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The significance of gender equality among citizens lies in its potential to foster social justice, reduce inequalities, and promote democracy. This, in turn, establishes a socio-political environment that is favorable for the country's development. This phenomenon is believed to be influenced by a variety of factors, according to researchers. Online media appears to be a significant factor in the context of gender equality. The purpose of this research is to investigate the direct and indirect impacts of online media on gender equality by examining the cultural values of "people's voice" and "choice." The data used in this study is derived from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey, which included a sample of 1,499 participants from Iran. The results, which were acquired through structural equation modeling and partial least squares (PLS) analysis using Smart PLS software, suggest that online media has a direct, positive, and substantial influence on the inclination of citizens toward gender equality. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the cultural values of "people's voice" and "choice" can indirectly increase citizens' propensity for gender equality through the use of online media. Thus, the results affirm that the empirical data supports and validates the theoretical model of this study. This study underscores the critical role of online media in the promotion of gender equality, illustrating its influence both directly and through cultural values that empower citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces the concept of queer family violence, emphasizing the lack of statistical data and understanding of abuse within queer family dynamics. Topics discussed include the exclusion of queer experiences from traditional family violence research, the need for inclusive narratives in understanding violence, and the application of queer theory to enhance analyses of intimate partner violence and family abuse.

As a model of the symbiotic wisdom between humans and nature, traditional villages carry rich historical and cultural values in their existence. However, the rapid urbanization process has led to the destruction and even disappearance of many traditional villages, and surviving villages urgently need to cope with the severe challenge of protecting their original ecology and cultural environment. To preserve the heritage of traditional villages, it is necessary to investigate their geographic distribution and influencing factors. We have conducted research and statistics on traditional villages using Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis technology (GIS), described in detail the complex interrelationships among natural, social, and cultural variables in the distribution and evolution of villages, and analyzed the relevant influencing factors qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of the research show that (1) in terms of geographical distribution, traditional villages in Guizhou tend to exhibit a high degree of agglomeration and clustering, and their distribution structure is characterized by "small aggregation and scattering, with many cores and few peripheries". (2) Most traditional villages in Guizhou appeared after the end of the Qing Dynasty. (3) Natural and cultural factors influence the design and layout of traditional settlements, and socioeconomic and historical culture influence the evolution of traditional settlements. These factors also influence the formation of traditional villages and the changes in their geographical distribution. This study provides a scientific basis for the sustainable development of traditional villages in Guizhou Province. It explores a new way to study and protect the spatial patterns of traditional villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews natural capital (NC) valuation approaches in the context of woodland, forest, and riparian ecosystems, emphasising the need for participatory methods to take priority over neoclassical economics approaches. Focusing on research carried out in Scotland, the study analyses findings according to a classification of natural capital initiatives that we have developed, building on ideas proposed by the UK ENCA initiative, a guideline proposed to help researchers and practitioners understand NC and take it into account in valuation, decision-making and policy. We have found that landscape-scale initiatives that address the relationships between people and place to inform value and decision-making beyond the economic (monetary) benefits generated by ecosystem services (ES) are becoming popular. For instance, recent methods employed to capture stakeholders' non-utilitarian preferences include the use of participatory GIS mapping, scenario planning, and other participatory methods to identify, explore and quantify less tangible cultural ecosystem services (CES). The review shows that many studies provide information relevant to the formulation of a place-based NC approach, working towards the integration of contextual and relational values into land management decisions to help formulate management strategies that maximise ES delivery. Conversely, we have not found evidence of the integration of shared values arising from an eco-centric perspective of nature valuation into the more classical, instrumental value lens. Such an approach would help inform broader, overarching aspects of woodland and forest management that may foster more effective conservation and help to manage conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The values of forests have been extensively researched by focusing on general public perspectives with different frameworks used to categorise them. Studies have also explored forest manager values; however, there is limited evidence on the values they associate with specific tree species. Understanding more about managers' values regarding a particular species is important when considering how they make decisions and might respond to tree pests and disease threats. In this study, we explored forest managers' values regarding oak trees and the effects of a particular pest and disease risk known as Acute Oak Decline on these. This paper outlines the results from interviews with forest managers in England and a survey of private forest managers in Britain to capture the ways in which they value the oak trees they own, manage, or influence. Forest manager types included private owners of single or multiple properties, forestry professionals, businesses, and tenants. The results show that oaks were highly valued by forest managers as an iconic cultural species in the landscape and for their timber. Veteran and ancient oak trees were considered very important, and managers were more likely to spend time and resources attempting to conserve these oaks due to their perceived cultural value. Those who had trees that were suffering from Acute Oak Decline were also more likely to spend resources on them to save the trees or try to reduce the impact of the disease. Gaining a better understanding of forest managers' attitudes towards protecting species they value is important as it has implications for their decision-making and management behaviours. It can also help to provide relevant bodies with information on how best to develop and communicate guidance and advice on monitoring and reporting disease symptoms, as well as managing oak tree health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Caledonian