scholarly journals Ethnic diversity fosters the social integration of refugee students

Author(s):  
Zsófia Boda ◽  
Georg Lorenz ◽  
Malte Jansen ◽  
Petra Stanat ◽  
Aileen Edele

Abstract Refugee migration has become a global megatrend, and many asylum seekers are school-aged. As social integration is a key to their well-being and success, it is pivotal to determine factors that promote the social integration of refugee youth within schools. Using a large, nationally representative social network dataset of 39,154 students in 1,807 classrooms across Germany, we examine the social relationships of refugee adolescents with their peers. We find that, overall, refugee adolescents are less accepted by their classmates than their peers from other minority groups and the German majority. Crucially, however, ethnic diversity is a success factor in refugee students’ social integration: they have more friends and are less often rejected as desk mates in more diverse classrooms. Descriptive and multivariate methods for social network analysis reveal that this effect results from two basic processes: 1) more opportunities to meet other ethnic minority peers, who are more accepting of refugees in general, and 2) a significantly higher acceptance of refugee adolescents by ethnic majority peers in more diverse settings. This work provides a scientific basis for organizing future allocations of young refugees to classrooms in ways that promote their social adjustment and mitigate the negative consequences of prejudice and intergroup bias.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Bonetto ◽  
Sylvain Delouvée ◽  
Yara Mahfud ◽  
Jais Adam-Troian

Social distancing and mass quarantines were implemented worldwide in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research on the effects of social isolation has shown that such measures bear negative consequences for population health and well-being. Conversely, a growing body of evidence suggests that feeling positively identified with a group is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits. This effect is referred to as the social cure and generalizes to various identities. In line with these findings, this study tested whether national identification could promote wellbeing and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we used survey data conducted among 67 countries (N = 46,450) which included measures of wellbeing, national identification, and subjective physical health. Mixed-model analyses revealed that national identity was indeed associated with wellbeing - despite adjustment on social belonging, COVID-19 perceived risk, exposure, and ideology. This effect did not extend to subjective health. These results suggest that the mere feeling of belonging to a national group may have mental health benefits and could be leveraged by governments. We discuss the implications of our findings within the social cure framework and their relevance for population mental health under COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110175
Author(s):  
Roberto Rusca ◽  
Ike-Foster Onwuchekwa ◽  
Catherine Kinane ◽  
Douglas MacInnes

Background: Relationships are vital to recovery however, there is uncertainty whether users have different types of social networks in different mental health settings and how these networks may impact on users’ wellbeing. Aims: To compare the social networks of people with long-term mental illness in the community with those of people in a general adult in-patient unit. Method: A sample of general adult in-patients with enduring mental health problems, aged between 18 and 65, was compared with a similar sample attending a general adult psychiatric clinic. A cross-sectional survey collected demographic data and information about participants’ social networks. Participants also completed the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale to examine well-being and the Significant Others Scale to explore their social network support. Results: The study recruited 53 participants (25 living in the community and 28 current in-patients) with 339 named as important members of their social networks. Both groups recorded low numbers in their social networks though the community sample had a significantly greater number of social contacts (7.4 vs. 5.4), more monthly contacts with members of their network and significantly higher levels of social media use. The in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Conclusions: People with serious and enduring mental health problems living in the community had a significantly greater number of people in their social network than those who were in-patients while the in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Recommendations for future work have been made.


Encyclopedia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 1038-1046
Author(s):  
Octav-Sorin Candel ◽  
Mihaela Jitaru

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most people’s activities and relationships. Romantic relationships are a crucial source of fulfillment and emotional safety for many individuals. However, due to the risk of illness and the social distancing norms, human interaction, even inside one’s couple or family, suffered great changes. Some of these changes have the potential of disrupting people’s relational or psychological well-being, but they can also have positive impacts. On the other hand, one of the most negative consequences is the growing number of intimate partner violence (IPV) incidents. Considering all these aspects, therapy would be beneficial for those affected.


