.93%). An active surveillance system alongside voluntary passive reporting during the mass administration of medicines can help evaluate the safety profile of the medicinal products. The occurrence of ADRs following mass administration of albendazole in school children was found to be only 1.37 incidences for every 1000 recipients, being mild in nature, with vomiting being the most common.

On Vulnerability, Biopolitics, and Political Struggles: Some Thoughts on (Post)pandemic Times

For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic was experienced as a parenthesis in our individual and collective existences. At the same time, this parenthesis ran the affective spectrum from hope to despair, resilience to sorrow. Importantly, one’s socioeconomic background, gender, and race shaped the impact of the pandemic. While some were able to work online from home, others lost their jobs or had to turn to precarious activities. Some countries were able to manage the pandemic with proactive public health measures; other nations followed a laissez-faire approach with dramatic consequences. The digitalization of our daily lives—in particular digital-based consumption—was accelerated during the pandemic. Most of all, the pandemic exposed the radical vulnerability of our bodies, either directly through infection or infection of our loved ones, with, in many cases, tragic outcomes. This vulnerability was biological since the virus seemed to be—at first—out of control, using our human bodies to replicate; the pandemic exposed the basic traits of our human condition. This vulnerability was also political. Many governments were stultified, or oscillated from one strategy to another. Poor, or reckless, governance undermined the legitimacy of that governance; at the same time, a “warfare” rhetoric often shored up that legitimacy while justifying the erosion of rights.

Molecular Docking and Pharmacokinetics Prediction of Piperine and Capsaicin as Human Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitors: An In Silico Study.

Introduction Obesity is a complexmultifaceted disease, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation. It is a major public health concern globally, affecting individuals of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Lipase, a key enzyme involved in lipid metabolism, plays a crucial role in the hydrolysis of dietary fats. Pancreatic lipase performs hydrolysis of nearly 50%-70% of total dietary fats. Thus, inhibition of pancreatic lipase isrecognized as one of the strategies for managing obesity. Aim To predict the effect of phytocompounds from pepper as pancreatic lipase inhibitors using computational approaches. Methodology The drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties of compounds were evaluated using Lipinski rule of fiveand absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) analysis, respectively. The drug score value was computed using Molinspiration, while the lipase inhibitor potential of ligands was evaluated using prediction of activity spectra for substances. Molecular docking was carried out to evaluate the stability and ligand binding affinity. Results Computational approaches identified bothpiperine and capsaicin as potential candidates, exhibiting favorable affinities with binding energy values of -9.9 and -7.7 kcal/mol, respectively. Both piperine and capsaicin interacted with Ser-152 and His-263, demonstrating their binding at the substrate binding site. Conclusions Findings provide insights into the underlying anti-obesity potential of these bioactive compounds from pepper and support further experimental investigations for obesity treatment.

An Analysis of Social Transformation of Tribal Weekly Market in Coimbatore District

This study explores the socio-economic impacts of market access on tribal individuals across different ranges in Coimbatore District. It examines four case studies representing various socio-economic backgrounds: Papammal from the Karamadai Range, Kandhasamy from the Periyanaikepalayam Range, Valli from the Coimbatore Range, and Nanjammal from the Bolambatty Range. Through detailed analysis, the study highlights the challenges and benefits of market participation, including transportation difficulties, financial constraints, and the broader social transformations experienced by these individuals. The findings underscore the significant role of market access in enhancing awareness, skill development, health, gender equality, and community development among tribal communities.

Adjustment trade-offs and negative emotion reciprocation in adolescent-mother dyads during COVID-19

