scholarly journals Horticultural Therapy Improves Vocational Skills, Self-esteem, and Environmental Awareness of Criminal Offenders in a Community Corrections Setting

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 837D-837
Author(s):  
Richard H. Mattson* ◽  
Eunhee Kim ◽  
Gary E. Marlowe ◽  
Jimmy D. Nicholson

At the Lamar County Adult Probation Program in Paris, Texas, a three-year study (Spring 2001-Fall 2003) involving 376 probationers was conducted to investigate the rehabilitative effects on probationers of a horticulture vocational training program. Data were collected on 189 adults who were randomly assigned to a horticulture group doing greenhouse plant production and vegetable gardening activities. The horticulture group was compared with 187 adults who were in a non-horticulture community service group doing trash clean-up and janitorial work. Within the horticulture group, significant improvement occurred in horticultural knowledge (KSU General and Specific Horticulture Exams), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and environmental awareness (Environmental Response Inventory). These changes did not occur within the non-horticulture community service group. Future research will examine recidivism rates and vocational placements of probationers from both groups.

Author(s):  
August John Hoffman ◽  
Julie Wallach ◽  
Eduardo Sanchez

Community service work, volunteerism and mentoring have recently become popular topics of research as effective methods in improving self-esteem and civic responsibility. In the current study we explored the relationship between participation in a community service gardening program and ethnocentrism. We hypothesised that an inverse correlation would emerge where students who participated in a community service-gardening program would increase their perceptions of the importance of community service work and decrease their scores in ethnocentrism. Results of the paired samples t-test strongly support the hypothesis that community service gardening work significantly reduces reports of ethnocentrism: t(10) = -2.52, (p < .03) for community college students. The ramifications of the study and ramifications for future research are offered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-185
Author(s):  
Daniela Moza ◽  
Laurențiu Maricuțoiu ◽  
Alin Gavreliuc

Abstract. Previous research established that an independent construal of the self is associated with higher self-esteem, which, in turn, is associated with increased happiness. Regarding the directionality of these relationships, theoretical arguments have suggested that self-construal precedes self-esteem and that self-esteem precedes happiness. However, most research in this area is cross-sectional, thus limiting any conclusions about directionality. The present study tested these relationships in 101 Romanian undergraduates using a 3-wave cross-lagged design with a 6-month time lag between every two waves. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that self-esteem is an antecedent of both happiness and dimensions of independent self-construal (i.e., consistency vs. variability and self-expression vs. harmony). In other words, one’s positive evaluation of self-worth precedes one’s self-perception as being a happy and independent person. The findings are discussed with respect to the theoretical and practical implications, along with limitations and suggestions for future research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-40
Author(s):  
Zihyun Lim ◽  
Suk-Hyang Lee

This study was to investigate the effects of a process-based approach to writing interview articles using class-wide social network site (SNS) on the writing abilities and self-esteem of middle school students with intellectual disabilities. It also aimed at investigating these effects on attitudes of the students’ peers who were interviewed. A multiple probe baseline design across participants was employed to assess the writing abilities of three students with intellectual disabilities. A one-group pre- and posttest design was used to examine the changes in the attitudes of peers toward the students with intellectual disabilities. The intervention improved the writing abilities of the three participants along with increases of their self-esteem. The participants’ peers in the inclusive classrooms also showed positive changes in their attitudes toward the students with intellectual disabilities. This study has significance in that teaching interview article writing using class-wide SNS was effective not only in promoting the writing skills of students with intellectual disabilities but in improving their peers’ attitudes toward them. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Ranzini ◽  
Christoph Lutz

The emergence of location-based real-time dating (LBRTD) apps such as Tinder has introduced a new way for users to get to know potential partners nearby. The design of the apps represents a departure from “old-school” dating sites as it relies on the affordances of mobile media. This might change the way individuals portray themselves as their authentic or deceptive self. Based on survey data collected via Mechanical Turk and using structural equation modeling, we assess how Tinder users present themselves, exploring at the same time the impact of their personality characteristics, their demographics, and their motives of use. We find that self-esteem is the most important psychological predictor, fostering real self-presentation but decreasing deceptive self-presentation. The motives of use—hooking up/sex, friendship, relationship, traveling, self-validation, and entertainment—also affect the two forms of self-presentation. Demographic characteristics and psychological antecedents influence the motives for using Tinder, with gender differences being especially pronounced. Women use Tinder more for friendship and self-validation, while men use it more for hooking up/sex, traveling, and relationship seeking. We put the findings into context, discuss the limitations of our approach and provide avenues for future research into the topic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-300
Author(s):  
Jenna Zeccola ◽  
Sally Fiona Kelty ◽  
Douglas Boer

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of good lives model (GLM) interventions on the recidivism outcomes of convicted offenders. Design/methodology/approach The review adhered to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis and Cochrane guidelines. Digital databases were searched and articles reporting outcomes of the GLM amongst convicted offenders and outcomes including recidivism data and pre-post measures of dynamic risk were included in a narrative synthesis. Findings Of 1,791 articles screened, only six studies met the criteria for review. Key findings were: in half the reviewed studies, GLM did not increase recidivism risk; in half the reviewed studies, only when the correct treatment dosage was applied that some evidence of risk reduction was found; there was limited support for GLM increasing or sustaining motivation for resistance from reoffending. Research for the review was limited and support for the GLM in reducing recidivism rates was not established. Practical implications In this 2021 review, the authors examined the efficacy of the GLM in reducing recidivism. This addresses a gap in the literature. The authors found that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that the GLM can reduce recidivism. This has implications for practitioners who wish to deliver evidence-based practices in prison/community settings. There is currently not enough peer-reviewed evidence to unequivocally confirm the efficacy of the GLM. The authors recommended additional quality programme outcome research be carried out. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to assess quantitative and qualitative studies on the efficacy of the GLM and provides foundations for future research.