2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odette Jack ◽  
Elaine Chase ◽  
Ian Warwick

Objective: This study aimed to investigate how well a single higher education institution (HEI) was perceived to be meeting the psychosocial support needs of refugee students and to identify possible ways in which the HEI might better promote refugee students’ psychosocial well-being. Design: Adopting an exploratory, focused case study design, the research employed a qualitative interpretive approach utilising three data collection methods: narrative inquiry, Photovoice and key informant interviews. The social ecological model and the health-promoting university approach guided the enquiry and analysis. Setting: A single HEI in London, UK. Results: Refugee student-participants reported stressful and traumatic experiences at different points in their migratory experience. Participants were motivated by being involved in education but identified barriers to seeking institutional support to improve their health and well-being. Student-participants and staff identified ways in which support for refugee student well-being could be improved. Conclusion: Refugee students were found to have specific health and well-being support needs which were not met due to a range of organisational constraints. The social ecological model and the health-promoting university offer frameworks for HEIs to respond better to the diverse health and well-being needs of students.


Author(s):  
I.A. Batanina ◽  
◽  
E.V. Brodovskaya ◽  
A.Y. Dombrovskaya ◽  
R.V. Parma ◽  
...  

The results of the All-Russian survey on the social well-being of citizens in the con-text of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are presented. The baseline results were con-clusions about changes in Russians 'offline and online consumer behavior, social expecta-tions, fears and citizens' perception of universal vaccination as a measure to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The study showed that three types of fears prevail among Russians: coronavirus infection of relatives and friends, their own illness when they do not receive the necessary medical care, and a drop in income (worsening living conditions) amid an uncon-trollably spreading pandemic. The analysis of the survey database showed the activation of digital behavior of citizens in the context of the pandemic, which became a favorable factor in the development of online retail. Against the background of the spread of the COVID-19 vi-rus, the age structure of the Russian national audience is changing, and the digital gap be-tween generations is gradually being bridged. The pandemic triggered the involvement of older people in the digital space. Cluster analysis of the research data made it possible to segment Russians into three groups in relation to the pandemic and measures to overcome it: covid-pessimists, who suffered the most from the restrictions of the corona virus and did not adapt to life under conditions of covid-restrictions; covid-optimists who have successfully adapted to new circumstances in connection with the spread of the COVID-19 virus; covid-realists focused on constructively overcoming the negative consequences of restrictive pandemic measures. Their socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics have been ana-lyzed, and the specificity of the civic position of representatives of various clusters of Rus-sians has been established.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Zheng ◽  
Hong Chen

Abstract Background Although social network is a known determinant of the elderly’s well-being, it is not clear, in urban-rural and age-comparison, what its structural characteristics are and how it works for well-being. The research aims to discuss the features of the elderly’s social network and the social network efficacies on the well-being of older adults in China’s urban and rural areas as well as revealing the urban-rural disparities among the elderly of different age groups. Methods In this study, descriptive statistical analysis and structural equation Modeling (SEM) were used to make a group comparison between the urban and rural elderly of different age groups. All data are quoted from 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The survey adopted the multi-stage probability sampling method, targeting Chinese senior citizens aged 60 and above, the ultimate samples totaled 11,511. Results The social network of the elderly in China feature a “reverse structure” in age sequences: with ageing, family network of the elderly expand while their friend network shrink; also, the expansion scale of the rural elderly’s family network is significantly larger than that of the city’s while the shrinkage scale of their friend network is smaller compared with its urban counterpart. The effect of family network on the rural elderly’s well-being shows a remarkable increase with age. However, there is no noticeable change in urban elderly groups of different ages. Conclusion The social network characteristics of the Chinese elderly are different between different age stages. Namely, the family network and the friend network have the “reverse structure “ in age sequences. Meanwhile, the family network and the friend network have different efficacies on the well-being of the elderly in China, and the differences between urban and rural areas are even more obvious. For rural elderly, family network has very important effects on their well-being. Moreover, With the increase of age, family network’s efficacies increase gradually. For urban elderly, comparatively, family network is just as important as friend network.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S213-S213
Author(s):  
Heather Fuller ◽  
Heather Fuller ◽  
Masahiro Toyama

