Connectivity, community, and sense of belonging

This chapter illustrates how the change to a virtual setting challenged students' social connectedness and sense of belonging. It demonstrates how students found a way to build social connectedness in a virtual setting that reinforced their sense of community. The chapter discusses how Students of Color experienced the COVID-19 interruption. It offers insights into whether thriving in college is even possible for students when their means of creating community have been disrupted. At the University of Utah, the detachment was experienced by students in their interactions with faculty and their relationships with their friends, peers, and classmates. The closing of campus and the shift to online learning also limited students' social connectedness with friends, classmates, and peers. Students also relied on new communities to gain motivation and achieve academically. University employees were also a part of students' relational communities. Some students created a strong emotional connection with staff members, such as advisors and student affairs professionals. The pandemic and the resulting educational changes added another layer of complexity to the academic experiences of Students of Color. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Social connectedness for socially withdrawn and vulnerable young people's well-being: A qualitative study

Aims: The DisCOVery study sought to better understand the experiences of young people with complex emerging mental health problems over the longer-term social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A key focus investigated young people's attitudes and experiences of social connection, and how they perceived this to be related to their mental health and future recovery needs. Method(s): Semi-structured interviews were completed with 16 young people (aged 20 to 25) with pre-existing and complex mental health and social problems, between January to December 2021. N = 6 completed follow up interviews approximately 6 months after their initial interview. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results and Conclusion(s): Four themes were identified. These centred around a preference for balancing solitude and quality relationships within small social worlds, the complex role of in-person versus online connection and interaction, how the COVID-19 lockdowns were a facilitator of both social connection and disconnection, and the importance of relationships, talking and being listened to for well-being. The findings suggest that in-person, and to some extent online connection, is a key component of well-being, and is an active recovery goal that socially withdrawn young people with complex pre-existing mental health problems would like to work on.

The mediating role of social connectedness and hope in the relationship between group membership continuity and mental health problems for vulnerable young people

Aims: The DisCOVery study sought to better understand the experiences of young people with complex emerging mental health problems over the longer-term social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the 'social cure' theory, this study aimed to investigate the association, and potential mechanisms, of group membership continuity and reducing mental ill-health amongst vulnerable young people. Method(s): Cross-sectional survey data from a sample of 105 young people aged 16-35, collected approximately 1 year after the global COVID-19 outbreak (January-July 2021). Correlational and path analyses were used to test the associations between group membership continuity and mental health problems (depression, anxiety, psychotic-like experiences), and the mediation of these associations by hope and social connectedness (in-person and online). Results and Conclusion(s): Prior multiple group memberships were associated with the preservation of group memberships during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person social connectedness, online social connectedness and hope mediated the relationship between group membership continuity and mental health problem symptoms. The results suggest that clinical and public health practice should support vulnerable young people to foster and maintain their social group memberships, hopefulness and perceived sense of social connectedness as a means to potentially help prevent exacerbated symptoms and promote recovery of mental health problems, particularly during significant life events.

Hope and social connectedness as intervention targets in youth mental health

The DisCOVery study sought to better understand the experiences of young people with complex emerging mental health problems over the longer-term social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic Quantitative findings (N = 105) will be shared to demonstrated how belonging to multiple social groups can promote better mental health through the provision of hopefulness and social connectedness. Qualitative findings (N = 16) will be shared to elucidate how young people with complex emerging mental health problems experienced social connectedness during the ongoing social restrictions, and how they perceive social connection to be associated with their well-being Results also indicate young people's social preferences and the complex role of in-person versus online connection and interaction. A brief summary will be given regarding a linked trial (TOGETHER), evaluating the feasibility of delivering a social connectedness-focused intervention for young people with emerging complex mental health problems across clinical and community services in the UK.

Global commodity and equity markets spillovers to Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper examines the connectedness among 12 African equity markets and the global commodity, developed equity markets, paying particular attention to their evolution during the COVID-19 pandemic's peak period. We find that whilst African equity markets connect weakly to these markets, the levels of connectedness among these markets improved significantly during the pandemic. In addition, the energy market dominates the transmission of shocks in the system with commodity markets. Regarding the system with equity markets, the French and South African equity markets transmit the highest spillover in the full sample and during the pandemic's peak period, respectively. • Examines the connectedness among African equity and the global equity and commodity markets. • Examines the evolution of connectedness among these markets during the COVID-19. • African equity markets are weakly integrated with the global commodity and equity markets • During the COVID-19 peak period, however, the level of integration among these increased significantly. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Emerging Markets Review is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Lead the African way!

