Search Results (13)

Rural areas offer unique contexts for work–life balance (WLB) development due to distinct working conditions and employment structures. Employees who have access to flexible work arrangements, non-material bonuses, and peaceful workplaces are more productive (lower absenteeism, greater commitment). The aim of the study was to determine the aspects of support and types of WLB among employees from rural areas. Two analyses were conducted: PCA (principal component analysis) for the entire sample, and a fuzzy c-means cluster analysis for wage employees. Based on PCA, three aspects of WLB support were identified: leave, work, and work hygiene (regeneration). The use of emergency and family leave dominated practices supporting WLB among employees in rural areas. The respondents did not attach much importance to social benefits improving work hygiene; moreover, the work hygiene aspect was not applied in parallel with other aspects of WLB support (leave, work). As a result of clustering the respondents’ answers, four employee types were identified based on WLB assessment, demographic characteristics, and work-related factors. Clustering revealed a clear correlation between WLB assessment and employee age and gender. The highest scores in terms of the quality of work–life balance were recorded among middle-aged men (type 4). Younger people, especially women (type 1), rated their WLB as moderately good. Regardless of age and gender, as stress levels increased and personal quality of life declined, thoughts about changing jobs intensified. Employee well-being significantly influences job retention intentions among rural workers. This study uniquely integrates multiple theoretical frameworks and employs principal component analysis and fuzzy c-means clustering to explore work–life balance among rural employees, a group seldom studied. By focusing on rural contexts and offering systemic, multi-domain insights, the findings advance WLB theory and practice and provide recommendations for employers and policymakers. Full article

Vertical alliances within agricultural supply chains serve as critical institutional vehicles for deepening triple-sector integration (primary–secondary–tertiary) in rural economies, driving agricultural modernization, and advancing rural revitalization. However, sustaining alliance stability constitutes a complex dynamic process wherein inadequate stakeholder engagement and collaborative failures frequently precipitate alliance instability or even dissolution. Existing scholarship exhibits limited systematic examination of the micro-mechanisms and regulatory pathways through which multi-agent strategic interactions affect alliance stability from a dynamic evolutionary perspective. To address this gap, this research focuses on China’s core agricultural innovation vehicle—the Agricultural Industrialization Consortium—and examines the tripartite structure of “Leading Enterprise–Family Farm–Integrated Agricultural Service Providers.” We construct a tripartite evolutionary game model to systematically analyze (1) the influence mechanisms governing cooperative strategy selection, and (2) the regulatory effects of key parameters on consortium stability through strategic stability analysis and multi-scenario simulations. Our key findings are as follows: Four strategic equilibrium scenarios emerge under specific conditions, with synergistic parameter optimization constituting the fundamental driver of alliance stability. Specific mechanisms are as follows: (i) compensation mechanisms effectively mobilize leading enterprises under widespread defection, though excessive penalties erode reciprocity principles; (ii) strategic reductions in benefit sharing ratios coupled with moderate factor value-added coefficients are critical for reversing leading enterprises’ defection; (iii) dual adjustment of cost sharing and benefit sharing coefficients is necessary to resolve bilateral defection dilemmas; and (iv) synchronized optimization of compensation, cost sharing, benefit sharing, and value-added parameters represents the sole pathway to achieving stable (1,1,1) full-cooperation equilibrium. Critical barriers include threshold effects in benefit sharing ratios (defection triggers when shared benefits > cooperative benefits) and the inherent trade-off between penalty intensity and alliance resilience. Consequently, policy interventions must balance immediate constraints with long-term cooperative sustainability. This study extends the application of evolutionary game theory in agricultural organization research by revealing the micro-level mechanisms underlying alliance stability and providing a novel analytical framework for addressing the ‘strategy–equilibrium’ paradox in multi-agent cooperation. Our work not only offers new theoretical perspectives and methodological support for understanding the dynamic stability mechanisms of agricultural vertical alliances but also establishes a substantive theoretical foundation for optimizing consortium governance and promoting long-term alliance stability. Full article

The rise in population and housing mobility presents significant challenges for fostering social cohesion. This study, grounded in consistency theory, leverages survey data collected from various Tianjin regions and adopts a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods to examine the multilevel influence of public spaces, community facilities, and individual motivation on community participation intention (CPI). We assess regional variations and distinguish between public spaces and the accessibility and usability of service facilities. Logistic regression results reveal that (1) age, family type, community types, the usability of facilities, residents’ needs, and neighborhood attachment have significant effects on CPI; (2) residents’ requirements for education, healthcare, and elderly services are strongly correlated with CPI, and high-quality public spaces and facilities significantly increase place attachment; and (3) the usage of some facilities negatively affects CPI under the influence of contextual factors. The results indicate the relationship between the built environment and CPI. This research contributes to the theoretical framework linking community participation and person–environment fit (P–E fit). It provides evidence-based insights for policymakers to consider inclusive urban development in community renewal and grassroots governance. Full article

