scholarly journals Factors affecting Happiness of Expatriate Academicians and Expatriate Non-Academicians in Dubai

Author(s):  
Kamarul Zaman Bin Ahmad ◽  
Majid Wahid Shaikh

Purpose: To determine the antecedents of happiness and compare academicians and non-academicians in selected Dubai Universities. Design/methodological/approach: Qualitative research using in-depth interviews followed by cross-sectional surveys of teaching staff and non-teaching staff from different universities in Dubai.?Findings: There is no significant relationship between knowledge sharing and happiness of academics and well as non-academics. Happiness is significantly related to the other factors.Research implications and limitations: The small sample size of the academic group and the study was targeted at the university staff in Dubai only. Practical implications: The findings of this research gives useful recommendations to Universities to improve happiness among their academic as well as non-academic staff. It will also provide recommendations for developmental purposes for the University of Dubai and the UAE’s “Happiness and Positivity program.”Originality/value: No known research studies the determinants of happiness for academics and non-academics in Dubai Universities.Paper type: Research paper

2000 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Wollin ◽  
Helen Dale ◽  
Nancy Spenser ◽  
Anne Walsh

Abstract The aim of this retrospective study was to determine from people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their families what information would assist a person with newly diagnosed MS — in which format, when, and from whom it should be delivered. Thirty-four Queensland, Australia, residents with MS and 18 family members and friends participated in the main study. Participants were self-selected for this purposive, statewide, cross-sectional study. Nine of the respondents answered open-ended questions in addition to the standard questionnaires, and seven respondents gave in-depth interviews. The respondents recommended that people with a recent MS diagnosis and their families be given a wide range of information reflective of their personal needs. The information should be provided in person (in both group and individual sessions). They preferred to receive the information from their physicians and the staff of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Research aimed at cures and therapies, as well as counseling and support services, should be discussed early in the course of the disease. Because of the small sample size and retrospective design, additional studies with larger populations are suggested to confirm these results and their cross-cultural applicability.


Author(s):  
Majid Wahid Shaikh ◽  
Kamarul Zaman Ahmad

The research measures the levels of happiness of expatriate academicians in selected Dubai universities and compares them with happiness levels of non-academic people. A face to face interview followed by a cross-sectional survey was used as a method to collect data from teaching staff from different universities in Dubai and also from the random public working in different business sectors in Dubai.? Happiness is significanlty related to the other factors. There is no significant relationship between knowledge sharing and happiness of academics and well as non-academics. The sample size of the academic group and the study targeted at the population of Dubai city only. The discoveries of the research give helpful recommendations to the administration of Universities to provide better knowledge sharing opportunities among their teaching faculty to improve their happiness levels. It will also provide recommendations for a developmental purpose to University of Dubai and UAE’s “Happiness and Positivity program”. There is no known research that studies the determinants of happiness for academics with non-academics in the UAE. Keywords: Happiness, Expatriate Academics, Job Satisfaction, Life Satisfaction


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres ◽  
Paola Carminelli-Corretjer ◽  
Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali ◽  
Ernesto Rosario-Hernández ◽  
Yovanska Duarté-Vélez ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Spanish-speaking individuals. Suicide stigma can be a risk factor for suicide. A widely used measure is the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF; Batterham, Calear, & Christensen, 2013 ). Although the SOSS-SF has established psychometric properties and factor structure in other languages and cultural contexts, no evidence is available from Spanish-speaking populations. Aim: This study aims to validate a Spanish translation of the SOSS-SF among a sample of Spanish-speaking healthcare students ( N = 277). Method: We implemented a cross-sectional design with quantitative techniques. Results: Following a structural equation modeling approach, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor model proposed by Batterham and colleagues (2013) . Limitations: The study was limited by the small sample size and recruitment by availability. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the Spanish version of the SOSS-SF is a valid and reliable tool with which to examine suicide stigma among Spanish-speaking populations.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Gianella ◽  
Rowan Saloner ◽  
Genevieve Curtin ◽  
Susan J. Little ◽  
Anne Heaton ◽  
...  

