Search Results (12)

Background/Objectives: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major global health concern with high mortality despite advances in resuscitation techniques. Achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) represents merely the initial step in the extensive rehabilitation journey. This review highlights the critical role of structured, multidisciplinary rehabilitation following ROSC, emphasizing the necessity of integrated physiotherapy, neurocognitive therapy, and psychosocial support to enhance quality of life and societal reintegration in survivors. Methods: This narrative review analyzed peer-reviewed literature from 2020–2025, sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Emphasis was on clinical trials, expert guidelines (e.g., European Resuscitation Council 2021, American Heart Association 2020), and high-impact journals, with systematic thematic analysis across rehabilitation phases. Results: The review confirms rehabilitation as essential in addressing Intensive Care Unit–acquired weakness, cognitive impairment, and post-intensive care syndrome. Early rehabilitation (0–7 days post-ROSC), focusing on parameter-guided mobilization and cognitive stimulation, significantly improves functional outcomes. Structured interdisciplinary interventions encompassing cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, and cognitive domains effectively mitigate long-term disability, facilitating return to daily activities and employment. However, access disparities and insufficient randomized controlled trials limit evidence-based standardization. Discussion: Optimal recovery after SCA necessitates early and continuous interdisciplinary engagement, tailored to individual physiological and cognitive profiles. Persistent cognitive fatigue, executive dysfunction, and emotional instability remain significant barriers, underscoring the need for holistic and sustained rehabilitative approaches. Conclusions: Comprehensive, individualized rehabilitation following cardiac arrest is not supplementary but fundamental to meaningful recovery. Emphasizing early mobilization, neurocognitive therapy, family involvement, and structured social reintegration pathways is crucial. Addressing healthcare disparities and investing in rigorous randomized trials are imperative to achieving standardized, equitable, and outcome-oriented rehabilitation services globally. Full article

The transition from correctional service to life in the community can be very challenging for young ex-offenders because they often lack the skills and knowledge they need to function successfully in society. This exploratory study aimed to explore whether the educational opportunities provided in correctional services really help young ex-offenders make a successful transition back into society. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, interviewing a group of 20 young ex-offenders aged 18 to 35 from the Cape Flats region. The data from the interviews were analysed through thematic analysis. The study found that correctional education, particularly programmes focused on mental health, counselling and life skills, significantly improved the mental well-being and self-efficacy of young ex-offenders, aiding their successful reintegration into society. These programmes also emphasised moral education, fostering harmonious coexistence with community members’ post-release. This study recommends a revolutionary pedagogical approach to correctional education aiming at comprehensive education of young offenders. This pedagogy should use modern digital technologies, allowing correctional educators to undertake pre-attendance assessments of each offender’s learning preferences, inclinations as well as individual aptitudes and limitations. This method facilitates the learning of basic education required for successful reintegration of young offenders into society. Full article

This paper explores the concept of “bioharmonism” as a model for addressing sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating the principles of biological balance and life harmony at various levels of nature and society. The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrative paradigm that rationally organizes the component concepts of different approaches and nuances developed over time in an attempt to find a path forward regarding contemporary societal changes. Thus, along the lines of transdisciplinary and holistic approaches, a connection is made between natural sciences, specifically life sciences, and social sciences, to understand in this way the evolution of human society. Specifically, the objective of this conceptual viewpoint is related to sustainability, resilience, and planetary health, indicating the need to analyze planetary bioharmony and transfer the model to the structure and functionality of human society. This is achieved by describing the pillars of this complex endeavor in a unified and coherent approach to highlight the bioharmonization process. This paper analyzes the definition and role of societal bioharmonism, then the methodological argumentation based on specific notions, principles, and laws, and finally, describes the application lines of the pillars of bioharmonism, using as a case study the provision of food for the human population. Solutions are highlighted that can conceptually contribute to the evolution of contemporary society, considering the convergence of anthroposystems with ecosystems, based on the interconnection of the current Biological Revolution with the performances offered by the Information Era. These solutions aim at societal bioharmonization, supported complementarily by its specific conceptual pillars, which, through integration and emergence, lead to a dynamic systemic balance. This, in turn, lays the foundation for reintegrating the environment and biodiversity into the economic equation, the citizen into the social equation, and science into the political equation. Full article

