Multi-Informant Predictors of Social Inclusion for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Attending Mainstream School

This study examined differential profiles of behavioural characteristics predictive of successful inclusion in mainstream education for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and comparison students. Multiple regression analyses using behavioural ratings from parents, teachers and peers found some evidence for differential profiles predicting peer acceptance and rejection. High levels of peer-rated shyness significantly predicted social rejection in comparison students only. Parent-rated prosocial behaviour also differentially predicted social acceptance; high-levels of prosocial behaviour predicted acceptance in comparison students, but low-levels were predictive for students with ASD. These findings suggest that schools may seek to augment traditional social skills programmes with awareness raising about ASD among mainstream pupils to utilise peers’ apparent willingness to discount characteristics such as ‘shyness’

Motives for khat use and abstinence in Yemen - a gender perspective

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Khat consumption is widespread in Yemeni society and causes problems both in economic development and public health. Preventive measures have been largely unsuccessful and the cultivation continues to proliferate. The gender-specific motives for khat use and abstinence were studied to create a toe-hold for more specific interventions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a quota sample with equal numbers of males, females, abstainers and consumers, 320 subjects were interviewed on their specific opinions about khat and its impact on subjective and public health, and on social and community functioning. Strata were compared in their acceptance and denial of opinions. Notions that could predict abstinence status or gender were identified with multivariate logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Male khat users had a strong identification with khat use, while females were more ambivalent. The notion that khat consumption is a bad habit (odds ratio (OR) 3.4; p < 0.001) and consumers are malnuorished (OR 2.2; p = 0.046) were associated with female gender among khat users. Among the females worries about health impact (OR 3.2; p = 0.040) and loss of esteem in the family (OR 3.1; p = 0.048) when using khat predicted abstinence. Male abstainers opposed khat users in the belief that khat is the cause of social problems (OR 5.1, p < 0.001). Logistic regression reached an accuracy of 75 and 73% for the prediction of abstinence and 71% for gender among consumers. (All models p < 0.001.)</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Distinct beliefs allow a differentiation between males, females, khat users and abstainers when targeting preventive measures. In accordance to their specific values female khat users are most ambivalent towards their habit. Positive opinions scored lower than expected in the consumers. This finding creates a strong toe-hold for gender-specific public health interventions.</p

Relationship between Bullying Experiences, SelfEsteem and Depression among secondary school pupils

Main Objective We examined whether exposure to bullying would predict low selfesteem and depression among secondary school adolescents. Design: We used an adolescent study sample of 250 day secondary school learners in Livingstone, Zambia, who were recruited randomly from conveniently selected day secondary schools. The sample comprised an equal number of boys(N=125) and girls (N=125) of age range 13 to 17. Out comes: The study showed gender differences on bullying and depression among the grade nine learners with highest levels ofbullying experiences, low self-esteem and depression among girls. An association (p &lt; .05) was established between bullying anddepression. Also, we were able to establish an inverse (p= -16) correlation between bullying and self-esteem. Bullying experiences(physical, social and verbal) accounted for 14.6 % of variance on low self-esteem and 33.7% of variance on depression. Social bullying was the strongest predictor of low self-esteem (beta= - .491, sig = .000) and depression (beta =.332, sig = .000). Measures: The participants self-reported their experiences of bullying on Adolescent Peer relations victim scale B (Parada 2000).&nbsp; Selfesteem levels were measured using the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (Rosenberg,: 1985).The Beck depression inventory (BD1-11)from the Zambia Neurobehavioral Battery was used to measure adolescents levels of depression. This was a quantitative correlational study. Results: The more bullied students were, the less self-esteem thy exhibited and the more depressed they became. Girls were more vulnerable to bullying with low self-esteem and high depression levels as compared to boys. Conclusions: Adolescents who frequently experience bullying manifest low self-esteem and higher levels of depression. Increased&nbsp; frequency of exposure to bullying is a consistent predictor of adolescent depression and low selfesteem. Keywords: bullying experiences, self-esteem, depression, adolescents