pinewoods of northern Scotland represent the remnants of once extensive forests found at the western edge of the natural range of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The surviving pinewoods are of international significance and are of high conservation and cultural value. However, for many decades, there has been concern about their long-term future because of a lack of regenerating seedlings and young trees. This problem is thought to be driven by high deer populations resulting in intensive browsing and severe damage to young trees, as well as a lack of favourable micro-sites for seedling germination. An experiment was established on the Mar Lodge estate in 2007–08 adjacent to native pinewood stands to test the effects of protection and site cultivation upon seedling numbers and growth. The experiment was located within a regeneration zone where intensive deer control had reduced numbers to <5 animals km−2. Ten years after initiation, occurrence and numbers of both Scots pine and birch seedlings were substantially increased in cultivated treatments compared with uncultivated controls. There were no effects of protection upon seedling numbers. Protection improved height growth of Scots pine, but not of birch. Cultivation had no effect upon the growth of pine seedlings but did influence the height of birch seedlings due to the rapid growth of some pre-existing seedlings in the uncultivated control. Vegetation cover had increased from ~60%to at least 80% cover 6 years after cultivation. The results suggest that site cultivation may be desirable to boost seedling germination within a Caledonian pinewood, but sustained measures to control browsing pressure are a prerequisite for satisfactory establishment of these seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite increasing interest in country differences and the identification of macro-societal circumstances that shape children's well-being, cross-national comparisons of children's subjective well-being are still rare. This study investigates the effect of family relations on children's life satisfaction in 39 countries from multiple world regions, with the aims of unveiling differences in average life satisfaction, comparing the effect of family relations on life satisfaction and testing the moderating effect of cultural values, emphasizing differences between collectivist and individualistic countries. Single-country regressions and multilevel modelling are used to analyse data from 129,018 children from two-parent families who participated in the first, second or third wave of the International Survey of Children's Lives and Well-Being. The results reveal that average life satisfaction is slightly higher in individualistic societies, but that the association between the Individualism Index and life satisfaction is not linear. Good family relations are shown to improve life satisfaction in all countries, but the effect strength differs considerably. The life satisfaction of children from individualistic countries, compared to that of children from collectivist countries, suffers considerably more from the experience of bad family relations. These findings highlight the necessity of considering children's cultural environment when examining their life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to find out how to reduce cases of violence among elementary school students by uncovering solutions and their implementation. Currently, violence among students is rampant in Indonesia. The 2018 Program for International Student Assessment data show that students who report having experienced violence are above the average for OECD member countries. This research method uses a qualitative approach supported by focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with elementary school teachers and principals. The research results obtained nine themes: oppression as a problem, causes, impacts of oppression, institutional, curricular, cultural, religious, family intervention, current challenges, and recommendations. Curricular factor interventions include educational curricula and behavioral principles based on culture and customs. Extracurricular interventions include the application of values and norms. Additional interventions include socializing anti-violence values and norms to inspire students to be more enthusiastic about learning and increasing the role of parents at home. This research found an ideal combination of curricular and extracurricular activities to prevent cases of bullying at school. The curriculum on cultural values, customs, and institutions also determines the components that will help students have good morals and avoid violence inside and outside school.

Abstract The overall objective of this study was to assess the role of wildlife tourism in improving the livelihood of communities in Burunge Wildlife Management Area (BWMA) by focusing on the economic and the socio-cultural roles. Data were obtained through household questionnaire, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews in three study villages. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26 and Microsoft Excel. The findings revealed that wildlife tourism operations in the three villages associated with BWMA have generated significant benefits. Several economic and socio-cultural livelihood indicators in the study villages were significantly impacted by wildlife tourism activities. Wildlife tourism appears to have a considerable impact on increasing household incomes, but a relatively lesser impact on reducing agricultural production, which is the economic mainstay for many households in the Babati district. In terms of socio-cultural livelihood indicator, wildlife tourism operation seem to have a significant (x2 = 191.613, df = 8, N = 117 and p

This paper investigates how management at heritage visitor attractions (HVAs) can innovate with local stakeholders in the co-creation of value for visitors in cultural tourism experiences. Taking a case study of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Schokland in the Netherlands, thirteen interviews were conducted with management and local stakeholders over a five-year period. Our findings advance heritage management discourse by critically assessing HVAs regarding relationship management and innovations with stakeholders that drive development processes. We also contribute to service-dominant logic theory and value co-creation theory by applying the concept of co-creation to the collaborative innovations between management and local stakeholders, whilst offering practical recommendations for HVAs to co-create value for visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to expose the revitalization of Siriah Gadang cultural values in Galombang dance performed in Guguak village, Pariangan, Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra. Siriah Gadang is almost extinct because it is very rarely used. It is a cultural object with the same function as Carano, which is currently used for Galombang dance performances. To achieve this goal, qualitative research was used through observation, documentation, in-depth interviews, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) techniques. The data obtained were analyzed using the Miles and Haberman model. It was found that the cultural values in Siriah Gadang are customary values, ethical values, social values, religious values, and leadership values reflected in the philosophy of the Minangkabau people “adaik basandi syarak, syarak basandi Kitabullah.”

