https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/issue/feed JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2024-11-10T13:08:54+00:00 Editorial Office editor@rajpub.com Open Journal Systems https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/9686 Understanding Recidivism: An Analysis of Demographic Factors, Crime Types, and Release Mechanisms in the Context of Recidivism in New Hampshire 2024-11-10T13:08:54+00:00 Aboyowa Akaruese Akaruesejessica@yahoo.com Innocentus Alhamis i.alhamis@snhu.edu <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This study explores recidivism patterns in New Hampshire, examining how demographic factors, crime types, and release mechanisms influence outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. The findings highlight that recidivism is most prevalent among younger adults, particularly within the first 12 months post-release, with age, gender, and racial disparities contributing to these trends. Notably, Black and Hispanic populations, as well as individuals convicted of drug-related and violent crimes, exhibit higher recidivism rates, often facing compounded socio-economic challenges. Parole release mechanisms also emerge as significant, with technical violations—especially among low-income, young, or minority parolees—frequently resulting in re-incarceration. Addressing these dynamics requires targeted interventions, such as flexible parole conditions and accessible support for substance use and mental health, aimed at reducing repeat offenses and promoting sustainable reintegration. These insights underscore the need for equitable, community-based alternatives to traditional punitive measures, ultimately supporting a fairer and more effective approach to criminal justice in New Hampshire.</span></p> 2024-11-21T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Aboyowa Akaruese, Innocentus Alhamis https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/9687 Theoretical Frameworks for Integrating Sustainability Factors into Institutional Investment Decision-Making 2024-11-09T16:47:06+00:00 Innocents Alhamis i.alhamis@snhu.edu <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This paper explores key theoretical frameworks instrumental in understanding the relationship between sustainability and institutional investment decisions. The study identifies and analyzes various theories, including Behavioral Finance Theory, Modern Portfolio Theory, Risk Management Theory, and others, to explain how sustainability considerations increasingly influence investment choices. By examining these frameworks, the paper highlights how investors integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors to optimize financial outcomes and align with broader societal goals.</span></p> 2024-11-17T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Innocents Alhamis https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/9621 What does TikTok have to do with it? Experiences of Young Adults with Social Media and Life Satisfaction: A Qualitative Analysis of Influences 2024-04-28T12:28:15+00:00 Janet Espinoza espjanet@nmsu.edu Arthalia Weekes Asweekes22sp@ollusa.edu <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This qualitative study investigates the impact of TikTok usage on the life satisfaction and its contribution towards self-actualization of young adults aged 18-25. Adopting a phenomenological approach, the research explores the experiences and perceptions of TikTok engagement and its relation to the life satisfaction of five young adults. Six main themes emerged for the analysis: 1) Love &amp; Belonging, 2) Influence, 3) Life Satisfaction, 4) Self-Esteem and Identify, 5) Mood, and 6) Risks and Challenges. These findings uncover various aspects of TikTok use, such as content consumption patterns and emotional responses, offering insights into the nuanced ways TikTok influences young adults' perceptions of their lives and contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between the platform engagement and life satisfaction. Furthermore, this research underscores the importance of social workers' role in advocating for ethical social media practices and clinical interventions tailored to address the impacts of social media on the overall wellbeing of young adults. </span></p> 2024-06-03T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Janet Espinoza, Arthalia Weekes https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/9677 Assessing And Mitigating The Impact Of Fake News In Nigeria 2024-10-11T18:17:01+00:00 Bolu John Folayan bolu.folayan@federalpolyilaro.edu.ng Bosede Olubunmi Banjo bolujohnfolayan@gmail.com Omolaso Odenike bolujohnfolayan@gmail.com <p>\<span style="font-weight: 400;">The high rate fake news - news (presentation) that has been distorted or totally false - in the Nigerian media space is at the moment of concern to communication scholars, journalists, publicists, and political leaders. Like most fake products, fake news is made to look like or to have the characteristics of the original product – magnitude, timeliness, novelty, proximity, etc., thereby having the lethal impact of propaganda. The present study examines the sources, patterns of fake news dissemination, impact of and solutions to fake news in Nigeria. Questionnaires were randomly administered online to 398 heavy users of social media (257 bloggers; 97; regular users of social media who are non-professionals; 37 journalists and 7 others based on their followership ratings. The investigation revealed that most fake news in Nigeria revolve social, entertainment, and religious issues and are reported more often in “text” and “videos” on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The main sources of fake news in Nigeria are non-professional journalists and the high rate of fake news has largely been due to the skilful framing by their disseminators, lack of time and skill to fact-check fake news by the audience, and lack of effective enforcement of best journalism practices.</span></p> 2024-10-30T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Bolu John Folayan, Abosede Olubunmi Banjo, Timothy Omolaso Odenike https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/9571 Understanding DSM-5-TR: Changes, Updates, and Ethical Practices in Mental Health. 2023-12-29T05:28:40+00:00 Tony Bobadilla tbobadi9@naz.edu <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This overview delves into the DSM-5-TR, exploring its historical development, organization, and significant changes, emphasizing cultural, racist, and discriminatory considerations, coding intricacies, and the assessment of children. The updated criteria for various disorders are examined, with a particular focus on Prolonged Grief Disorder and its associated concerns. Future research suggests enhancing the DSM-5-TR through dimensional approaches and investigating their impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes. Mental health professionals are urged to use the DSM-5-TR effectively and ethically, considering both its strengths and limitations. The paper aims to comprehensively understand the DSM-5-TR and its prospective role in shaping research and clinical practices.</span></p> 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Tony Bobadilla https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/9566 Franchising Contracts and its Legal Issues: A Sight on the UK and US Laws 2023-12-16T13:10:42+00:00 Badar Mohammad Almeajel balmeajel@su.edu.sa <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Franchising, being a widely adopted business strategy on a worldwide scale, is dependent on complex legal structures that regulate the interactions between franchisors and franchisees. This article presents an informative overview of franchising contracts and the associated legal issues, focusing on a comparative analysis between the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). This paper aims to provide insight into the structure, regulation, and enforcement of franchising contracts in two different jurisdictions. Through careful examination, the specific characteristics of both jurisdictions will be highlighted. This article examines franchising contracts and their legal intricacies in two notable legal systems.</span></p> 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Badar Mohammad Almeajel https://www.rajpub.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/9564 Challenges encountered: A Qualitative analysis of professionals’ lived experiences in the field of autism 2023-12-16T03:05:20+00:00 Tony Bobadilla tbobadi9@naz.edu Elizabeth Baltus Hebert ehebert4@naz.edu Janet Espinoza jespinoza22sp@ollusa.edu <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) significantly impacts American families, requiring substantial support from professionals in the field. This qualitative study explores the experiences of nine professionals in the ASD field using a phenomenological framework. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: 1) Service Delivery Constraints, 2) Knowledge Limitations, 3) Professional Adaptation, and 4) Future Directions. These findings illuminate the unique challenges professionals face in service delivery and their roles within the autism field. The study provides practical and scholarly insights based on real-life experiences, benefiting professionals, scholars, and families with children with autism.</span></p> 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00 Copyright (c) 2024 Tony Bobadilla, Elizabeth Baltus Hebert, Janet Espinoza