Volume 6, Issues 1 & 2, 2016

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Predictors of psychosocial adjustment in adolescents with chronically ill parents: testing the moderating role of family functioning and perceived social support
Ciudin, M., & Turliuc, M. N.  Pages 7-24Author(s): Mirela Ciudin, Maria Nicoleta Turliuc
Language: English
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 7-24
No. of Pages: 18
Keywords: parents with chronic illness; adolescents; psychosocial adjustment; predictors; moderation
Summary/Abstract: Studying the impact of parental physical illness on adolescents is a key component of psychological interventions designed to increase resilience. Our study examined the relationship between stress induced by parental chronic illness, overall family functioning, perceived social support, and psychosocial adjustment in adolescents. It has been pressumed that family functioning and perceived social support moderate the adverse impact of parental chronic ilness on adolescents’psychosocial adjustment. One hundred and twenty six Romanian adolescents completed a set of standardized measures. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and moderation analysis with IBM SPSS. Compared to boys, girls reported a higher score on internalizing problems. The gender difference in externalizing problems was statistically marginal. Gender, stress associated with parental chronic illness, and perceived social support were predictors of internalizing problems, while general family functioning was a negative predictor of externalizing problems. Neither overall family functioning, nor perceived social support moderated the relationship between stress associated with parental chronic illness and psychosocial adjustment in our study sample. Stress induced by parental chronic illness is a risk factor for internalizing problems in adolescents, while healthy family functioning and availability of social support are protective factors. Moreover, the positive family functioning may be a protective factor against externalizing problems. Psychological interventions must pay attention to provide adolescents and their families with key abilities that contribute to resilient coping with stress.
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Efficacy of Behavior Modification Therapy in relation to Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Behavior among primary school children in selected schools at Coimbatore, India
Sellakumar, G. K.  Pages 25-41Author(s): George Kannaiah Sellakumar
Language: English
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 25-41
No. of Pages: 17
Keywords: behavior modification therapy; attention deficit and hyperactivity behavior; primary school children; academic performance
Summary/Abstract: The major objective of the present study was to explore the efficacy of behaviour modification therapy to reduce Attention deficit and Hyper Activity Behavior (ADHB) among primary school children. An experimental approach was adopted and pre test post test design was employed. Multi stage sampling technique was adopted to recruit the participants. Totally 150 students with low academic performance were identified with the assistance of their respective class teachers from two selected Schools. Modified Vanderbilt Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Scale was administered to identify the attention deficit behaviour, among these low academic performance group students 60 were identified with Attention deficit and hyperactivity behavior. Behavior modification therapy was imparted to the participants for a period of 40 minutes/day for 20 consecutive working days. A post test was conducted to ascertain the efficacy of behavior modification therapy to reduce ADHB. Paired ‘t’ test was employed to find out the significant between mean scores of pre and post tests. The result revealed that there is a significant difference in the ADHB after behavior modification therapy. Thus, the behavior modification therapy attributed in the reduction of ADHB and academic performance was found to be enhanced among students.
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Application of group psychological counselling
Aslan, S.   Pages 42-52Author(s): Sevda Aslan
Language: English
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 42-52
No. of Pages: 11
Keywords: group; psychological counselling; extroversion
Summary/Abstract: This study aims to apply the group psychological counselling method to a group consisting of introvert students in order to determine whether it changed the introversion scores of these students and led to a higher levels of extroversion. 7 (58.33%) female and 5 (41.6%) male students participated into the study. The participants of the study include a total of 12 2nd year students studying at Kırıkkale University during the spring 2010-2011 academic year. The data of the study were obtained through the use of Personality Test Based on Adjectives (ABPT). The study revealed that application of the group psychological counselling for ten weeks to a group consisting of introverted students led to a change in these students’ introversion scores, resulting in higher levels of extroversion.
