Social Sciences

27 pages, 512 KB

Open AccessArticle

“The Medical System Is Not Built for Black [Women’s] Bodies”: Qualitative Insights from Young Black Women in the Greater Toronto Area on Their Sexual Health Care Needs

by Gurman Randhawa, Jordan Ramnarine, Ciann L. Wilson, Natasha Darko, Idil Abdillahi, Pearline Cameron, Dianne Morrison-Beedy, Maria Brisbane, Nicole Alexander, Valerie Kuye, Warren Clarke, Dane Record and Adrian Betts

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100581 (registering DOI) - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

While often framed as historical or ‘post’colonial, the pervasive legacies of anti-Black racism, rooted in the afterlives of slavery and the dehumanization of African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) voices, continues to shape the health experiences of young ACB women in Ontario, Canada. Using [...] Read more.

While often framed as historical or ‘post’colonial, the pervasive legacies of anti-Black racism, rooted in the afterlives of slavery and the dehumanization of African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) voices, continues to shape the health experiences of young ACB women in Ontario, Canada. Using an intersectional framework, this qualitative study utilized focus groups (n = 24) to understand factors influencing access to sexual and reproductive health services for young ACB women in southern Ontario. The findings reveal that fostering ACB youth engagement in the design and facilitation of healthcare programs will be vital for creating more responsive spaces to fully express sexual health concerns. It also demonstrates that Eurocentric biomedical frameworks continue to obscure young ACB women’s needs, emphasizing the necessity for culturally relevant care. Lastly, the findings indicate that internalized colonial narratives around health practices perpetuate intergenerationally, further complicating young ACB women’s access to adequate sexual and reproductive healthcare. This examination illuminates the need to address the colonial legacies within healthcare systems that continue to pathologize and hypersexualize young ACB women’s bodies. The study concludes by advocating for intersectional, youth-centered, and culturally competent approaches to dismantling the barriers young ACB women face in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Equity Interventions to Promote the Sexual Health of Young Adults)

17 pages, 269 KB

Open AccessArticle

(Re)producing HIV Care for Ukrainian Refugees in Germany and Poland: Trans-Local Community-Based Support in Action

by Daniel Kashnitsky, Maria Vyatchina, Krystyna Rivera, Annabel Desgrées du Loû and Laurence Simmat-Durand

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100580 - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting refugee crisis, this study investigates innovative and flexible forms of trans-local care among communities of Ukrainian refugees living with HIV in host countries, particularly Germany and Poland. The study adopts a community-based participatory [...] Read more.

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting refugee crisis, this study investigates innovative and flexible forms of trans-local care among communities of Ukrainian refugees living with HIV in host countries, particularly Germany and Poland. The study adopts a community-based participatory research approach to understand how trans-local community-based organizations (CBOs) support access to HIV care for Ukrainian refugees in Germany and Poland, and what roles activists and peer networks play in overcoming barriers to healthcare in the context of forced displacement. It is based on semi-structured interviews with refugee activists, community members, healthcare professionals, social workers, and subject-matter experts—52 interviews in total conducted in 2023–2024. The research identifies emerging configurations of community networks that facilitate access to healthcare, including community-based, mixed-type, and bridge-type organizations. Activists play a central role in navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems, advocating for migrant-sensitive services, and developing grassroots solutions to both individual and structural barriers to HIV care in contexts of forced displacement. Migrant organizations are instrumental in facilitating community-based linkage to HIV care for refugees. In the case of Ukrainian transnational communities, these organizations draw on previously acquired experiences, knowledge, and skills to support their peers. The involvement of community-led initiatives is essential to reducing disparities in healthcare access and promoting the well-being of forced migrants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Migration Challenges for Forced Migrants)

28 pages, 1485 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cautious Optimism Building: What HIE Managers Think About Adding Artificial Intelligence to Improve Patient Matching

by Thomas R. Licciardello, David Gefen and Rajiv Nag

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100579 - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

Each year an estimated 440,000 medical errors occur in the U.S., of which 38% are a direct result of patient matching errors. As patients seek care in medical facilities, their records are often dispersed. Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) strive to retrieve and consolidate [...] Read more.

