Publication Dynamics on Social Media During the Orpea Nursing Homes Scandal: A Twitter Analysis.

The release of a book denouncing mistreatment in French nursing home triggered a scandal which was conveyed on social networks. The objectives of this study were to study the temporal trends and dynamics of publication on Twitter during the scandal as well as to identify the main topics of discussion.The first one is spontaneous and completely aligned with the actuality and fed by media and family of residents, while the second one is out of step with current events and fed by the company involved in the scandal.

More friends on SNS, more materialism? The moderating roles of self-esteem and social comparison orientation.

On social networking sites, users are continuously exposed to a variety of posts from the networked individuals. Such information may often influence recipients' perceptions of what is important and goal pursuits such as materialism. Even though several studies have examined the negative consequences of using social networking sites, less attention has been paid to the role of friends' number and its impact on people's life goal pursuits. This study aimed to investigate the dark side of online friends and explored why and when more friends in social networking sites would promote materialism. Based on a sample of 264 WeChat users, study 1 discovered that friends' number positively impacted materialism through extrinsic goal (i.e., wealth and status). Additionally, such association was moderated by social comparison orientation and self-esteem. Importantly, self-esteem buffers the detrimental effect of friends' number on materialism while social comparison orientation increases it. Study 2 further tested the causal relationship and showed that friends' number on SNS might become a signal to indicate materialism via an experiment. In conclusion, our findings add to the understanding of psychological processes regarding the dark side of online friends' number and render suggestions for developing positive personal value.

Exploring the indirect effect of loneliness in the association between problematic use of social networks and cognitive function in Lebanese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Problematic use of social networks is a widespread problem that may exert deleterious impacts on cognitive functions. Moreover, studies have added an important link between loneliness and its harmful effect on cognitive functions. Other studies have also revealed that problematic use of social networks among teenagers has a pejorative influence on their social interactions, leading to increased social isolation. Therefore, the goal of our research was to investigate the link between problematic use of social networks and cognitive function in a group of Lebanese adolescents while also taking into consideration the indirect role of loneliness in this relationship. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, which was carried out between January and April 2022, included 379 teenagers (aged between 13 and 17 years), from all Lebanese governorates. The PROCESS SPSS Macro version 3.4, model four was used to compute three pathways. Pathway A determined the regression coefficient for the effect of problematic use of social networks on loneliness; Pathway B examined the association between loneliness and cognitive function, and Pathway C' estimated the direct effect of problematic use of social networks on cognitive function. RESULTS: Higher negative social comparison, addictive consequences of problematic use of social networks, and loneliness were significantly associated with worse cognitive function. Loneliness mediated the association between negative social comparison and worse cognitive function, as well as between addictive consequences of problematic use of social networks and worse cognitive function. In addition, higher financial burden was significantly correlated with worse cognitive function, whereas higher physical activity was related to better cognitive function. CONCLUSION: In sum, the current study supports that problematic use of social networks is negatively associated with adolescents' cognitive function, where loneliness seems to play a pivotal role in this equation. The results thus endorse the importance of helping Lebanese adolescents to overcome problematic use of social networks and recover from their loneliness, to achieve a better cognitive/academic performance.

Social networks are shaped by culturally contingent assessments of social competence.

Cultural outsiders, like immigrants or international students, often struggle to make friends. We propose that one barrier to social connection is not knowing what it means to be socially competent in the host culture. First-year students at a U.S. business school (N = 1328) completed a social network survey and rated their own social competence and that of several peers. International students were rated by peers as less socially competent than U.S. students, especially if they were from nations more culturally dissimilar to the U.S. International students' self-reported competence ratings were uncorrelated with peers' judgments. Social network analysis revealed international students were less central to their peer networks than U.S. students, although this gap was reduced if peers evaluated them as socially competent. Peer-reported competence mediated the effects of international student status on social network centrality. Since learning local norms takes time, we suggest inclusivity will require host communities to define social competence more broadly.

