Abbinare la scuola e il lavoro: indagine qualitativa su un gruppo di minori messicani

Esta investigación se llevó a cabo en México. Se administró una entrevista semiestructurada a 34 jóvenes (25 varones y 9 hembras, de entre 11-15 años), que combinan la asistencia a la escuela con el trabajo, con el fin de verificar la posibilidad de que un adolescente pueda llevar a cabo una actividad económica vigilada, sin comprometer su bienestar y su estudio. La investigación explora los siguientes aspectos: las motivaciones del joven hacia su posibilidad de trabajar; las actitudes de la familia hacia el trabajo del joven; la relación entre escuela y trabajo; el empleo del dinero ganado. Principales resultados: 1) los participantes eligieron de manera libre y autónoma trabajar y su elección no está enteramente motivada por aspectos económicos; 2) el trabajo no implica una correlación significativa con fracaso escolar o deserción escolar; 3) los participantes evaluaron su experiencia de trabajo sólo parcialmente en relación con el salario recibido y asignaron un lugar importante en la evaluación de su trabajo a la calidad de las relaciones interpersonales que se desarrollan dentro de su entorno laboral.The research was carried out in Mexico. A semi-structured interview was administered to 34 youngsters (25 males and 9 females, aged 11-15) who combine school with work, in order to verify the possibility for a teen-ager to carry out a monitored economic activity, without compromising his wellbeing and his study. The research explored the following aspects: youngster’s motivations towards his choice to work; family’s attitudes towards the youngster’s work; relationship between school and job; use of earned money. Main results: 1) Participants chose in a free and autonomous way to work and their choice is not entirely motivated by economic aspects; 2) Work does not implicate a significant correlation with school failure or dropout; 3) Participants assess their working experience only partially in relation to the received salary and assign an important place for the evaluation of their activity to the quality of interpersonal relationships which are developed within their job.La ricerca è stata svolta in Messico, somministrando un’intervista semistrutturata a 34 ragazzi (25 maschi e 9 ragazze, di età compresa tra gli 11 e i 15 anni), per verificare se lo svolgimento di un lavoro protetto e monitorato può consentire al ragazzo di non compromettere il suo benessere e lo studio. La ricerca ha indagato su: la motivazione dei ragazzi verso il lavoro; l’atteggiamento della famiglia verso il lavoro del ragazzo; il rapporto tra scuola e lavoro; l’uso del denaro guadagnato. Principali risultati: 1) I ragazzi hanno scelto in modo autonomo e indipendente di iniziare a lavorare e la loro scelta non è motivata esclusivamente da necessità economiche; 2) Il lavoro, se protetto, non determina necessariamente insuccesso o abbandono scolastico; 3) I ragazzi valutano la loro esperienza lavorativa non solo considerando il denaro guadagnato, ma assegnano un valore importante nella qualità dei rapporti interpersonali sviluppati nello svolgimento del loro lavoro.peerReviewe

Ethical beliefs and attitudes on child work by a group of italian youngsters

La investigación tiene como objetivo reunir las actitudes de los jóvenes hacia el trabajo infantil y su comportamiento consumidor en relación con este problema. La investigación ha escogido a los jóvenes como grupo destinatario, pues son los más directamente implicados en la cuestión del trabajo infantil, debido a que suelen ser objetivo de las organizaciones no gubernamentales para boicotear los productos de la explotación infantil. Por tanto, el artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación llevada a cabo en Italia, a través de la administración de un cuestionario a un grupo de cerca de 1.500 estudiantes de las escuelas secundarias, 14 a 18 años, procedentes de toda Italia. Casi la mitad de los participantes asisten a una escuela primaria y la otra mitad a las escuelas profesionales. El grupo entrevistado mostró una moderada conciencia sobre el problema del trabajo infantil. En cuanto a los comportamientos de consumo se refiere, surge un desacuerdo sustancial entre la actitud y la creencia y el comportamiento consecuente: la mayoría de los participantes, de hecho, afirman la importancia de adoptar actitudes preventivas y medidas para contrarrestar el trabajo infantil, pero sólo una minoría adopta un comportamiento coherente.The research aims to gather youngsters’ attitudes towards child work and their buying behavior in relation to this problem. The research has chosen young people as its target group, because they are the most directly involved in the question of child work, and because they are often targeted by non-governmental organizations to boycott products involving child exploitation. The paper therefore presents the results of a research carried out in Italy, through the administration of a questionnaire to a group of about 1500 high schools students, aged 14-18, from all over Italy. Almost half of the participants are attending a grammar school and the other half a vocational schools. The group interviewed showed a moderate awareness on the issue of child work. As far as policies of buying are concerned, a substantial disagreement emerged between attitude and belief and the consequent behavior: the majority of participants in fact affirm the importance of adopting concrete preventive measures to counteract child work but only a minority adopted a coherent behavior

