Italian Sociological Review

Festivals and Stigma in Dementia: An Ethnography of Alzheimer Fest as a Space of Social Resistance

Giulia Alonzo — 2026-05-24

This article investigates the Alzheimer Fest, an annual itinerant cultural event in Italy, as a unique case study in the representation of dementia through festive modalities. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted between July and October 2024, including participant observation and in-depth interviews, the study explores how Alzheimer Fest challenges the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease and fosters inclusive practices of cultural welfare. Grounded in a socio-symbolic approach, the paper situates the festival within broader debates on public health, citizenship, and the role of cultural participation in reshaping dominant narratives around illness and care.

By merging the celebratory atmosphere of a festival with the sensitive theme of neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer Fest functions as a counter-hegemonic space that reconfigures public perceptions of vulnerability. The event offers a pluralistic platform where people with dementia, caregivers, health professionals, and the wider community engage in aesthetic, relational, and performative practices aimed at recognition and social inclusion. Through theatrical performances, art exhibitions, workshops, and public testimonies, the festival restores voice and visibility to marginalized identities, fostering a relational model of care that transcends institutional boundaries.

The findings highlight the festival’s role as a laboratory of participatory welfare and an engine of cultural advocacy. Rather than being a temporary celebration, Alzheimer Fest emerges as a generative process that produces social ties, symbolic reconfigurations, and enduring community networks. The paper ultimately argues for the integration of such cultural interventions within public strategies for dementia care and stigma reduction.

If You’re Not Ill, Why Aren’t You Well? Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being in Frederick Herzberg’s Psychosocial Perspective

Riccardo Sartori — 2026-05-24

Health promotion programs, particularly those targeting vulnerable groups like university students, frequently treat mental health (the absence of illness) and psychological well-being (the presence of optimal functioning) as synonymous. Drawing theoretical inspiration from the World Health Organization’s definition of health – that health is “not merely the absence of disease” – this article utilizes Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory (Motivation-Hygiene) to formally distinguish these two concepts within a unified, dual-continuum psychosocial framework. The paper argues that, much like Herzberg’s finding that the opposite of dissatisfaction is not satisfaction, the absence of psychopathology does not equate to the presence of psychological well-being. Specifically, mental health is linked to Herzberg’s hygiene factors (extrinsic, contextual elements like housing, security, and institutional policies), which, when inadequate, cause distress but, when adequate, only lead to a neutral state of “no illness”. Conversely, psychological well-being is linked to Herzberg’s motivator factors (intrinsic, content-related elements like achievement, meaning, and contribution), which are necessary to actively promote a state of high satisfaction and flourishing. This model clarifies four psychological states (Flourishing, Languishing, Fragile/Burnout, and Illness) and offers a crucial theoretical and practical tool for tailoring interventions to target the appropriate Hygiene (stability, safety) or Motivator (purpose, growth) factors.

Between Trust and Anxiety: Citizen Attitudes to AI in Emilia-Romagna.

Dominik Balazka — 2026-05-24

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly moved from expert arenas into everyday life, acquiring strong symbolic and cultural relevance within contemporary social conversations around science. Despite increasing familiarity with AI technologies, public attitudes remain ambivalent and polarized, challenging deficit-based assumptions that link scientific knowledge to positive technological orientations.

Adopting an interpretative Public Understanding of Science framework, this study examines how scientific literacy, trust in science, and exposure to AI-related content interact in shaping public attitudes toward AI. The analysis draws on data from the 2025 Observa Science in Society Monitor, a representative survey conducted in the Emilia-Romagna region (n = 502). Latent Class Analysis identifies four distinct attitudinal profiles—techno-ambivalent, techno-optimist, techno-skeptic, and techno-phobic—which are subsequently analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.

Results show that trust in science is the most robust predictor of techno-optimistic attitudes, outweighing the effects of scientific literacy and media exposure. Moreover, exposure to AI-related content has conditional effects: among individuals with low trust in science, higher exposure increases the likelihood of techno-phobic orientations, while this association disappears among high-trust respondents. Overall, the findings highlight the central role of trust in science in shaping differentiated public responses to emerging technologies beyond deficit-based explanations.