Each year an estimated 440,000 medical errors occur in the U.S., of which 38% are a direct result of patient matching errors. As patients seek care in medical facilities, their records are often dispersed. Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) strive to retrieve and consolidate these records and as such, accurate matching of patient data becomes a critical prerequisite. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being seen as a potential solution to this vexing challenge. We present findings from an exploratory field study involving interviews with 27 HIE executives across the U.S. on tensions they are sensing and balancing in incorporating AI in patient matching processes. Our analysis of data from the interviews reveals, on the one hand, significant optimism regarding AI’s capacity to improve matching processes, and on the other, concerns due to the risks associated with algorithmic biases, uncertainties regarding AI-based decision-making, and implementation hurdles such as costs, the need for specialized talent, and insufficient datasets for training AI models. We conceptualize this dialectical tension in the form of a grounded theory framework on Cautious AI Optimism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology, Digital Media and Politics)

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23 pages, 350 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cybersecurity Regulations and Software Resilience: Strengthening Awareness and Societal Stability

by Roland Kelemen, Joseph Squillace, Ádám Medvácz, Justice Cappella, Boris Bucko and Martin Mazuch

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100578 - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

The societal effects of cybersecurity are widely discussed, but it remains less clear how software security regulations specifically contribute to building a resilient society, particularly in relation to Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong [...] Read more.

The societal effects of cybersecurity are widely discussed, but it remains less clear how software security regulations specifically contribute to building a resilient society, particularly in relation to Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). This study investigates this connection by examining key EU and U.S. strategies through comparative legal analysis, software development (SDLC) case studies, and a normative–sociological lens. Our findings reveal that major regulations—such as the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act and the U.S. SBOM rules—are not merely reactive, but proactively embed resilience as a fundamental mode of operation. This approach structurally reallocates digital risks from users to manufacturers, reframing software security from a matter of compliance to one of social fairness and institutional trust. We conclude that integrating ‘resilience by design’ into technology rules is more than a technical fix; it is a mechanism that makes digital access fairer and better protects vulnerable populations, enabling technology and society to advance cohesively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Creating Resilient Societies in a Changing World)

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23 pages, 348 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Shared Sorrow: Conceptualizing Mass Carceral Grief

by Veronica L. Horowitz, Sirat Kaur, Synøve N. Andersen and Jordan M. Hyatt

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100577 - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

The communities that develop in prison are often small, insular, and central to the experience of incarceration. In these carceral communities, the deaths of individuals—especially those integral to these groups—can echo heavily within a housing unit, and even an entire institution, resulting in [...] Read more.

The communities that develop in prison are often small, insular, and central to the experience of incarceration. In these carceral communities, the deaths of individuals—especially those integral to these groups—can echo heavily within a housing unit, and even an entire institution, resulting in a collective experience of grief. While grief is experienced universally, it manifests in unique ways in the carceral context. The shared sorrow, loss, and sadness characterizing the experiences of those left behind are central to this form of mourning, and among imprisoned communities, grief is experienced uniquely. This paper draws on semi-structured interviews with 58 men imprisoned during the COVID-19 pandemic in an institution where over a dozen men died in a relatively short time. Their experiences suggest that, while grieving in prison is often complicated and may be repressed by both the individual and the carceral institution, bereavement may take a different form when experienced collectively and broadly within the carceral context. We develop the concept of mass carceral grief to explain this phenomenon. While unique in many ways, the lessons on carceral grief from this public health crisis can inform our broader understanding of how loss impacts those incarcerated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carceral Death: Failures, Crises, and Punishments)

18 pages, 424 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Screens to Schooling: Associations Between Adolescent Technology Use and Gendered College Enrollment

by MacKenzie A. Christensen

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100576 - 26 Sep 2025

Abstract

Young women now surpass young men in college enrollment. While research suggests that this gender gap emerges during adolescence, less is known about the role of adolescent technology use in shaping which youth go on to pursue higher education. This study draws on [...] Read more.

