Specific Cultural Factors Research Articles

Lalaki ka, hindi ka dapat umiiyak!: barriers of help-seeking behaviour in Filipino men

ABSTRACT Objective Filipino men's self-perceived masculinity and their inclination to seek help are influenced by the cultural context, and barriers in their help-seeking behaviour moderate this relationship. It is hypothesised that higher self-perceived masculinity corresponds to a diminished tendency to seek help, shaped by categorisation into social groups based on masculinity. Method The respondents were 348 Filipino males, aged 21–45 years, who accomplished the online survey. The participants completed the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised, Barriers to Help Seeking Scale, and General Help-Seeking Questionnaire. A series of moderation analyses utilising JAMOVI was performed to investigate the moderation of help-seeking barriers on the relationship between masculinity and help-seeking behaviour. Results Results showed that when Filipino men's self-perception of masculinity increases, their help-seeking behaviour, specifically formal help-seeking, decreases. The following barriers act as moderators – Need for Self-Control and Self-Reliance, Concrete Barriers, and Distrust of Caregivers, significantly influencing the relationship between masculinity and formal help-seeking. Conversely, when seeking informal help, all identified barriers show no buffering effect, as Filipino men prefer informal help-seeking, consistent with the cultural context. Discussion Findings support the hypothesis that masculinity predicts their propensity to seek help. Add a one-liner recommendation based on the results. Future authors should focus on conducting localised research that examines the specific cultural factors influencing masculinity and help-seeking behaviours. Additionally, exploring the intersectionality of masculinity with other social factors can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the barriers men face in seeking help.

Cultural Factors, Social Structures, and Social Determinants of Health: The Need for Clarity in Assessing Psychopathology

Abstract Over the past decade, researchers translating anthropological theories for clinical use have debated how practitioners should assess cultural factors, social structures, and social determinants of health with patients. Advocates of structural competency have suggested that clinical cultural competency programs demonstrate limited effects on health outcomes because of the static understanding of culture employed. They recommend that cultural factors be reformulated with an emphasis on social structures. In response, researchers in cultural psychiatry specializing in cultural assessments have developed three models—sociocultural formulation (SCF), the cultural-ecosocial view, and the contextual developmental assessment—to integrate cultural and structural factors. Their methods for integration, however, differ, resulting in various understandings of psychopathology mechanisms. This paper analyzes arguments from all four positions in this debate. It reveals a lack of consensus about interrelationships among these constructs, their definitions, and methods for assessment. The article concludes with recommendations, such as developing consensus definitions with broad stakeholder involvement; adopting a data-driven approach to clarify how specific cultural, social, or structural factors interact; and identifying how extant assessments capture clinically relevant factors across constructs to develop additional assessment tools.

Exploring the role of identity in pro-environmental behavior: cultural and educational influences on younger generations.

It is of paramount importance to gain an understanding of pro-environmental behavior if we are to successfully tackle the climate crisis. The existing body of research provides evidence that identity influences pro-environmental behavior. However, such research is often over-generalised and researchers are challenged to conduct robust analyses with regard to specific local, cultural and educational factors. The present study aims to investigate whether personal or social identity has a distinct effect on three different dimensions of pro-environmental behavior, using the principles of self-categorisation theory. Additionally, the study seeks to determine whether one of these two factors, the individual or the social factor, is predominant over the other. The study group consisted of cooperative students in Germany, typically a group with high professional ambitions. The data was collected in a cross-sectional survey with a total of 568 cooperative students from academic disciplines in engineering and economics. The reliability of the scales is satisfactory (ω = 0.76-0.88), and the hypotheses are tested by estimating structural equation models. Our research demonstrates that while social identity exerts a stronger influence on activist behavior than personal identity, personal identity has a more pronounced effect on consumer behavior than social identity. Nevertheless, no general statement can be made regarding the relative strength of the effects of personal and social identity on pro-environmental behavior dimensions.

