scholarly journals Teaching About Sexualized Violence in Educational and Clinical Institutions: Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary University Curriculum

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 700-710
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Stück ◽  
Martin Wazlawik ◽  
Jasmin Stehr ◽  
Susanne Sehner ◽  
Daniel Schwerdt ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Sexualized violence is still a rather avoided topic in teaching at German universities, even though a remarkable proportion of the German population experienced child sexual abuse, including many in institutional settings (e.g., schools, clubs of leisure activities). This study examines the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary university curriculum about sexualized violence in educational and clinical institutions. Methods Students participated in seminars about sexualized violence, sexual socialization and education, and professionalism and ethics. In 2017/2018, n = 156 students assessed the curriculum before, immediately after and/or 6 months after participating. The assessment covers knowledge about and confidence in handling issues of sexualized violence and attitudes toward sex-related myths. The same questionnaires were used in a control group (n = 54). Results In the curriculum group, self-assessed and declarative knowledge improved, the students were more confident in their abilities to handle issues of sexualized violence in a professional way, and sex-related myths were rejected even more strongly after the curriculum. Conclusion The findings suggest that awareness and knowledge about sexualized violence in institutions can be increased and sustained through the use of the curriculum “Sexualized Violence in Institutions.” These encouraging results suggest that the curriculum should be taught in pedagogical and clinical disciplines at more universities. Policy Implications In view of the decentralized education system in Germany and the freedom of research and teaching at German universities, the curriculum can only be implemented on a voluntary basis. However, in terms of education policy, such an implementation could be supported by state-funded programs that provide lecturers both with necessary qualifications and necessary resources.

2021 ◽  
pp. 135481662199852
Author(s):  
Shujie Yao ◽  
Xu Yan ◽  
Chun Kwok Lei ◽  
Feng Wang

High-speed railway (HSR) is a new and increasingly popular transportation mode in China bringing about a significant impact on the economy, including tourism development. This article investigates the effect of HSR on tourism development in China based on a time-varying difference-in-differences model. Cities connected by HSR in 2013 and 2014 are regarded as the treatment group, while those without HSR services until 2017 are placed in the control group. The empirical analyses cover a large panel dataset comprising 163 cities in 2009–2017. The empirical results suggest that both domestic tourism revenue and tourist number are positively affected by HSR, and the effect is stronger for the undeveloped or geopolitically less important regions such as the inland or prefecture-level cities. Other relevant determinants of tourism include the availability of airports and the number of hotels in the cities. Our research findings have important policy implications for tourism development in China with respect to HSR.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8712
Author(s):  
Mehdi Rezaei ◽  
Doohwan Kim ◽  
Ahad Alizadeh ◽  
Ladan Rokni

The stressful lifestyle of urban dwellers has increased the demand for green-based leisure activities; considering such growing demand, this paper investigated the potential mental health benefits of agritourism activities. The assessments were based on a questionnaire survey of two groups: visitors of agritourism sites around Seoul and a control group staying home (n = 200). In addition to measuring the participants’ well-being level and stress level, they were also asked to self-estimate their immediate mood after their activities of the day. The analysis was conducted with R version 4.1.0 to explore the potential relationships and interactions between the activity of the day, perceived psychological factors, and the immediate emotional outcomes. Findings reveal that visitors to the agritourism sites perceived considerable improvement in their immediate mood compared to the control group who stayed home. Results indicate a significant interaction between self-reported wellbeing and agritourism activities and a combined effect on improved mood. Therefore, agritourism can potentially be a resource for a positive mood boost and improved mental health. The suggested practical implications can be applied as strategies to evoke the feeling of more connection to the agritourism activities and raise awareness of potential mental health outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78
Author(s):  
Ayed Zureigat ◽  
Osama Abdel Fattah