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Organizational climate and sleeping disorders: the mediation role of workplace conflicts’ impact
Constantin, T., & Maidaniuc-Chirilă, T.  Pages 53-68Author(s): Constantin Ticu, Teodora Maidaniuc-Chirilă
Language: English
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 53-68
No. of Pages: 16
Keywords: organizational justice; organizational decisions; organizational support; organizational assessment; the impact of workplace conflicts; sleeping disorders
Summary/Abstract: Sleep deprivation is one of the most important health problem in modern society and evidenced so far, on Romanian employees, have shown that 74% of them have been diagnosed with sleeping disorders (About Sleep Disorders, 2016). Despite this evidence, little attention has been given to the role of organizational factors and to the effects of workplace conflicts in triggering sleeping disorders among Romanian employees. The present empirical research addresses the relationship between organizational climate, the impact of workplace conflicts and employees’ sleeping disorders. 151 Romanian employees (101/66.88% - female and 44/29.13% - male) participated at the present study by completing, in paper-pencil format, the questionnaires measuring organizational climate, workplace conflicts and sleeping disorders. The results showed that lower levels of organizational support, justice, decisions and assessment are correlated with sleeping disorders and workplace conflicts. Moreover, the direct relationship between organizational climate and sleeping disorders can be better understood when the impact of workplace conflicts is introduced as a mediator. The present study emphasize on the importance of understanding the role of workplace conflicts in employees’ sleeping disorders and helps human resources professional to develop more efficient training programs designed to improve employees social competences (i.e. offering social support to their colleagues experiencing symptoms of sleeping disorders) and to increase knowledge referring to poor organizational climate-sleeping disorders relationship.
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Students’ degree of satisfaction towards their specialization and mode of education
Popa, C.  Pages 69-80Author(s): Carmen Popa
Language: English
Subject(s): Education
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 69-80
No. of Pages: 12
Keywords: choosing career; student; education faculty; blended weekend classes
Summary/Abstract: This descriptive study focuses on understanding the degree of satisfaction of students enrolled in Pedagogy of Primary and Preschool Education, in blended weekend classes, at the University of Oradea (N=58) towards their specialization, as well as their motifs for choosing their career. Research tool was the questionnaire-based investigation. Research results point out that most students choose this specialization without being influenced by external factors, but for personal reasons. The reasons for becoming a teacher (for choosing this specialization) are linked to the fact they prefer to work with children/pupils, they want to retrain or they follow the example of a teacher they had in school. Their reasons for choosing this mode of education are given by the fact they have already started a new family, they have a full-time job, they live at great distances or they are already working as teachers, but they need the higher education graduation diploma. A higher percentage of students believe this specialization is the most suitable option for them, and they would recommend both, the specialization and mode of education to other future students. Students believe blended weekend classes mode of education is offering them various opportunities for their professional training, is suitable, student-centered, encouraging, accessible, practice-based, centered on group work (cooperative learning).
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System of “the way to moral self” work as innovation in preschoolers’ moral education
Lokhvytska, L. Pages 81-105Author(s): Liubov Lokhvytska
Language: English
Subject(s): Education, Psychology
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 81-105
No. of Pages: 25
Keywords: system of “The Way to moral Self”; moral education; moral self-consciousness; pre-school children; dolls-“moral guides”
Summary/Abstract: The article describes the innovative technology of psycho-pedagogical support of moral identity formation of preschool age children. It is proved that psychological and pedagogical science has accumulated a significant amount of theoretical basis, but remained unnoticed by outlining effective methods and techniques of psychological influence on a preschooler to implement the tasks of moral education. The author offered correctional and developmental system of moral education treatment for preschool age children (methodology of forming experiment) “The Way to moral Self”. Its conceptual basis are principles of Ukrainian and foreign psychology about moral development and self-identity moral formation. The essence of it lies in inclusion of preschoolers into educational moral situations using dolls-“moral guides”. Description of these dolls is suggested, they symbolize moral feelings and emotions, moral reasoning and moral action, moral behavior, moral choices, moral values, moral beliefs, moral actions. Using such doll theraphy in moral education of pre-school children is due to the age characteristics and possibilities of children’s moral development (division is carried by age: junior - the fourth year of life, secondary - fifth year of life, senior - sixth year of life). Dolls “come” to the children gradually - step by step. Six basic steps are given in the article and are outlined by three main stages. In such a way the integration process of moral education with the dominant principle of coherence is provided. Expected results – is raising moral education of preschool children, the substance of which is moral self-consciousness development. Thus, a new perspective on moral education of preschoolers – is focusing on its psychological patterns.
