Public Relations Professional Practice And The Institutionalisation of CSR

Purpose This paper presents the findings of a longitudinal case study into the professionalisation of public relations practices and the institutionalisation of corporate social responsibility as a legitimate social and business arrangement. In doing so, there are implications for the dynamic relationship between practices and the professionalisation of public relations. Methodology A qualitative longitudinal study is used to examine the social construction of social responsibility in the Australian banking industry from 1999-2004 across two levels of analysis – societal expectations as institution, and practices of banking and public relations as action. Findings The study shows that the case organisations shifted their public relations and communication practices during the period of the study. In response to the demands of publics, there was a central shift from a one-way perspective where organisations sought to influence and persuade publics of the appropriateness of thier actions towards a two-way perspective where organisations needed to consult, negotiate and engage with publics. In doing so, this study suggests that there was a shift in the profession of how public relations was practiced, but also highlighted the changes to institutional arrangements about the legitimacy of social responsibilities of large organisations

Searching for New Political Spaces: Negotiating Citizenship and Transnational Identities on Mongolia's Mining Frontier

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link

Evaluating Social Support and T2D Risk Factors Among Members of Rural-Dwelling Grandparent-Headed Households

Purpose: This study examines the associations of social support and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk factors among members of rural-dwelling, grandparent-headed households (GHH). Methods: Prospective data were collected from rural-dwelling members of GHH with no known diagnosis of T2D. Data collected on family characteristics, T2D clinical risk factors, and social support were assessed. Results: Sixty-six grandparents and 72 grandchildren participated in the study. The average age and HbA1Cs were 59.4 years and 6.2% ± 1.4 for grandparents and 11.8 years and 4.9% ± 0.6 for grandchildren. Most grandparents were found to have prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes. The number of people living in GHHs was associated with grandparents’ triglycerides, HDL, and BMI. Average social support scores among grandparents suggested moderately high perceived social support (79 ± 3.4). For grandchildren, social support from grandparents was associated with diastolic blood pressure and HbA1C, whereas support from teachers, classmates, and close friends was associated with HbA1C and BMI in grandchildren. Implications: This study shows that grandparent caregivers are at an increased risk for T2D. Perceived social support between grandparents and grandchildren influences T2D risk factors. However, social support provided by peers, teachers, and close friends is also associated with T2D risk factors in grandchildren. These findings support the use of family-based diabetes prevention programming, peer support, and school settings as mechanisms for interventions to reduce T2D in adolescents, particularly those within GHHs

What is the value of short? Exploring the benefits of episodic volunteer experiences for college students

This exploratory study is designed to understand the civic outcomes (e.g., civic-mindedness, intentions to volunteer in the future, and intentions to donate money in the future) for college students who participate in a “Day of Service”. Understanding civic outcomes for college student episodic volunteers helps to justify the investment of staff time devoted to planning and implementing short-term volunteer events by both campus and community-based organizations

Predictors of Depression for Low-Income African American Single Mothers

Purpose: To test a model of predictors of depression in low-income single African American mothers. Design: Secondary analysis of existing data collected as part of a study of women at risk for clinical depression. Methods: Cross sectional secondary data analysis of a study of low-income African American single mothers with children ages 2-6. Path analysis was used to test a model of the potential mediating role of negative thinking. It was hypothesized that negative thinking mediates the effects of chronic stressors, general health status, and self-esteem on depressive symptoms Finding: Negative thinking mediated the relationships of chronic stressors and self-esteem with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: These findings supported the proposed model with one exception: negative thinking did not mediate the effects of physical health on depressive symptoms. Physical health also had no direct effect on depressive symptoms. Negative thinking may play a pivotal role in the development of depression for these at risk women. Self-esteem, chronic stressors and negative thinking should be important considerations in designing interventions to improve the mental health of at-risk African American women

#CRCFREE: Using Social Media to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk in Rural Adults

Objectives: In this study, we pilot-tested #CRCFree, a Facebook-based intervention aimed at reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in rural Appalachian adults at risk for CRC. Methods: Participants were 56 rural Appalachian adults aged ≥ 50 years. Daily #CRCFree Facebook posts addressed diet, physical activity, and CRC screening. Participants’ sociodemographics, diet, body mass index, physical activity, and CRC screening status were measured pre- and post- intervention. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) assessed dietary patterns. Facebook engagement was measured throughout the intervention. A post-intervention focus group evaluated intervention acceptability. Results: Participants were Caucasian, aged 58 ± 6 years, and predominantly female (66%). Postintervention, HEI scores increased (49.9 ± 9.9 vs 58.6 ± 12.1, p

#4 - Endosomal Proteins in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Rett Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects females and is detected at 6-18 months of age. Rett Syndrome results from a mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) which is found on the X chromosome. Its mutation results in impairment in cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor and autonomic functions. Schizophrenia is also a neurodevelopmental disorder with onset in adulthood, however there is no single genetic cause. Endosomal proteins have been implicated in both disorders through GWAS studies and animal models, suggesting a common molecular mechanism shared between these neurodevelopmental disorders. Previous research in our lab has demonstrated a disruption in endosomal trafficking in animal models of both disorders. This study explores the levels and localization of endosomal proteins in coronal brain sections for mice models for these neurodevelopmental disorders. Using immunohistochemistry, we will examine protein levels in the hippocampus and cortex for endosomal trafficking markers. We will also use whole-brain derived synaptosomes and western blots to examine the subcellular levels of these endosomal markers. Our data demonstrate a reduction of endosomal proteins in the hippocampus of mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies will include investigations into the affected cargo being mis-trafficked in these disorders