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Topic: Equestrian sports and cultural traditions in Almaty

Reason: I chose this topic because horses have been part of my life since childhood. My interest in horse riding was passed down from my father, and I even attended equestrian camps when I was younger, where I learned to ride and care for horses. This personal experience connects closely with Kazakhstan’s nomadic heritage, where horses have always played an important cultural role. Exploring equestrian sports in Almaty allows me to link my own story with a broader national tradition that continues to shape youth identity today.

Research question: How participation in horse riding connects young people in Almaty to Kazakhstan’s nomadic heritage?

Article:

https://astanatimes.com/2023/04/horses-and-humans-ancient-bond/

https://tengrinews.kz/curious/priezjayut-samom-vkusnom-kone-verhovaya-ezda-novyiy-531255/amp/

https://madeniportal.kz/ru/news/budushhee-konnogo-sporta-v-kazaxstane-v-epoxu-texnologii

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Horses and Humans: Ancient Bond - The Astana Times

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Topic: The role of Kazakh traditional food in Kazakhstan’s culture

Reason: I chose this topic because traditional Kazakh food is not only about eating, but also about culture. In modern society, especially among young people, fast food and global cuisines are becoming more popular, so I wanted to explore how traditional food is still preserved and what role it plays in keeping cultural traditions alive.

Research questions:

• How does traditional Kazakh food help preserve cultural identity in Kazakhstan?

• Do young people prefer traditional food or modern fast food, and why?

Article: https://globalvoices.org/2024/01/11/kazakhstans-national-identity-is-deeply-connected-to-its-food-culture/

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Kazakhstan’s national identity is deeply connected to its food culture

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Kazakhstan’s modern cuisine has been significantly influenced by the eating habits of the peoples who were deported or moved to Kazakhstan.

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Topic:The importance of sleep for students

I am interested in this topic because many students do not get enough sleep, especially during the exam week. Sleep affects our health, mood, and learning.

How does sleep affect students’ academic performance?

If students understand the importance of sleep, they can improve their learning and overall well-being.

Article for the research project

The University of British Columbia

https://students.ubc.ca/health/health-topics/sleep-success/

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Topic: The influence of Pixar animated films on Kazakhstani youth

Research question: How have Pixar animated films influenced the values of Kazakhstani youth, particularly their attitudes toward dreaming, failure, and finding meaning beyond success?

Reason:

I chose this topic because during my globalization course, I heard an idea that helped me clearly understand something I had felt for a long time but could not fully explain. Animated films are one of the most powerful ways to influence children.

I started thinking about why even as children we are often very different from our parents. I also noticed that my younger cousin, who is 13 years younger than me, has a completely different worldview and behavior compared to my younger brother and sister. Of course, this can be explained by many factors such as different environments, personalities, parenting styles, and time periods. However, I believe that the animated films we watch from childhood, and continue to watch as we grow up, play an important role in shaping who we become.

I am a big fan of Pixar Animation Studios, not only because they break traditional stereotypes and clichés, but also because they include a deep philosophy in each of their films. Pixar characters are not princes, princesses, or heroes who are special because of their status. Instead, they are ordinary, average characters who decide to change their lives, and through this choice, they become special.

I chose this topic because Pixar films have supported me for many years. They taught me not to give up and helped me believe that even if I do not achieve success or reach my dreams in the way I originally planned, I will still be able to find my own place and meaning in life.

Article: https://badgerherald.com/artsetc/art/2021/02/10/importance-of-pixar-movies/

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Topic: Why many young students feel unprepared for the job market after graduation in Kazakhstan

Reason: Every student counts on finding a decent job that will fulfill all of their inner desires after they graduate. Young people tend to exhibit great ambition and determination when it comes to pursuing the goals they have set for themselves. Unfortunately, there are lots of university graduates who struggle with choosing the place of occupation, whether due to lack of academic interests or deep personal problems, which can be influenced by global or local economy. Kazakhstan is not an exception in the rule. Although it has a below average unemployment rate, some more specific data shows that efficient employment is not included in the statistics. Moreover, according to different researches, the inability to find a job that matches a person’s interests is not a rare occurrence in Kazakhstan and that causes people to lose motivation, increasing the NEET rate. I believe, that young people need to be provided with more opportunities, as they are an essential part of every country’s future.

