Social behavior in RASopathies and idiopathic autism

Background RASopathies are genetic syndromes that result from pathogenic variants in the RAS-MAPK cellular signaling pathway. These syndromes, which include neurofibromatosis type 1, Noonan syndrome, cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, and Costello syndrome, are associated with a complex array of medical and behavioral health complications. Despite a heightened risk for social challenges and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few studies have compared different aspects of social behavior across these conditions. It is also unknown whether the underlying neuropsychological characteristics that contribute to social competence and socially empathetic (“prosocial”) behaviors differ in children with RASopathies as compared to children with nonsyndromic (i.e., idiopathic) ASD. Methods In this cross-sectional, survey-based investigation, caregivers of preschool and school-aged children with RASopathies (n = 202) or with idiopathic ASD (n = 109) provided demographic, medical, and developmental information about their child, including psychiatric comorbidities. For children who were able to communicate verbally, caregivers also completed standardized rating scales to assess social competence and empathetic behavior as well as symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention and emotional problems. Results As compared to children with idiopathic ASD, children with RASopathies were rated as demonstrating more resilience in the domain of empathy relative to their overall social competence. Similarities and differences emerged in the psychological factors that predicted social behavior in these two groups. Stronger communication skills and fewer hyperactive-impulsive behaviors were associated with increased empathy and social competence for both groups. Greater emotional challenges were associated with lower social competence for children with RASopathies and stronger empathy for children with idiopathic ASD. Among children with RASopathy and a co-occurring ASD diagnosis, socially empathetic behaviors were observed more often as compared to children with idiopathic ASD. Conclusions Findings suggest that the development of social behavior among children with RASopathies involves a distinct pattern of strengths and weaknesses as compared to a behaviorally defined disorder (idiopathic ASD). Identification of areas of resilience as well as behavioral and social challenges will support more targeted intervention.

Perceived Discrimination at School and Developmental Outcomes among Bai Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Ethnic Identity

Although discrimination is widely acknowledged to impair developmental outcomes among ethnic minority adolescents, literature differentiating discrimination based on personal characteristics and group membership is lacking, especially in Chinese contexts, and the mechanisms of those relationships remain unclear. In response, the study presented here examined whether self-esteem mediates the relationship between perceived academic discrimination and developmental outcomes among such ethnic minority adolescents, and whether ethnic identity mediates the relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination and developmental outcomes. Multistage cluster random sampling performed in Dali and Kunming, China, yielded a sample of 813 Bai adolescents whose data was analysed in structural equation modelling. The results indicate that perceived academic discrimination had a direct negative effect on adolescents’ mental health, while perceived ethnic discrimination had direct negative effects on their behavioural adjustment and social competence. Perceived academic discrimination also indirectly affected adolescents’ behavioural adjustment, mental health, and social competence via self-esteem, whereas perceived ethnic discrimination indirectly affected their behavioural adjustment and social competence via ethnic identity. These findings deepen current understandings of how perceived discrimination, self-esteem, and ethnic identity affect the developmental outcomes of ethnic minority adolescents and provide practical recommendations for policymakers and social workers to promote those outcomes in China.

Behavioural Development of Three Former Pet Chimpanzees a Decade after Arrival at the MONA Sanctuary

Chimpanzees used as pets and in the entertainment industry endure detrimental living conditions from early infancy onwards. The preferred option for ending their existence as pet or circus chimpanzees is their rescue and transfer to a primate sanctuary that will provide them with optimal living and social conditions, so that they can thrive. In this case study, we had the rare opportunity to compare the activity budgets of three chimpanzees from their time as pets in 2004 to their time living at the MONA sanctuary in 2020, after almost a decade in the centre. We found their behaviour patterns changed in accordance with the sanctuaries’ rehabilitation objectives. Resting periods increased considerably while vigilance simultaneously declined sharply. Moreover, the chimpanzees’ social competence increased as allogrooming became the predominant social behaviour, and agonistic interactions diminished even though they were living within a larger social group at the sanctuary. All three chimpanzees expanded their allogrooming and proximity networks at the sanctuary, which included new group members, but they maintained the closest relationships to those conspecifics who they were rescued with. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the sanctuary environment and social group setting made it possible for these three chimpanzees to improve their social competence and increase their well-being over time.