The theory of planned behavior explored in entrepreneurial intentions among university students in Shandong province, China

This study, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), aims to explore the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Shandong Province, China, and analyze the major factors influencing these intentions. Structural Equation Modeling was applied to data collected from 680 students across five universities in Shandong Province. The findings reveal that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly influence the students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Specifically, a positive attitude towards the outcomes of entrepreneurship emerged as the strongest factor influencing their intentions, indicating that positive perceptions and expectations of entrepreneurship significantly enhance students’ entrepreneurial inclinations. Perceived behavioral control also showed a strong influence, suggesting that enhancing students’ self-efficacy and awareness of accessible resources is crucial for fostering entrepreneurial intentions. However, the influence of subjective norms was weaker, which may relate to specific cultural and social environmental factors. This study not only provides an empirical basis for entrepreneurship education and policy-making in Shandong Province and beyond but also offers new insights into the application of TPB in the field of entrepreneurship research.

"We don't do any of these things because we are a death-denying culture": Sociocultural perspectives of Black and Latinx cancer caregivers.

Cancer is an enormous public health burden among Black and Latinx cancer survivors, and they are at risk of facing barriers to accessing cancer treatment and support in the United States. This study explored the unique challenges and experiences faced by Black and Latinx cancer survivors through the lens of their caregivers, including the specific cultural, social, and systemic factors that influence cancer survivorship experience and quality of life within these communities in the United States. We used a qualitative descriptive design for the study, and conducted 6 focus group discussions (3 Latinx and 3 Black groups) with a total of 33 caregivers of cancer survivors, (Mean age = 63 years). Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. We identified 3 main themes: (1) families as (un)stressors in survivorship such as the vitality of social connections and families as unintended burden; (2) responses after diagnosis specifically whether to conceal or accept a diagnosis, and (3) experiencing health care barriers including communication gaps, biased prioritizing of care, and issues of power, trust, and need for stewardship. The findings align with previous research, highlighting the complex interplay between cultural, familial, and healthcare factors in cancer survivorship experiences within underserved communities. The study reiterates the need for culturally tailored emotional, physical, financial, and informational support for survivors and their caregivers. Also, to improve quality of life, the study highlights a need to strengthen mental health and coping strategies, to help address psychological distress and improve resilience among survivors and their caregivers.

Abstract A107: Be Part of the Cure Clinical Trials Campaign: Koreans, Hispanic/Latino/a/e/x, and Black/African Americans living in Los Angeles County

Abstract Background. There is negative perception and lack of participation in clinical trials among Koreans, Hispanic/Latino/a/e/x, and Black/African Americans living in Los Angeles County, which may be attributed to cultural beliefs, language barriers, historical mistrust of medical research, and lack of awareness about the benefits of participation. Without representation from diverse groups, there may be missed opportunities to develop personalized treatment approaches tailored to specific genetic, cultural, and lifestyle factors. Methods. Cedars Sinai Cancer Community Outreach and Engagment (COE) developed a multi-level approach to increase representation of minority populations in clinical trials. With active Community Advisory Board involvement in the development and implementation, a culturally sensitive clinical trials awareness campaign, “Be Part of the Cure”, was developed to offer in-language cancer information, education on clinical trials, and navigation through the cancer care continuum. To support patients and facilitate access to trials, COE has developed bi-directional engagement between CCSC physicians, nurses and Clinical Trials Office representatives, FQHCs, and community and faith-based organizations to ensure a seamless navigation process to care. Additionally, our multicultural and multilingual COE staff have trained Community Health Workers and navigators to expand our outreach efforts and effectively engage our target communities. Results. In total, COE has facilitated 7 health education workshops and attended 3 community outreach events with 501 people educated (37% or 184 Black/African American; 25% or 123 Asians; 17% or 87 Hispanic/Latinx; and 21% or 107 White). Pre/post-tests administered to 73 Koreans during health education workshops showed significant increase in positive perception on clinical trials from 57% to 95%. Korean (n=9) cancer patients have expressed interest in clinical trials, and 1 have been enrolled in Neoadjuvant HER2-Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy with Pembrolizumab clinical trial. Among Hispanic/Latinx/a/o community, 1 clinical trials health awareness workshop was convened with clinicians who presented to promotores, patients, caregivers, survivors and community members. There were 25 people who completed the pre/post test. There was an increase in positive perception on clinical trials from 52% to 100%, willingness to participate from 60% to 96%, and likelihood of encouraging others to participate from 60% to 96%. In the Black/African American community, 1 clinical trials health awareness workshop was also convened. Among attendees, 21 people completed Pre/Post Test and positive perception on clincal trials increased from 47% to 85%, willingness to participate from 43% to 81%, and likehood on encouraging others to participate from 52% to 81%. Conclusion. Efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in clinical trials should focus on culturally sensitive recruitment strategies, language accessibility, community engagement, and building trust between researchers and communities. Citation Format: Ghecemy Lopez, Dong Hee Kim, Zul Surani, Lourdes Barajas. Be Part of the Cure Clinical Trials Campaign: Koreans, Hispanic/Latino/a/e/x, and Black/African Americans living in Los Angeles County [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A107.

