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Culture and leadership display various patterns of interrelationship across countries and regions. However, research is sparse for Slavic countries and especially for small countries like the Republic of North Macedonia. Therefore, this paper tries to explore the linkages between culture dimensions and preferred leader behavior in the country focusing on differences between the capital city of Skopje and the rest of the country. The study utilizes Values Survey Module and Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire XII on a sample of 259 employees. The results show statistically significant differences for one cultural dimension and most of the preferred leader behavior dimensions. There is a complex matrix of positive and negative correlations between the culture dimensions and preferred leader behavior with regional variations in the correlation matrix. Having in mind the small and convenient sample, more studies are needed to further explore such linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies exploring the integration of European immigrants tend to find cultural gaps between Muslim children and their peers. While some scholars argue that parent-to-child transmission is a key mechanism underlying this pattern, others privilege extrafamilial explanations by pointing to differences in cultural values within Muslim households. In the present study, I argue that these mixed results stem from a tendency in the literature to analyze distinct components of personal culture in isolation from cognate dimensions. To address this shortcoming, I use multigroup latent class models to explore how a wide range of attitudes (tapping ethnocultural identity, gender norms, sexual liberalism, and perspectives on integration) are clustered together in disparate regions of the belief space, marking distinct cultural identities. Then, I fit a series of logistic regressions to map how these cultural identities are distributed among immigrant-origin samples in four European countries and transmitted across generational lines. Ultimately, I arrive at the following conclusion: while Muslim youth stand out from their peers vis-à-vis their cultural identity profiles, there is little evidence to suggest that this pattern is decisively shaped by parent-to-child transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Predictors of COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccination have been extensively researched; however, the contextual factors contributing to understanding vaccination intention remain largely unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of economic development (Gross domestic product - GDP per capita), economic inequality (Gini index), the perceived corruption index and Hofstede's measurements of cultural values-index of individualism/collectivism and power distance index--in the relationship between determinants of satisfaction with the healthcare system, trust in political institutions, conspiracy beliefs and COVID-19 vaccination intention. Methods: A multilevel modelling approach was employed on a sample of approximately 51 000 individuals nested within 26 countries. Data were drawn from the European Social Survey Round 10. The model examined the effect of individual- and country-level predictors and their interaction on vaccination intention. Results: Satisfaction with the healthcare system had a stronger positive effect on intention to get vaccinated in countries with lower perceived corruption and more individualistic countries. Trust in political institutions had a stronger positive effect on vaccination intention in countries with higher economic development and lower perceived corruption, while a negative effect of conspiracy beliefs on vaccination intention was stronger in countries with lower economic development, higher perceived corruption and a more collectivistic cultural orientation. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of considering individual and contextual factors when addressing vaccination intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Networks of religion and state shaped fiscal capacity in both Europe and China. • Deep civic penetration of a universalistic religion bolstered European state capacity. • China's imperial dynasties stifled connectivity among subnetworks. • Kinship ties were an incomplete substitute for corporate structures in China. • Dissimilar premodern network topologies underpin the Great Divergence. As conduits for the transmission of cultural values, networks of religion and state originating in premodern Europe and China contributed to the institutional roots of their respective development and continue to forge different economic trajectories. In Europe, a universalistic religious doctrine, ideologically and institutionally distinct from the state, led to important underlying differences in market structures and informal constraints. Legal protocols and innovations in social governance emerged whose origins lay in Church doctrine and Christian ethics. In China, Confucian teaching and an examination-based recruitment of officials strengthened centralized authority; but without a systemwide transmission of unifying prosocial bonds and values as a foundation for contract law, this cheap system of social control left the state encumbered with fiscally anemic finances. These differences preceded the Great Divergence and persisted long after it to produce in Europe greater civic and fiscal capacity, and in the end more state building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural heritage tourism is a multidimensional tourist activity because, apart from the advantages associated with practicing tourist activity, it is particularly associated with cognitive motives when it comes to practicing it, and even with discovering cultural identity. Such an activity has a specific value in relation to the adopted perspective. Researchers often attempt to determine the value that a tourism-related product has for the customer (tourist). Sometimes, it is defined as the value captured by the entity providing the tourism product. However, it is extremely rare for research to assess the social value of tourism. The aim of this work is to identify issues that can be used in measuring the social value resulting from cultural heritage made available in the form of a tourist product. The authors review the literature on cultural heritage and cultural identity, and then use a particular methodology to develop a tool for assessing social value. To develop their own research tool, the authors use the results of research conducted in 2021/2022 among managers of 70 cultural heritage tourism facilities in Europe. As a result, a tool was created that includes six statements that can contribute to the assessment of the social value resulting from the provision of material cultural heritage in the form of a tourist product. The reliability of the tool was estimated at 0.69 and its standardized rating at 0.71. The social value of cultural heritage, in the opinion of experts, achieved an average rating of 4.06 (on a scale from 1 to 5), with the 6-item version of the tool attaining an average rating of 4.10. Taking into account the usefulness of the proposed solutions, remember that the paper reflects only the European vision, which is one of many possible views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people who experience trauma want to thrive and often find paths to well-being and healthy functioning. This scoping review explores the existing evidence on adversity and resilience in southeastern European countries, focusing on Kosovo. There is a lack of research on trauma and resilience in cultures outside the US and Western Europe. The paper provides a brief cultural and historical overview of this region and the collectivist cultures found there. We draw from a range of interdisciplinary literatures to identify key strengths that have the potential to improve health outcomes for trauma victims in this region. Overall, 42 papers from PsycInfo and PubMed were identified, using keywords such as "resilience" or "health" and "Kosovo," "Balkans," and "Southeastern Europe." Findings from this scoping review show that different cultural values, norms, and societal ecologies impact resilience within these societies. Some strengths, such as social support and sense of purpose, echoed similar research in the US and Western Europe. There was also evidence that factors such as dignity, family solidarity, social activism, and nationwide meaning-making are strengths associated with resilience for these collectivist societies of southeastern Europe. We also consider the implications of the results for other post-conflict societies. Finally, findings from this review call for culturally sensitive strength-based perspectives in promoting health and well-being after the high dosages of trauma common in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Araucaria is the property of Araucaria-Revista Iberoamericana de Filosofia, Politica y Humanidades 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.)