Gender-inclusive Decision-Making Process in the Family and Community to Achieve Gender Equality in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Jonathan Ukah — 2026-05-24

Gender inequality has been considered to be a global concern with a wide gap in the political and economic relations among men and women across the world. This has necessitated United Nations and other development agencies to make gender equality a top priority. This is exemplified by the inclusion of gender equality as number 5 goal of the sustainable development goals of United Nations. As part of achieving sustainable development goal Number 5, gender-inclusive decision-making process within the family and community in Ebonyi State, Nigeria was examined. The main thrust of the study was to ascertain how the educational level, income level and marital status of women influence their level of participation in the family and community decision making process. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select households. Correlation and regression model were used for the analysis. The main result revealed that gender inequality exists in families and communities. From the findings only women with high income, high educational level and married women, indicated appreciable level of participation in family and community decisions, In conclusion, the study highlights the significant role of patriarchal culture in perpetuating gender inequalities in decision-making within families and communities in Nigeria. It is recommended that government and NGOs implement targeted awareness campaigns to challenge negative cultural norms. Further research should explore the effectiveness of such interventions and examine other factors that may influence women's participation in decision-making processes

Key words: Decision making, family, gender equality, sustainable development goal, and women

From Disconnected to Superagers: Perceived Quality of an Intergenerational Digital and Health Literacy Program for Central-Italy Older Adults

Maurizio Esposito — 2026-05-24

This article examines the perceived quality of an intergenerational digital and health literacy program for Italian older adults, developed within the PRIN PNRR 2022 project Ageing, Health Literacy and Digital Skills through the Pandemics. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data from semi-structured interviews (N = 21) and pre- and post-course questionnaires (N = 60), the study explores how older participants experienced learning processes, relational exchanges, and transformations in self-efficacy throughout the training. Adopting a grounded and interpretive approach, the analysis reconstructs participants’ trajectories from digital disconnection to varying forms of empowerment, identifying persistent barriers, enabling conditions and symbolic shifts in the perception of technology. Findings reveal that the program’s perceived quality depends less on technical proficiency than on relational and communicative dynamics that foster trust, recognition and continuity. Digital and health literacy emerge as intertwined dimensions of empowerment, extending beyond instrumental learning to encompass cultural adaptation and social participation. The study proposes the metaphor of the digital spore to describe the latent yet resilient nature of older adults’ competences, which can reactivate under supportive social and communicative conditions. Overall, the findings highlight how intergenerational communication functions as a generative engine of empowerment, transforming digital inclusion into a shared cultural practice that redefines ageing, care, and citizenship in the digital era.

Inequalities in Action: Examining the Interplay of Social Origins and Right-to-Study in Shaping Student Employment Patterns

Alessandro Bozzetti — 2026-05-24

The paper explores the intersection of social origins, Right-to-Study measures, and student employment among university students in Italy, with a focus on the University of Bologna. In particular, it investigates how parental education (as a proxy for cultural capital) influences the likelihood of working while studying and evaluates the efficacy of Right-to-Study benefits – namely, scholarships and tuition waivers - in mitigating the need for student employment. Findings indicate that students with lower parental education are significantly more likely to work extensively, even when controlling for economic resources; this suggests that cultural resources exert an independent effect on student behavior. Furthermore, results show that comprehensive financial support (i.e., the combination of both scholarships and waivers) effectively reduces the probability of working extensively, especially for students from disadvantaged educational backgrounds; in contrast, tuition waivers alone appear insufficient to alleviate financial pressures. Residential status further differentiates student experiences: off-site students are less likely to work extensively than residents or commuters, possibly reflecting higher motivation or selection effects, and Right-to-Study benefits seem particularly effective in supporting off-site students in reducing work hours. Drawing on survey data from the HousINgBO project (N = 9,337), these findings highlight the multifaceted nature of inequality in higher education and suggest that robust financial aid can partially offset inherited cultural disadvantages, with important implications for the design of Right-to-Study policies: effective support strategies should also consider cultural and symbolic barriers, particularly for first-generation and disadvantaged students.

