Development and validation of a Rasch-Model-Based scale for assessing social skills in junior high school students: A study in Indonesia

This research focuses on the development and validation of a scale to measure the social skills of junior high school students in Indonesia. The study involved 420 students from various regions, utilizing a quantitative approach with a Likert rating questionnaire of four choices. The Rasch model was employed for analysis using Winsteps software. The item reliability index yielded a robust value of 0.80. Evaluation of item polarity across all aspects fell within the range of 0.12 to 0.78, while outfit-MNSQ values ranged from 0.12 to 1.90. Fourteen items were identified as unfit, failing to meet criteria due to Outfit MNSQ values > 1.5 and Pt Measure Correlation 1.5 were earmarked for editorial revision. The analysis revealed four items with nearly identical logit values, indicating redundancy in measurement. Consequently, one item from each pair was retained, simplifying the instrument. The study affirms the validity and reliability of the measurement instrument, indicating its suitability for assessing junior high school students' social skills

Enhancing Vocational Identity and Practical Skills Motivation through Vocational Mentoring Intervention: A Quasi-Experimental Study on Automobile Students

This quasi-experimental study investigates the impact of vocational mentoring intervention on vocational identity (exploration - in-breadth and in-depth, commitment, reconsideration), as well as practical skills motivational beliefs and engagement among Automobile students. The research, testing five hypotheses, utilized a sample of 137 students, with 81 in the intervention group and 56 in the control group. Data collection employed a questionnaire and rating scale with high overall reliability coefficients of 0.86 and 0.84, respectively. The intervention, structured as a two-phase plan, was designed to enhance vocational identity and practical skills motivation. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) were employed for data analysis. The findings indicated a significant positive effect of the intervention on vocational identity, leading to progressive improvements in exploration, commitment, and reconsideration. Additionally, the study observed progressive increases in practical skills' motivational beliefs and engagement. The study recommends the implementation of periodic vocational mentoring in technical colleges to nurture students' vocational identity and enhance their practical skills motivational beliefs and engagement

Nigerians with diabetes and their mental health in the context of diabetes care and management: A scoping review

This review aimed to ascertain the prevalence of mental health issues among people with diabetes in Nigeria, the nature of care available for them and the effectiveness of available interventions or management strategies used to treat diabetes-related mental health challenges. Four databases, Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycINFO and Cochrane, were searched. Thirteen studies that focused on the prevalence of mental health challenges among diabetes patients were selected for data extraction and analyses. Another set of five studies was also selected to analyze the effectiveness of diabetes care available to diabetes patients with mental health challenges. This scoping review shows that the prevalence rate of mental health problems among Nigerian diabetic patients is high. It also shows inadequate care or intervention provided to the patients. However, the few available care and interventions were found to be very effective.

Sociodemographic predictors of occupational stress and exposure to workplace psychosocial hazards in a sample of Nigerian primary school teachers: Implications for career counselors

Teachers’ responsibilities are becoming increasingly challenging and demanding. This cross-sectional survey examined the demographic predictors of occupational stress and exposure to workplace psychosocial hazards among 254 primary school teachers. Two measurement tools were used to assess work-related stress and attendant psychosocial risks. Descriptive statistics and bivariate correlation analysis were employed to analyze the demographic characteristics of the participants and explore the relationships between these demographic factors, work-related stress, and psychosocial risks. The findings revealed a strong positive association between gender and teachers’ occupational stress. Additionally, working status, gender, and location showed a positive correlation with increased exposure to occupational psychosocial hazards among primary school teachers. Conversely, qualifications exhibited a negative and significant association with teachers’ exposure to psychosocial hazards at work. In conclusion, this study highlights a substantial increase in occupational stress for primary school teachers as they age and become more qualified. These findings suggest the need for educational policymakers in Nigerian school settings to address age, location, and working status discrimination to improve teachers’ well-being

Depressive and anxiety symptoms among Nigerian rural women diagnosed with cervical cancer

Among women in Nigeria, cervical cancer has been found to be more prevalent among the rural population. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms among patients during their initial diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The main study objective was to ascertain whether depression or anxiety symptoms are common among patients of cervical cancer in rural communities in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study utilized semi-structured questionnaires in conducting a descriptive study on 148 consenting cervical cancer patients. Graphs, Chi-squares, and percentages were used to represent the data. In total, 148 patients had their data collected by the researcher. This study found that respondents manifested severe depression after their initial cervical cancer screenings. The report shows that 55% of respondents experienced severe depression after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.  Most of them—85 (57%)—were over 35 years of age.  Following a cervical cancer diagnosis, 52% of respondents reported severe anxiety symptoms. It is possible to say that after cervical cancer diagnosis, patients are prone to serious psychological distress. This is closely linked to the dreadful thought processes that herald the initial screening. Social support and counselling are urgently needed before and after cervical cancer screening

Developing “synchronous model” in english teaching material for public health students: a systematic literature review