Young women now surpass young men in college enrollment. While research suggests that this gender gap emerges during adolescence, less is known about the role of adolescent technology use in shaping which youth go on to pursue higher education. This study draws on two youth-focused supplements to the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to follow a cohort of adolescents into young adulthood, examining whether patterns of technology use in 2007 predict college enrollment in 2017. Using latent class analysis, I identify three distinct profiles of adolescent technology use: Connected Communicators, Web Browsers, and Digitally Disconnected. Results from multivariate analyses reveal that the relationship between adolescent technology use and college enrollment varies significantly by gender. Among boys, Connected Communicators were more likely to enroll in college than their peers in other classes. Among girls, however, Connected Communicators were less likely to enroll in college than other girls and boys in the same class. These findings suggest that the educational benefits of digital engagement may be more pronounced for boys than for girls. In the context of ongoing concerns about gender disparities in higher education, this study offers new insight into how adolescent technology use may contribute to gendered pathways to college. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digitally Connected: Youth, Digital Media and Social Inclusion)

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17 pages, 1935 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Crisis, or Not a Crisis? A Case Study About the Misperception of a Local Social Media Crisis

by Azi Lev-on

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100575 - 25 Sep 2025

Abstract

Social media has evolved into a central force in handling national and local crises. This prompts the question: Do all stakeholders in a local crisis grasp its significance when it predominantly unfolds in the digital realm of online social media? This article investigates [...] Read more.

Social media has evolved into a central force in handling national and local crises. This prompts the question: Do all stakeholders in a local crisis grasp its significance when it predominantly unfolds in the digital realm of online social media? This article investigates this issue through a case study of the Roman Zadorov justice movement in Israel. Despite Zadorov’s wrongful imprisonment for Tair Rada’s murder, social media support grew, reshaping perceptions of Katsrin, the town where the murder took place. The four-fold analysis draws on social media content, youth interviews, municipal officials’ perspectives, and a population survey. It reveals how Tair Rada’s case became central to Katsrin’s image, fueled by social media’s influence. However, local officials failed to recognize social media’s crisis significance, highlighting a disconnect. The article concludes by exploring this dissonance, shedding light on crisis management challenges in the social media era and their impact on local governance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology, Digital Media and Politics)

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23 pages, 454 KB

Open AccessReview

A Literature Survey on the Additional Costs of Living for People with Disabilities

by Eleftheria Zervou and Marina-Selini Katsaiti

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100574 - 25 Sep 2025

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Abstract

The existing literature estimating the additional costs of living faced by people with disabilities is still scarce, despite its relatively long existence. At the moment, existing studies have focused mainly on EU, Anglo-Saxon countries, Malaysia, the Philippines, Ghana, Vietnam, Cambodia, one state in [...] Read more.

The existing literature estimating the additional costs of living faced by people with disabilities is still scarce, despite its relatively long existence. At the moment, existing studies have focused mainly on EU, Anglo-Saxon countries, Malaysia, the Philippines, Ghana, Vietnam, Cambodia, one state in India, sub-Saharan Africa, and China. This limited geographical coverage provides certain estimates for a large fraction of the OECD countries, along with non-representative samples from most other countries, leaving behind more than 75% of the countries worldwide. The main disadvantage of the scarcity of studies relates to the difficulty in estimation and the unavailability of data on disability and related costs. This study surveys the literature on the additional costs of living for people with disabilities. It summarizes the models of disability, the categorization of different costs, the cost assessment methods, and the reasons for difficulty in measuring/estimating costs. We present all studies in the literature received estimating the additional costs of living for people with disabilities, along with the methods used and the geographical areas investigated. The main conclusions drawn from the present survey point to significant additional costs of living for people with disabilities, depending on the type and intensity of disability, which in all cases are not less than 20% of household income, and increase significantly depending on the specifics. Full article

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17 pages, 477 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Classroom Composition and Size Shape Adolescent School Victimization: Insights from a Doubly Latent Multilevel Analysis of Population Data

by Elisa Cavicchiolo, Giulia Raimondi, Laura Girelli, Michele Zacchilli, James Dawe, Ines Di Leo, Pierluigi Diotaiuti, Tommaso Palombi, Andrea Chirico, Fabio Lucidi, Fabio Alivernini and Sara Manganelli

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100573 - 24 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Adolescent school victimization is a socially regulated experience, making it important to consider classroom-level compositional effects beyond individual characteristics. This study investigated the role of classroom characteristics, specifically, classroom socioeconomic status, average academic achievement, sex composition, immigrant density, and class size, in shaping [...] Read more.

