scholarly journals The Great British Sorting Machine: Adolescents’ future in the balance of family, school and the neighborhood

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Jan Benjamin Mijs ◽  
Jaap Nieuwenhuis

Research calls attention to the divergent school and labor market trajectories of Europe’s youth while, across the Atlantic, researchers describe the long-lasting consequences of poverty on adolescent development. In this paper we incorporate both processes to shed a new light on a classic concern in the sociology of stratification: how are adolescents’ aspirations, expectations, and school performance shaped by the combined socioeconomic contexts of family, school and neighborhood life? Theoretically, social contexts provide children with cultural resources that may foster their ambitions and bolster their academic performance. Reference group theory instead highlights how seemingly positive settings can depress educational performance as well as aspirations and expectations. We empirically test these competing claims, drawing on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) which describes the school and neighborhood trajectories of 7,934 British children followed from birth to adolescence. We find that, generally, childhood school and neighborhood deprivation is negatively associated with adolescents’ school performance, aspirations and expectations for their future, in line with the cultural resource perspective. However, there are important exceptions to this pattern which point to reference group processes for (1) children of highly-educated parents, whose academic performance especially suffers from growing up in a poor neighborhood, and (2) for children from low-educated parents, whose academic aspirations and expectations are unexpectedly high when they either went to an affluent school or lived in an affluent neighborhood—but not both. We conclude by discussing implications for theory, policy and future research.

2017 ◽  
Vol 674 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Pelletier ◽  
Paul Manna

Is a school’s geographic proximity to violent crime related to characteristics of its student body and to students’ academic performance? Our understanding of the educational impacts of students’ exposure to violence has been constrained because of various technical and financial limitations that have made research in this area problematic. The work presented here leverages advances in the availability of geo-coded data on incidents of crime to overcome the limitations of prior research in this area, showing that a school’s proximity to violent crime is associated with common measures of educational inequality and also with school performance. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and public policy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 841-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney T. Byrd ◽  
Danielle Werle ◽  
Kenneth O. St. Louis

Purpose Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) anecdotally report concern that their interactions with a child who stutters, including even the use of the term “stuttering,” might contribute to negative affective, behavioral, and cognitive consequences. This study investigated SLPs' comfort in providing a diagnosis of “stuttering” to children's parents/caregivers, as compared to other commonly diagnosed developmental communication disorders. Method One hundred forty-one school-based SLPs participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two vignettes detailing an evaluation feedback session. Then, participants rated their level of comfort disclosing diagnostic terms to parents/caregivers. Participants provided rationale for their ratings and answered various questions regarding academic and clinical experiences to identify factors that may have influenced ratings. Results SLPs were significantly less likely to feel comfortable using the term “stuttering” compared to other communication disorders. Thematic responses revealed increased experience with a specific speech-language population was related to higher comfort levels with using its diagnostic term. Additionally, knowing a person who stutters predicted greater comfort levels as compared to other clinical and academic experiences. Conclusions SLPs were significantly less comfortable relaying the diagnosis “stuttering” to families compared to other speech-language diagnoses. Given the potential deleterious effects of avoidance of this term for both parents and children who stutter, future research should explore whether increased exposure to persons who stutter of all ages systematically improves comfort level with the use of this term.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Henrique Ribeiro Santiago ◽  
Dandara Haag ◽  
Davi Manzini Macedo ◽  
Gail Garvey ◽  
Megan Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In Australia, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments have been adopted in national population surveys to inform policy decisions that affect the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. However, Western-developed HRQoL instruments should not be assumed to capture Indigenous conceptualization of health and well-being. In our study, following recommendations for cultural adaptation, an Indigenous Reference Group indicated the EQ-5D-5L as a potentially valid instrument to measure aspects of HRQoL and endorsed further psychometric evaluation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the construct validity and reliability of the EQ-5D-5L in an Aboriginal Australian population. Methods The EQ-5D-5L was applied in a sample of 1012 Aboriginal adults. Dimensionality was evaluated using Exploratory Graph Analysis. The Partial Credit Model was employed to evaluate item performance and adequacy of response categories. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to investigate discriminant validity regarding chronic pain, general health and experiences of discrimination. Results The EQ-5D-5L comprised two dimensions, Physiological and Psychological, and reliability was adequate. Performance at an item level was excellent and the EQ-5D-5L individual items displayed good discriminant validity. Conclusions The EQ-5D-5L is a suitable instrument to measure five specific aspects (Mobility, Self-Care, Usual activities, Pain/Discomfort, Anxiety/Depression) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HRQoL. A future research agenda comprises the investigation of other domains of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HRQoL and potential expansions to the instrument.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-517
Author(s):  
Bastiaan T. Rutjens ◽  
Sander van der Linden ◽  
Romy van der Lee ◽  
Natalia Zarzeczna