The influence of positivity and self-efficacy beliefs on family functioning among young adults in Italy and Colombia.

Research suggests that positivity and self-efficacy beliefs may impact adaptive behavior and developmental outcomes, such as social adjustment and subjective wellbeing. The present study explored the effect of positive dimensions (positivity and self-efficacy beliefs) and individual characteristics (gender, type of country, age, and sexual orientation) on family cohesion and flexibility in a group of Colombian and Italian young adults. An online survey was administered to 949 Colombian and 2,073 Italian people aged between 18 and 40 years (M age = 24.3; SDage = 4.5; 67% women). A mediational model was performed to test the influence of positivity on family functioning via the mediational role of self-efficacy beliefs, analyzing the moderated effects of gender, type of country, sexual orientation, and age. Filial self-efficacy mediated the effect of positivity on family functioning, showing stronger paths in men and Colombian participants than in women and Italian counterparts. Regulatory self-efficacy mediated the associations between positivity and family functioning for both genders and types of countries. The results suggest that positivity and self-efficacy beliefs may allow families to engage in more adaptive family functioning across countries and genders. Further research should focus on implications from a cross-national perspective to examine other culture-specific factors that may impact family adjustment.

To Assess Factors Affecting Pension Subscribers’ Behavioral Intentions to Adopt Technology in The Pension Schemes

This study explores the behavioral intentions of pension subscribers in Ghana to adopt technology in their pension schemes, grounded in the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). A quantitative correlational design was used, analyzing data from 1,539 pension subscribers through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to understand the relationships between key factors. The findings reveal that performance expectancy and effort expectancy are significant predictors of technology adoption, underscoring the importance of perceived benefits and ease of use. Interestingly, social influence did not significantly impact adoption, suggesting that pension subscribers make independent decisions regarding technology use, uninfluenced by peers or social circles. Facilitating conditions and price value were crucial, indicating the need for supportive infrastructure and cost-effectiveness to encourage adoption. Contrary to expectations, hedonic motivation negatively influenced adoption intentions, emphasizing that functionality is prioritized over entertainment in the pension sector. Habit emerged as a strong predictor, showing that ingrained technology use positively affects adoption intentions. This research offers theoretical insights into technology adoption in the pension sector of a developing country and practical guidance for policymakers and pension service providers on fostering technology uptake among subscribers. By examining the specific socio-economic and cultural factors in Ghana, this study contributes a nuanced understanding of technology adoption drivers in the pension sector, providing empirical evidence from a less-explored context and highlighting unique influences in this domain.

