980 research outputs found
Sort by
Links between socialization goals and child-rearing practices in Chinese and Indian mothers
No full textMothers of preschoolers in China and India reported on the value they accorded to items tapping two socialization goals, Filial Piety and Socioemotional Development and two parenting styles, Authoritative and Authoritarian. In both cultures, maternal valuing of Filial Piety was associated with greater exertion of parental control, whereas greater valuing of Socioemotional Development was related to more frequent use of authoritative practices. However, patterns in relationships between Filial Piety, Socioemotional Development and Authoritative parenting differed across Chinese and Indian mothers. Positive associations were found among these three variables for Indian mothers, reflecting Hindu beliefs about young children and childhood. Among Chinese mothers, on the other hand, Filial Piety was negatively related with Socioemotional Development and the use of Authoritative practices. Our results suggest that Chinese mothers believe that the use of authoritative practices, which encourage socioemotional development in children, will inhibit achievement of filial behaviour and academic achievement.Contrasts between these two Asian cultures highlight the importance of considering parents’ socialization goals and beliefs in cross-cultural studies of child-rearing practices
What’s the problem? A focused ethnography exploring the experiences and social interactions in problem-based learning in nurse education
No full textProblem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centred pedagogy, with rich potential to develop health professionals’ skills with teamworking and collaboration, although the requirement to work in groups can “make or break” the approach. This presentation summarises the findings of a recent focused ethnography that explored PBL, in nurse education, from a microsociological perspective. Data were collected from three University field sites: two in the United Kingdom, and one in North America. To generate novel insights, the study used an interpretivist and constructionist perspective to analyse the social interactions in, and experiences of, PBL seminars. In total 33 participants were interviewed, and 56 participants were observed, totalling 65 hours of PBL observation. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2019) with a sociological, symbolic interactionist (Blumer, 1969) and microsociological (Goffman, 1959; 1968) theoretical lens. Primarily, Goffman’s (1959) principles of dramaturgy were used to generate original insights, and to analyse the PBL seminar as a performance and interaction ritual. Three themes developed: 1) “Mindset evolution” to describe the geography of the performance; 2) “nursing is also a team sport” to highlight the interaction and experiences of working in teams; and 3) “rekindle the discussion” which focuses on the various roles of the facilitator.
The study acknowledges the importance of cooperative teamworking to help maintain the PBL performance. The facilitator can act as a confidant(e), mediator, protective agent, specialist and director to support the PBL performance, particularly with groups less familiar with PBL, or less effective in their cooperative efforts. Conversely, when groups were highly functional, the facilitator offered less directive facilitation, analogous to an audience member, watching the PBL. Consequently, increased awareness of these cooperative efforts are valuable for PBL facilitators and nurse educators, as group formation, educational maturity, mitigation of fatigue, loafing and conflict may influence the performance
“BREATHING THROUGH OUR WORDS”: REFLECTIONS BY AUTISTIC AUTHORS ON THE POWER AND POTENTIAL OF CREATIVE WRITING
No full textResearch within the autistic community suggests that creative writing may have the potential
to enhance a sense of belonging, build self-confidence and improve management of distress and
overwhelm for some autistic people. This study explores this further, working with three writers from the
UK-wide Beyond the Spectrum initiative that engages published autistic authors to facilitate creative
writing workshops for autistic people. Participants in the study created a piece of ‘free writing’ (i.e. not
edited or crafted) to explore how their autism impacts their writing experience, and this was
then subjected to ‘poetic transcription’ by the researcher, herself an autistic senior academic. Findings
include that these autistic writers value the intensity of their autistic interests as a source of material and
of intense focus within their writing, that autism impacts their creation of character, writing supports
processing of memories and sensory stimuli and – importantly – is a source of satisfaction,
empowerment and joy. Ways that writing, including the use of poetic transcription, may be a valuable
source of communication and expression for some autistic people are considered
Book review of Tubali, S. 2023. The Transformative Philosophical Dialogue: From Classical Dialogues to Jiddu Krishnamurti’s Method. Switzerland: Springer Cham, 258, HB, £99.99, ISBN: 978-3-031-40073-5.
