scholarly journals Facebook and WhatsApp as Elements in Transnational Care Chains for the Trinidadian Diaspora

Genealogy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwaine Plaza ◽  
Lauren Plaza

Despite being separated by great geographical distances, the Trinidadian Diaspora community has managed to stay in regular communication with those back “home” using the latest available technologies. Trinidadian migrants living abroad have established multi-directional care chains with family, kin, and friends that have endured for decades. This social connection has evolved from letter writing, telegrams, telephones, emails, and most recently, internet-based social media which includes: Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, Facetime, Snapchat, Twitter, and Google Hangout. This paper examines how social media, focusing on Facebook and WhatsApp, are tools being used by the Trinidadian Diaspora to provide transnational care-giving to family and friends kin left behind in the “home” country and beyond. The analysis is based on the results of two online Qualtrics surveys, one implemented in 2012 (n = 150) and another in 2015 (n = 100) of Trinidadian Diaspora participants and in-depth interviews with (n = 10) Canadian-Trinidadians. This paper explores how social media have become a virtual transnational bridge that connects the Trinidadian Diaspora across long distances and provides family members with a feeling of psychological well-being.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1326365X2110037
Author(s):  
D. Guna Graciyal ◽  
Deepa Viswam

Virtual engagement of lives has been made possible with the advent of social media. Almost 80% of the day are spent virtually on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, etc. Usage of social media to connect to and communicate with the ones we care about is always healthy, termed as social networking. Social dysfunction occurs when the constant communication leads to the point where our real or offline life gets replaced by virtual or online life. There is a slight boundary between social networking and social dysfunction. When social networking is advantageous, social dysfunction affects emotional well-being. When emotional well-being is affected, many users experience a compulsion to dissociate from the real world as they find virtual world, full of fantasy and enjoyment. When the Internet was created, perhaps no one was aware of its potential. More than the convenience for sharing of information it has brought the world so close to crumbling the geographical boundaries. The more people-to-people communication is, the more is the strengthening of relationships, bonds grow stronger with ‘more’ social media platforms. Being on ‘more’ social media platforms has become a benchmark for living amidst the younger generation. Either as an activity of happiness or as an activity of pleasure, users tend to use social media at varying levels. This paper aims to conceptualize the the intricacies of social media in young lives and to discern whether their association is happiness or pleasure activity. The research method of this paper has a mixed-methods research design combining data from structured survey with information outputs from in-depth interviews.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Increase Ibukun Adeosun

Family members of patients with schizophrenia have enormous roles in the care of their patients, which could negatively impact their well being. Development of interventions targeted at alleviating the burden of informal care giving is hinged on the recognition of the factors associated with the various dimensions of burden. This study determined the correlates of caregiver burden among family members of patients with schizophrenia in Lagos, Nigeria. The study instruments included the Zarit burden interview (ZBI) and the positive and negative syndrome scale for schizophrenia (PANSS). Exploratory factor analysis of the ZBI produced a five-factor structure with “financial/physical strain”, “time/dependence strain”, “emotional strain”, “uncertainty”, and “self-criticism” domains. On multiple regression analyses, total PANSS scores, poor social support, and lower educational levels of caregivers were predictive of higher burden scores on the “financial/physical strain”, “time/dependence”, and “emotional strain” domains. Longer duration of illness, shorter patient-caregiver contact time, and being a female caregiver were predictive of higher burden scores on the “uncertainty”, “self-criticism”, and “emotional strain” domains, respectively. There is need for interventions to alleviate the burden on caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria. These strategies must include comprehensive social support and improve access to services for patients and their caregivers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 26-44
Author(s):  
Sasha Anderson ◽  
Marguerite Daniel

The proliferation of social media-based initiatives aimed at asylum seekers and refugees in recent years is evidence of growing interest in the potential of social media for delivering interventions and messages to refugee populations in host countries. However, surprisingly little is currently known about how refugees routinely use and incorporate social media into their everyday lives in host countries, and their motivations for doing so. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to explore how and why young refugees living in Norway use social media in their everyday lives, to identify capabilities associated with this use, and to make connections with well- being. The researchers adopted a qualitative approach, undertaking in-depth interviews with eight young refugees and two key informants involved in running social media sites aimed at refugees. Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach (1987) was used to frame the study and guide the analysis of findings. Findings indicated that participants’ main motivations for using social media were communication, access to information, and learning. Analysis of their reported achievements suggested that social media offered five related capabilities which could have an important role in advancing well-being: effective communication; social connectedness; participation in learning opportunities; access to information; and expression of self. Other findings, such as differences in approach to using social media (‘active’ and ‘passive’ use) are discussed. Although all participants used social media and recognised its importance to their lives, variations in the way they approached and valued it suggest that providers need to consider these factors when using it as a tool to engage refugees.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-272
Author(s):  
Azian Muhamad Adzmi ◽  
◽  
Liyana Mohd Ramly ◽  
Syahida Mohd Nazri ◽  
Nik Fatinah N. Mohd Farid ◽  
...  