Cross-cultural differences and acculturation in affective response and sensory perception: a case study across Chinese immigrants and local consumers in New Zealand

Understanding cross-cultural variation in perception is essential for identifying culture-specific factors impacting product acceptability. While immigrants may initially maintain their preferences, acculturation levels vary. To understand to what extent immigrants can be used as a proxy to model overseas markets, this study investigated short (CHS) and long-term (CHL) Chinese immigrant responses to plain yoghurts compared to New Zealand (NZ) Europeans (E). Three groups (CHS, CHL and NZE, n = 222) evaluated liking of, emotional response to, and sensory perception of 10 plain yoghurts. Groups liked yoghurts similarly. Notably, NZE rated emotions lower than both immigrant groups, with a few exceptions. Both Chinese groups rated most emotions similarly, but CHL rated some closer to NZE. Positive emotions correlated with higher liking scores. However, cross-cultural differences existed for ‘guilty’ which was associated with yoghurts liked by NZE; and for ‘wild’ and ‘mild’ associated with yoghurts disliked by both immigrant groups. Citation proportions for some sensory attributes differed among all groups, dependent on the sample. But level of acculturation between immigrant groups was limited. Sweetness, vanilla, stone fruit and cream flavours, smoothness, and creaminess drove liking across all groups, whereas only the Chinese valued umami, undoubtedly due to positive associations with it. Some effects of acculturation for long-term immigrants were evident, but responses were often closer to their short-term counterparts. Therefore, immigrants in general provide a useful proxy for measuring consumer responses in early stages of product development for this overseas market, but with consideration of their residence time in the host culture.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE CAUSES OF INTENTIONALLY SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES IN THE REGIONS OF BRAZIL IN 2015 AND 2020

Suicide is a growing public health issue in Brazil, with patterns and causes of self-inflicted injuries varying between regions and local cultures. This study analyzes the causes of self-inflicted injuries in the 27 federal units of Brazil in 2015 and 2020. Using data from DATASUS, variables of intentional self-harm injuries were identified, classified in the ICD-10 group. Analyses were conducted using the NeatMap and Psych packages, generating heatmaps and tables that allow visualization of the distribution and intensity of cases over the years. The results indicate an increase in suicides in 2020 compared to 2015, influenced by the pandemic period, during which many cases were not reported, yet there was still an increase. Hanging was the most common method in both years, reflecting the easy accessibility of this means in everyday life. States like São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio Grande do Sul showed a higher association with the studied variables, indicating regional concern that demands specific public policies. Rio de Janeiro stood out with a significant increase in injuries related to cliffs and high places in 2020, due to specific geographical and cultural factors of the state. These injuries are associated with easy access to elevated areas and exacerbated social and economic pressure during the pandemic. It is concluded that patterns of self-inflicted injuries remained consistent, with some significant regional variations. These results are crucial for associating regions and causes of self-inflicted injuries, assisting in the development of future preventive measures, such as psychological support programs and specific community interventions for each region.

Information Literacy Empowerment in Islamic Education: Examining the Potential in the Indonesian Context

Information literacy plays a critical role in empowering individuals within the realm of Islamic education. This study explores the empowerment potential of information literacy in the Indonesian context of Islamic education. As the world’s largest Muslimmajority country, Indonesia provides a unique setting to investigate the intersection of information literacy and Islamic education. The study aims to examine the impact of information literacy on knowledge acquisition, critical thinking, and ethical engagement within Islamic education in Indonesia. It also identifies challenges, opportunities, and best practices for integrating information literacy in Indonesian Islamic educational institutions. Through a literature review and qualitative analysis, the study sheds light on the role of information literacy in strengthening Islamic education and highlights the specific cultural, social, and technological factors influencing information literacy practices in Indonesia. The findings contribute to a better understanding of information literacy’s significance in the Indonesian context of Islamic education and provide practical insights for educators and policymakers to enhance information literacy programs. This research underscores the importance of information literacy in empowering individuals within Islamic education and emphasizes the need for context-specific approaches to maximize its potential in the Indonesian educational landscape.
 Keywords: empowerment, information literacy, Islamic education