Heywood cases and other improper solutions occur frequently in latent variable models, e.g., factor analysis, item response theory, latent class analysis, multilevel models, or structural equation models, all of which are models with response variables taken from an exponential family. They have important consequences for scoring with the latent variable model and are indicative of issues in a model, such as poor identification or model misspecification. In the context of the 2PL and 3PL models in IRT, they are more frequently known as Guttman items and are identified by having a discrimination parameter that is deemed excessively large. Other IRT models, such as the newer asymmetric item response theory (AsymIRT) or polytomous IRT models often have parameters that are not easy to interpret directly, so scanning parameter estimates are not necessarily indicative of the presence of problematic values. The graphical examination of the IRF can be useful but is necessarily subjective and highly dependent on choices of graphical defaults. We propose using the derivatives of the IRF, item Fisher information functions, and our proposed Item Fraction of Total Information (IFTI) decomposition metric to bypass the parameters, allowing for the more concrete and consistent identification of Heywood cases. We illustrate the approach by using empirical examples by using AsymIRT and nominal response models. Full article

Eating outside-of-home (EOH) is one of the main changes in lifestyle that occurred worldwide in the past few decades. Given that EOH behavior is influenced by individual and contextual factors, the utilization of a theory seems to be suitable in analyzing this health behavior. The fourth-generation theory multi-theory model (MTM) is designed exclusively for health behavior change at the individual and community levels. Therefore, the purpose of this analytical cross-sectional study was to investigate EOH behavior by using the MTM among a nationally representative sample in the United States (US). Data for this study were collected from April–May 2023 via a 61-item psychometric valid, web-based, structured survey disseminated via Qualtrics. Chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare categorical data, whereas the independent-samples t-test was used to compare the mean scores of MTM constructs across groups. Pearson correlation analysis was performed for the intercorrelation matrix between the MTM constructs and hierarchical regression models were built to predict the variance in the initiation and sustenance by certain predictor variables beyond demographic characteristics. The p values in the multiple comparisons were calculated by using adjusted residuals. Among a total of 532 survey respondents, 397 (74.6%) indicated being engaged in EOH at least twice a week, whereas 135 (25.4%) reported not being engaged in EOH. People who were engaged in EOH were younger (mean age = 42.25 ± 17.78 years vs. 55.89 ± 19.43 years) African American, (15.9% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.01), single or never married, (34.0% vs. 23.0%, p = 0.02), had a graduate degree (9.6% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.03), and were employed (72.0% vs. 34.8%, p < 0.001) as opposed to those who reported not being engaged in eating outside the home. Among the MTM constructs of initiation, “behavioral confidence” and “changes in the physical environment” were the significant predictors of initiating a reduction in EOH behavior and explained 48% of the variance in initiation. Among the MTM constructs of sustenance, “emotional transformation” and “changes in the social environment” were the significant predictors of sustaining a reduction in EOH behavior and explained 50% of the variance in sustenance. This study highlights a need to design MTM-based educational interventions that promote in-home eating instead of frequent EOH for health, family bonding, economic, and other reasons. Full article

From a sociopedagogical perspective, literacy development in preschool is conceptualized as a social phenomenon. Sociopedagogical models emphasize the connection between family and school processes to foster children’s literacy competences and parental involvement. Although contemporary models regarding parental involvement reflect its multidimensional and multilevel nature, research focusing on early literacy mainly addresses certain parenting practices, especially at home, and their association with a few literacy skills. Based on Bronfenbrenner’s bioecosystemic theory, Epstein’s model of overlapping spheres of influence and the typology of parental involvement as well as Rohde’s Comprehensive Emergent Literacy Model, the present study investigates how different dimensions and components of parental involvement interact to affect young children’s literacy competences. We investigate the complex relationships among all dimensions of parental involvement and their association with children’s literacy outcomes. Additionally, we explore the role of several contextual factors (children’s age, parental education, urbanity, number of children’s books) in these associations. Parents of 214 typically developing children aged 4–6 years filled in four parent-report scales developed and validated for measuring the different dimensions of parental involvement and children’s literacy competences. Results illustrate how multilevel parental practices mediate the effect of literacy-related parental perceptions and family–school relationships on children’s literacy competences. Among the contextual factors, only maternal education was found to have a robust, albeit indirect, effect on literacy outcomes. Implications about the school’s role and strategic planning in promoting literacy-focused parental involvement are discussed. Full article