Adolescent school victimization is a socially regulated experience, making it important to consider classroom-level compositional effects beyond individual characteristics. This study investigated the role of classroom characteristics, specifically, classroom socioeconomic status, average academic achievement, sex composition, immigrant density, and class size, in shaping students’ experiences of school victimization. Victimization was analyzed using a doubly latent multilevel modeling approach, which accounts for measurement error at both individual and classroom levels. The analyses drew on the entire Italian 10th grade student population (N = 254,177; M_age = 15.58 years; SD_age = 0.74) and a considerable number of classrooms (N classrooms = 14,278), a sample size rarely available in the social sciences. Results indicated that classroom characteristics played a significant role in victimization, beyond individual-level variables. The most important factors were sex and prior academic achievement: classrooms with a higher proportion of male students experienced greater victimization, whereas higher average achievement was associated with lower victimization. A greater proportion of second-generation immigrant students, but not first-generation students, was also associated with increased victimization. By contrast, classroom socioeconomic status and class size were not significant predictors of victimization. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of considering the additional influence of the classroom context for school-based interventions, particularly the composition of classrooms in terms of sex and academic achievement, when addressing student victimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revisiting School Violence: Safety for Children in Schools)

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20 pages, 1560 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Discursive Strategies of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on the Platforms Instagram and TikTok

by Natalia Angulo Moncayo, Marco López-Paredes, Carolina Rodriguez-Malebran and Tatiana Sandoval Pizarro

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100572 - 24 Sep 2025

Viewed by 99

Abstract

The growing influence of social media on political processes extends beyond electoral campaigns and is rapidly transforming the communication practices of incumbent leaders. We address the gap between populist practices in electoral marketing and the implementation of the Ecuadorian president’s discursive strategies from [...] Read more.

The growing influence of social media on political processes extends beyond electoral campaigns and is rapidly transforming the communication practices of incumbent leaders. We address the gap between populist practices in electoral marketing and the implementation of the Ecuadorian president’s discursive strategies from a geopolitical perspective, with a special focus on the use of two platforms: Instagram and TikTok. While existing scholarship has generally analyzed populist discourse on social media, this article applies theoretical and methodological tools to analyze the grammar of war and the performative strategies used to build leadership in contexts of high social unrest. Grounded in contemporary perspectives. This article reveals how populist leaders mobilize emotions through narratives on digital platforms to frame political crises. Using qualitative critical discourse analysis with multimodal and semiotic tools, we examined 156 posts from the official TikTok and Instagram accounts of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, published between January and July 2024. The findings highlight the strategic use of patriotic symbolism, personalization, and emotional appeals to legitimize executive actions and disseminate polarizing narratives. The proposed framework demonstrates how social media communication simplifies complex crisis scenarios into affect-laden “good versus evil” narratives. This model is transferable to other geopolitical and digital contexts, offering both conceptual and methodological tools for analyzing conflict-driven political communication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Contemporary Politics and Society)

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18 pages, 316 KB

Open AccessArticle

Narratives of Resistance: Ethics, Expertise, and Co-Production in the Intersex Rights Movement

by Daniela Crocetti

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100571 - 23 Sep 2025

Viewed by 93

Abstract

The medical treatment of people with innate Variations of Sex Characteristics (VSC) and intersex individuals remains a contested ethical field, where personal narratives have emerged as strategic and epistemological tools. This article examines how such narratives challenge entrenched medical authority, resist pathologizing models [...] Read more.

The medical treatment of people with innate Variations of Sex Characteristics (VSC) and intersex individuals remains a contested ethical field, where personal narratives have emerged as strategic and epistemological tools. This article examines how such narratives challenge entrenched medical authority, resist pathologizing models of care, and shape evolving legal and ethical frameworks. Using a reflective, interpretive approach grounded in thematic analysis of publicly available cases, we trace narrative interventions across two domains: as medical evidence in clinical contexts and as testimony in policy and legal advocacy. Examples include public protest, contested collaborations with medical professionals, and participation in legislative debates. These accounts not only document the harms of non-consensual medical interventions but also reconfigure definitions of legitimate knowledge, positioning lived experience as counter-expertise. In doing so, they disrupt traditional hierarchies of authority and contribute to the co-production of alternative visions for intersex healthcare and rights. While narrative mobilization can catalyze significant institutional change, it also entails emotional and ethical burdens for those repeatedly called upon to share their experiences. We argue that storytelling is not merely an accessory to reform but a foundational mechanism for advancing medical ethics, influencing policy, and expanding human rights protections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Narrative Practices, Stories, Storytelling, Clinical and Community Work: An Intersectional Analysis)

19 pages, 435 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health of Refugees in Austria and Moderating Effects of Stressors and Resilience Factors

by Sebastian Leitner, Michael Landesmann, Judith Kohlenberger, Isabella Buber-Ennser and Bernhard Rengs

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100570 - 23 Sep 2025

Viewed by 83

Abstract

Given the exposure to stressors in their home countries, during migration and after arrival, refugees are vulnerable to mental health problems. Their access to adequate health care and other social infrastructures, however, is hampered. This reduces, in addition to other factors, their ability [...] Read more.