Questions regarding the research:

1) What is the reason behind such problems in our country?

2) What can increased unemployment lead to?

3) What can universities do to contribute to resolving the issue?

Articles/Sources:

https://en.orda.kz/behind-the-numbers-the-hidden-problems-in-kazakhstans-job-market-6932/

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Behind the Numbers: The Hidden Problems in Kazakhstan’s Job Market

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On paper, Kazakhstan’s labor market appears stable: unemployment is declining, informal employment is decreasing, and new jobs are being created. But should we take government reports at face value?

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Topic: Housing Prices vs Average Salaries in Kazakhstan in social settings. Why Home Ownership Is Becoming Unaffordable for Young People in Almaty.

Reason: I chose this topic because housing affordability directly affects the life opportunities and future stability of young people in Almaty. As apartment prices rise much faster than average salaries, many young adults cannot afford to buy a home without taking on long-term debt or financial support from family. This creates economic pressure, delays independence, and increases social inequality between those who can afford housing and those who cannot. Studying this issue helps us understand a social problem of how housing affects when people start families, where they work, their mental well-being, and whether they choose to stay in Kazakhstan or move abroad.

Questions:

1. How does the inability to buy housing affect young people’s decisions about marriage and starting a family?

2. Does housing unaffordability increase financial dependence of young adults on their parents?

3. How does long-term mortgage debt affect the quality of life and stress levels of young families?

Article: https://dknews.kz/en/articles-in-english/380616-housing-prices-are-rising-faster-than-inflation-what

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Topic: The Influence of Roommates and Dormitory Social Environment on the Academic and Social Adaptation of International Students at KIMEP University

Reason: I chose this topic because I am an international student in my first year at KIMEP University, and living with my roommate has significantly influenced my daily routines, study habits, and social adaptation. My experiences made me curious about how roommates and dormitory environment affect other international students’ academic performance and social comfort, especially when adapting to a new culture and university life.

Research question: How do roommates and the dormitory social environment influence the academic performance and social adaptation of international students at KIMEP University?

Article: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/dec/17/students-uk-university-halls-isolated-lonely-poll-shows?utm_source

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‘Lonely, terrifying and scary’: 70% of students in UK university halls feel isolated, poll shows

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Students blame reliance on phones plus pressure of accommodation costs for lack of social life

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Topic : How does having a personal business affect in academic life?

Reason: I chose this topic because it is connected to my life and my business. I want to talk about the inner world of my project, how I create clothing, and highlight young talents in Almaty. I will also share the challenges of balancing studies and work, my approach to building a team, and how I welcome people into the project’s community. The main purpose of this project is to inspire young people to follow their talents and believe in their path as creators and entrepreneurs.

Research Question:

1. How does a structured learning project affect student life and academic performance?

2. what difficulties arise along the way

Article: https://astanatimes.com/2018/09/young-kazakh-entrepreneurs-share-keys-to-success-lessons-from-failures/

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Young Kazakh entrepreneurs share keys to success, lessons from failures - The Astana Times

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Young Kazakh entrepreneurs share keys to success, lessons from failures

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Topic: Francophone cultural festivals in Kazakhstan: How students experience French language and culture?

Reason: I chose this topic because cultural events related to the Francophone world (festivals, film screenings, competitions) provide Kazakhstani students with hands-on experience of French language and culture outside the university. I have an experience in participating at such events, I learn French for many years and find their culture and lifestyle interesting. I believe that these festivals increase interest in French, enhance understanding of Francophone cultures, and expand students’ international perspectives.