Traditional villages hold significant historical and cultural value as the precious heritage of China's agricultural civilization. Currently, against the backdrop of increasing urbanization and rapid expansion of urban construction land, the spatial patterns of traditional villages across various regions in China are being encroached upon and damaged, with protection pressures growing daily. As one of the important cradles of Chinese civilization, the Lower Yangtze River Basin (LYRB) has traditional villages closely linked with its water systems, forming a unique human-land relationship and spatial distribution pattern. However, influenced by the rapid urbanization process, the spatial patterns of traditional villages in this region also face a crisis, and the contradiction between protection and development is becoming increasingly prominent. How to balance this contradiction and ensure the reasonable protection and sustainable development of traditional villages has become an urgent issue to address. Therefore, this study focuses on the LYRB. Using ArcGIS tools and combined with mathematical analysis methods, the spatial distribution characteristics and essential influencing factors of traditional villages in this area were screened and analyzed. The objective was to examine the spatial structural relationship between traditional villages, four water system types, and nine sub-basin units, intending to reveal the unique interdependence between the water system and traditional villages in this area. This would provide scientific support for the formulation of scientific conservation strategies. The research results show that: (1) Traditional villages in The LYRB form two core clusters spatially and exhibit substantial spatial accumulation; (2) Water system characteristics are the main factors affecting the distribution of traditional villages; (3) In the LYRB, the spatial distribution of the nine sub-basins is closely related to the spatial distribution of traditional villages, resulting in typical regional spatial differentiation of traditional villages in this area. This study is based on a watershed perspective, and the results highlight the importance of the water system network in the development of traditional villages, revealing a unique spatial dependency relationship between traditional villages and the water network in the LYRB. In order to ensure the comprehensive protection of the traditional village system in this region, it is essential to adhere to the fundamental principles that govern its spatial configuration. A tripartite collaborative protection system based on the watershed should be formulated from the perspective of the overall distribution relationship between the water network and the traditional villages. This system would serve to protect the overall landscape, the water network pattern, and the traditional villages. Establishing an overall pattern view of integrating the water system network and the traditional villages is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the health benefits of expressive writing that is culturally adapted for Chinese immigrant breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and to characterize how acculturation moderates the effects of expressive writing interventions. Methods: We will recruit Chinese immigrant BCSs (N = 240) diagnosed with stage 0-III breast cancer and within 5 years of completion of primary treatment. Recruitment will occur primarily through community-based organizations and cancer registries. Participants will be randomly assigned either to a control condition to write about neutral topics or to one of two intervention conditions, self-regulation or self-cultivation, both of which aim to promote adaptive cognitive processes but differ in how they achieve this goal. The self-regulation intervention culturally adapts a Western expressive writing paradigm and incorporates emotional disclosure, whereas the self-cultivation intervention originates from Asian cultural values without disclosing emotions. Participants in all three conditions will be asked to write in their preferred language for three 30-minute sessions. The primary outcome will be quality of life (QOL) at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups, and the secondary outcomes will be perceived stress, stress biomarkers, and medical appointments for cancer-related morbidities. Discussion: This project will be the first large RCT to test culturally based brief interventions to improve QOL and reduce stress among Chinese immigrant BCSs. This project is expected to address two important needs of Chinese immigrant BCSs: their unmet psychological needs and the lack of culturally competent mental health care for Chinese immigrant BCSs. The immediate product of this line of research will be empirically evaluated, culturally responsive interventions ready for dissemination to Chinese immigrant BCSs across the United States. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04754412. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient Platycladus orientalis holds significant ecological, landscape, historical, and cultural value. In northern China, leaf blight has significantly impacted the growth and ornamental value of ancient P. orientalis. In this study, 26 blight leaf samples of ancient P. orientalis were collected in Beijing, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin (tub2), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (rpb2) DNA sequence data combined with fungal morphological characteristics revealed three taxa of Nothophoma, i.e. N. platycladus, N. spiraeae, and N. juglandis. Of which, N. platycladus is a species new to science. Koch's postulates indicated that all these three species of Nothophoma could cause leaf blight of P. orientalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted a systematic review of empirical research to examine the effectiveness of professional development (PD) programmes aimed at promoting playful learning pedagogies among early childhood teachers. Despite the growing adoption of policies advocating for playful learning, a considerable disparity persists between policy ideals, research findings, and actual instructional practices. This study identified a scarcity of rigorous research on this topic, with nine qualifying studies showcasing nine distinct PD programmes, each characterised by diverse training delivery methods, intensity levels, and playful learning conceptualisations. While these programmes reported enhancements in teachers’ playful learning pedagogies, predominantly through reflection and coaching strategies, the lack of rigorous research methodologies employed in the studies hinders definitive conclusions about optimal practices and significant impacts on teacher practices and student outcomes. It is recommended that playful learning PD programmes integrate research findings from the science of learning, embrace community and cultural values as an integral part, and incorporate both reflection and coaching strategies to bridge the gap between policy, research, and pedagogical implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Women must seek regular gynecological care for their checkups, childbirth, or gynecological diseases. Given the critical responsibility of obstetricians and gynecologists in safeguarding the health and lives of both mother and baby, this profession is highly sensitive and stressful. Structural factors may complicate the relationship between the doctor and client and lead to gynecological violenceA study in Iran sheds light on the violence between female gynecologists and their clients. Methods: The research is done through semi-structured interviews with clients, residents, and female gynecologists in Iran to examine the lived experiences of both. Results: Based on the WHO's definition of gynecological violence and its categories, verbal, physical, and psychological violence, social discrimination, neglect of care, and failure to maintain client confidentiality were the main themes found in gynecological violence in Iran. Conclusion: The relationship between the gynecologist and the client suffers due to differences in religious and cultural beliefs, as well as the stressful nature of the job. Female gynecologists go through a challenging training course at university and also medical practice, and the significance of maternal mortality contributes to the stressfulness of their job. Working in public hospitals with a high workload and facing conflicts of interest between financial benefits and patient health complicates the relationship between the gynecologist and the client, creating the conditions for violence between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Parental Stress Scale (PSS) is a well-known tool widely used for assessing parenting stress. However, there is a lack of an Arabic-validated version. This study aimed to validate the PSS in Arabic for use with Lebanese individuals, specifically among parents in Lebanon. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 589 parents in Lebanon were performed between May and July 2023, using random sampling of parents from the five Lebanese governorates. The PSS was translated into Arabic and administered using an online survey. The study collected the sociodemographic data of the participants and incorporated supplementary measures such as the Pediatric Symptom Checklist and the InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being scale. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess construct validity. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent validity was tested through Pearson correlations with the Pediatric Symptom Checklist and financial well-being. Results: One item of the PSS items was removed. The factor analysis of the PSS scale showed three factors that had an Eigenvalue over 1, showing that the items converged over a three-factor solution, explaining a total of 64.83% of the variance. The Cronbach's alpha values were 0.838, suggesting a good internal consistency. The CFI was 0.895 and TLI was 0.877. A significantly positive correlation was found between the PSS scale and the Pediatric symptom checklist. No correlation was found between the financial well-being scale and the PSS scale. Conclusion: The PSS scale showed appropriate psychometric properties, with high internal consistency, good construct validity, and adequate concurrent validity, which makes it a short, valid, and efficient tool, valuable for the evaluation of the Parental Stress Scale among parents in Lebanon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global loss of coastal habitats is putting communities at risk of erosion and flooding, as well as impacting ecosystem function, cultural values, biodiversity, and other services. Coastal habitat restoration can provide a nature-based solution to the increasing need for climate adaptation on the coast while recovering lost ecosystems. Despite the benefits of using nature-based coastal protection to manage coastal hazards, there are scientific, sociopolitical and economic barriers to the broad use of this approach. Understanding the details of these barriers from the perspective of multiple stakeholders is essential to identifying solutions to overcome them. Using a workshop with participants that are key partners and stakeholders (from government, engineering consulting firms, and non-governmental organisations) in the management, design, and delivery of a coastal protection solution we aimed to: (1) gain a better understanding of the barriers faced by multiple stakeholders involved in the implementation of nature-based coastal protection; and (2) identify tangible solutions to these barriers to increase or support implementation, help focus attention on areas for future research, and inform pathways forward for the governance of nature-based coastal protection. We defined 19 barriers to nature-based coastal protection, but the primary ones that are experienced during the delivery of a project are a lack of: education and awareness; community support; necessary expertise and technical guidance; and uncertainty around: the risk reduction that can be achieved; planning and regulatory processes; and ownership of the structure. Two barriers that do not persist during the design stages of a project but are overarching as to whether nature-based coastal protection is considered in the first place, are government support and the availability of funding. The importance of these primary barriers changes depending on the method of nature-based coastal protection. We conclude by identifying both immediate actions and long-term solutions for enabling nature-based coastal protection in response to each of the primary barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dashanbao Loop is dominated by high mountainous and hilly landscapes and is located on the plateau where the Jinsha River meets the Nilan River in the western Zhaoyang District of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. There is a big temperature difference between day and night here. To keep out the cold, people will use wool to make daily necessities such as cloaks, mattresses and insoles. This material can keep moisture-proof and warm, so the traditional hand-made felt technology handed down from generation to generation is still retained. These traditional crafts not only show unique cultural value, but also become valuable local cultural heritage. However, today's globalization and the development of modern technology have brought unprecedented challenges to these traditional processes. The study systematically collects and organizes data on the traditional wool felt making techniques of the Dashanbao Loop from the perspective of intangible cultural heritage preservation, using both observation and interview methods. The study conducted field investigation and interviews with wool felt makers, and through the data obtained analyzed the transmission dilemmas faced by these traditional skills was analyzed, focusing on the challenges to their transmission and their potential solutions. According to the data, these traditional products have major challenges in these aspects: the product categories are not rich and rough, the inheritance method is single, the environment changes and the inheritor's income is low. In order to solve these problems, it is suggested to break through the existing product categories, diversify inheritance methods, improve the inheritance environment and improve the treatment of inheritors, which is more conducive to the inheritance and sustainable development of traditional crafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the factors that affect the innovative development and value creation of traditional handicrafts. Traditional handicraft plays an important role in inheriting the essence of national culture, but it has suffered from the impact in the process of modern industrialization and is faced with problems such as industrial contraction and the plight of craftsmen. Based on semi-structured interviews of traditional handicrafts, this paper adopts the grounded theory method and selects 10 practitioners, enterprises and scholars of traditional handicrafts in Yunnan region as research objects through convenient sampling and theoretical sampling. The research found that product development and innovation, and the protection and inheritance of traditional skills are the core abilities of traditional handicrafts. Product Development and innovation Enhance the market competitiveness and economic value of handicrafts through the integration of modern design elements, the use of modern technology, and cross-border cooperation. The preservation and inheritance of traditional skills through professional training, detailed documentation, and policy support to ensure the excellence and continuity of skills. At the same time, key factors such as cultural inheritance, talent cultivation, brand building, policy support, and transportation conditions provide a favorable development environment and support through cultural activities, career development opportunities, modern marketing methods, legal protection, and infrastructure improvement. Through these comprehensive effects, traditional handicrafts, governments, and enterprises can clarify the direction of development, jointly promote the innovative development and value creation of traditional handicrafts, and enhance their market competitiveness, cultural value, and social identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: In the USA, diabetes disproportionately affects Hispanics/Latinx, continuing to contribute to health disparities. To address the diabetes epidemic, separate programs for pre-diabetes and diabetes are promoted nationwide. However, engagement by Hispanics/Latinx in either program is lagging. Recent evidence suggests that offering a single community health worker delivered intervention that includes both groups and allows family members to participate may be more effective and in harmony with Latino cultural values, especially if offered to Latino women (Latinas) who traditionally are in charge of food preparation. Our objective was to explore the results of an intervention delivered to low-income Latinas at various dysglycemic levels (diabetic and pre-diabetic). Methods: In this quasi-experimental mixed-methods cohort study we longitudinally assessed biometric outcomes and health behaviors among obese Latinas at risk for—and with—diabetes, participating in the same intervention. Data were collected at baseline and 3 months post-intervention. Focus group discussions and interviews provided qualitative data to help contextualize findings. Results: Participants at different levels of the dysglycemic spectrum benefited equally from the intervention across most measures. Among participants whose relatives had diabetes, weight loss exceeded that of participants without diagnosed relatives. Domestic partners' support, attending the program in a group setting, and previous diagnoses from a healthcare professional were associated with better results. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a community health worker-delivered intervention for Hispanics/Latinx with—and at-risk for—diabetes is feasible and could be more effective in reducing Hispanics/Latinx' diabetes burden. Health educators and clinicians should consider tapping into the collective nature of the Latinx/Hispanic culture to encourage healthy behaviors among individuals whose family members have diabetes, regardless of their dysglycemic status. We recommend replicating this study with a more rigorous randomized design, a larger number of participants and longer-term follow-up. Plain Language Summary: Encouraging similar habits around eating for all family members - whether at risk of or with diabetes - is in keeping with one of the key latino values: putting family first. Preliminary results point to more success for everyone when a "family first" strategy - instead of promoting individual treatment plans - is applied among latinas with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes In the USA, Latinos are among the groups with the highest rates of obesity and diabetes. People with obesity often have diabetes too. We know that, when a person in the family has diabetes, almost always other family members will be on the path to developing diabetes, if they do not yet have it. We also know that exercise and healthy eating habits can help prevent and control diabetes. In the USA, instead of offering the entire family (those on their way to diabetes and those with diabetes) the same program - "eat healthier and exercise" - there are separate programs or options based on each diagnosis: a program for those with diabetes, a program for those who qualify as having prediabetes, and no program for those who do not qualify but are on their way to having pre-diabetes due to obesity. Offered programs have not been successful among Latinos for several reasons in part because they just don't attend as many classes as other groups. For Latinos, family - and specially having mealtimes together - is extremely important ("familismo" concept). This is even more critical for women preparing meals for their families. Separate diets and mealtimes goes against, and may sometimes interfere with, that sense of unity. Methods: In this study, participants were Latino women (Latinas) from Southern California who either had diabetes or were on the path to having diabetes because of their weight or lab results. They all enrolled in a program where community health workers encouraged them to eat better and to exercise. We checked weight, labs and behaviors before and after the program and interviewed some after they completed it. Results: all benefited from the program. But those whose relatives had diabetes, those whose doctors told them they had prediabetes/diabetes, and those attending in groups did better. Conclusion: using the proposed family-based approach among Latinos may lead to better diabetes prevention and management in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to explore the needs of Chinese American family caregivers of older adults through a life story qualitative study. Through life story narratives, a phenomenological approach revealed that the needs of Chinese American family caregivers, including effect of stress, varied by the following: type of relationship with care receivers, perceived cultural values, relationship quality between caregiver and care receivers, cognitive distortions and conflict strategies in caregiving. Discussion on methods of assisting Chinese American family caregivers through the therapeutic interventions of the life story narrative itself, self-care training, and other key supports revealed in the study will be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. To understand what domains of acculturation are experienced by Chinese immigrants with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Australia and how these domains of acculturation influence their CVD self‐care behaviours. Design. A qualitative descriptive design. Methods. Individual phone interviews were conducted among Chinese immigrants with CVD in Sydney, recruited from Chinese Community associations and social media. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was employed, guided by the Middle‐Range Theory of Self‐Care of Chronic Illness and the conceptual model of acculturation. Results. Twenty participants, mean age 69.9 years, were interviewed. The domains of acculturation in relation to CVD self‐care behaviours encompassed cultural practices, cultural values, healthcare system navigation, and new living environment. Retaining their Chinese culture and integrating into Australian culture regarding dietary practices, social networks, traditional values and family relationships served as both enablers and barriers of self‐care maintenance through factors such as heart‐healthy diets, physical activity, stress management and medication adherence. Many participants denied encountering difficulties to utilize primary care services, but language barriers deterred them from accessing acute services and heart‐health information from mainstream sources. Some preserved beliefs and practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine may complicate their self‐care maintenance (medication adherence) and self‐care management (responding to acute angina episodes). Conclusion. The influence of acculturation on CVD self‐care behaviours among Chinese immigrants is multifaceted and individualized. Clinicians and community health workers should assess patients' acculturation experiences to enable culturally sensitive practices. The lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate heart health information in the community should be addressed urgently to mitigate the cardiac health disparity. Collaboration with Chinese community associations offers an opportunity for co‐design and dissemination of information about Australian healthcare systems and heart health education to upskill CVD self‐care practices and mitigate the health inequities experienced by Chinese immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.) is an endemic New Zealand tree species that attracts polarising views and controversy. Prior to the arrival of humans in New Zealand, karaka was probably restricted to warmer areas of the northern North Island, but it now occurs throughout much of New Zealand, including on Rēkohu/Chatham Island (where it is known as kōpi). Genetic analyses have shed light on the evolutionary origins of karaka and its translocation history. Karaka holds significant cultural and historical value for Māori and Moriori, but it is also viewed as an environmental weed outside its natural range due to its capacity to outcompete resident native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems. Karaka fruit can be toxic to dogs and other animals, including humans, if not prepared correctly before consumption. The management of karaka in New Zealand presents a unique challenge that exemplifies the complexities inherent in balancing cultural values with ecological integrity. The aim of this paper is to bring together all these different perspectives and explore avenues for future management strategies that accommodate both the cultural significance and the ecological impact of karaka. An informed, culturally sensitive management strategy that involves mana whenua can pave the way for a future where both cultural and ecological aspects of the karaka tree are given due consideration where appropriate. Such an approach could also inform the management of other native plant species that become invasive outside their natural range both in New Zealand and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary health care is the first point of contact for patients from refugee backgrounds in the Australian health system. Sociocultural factors, including beliefs and value systems, are salient determinants of health literacy and access to primary health care services. Although African refugees in Australia have diverse sociocultural backgrounds, little is known about the influence of sociocultural factors on their experiences of accessing primary health care services. Guided by the theoretical framework of access to health care, this study examined from the perspective of African refugees how culturally and religiously conditioned, constructed and bound health beliefs, knowledge and practices influence their experiences of access to, acceptance and use of primary health care services and information in Australia. Methods: This exploratory, qualitative study involved 19 African refugees from nine countries living in New South Wales, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded using Zoom software. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a bottom-up thematic analytical approach for theme generation. Results: Four main themes were identified. The themes included: participants' experiences of services as inaccessible and monocultural and providing information in a culturally unsafe and insensitive manner; the impact of the clinical care environment; meeting expectations and needs; and overcoming access challenges and reclaiming power and autonomy through familiar means. The findings generally support four dimensions in the access to health care framework, including approachability, acceptability, availability and accommodation and appropriateness. Conclusion: African refugees experience significant social and cultural challenges in accessing primary health care services. These challenges could be due to a lack of literacy on the part of health services and their providers in servicing the needs of African refugees. This is an important finding that needs to be addressed by the Australian health care system and services. Enhancing organisational health literacy through evidence-informed strategies in primary health systems and services can help reduce disparities in health access and outcomes that may be exacerbated by cultural, linguistic and religious differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive evidence on the prevalence and predictors of dropout in psychological interventions for pathological health anxiety. A database search in Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials identified 28 eligible randomized controlled trials (40 intervention conditions; 1783 participants in the intervention condition), published up to 18 June 2024. Three‐level meta‐analytic results showed a weighted average dropout rate of 9.67% (95% confidence interval [CI] [6.49%, 14.17%]), with dropout equally likely from treatment and control conditions (odds ratio = 1.07, 95% CI [0.80, 1.44]). Moderator analyses indicated no statistically significant effects of study, participant, treatment or therapist characteristics, except for the country of study. These findings suggest that the average dropout rate is relatively low compared with those reported for other mental health conditions and highlight the importance of considering cultural and societal factors when evaluating treatment adherence. Future research should continue to explore the complex and multifaceted factors influencing dropout to improve the design and implementation of psychological interventions for pathological health anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notions of indigenous knowledge and cultural philosophies are becoming ubiquitous in many social inquiries, and evaluation is no exception. Nonetheless, the pursuit to embed relevant indigenous philosophies in contemporary evaluation has yet to succeed. In this article, we discuss indigenous relational philosophies, approaches, and practices as they relate to evaluation. Using qualitative research approaches, we interviewed 43 Indigenous development leaders and other local representatives in three local government areas in Ghana. Utilizing evidence synthesis approaches through a triangulation process, we conclude that indigenous knowledge and other cultural ethos were distinct in community-based development evaluation processes. There was an elusive intersection between indigenous and contemporary evaluation paradigms. Indigenous evaluation has principles such as community spirit, mutual trust, self-organization, relational patterns or networks, "ubuntu" ideals, consensus building, and collective action that can complement contemporary evaluation for the effective and efficient evaluation of community development programs and social policies. We identify key indigenous elements and other indigenous relational assessment patterns to aid in the design of an indigenously driven relational evaluation framework. The evaluative competencies embedded in indigenous philosophies are vast, thus, a call for future research is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper argues that speakers of Tongan English, an emergent variety spoken in the Kingdom of Tonga, may use rhoticity to construct a cosmopolitan and globally oriented local social identity. A variationist analysis of non‐prevocalic /r/ in a corpus of 56 speakers reveals a change in progress towards rhoticity led by young females, whereas an affiliation with Liahona High School, a Mormon secondary school, predicts advanced adoption of the feature. I argue that rhoticity carries a positive ideological load for younger speakers as an index of globalness, modernity and Western cultural values, whereas for Liahona‐affiliated speakers, an additional indexicality of rhoticity is Mormonism. Linguistic constraints on variation mirror patterns found in previous studies on L1/L2 varieties and are thus more universal, whereas social constraints on variation are best examined through a local lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chosen is a wide-reaching series born within American Evangelicalism in 2019, whose academic interest resides in its value as a cultural product that has been gaining influence after the release of its four seasons. This article discusses the reception of Mary Magdalene in two chapters (S1/E1 and S2/E5) on the basis of two key principles that characterise North American conservative Evangelicalism: biblical inerrancy and its "born-again" model of conversion. The last part presents the difficult compromise between these religious values and filmic fictionalism, which leads to maintaining the traditional image of the repentant prostitute, though with a few particularities: the disappearance of all features of sensuality, an ambiguous interpretation of demon possession that is linked to an episode of sexual abuse and the story of Mary Magdalene's childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to conceptualize the patterns of cultural change. Building on the seminal work of the German sociologist Tönnies and using eight cultural dimensions from Inglehart, Hofstede, Schwartz, and GLOBE, the study analyzes the patterns of cultural change at three distinct levels: (1) socio-economic development/modernization, (2) birth/migration, and (3) globalization/contact. The paper suggests that the path of cultural change is complex and dialectical. While socio-economic development shifts cultural values from traditional to modern, demographic pressures and migratory movements have opposite effects and reinforce traditional cultural values. Moreover, globalization and increasing contact between traditional and modern cultures create a constant blend and conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1877, the African American musical ensemble known as the Fisk Jubilee Singers traveled to Germany to raise money for their university. The choir's ten-month tour provided German listeners with one of their first significant and sustained encounters with African Americans and African American culture in the nineteenth century. As listeners throughout Germany heard the ensemble perform, they began to debate the Fisk Jubilee Singer's musical, cultural, and ethnic origins. At the heart of their growing ethnomusicological and anthropological interest in the Jubilee Singer's music was the question of whether or not African Americans were fulfilling the powerful promise of the civilizing mission: Were they proof that people of the black diaspora were capable of accepting "Western" art music and cultural values? This article illustrates how African American music contributed to global conversations on the civilizing mission in the nineteenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in