Parents' Representations of Their Children: An Exploratory Study Using the Osgood Semantic Differential Scales

2007 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Silvia Salcuni ◽  
Claudia Mazzeschi ◽  
Daniela Di Riso ◽  
Adriana Lis

The results of an exploratory national study carried out in Italy using Osgood's Semantic Differential Scales (Osgood, Suci, & Tannenbaum, 1957) with parents of 100 normal 6- to 11-yr.-old children in mainstream classrooms are reported. The aim was to devise a simple tool to be used to explore parents' perceptions of their children in this age group. Parents were asked to rate “my child” using some of Osgood's Semantic Differential Scales especially adapted for this study. Participants were 97 fathers and 100 mothers. Fathers were 32 to 57 years of age ( M = 43.2, SD = 5.4), mothers were 29 to 49 years of age ( M = 39.7, SD = 4.4). In factor analysis four factors were identified: Activity, Evaluation, Emotions evoked by the child, Personality/Physical contact. Average factor scores were significantly different. There were no significant differences between fathers and mothers on the four factor scores. Children were more positively evaluated the younger they were.

2009 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 971-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Salcuni ◽  
Daniela di Riso ◽  
Claudia Mazzeschi ◽  
Adriana Lis

The aim of this study was to explore children's fears. The article reports on average factor scores of a study carried out in Italy using the Fear Survey Schedule for Children (here, the “Fear Survey”; Ollendick, 1983) with normal 6- to 10-yr.-old children (931 girls, 914 boys). Participants were 1,845 children, recruited in mainstream classrooms. Respondents were asked to complete the schedule indicating their fears and the intensity of such fears. A principal components analysis yielded a four-factor structure (1: Death and Danger, 2: Injury and Animals, 3: Failure and Criticism, 4: Fear of the Unknown). Average factor scores showed significant differences across the factors and according to sex and age. Girls reported significantly higher fearfulness than boys. Age differences were found on some factors.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412199777
Author(s):  
Robin Besse ◽  
Whitney K. Whitaker ◽  
Laura A. Brannon

While many facets of loneliness have been explored, research examining the efficacy of loneliness interventions has been overlooked among young adults. The study of loneliness among young adults has become increasingly important considering the current state of isolation and stay-at-home orders issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Preliminary reports suggest an increase in loneliness as a result of the current health pandemic, especially among young adults, who have reported feeling lonelier than any other age group. Such findings warrant the study of ways to help reduce loneliness among young adults. The current study examined the efficacy of strategies that might be used to help young adults manage feelings of loneliness. Two hundred and seventy-eight young adults completed the study. Participants read one of four messages: mindfulness, social cognitions, coping behaviors, or a control. Participants in the mindfulness condition felt better equipped to manage future instances of loneliness and held better attitudes toward this intervention. The current research helps to advance understanding of effective ways of helping young adults cope with loneliness.


1978 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 583-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Netta Kohn Dor-Shav ◽  
Zecharia Dor-Shav

The phenomenology of the emotions, anger, fear, sadness, and pride was rated cross-culturally on 23 scales of the semantic-differential, and a hypothesis of cross-cultural agreement was tested. Results were consistent with the hypothesis as 54 of 92 scales (or about 60%) showed similarity across the four cultures, and only 5 scales—a number certainly no greater than would be expected on the basis of chance—yielded ratings which reflected differences in phenomenology, i.e., significant deviations from neutrality lying at opposite poles of a dimension. A Scheffé subset analysis indicated that in two-thirds of our cases all four language-culture groups could be subsumed into one and that there was no case in which at least three of the groups could not be subsumed into one subset. Factor analyses were carried out, and factor scores generated for four factors for each of the four emotions, and across the four language-culture groups. Findings indicated a good deal of cross-cultural similarity (62%). The data are interpreted as supporting a hypothesis of universality in emotional experience.


Author(s):  
V. J. Knox ◽  
W.L. Gekoski

ABSTRACTIt has been suggested that an exaggeration of the target age effect is obtained when the same respondents judge multiple age groups rather than only one age group. In the present study each of 1200 undergraduates rated a young, middle-aged, or old target on the 32 bipolar adjective pairs of the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD; Rosencranz & McNevin, 1969). An additional 200 undergraduates rated all three target age groups on the ASD. The ASD was scored in terms of the three dimensions reported by its authors. In the isolated judgment condition young targets were rated highest on the Instrumental-Ineffective and Personal Acceptability-Unacceptability dimensions followed, in both cases, by middle-aged and then by old targets; on the Autonomous-Dependent dimension, middle-aged targets were rated higher than both young and old targets. The hypothesized exaggeration of the target age effect in the comparative judgment condition was obtained for the descriptive dimensions (Instrumental-Ineffective and Autonomous-Dependent) but not for the evaluative dimension (Personal Acceptability-Unacceptability) of the ASD. Possible explanations for why judgment context might affect descriptive but not evaluative assessments of target age groups are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 11-13
Author(s):  
Radhika Gupta ◽  
Deepshikha Deepshikha ◽  
Anjali Chauhan ◽  
Priyanka Priyanka ◽  
Manisha Bhatia ◽  
...  