Background: It is well known that advancing age is accompanied by many negative feelings due to the feeling of loneliness and psychological emptiness, which leads to the individual feeling that society does not need him due to his weak physical abilities and thus this, will negatively affect healthy aging. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effect of the leisure activities on the psychological stress among the elderly during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak. Design: To achieve this, we used the quasi-experimental approach on a sample consisting of 54, with the average age of (65.4±2.3) years. Divided into two groups 27 as a control group and 27 as the experimental group and this sample was purposively selected. Because of the home quarantine and to reduce face-to-face interaction, we used a questionnaire to measure the psychological stress level by using the Google form. The study tool consisted of 7 paragraphs associated with depression and 6 paragraphs associated with anxiety, finally 6 paragraphs associated with aggression. Before applying the experiment, the psychological stress was measured among the study sample, and then the leisure activities program was sent to the experimental group by the WhatsApp application. The researchers used means, standard deviations, paired and independent sample t-test by using SPSS version 24 with a confidence level of 95% (p<0.05). Results: The results of the study have shown that the level of the psychological stress among both groups came with a high average in the pre-measurement, as well as the anxiety domain that were the most affected in a positive way through leisure activities practicing. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between the pre and post measurement among experiment group and favor of the post measurement. Conclusion: the leisure activities practicing among the elderly have contributed positively to reducing the level of psychological stress represented by depression, anxiety.


Author(s):  
Lloyd M. Mataka ◽  
Rex Taibu

A quasi-experimental control group pre- and post-test study was used to determine the effect of a Multi-Step Inquiry (MSI) approach on pre-service elementary school teacher’s conceptual understanding. The MSI study involved the development of a conceptual workbook, and a Physical Science Concept Inventory. The conceptual workbook has activities that explicitly target students’ misconceptions in physical science. The inventory has three categories: forces and motion, heat and temperature, and electricity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret the data. Independent t-tests were used to compare the experimental and comparison groups. Further, Cohen’s d and Hake’s g effect sizes were used to determine the effectiveness of MSI. Results indicated that the MSI approach as an effective teaching strategy for conceptual understanding. As such, the authors have made recommendations for both research and teaching.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Schuster ◽  
Ilona M. Otto

&lt;p&gt;The Earth&amp;#8217;s population of seven billion consume varying amounts of planetary resources with varying impacts on the environment. &amp;#160;We combine the analytical tools offered by the socio-ecological metabolism and class theory and propose a novel social stratification theory to identify the differences and hot spots in individual resource and energy use. The theory is applied to German society and we use per capita greenhouse gas emissions as a proxy for resource and energy use. We use socio-metabolic profiles of individuals from an economic, social and cultural perspective to investigate resource intensive lifestyles. The results show large disparities and inequalities in emission patterns in German society. For example, the greenhouse gas emissions in the lowest and highest emission classes can differ by a magnitude of ten. Income, education, age, gender and regional differences (FRG vs. GDR) result in distinct emission profiles. Class differentiation is also noted as economic, cultural and social factors influence individual carbon footprints. We also analyze the role of digital technologies, regarding resource and energy consumption, as a proxy for cultural capital. Highlighting inequalities within societies is a step towards downscaling carbon emission reduction targets that are key to avoid transgressing climate change planetary boundary. We discuss the results in the context of climate policy implications as well as behavioral changes that are needed to meet climate policy objectives.&lt;/p&gt;


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-262
Author(s):  
Ana Lucia Silva ◽  
Ivone Kamada ◽  
João Batista Sousa ◽  
André Luis Vianna ◽  
Paulo Gonçalves Oliveira