The last decades have brought a growing interest in fortified heritage research, protection and reuse in Europe as a result of the demilitarisation of numerous historic defence structures occupied by armies in many countries and used as service facilities during the Cold War. There are various approaches to the conservation of fortified heritage and adaptive reuse is one of them. The values associated with a site should constitute the departure and arrival point for any type of intervention. An essential part of the process therefore should be the appropriate identification of these values to base on them contemporary actions. Fortified heritage has values similar to other forms of urban heritage but it also possesses values that are unique to this form of architecture and landscape. This paper sets out the values that should be taken into consideration when carrying out an adaptive reuse project on fortified heritage. Based on research and on international charters, as well as the writers' own experience, the paper identifies seven values and makes a distinction between two groups of values, namely: intrinsic (history, memory and identity; scientific and technical; territorial and architectural) and extrinsic (landscape and aesthetic; environmental sustainability; social and cultural; economic). While intrinsic values of fortified heritage are usually well described, less explored are the issues of extrinsic values. The paper presents two case studies, Zamość Fortress and Fort St Elmo, and considers how these values were taken into account in the respective projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many political and sociological studies, in the recent years are being treated problems related to cultures, civilizations, integrations, assimilation, etc. In such commentaries with priority are ranked problems that have to deal with tolerance and religious understanding as well as differences and contradictions through cultures and contradictions among civilizations. In these studies from different research standing points, when it is about civilization, in European circumstances such topics are being focused in the differences among western cultures, catholics, Islam, Slavic Orthodocs etc. The economic process intensification and technological modernization, as if sometimes remains outside the current topicality, beside conceptual dilemmas that are created from some scholars and some political personalities in their approaches, for the differences and inter-religious contradictions, or, for the tendencies of incitement of such a revival of inter-religious contradictions. If they insist to build the future of a nation in present time, relying on the mythology, you can suspect that there is something wrong in that nation and its political elites. Euro-culture of the Muslims in Europe, led by the Islamic principles, (without inventing a deviant Islam, or 'traditional' Islam) could have enabled all Muslim people in Europe to develop a common religious culture. They could promote cultural and historical values which once presents a common value for all the Muslims belonging to different national preferences for the newcoming Muslims. In this Muslim Euro-culture, intellectual European Muslim elites, including the European citizens who accepted Islam will have an important role. The messages of the wise men, should be guidence to understand religious, national, linguistic and racial differences, raising consciousness and awareness that one can become a complete human being, only through a real obedience to God. The concept of the interdependence in creating of economic, political relationships, of social and cultural security between people, states and businessmen is a paradigm of the time, thus integration projects must subdue to the need to interact, based on mutual interests, as a human being dependent on each other, as Almighty God has created us. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees living in Europe face a number of challenges in accessing or using health information and healthcare services available in their host countries. To resolve these issues and deliver the necessary services, providers must take a comprehensive approach to better understand the types of health information and healthcare services that these individuals need, seek and use. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop that comprehensive approach. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed publications was performed, with 3.013 articles collected from various databases. A total of 57 qualifying papers on studies conducted in Europe were included in the review after applying the predefined inclusion and exclusion requirements, screening processes and eliminating duplicates. The information seeking and communication model (ISCM) was used in the analysis. Findings: The findings revealed that while many health information and healthcare services are accessible in Europe for immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, many of these individuals are unaware of their existence or how to access them. While our findings do not specify what health-related information these groups need, use or seek, they do suggest the importance and value of providing mental health, sexual health and HIV, as well as pregnancy and childbirth information and services. Furthermore, according to our results, health information services should be fact-based, easy to understand and raise awareness about healthcare structure and services available in Europe for this vulnerable population. Practical implications: This study has a range of practical implications, including (1) highlighting the need for mental health and behavioural health services and (2) stressing the value of addressing cultural context and religious values while investigating (health) information seeking of people with foreign background. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies to systematically review and examine the behaviour of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in relation to health information and healthcare services in the European context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-ageism has a significant negative impact on older people's ageing experiences and health outcomes. Despite ample evidence on cross-cultural ageism, studies have rarely looked into the way cultural contexts affect self-ageism. In this article, we compare expressions of self-ageism and its possible predictors across four European countries based on two questionnaires in a study sample of 2,494 individuals aged 55 and older. We explore how predictors of self-ageism are moderated by cultural values in a comparative fixed-effects regression model. We empirically show that similarly to ageism, self-ageism is not present in the same way and to the same extent in every country. Moreover, the level to which cultures value hierarchy and intellectual autonomy significantly moderates the association between self-ageism and individual predictors of self-ageism. Our study adds to the small existing body of work on self-ageism by confirming empirically that certain expressions of self-ageism and individual predictors are susceptible to change in different cultural contexts. Our research results suggest that self-ageism interventions may benefit from a culturally sensitive approach and imply that more culturally diverse comparisons of self-ageism are necessary to figure out fitting ways to reduce self-ageism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on religiosity and health has generally focussed on the United States, and outcomes of health or mortality but not both. Using the European Values Survey 2008, we examined cross-sectional associations between four dimensions of religiosity/spirituality: attendance, private prayer, importance of religion, belief in God; and healthy life expectancy (HLE) based on self-reported health across 47 European countries (n = 65,303 individuals). Greater levels of private prayer, importance of religion and belief in God, at a country level, were associated with lower HLE at age 20, after adjustment for confounders, but only in women. The findings may explain HLE inequalities between European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet usage data from around the globe show that adolescents are the most frequent Internet users, but mostly for leisure activities and maintaining social contacts. In the present study, we focused on Internet use for e-services, which could improve youth efficiency in the financial domain (responsible consumer behaviour) and bridge the online divide in youth. Specifically, we explored how societal constructs (namely, institutional trust and personal values) influence the use of the Internet for online shopping, e-banking and communication with providers of goods and services online. We used a representative sample of adolescents (N = 10.902) from 10 countries of Southeast Europe where a great variability in Internet use is present, and where the