Examining retweeting behavior on social networking sites from the perspective of self-presentation.

On social networking sites, people can express themselves in a variety of ways such as creating personalized profiles, commenting on some topics, sharing their experiences and thoughts. Among these technology-enabled features, retweeting other-sourced tweet is a powerful way for users to present themselves. We examine users' retweeting behavior from the perspective of online identity and self-presentation. The empirical results based on a panel dataset crawled from Twitter reveal that, people are prone to retweet topics they are interested in and familiar with, in order to convey a consistent and clear online identity. In addition, we also examine which user groups exhibit a stronger propensity for a clear online identity, considering the practical value of these users to both social media platforms and marketers. By integrating self-presentation theory with social influence theory and social cognitive theory, we propose and confirm that users with higher value in online self-presentation efficacy and users who are more involved with the social media platform have a stronger than average propensity to maintain a consistent online identity, and thus are more likely to retweet familiar topics. These users are characterized by (1) owning a larger number of followers, (2) authoring longer and more original tweets than average, (3) being active in retweeting other-sourced posts. This study contributes to our understanding of SNS users' retweeting behavior and adds to the emerging line of research on online identity. It also provides insights on how microblogging service providers and enterprises can promote people's retweeting behavior.

Mediators and moderators of the effect of the game changers for cervical cancer prevention intervention on cervical cancer screening among previously unscreened social network members in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer (CC) rates are high in Uganda, yet CC screening rates are very low. Our peer advocacy group intervention, Game Changers for Cervical Cancer Prevention (GC-CCP), was shown to increase CC screening uptake among social network members. In this secondary analysis, we examined mediators and moderators of this effect to better understand how and for whom the intervention was most successful in promoting CC screening. METHODS: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of GC-CCP in Namayingo district, Eastern Uganda between September 2021 and April 2022. Forty adult women who had screened for CC in the past year (index participants) enrolled at baseline: 20 were randomized to receive the 7-session intervention to empower women to engage in CC prevention advocacy, and 20 were assigned to the waitlist control; from these index participants, 103 unscreened social network members (alters) also enrolled. All participants were assessed at baseline and month 6 follow-up. Change in cognitive and behavioral CC-related constructs from baseline to month 6 were examined as mediators, using multivariate linear regression analysis. Index and alter demographics and index CC treatment status were examined as moderators. RESULTS: Increased alter engagement in CC prevention advocacy fully mediated the intervention effect on alter uptake of CC screening, and was associated with an increased likelihood of alter CC screening. CC treatment status of the index participant was the sole moderator of the intervention effect, as those in the intervention group who had screened positive and received treatment for pre-cancerous lesions were more likely to have alters who got screened for CC by month 6. CONCLUSION: The effect of GC-CCP on alter CC screening is greater when the alter reports increased engagement in her own advocacy for CC prevention with others. The intervention effects on increased engagement in CC prevention advocacy among both index and alter participants suggest a diffusion of advocacy, which bodes well for dissemination of knowledge and screening activation throughout a network and the larger community.

Do immigrants benefit from selection? Migrant educational selectivity and its association with social networks, skills and health.

Recent scholarship suggests that immigrant selectivity - the degree to which immigrants differ from non-migrants in their sending countries - can help us understand their labour market outcomes in the receiving country. The selectivity hypothesis rests on three assumptions: first, that immigrants differ from non-migrants in their observed characteristics, such as education; second, that there is an association between such observed selection and (usually) unobserved characteristics, and third that this association drives positive relationships between observed selection and immigrant outcomes. While there is some evidence for a relationship between the degree of immigrants' selectivity and their children's outcomes, a comprehensive assessment of these assumptions for immigrants' own labour market outcomes remains lacking. We use high-quality, nationally representative data for the UK, with large numbers of immigrants from a wide range of different origins and with a rich set of measures of networks, traits and characteristics, as well as economic outcomes, not typically found in surveys of immigrants. This enables us to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the selectivity hypothesis and its assumptions. We find that immigrants to the UK are on average positively selected on educational attainment. However, counter to theoretical assumptions, educational selection has little association with labour market outcomes: it is not or negatively associated with employment; and it is only associated with pay for those with tertiary qualifications and with occupational position for women. We show that the general lack of economic benefits from selection is consistent with an absence of association between educational selectivity and (typically unobserved) mechanisms assumed to link selection and labour market outcomes: social networks, cognitive and non-cognitive skills, and mental and physical health. We contextualise our findings with heterogeneity analysis by migration regime, sending country characteristics, level of absolute education and location of credential.