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The influences of inter-item correlations and sample sizes on the classification indices under item response theory: the simulation study Suaklay, N., Lawthong, N., & Kanjanawasee, S.  Pages 106-120Author(s): Narissara Suaklay, Nuttaporn Lawthong, Sirichai Kanjanawasee
Language: English
Subject(s): Education, Psychology
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 106-120
No. of Pages: 15
Keywords: classification indices; classification consistency; classification accuracy; item response theory; IRT
Summary/Abstract: This study purposed 1) to investigate the influences of inter-item correlations and sample sizes on the classification indices and 2) to compare the classification indices estimation methods under Item Response Theory, which was a simulation study. The data used in the study were secondary ones from Set A of the Ordinary National Education Test: O – NET with 30 items in Mathematic Subject for ninth grade students in the academic year of 2013. The population was 340,084 students. The samples used for initial data analysis were 5,000 units selected with the systematic random sampling in the simulation study from the R program. The results revealed that: firstly, it was found that Lee’s method provided insignificantly higher classification accuracy and consistency than Rudner’s method after considering cross points and overall images. In the case that the items had low consistency, both estimation methods have non-significantly different accuracies and consistencies at the significance level of .05. In the case that the items had high correlation, there was a chance that accuracies and consistencies might be significantly different at the significance level of .05. If the sample sizes were increased, the two methods might provide significant differences at the significance level of .05. Secondly, if the sample sizes were different regardless of the independencies between the items, it was found that the two methods could estimate the values of the indices with indifferent accuracies and consistencies at the significance level of .05. After analyzing the estimation methods, it was found that sample sizes did not influence both methods.
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Personal factors of professional participation in the context of vision impairment - brief
Răcășan, R.  Pages 121-129Author(s): Raluca Răcășan
Language: English
Subject(s): Education
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 121-129
No. of Pages: 9
Keywords: participation; vision impairment; employment; psychological functioning
Summary/Abstract: We have proposed in this study an exploratory analysis of some potential factors of professional participation in a group of 80 participants with impaired sight, through a set of socio-demographic, disability related variables and aspects of psychological functioning. In this regard, we explored differences by employment status (occupied or not) and associations with time spent with work (measured in hours per week), focusing on: gender of participants, their age, educational level, residual vision level, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, satisfaction with life, self-efficacy, self-perceived independence, social support level, satisfaction with involvement in social activities, level of busyness self-appreciation, financial level and self-perceived health. The present paper summarizes a study that makes part of a larger work regarding participation in the context of vision impairment and has been previously published in an extensive manner at national level.
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Development of capacity building model on teachers’ assessment information use based on collaborative immersion approach
Phanchalaem, K., Sujiva, S., & Tangdhanakanond, K.  Pages 130-145Author(s): Kulratee Phanchalaem, Siridej Sujiva, Kamonwan Tangdhanakanond
Language: English
Subject(s): Education
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 130-145
No. of Pages: 16
Keywords: assessment information use; collaborative immersion approach; evaluation capacity building
Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this research were 1) to study the current situation and teachers’ needs in the use of assessment information, 2) to develop the capacity building model on teachers’ assessment information use based on collaborative immersion approach, and 3) to investigate the effectiveness of the implementation of the capacity building model on teachers’ assessment information use based on collaborative immersion approach. Samples for the study of the current situation and teachers’ needs in the use of assessment information consisted of 250 elementary school teachers. Samples for experimental design were 17 elementary and secondary school teachers. Data were analysed by using content analysis and descriptive statistics. It was found that 1) the information that exists in most schools was information on teaching, whereas academic information on the physical or behavioural flaws of students and life skill were rarely exist and rarely used. Moreover, teachers needed to develop knowledge on the analysis of data obtained from assessment information. 2) The developed model was based on collaboration, networking and sustainable development principles. It consisted of three operational stages, (1) getting ready (2) data driven decision making, and (3) follow-up and evaluation. 3) After the model implementation, teachers had more knowledge and skill in assessment information use as well as more positive attitude toward assessment information use. Teachers perceived that overall, the model had its utility, feasibility, accuracy and appropriateness at a high level.