use of e-services is generally lower than the EU average. This also allowed for meaningful cross-country comparisons. We tested a structural equation model of values predicting the use of the Internet through institutional trust (including some relevant demographic variables such as settlement size, SES and Internet use frequency) which was grounded in social capital theory, cultural theory and Schwartz human values model. The model exhibited a good fit to the data but the strengths of regressional paths were rather modest. Looking into the cross-country stability of the model, however, revealed some notable differences: while the relationship between trust and use of the Internet for e-services was modest in some countries, the relationship was insignificant in other countries, where Internet usage is lower in general. This suggests that strategies aimed at leveraging e-services and digital technology potential in youth should also account for cultural specificities in the transitional economies and cultural settings with sub-optimal adoption of digital services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What explains ageism towards older people? Several answers exist in the literature, but it is still unclear whether the ageism people express has been altered by motivational forces (i.e. factors which carry or enact motivation, leading to action or thought) or whether an original, primal ageism can be expressed directly. Investigating populations of young adults (45 and younger), this article suggests that value systems are sources of internal and external motivational forces which work to either suppress or to justify both subtle and blatant forms of ageism. It was hypothesised that, at the individual level, values precede any threat perception and negative stereotypical beliefs associated with older people, leading to forms of ageism which match the motivational goals of a person's values. It was further expected that, at the cultural level, values represent the climate in which people express ageist beliefs. It was found that self-transcendence values can bypass the negative effects of threat perception and negative stereotypes, resulting in less-negative forms of ageism. A sample comprising a clear majority of hierarchical, non-Western cultures showed that self-enhancement values also contributed motivational strength for the suppression of blatant ageism. A practical implication of these findings is the possibility of further developing existing strategies of combating ageism by working to effect appropriate long-term changes in the values of young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article studies the Jewish cemetery which provides a significant amount of historical information about various aspects of the life of the Jewish community which have long been out of focus. The objective of the research lies in proving the relevance of marginal culturally significant objects in the context of postmodern philosophy, as well as explaining and analyzing the compositional ways and peculiarities of plastic images of the facades of the gravestones in Kremenets, one of the Volyn areas of the Jewish culture in the 18th century -- the early 19th century. The article focuses on the most common method of studying the monuments of Jewish gravestone epigraphy. The methodology of the research is based on the regionalist approaches to the problem and the application of culturological, retrospective comparativehistorical methods and the use of critical analysis. For the first time, the artistic and style peculiarities of the memorial plastic arts of Jewish cemetery in Kremenets are analysed and the historical factors that influenced them are explicated. It was proved that the historical and cultural value of the Jewish necropolis in Kremenets lies in its originality. The cemetery is one of the oldest in Europe and contains unique information on the history, customs and culture of the Jewish people. It can become a promising object of visit for postmodern consumers, interested in unpopular and marginal tourist artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Black Sea / Karadeniz is the property of Black Sea / Karadeniz 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.)

"Anthropology of Transformation. From Europe to Asia and Back" is a book that explores the societal transformations that occurred after the collapse of communist regimes in Europe and Asia. The book serves as a tribute to Professor Chris Hann's work and provides a platform for scholars to critically engage with his ideas. The contributors use ethnographic research to deepen our understanding of the enduring questions addressed by Hann and challenge the analytical lens of 'transition'. The book also examines themes of modernity, morality, and identity, and raises important questions about the use of terms like 'postsocialism' and 'transformation'. The case studies presented in the book demonstrate the ongoing relevance of studying the interaction of political rule, social forms, and cultural values in different contexts. [Extracted from the article]

The issue of integration of migrants in the European civilizational area (with emphasis on its cultural and value dimension) is currently an extremely complex and sensitive topic. To address this complex phenomenon in the European environment, it is therefore necessary to design an analysis of the presented issues in line with a sociological and religious-value scheme based on four premises: (1) diagnosis of migration processes in the context of growing population movements in Europe, (2) identification of determinants and factors that cause these movements, (3) the identification of the determinants of the successful integration of migrants with a religion other than the religion of the indigenous population, as well as (4) a proposal to address the current situation in the spirit of social teaching of Christian churches. The article is based on available statistics and surveys, across the EU as well as in selected EU countries, which document the changing religious map of Europe and provide initial indicators of the success or failure of the integration of migrant religious minorities. Against the background of the analyzed facts, we present and substantiate the thesis about the irreplaceable role of qualified religious discourse, resp. discourse on the role of religion for the further development and functioning of a multicultural and multi-religious European society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper an analysis is made of one of the essays, "Of Cannibals", written by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) in the Renaissance period. The document's purpose is to describe, through reflective analysis, the contributions that this author gives to the so-called cultural relativism from the historical context of the 16th century. Given the time, the essay is considered "avant-garde" given the approach and reflection made by the author approaching what later in anthropology would be known as cultural relativism at a time when European culture was considered better than the rest of cultures in the world. By comparing the practices that pe- Columbians do, related to cannibalism, with those that Europeans do, the author realizes that "we" should think if our practices are really better than those of "others" -the Amerindians -. However, to this day, Michel de Montaigne's ideas are still present in a world where Human Rights and cultural relativism are debated. Universalism vs. Relativism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural values may considerably enhance the significance of a geo(morpho)site, especially from the perspective of geotourism and geopark operations. Typically considered as one of 'additional values', they may in fact strongly influence the identity of a place and distinguish a landform from many others of similar kind. Cultural values may be intangible or associated with past landform modification to suit human needs. In sandstone areas of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Czechia, Germany, Poland) multiple relationships between human activities and erosional scenery exist, leaving a diverse record of human uses and alterations of specific landforms. Seven major categories of added cultural values are recognized. They include the use of landforms to support defensive structures, spiritual (religious) associations, exploitation of stone resources and other industries, inspiration for art, modifications associated with tourism development, dwelling places and transport facilities. They also illustrate changing relationships of humans with geomorphological landscapes from prehistoric times until the present. Within each category specific examples are presented to show variety of uses and alterations. A possibility to include added cultural values in semi-quantitative geosite evaluations is discussed, but it is concluded that this is difficult to achieve satisfactorily. Following previous opinions