AbstractThis observational cross-sectional study of 152 people with HIV (PWH) examined the effects of age and estimated duration of HIV infection (EDI) on depressive and anxiety symptoms. All participants were cisgender men and completed the Profile of Moods State (POMS), a self-report inventory of current (i.e., past week) mood states. Overall, study results confirmed higher levels of anxiety and depression in PWH compared to individuals without HIV. Age group (< 50 or ≥ 50 years) moderated the effect of EDI (< 3 or ≥ 3 years) on mood disturbance. Specifically, younger PWH with early diagnosed infection exhibited the highest levels of depression and anxiety, whereas depression and anxiety were attenuated in older PWH with early infection such that their POMS scores did not significantly differ from the HIV-negative and chronically HIV-infected groups. Despite the small sample size and other important limitations in our study design, our preliminary findings confirm previous observations that older people may have some adaptive ability to better handle the acute psychological stressors associated with recent HIV infection.


2021 ◽  
pp. 193229682110111
Author(s):  
Sarah Nadeem ◽  
Uswah Siddiqi ◽  
Russell Seth Martins ◽  
Kaleemullah Badini

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus technology (DMT) is increasingly used for routine management in developed countries, yet its uptake in developing countries is not as consistent. Multiple factors may influence this, including country specific patient perception regarding DMT. We conducted a pilot study in Pakistan to understand this important question which has not been studied yet. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in Pakistan. An anonymous survey exploring perceptions of diabetes technology was circulated on social media platforms, collecting responses over 2 weeks. Target population included adults (≥18 years) living in Pakistan, with DM1 or 2. Results: A total of 40 responses were received. The majority (36/40) reported using conventional glucometers. Nine used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Thirty-two of 40 patients believed DMT improved diabetes care, 22 felt it helped decreased risk of Diabetes-related complications. 15/40 stated that DMT results in increased cost of care. Sixteen reported their diabetes care teams had never discussed wearable DMT options whereas 11 disliked them because they did not want a device on their self. Conclusion: In our pilot study we have identified broad themes of opportunity and challenges to DMT use in Pakistan. Patients’ perceptions regarding DMT were generally positive but significant barriers to its acceptance included high cost, lack of discussion between doctor and patient about available technology and personal hesitation. Limitations of our study include sampling bias (online survey) and small sample size, but this data can help inform larger studies, to look at this important topic in greater detail.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Alberto Benítez-Andrades ◽  
Tania Fernández-Villa ◽  
Carmen Benavides ◽  
Andrea Gayubo-Serrenes ◽  
Vicente Martín ◽  
...  

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has meant that young university students have had to adapt their learning and have a reduced relational context. Adversity contexts build models of human behaviour based on relationships. However, there is a lack of studies that analyse the behaviour of university students based on their social structure in the context of a pandemic. This information could be useful in making decisions on how to plan collective responses to adversities. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) method has been chosen to address this structural perspective. The aim of our research is to describe the structural behaviour of students in university residences during the COVID-19 pandemic with a more in-depth analysis of student leaders. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at one Spanish Public University, León, from 23th October 2020 to 20th November 2020. The participation was of 93 students, from four halls of residence. The data were collected from a database created specifically at the university to "track" contacts in the COVID-19 pandemic, SiVeUle. We applied the SNA for the analysis of the data. The leadership on the university residence was measured using centrality measures. The top leaders were analyzed using the Egonetwork and an assessment of the key players. Students with higher social reputations experience higher levels of pandemic contagion in relation to COVID-19 infection. The results were statistically significant between the centrality in the network and the results of the COVID-19 infection. The most leading students showed a high degree of Betweenness, and three students had the key player structure in the network. Networking behaviour of university students in halls of residence could be related to contagion in the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be described on the basis of aspects of similarities between students, and even leaders connecting the cohabitation sub-networks. In this context, Social Network Analysis could be considered as a methodological approach for future network studies in health emergency contexts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 132-143
Author(s):  
Nam Pham Tien

The provision of social work service for cancer patients is facing many challenges. Therefore, this study aims to explore factors affecting the provision of social work services for cancer patients at the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital. This is a cross-sectional study that used 10 in-depth interviews, and three focus group discussions to collect data. Our findings showed that the factors such as specialized qualifications of social workers, available facilities, the network of social work collaborators, finance, and policy regimes hindered the provision of social work services for cancer patients at the hospital. Meanwhile, the financial factor contributed to promote social work services for cancer patients at the hospital. Besides, the demands for the provision of social work services for cancer patients were one of the factors that should be considered in the coming time. Our study suggested stakeholders pay more attention to these factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kinga Kołodziej ◽  
Anna Kurowska ◽  
Anna Majda