Dealing with Alcohol-Related Posts on Social Media: Using a Mixed-Method Approach to Understand Young Peoples' Problem Awareness and Evaluations of Intervention Ideas.

Young individuals frequently share and encounter alcohol-related content (i.e., alcohol posts) on social networking sites. The prevalence of these posts is problematic because both the sharing of and exposure to these posts can increase young individuals' alcohol (mis)use. Consequently, it is essential to develop effective intervention strategies that hinder young individuals from sharing these posts. This study aimed to develop such intervention strategies by following four steps: (1) assessing young individuals' problem awareness of alcohol posts, (2) unraveling individuals' own intervention ideas to tackle the problem of alcohol posts, (3) examining their evaluations of theory/empirical-based intervention ideas, and (4) exploring individual differences in both problem awareness and intervention evaluations. To reach these aims, a mixed-method study (i.e., focus-group interviews and surveys) among Dutch high-school and college students (Ntotal = 292, Agerange = 16-28 years) was conducted. According to the results, most youth did not consider alcohol posts to be a problem and were, therefore, in favor of using automated warning messages to raise awareness. However, these messages might not work for every individual, as group differences in problem awareness and intervention evaluations exist. Overall, this study puts forward potential intervention ideas to reduce alcohol posts in digital spheres and can therefore serve as a steppingstone to test the actual effects of the ideas.

Misinformation messages shared via WhatsApp in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory study.

Little is known about the role of WhatsApp in spreading misinformation during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. The aim of this study is to analyze the message content, format, authorship, time trends and social media distribution channels of misinformation in WhatsApp messages in Mexico. From March 18 to June 30, 2020 the authors collected all WhatsApp messages received via their personal contacts and their social networks that contained information about COVID-19. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the scientifically inaccurate messages and the relationship between variables, respectively. Google image and video searches were carried out to identify sharing on other social media. Out of a total of 106 messages, the most frequently mentioned COVID-19 related message topics were prevention (20.0%), conspiracy (18.5%), therapy (15.4%) and origin of the virus (10.3%), changing throughout the pandemic according to users' concerns. Half of all WhatsApp messages were either images or videos. WhatsApp images were also shared on Facebook (80%) and YouTube (~50%). Our findings indicate that the design of information and health promotion campaigns requires to be proactive in adapting to the changes in message content and format of misinformation shared through encrypted social media.

As an encrypted social media platform with hardly accessible content, little is known about the role of WhatsApp in spreading misinformation messages (either false or misleading information) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. In this study, researchers studied the content, format, time and channel of distribution of WhatsApp messages containing information about COVID-19 collected via their personal contacts and their social networks from March 18 to June 30, 2020. Half of all messages were visually-appealing and the content changed according to the population´s concerns. WhatsApp messages were also distributed in several other social media platforms. Understanding the format and content of misinformation may help to design dynamic health information and promotion campaigns against it. Regulations of public social media such as Youtube can have a positive impact on WhatsApp.

