A Critical Review of Yang and Plakans' Strategy Inventory for Integrated Writing

This article reviews Yang and Plakans' (2012) Strategy Inventory for Integrated Writing (SIIW). The existence of SIIW is crucial to elicit strategies used by TOEFL iBT test takers in completing integrated reading-listening-writing task. After reviewing Yang and Plakans' SIIW, it is found that there is a need to develop a more comprehensive, reliable and valid strategy inventory for integrated writing

Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence Between Emotional Dependence and Addictive Behaviours in Adolescents

ObjectiveIntimate partner violence (IPV) has been related to emotional dependence and addictive disorders. This study aims to provide a global approach to analyse the relationship between these variables and to determine the factors underlying permanence in violent relationships. MethodsIt is a non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational design study. Participants had to have at least one dating relationship for at least 1 month to complete the questionnaire, which included the following instruments: emotional dependence scale (DEN), scale of violence in dating relationships (VREP) and impulse control disorders scale (MULTICAGE CAD 4). ResultsThe sample consisted of 1.533 adolescents, 53.9% were male (n = 826) and 46.1% female (n = 707), between 14 and 18 years. Emotional dependence correlated significantly with received violence (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). Compulsive spending is strongly associated with emotional dependence (r = 0.21, p < 0.001), whereas sex addiction is associated with received violence to a greater extent (r = 0.18, p < 0.001). Received violence mediates on emotional dependence and addictions. ConclusionIPV is a risk factor for the perpetuation of addictive behaviours. It is advisable to promote affective education for developing resilience and adequate coping

Nurse Faculty Job Satisfaction: Development and Evaluation of the Nurse Educator Satisfaction Index

ABSTRACT NURSE FACULTY JOB SATISFACTION: DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE NURSE EDUCATOR SATISFACTION INDEX The nursing faculty shortage in American is predicted to worsen in the near future. This faculty shortage negatively impacts nursing practice by limiting the numbers of students admitted to nursing programs, and hindering efforts to build a nursing workforce sufficient in number to care for an aging patient population. Guided by Hagedorn’s Framework of Faculty Job Satisfaction, this descriptive, correlational study sought to validate a researcher-developed instrument to measure job satisfaction in a sample of Georgia nurse educators. A web-based survey was distributed to full-time nursing faculty in schools of nursing granting degrees at the associates, masters, and doctoral levels. Statistical analysis of the data included Cronbach’s alpha, split-half correlation, and Pearson’s ‘r’ calculations. Findings revealed the new instrument was reliable and valid for use in the sample of nurse educators. As a whole, Georgia nurse educators were very satisfied with their jobs; the most satisfied participants were those who were: at each end of the age range (youngest and oldest), women, Asians and those of two or more races, married, and held a masters degree. Variables with which nurse educators were most highly satisfied were relationships with students and colleagues, while they were least satisfied with salary and recognition. The conceptual framework was partially supported by this study; the Mediators were significantly related to job satisfaction, while the Triggers were not. Findings from this study have implications for nursing education, research, and practice – by providing a reliable and valid instrument to measure job satisfaction, by revealing the importance of student and peer relationships to nursing faculty, and the need for workload reduction and improvements in salary. Study findings may be used to guide decision making by college and nursing administrations in recruitment and retention efforts to build the nursing faculty workforce

Words and expressions in movies: Indonesian English as a foreign language students’ reflection

This study was aimed to find out the students’ reflection on the words and expressions found in English-spoken Hollywood movies, more particularly Thor Ragnarok. This descriptive quantitative study was conducted via discord. The population of the study was SMAN 2 Semarang students and the samples were the eleventh-grade students who watch Thor Ragnarok movie. The data were collected through questionnaire. The result of analysis showed that there are many students who feel their English are improved by watching Hollywood movies but they also absorb the culture like kinds of impolite words and expressions. After all, the results can give implication for how students need to study on absorbing western cultures correctly and using the words and expressions properly in appropriate ways

Cuestionario Violencia Recibida, Ejercida y Percibida, versión revisada (VREP-R): propiedades psicométricas en universitarios cubanos

