Neither Here nor There: Exploring the Transnational Identity of West African Migrants living in South Africa

Transnationalism as a theory has explained the causal nature of migration over time, against the backdrop of an ever-changing globalised world. The movement of people and their motivating factors have been deeply researched within migration literature and other surrounding fields. However, the intricacies of transnationalism among migrants have remained fairly unexplored, with little being written specifically on the topic of intersecting identities and othering experienced by transnational migrants. In South Africa, xenophobia has been a strong issue connected to migrants, whereby those from other African countries face discrimination based on their nationality, ethnicity, and economic disparities. However, there is a dearth in understanding how othering as a concept manifests beyond the overt forms of violence, and how it links to systemic forms of exclusion. The term ‘West-a-phobia' explores a more specific phenomenon of xenophobia, whereby West African migrants living in South Africa face discrimination based on specific national, cultural, and economic characteristics of their identity. By using this concept, and by providing the historical context of othering, this dissertation explores transnational identities through unpacking concepts such as ‘othering', ‘transnationalism', ‘identity', and critiquing the nationstate. A qualitative approach was implemented by interviewing six respondents residing in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, South Africa. Respondents' contributions were collected via online response sheets and face-to-face interviews from August to November 2019. This was followed by critical analysis and concluded with evidence-based nuances surrounding the intersecting tenets of the aforementioned concepts. The key findings from this study conclude that West African migrants that have lived in South Africa over a certain period of time experience a lack of cohesion and integration into society. This takes place through processes of othering through physical differentiation and cultural characteristics. Furthermore, West African migrants maintain a connection to their country of origin through engaging in what Crush and MacDonald (2000) characterises as transnational activities. Finally, this study concludes that there are stratified layers to the conceptualisation of citizenship, and that the qualitative research done corroborates with certain aspects of transnationalism theory

Neither here nor there: exploring the transnational identity of West African migrants living in South Africa

Xenophobia as a form of othering manifests differently in varying contexts, and against the backdrop of globalisation, the nature of migration and societal integration of foreigners has changed over time. In South Africa, xenophobia has been a vital issue connected to migrants, whereby those from other African countries face discrimination based on their nationality, ethnicity and economic disparities. However, there is a knowledge gap in understanding how othering as a concept manifests beyond overt forms of violence and how it links to systemic forms of exclusion. The concept explored in this article is ‘West-a-phobia’, coined by Petkou (2005) when conducting his PhD research on West African migrants living in Johannesburg, South Africa. By reappropriating Petkou’s concept through a transnational theoretical framework, this article delves into the experience of six West African migrants living in South Africa over a long period to analyse how systemic and covert forms of othering manifest within the post-apartheid context. The key findings from this study conclude that West African migrants who have lived in South Africa over a particular period experience a lack of cohesion and integration into society

Exploring the Role of Social Support, Ethnic Identity, and Psychological Empowerment on Drug Use and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Black & Hispanic Female Adolescents

Adolescent females of color, particularly Black and Hispanic adolescents, are often viewed as a homogenous group with adolescent boys of color, thus ignoring unique gender-racial specific risk and protective factors to drug use and HIV/AIDS that may be present. Such an absence can lead to flawed outcomes in HIV, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), and substance abuse prevention work that may continue to marginalize girls of color. Using empowerment theory and intersectionality as a framework, this study examines the extent to which ethnic identity, social support, and psychological empowerment is on drug use and sexual risk behavior. The study uses a sample of (N = 830) female adolescents who identify as being Black only or Non-White Hispanic only. All participants resided in a northeastern urban community in New Jersey. A majority of the participants (90%) were between the ages of 15–17 years of age. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the factor structure of the scale used to measure psychological empowerment and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model of the mediating role of drug use on sexual risk behavior. Findings revealed that 30-day drug use significantly mediated the relationship between social support, ethnic identity, and psychological empowerment on sexual risk behavior. By highlighting the strengths of Black and Hispanic girls, researchers can attempt to learn from those who are not engaging in risky behaviors as a way to incorporate a strengths-based view in prevention

Differential Item Functioning in English Language Test Using Item Response Theory for Ethnic Groups

The study investigated detecting differential item functioning using item response theory in West African Senior School Certificate English language test in South-South Nigeria. Four research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive research survey design was employed for the study. The population of the study was 117845 Senior Secondary 3 students in Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states. A sample of 1309 (604 males, 705 females) drawn through multi stage sampling technique was used for the study. One valid instrument titled: WASSCE/SSCE English language objective test (ELOT) was used to collect data for the study. The reliability index of the instrument was estimated using Richard Kuderson 20 with coefficient value of .84 for the English Language objective test Chi square and Lord Wald test statistics statistical technique employed by Item Response Theory for Patient Reported Outcome (IRTPRO) was the technique used in data analysis which provided answers to the research questions and Chi Square test to test the hypothesis at.05 level of significance. On analysis, the result revealed that significantly between Ijaw, and Bini, 20 items were flagged as exhibiting DIF, between Esan and Ijaw, 20 items showed DIF, between Isoko and Ijaw, 15 items showed DIF, between Urhobo and Ijaw, 12 items were flagged as showing DIF and the number of items that function differently was significantly dependent on ethnic groups. This thus shows a total of 95% based on ethnicity indicating large DIF and items that are potentially biased. Based on the findings recommendation were made and one among others was that Item Response theory should be used as DIF detection method by large scale public examination and test developers. Keywords; Differential item functioning, Item Response Theory, Ethnicity, English language, Examination DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-6-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

Family Factors Influencing Work-Family Conflict Among Married Women Medical Professionals in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.

