Crisis identity and subconscious fear of continuing a good life. The case of ecological mourning circles
The article explores the phenomenon of crisis identity and the emotions accompanying the awareness of climate catastrophe. The author describes the difficulty of defining ecological grief—an emotional response to environmental degradation and species extinction. She highlights related concepts such as solastalgia, eco-anxiety, and eco-shame. She proposes support circles as a safe narrative space in which experiences can be shared and loss can be made sense of. These circles serve to normalize emotions and rebuild bonds and identity in the face of contemporary crises.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Life satisfaction and mental ill-being of young Poles in times of uncertainty
In recent years, Europe, and especially Central and Eastern Europe, has experienced events that have profoundly impacted its economy, labour market, security, social landscape, and public health. As the geopolitical and socio-economic landscape is subject to constant change, young people are among the most heavily impacted by these consequences. Unable to predict the future, they may be prompted to ask existential questions about the meaning of life, which are closely connected with issues of life satisfaction and mental health. Recent reports confirm this trend, showing that young Poles face significant mental health challenges, even despite conflicting data regarding their general life satisfaction. This article aims to provide insights into the factors that may influence the life satisfaction and mental ill-being of young Poles, who are at the forefront of these changes. The analyses are based on representative data for Poland from the European Social Survey. To address the research questions and test the hypotheses, Complex Sample General Linear models were used. The results show that, in general, life satisfaction is associated with the degree of control respondents perceive they have over their lives, their mental health, and the social context in which they live. Social context is especially important for young Poles. While the importance of social context is also visible for mental ill-being, the pattern of association is different compared to that observed for life satisfaction. Furthermore, health-related predictors are more important, specifically for young people, than they were for life satisfaction.
Astrology as an Individual Practice of Self-Development and a Social Frame for Communities of Seekers
Astrology today emerges as a compelling field for observing the transformations of knowledge, spirituality, and identity within late modernity – phenomena often collectively referred to as New Age. Its social vitality – despite the loss of scientific prestige after centuries of intellectual prominence – suggests that the human need for symbolic order and meaning-making narratives has not been displaced by rationality. Astrology functions as a reflective practice through which individuals construct biographies, while communities of seekers create alternative epistemic frameworks. From a sociological perspective, it constitutes a laboratory for studying the self-practice of knowledge, the production of meaning under conditions of uncertainty, and the communalization of spirituality. It demonstrates that contemporary forms of “alternative rationality” may be understood not as resistance to science, but as a cultural complement to it. The empirical dimension of the study illustrates these processes through the example of the Polish Astrological Society, highlighting the ongoing institutionalization and cultural legitimation of astrology in Poland.
#Spirituality – quantitative analysis of discursive space on Instagram. Validation and initial results
Sociologists of religion are increasingly observing not so much a decline as a transformation of the religious sphere in contemporary societies. Part of these changes is the emergence of discourses on spirituality in the Internet space. This situation raises questions about the structure and content of online discourses on spirituality, as well as the opportunities created by new sources of data (Big Data) available for analysis. The aim of this article is, on the one hand, to validate digital data, i.e. whether digital traces in the form of Instagram posts can constitute a complementary empirical source for scientific research in relation to data obtained by traditional methods, and on the other hand, to present the preliminary results of the analysis – the most popular hashtags in the discourse on spirituality and the structure of their co-occurrence. Quantitative network analysis and descriptive statistics were used, based on the collected material of 20,047 posts with the spirituality hashtag published on Instagram. The worldview framework emerging from the analysis of the most popular hashtags was highlighted, and the conclusions drawn from this analysis may add another voice to the sociological discussion on changes in the religious field, which has been going on for over a century, while pointing to possible innovations in the field of data and methods used in this area of research.
Digital Forms of Psychological Support in the Post-Pandemic Era: Between Technology and Therapeutic Relationship
The article analyzes the development and functioning of online forms of psychological support, which gained particular significance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses various modalities—ranging from video therapy and chat-based counseling to self-help programs and AI-assisted tools. Attention is given to both the potential and the limitations of online therapy, with emphasis on ethical, legal, and technological issues. The analysis integrates a scholarly perspective with the author’s practical experience as a psychologist working online. The findings indicate that psychological support delivered via the Internet constitutes an essential component of the contemporary therapeutic landscape. Despite numerous advantages—such as increased accessibility and anonymity—these forms of support require continued reflection on ethical and legal grounds. Their effectiveness depends on the therapist’s competencies, the quality of the therapeutic relationship, and technological security.
