Comparing the Current and Desired State of Teaching Professional Ethics among Faculty Members; University of Sistan and Baluchestan

Aims: In the professional higher education system, one of the important health guarantee dimensions in the teaching-learning process is ethics and ethical component discourse. The university teachers need to be bounded by the ethical principles in their professions, including teaching professional ethics. The aim of this study was to compare between the current and the desired situations of the quality of teaching professional ethics in the faculty memebers of Sistan and Baluchestan University from the students’ viewpoints. Instrument & Methods: In the descriptive cross-sectional study, 318 graduate students of Sistan and Baluchestan University, who were studying at the second semester of 2014-15 academic year, were selected via Available Stratified Sampling Method in May 2015. The study tool was Teaching Professional Ethics Questionnaire. Data was analyzed in SPSS 21 software using Correlated Groups T test. Findings: There was a significant difference between mean scores of the current quality of teaching professional ethics and its components and the desired situation (p0.05). Conclusion: In the teachers of Sistan and Baluchestan University, teaching professional ethics is assessed slightly more than the average level. However, there is a gap between the current situation of teaching professional ethics and its desired situation

Relationship between attachment to God and meaningful life parents of mentally retarded children in Zahedan city

Introduction: Birth of a mentally-retarded child affectes the quality of life of parents, and accepting the facts, patience, and tolerance when dealing with problems depend greatly on the parents’ worldview. In this regard, the present study was planned to assess the relationship between appeal to God and meaningful life of parents of mentally retarded children in Zahedan city. Methods: This is a descriptive - correlational study and its population were parents of mentally-retarded children who had referred to Zahedan welfare organization between Septembers to November 2012 out of whom 125 parents were selected by targeted sampling method. The study instruments included measures of appeal style to God (Larson and Ghobari، 2009) and meaningful life scale (Battista & Almond, 1973). The scores were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple regression by SPSS17. Results: parent’s appeal to God and meaningful life were relatively desirable. There was a significant positive correlation between appeal to God and meaningful life. Multiple regression results showed that from subscales of appeal to God, maintaining proximity to God, God as a secure base, and positive own perception can explain and predict the meaningful life of these parents. Conclusion: Given a significant positive correlation between appeal to God and meaningful life, it is suggested including spirituality therapy sessions and teaching religious coping methods to reduce stress and thus make meaningful life in these parents by welfare, education of exceptional children, and radio and television organizations

Prediction of Academic Aspiration based on Spiritual Intelligence and Tenacity

Aims: The students&rsquo; academic achievements are noticed by the managers of academic centers.&nbsp; One of the major factors in the academic achievements is academic enthusiasm. The aim of this study was to predict the academic enthusiasm based on spiritual intelligence and psychological tenacity in the students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences.&nbsp; Instrument & Methods: In the correlational cross-section study, 165 students of Birjand University of Medical Sciences were studied in 2015-16 academic year. The subjects were selected based on Morgan table and via stratified random sampling method. Data was collected using spiritual intelligence, Ahvaz psychological tenacity, and academic enthusiasm scales. Data was analyzed by SPSS 22 software using Pearson correlational coefficient, synchronic regression, and independent T test.&nbsp; Findings: There were positive and significant correlations between academic enthusiasm and spiritual intelligence (r=0.10) and psychological tenacity (r=0.21; p<0.01). 0.16 of academic enthusiasm variance were predicted by spiritual intelligence and psychological tenacity, mutually. Of the components of spiritual intelligence, existential critical thinking and transcendental consciousness could predict academic enthusiasm, only.&nbsp; Conclusion: Academic enthusiasm can be predicted based on spiritual intelligence and psychological tenacity.&nbsp

Effect of Teaching Critical Thinking on Social Skills Growth of Medical Sciences Students

Aims: Many experts believe that critical thinking teaching is effective in social activities and especially interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of critical thinking education on the development of social skills of medical students. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test was done in 2013. The study population consisted of all first-year medical students at the Urmia University of Medical Sciences that among them 200 patients (100 patients in control group and 100 patients in experimental group) were selected using stratified random sampling method. The social skills of students were studied through Matson standardized questionnaire at pre-test and post-test (after critical thinking education). Data were analyzed using One-way analysis of covariance. Findings: Critical thinking education had a significant effect on appropriate social skills enhancement (p=0.003), inappropriate social skills reduction (p=0.005), reducing impulsive acting and being rebellious (p=0.002), supremacy (p=0.044), and enhancement of relationships with peers (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Critical thinking education is effective on development of social skills of medical students

Relationship between Teaching Styles of Faculty Members and Social Adjustment of Medical Students

Aims: Teachers as one of the most important and most influential people in students&rsquo; life and they have an important effect on their personal and social life. Social adjustment as an important indicator of mental health is an issues which has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent decades. The aime of this study was to investigate the relationship between students' learning styles faculty members and social adjustment. Instrument & Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was done in 2014. The study population consisted of all first-year students and faculty of the Urmia Medical University. 220 faculty and 350 students were selected using Cochran formula and random sampling. Data collected by Grasha teaching styles standard questionnaires and California psychological tests. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and analysis of variance. Findings: There was a significant correlation between specialty-oriented (p=0.042 r=0.15), authoritarian (p=0.02 r=0.14), model-oriented (p=0.17 r=0.03) and facilitates styles (p=0.032 r=0.21) with students' social adjustment, but sthere was no significant correlation between selected style with social adjustment (p=0.23 r=-0.18). No significant relationship was observed between educational degree (p=0.274) and work experience (p=0.583) of faculty members with teaching methods. Conclusion: Specialty-oriented, authoritarian, model-oriented, and facilitates teaching styles are associated with students' social adjustment no relationship is observed between the selected teaching style with students' social adjustment