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Article
Social Sciences
Tourism, Leisure, Sport and Hospitality

Anđelina Marić Stanković

,

Jovana Vuletić

,

Milan Miletić

,

Marija Bratić

,

Ninoslav Golubović

Abstract:

This study examines how Generation Z’s digital practices on TikTok and Instagram shape their music festival experiences, focusing on event perception, engagement, and the development of collective identity. The aim is to identify key factors connecting online and offline aspects of festival participation. The research adopts a quantitative approach based on an online survey of 248 respondents born between 1995 and 2010 from various regions of Serbia. Data were analysed in SPSS 26.0 using Spearman correlation, quantile regression, and the Mann–Whitney test. Findings show that frequent social media use has a positive but limited effect on how important these platforms are perceived for the festival experience. However, user-generated content created by attendees plays a more significant role in shaping engagement and attitudes than influencer content. Influencer credibility also influences how festivals are interpreted digitally. The interplay between online interaction and offline participation motivates content sharing and reinforces a sense of community. Overall, the study concludes that social media and digital narratives are central to Generation Z’s festival experience. Authentic, attendee-created content strongly contributes to collective identity, helping bridge digital and physical dimensions – insights valuable for festival organisers, influencers, and cultural tourism.

Article
Social Sciences
Geography, Planning and Development

Alex Midlen

Abstract: The blue economy aims to bring prosperity to coastal communities whilst also pro-tecting natural ocean resources for future generations. But how can this vision be put into practice, especially in communities in which dependancy on natural resources is high and food and livelihood security are key concerns? This paper examines two cases of community-led nature based enterprise in Kenya in a search for solutions to this challenge. I use a ‘diverse economies’ perspective to delve into the heterogeneous relations at work and in search of insights that can be applied in multiple contexts. The analysis reveals a complex assemblage of institutions, knowledges, technologies and practices within which enterprises operate. Whilst the enterprises featured are still relatively new and developing, they suggest a direction of travel for a community-led sustainable blue economy which both supports and benefits from nature recovery. The insights gained from this diverse economies analysis lead us to appreciate a sustainable blue economy as a rediscovered and reinvigorated relationship of reci-procity between society and nature. One that nurtures place-based nature-based livelihoods and nature recovery, together, and which embodies a set of values and ethics shared by government, communities, and business.
Article
Social Sciences
Geography, Planning and Development

Carlos Teixeira

Abstract: This paper investigates how Toronto’s Portuguese-Azorean community has shaped the city’s multicultural and psychological landscape, focusing particularly on intergenerational experiences of trauma among immigrant youth. Framed within North America’s broader migration dynamics, the study explores the creation and transformation of the ethnic enclave “Little Portugal” as both a space of cultural resilience and chronic urban stress. It introduces the concept of chronic urban trauma to describe the persistent psychosocial impact of displacement, assimilation pressures, and gentrification on young Portuguese-Azorean Canadians. While first-generation immigrants constructed cohesive ethnic infrastructures grounded in work, faith, and language, younger generations face cultural dissonance, linguistic loss, and identity fragmentation that manifest as emotional distress and social alienation. These experiences illustrate how structural urban change can perpetuate transgenerational trauma within immigrant families. By integrating perspectives from urban geography, trauma studies, and migration theory, this theoretical work underscores the need for trauma-informed educational and social policies that promote inclusion, belonging, and mental well-being among immigrant youth. Ultimately, the study positions “Little Portugal” as a microcosm of how multicultural cities negotiate the intersections of ethnicity, urban transformation, and psychological resilience.
Article
Social Sciences
Psychology

Alejandro Kepp Termini

,

Marta Evelia Aparicio-García

Abstract: (1) Background: This article explores the qualitative dimensions of bisexual identity through the lived experiences of bisexual and plurisexual individuals. (2) Methods: Drawing on an online questionnaire completed by 226 participants from Latin American and Spanish contexts, the study uses a grounded theory–based analysis of participant narratives. (3) Results: The analysis identifies key components of bisexual identity, such as self-recognition, fluidity, and community belonging, as well as recurrent experiences of invalidation, promiscuity stereotypes, and intracommunity discrimination. The findings highlight the processes by which participants navigate and define their bisexuality, emphasizing the interaction between personal introspection, contact with audiovisual media, societal perceptions, and external validation in identity formation. (4) Conclusions: These results provide a nuanced exploration of how bisexual identities are constructed amid persistent challenges of invalidation, erasure, and limited community recognition.
Article
Social Sciences
Psychology