Fear, the Taming of the World, and Religion: An Analysis of the Functions of Religiosity in the Context of Contemporary Threats, with a Case Study of Pomerania
The article explores the relationship between anxiety and religiosity in the context of contemporary social crises – the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the growing sense of economic insecurity. The aim of the analysis is to examine how religion functions as both an interpretative and emotional resource within the risk society, and whether its significance varies across regions and generations. The study draws on original empirical research conducted in Western and Gdańsk Pomerania, complemented by references to other sociological studies on fear and religiosity. The findings indicate that religiosity affects the level of anxiety mainly indirectly – through the interpretation of religion as a source of meaning, peace and moral guidance. More religious individuals tend to experience lower levels of existential anxiety, while social anxieties appear to be less dependent on religiosity. In light of the collected data, religion no longer performs the role of an exclusive order of meaning; rather, it becomes one of several symbolic tools for coping with uncertainty. In a society marked by chronic feelings of threat, religion assumes a selective character – helping individuals to maintain emotional balance in the face of personal risks, yet losing its capacity to interpret global crises.
Can Psychotherapy Facilitate Self-Discovery? An Ericksonian Perspective
The article examines the role of psychotherapy in the process of self-discovery, with a particular focus on the Ericksonian perspective, where the therapeutic approach grants patients considerable autonomy in decision-making and draws upon their internal resources, based on the assumption that they possess all the necessary skills to resolve their own problems. It outlines the core principles of this approach: a resource-oriented stance and the intentional use of client resources; the conceptualization of symptoms as adaptive solutions; trust in the unconscious; the use of hypnosis as a distinctive mode of communication; and the systemic understanding of the patient. Consequently, the aim of therapy is to expand the patient’s self-knowledge, which can be considered a fundamental element of treatment. The author supports this thesis through a case study illustrating selected elements of Ericksonian work, including the construction of a vision of a desired future, the introduction of the “Inner Treasure Chest” technique as an anchor for experiences and competencies, and the reconstruction of supportive family memories. Integrating theoretical insights with illustrative material leads to the conclusion that Ericksonian, resource-oriented work fosters conditions for enduring change, in which self-discovery is essential to the healing process, and the therapist’s role consists in the flexible and creative co-creation with the patient of their path of internal development.
Zbliżenia. O niewidzialnych więziach społecznych między żywymi a umarłymi
O równościową zmianę polityki edukacyjnej
Wywiad z Natalią Zajączkowską, ekspertką ds. Azji Południowej i Azji Zachodniej
Wprowadzenie. W poszukiwaniu sensu i tożsamości: rozwój duchowy, terapia i samorozwój w perspektywie indywidualnej i społecznej
The faces of drinkers. Covert participant observation conducted in an alcohol retail store – comparing marketing materials with stories and image of factual customers
The article presents findings from a covert participant observation conducted at a location belonging to a chain of alcohol retail stores. The main topics include: a portrayal of individuals addicted to alcohol who frequented the store, a discussion of the marketing strategies employed by the chain, and a comparison of these two aspects. The author relates the collected research material to sociological theories of social status and advertising and previous studies on alcohol consumption. The analysis reveals a contradiction between the store’s décor and marketing – both in message and form (e.g., portraying alcohol consumption in a positive light through colourful posters) – and the actual clientele, who were often addicted individuals of lower social status. In seeking to explain why this particular aesthetic was chosen, the author proposes a hypothesis regarding the marketing strategy of the alcohol retail chain.
“Sejmflix” in the experiences of emerging adults: an analysis of the phenomenon’s dynamics
The article addresses the phenomenon of viewership of broadcasts of sessions of the 10th term of the Sejm among emerging adults. The analysis addresses the first months after its inauguration. The article aims to explore and understand the youths’ motivations for following the sessions and the reasons for abandoning this activity. In order to do so, qualitative methodology had been used. Three focus group interviews were conducted with purposefully selected students. The research shows that the participants’ following of the debates stemmed from their curiosity about the changes that occurred after the October 2023 elections and their desire to find their place in the current political situation. According to the respondents, they stopped watching the broadcasts of the sessions mainly due to the subsidence of emotions related to the elections and the exhaustion of “hot” topics.