WhatsApp has become a major necessity in modern communication both individually and as a group. During an unprecedented time like COVID-19 pandemic, it increased the utilization of social media among society and has developed new norms among its users, especially grandparents. This study emphasises the various real-life activities undertaken by grandparents in social media and detailed research regarding the various WhatsApp administrators in a group chat. A qualitative research approach consisting of in-depth interviews have been carried out among family members in order to gather all the information-involving informants. In addition, it aims to gain a broader perspective of the informants' view regarding their grandparents becoming the administrator of a family WhatsApp group. Results of this study revealed that family relationships became strengthened between grandparents and other family members, especially with their grandchildren. Secondly, grandparents started being obsessed with WhatsApp, they are keen to learn more and are even able to keep up with the latest technology. Finally, the topics discussed in the family WhatsApp group covers current issues such as politics, religious advice, and sometimes entertainment. Generally, this study is expected to contribute to the communication studies and social media field, specifically understanding the use of social media between two different generations that are keen to keep up to date with the current technology especially during the unprecedented time. Keywords: WhatsApp, grandparents, pandemic, new norms, social media.


Author(s):  
Eleanor Alvira Hendricks ◽  
Nkosiyazi Kanjiri

The use of social media in the rural areas of South Africa is growing, with the youth being the prominent users. The growth of social media has incited a growing knowledge about impending forthcoming social events. However, there are concerns about mental illness, such as depression, owing to the increase in social comparison. There is a lack of literature on the use of social media in rural areas. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the effects of social media on the psychosocial well-being of the youth in selected rural areas of the Eastern Cape. The study was conducted in the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Using a qualitative research approach, 30 youths from the Amathole District Municipality were purposively sampled. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and analysed using a thematic analysis. The findings revealed that using social media has a negative bearing on the psychosocial well-being of the youth owing to the discrepancies between appearance, reality and expectations. Some youths use social media as a means of recreation whereas some use social media as a networking method. The study concluded that the extensive use of social media among the youth can lead to comparison and ultimately depression and, therefore, recommended awareness campaigns on the good use of social media so the youth benefit rather than become victims.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 3597-3623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Weinstein

Social media use is nearly universal among US-based teens. How do daily interactions with social apps influence adolescents’ affective well-being? Survey self-reports ( n = 568) portray social media use as predominantly positive. Exploratory principal component analysis further indicates that positive and negative emotions form orthogonal response components. In-depth interviews with a sub-sample of youth ( n = 26), selected for maximum variation, reveal that affect experiences can be organized across four functional dimensions. Relational interactions contribute to both closeness and disconnection; self-expression facilitates affirmation alongside concern about others’ judgments; interest-driven exploration confers inspiration and distress; and browsing leads to entertainment and boredom, as well as admiration and envy. All interviewees describe positive and negative affect experiences across multiple dimensions. Analyses suggest the relationship between social technology usage and well-being—whether enhanced or degraded—is not confined to an “either/or” framework: the emotional see-saw of social media use is weighted by both positive and negative influences.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. e57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Shen ◽  
Man Ping Wang ◽  
Joanna TW Chu ◽  
Alice Wan ◽  
Kasisomayajula Viswanath ◽  
...  