acoustic environments have previously been linked to socioeconomic status (SES). However, it is crucial to acknowledge that cultural values can also play a significant role in shaping acoustic environments. The goal of this study was to investigate if social behaviors related to cultural heritage and SES could help us understand how Latinx and European college students in the U.S. have different acoustic environments. College students were given digital recorders to record their daily acoustic environments for two days. These recordings were used to (1) evaluate nearfield noise levels in their natural surroundings and (2) quantify the percentage of time participants spent on behavioral collectivistic activities such as socializing and interacting with others. Behavioral collectivism was examined as a mediator between cultural heritage, SES, and nearfield noise levels. Findings revealed that both SES and cultural heritage were associated with nearfield noise levels. However, behavioral collectivism mediated the relationship between culture and nearfield noise levels. These findings show that collectivist cultural norms significantly relate to Latinx' daily noise levels. The implications of these findings for public health and health inequities included promoting equitable auditory well-being and better knowledge of socio-cultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egyptian revolution, which started with great optimism regarding country's future, after toppling 30 years long Mubarak regime and experiencing disappointments with first civil administration under Muslim brotherhood government, ended up with the restoration of authoritarianism as a result of a military coup. In this article when delving into the reasons of revolution's failures, orientalist and elitist theories argued that main issues of failure revolved around the immutable power of the army and political elites over resurrecting masses and lack of general faith in the country regarding the creation of a liberal democratic order. What was missing is, from a Gramscian background, important role that neoliberalism and its destructiveness over social and political life in the last four decades of Egypt, played. In here my basic idea is that after 2011 uprising, revolutionary groups could not settle accounts with neoliberal past and its institutions. Then, on that misconstrued basis, they tried to build a new order. While the Muslim brotherhood government criticized the establishment in terms of religion and cultural values, secular opposition missed the determining role of the army within the economic affairs of the country. Due to these reasons, El-Sisi, seems like an ordinary officer, was able to ensure the restoration of authoritarian rule in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proverbs are one of the ways that societies transmit their cultural values from one generation to the next. A word or combination of words stands out more than the others in any of the aspects of a large number of the proverbs examined in this study. It transfers emotion more effectively since it is expressed more clearly. Proverbs are known for their sentence stress on adjectives, adverbs, and place-indicating terms. This might be understood as an external manifestation of the goal to guide people toward the good through counsel based on collective experiences. Proverbs are categorized into three primary classes based on this observation: place-stressed, adverb-stressed, and adjective-stressed. Their corresponding structures are also covered. Adjectives have the strongest sentence stress in proverbs, and it is evident that they primarily convey a quality of the subject. After adjectives, adverbs (mostly derived from verbs) have the highest sentence stress. Place-indicating words can also contain sentence stress. Because proverbs are the byproducts of human-oriented oral culture, the fact that sentence stress is focused on an adjective--that is, an attribute of the subject--is interpreted as an attempt to keep the subject from being viewed negatively and to encourage them to be good by drawing attention to that attribute. Adverbs, which typically involve action, also have strong sentence stress because of an innate need to shield the reader from inappropriate behavior by emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship and pointing them in the direction of appropriate behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-construal, defined as the way by which individuals define themselves, is classified into two types: independent self-construal, emphasizing autonomy and uniqueness, and interdependent self-construal, emphasizing connections with others. Largely investigated in cross-cultural contexts, self-construal has been found to be associated with social anxiety symptoms. While Singelis's original Self-Construal Scale (SCS) has been widely used to measure self-construal, extant literature has suggested that the SCS lacks validity evidence, prompting the development of a 10-item with enhanced psychometric properties. This study validated the 10-item SCS in a Korean sample by examining the factor structure, measurement invariance across Korean and U.S. samples, and associations with social anxiety variables. A total of 320 Korean adults and 361 European American adults participated in an online questionnaire. The 10-item SCS exhibited a more stable factor structure than the other versions and held measurement invariance across groups. Lastly, significant associations were found between the SCS and social anxiety variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There still remains a significant gap in understanding the sexual and reproductive health challenges faced by adolescents, particularly in the context of early sexual activity, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. This study seeks to fill this gap by exploring the initial sexual experiences of Cambodian adolescents, highlighting the complex interplay of cultural, social, and personal influences that shape their sexual health decisions and outcomes. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative research design was used. Thirty Cambodian adolescents were interviewed from March to June 202 and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants met their sexual partners in school and through friendships and social networking sites. Their motivations for sexual activities ranged from intrinsic desires to influences of inebriation, love, and trust. Consent was crucial but some were influenced by partners. Awareness of sexual protection varied, affecting condom use and information-seeking behaviors. After initial encounters, participants grappled with complex emotions and physical changes. Discussion: The findings suggest the need for educational interventions that address substance use; promote safe behavior, consensual conduct, open communication, and mutual respect; and provide coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palliative care improves outcomes, yet rural residents often lack adequate and equitable access. This study provides practical tips to address palliative care (PC)-related challenges in rural communities. Strategies include engaging trusted community partners, addressing cultural factors, improving pediatric care, utilizing telehealth, networking with rural teams including caregivers, and expanding roles for nurses and advanced practice providers. Despite complex barriers to access, providers can tailor PC to be patient-centered, respect local values, and bridge gaps. The "Top 10" format emphasizes the relevant issues to enable clinicians to provide optimal care for people from rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on perspectives and experiences of Indigenous community members who have either created or are in the process of creating computer-assisted language learning courses for Indigenous languages and how these community members center relationality in the creation of the courses. We engaged a decolonizing and relational methodology to document Indigenous language courses and co-create knowledge with Indigenous language course creators. We conducted qualitative interviews with creators of 11 asynchronous Indigenous language computer-assisted language learning courses to learn how these creators enact relationality and cultural values in online language courses. From analysis of these interviews, five key themes emerged related to: (a) language planning; (b) partnering with technology providers; (c) Indigenous expertise; (d) decolonizing praxis; and (e) relational epistemologies. The researchers share ways that communities can