Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

Peace and Conflict: A Look at my Own Backyard

Carl Hermann Dino Steinmetz — 2025-12-02

This article examines peace and conflict through the lens of an autobiographical “backyard,” arguing that global transitions—ecological, geopolitical, socio-economic, and cultural—must be understood not only at macro and meso levels but also through the intimate micro-dynamics of individual experience. Situated within contemporary scholarship that frames the present era as one of profound systemic transformation, the study extends the author’s earlier work on peace and resistance by employing a methodology of critical self-assessment, or autoethnography. Through six guiding questions, the article interrogates encounters with aggression, violence, sexual harassment, deprivation, institutional racism, DARVO, and conflict across the author’s life course, spanning childhood in Indonesia, migration to the Netherlands, academic and professional trajectories, political activism, and the impact of personal tragedy. These narratives are analyzed through frameworks drawn from victimology, transcultural psychology, and power relations, illuminating how institutional structures reproduce exclusion, hierarchy, and racialization while also revealing the author’s evolving strategies of resistance—from physical self-defense and ethical refusal to organizational leadership, whistleblowing, and advocacy for vulnerable groups, migrants, and refugees. The discussion contrasts Western individualistic models of power and masculinity with communitarian non-Western philosophies such as Ubuntu, arguing that durable peace requires integrating these divergent epistemologies. A heuristic conflict model, F(C | PF–LA–PE) = VVPB & NE, is proposed to conceptualize conflict as relational, contextual, and structurally embedded. Ultimately, the article demonstrates that personal histories of conflict mirror broader global patterns shaped by colonial legacies, systemic discrimination, and structural violence. It concludes that any credible pursuit of world peace must incorporate micro-level experience as both analytical foundation and normative guide, recognizing the inseparability of individual, societal, and global dimensions of conflict and transformation.

From State-Building to Integration: A Comparative Analysis of Albania’s Strategies toward Neighbours and Great Powers (1920–1924 vs. Post-1990)

Rexhina Myrta — 2025-11-28

This article offers a comparative analysis of Albania’s foreign-policy behaviour during two structurally distinct periods: the formative years 1920–1924, marked by existential threats to sovereignty, and the post-1990 era, characterised by democratic transition and deep Euro-Atlantic integration. Drawing on extensive archival materials including documents from the Albanian State Archives, League of Nations records, Italian diplomatic correspondence and British Foreign Office files the study demonstrates that early Albanian diplomacy was shaped by acute geopolitical vulnerability, regional revisionism and limited administrative capacity. Albania relied heavily on the League of Nations, legal appeals and the strategic exploitation of great-power rivalries to counter Yugoslav, Greek and Italian pressures.

In contrast, the post-1990 period reveals an environment transformed by institutional density and security guarantees. NATO membership, EU conditionality and strengthened bilateral partnerships (particularly with the United States, Italy and Turkey) have shifted Albania’s diplomacy from survival-driven improvisation to structured, rules-based engagement. Yet despite the profound systemic differences, the analysis identifies strong continuity in Albania’s strategic repertoire: reliance on multilateral institutions, diversification of alliances, and the internationalisation of disputes.

The article argues that these long-term behavioural patterns reflect the enduring logic of small-state adaptation. By tracing how Albania moved from a contested periphery in the 1920s to an institutionalised Euro-Atlantic actor today, the study contributes to scholarship on small-state diplomacy, regional security and the role of international institutions in shaping foreign-policy trajectories. Methodologically, the article applies a structured comparative historical analysis across the two periods.The findings highlight that Albania’s strategic resilience derives less from material capabilities than from effective institutional anchoring and calibrated diplomatic balancing.

Promoting Cultural and Language Diversity in World Languages Classes

Dainess M. Maganda — 2025-11-28

In the 21^st century, intercultural perspectives in education seeking to foster a sense of understanding around the world have become the norm. This paper examines ideas regarding the meaning and role of language ideology in the quest to promote linguistic diversity in today’s world, starting with classrooms. The author offers practical ideas on how teachers in general, and specifically teachers of world languages, culture and literature can cultivate an appreciation for varied languages in their classrooms and underscore ways to help students see the interaction between language, culture, literature through an intercultural education perspective. The author will also highlight challenges teachers are likely to face while offering ideas to address them.