The availability of adequate instruments that measure dating violence is essential in Cuba to strengthen the evidence and support preventive actions with effective diagnoses. The objective of the research was to analyze psychometric properties of the Revised Received, Exerted, and Perceived Violence Questionnaire (VREP-R) in its Cuban version. An instrumental design study, specifically psychometric, was carried out with the participation of 356 students aged 18 to 24 from the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos. In the confirmatory factor analysis of the scale, the adjusted model showed an excellent fit index, with an RMSEA of .050. Furthermore, the CFI indicated a good fit, obtaining a value of .969. The instrument was reduced to 22 items, preserving the five original factors, which explained 65.684% of the accumulated variation. The scale is confirmed multidimensional, with indicators appropriately related to its dimensions. Adequate reliability values were obtained through internal consistency (α =.94 and ω =.90). The temporal stability of the measure was assessed using Spearman's assessment between measurements at two different times. A substantial evaluation was found between the measurements at the first and second moments; statistics ranged between .50. and .95. It is concluded that the VREP-R is a brief, adequate, easy-to-apply measurement instrument that meets the psychometric requirements, being reliable and valid to measure dating violence received, exercised and perceived, aspect non-existent until now in Cuba.La disponibilidad de instrumentos adecuados que midan la violencia en el noviazgo es esencial en Cuba para fortalecer la evidencia y respaldar acciones preventivas con diagnósticos efectivos. La investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de Violencia Recibida, Ejercida, Percibida Revisado (VREP-R) en su versión cubana. Se realizó un estudio de diseño instrumental, específicamente psicométrico, con la participación de 356 estudiantes de 18 a 24 años de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Cienfuegos. En el análisis factorial confirmatorio de la escala, el modelo ajustado, mostró un índice de ajuste excelente, con un RMSEA de .050. Además, el CFI indicó un buen ajuste, obteniéndose un valor de .969. El instrumento se redujo a 22 ítems, conservando los cinco factores originales, que explicaron el 65.684% de la varianza acumulada. La escala se confirmó multidimensional, con indicadores apropiadamente relacionados con sus dimensiones. Se obtuvieron valores adecuados de confiabilidad por consistencia interna (α =.94 y ω =.90). La estabilidad temporal de la medida se evaluó mediante la correlación de Spearman entre las mediciones en dos momentos diferentes. Se encontró una correlación sustancial entre las mediciones en el primer y segundo momento; los estadísticos oscilaron entre .50. y .95. Se concluye que el VREP-R es un instrumento de medida breve, adecuado, de fácil aplicación, que cumple con los requerimientos psicométricos, siendo fiable y válido para medir la violencia en el noviazgo recibida, ejercida y percibida; aspecto inexistente hasta ahora en Cuba

Engaging Students in the Virtual Classroom: A Mixed-Methods Study of Teacher Leaders Creating Connections Through Virtual Learning Communities

The core problem that drove this study was high attrition rates and low student academic growth in virtual students when compared to their brick and mortar peers. To investigate this issue, the study focused on one issue related to the core problem: student engagement. The purpose of the study was to determine what pedagogical practices and instructional strategies were utilized by teachers in their virtual learning communities (VCLs) in order to engage students in the virtual classroom. This explanatory-sequential, mixed methods, single case study was conducted through the collection of archival data and through a teacher questionnaire and follow up focus group interviews. The sample population included 25 virtual teachers from one virtual charter school in Texas. The findings indicated that teachers with higher engagement scores utilized a combination of communication methods (i.e., calls, texts, and emails) and provided students with supplemental resources outside of the curriculum. The findings for teachers with lower engagement scores indicated that utilizing a single method of communication and focusing on 1:1 tutoring over contacting students was less impactful on overall student engagement scores

Preventive Health Education Media and Older Worker Health Literacy

The United States has experienced an increase in older workers as individuals born between 1946 and 1964 have remained in the labor force. Preventive health screening education, such as an immunization flyer, is necessary to avert preventable illness among older workers. Based on previous research, there is a gap regarding age-specific methods for educating the older worker about preventive health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between various media providing preventive health screening information and the assessed health literacy of the older worker. Based on the health belief model, a quantitative, cross-sectional method was used. A population of older workers (n = 159), starting at age 45, of diverse racial groups and job types, was surveyed to determine their health literacy, preventive health screening knowledge, and frequency of exposure to diverse types of media that facilitate preventive health education. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the relationship between the various media providing preventive health screening used by the older worker and the health literacy of the older worker. According to the study, the 45-54 age group had the lowest health literacy scores, and all age groups possessed comparable knowledge of preventive health screening education. Finally, 2 types of media \u27television and radio\u27 were effective in improving health literacy by exposure, and 4 types of media \u27television, radio, newspaper, and Internet\u27 were perceived effective in providing preventive health education. Implications for positive social change included age-specific methods for educating the older worker about preventive health, which could, in turn, reduce morbidity and mortality caused by preventable diseases such as cancer and heart disease