Abstract Social support is well documented as promoting women’s well-being across the lifespan, yet implications vary depending on the source and type of support. The present study examined whether relationships with family, friends, and neighbors (both satisfaction with and number in social network) affected well-being over two years. Midwestern women (N=188, mean age = 80) were sampled from two waves of the Social Integration and Aging Study (2013, 2015). Hierarchical regression models indicated that satisfaction with friends predicted better life satisfaction, but satisfaction with family and neighbors did not predict well-being. In contrast, number of neighbors in social network predicted lower life satisfaction and greater stress, while number of family and friends were not associated with well-being. Moreover, differential effects emerged between older and younger women. Findings highlight unique facets of older women’s social relationships and suggest that future research and interventions addressing age and the source of support are warranted.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehangir Bharucha

Purpose The youth in present day India is the first generation to grow up within a world of pervasive technology. While several writers applaud these social network sites (SNSs) for transforming the social landscape of India, recent research is beginning to examine the destructive role of these SNSs. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and to what extent social media contributes to decline in well-being, addictive behavior and other harmful social effects. Design/methodology/approach In the first phase, a structured questionnaire was sent via e-mail to 114 students. The second stage embraced an exploratory qualitative approach with in-depth interviews and reflections. As part of the third stage, the author devoted a lot of time reading the blogs and posts of the youth. Findings The analysis of qualitative data is presented in three major themes: patterns of usage, nature of online friendships and threat to well-being. Some of the respondents did experience “addiction-like” symptoms. It can be deduced that the respondents are not addicted to the medium per se; they are cultivating an addiction to certain activities they carry out online. Practical implications Indian newspapers have recently reported several cases how social media can mislead and corrupt the youth and some of these cases have ended in tragedy. This kind of obsessive behavior is extremely dangerous to the minds which are otherwise actually intelligent and ought to be stopped. Originality/value There is no doubt that the Indian youth is developing a dependence on this technological advance that fuses people all over the world. We are still in the infant stages of understanding these issues in the Indian context. This study adds value to the negligible empirical evidence in India till date.


Author(s):  
Tânia Maria Assis Fleury ◽  
Daniela Tavares Gontijo

Resumo: O envelhecimento ainda é visto como uma etapa de dificuldades e bastante negligenciada. A mulher, em especial, é privada de expressar seus sentimentos ou mesmo de praticar atividades que lhe proporcionem prazer. O desafio está em adotar atividades que permitam o bem-estar dessa população. Surgem as danças circulares sagradas, em que as participantes se expressam pelo movimento, utilizando somente o corpo, participando ativamente de suas transformações e da modificação social. Assim, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo com doze mulheres, praticantes das danças circulares, no Centro Livre de Artes, localizado em Goiânia (GO), com o intuito de identificar os benefícios destas danças na vida das participantes. De posse dos dados, procurou-se correlacioná-los à Terapia Ocupacional, profissão que busca a manutenção da autonomia e independência do indivíduo bem como sua integração social, a qual pode colaborar com esta prática, e vice-versa, para oferecer melhor qualidade de vida às idosas. Palavras-chave: Terceira Idade. Mulher. Danças Circulares Sagradas. Terapia Ocupacional. Abstract: The aging is still seen as a period of great difficulties and quite neglectful. The woman, especially, it is deprived of expressing their feelings or even of practicing activities that provide him/her pleasure. The challenge is in adopting activities to allow the well-being of that population. The sacred circular dances appear, in that the participants are expressed by the movement, using only the body, participating actively of their transformations and of the social modification. Like this, did took place a field research with twelve women, apprentices of the circular dances, in the Center Free from Arts, located in Goiânia (GO), with the intention of identifying the benefits of these dances in the participants' life. From ownership of the data, it tried to correlate them to the Occupational therapy, profession that looks for the maintenance of the autonomy and the individual's independence as well as his/her social integration, which can collaborate with this practice, and the opposite, to offer better life quality to the seniors. Keywords: Third Age. Woman. Sacred Circular Dances. Occupational Therapy.


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