What do young italians think of child work?

El objetivo general de esta investigación es comprender la percepción y actitud de los italianos más jóvenes hacia el trabajo infantil. Esta investigación quiere verificar las hipótesis siguientes: 1. La representación mental de los más jóvenes hacia el trabajo infantil es principalmente negativa; 2. Los jóvenes distinguen entre trabajo infantil y explotación; 3. Los jóvenes tienen una actitud positiva hacia la puesta en marcha de formas de trabajo seguro; 4. Los jóvenes piensan que son capaces de decidir de manera autónoma e independiente si trabajar o no. Se aplicó un cuestionario a un grupo de 1.230 estudiantes, entre los 13 y los 20 años. Los resultados confirmaron la hipótesis. Los datos mostraron que los jóvenes tienen una actitud negativa con respecto al trabajo infantil, ya que puede poner en peligro los resultados escolares, la vida social juvenil, y el desarrollo de una vida positiva. Sin embargo, aceptan el trabajo ligero que es examinado de manera positiva, ya que los jóvenes lo consideran como una oportunidad de llegar a ser más independientes, divertirse y socializar, siempre que las condiciones en las que esta experiencia se lleve a cabo puedan garantizar el respeto y la dignidad de los más jóvenes. Por último, los adolescentes se reconocen a sí mismos capaces para decidir de manera autónoma sobre la oportunidad y la posibilidad de hacer un trabajo ligero.The research’s general aim is to understand Italian youngsters’ perceptions, and attitudes towards child work. This research wants to verify the following hypotheses: 1. Youngsters’ mental representation of child work is mainly negative; 2. Youngsters distinguish between child work and exploitation; 3. Youngsters have a positive attitude towards carrying out light forms of safeguarded work; 4. Youngsters think they are able to decide autonomously and independently whether to work or not. A questionnaire was administered to a group of 1.230 Italian high school students, ranging from 13 to 20 years-old. Results confirmed the hypotheses. The data showed that youngsters have a negative attitude towards child work, since it can jeopardize school results, the youngsters’ social life, and the development of a positive adult life. However, light work is accepted and positively considered, since youngsters see it as an opportunity to become more independent, to have fun and to socialize, provided that the conditions under which this experience is done can guarantee the youngsters’ respect and dignity. Finally, adolescents recognize themselves to be able to decide autonomously about the opportunity and the feasibility of doing a light work.peerReviewe

Abbinare la scuola e il lavoro: indagine qualitativa su un gruppo di minori messicani

