Determinants of fear of crime in Brazil

While some studies suggest that the nature of one´s interactions with the community influences one’s perceived risk of criminal victimization, only a few pieces of research have tested this association in Brazil. Using four previously existing Brazilian victimization surveys, we conducted logistic models to examine whether social ties and social cohesion are associated with perceived risk and fear of crime. The results showed that only in some contexts did social cohesion manifest an association with fear of crime. Specifically, two components of social cohesion may be relevant for this purpose: trusting neighbours and getting help; and the ability to distinguish neighbours from strangers in the street.

EXPLORING CULTURAL COMMODITY IN RELIGIOUS TOUR OF MOUNT KAWI

Mount Kawi is a mountain believed to have supernatural powers. By the existence of Imam Soedjono and Eyang Djugo as historical figures, pilgrims often come to pray in search of blessings. Pilgrims coming to Mount Kawi are not only Javanese but also Chinese. The presence of the ethnic Chinese community influences the cultural distinction in the site. A large number of visitors coming to Mount Kawi brings several shifting elements. To attract the attention of pilgrims, the locals create religious-cultural tourism in Mount Kawi as a compelling attraction. The shift plays a serious impact on the socio-cultural dimension. This appealing creativity serves as a commodity for the tourist. Cultural commodity in religious tourism is supported by the interests of the authorities. Thus, the purpose of this study is to reveal the emergence of commodification in Mount Kawi. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method to describe the causes of commodification. The data are obtained from the field, observation, and interviews through informants. The narrative is employed instead of numeric data thus the data are organized, classified, and criticized. Hence, to reveal the cultural commodities in Mount Kawi, the commodification theory and hegemony are applied.

Organizational Learning Under Institutional Complexity: Evidence from Township Clusters in China

ABSTRACT Drawing from conceptualizations of organizational learning and institutional complexity, we advance the understanding of how the coexistence of multiple institutional logics in a community influences firms’ learning. Viewing communities where firms and local governments coexist as clusters, our analysis of 354 firms in 39 township clusters in China shows that government logic negatively moderates the positive effect of community logic on organizational learning; however, social connections between the community and local governments mitigate this negative effect. Modeling the relationship between the two logics in this manner extends prior conceptualizations of interfirm learning as a process of isomorphic diffusion of social norms and advances understanding of the role of institutions in organizational learning. This study also offers new insights for theoretical conversations on the compatibility and incompatibility of multiple institutional logics by demonstrating when logic multiplicity leads to conflicts and when it maintains harmony.

Peer and Community Influences on Adolescent Substance Use in the Context of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and peer influences consistently predict early tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. However, less research considers how peer and community influences contribute to or modify the association between ACEs and early substance use. This study addresses these gaps in the literature by analyzing multilevel, longitudinal data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN; N = 1,912). Unstructured socializing and peer substance use largely explained the association between ACEs and drinking, smoking cigarettes, and illicit drug use in the past month. A history of ACEs magnified the association between peer substance use and the number of cigarettes smoked. Collective efficacy also shaped the associations between peer influences, ACEs, and substance use, but in different ways depending on the substance use outcome analyzed.

Essence and Types of Territorial Community: Analyzing the Theoretical Aspects

Each country forms its own systems of territorial organization of power and public administration, which occurs under the influence of the national, historical, geographical, natural, economic, social, cultural, demographic and other features. Considerable attention of researches of scholars and practitioners was paid to the creation and functioning of the territorial community. The choice of theoretical approaches and models of the territorial community influences the efficiency of the functioning of the local self-government system, the ability to fulfill the assigned powers, to ensure a high level of quality of life of citizens and sustainable development of the territory. Studies of global and domestic experience allow to systematize the accumulated knowledge on this issue, which makes it possible to offer a national system of public administration at both the central and the local levels using the best theoretical and practical developments of the countries of the world. Formation of the definition of the concept of the territorial community was carried out over a long historical period under the influence of versatile scientific judgments, ideas, theoretical approaches, practical research. The analysis and study of foreign and domestic experience on this issue is characterized by various formulations, views, principles, signs, etc. regarding the formation and functioning of territorial communities. In parallel with the phrase «territorial community», researchers use other names, such as commune, territorial communion, territorial collectivity, local co-partnership, socio-territorial community, etc. The lack of currently generalized scientific opinion regarding the specification of the content of a certain term, the variety of volumes and approaches to its interpretation confirms the expediency of further research on this topic.

Multilevel communication to improve well-being during a pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing crises and introduced new stressors for various populations. We suggest that a multilevel ecological perspective, one that researchers and practitioners have used to address some of public health’s most intransigent challenges, will be necessary to address emotional distress and mental health problems resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple levels of influence (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy) each contribute (individually and in combination) to population health and individual well-being. We use the convergence strategy to illustrate how multilevel communication strategies designed to raise awareness, educate, or motivate informed decision-making or behavior change can address various sources of information surrounding a person to synergistically affect mental health outcomes. Looking ahead, dissemination and implementation researchers and practitioners will likely need to coordinate organizations and networks to speak in complementary and resonant ways to enhance understanding of complex information related to the pandemic, mitigate unnecessary anxiety, and motivate healthy behavior to support population mental health. Plain language abstract: The current COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the mental health and well-being of various populations. The pandemic also has compounded health disparities experienced by communities of color and magnified the vast treatment gaps they experience related to behavioral health and substance use treatment access. A multilevel approach to future communication interventions focused on mental health likely will be useful, as we need to know about and address interactions with health care professionals, mass media information sources, social networks, and community influences rather than solely trying to reach people with carefully crafted videos or advertisements. Implementation researchers and practitioners likely will need to coordinate organizations and networks to speak in complementary and resonant ways to support population mental health.

The Influence of Hegemonic (Toxic) Masculinity on Leadership Behaviors of Black Men

Black male leaders represent a small percentage of Fortune 500 companies. Images of Black men have mostly portrayed aggression, hypermasculinity, and patriarchal thoughts about gender dominance. Hegemonic (toxic) masculinity is a symptom of cultural impressions that teach men what masculine ideologies to embrace and how to become a “real man.” Nuances across race are evident as Black males learn messages of masculinity through the history of Black people and community influences that abhor vulnerability. With so few Black leaders across organizations, they could become susceptible to enacting hegemonic behaviors in their leadership and mentorship roles. Further research could buttress leadership studies, Black studies, and men's psychology by examining the lived experiences of Black male leaders acting as mentors within professional associations. These investigations might illustrate the profound contributions of early conceptualizations of masculinity to leadership behavior and the proliferation of masculine thoughts taught in mentorship programs to young Black people.

Development of the microbiome-gut-brain axis and its effect on behavior

Humans coexist in a mutualistic relationship with the gut microbiota, a complex ecologic community of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. This chapter reviews evidence from both human and animal studies that the composition of this community influences development of the host brain. Infancy represents a critical period in the establishment of the gut microbiome and early alterations in microbial colonization may have long-term effects on mental health. Several mechanisms through which the microbiota could affect brain development are discussed including 1) activation of the peripheral immune system, 2) production of neuroactive metabolites, and 3) processing of nutrients and environmental chemicals. The chapter concludes with a discussion of whether modulation of the gut microbiota represents a tractable strategy for treating or preventing complex neurodevelopmental disorders.