Social media and public policy

Introduction: Government and public service delivery is taking place in a changed world. A significant level of social, economic and political activity is now happening on the internet.As people buy and sell goods, search for information, browse the web and share their day–to–day experiences with colleagues, friends and family through social networks, they produce an enormous amount of data.The use of this data to develop insights is growing rapidly. In the private sector it is being used to enhance decision making, understand customer behaviour, improve operational efficiency and identify new markets.The new information environment also obliges government to develop new capabilities to understand the information available and to compete for attention and influence within it.Part of the challenge in embracing the digital age is that, in the midst of rapid change, it’s very difficult to know where to place your bets. We do not yet know exactly what access to large volumes of social data will mean for our society. It certainly will not present a panacea for long–standing social problems; but it can add another dimension to our understanding of them.This report considers whether social media data can improve the quality and timeliness of the evidence base that informs public policy. Can the myriad of human connections and interactions on the web provide insight to enable government to develop better policy, understand its subsequent impact and inform the many different organisations that deliver public services?The report is based on an evaluation of available literature and interviews with 25 experts from a number of disciplines. Given that developments in this field are at such an early stage, it aims to provide helpful signposts rather than definitive answers

Depression and the medicalization of sadness: conceptualization and recommended help-seeking

Critiques of the validity of the DSM diagnostic criteria for depressive disorder argue that it fails to differentiate between abnormal sadness due to internal dysfunction or depression (sadness without an identifiable cause), and normal sadness (sadness with a clear cause)

Integration of sexual trauma in a religious narrative: transformation, resolution and growth among contemplative nuns

The psychological consequences of sexual abuse are generally serious and enduring, particularly when the perpetrator is known and trusted by the survivor. This paper explores the experiences of five contemplative nuns who were sexually abused by priests and the spiritual journeys that followed. In the context of an ethnographic study of contemplative practice, participant observation and in-depth interviews were used to examine the ways that the nuns sought to make sense of their experiences through a long process of solitary introspection. The pursuit of meaning was shaped by religious beliefs relating to forgiveness, sacrifice, and salvation. Thus, trauma was transformed into a symbolic religious narrative that shaped their sense of identity. They were able to restructure core beliefs and to manage their current relationships with priests more securely. They described regaining their spiritual well-being in ways that suggest a form of posttraumatic spiritual growth. We conclude by discussing the findings in the light of the existing literature on the interaction of trauma and spirituality

Social media presents a growing body of evidence that can inform social and economic policy.

Social media offers exciting data resources for researchers. But if this body of complex data and its subsequent analysis are going to positively impact public policy and services, governments may have to take a leading role in managing access and determining boundaries. Jason Leavey presents the findings of a new report investigating how feasible and useful evidence from social media could be at shaping public policy

With Liberty and Justice for All: Psychological and Functional Consequences for Service Members Acquitted of Sexual Assault

Policy makers are tasked with changing laws and improving systemic processes in response to evolving moral standards. As societal outrage grew regarding sexual assault in the military, those in power sought to balance what was perceived as a system that ignored, retaliated against, or unfairly burdened victims. However, as the pendulum swung toward victims’ rights and privileges, those accused of this crime inherited the burden of an imbalanced system. In the military context, the experience of the accused is impacted by the lack of separation between functional domains of life (e.g., work, home, community), multiple roles of military commanders (e.g., providing supervision and support as well as being a decision authority for prosecution), and problematic mandatory training that has included misinformation and may have biased court members. Researchers have not previously studied the experience of a court-martial, nor considered the far-reaching impact of the experiences that precede and follow acquittal. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychological and functional consequences for military members that were accused and acquitted of sexual assault through the court-martial process. Analysis was qualitative with a phenomenological approach to identify common themes and more broadly, the essence at the core of the experience. I found that this experience significantly impacted participants while it was happening and in the time since acquittal. Using themes identified by Brooks and Greenberg (2020) with regard to experiencing a false accusation, I determined that most identified themes were salient to the experience of acquitted service members (e.g., loss of identity, stigma, psychological and physical health, relationships with others, attitudes toward the justice system, impact on finances and employment, and adjustment difficulties). I offer recommendations to mitigate these negative effects. With this information, policymakers and military leaders can more effectively consider the unintended effects of well-intentioned systemic change on those accused of sexual assault in the military

Length sensing and control for Einstein Telescope Low Frequency

In this paper we describe a feasible length sensing and control scheme for the low frequency interferometers of the Einstein Telescope (ET-LF) along with the techniques used to optimise several optical parameters, including the length of the recycling cavities and the modulation frequencies, using two numerical interferometer simulation packages: Optickle and Finesse. The investigations have suggested the use of certain combinations of sidebands to obtain independent information about the different degrees of freedom

The comparative effects of a six-week balance training program, gluteus medius strength training program, and combined balance training/gluteus medius strength training program on dynamic postural control

Little is known about proprioception, gluteus medius strength, or combination training programs for improving dynamic balance. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of six weeks of gluteus medius strength training, proprioception training, and a combination of the two on dynamic balance. The study was a 2x4x8 and a 2x4 factorial design with three experimental groups and a control group. This study included 48 healthy, physically active, college-aged subjects. The six-week protocol for the experimental groups was conducted following a specific program three times a week for an average of 30-minutes. The proprioception training program included a battery of exercises that advanced from week to week. The gluteus medius training program utilized exercises that focused on strengthening the gluteus medius. Pre and post-test measurements of dynamic balance were conducted using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and the Manual Muscle Testing System for gluteus medius (GM). Testing was conducted one week prior to and following the six-week exercise protocol. Significant differences were found for test, direction and test by group on the SEBT for all eight reach directions and for test and test by group for GM. There was no difference between groups. In conclusion, gluteus medius strength training and/or proprioception training may be used as a supplement to improve dynamic balance among healthy subjects