The study investigated the family factors influencing work-family conflict among women Medical professionals in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. A sample of 1,007 married women Medical professionals (Medical Doctors, 459; Nurses, 477; Pharmacists, 48; Medical Laboratory Scientists, 23) was used for the study. Stratified sampling technique was used to compose the sample. Four research questions were answered and four hypotheses were tested in the study at 0.05 level of significance. The instrument used for data collection was “Work-Family Conflict Scale” (WFCS). The instrument was validated by experts in Educational Psychology, Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability of the instrument was established using test-retest via Pearson product moment correlation. The correlation coefficient obtained was 0.61. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while ANOVA and t-test were used to test the null hypotheses. It was found that family size, family structure, occupational status as well as family income significantly influenced work-family conflict of married women professionals. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that married women professionals should be helped by counsellors through seminars and workshops in identifying various sources of work-family conflict to which families are susceptible. Keywords: Family factors, Work-family conflict, Married Women Medical Professionals.

Psychological Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction Among Counsellors in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated psychological factors associated with job satisfaction among counsellors in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The design of the study is correlational. A sample size of 520 guidance counsellors which was drawn from both private and public secondary schools through purposive sampling technique was used for the study. The instruments used for the study were Counsellors Job Satisfaction Scale (CJSC) and Psychological Factors Scale (PFS) which were developed by the researchers. The instruments CJSC and PFS were validated by experts in educational psychology, guidance and counselling; measurement and evaluation. The reliability coefficients of CJSC and PTS sub sections were 0.64, 0.70 0.62 and 0.70 respectively which were determined through Cronbach alpha technique for internal consistency of the instruments. Data collected were analyzed using simple regression analysis to answer the research questions while Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test associated with the regression were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The result revealed that self-concept and motivation significantly associate with counsellors’ job satisfaction while locus of control did not significantly associate with counsellors’ job satisfaction. Based on these results, it was recommended among others that guidance counsellors should always be motivated to do their counselling job through regular payment, seminars and workshops. Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Locus of Control, Motivation, Counsellors

Cog-Motivational Factors as Correlates of Academic Learned Helplessness Among Secondary School Students in Rivers State

The study investigated cog-motivational (cognitive & motivational) as correlates of academic learned helplessness among secondary school students in Rivers state. Cog-motivational factors of (self-efficacy, attribution and achievement motivation), were the independent variables while academic learned helplessness was the dependent variable. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. A sample of 500 SS2 academic learned helplessness students was drawn from a population of 32,126 SS2 students in public secondary schools in Rivers State, using multi-stage sampling procedure. Two instruments were used for the study: Cog-motivational Factors Scale (CFS) and Academic Learned Helplessness Scale (ALHS). Data collected were analyzed using simple and multiple regression statistics. Results of the study indicated that cog-motivational factors of (self-efficacy, attribution and achievement motivation) jointly, had a low positive relationship with academic learned helplessness which was significant at 0.05 levels of significance. Independently, self-efficacy had a negative relationship with academic learned helplessness, while attribution and achievement motivation had positive relationships with academic learned helplessness. Statistical testing revealed that independently, attribution had a significant relationship with academic learned helplessness while self-efficacy and achievement motivation had no significant relationship with academic learned helplessness. Based on the findings appropriate recommendations were made among which is that guidance counsellors should be employed in all public secondary schools in Rivers State to assist students with the problem of academic learned helplessness to improve academic performance Keywords: Self-efficacy, Attributon, Achievement motivation and Academic Learned Helplessness DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-8-01 Publication date: April 30th 201

Predictive Power of School Based Assessment Scores On Students’ Achievement In Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE) In English And Mathematics

The study investigated the predictive power of school based assessment scores on students’ achievement in Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE) in English and Mathematics. Two hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design. A sample of 250 students were randomly drawn from ten (10) schools out of twenty (20) Junior secondary schools in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The instrument used for data collection was titled “Students Academic Record Inventory” (SARI). The instrument involves the students SBA score for JS1, JS2, JS3 and JSCE scores in English and Mathematics. The data generated were analyzed using multiple regression. The result revealed that the combination of the SBA scores significantly predicted students’ English and Mathematics achievement in JSCE, and there are relative effectiveness of SBA scores in students’ English and Mathematics achievement. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made including that school-based assessment should be encouraged and made compulsory for every secondary schools especially in core subjects which include English and Mathematics. Key words: Predictive power, school based, assessment, achievement

Reskilling Librarians: A Panacea for Bringing Students Back to the Academic Library

ABSTRACT The academic library that failed to reskill members of its workforce might face consequences of automatic loss of patrons. Based on this, the study examined reskilling librarians as a panacea for bringing students back to the library. 191 academic and research librarians (ARL) on the telegram group platform as of February 14, 2023, formed the population. An Online questionnaire was prepared and sent to the ARLs’ on their group chat. 122 ARLs filled the questionnaire out of the 191 thus having a response rate of 63.9%. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study revealed the need for librarians to go for reskilling. The findings showed that bringing students back to the library entails retraining librarians on 21st-century skills. The findings also revealed that the desertion of students from the library is caused by the attitudes of librarians, disorganization of the library, unawareness of the services and resources of the library, etc. This study recommends that academic library management and even the parent institution should not downplay on reskilling/retraining of librarians on different aspects of the library work