Kayla Stange-Bacher

,

Ming Cui

Abstract: Parents have major influences on child wellbeing, including the development of inter-nalizing symptomology in their children. Furthermore, the emotional impact between parents and their children could be reciprocal. This study examined the longitudinal, reciprocal association between maternal aggravation and child internalizing symptoms from childhood to adolescence and the mediating role of maternal verbal aggression. Using a sample of approximately 5,000 mothers across four waves from the Future of Families & Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), results from a cross-lagged autoregressive model suggested that maternal aggravation was related to child internalizing problems from childhood to adolescence, but not through verbal aggression. Meanwhile, child internalizing problems was related to maternal aggravation, but only during early childhood. These findings suggested stronger evidence of maternal effects than child effects, which have important implications for family researchers and practitioners regarding family functioning and child wellbeing.
Article
Social Sciences
Anthropology

Jianghua Liu

Abstract: To further elucidate the relative weight of various factors in shaping women’s fertility in low birth-rate societies like China, the author proposes an evolutionary framework of planned reproductive behavior and a series of its propositions about the second-child intentions and behavior, the key to understanding low-fertility behavior. Such propositions receive substantial support from the dominance analysis of the longitudinal data from a sample of one-child mothers in China. All nuclear-family members were complete stakeholders of reproduction: The fertility attitude of the mother’s husband, i.e. husband-specific injunctive norms, made the largest contribution to fertility intention, followed by her own and firstborn’s attitudes. Among incomplete stakeholders, the injunctive norms from parents were more important than those from peer relatives and friends in predicting fertility intention, but the opposite held for descriptive norms, i.e. actual number of children. Regarding the actual fertility behavior followed over 2.5 years, fertility intention was the dominating predictor of it; fertility attitudes of all three nuclear-family members were equally important predictors; by contrast, the injunctive norms from all incomplete stakeholders were of no importance. Perceived challenge in investing in children was an important predictor of both fertility intentions and behavior, but other constraints only became important at the latter stage. The study articulates the theoretical underpinnings of the collective decision-making in family reproduction through a behavioral ecology lens, suggests cultural evolution of fertility by horizontal transmission of new pronatalist norms in current China, and has potential implications for population policies in low-fertility societies.
Article
Social Sciences
Education

Muhammad Mujahid Al Mughni

,

Maghfira Putri Hardianti

,

Bramantyo Aryo Bismoko

,

Dita Eka Damayanti

,

Shabina Muchtar

,

Divani Oktovia Ramadhani

,

M. Noval Akbar

,

Hafna Ilmy Muhalla

Abstract: This study examines how an educational intervention about domestic personal care and perfume products can foster patriotism (cinta tanah air) among Indonesian high school students. A qualitative field study was conducted with 12 female students from four public high schools in Surabaya. Researchers delivered interactive educational sessions and gathered data through observation and interviews. We report that all participants used personal care products daily, yet only a small fraction chose domestic brands. After the educational program, students showed increased awareness and pride in local products. The findings suggest that aligning everyday consumer choices with national values can internalize patriotic sentiments among youth.
Article
Social Sciences
Education