Exploratory Analysis of Social Networks Linked to the Provision of Beverages in Costa Rican Schools.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are implicated in weight gain and adverse cardiometabolic heath. Social networks of stakeholders involved in providing potable water and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in high schools in Costa Rica were studied using social analysis network. In public and private schools, the interactions between the stakeholders in charge of providing beverages are fragmented and their role in preventing the availability of SSBs is weak. School canteen owners ultimately decide what beverages are available at school, which may cause students to choose beverages that increase the risk of overweight/obesity. It is therefore urgently necessary to improve the capacity for two-way interactions between the stakeholders to enhance their roles in the provision of beverages. Hence, it is essential to reinforce the stakeholders' leadership, and set up innovative ways to exert it in order to develop a shared vision of the types of drinks that should be available in the school environment.

Nutrinews (covid-19): ação extensionista sobre nutrição, saúde e segurança dos alimentos no contexto da pandemia por sars-cov-2 / Nutrinews (COVID-19): Extensionist action on nutrition, health,and food safety in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic / Nutrinews (COVID-19): acción extensionista en materia de nutrición, salud y seguridad alimentaria en el contexto de la pandemia del SARS-CoV-2

Introdução:O período pandêmico trouxe inúmeros desafios à saúde da população, entre eles, a manutenção da saúde alimentar, ameaçada pela disseminação de notícias falsas e o desconhecimento da população acerca de sua importância. Nesse contexto, o uso das mídias sociais torna-se um trajeto de aproximação entre educação e saúde.Objetivo:Relatar a experiência obtida através da execução de um projeto de extensão universitáriarelacionado a promoçãoda saúde nutricional via mídias sociais no contexto pandêmico.Metodologia:Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência, no qual descreve-se a execução do Projeto de extensão universitária: "Descomplicando a nutrição e segurança dos alimentos no contexto da pandemia por SARS-CoV-2".Oprojeto foi desenvolvido através do compartilhamento de publicações e serviços on-lineacerca da segurança de alimentose nutriçãono contexto da pandemia.Utilizou-seuma conta publica no Instagram®e uma comunidade virtual do Whatsapp®como veículos de informação e promoção de saúdepara população. Resultados:Entre o período de junho a dezembro de 2021, a conta do Instagram®atingiu um total de 359 seguidores,e realizou centenas de postagens, dentre posts, vídeose stories,alcançando mais de mil contas. Além das publicações, foi oferecido suporte direto, via WhatsApp®,paramanipuladores de alimentos formais e informais acompanhados pelo grupo de extensão.Conclusões:Os conteúdos trabalhadosnas redes sociais tiveram bom alcance,contribuindopara a promoção de saúde e o combate defalsas informaçõesnas redes sociais. Ao passo que, aodesenvolver as atividades, os participantes do projeto socializaramsaberese desenvolveram competências como: tomada de decisões, protagonismo, reflexão, comprometimento, trabalho em equipe e criatividade (AU).

Introduction:The pandemic period has brought numerous challenges to the health of the population, among them, the maintenance of food health, threatened by the spread of false news and the population's lack of knowledge about its importance. In this context, the use ofsocial media becomes a path of approximation between education and health. Objective:To report the experience obtained through the execution of a university extension project related to the promotion of nutritional health via social media in the pandemiccontext.Methodology: This is a descriptive study, of the experience report type, in which the execution of the University Extension Project is described: "Uncomplicating nutrition and food safety in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic". The project was developed through the sharing of publications and online services about food safety and nutrition in the context of the pandemic. For that, a public Instagram® account and a Whatsapp® virtual community were used as vehicles for information and health promotion for the population. Results:From June to December 2021, the Instagram® account reached a total of 359 followers, and made hundreds of posts, including posts, videos and stories, reaching more than a thousand accounts. In addition to the publications, direct support was offered via WhatsApp® to formal and informal food handlers registered and monitored by the extension group. Conclusions:The content worked on social networks had a good reach, contributing to health promotion and the fight against false information on social networks. While, when developing the activities, the students and the project coordinator shared knowledge and developed skills such as: decision-making, protagonism, reflection, commitment, teamwork and creativity (AU).