The global spread of antiscience beliefs, misinformation, fake news, and conspiracy theories is posing a threat to the well-being of individuals and societies worldwide. Accordingly, research on why people increasingly doubt science and endorse “alternative facts” is flourishing. Much of this work has focused on identifying cognitive biases and individual differences. Importantly, however, the reasons that lead people to question mainstream scientific findings and share misinformation are also inherently tied to social processes that emerge out of divisive commitments to group identities and worldviews. In this special issue, we focus on the important and thus far neglected role of group processes in motivating science skepticism. The articles that feature in this special issue cover three core areas: the group-based roots of antiscience attitudes; the intergroup dynamics between science and conspiratorial thinking; and finally, insights about science denial related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across all articles, we highlight the role of worldviews, identities, norms, religion, and other inter- and intragroup processes that shape antiscientific attitudes. We hope that this collection will inspire future research endeavors that take a group processes approach to the social psychological study of science skepticism.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Glaser ◽  
Sarah Nouri ◽  
Alicia Fernandez ◽  
Rebecca L. Sudore ◽  
Dean Schillinger ◽  
...  

Background. Patient comprehension is fundamental to valid informed consent. Current practices often result in inadequate patient comprehension. Purpose. An updated review to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of interventions to improve patient comprehension in clinical informed consent. Data Sources. Systematic searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE (2008–2018). Study Selection. We included randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials evaluating interventions to improve patient comprehension in clinical informed consent. Data Extraction. Reviewers independently abstracted data using a standardized form, comparing all results and resolving disagreements by consensus. Data Synthesis. Fifty-two studies of 60 interventions met inclusion criteria. Compared with standard informed consent, a statistically significant improvement in patient comprehension was seen with 43% (6/14) of written interventions, 56% (15/27) of audiovisual interventions, 67% (2/3) of multicomponent interventions, 85% (11/13) of interactive digital interventions, and 100% (3/3) of verbal discussion with test/feedback or teach-back interventions. Eighty-five percent of studies (44/52) evaluated patients’ understanding of risks, 69% (41/52) general knowledge about the procedure, 35% (18/52) understanding of benefits, and 31% (16/52) understanding of alternatives. Participants’ education level was reported heterogeneously, and only 8% (4/52) of studies examined effects according to health literacy. Most studies (79%, 41/52) did not specify participants’ race/ethnicity. Limitations. Variation in interventions and outcome measures precluded conduct of a meta-analysis or calculation of mean effect size. Control group processes were variable and inconsistently characterized. Nearly half of studies (44%, 23/52) had a high risk of bias for the patient comprehension outcome. Conclusions. Interventions to improve patient comprehension in informed consent are heterogeneous. Interactive interventions, particularly with test/feedback or teach-back components, appear superior. Future research should emphasize all key elements of informed consent and explore effects among vulnerable populations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1199-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Dieleman ◽  
Sarah S. W. De Pauw ◽  
Bart Soenens ◽  
Wim Beyers ◽  
Peter Prinzie