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the intensity of perceived stress and measure the subjective control of anxiety, anger and depression in a group of women and men staying in Polish penitentiary institutions. Design/methodology/approach The research was carried out in two penitentiary institutions located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship at the turn of 2019/2020. The study group consisted of 152 prisoners. In the cross-sectional study, two standardised research tools – the Perceived Stress Scale and the Emotional Control Scale – were used. Findings Over half of the prisoners (57.24%) presented a high level of stress. The intensity of the perceived stress did not depend on the gender and age of the convicted persons. The general indicator of emotional control among the respondents averaged 51.82 points (standard deviation = 14.52) and ranged from 22 to 83 points, which means that people detained in penitentiary institutions suppressed their negative emotions at an average level. The prisoners had the best control over fear (M = 18.68), less over anger (M = 16.86) and the least over depression (M = 16.27). Statistical analysis showed a correlation between the level of emotional control and the intensity of perceived stress. Research limitations/implications The small sample size of the group participating in the study and narrowing of the research area means that results can not be generalised across all isolated prison population. Practical implications The results obtained from the study can be used by a multidisciplinary team to develop therapeutic programmes for convicted persons, the aim of which is to evaluate strategies for coping with stress and controlling emotions. Social implications Popularising reliable information related to the issue of experiencing stress and varied emotions in those staying in penitentiary institutions may lead to the elimination of harmful stereotypes functioning in society, as well as reduce the phenomenon of marginalisation of prisoners, and thus contribute to the success of the social rehabilitation process. Originality/value Research on the level of stress intensity in prisoners is important because the rates of mental health disorders among prisoners consistently exceed the rates of such disorders in the general population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husam Eldin Elsawi Khalafalla ◽  
Mohamed Salih Mahfouz ◽  
Muath Hassan Ibrahim Najmi ◽  
Sayyaf Abdullah Mohammad Najmi ◽  
Qasem Ali Yahya Arishi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is one of the most important factors that affect human health; it reduces the chances of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer, and depression.OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to measure prevalence of physical activity and to determine the factors affecting the level of physical activity among medical student in Jazan University.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of medical colleges of Jazan University. A random sample of 419 was determined using most recent physical activity prevalence. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.RESULTS: There is a high prevalence of inactivity among study participants (88.1%). Females (91.7%) were more significantly (p value=0.013) inactive than males (83.8%). The most influential barrier perceived by participants is (heavy) academic work as well as lack of places for physical activity; the latter factor being more effective in hindering female students' physical activity.CONCLUSION: Results revealed that the inactivity rate was very high among medical students. The results of this study call for a well-planned intervention at the university level for improving the level of physical activity among university students.


Author(s):  
Marcella Caputi ◽  
Barbara Forresi ◽  
Ludovica Giani ◽  
Giovanni Michelini ◽  
Simona Scaini

The first Italian lockdown imposed to fight the spread of COVID-19 caused important disruptions in families’ everyday lives. The main aim of this research was to investigate the predictors of psychopathology in children aged 5–10 years, immediately after the national 2-month lockdown. A total of 158 Italian parents (148 mothers, 10 fathers, mean age = 41 years) were recruited and asked to complete an online research concerning their 158 children (76 boys, mean age = 7.4 years). Parents completed questionnaires on parent–child conflict, resilience, temperament, behavior, and previous adverse childhood experiences. Hierarchical regressions showed that children’s psychopathology was predicted by low child resilience, high novelty seeking and harm avoidance, adverse experiences, and high flooding levels. Moreover, girls exposed to adverse experiences appeared more vulnerable to psychopathology. The recruitment of a convenience sample, the small sample size, and the cross-sectional design of our study limit the generalizability and interpretation of the present findings. Nonetheless, this research extends our knowledge of children’s functioning in such an exceptional period. Shedding light on predictors of children’s psychopathology following prolonged quarantine can indeed guide effective psychological interventions now and in future similar situations.


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