Adolescents may benefit socially from family members’ negative emotional reciprocation (e.g., having levels of concern about a certain thing that match with another family member), but excessive focus on their own anxiety can lead to negative outcomes. To date, implications of this ‘trade-off’ in adolescent-parent dyads (e.g., Rose in Child Development Perspectives 15(3):176–181 2021) for youth adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic remain largely unexplored. During the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong (September 2020 to April 2021), 349 first-year university students from varying socioeconomic backgrounds and following diverse study majors (T1 Madolescent age = 18.2 years, 60.3% female) and their mothers gave bi-weekly reports of COVID-related preoccupation, negative affect, and perceived relational support from their dyad partner (5183 observations over 16 assessments). Multilevel response surface analyses tested whether congruence in COVID preoccupation between mothers and adolescents predicted relationship quality and negative affect over time. Results suggested that negative emotion reciprocation had ‘trade-off’ effects for adolescents’ adjustment. Youth who matched high levels of COVID preoccupation with mothers reported the most relational support but also reported higher negative affect than youth with lower levels of COVID preoccupation. Mothers’ reported support from adolescents was not related to either mothers’ or adolescents’ preoccupation. Mothers’ negative affect was only associated with their own COVID preoccupation. Our findings suggest that adolescents may have derived some benefit from adolescent-mother negative emotion reciprocation, whereas mothers did not. The absence of trade-off effects in mothers may be linked to Chinese cultural norms of preserving the hierarchical family structure, such that the negative emotion reciprocation process in Chinese adolescent-mother dyads might be more adolescent-focused, i.e., revolving around the adolescents’ distress rather than the parents’.

Associations of Park Use with Physical Activity in Renovated Parks Serving Low-Income Communities in New York City: Insights from the Community Parks Initiative.

Parks have the potential to encourage physical activity among urban communities. However, existing research on the link between park use and physical activity has produced inconsistent results. Mixed findings in the past may be due in part to differences in park quality across studies. The aim of this study was to explore the association between park use and physical activity among New York City adults in low-income communities that recently received city-sponsored park renovation as part of the Community Parks Initiative (CPI). Using population-weighted survey data from eight neighborhoods with recent park renovation (n = 2,000), we measured associations between park use frequency (≥ once/week vs. < once/week) and self-reported physical activity (high vs. low-moderate based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire). We adjusted models for age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, income, study site, and use of other (non-CPI) parks, and conducted stratified analysis for demographic variables with significant interactions with park use. After adjusting for covariates, we observed a positive association between park use and physical activity (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.16-1.46). Greater frequency of park use was more strongly associated with high physical activity among adults ≤ 50 y (PR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.14-1.69), individuals with annual household income < $25,000 (PR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.13-2.08), and Latinos (PR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.44-2.18). Our findings suggest that high-quality parks might be particularly beneficial for promoting physical activity among those with a lower socioeconomic background and in younger and Latino adults, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in park revitalization among urban communities of color.

Socioeconomic status as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.

Due to the association between COVID-19 and adverse pregnancy outcomes, pregnant women are considered to be a vulnerable patient group. Studies have shown that low socioeconomic status (SES) is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 and low SES are likely to have a synergistic adverse effect. This study aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic background, indicated by self-reported SES, educational level, and financial situation, in pregnant women who were positive for SARS-CoV-2. A case-control study was conducted, including all pregnant women with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests at Kepler University Hospital Linz between May 2020 and August 2021 (n=150) and a control group matched 1:1 relative to gestational age at birth (n=150). Data were collected using written questionnaires and medical records from the hospital information system. Lower self-reported socioeconomic status (p=0.029) and lower education level (p=0.003) were detected in the COVID group. Mothers in the COVID group were significantly younger (p=0.024). However, after adjustment for educational attainment, younger age was not confirmed as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy (p=0.326). The social gradient was not explained by the assumed mediators and confounders. These findings confirm an association between lower socioeconomic status and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Since both socioeconomic factors and COVID-19 impose negative effects on pregnancy outcomes, health inequalities should be taken into consideration when implementing SARS-CoV-2 prevention measures and when providing health care for pregnant women from disadvantaged communities.

The Emergence of the Socioeconomic Gradient in Women's Marriage Outcomes

Abstract We present new findings about the relationship between marriage and socioeconomic background in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Imputing socioeconomic status of family of origin from first names, we document a socioeconomic gradient for women in the probability of marriage and the socioeconomic status of husbands, which widens over this period. Regional divergence in occupational structure explains half of the divergence in the probability of marriage, and most of the increase in marital sorting. Urbanization and the associated improvement in women's labor market opportunities drive most of these differences.

How smart is my child? The judgment accuracy of parents regarding their children's cognitive ability.