of Czech researchers, it is suggested that sandstone landscapes offer the most striking and diverse linkages between rock scenery and culture at the global scale, at least in part facilitated by the relative ease of excavating, cutting and carving of the rock, which otherwise also tends to support spectacular erosional landforms of different size and shape. • Multiple interactions between human activities and landforms over time recognized. • Specific features of sandstone landforms dictated specific anthropic modifications. • Relative ease of excavating, cutting and carving the sandstone favoured cultural imprint. • Sandstone landscapes offer some of the most striking linkages between rock scenery and culture at the global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines, in a European context, whether a management-induced International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) accounting strategy is affected by national culture. It analyses the association between management's accounting strategy and Hofstede's cultural dimensions of individualism and uncertainty avoidance, as well as institutional and firm-specific factors. Design/methodology/approach: Using hand-collected accounting decisions from 301 annual reports of firms from 14 European countries in 2017, a model is developed to identify two ordinally scaled accounting strategy variables, each representing the aggregated effect of the decisions on earnings and equity ratio. Afterwards, the effect of the cultural dimensions on these accounting-strategy variables is analysed by an ordered logistic regression. Findings: The results do not support an association between management's accounting strategy and national culture, complementing the previous critical literature on values-based theories of culture. However, there is evidence that national legal enforcement, disclosure requirements and firm size explain differences in management's accounting strategy across countries. Research limitations/implications: Using the cultural value dimensions of the Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) project, the findings are robust and stable. However, the study is limited to a European data set and the sample year. Practical implications: This study contributes to the discussion on the transparency and comparability of IFRS accounting. The results imply that these issues are not affected by cultural differences but rather by differences in institutional and firm-specific factors. In order to bring about improvements, regulators should establish a uniform institutional setting, while the standard setter should reduce the number of implicit and explicit accounting choices embodied in the IFRS. Originality/value: The paper advances the understanding of cultural influences on management's IFRS accounting behaviour by providing an alternative to the existing accruals approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to present the issues of cultural values of modern Europe in reference to their ancient sources (Plato, Aristotle), as well as to indicate correlations between the value of European culture and the axiology of sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach: The article is based on a critical analysis of the literature on the subject. It presents in detail the issues of justice and responsibility, indicating Europe as a "community of responsibility". Justice is considered as a moral, legal and economic value, taking into account the generation and intergenerational perspective, as well as community and individual value. Responsibility, as in the case of justice, is shown in relation to the present and future generations. The subject and object of responsibility were defined and the main relational references of this moral and legal value were characterized. The article also refers to the basic documents constituting the concept of sustainable development. Findings: The analysis of the assumptions of the concept of sustainable development showed that in the concept, it can be seen that justice and responsibility are two basic values that are mutually conditioning and constitute the basis for the actual implementation of the assumptions of the concept of sustainable development, improvement of people's quality of life and ensuring security in its various dimensions. Originality/value: The article is addressed to a wide range of readers who deal with the practical implementation of the assumptions of the concept of sustainable development. The article can also provide a didactic background for teaching social subjects and humanities. There is an original approach to ethical values in the context of the assumptions of the concept of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport is recognized as playing a relevant societal role to promote education, health, intercultural dialogue, and the individual development, regardless of an individual's gender, race, age, ability, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. Yet, it was not until the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London that every country's delegation included a female competitor. The gender gap in sport, although closing, remains, due to biological differences affecting performance, but it is also influenced by reduced opportunity and sociopolitical factors that influence full female participation across a range of sports around the world. Until the cultural environment is equitable, scientific discussion related to physiological differences using methods that examine progression in male and female world-record performances is limited. This commentary is intended to provide a forum to discuss issues underlying gender differences in sport performance from a global perspective and acknowledge the influence of cultural and sociopolitical factors that continue to ultimately affect female performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional forms of agroforestry are often recognized as exemplar systems that successfully integrate food production, biodiversity conservation and high cultural values. However many traditional agroforestry systems in Europe are in decline or are threatened and the perspectives of local stakeholders on the production, management, socio-economic, and environmental dimensions of such systems are not fully understood. To fill this gap, we present results of participatory research performed with ten stakeholder groups (SG) across Europe to search for solutions to improve the economic and ecological sustainability of High Nature and Cultural Value agroforestry systems (HNCV agroforestry). Stakeholders included both users and beneficiaries of the HNCV agroforestry. First, SGs held open discussions (227 participants) to identify major challenges for the long-term sustainability of HNCV agroforestry. Challenges were classified into production, management, socio-economic and the environment categories. Second, they responded to structured questionnaires (120 respondents) that explored the positive and negative perceptions of 45 possible attributes of HNCV agroforestry. Third, innovative solutions were identified by individual and group discussions to address the four categories of challenge. Challenges were mostly identified for the management and socio-economic categories, but several challenges concerning production and environment were also pinpointed. Besides, solutions matched poorly with the challenges identified, and, while challenges were at some extent common across countries, solutions to address them were more case-specific. The successful implementation of these solutions requires an in-depth understanding of the diversity of socio-cultural and natural contexts of the HNCV agroforestry systems and building bottom-up proposals and collective actions based on this understanding. The sustainability of HNCV agroforestry would be benefited by providing farmers and managers with a financial advantage from the high nature and cultural value of these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is based on ethnographic observation and semistructured interviews with personnel in three European adult intensive care units. Intensive care is a domain of contemporary biomedicine centered on invasive and intense efforts to save lives in acute, critical conditions. It echoes our culture's values of longevity. Nevertheless, mortality rates are elevated. Many deaths follow from nontreatment decisions. Medicalized dying in technological medical settings are often presented as unnatural, impersonal, and undesirable ways of dying. How does this affect the way in which death is experienced by intensive care professionals? What might the enactment of dying in intensive care reveal about our cultural values of good and bad dying? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of Cultural Studies / Roczniki Kulturoznawcze is the property of John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Institute of Cultural Studies 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.)