Navigating the Challenges of Remote Work: Cross-Border Collaboration in a Virtual World

Kampamba Malaila — 2025-12-02

The global shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally transformed patterns of team interaction and organizational dynamics. While remote work offered flexibility and cost efficiency, it also introduced challenges that significantly affected teams operating across national and organizational boundaries. This study examined the key obstacles and potential benefits associated with remote collaboration among multinational virtual teams. Three primary challenges were identified: disparities in technological capabilities, differences in cultural preferences, and a reduced capacity to interpret nonverbal communication cues. Drawing on multiple peer-reviewed studies and qualitative interviews with multinational organizations, this research developed a comprehensive framework aimed at improving remote team effectiveness. The findings revealed that standardized technological platforms, cultural competence training, and transparent communication systems were critical for addressing these challenges. Implementing these strategies enhanced productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction within virtual teams. Overall, the study contributed to bridging operational knowledge gaps for organizational managers navigating global workforce management through remote collaboration.

The Impact of Singing Therapy on the Quality of Life of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Systematic Review

Hyemin Kim — 2025-11-30

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the intervention effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of applying singing therapy to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients through a systematic review. Method: PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, Research Information Sharing Service(RISS), DBpia, and Koreanstudies information service system(KISS) were searched for eligible articles that matched a pre-defined criteria from 2009 to 2023. Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected for final analysis. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using the assessment criteria adopted from the Cochrane Library. Result: All selected studies used singing therapy as the intervention for treating COPD, but the details of the study such as the time, duration, and frequency varied amongst studies. Also, there was no statistical difference between the intervention and control group on the quality of life. However, in the intervention group, there was a significant difference in the results between pre-intervention and post-intervention. Conclusion: The results from this systematic review implies that singing therapy significantly improves the quality of life in COPD patients.

Women’s Bodies as Battlefields: Breast Amputation and Genital Mutilation in the Overlooked Genocidal Conflict in Ethiopia

Girma Berhanu — 2025-12-04

The situation in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has deteriorated into a critical humanitarian and human-rights emergency. Emerging evidence from besieged localities indicates an escalation of atrocities that transcend previously documented patterns of violence. Verified testimonies and secondary reports detail widespread killings accompanied by systematic sexual and gender-based violence, including acts intended to cause profound physical and psychological harm. These violations appear to be strategically employed as instruments of terror and social destabilization. The proliferation of graphic content across digital platforms has generated significant secondary trauma among affected populations, while simultaneously underscoring the role of media in shaping collective perception and response. Notwithstanding the severity of these crimes, international awareness and condemnation remain disproportionately limited, revealing a persistent gap between global normative commitments and practical engagement. Concurrently, ongoing drone strikes against civilian populations exacerbate the humanitarian toll, contributing to cumulative suffering and displacement. Drawing on verified interviews with relatives of victims and triangulated findings from human-rights and academic sources, this study situates the documented abuses within the broader context of conflict-related sexual violence and violations of international humanitarian law. Building on prior research concerning gendered violence against men in the region, the findings contribute to a growing body of empirical evidence suggesting the commission of acts that may amount to crimes under international law.

“Trust, but Verify”: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Human–AI Interaction

Mohammad Tayyab Khan — 2025-12-04

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become deeply integrated into professional workflows, offering efficiency, scalability, and decision-support across sectors. Yet, questions remain about how users calibrate trust in AI and how reliance on these systems shapes human cognition. This study explores the psychological dimensions of trust, transparency, and cognitive load in human–AI interaction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve professionals across psychology, technology, and leadership domains. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis, revealing two superordinate themes: (1) trust as conditional, shaped by verification practices and expectations of source transparency, and (2) AI’s dual role in reducing cognitive load while raising concerns about diminishing creativity and imagination. Findings highlight that professionals value AI as a supportive assistant that saves time and streamlines tasks but remain cautious about accuracy, hallucinations, and overreliance. The study contributes to qualitative research on human–AI interaction by emphasising the need for explainability, verifiable outputs, and safeguards against cognitive complacency. It recommends psychologically informed design strategies that balance efficiency with transparency and preserve users’ epistemic agency.