Background The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for information sharing among family members is increasing dramatically. However, little is known about the associated factors and the influence on family well-being. Objective The authors investigated the pattern and social determinants of family life information sharing with family and the associations of different methods of sharing with perceived family health, happiness, and harmony (3Hs) in Hong Kong, where mobile phone ownership and Internet access are among the most prevalent, easiest, and fastest in the world. Methods A territory-wide population-based telephone survey was conducted from January to August 2016 on different methods of family life information (ie, information related to family communication, relationships with family members, emotion and stress management) sharing with family members, including face-to-face, phone, instant messaging (IM), social media sites, video calls, and email. Family well-being was assessed by three single items on perceived family health, happiness, and harmony, with higher scores indicating better family well-being. Adjusted prevalence ratios were used to assess the associations of sociodemographic factors with family life information sharing, and adjusted beta coefficients for family well-being. Results Of 2017 respondents, face-to-face was the most common method to share family life information (74.45%, 1502/2017), followed by IM (40.86%, 824/2017), phone (28.10%, 567/2017), social media sites (11.91%, 240/2017), video calls (5.89%, 119/2017), and email (5.48%, 111/2017). Younger age and higher education were associated with the use of any (at least one) method, face-to-face, IM, and social media sites for sharing family life information (all P for trend <.01). Higher education was most strongly associated with the use of video calls (adjusted prevalence ratio=5.61, 95% CI 2.29-13.74). Higher household income was significantly associated with the use of any method, face-to-face, and IM (all P for trend <.05). Sharing family life information was associated with a higher level of perceived family well-being (beta=0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.75), especially by face-to-face (beta=0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.80) and video calls (beta=0.34, 95% CI 0.04-0.65). The combination of face-to-face and video calls was most strongly associated with a higher level of perceived family well-being (beta=0.81, 95% CI 0.45-1.16). Conclusions The differential use of ICTs to share family life information was observed. The prevalence of video calls was low, but associated with much better family well-being. The results need to be confirmed by prospective and intervention studies to promote the use of video calls to communicate and share information with family, particularly in disadvantaged groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Juul Bjertrup ◽  
Nqobile Mmema ◽  
Velibanti Dlamini ◽  
Iza Ciglenecki ◽  
Qhubekani Mpala ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pre-exposure-prophylaxis (PrEP) has been heralded for its potential to put women in control of preventing HIV infection, but uptake and continuation rates have been disappointing in high-incidence settings in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored structural and social factors that influenced PrEP use among young women and pregnant or breastfeeding women in rural Eswatini. Methods We conducted two in-depth interviews with ten women on PrEP, and one-time in-depth interviews with fourteen women who declined or discontinued PrEP. Interviews covered decision-making processes around PrEP initiation and experiences with pill-taking. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine health workers, covering experiences in delivering PrEP services, and two focus group discussions were held with men to elicit their perceptions of PrEP. Interviews and discussions were audio-recorded, translated, transcribed and analysed thematically, using an inductive approach. Results PrEP initiation and use were experienced by many women as empowering them to take control of their health and well-being, and stay HIV free, facilitating them to realise their aspirations relating to motherhood and educational attainment. However, the social norms that defined relationship dynamics with partners or family members either undermined or promoted this empowerment potential. In particular, young women were rarely supported by family members to take PrEP unless it was perceived to be for protecting an unborn child. Stigmatisation of pill-taking through its associations with HIV and the burden of daily pill-taking also contributed to PrEP discontinuation. Conclusions Unlike many prevention tools, PrEP enabled women to achieve a sense of control over their lives. Nevertheless, women’s agency to continue and adhere to PrEP was influenced by social and structural factors including gender norms, family expectations of young women, relationship dynamics and stigma related to HIV. Future interventions should address these barriers to promote PrEP use among sexually-active women.


1970 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-27
Author(s):  
Fernando Borraz ◽  
Susan Pozo ◽  
Maximo Rossi

In this study we use data on subjective well being and migration of familymembers in Cuenca, one of Ecuador's largest cities, to examine the impact of migrationon the happiness of the family left behind. While a cursory examination of thedata suggests that the heads of households that have experienced the migration ofone or more family members are less happy, a more careful analysis reveals otherwise.Households that have been impacted by migration express equal levels of happinessas those households that have not been affected by migration. One plausibleexplanation for our finding is that the remittances that households receive followingthe migration of loved ones counteract the downsides to family emigration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-143
Author(s):  
Alifia Cahya Wicaksani ◽  
Ika Silfiana A. Khoiriyah

This study aims to determine the correlation of addictive social media, peer acceptence, and well-being in elementary school students.The method used in this research uses a mix method which is done quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative method is done by giving questionnaires from each variable and then carried out by statistical tests using product moment correlation analysis. For qualitative interviews were conducted with elementary school students at SDN 1 Rejosari with in-depth interviews to find the meaning obtained.The results showed that r1 = -0.205, r2 = 0, 233 and r3 = 0.378. In ri there is no significant relationship because p 0.005 but the closeness is negative -0.205 so there is no positive relationship between addictive social media with well-being, r2 shows there is a positive relationship between addictive social media with peer acceptance and r3 indicates a positive relationship between peer acceptence and well-being of elementary school students. In the case of elementary school students who cause addictive because it is closely related to peer friendship so it will connect to the level of well-being.


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