Parents' judgment of their children's cognitive ability is important for providing adequate learning environments. This study examined parents' judgment accuracy with 2346 children (M = 8.94 years; 48.3% girls) and their parents (1283 mothers, 426 fathers, and 637 parental pairs). The data were collected between September 2012 and February 2014 in Germany. Latent regression analyses were conducted for the overall sample and by grade (nGrade1&2 = 830; nGrade3&4 = 1516). Characteristics of the child (gender, birth order) and parents (gender, socioeconomic background) were investigated as moderators. Children's cognitive ability explained 34%/25%/37% (overall sample/Grade1&2/Grade3&4) of the variance in parental judgments. Judgments depended more on children's academic achievement than on cognitive ability. Parents judged their son's intelligence more accurately than their daughter's and first-born children more accurately than last-born children. Higher-educated parents showed higher judgment accuracy.

At what age can children initiate and execute a mutually beneficial exchange?

Using a novel exchange paradigm, we demonstrate that Australian preschool children from middle to high socioeconomic backgrounds may be capable of executing a mutually beneficial exchange. In Study 1, 3- to 5-year-old children completed a tower building task, in which they were given an opportunity to make trading choices via preset options that could allow both them and a puppet to succeed. A majority of children across age groups selected the efficient trade option over other alternatives. In Study 2, we modified the task to have less structure. With no preset options, 5-year-old children initiated an efficient exchange to a greater extent than younger children. A different task that relied on distributing desirable versus less desirable rewards (stickers) revealed a complementary pattern. The two studies shed light on the onset and developmental trajectory of a prerequisite skill for negotiation: children's capacity to initiate and execute a mutually beneficial deal, varying across different task contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Unlocking STEM pathways: A person-centred approach exploring a teacher recruitment intervention

Background and context of the studyThis research employed a person-centred approach to evaluate the effectiveness of a recruitment intervention aimed at attracting STEM undergraduate students to the teaching profession. The study aimed to identify participant profiles based on changes of interest in teaching, examine the demographic factors associated with these profiles, and explore the outcomes associated with the identified profiles. A total of 267 participants from 18 universities in England were recruited for the study. The intervention involved presenting 12 vignettes that depicted different motivations for choosing teaching as a career. Participants rated their change of interest in teaching after reading each vignette.ResultsThe latent profile analysis revealed four distinct profiles: dissuaded participants, unpersuaded participants, moderately persuaded participants, and highly persuaded participants. The highly persuaded profile reported the highest levels of self-efficacy, interest, perceived fit, and enjoyment in teaching. Participants from higher socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to be persuaded by the recruitment intervention, but gender, ethnicity, or program levels did not significantly affect profile membership.ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate the potential of recruitment interventions to influence the interest of STEM undergraduate students in teaching and underscore the importance of considering individual characteristics and motivations when attracting prospective teachers to the profession.

Antidepressant potential of β-caryophyllene in maternal separation-induced depression-like in mice: A focus on oxidative stress and nitrite levels

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder is prevalent across different societies, affecting individuals from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Dysregulation of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and increased oxidative stress have been implicated as contributing factors. PurposeThis study aimed to explore the antidepressant potential of β-caryophyllene in a mouse model subjected to maternal separation stress, with a focus on its effects on oxidative stress and nitrite levels. Study DesignThe research involved 40 male mice, which were divided into five groups. MethodsThe control group received 1 ml/kg of normal saline, while the maternal separation (MS) groups were administered normal saline in conjunction with β-caryophyllene at doses of 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg. Various behavioral tests, including the open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), and splash test, were employed to assess the impact of β-caryophyllene. Additionally, measurements of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrite levels in the hippocampus were conducted. ResultsThe findings demonstrated that maternal separation stress induced depressive-like behaviors in mice, as evidenced by increased immobility time in the FST and decreased grooming behavior in the splash test. Furthermore, MS was associated with elevated MDA and nitrite levels and reduced TAC in the hippocampus. However, administration of β-caryophyllene increased grooming activity in the splash test and decreased immobility time in the FST. Additionally, β-caryophyllene exhibited antioxidant properties, lowering MDA and nitrite levels while enhancing TAC in the hippocampus. ConclusionThese results suggest that β-caryophyllene may possess antidepressant-like effects in mice subjected to maternal separation, likely due to its antioxidant actions in the hippocampus.

