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Bed rest (BR) studies are primarily designed to investigate the effects of weightlessness on the human body, but they are also used to study the effects of physical inactivity. For this purpose, participants are typically recruited from the general population without requiring specialized training, which contrasts with the selection process for cosmonauts. The BR study environment is often characterized as highly stressful, highlighting the importance of understanding coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies among participants, as well as the role of their daily interactions. This review aims to determine whether interpersonal relationships and the concept of social connectedness (SC) have been explored within the context of BR studies. For the search strategy, the definition of exclusion criteria, and the initial screening, PRISMA 2020 statement was followed. The PEO framework was used to generate keywords, and thematic synthesis was applied for data extraction, analysis, and synthesis. An initial search did not uncover any studies examining the concept of SC in the context of BR as an environment with extreme conditions, suggesting that SC in this context has not yet been investigated. While findings of thematic synthesis indicate that interpersonal relationships play a significant role in coping with and adapting to the extreme conditions of BR studies. As results showed these relationships can have both positive and negative effects. Interpersonal relationships also serve as a crucial support mechanism among participants. Additionally, how participants make sense of their involvement in such studies remains underexplored, and further research in this area is recommended in the discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Guided by Self-System Processes Theory, Social Support Theory, and Stress and Coping Theory, this study investigates how perceived school climate influences adolescents' negative emotions through the chain mediation of school belonging and social avoidance and distress. It also examines demographic differences across gender and grade and tests the structural invariance of the proposed model. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 1,507 Chinese adolescents in grades 5–9 was conducted using validated scales. Independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to examine gender and grade differences in the key variables. Structural equation modeling (SEM) tested the hypothesized mediation model, while multigroup SEM assessed structural invariance across subgroups. Results: Perceived school climate reduced negative emotions both directly and indirectly, with school belonging and social avoidance and distress as key mediators. Peer support demonstrated the strongest indirect effect, while teacher support and autonomy opportunities influenced negative emotions through both direct and indirect pathways. A chain mediation pathway was identified, and structural invariance testing confirmed consistent relationships across gender and grade groups. Conclusion: This study reveals a complex chain mediation mechanism and highlights the stability of structural relationships across demographic groups. The findings provide valuable theoretical and practical insights for fostering supportive school environments to promote adolescent emotional well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Graduate students face numerous demands, high stress levels, and associated challenges to intra- and inter-personal relationships. Mindfulness may help to ease such challenging experiences. The Mindfulness Ambassador Program (MAP) is a promising group-based program that has not yet been studied among graduate students. The primary objectives of this study were to: (1) explore graduate students' perceptions of stress, and their relationships with themselves and meaningful others; (2) explore graduate students' perspectives of and satisfaction with the MAP; and (3) investigate if participation in the MAP elicited changes in graduate students' perceived levels of stress, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and/or social connectedness. Methods: In this one-group, pre/post mixed-methods pilot study, nine participants completed pre-post questionnaires and participated in a semi-structured interview post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and paired t-tests. Results: Pre-intervention, qualitative themes included participants experiencing moderate-to-high stress levels, intrapersonal conflict, interpersonal relationship challenges, and seeing oneself as a work in progress. Post-intervention themes included better stress management, increased consideration for oneself and others, feelings of connection with others, and overall satisfaction with the MAP. Statistically significant improvements were found from pre- to post-intervention in mean score differences for perceived stress (p =.043), private self-awareness (p =.006), awareness of immediate surroundings (p =.044), and social connectedness (p =.006). Conclusions: Participants reported several benefits from their positive experience participating in the MAP. These findings may be used to inform future mindfulness-based programming for graduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the factors influencing teachers' organizational commitment in China. We employed a survey design with a sample of 506 full-time teachers from various public middle and high schools across mainland China. Social connectedness, job control, and work engagement were measured using self-reported scales. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to examine the hypothesized relationships. The results indicated that social connectedness and job control were directly associated with higher levels of organizational commitment among teachers. Furthermore, work engagement played a mediating role in these relationships. Specifically, teachers who felt more connected to their colleagues and had greater control over their work reported higher levels of work engagement, which, in turn, predicted stronger organizational commitment. These findings highlight the importance of fostering a supportive and collaborative school environment to cultivate social connectedness and provide teachers with greater autonomy and decision-making opportunities to enhance job control. By nurturing these factors, schools can promote work engagement, ultimately leading to a more dedicated and committed teaching workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research aims to investigate the relationship between internal motivations and consumer upcycling intention, and how these motivations relate to purchase intention of upcycled products. Design/methodology/approach: This research is based on an online survey with a sample of 470 US consumers. Structural equation modeling with Mplus was applied to test the proposed relationships. Findings: Perceived competence is the strongest internal motivation related to consumer upcycling intention, followed by waste prevention and frugality. Consumers who have motivations of waste prevention, social connectedness and emotional attachment for consumer upcycling have higher intention to purchase upcycled products. Research limitations/implications: The generalizability of the findings might be limited due to the US-based survey sample. Future research could validate and extend these findings in different cultural contexts. Practical implications: The findings enable policymakers and business practitioners in the circular economy to develop effective strategies to promote consumer upcycling as well as the purchase of upcycled products. Originality/value: First, this research addresses the dearth of literature studying upcycling and the broader circular economy from the demand side (i.e. the consumer). Second, by identifying perceived competence as the strongest internal motivation for consumer upcycling, this research offers a new perspective on how to promote consumer upcycling. Third, by demonstrating that certain internal motivations for consumer upcycling can explain purchase intention of upcycled products, this research validates for the first time the connection between consumer upcycling and upcycling businesses empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychoactive drugs such as alcohol and stimulants are typically used in social settings such as bars, parties or small groups. Yet, relatively little is known about how social contexts affect responses to drugs, or how the drugs alter social interactions. It is possible that positive social contexts enhance the rewarding properties of drugs, perhaps increasing their potential for repeated use and abuse. In addition, drugs may enhance the rewarding effects of social interactions by increasing feelings of social closeness and connectedness. To examine these relations, we investigated the effects of several drugs (MDMA, methamphetamine, alcohol) on feelings of connection between two strangers engaged in a conversation. We also investigated feelings of connection between two participants who discussed either 'shallow' or deeper topics in two conversations, without any drugs. All four conditions: deeper conversations, MDMA, methamphetamine and alcohol significantly increased feelings of connection and closeness compared with control conditions (small talk or placebo). We postulate that these feelings of connection could contribute to the drugs' rewarding effects when the drugs are used in social contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is considered good practice in all health research