Esta investigación se llevó a cabo en México. Se administró una entrevista semiestructurada a 34 jóvenes (25 varones y 9 hembras, de entre 11-15 años), que combinan la asistencia a la escuela con el trabajo, con el fin de verificar la posibilidad de que un adolescente pueda llevar a cabo una actividad económica vigilada, sin comprometer su bienestar y su estudio. La investigación explora los siguientes aspectos: las motivaciones del joven hacia su posibilidad de trabajar; las actitudes de la familia hacia el trabajo del joven; la relación entre escuela y trabajo; el empleo del dinero ganado. Principales resultados: 1) los participantes eligieron de manera libre y autónoma trabajar y su elección no está enteramente motivada por aspectos económicos; 2) el trabajo no implica una correlación significativa con fracaso escolar o deserción escolar; 3) los participantes evaluaron su experiencia de trabajo sólo parcialmente en relación con el salario recibido y asignaron un lugar importante en la evaluación de su trabajo a la calidad de las relaciones interpersonales que se desarrollan dentro de su entorno laboral.The research was carried out in Mexico. A semi-structured interview was administered to 34 youngsters (25 males and 9 females, aged 11-15) who combine school with work, in order to verify the possibility for a teen-ager to carry out a monitored economic activity, without compromising his wellbeing and his study. The research explored the following aspects: youngster’s motivations towards his choice to work; family’s attitudes towards the youngster’s work; relationship between school and job; use of earned money. Main results: 1) Participants chose in a free and autonomous way to work and their choice is not entirely motivated by economic aspects; 2) Work does not implicate a significant correlation with school failure or dropout; 3) Participants assess their working experience only partially in relation to the received salary and assign an important place for the evaluation of their activity to the quality of interpersonal relationships which are developed within their job.La ricerca è stata svolta in Messico, somministrando un’intervista semistrutturata a 34 ragazzi (25 maschi e 9 ragazze, di età compresa tra gli 11 e i 15 anni), per verificare se lo svolgimento di un lavoro protetto e monitorato può consentire al ragazzo di non compromettere il suo benessere e lo studio. La ricerca ha indagato su: la motivazione dei ragazzi verso il lavoro; l’atteggiamento della famiglia verso il lavoro del ragazzo; il rapporto tra scuola e lavoro; l’uso del denaro guadagnato. Principali risultati: 1) I ragazzi hanno scelto in modo autonomo e indipendente di iniziare a lavorare e la loro scelta non è motivata esclusivamente da necessità economiche; 2) Il lavoro, se protetto, non determina necessariamente insuccesso o abbandono scolastico; 3) I ragazzi valutano la loro esperienza lavorativa non solo considerando il denaro guadagnato, ma assegnano un valore importante nella qualità dei rapporti interpersonali sviluppati nello svolgimento del loro lavoro.peerReviewe

Child Work: Attitudes and Policies of Consumption among a Group of Italian Youngsters

Thesis statement Little research has been carried out on the beliefs and attitudes of young people living in the industrialised countries about child work. This research relates to attitudes, perceptions, evaluations of young Italians, in relation to child work, as well as to the consequent adoption of preventative consumption policies. Methodology The research was conducted through the use of an ad-hoc questionnaire, administrated to a group of 1,250 high school students, aged 14-18. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) was performed and Cronbach's alfa were computed. Results Among key findings: participants show a limited knowledge of child work; negative attitudes towards child work are closely associated to mental representation of poverty and exploitation, but more positive attitude if work is pleasant and freely chosen by the child; the majority of the participants affirms the importance of adopting concrete preventive measures to counteract child work but, at the same time, past behaviour in consumption shows a discrepancy. Conclusions and Implications - A negative attitude towards child work does not seem to be linked to the willingness to adopt policies of consumption aimed at preventing and repressing child exploitation. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p239

Help! I need somebody! Multidisciplinary support forworkers in the economic crisis

La actual crisis económica está causando dificultades a una gran cantidad de trabajadores en diferentes campos, y ahora, muchos de ellos, se encuentran necesitando ayuda. La pregunta es cómo apoyarles de manera eficaz, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta la amplia gama de condiciones, problemas, enfermedades, y temores que experimentan en relación a la situación económica. Desde esta perspectiva, un factor crítico de éxito se puede identificar en la naturaleza multidisciplinar de la intervención. De hecho, la ayuda no puede ser sólo psicológica: también existe la necesidad de apoyo jurídico, económico, social y médico. El psicólogo, dentro de este marco, desempeña un papel fundamental: no sólo el de prestar ayuda psicológica, sino también el de la coordinación de los otros profesionales con el fin de producir un servicio integrado que sea aceptable, comprensible y útil para los trabajadores en busca de apoyo. Este artículo examina la experiencia del Centro de asistencia multidisciplinar creado en el área de Padova, Italia, para la asistencia a los trabajadores que experimentan dificultades relacionadas con la crisis. Este centro fue creado en 2010 después de una serie de suicidios que podrían estar relacionados con el trabajo, y contribuyó a ayudar a más de 150 trabajadores. Se procede a examinar y discutir sus metodologías, procedimientos y resultados.The current economic crisis is causing difficulties to a vast amount of workers in different fields, and many of them now find themselves in need of help. The question is how to effectively support them, especially considering the wide range of conditions, problems, diseases, and fears that they experience in relation to the contingent economic situation. In this perspective, one critical success factor can be identified in the multidisciplinary natureof the intervention. In fact the help cannot be just psychological: there is also the need of legal, economic, social and medical support. The psychologist, in this perspective, has a pivotal role: not only the one of giving psychological aid, but also the one of coordinating the other professionals in order to produce an integrated service that is acceptable, understandable and useful for the workers seeking support. This paper examines the experience of the multidisciplinary help center created in the area of Padova, Italy, for the assistance to workers experiencing difficulties related to the crisis. This center was established in 2010 after a series of suicides that could be related to work, and contributed to help more than 150 workers. Its methodologies, procedures and results are examined and discussed.peerReviewe

