291 research outputs found
Does self-compassion relate to the fear of the future during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic? A cross-cultural study
No full textThe coronavirus pandemic has a high impact on mental health, as for example, anxiety. It was the main goal of this study to investigate if rumination and worry mediate the possible relation of self-compassion and fear of the future in females and males of three European and three Middle Eastern countries during the coronavirus pandemic. 2765 men and women participated and answered questions regarding their fear of the future on the one hand and completed the reflection-rumination questionnaire, the Penn-state worry questionnaire, and the self-compassion scale. The results of a mediation analysis demonstrated a relation between self-compassion and fear of the future, which was mediated by worry but not by rumination, independent of gender and country. Furthermore, the fear of the future variable was predicted by different factors in each country. The only clear difference between the participants of the European and the Middle Eastern countries was that women show more fear of the future only in the European countries but not in the Middle Eastern countries. However, there were also differences between the three European and the three Middle Eastern countries. The results indicate that in general, psychological consequences of the coronavirus pandemic should be investigated for each country separately. It does not to seem possible to infer results from one country to another country even on the same continent
Implicit and explicit predictors of smoking cessation behavior
No full textThe current study drew on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to model self-change behavior in a sample of self-defined smokers over a 6 month follow-up period. The study tested the validity of the TPB model and the validity of the Expanded Model which proposed the addition of Impulsivity and Implicit Smoking Self-Identity as predictors of smoking outcome. The sample was recruited via an online advertisement and consisted of current smokers over18 years of age reporting no terminal illness. The baseline sample consisted of 81female and 49 male participants and the follow-up sample consisted of 28 female and 14 male participants. The study was administered online. Data consisted of demographic variables, dependence severity, and perceived stress. The TPB model variables were Smoking Attitude, as measured by Semantic Differential scales, Social Norm and Intent to Quit, measured using item ratings, and Self-Efficacy. Smoking outcome was measured as time to first quit attempt, number of quit attempts in the last 6 months, and longest period of abstinence in the last 6 months (dichotomized into high and low abstinence groups because of severe skew). A linear regression was run to test the first step of the TPB, predicting Intent to Quit from Personal Attitude, Social Norm, and Self-Efficacy. The current study found support for the first step of the TPB model- Personal Attitude and Social Norm predicted Intent to Quit. A series of regressions were performed to test the second step of the model, predicting Smoking Outcome from Intent to Quit, Self-Efficacy, Impulsivity, and Smoking Self-Concept. Partial support was found for the second step of the model, with Intent to Quit and Impulsivity predicting smoking outcome. Smoking Self-Concept was found to be predictive at a trend. Self-efficacy was not found to be predictive of either Intent to Quit or smoking outcome. An attrition analysis was performed to investigate predictors of study participation at follow-up. Support for the construct validity of the Smoking Self-Identity IAT was found; it was uncorrelated with Explicit Attitude and Social Desirability Bias and negatively correlated with smoking outcome. Limitations of the sample and implications for future research are discussed.Ph.D.Includes abstractVitaIncludes bibliographical referencesby Zayed Al-Otaib
الرفاهية النفسية والرضا عن الحياة لدى ممارسي رياضة مشي الجبال في سلطنة عُمان