including literature reviews. Reporting of involvement practice in realist reviews has been inconsistent leaving gaps in understanding of best practice. Realist reviews are theory driven and explain how interventions work, for whom and in which circumstances. PPI in realist reviews provides a link between programme theory and real-world experiences and can be achieved through a 'stakeholder group' bringing lived and professional experience together. This paper discusses experiences of a stakeholder group with seven members with lived experience and eight members with professional experience in a realist review focused on how community mental health crisis services work. A mental health crisis is a time of distress when people need urgent support. Many different agencies can respond to mental health crises, but despite this, people often find it hard to navigate to the right help at the right time. Reflections on involvement in four stakeholder meetings alongside practical examples of involvement activities used during the realist review are discussed. Having two researchers co-lead the stakeholder group from both lived and professional experience perspectives provided a bridge between the different expertise within the stakeholder group. Engagement with a voluntary organisation provided support to lived experience stakeholders, which sustained their involvement over time. Social connectedness was needed to establish trust between stakeholders. This required informal social contact between stakeholders that needed to be planned, especially for online meetings. To maintain the emotional wellbeing of the stakeholders during their involvement, safe spaces for discussion are needed and these are best planned in partnership with the stakeholders. We concluded that consideration of ways to provide opportunity for informal contact in online meetings may improve the experience of the stakeholders. Careful consideration of ways to sustain stakeholders' contribution over time are needed. The emotional impact of involvement should be considered when planning realist reviews. This may include built in flexibility in the involvement to include small expertise specific breakout groups, individual meetings, and should be planned in partnership with the stakeholders. Plain English Summary: Involving people with experience of accessing mental health services (PPI) in literature reviews is good practice. We know less about how to do this in 'realist' literature reviews. Realist reviews explain how things work, who they work for, and in what situations. PPI can help researchers to link theory with people's real-life experience. Researchers do this in a 'stakeholder group' that brings people with experience of accessing services together with professionals. This paper shares experiences of a stakeholder group with seven PPI members and eight professional members. Stakeholders supported a realist review about how community mental health crisis services work. A mental health crisis is a time of distress when people need urgent support. Many different services can help, but people still find it hard to get the right help at the right time. The researchers thought carefully about the stakeholder group membership to make sure everyone felt able to join in. We have written about how the stakeholders learned together about doing realist reviews and the activities the stakeholders took part in. Due to Covid-19, the stakeholder meetings moved online. Although online meetings worked well, being in a room together was better for the stakeholders to get to know each other. Support from voluntary organisations as well as informal contact with stakeholders between meetings helped people to stay involved over time. Planning safe spaces to talk, could help avoid stakeholders being upset by being involved in realist reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Information communication technologies (ICTs) can enhance older adults' health and well-being. Most research on the use of voice-activated ICTs by older adults has focused on the experiences of individuals living in the community, excluding those who live in long-term care homes. Given evidence of the potential benefits of such technologies to mitigate social isolation and loneliness, more research is needed about their impacts in long-term care home settings. With this in mind, we evaluated impacts and engagement of older adults with voice- and touchscreen-activated ICTs in one long-term care home in Canada. Research Design and Methods Interviews were conducted with older adults who were provided with a Google Nest Hub Max and with staff as part of a larger implementation study. Participants completed semistructured interviews before the technology was implemented, and again at 6 and 12 months. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Results We found that residents primarily used the technologies to engage in self-directed digital leisure and to engage with others both in and outside the home, and that this in turn enhanced their comfort, pleasure, and social connectedness. We also identified ongoing barriers to their engagement with the technology, including both personal and structural factors. Discussion and Implications Our findings suggest that implementation of voice-activated ICTs can bring added value to broader efforts to improve well-being and quality of life in long-term care by enhancing choice, self-determination, and meaningful relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Loneliness is a prevalent issue among international university students, often exacerbated by cultural and linguistic barriers. This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability and impact of a blended intervention to promote international students' social connectedness and well-being. Methods: A sample of 49 international students from the University of Padua (Italy) was recruited. The study followed the methodology of a non-randomized controlled trial comparing a blended intervention (comprising group activities and online self-help materials) with two other active conditions (self-help only and peer-to-peer interventions) and a control condition at two times (baseline and at 8 weeks). Participants completed a survey to assess their satisfaction with the interventions, changes in their interactions and wellbeing. They also filled in some questionnaires to measure anxiety, depression, perceived social support, loneliness and satisfaction with life. A mixed-method analysis was conducted. Results: Results showed that interventions involving in-person activities had significant advantages over self-help intervention in terms of interaction improvement and a higher number of relationships. Participants perceived self-help materials as more relevant, satisfactory, and functional within the blended group compared to the self-help group. Contrary to the control group, the blended and peer-to-peer groups reported lower scores on the standardized measures of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and higher scores on satisfaction with life, collected pre- and post-intervention. The thematic analysis of the answers to the open-ended questions showed that in-person group activities provided the opportunity to compare themselves with peers and have a direct experience of new social connections. Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of translating insights from self-help materials into active and direct social experiences, to reduce loneliness through the emergence of new perspectives and shared meaning making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor social connectedness has been identified as a risk factor for poor mental health but there is a lack of standardisation in how it is measured. This systematic review aimed to identify suitable measures of social connectedness for use in UK adult general populations. Methods: Searches were undertaken in two stages to identify: (1) measures of social connectedness from review articles and grey literature and (2) studies reporting on the psychometric properties of the identified measures. Grey literature and five databases were searched: MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO; CINAHL and Web of Science. Studies based on UK adult general populations (16–65 years) or other English language speaking countries with similar cultures (US, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand) were included. Psychometric evidence was extracted relating to six general domains: conceptual model, content validity, reliability, construct validity, scoring and interpretability, and respondent burden and presentation. A narrative synthesis summarised these psychometric properties. Results: Stage (1) 2,396 studies were retrieved and, 24 possible measures of social connectedness were identified; stage (2) 6,218 studies were identified reporting on psychometrics of identified measures and 22 studies were included. These studies provided psychometric evidence for 10 measures, and we did not find psychometric studies for the other identified measures. Six measures (6/10, 60%) reported assessing loneliness and four (4/10, 40%) reported assessing social support but there was a degree of overlap between the assessments of each concept. There was good evidence of reliability across measures, 90% (9/10) had adequate internal consistency, but evidence of content validity was only available for one scale. Five measures (5/10, 50%) reported on at least half of the psychometric criteria, and these were: UCLA-3 (for loneliness), and MSPSS, F-SozU K-6, SPS-10 and SPS-5 (for social support). Conclusions: This review identified ten social