Introducción:El período de pandemia ha traído numerosos desafíos para la salud de la población, entre ellos el mantenimiento de una alimentación saludable, amenazada por la difusión de noticias falsas y el desconocimiento de la población sobre su importancia. En este contexto, el uso de las redes sociales se convierte en un camino de aproximación entre la educación y la salud. Objetivo:relatar la experiencia obtenida a través de la ejecución de un proyecto de extensión universitaria relacionado con la promoción de la salud nutricional a través de las redes sociales en el contexto de la pandemia. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, del tipo informede experiencia, en el que se describe la ejecución del Proyecto de Extensión Universitaria: "Descomplicando la nutrición y la seguridad alimentaria en el contexto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2". El proyecto se desarrolló a través del intercambio de publicaciones y servicios en línea sobre seguridad alimentaria y nutrición en el contexto de la pandemia. Se utilizó una cuenta pública de Instagram® y una comunidad virtual de Whatsapp® como vehículos de información y promoción de la salud de la población. Resultados:de junio a diciembre de 2021, la cuenta de Instagram® alcanzó un total de 359 seguidores y realizó cientos de publicaciones, entre publicaciones, videos e historias, llegando a más de mil cuentas. Además de publicaciones, se ofreció apoyo directo vía WhatsApp® a manipuladores de alimentos formales e informales monitoreados por el grupo de extensión. Conclusiones:El contenido trabajado en las redes sociales tuvo un buen alcance, contribuyendo a la promoción de la salud y la lucha contra la información falsa en las redes sociales. Mientras que, mediante el desarrollo de las actividades, los participantes del proyecto compartieron conocimientos y desarrollaron habilidades como: toma de decisiones, protagonismo, reflexión, compromiso, trabajo en equipo y creatividad (AU).

Patients' and volunteer coaches' experiences with an informal social network intervention in forensic psychiatric care: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Improving supportive social networks in forensic psychiatric patients is deemed important due to the protective effects of such networks on both mental health problems and criminal recidivism. Informal interventions targeted at social network enhancement by community volunteers showed positive effects in various patient and offender populations. However, these interventions have not specifically been studied in forensic psychiatric populations. Therefore, forensic psychiatric outpatients' and volunteer coaches' experiences with an informal social network intervention were explored in this study. METHODS: This qualitative study was based on semi-structured interviews conducted alongside an RCT. Forensic outpatients allocated to the additive informal social network intervention, and volunteer coaches, were interviewed 12 months after baseline assessment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify and report patterns in the data. RESULTS: We included 22 patients and 14 coaches in the study. The analysis of interviews revealed five main themes reflecting patients' and coaches' experiences: (1) dealing with patient receptivity, (2) developing social bonds, (3) receiving social support, (4) achieving meaningful change, and (5) using a personalized approach. Patient receptivity, including willingness, attitudes, and timing, was a common reported barrier affecting patients' engagement in the intervention. Both patients' and coaches' experiences confirmed that the intervention can be meaningful in developing new social bonds between them, in which patients received social support. Despite, experiences of meaningful and sustainable changes in patients' social situations were not clearly demonstrated. Coaches' experiences revealed broadened worldviews and an enhanced sense of fulfillment and purpose. Finally, a personalized, relationship-oriented rather than goal-oriented approach was feasible and preferable. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study showed positive experiences of both forensic psychiatric outpatients and volunteer coaches with an informal social network intervention in addition to forensic psychiatric care. Notwithstanding the limitations, the study suggests that these additive interventions provide an opportunity for forensic outpatients to experience new positive social interactions with individuals in the community, which can initiate personal development. Barriers and facilitators to engagement are discussed to improve further development and implementation of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR7163, registration date: 16/04/2018).

The relationship between neuroticism and passive use of mobile social networks among Chinese young adults: The mediating role of fear of missing out and online social support.