Compassionate Work Environments and Their Role in Teachers’ Life Satisfaction: The Contribution of Perceived Collective School Performance and Burnout

Abstract: Several studies on helping professionals showed the protective role of compassion among colleagues and leaders. Despite this, studies on well-being factors at school, both preventive and protective, usually focus on teachers’ personal resources and study compassion in the teacher–stu- dent relationship. This study explores the role of received compassion at work on teachers’ life sat- isfaction while considering perceived school collective performance and burnout conditions as me- diators in this link. One hundred and eighty-six Italian teachers (female = 85.4%, mean age = 48.5, SD = 9.46) completed a questionnaire on received compassion at work, perceived school collective performance, burnout, and life satisfaction. Through a structural equation model (χ2(21) = 30.716, p = 0.08, CFI = 0.989, TLI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.050 (90% CI = 0.000–0.080, p = 0.465), SRMR = 0.038), it emerged that only perceived school collective performance mediated the association between re- ceived compassion and life satisfaction. To the best of our knowledge, few studies have addressed the role of compassion received from colleagues and supervisors at school and its effect on teachers’ work-related beliefs and personal well-being

Burnout Syndrome at School: A Comparison Study with Lay and Consecrated Italian Teachers

A questionnaire was administered, composed of the Maslach Burnout Inventory as well as of questions regarding social-demographic information such as gender, age, and seniority According to the literature, we expected to find a higher burnout level among lay than among consecrated teachers. Secondly, we expected to find lower burnout risk in lay teachers of private school than in public school teachers. Participants were 469 Italian teachers (97% female) divided in three groups: lay teachers from public school (N=153), lay (N=153), and consecrated teachers (N=153) from private Catholic school. Consecrated teachers of Catholic school showed a higher mean score in the depersonalization scale than both their lay colleagues from private school (F=24.155,

Organizational capital: a resource for changing and performing in Public Administrations

The aim of this study was to deepen our knowledge about the role played by organizational capital (OC) among public administration (PA) agencies. A questionnaire was administered to a gender-balanced convenience sample of 270 workers of Italian PAs. First, confirmatory factor analysis was performed in order to examine the measurement model. Second, a SEM model was performed, confirming that OC was both directly and indirectly positively related to performance, through the mediation of innovation. OC was also positively related to innovation through the mediation of clarity about change. Overall, the results supported the hypothesized model, providing initial evidence on the pivotal role OC plays, and especially for PA agencies, on organizational innovation and performance. The limits and practical implications of these results are discussed

Self-Esteem and Happiness as Predictors of School Teachers’ Health: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction

Background: A wealth of cross-sectional studies show consistent positive relationships between teachers’ happiness and self-esteem on one hand, and health, on the other, which calls for additional research in order to disentangle cause and effect between the two, and to find potential mediators.Aims: To investigate the mediating role played by job satisfaction between teachers’ happiness and self-esteem and their physical and mental health.Methods: A questionnaire was administered, containing questions about participants’ background information and the following scales: the Job Satisfaction Survey, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Physical and Mental Health Scales (SF12), and the Ivens Scale in the Adapted Version for Teachers: School Children’s Happiness Inventory (SCHI). The participants were 300 primary and middle school teachers from the Indian State of Kerala.Results: Job satisfaction fully mediates between both happiness and self-esteem, and health in teachers.Conclusion: Work is a relevant domain to promote teachers’ happiness and self-esteem, and their health, through job satisfaction