No full textBook review of Tubali (2023) The Transformative Philosophical Dialogue: From Classical Dialogues to Jiddu Krishnamurti’s Method. Published in Culture and Dialogue
Effects of non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia in children with Autistic Spectrum Condition
No full textAutism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is the name for a range of similar conditions that affect a person's social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour. In most cases many of the features of Autism can be recognised during early childhood. It is estimated that about 1 in every 160 children has an Autism Spectrum Condition (World Health Organisation). Further to this it is thought that between 40-80% of children with Autism have difficulties relating to sleep (Polimeni et al., 2005). Such sleep problems have been linked to a range of serious implications for the child's wellbeing. This review will explore the effects of non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia in children with autistic spectrum condition
Dementia and Physical Activity (DAPA) - an exercise intervention to improve cognition in people with mild to moderate dementia: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
No full textBackground: Dementia is more common in older than in younger people, and as a result of the ageing of the population in developed countries, it is becoming more prevalent. Drug treatments for dementia are limited, and the main support offered to people with dementia and their families is generally services to mitigate against loss of function. Physical exercise is a candidate non-pharmacological treatment for dementia. Methods/Design: DAPA is a randomised controlled trial funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme to estimate the effect of a 4-month, moderate- to hard-intensity exercise training programme and subsequent advice to remain active, on cognition (primary outcome) at 12 months in people with mild to moderate dementia. Community-dwelling participants (with their carers where possible), who are able to walk 3 metres without human assistance, able to undertake an exercise programme and do not have any unstable or terminal illness are recruited. Participants are then randomised by an independent statistician using a computerised random number generator to usual care or exercise at a 2:1 ratio in favour of exercise. The exercise intervention comprises 29, 1-hour-long exercise classes, run twice weekly at suitable venues such as leisure centres, which include aerobic exercise (on static bikes) and resistance exercise (using weights). Goals for independent exercise are set while the classes are still running, and supported thereafter with phone calls. The primary outcome is measured using ADAS-cog. Secondary outcome measures include behavioural symptoms, functional ability, quality of life and carer burden. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after randomisation, by researchers masked to participant randomisation in the participants' own homes. An economic evaluation will be carried out in parallel to the RCT, as will a qualitative study capturing the experiences of participants, carers and staff delivering the intervention. Discussion: The DAPA study will be the first large, randomised trial of the cognitive effects of exercise on people with dementia. The intervention is designed to be capable of being delivered within the constraints of NHS service provision, and the economic evaluation will allow assessment of its cost-effectiveness. Trial registration: DAPA was registered with the ISRCTN database on 29 July 2011, registration number ISRCTN32612072. © 2016 Atherton et al
The potential of coconut toddy for use as a feedstock for bioethanol production in Tuvalu
No full textIn Tuvalu the sap from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is known as “toddy”. This paper examines toddy's current use as a foodstuff, the contribution of the sale of toddy products to household incomes and the potential use of sour toddy as a sustainable feedstock for bioethanol production for use as a petroleum substitute in Tuvalu.
The productivity and current uses of coconut woodlands are also assessed. At current levels of production and use, less than 1% of coconut palms are used for toddy production by 1133 producers. Over 5 dm3 of fresh toddy are produced annually and average toddy production per tree ranges from 1.7 to 4.3 dm3 d−1.
The sale of toddy products provides 22–24% of annual household income for producers.
The production of bioethanol from toddy has been demonstrated by the NGO Alofa Tuvalu. However, it is not currently cost competitive with petroleum, although in terms of productivity, the current toddy harvest could produce enough bioethanol to replace 31% of the nation's petroleum.