Many studies have shown that passive use of mobile social networks affects people's physical and mental health. However, few studies have explored the association between neuroticism and passive use of social networks, and the mediating factors that may indirectly contribute to this relationship. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the relationship between neuroticism and passive use of mobile social networks and explore the sequential mediating role of fear of missing out (FOMO) and online social support. In the present study, data from a total of 531 Chinese undergraduates were collected by using the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory, Online Social Support Scale, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, and Passive Use of Mobile Social Networks Scale. The results showed that neuroticism positively predicted passive use of mobile social networks through the indirect paths of FOMO and online social support and the chain mediating path of "online social support-FOMO".

Adoption of social networking sites among older adults: The role of the technology readiness and the generation to identifying segments.

Older adults can take advantage of social networking sites (SNS). However, SNS are not without the access gap among elders. Assuming that the data are homogenous within the same population may not be precise in social science research. What is known about the heterogeneous nature of older people? Considering this issue and the lack of research to help reflect the heterogeneity of elderly users of technologies, this study aims to identify segments in the use of SNS by the elderly. Data were collected from older Chilean adults. Cluster analysis suggested different profiles of adult users regarding the Technology Readiness Index. We used a hybrid multigroup partial least squares-structural equation model, including the Pathmox algorithm, to identify segments in the structural model. Based on the technology readiness profiles and the generation, we identified three segments with different determinant effects to explain the intention to use SNS: independent elder, technological-apathetic elder, and technological-eager elder. The contributions from this study are triple. First, this study helps to better understand how the elderly adopt information technology. Second, this study complements the existing corpus of research on using the technology readiness index in the elderly population. Third, we used an innovative method to segment users in the acceptance technology model.

Peer network in math anxiety: A longitudinal social network approach.

Regardless of age, math anxiety (i.e., adverse affective reactions in situations involving math) is associated with lower math achievement. Previous studies have investigated the role of adult figures (e.g., parents, teachers) in the development of children's math anxiety. However, given the importance of peer relationships during adolescence, we examined friendship selection and social influence on children's math anxiety using longitudinal peer network analyses. Throughout the academic semester, we found that children became more similar to their peers in math anxiety levels but did not form new peer networks based on their levels of math anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of peers' emotional reactions to math, which could influence future academic achievement and career aspirations considerably.

Relationship between Materialism and Social Networking Site Addiction among Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Materialism has been consistently linked to Internet-related addictions, including compulsive online shopping, problematic online gaming, and excessive smartphone use; however, the relationship between materialism and social networking site (SNS) addiction has remained unclear. Thus, this study aims to examine the association between materialism and SNS addiction and investigate the mediating effect of fatalism and moderating effect of self-concept clarity in this relationship among 703 Chinese adolescents. Materialism was significantly positively associated with SNS addiction in adolescents, and fatalism partially mediated this association. Moreover, self-concept clarity moderated the direct and indirect relationships between materialism and SNS addiction. Specifically, for adolescents with low (versus high) self-concept clarity, those who also had high levels of materialism were more likely to develop fatalistic beliefs and showed further symptoms of SNS addiction. This study's findings imply that decreasing materialism and fatalism and developing self-concept clarity might be effective interventions for reducing SNS addiction among adolescents.

The paucity of morality in everyday talk.

Given its centrality in scholarly and popular discourse, morality should be expected to figure prominently in everyday talk. We test this expectation by examining the frequency of moral content in three contexts, using three methods: (a) Participants' subjective frequency estimates (N = 581); (b) Human content analysis of unobtrusively recorded in-person interactions (N = 542 participants; n = 50,961 observations); and (c) Computational content analysis of Facebook posts (N = 3822 participants; n = 111,886 observations). In their self-reports, participants estimated that 21.5% of their interactions touched on morality (Study 1), but objectively, only 4.7% of recorded conversational samples (Study 2) and 2.2% of Facebook posts (Study 3) contained moral content. Collectively, these findings suggest that morality may be far less prominent in everyday life than scholarly and popular discourse, and laypeople, presume.