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Urban Early College High School Teachers\u27 Experiences

Teachers are fundamental to students\u27 performance by fostering relationships and imparting knowledge in the classroom. Dual-credit teachers work for Early College High School (ECHS) programs to assist historically underrepresented students in accelerating their path toward earning college credits and associate degrees while attending high school. Hard-to-staff ECHS programs with underrepresented pupils in lower socioeconomic urban areas suffer high teacher attrition. How urban ECHS teachers define their professional experiences is still being determined, which affects organizational outcomes. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative exploratory study was to investigate and understand the lived experiences of urban ECHS teachers in Texas. This study used phenomenological semistructured interviews and self-administered questionnaires to collect data from the 14 early college high school teacher participants. The exploratory study used interpretative phenomenological analysis as a qualitative research method to identify meaningful themes from patterns found within the data. Four central themes emerged from the investigation: (a) commitment to students, (b) motivation to retain position, (c) commitment to self, and (d) challenges. Participants\u27 accounts of their experiences as ECHS teachers contribute to recognizing and comprehending their values and beliefs. The results indicated that ECHS teachers showed compassion and understanding as they helped students navigate the intricacies of dual enrollment in high school and college. Research demonstrated that an environment conducive to learning enhances students\u27 cognitive, social, and emotional development. Sustaining an all-around favorable school culture affected ECHS instructors\u27 opinions of their jobs and the educational system. Results discussions included new perspectives on the actual experiences of ECHS teachers, the limitations of the study, and implications for ECHS teachers, ECHS supervision, and ECHS environment studies and programs in the future. Preserving a generally positive school climate affected ECHS instructors\u27 opinions of their positions and the educational system. Lastly, the study suggested that improving employee resources for urban ECHS teachers could improve well-being and workforce sustainability in ECHS contexts

Colorism and Skin Tone Messages in Father-Daughter Relationships

Colorism, or in-group bias based on skin tone, is a persistent phenomenon within the African American community that often shapes family dynamics and results in significant negative psychosocial effects for African Americans. Researchers have examined colorism primarily as it pertains to mothers\u27 transmission of these messages, but little research exists regarding the paternal role. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the messages fathers transmit to their daughters regarding skin tone, while comparing these messages to those transmitted to fathers in their childhood. Twelve African American men, selected through purposive sampling, participated in individual semistructured interviews. Their responses were analyzed using thematic analysis based on colorism theory. Themes included teachings to daughter, skin tone messages, influence, hard work, attractiveness, love, treatment, and trophies. Findings indicated that fathers provided a protective role in negative colorism messages for daughters, particularly those with darker skin tones. Implications for positive social change include increased understanding of the protective paternal role in transmitting skin tone messages and the potential ability for stakeholders to make inroads to eradicate the negative effects of colorism within the African American family using the protective role of fathers

Its greatest benefit of inclusion is its challenge”: Efl teachers' attitudes towards inclusion of learners with disabilities

Inclusion has long been a hotbed for debate in many educational fields but TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). To the best knowledge of the research, no study has been conducted on the issue of inclusion in Iran, especially considering EFL learners with special needs. Considering teachers as the central pillar of the inclusive education, the present study sought to investigate EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers' attitudes towards the inclusion of physically-impaired EFL learners in English language classes. To this end, a comprehensive survey was conducted using the 25-item Opinions Relative to Mainstreaming (ORM) scale (Antonak & Larrivee, 1995) to collect data from 254 Iranian EFL teachers, of whom 30 teachers were subsequently interviewed to guarantee the triangulation of the findings. The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, with the SPSS Software version 20 being used for the quantitative analysis. Findings indicating the Iranian EFL teachers’ neutral-topositive attitudes are thoroughly discussed in this paper. The paper also contains some information about the perceived benefits/challenges of inclusion, its pedagogical implications and recommendations for further research