China’s socioeconomic transformation and rapid urbanization since the end of the 20th Century have had an important impact on the social spatial structure of large cities. Social differentiation within cities is becoming increasingly prominent. Using detailed data gathered by the Fifth National Population Census of 2000, this study compares the social spatial structure and dynamic mechanisms of the core areas of the cities of Beijing and Chengdu. Factorial ecology analysis is used at the mesoscale to explore the following research questions: ‘How did factors shape the social spaces of two cities with similar topography but at different stages of development during China’s transition from a planned to a market economy?’; and ‘Are the traditional Western theories of socio-spatial interpretation equally applicable to China?’. The results show that Chengdu exhibits a combination of a concentric circle, fan-shaped, and multi-core socio-spatial structure, while Beijing shows a fan-shaped structure. In 2000, influenced by its overall level and stage of socioeconomic development, Beijing was experiencing a faster socio-spatial transformation than Chengdu, and the driving effect of capital on social differentiation and spatial competition was more obvious. The main dynamic mechanisms driving the formation of socio-spatial structures in Beijing and Chengdu include the natural environmental foundation, historical inheritance, urban planning, housing policies, and international influence. The three major variables in the study of traditional Western social spaces, namely economy, family, and ethnic status, were confirmed as applicable to our two case study cities with socioeconomic status as measured by occupation and housing conditions exerting the strongest effect. This perspective of comparing different cities in the same transitional period offers unique insights in identifying the key drivers of socio-spatial differentiation and polarization and their relative magnitude of effect, while enriching the catalog of empirical urban social space research both in China and in the rest of the world. Full article

SME family businesses play a vital role in the world economy as a recognized sustainable contributor to economic growth. Aged owners of Taiwan’s family businesses have become the biggest problem; because of the dramatically changing technology and business environment, many family businesses are faced with an inheritance crisis. This study tries to identify what the priority of influential factors is for the leader’s decision-making of succession. Based on the stakeholder, upper echelons, stewardship, and agency theories, we summarized 27 crucial factors derived from four dimensions (individual, interpersonal, organizational, and the environmental) after reviewing the relevant literature. This study was based on multilevel research and a multidisciplinary perspective. After using the Delphi method and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, we applied the importance–performance analysis (IPA) to determine the key factor priority. The results are important for strengthening family business theory and identifying the conditions that best promote the future growth and sustainability of family businesses. Full article

Multiple nodes (such as distributed generation (DG), electric vehicles (EV), energy storage (ES), flexible loads (FL), etc.) are connected to the active distribution network (ADN), which changes its original operational mode. According to the bidirectional current and low-voltage transmission mode, this study proposed a multi voltage and multi electricity flat loop network, AC/DC (Alternating Current/ Direct Current) hybrid network, unified interface and flexible self-organizing network based on Complex network theory. First, the ADN complex network topology of various nodes is established based on the actual grid connected terminal nodes and power flow sensitivity algorithm. Second, using the TOPSIS model, the influence factor matrix of weighted directed network is established. The matrix can be used to guide the formulation of the distribution network operation mode, and the robustness and reliability of this paper are verified by using the standard multi voltage level main distribution hybrid model provided by the Panda Power website as the verification method. Finally, using the influence maximization calculation model of the New Creedy algorithm, the node correlation matrix is expanded to form a super family region set of active distribution network. The results show that the seven nodes in this paper have high correlation, while the other nodes have low correlation. In addition, the change of reactive power has little impact on other nodes, for a node with a change rate of 0, it is obviously not in the same power supply family as node 1, and theoretically it may not have a topological relationship, be a power generation node, or be completely independent. Analyzing the relationship between nodes has a guiding significance for power supply recovery and interaction in distribution network reconfiguration. Full article

Siblings play an important role in the behavioral trajectories of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While having siblings has been associated with positive outcomes in ASD, including stronger adaptive functioning, social and non-verbal communication, and theory of mind, little is known about the impact of siblings on more negative outcomes, such as maladaptive behaviors. To address this gap, the present longitudinal study tested sibling predictors of trajectories of maladaptive behaviors (e.g., teacher- and parent-reported hyperactivity, irritability, and social withdrawal) from childhood through early adulthood among individuals with ASD and non-spectrum delays. Multilevel models revealed that, while the mere presence of a sibling did not impact maladaptive behavior trajectories apart from teacher-reported hyperactivity, the diagnostic profile of the sibling (e.g., emotional/behavioral disorder, ASD, medical condition) emerged as an important predictor. Specifically, although findings varied across teacher and parent reports, more hyperactivity and irritability across time was identified when the sibling had diagnoses of an emotional/behavioral disorder, ASD, and/or a medical condition. Overall, this study provides novel insight into the broader family-level factors that influence the presentation of maladaptive behaviors across time and across contexts. Full article