The Synchronous Model has become an important part of the development of learning in the 4.0 era. Online learning for teaching English has become a trend that continues to grow and is developed based on the development of Special English (ESP). The Synchronous Model is a media model developed by researchers as the website Synchronous which has been popular in Indonesia and is being developed. However, this review of the Synchronous Model learning in ESP is still relatively rarely developed in the post-pandemic period, preparing rich and reliable Synchronous technology-based learning that is very meaningful and reliable in the future. This technology enhances the scientific nature of English language education in public health at colleges and at the university level. So, this review systematically identifies trends in Synchronous-based learning in ESP for Public Health courses. Data tracking in this study was conducted using Harzing’s Publish or Perish (PoP) application with three databases used, including Google Scholar (GS), Crossref, and Scopus. From the results of the data screening, 6 articles were found that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The conclusion obtained from this systematic search is that the Synchronous Model is the most widely used model in the process of learning English specifically. Second, the Synchronous Model and language are more widely used in ESP learning for public health. Third, the Synchronous Model in ESP dominates the learning process after the Covid-19 pandemic. These three findings imply that there are still gaps in the Synchronous Model and ESP research. In general, this review is very valuable for practitioners to find out which Synchronous Model is ready to be used and developed and can identify gaps for research in Public Health (ESP) English language learning, this SLR is very closely integrated into technology-based learning with English language education in public health at the college and university level

Exploring the Impact of Psychosocial Factors on the Integration of ICT in Teaching Electrical/Electronic Technology Education at Tertiary Level: A Case Study in North-West Nigeria

This research investigates the psychosocial variables influencing lecturers' reluctance to utilize information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching electrical/electronic technology education (EETE) within tertiary institutions in North-West Nigeria. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, the study focused on a sample of 87 lecturers across seven states in the region. A structured questionnaire, validated by three experts and with a Cronbach Alpha reliability value of 0.88, was employed for data collection. The findings, analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation, revealed that competence in ICT and subject matter, attitude, motivation, environmental perception, peer group pressure, and school administration significantly impact lecturers' adoption of ICT tools in teaching. Moreover, gender, experience, and qualification were identified as additional factors influencing the use of ICT in teaching. The study recommends that state governments, particularly through their ministries of education, play a proactive role in promoting asynchronous/synchronous delivery systems for instructional planning, delivery, and evaluation to guide lecturers in tertiary institutions within the studied region

Paradoxical leadership and organizational support in the new normal era: An experimental vignette study virtual team collective efficacy

Implementation of Working from Home (WFH) or hybrid (WFH and Work from Office) during the COVID-19 pandemic has been known to remain until the end of the pandemic. In spite of that, the implementation of WFH or Hybrid is known to have an impact on interfering with the team functionality that works virtually at the company. Therefore, there needs to be an effort to increase the virtual team’s collective efficacy (VTCE) when collaborating virtually. One of the antecedents that could increase the VTCE is Paradoxical Leadership Behavior (PLB), a leadership style that could combine two competing behaviors into one new behavior, in this case combining the roles of agentic and communal leadership as a whole. Additionally, the Perceived Organizational Support (POS) is an employee’s perception of the organization's effort in increasing welfare and providing support at work are also antecedents from VTCE. Both antecedents are required to be further examined by utilizing vignette experiment 2 (high vs low PLB) x 2 (high vs low POS) between-subject design on 256 employees conducting WFH or hybrid. Utilizing 2 x 2 ANOVA Factorial, a significant effect was revealed from PLB and POS on VTCE. The implication of this research showed that there needs to be an implementation of PLB and post-pandemic organization support to increase the VTCE for the team when conducting WFH or hybrid

Enhancing educational and career prospects: A comprehensive analysis of institutional support for students with specific learning disabilities

This study employs an integrative review methodology to investigate institutional support mechanisms for students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs), aiming to enhance their educational and career prospects. Extensive analysis of primary sources from databases including Dimension, ERIC, Scopus, Scilit, PubMed, Reference Citation Analysis, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate reveals critical insights. The research reveals that students with SLDs benefit from a spectrum of institutional support measures. These encompass provisions such as extended time allocations, access to study aids, dedicated personnel, financial assistance, and faith-based support. These interventions contribute not only to improved academic performance but also facilitate smoother transitions into the professional sphere. This study emphasizes the pressing need for institutions to fortify their support services dedicated to students with SLDs. It advocates for broader access to such resources, with the ultimate goal of optimizing the academic development and career prospects of this demographic. This approach serves to promote inclusivity and diversity in both educational and occupational domains

Enhancing Critical Thinking in Society 5.0: An Evaluation of High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in Secondary Education

In the evolving landscape of Society 5.0, the imperative for students to think critically has become paramount. The acquisition of high order thinking skills (HOTS) plays a pivotal role in nurturing students to become independent, creative thinkers. These skills, encompassing analysis, evaluation, and the generation of innovative ideas, are essential for adapting to the dynamic demands of the modern era. However, the transition to HOTS-based learning poses challenges for students accustomed to conventional teaching methods. This study, conducted among 265 selected students from SMP Negeri 30 Padang using a stratified random sampling technique, employed a questionnaire for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that 77% of students exhibited HOTS in performing tasks, 77% in answering exams, and 76% in actively engaging with the learning process. Moreover, gender disparities were observed in HOTS-based learning, with 74% of male students demonstrating proficiency compared to 79% of female students. The findings underscore the necessity for educational institutions to address the readiness of students for HOTS-based learning methodologies. Recognizing the gender-based variations in HOTS proficiency, schools are urged to implement targeted strategies to enhance students' critical thinking skills, ensuring optimal outcomes in the learning process. This research contributes valuable insights into the ongoing efforts required to cultivate HOTS-based learning environments in secondary education