Research Question: How does participation in Francophone cultural festivals in Kazakhstan influence students’ motivation to learn French, French culture and create opportunities for international cultural exchange?

Article: https://astanatimes.com/2025/06/kazakh-french-festival-brings-spirit-of-exploration-and-cross-cultural-dialogue/

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Topic: The influence of music on people's personality

Reason: I chose this topic because music has always been a significant part of my life and the lives of people around me. I have noticed how different genres can shape moods, attitudes, and even the way people express themselves. Also, in the modern world, people argue whether music truly molds character traits or simply reflects them. I would like to explore how music affects people’s personalities, what kind of impact it has on their behavior and identity, and whether certain genres are more influential than others among people living in Kazakhstan.

Research question: How can music influence people's personality?

Article: https://www.verywellmind.com/music-and-personality-2795424

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Topic: Effective gym techniques for Kazakhstani young people to improve the mental well-being

Reason: I have my own experience in improving my mental state through sports. I've been involved in sports for five full years now. I believe that even more people will find their calling in sports, because it's not just about the physical body, but also about mental health.

Research question:

What techniques do Kazakhstani young people who exercises regularly in the gym find most effective for their own mental well-being?

Article:

https://gymgoals.org/mental-health-gym-programs-breaking-the-stigma-around-fitness-and-mental-well-being/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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Engaging in sport has myriad physical health benefits, from building body strength to helping people control their weight.

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Topic: The Role of Content Creation in Building Personal Branding and Career Opportunities for Students in Kazakhstan

Reason: I chose this topic because I am a content creator on social media. By creating videos, I build my personal brand and become recognized by a wider audience. For example, I share content about psychology, education, English learning and already have 8,500 followers. In the future, as a psychologist, I can use my social media presence to share my services. By establishing a strong personal brand early, social media popularity can directly support career growth and open various opportunities.

Research question: How does content creation on social media help Kazakhstani students develop a personal brand and expand career opportunities?

Article: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/399570840_THE_INFLUENCE_OF_PERSONAL_BRANDING_IN_SOCIAL_MEDIA_AND_SELF-CONFIDENCE_ON_STUDENT_EMPLOYABILITY

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Topic:How networking at KIMEP University influences students’ career opportunities

Reason:I chose this topic because I believe that university is not only about studying and getting a diploma. At KIMEP University, students communicate with ambitious and well-connected people. Many students come from business, political, or international backgrounds. These connections can play an important role in future career opportunities. That is why I want to explore how networking at KIMEP can influence students’ professional success.

Research question:How does networking at KIMEP University influence students’ future career opportunities?

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Topic: Benefits of visiting cat cafes in Karaganda and Almaty by university students

Reason: Id like to explore the popularity of cat cafes among peoples in KZ, particularly in Almaty. I have visited several time cat cafes in Karaganda and Almaty, and Cat Cafes combine food service with interaction with cats. I first learned about this through social media and examples from countries such as Japan and South Korea, where they are very popular. This topic is interesting for me because it connects culture, leisure activities, and attitudes toward animals.

research question: Are university students in Karaganda and Almaty aware of cat cafes and their concept?

What are the benefits of visiting cat cafes in this cities for university students?

Article:https://www.bluezones.com/2019/02/cat-cafes-help-reduce-loneliness-in-a-time-of-political-unrest/

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After I began researching the explosion of 'cat cafes' in post-economic bubble Japan, I discovered an entire healing industry devoted to the commodification of intimacy.

Cats are the stars of our social media lives. Cat videos and cat memes are now common, if not clichéd, tools through which boredom and stress are managed and alleviated. They are celebrated by us in anthropomorphic terms as being alternately unruly, inscrutable, cute, and charming. These are the emotions that fuel an industry extending from Instagram and Facebook into the physical world.