No full textهدفت هذه الدراسة المقطعية إلى التعرف على مستوى الرضا عن الحياة ومستوى الرفاهية النفسية لدى ممارسي رياضة مشي الجبال في سلطنة عُمان، كما هدفت إلى التعرف على العلاقة بين الرضا عن الحياة والرفاهية النفسية. ولتحقيق هذه الأهداف طبقت الصورة المصغرة لمقياس وورويك-إدنبره للرفاهية النفسية (SWEMWBS) ومقياس الرضا عن الحياة (SWLS) على عينة من الممارسين المنتظمين لرياضة مشي الجبال في سلطنة عُمان خلال شهر فبراير 2022. وقد تألفت العينة من 157 ممارسًا تراوحت أعمارهم بين 24 – 58 (م = 38.7، ع = 9.1) يمثلون قرابة 40% من مجمل ممارسي هذه الرياضة من الذكور في سلطنة عمان. وقد أظهرت النتائج أن ممارسي رياضة مشي الجبال في سلطنة عمان لديهم مستويات مرتفعة من الرضا عن الحياة ويتمتعون بمستويات عالية من الرفاهية النفسية. وكشفت النتائج أيضا بأن مستوى الرضا عن الحياة يعتبر عاملًا مهمًا في التنبؤ بمستوى الرفاهية النفسية لدى ممارسي رياضة مشي الجبال. وبناء على ما توصلت إليه هذه الدراسة من نتائج، فإنه يوصى بأن تقوم الجهات الرسمية المعنية بتقديم كل الدعم لرياضة مشي الجبال في سلطنة عمان باعتبارها وسيلة لتعزيز الرفاهية النفسية والرضا العام عن الحياة.The current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the level of life satisfaction and the level of mental well-being among mountain hikers in the Sultanate of Oman. It also aimed to investigate the relationship between life satisfaction and psychological well-being. In order to accomplish these objectives, a sample of habitual male mountain hikers in the Sultanate of Oman responded to the Short Warwick- Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in February 2022. The sample consisted of 157 males, ages 24 to 58 (M=38.7, SD = 9.1), who collectively represented almost 40% of the nation's regular practitioners of this sport in the Sultanate of Oman. The results revealed that mountain hikers in Oman have high levels of life satisfaction and enjoy high levels of mental well-being. The results also revealed that satisfaction with life is an important factor in predicting mountain hikers’ mental well-being. Based on the study's findings, policymakers are advised to allocate resources toward promoting mountain hiking to enhance mental well-being and overall life satisfaction
Collection assessment for a Middle Eastern, English curriculum university library
No full text
Purpose
Library collections at Middle Eastern universities have usually prioritized teaching over research resources. Zayed University is transitioning toward research, but research-centric collection assessments are rarely applied in the region. The purpose of this paper is to present on the successes and limitations of using citation analysis to assess the relevance of the Zayed University Library collection to its shifted focus.
Design/methodology/approach
Recent Scopus-listed publications were sorted by the colleges of the Zayed University affiliated author, and citations listed in the publications were ranked as present or absent in the library collection.
Findings
The resultant table provides an unambiguous evaluation of the extent to which the library collection has met the needs of recently successful published academics across disciplines. Pitfalls include the limitations of the Scopus database in representing all disciplines.
Originality/value
Outcomes of the assessment enable the Library to develop collection strategies for continuous improvement and effectively support the campus researchers.
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PENGARUH DAYA TARIK DAN HASIL REVIEW MELALUI MEDIA SOSIAL TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN MASYARAKAT BERKUNJUNG KE MASJID RAYA SYEIKH ZAYED SURAKARTA
No full textAbstrak: Perkembangan tren pariwisata halal dari tahun ke tahun menjadikan daya tarik tersendiri bagi umat muslim. Indonesia dengan peringkat ke-1 pada tahun 2023 dalam pariwisata halal semakin dapat melebarkan sayapnya untuk meningkatkan potensi dari pariwisata halal yang salah satunya ialah masjid. Tujuan penelitian ini guna mengetahui adakah pengaruh daya tarik dan hasil review melalui media sosial terhadap keputusan masyarakat untuk berkunjung di Masjid Raya Syeikh Zayed Banjarsari Surakarta. Metode yang digunakan oleh penulis yaitu kuantitatif dengan analisis regresi linear berganda berupa alat SPSS versi 25 dan teknik sampling berupa purposive sampling. Penelitian ini menggunakan data primer yang diperoleh dari hasil penyebaran kuesioner dan sekunder yang merujuk pada literatur-literatur yang relevan. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara simultan daya tarik dan hasil review berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap keputusan masyarakat berkunjung ke Masjid Raya Syeikh Zayed. Sedangkan secara parsial, variabel daya tarik memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap keputusan masyarakat untuk berkunjung ke Masjid Raya Syeikh Zayed. Berbeda dengan hasil review tidak berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap keputusan masyarakat berkunjung ke Masjid Raya Syeikh Zayed.