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Build civic skills grand design as the embodiment of character education in schools through problem solving in Indonesia
Sutoyo S. & Trisiana A. Pages 146-153Author(s): Sutoyo Sutoyo, Anita Trisiana
Language: English
Subject(s): Education
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 146-153
No. of Pages: 8 Keywords: civic skills; character education; problem solving
Summary/Abstract: This research is aimed at finding a grand design-based learning model character education in civic education. Citizenship Education as one of the resource-laden of the value as part of a civic skill used as one of the teaching that would support continued socialization process of nation building character. The method used in this study is qualitative research, it is used to understand the phenomenon of what is experienced by the subject of research by describing in the form of words and language in a specific context which is natural and use various scientific methods. Research shows that build civic skills based on a grand design character education can be done through Problem Solving. Limited test and widely conducted to test the draft model has been prepared, then the effectiveness of the model of Problem Solving in the learning process is not just a theory in the classroom but is able to reflect the impact of a companion to become active citizens demanded responsibility and independence, the learning can be done outside the classroom with observation / practice of citizenship in this case the student can understand in real as well as to compare whether there is still a gap between the theory taught in the classroom to the field, and the final form of this observation can be an array of reports systematically start outlining the problems, study the theory, discussion of results and findings in the field and conclusions presented in the presentation of each group that is mediated by civic education teachers. Thus, students can become more active and growing power of critical thinking as well as a more varied learning materials together students and teachers can discuss and find solutions to any problems found in the field through teaching and learning process.
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Modifications trough therapeutic processes of maladaptive causal attributions and cognitions of depressive patients: CBT vs. Pharmacotherapy
Marian M. & Roșeanu G. Pages 154-167Author(s): Mihai Marian, Gabriel Roşeanu
Language: English
Subject(s): Psychology
Issue: 1 & 2/6/2016
Page Range: 154-167
No. of Pages: 14
Keywords: depression; attributional style; mediation; cognitive-behavior therapy
Summary/Abstract: Most research designs utilized in clinical studies of cognitive therapy of depression haven’t sufficiently included the influence of treatment. Thus, in the present study we aimed at identifying the causal attributional predictors and their mediating role in the reduction of depression. We constructed three study groups in order to take into account the role of therapy. In our sample we employed a number of 13 inpatients diagnosed with depression from Arad and Nucet hospitals (the Pharmacotherapy group), the Cognitive-behavioral group was constructed of 12 participants from rural and urban backgrounds with no prior admissions to hospitals for dispositional or other psychological disturbances and a control group consisted of 13 randomly sampled participants from the population. The patients within the neuropsychology clinics have undergone specific treatment. The cognitive-behavioral group underwent the following therapeutic strategies and intervention techniques: 1. problem conceptualization; 2. choosing a therapeutic strategy; 3. choosing an intervention technique; 4. evaluation of the efficacy of these intervention techniques. The results obtained in our study show that a set of socio-cognitive constructs play a mediator role in the cognitive behavior therapy. Even in such a case it seems that they are not a sufficient cause due to the fact that the relationship between the modifications at the socio-cognitive level and the later improvement depressive in symptoms has not been justified in pharmacotherapy.
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