Abdul Gafur Marzuki

Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of technology-integrated instruction in enhancing EFL students’ critical reading skills within an Indonesian university context. Grounded in concerns about students’ limited critical literacy and the growing emphasis on digital learning in higher education, the research aimed to identify how technology-supported activities could improve students’ ability to analyze arguments, evaluate evidence, and construct informed interpretations of academic texts. Using a qualitative design, the study involved university students engaged in a technology-enhanced reading module that incorporated digital annotation tools, multimedia explanations, and guided online discussions. Data were collected through classroom observations, student reflections, and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed thematically to capture recurring patterns of learning behavior and student perceptions. The findings indicated that technology-integrated instruction provided meaningful scaffolding that fostered deeper engagement with texts and promoted higher-order thinking. Students reported increased motivation and clarity in understanding complex materials when supported by interactive features. However, the results also revealed that some learners required additional time and pedagogical guidance to fully utilize digital tools. Overall, the study contributes to the growing body of research on technology-enhanced literacy by demonstrating the potential of digital platforms to strengthen critical reading skills in EFL settings. The implications suggest the need for intentional instructional design and ongoing digital literacy support to maximize the benefits of technology integration in reading instruction.
Article
Social Sciences
Education

Jorge Torres-Ortega

,

Davor Ibarra-Pérez

,

Byron Duhalde

,

Saúl Contreras-Palma

,

Valentina Hernández-Muñoz

Abstract:

This study develops and validates a psychometric instrument to measure entrepreneurial intention (EI) among secondary school students in Chile. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, the instrument integrates attitudinal and contextual factors adapted to the school context. Data from 1,402 students were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis, reliability estimation (Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability), and validity procedures (convergent and discriminant validity, variance inflation factor). Results support the instrument's factorial structure and internal consistency, enabling robust assessment of entrepreneurial intention and related educational interventions. The instrument demonstrates solid psychometric properties across most constructs, identifies items for future refinement, and provides practical guidelines for its application in school-based entrepreneurial programs and structural equation modeling. This work contributes a validated tool for both research and evidence-based practice in entrepreneurship education, with direct implications for evaluating and improving educational initiatives targeting entrepreneurial competencies in adolescents.

Article
Social Sciences
Area Studies

Liekai Bi

,

Yong Hu

Abstract: The development of cross-border hydrogen energy value chains involves complex interactions between technological, regulatory, and logistical subsystems. Static assessment models often fail to capture the dynamic response of these coupled systems to external perturbations. This study addresses this gap by proposing the Dual Carbon Cooperation Index (DCCI), a data-driven framework designed to quantify the synergy efficiency of the China-Korea hydrogen ecosystem. We construct a dynamic state estimation model integrating three coupled dimensions—Technology Synergy, Regulatory Alignment, and Supply Chain Resilience—utilizing an adaptive weighting algorithm (Triple Dynamic Response). Based on multi-source heterogeneous data (2020–2024), the model employs Natural Language Processing (NLP) for vectorizing unstructured regulatory texts and incorporates an exogenous signal detection mechanism (GRI). Empirical results reveal that the ecosystem's composite synergy score recovered from 0.38 to 0.50, driven by robust supply chain resilience but constrained by high impedance in technological transfer protocols. Crucially, the novel dynamic weighting algorithm significantly reduces state estimation error during high-volatility periods compared to static linear models, as validated by bootstrapping analysis (1,000 resamples). The study provides a quantitative engineering tool for monitoring ecosystem coupling stability and proposes a technical roadmap for reducing system constraints through secure IP data architectures and synchronized standard protocols.
Article
Social Sciences
Behavior Sciences

Juan Carlos Dobado-Castañeda

,

Verónica Marín-Díaz

,

Begoña Esther Sampedro-Requena

Abstract: Smartphones have become the backbone of the connected society, reshaping social interactions in a period of adolescence marked by a neuropsychology vulnerability that is sensitive to intensive technological mediation. This study analyzes the relationship between the problematic use of mobile phones and the social and assertiveness skills of adolescents. Through a cross-cutting design, the answers of 1864 adolescents aged between 11 and 21 years old from education centers located in Cordoba (Spain) were analyzed, through a questionnaire that collected sociodemographic variables, the MPPUSA scale, to measure the inadequate use of mobile phones, and the ADCA-1 to assess social skills and assertiveness. The results revealed inadequate levels of mobile phone use and low levels of social skills, with nomophobia and negative consequences as the main risk factors, with the cluster analysis confirming the latter as the main predictor of the level of social development. The findings point to a concerning situation, in which not only does the usage time, but also the quality, have an influence on the psychosocial development of this population group. The application of preventive and educational interventions that address literacy, management of emotions, and the promotion of face-to-face social skills are therefore necessary.
Article
Social Sciences
Sociology