center relational epistemologies when creating their own computer-assisted language learning courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem gambling (PG) is a public health concern with severe repercussions for the individual, concerned significant others and the society. Foreign borns generally gamble less but are overrepresented among those with PG. Previous research has suggested that other factors, such as socio-economic status, might explain this, but also that cultural factors might play a role in the relationship to gambling and the development of PG. This qualitative study using content analysis investigates the experiences of and opinions about gambling and PG among 12 males living in Sweden with a migrant background in Afghanistan, the Middle East and North Africa. The results were show that the acculturation process could be a factor in developing PG, as well as a cultural values regarding money and wealth. PG was seen as more stigmatized in the origin country, and the family played a more important role in the rehabilitation of PG compared to the general population. The results of this study could be used to inform preventive and clinical programs to better reach people with a migrant background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guanxi research would benefit from an empirical description of holistic guanxi network structures and consideration of sociologically meaningful antecedents such as one's cultural value endorsement. This study, inspired by the relational sociology and drawing on the reported trustworthiness of a rich array of referees in one's guanxi network collected from the Traditional Culture and Cognitive Pattern Survey, identifies two types of guanxi network structures in contemporary China: one is featured by the binary distinction between family and non‐family referees, and the other displays a fourfold classification scheme, respectively concerning parents, nuclear family members (children and spouse), other relatives and close friends, and acquaintances. Furthermore, traditional culture endorsement is positively correlated with the likelihood of being subject to the binary classification scheme, while some counter social forces, such as the establishment of quasi‐kinship relationships, encourage one to lean toward the more fine‐grained fourfold guanxi network partitioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a sample of 120 Mexican immigrant couples, this study tested an estimated actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine the associations between spouses' perceptions of marital quality (i.e., marital warmth and marital negativity), spousal incongruence in familism values, and spouses' coparenting satisfaction. The model simultaneously explored the moderating effects of spouses' incongruence in familism values to ascertain the extent to which the within-couple match between spouses' cultural values impacted the association between spouses' marital quality and coparenting satisfaction. Significant and positive actor effects from marital warmth to coparenting satisfaction were found. A significant interaction qualified the actor effect for wives. Spouses' incongruence in familism values moderated the association between wives' marital warmth and their coparenting satisfaction in such a way that the link was stronger for couples with low spousal incongruence in familism values (i.e., couples in which spouses were in close agreement on familism values). Marital negativity and incongruence in familism values were not significantly related to spouses' coparenting satisfaction. Findings underscore the link between spouses' marital warmth and their coparenting satisfaction and suggest that effective coparenting is nested within the context of a warm and supportive marital relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines paternal advice in the ancient Arab world through a socio-pragmatic analysis of 159 pieces of advice from fathers to sons between the 7th and 10th centuries CE. The article identifies directness as a predominant feature in these communications, attributed to the intimate father–son relationship, paternal dominance, justifications for advice, and the inherent nature of the advice topics. The closeness between father and son, emphasized by the frequent use of "Oh my son(s)," allows for advice without social veiling, reflecting the Islamic duty of guidance. Power dynamics and the expectation of direct communication underscore the traditional Arab social structure. Justifications accompanying advice in the dataset highlight its acceptability, while the subjects of religion, relationships, and science encourage directness in the discourse. This analysis reveals that directness in advice-giving conveys deeply held cultural and religious values, emphasizing community and mutual responsibility, and showcases the role of clear communication in maintaining societal cohesion across generations. • A socio-pragmatic analysis of 159 pieces of paternal advice from the 7th to 10th centuries CE highlights directness as a key feature. • Directness in advice-giving is linked to close father–son relationships, paternal authority, and the content of the advice itself. • The use of the term "Oh my son(s)" signifies the intimate bond and lack of social distance in these communications. • The study underscores the influence of Islamic teachings on the tradition of direct paternal advice as part of a father's duty. • Justifications in advice emphasize that religion, relationships, and science are areas where directness is prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative communication between partners can impede the enactment of prosocial, relationship maintenance behaviors. These processes are especially critical to consider for Latine young adults who hold cultural values, like familism, which emphasize the great importance of personal relationships. Using a sample of 475 Latine young adults (M = 24.8 years, SD = 3.22), we examined the moderating role of familism on the association between negative communication (e.g., partners' propensity to withdraw or criticize during interactions) and relationship maintenance (e.g., affectionate and supportive efforts to sustain the relationship). We found that negative communication was inversely associated with individuals' own relationship maintenance enactment. However, familism buffered the association between negative communication and relationship maintenance; under conditions of high familism, the association between negative communication and relationship maintenance remained negative, but with a weaker effect than under conditions of low familism. Findings reinforce the negative effects of maladaptive communication in relationships more broadly and highlight the protective role of relationally oriented cultural values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical social work practice is increasingly informed by theoretical frameworks that attend to social justice. These frameworks include the just practice framework, the structural approach, and critical social theories such as critical race theory, feminist theory, and post structural theory, among others. Moreover, host settings that employ clinical social workers may be both consistent and inconsistent with social justice. Integrating clinical social work and social justice can be a complex process because it requires a clear definition of social justice to guide practice, and knowledge about racial disparities and how attitudes, values and beliefs might influence presenting problems. Consequently, a major competency for the clinical social worker is the ability to assess the influence of social injustice, racial disparities, and attitudes, values and beliefs on presenting problems. Additional competencies include the ability to assess the practice setting to address social injustice and provide clinical interventions, and apply social justice frameworks. Despite the fact that racial disparities exist in mental health and substance abuse treatment and services affecting black and Hispanic populations, limited information is available to guide clinical social workers with integrating social justice interventions. The purpose of this article is to consider the lessons from police social work practice to inform the integration of clinical social work practice and social justice when providing mental health and substance abuse services to black and Hispanic populations. These lessons offer recommendations intended for clinical practice in other host settings that provide services to these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]