connectedness measures, and identified UCLA-3, MSPSS, F-SozUK-6, SPS-10, and SPS-5 as having the most robust psychometric properties for the UK adult population. Further testing is required to establish content validity, and to clarify the definition and conceptualisation of social connectedness, to enable standardisation in the approach to measuring social connectedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who use drugs are among the most socially excluded groups in Europe. Qualitative research on Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) has reported various benefits to clients, including increased feelings of well-being, safety and connection, however, few studies have explored in-depth client narratives of belonging and social inclusion. In this article, we explore this literature and describe the ways in which DCRs foster social inclusion and feelings of belonging amongst their clients. With a view towards the future of DCR implementation in Europe, this argument positions DCRs as effective 'inclusion health interventions'. The shift in analysis from DCRs as a purely harm reduction or overdose prevention and response intervention to one of 'inclusion health' could work towards a wider recognition of their effectiveness in addressing broader health and social inequities. At a policy level, this shift could result in increased political support for DCRs as recognized interventions, which through their design, effectively promote social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to understand how COVID-19 affected social connection, barriers to connection, and generated ideas for creating pro-connection activities and spaces. The approach was guided by design principles and included generative interviews and a group workshop with young people aged 16–24 years. COVID-19 allowed young people to recognize the importance of face-to-face and incidental social contacts and appreciate deeper connections to friends, family, and community. Young people identified barriers and enablers to forming quality social connection as confidence, the time and effort taken to build meaningful friendships, mental health, and cultural identity. Programmes that overtly tackle social connection were considered unappealing and usually reach only those who are already engaged. Instead, social connection is a by-product of other activities that take a 'mild structure, low pressure' approach and focus on strengths and interests. Activities and spaces must be free and easy to access and involve multiple engagements over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-being of older adults is influenced by their physical and mental health, their opportunities to complete activities of daily living effectively and autonomously, as well as their social connectedness, meaningfulness and positive outlook to the future. Older adults with a prison sentence face numerous challenges that affect their well-being and influence their opportunities to age well. This paper aims to synthesize and analyse factors that determine what opportunities older adults have during and after their prison sentences in Germany. Data from several studies by the authors are used to identify factors affecting ageing processes. Older adults with a prison sentence are a heterogeneous population in Germany where health conditions, social relations and impairments vary on entry in the prison system. Regional differences in sentencing as well as support structures within the prison system further affect older adults' health and opportunities to lead self-determined lives after their release. While factors influencing older adults with a prison sentence and their ageing are identified, more research is needed to evaluate the impact of each of them to assess older adults' well-being after their release from prison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Structural social connectedness is the structure and size of a person's social network, including whether persons live with or have regular contact with others. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted structures that facilitate social connectedness. This study investigated how a person's structural social connectedness influenced diabetes self-management strategies through the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The study followed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. First, quantitative data were collected via surveys of 54 patients living with diabetes (67% female, Mage of 60 [12] years) in 2021. Then in 2022, we interviewed 25 patients (64% female, Mage of 62 [9] years) as a follow-up to the survey to help explain quantitative findings. Longitudinal mixed methods analysis integrated both phases to offer a holistic view of the factors influencing diabetes self-management. Results: A full-factorial analysis of covariance tested home and workplace social connectedness effects onto glycemic control and four self-management measures. In integrated analysis, researchers categorized patients into four groups by level of home and workplace social connectedness. Individuals with home social connectedness were more likely to overcome pandemic-related self-management challenges than those without home social connectedness. Although the workplace provided social connectedness, it imposed structural barriers to self-management. Discussion: Structural social connectedness influenced how patients navigated diabetes self-management challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic. Results suggest clinicians should consider how home and workplace connectedness interact to facilitate or impede patient self-management. Public Significance Statement: This study illustrates how social support within the home facilitated diabetes self-management throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It also identifies two factors that impeded self-management: caretaking for others and workplace structure. As clinicians coach patients through self-management, they should assess a patient's social isolation and then work with patients to develop strategies that account for these facilitators and barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 impact has adversely affected the well-being and mental health of individuals in the world including job satisfaction. Yet, there is a shortage of evidence regarding the underlying mechanism of change. Building on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, this study aimed to investigate whether resilience and social connectedness mediated the association of COVID-19 impact with job satisfaction in a large sample of mental health professionals. Participants included 763 Turkish mental health professionals (87.81% females) aged 24-65 years (Mage = 28.24 years, SD = 4.48), who completed the measures of COVID-19 impact, resilience, social connectedness, and job satisfaction. The results showed that COVID-19's impact was significantly related to resilience, social connectedness, and job satisfaction. The results also indicated that resilience and social connectedness fully mediated the association between COVID-19 impact and job satisfaction. These findings are useful given the shortage of intervention efforts aimed at the COVID-19 impact. Future interventions focusing on minimizing the COVID-19 impact and related outcomes may benefit from resilience and social connectedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social isolation and loneliness pose significant challenges to individual well-being and public health. Conversational AI agents have emerged as a promising tool for addressing social isolation by providing personalized support and companionship to isolated individuals. This study aims to investigate the role of conversational AI agents in providing support and social care for isolated individuals. It seeks to understand the effectiveness of these agents in mitigating loneliness, enhancing social connectedness, and improving overall well-being. While previous research has explored the use of technology for combating social isolation, this study focuses specifically on conversational AI agents and their unique capabilities in delivering personalized and empathetic support to isolated individuals. The research framework encompasses a mixed methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the experiences and perceptions of isolated individuals interacting with conversational AI agents. Preliminary findings suggest that conversational AI agents hold promise in providing meaningful support and companionship to isolated individuals. Qualitative analysis reveals themes related to the perceived usefulness, ease of use, and emotional connection facilitated by these agents. Quantitative analysis indicates correlations between factors such as age, gender, and the effectiveness of conversational AI agents in addressing social isolation. This study underscores the potential of conversational AI agents in alleviating social isolation and loneliness among isolated individuals. These agents assist in improving general well-being and social connectivity by offering individualized assistance and companionship. The findings guide academics, practitioners, and policymakers who want to use technology to combat social isolation and enhance mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Disability Studies is the property of Canadian Disability Studies Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Social disconnection is a public health concern among rural Australian older adults. While research suggests technology can enhance social wellbeing and protect against social disconnection, many older adults are not digitally literate, and little is known as to why and how technology adoption could be promoted in rural contexts. This study aimed to (1) explore the barriers and facilitators of technology adoption among rural older adults and (2) determine the potential utility of technology to promote social connectedness in the aged population. The Theoretical Domains Framework and the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) were employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital and social behaviours of rural Australian older adults. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 33 rural older adults aged between 65 and 87 years. Interviews were conducted over the phone, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed using thematic analysis and the BCW. Results: Numerous barriers and facilitators of technology adoption were identified, with the most prominent being knowledge, perceived value, perceived self-efficacy, and social support. Findings suggest that older adults' technology adoption is not simply a technical matter, but influenced by various individual, social, and environmental contexts. Consideration of these factors during development, marketing, training and implementation may facilitate technology adoption among older adults. With regard to social connectedness, several rural barriers emerged, including low population density, geographic isolation, limited community opportunities and poor public transport infrastructure. Conclusion: Technology was consistently identified as a facilitator of the social experience, indicating that technology is a promising tool to enhance social connectedness among older adults, particularly those living in rural areas. Future research should focus on enhancing the capability, opportunity and motivation of older adults in technology adoption, with reference to the rural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The growing concern around sustainability highlights the need to change individual consumption behaviour. Using evolutionary theory, the purpose of this paper is to present a framework that demonstrates the process by which a consumer's ultimate motives (thoughts, emotions, and perceptions that come from the evolutionary motives) impact sustainability campaign message persuasiveness (SCMP). Design/methodology/approach: The framework was tested using partial least squares analysis with data from an online survey of 237 consumers. Findings: Ultimate motives influence the SCMP through a mediating relationship, via a consumer's sustainable consumption attitude and behaviour. The perceived sense of urgency around sustainability issues and the consumer's connection to nature were also identified as key moderators that impact relationships between ultimate motives and consumers' sustainability attitudes and behaviours. Research limitations/implications: Future research could explore the impact of other factors, such as values, social norms, culture and governmental regulations, on individuals' reactions to sustainability marketing. Practical implications: The findings indicate the importance for managers to grasp the multifaceted nature of ultimate motives. By heightening particular ultimate motives, marketers can steer individuals towards sustainable attitudes and behaviours, consequently increasing the probability of favourable reactions to sustainable consumption messages. Originality/value: This study addressed the two main limitations of research into SCMP by providing a theoretical grounding and focusing on the drivers of consumer behaviour, instead of campaign messaging aspects (e.g. framing). The empirical analysis, including identifying interactions between ultimate motives, supports the use of evolutionary theory to explain SCMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine a problem faced by individuals with a high need to belong; expressing a desire for social relationships may make it more difficult to form them. In particular, we suggest expressions of heightened belongingness needs create a negative halo effect whereby people expressing those needs appear to be less attractive and more desperate to potential relationship partners. In two experiments, participants viewed hypothetical targets who endorsed high, moderate, or low levels of the need to belong, and then rated these targets on measures of social attractiveness and social desperation. Results revealed that participants rated both high and low need to belong targets as low in social attractiveness (Experiment 1, N = 116) and social stature (Experiment 2, N = 111), relative to the moderate need to belong target. However, participants rated the high need to belong target significantly higher in social desperation, compared to the moderate and low need to belong targets. Lastly, social desperation significantly mediated the association between (high vs. moderate) expressed need to belong and social attractiveness, suggesting that expressing heightened need to belong is uniquely unattractive to others as it conveys a sense of social desperation. Overall, these results suggest that when they express a desire to form close relationships, those high in the need to belong may have a difficult time achieving a sense of belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As jobs become increasingly unstable and contingent and employees are increasingly geographically separated and likely to communicate via technology, employees may find it more difficult to feel connected with one another and to navigate work interactions. We theorize that, given such circumstances, employees are likely to engage in work-related imagined interactions, mental simulations of interactions with work-related others. Drawing on a core social motives framework, we propose two primary types of work-related imagined interactions: those aimed at helping employees feel more connected with others (i.e., imagined interactions concerning socio-emotional goals) and those aimed at helping employees gain confidence to influence others (i.e., imagined interactions concerning socio-instrumental goals). We explicate the conditions that motivate employees to engage in each type of imagined interaction and examine the content of these imaginings, explaining with whom they imagine interacting, what the imagined interaction is like, and when the imagined interaction occurs. Our theorizing sheds light on employees' intrapersonal relational landscape of work. In doing so, we contribute to the management literatures on relationships and social cognition and to the literature on imagined interactions. We conclude by highlighting important implications for both managers and employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives A strong sense of belonging is crucial for the physical and mental health of older adults and their social interactions. The age-friendly city offers various opportunities for social participation of older adults. The present study aims to determine the role of age friendly-city indicators in predicting social belonging of older adults residing in Mohammadiyeh County, Qazvin Province, Iran. Methods & Materials This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 300 older adults in 2022, who were selected by a cluster sampling method from six municipal districts of Mohammadiyeh County. Data were collected using a demographic checklist, an age-friendly city scale, and a social belonging scale. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS software version 23 using multivariate linear regression analysis. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results The mean age of participants was 67.55±6 years, ranging from 60 to 84 years. The majority of them were male (n=157, 52.33%), married (n=216, 72%), and illiterate (n=157, 52.33%). Among the age-friendly city indicators, the highest score was related to the safety/ease of transportation (16.86±4.51) and open public spaces (45.61±11.47) indicators. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that marital status (β=-0.150, P=0.006), lower than high school education (β=0.170, P=0.003) and high school diploma (β=0.192, P=0.001), and the age-friendly city indicator of safety/ease of transportation (β=0.328, P