PurposeCountries in Africa have undergone an unprecedented transformation that has shaped the continent as they move ahead from the clutches of colonialism. The evolution of leadership and how organisations function optimally has given rise to the review of leadership approaches and practices, revolutionising its position in the global markets. With the recent spate of global suffering from the pandemic, the formal and traditional work structures are becoming transient. At the same time, the economic consequences of the Russo-Ukrainian crisis have catastrophic effects globally.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted via a systematic review of scientific sources from various academic websites. Eligibility criteria were defined with the agreement of pertinent themes and concepts.FindingsBy evaluating and analysing characteristics and success indicators from the blend of leadership competencies ascertained from Afrocentric principles in response to African associated problems, Africa can cement its leadership concepts without following the global north principles. These philosophies are resilient enough to contend with a range of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) complexities, including the impact of the recent global pandemic of immeasurable proportions and the prospect of war as the Russo-Ukrainian conflict intensifies.Originality/valueWithin the African environment, there is a greater focus on the human element in shared values, holistic well-being, cooperation and experience. The global community band together to deal with these complexities. This is a typical example of global connectedness with positive and negative connotations.

Emerging Ideas. Families Together: Supporting family resilience during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Objective: This study evaluated a rapidly developed program designed to support family resilience during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background: Grounded in Walsh's family resilience framework, Families Tackling Tough Times Together (FT) disseminated weekly evidence‐informed content through a public Facebook group, partner organizations, and on a dedicated website. Method: Facebook and website analytics and weekly brief usage surveys (n with at least one = 74) documented program use, and pre‐ and post‐FT surveys (n with at least one = 49) assessed family connectedness, positive outlook, purpose in life, and stress. Results: The program was widely used and received favorable feedback. Participants reported less stress in weeks when they engaged in more program activities, and more family connectedness in weeks when they spent more time engaged in program materials. No significant changes were observed, however, in overall family resilience, self‐efficacy, family functioning, or stress. Conclusion: The FT program was widely used and appraised positively. Program involvement was favorably correlated with less stress and family connectedness within weeks, although long‐term changes post‐program were not observed. Implications for Emerging Ideas: Social media can be used as an effective mechanism for reaching families during times of adversity and provides preliminary data that can guide refinement of FT and other disaster‐responsive programs. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Family Relations is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Philosophy of education in a new key: Who remembers Greta Thunberg? Education and environment after the coronavirus

This paper explores relationships between environment and education after the Covid-19 pandemic through the lens of philosophy of education in a new key developed by Michael Peters and the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (PESA). The paper is collectively written by 15 authors who responded to the question: Who remembers Greta Thunberg? Their answers are classified into four main themes and corresponding sections. The first section, ‘As we bake the earth, let's try and bake it from scratch', gathers wider philosophical considerations about the intersection between environment, education, and the pandemic. The second section, ‘Bump in the road or a catalyst for structural change?', looks more closely into issues pertaining to education. The third section, ‘If you choose to fail us, we will never forgive you', focuses to Greta Thunberg's messages and their responses. The last section, ‘Towards a new (educational) normal', explores future scenarios and develops recommendations for critical emancipatory action. The concluding part brings these insights together, showing that resulting synergy between the answers offers much more then the sum of articles' parts. With its ethos of collectivity, interconnectedness, and solidarity, philosophy of education in a new key is a crucial tool for development of post-pandemic (philosophy of) education.