Current problems and prospects of poultry industry: innovative vector

Poultry farming in Kazakhstan is one of the most progressive and dynamically developing areas of agriculture, which is profitable and quickly pays off. The goal is to study the economic indicators of poultry farming industry, develop directions for its development, and analyze government support measures. Methods – statistical analysis, comparison and generalization, observation with subsequent conclusions. Results - the authors show the state of poultry farms, identify problems and factors that negatively affect the growth of production volumes, and consider issues of subsidizing producers. It is noted that poultry production, including chickens and eggs, has increased, which is important to meet the growing demand for these food products. Efforts are being made to develop the domestic poultry sector through various initiatives, including investment in infrastructure, improvement of technological processes, and government assistance. These measures are aimed at reducing dependence on imported poultry meat and increasing self-sufficiency in poultry products. Vaccination programs are being implemented and biosafety protocols and monitoring systems are being improved. The republic's poultry farmers are introducing modern production methods and technologies to optimize labor efficiency and productivity. This is, first of all, the use of innovations in genetics, integrated diets, and more advanced housing and management systems. Conclusions - based on the experience of developed countries, it is proposed to raise the level of poultry farming in Kazakhstan through investment in research and development, introduction of advanced technologies, efficient production methods, wide access to markets and compliance with high quality standards. However, achieving results in poultry farming depends on specific geographical, economic and cultural factors. The stable development and expansion of poultry farming sector provides a number of undeniable advantages: a new level of small and mediumsized businesses; additional jobs; providing the population of the republic with high-quality products of domestic production; a real opportunity to refuse similar imported products; quite a large flow of investment.

Decoding Consumer Sentiments: A Regression analysis on Beliefs and Attitudes towards Advertising in General

Studies investigating overall consumer beliefs and attitudes towards advertising have been conducted from time to time in different parts of the world. Researchers have also investigated if and which beliefs of respondents towards advertising significantly predict consumer attitude towards advertising in general but any such exclusive study is still scant in Indian perspective. This study attempts to bridge the gap by examining the consumers’ overall beliefs and attitudes towards advertising in North India. The respondents were given 32 belief statements from which eight belief factors were extracted using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), which were further validated by performing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Using regression analysis, it has been found that seven of the eight extracted factors significantly predicted consumers’ attitudes towards advertising in general. The obtained results reflected that consumers in Northern India have developed negative overall beliefs towards advertising compared to the beliefs explored in earlier studies conducted in other parts of the world. The findings of this study on consumer beliefs and attitudes towards advertising in North India open avenues for future research by highlighting the unique nuances in this region. Further investigations could delve into the specific cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic factors shaping these negative beliefs.

Exploring predictors of STEM aspirations from a STEM capital perspective

ABSTRACT Background The concept of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) capital can serve as a framework for understanding how various resources contribute to aspiration formation in STEM fields. However, to date, it remains unclear what factors should be included in STEM capital and how they may help explain why students do or do not aspire to STEM careers. Purpose This study aimed to validate the instruments and explore the predictive effect of various factors, including STEM capital and other non-STEM specific cultural capital factors, on students’ STEM aspirations while comparing these variables among primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels. Sample A stratified sample of students (N = 3,991) from the upper-primary to senior-secondary level in Hong Kong participated in the study. Design and methods An online survey investigation was conducted for data collection. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to validate the instruments before ANOVA, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were performed. Results The elementary students had significantly greater scores on the STEM capital variables than did the students at the junior and senior secondary levels. Gender, age, parental school involvement and expectations, informal STEM participation, positive views of professionals, and self-concept in mathematics positively predicted STEM aspirations, while having a parent/guardian with a STEM career negatively predicted students’ aspirations. In addition, the results showed that having STEM books at home and self-concept in information technology were additional predictors at some educational levels. The explored factors can explain approximately 30% of the variance in students’ STEM aspirations. Conclusion Senior students’ STEM capital factors exhibit lower levels compared to their younger peers. The developed, adapted, and translated instruments are valid for measuring the factors composing STEM capital, where some cultural and STEM capital factors significantly explain variations in students’ STEM aspirations. The mechanism of the negative effect of parental STEM occupations and the implications of the current study are also discussed.

