Search Results (2,325)

Inflation, recognized as a social determinant of health (SDOH), significantly affects the daily lives of individuals through the rising costs of food, housing, and other basic needs, all of which are public health concerns. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation has become a prominent concern in the U.S. and has been linked to increased stress and poor mental health among adults. While data on inflation is tracked routinely, how it is discussed publicly is understudied. Social media platforms provide insights into how inflation is framed and experienced by the public, and these assessments may be used to determine public health needs and policy advocacy. In this study, we conducted a time-bound, platform-specific case study of inflation-related discourse on X (formerly Twitter). Analysis revealed a predominance of negative sentiments (68.5%) including frustration and distrust. Posts primarily concerned monetary policy/government spending (31.6%), Federal Reserve interest rates/financial markets (24.5%), and U.S. presidential politics (12.9%). The users did not explicitly discuss personal-level hardships, and the discussions largely focused on macro-level issues framed in polarized political perspectives. These patterns matter for public health because institutional trust shapes support for social and health policies. Our study findings suggest a fragmented social environment that may exacerbate community-wide anxiety and challenge health promotion efforts and the need for public health surveillance through surveys or personal interviews to identify and address the psychological burden of inflation. Full article

This study examined rural pre-service teachers’ preferences for online learning platforms, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Moodle discussion forums in the Open Distance e-Learning environment. This group of students experiences digital illiteracy, limited access to assistive technologies, and network challenges, which may prevent them from optimally utilising formal learning platforms such as Moodle. They can, however, use Telegram and WhatsApp, as they regularly engage informally on these platforms. Against this backdrop, this study explored rural pre-service teachers’ experiences with Moodle and these social media platforms in an Open-Distance e-Learning space. This study employed a descriptive, qualitative case study with semi-structured interviews, guided by Siemens’ Connectivism theory. Fifteen student teachers from the College of Education in an ODeL institution were purposively sampled to provide in-depth insights into their lived experiences of platform use. The findings revealed that, although each platform served a unique instructional function, their perceived professionalism, safety, and interactivity differed substantially. Social media platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp were lauded for their immediacy, accessibility, and low bandwidth usage, chiefly among rural pre-service teachers from economically disadvantaged communities. However, participants perceived these platforms as unprofessional, disruptive, and unsafe. Conversely, Moodle’s discussion forum was viewed as a credible, structured space that fostered academic discipline through the presence and guidance of lecturers. These contrasting perceptions highlight tensions between accessibility and academic regulation within ODeL environments. Although prior studies support incorporating social media platforms into LMSs, this research extends this discourse by emphasising the need to balance accessibility, interaction, and academic integrity within resource-constrained contexts. The study concludes that social media platforms and discussion forums can complement each other in ODeL, encouraging student interaction and inclusion, while discussion forums ensure educational rigour, safety, and institutional integrity. Full article

Objectives: The rise in the frequency of mental health concerns (depression and suicide) expressed on social media calls for reliable, explainable, and efficient computational methods for mental health surveillance. In this paper, we propose an interpretable framework for text-based detection of post- and community-level mental health risk on social media. Methods: The framework combines (i) Secretary Bird Optimization (SBO) for feature selection of informative linguistic and psychological features, (ii) a BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers)—CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) model for post-level reasoning, and (iii) a Graph Neural Network (GraphSAGE) for community-level reasoning. The graph is estimated based on semantic similarity between posts and author relations, instead of social interactions (e.g., mentions, replies) between authors. We use SHAP and LIME for model interpretability, uncertainty, and calibration analysis to evaluate the trustworthiness of predictions. Results: The model delivers 93.1% accuracy, 0.91 F1-score, and 0.944 ROC-AUC on the eRisk and CLPsych datasets using a strict user-disjoint validation strategy. SBO lowers the number of features by about 38%, leading to better generalization. The graph-based model enables improved learning of post and user representations by capturing relational dependencies. Conclusions: Our approach offers an explainable and robust means of detecting mental health risk from text. Graph-based representations of semantic and authorship interactions enable community-level analyses, while interpretability and uncertainty estimation facilitate possible human-in-the-loop decision-making. This research does not explicitly consider a human-in-the-loop experiment. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study explored parents’ perspectives regarding digital media use in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) and examined how these views vary according to family and clinical characteristics. Methods: Data were collected from an Italian survey involving 352 families. Items assessed the perceived effects of digital devices on child development and parenting, awareness of screen time guidelines, and use of time- and content-limiting tools. Quantitative analyses were complemented by a reflexive thematic analysis of open-ended responses describing how digital media influenced parenting. Results: Parents expressed divergent attitudes towards digital media, with broadly similar proportions reporting positive, neutral, and negative views regarding both child development and parenting. More favourable views were associated with greater perceived benefits for children and were more frequent among parents of children with more severe functional disabilities. About half had discussed screen use with health professionals, and most were aware of existing guidelines. Thematic analysis identified six themes related to digital parenting: educational means (digital devices as tools for communication, learning, and socialisation), entertainment (screens as a source of leisure or behavioural management), reward (digital media used as reinforcement), screen time as a “necessity” (technology as an integral and sometimes rehabilitative part of daily life), negative effects on the child (concerns about detachment, reduced social interaction, and mood dysregulation), and parental behaviour and attitudes (reflecting the emotional burden of regulation and broader beliefs about digital media). Conclusions: Parents of children with NDs navigate digital media use through a complex balance of perceived risks and benefits. Findings highlight the need for family-centred guidance and assistive technology approaches that promote digital inclusion while addressing parental stress and regulatory challenges. Full article