Introduction: Nutrition, sleep and physical activity are termed the "big three" health enhancing behaviors (HEB) associated with psychological distress and wellbeing. This study sought to understand differential associations between an expanded group of HEB (nutrition, sleep, physical activity, mindfulness, social connectedness) and psychological distress/wellbeing in early adolescents. Methods: Correlational and regression analyses were conducted in N=103 (51% females) adolescents (12.6 ± 0.3 years of age) recruited from the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study. Results: Higher scores on sleep, social connectedness and mindfulness scales were significantly associated with lower psychological distress scores. While higher scores on social connectedness and mindfulness scales were significantly associated with higher wellbeing scores. When adjusting for sex, nutrition, sleep, social connectedness and mindfulness accounted for a significant proportion of variance in the psychological distress model whereas physical activity and social connectedness accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in the wellbeing model. Discussions: Overall findings make a strong case for expansion of the "big three" HEB to include mindfulness and social connectedness, especially given social connectedness emerged as the strongest predictor of both psychological distress and wellbeing. In addition, this research suggests that early adolescent nutrition, sleep quality, and mindfulness should be prioritized in efforts to reduce risk of difficulties, and physical activity prioritized as a protective factor for wellbeing in this population. Findings have implications for interventions, emphasizing the importance of addressing HEB factors comprehensively and tailoring strategies to the unique needs of early adolescents to foster positive mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education plays an important role in sustainable global development and is essential for the fulfillment of all 17 SDGs. Universities are starting to train the new generations of specialists who will meet the objectives of sustainable rural development. The purpose of this paper was to identify the role of the USAMV CN Library through its resources, on the training of future specialists to respond to sustainability objectives. The methodology used to analyze the library's resources is the Universal Decimal Classification. The library database and the inventory registers with the publications fund were queried. It was found the existence of specialty fund for each faculty. The report no.titles/no.students is higher for Animal Husbandry and Biotechnologies and lower for Veterinary Medicine. The existence of publications dealing with the three pillars of sustainability in all the last 20 years was found. Most of the publications belong to the social pillar. Regarding the loan, it suddenly decreases starting with 2017. Also, it is higher at the beginning of the academic year and during the session. Most loans were made by the students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Most loans fall under the social pillar, followed by the environmental and the economic pillars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review explores what is currently understood about how masculinity norms interplay with loneliness and social connectedness among men in a Western context. Human beings inherently need social connections, and this review particularly addresses how traditional masculinity norms—emphasizing independence, emotional stoicism, and pain endurance—can increase vulnerability to loneliness and insufficient social connections. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and systematically assessed the literature published between September 2013 and September 2023. Initial literature searches were conducted using multiple databases, including EBSCO and PubMed. Of the 1,730 articles identified, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria and were quality assessed. Results show that men often formed social connections through productive activities. Still, these connections were restricted by conflicting masculine ideals such as self-reliance, which could be prioritized over social and emotional support. Masculine bonds were often formed and strengthened through collectively rejecting diversity. Nevertheless, there were some narratives where participants attempted to redefine masculinity to access permission to care and connect. This review highlights the urgent need for cultural and societal reevaluation of gender norms to support men's social connectedness. This shift could reduce stigma around emotional vulnerability and in turn men's opportunities for health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate the cohort trends of the experienced social connectedness in secondary school students between 2017 and 2021 and whether these trends vary by gender, school level and sociodemographic background. We used nationally representative Finnish data of 450,864 students in lower and upper secondary education. Social connectedness was measured by number of close friends, feelings of loneliness and sense of belonging at school. Adjusted regression analyses included year, gender, school level and sociodemographic factors (parental education, immigrant status of the student and urban-rural area of the school). The results showed that social connectedness declined from 2017 to 2021: 11% decline in having 3+ close friends, 15% increase in loneliness and 8% decline in belonging at school. The decline was especially large in girls and upper secondary school. Although some socio-demographically disadvantaged groups showed lower levels of social connectedness, there were differences by gender, school level and year. Many differences diminished because the more advantaged groups declined faster, i.e. moved towards the less advantaged groups. Declining social connectedness in young people is a worrying trend that requires a public health focus on the whole cohort while accommodating the variation by the individual and environmental context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social connection is a basic human need and is essential to quality of life. It is associated with better mental and physical health outcomes for long-term care (LTC) home residents and is a key aspect of quality of care and person-centred care. There are considerations for LTC homes that may present obstacles to and opportunities for social connection. It is therefore important to understand what restricts or enables good social connection in LTC homes, to guide better quality care and future interventions in this population. This qualitative study aims to identify barriers and facilitators to social connection for LTC residents. Methods: We used thematic analysis to describe themes derived from individual and group qualitative interviews from 67 participants (18 residents, 17 staff members and clinicians, 32 family members and friends) recruited from LTC homes in the United Kingdom and Canada. Results: Themes were grouped into four categories: (1) becoming familiar with life in the LTC home to support social connection; (2) physical and virtual access beyond the LTC home as strategies to maintain contact; (3) getting to know residents to deepen relationships; (4) person-centred approaches to build social connection. 'Becoming familiar with life in the LTC home to support social connection' described the benefits of counteracting the institutionalized feel of LTC homes, enabling LTC residents to spend time in meaningful ways, and increasing freedom of mobility around the home. 'Physical and virtual access beyond the LTC home as strategies to maintain contact' related to the benefits of outings, providing support with technology, and involving family and friends in LTC home life. 'Getting to know residents to deepen relationships' related to the benefits of using routine care and interactions as opportunities for social contact, using family and friend knowledge as a resource, and fostering resident relationships. 'Person-centred approaches to build social connection' included considering physical, mental, cognitive, and sensory impairments, accounting for adjustment and sociability, using communal spaces well, and prioritizing psychosocial needs. Conclusions: This study identifies barriers and facilitators to social connection for LTC residents which can be addressed in care policies, staff selection and training, and can inform policies and interventions to build and maintain social connection in LTC homes. Clinical trial number: clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05315960. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Football plays a fundamental role in the lives of the boys and girls who play it and it can become an invaluable educational instrument. However, for introduction to football to be truly educational, it needs to be carefully planned and guided; otherwise, it may encourage negative and undesirable behaviour from a moral and ethical point of view. That way, many authors claim that a careful and deliberate initiation to football is necessary for the promotion of sportspersonship to become a reality. Purpose: The goal of this research is to analyse the evolution of sportspersonship orientation in the social sports football schools of Fundación Real Madrid and in association football clubs. For this purpose, the Multidimensional Sportspersonship Orientations Scale is used. The research involves 1509 male and female youth football players aged between 8 and 16 years (M = 10.9±2.2), of whom 952 belong to the social sports football schools of the Fundación Real Madrid and 547 to association football clubs. Results: The most outstanding results show that the players of the social sports schools of Fundación Real Madrid obtain high values in sportspersonship orientation. Moreover, these values remain high in all categories, while they show a significant decrease in players from association football clubs. Conclusions: The social sports model of Fundación Real Madrid can contribute to maintaining high levels of sportspersonship orientation throughout the player's training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have indicated that social connectedness can serve as a protective buffer against negative outcomes associated with online victimization. However, the role of social connectedness between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms is still unclear. This study aims to examine the mediating effect of social connectedness on the association between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized, using questionnaires for data collection and multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. The general demographic questionnaire, Nine-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form, Social Connectedness Scale-Revised and Patient Health Questionnaire Physical Symptoms were used to collect data. We adopted Pearson's correlation analysis and the PROCESS Macro Model in regression analysis