AbstractLongitudinal bidirectional effects between parents and children are usually studied in samples of typically developing children, but remain understudied in families with a child with autism spectrum disorder. This three-wave longitudinal study examined how parents and children with autism spectrum disorder influence one another, relying on parent reports of parenting behaviors and children's problem behaviors across 9 years, in a sample of 139 youngsters (M age Time 1 = 10.2 years, 83% boys). Cross-lagged analyses indicated that children's externalizing problems at Time 1 predicted negative controlling parenting 6 years later (Time 2) that in turn predicted externalizing problems 3 years later (Time 3). Negative parental control at Time 1 also increased the risk for internalizing problems at Time 2. It was surprising that externalizing problems at Time 2 also predicted positive parental involvement at Time 3. Thus, although results indicate that externalizing problems generally elicit maladaptive reactions in parents, this study also suggests that parents adjust their way of reacting to externalizing child problems as their child reaches adolescence/emerging adulthood. Implications for future research on parenting dynamics in families with a child with autism spectrum disorder are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-222
Author(s):  
Anne Templeton

During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of crowd events must facilitate physical distancing in environments where attendees previously enjoyed being close with ingroup members, encourage accurate perception of health risks and close adherence to safety guidance, and stop expected normative behaviors that may now be unsafe. Research from crowd psychology demonstrates how group processes are integral to each of these issues. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has created an extreme case environment in which to evaluate the collective findings from previous research and identify future research directions. This paper outlines how organizers of crowd events and researchers can work together to further develop our understanding of social connectedness in crowds, reasons for risk-taking behavior, and level of engagement in new collective behaviors. By working together to address these issues, practitioners and researchers can develop our understanding of crowd processes and improve safety at future crowd events.


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. e96-e104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Sevlever ◽  
Kenneth G. Rice

This study examined differences in perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and academic performance between premedical (N = 104) and non-premedical (N = 76) undergraduate students. Results indicated that premedical students did not differ significantly from non-premedical students in perfectionistic self-criticism, personal standards perfectionism, depression, or anxiety. Perfectionistic high standards were not correlated with depression or anxiety for either group. Self-critical perfectionism was positively correlated with depression and anxiety, with comparable effect sizes, for both groups of students. Premedical students and non-premedical students drastically differed in their reported academic performance (GPA). For premedical students, PS perfectionism was related to higher GPA, however PS perfectionism in non-premedical students had a negligible effect in increasing GPA. The implications of these results for interventions and future research are discussed.


Author(s):  
Gabriel Sen ◽  
Albert Adeboye ◽  
Oluwole Alagbe

The paper was a pilot study that examined learning approaches of architecture students; variability of approaches by university type and gender and; influence of architecture students’ learning approaches on their academic performance. The sample was 349 architecture students from two universities. Descriptive and statistical analyses were used. Results revealed predominant use of deep learning approaches by students. Furthermore, learning approaches neither significantly differed by university type nor gender. Regression analysis revealed that demographic factors accounted for 2.9% of variation in academic performance (F (2,346) = 6.2, p = 0.002, R2 = 0.029, f2 = 0.029) and when learning approaches were also entered the model accounted for 4.4% of variation in academic performance (F (14,334) =2.2, p =0.009, R2 = 0.044, f2=0.044). Deep learning approaches significantly and positively influenced variation in academic performance while surface learning approaches significantly and negatively influenced academic performance. This implies that architectural educators should use instructional methods that encourage deep approaches. Future research needs to use larger and more heterogeneous samples for confirmation of results.


2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. O. Wajuihian ◽  
K. S. Naidoo

Eye care professionals have long been involved with vision and learning, and receive referrals from teachers, psychologists and other professionals who seek advice about whether vision problems may contribute to, or be responsible for, poor academic performance.  This is particularly the case when dealing with the relationship between vision and dyslexia, which has been a subject of controversy in optometric, ophthalmologic, educational and psychological literature. Ophthalmologists and optometrists in particular, hold different views on the association of dyslexia and vision, and there has been much debate regarding any causal relationship between them.  The results of studies that investigated the vision functions in dyslexic populations remain inconclusive.  This review is intended to provide an overview of studies to date and makes recommendation to guide future research.  (S AfrOptom 2010 69(2) 58-68)


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