Universities are accused of being left‐wing bastions, unwelcoming to conservative and right‐wing professors. However, we know little about the political orientation of professors in comparison to other professionals, which would be the right comparison group if we want to know whether universities are potentially hostile environments to conservatives. Examining culturally and economically oriented political orientations in Europe, it is demonstrated that professors are more liberal and left‐leaning than other professionals. However, there is no greater homogeneity of political orientations among the professoriate relative to other specific professions, suggesting that there is a diversity of opinions which is similar to what professionals would find in other occupations. One exception concerns attitudes towards immigration, on which professors have more liberal orientations and comparatively low residual variance around that more liberal mean. Importantly, the difference between professors and other professionals is not so clear within graduates from the social sciences, but emerges more clearly among graduates with a medical, STEM, economics or law degree. An important political cleavage exists between professionals and managers, a group of similar social standing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the family experience of health and illness within the family's social and cultural context helps health professionals understand a family's stories. The purpose of this article is to present salient characteristics of the Western European family to extend understanding about family structure and values in relation to caring and intergenerational solidarity. The goal is to provide nurses and other health professionals with culturally competent knowledge that can inform practice with families. Evidence suggests that a family model, characterized by strong-family type societies consisting of coresidence, solidarity, and intergenerational relationships, stalwartly continues in Mediterranean countries. However, due to the recent economic crisis in Spain and other European countries, there is a trend toward the withdrawal of state responsibility toward the family, and an increasing weight on families' responsibility, particularly for women, toward the care of their old and chronically ill relative. Therefore, there is a need to make health and social systems more effective, sustainable, and focused on family care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a developmental period during which time individuals adopt health behaviors that affect their lifelong health and disease risk. Socioeconomic status, social‐cultural values, and stress have all been hypothesized to play a role in this association, but very few studies have examined how these factors interrelate and explain differences in health behaviors in adolescence. To address this issue, we assessed youths' socioeconomic status, social‐cultural values, life stress levels across seven domains, and health behaviors in a national sample of 1,830 high school seniors living in the four largest cities in Croatia. Structural equation modelling examined the extent to which stress mediates the effects of socioeconomic status and social‐cultural values on positive and negative health behaviors. As hypothesized, stress levels significantly mediated associations between youths' socioeconomic status, social‐cultural values, and healthy and unhealthy habits. Additionally, whereas better socioeconomic status predicted less stress, greater social‐cultural value on achieving a "good life" predicted more stress. More stress, in turn, was associated with engaging in fewer healthy behaviors for both males and females, and more unhealthy behaviors for males. Socioeconomic status and social‐cultural values thus appear to influence stress levels, which may in turn affect adolescents' health behaviors and, potentially, their lifespan health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Within the positive youth development (PYD) perspective, internal assets (e.g., social competencies and positive identity) and external assets (e.g., support and empowerment) constitute developmental assets that can facilitate positive youth outcomes. This assertion has been studied mainly in the US context and to a lesser degree in European samples.Objective: We extend the scope of PYD research by assessing developmental assets among young people in three contexts that differ economically, culturally and politically: Italy, Norway and Turkey. Interactions with gender and parents' educational level are also examined.Method: A cross-sectional data on developmental assets was collected from Italian (n = 526, 41% girls), Norwegian (n = 592, 56% girls) and Turkish (n = 116, 63% girls) secondary school students during the 2015/2016 academic year.Results: In all three countries, most participants had experienced several of the developmental assets although internal assets were reported more often than external assets. Country differences were observed, where young people in Norway and Turkey reported more assets than their Italian counterparts did. An interaction between country and gender revealed that girls in Norway reported the highest number of developmental assets. In addition, participants in Italy who had fathers with higher educational level reported most of the constructive use of time assets.Conclusion: Differences in the experience of the assets among young people appear to be a reflection of the economic, social, cultural and political structures of the respective countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smoking has played a significant role in the historical culture of mental healthcare settings. Mental health professionals (MHPs) often hold dismissive attitudes regarding the importance of smoking cessation in the context of mental healthcare. In 2007, English mental health inpatient buildings were required by law to become smoke-free, and healthcare trusts have more recently begun to implement comprehensive policies (i.e. smoke-free grounds and buildings) and staff training in response to national guidance. It is therefore important to explore MHPs practice around smoking, smoking cessation, and smoke-free policy adherence. This study aimed to explore these issues by using the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation, behaviour) model to systematically identify barriers to, and facilitators for, MHPs addressing smoking with their patients. Methods: Five focus groups with a total of 36 MHPs were conducted between March and August 2017. MHPs were recruited from one of the largest mental health trusts in Europe. Discussions were guided by a semi-structured guide. Responses were audio recorded, transcribed and coded using thematic analysis and the COM-B framework. Results: Addressing smoking with patients was undermined by MHPs' 1) psychological capability to recall training content, misunderstand the potential benefits of addressing patient smoking and harm reduction approaches; 2) physical opportunity in terms of time constraints, and easy accessibility of tobacco in the community; 3) social opportunity in terms of increased cultural value of tobacco following inpatient smoke-free policy implementation, and lack of support from colleagues to enforce the smoke-free policy; 4) automatic motivation, including intrinsic biases regarding patients abilities and motivations to quit, and 5) reflective motivation, including perceived job role and decision making processes related to addressing behaviours deemed more important than smoking. The main facilitating factors identified were MHPs' having opportunity in the form of patients asking directly for support, and MHPs having access to resources such as stop smoking services and spirometers. Conclusion: Multiple barriers were identified across all key domains of the COM-B framework that undermine MHPs' practice regarding smoking cessation. Few facilitators were identified which may have implications for future smoke-free policy and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between Europe and geography is extremely complicated. In consequence, one can distinguish many senses of "Europe". Some of them are here identified and put in a historical perspective. This perspective might be helpful in present day discussions concerning the scope and limits of the European integration. Another perspective is, however, also utterly important: the global commitments that European Union has to accept follow not only from the European past, but also from the basic European values and cultural features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo discute las migraciones de Oriente Medio a Europa, con un enfoque en los desacuerdos y conflictos entre civilizaciones de la cultura occidental y la cultura de origen mahometano. El artículo también se centra en hipótesis de las relaciones entre sistemas de culturas, costumbres, valores y creencias en el cristianismo y la cultura musulmana.