Kata kunci: Review Melalui Social Media; Daya Tarik; Hasil Review; Keputusan Berkunjung; Pariwisata Halal
Abstract: The development of halal tourism trends from year to year makes it a special attraction for Muslims. Indonesia, which ranks 1st in 2023 in halal tourism, can increasingly spread its wings to increase the potential for halal tourism, one of which is mosques. The aim of this research is to find out whether there is an influence of attractiveness and the results of reviews via social media on people's decisions to visit the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed Banjarsari Surakarta. The method used by the author is quantitative with multiple linear regression analysis in the form of SPSS version 25 tools and a sampling technique in the form of purposive sampling. This research uses primary data obtained from the results of distributing questionnaires and secondary data which refers to relevant literature. The results of the research show that simultaneously the attraction and the results of the review have a significant influence on people's decisions to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Meanwhile, partially the attractiveness variable has a significant influence on people's decisions to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. In contrast to the results of the review, it does not significantly influence people's decisions to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Keywords: Review Via Social Media; Attractiveness; Review Results; Decision to Visit; Halal Touris
University Students’ Motives to Exercise According to the Self-Determination Theory
No full textThe present study investigated exercise behavior and its motives among Sultan Qaboos University students. Self-determination theory was used to investigate the relationship between these motives and the actual exercise behavior. The study sample consisted of 263 students from the Faculty of Education at Sultan Qaboos University (129 male and 134 female). The participants completed two questionnaires: an exercise behavior questionnaire which was developed specifically for this study; and an Arabic version of the Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2), which was developed by Markland and Ingledew. Descriptive statistics showed that 20% of male students and 77% of female students didn’t participate at all in any sport and exercise activities; 45% of male students and 21% of female students participated moderately in sport and exercise activities (2-3 times a week); while 35% of the male students and 2% of the female students participated intensively in sport and exercise activities (almost on daily basis). Results indicated that intrinsic motives for exercise behavior (challenge, revitalization, health, affiliation and enjoyment) were common among the male participants. However, physically active females, extrinsic motivations (ill-health avoidance, positive health, revitalization, weight management, and appearance) were the major driving forces for their exercise behavior. Results of the current study provide support for the application of the self-determination theory within the Arab context. </jats:p
Gender Differences and the Relationship of Motor, Cognitive and Academic Achievement in Omani Primary School-Aged Children
No full textUntil now, there has been no integrated study of the cognitive, motor and academic developments in children in the Arab world. In this study we investigated gender differences in those three areas in primary school-aged children in Oman and as well as the inter-relations between those three aspects of development. Ninety-five third graders completed four working memory tests, a mental rotation test and a motor test. Furthermore, the marks in math, science and Arabic language were registered. The result showed that there were small gender differences: Girls performed better in one of the working memory tests and boys in the coordination motor test. The study also showed that there were significant correlations between cognitive variables and academic performance, as well as two significant correlations between motor performance and marks in math and science. Marks in math correlated with the performances in the 20 m run and the coordination test, whereas the marks in science correlated with the ball-leg-wall test, the coordination test, and the endurance test. Regression analysis showed that all marks were predicted by the working memory and mental rotation performance as well as the motor ability. This means that academic achievement in Oman could be predicted by basic cognitive as well as motor abilities
Multilingual dataset of COVID tweets for relation-level metaphor analysis TCMeta 1.0
No full textTCMeta is a dataset of noun phrase constructions from COVID-related tweets, annotated for relation-level metaphor.