Culture dose for kids: Impact of arts engagement on 9- 12 year-olds with anxiety

There is growing momentum to understand the value of the arts in mental health and wellbeing. Engagement with the arts can promote wellbeing by helping to build resilience, aid recovery and foster social connections. Aim(s): To co-develop, implement and evaluate the impact of Culture Dose for Kids (CDK), an arts engagement program, on young people's anxiety. Method(s): Mixed methods [surveys and interviews] were used to research an 8-week series of face-to-face arts engagement sessions conducted at the Art Gallery of New South Wales with anxious youth (9-12 years) and their parents/carers. Result(s): Findings indicate that the children's anxiety scores decreased over the eight-week program. Sustained high attendance rates throughout were another marker of its effectiveness and engagement, although a COVID outbreak affected several sessions. Qualitative data, from parent and children's interviews, offered greater insight and meaning into CDK's impact on the child and family. Not only did parents find CDK calming and stress-relieving for themselves ('a little gift of time'), but they said that they are using some strategies and topics from the sessions to connect more closely with their child and their child's issues. By engaging both parent and child in this inclusive, non-stigmatizing arts-based mental health intervention, a more holistic, family-centred, community approach to supporting wellbeing occurred. Conclusion(s): This study responds to the recent call to move beyond the formal mental health system to facilitate community-led initiatives and infrastructure to strengthen young people's overall mental health and well-being and their social connections and involvement with their community.

Zero Suicide Quality Improvement: Developmental and Pandemic-Related Patterns in Youth at Risk for Suicide Attempts

The Zero Suicide (ZS) approach to health system quality improvement (QI) aspires to reduce/eliminate suicides through enhancing risk detection and suicide prevention services. This first report from our randomized trial evaluating a stepped care for suicide prevention intervention within a health system conducting ZS-QI describes (1) our screening and case identification process, (2) variation among adolescents versus young adults, and (3) pandemic-related patterns during the first COVID-19 pandemic year. Between April 2017 and January 2021, youths aged 12-24 years with elevated suicide risk were identified through an electronic health record (EHR) case-finding algorithm followed by direct assessment screening to confirm risk. Eligible/enrolled youth were evaluated for suicidality, self-harm, and risk/protective factors. Case finding, screening, and enrollment yielded 301 participants showing suicide risk indicators: 97% past-year suicidal ideation, 83% past suicidal behavior;and 90% past non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Compared to young adults, adolescents reported more past-year suicide attempts (47% vs. 21%, p <.001) and NSSI (past 6 months, 64% vs. 39%, p <.001);less depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use;and greater social connectedness. Pandemic onset was associated with lower participation of racial-ethnic minority youths (18% vs. 33%, p <.015) and lower past-month suicidal ideation and behavior. Results support the value of EHR case-finding algorithms for identifying youths with potentially elevated risk who could benefit from suicide prevention services, which merit adaptation for adolescents versus young adults. Lower racial-ethnic minority participation after the COVID-19 pandemic onset underscores challenges for services to enhance health equity during a period with restricted in-person health care, social distancing, school closures, and diverse stresses.Copyright © 2023 Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

Dynamics of return and volatility spill-over between developed, emerging and African equity markets during the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia–Ukraine war

We contribute to the growing literature examining spill-over effects between international equity markets in the "new normal” disposition and extend upon previous studies to include more recent periods covering the Russia–Ukraine war. Using the Diebold and Yilmaz network method, we estimate the returns and volatility connectedness between developed, emerging and African markets over the period 11 March 2020 to 30 June 2022. Our findings can be summarised in three points. Firstly, the static connectedness analysis informs us that emerging and African (developed) markets are the main net receivers (transmitters) of systemic shocks over the sample period. Secondly, the time-varying connectedness analysis further informs us that network connectedness is higher during the Russia–Ukraine war compared to the announcement of Covid-19 variants. Thirdly, the time-varying market specific analysis distinguishes which individual equities are most or least vulnerable to systemic shocks during the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia–Ukraine war. These findings are relevant for investors in their search for better hedging opportunities in equity markets. Moreover, market regulators should take heed of our findings as the observed build-up of systemic risk following the Russia–Ukraine conflict is an indicative of contagion effects experienced. © 2023 Stellenbosch University.

The influences of depression and loneliness on A1C among middle-aged and older adults with diabetes.