The link between greater wellbeing and longevity is well documented. The aim of the current study was to test whether this association is consistent across individualistic and collectivistic cultures. The sample consisted of 13,596 participants from 11 European countries, each of which was assigned an individualism score according to Hofstede et al.'s (Cultures and organizations: software of the mind, McGraw Hill, New York, 2010) cultural dimension of individualism. We tested whether individualism moderated the cross-sectional association between wellbeing and self-rated health or the longitudinal association between wellbeing and mortality risk. Our analysis revealed a significant interaction between individualism and wellbeing such that the association between wellbeing and self-rated health or risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease was stronger in more individualistic countries. However, the interaction between wellbeing and individualism was not significant in analysis predicting all-cause mortality. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our finding and to explore the factors responsible for this culturally dependent effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article aims to analyze the strategic use of European narrative traditions displayed by Mier and Lizardi as a way of interrogate the ambiguous place of the Creole men of letters within the crisis of the Colonial system. I argue that these writers configured a displaced enunciation, halfway between liberal reformist discourse and the struggle of traditional values (such as nobility and honor). Mier and Lizardi's appropriations are studied in the light of the studies by Halperín Donghi, Moraña, Pérez Mejia y Station, and Rojas. These researchers conceive the political cultural quarrel of the Creole men of letters related to the strategic assumption of the European narrative traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated cultural differences in the role of economic competitiveness in prejudice toward immigrants and foreign workers between Northern European-heritage and East Asian cultures. Because economic competitiveness and achievement are associated with core cultural values in Northern European-heritage cultures, we hypothesized that economic competitiveness would be associated with prejudice toward immigrants and foreign workers more strongly in Northern European-heritage than in East Asian cultures. Results based on nationally representative samples drawn from the World Values Survey revealed that prejudice toward immigrants and foreign workers was generally higher in East Asian (South Korea and China) than in Northern European-heritage (Norway and the United States) cultures. However, as predicted, a stronger association was found between economic competitiveness and prejudice toward immigrants and foreign workers in Northern European-heritage than East Asian cultures, controlling for sociodemographic backgrounds of participants (gender, age, education, and income), ecological diversity of each country, values of uniqueness and conformity, attitude toward ethnic diversity, and racism. These findings support the hypothesis that the central values of a culture shape the nature of prejudice within it, including prejudice toward immigrants and foreign workers, and highlight the importance of understanding the cultural dynamics of prejudice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Surveys in the United States and Europe have shown a plateau of new HIV cases, with certain regions and populations disproportionately affected by the disease. Ethnic minority women and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are disproportionately affected by HIV. Previous reviews have focused on prevention interventions targeting ethnic minority men who have sex with men, have not accounted for socioeconomic status, or have included only interventions carried out in clinical settings. Objectives. To review and assess the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged ethnic minority women in member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Search Methods. On March 31, 2014, we executed a search using a strategy designed for the MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge databases. Additional searches were conducted through the Cochrane Library, CRD Databases, metaRegister of Controlled Trials, EURONHEED, CEA Registry, and the European Action Program for Health Inequities as well as in gray literature sources. No language or date restrictions were applied. Selection Criteria. We selected studies assessing the effectiveness of interventions to prevent HIV among ethnic minority women of low socioeconomic status in which at least 80% of participants were reported to belong to an ethnic minority group and to have a low income or be unemployed. We included only studies that were conducted in OECD member states and were randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental investigations with a comparison group. Data Collection and Analysis. A data extraction form was developed for the review and used to collect relevant information from each study. We summarized results both qualitatively and quantitatively. The main outcomes were categorized into 3 groups: improved knowledge regarding transmission of HIV, behavior changes related to HIV transmission, and reductions in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We then performed meta-analyses to assess the effectiveness of the prevention interventions in terms of the 3 outcome categories. Main Results. A total of 43 interventions were included, and 31 were judged to be effective, 7 were partially effective, and 5 were ineffective. The most frequently recurring characteristics of these interventions were cultural adaptation, a cognitive– behavioral approach, the use of small groups and trained facilitators, and a program duration of between 1 and 6 weeks. Our meta-analyses showed that the interventions improved knowledge of HIV transmission (odds ratio [OR] = 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43, 0.75), increased the frequency of condom use (OR= 1.60; 95% CI = 1.16, 2.19), and significantly reduced the risk of STI transmission by 41% (relative risk = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.46, 0.75). Conclusions. Our study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions targeting socioeconomically deprived ethnic minority women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some ethnic minority populations have a higher risk of non-communicable diseases than the majority European population. Diet and physical activity behaviours contribute to this risk, shaped by a system of inter-related factors. This study mapped a systems-based framework of the factors influencing dietary and physical activity behaviours in ethnic minority populations living in Europe, to inform research prioritisation and intervention development. Methods: A concept mapping approach guided by systems thinking was used: i. Preparation (protocol and terminology); ii. Generating a list of factors influencing dietary and physical activity behaviours in ethnic minority populations living in Europe from evidence (systematic mapping reviews) and 'eminence' (89 participants from 24 academic disciplines via brainstorming, an international symposium and expert review) and; iii. Seeking consensus on structuring, rating and clustering factors, based on how they relate to each other; and iv. Interpreting/utilising the framework for research and interventions. Similar steps were undertaken for frameworks developed for the majority European population. Results: Seven distinct clusters emerged for dietary behaviour (containing 85 factors) and 8 for physical activity behaviours (containing 183 factors). Four clusters were similar across behaviours: Social and cultural environment; Social and material resources; Psychosocial; and Migration context. Similar clusters of factors emerged in the frameworks for diet and physical activity behaviours of the majority European population, except for 'migration context'. The importance of factors across all clusters was acknowledged, but their relative importance differed for ethnic minority populations compared with the majority population. Conclusions: This systems-based framework integrates evidence from both expert opinion and published literature, to map the factors influencing dietary and physical activity behaviours in ethnic minority groups. Our findings illustrate that innovative research and complex interventions need to be developed that are sensitive to the needs of ethnic minority populations. A systems approach that encompasses the complexity of the inter-related factors that drive behaviours may inform a more holistic public health paradigm to more effectively reach ethnic minorities living in Europe, as well as the majority host population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: To what extent do financial, demographic and cultural determinants explain the vast cross-national differences in ART treatments in Europe?Summary Answer: The normative cultural acceptance of ART is a major driver of ART treatments in Europe, above and beyond differences in country wealth, demographic aspects and religious composition.What Is Known Already: There are vast differences in the number of ART treatments across European countries, which are to some extent related to country affluence, regulation, and insurance coverage and costs. The role and impact of cultural and normative factors has not been explored in a larger cross-national comparison.Study Design, Size, Duration: A descriptive and comparative cross-national analysis of ART treatment prevalence in over 30 European countries in 2010, with the outcome defined as the total number of ART cycles per million women of reproductive age (15-44 years). Data is drawn from multiple sources (ICMART, US Census Bureau Library, World Bank, Barro-Lee Educational Attainment Dataset, IFFS Surveillance reports, European Values Study and World Religion Database).Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Our sample includes data from 35 European countries, where we describe the associations between demographic and cultural factors and the prevalence of ART treatments. Bivariate correlation and ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis serves to establish the relationships between predictor variables and the number of ART treatments per million women aged 15-44 years in a country.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: A one-percent increase in national GDP is associated with 382 (95% CI: 177-587) additional ART procedures per million women of reproductive age, yet this effect is reduced to 99 (-92 to 290) treatments once cultural values and demographic factors are accounted for. In our fully adjusted model, normative cultural values measuring the acceptability of ART are the strongest predictor of ART usage, with a one-point increase of average approval in a country associated with 276 (167-385) additional ART treatments per million women of reproductive age.Limitations, Reasons For Caution: Findings are based on a cross-sectional, cross-national analysis, making formal tests of causality impossible and prohibiting inferences to the individual level.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Results indicate that reproductive health policy should openly acknowledge the importance of cultural norms in informally shaping and regulating the wider availability of ART treatment.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): Funding for this project was provided by the European Union's Seventh Framework Program (FP7 2007-2013) (No. 320116 Families and Societies), European Research Council for the SOCIOGENOME Consolidator Grant (ERC-2013-CoG-615603) and the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (all to M.C.M.). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on Europe, this article aims to disentangle the patterns of cultural clustering and to throw more light on concepts such as 'civilizations' and 'cultural zones.' Cross- cultural analyses unanimously find that various historical background and socioeconomic indicators are strongly correlated to societal values, however, a systematic investigation on what makes societal cultures similar and different hasn't been conducted. The author first outlines the factors and mechanisms that may explain value similarities, then the author tests their importance using dyadic data on 40 countries from the WVS. Multiple factors are associated to the cultural similarities: the historical background - i.e. countries' political-institutional traditions, religion, language, and imperial legacies - and also socio-economic development, geographical distance, European integration, and climatic differences. The substantial overlap among them, however, diminishes the absolute importance of any of the explanatory factors. The multiple determinants of value differences speak against a classification of national cultures into cultural zones based on single formative factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a study of 1,481 domestic violence workers or practitioners from 180 organizations across 12 countries, this article studies their views on spirituality for domestic violence women victims and survivors. Results showed that spirituality is favored by domestic violence workers, and more so by Christians and those with higher spiritual self-inclination. Subtle variations exist between views of practitioners from European countries, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia vis-à-vis those from Asian and African countries. Whereas practitioners from the former attested mindfulness, peace, and letting go as spiritual techniques for domestic violence work, Asian and African practitioners were more in favor of practiced distance detachment. In terms of goals of spiritually sensitive interventions, Asian and African practitioners favored letting go and empowered reconciliation, whereas their counterparts favored moving on and detachment. Practitioners from European countries, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia endorsed ‘letting go’ as a technique of living in the present, with a sense of positive orientation. Spirituality creates spaces in the psychic domains for women to exert their free will and address hegemonic masculinity. Asian and African practitioners saw the potential of spirituality in engendering systems and structures. This calls for a culturally alert approach in deploying spirituality in violence against women work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are associated with health and wellbeing. Studies indicate that ethnic minority groups are both less active and more sedentary than the majority population and that factors influencing these behaviours may differ. Mapping the factors influencing physical activity and sedentary behaviour among ethnic minority groups living in Europe can help to identify determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, research gaps and guide future research. Methods: A systematic mapping review was conducted to map the factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour among ethnic minority groups living in Europe (protocol PROSPERO ID = CRD42014014575). Six databases were searched for quantitative and qualitative research published between 1999 and 2014. In synthesizing the findings, all factors were sorted and structured into clusters following a data driven approach and concept mapping. Results: Sixty-three articles were identified out of 7794 returned by the systematic search. These included 41 quantitative and 22 qualitative studies. Of these 58 focused on physical activity, 5 on both physical activity and sedentary behaviour and none focused on sedentary behaviour. The factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour were grouped into eight clusters. Social & cultural environment (n = 55) and Psychosocial (39) were the clusters containing most factors, followed by Physical environment & accessibility (33), Migration context (15), Institutional environment (14), Social & material resources (12), Health and health communication (12), Political environment (3). An important finding was that cultural and religious issues, in particular those related to gender issues, were recurring factors across the clusters. Conclusion: Physical activity and sedentary behaviour among ethnic minority groups living in Europe are influenced by a wide variety of factors, especially informed by qualitative studies. More comparative studies are needed as well as inclusion of a wider spectrum of the diverse ethnic minority groups resettled in different European countries. Few studies have investigated factors influencing sedentary behaviour. It is important in the future to address specific factors influencing physical activity and sedentary behaviour among different ethnic minority groups in order to plan and implement effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a large-scale sample of online daters in eight European countries (N = 196,777), we examine willingness to stepparent among divorcees in relation to both gender and number of children, as well as a set of contextual determinants. We find evidence that having one’s own resident children increases the readiness to partner someone with children. Contrary to previous findings, women are generally less willing to stepparent than men, but when resident children are present, gender dissimilarities fade. Notable national differences are also found. Divorced mothers living in Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, or France are more open to having a partner with children, whereas Polish and Spanish divorced mothers would be less