Role Of Support Research Articles

Assessing the impact of digital transformation capability for international market growth: the role of leadership support

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of an organization’s digital transformation capability (DTC) on its dynamic capabilities and strategic depth, which, in turn, could impact the organization’s international market growth (IMG). This study also investigates the moderating role of leadership support (LES) in using the DTC.Design/methodology/approachThe study reviews various kinds of literature related to international marketing, dynamic capabilities, digital transformation, strategic marketing and LES. Following this, a dynamic capability view is adopted to develop a research model. This research model is later tested using partial least squares structure equation modeling with data from 385 respondents from different types of organizations.FindingsThe study demonstrates that an organization’s DTC significantly enhances its dynamic capabilities and strategic depth. LES is vital for effectively applying and leveraging DTCs since it influences the association between DTCs, competitive advantage and global marketing intelligence. The study also recognizes that strategic depth and dynamic capabilities contribute to IMG.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uncovers the impacts of DTCs, influencing IMG. The study also provides valuable insights regarding the role of leadership in effectively leveraging the organization’s DTCs. It suggests the organization’s management should invest in improving DTC.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the prevailing literature on DTC, leadership and IMG. The study highlights the importance of DTC and how it impacts more established capabilities and leads to IMG of the organization. Further, this study is also unique as it establishes the importance of LES in leveraging the maximum benefits of the DTC.

Ragi Revolution: Enhancing Dietary Practices through Nutritional Education and Local Food Systems Implementation

Ragi (Eleusine coracana), commonly known as finger millet, is a nutrient-rich cereal that remains underutilized in modern diets despite its high calcium, iron, and dietary fiber content. This examines how ready-to-eat ragi-based supplementary foods, combined with effective nutrition education, can drive behavioral changes to incorporate ragi into daily diets and local food systems. The increasing availability of ready-to-eat ragi products offers an accessible solution for improving nutrition, but challenges remain in terms of consumer acceptance due to unfamiliarity and taste preferences. This paper focuses on the role of nutrition education in reshaping dietary behaviour, emphasizing case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted interventions in promoting ragi consumption. Additionally, it explores strategies for integrating ragi into public nutrition programs and sustainable food systems, highlighting the importance of community-driven efforts and public-private partnerships. The review also discusses the role of policy support and multi-stakeholder collaboration in fostering ragi’s cultivation and incorporation into local food systems. By examining behavioural change strategies such as social marketing and culturally sensitive approaches, this paper presents a roadmap for promoting ragi as a key component of sustainable diets and public health interventions.

Outcomes of a mentoring scheme to improve career engagement in academia among students from minority ethnic groups

IntroductionStudent mentorship in higher education institutions is often advocated as a way to improve opportunities for students from minority ethnic groups.MethodsThis study examines this further by applying a linear regression model to explore the relationship between a 6-month pilot mentoring scheme at King's College London and career engagement in academia for students from minority ethnic groups, by investigating whether there were differential impacts by ethnic group, and by degree of exposure to mentoring, measured by the number and mode of mentoring sessions i.e., online, in-person or bimodal (a combination of online and in-person).ResultsThe results reveal that while there were no significant differences in career engagement between Asian and Black students, there were significant differences in career engagement between Black students and students who identified as Mixed or Other. Surprisingly, the number of sessions was negatively related to career engagement. However, the positive, significant interaction effect between the number and mode of sessions suggests that this relationship varies based on the mode of the sessions, with bimodal sessions leading to an increase in career engagement, in contrast to solely in-person sessions which led to a decrease in career engagement in academia.ConclusionThe results from this study point to some differential effects of mentoring by ethnic group, with Black students experiencing less gains in terms of career engagement in academia, relative to students who identified as Mixed or Other ethnic groups. This suggests that Black students may need more tailored support, in-depth mentoring or better-matched role models for improved outcomes.

Relationship Between Physical Activity and Subjective Well-Being Among College Students: The Mediating Role of Social Support

Subjective well-being is a key concept in positive psychology and is associated with a variety of physical and mental health outcomes. Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable health behavior that has been identified as a potential correlate of subjective well-being. However, the underlying mechanisms that connect PA to subjective well-being are not well-understood. This study aimed to examine the association between the PA and various components of subjective well-being in college students, and to determine if social support mediated this association. A total of 1158 college students (46.3% female, mean age = 19.75 years) voluntarily completed a set of questionnaires measuring PA, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and social support in a single-wave assessment. Three sets of mediation analyses were conducted (employing bootstrapping techniques with 10,000 samples), with life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect serving as the dependent variables, PA as the independent variable, and social support as the mediator. The findings revealed that the relationships between PA, subjective well-being, and social support differ by the component of subjective well-being. While no association was detected between PA and negative affect, increased PA led to enhanced social support, which in turn contributed to higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect. As social support was found to mediate the relationship between PA and subjective well-being, future interventions are suggested to foster supportive social environments and develop effective strategies to modify the social experience of PA to maximize their benefits in enhancing subjective well-being.