Industrial Process Management Model to Improve Productivity and Reduce Waste

One of the challenges facing operations management is the design, choice, and implementation of action plans adapted to the magnitude of the deviations from the variables of an industrial process. Making conscious and quick decisions is crucial to achieving improvements in productivity. This will be achieved if the organization’s internal and external communication model is strategically designed, considering specific cultural factors and the symmetry or asymmetry required in the communication model. However, how do we organize ourselves and through what channels do we communicate within a production process to generate Big Data that combines data from technologies and the perception, comprehension, and projection of experienced humans? Our hypothesis suggests that the implementation of our model generates a continuous improvement system that could provide significant benefits to the company by connecting management with the place where the work happens (Gemba), streamlining multiple processes, thereby fostering sustainability. The developed model, “Group Situational Awareness Model”, was implemented in an operations management team, following the guidelines of an action researcher methodology. This resulted in the design of an operations management model and a detailed methodology for its implementation, achieving significant improvements in the metrics of the current process, making it a success story.

Exploring the Impact of Organizational Culture on Employee Performance in Pakistan's Corporate Sector

This study explores the impact of organizational culture, specifically leadership style and communication patterns, on employee performance in Pakistan's corporate sector., The primary problem addressed is the identification of how these specific cultural factors influence employee effectiveness and productivity in a unique emerging market context., Methodologically, the study employed a structured questionnaire survey, targeting a diverse group of employees across various levels in the corporate sector of Pakistan., The survey aimed to gather insights into the perceptions of employees regarding their organizational culture and its influence on their performance., Results indicated that a positive leadership style is significantly associated with higher employee performance, with a path coefficient of 0.5012 and a t-value of 19.8950., Additionally, effective communication patterns within an organization were found to be positively related to employee performance, demonstrated by a path coefficient of 0.5121 and a t-value of 19.3776.The implications of these findings are profound., For leadership style, it suggests the need for organizational leaders in Pakistan to adopt more positive and employee-centric approaches to drive performance., In terms of communication, the results advocate for the implementation of clear and effective communication channels within organizations to enhance employee productivity., The study contributes significantly to the understanding of organizational culture's impact on employee performance in the context of Pakistan's corporate sector., It adds a unique perspective by examining these relationships in a non-Western context, thus enriching the global discourse on organizational culture and performance., For policy implications, this research offers valuable insights for organizational leaders and policymakers., The findings highlight critical areas of focus for leadership development and communication enhancement strategies, aimed at boosting employee performance and, consequently, organizational success in emerging markets., This study serves as a benchmark for similar interventions in corporate sectors across other emerging economies.

Stakeholder engagement: the role of facilitators and gender in ‘opening up’ conversations and enabling participation

ABSTRACT A successful global transition to net-zero emissions requires complex transformational change involving stakeholders from across society. Traditionally, stakeholder engagement has been debated predominantly from a pragmatic, functionalist and instrumental perspective. Recent approaches in business communication, sustainability, energy and environmental management show that meaningful and ‘sustainable’ stakeholder engagement is helpful in maintaining an organisation’s social licence to operate. We problematise the notion of participation in deliberative processes and analyse whether the outcomes of an online Australian citizens’ panel are truly representative of all participants or whether specific cultural and demographic factors, particularly gender, influence participation, potentially shaping the outcome. The study shows how gender need to be considered and managed as part of a legitimate deliberation process. Applying Gastil’s input-process-outcome model as a framework, we examine the engagement achieved through deliberations conducted on Zoom. We focus on gender as a variable and the role of the facilitator in managing participation. The results suggest that participants’ contributions to discussions vary based on gender of both participants and facilitators. Based on findings, the challenges of achieving equality in participatory processes are identified. The facilitator’s role is re-defined as a curator of the stakeholder engagement processes, complementing existing theory on stakeholder participation and engagement.

Non-biological factors associated with postpartum depression among women in Shenzhen: a case-control study.