Theoretical Substruction of Wiener and Dodd’s Theory of Illness Trajectory in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Hyemin Kim — 2025-11-30

This study applied Wiener and Dodd’s Theory of Illness Trajectory to patients with liver cirrhosis using a theoretical substruction approach. The purpose was to examine how the theory operates within the context of liver cirrhosis, assess its applicability, and identify areas in which theoretical refinement may be warranted. Through theoretical substruction, the original theory was reorganized into four major concepts—uncertainty, disruption in the illness trajectory, coping with uncertainty, and reconstruction of life. Seven variables were subsequently derived and operationalized using validated empirical indicators appropriate for chronic illness populations. The analysis revealed that patients with liver cirrhosis experience profound uncertainty across physical, identity-related, and temporal dimensions. This multidimensional uncertainty contributes to a perceived loss of control, resulting in disruptions in the expected trajectory of life. Coping with uncertainty involves engaging in uncertainty abatement work and interacting with family, healthcare providers, and broader support networks. Over time, these processes support patients in integrating illness into everyday life and reconstructing a renewed sense of continuity and meaning. Overall, the findings suggest that Wiener and Dodd’s theory is generally applicable to the chronic illness experience; however, certain aspects may require adaptation to adequately reflect the unique physiological and psychosocial characteristics of liver cirrhosis. This theoretical evaluation offers direction for future research aimed at refining and extending the Illness Trajectory Theory to broader chronic illness contexts.

The Effectiveness of the Know-Want-Learn Teaching Model in Improving Text Literacy in Upper Elementary School Students

Asrori Muhammad — 2025-11-08

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Know-Want-Learn Teaching Model to improve text literacy in upper elementary school students. The study was conducted using an experimental method with a one-group pretest-posttest design. The subjects of this study were fifth-grade students at Al-Azhar Islamic Elementary School in Pontianak, State Elementary School 2 in Mempawah, and State Elementary School 3 in Singkawang. There were four indicators of text literacy ability that were measured, namely (a) grasping the main ideas of the text, (b) describing the summary of the text orally, (c) describing the summary of the text in writing, and (d) formulating questions based on the text that has been read. The results of the study indicate that the Know-Want-Learn Teaching Model is effective in improving text literacy, especially in terms of grasping the main ideas of the text and describing the essence of the text orally, but it is not effective in terms of describing the essence of the text in writing and formulating questions based on the text that has been read.

A Thematic Review of Graffiti Subculture Research (2020–2025): Space, Resistance, and Identity

Jimin Zhang — 2025-11-09

Graffiti has long been considered an artistic practice and a form of social expression. In recent years, research on graffiti subculture has grown, with scholars exploring its role in shaping urban space, supporting social movements, and preserving cultural memory. However, despite this growing body of research related to graffiti subculture, a comprehensive review of research topics from 2020 to 2025 remains lacking. This article aims to address this gap by synthesizing relevant literature on graffiti subculture from 2020 to 2025 using the ATLAS.ti 8 system. A keyword search and inclusion criteria were applied to the Art & Architecture Complete and Scopus databases, resulting in the identification of 56 peer-reviewed journal articles. However, after this screening process, only 27 articles were included. A thematic review of these 27 articles identified 13 initial codes, which were clustered into three themes: Graffiti and the Reconstruction of Urban Space; Graffiti's Practice in Social Movements and Protests; and Graffiti's Emotional Memory and Identity Construction. The results of this study contribute to future research on graffiti subculture and demonstrate the potential of graffiti at the intersection of creativity and commercialization, empowerment and co-optation, and emotional memory and identity. This study will also guide future research on graffiti subculture.

What Happened to Manufacturing Sector in Industrial Countries?

M. Ataman Aksoy — 2025-11-11

There has been a relative decline in the manufacturing sectors of industrial countries called "deindustrialization" which consists of the decline in manufacturing employment, trade deficits, factory closings and the decline in the share of manufacturing in GDP. This study analyzes the behavior of growth in selected industrial countries, The USA, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, for the period 1970-2015. The findings of the study show that serious decline of manufacturing apply to very few countries and is caused primarily by high technical change leading to lower manufacturing product prices. This leads to lower incomes for labor and capital and distorts the relative share of manufacturing in GDP.