to explore the relationships among Internet gaming disorder, social connectedness and somatic symptoms. Results: Internet gaming disorder was positively correlated with somatic symptoms (r = 0.20, P < 0.001), while network (r=-0.08, P < 0.001) and real-life social connectedness (r=-0.31, P < 0.001) negatively affected somatic symptoms. The network social connectedness and the real-life social connectedness played a chain mediating role in the development of Internet gaming disorder to somatic symptoms [95%CI: 0.073, 0.088], explaining 45.25% of the total effect value. The difference of real-life social connectedness and network social connectedness played a partial mediating role between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms [95% CI:0.050, 0.062], accounting for 31.28% of the total effect value. Conclusions: Real-life social connectedness, network social connectedness, and their disparity all mediated the relationship between Internet gaming disorder and somatic symptoms. Real-life social connectedness acted as a protective factor, while network social connectedness served as a risk factor. Encouraging offline activities and guiding teenagers to use the internet responsibly may help prevent and reduce physical symptoms linked to Internet gaming disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context and purpose Persons enduring serious mental illness (SMI) and living in supported housing facilities often receive inadequate care, which can negatively impact their health outcomes. To address these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize interventions that promote personal recovery and address the unique needs of this group. When developing effective, equitable, and relevant interventions, it is essential to consider the experiences of persons with an SMI. By incorporating their perspectives, we can enhance the understanding, and thereby, the design and implementation of activity- and recovery-oriented interventions that promote health, quality of life, and social connectedness in this vulnerable population. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the stories of participants partaking in Everyday Life Rehabilitation and how they make sense of their engagements in everyday life activities and their recovery processes. Methods Applying a narrative analysis, this study explores the stories of seven individuals with an SMI residing in Swedish supported housing facilities, participating in the Everyday Life Rehabilitation (ELR) program during six months, and how they retrospectively make meaning of their engagement in everyday life activities and recovery processes. Findings The participants' stories about their rehabilitation and personal recovery pathways elucidate how the inherent power of the activity, as well as the support the participants received to get started and succeed, had a significant impact on their self-identity, confidence, motivation, mattering, life prospects, and vitality. The participants valued the transparent steps along the process, weekly meetings, the signals, beliefs, and feedback communicated throughout, and the persistent, adaptive, and yet supporting approach in their personal progress. Significance This study underscores the need for interventions that prioritize meaningful activities and are sensitive to the complexity of the personal recovery process, especially in supported housing facilities. Future research should further explore effective strategies and mechanisms to promote personal recovery and to reduce the stigma associated with SMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to investigate a solution for the current lack of skilled workers in Europe and to optimize the utilization of expertise. For this qualitative study, 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted (with a purposive sample of financially independent (soon-to-be) retirees and employers). The thematic analysis revealed (1) on both the employer's and recruiter's side, there are many stereotypes and prejudices, as well as a lack of creativity about how to integrate these highly motivated specialists into the organization's workforce; (2) Employees, retirees and employers where asked: what could be the motivation to employ retirees, what could be the benefits, what could be the drawbacks. The results also indicate that searching for intellectual challenges and solving them with a team of co-workers is one of the main attractions for senior experts. We identified six main patterns for unretirement choices: learning and intellectual challenges, applying expertise, public perception of retirees, belonging and social connections, compensating for loss of status, and feeling appreciated. Appreciating, valuing, and channeling this drive to solve present-day problems independent of a person's chronological age should be self-evident for organizations and societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Oshawa Senior Community Centres (OSCC55 +) virtual programs (VP) in addressing the needs for social connection and interaction for people with dementia (PWD) and their informal caregivers (ICG). Background: During the pandemic, PWD faced increased loneliness and reduced social interaction due to a loss of community programs. The OSCC55 + developed VPs to combat social isolation and provide respite for ICG. These efforts highlight the importance of accessible, and technology-based VPs for maintaining social connectedness for PWD. Methods: A qualitative interpretive research design with PWD (n = 14) interviews and ICG focus group and one-on-one interviews (n = 11). This research explored the lived experiences of PWD and their ICG, examining the feasibility and acceptability of the VPs. Results: The PWD and ICG interviews provided insight into the positive impacts of VP, challenges of VP, program barriers, program facilitating factors, and suggestions for future improvement for the OSCC55 + VPs. Participants highlighted that the VP created an option for them to remain socially connected to their community; while also outlining the positive impact on reducing loneliness, challenges with technology use, the importance of involving younger generations and volunteers, and the need for more culturally inclusive programs. Conclusions: The VP developed by OSCC55 + were perceived as effective and useful for PWD and their ICG, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and relieving caregiving tasks. These findings suggest that VP can complement in-person programs in the future, offering a hybrid model that leverages the strengths of both approaches to better meet the needs of PWD and ICG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The country of Jordan is committed to sustainable development goals and public well-being but faces challenges such as high rates of poverty and disaffection, exacerbated by the influx of refugees. This study aimed to evaluate housing-related happiness factors and provide recommendations for integrating these metrics into sustainable housing evaluations. We conducted qualitative interviews and used interpretative phenomenological analysis, grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, to understand Jordanian residents' perspectives on their housing conditions. The research design emphasized capturing the subjective experiences of residents and the meanings they assign to their housing environments. Our findings indicate that social integration and community bonds are crucial for housing happiness, emphasizing cultural continuity, place attachment, social belonging, and dignity. These insights highlight the importance of considering social and psychological outcomes in sustainable housing initiatives, often overshadowed by economic and ecological metrics. We propose recommendations to enhance sustainable housing policies by focusing on social sustainability, contributing to the growing trend of incorporating social and psychological outcomes in green building evaluations. This study offers a framework for future sustainable housing projects to ensure they address the social and psychological needs of residents, thereby improving overall community well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic urban systems undergo constant change and as a result, certain areas of a city acquire a different appearance over time, bearing the marks of decline and decay. The present challenge lies in identifying these disconnected urban areas that have become inefficient. Therefore, the design of indicators for identification purposes should aim to minimize potential ambiguities by providing a robust assessment measure. This article primarily focused on investigating the introduced indicators for identifying different types of inefficient areas in the neighborhoods of Alavi, Nahzat Abad, and Fatemiyeh in Ahvaz Metropolis and developing applicable indicators (social belonging, social cohesion, social cooperation, social security, and social trust) for them. This research adopted an applied approach and employed a survey research method with a particular emphasis on questionnaires. The statistical population comprised residents of the three mentioned neighborhoods and the sample size was determined to be 377 individuals according to the Cochran formula. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was utilized to examine the normality of data distribution, while the sign test was employed to assess the status of research variables. Furthermore, the variables were weighted using the Shannon entropy model and the neighborhoods were ranked using the MABAK technique. The findings derived from the results of the sign test indicated that the neighborhood of Fatemiyeh exhibited a higher average impact coefficient of 0.23 across the five selected research components compared to the other two neighborhoods. Additionally, the results of ranking the selected social components in the three neighborhoods using the MABAK technique revealed that Fatemiyeh Neighborhood secured the top position with an Si value (component and indicator impact value) of 0.221 followed by Nahzat Abad Neighborhood with 0.127 and Alavi Neighborhood with 0.187 ranking second and third, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literacy practices or rather social practices that involve reading and writing is basic for the development of school learning processes in starting years and those following. So that teaching in the first years of schooling may be efficient, it is necessary that family and school hit on different literacy practices that are adequate for the student´s academic and social formation. For example, studies by Shirley Heath (1982) state that telling stories with a book is a basic literacy event for the development of relevant cognitive skills in the first years of schooling. Based on the above study, current analysis demonstrates through a survey on data collected from story narrators and through research data by the same author that reading practice favours schooling development. Consequently, school environment is a relevant place to supplement literacy practices for minority groups that do not have the opportunity to give such literacy settings for their children. The analysis of schooling literacy underscores its role in social inclusion to lessen schooling disadvantages inherent to social belonging of many school children. It means that children without the necessary environment may have the opportunity of actively participating within the school and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives A strong sense of belonging is crucial for the physical and mental health of older adults and their social interactions. The age-friendly city offers various opportunities for social participation of older adults. The present study aims to determine the role of age friendly-city indicators in predicting social belonging of older adults residing in Mohammadiyeh County, Qazvin Province, Iran. Methods & Materials This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 300 older adults in 2022, who were selected by a cluster sampling method from six municipal districts of Mohammadiyeh County. Data were collected using a demographic checklist, an age-friendly city scale, and a social belonging scale. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS software version 23 using multivariate linear regression analysis. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results The mean age of participants was 67.55±6 years, ranging from 60 to 84 years. The majority of them were male (n=157, 52.33%), married (n=216, 72%), and illiterate (n=157, 52.33%). Among the age-friendly city indicators, the highest score was related to the safety/ease of transportation (16.86±4.51) and open public spaces (45.61±11.47) indicators. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that marital status (β=-0.150, P=0.006), lower than high school education (β=0.170, P=0.003) and high school diploma (β=0.192, P=0.001), and the age-friendly city indicator of safety/ease of transportation (β=0.328, P<0.001) were predictors of social belonging in older adults. Conclusion The majority of older adults in Mohammadiyeh County are dissatisfied with age-friendly indicators. Those who feel safe and have easy access to public transportation are more likely to have a stronger sense of social belonging. The results of this study can effectively help policymakers and city managers in proper planning in order to develop an age-friendly city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this research was to explore the personal foundations of marital relationship sustainability in women with veteran spouses. Methods: The current study employed a qualitative interpretative phenomenological research design. Among women with veteran spouses (Iran-Iraq War veterans), 14 individuals from Sardasht city (Iran) were selected purposively and interviewed. The interviews were analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis method. Results: Exploring the lived experiences of these individuals led to the identification of 18 sub-themes and six main themes (love, spirituality, conscientiousness, perception of meaning, social connectedness, and high acceptance). These findings reveal the reality that sustaining a lasting interaction and coping with marital life challenges with a veteran spouse may be achievable through the core elements of love, spirituality, conscientiousness, perception of meaning, social connectedness, and high acceptance. Conclusions: Counselors and psychologists working in the field of marriage and family can foster these dimensions in individuals to facilitate successful entry into marital life and the continuous sustainability of relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication technologies offer new opportunities for building and maintaining social connections at university. However, these technologies need to be better understood for their influence on student experiences in hybrid-style classrooms and guided more effectively. This study identified qualities of social connection to understand how students built/maintained social connection. The study was conducted over two autumn semesters in three hybrid-style classes in Switzerland and Norway. Qualitative methods included observations, interviews, and auto-photography. Approximately 150 h of observational data were gained, including auto-photography of 17 students' physical online learning spaces, and four interviews with class lecturers. The findings indicated that informal/private spaces, crucial for building/maintaining social connection, were hard to access in hybrid-style learning environments. Communication cultures and social structures offered limited support for accessing these spaces for building/maintaining social connection. Addressing this issue required a processual effort across user-levels to support social connection within a hybrid-style university culture. This effort involved opening access to informal/private spaces by applying the concept of affective atmospheres within placemaking and interaction-design theories. A dimensions of affect framework is developed to help curate learning environments towards social connection. For university campus development, addressing these people–place relations with communication technology could foster technology more effectively to support connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many major social media companies have claimed that their social feed algorithms were designed to promote relational well-being and enhance social connection. This project tested part of these claims by investigating if algorithmic personalization predicted social connectedness on TikTok, where connecting with identity-relevant media content is prioritized over interpersonal interaction. Drawing from the algorithm responsiveness process, we identified perceived algorithm responsiveness (PAR) and perceived algorithm insensitivity (PAI) as perceptual mechanisms of how algorithmic personalization relates to social connectedness. In two preregistered studies, an online survey and a 2-week daily diary survey, results suggested that the TikTok For You algorithm curating frequent and positively valenced identity-relevant content was associated with higher PAR and less PAI. In turn, higher levels of PAR predicted more social connectedness, but PAI did not. These findings highlight the sociotechnical dynamics of algorithms, suggesting human–algorithm interaction predicted social connectedness not only an algorithm's code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the significance of consumer perceived ethicality (CPE) in the current business world, it remains unclear how companies can foster CPE among consumers. The present research investigates the potential of personizing a stakeholder (e.g., an employee or a supplier) by incorporating the person's first name in advertising messages. Across four experimental studies, this research shows how personized advertising messages can increase CPE when consumers perceive a high degree of social connectedness between a company and its employees or suppliers. The findings of this research add to the understanding of CPE and further offer practical implications for advertisers in developing effective strategies to foster CPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine whether narratives about, and the psychological consequences of, perceived gender discrimination differ between women and men. We argue that women and men have different dominant narratives about the reasons why people discriminate against people of their respective genders. While women attribute the majority of their perceptions of gender discrimination in the workplace to patriarchal norms and practices, the majority of men's perceptions of gender discrimination emerge from a belief that organizations are likely to discriminate against them in order to reduce discrimination against women. These differences in understandings about the root causes of gender discrimination also produce divergent psychological consequences. We argue that perceived workplace gender discrimination (a) reduces self-efficacy among women but not among men and (b) reduces both men's and women's sense of belonging in the workplace. We further argue that these effects contribute to a