Background/objectives: The study aimed to identify the key methodological challenges and solutions related to recruitment and retention of rural-dwelling young adults into a randomized controlled trial that tests the feasibility of a digital healthy eating intervention (Veg4Me). Methods: Digital registration for a 12-week study was set up as a one-step process without researcher involvement. Participant registrations and recruitment rates were monitored daily using predetermined online preventative measures to identify fraudulent responses and to amend the digital registration process where necessary. Retention rates were monitored daily to identify any necessary amendments to the follow-up protocol. Results: During data collection, n = 279 fraudulent responses were identified from n = 536 total responses (52%). One month into recruitment, amendments were made to the registration process to reduce fraudulent responses. To address bot attacks, Qualtrics passwords and a two-factor authentication process were added to the Veg4Me landing page. Targeted recruitment strategies, such as unpaid social media posts, corresponded to peaks in recruitment. In the final recruitment month, a question was embedded within follow-up correspondence to encourage completion of the post-intervention survey. This resulted in an additional n = 8 (7%) participants completing the intervention. Conclusions: Empirical observations made in this study suggest that digital recruitment protocols without direct researcher involvement should consider multiple in-built strategies for identifying and preventing fraudulent responses. This includes a two-factor authentication process and minimizing the over-promotion of financial incentives in recruitment strategies. Recruitment strategies should consider the use of social media posts in local community groups, while the use of reminders and notifications could support retention. Full article

In recent years, social media platforms have emerged as major sources of health-related information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alignment between TikTok videos on oral hygiene and official dental protocols, and to determine the prevalence of misinformation. A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze 246 Spanish-language TikTok videos collected between May and July 2025 using 11 hashtags. Videos were assessed using a standardized summary based on guidelines from the Fédération Dentaire Internationale, American Dental Association, Federación Odontológica Ecuatoriana, and Federación Dental Española. Content was classified as aligned if it aligned with at least one protocol. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Z-tests for proportions, chi-square tests, and Mann–Whitney U tests. As results, only 1% of videos cited official references. Overall, 26.19% aligned with at least one protocol, while 73.81% contained unsupported or non-aligned information. Misrepresentation was most frequent for fluoride concentration, toothpaste quantity, dental floss characteristics, and mouthwash use. Video format, presentation style, and creator profile were significantly associated with accuracy. Engagement metrics did not consistently favor accurate content. In conclusion, most TikTok oral hygiene content does not reflect official dental protocols, highlighting the need for improved digital health literacy and responsible professional communication. Full article

The advent of social media has transformed brand communication to put storytelling at the center of building engagement and awareness. But the role of long-term brand value in virality is an essential challenge. This paper conducts a bibliometric and thematic analysis from the fields of marketing, psychology, and media studies published between 2015 and 2025, examining the correlation between narrative design and audience response, separating short-term popularity and long-term consumer appeal. The analysis was based on a structured literature review and qualitative methodological framework, using the literature sourced through Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar published between 2015 and 2025. Thematic coding searched for emotional tones, devices used in the narration, types of metrics, and contextual factors in inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings indicate a divide in quantitative measures, such as likes and shares, and qualitative measures, such as sentiment and resonance stories. Story elements such as authenticity, the depth of the characters, and video-based content had a major effect on the two types of engagement. Storytelling effectiveness was also mediated by influencer participation, algorithmic interactions, and audience demographics. The results confirm that meaningful storytelling with hybrid metrics contributes to stronger brand–consumer relationships. Future studies ought to shift to predictive modeling and focus on the ability of AI to dictate personalized brand stories in diverse cultures. Full article