You can see this most vividly in the explosion of 'cat cafes' throughout East Asia (most prominently in Japan) and now, worldwide. The first cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998, and they soon spread to Japan where the first cafe opened in Osaka in 2004, and one year later in Tokyo. Current numbers are a bit difficult to ascertain, but it is estimated that there are over roughly 40 of these cafes in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Japan's cat cafes are public spaces where customers pay by the hour to drink coffee (or sometimes alcohol), relax, read manga, and play with cats, or attempt to at least. These cafes are homely spaces, meant to evoke the experience of being in your apartment through the carefully staged use of furniture, lighting, reading materials, and background music. Not surprisingly, they are mostly concentrated in Japan's urban centres, where a high percentage of people live alone. And they are only one choice among a range of themed outlets including maid cafes, music cafes, rabbit cafes, and owl cafes.

So why do people go to cat cafes?

I began conducting ethnographic research in Tokyo, where I spent time as a patron in a handful of cat cafes, conducted interviews and spoke informally with owners, employees, and customers. It is often suggested that people visit cat cafes because they are not able to own cats due to apartment regulations. But while this is the case for some, I gradually began to discover through my research that the rise of cat cafes is intimately tied to a vast 'healing industry', entirely dependent on the sense of loneliness and malaise that has come to the fore in post-economic bubble Japan.

This is a time in Japanese society when companionship (virtual or real) and intimacy itself have become highly marketable and desirable commodities. The healing industry became widespread in the early 1990s, with the collapse of Japan's economic bubble in 1992, and then the annus horribilis of 1995 which included the Kobe earthquake and a sarin gas terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway.

Healing goods and services such as music, colour therapy, aromatherapy, robot interaction, and pet therapy became marketed as necessary tools for coping with economic and social anxieties that seemed to be intensifying.

And this desire for healing continues to resonate strongly in Japan today, in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima earthquake, tsunami, nuclear meltdown and ongoing economic stagnation.

People go to cat cafes to be healed - that's the sentiment frequently repeated by patrons in cafe guestbook entries. Cafe owners, employees, customers, and advertising language all explicitly told me this as well. Cats are marketed as healing ( iyashi, in Japanese) objects through which people can seek a sense of calm and relaxation. While cats are often represented as auspicious animals in Japanese folklore, this wasn't mentioned by cafe workers or patrons. Instead, it was the cats' perceived sense of unruliness and carefree nature that patrons told me was part of their charm and cuteness; a sense of uninhibited charm distinct from the more "obedient" - and implicitly, submissive - personalities of dogs. "Dogs are certainly more straightforward, whereas cats are more complicated and noncommittal," a cafe employee told me.

One patron explained the healing qualities of cats in language that focused on their physical warmth and the visceral, pleasurable texture of their fur, telling me these qualities were comforting to him. And it's not surprising that patrons would explain the healing dimensions of cats in relation to sensory qualities such as comfort and relaxation. Cafe owners work hard to create an ambiance that is highly domesticated but soft, comfortable, and gentle on all the senses. Some cafes provide soft fluffy blankets for patrons to use while lounging on the sofas, should they choose to take a nap - and it is not unusual to see people sleeping with a blanket covering them as if they are in their own bed at home. The cat is integral to the creation of this relaxed environment.

Most regular patrons are even led to believe that they have a connection with one specific cat: "their" cat. One customer told me that "his cat" happened to be the one that first approached him upon his initial visit to the cafe. He told me that he likes the feeling of caring for the cat when he visits the cafe.

The use of animals as a therapeutic means to relieve stress or provide physical and emotional support for their human companions is certainly not a unique practice limited to Japan - some recent American examples include service dogs used for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffering from PTSD, and bringing puppies or kittens to college campuses during final exams. But the commodification and marketing of cats within cafes, however, suggest a very different engagement with animals than in the use of service pets to help overcome the traumas of war.

With the exception of one cafe I encountered during my fieldwork where the cats spent each night at an employee's apartment so they would be "happy" at work the next day, cats normally sleep in cages inside the cafes overnight. They are also often referred to as "cat staff" ( neko sutaffu, in Japanese) by the cafe's human staff. While it might be tempting to dismiss "cat staff" as an ironic and cheeky anthropomorphism, a play on standard retail-speak, it's important to recognize the very real effects of labor on the cats.