Social Networks, New Technologies, and Wellbeing-An Interview Study on Factors Influencing Older Adults' Successful Ageing.

Many factors are considered vital in supporting successful ageing and older adults' wellbeing. Whilst evidence exists around facilitating and hindering factors in the general use of various forms of institutional and family support and personal development-oriented education and/or new technologies, evidence is limited with regards to older people's motivations, expectations, and experiences surrounding ageing. Hence, in this study, the author used a qualitative explanatory method to interpret the factors influencing seniors' successful ageing. The author's focus was on how seniors experience ageing. The second issue was how they have been organizing life in old age. The third point concerned their expectations towards ageing now and in the future. Thirteen older adults (60+) were interviewed nationwide using a semi-structured scenario tool. Their objective was to give rich descriptions of their experiences of ageing. The interviews revealed the older adults' own experiences and enabled an understanding of their motivations, perceptions, moderators, and expectations around successful ageing. Based on the analysis of the qualitative data, the author developed three main themes, each with its own sub-themes: 1. Life satisfaction (transitioning to retirement, using coping strategies in adaptation to negative changes, reaching personal goals, leading a meaningful life); 2. Supportive environments (being independent but using temporary assistance from relatives and/or people close to oneself, living with family members (e.g., husband or wife, children, grandchildren), having access to health care system); 3. Social integration (social relations, social engagement, independence in using technological advancements). The main categories that emerged from the three themes were social networks, new technologies, and wellbeing. To analyze these issues, the author used a sociological approach. The theoretic explorations were embedded mainly in two methods: criticism of writing and the analytical and comparative one.

A peer-led, school-based social network intervention for young people in the UK, promoting sexual health via social media and conversations with friends: intervention development and optimisation of STASH.

BACKGROUND: The quality of school-based sex and relationships education (SRE) is variable in the UK. Digitally-based interventions can usefully supplement teacher-delivered lessons and positively impact sexual health knowledge. Designed to address gaps in core SRE knowledge, STASH (Sexually Transmitted infections And Sexual Health) is a peer-led social network intervention adapted from the successful ASSIST (A Stop Smoking in Schools Trial) model, and based on Diffusion of Innovation theory. This paper describes how the STASH intervention was developed and refined. METHODS: Drawing on the Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development (6SQuID) framework, we tested a provisional programme theory through three iterative stages -: 1) evidence synthesis; 2) intervention co-production; and 3) adaptation - which incorporated evidence review, stakeholder consultation, and website co-development and piloting with young people, sexual health specialists, and educators. Multi-method results were analysed in a matrix of commonalities and differences. RESULTS: Over 21 months, intervention development comprised 20 activities within the three stages. 1) We identified gaps in SRE provision and online resources (e.g. around sexual consent, pleasure, digital literacy), and confirmed critical components including the core ASSIST peer nomination process, the support of schools, and alignment to the national curriculum. We reviewed candidate social media platforms, ruling out all except Facebook on basis of functionality restrictions which precluded their use for our purposes. 2) Drawing on these findings, as well as relevant behaviour change theories and core elements of the ASSIST model, we co-developed new content with young people and other stakeholders, tailored to sexual health and to delivery via closed Facebook groups, as well as face-to-face conversations. 3) A pilot in one school highlighted practical considerations, including around peer nomination, recruitment, awareness raising, and boundaries to message sharing. From this, a revised STASH intervention and programme theory were co-developed with stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: STASH intervention development required extensive adaptation from the ASSIST model. Although labour intensive, our robust co-development approach ensured that an optimised intervention was taken forward for feasibility testing. Evidencing a rigorous approach to operationalising existing intervention development guidance, this paper also highlights the significance of balancing competing stakeholder concerns, resource availability, and an ever-changing landscape for implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN97369178.