This study examines the effects of digital sustainability orientation on consumers’ responses, with a focus on the roles of digital green innovation and consumer environmental consciousness in shaping green brand advocacy in social media marketing. Drawing on the Resource-Based View, Dynamic Capability perspective, and Signaling theory, the study proposes that sustainability-oriented digital strategies are more effective when translated into visible, credible forms of digital green innovation. Using the quantitative research design, data were collected from a sample of 300 Saudi Arabian consumers who interact with eco-friendly brands and sustainability-related content on digital platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok. The study used purposive and convenience sampling to ensure that participants were aware of sustainability communication online. Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the measurement and structural models and evaluate the hypotheses. The results show that the direct positive effect of digital sustainability orientation on digital green innovation is high, but there is no direct effect on green brand advocacy. However, digital green innovation fully mediates this relationship, making the importance of tangible innovation even greater in turning sustainability intentions into consumer support. Moreover, consumer environmental consciousness plays a significant moderating role in the relationship between digital sustainability orientation and green brand advocacy, suggesting that the more environmentally conscious consumers are, the more responsive they are to sustainability-driven digital strategies. The study contributes to the available literature on digital sustainability and green marketing by showing that being sustainability-oriented is not enough to encourage consumer advocacy without having credible innovation. Practically speaking, the findings show that organizations must pay attention to innovation-based sustainability initiatives and develop genuine digital communication strategies to attract environmentally conscious consumers. Ultimately, the research serves as a great reminder of the importance of integrating digital innovation, sustainability practices, and consumer engagement as key drivers of strong green brand advocacy. Full article

Digital transformation (DT) is becoming of strategic importance for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), especially in the retail sector, where a significant portion of customer engagement, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness is shaped by digital technologies. Even though there is a growing availability of smartphones, mobile payment systems, and social media platforms, many South African retail SMMEs struggle to achieve a sustained and meaningful DT. Existing studies offer limited insights into the dynamic interactions between technological, organisational, and human agency factors that enable digital uptake over time. This study investigates the sociotechnical dynamics of DT among retail SMMEs in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The research integrates Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) with the Limits to Success Archetype (LSA) to conceptualise DT as an evolving process shaped by the interplay of technology, organisational structures (formal arrangement of roles, responsibilities, authority, and communication patterns within an organisation), and human agency. Using an exploratory qualitative research design, purposively sampled semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 retail owners, directors and managers. The interviews were transcribed, and the data were analysed thematically using the Braun and Clarke six-step thematic analysis framework on Atlas.ti 25. Findings indicate that DT in retail SMMEs is enabled by pragmatic, tool-level digital adoption, training, education, ongoing skill development, alignment with business capacity, regulatory clarity, operational realities, addressing scams, fraud, data security, a user-friendly interface, and the availability of native language digital tools, structural interventions that reduce inequality, and DT ecosystem support. The study contributes to DT scholarship by integrating sociotechnical and systems-thinking perspectives to explain the trajectories of DT in retail SMMEs. It also provides practical insights for policymakers, support institutions, and digital ecosystem actors seeking to democratise DT in emerging-market retail contexts. Full article

Due to the health information asymmetry, the upsurge of Patient Online Communities (POCs) and Patient Social Media groups has increased the importance of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) in health care, influencing individuals’ health decisions, as well as a medical organization’s image. This study investigates the association between the multidimensional perceived value of patients and their eWOM intentions in health care services, based on Art Weinstein’s adapted Perceived Value framework. According to this framework, perceived value comprises perceived quality, perceived service outcome, non-monetary costs, and organizational image. Data were collected from 210 Cardiology patients and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings of this study revealed that perceived value is positively associated with eWOM intentions within this sample, which highlights the practical importance of enhancing patient experience. As perceived value improves, it may be associated with increased patient-generated content in the form of eWOM. This study provides practical insights and contributes to the understanding of the patients’ perceived value in engaging in health-related eWOM. Full article

Social media in Hong Kong Christian communities has been viewed in terms of social equalization, allowing laity to shape theology and community practices. But how is social media an equalizer for religious communities, and along which social dimensions? Drawing on Heidi A. Campbell’s “layers” and Pauline Hope Cheong’s “logics” of power, we offer a framework for examining how social media affects leadership roles, community practices, ideology and identity, and approaches to religious texts, in terms of whether these impacts are continuous with and complementary to existing power structures, displace traditional authority, or involve a dialectic between the two. Through case studies of Hong Kong Christian Key Opinion Leaders (KOL), we show displacements of official roles by lay leaders interacting with an underlying logic of continuity along traditional lines such as gender, social class, and sexual orientation. Online structures of community practice complement existing power structures, reinforcing traditional hierarchies of identity, ideology, and religious texts. We conclude by considering how theological approaches to dispossession may help Hong Kong Christian communities to enter a dialectic of challenges and opportunities for equality. Full article