La evaluación del problema de la estomía y sus implicaciones sociales y emocionales en la vida conyugal con un compañero estomizado es el punto de origen de este estudio. La condición de la persona con estomía permanente puede afectar actividades sociales y diarias con sus cónyuges. Objetivo: Analizar los aspectos sociales y afectivos de la convivencia diaria del cónyuge y su compañero con estomía intestinal definitiva. Método: Estudio comparativo del tipo caso-control, de naturaleza cuantitativa, realizado con cónyuges de estomizados, del Distrito Federal, Brasil. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 108 personas, siendo 36 cónyuges del estomizados llamado Grupo Caso y 72 cónyuges de no estomizados, titulado Grupo Control. Los datos fueron recolectados de octubre de 2011 a junio de 2012. Resultados: Mostraron que el Grupo Caso cuando comparado al Grupo Control, presentó menor frecuencia a restaurantes, eventos colectivos y participa menos de actividades de ocio. En cuanto a los hábitos en practicar actividades físicas, a la percepción sobre la estabilidad de la convivencia marital y a la evaluación de la relación afectiva fueron verificados índices similares en ambos grupos. Conclusión: El cónyuge y su compañero estomizado sufren cambios en la convivencia diaria, pero el vínculo conyugal y los lazos afectivos de la pareja permanecen inalterados: The evaluation of the ostomy problem and its social and emotional implications on the conjugal life with a partner with colostomy is the starting point of this study. The condition of a person with a permanent ostomy can influence social and daily activities with their spouses. Objective: To analyze the social and affective aspects of daily coexistence of the spouse and his partner with a definite intestinal ostomy. Method: Comparative study of case control type of quantitative nature, conducted with spouses of ostomized patients paired to the non ostomized in the Federal District, Brazil.  The study included 108 spouses of whom 36 spouses of the ostomized called the Case Group and 72 of the non ostomized entitled Control Group. The data was collected from October 2011 to June 2012. Results: The results show that the case group when compared to the control group presented a lower frequency to restaurants, collective events and participates less in leisure activities. In regard to the habits of practicing physical activities, the perception concerning stability in marital coexistence and the evaluation of affective relation, similar rates were observed in both groups. Conclusion: The spouse and his ostomized partner suffered from changes in daily conviviality and the affective bonds of the couple remained unchanged. A avaliação do problema da estomia e suas implicações sociais e emocionais na vida conjugal com um parceiro com colostomia é o ponto de partida deste estudo. A condição da pessoa com estomia permanente pode influenciar atividades sociais e diárias com seus cônjuges. Objetivo: analisar os aspectos sociais e afetivos da convivência diária do cônjuge e seu parceiro com estomia intestinal definitiva. Método: Estudo comparativo do tipo caso controle, de natureza quantitativa, realizado com cônjuges de estomizados, pareado aos de não estomizados, do Distrito Federal, Brasil. A amostra foi composta por 108 pessoas, sendo 36 cônjuges de estomizados denominado Grupo Caso e 72 cônjuges de não estomizados, intitulado Grupo Controle. Os dados foram coletados de outubro de 2011 a junho de 2012. Resultados: Mostraram que o Grupo Caso quando comparado ao Grupo Controle, apresentou menor frequência a restaurantes, a eventos coletivos e participa menos de atividades de lazer. Quanto aos hábitos em praticar atividades físicas, à percepção acerca da estabilidade da convivência marital e à avaliação da relação afetiva, foram verificados índices semelhantes em ambos os grupos. Conclusão: O cônjuge e seu parceiro estomizado sofrem mudanças na convivência diária, mas o vinculo conjugal e os laços afetivos do casal permanecem inalterados.  


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 67-67
Author(s):  
Z.M. Krivokapic ◽  
R.V. Sapic

Attitude is defined as acquired disposition, readiness for a certain way of perception, thinking, emotional reacting and behaving. The formation of social attitudes is greatly in influence by a group (alcoholics group). Drinking alcohol also disrupts higher cognitive processes: abstraction, conceptualization, problem solving and influences on different opinions.Our research concerned the impact of chronic alcohol use and membership to alcoholic group as a framework that influences attitudes towards sexuality. 200 persons were sample in this research: 100 alcohol addicts and 100 persons of the control group. The instrument used in this study was-Scale of attitudes toward sex.Statistically significant difference was found in five attitudes:–Differences in two paragraphs point to some homosexual orientation. We can confidently say that this is a “latent homosexuality in an alcoholic”, it is possible that the difference arises because of the presence of homosexuals in the group of alcoholics, although the subjects did not say to have such orientation.–Some conservatism is present in the attitude drinkers to sexuality of the young, they argue that sexual experience can wait until more mature years.–Extramarital relationships are positively evaluated by the control group, while alcoholics show greater disapproval.–Alcoholics have the attitude that sexual arousal does not come with ease, unlike the control group.–They are more liberal about the social situation of people with HIV (a certain degree of identification with an estimated negative social group).Results showed small difference in attitudes between alcoholics and nonalcoholic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-99
Author(s):  
Sabrina Müller ◽  
Alina Brandes ◽  
Julia Knierim ◽  
Milan Novakovic ◽  
Thomas Wilke ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, incidence, and real-world diagnostic and treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and associated costs of narcolepsy in Germany. Methods: This study was based on German claims data (2013–2018). Any patient with at least two outpatient specialist diagnoses and/or one inpatient diagnosis of narcolepsy was eligible for inclusion. Three cohorts were specified: 1) narcolepsy-prevalent patients alive on July 1, 2017; 2) narcolepsy-incident patients; and 3) newly treated patients. Descriptive analyses of the outcome measures were conducted. Results: We identified 133 prevalent narcolepsy patients (mean age: 46.2 years, 36.3% female), 71 incident patients, and 41 treatment starters. The prevalence of narcolepsy was 3.1–9.1 per 100,000 persons within the German population; the cumulative incidence between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, was 0.83/100,000 persons. Among the incident patients, 62.0% underwent at least one predefined diagnostic procedure. Modafinil was the most prescribed medication for the treatment starters (46.3%) and prevalent patients (24.1%), but 59.4% of the prevalent patients did not receive any narcolepsy-specific pharmacological treatment. Prevalent patients with narcolepsy consulted physicians significantly more often than a healthy matched control group and experienced more all-cause hospitalizations. The mean total direct healthcare costs were higher for narcolepsy patients by €2,429 per patient-year. Conclusions: Not all narcolepsy patients undergo appropriate diagnostic procedures or narcolepsy-specific medications, as indicated by the treatment guidelines. More emphasis on the optimization of the management of this disease is needed, given its high prevalence and associated economic burden.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saida Affouneh ◽  
Fayez Azez Mahamid ◽  
Denise Ziya Berte ◽  
Ali Z. Shaqour ◽  
Marouf Shayeb