Postpartum depression (PPD) presents a significant public health challenge. While PPD's impact extends from maternal health to child development, cultural stigma and a lack of public awareness, particularly in developing countries, contribute to its underestimation and under diagnosed. This study investigated the non-biological associated factors for PPD in Shenzhen city due to its unique socioeconomic landscape, where rapid urbanization and migrant influx could uniquely impact maternal mental health. By identifying local PPD determinants, the research aimed to contribute to targeted mental health interventions in the region. Data were collected from May to December 2019 at the Luohu Maternal and Child Health Medical Center, Shenzhen. Inclusion criteria were postpartum women without psychiatric histories who live within the locality. The Chinese Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was utilized to confirm PPD diagnosis. Participant information including demographics, economic status and postnatal factors were collected via structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses of t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, were performed using SPSS 20.0, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The study included 430 healthy mothers and 73 PPD mothers. Several factors were found to significantly influence the onset of PPD (p < 0.05): age (OR = 0.921, 95% CI: 0.864-0.981); living with in-laws (OR = 2.133, 95% CI: 1.108-4.106); bottle feeding (OR = 3.757, 95% CI: 1.567-9.006); prenatal depression (OR = 3.515, 95% CI: 1.61-7.675); prenatal anxiety (OR = 6.072, 95% CI: 3.209-11.49); and adverse life events during pregnancy (OR = 3.287, 95% CI: 1.165-9.269). Other factors were not found to have a significant effect. Our study found that in the developed city of Shenzhen in Southern China, living with in-laws, exclusive bottle feeding, prenatal anxiety, depression, and adverse life events are non-biological associated factors for postpartum depression. The findings emphasize the importance of considering a range of factors when addressing maternal mental health within a specific local regions. It calls for targeted interventions or prevention program that take into considering the specific cultural, social, and individual factors.

A novel MABAC approach for multi-attribute group decision-making with single-valued neutrosophic sets: An application in assessing microfinance group lending performance

In the 40 years of global microcredit practice, loan technology has played a positive role in microcredit as one of the most important supporting elements. The development and evolution of microcredit institution lending technology is the result of comprehensive consideration of specific regional economic, social, cultural, and geographical factors. In the context of the diversified trend of microcredit technology, choosing loan technology reasonably, exploring flexible guarantee conditions, and innovating diversified loan technology combinations will become practical problems faced by microcredit institutions, and also the direction of theoretical research. The timely innovation of group loan technology in microcredit has practical value and theoretical significance for promoting the innovation of financial agricultural products in the implementation of China’s rural revitalization strategy, as well as bridging the theoretical controversy of microcredit loan technology. The performance evaluation of microfinance groups lending is a MAGDM issues. In this paper, the distances measures of single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNSs) and maximizing deviation method (MDM) is used to obtain the attribute weight values. Based on the classical Multi-Attributive Border Approximation area Comparison (MABAC) method, the single-valued neutrosophic numbers MABAC (SVNN-MABAC) method is constructed for MAGDM under SVNSs. Finally, an example for performance evaluation of microfinance groups lending and some comparative decision analysis are constructed to verify the SVNN-MABAC model.

An Examination of the Factors Influencing the Urban-rural Education Divide: A Case Study of Cultural Context

As China's per capita GDP index continues to rise, the disparity, especially the education gap between urban and rural development continuously widens, which has an adverse effect on the development of rural areas. Education in rural areas has emerged as a significant concern among the local population. The education difference between rural as well as urban regions can be attributed to various variables, with the often overlooked yet challenging-to-address influences of cultural and historical backgrounds playing a significant role. Consequently, by comparing various research data and literature in urban and rural areas of China, this paper analyzes the specific cultural and historical factors which may contribute to the urban-rural education divide and offers solutions. It is discovered that Confucian culture and the history of the Cultural Revolution are the primary causes of the disparity in education between China's urban and rural populations. At the same time, some historical policies of rural migrant workers may also cause the problem of left-behind children and hence have a negative effect on the disparity between rural and urban areas. China's economic policies, government propaganda, setting some boarding schools in cities, and certain poverty alleviation policies play a significant role in narrowing the education disparity between China's urban and rural populations. It also needs more supervision and long-term stability policies to ensure the future development of the education system in rural areas.