The pandemic spread by the novel corona virus identied in Wuhan China in the year 2019 has massive hit on every aspect of individual life. Like many other countries India had imposed nationwide complete lockdown on March 2020. Since India was facing Lockdown for the rst time in its history and the stringent measures taken to implement lockdown had effects on all aspect of society including physical as well as mental health of general population. The present study was conducted using online method to know the impact on mental health during COVID 19 pandemic. The prevalence of the anxiety disorder as per GAD 7 was 33.4% among the study participants and 19-30 yrs of age group of participants and females are more affected. People have tried different method to cope with the stress during this period.


2001 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lúcia Libanez Bessa C. Braga ◽  
Manuela L. Gomes ◽  
Melissa W. da Silva ◽  
Clece Paiva ◽  
Andréa Sales ◽  
...  

In this study the authors used the Elisa-based antigen detection tests that distinguish E. histolytica from E. dispar to examine the prevalence of E. histolytica infection in individuals from an urban slum in Fortaleza, Northeastern, Brazil. This test has a sensitivity and specificity that is comparable to PCR and isoenzyme analysis, which is the gold standard. Single stools samples were obtained from 735 individuals. The prevalence of E. histolytica infection was 14.9% (110/735) and 25.4%(187/735) for E. dispar-E. histolytica complex. The most affected age group for E. histolytica /E. histolytica-E. dispar infection was the 1-5 year olds but there was no remarkable decrease with age. There was no significant difference in colonization rates between males and females. The results from this survey demonstrate that E. histolytica is highly prevalent in the Community studied. Furthermore, it offers promise for the antigen detection test as a sensitive and technically simple tool for detecting E. histolytica infection in the field.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sindew Mekasha Feleke ◽  
Gemechu Tadesse ◽  
Kalkidan Mekete ◽  
Afework Hailemariam Tekle ◽  
Amha Kebede

Onchocerciasis is mainly found in western part of Ethiopia and there is no evidence of transmission in the east ward. However, some zones (Bale, Borena, and West Arsi) are suspected for transmission given the area has fast flowing rivers and is covered with vegetation. Therefore, this study was conducted to map onchocerciasis transmission in those zones. About 19 villages were selected based on proximity to the rivers, representation of districts, zones, and vegetation covers, whereas the study participants, all village residents of age > 5 years with good health condition, were skin sniped and examined using microscopy. In this study a total of 2560 study participants were surveyed of which 1332 were female (52%) and 122 were male (48%). The age group of 21–30 years was highest (34.4%) and that of age > 51 years was the lowest (3.1%) study participants. The survey result revealed that none of the study participants regardless of age, sex, and location demonstrated skin snipOnchocercamicrofilariae. The prevalence of microfilariae and community microfilarial load (CMFL) were 0% and 0 mf/s, respectively. The finding implied that there is no onchocerciasis in the area and, therefore, there is no need for interventions. Black fly distribution, cytotaxonomic study, and intraborder cross transmission monitoring are recommended.


2016 ◽  
Vol 145 (4) ◽  
pp. 739-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. VAN GAALEN ◽  
H. A. HOPMAN ◽  
A. HAENEN ◽  
C. VAN DEN DOOL

SUMMARYA recent countrywide MRSA spa-type 1081 outbreak in The Netherlands predominantly affected nursing homes, generating questions on how infection spreads within and between nursing homes despite a low national prevalence. Since the transfer of residents between nursing homes is uncommon in The Netherlands, we hypothesized that staff exchange plays an important role in transmission. This exploratory study investigated the extent of former (last 2 years) and current staff exchange within and between nursing homes in The Netherlands. We relied on a questionnaire that was targeted towards nursing-home staff members who had contact with residents. We found that 17·9% and 12·4% of the nursing-home staff formerly (last 2 years) or currently worked in other healthcare institutes besides their job in the nursing home through which they were selected to participate in this study. Moreover, 39·7% of study participants worked on more than one ward. Our study shows that, in The Netherlands, nursing-home staff form a substantial number of links between wards within nursing homes and nursing homes are linked to a large network of healthcare institutes through their staff members potentially providing a pathway for MRSA transmission between nursing homes and throughout the country.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Kelly Cristina Gomes de Lima ◽  
Ednaldo Cavalcante de Araújo ◽  
Ana Catarina Torres de Lacerda