Abstract Background For youth in geopolitically at-risk environments, such as Palestine, the issues related to Internet overuse and addictions are complex. Youth residing in the occupied territories of Palestine as in other highly militarized zones have high levels of environmental stressors (e.g., militarization, poverty, lack of employment opportunities, cultural pressures, etc.) and few chemical or social outlets such as alcohol, intoxicants, and leisure activities. As such, the easily accessible and unrestricted opportunities for stress-reducing social contact of social media can lead easily to excessive and maladaptive Internet use. Therefore, interventions directly aimed at awareness and education on how to manage Internet use are critical for addressing these issues in high risk populations. Aims The purpose of the current study was to test the efficacy of a time-limited group training program aimed at improving social skills and reducing addictive Internet behaviors among university students. Methods and results The sample consisted of 30 university students who self-reported high scores on an Internet addiction scale. Participants were randomly assigned to either wait list or treatment group (15 in each condition). Results demonstrated that using a social skills training program over an 8-week period improved the level of social skills and reduced addictive Internet behaviors significantly in those who experienced the intervention when compared with a wait list control group. Conclusions These findings support the implementation of time limited training programs targeting social skills and addictive patterns of Internet use with university students identified with high levels of Internet addictive behaviors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivan Gazit ◽  
Barak Mizrahi ◽  
Nir Kalkstein ◽  
Ami Neuberger ◽  
Asaf Peretz ◽  
...  

Importance While the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness was demonstrated in general population, the question of effectiveness given confirmed exposure has yet been answered, though it has policy implications, as the need for self-quarantine when exposed and protective measures for vaccinated in high-risk areas. Objective Assessing the BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection given high-risk exposure, through analysis of household members of confirmed cases. Design Retrospective cohort study. Data of household members of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases between 20/12/2020 and 17/03/2021 were collected. Setting Nationally centralized database of Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS), the second largest Healthcare Maintenance Organization in Israel. Participants 2.5 million MHS members were considered, of which we included only households with two adult members, given possible lower transmission and susceptibility among children. Households with no prior confirmed infections and a confirmed index case during the study period were included. Exposure Participants were classified into three vaccination groups in time of the index case (the confirmed exposure)- Unvaccinated; Fully Vaccinated(7 or more days post second dose) and a reference control group of Recently Vaccinated Once(0-7 days from the first dose, presumably still unprotected). Main Outcomes and Measures Assessing the probability of an additional SARS-CoV-2 infection in the household occurring within 10 days of an index case, calculated separately for the three vaccination groups. Main outcome was vaccine effectiveness given confirmed exposure. High testing rates among household members enabled us to estimate with a high degree of confidence effectiveness against asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection as well. Results A total of 173,569 households were included, out of which 6,351 households had an index infection (mean [SD] age, 58.9 [13.5] years; 50% were women). Vaccine effectiveness of Fully Vaccinated compared to Unvaccinated participants was 80.0% [95% CI, 73.0-85.1] and 82.0% [95% CI, 75.5-86.7] compared to those Recently Vaccinated Once. Conclusion and Relevance The BNT162b2 vaccine is effective in a high-risk, real life, exposure scenario, but the protection rates afforded in these settings are lower than those previously described. Household members of COVID-19 patients and any individual with a confirmed exposure to COVID-19 are still at a considerable risk of being infected even if fully vaccinated.


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