Discourse on Social Problems in Society and Gender Equality Stereotypes in the Media

Shirin Kostiuk — 2026-05-24

This study aims to comprehensively examine the issue of gender equality in Kyrgyzstan. To achieve this goal, relevant statistical data was analysed and a monitoring of the country’s most popular mass media outlets was conducted. As a result of the study, a positive dynamic in the gender balance was revealed, with the gap between the number of men and women decreasing by 3.5% over 50 years. The effectiveness of introducing gender quotas for political parties running for the Jogorku Kenesh and local keneshes into the Kyrgyz political system was also investigated. A comparison was made between the representation of women in legislative bodies of the Republic before and after the adoption of the relevant Law. A separate analysis was conducted of the ratio of men and women holding public office positions, as well as their salary levels. The study of the results from the nationwide testing revealed a contradiction where girls, who achieved a higher average score, tended to abandon their careers and become homemakers after completing their studies. Additionally, a monitoring of television channels such as the National Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic (KTRK), Ala-Too 24, and the most popular social media platforms revealed a promotion of negative gender stereotypes. The research identified and demonstrated, through examples, the existing gender issues within Kyrgyz society, and also highlighted the correlation between an increase in the number of female professionals and the strengthening of the country’s economy.

Representation of Emigration: The Meaning of the #Kaburajadulu Meme on Instagram

Godlif Sianipar — 2026-05-24

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hashtag #kaburajadulu on Instagram as a digital representation of emigration among Indonesian youth. The findings reveal how the trend reflects aspirations for better opportunities abroad, shaped by economic pressures, identity struggles, and collective imagination. Unlike previous research focused on mainstream media, the analysis demonstrates social media’s evolving role in shaping emigration narratives. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this study analyzes 143,000 Instagram posts shared between August 1–17, 2025, during Indonesia’s Independence Day. Data were collected through online documentation and examined using Miles and Huberman’s framework. The findings reveal that the hashtag #kaburajadulu functions not only as a symbolic expression of migration aspirations but also as a cultural medium through which young Indonesians articulate humor, solidarity, disappointment, hope, and socio-cultural anxieties. The trend reflects broader economic, educational, political, and employment-related concerns that encourage aspirations for opportunities abroad. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how Instagram has become a significant digital space for negotiating identity, expressing dissatisfaction with domestic socio-economic conditions, and constructing collective narratives of emigration. This research contributes to broader discussions on the relationship between social media, identity formation, and migration discourse in contemporary digital culture.

Albania Between Containment and Cooperation: A Laboratory for the Externalisation of European Migration Policies

Shkelzen Hasanaj — 2026-05-24

In recent years Albania has undergone a significant transformation – from a country primarily of emigration to an active site of transit and containment within broader European migration dynamics. Since 2018, its cooperation with Frontex and, more recently, a 2023 agreement with Italy to establish migrant reception centres on Albanian soil have marked pivotal developments in the externalisation of EU border control. This article explores Albania as a case study in the shifting landscape of migration governance, employing a normative framework, secondary data, and original fieldwork – including interviews with institutional stakeholders and activists – to examine the implications for national sovereignty, international cooperation, and the protection of migrants’ rights.

Using Visual Sociology Methods to Study the Relationship Between Dogs and Humans

Giuseppina Cersosimo — 2026-05-24

Human interaction with animals has become increasingly significant in the contemporary everyday life of individuals. A decisive factor for this is loneliness. This situation has allowed for an unprecedented account of nonverbal communication, in its quantitative as well as qualitative dimensions. In the past as today, it is necessary to do a thorough sociological analysis by rejecting the Cartesian assumption that the absence of language corresponds with an absence of intelligence. Communication occurs between interactive subjects however, whenever they share culture, emotions and historical contexts. Our research argues that with visual data, interactions between human and non-humans, who socialize and share culture, is grounded in a common yet non-verbal language.