It is evident that there is a large untapped biomass energy potential in Tuvalu which should be utilised if the Government of Tuvalu is going to fulfil their commitment to be carbon neutral by 2020
Assessing children at risk: psychometric properties of the motor behavior checklist
No full textOBJECTIVE:
The psychometric properties of the Motor Behavior Checklist (MBC) were examined.
METHOD:
A normative database of primary students (N = 841), rated by their physical educators in school settings, were used to investigate the construct validity of the MBC, the internal consistency, the reproducibility, and the interrater agreement.
RESULTS:
Psychometric results supported the model. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a second-order model with two (Externalizing and Internalizing) broadband domains and seven problems scales: Lack of Attention (10 items), Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (14 items), Rules Breaking (7 items), Low Energy (4 items), Stereotyped Behaviors (2 items), Lack of Social Interaction (10 items), and Lack of Self-Regulation (12 items).
CONCLUSION:
Although MBC for children is not a diagnostic tool itself, it can provide valid complementary information on attentional, emotional, and developmental problems in children when used by physical educators in school settings.
© The Author(s) 2013
“Wading Through Sludge”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Parental Experiences of Child Feeding in the Context of Avoidant Eating
No full textResponsive feeding is an approach to feeding children that prioritises child autonomy and supports children’s ability to regulate their energy intake. Alongside innate and developmental factors, nonresponsive feeding practices - specifically pressure to eat - are associated with increased avoidant (‘picky’) eating, a common parenting challenge. Although much is known about associations between feeding practices and child eating behaviours, an in depth understanding of the parental perspective is lacking. This programme of research comprises a systematic review of the conceptualisation of pressure to eat and a qualitative study: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of maternal meaning making in relation to their feeding practices and their child’s eating behaviours. The study is unique in its methodology and its sample (UK mothers of nonclinical avoidant eaters seeking support from their health visitor). Ten participants were recruited and data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. It was found that current or past use of pressure to eat was ubiquitous in this sample. This was captured by the superordinate theme ‘Getting the food down the child’. Three further superordinate themes were identified. These concerned maternal agency, identity, and attempts to understand. It is argued that participants experienced child feeding as an unwinnable battle, their only options being to fight on in vain or submit completely. There may be several factors contributing to this. First, a lack of knowledge, both of responsive feeding and common causes of avoidant eating. Secondly, a misinterpretation of aspects of the feeding literature, embedded in the contemporary parenting canon. Finally, a sense of hopelessness - participants felt they had tried everything, nothing worked, and no one had any answers. These findings comprise an original, fine-grained insight into maternal meaning making in the context of avoidant eating. They have implications for research and practice, especially regarding screening and support provided in primary care
The role of self-assessment in the facilitation of entrepreneurial competencies in learners who are studying on entrepreneurial learning courses in England
No full textThis study explored whether self-assessment facilitates the process of generating entrepreneurial competencies in learners who were studying on entrepreneurial learning courses in England. The focus was on how learners experience personal growth and transformation through the learning process and how this could be demonstrated through self-assessment practices. This was achieved by looking at the cognitive processes that a learner needs to engage with in order to conduct selfassessments and the relationship between these and self-regulation. The research was positioned within a holistic philosophy of education, where the learners’ physical, personal, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being, as well as cognitive aspects of learning, are equally important. This was a qualitative study framed by an interpretivist philosophical position. The chosen methods were semi-structured interviews of eight educators and seven learners and document analysis, which provide an understanding of the phenomenon by looking at how the participants interpret the events based on their individual thought processes. This research contributes to our understanding of self-assessment practices on entrepreneurial learning courses and the impact that this could have on higher education more broadly. This study made an original contribution to the knowledge by increasing our understanding of self assessment through the production of new information by identifying a typology of the forms of self-assessment that learners participate in on entrepreneurial learning courses. The typology identifies the skills that the learner requires in order to complete the self-assessments, outlining the benefits for learners who participate in self-assessments, discussing the factors that contribute to a successful self assessment, and describing the role of the educator as a facilitator in the process of self-assessment