Testing elementary and secondary school students’ ability to perform historical perspective taking: the constructing of valid and reliable measure instruments

Historical reasoning competencies play an important role in history education. However, valid and reliable large-scale measurement instruments to assess these competencies are scarce. This study considers two instruments for measuring students’ ability to perform historical perspective taking (HPT) as a historical reasoning competency. The instruments have been tested for validity and reliability among 1,270 Dutch upper elementary and secondary school students, ranging in age from 10 to 17 years. One instrument offers effective validity and reliability and can map HPT performance among a large and heterogeneous student population. The results show that even upper elementary school students are capable of performing HPT. However, as students age, their ability to perform HPT increases. Differences regarding the ability to perform HPT were also found between educational levels. Pre-university students performed HPT more successfully compared to students at lower educational levels. The results of this study can be used to gain insight into the construct of HPT and into how historical reasoning competencies such as HPT can be measured. Furthermore, the results provide insight into how differences between students, such as age and educational levels, influence the performance of HPT

Teaching Historical Contextualization:The Construction of a Reliable Observation Instrument

Since the 1970s, many observation instruments have been constructed to map teachers’ general pedagogic competencies. However, few of these instruments focus on teachers’ subject-specific competencies. This study presents the development of the Framework for Analyzing the Teaching of Historical Contextualization (FAT-HC). This high-inference observation instrument focuses on history teachers’ competency in promoting historical contextualization in classrooms. The results of the study demonstrate the instrument’s content validity. Generalizability studies were conducted to further assess the instrument’s dimensionality and reliability by decomposing the instrument’s variance. A large proportion of the variance was explained by differences between observed teachers, and a small proportion of the variance was explained by lessons and observers, demonstrating the instrument’s reliability. Furthermore, a decision study was conducted to determine the optimal number of observers and lessons needed for a reliable scoring design. The developed instrument could be used to gain greater insight into history teachers’ subject-specific competencies and to focus teacher professionalization on teachers’ specific needs

Promoting historical contextualization: the development and testing of a pedagogy

The aim of this explorative study was to develop and test a pedagogy aimed at promoting students’ ability to perform historical contextualization. Teaching historical contextualization was conceptualized in terms of four pedagogical design principles: (1) making students aware of the consequences of a present-oriented perspective when examining the past, (2) enhancing the reconstruction of a historical context, (3) enhancing the use of the historical context to explain historical phenomena and (4) enhancing historical empathy. The effectiveness of these principles was explored in a lesson unit focusing on the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design with experimental and control conditions, the effects of the pedagogy on 15- and 16-year-old students’ ability to perform historical contextualization were examined (n = 131). The results indicated that students in the experimental condition significantly improved their ability to perform historical contextualization compared to students in the control condition. These findings could be used to help teachers and other educational professionals design and implement historical contextualization tasks and instructions

Students’ historical contextualization and the cold war

This exploratory study presents an example of how a historical contextualization framework can be used to develop and implement a lesson unit on Cold War events. The effects of the lesson unit on students’ ability to perform historical contextualization are explored in a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design with an experimental (n = 96) and a control (n = 73) condition. The students’ answers on a historical contextualization test were analysed. The results indicate that students in the experimental condition increased their ability to perform historical contextualization and displayed less present-oriented perspectives in their answers compared to students in the control condition

Body satisfaction and physical appearance in gender dysphoria

Gender dysphoria (GD) is often accompanied by dissatisfaction with physical appearance and body image problems. The aim of this study was to compare body satisfaction with perceived appearance by others in various GD subgroups. Data collection was part of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence. Between 2007 and 2012, 660 adults who fulfilled the criteria of the DSM-IV gender identity disorder diagnosis (1.31:1 male-to-female [MtF]:female-to-male [FtM] ratio) were included into the study. Data were collected before the start of clinical gender-confirming interventions. Sexual orientation was measured via a semi-structured interview whereas onset age was based on clinician report. Body satisfaction was assessed using the Body Image Scale. Congruence of appearance with the experienced gender was measured by means of a clinician rating. Overall, FtMs had a more positive body image than MtFs. Besides genital dissatisfaction, problem areas for MtFs included posture, face, and hair, whereas FtMs were mainly dissatisfied with hip and chest regions. Clinicians evaluated the physical appearance to be more congruent with the experienced gender in FtMs than in MtFs. Within the MtF group, those with early onset GD and an androphilic sexual orientation had appearances more in line with their gender identity. In conclusion, body image problems in GD go beyond sex characteristics only. An incongruent physical appearance may result in more difficult psychological adaptation and in more exposure to discrimination and stigmatization

Effect of medical interventions on gender dysphoria and body image : a follow-up study.

Objective: The aim of this study from the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence is to investigate the status of all individuals who had applied for gender confirming interventions from 2007 to 2009, irrespective of whether they received treatment. The current article describes the study protocol, the effect of medical treatment on gender dysphoria and body image, and the predictive value of (pre) treatment factors on posttreatment outcomes. Methods: Data were collected on medical interventions, transition status, gender dysphoria (Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale), and body image (Body Image Scale for transsexuals). In total, 201 people participated in the study (37% of the original cohort). Results: At follow-up, 29 participants (14%) did not receive medical interventions, 36 hormones only (18%), and 136 hormones and surgery (68%). Most transwomen had undergone genital surgery, and most transmen chest surgery. Overall, the levels of gender dysphoria and body dissatisfaction were significantly lower at follow-up compared with clinical entry. Satisfaction with therapy responsive and unresponsive body characteristics both improved. High dissatisfaction at admission and lower psychological functioning at follow-up were associated with persistent body dissatisfaction. Conclusions: Hormone-based interventions and surgery were followed by improvements in body satisfaction. The level of psychological symptoms and the degree of body satisfaction at baseline were significantly associated with body satisfaction at follow-up