Effects of loneliness on short video addiction among college students: the chain mediating role of social support and physical activity

Loneliness is a common public health problem that affects physical and mental health. Prior research has demonstrated a connection between internet addiction and loneliness. Short video addiction is a novel internet addiction. It is necessary to study the potential psychological mechanisms between loneliness and short video addiction. This study investigated the associations between loneliness and short video addiction, as well as the mediating roles played by social support and physical activity.MethodsA sample of 388 college students was selected, and the questionnaires included the Loneliness Scale Short Version, the Short Video Addiction Scale, the Social Support Scale, and the Physical Activity Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS for correlation analysis and PROCESS macros for mediation effect analysis.Results(1) Loneliness significantly positively affected short video addiction. (2) The association between loneliness and short video addiction was independently mediated by social support. (3) Physical activity independently mediated loneliness and short video addiction. (4) Social support and physical activity play a chain mediating role in the association between loneliness and short video addiction. Our research improves the literature on loneliness and short video addiction, enhances comprehension of the impacts, and offers college students effective ways to combat the addiction.

The impact of workplace violence on healthcare professionals’ quality of life: the mediating role of social support

The impact of workplace violence on healthcare professionals’ quality of life: the mediating role of social support

Abstract 4136911: Daily Dyadic Symptom Appraisal Dynamics During Care Transitions in Persons with Heart Failure and Their Care Partners

Background: Symptom monitoring after heart failure (HF) hospitalization is a central aspect of patient education. However, appraising symptoms can be difficult for persons with HF (PWHFs), and studies suggest family care partners (CPs) play a key supportive role. The purpose of this study is to examine dyadic HF symptom appraisal dynamics in PWHF-CP dyads during hospital-to-home transitions. Methods: We conducted a daily diary study of dyadic symptom appraisal in which PWHFs and CPs were enrolled during a HF hospitalization. Over 5 weeks, both completed daily assessments of the PWHF’s symptoms (HF Somatic Perception Scale, PROMIS Fatigue 4a). Each dyad’s appraisal dynamics were quantified using a set of N of 1 dyadic autoregressive time series models examining total symptoms, hallmark symptoms (dyspnea, edema) and nonspecific symptoms (early/subtle cluster, fatigue). Models were examined for within-dyad dynamics (within-dyad associations on the same day or on a 1-day lag). Patterns in significant dynamics across dyads were narratively described. Results: This analysis includes n=14 cohabitating dyads, all partnered. On average, PWHFs and CPs were 69.6±5.4 and 67.4±8.0 years of age. The sample was relatively gender balanced (43% of PWHFs and 64% of CPs identified as female), and primarily identified as non-Hispanic (86% of PWHFs, 93% of CPs) and White (93% of PWHFs, 86% of CPs). Most PWHFs had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (64%) and were NYHA Class III/IV (86%), with 57% HFrEF (mean EF 37%±17%). Symptom appraisals were highly variable within and across dyads (Fig 1). Most (n=11, 79%) had significant dyadic dynamics, but dynamics across dyads varied by symptom type and time structure (Fig 2). Conclusions: The types of symptoms that HF care dyads are able to appraise together and the time structure of appraisals are variable during care transitions. Precision approaches tailored to individual dyads are needed to optimize inclusion of CPs in symptom monitoring interventions.

Healing through tradition: the role of Indigenous Elder support in child and youth mental health in Canada

The current mental health care system in Canada, with its focus on western biomedical and individualistic approaches, does not support Indigenous holistic views of wellness and silences Indigenous knowledges through colonial ideologies. This research identifies the vital support that mental health services must include to create culturally relevant and safe services: Elders. Elders provide holistic approaches to mental wellness that consider cultural, individual, family, and community needs to promote healing. To explore the roles of Elders in mental health services, a comprehensive narrative review was conducted. All 22 included studies were conducted by Indigenous scholars or with Indigenous communities. Findings were organized into three themes: (a) Elders are knowledge keepers: sharing wisdom; (b) need for cultural-based teachings, ceremonies, and land-based healing led by Elders; and (c) Importance of relationships for increasing youth’s mental wellness. Barriers were identified that prevent Elder involvement, and recommendations for mental health programmes are provided.