ABSTRACTTo identify the pregnant teenagers' knowledge about labor premature birth and the risks for the fetus health, at a maternity of Recife, Pernambuco (PE) - Brazil, was conducted this descriptive exploratory study, from quantitative nature. The data were collected through a questionnaire with 18 pregnant, analyzed and discussed according to the literature, showing that 78% were in the age group of 16 to 19 years old, 72% carried the metropolitan Recife area, 78% lived in consensual union; 72% looked to the fundamental teaching incomplete; 55% had family income from one to two minimum wages; 88% done prenatal, 61% were primiparous, 61% of the pregnancies were not planned; 27% said be aware that the pain in the lower belly, 20% the contractions, 14% to back pain and 14% losses vaginal symptoms were of labor premature birth, 32% indicated as a result of the labor premature birth to the fetus, the prematurity fetal; 28% to infection and neonatal mortality, 44% said the doctor as the professional who informed about his health condition, 6% were for nurses, and 44% do not have any information. Finally, must offer better quality service and the guidance for pregnant adolescents, which in most cases, are not ready for a risk gestation, both for lack of knowledge for themselves as to the fetus on the diseases that affect them. Descriptors: knowledge; pregnant teenager; labor premature birth.RESUMOCom o objetivo de identificar o conhecimento das gestantes adolescentes sobre o trabalho de parto prematuro e os riscos à saúde do feto, em uma maternidade de Recife, Pernambuco (PE) - Brasil, foi realizado este estudo descritivo exploratório, de natureza quantitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário com 18 gestantes, analisados e discutidos de acordo com a literatura, evidenciando que 78% estavam na faixa etária de 16 a 19 anos de idade; 72% procederam da região metropolitana de Recife; 78% viviam em união consensual; 72% estudaram até o ensino fundamental incompleto; 55% tinham renda familiar de um a dois salários mínimos; 88% realizaram pré-natal; 61% eram primíparas; 61% das gestações não foram planejadas; 27% referiram ter conhecimento de que a dor em baixo ventre, 20% as contrações,14% a dor lombar e 14% as perdas vaginais, eram sintomas do trabalho de parto prematuro; 32% apontaram como conseqüência do trabalho de parto prematuro para o feto, a prematuridade fetal; 28% a infecção e a mortalidade neonatal; 44% apontaram o médico como o profissional que informou sobre sua patologia, 6% foram por enfermeiras e 44% não obtiveram nenhuma informação. Por fim, urge oferecer melhor qualidade no atendimento e na orientação para gestantes adolescentes, que nas mais das vezes, estão despreparadas para uma gestação de risco, tanto por falta de conhecimento para si quanto para o feto sobre as patologias que lhes acometem. Descritores: conhecimento; gestante adolescente; trabalho de parto prematuro.RESUMENCon el objetivo de identificar el conocimiento de las adolescentes embarazadas sobre el trabajo de parto prematuro y de los riesgos para la salud del feto, en una maternidad de Recife, Pernambuco (PE) - Brasil, se llevó a cabo este estudio descriptivo exploratorio, de naturaleza cuantitativa. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de un cuestionario con 18 embarazadas, analizado y discutido de acuerdo con la literatura. Los resultados muestran que el78% estaban en el grupo de edad de 16 a 19 años de edad; el 72% procedían de la zona metropolitana de Recife; el 78% vivía en unión consensual; 72% tenía enseñanza fundamental incompleta; 55% tenía de uno a dos salarios mínimos; 88% realizaron control prenatal; 61% fueron primíparas; 61% de los embarazos no son planificados; 27% dicen tener conocimiento del dolor bajo vientre; el 20% de las contracciones, 14% de dolor de espalda y para el 14% las pérdidas vaginales son síntomas del trabajo de parto prematuro; 32% indicó como resultado del trabajo de parto prematuro para al feto, la prematurez fetal; 28% a la infección neonatal y la mortalidad; el 44% dijo que el médico fue el profesional que informa sobre su condición de salud, 6% fueron las enfermeras, y 44% no tiene ninguna información. Por último, urge ofrecer una mejor calidad de servicio y orientación para las adolescentes embarazadas, que en la mayoría de los casos, no están preparadas para una gestación de riesgo, tanto por falta de conocimiento de sí mismas como para el feto en las enfermedades que les afectan. Descriptores: conocimiento; adolescente embarazada; trabajo de parto prematuro. 


1975 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 879-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard D. Wetzel

154 Ss rated the concepts life and death with the semantic differential. Ratings of life and life minus death significantly discriminated between suicidal and non-suicidal Ss and between more and less suicidal Ss. Changes in evaluation of life were significantly associated with changes in self-rated suicide intent. Evaluation of life was more sensitive than other life factor scores to suicide behavior and suicide intent.


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