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is characterized by a recurrent pattern of angry/irritable emotional lability, argumentative/defiant behavior, and vindictiveness. Previous studies indicated that ODD typically might originate within a maladaptive family environment, or was at least maintained within such an environment. As such, the present review summarized pertinent research from the last 20 years that focused on the pathways connecting family risk factors to the development of child ODD symptoms. A systematic search of electronic databases was completed in August 2020, resulting in the inclusion of 62 studies in the review. The review established a multi-level framework to describe the mechanisms underlying the pathway from familial factors to ODD psychopathological symptoms: (a) the system level that is affected by the family’s socioeconomic status and family dysfunction; (b) the dyadic level that is affected by conflict within the marital dyad and parent–child interactions; and (c) the individual level that is affected by parent and child factors. Additionally, from the perspective of family systems theory, we pay special attention to the interactions among and between the various levels of the pathway (moderation and mediation) that might be associated with the occurrence and severity of ODD symptoms. Considering future prevention and intervention efforts, this three-level model emphasizes the necessity of focusing on familial risk factors at multiple levels and the mechanisms underlying the proposed pathways. Full article

Background: Living above the poverty line reduces the risk of physical illnesses, including childhood asthma (CA). Minorities’ Diminished Return theory, however, suggests that the protective effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on health are weaker for racial minorities than White families. It is unknown whether the association between SES and CA differs for White and Black families. Aims: Using a national sample, the current study compared Black and White families for the association between living above the poverty line and CA. Methods: Data came from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), 2003–2004, a national telephone survey. A total of 86,537 Black or White families with children (17 years old or younger) were included in the study. This sample was composed of 76,403 White (88.29%) and 10,134 Black (11.71%) families. Family SES (living above the poverty line) was the independent variable. The outcome was CA, reported by the parent. Age, gender, and childhood obesity were the covariates. Race was conceptualized as the moderator. A number of multivariable logistic regressions were used in the pooled sample and specific to each race for data analysis. Results: In the pooled sample, living above the poverty line was associated with lower odds of CA. An interaction was found between race and living above the poverty line on odds of CA, indicating a smaller association for Black compared to White families. Although race-stratified logistic regressions showed negative associations between living above the poverty line and CA in both White and Black families, the magnitude of this negative association was larger for White than Black families. Conclusions: The health gain from living above the poverty line may be smaller for Black than White families. Due to the existing Minorities’ Diminished Return, policies that merely reduce the racial gap in SES may not be sufficient in eliminating racial health disparities in the United States. Public policies must go beyond reducing poverty to address structural and environmental risk factors that disproportionately impact Blacks’ health. Policies should help Black families gain health as they gain upward social mobility. As they are more likely to face societal and structural barriers, multi-level interventions are needed for the health promotion of Blacks. Full article

Studies among adolescents have shown that several important interpersonal, intrapersonal and environmental factors are associated with smoking behaviour. The current qualitative research project aimed to explore the determinants of smoking initiation and maintenance, from a youth perspective, among young people who smoked, living in a multi-ethnic Asian country. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with youths in Singapore in youth-friendly and accessible locations. Young people, from a variety of social contexts—varying on age, gender, ethnicity and educational level, were included in the study. All FGDs were conducted in English and participants were recruited using a mix of network and purposive sampling. All FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, allowing themes to emerge from the data with the goal of answering the research question. Ninety-one youth smokers (54 males, 37 females), aged between 14 to 29 years, participated in the study. The majority were males (59%) and of Chinese ethnicity (52%). Participants identified multiple personal, social, and familial influences on young adults’ smoking behaviors. Peer and family influences, as well as risk minimization, played a key role in smoking initiation and maintenance. While young people were aware of policies that restricted smoking, these did not directly affect their decision to start smoking. The theory of triadic influence provided a promising theoretical framework to understand smoking initiation and maintenance in a sample of young adult smokers from a multi-ethnic Asian country. It also provides actionable information for initiatives to prevent smoking in young people, which includes their perspectives and emphasizes an inclusive approach without stigmatizing those who smoke. Full article