Health Decline in Prison and the Effects of Sporting Activity: Results of the Hessian Prison Sports Study

Previous studies about health in prisons conclude that incarceration has detrimental consequences for physical and mental health. It is associated with weight gain, decreased fitness, increased cardiovascular risks, and increased risks for mental illnesses, like depression and anxiety. This article examines the relationships between sports activity and health developments among prisoners. We analyze data from the Hessian Prison Sports Study, conducted in 12 prisons of the federal state of Hesse, Germany. Based on quantitative survey data of 568 prisoners in regular custody, our empirical findings show that inmates perceive substantial health declines since incarceration. They report substantial decreases in general health (d=-0.52) and life satisfaction (d=-0.84) as well as an increased number of health problems (d=0.71). However, sport has a potential to buffer this decline of health. Prisoners engaged in sports report a less negative development of their health compared to inactive prisoners. The greater the amount of time spent with sports activities, the better are the health trajectories found. Findings add to the public health and prison sport literature by demonstrating health benefits of sporting activities in a vulnerable population group that almost inevitably is exposed to manifold strains and burdens

Sport-Related National Pride in East and West Germany, 1992-2008: Persistent Differences or Trends Toward Convergence?

It is commonly assumed that international sport reinforces feelings of national pride and national identity. Using large-scale survey data from Germany, covering the period between 1992 and 2008, some unresolved key questions surrounding sportive nationalism are addressed. We examine the relative importance of sport as a source of national pride, analyze the sociodemographics of sportive nationalism, and describe its long-term development in East and West Germany after reunification. Results reveal that sport is an increasingly important source of pride in Germany. Sportive nationalism is more common among younger generations, males, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Prevailing differences between East and West Germany document persistent socialization effects of former sport-centered identity politics. Among East Germans, sport is more important for general national pride, and sportive nationalism is much more equally distributed between various social groups (with regard to age, gender, education). From 1992 to 2008, however, a trend toward convergence between East and West Germans is also demonstrated

a cross‐national Analysis

Above all, Pierre Bourdieu’s work has argued that there is a homology of social classes on the one hand and cultural consumption on the other. In contrast, theories of individualization posit that social class plays only a minor role in shaping lifestyle in contemporary societies. In this paper, using extensive survey data, we examine a) how much contemporary highbrow lifestyles are structured by class membership, b) the extent to which highbrow consumption varies according to the level of modernization of a society and c) whether the explanatory power of class status in relation to highbrow consumption decreases in more modernized countries. The findings show that highbrow lifestyles are strongly influenced by social class, and that highbrow consumption is more common in more modernized societies. Moreover, the findings confirm the suspicion that the formative power of social class on lifestyle decreases in highly modernized societies, albeit without disappearing completely

In whom do we trust? The level and radius of social trust among sport club members

This paper refers to the widespread notion that voluntary (sport) organizations produce social capital, popularized through the works of Robert D. Putnam, and compares social trust levels of sport club members with members in other voluntary associations and non-members. We differentiate between in-group trust and out-group trust, highlighting that not only the level of trust but also the “trust radius” counts for social cohesion in modern societies. Refining Putnam’s claims, we argue that social trust among members varies with the quality and intensity of participation captured (for instance, through volunteering), diverse social contacts and the level of membership trust experienced in an association. Based on a nation-wide survey, carried out in Germany during 2017/2018, it is demonstrated that members of civic associations indicate higher levels of trust towards in-groups and out-groups compared to non-members and they regard present society as more solidary and trusting. A fine-grained analysis among members of associations further shows that increased trust is typical for volunteers and individuals in socially diverse associations which, at the same time, are characterized by high levels of membership trust. We conclude that sports clubs need to provide beneficial context conditions for producing high levels and a wider radius of trust.Peer Reviewe

Social class and highbrow lifestyle - a cross‐national analysis

"Above all, Pierre Bourdieu’s work has argued that there is a homology of social classes on the one hand and cultural consumption on the other. In contrast, theories of individualization posit that social class plays only a minor role in shaping lifestyle in contemporary societies. In this paper, using extensive survey data, we examine a) how much contemporary highbrow lifestyles are structured by class membership, b) the extent to which highbrow consumption varies according to the level of modernization of a society and c) whether the explanatory power of class status in relation to highbrow consumption decreases in more modernized countries. The findings show that highbrow lifestyles are strongly influenced by social class, and that highbrow consumption is more common in more modernized societies. Moreover, the findings confirm the suspicion that the formative power of social class on lifestyle decreases in highly modernized societies, albeit without disappearing completely." (author´s abstract