Chandreshan Ravichandren

,

Haslinda Abdullah

,

Mursyid Arshad

Abstract: Background: Youth from Malaysia’s low socioeconomic communities frequently face chronic instability, limited parental involvement, and restricted access to developmental support. Within such conditions, coaches often assume relational roles extending beyond technical instruction. Methods: This autoethnographic study draws on 20 weeks of longitudinal coaching, reflective journals, and fieldnotes to examine how the coach–athlete relationship evolved into a form of “social fathering” for one low-income youth athlete, Derrick, and how this contrasted with the developmental trajectory of Chia, an athlete from a more stable socioeconomic background. Guided by Nasheeda et al.’s three-layered narrative framework, the analysis integrates personal narrative, thematic interpretation, and sociocultural discourse. Results: Structured adversity—deliberately designed challenges embedded within a trusting relationship—served as a key mechanism for cultivating grit, resilience, and moral reasoning. Father-like practices such as boundary-setting, moral guidance, and life-navigation support compensated for socioeconomic gaps in Derrick’s home environment, whereas Chia’s growth reflected a faster transition toward self-regulated grit due to his more stable support structures. Conclusions: Coaching within disadvantaged contexts functions as relational labour that provides youths with social capital, emotional stability, and developmental resources otherwise inaccessible to them. Implications highlight the need for culturally informed coach-education programmes that integrate relational ethics, adversity-based pedagogy, and contextual awareness of poverty-related challenges.
Review
Social Sciences
Urban Studies and Planning

Yaseen N. Hassan

,

Sándor Jombach

Abstract: Urban Green Space Per Capita (UGSPC) is one of the oldest and most widely applied indicators in urban planning, providing a measure of green areas in relation to the population size. Despite its century-long application and decades of research, no global systematic review has previously synthesized how UGSPC has been applied, interpreted, and evolved across different contexts. This study aims to fill that gap by conducting the first comprehensive systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, examining the usage, trends, and effectiveness of UGSPC in both developed and developing countries. Thematic analysis revealed that most studies were published in journals focused on sustainability and environmental science. The results show a surge in publications following the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of urban green spaces for public health and livability. Moreover, 67% of the studies were conducted in developing countries, while 30% of the publications were in developed countries. Higher UGSPC values are generally found in developed cities; however, this was not a rule. Time series studies showed a decline in UGSPC in some developed and developing countries, influenced by factors such as population density, urbanization stage, climate, and economic conditions. Although UGSPC is widely used, most municipalities typically develop their plans based on this measurement. 95% of the included research incorporated additional measurements, including accessibility, social equity, spatial patterns, ecological services, ecosystem benefits, and human health. This study suggests that UGSPC is still used as an indicator in urban planning and policy and integrating it with other indicators can serve as contemporary indicators to capture better equity, functionality, and sustainability in urban environments.
Article
Social Sciences
Sociology

Lutz Peschke

Abstract: This paper introduces the Sextuple Helix Innovation Model as an extension of the Quintuple Helix Innovation Model by Carayannis and Campbell. It considers the understanding of generative AI (GenAI) as a sixth helix of knowledge production in sustainable innovation ecosystems. Accordingly, the knowledge economy of GenAI will be discussed in the context of innovation processes of cultural and creative industries. While GenAI is largely described in social discourses as a tool that potentially replaces human creativity and thus destroys jobs, this paper discusses GenAI as an entity with a specific knowledge economy that contributes to creative innovation processes in exchange with the five established helices of science, politics, economy, the media- and culture-based public and the natural environment of societies. With the help of a scoping review, a comprehensive evaluation of academic literature from the fields of creative industries, cultural policy, and innovation research, based on a constructivist epistemological approach and knowledge economy theory, confirmed that the positioning of GenAI as an epistemic actor in the Sextuple Helix Innovation Model reframes and redefines discourses beyond the prevailing narratives of disruption and regulation.
Article
Social Sciences
Psychology