Returning to work after childbirth and women’s mental health: the place of work-family conflict and of social supports in a population of working mothers in Paris area

Abstract Objective Analyzing in a cross-sectional study the factors associated with mental health in 1511 recently delivered women returning to work, the mediating role of work-family interface and the moderating role of social supports. Methods Data were collected at 3 months after returning to work to assess work characteristics (COPSOQ), work-family conflict (SWING), anxiodepressive symptoms (HADS), commuting, childcare, household demands, social supports. Results Anxiety and to lesser extent depressive symptoms were associated with work factors, the opposite for the non work demands. The mediation by work-family conflict and the moderation of social supports were present especially for anxiety symptoms. Taking into account the parental constraints by the hierarchy, family/friends support and paid personnel reduced anxiodepressive symptoms. Conclusions Promoting mental health at returning to work of new mothers needs the assessment of total workload and resources.

CNSC-18. A SCOPING REVIEW OF HISTONE 3.3 G34R/V HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA: EPIGENETIC AND MOLECULAR PROFILES, CLINICOPATHOLOGY, AND TREATMENT AVENUES

Abstract Survival of pediatric and young adults with malignant glioma remains poor despite progress in treatment. This is especially true for histone 3.3 G34R/V (H3.3G34R/V) mutated gliomas, which often present in adolescent and young adult patients. While treatments to date delay progression, post 5-year overall survival is exceedingly rare. Historically, there has been limited research on H3G34R/V mutant tumors, which likely contributes to lack of advancements in current treatments. This scoping review fills the current knowledge gap of H3G34R/V mutated gliomas and summarizes future targets and therapeutic options. In October 2023, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched. Two reviewers screened all articles by title and abstract review and three independent reviewers extracted all studies meeting inclusion criteria relevant to H3G34R/V tumors (preclinical and clinical studies). Of the 2203 articles screened, 200 were deemed eligible. The 200 articles included 68 literature reviews, 9 systematic reviews, 54 preclinical studies, and 69 clinically oriented studies. We found that the United States and ACTA neuropathologica are the top country and journal contributors, respectively, to understanding molecular diagnosis, disease pathology, and potential targeted treatment options of H3.3G34R/V tumors. This literature collectively demonstrates the involvement of numerous oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes involved in RAS/MAPK, MYCN, NOTCH, and LIF/STAT pathways such as ATRX, PDGFRA, and TP53 in influencing the neural characteristics and prognostic outcomes of the tumor. While certain therapeutic modalities, including H3K9 methyltransferase inhibitors and bevacizumab-based therapy have exhibited preclinical efficacy and some indication of positive clinical outcomes, more research on agents that permeate the blood-brain barrier to impair growth are necessary. Additionally, further research into the supportive role of the tumor microenvironment that enables disease progression is warranted. Collectively, these studies will empower intelligent prospective clinical trials using H3.3G34R/V targeted therapies which enhance disease survival.

SMEs in a Digital Era: The Role of Management

This article aims to explore the role of management in translating the external factors’ and internal barriers’ impacts on the level of adoption of digital technologies as a lever for change in business operations and processes in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs face a distinct set of challenges when adopting digital technologies, often lacking resources and knowledge. On the other hand, they have certain characteristics, such as simpler organisational structures and processes, that make them more flexible than larger firms in leveraging technologies into new business models. Data for this study are obtained from 989 SMEs in Bulgaria in the manufacturing and services sectors. A PLS–SEM analysis confirms eight hypotheses raised on the relationships between environmental factors and government support and internal factors (management support, organisational flexibility, and risk-tolerant culture) that impact digital business intensity. Environmental factors’ impact is stronger than government support, while internal barriers are found to have no statistically significant relationship. The research findings highlight the important role of management support in guiding digital transformation through supporting organisational flexibility and promoting a risk-tolerant culture.

The Psychological Effects of Remote Learning on Students: Examining Social Isolation, Anxiety, and Self-Discipline

This study examines the psychological effects of remote learning on students, with a focus on social isolation, anxiety, and self-discipline, along with related factors like motivation and time management. Using data from 500 university students, a quantitative correlational analysis found a significant positive correlation between social isolation and anxiety (r = 0.52, p < 0.01), indicating that reduced in-person interaction intensifies emotional stress. Self-discipline emerged as a moderating factor, helping students with higher levels of self-regulation to maintain academic performance despite isolation and anxiety. Regression analysis showed that higher anxiety negatively impacts both self-discipline (B = -0.30, p < 0.01) and academic performance (B = -0.35, p < 0.01). Motivation and time management also positively correlated with academic engagement (r = 0.60, p < 0.01) and performance, highlighting their importance in online learning success. This study contributes to frameworks such as Baumeister and Leary’s "need to belong," Deci and Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory, and Zimmerman’s Self-Regulated Learning theory, emphasizing the critical role of social and emotional support in student resilience. Practical recommendations include offering mental health resources, enhancing virtual peer connections, and incorporating self-regulation training into curricula. These findings underscore the importance of addressing students' psychological needs to foster both academic success and emotional well-being in online education. Future research should explore the long-term effects of remote learning and evaluate targeted interventions to enhance students’ resilience and engagement.

