Member states and interest groups, as key political actors, play crucial roles in the decision-making process of the European Union (EU). This study examines the relationship between the variation in political actors’ preferences and decision-making procedures, emphasizing the roles of interest groups and member states as critical stakeholders. This research employs a process-tracing method, analyzing two case studies—the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)—to investigate the causal mechanisms linking ..read more

Despite widespread acknowledgement of the importance of family engagement in supporting children’s academic and social success, many educators feel underprepared to establish meaningful connections with families. Research reveals that many educators perceive family engagement through a narrow lens, expecting families to participate in school-directed activities that may alienate families from marginalized backgrounds. This design-based study examined how participation in a virtual professional development course might serve as a space for educators to (re)consider how they engage wit ..read more

Elder abuse is an increasingly significant public health and human rights issue in aging and long-lived societies. Despite existing intervention strategies, the lack of emergency housing tailored to older victims of abuse remains a critical gap. This study explores professionals’ perceptions of elder abuse, response measures, and challenges in addressing abuse, with a focus on rural regions. A survey was conducted among 100 first responders—social workers and police officers—who intervene in cases of elder abuse. Results indicate significant differences in percept ..read more

This study examined the socioeconomic factors influencing Mexican household consumption during the 1994 and 2010 crises. Using data from the National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure (ENIGH) from 1994 to 2012, we analyzed household expenditure elasticities for durable, semi-durable, and non-durable goods relative to income. We employed a linear regression model incorporating household head characteristics, including gender, education, and income level, to assess consumption adjustments. The results showed that during the 1994 crisis, low-income households reduced durable goods consum ..read more

This paper examines the historical relationship between Shi’i jurisprudence and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s reproductive biopolitics. Using archival methods, the paper looks into the similarities and differences between religious interpretations and Iranian law. It then analyzes the implications of the recent ‘Family Protection and Youthful Population’ law, enacted in 2021 in response to fears of a looming ‘population crisis,’ and how it further restricts women’s access to abortion (care). The paper argues that reproducti ..read more

Grounded in the dual frame of reference (DFR) theory and a life-course perspective, this study explores how migrants’ past work experiences shape the perceptions of their actual work in the host country. The study examines pre- and post-migration working conditions and life satisfaction and compares them to perceptions of decent work (DW). Additionally, the study also compares the DW perceptions of migrants with prior work experience in their home country with those of migrants who lack such experience and started to work in the host country. Using the Decent Work Questionnaire (DWQ ..read more

The purpose of this article is to present findings, relationships, and value added from research on the experiences of women with terrorism in North-East Nigeria to interdisciplinary spaces and practice by using systemist diagrammatic representations. This work is regarded as worthwhile in both substantive and methodological terms for the following reasons: First, respective research projects with policy relevance will be presented in a visual format, highlighting their connectedness—easily digestible, but without losing the depth and breadth of the work. Second, the article provides ..read more

Studying the emotional disorders of perimenopausal women and their influencing factors from a psychological perspective is essential for developing targeted psychological interventions and support strategies. Such efforts can help middle-aged and elderly women better cope with the challenges of perimenopause and improve their overall quality of life. This study aimed to explore the chain mediating effect of self-esteem and psychological resilience on the relationship between illness perception and emotional disorders in perimenopausal women in Macau. A total of 617 postmenopausal women complet ..read more

The increasing presence of digital media has amplified the need to study media multitasking (both multiple media activities simultaneously and using media while doing non-media activities). Media Multitasking Scale (MMS) has been used to assess this phenomenon, but it is yet to be validated for a Portuguese population. This study analysed the validity of a Portuguese Version of the MMS (n = 171 Portuguese adolescents) based on inter-item correlations and confirmatory factor analysis. The results suggest changes in the original version to reflect more recent digital media tendencies for a bette ..read more

WhatsApp has gained relevance in distance higher education due to its accessibility and ease of use, making it a valuable tool for academic support. This study analyzes the use of WhatsApp in this context, considering sociodemographic variables and factors such as subject and group size. The sample included 127 students from an Ecuadorian university, belonging to two subjects from different areas. With a multivariate quantitative approach, this study evaluated the dimensions of management, communication and interaction, learning, and the relevance and benefits of using WhatsApp. The data were ..read more