Author(s):  
Janusz Kirenko ◽  
Piotr Alfred Gindrich

In order to address the main research problem, the authors determined the correlation between personal predictors, i.e. the level of self-esteem measured by Fitts’ Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, the styles of coping with stress examined by Endler & Parkers’ Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, the intensity of social support measured by Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire, and the level of educational aspirations of parents of children with disabilities, assessed by K. Parental Aspirations Questionnaire. The research involved 247 mothers and fathers of children with visual, auditory, motor and intellectual disabilities. Only full families were investigated. The research relied on multiple step-wise regression analysis, factor analysis, and path analysis for mothers and fathers separately. The high level of aspirations for the education of children with disabilities was dependent on the positive self-esteem of both mothers and fathers. The article presents a discussion of the results, study limitations, practical implications and future research areas.


2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1495-1507 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wickham ◽  
K. Sitko ◽  
R. P. Bentall

BackgroundA growing body of research has investigated associations between insecure attachment styles and psychosis. However, despite good theoretical and epidemiological reasons for hypothesising that insecure attachment may be specifically implicated in paranoid delusions, few studies have considered the role it plays in specific symptoms.MethodWe examined the relationship between attachment style, paranoid beliefs and hallucinatory experiences in a sample of 176 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 113 healthy controls. We also investigated the possible role of negative self-esteem in mediating this association.ResultsInsecure attachment predicted paranoia but not hallucinations after co-morbidity between the symptoms was controlled for. Negative self-esteem partially mediated the association between attachment anxiety and clinical paranoia, and fully mediated the relationship between attachment avoidance and clinical paranoia.ConclusionsIt may be fruitful to explore attachment representations in psychological treatments for paranoid patients. If future research confirms the importance of disrupted attachment as a risk factor for persecutory delusions, consideration might be given to how to protect vulnerable young people, for example those raised in children's homes.


Author(s):  
Marlin Steffi Marpaung ◽  
Deicy Silvia Wenas

The study sought to find out the significant relationship between self-esteem and the English learning achievement of students at SMU Advent Klabat Manado and to know whether it was high or low. Furthermore, this study was also to find out whether there is significant difference between males and females in their level of self-esteem. The subjects of this study were the second-year students of SMU Advent Klabat Manado. There were 50 students who were chosen randomly to become the sample. They were 26 female students and 24 male students. The data were obtained from a self-constructed questionnaire based on Coopersmith’s concept of self-esteem. To answer the main problem of this study, the Pearson r Product Moment Coefficient Correlation formula was used. The result indicated that there is significant relationship between self-esteem and the English learning achievement of students at SMU Advent Klabat Manado. Therefore, the null hypothesis which said there is no significant relationship between self-esteem and the English learning achievement of students at SMU Advent Klabat Manado, was rejected. Moreover, the results showed a significant difference between males and females in their level of self-esteem. It was recommended that English teachers at SMU Advent Klabat Manado should explore more possibilities of serving the students in learning English particularly by cultivating their self-esteem, for it will significantly contributed to their achievement in English. Moreover, English teachers of SMU Advent Klabat Manado should treat the male and female students differently. Since the female students have higher self-esteem than the male, so male, especially, should be encouraged to cultivate their self-esteem so they will gain higher achievement in English. On the other hand, students need to appreciate themselves, and their own ability as the gift of God, for the self-esteem they have contributed to or increase their ability to learn the English language. A study with a broader sample should be done for further study using a similar methodology and instrumentation. Furthermore, future research should replicate this study using other levels such as elementary, junior high school, and college.   Key words: Self-esteem, English learning, Achievement


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
Adewale A. Adekiya

AbstractThe high rate of job loss in most crude oil dependent countries, which may be attributed to the recent drop in the price of this commodity in international markets, has intensified the perception of threats associated with potential job loss among the employees who are still employed. Hence, perceived job insecurity, its associated outcome, coupled with how it can be mitigated has become a global phenomenon, which requires the attention of managers and practitioners alike. In this work, we built upon Hobfall’s conservation of resource theory (CRT) to present a research model that links employee’s self-efficacy and gender to the strength or weakness of the relationship between self-esteem and self-perceived job insecurity. Research data were collected from 153 randomly selected Nigerian Bank employees out of 217 drawn from a total population of 509. Based on the results from relevant statistical analysis, it is discovered that, while increase in self-esteem would lead to a significant decrease in job insecurity perception, such significant decrease is, however, not associated with self-efficacy and gender meaning that these variables are not moderators in the self-esteem/perceived job insecurity relationship. In line with these outcomes, we conclude by recommending that managers should focus on developing intervention strategies aimed at improving employee self-esteem with a view of reducing perceived job insecurity. In addition, important areas in need of future research were also identified.


Author(s):  
SOLAJA MAYOWA OLUDELE

Community-based green care initiative is an intervention geared towards satisfying the environmental, social, psychological, medical and material care for stimulating healthy well-being of children, adolescence and adults. Evidence-based studies have established that there is continual degeneration of self-esteem among adolescence in developing countries including Nigeria due to problems associated with unsustainable parenting styles and teaching patterns. It is in the light of this, the study examines a community-based green care initiative as a catalyst for sustainable parenting styles, teaching patterns and child self-esteem in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopted exploratory survey design and tested three hypotheses on the subject matter. A self-structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide were used for data collection. Quantitative data were analysed through percentage distribution table and multiple regressions while qualitative data were analysed using direct quotes. Findings were discussed with reference to relevant empirical literatures and future research highlighted.


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