Background: Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, have become significant sources of health information, yet the quality of dental content remains underexplored. This study compared the scope and reliability of information in popular Turkish-language Instagram posts on tooth whitening by poster source and examined associations with post format, purpose, and whitening approach. As a secondary aim, the association between information quality and normalized audience engagement was investigated within this algorithmically curated sample. Methods: This cross-sectional content analysis included 500 publicly accessible Turkish Instagram posts retrieved under the hashtag #dişbeyazlatma. The posts were classified by source, purpose, format, and whitening approach. Content scope and information reliability were assessed using the Descriptive Coverage Index (DCI) and Modified Treatment-Information Reliability (MTIR) scores by two calibrated evaluators. Engagement Rate was calculated as (likes + comments)/follower count × 100. Results: Most posts originated from dentist/clinic accounts (75.8%) and were marketing-oriented (72.0%). Dentist/clinic accounts demonstrated significantly higher MTIR scores than independent users and brand accounts (p < 0.001), whereas DCI did not differ significantly across sources. Raw engagement differences disappeared after normalization (p = 0.408). Reel posts scored higher than photo posts on both measures; carousel posts scored higher than photos on MTIR but not DCI. In-office whitening content scored significantly higher than DIY- or OTC-focused posts on both measures (p < 0.001). A weak positive association was observed between MTIR and Engagement Rate (r = 0.141). Conclusions: Popular Turkish Instagram posts on tooth whitening exhibited substantial variability in content scope and reliability. Independent users commanded greater raw audience reach yet predominantly produced DIY-focused content with substantially lower content scope scores than in-office and multi-method posts, and among the lowest reliability scores, raising a public health concern within this high-visibility content stratum. These findings may inform content development strategies for dental professionals and public health communicators targeting Turkish-speaking audiences. Full article

Start-ups have established themselves as drivers of dynamism and economic growth. However, they face many and varied challenges, with one of them being managing their communication strategy. This study aims to analyse the digital communication strategy of start-ups in the Agrotech and Foodtech sectors. For that purpose, the annual rankings published by El Referente between 2023 and 2025 were reviewed, and 17 companies were selected, 11 from the Agrotech sector and six from the Foodtech sector. Based on this sample, a mixed methodology was used, combining content analysis with social media metrics analysis. The results show an uneven use of communication strategies by start-ups. Almost all of them have their own communication channels, such as websites or social media profiles, but their use is not uniform, and in many cases, the potential offered by these tools could be improved. The findings contribute to the literature on strategic communication in start-ups by evidencing the gap between declared identity and substantive legitimacy in sectors of high social scrutiny, such as the agri-food sector. Full article

As higher education becomes more digitally mediated and internationally oriented, social media interaction has increasingly become a crucial way across linguistic and cultural boundaries. It functions as a space where interaction unfolds, and meanings are negotiated. To explore how it contributes to the development of intercultural digital communication competence, this study conducted a systematic literature review. Following a PRISMA-guided process, we identified 19 empirical studies published between 2015 and 2025 and evaluated them using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The findings suggested that this competence develops through the combined influence of pragmatic resources, ongoing behavioral adjustment, and affective factors. Features of politeness strategies, stance-taking, and multimodal cues play a noticeable role in shaping interaction. The result showed that participation alone does not automatically lead to improvement, and structured support and opportunities for reflection also make a difference. These findings offered implications for communication training and digitally mediated learning in higher education. Full article

Background: The growing use of big data and algorithmic personalisation in political communication has intensified concerns about surveillance, privacy, and manipulation. Although previous research has examined these issues among the general public, much less is known about how journalism students—future professionals who have grown up in data-fied environments—perceive them. This study investigates the extent to which these students feel ‘spied on’ by digital platforms and online media, how such perceptions influence their trust in media, platforms and political actors, and what attitudes they hold regarding the ethical use of data in journalism. (2) Methods: Based on a survey of 222 journalism students, the research analyses perceptions of digital surveillance, awareness of political microtargeting, and attitudes toward the ethical use of audience data in journalism practice. A qualitative component, through focus groups, complements the survey by exploring ethical reflections on algorithmic tracking and journalistic responsibility. (3) Results: The findings reveal a widespread distrust of social networks and political actors and a more moderate scepticism toward the news media. Students express strong ethical concerns about data use and algorithmic personalisation, particularly in political communication and in relation to their future professional roles. (4) Conclusions: The study suggests that journalism students show critical awareness of algorithmic personalisation. Their perceptions highlight the need for academic training in transparency, consent, and accountability in data-driven practices. Full article