Their labor is monitored by cafe employees in all kinds of ways. Unproductive cats - those that are sleeping or sitting quietly away from patrons - are often made to be productive. The cafe manager watches carefully, knowing that patrons are paying for direct contact with cats. The first time I went to a cat cafe, the cafe employee noticed that there were no cats sitting near me so she promptly picked up a cat and plopped it in my lap, upon which it immediately leaped up and scrambled away. This scenario is not uncommon in cafes where the patron's desire for consuming human-animal interaction is of the utmost importance. Cats are also sometimes placed "on vacation" (taken temporarily to a cafe employee's apartment) or spend time in the break room inside the cafe: a space that is inaccessible to patrons. It's worth noting that Japan's animal rights movement is generally opposed to the cat cafe industry, arguing that the cats are overstimulated by the constant attention from patrons.

The labor performed by cats can be explained in terms of what political theorists Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri refer to as affective labor, which is a type of immaterial labor most visible in the service industries. Affective labor is immaterial, they argue, because its products are intangible: a feeling of calm, relaxation, and ease. The cats' labor is material with very real effects (which are monitored and regulated by cafe employees), yet the products of their labor - feelings of healing and relaxation for the customers - are decidedly immaterial.

While both Japan's cafes and the more recent global versions are advertised as public spaces for cat lovers to hang out with and interact with cats, the differences between the two models are quite stark.

One cafe owner that I interviewed told me that the cat cafe boom peaked in 2009, and yet the phenomenon appears to be continuing. Each year I return to Tokyo I notice new cat cafes that have opened up since my last visit. This phenomenon is getting renewed interest as cat cafes have begun to spread worldwide over the last few years. While both Japan's cafes and the more recent global versions are advertised as public spaces for cat lovers to hang out with and interact with cats, the differences between the two models are quite stark. The biggest difference is that cat cafes in North America are tied to local cat shelters and all the cafe cats are available for adoption. In the case of Japan's cafes, the cats come from a variety of backgrounds: breeders, pet shops, stray cats, kittens from an employee's cats - and yet they live out their lives in the cafe. The phenomenon has not quite been around long enough to know what happens when cats get too old and perhaps are no longer seen as "healing."

Cat Cafes, the Result of Post-Industrial Economy

But while the cat cafe phenomenon is expanding worldwide, it is important to avoid explaining it as an exoticized example of Japanese culture. Instead, these cafes emerge as an effect of the post-industrial economy, in which customers seek to consume experiences that produce feelings and sensations. Japan's cat cafes exist at a time in which social relationships have become increasingly commodified, privatized, and marketed to those who are able to afford it. They are spaces in which humans no longer encounter animals as companions, but as consumers seeking healing and relaxation, at a time of pervasive social and economic anxieties in Japan.

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Cat Cafe Trend: Loneliness and Relaxation in a Time of Political and Economic Unrest

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Relationships outside of social media are becoming increasingly difficult, but a booming cat cafe industry is attempting to relieve stress and provide emotional support.

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Topic:

The Role of Drawing and Art Therapy in Reducing Stress Among University Students in Kazakhstan

Reason:I chose this topic because stress is a common problem among university students. Drawing and art therapy are creative methods that may help students express emotions and reduce stress in a healthy way.

Research question:

How can drawing and art therapy help reduce stress among university students in Kazakhstan?

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Topic: How rising living costs affect university students in Kazakhstan

Reason: I choose this topic because in recent years Kazakhstan experienced inflation leading to higher prices for food, housing, transportation, and basic services. University students are especially at risk from these changes as they frequently depend on stable incomes as scholarships, parental assistance, or low-paid part-time jobs. Rising living costs can reduce student’s purchasing power, increase financial stress and negatively influence their academic life and well being. Studying this issue is important to understand how economic pressure affects students and to highlight potential gaps in student support policies in our country.