The article explores the role of religion in shaping societal norms, arguing that religion, alongside law and ethics, plays a critical role in regulating social life. It emphasizes the interdependence of various regulatory systems—religious, ethical, legal, and modern standards—and advocates for reintegrating spirituality into scientific discourse on societal regulation. The study highlights the limitations of purely legalistic approaches and calls for a renewed focus on ethical and religious principles, particularly in light of global crises such as environmental degradation and social inequality. It also discusses the unique position of Christianity in balancing these regulatory frameworks and promoting a harmonious coexistence through values such as love and solidarity. Full article

People who sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often experience unmet rehabilitation needs. The aim of our research was to explore how the invisible aspects of traumatic brain injury affect the experiences of survivors of TBI in accessing the necessary medical, social, and financial assistance. Using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological inquiry, we purposefully sampled 11 participants who had experienced TBI when aged 13–27 for interviews. The time since their injuries ranged from 7 to 37 years. Three key themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge and guidance in medical services, (2) lack of social service assistance, and (3) battles with insurance companies. Our findings show that, due to the hidden nature of TBI-related disabilities and a general lack of societal knowledge about TBI outcomes, survivors face significant difficulties in accessing essential medical, social, and financial services. This study underscores the critical need to address the challenges faced by youth survivors of TBI, as their injuries occur during a pivotal developmental phase when they are developing psychosocial skills, pursuing education, and transitioning into the workforce. Delays or lack of proper medical, social, and financial support hinder rehabilitation and the successful reintegration of these youth into society. Full article

With the growing emphasis on sustainability, awareness of the environmental impacts and negative potential inherent in current business systems has increased. The circular economy (CE) represents an innovative approach that transforms the traditional linear economy into a restorative system, focussing on extending the life cycle of materials through continuous circulation. The Circular B project aims to develop an international framework that considers multiple facets of the CE, including material and asset management and the use of components in the built environment throughout the entire life cycle of the value chain. The primary objective of the CE is to eliminate waste and pollution (e.g., carbon reduction) and strengthen the resilience of the value chain. However, the current implementation of circular strategies has not yet been found to be effective, with several challenges that cause adverse impacts. This study focuses on investigating and analyzing these challenges, particularly in the cultural and societal domains, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The scope of the questionnaire was to identify (1) awareness and understanding, (2) cultural attitude, (3) barriers to adoption, (4) incentives and motivations, (5) participation and engagement, and (6) education and training. A questionnaire was distributed to 270 respondents, with anonymous responses collected. The survey included eight questions specifically designed to address cultural and societal challenges. The survey was conducted with participants from various sectors, including academia, local authorities, industry professionals, consultants, and others collected from all over the world, ensuring diverse perspectives. The main weaknesses found based on this survey are related to (1) budget constraints due to high costs of reintegrating in the loop of materials or components due to the complexity of circular processes, (2) applicability on the market remains still limited, (3) the importance of planning and design in the initial phases, (4) the importance of establishing a comprehensive network to enhance collaboration among stakeholders, and (5) inadequate policies. The insights gained from this study will help stakeholders, such as constructors, maintainers, engineers, designers, and consultants, across various organizations in the value chain to develop practical solutions to mitigate these challenges and improve the overall business system. Full article

Objective: This study aims to explore the role of new media in shaping the social identity and reintegration of rehabilitated individuals (ex-offenders), given the increasing societal attention on their successful reintegration. The objective is to analyze how media dependency and social identity formation contribute to their sustainable reintegration into society. Methods: Conducted in 2022–2023, the study adopted a narrative research paradigm. It employed qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and participant observation, to investigate the decision-making processes of rehabilitated people under social adaptation pressures. The analysis was framed by media dependency theory and the two-dimensional model of social identity (Evaluation-Relationship). Results: The findings reveal that media dependency significantly enhances the construction of rehabilitated individuals’ social identity, aiding in their successful reintegration. The process of media dependency facilitates emotional support, providing an important outlet for resolving ambivalences in identity during the reintegration process. Moreover, media dependency strengthens the positive impact of new media on identity formation, thereby supporting sustainable reintegration into society. Conclusions: This study underscores the practical importance of media in identity reconstruction for rehabilitated individuals. The findings offer insights for policymakers to design more inclusive media policies that reduce stigmatization. Additionally, the results provide valuable guidance for social workers and counselors in leveraging new media to offer emotional support and identity reconstruction. Future research should examine identity formation in diverse socio-cultural contexts to further understand how new media can support sustainable reintegration. Full article