Outsourcing of media broadcasting from the perspective of public choice theory
Mediasourcing is a relatively young but growing phenomenon. It involves the use of traditional and social media as a source for generating public information that coincides with the goals and expectations of a particular political party. This is about shaping voter attitudes on which political parties build their political capital. In addition to the independent “fourth estate” today we have to deal with media “party annexes” that generate targeted media coverage paid for by political parties. The rules of financing Polish political parties stipulate that a significant part of it is public money. Communication with the public is carried out in such a way as to create the impression of political independence and objectivity. In essence, it is a paid provision of media services. An attempt was made to analyse the phenomenon in question based on the achievements of public choice theory. The reductionist model used in the article is based on the realistic assumption that individuals make public choices. The collective process of public decision-making is a product of individuals’ intentions, thinking and actions. From this perspective, we examine the impact of targeted media coverage on forming potential voter attitudes. In doing so, we refer to economic behaviour based on the motive of cost estimation. The article is based on an analysis of reports available on the websites of the Public Information Bulletin of Polish political parties and on a critical analysis of the literature on the subject.
Art as a means of regaining one's voice. Romani identity in the narrative of Małgorzata Mirga-Tas's works (an analysis of the exhibition Travelling Images at the International Cultural Centre in Krakow)
Narratives can take many different forms, including art. This article analyses the works of Małgorzata Mirga-Tas presented at the Wędrujące obrazy (Travelling Images) exhibition at the International Cultural Centre in Krakow from December 2022 to March 2023. The research focuses on ethe image of the Roma people and their identity as constructed in the artist’s narrative. Historically, the Roma have been objectified, excluded from general history, and studied by non-Roma ethnographers and anthropologists. The depiction of Roma in paintings, as preserved in museum collections, was also created through an ‘external gaze’. Roma have experienced, and continue to experience, stigmatisation and discrimination based on this stereotypical image, as reproduced by art. However, the situation is changing. A Romani political movement has emerged, Romani researchers and institutions have appeared, and Romani artists are establishing themselves in the art world. This enables them to regain their subjectivity, speak with their own voice, and help shape their image within mainstream society. In this context, the works of the renowned artist Małgorzata Mirga-Tas are important. She was the first Romani woman to represent her country in the national pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale in 2022, and her work focuses on the autobiographical experience of Romani identity. During the analysis of the artist’s narrative presented at the International Cultural Centre, the following three threads were identified: 1) Family, solidarity and community (manifested in two forms: local Roma communities and the transnational community of Women-Giants); 2) Activism on behalf of the Roma; and 3) The Roma past, including the recovery and commemoration of history, as well as Roma heroes and heroines. The threads of the visual narrative tell a story about Roma canonical values that constitute their collective identity.
Living through Art? The Role of Institutions and Private Life Trajectories in the Careers of Artistic Weavers
The article analyzes autobiographical narratives of two artistic weavers active in the Warsaw workshop ‘Pracownia Doświadczalna Tkactwa Artystycznego ZPAP’ since the 1970s. Based on biographical interviews conducted using Fritz Schütze’s method, the author examines how patriarchal mechanisms of the art field influenced careers of women combining motherhood with creative ambitions. The category of “good life” allows for understanding of the significance of the communal workshop beyond market success: from the possibility of personal emancipation from domestic sphere, to temporary financial support within the state patronage system.
Free-not free. Faces of enslavement in contemporary Europe
Despite the decline of historical, institutional forms of slavery, contemporary slavery remains one of the key challenges of European societies in the 21st century. Human trafficking, forced labour, child exploitation, and forced prostitution are striking examples of violations of human freedom. At the same time, alongside these undisputed and widely documented forms of slavery in the literature on the subject, other – non-obvious and hidden – manifestations of enslavement are developing and gaining momentum. The author argues that although this position is not common in public and scientific discourse, consumerism, debt, dependence on information technology, and the influence of ideological pressure can have a destructive impact on human life and that these phenomena can be considered in terms of subordination and limitation of individual autonomy. In this context, the article also raises the question of the ethical limits of progress in the modern world.
The Minimum Viable Boundary Object (MVBO): A Heuristic for the Threshold of Translational Stability in Heterogeneous Collaboration Networks
The article proposes the Minimum Viable Boundary Object (MVBO) as a heuristic for the threshold of translational stability in heterogeneous collaboration networks. It starts from the premise that failure constitutes a normal operating condition of contemporary organisations functioning under neoliberal calculability. The theoretical contribution positions MVBO within the frameworks of Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT), drawing on the concepts of boundary objects, boundary-negotiating artefacts, and knowledge management across epistemic boundaries. The heuristic enables early identification of micro-mechanisms of translational failure, reframing failure as an analytically productive moment of network work. The proposed concept is derived from findings of the author’s study on the social dimension of the TCRact project’s failure. The article concludes by outlining implications for research in STS and ANT and for design and implementation practices in complex organisational settings.