Given the exposure to stressors in their home countries, during migration and after arrival, refugees are vulnerable to mental health problems. Their access to adequate health care and other social infrastructures, however, is hampered. This reduces, in addition to other factors, their ability to take part in social and economic activities. We examine the prevalence of mental disorders among the refugee population that arrived in Austria mainly between 2013 and 2018, drawing on data from a refugee survey. We found a high share of refugees (32%) to have moderate or severe mental health problems. When investigating the effects of stressors on the mental health situation, we found a positive association with experienced discrimination in Austria and the fear for partners and children left behind, and a negative correlation with proficiency in the German language, being employed (including volunteer work), having more supportive relationships, and satisfaction with the housing situation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health and Migration Challenges for Forced Migrants)

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16 pages, 359 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Tool for Examining the Role of Social Context: Cross-National Validation of the Impostor Phenomenon Short Scale (IPSS-3)

by Max Philipp Jansen and Yosi Yaffe

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100569 - 23 Sep 2025

Viewed by 185

Abstract

Despite decades of research, major gaps remain in understanding the Impostor Phenomenon (IP), particularly regarding its social stratification and structural implications. While traditionally viewed through a merely psychological lens, the IP is increasingly recognized as being shaped by broader contexts such as structural [...] Read more.

Despite decades of research, major gaps remain in understanding the Impostor Phenomenon (IP), particularly regarding its social stratification and structural implications. While traditionally viewed through a merely psychological lens, the IP is increasingly recognized as being shaped by broader contexts such as structural inequalities and discrimination. This study aims to provide a concise, cross-nationally validated instrument for measuring IP feelings in large-scale surveys. We validate the Impostor Phenomenon Short Scale (IPSS-3), a brief self-report instrument suitable for surveys with limited assessment time. Using data from 424 German- and 477 Hebrew-speaking adolescents and young adults (aged 16–28), the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the IPSS-3 are examined via its correlations with the external locus of control and self-esteem. These analyses confirm high reliability and consistent validity across both samples. The IPSS-3 enables researchers to explore the intersection of IP-related self-doubt and perceived lack of belonging with opportunities for social participation, workplace belonging, career development, and social mobility. By providing a reliable and efficient measure of the IP, this study promotes interdisciplinary research on the IP and enhances a nuanced understanding of how subjective self-perceptions intersect with structural opportunities and social stratification. Full article

17 pages, 606 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Value of Quality in Social Relationships: Effects of Different Dimensions of Social Capital on Self-Reported Depression

by Sara Ferlander and Ilkka Henrik Mäkinen

Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(10), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14100568 - 23 Sep 2025

Viewed by 222

Abstract

Social capital is a widely used concept in the social sciences. Although the quality of social relationships is an important dimension of social capital, most empirical studies primarily focus on its structural dimensions. The aim of this article is to investigate the association [...] Read more.

Social capital is a widely used concept in the social sciences. Although the quality of social relationships is an important dimension of social capital, most empirical studies primarily focus on its structural dimensions. The aim of this article is to investigate the association between structural social capital, the quality of social relationships, and self-reported depression. The central question is whether there is a difference between structural and qualitative dimensions of social capital in relation to self-reported depression. The data come from the Belarusian National Health Survey, which includes a nationally representative sample of 2107 individuals. Five different forms of social capital were measured, encompassing both structural and qualitative dimensions. The findings show that the most important forms of social capital for mental health among Belarusians are informal relationships with family, friends, and neighbours. Moreover, and of particular relevance to this study, the quality of social relationships are more strongly associated with depression than their structure. To better align with the theoretical framework of social capital, the article concludes that a combination of structural and qualitative indicators is essential when measuring social capital. Including qualitative dimensions may also be important for revealing the potential negative (mental health) outcomes of social capital. Full article

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