It contains 2,138 Slovene and 2,221 English instances in tab-separated tabular format .tsv, where each line presents a unique phrase under consideration, extracted from a COVID-related tweet. The primary annotations include the COVID metaphor label (whether the phrase expresses a metaphor relating to COVID), but also additional ones for idioms, metaphors not relating to COVID, or metaphors not evident on the relation-level.
The complete user tweet could not be published due to the ToS of the then Twitter platform. We recommend retrieving the text of the tweets via their IDs using the Hydrator tool [https://github.com/docnow/hydrator] or similar.
The dataset is further described in:
Brglez, M., Zayed, O. & Buitelaar, P. TCMeta: a multilingual dataset of COVID tweets for relation-level metaphor analysis. Lang Resources & Evaluation 59, 437–475 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10579-024-09725-z.
@article{brglez2025tcmeta,
title={{TCMeta}: a multilingual dataset of {COVID} tweets for relation-level metaphor analysis},
author={Brglez, Mojca and Zayed, Omnia and Buitelaar, Paul},
journal={Language Resources and Evaluation},
pages={437--475},
volume={59},
year={2025},
publisher={Springer},
doi = {10.1007/s10579-024-09725-z}
Measuring the Accessibility of Arab Markets
No full textMarket access matters. This paper uses a method suggested by Hugo et al. (2006) to determine and rank a sample of Arab countries in terms of their market access. The paper suggests that market access is comprised of three components: public institutions, regulatory environment, and network industries. The paper finds that most Arab countries perform better than the world median in terms of market access, except for Morocco and Algeria. The paper demonstrates how these two countries and other Arab countries can improve their market access, either by improving their network industries, their public institutions, or their regulatory environment. Corresponding Author, Zayed University, Economic & Policy Research Unit, P.O. Box 19282, Dubai, UAE, Phone: +971 4 402 1465, Fax: +971 4 402 1002, E-mail: [email protected] Zayed University, Economic & Policy Research Unit, P.O. Box 19282, Dubai, UAE, Phone: +971 4 402 1470, Fax: +971 4 402 1002, E-mail: [email protected]
Are library electronic resources providing adequate support for research? A case study of a federal university in the United Arab Emirates
No full text© 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: Middle Eastern universities have recently been included in international rankings, driving a shift in priorities from teaching to research. However, research-centric collection assessments are rarely applied in the region. The Library and Learning Commons of Zayed University has recently completed the first phase of collection assessment for this transition. This study aims to provide an overview of how electronic resources adequacy was measured, and correlations between utilization of resources and research output were determined. A systematic approach is presented to assess electronic resources impact and to investigate and demonstrate the Library’s support of research output in local research and the scholarly environment. Design/methodology/approach: Journal article publications from 2009 to 2016 with at least one Zayed University affiliated author were collected from Scopus, the abstract and citation database operated by Elsevier BV. Sources used within these articles were analyzed. COUNTER usage statistics of three indicators (searches, sessions and full-text downloads) were collected from the most used electronic resources in the Library to define the correlation between usage and research activities in the university during the assessment period. Findings: The change in university direction toward research is apparent in the data since Fall 2014. Since then, faculty publication output grew rapidly and was positively correlated with library resources use. Sessions and searches displayed a strong positive relationship with research output while the correlation with full-text downloads was moderate. This was true for individual colleges as well as for the university as a whole, supporting the assumption that library utilization is highly correlated with the growth of research productivity. Practical implications: Results of this assessment were used to justify the budget allocation of Zayed University Library for supporting research and improve the focus of collection development to better meet researchers’ needs. The most important outcomes were to provide evidence-based information to Library management for strategic planning and evaluation of their changing role in the digital age. Originality/value: The systematic approach described has enabled Zayed University library to assess the relevance of its resources to its changed focus toward research, both for the university as a whole and among the more research-productive colleges. This initial approach may be useful for other libraries going through a similar transition, particularly within the region
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