Research question: How do rising food and housing costs influence student’s daily expenses and study habits in Kazakhstan?

Article:https://www.azattyqasia.org/a/chasov-na-dorogu-700-za-sem-kvartiry-kak-zhivut-ne-poluchivshie-obschezhitie-studenty-v-almaty-i-reshaema-li-problema-/33556045.html

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Topic: Bookcrossing movement in Kazakhstan and worldwide

Reason: I'd like to learn if the Kazakhstani youth know about this movement, which gives opportunities to exchange used books and read more books without spending a lot of money on new books. I first learned about this movement when I studied in the US, but then I found out that it came to Kazakhstan. For example, I saw two book exchange places in the Park named after 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and along Abay Avenue. However, I am not sure if many young people know about bookcrossing.

Research question: "Are young people in Almaty aware of the bookcrossing movement?"

Article: I have found a newspaper article, which I am planning to use in my research.

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Paper nomads: Almaty residents warm to book crossing - The Astana Times

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Paper nomads: Almaty residents warm to book crossing

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Topic: The influence of sport on psychological development and life values in young adults

Reason: chose this topic because many young adults in Kazakhstan face daily stress from studying, work, and fast-paced city life, and they need healthy ways to cope with emotions. Modern dance is a specific type of physical activity that combines movement and self-expression

Research question: How does modern dance help young adults from Kazakhstan reduce stress and transform emotions into positive psychological well-being? I also find this topic personally meaningful because I have been involved in sports since childhood, and I am interested in how movement can transform emotions into a more positive psychological state.

Article:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/how-dance-boosts-brain-and-mood

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Topic: The impact of streaming platforms on traditional movie theaters

Reason: I choose this topic as a movies enjoyer. The streaming platforms have significantly changed the way people watch films. A lot of people enjoy the services that streamings are offering and prefer to watch movies at home instead of going to a movie theater, which can impact the theaters and traditional cinema. This topic is relevant, since the streaming platforms are continuing to grow. Understanding their influence can let us understand how the movie industry is evolving.

Research Question:

1. What challenges do traditional movie theaters face because of streaming platforms?

2. How have streaming platforms changed audience viewing habits?

3. Can movie theaters adapt to the rise of streaming services?

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Netflix updates Warner Bros bid to all-cash offer

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It is the latest skirmish in the bidding war over Warner Bros Discovery, which is also being pursued by Paramount Skydance.

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Topic: Use of electronic and printed books in Kazakhstan.

Reason: I chose this topic, partly, because it touches my own interests - me and my family members have been using electronic books for plenty of years. Nevertheless, in modern literature world the use of e-books is very questionable. It has already become a source of debates - whether to read printed or electronic books. Hence, I would like to find out which way of reading is actually more popular among people living in Kazakhstan and what makes them choose one or another side.

Research question: "Why people in Kazakhstan opt for electronic or printed books?"

Article: I have found a journal article, which I am planning to use in further stages of my research.

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UNIQUELY PORTABLE MAGIC: TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF E-BOOKS AND E-TEXTBOOKS IN KAZAKHSTAN | NEW ERA INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY SOCIAL RESEARCHES

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This article aims to identify the preferences of the net generation readers in print and electronic media activities and to investigate the impact of e-books on the printed books, and try and see E-book market in Kazakhstan. The volume of the Kazakhstani overall book market is much smaller in comparison with the Russian market and largely occupied the books published abroad occupy a large part of it. The stratified random sampling technique was employed for selection of participants. Comparing readers’ preferences between reading a printed book and electronic media, it seems that e-book Growth is slowing, but still substantial, and the majority of book readers believe that e-books will become more popular than the printed books in the future.

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Topic: Cashless Payments and the Kaspi Bank Ecosystem: Their Influence on Spending Behavior of University Students in Almaty

Reason: I chose this topic because cashless payments are a major part of everyday life for students in Almaty. Most students rarely use cash and instead rely on digital payment systems, especially Kaspi Bank, for QR payments, transfers, online shopping, and installment plans.