Speaking Acquaintances or Helpers in Need: Participation in Civic Associations and Individual Social Capital

It is widely believed that civic associations are capable to produce social capital, here understood as an individual asset resulting from relations of mutual support and assistance. Although hardly anybody denies that socializing is widespread in many civic associations, it still remains to be shown that this socializing provides a genuine commitment to support. This paper explores the relationship between involvement in civic organizations and social support. The data analysed come from a nation-wide survey “Organized Sport and Social Capital—Revisited” (OSSCAR) representing the adult population in Germany. Findings show that participation in civic associations is associated with higher levels of social support. This effect is stronger for active participants and weaker for passive members. Path analyses further indicate that this effect is mediated by a person’s sociability orientations as well as her commitment to prosocial values. These findings help providing a more nuanced understanding of mechanisms of social capital formation in civic associations.Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (3114)Peer Reviewe

Social Capital Trends in Germany in the Face of the Covid-19 Pandemic

This research note reports social capital trends in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on a comparison of survey data from 2017/18 and 2020/21, i.e., trends reported here inform about changes of social capital levels during the “second lockdown” of the pandemic, when containment policies were in effect throughout the country. Findings point to stable levels of in-group trust, out-group trust and prosocial attitudes. At the same time, sociability orientations are lower and society is generally perceived as less solidary. Members in voluntary organizations have more social capital compared to non-members—this difference is found before as well as during the pandemic. Regarding that changes are generally small, it can be concluded that the pandemic did neither strengthen social capital considerably, nor did it lead to a massive overall decline of social capital.Peer Reviewe

Shifts in microbial community structure and function in stream sediments during experimentally simulated riparian succession

Successional changes of terrestrial vegetation can profoundly influence stream ecosystem structure and function. We hypothesized that microbial enzyme production and community structure in stream beds depend on terrestrial litter inputs that reflect different stages of riparian succession. Outdoor experimental channels were supplied with leaf-litter of varying quantities and qualities to mimic litter supply during five successional stages: (1) an initial biofilm stage; (2) an open-land stage with grass litter; (3) a transitional stage with mixed grass and birch litter; (4) an early forest stage with birch litter; and (5) an advanced forest stage with 2.5 × the amount of birch litter. Mean potential activities of nitrogen- and phosphorus-acquiring enzymes in sediments (20.7 and 67.3 μmol g−1 dry mass) were 12-70 times greater than those of carbon-acquiring enzymes (0.96-1.71 μmol g−1 dry mass), with the former reduced 1.3-8.3-fold in channels with tree litter. These patterns could suggest gradually diminishing nutrient limitation of microbial activity during riparian succession, potentially linked both to an increasing supply by the added litter and to a lower nutrient demand as algal biomass and labile carbon supply by photosynthetic exudates declined. As the observed shifts in nutrient-acquiring enzymes were reflected in changes of sediment microbial communities, these results indicate that both the type and density of terrestrial vegetation control microbial community structure and function in stream sediments, particularly enzyme production related to nutrient cyclin

„Fußball-Patriotismus“ in Deutschland: Erste Ergebnisse eines repräsentativen Surveys

Der Vortrag fasst die ersten empirischen Ergebnisse eines vom Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft auf Beschluss des deutschen Bundestages geförderten Forschungsprojekts „Effekte des Hochleistungssports auf die kollektive Identifikation der Bürgerinnen und Bürger“ (Förderkennzeichen: 070093/15-17) zusammen. Der Vortrag beschränkt sich dabei auf ein zentrales und relativ neues Phänomen, das wir als „fußballbezogenen Patriotismus“ bezeichnen. Es wird erst ein Vorschlag zur Messung unterbreitet und anschließend die Verbreitung patriotischer Handlungsweisen im Kontext der UEFA Europameisterschaft 2016 in der deutschen Bevölkerung auf Basis repräsentativer Daten differenziert beschrieben. Schließlich verorten wir die „Fußball-Patrioten“ in Deutschland im politischen Raum