Las espigas de aparición tardía en trigo : condiciones que determinan su ocurrencia y consecuencias sobre el rendimiento

p.35-45Se evaluó la aparición tardía de espigas en el cultivo de trigo, para la sub región triguera II N argentina, discutiéndose las consecuencias sobre el rendimiento y sus componentes. A estos efectos se utilizaron resultados de ensayos multi locales (5 sitios) durante dos campañas (1982-1983) donde se varió la dosis y el momento de aplicación de nitrógeno. Se demostró la incidencia de la disponibilidad y el momento de aplicación del nitrógeno sobre la magnitud de este grupo de espigas, en condiciones de sequía en encañazón seguidas por importantes lluvias en pre floración, pudiendo estas representar el 40 por ciento de las espigas totales a cosecha. La contribución de estas espigas sobre el rendimiento se redujo a cerca de la mitad de la ejercida sobre el número de granos por metro cuadrado. Esto se debió a que los pesos de milgranos de este grupo de espigas fueron afectados por altas temperaturas durante su periodo de llenado, retrasando respecto al primer grupo. Se destaca el interés para el agrónomo de cuantificar este fenómeno para mejorar las estimaciones de rendimientos y los estudios de fechas de adición de nitrógeno

Predictors of women's sexual outcomes after implant-based breast reconstruction

Objective: Although breast reconstruction has become an important treatment modality following mastectomy, few studies assessed predictors of postoperative sexual outcomes after breast reconstruction. Therefore, we aimed to study three sexual outcomes following implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR), and associate multiple biopsychosocial factors with these outcomes. Methods: Data collection was part of a multicenter prospective study on IBBR. A predictive model was tested including medical, background and psychological predictors, partner relationship factors and physical sexual function. Data collection included clinical and questionnaire data (preoperatively and 1 year following reconstruction) using the BREAST-Q Sexual well-being scale (BQ5), and questions regarding sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction questions (Female Sexual Function Index). Results: The study sample consisted of 88 women who underwent mastectomy and IBBR. Mean postoperative BQ5 scores were lower than before surgery (M = 58 [SD = 18] vs 65 [SD = 20]; P =.01, Wilks' Lamdba =.88). Sexual dysfunctions were related strongest to orgasm inability and vaginal lubrication issues. The tested models predicted 37%-46% of the sexual outcomes: sexual outcomes were mostly predicted by psychosocial well-being, physical sexual function and partner support. Preoperative sexual and psychosocial well-being were positively associated with postoperative sexual well-being (r = 0.45 and r = 0.47). Conclusions: Although moderately positive sexual outcomes were reported after IBBR, some women reported issues with vaginal lubrication, breast sensation and orgasm. Sexual dysfunctions were predicted by vaginal lubrication and medical treatments, while sexual well-being and satisfaction were more predicted by psychosocial well-being and partner support. We advocate supportive care that includes partners and psychosocial functioning to optimize sexual outcomes after IBBR

Quality of life in men with Klinefelter syndrome: a multicentre study

Background: Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is associated with an increased risk of lower socioeconomic status and a higher risk for morbidity and mortal ity, which may have a significant impact on quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study is to investigate QOL in a large European cohort of men with KS. Design: Cross-sectional multicentre study. Methods: Two-hundred-eighteen men with KS were recruited from 14 clinic al study centres in 6 European countries which participated in the Europ ean dsd-LIFE study. Male normative data from a healthy and a psychiatric reference population were used for comparison. The validated World Health Organization (WHO) Q OL (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire was used to investigate five main domains of quali ty of life (WHOQOL): global, physical, psychological, environment, and social. Results: The QOL physical domain score was lower for men with KS compar ed to the healthy reference population (KS: 66.9; s.d. 19.4, n = 193; healthy reference population: 76.5; s.d. 16.2, n = 1324, P < 0.001) but higher compared to the psychiatric reference population (54.6; s.d. 20.6; n = 77, P < 0.001). The WHOQOL-psychological domain score was lower for men with KS compared to the healthy reference pop ulation (KS: 63.6; s.d. 17.8, n = 193; healthy reference population: 67.8; s.d. 15.6, n = 1324, P < 0.05) but higher compared to the psychiatric reference population (45.9; s.d. 26.0), n = 77, P < 0.001). The social domain score on the WHOQOL questionnaire was found t o be lower in men with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) compared to the healthy referenc e population (KS: 60.0; s.d. 21.6, n = 193; healthy reference population: 68.2; s.d. 13.8, n = 1324, P < 0.001). However, this score was similar to that of the psychiatric refe rence population (61.0; s.d. 17.0, n = 77, P = 0.5). The WHO environment domain score of men with KS (70.0; s.d. 15.0, n = 193) was similar to the healthy reference population (70.5; s.d. 20.7, n = 1324) but higher compared to the psychiatric reference population (61 .9; s.d. 20.8, n = 77, P = 0.002). Experienced discrimination, less social activities, and the presence of chronic health problems were associated with significantly decreased QOL in men with KS. Conclusion: Overall QOL in European men with KS is significantly worse comp ared to a healthy European reference population. Especially, the presen ce of discrimination, less social activities, and chronic health problems is associat ed with lower physical, psychological, and social QOL. Further studies are necessary to investigate if a multidisciplinary approach may help to provide adequate counsel ling and psychosocial support to improve QOL