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common invasive neoplasm and affects many women of working age. The return to work (RTW) of female survivors (BCSs) is associated with a better quality of life and longer survival. A tailored intervention to promote RTW was launched in 2022. A year later, the women were contacted to find out if RTW had occurred regularly and what their health conditions were compared to the baseline. BCSs reported excessive fatigue, poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and reduced work ability; these parameters had not improved significantly compared to the baseline. Thematic analysis of the interviews confirmed the presence of personal, company, and societal factors that could hinder or favor RTW. The interviews demonstrated that, even in an economically developed country that has provided numerous benefits for BCSs, protection is not always effective. Personalized intervention seems necessary to complete the process of reintegrating BCSs into their future working careers. Full article

Consequences of a spinal cord injury (SCI) entail much more than damage to the spinal cord. The lives of people with SCI, along with those around them, experience profound long-lasting changes in nearly every life domain. SCI is a physical (biological) injury that is inextricably combined with various psychological and social consequences. The objective of this review is to present psychosocial challenges following SCI through the biopsychosocial model, beginning with acknowledgement of the larger societal effects of ableism and stigma before addressing the many unique psychosocial aspects of living with SCI. Included in this review are qualitative studies and systematic reviews on current psychosocial outcomes and consequences. This paper attempts to structure this information by dividing it into the following sections: relationships and family; changes in finances and employment; issues related to the person’s living situation; community reintegration; factors associated with mood and coping (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use, and PTSD); self-harm behaviors (ranging from nonadherence to suicide); effects of traumatic brain injury; considerations regarding sexual health; aging with SCI; and concludes with a brief discussion about post-traumatic growth. Cultivating an understanding of the unique and interrelated psychosocial consequences of people living with SCI may help mitigate the psychosocial aftermath and serve as a reminder to providers to maintain a person-centered approach to care. Full article

COVID-19 painfully demonstrates how little resilience our societies have to novel viruses. Societies, decision makers, and scientists lack (1) a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of viral outbreaks and their impact on society; (2) intervention portfolios; and (3) a global crisis and resilience policy, all of which are required to develop appropriate measures and to improve societal resilience. We highlight COVID-19 immunity as one key benchmark in preparation for the next wave of the pandemic. Specifically, using network scenarios, we demonstrate the substantial advantage of reintegrating health care workers with acquired COVID-19 immunity in epidemic hotspots, which would not only enable their safe contribution to the health care system but also drastically contain further spread. Full article

Although research about the unintended consequences of paternal incarceration for family well-being has grown in recent years, there has been minimal exploration of food insecurity. Using qualitative methods, we aimed to understand the relationships between paternal incarceration and family food insecurity in Canada. An ethnographic study (24 months) was conducted that included naturalistic observation and in-depth interviews with formerly incarcerated fathers, their partners, and societal reintegration-focused stakeholders (n = 63). Interpretive thematic analysis based on family impact and intersectional theories, indicated that family food insecurity was elucidated by pre-incarceration, economic, social, health, and relationship factors; stigma and social/structural constraints; and intersections among individual, correctional system, community, and macro-level (i.e., economic, social, policy, physical contexts) factors. Participatory approaches and collaborative action among diverse stakeholders that include practitioners, policy makers, researchers, as well as health, social, and criminal justice agencies can guide best practices in creating supportive food environments for families impacted by adversities of incarceration. In particular, interventions aimed at prescriptive ethics, social justice, and meaningful rehabilitation show promise at mitigating the collateral consequences of incarceration-related food insecurity. Full article

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases among the European working age population, as well as the implications for the individual and societal level, underline the need for policy guidelines targeting the effective inclusion of persons with chronic diseases in the workplace. The aim of the present paper was to explore the perspectives of European and National-level stakeholders on existing strategies for work re-integration of persons with chronic diseases, and to provide policy guidelines. A highly-structured interview protocol was distributed to 58 National level stakeholders (policy makers, professionals and employers) from seven European countries. Additionally, 20 European organizations concerned with health-related issues and employment completed an online survey. The findings reveal that employment-related challenges remain largely unaddressed. Both national and European stakeholders considered the existing legislative frameworks inadequate and appraised the co-ordination for the implementation of employment re-integration policies as ineffective. Policies targeting at work re-integration of persons with chronic diseases at European and national level should focus on consistent cooperation among all key stakeholders, awareness raising to staff and management, dissemination of effective strategies, developing research and evaluation standards and establishing monitoring systems on inclusive labour markets. Full article