Psychological Well-Being and Social Competence During Adolescence: Longitudinal Association Between the Two Phenomena

Despite previous research on adolescence points to an association between social competence and well-being, limited knowledge is available. Most studies have documented a one-way pattern of influence, although reciprocity has also been suggested. However, they mainly use a cross-sectional design, do not focus on psychological well-being, and do not use integrative and multidimensional constructs. From a eudaimonic approach to well-being and situation-specific to social competence, this study aimed to: (1) explore the factorial structure of the dimensions assessed; (2) analyse the longitudinal relationship between psychological well being and social competence during adolescence; and (3) examine psychological well-being and social competence levels and their stability over time. The sample consisted of 662 adolescents aged between 14 and 16 years old (Time 1 Mage = 14.63; SD = 0.64; 51% girls). Structural equation analysis confirmed the existence of second-order factors, showing evidence of a positive and bidirectional relationship between psychological well-being and social competence. Results also revealed medium–high levels in both constructs, which remained stable over time. These findings highlight the importance of promoting both psychological well-being and social competence to achieve successful, healthy development.

Greater Social Competence Is Associated With Higher Interpersonal Neural Synchrony in Adolescents With Autism

Difficulty engaging in reciprocal social interactions is a core characteristic of autism spectrum disorder. The mechanisms supporting effective dynamic real-time social exchanges are not yet well understood. This proof-of-concept hyperscanning electroencephalography study examined neural synchrony as the mechanism supporting interpersonal social interaction in 34 adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (50% female), age 10–16 years, paired with neurotypical confederates of similar age. The degree of brain-to-brain neural synchrony was quantified at temporo-parietal scalp locations as the circular correlation of oscillatory amplitudes in theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands while the participants engaged in a friendly conversation. In line with the hypotheses, interpersonal neural synchrony was significantly greater during the social interaction compared to the baseline. Lower levels of synchrony were associated with increased behavioral symptoms of social difficulties. With regard to sex differences, we found evidence for stronger interpersonal neural synchrony during conversation than baseline in females with autism, but not in male participants, for whom such condition differences did not reach statistical significance. This study established the feasibility of hyperscanning during real-time social interactions as an informative approach to examine social competence in autism, demonstrated that neural coordination of activity between the interacting brains may contribute to social behavior, and offered new insights into sex-related variability in social functioning in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

THE INFLUENCE OF MANAGERIAL COMPETENCE AND SOCIAL COMPETENCE ON THE PROFESSIONALISM OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN PEKANBARU CITY

This study aims to determine the influence of variables (1) managerial competence on principal professionalism, (2) social competence on principal professionalism, (3) managerial competence and social competence together on principal professionalism. The research respondents were 176 public elementary school principals in Pekanbaru with a sample of 122. The data was collected through questionnaires as a research instrument. The data analysis used is descriptive analysis, inferential statistical analysis. The instrument reliability coefficient was calculated using the Alpha Cronbach formula. The results showed that there was a positive and significant influence between managerial competence and principal professionalism of 0.643, and there was a positive and significant influence between social competence and principal professionalism of 0.597. Meanwhile, collectively, there is an effect of managerial competence and social competence on the professionalism of school principals of 0.755.

Examination of the Relationships between Secondary School Students’ Social Media Attitudes, School Climate Perceptions and Levels of Alienation

The aim of this research is to examine the relationships between social media attitudes, school climate perceptions and level of alienation of students studying in secondary schools. In the 2018-2019 academic year, 418 students from various secondary schools in Mardin participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and structural equality model were used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the research, it was determined that the level of alienation variable is positively affected by sharing needs, social isolation and safe learning environment; the safe learning environment variable is negatively affected by the social competence variable while it is affected positively by the social isolation variable. Besides, the safe learning environment as a mediator resulted in negative effects between the need for sharing and alienation, positive ones between social isolation and alienation, negative ones between social competence and alienation, and finally negative effects between relationships with teachers and alienation. According to the results, it can be stated that creating a supportive school climate for students in educational settings will reduce students’ tendency to use social media networks and prevent them from becoming alienated by making more friend. Keywords: alienation, social media, school climate, structural equality model

Pengembangan Bahan Ajar Berbasis Instructional Approach Learning pada Mata Kuliah Kemampuan Dasar Mengajar Kimia

Teachers must have competency standards in carrying out their duties. The competencies that must be possessed by professional teachers are pedagogic competence, professional competence, personal competence and social competence. In order for students to master the four competence and basic skills of teaching it is necessary to develop modul materials based on instructional approach learning. The purpose of this research is to develop modul materials. Ths research following 3D model of Thiagarajan which consists of the definition stage, the design stage and the development stage. Â The result of the research shows are the validity of the material aspect is 97.5% and the media is 87.5% in valid criteria. Practicality based on the value of the student response questionnaire in the individual trial was 95.8% and the small group test wa 89.6% which was considered very practical.