Social Safety Nets for Elderly Tea Garden Workers in Bangladesh

Mohammad Shahjahan — 2025-11-12

This study examines the living conditions and welfare challenges of elderly tea garden workers in Bangladesh, with a focus on the Malnichhara Tea Estate in Sylhet. Despite dedicating their lives to the tea industry, many remain excluded from state-led social protection programs. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected from 15 elderly workers through in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, observations, and documents review. Findings reveal that most of the workers live in persistent poverty, relying on minimal wages or small retirement rations. None had access to bank accounts, leaving them financially insecure and outside formal financial systems. Long years of strenuous labor and economic hardship have contributed to poor physical health and psychological stress. Although respected within their own community, they remain marginalized from broader society and government welfare schemes. The study highlights the need for targeted policy measures, including special allowances, healthcare support, financial inclusion, and integration into the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS).

Malaysia Madani Concept: An Exploration of Its Islamic Dimensions and Characteristics

Thameem Ushama — 2025-11-14

This paper explores the Malaysia MADANI concept, represented by the Malay acronym for “SCRIPT,” which stands for keMampanan (Sustainability), kesejAhteraan (Prosperity), Dayacipta (Innovation), hormAt (Respect), keyakiNan (Trust), and Ihsan (Care and Compassion). The concept has been criticised by academics, leaders, scholars, politicians, students, and the public. The primary aim of this study is to understand the essence of the MADANI concept and to clarify it in light of the Tawhidic epistemology and the Islamic worldview. Given the limited attention paid to MADANI, this paper examines its features and dimensions within the context of the Qur’ān, Sunnah, and Islamic heritage. A qualitative methodology, focusing on content analysis, has been employed. Selected exegeses of the Qur’ān and narrations from Ḥadīth literature, alongside the thoughts of Muslim scholars, have been reviewed to elucidate the concept and demonstrate its significance for a proper understanding of MADANI. The study begins with an introduction, followed by a brief overview of selected Muslim scholars’ perspectives on good governance, along with a discussion of the study’s problem, methodology, and objectives. It then presents the Arabic terms associated with the six drivers of MADANI, along with their scriptural sources. The study addresses key concepts, including sustainability, care, and compassion, as essential elements for harmony; respect as the foundation of an inclusive community; innovation as a model for sustainable development; prosperity as a crucial driver of societal advancement; and trust as a pathway to holistic well-being, from an Islamic perspective. The paper concludes with recommendations based on the findings.

Television in Cameroon: Upshots from Monopoly to Fierce Competition

Stephen N. Ndode — 2025-11-15

On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Top Management of Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) – the State broadcaster and first television (then CTV) in Cameroon, invited us as panelists in a symposium to mark 40 years of television in Cameroon (March 1985 - March 2025). Our presentation highlighted that the TV landscape in Cameroon has burgeoned from Cameroon Television’s (CTV) monopoly in 1985 to 93 independent channels today. This shift has removed the power of monopoly from the hands of CTV (now CRTV), implying the infusion of diverse opinions and audience interactions with choicest channels and programs. That is not enough – the television industry in Cameroon faces stiff competition from 760 media in the country, in addition to the ever-present and intrusive foreign media with considerable audience followings. Though television and media pluralism and diversity in Cameroon have brought dynamism, existing gaps have widened in news and information production, dissemination, and consumption. The theory of media pluralism is used to reflect on the degree to which the media landscape of Cameroon; particularly television, has soared from monopoly to fierce competition, with varied inferences on viewership patterns and media effects

After Midlife, What Next? Rethinking Future Orientations, Belonging, and Success Among Executive Expatriates in Singapore

Leslie Hsu — 2025-11-15

This paper explores how executive expatriates navigate post-midlife transitions by re-evaluating their sense of success, belonging, and future direction. Drawing from qualitative interviews with midlife professionals living and working abroad, the study reveals a shift in priorities from achievement-driven identities to values rooted in emotional connection, legacy, and existential meaning. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), we uncover key themes such as disillusionment with career-defined success, the longing for deeper community integration, and emerging aspirations for retirement, contribution, and self-actualization. These insights reveal an urgent need for organizations and policymakers to support the aging expatriate population with holistic frameworks that address both career wind-down and psychosocial transitions.