Socioeconomic determinants of child malnutrition: Evidence from Ethiopia

In this research, I examined the role of socioeconomic variations in the prevalence of stunting and underweight among children in Ethiopia. The study aimed to identify key health factors contributing to these disparities in child malnutrition by utilizing concentration indices, concentration curves, and regression-based decomposition analysis. Despite a notable decline in the average rates of stunting and underweight prevalence, the relative and absolute gaps between different demographic and socioeconomic groups have widened in Ethiopia. The empirical analysis revealed that higher levels of maternal education and household wealth significantly benefited children from better socioeconomic backgrounds, making them less likely to experience malnutrition. The disparity in socioeconomic status is the primary driver of inequalities in child malnutrition. The findings suggest that to reduce these disparities, national health policies should focus on promoting maternal literacy and targeting interventions for underprivileged groups.

Secondary school students’ attitudes of tolerance towards minorities

Continued migration flows are inevitable, and research into favorable conditions for educating students in pluralistic societies is timely. This study attempts to address the operationalization of favorable conditions when educating children in diverse societies. Previous research into the contact hypothesis and acculturation theory has suggested that moderating factors are necessary for contact between groups of “others” to effect positive change in attitudes of tolerance and reduce prejudice. To represent groups of “others”, this study—which analyzed ICCS data from both the 2009 and 2016 cycles—considers lower-secondary students with an immigration background, who speak a different language than the administered assessment in the home, and diversity in terms of socio-economic background. To represent a desirable or “successful” classroom context, the study focuses on attitudes of tolerance held by lower-secondary students towards minorities, investigating whether participation in civic activities in the school or community, or the act of learning in more diverse classrooms, was associated with increased rates of tolerance. Findings supported the stated hypotheses to some extent, as some associations between heterogenous classroom composition (in terms of the share of students from immigrant backgrounds and those who spoke different languages in the home) and increased attitudes of tolerance towards minorities were observed. Student participation in civic activities in school was significantly associated with higher attitudes of tolerance towards minorities in 16 out of 18 analyzed countries. A relation between civic participation in the community and tolerance towards minorities was not found. Overall, students’ rates of tolerance towards minorities increased significantly for the majority of analyzed countries between 2009 and 2016.

All cause and cause specific mortality in 15-24-year-olds in Denmark 2010 to 2022: nationwide study of socioeconomic predictors

ObjectiveTo assess inequalities in all cause and cause specific mortality in young people and if there are differences across gender and age groups.DesignNationwide cohort study of socioeconomic predictors.SettingDenmark, 1 January...

Practice-based research in dentistry: Exploring methodologies, benefits, and challenges.

Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) studies typically assess the effectiveness of clinical interventions in settings that match real-world conditions. Dental PBRNs have the capacity to amass, identify, and analyze vast amounts of data from patient populations that include diverse racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds. These dental studies encompass a broad spectrum of healthcare aspects, including prevention, diagnosis, symptom and disease treatment, quality enhancement, and care coordination. An extensive range of research methodologies can be employed within dental PBRNs to investigate these topics, including randomized controlled trials. Dental PBRNs have evolved from primarily focusing on case observations to leveraging advanced network infrastructure and collaborating across multiple regional and national sites. In addition to producing numerous high-impact peer-reviewed publications, study results have led to improved clinical care. However, PBRNs encounter challenges, such as the sustainability of research capacity (relying heavily on ongoing support from funding agencies), diverse research cultures, and an imperative to design studies that are both feasible and relevant to everyday clinical practice. Recognizing the pivotal role of real-world evidence, it is important to have sustained investment in dental PBRN infrastructure and feasible opportunities for practitioners to participate in network activities nationwide. Practice-Based Research Network studies capitalize on an important research context within which to investigate a range of clinical topics that can employ multiple research methodologies. However, sustaining productive networks requires strategic effort, ongoing financial support, and customized organizational skills.