Nikesh Lagun

,

Arpita Gautam

Abstract: Background: The rapid integration of digital technologies into everyday life has raised widespread concerns regarding the psychological consequences of prolonged screen exposure. While prior studies have shown associations between screen time and mental health issues, findings have often been inconsistent, largely due to simplistic linear models and limited behavioral contextualization. This study aims to address these gaps by evaluating how various forms of screen use, lifestyle behaviors, and psychological indicators jointly influence mental wellness in a population of digitally active individuals. Methods: We analyzed a self-reported dataset of 400 participants containing detailed metrics on screen use (mobile, TV, laptop), sleep quality, stress, productivity, mood, and other lifestyle behaviors. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, multivariate linear regression, and K-means clustering with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to uncover behavioral subtypes. Predictors of mental wellness were identified through standardized regression coefficients, and clusters were interpreted based on their psychological and digital usage profiles. Results: Stress emerged as the strongest negative predictor of mental wellness (β = −10.69), followed by sleep quality (β = +5.92) and productivity (β = +4.72). Contrary to prevailing assumptions, total screen time and leisure screen use had minimal direct impact on wellness once mediating variables were included. Clustering revealed three distinct digital behavior phenotypes: (1) Balanced and Active Users, (2) Leisure-Heavy High-Stress Users, and (3) Burnout-Prone Professionals. These profiles showed differing wellness outcomes sharply and validated the multidimensional nature of digital health risk. Conclusion: Mental wellness in digital contexts is best understood through a multivariable lens that accounts for stress, sleep, and self-regulatory behaviors rather than raw screen time alone. These findings challenge traditional screen time metrics and highlight the need for personalized, context-aware interventions. This study offers a replicable computational framework for identifying behavioral risk profiles and supports a paradigm shift from screen avoidance to digital self-optimization.
Article
Social Sciences
Tourism, Leisure, Sport and Hospitality

Anabela Monteiro

,

Sara Rodrigues de Sousa

,

Gabriela Silva Marques

,

Marco Arraya

Abstract: This conceptual paper proposes a purpose-driven experiential marketing framework for film-inspired destinations, integrating sustainability and emotional engagement into destination management. The model comprises five interconnected dimensions — integrated experience, branding, people, emotional touchpoints and processes — articulated through purpose-driven marketing principles and aligned with relevant Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators. This alignment reinforces the model’s capacity to support ethical, transparent, and sustainability-oriented destination strategies. The framework was developed through an interdisciplinary literature review and is illustrated with insights from an exploratory case study of Monsanto, a rural Portuguese village recently featured in HBO's House of the Dragon. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of local stakeholders, including tourists, residents, entrepreneurs, and institutional representatives, and analysed thematically to assess the model’s relevance and practical applicability. The findings suggest that emotional engagement, co-creation, and territorial authenticity play a central role in shaping memorable, film-related tourism experiences that align with the destination’s purpose and value creation. The study also highlights the strategic importance of storytelling, audiovisual narratives and stakeholder collaboration in strengthening place identity and achieving sustainable differentiation. Although the study is exploratory in scope, the framework offers practical guidance for destination management organisations (DMOs), cultural programmers, and creative industry actors. The article concludes by identifying avenues for future research, including cross-regional validation, digital experimentation, and the quantitative assessment of experience dimensions.
Article
Social Sciences
Tourism, Leisure, Sport and Hospitality

Ilkcan Cilasın

,

Mete Unal Girgen

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of the Slow Food movement on sustainability and local gastronomy in North Cyprus. After reviewing key concepts such as sustainable gastronomy, local food heritage and regional practices, the research focuses on the five Cittaslow regions of North Cyprus and the development of Slow Food activities since 2013. Using a qualitative design with purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve participants, including local producers, chefs and regional administrators. The study identifies the challenges faced by local businesses, the role of Slow Food in promoting sustainable practices and the ways regional actors contribute to cultural and environmental preservation. Findings highlight both progress and gaps, offering practical recommendations and outlining areas for future research. As one of the few studies examining Slow Food in North Cyprus, the research provides valuable insights and contributes significantly to the existing literature.
Article
Social Sciences
Education