micro-mechanisms of translational failure
Vulnerable Groups in the Workplace in the Context of Loss: An Introduction
Our article, which is serves as review and application, aims to show that experiencing loss within a group of employees can significantly impact the quality of work and the desire to stay in an organization, especially without proper support. In this context, the word vulnerability (in the meaning of: weakness, fragility, defenselessness, or sensitivity) can be applied broadly, as we are not focusing on a specific group but rather highlighting that any group can become vulnerable in the situations of loss. The article includes the latest research on loss in British organizations, a case study on the work of a corporate Mental Health Specialist, and our extensive experience with death and dying also in an organizational context. We believe it’s important to draw attention to this topic and to discuss potential strategies for addressing or preparing a group (organization) for unforeseen events related to loss. This article serves as an introduction to broader research in this area in Poland.
On the life wanderings of a middle-aged woman and her search for an existential place. A case study
The starting point for the considerations presented in the article was the phenomenon of wandering through life, manifested in the inability to settle down anywhere permanently and the resulting movement from place to place. In an attempt to explore this phenomenon, the case of a woman in her forties was examined, and the research approach was inspired by the biographical method and hermeneutic phenomenology. Analysis of the biographical narrative revealed the experiences that made up her wandering, mainly related to settling in certain places for shorter or longer periods of time and the narrator’s recurring sense of existential homelessness. It also turned out that these experiences are likely to be underpinned by deeper structures that determine how she organizes them and gives them meaning.
Is there a state’s science policy in Poland?
The paper constitutes an analysis of percent of scientific titles given in consecutive research areas and funding allocations given for research grant performed in research areas – areas where the government is able to act directly. On this base, implementation and existence of state’s science policy is examined. Analysis of percent of given scientific titles was presented in this paper – observed results are not coherent with official state’s science policy. Additionally, it was shown that the number of given titles in 2017 was the lowest over the last 25 years. The funding allocation for grants in consecutive research areas was analysed too. In this area, no influence of state’s science policy was observed.
Recenzja publikacji naukowej pt. RIVERSCAPE. Ujawniając rzeki pod redakcją Marka Domańskiego
Strategie komunikacyjne Karola Nawrockiego na platformie X. Roboczy raport
Online dating during social isolation – Perspectives of singles from Poland and Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic
This article is a report on quantitative research conducted as part of the project “Singles in Poland and Brazil during social isolation – an international study.” The study, which began in 2020, aimed to understand, from a gender perspective, how singles from Brazil and Poland experienced social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (hereinafter: COVID). Singles of both genders participated in the study. The study was exploratory, using quantitative strategies, including questionnaires as research tools. In this article, we present an analysis of selected issues concerning online dating during COVID among Poles and Brazilians, taking into account the frequency of dating, the main motivations of respondents and the experience of falling in love through online dating. The purpose of this text is to provide a general overview of online dating among singles, to present the characteristics of the study sample, and to present selected opinions of the men and women participating in the study on their participation in online dating during COVID. We were particularly interested in presenting differences in motivations for engaging in online dating activities and relating this to social and cultural models of femininity and masculinity.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Body controlled, body liberated – on social expectations towards women based on The sisterhood of the sacred sauna
The article attempts to answer the question of ‘cinematic reflections’ of the influence of patriarchal culture on the experience of femininity, including corporeality and sexuality. The text presents the results of a qualitative analysis of a selected film image entitled. The Sisterhood of the Sacred Sauna, which was directed by Anna Hints. Its filmmaker addressed the intimate experiences and confidences of a group of Estonian women, who talk about the formative events in which their bodies played a central role. The theoretical basis of the realised study was the gender approach in social research and selected concepts of corporeality.
Social production of space on the example of analysis of psychiatric hospitals in Lodz
The main issue of the article is a spatial analysis of mental hospitals located in Łódź. This research was made using case study with qualitative methodology―observation and visual analysis. Cases presented in the article are representatives of two types of mental hospital which are the most common in Poland. The aim of such analysis is to understand the relation between spatial organization of this institutions and a social approach to people with mental illness. Article is also referring to the crucial publications related to mental illness, total institutions and social creating of space. Thanks to the comparison of this conceptions with the results of a case study the author could show some possible ways of spatial organization’s influence on the social perception of mental hospitals and people with mental illness.
Deadline, czyli nie tylko o oswajaniu (własnej) śmiertelności