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The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between social media use and job performance, with a specific focus on exploring the mediating roles of technostress, social capital, and job satisfaction. The study focused on Fars Regional Electric Company employees in Iran. The study relied on a descriptive survey method and collected data through a questionnaire in which the items were measured according to a five-point Likert scale. PLS software has employed structural equation modeling, or SEM, to test the research hypotheses. Results revealed that social media usage led to technostress, although the effects of social media usage on job satisfaction and job performance were not confirmed. However, job satisfaction positively affected the employees’ job performance. Furthermore, social media usage increased the employees’ level of social capital, while social capital left a positive effect on the employees’ job satisfaction and performance. Meanwhile, the effects of technostress on job satisfaction and performance were rejected. Investigating the mediation effects revealed that job satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between social media and job performance and that technostress did not significantly mediate the relationship between social media and job performance. Nevertheless, job satisfaction had a mediation effect on the relationship between social capital and job performance, and social capital had a mediation effect on the relationship between social media usage and job performance. The mediation effect of technostress on the relationship between social media and job performance was rejected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the 2002 Iran Fertility Transition Survey, we examined birth control use between marriage and first pregnancy. We focused on the post-1990 increase in birth control use and develop two explanations. The first posits that birth control use reflects a new marriage form, the conjugal marriage, which places a heightened value on the spousal relationship while deemphasizing the centrality of parenthood. A second explanation stresses the use of a new resource, effective birth control, within an Iranian-Islamist view of marriage. Key to this explanation is the role of the state--Iranian political/religious actors encourage early marriage and the use of birth control. Although the explanations could be complementary, evidence provides more support for the latter.

The process of demographic transition has increased the share of the working-age population in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This situation has created an opportunity for economic growth, called the demographic dividend. Global comparisons show that a favorable age structure has not always resulted in a boost in economic growth. In order to take a full advantage of the MENA's demographic dividend, it is important to identify different factors contributing to economic growth in this region. Investment in women's human capital is expected to have important implications for the region's economic growth and for maximizing the benefits created by the demographic dividend. Using a range of data sources, this paper aims to determine the association between women's human capital (measured by adult educational attainment and health status) and economic growth (measured by gross national income per capita) in MENA. The findings show a positive association between these two. Specifically, the national-level income is generally higher in countries with lower maternal mortality and higher female literacy, female tertiary education, female life and healthy life expectancies at birth and professional childbirth attendance. Thus, investment in women's human capital can accelerate the pace of development in MENA. Key Words: Women in the Middle East, Economic Growth, Human Capital, Introduction The world has been amazed by the social and political movements taking place in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) since 2010, particularly a large presence of young [...]

Introduction: Taking into account the growth of increase in the elderly population in Iran and the world, and the emergence of the phenomenon of feminization of aging, the present study has been conducted, with aim of examining the relationship between anxiety about aging and the perceived and experienced gender inequality among the women of Shiraz city (Iran). Methods: This cross-sectional study has been carried on 30 to 70 years old women in the city of Shiraz. The requied sample size is estimated to be 405 individuals, and the participants selected through a stratified random sampling. Data collection has taken place by a questionnaire which some of the questions of that were made by the authors and some are borrowed from anxiety about aging scale.The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 21 using pearson corellation tests. Results: Experienced inequality has a significant positive correlation with anxiety about aging (total) (r = 0.226; p < 0.01). The relation between perceived inequality has also been positive and significant with anxiety about aging (total) (r = 132; p < 0.05). Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between gender inequality (perceived and experienced) and anxiety about aging in different aspects, including social and economic fears, psychological fears, fear of losing the feminine position, fear of losing health, and fear of physical changes and changes in appearance. Conclusion: The anxiety about aging increases among women who experience and percive gender inequality. According to the accelerating process of population aging and the importance of paying attention to the social, psychological, and physical health of elderly women, it is necessary to take more considerations into account. In this regard, planning for decreasing the gender gap and inequality can be effective to some extent. Seemingly, the intersection of "the phenomenon of feminization of poverty," due to gender inequality, with the phenomenon of "feminization of aging" in the future brings to the fore the necessity of paying attention to "anxiety about aging." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic discourses in the media or public inform lay people and may impact population planning and policies. Understanding the situation and characteristics of public demographic discourses in Iran helps the government and policy makers to identify experts' advice to use in effective policymaking and to discern public perceptions and understanding of population policies and promote changes in fertility behavior. The aim of this paper is to examine public demographic discourses which are produced and reproduced in the Iranian media to affect fertility policy and decision making after the announcement of General Population Policies by the Supreme Leader in 2014. This paper uses the critical discourse analysis for analyzing demographic discourses in websites of two influential Iranian newspapers, i.e., Keyhan and Iran, and demographers' ideas and opinions available online during 21 March 2010 and 21 May 2016. The critical discourse analysis illustrates that the main discourse for public demography is "Conceptual". Analyzing texts indicates that demographers have tried to reduce the gap between science - policy by disseminating simple and understandable demographic discussions in the media. They argue that demographic issues are specialized topics and require scientific and rigorous research. Therefore, the first step for policymaking and planning is the recognition and understanding of population situation. Public demography intends to facilitate the formulation of an evidence-based policymaking to achieve General Population Policy objectives. Policymakers are recommended to provide favorable social and economic contexts supporting family formation and childbearing towards sustainable population growth outlined in the General Population Policies. Public demography has a vital role in providing a deeper understanding of future population trends and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]