The Role of Social Support as a Predictor of Teacher's Subjective Well-being

This study aims to examine the role of social support as a predictor of subjective wellbeing in teachers. Participants in this study were 138 teachers (37 male and 101 female; 31 civil servants and 107 private/honorary teachers). SWB was measured with the Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences (SPANE) which measures the cognitive dimension including positive affect and negative affect and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) which measures the affective dimension of SWB. Social support was measured with R-MSPSS which measures the perception of social support received, which comes from the principal, colleagues, family, and friends. The results of descriptive analysis showed that most of the participants’ SWB was at a moderate level, both measured overall and in terms of each dimension (nswb=95 (68.1%); npositive=98 (68.8%); nnegative=93 (67.4%); nsatisfaction=93 (67.4%)). Hypothesis testing was done with regression analysis and it was found that social support acts as a predictor of teacher SWB (R=0.199; R2=0.0395; F=5.59; p=0.019). The results of the analysis per dimension of social support show that only support from family has a significant role as a predictor of SWB (p=0.002). This is possible because most of the participants are female so when teachers feel they get social support from their families, it can reduce stress levels, both from work and dual role conflict, thus affecting SWB. Keywords: social support, subjective well-being, teacher

Good stress or bad stress? An empirical study on the impact of time pressure on doctoral students’ innovative behavior

In recent years, with rapid societal advancement and profound transformations in knowledge production, doctoral students are increasingly facing significant time pressures. These pressures not only stem from an escalation in research tasks but also from urgent demands for innovative outputs. Grounded in Affective Events Theory, this study explores the dual impact of time pressure on the innovative behaviors of doctoral students in China. It specifically examines how challenge and hindrance time pressures affect doctoral students’ innovative behavior through the mediating role of research self-efficacy and the moderating role of supervisor support. This research employed SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3 for statistical analysis, analyzing multi-time point data collected from 452 Chinese doctoral students between May and August 2023. The results reveal that challenge time pressure significantly positively impacts doctoral students’ innovative behavior, while hindrance time pressure has a significant negative impact. Furthermore, research self-efficacy partially mediates the relationship between both challenge and hindrance time pressures and innovative behavior. In this process, the moderating role of supervisor support is significant, enhancing the positive effects of challenge time pressure and mitigating the negative impacts of hindrance time pressure, highlighting the importance of supervisor support in optimizing the impact of time pressure and promoting doctoral students’ innovative behavior. These findings not only enrich the theoretical framework in the field of time pressure research but also provide practical guidance for universities and supervisors on how to support doctoral students in effectively managing time pressure and fostering their innovation.

From starvation to depression: unveiling the link between the great famine and late-life depression

BackgroundThe Great Famine in China from 1959 to 1961 is recognized as one of the most severe social and public health disasters of the 20th century, with profound long-term impacts on the health of survivors, particularly on their mental health. Early-life malnutrition and psychological trauma are considered to contribute to a range of health issues in adulthood, including depression.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore how the experience of the Chinese Great Famine from 1959 to 1961 affects the risk of depressive symptoms among the elderly. Using a mechanism analysis, the study investigates the roles of social support, socioeconomic status, and intergenerational support in this process.MethodsUsing micro-level individual data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), combined with province-level excess mortality data, this study employs a cohort-based difference-in-differences model to identify the causal effects of the famine experience on depression levels among the elderly.ResultsThe study reveals that experiencing the Great Famine significantly increases the risk of depression among the elderly. This effect is more pronounced among rural residents, those who experienced the famine during adolescence, and in regions less influenced by Confucian culture. The mechanism analysis indicates that diminished social support, lower socioeconomic status, and insufficient intergenerational support are the primary pathways through which the famine experience influences depression levels in the elderly.ConclusionsThe experience of the Great Famine has exerted a long-term and profound impact on the mental health of the elderly in China, particularly in terms of depression. The findings provide new perspectives on understanding the long-term effects of major historical events on health and offer important empirical evidence for the development of mental health intervention policies for the elderly.