willing to stepparent. These results are interpreted in light of each country’s institutional background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A coherent set of epidemiological data shows that the Mediterranean diet has beneficial effects capable of preventing a variety of age-related diseases in which low-grade, chronic inflammation/inflammaging plays a major role, but the underpinning mechanism(s) is/are still unclear. It is suggested here that the Mediterranean diet can be conceptualized as a form of chronic hormetic stress, similar to what has been proposed regarding calorie restriction, the most thoroughly studied nutritional intervention. Data on the presence in key Mediterranean foods of a variety of compounds capable of exerting hormetic effects are summarized, and the mechanistic role of the nuclear factor erythroid 2 pathway is highlighted. Within this conceptual framework, particular attention has been devoted to the neurohormetic and neuroprotective properties of the Mediterranean diet, as well as to its ability to maintain an optimal balance between pro- and anti-inflammaging. Finally, the European Commission-funded project NU-AGE is discussed because it addresses a number of variables not commonly taken into consideration, such as age, sex, and ethnicity/ genetics, that can modulate the hormetic effect of the Mediterranean diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To explore specific cultural and religious beliefs and values concerning death and dying, truth telling, and advance care planning, and the preferences for end-of-life care among older persons from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Background Whilst literature indicates that culture impacts on end-of-life decision-making significantly, there is limited evidence on the topic. Design A cross-sectional survey. Methods A total of 171 community older persons who make regular visits to 17 day care centres expressed in a questionnaire their; (1) beliefs about death and dying, truth telling, and advance care planning, and (2) preferences for end-of-life care. Results More than 92% of respondents believed that dying is a normal part of life, and more than 70% felt comfortable talking about death. Whilst respondents accepted dying as a normal part of life, 64% of Eastern Europeans and 53% of Asia/Pacific groups believed that death should be avoided at all costs. People from the Asia/Pacific group reported the most consensual view against all of the life-prolonging measures. Conclusion Cultural and religious beliefs and values may have an impact on preferences for treatment at end-of-life. The study offers nurses empirical data to help shape conversations about end-of-life care, and thus to enhance their commitment to help people 'die well'. Relevance to clinical practice Information acquisition to extend understanding of each individual before proceeding with documentation of advance care planning is essential and should include retrieval of individuals' cultural and religious beliefs and values, and preferences for care. An institutional system and/or protocol that promote conversations about these among nurses and other healthcare professionals are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This work examined the role of cultural values in understanding people’s satisfaction with health services across Europe. Methods: We used multilevel linear regression analysis on the seventh round of the European Social Survey from 2014, including c. 40,000 respondents from 21 countries. Preliminary intraclass correlation analyses led us to believe that some explanations of variance in the dependent variable were to be found at the country level. In search of country level explanations, we attempted to account for the role of national culture in influencing citizens’ attitudes towards health systems. This was done by using Hofstede’s dimensions of power distance, individualism, masculinity and uncertainty avoidance, giving each country in the survey a mean aggregated score. Results: In our first model with individual level variables, being female, having low or medium education, experiencing financial strain, and reporting poor health and unmet medical needs were negatively associated with individual satisfaction with national healthcare systems, with the latter variable showing the strongest effect. After including Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in our multilevel model, we found that the power distance index variable had a negative effect on the dependent variable, significant at the 0.1 level. Conclusions: Citizens are likely to evaluate their national health system more negatively in national cultures associated with autocracy and hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced technologies are changing our working life in unpredictable ways. Consequently, a fear of technologically induced mass unemployment has re-emerged. The increased precarity associated with the technological substitution of work could lead to a regression towards materialist values that are more accepting of authoritarianism and xenophobia. Crucially, these values are less associated with the skills demanded in future work, which tends to be depicted as demanding higher levels of innovation, creative and social skills that are associated with post-materialist values. Current research has thus far overlooked the cultural aspects of large-scale technological substitution of work, which this study illuminates. We investigate how the relationship between occupational values and occupational automatability has developed between 2002 and 2018 in Europe. The results demonstrate that occupational values have been rather stable throughout the period. Occupational values are not becoming more or less fit for artificial intelligence society as would be expected if the context becomes increasingly precarious or innovation-driven. The paper demonstrates that a cultural adaptation to this type of society has not yet occurred. • This is the first paper to explore if occupational values indicate a cultural adaptation to artificial intelligence society. • Contrary to theoretical expectations, this empirical study does not find a significant adaptation to a new work context. • The paper demonstrates the relationship between values and occupational automatability across 2002–2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the inter-relationships of acculturative stressors experienced by Chinese international students. A sample of 463 Chinese students in six EU countries (UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain and Belgium) responded to a web-based survey. The results showed that Chinese students in France suffered from bigger constraints in linguistic issues and dealing with life tasks than Chinese students in UK. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that language constraints and perceived cultural differences play a key role in influencing other stressors. The findings indicated that language constraints and perceived cultural differences accounted for 62% of the total variance of academic integration difficulty; language constraints accounted for 17% of the variance of problems in dealing with daily tasks; perceived cultural differences accounted for 56% of the variance of social integration difficulty; academic integration and problems in dealing with daily tasks explained 14% of the variance of homesickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By examining social attitudes on same-sex adoption in 28 European countries, we highlighted individual and country-level factors that can determine the level of social acceptance or rejection of this specific kind of adoption. This article contributes to the literature on social acceptance of lesbian women, gay men, and their adoption practices in Europe and directs attention to several previously under-researched aspects of social attitudes on same-sex parenting rights. The empirical base of this study was the fourth round of the European Values Study, conducted in 2008-2010. Using ordered logistic regressions, we examined the impact of several individual and country-level characteristics on the agreement level with the statement that "Homosexual couples should be able to adopt children." We found strong relationships between social attitudes towards adoption by same-sex couples and the existence of legislation permitting same-sex adoption practices at the country-level, as well as some individual attitudes, including those related to traditional family formation practices, "justification of homosexuality," and (non-) preference for homosexual neighbors. Our findings indicate a shift within the potential interpretational contexts of adoption by same-sex couples from a narrow sexuality-based framework to a different and possibly much wider context of family and parenting practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]