reduction of well-being among members of both genders, with the negative effect on well-being being more pronounced among women than among men. We examine these predictions in five studies of working adults. We discuss the implications for research on perceptions of discrimination and for organizations seeking to reduce the negative consequences of perceptions of discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth with developmental and pre-existing mental health conditions have been particularly vulnerable to declines in psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to first, analyze service usage within an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry clinic in the months preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and second, to examine associations with potential protective factors against mental health concerns in a treatmentengaged sample. Service usage was examined using clinic billing data, and reports on protective factors were gathered via parent survey of 81 children ages 6--17 years who received mental health treatment in an outpatient psychiatry clinic during the pandemic. Protective factors were assessed at the individual, family, and community levels, and included children's use of coping strategies, parental resilience, and parents' perceived social supports. Study outcomes, including mental health concerns, mental health emergencies, pandemic-related distress, and social impact of the pandemic, were analyzed via Pearson correlations and simultaneous multiple linear regressions. Findings suggest increased service usage and child coping, parental resilience, and social connectedness as factors associated with fewer mental health concerns in youth with psychiatric concerns during the pandemic. This study lends support for expanding psychiatric services with continued use of telemedicine platforms. Further, findings suggest a mental health benefit to optimizing individual, parental, and community-based resources to enhance children's psychological functioning, particularly for youth with pre-existing mental health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its inception, social media has brought about numerous benefits, including higher levels of social connectedness, potential positive interactions, and greater access to information. Nonetheless, the excessive use of social media can lead to negative health outcomes, such as social anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, reduced sleep quality, and higher perceived stress. It has been argued that boredom and loneliness may be mediating factors between social media misuse and negative mental health effects, above all among youth and adolescents. Likewise, exposure to graphic imagery or misinformation on social media may also have deleterious implications for mental health. Taken together, this suggests a need for targeted studies on the relationship between social media and mental health, as well as the development of educational interventions for adolescents to share knowledge about the safe use of such tools. Mental health professionals should be adequately trained in identifying risk factors and treating the negative health outcomes that may result from social media. Specific strategies and guidelines should be adopted by social media companies aligned with international evidence from health agencies and experts in e-mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater loneliness as well as a lack of social connectedness have often been associated with poorer sleep. However, the temporal dynamics and direction of these associations remain unclear. Aim of the current study was to examine bi-directional associations between loneliness/social connectedness and sleep in 48 stress-exposed medical students during their first medical internship, considered a period of heightened stress. We obtained trait-level questionnaire data on loneliness and global sleep completed before and during the internship as well as state-level diary- and wearable-based data on daily changes in social connectedness and sleep collected twice over the period of seven consecutive days, once before and once during the internship. Bi-directional associations among greater loneliness and higher daytime dysfunction on trait-level were identified. In addition, several uni-directional associations between loneliness/social connectedness and sleep were found on trait- and state-level. In sum, findings of this study point at a bi-directional relation among loneliness/social connectedness and sleep, in which variables seem to reciprocally influence each other across longer-term periods as well as on a day-to-day basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 2014 IOM report "Capturing Social and Behavioral Domains and Measures in Electronic Health Records" described three subdomains of social relationships that affect patient health and well-being. However, most social risk screeners currently assess only one subdomain, frequency of social connections. We are proposing a three-item Brief Social Connectedness (SC) screener that additionally assesses risks in social/emotional support and loneliness/social isolation subdomains. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we used data from a 2021 Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) social risk survey for 2244 members ages 35–85 years. The survey included three validated questions that covered the SC subdomains (frequencies of social contacts with people they care about, feeling lonely/socially isolated, and getting enough social/emotional support). Variables representing moderate/high versus low risk were created for each subdomain. We used weighted data for bivariate analyses and modified log-Poisson regression models that adjusted for age, sex, race, and ethnicity to examine cross-sectional associations among the three subdomain risks, as well as with two structural SC risks, living alone and not being in a committed relationship. We then used modified log-Poisson regression models to study cross-sectional associations of these five SC variables with three single-item self-report measures of emotional health. Results: In regression models that included all five SC variables, loneliness/social isolation and social/emotional support risks were significantly associated with all three emotional health measures, while frequency of social contacts, living alone, and no committed relationship were not. However, low frequency of social contacts and no committed relationship significantly increased risk of often feeling lonely/socially isolated and lacking in social/emotional support. Conclusions: A three-item social connectedness screener that assessed risks of loneliness/social isolation, inadequate social/emotional support, and low frequency of social contacts provided more comprehensive information about emotional health risks than social connection frequency alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural identity in a commune is crucial to preserve the values that reinforce the sense of belonging and social cohesion. Implementing a tourism brand based on this identity stimulates economic development and raises recognition of the locality. This study aimed to develop a tourism brand proposal that reinforces the cultural identity and promotes the heritage resources of Pile. The methodology was exploratory and descriptive, with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Surveys were conducted with 160 people, and an exhaustive bibliographic and documentary review was carried out to evaluate the current conditions of the study area. The results showed that, despite a rich cultural heritage, tourism is not a prominent economic activity in the commune, with agriculture being dominant. However, a notable interest in the market for experiences related to local history and traditions was identified. In conclusion, the community’s commitment to improving and consolidating its heritage as a tourist attraction will significantly strengthen its cultural identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feminism is a social movement that has managed to bring about great changes in society in recent decades. Even so, the gender perspective has not been adequately inserted in the classroom in many areas, especially in educational textbooks. With the aim of going deeper into the subject and finding out the current situation in Primary Education classes, ten didactic units about the Middle Ages, belonging to Social Science books for 5th year of Primary Education that are currently being used have been analysed. From the results obtained, a lack of equity in terms of male and female representation was detected. Thus, it is established that there is a need for a review and change in the teaching material so that it participates in the creation of a fairer, more equitable and critical society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a social network adjacency matrix constructed from the Facebook Social Connectedness Index (SCI), this paper examines whether social learning facilitates climate risk perception updates to inform climate adaptation. We find that Hurricanes Harvey and Irma‐induced regional flooding increased flood insurance policies nationwide to the extent of each county's social network proximity to the flooded areas, with a corresponding update in climate risk perception. Social learning resulted in an additional 250,000 policies in flooded counties and 81,000 policies in unflooded counties over 3 years. We find evidence of the salience effect but no support for adverse selection or over‐insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]