Chinese adolescents’ socioeconomic status and English achievement: the mediating role of parental emotional support

Family socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the key indicators of academic achievement, including language achievement. Further investigation of SES’s mechanisms of influence and potential mediators is essential due to the concern regarding the disparities caused by SES in language achievement. This study examines the relation between SES and Chinese adolescents’ English achievement, emphasizing the role of parenting as a conduit for socioeconomic impacts on children and adolescents. The mechanism through which SES influences English achievement was examined in a sample of 1634 junior secondary school students in an urban city in mainland China. A unified model with solid fit indices, comprising both SES and parenting components, was identified through structural equation modeling. As expected, socio-economic disparities appeared to be largely associated with students’ English achievement, and this connection was partially mediated by parental emotional support. Parental emotional support, however, had varied mediating effects that affected the developmental course and shaped achievement outcomes across different SES groups. This study offers valuable insights into the joint contribution of distal SES factors and proximal interactions to achievement outcomes. Intervention efforts and future research implications are discussed.

Comparison of static balance and pressure distribution in individuals with unilateral lower limb amputation: The role of barefoot, heel support, and vision.

In some cultures, shoes are not worn indoors. Prosthesis use barefoot can lead to pressure injuries and loss of balance due to abnormal residual limb loading. This study aimed to compare the effect of wearing standard alignment prostheses using barefoot at home and visual alteration on static balance and pressure distribution in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputations (TFAs) or transtibial amputations (TTAs). Prospective parallel experimental study. Participants with unilateral TTAs (n = 44) and TFAs (n = 37) were included. Balance and load distribution were assessed using MatScan pressure platforms, both with a heel (3 × 2 cm2 area; 1.8 cm height) support (the use of shoes with a heel is mimicked) and barefoot. Balance parameters were disrupted in all groups when eyes closed position (p < 0.05). Using heels reduced anterior-posterior and medial-lateral sway in TTA group during eyes closed (p < 0.05). When standing barefoot with the eye open position, TFA group had more load on the rear foot of the prosthetic foot and less load on the forefoot than TTA group (p < 0.05). The opposite pattern was observed in the intact foot (p < 0.05). Using heels in TTA group increased the load on the front of the intact side and the rear of the prosthetic side (p < 0.05). The balance parameters were impaired in both groups while standing barefoot in the absence of vision. However, using heel supports improved static balance in the TTA but not in the TFA group. Using heel support changed this load distribution in both groups, especially in the TTAs, and created positive changes.

The experience of weight gain during and after breast cancer treatment: a qualitative study.

After breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the majority of women will gain weight. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of weight management among Australian women with breast cancer. This is a secondary analysis of data from a qualitative study evaluating the feasibility of novel interventions for weight management after breast cancer. Participants were recruited via email invitation from a breast cancer consumer organization and breast cancer centre in Australia. Eligible participants had received treatment for breast cancer, and were fluent in English. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis with the constant comparison method. Thirty-seven women provided data in five focus groups and one semi-structured interview. Four themes were identified: Timing, milestones and turning points; Making sense of the journey; Factors leading to weight gain; and Information and health professional support. Varying trajectories of weight gain were described, the most common being gradual or fluctuating weight gain. Weight gain was attributed to a number of related factors including becoming postmenopausal, and the impact of treatment effects. Achieving a sense of autonomy and agency assisted with weight management. An overall lack of information and support relating to weight management was highlighted. There is a need for a coordinated and systematic approach to weight management after breast cancer. Further research on the role of supportive care and systems-level support is warranted to mitigate the significant public health burden of excess weight after breast cancer treatment.

Understanding Park Golf Participation Among Older Adults: The Role of Social Support in Health Behavior Through the Lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Understanding Park Golf Participation Among Older Adults: The Role of Social Support in Health Behavior Through the Lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Different Deeds, Different Needs—Types of Violence Against Women and Social Support Sought Online

Women, as victims of violence, among which intimate partner violence prevails, venture online to seek a supportive community. Members of online support groups differ in the experiences and needs they have and support they seek. The objective of this research was to explore the difference in types of support sought and support received between women who self-report having been a witness/victim of violence and others who directly ask for help without explaining their circumstances. For this purpose, content analysis of 600 randomly selected starting posts from an online support community was performed. The results reveal an association between the needs expressed and the experience of violence described. Although users most frequently sought informational support, those recounting sexual violence more often asked for emotional support or were looking for an emotional release. Posts describing a different kind of violence were more likely to bring more support than short posts directly asking for help. The findings are important since women in a violent relationship tend to become more isolated or controlled by their partners, pointing to the crucial role of online support in helping and encouraging those women to take the first step in seeking help from formal institutions.