As a finance major, I am interested in understanding how financial tools influence real consumer behavior, not just theory. Since I personally use these payment systems, this topic is both relevant and personalized.

This topic also allows me to apply basic concepts of behavioral finance to real-life financial decisions made by students.

Research questions:

Main question:

- How does the use of cashless payment systems, particularly Kaspi Bank, influence the spending behavior of university students in Almaty?

Supporting questions:

- Does the convenience of Kaspi QR payments reduce awareness of spending?

- How do Kaspi Red installment payments affect students’ budgeting and saving behavior?

- Are students who use cash more likely to track and control their expenses?

Newspaper article: https://thefintechtimes.com/from-nomad-trails-to-digital-rails-kazakhstans-banking-revolution/

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Topic: Generational transmission of body image standards among young women in Kazakhstan

Reason: I decided upon this topic as it is a very intricate matter in Kazakhstani contemporary society, of which people are frequently not aware. Recently I discovered an article that brings up the mother-daughter bond and how mothers set specific expectations on their daughters' body, in order for it to be "socially acceptable". After reading it, I recalled that most of the girls with ED, with whom I am acquainted with, claim that it was their mothers constantly criticizing their looks, resulting in them being sick. Indeed, it is quite relevant in Kazakhstan, due to the patriarchal society, gender norms, family honor and "bride value". I would like to examine this topic in depth and learn how exactly the process of societal norms' transmission operates from a mother to daughter.

Research question: How are body image norms transmitted from mothers to daughters among young women in Kazakhstan?

Article: I found an article that is related to my topic

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Abstract

This research investigated the obstacles hindering the promotion of positive body image among women in Kazakhstan by focusing on sociocultural factors influencing their perceptions. Using a network sampling method, this descriptive study surveyed women aged 18-50 in Almaty and Astana, Kazakhstan's two largest cities. Participants were recruited through a questionnaire link shared on Instagram[¹] by four enablers, which reached 1,000 potential respondents and resulted in 135 returned questionnaires of which 94 were fully completed, thus achieving a 13.5% response rate and a 9.4% completion rate. The study was conducted with a 90% confidence level. The findings indicated that social media, family influence, and the fashion industry were primary obstacles to promoting positive body image in Kazakhstan. While there has been some progress in accepting positive body image in Almaty and Astana, entrenched cultural norms continue to heavily influence perceptions. Young Kazakhstani women often face negative scrutiny if their bodies do not conform to the thin ideal.

[1] Instagram™ is a trademark of Instagram Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. По решению Роскомнадзора, социальная сеть Instagram полностью заблокирована в России как экстремистская организация.

Author Biographies

Milen Filipov, KIMEP University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Milen Filipov, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Communications, College of Social Sciences, KIMEP University, Kazakhstan. Dr Filipov's primary research interests include media framing of social issues, strategic public relations, and public communication within the context of higher education institutions.

Adel Askarkyzy, KIMEP University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Adel Askarkyzy, MA in International Journalism, is a graduate of the Department of Media and Communications, College of Social Sciences, KIMEP University, Kazakhstan. Ms. Askaryzy's research interests focus on media framing and public relations.

Mehdi Aqarabi, University of Tehran, Iran; KIMEP University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Mehdi Aqarabi is a PhD Candidate in Media Management at the University of Tehran, Iran and an adjunct lecturer at KIMEP University, Kazakhstan. His research focuses on platform economics, media management, social media, and fandom studies.

References

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Sociocultural Factors Hindering Public Communication of Positive Body Image in Kazakhstan

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This research investigated the obstacles hindering the promotion of positive body image among women in Kazakhstan by focusing on sociocultural factors influencing their perceptions. Using a network sampling method, this descriptive study surveyed women aged 18-50 in Almaty and Astana, Kazakhstan's two largest cities.