Ainur Syzdykova

,

Dariya Jussupova

,

Arailym Amantayeva

,

Bibizhan Yerniyazova

,

Gani Issayev

,

Aigul Mukhametzhanova

Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate science teacher candidates' knowledge and views on biotechnology education. The research was conducted with the phenomenology pattern, one of the qualitative research designs. In the study, quantitative data were collected using the "biotechnology knowledge scale" data collection tool, while qualitative data were collected using the "semi-structured interview form". The sample of the study was science teaching students studying in the fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. While the "biotechnology knowledge scale" was ap-plied to a total of 283 students, the “semi-structured interview form" was applied to 36 students. As a result of the research, most of the participants answered yes to the question asked about getting biotechnology education. To the question asked about whether science teacher candidates find biotechnology useful, most of the participants answered that they find it useful. Among the answers to the question asked about the benefits of biotechnology, benefits in the field of health, benefits in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry, quality of life and I do not find useful answers to the question, most of the participants answered in the field of health. Among the answers given to the questions about the harms of biotechnology, ethical issues, biological weapons, ecosystem degradation, threatening health and most of the participants answered the question as ethical issues. Among the answers given to the question asked to evaluate the views of science teacher candidates on the importance of educating teachers-biologists in biotechnology education, professional ethics and responsibility, increasing quality, and training qualified teachers, most of the participants answered the question as professional ethics and responsibility.
Concept Paper
Social Sciences
Behavior Sciences

Nikesh Lagun

Abstract: Background: While Behavioral Activation (BA) is a validated and widely used treatment for depression, a subset of cases exhibits a paradoxical failure: patients demonstrate insight, express motivation, and engage in therapy but fail to initiate any behavioral change. Existing behavioral and cognitive models offer limited structural explanations for such ignition failure. Objective: This paper applies Cognitive Drive Architecture (CDA), an emerging structural field grounded in Lagunian Dynamics and governed by Lagun’s Law of Primode and Flexion Dynamics, to reinterpret a well-documented BA treatment failure. The goal is not to critique BA but to examine whether ignition failure may reflect deeper architectural misalignment rather than motivational deficit. Method: Using secondary analysis, the clinical case of “Karen” (Hopko et al., 2011) is reinterpreted through the CDA framework. Six structural variables (Primode, CAP, Flexion, Anchory, Grain, and Slip) were mapped to observed behaviors, therapeutic responses, and contextual factors. Latent Task Architecture (LTA), a domain-specific extension of Lagunian Dynamics, is used to model task readiness and resistance layering. Results: Karen’s persistent non-initiation is structurally explained by a configuration of near-zero Primode, low CAP, poor Flexion, weak Anchory, high Grain, and minimal Slip. This Drive profile mathematically predicts near-zero behavioral output despite motivation or understanding, resolving the paradox without pathologizing the patient. Conclusion: CDA reframes treatment nonresponse not as resistance or noncompliance, but as a predictable structural outcome under specific internal configurations. This suggests a future direction in which therapeutic approaches are selected based on drive architecture assessment rather than symptom profiles alone. Implications for pre-intervention calibration, clinical modeling, and the structural classification of treatment resistance are discussed.
Short Note
Social Sciences
Language and Linguistics

Soheil Daneshzadeh

Abstract:

This article identifies a terminological misrepresentation in the expression “small gatherings cancellation”—ranked by Haug et al. as the most effective non-pharmaceutical intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Corpus-based and theoretical analyses demonstrate that small gathering conventionally denotes a planned or spontaneous social event, while the predicate cancellation reinforces this event-based frame. Consequently, the phrase fails to capture the intended reference to restrictions on simultaneous presence in commercial or professional settings. Drawing on cognitive-linguistic theory and institutional usage from the WHO and CDC, this paper shows how such misrepresentation may trigger unintended conceptual frames, leading to interpretive ambiguity in both scholarly and policy contexts. Three alternatives are proposed to achieve better semantic alignment and enhance terminological precision and communicative clarity in future public-health discourse.

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