Even before increased social isolation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, 43% of adults aged 60 and older reported experiencing loneliness. Depression and loneliness often co-exist and are significant issues faced by middle-aged as well as older adults because each condition is likely to worsen health outcomes. This study of middle-aged and older adults examined how depression and loneliness affect diabetes (DM) control (A1C levels). This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Midlife in the United States Refresher (MIDUS-R) survey, a national survey of adults aged 25-74 years. Correlation analyses were conducted, and a hierarchical logistic regression was estimated to predict A1C levels ≤7% (recommended goal) or >7 using 1) demographics and physical health (ethnicity, gender, education, age, and comorbidities), 2) family and friend support, and 3) depression and loneliness. The sample of 92 participants with DM and A1C data from the MIDUS-R had mean age = 57.37, were 51% male, 68% non-Hispanic White; 39.1% had A1C >7. The average level of depression was low (CES-D mean 9.42) and loneliness was moderate (UCLA scale mean 12.43). Loneliness was correlated with A1C (r= .26, p< .05); depressive symptoms (r= .71, p< .001), family and friends support (r= -.36, r= -.38, respectively, both p< .001). Only loneliness significantly predicted higher A1C levels. People with higher levels of loneliness had increased odds of having A1C >7 (OR = 1.18, p < .05) after controlling for depression and all other variables. Loneliness had a greater impact than depression on A1C level among persons with DM. Healthcare providers should assess patients for loneliness as well as depression and reduce adverse health impacts by referring to psychosocial support as needed.

Classroom Management and Facilitation Approaches That Promote School Connectedness.

BACKGROUND: When children and youth feel connected to their school, family, and others in their community, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and experience negative health. Disruptions to school operations during the COVID-19 pandemic have led many teachers and school administrators to prioritize finding ways to strengthen and re-establish a sense of connectedness among students and between students and adults in school. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed literature that reported on US-based research and were published in English from January 2010 through December 2019 to identify classroom management approaches that have been empirically tied to school connectedness-related outcomes in K-12 school settings. FINDINGS: Six categories of classroom management approaches were associated with improved school connectedness among students: (1) teacher caring and support, (2) peer connection and support, (3) student autonomy and empowerment, (4) management of classroom social dynamics, (5) teacher expectations, and (6) behavior management. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Prioritizing classroom management approaches that emphasize positive reinforcement of behavior, restorative discipline and communication, development of strong, trusting relationships, and explicitly emphasize fairness has potential to promote equitable disciplinary practices in schools. CONCLUSIONS: Classroom management approaches most linked to school connectedness are those that foster student autonomy and empowerment, mitigate social hierarchies and power differentials among students, prioritize positive reinforcement of behavior and restorative disciplinary practices, and emphasize equity and fairness.

Unveiling commodities-financial markets intersections from a bibliometric perspective

The prominence of commodity markets within the domains of empirical finance and energy economics is well established, largely due to oil's importance and its relationship with other commodities and financial markets. In this study, we present a bibliometric examination of 437 journal articles addressing the phenomenon of commodity connectedness, spanning the period from 1994 to 2022. The research methods include a blend of qualitative and quantitative approaches, incorporating bibliometrics and content analysis. Based on the findings of the analysis, four primary research streams have been identified within the literature concerning commodity connectedness, namely (1) commodity interconnectivity, (2) the relationship between traditional commodities, renewable energy, and cryptocurrencies, (3) the relationship between oil and stock markets, and (4) studies utilizing copula methods to examine the interconnectivity between oil and financial markets. We proposed 15 future research questions for further investigation in the domain of commodity connectedness, including topics such as the impact of the post-COVID era and global uncertainties on commodity markets, how commodities can address the issue of climate change, the exponential growth of cryptocurrencies as a new financial asset, and the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on commodity and financial markets.

Network Analysis of International Financial Markets Contagion Based on Volatility Indexes

In this paper, five volatility indexes are used as the proxy to examine the risk contagion among major stock markets. Both static and dynamic connectedness methods are employed. First, the overall connectedness can help monitor the dynamic systemic risk. Sharpe increases in total spillover correspond to actual risk events, e.g., the outbreak of COVID-19. Second, Hong Kong bridges the domestic and international stock markets, and forms a protective barrier for the mainland market to some extend. Third, developed economies mainly act as the net risk transmitters in the network. Fourth, Europe shows greater power in risk contagion after the pandemic.