An Appraisal of the Establishment, Influence, and Growth Trajectories of Five Nigerian Pentecostal Churches

Omogbai Ehimikhuae Odion — 2025-11-15

This article examines the establishment and development of five prominent Nigerian Pentecostal churches with the aim of understanding the trajectories for their role, contributions, and impact as spiritual entities and social force on contemporary Christianity in the lives of Nigerians and on Nigeria’s national development. With the use of a multiple case study design methodology, supported by narrative techniques that are historical, sociological, and ethnographic, relevant data was drawn from available scholarly literature with other published and unpublished materials. The article examines the Deeper Life Bible Church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, and Daystar Christian Centre as case studies. The five churches are each analyzed in relation to their foundational vision, mission, strategies for evangelism, missions, and church planting operations including their responses to shifting socio-cultural, economic, and political environment of Nigeria, home and abroad. The article argues that the emergence, growth, and development of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria are not simply a religious phenomenon, but a reflection of the interplay of dynamic leadership, innovativeness, and socio-economic aspirations that these churches strategically adapt to the ongoing dynamic situations in Nigeria. The resultant effect of this article is that it contributes to the general discourse on Pentecostalism from the prism of Nigeria as it reveals how their involvement in both local and global dynamics have shaped the growth, development and influence of these five Pentecostal churches.

Increased Vulnerability: Analysis of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Among Internally Displaced Women in Burkina Faso

Kouraogo Kiswendsida Noëlie — 2025-11-22

Since 2016, Burkina Faso has been spiraling into a cycle of armed violence. In 2023, 3,710 security incidents were recorded, mainly linked to the presence of non-identified armed groups. By March 31,2023, nearly 10% of the Burkinabe population, 2,062,534 people, had been displaced as a result of this escalation of violence, according to the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation (SP/CONASUR). According to the Multisectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA), in 2023, 39% of internally displaced persons had been displaced for more than two years, and 20% more than once. An increase in secondary movements was observed in 2023. According to the Rapid Response Operational Coordination Group (GCORR), between January and October 2023, 93 population movement alerts were recorded, compared to 89 alerts for the same period in the previous year. These upheavals have reshaped society, deepened vulnerabilities, and widened gender inequality The crisis has an even greater on women and girls^[1], who face heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV) in physical, sexual, and psychological forms. In this study, we analyze GBV in the context of internal displacement in Burkina Faso, asking: Does displacement increase the incidence of GBV against internally displaced women? What factors heighten their vulnerability? And how do power dynamics within displaced and host communities shape the risks they face? To answer these questions, we use a unique case study, the story of an internally displaced woman who was a victim of sexual violence and a registered resident at a center dedicated to survivors of GBV. Our approach is therefore qualitative. Through this unique case study, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of GBV in the context of internal displacement, and to more effective mechanisms for addressing it. ^[1] Women represent 51.7% of the population of Burkina Faso, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD), 2020.

Analysis of Campus Environment, Curriculum Evaluation, Managerial Support and Professional Skills on Higher Education Quality: The Case of Mongolia

Rentsendorj Terguuntsetseg — 2025-11-25

The aim of our study to examined how four major dimensions—campus environment, curriculum evaluation, managerial support, and professional skills of academic staff—influence the perceived and actual education quality within Mongolian universities. The research compares public and private institutions to identify similarities and differences in their approaches to maintaining and improving academic standards. By integrating theoretical foundations such as the Input–Process–Output (IPO) model, Total Quality Management (TQM) in education, and Human Capital Theory, the study explores how supportive management, well-trained teachers, modern facilities, and continuous curriculum evaluation collectively enhance teaching effectiveness, student satisfaction, and institutional performance. The findings are expected to provide evidence-based insights for policymakers, educational leaders, and accreditation bodies to strengthen Mongolia’s higher education system and ensure sustainable improvement in education quality across both public and private sectors.