Integration and risk transmission in the market for crude oil: New evidence from a time-varying parameter frequency connectedness approach

In this study, we introduce a novel time-varying parameter vector autoregressive frequency connectedness approach to obtain refined measures of the frequency transmission mechanism and dynamic integration among six well-established crude oil benchmarks. The period of investigation ranges from May 14th, 1996 to December 3rd, 2020 and focuses on the differences between short-term (1–5 days) and long-term (6–100 days) crude oil volatility connectedness. Findings are suggestive of relatively strong co-movements among crude oil volatility over time. For most part of the sample period, connectedness occurs in the short-run;nonetheless, starting approximately in 2010, long-run connectedness gains much prominence until at least the end of 2015. Long-run connectedness is also prevalent at the beginning of 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We opine that periods of increased long-run connectedness relate to deeper changes in the market for crude oil that bring about new dynamics and associations within the specific network.

Dynamic connectedness, asymmetric risk spillovers, and hedging performance of China's green bonds

In this paper, we analyze the dynamic connectedness and asymmetric risk spillovers among China's green bonds, bonds, stock, and crude oil markets in terms of magnitude, direction, and patterns by utilizing the DCC-GARCH-t-Copula model. We then evaluate the hedging performance of China's green bonds and compare it before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our empirical results demonstrate that, on average, green bonds display significantly lower extreme risk and have weak connectedness with stock and crude oil markets. The spillover effect of green bonds and crude oil risk is particularly pronounced;however, there are weak green bonds-stock risk spillover effects. Subsequent to the COVID-19 outbreak, the green bonds market is more resilient to extreme bonds market declines and offer improved hedging potential for bonds.. Our findings furnish an up-to-date picture and invaluable information for the portfolio, risk management, and hedging strategies for pro-environmental investors in emerging green bonds markets.

Do gold and the US dollar diversify global sectoral risk? Evidence from connectedness and dynamic conditional correlation measures

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in fund management coupled with financial liberalization prompts us to explore the global sectoral connectedness and risk management potential of gold and the US dollar. The asymmetric interdependence (and behaviour) of financial markets (and their participants) further motivates us to understand the upside and downside market connections along with their mean-based connections. Variance decomposition-based spillover measures in vector auto-regressive space are used for that purpose. The mean-based total and directional spillover measures show that the global stock markets are highly connected at the sectoral level, reflecting higher odds of global sectoral shock transmission. The directional spillover measures further reveal that the industrial and financial sectors are systematically important sectors for transmitting global sectoral shocks. Their asymmetric and time-varying counterparts suggest that global sectoral connectedness dominates in downside markets and during crisis events. Specifically, the late European Debt Crisis, the Brexit referendum, the US-China trade war, and the COVID-19 pandemic are characterized by asymmetric and higher global sectoral shock transmission. We also show that the inclusion of gold and the US dollar with global sectoral stocks has the potential to diversify the global sectoral risk.

Default risk transmission in the travel and leisure industry

Default risk in the Travel and Leisure (T&L) industry remains understudied despite its implications for the industry's health and stability. This paper investigates the transmission of default risk among US T&L firms over various credit horizons from July 22, 2008 to December 9, 2022, paying special attention to the impact of COVID-19. The short-, medium-, and long-term default risk factors are extracted from the Credit Default Spread (CDS) curve of the US T&L industry then used within a connectedness approach. The results reveal considerable default risk transmission, particularly in the long-term. Default risk transmission has spiked across all horizons since the pandemic, reflecting the deterioration in credit quality of T&L firms under the pandemic. Analysis of the drivers of default risk transmission shows that several macro-financial variables, especially news market sentiment and stock market volatility induced by the pandemic, have an important explanatory role.

Volatility connectedness among the Indian equity and major commodity markets under the COVID-19 scenario

In this paper, the dynamic relationship between the volatilities of both the Indian equity market and six major commodity markets is analyzed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We employ the time-varying parameters vector autoregression model (TVP-VAR) and wavelet coherence approach to assess the market connectedness. The results reveal a significant increase in volatility correlation and spillovers between the Indian equity market and the six major commodity markets after the outbreak of COVID-19. Furthermore, it was found that after the COVID-19 outbreak, the volatility from the commodity markets rapidly spilled over to the Indian equity market. The wavelet coherence also suggests that the Indian equity market and the six major commodity markets may exhibit higher levels of contagion over the medium and long term. This evidence has important implications for financial risk management, macroprudential policy design, and investors who are interested in the volatility linkages between the Indian markets and major commodities.