Students and sex work in the UK: providers and purchasers

Available evidence suggests that changes in the funding of UK higher education in recent years have been accompanied by an increased student presence in the sex industry, ostensibly for financial reasons and to make ends meet. The current study comprises a sample of students (N = 200) drawn from several universities in the UK. Data were gathered on financial and employment circumstances, a range of measures of psychological well-being, attitudes to sex work, whether respondents were currently engaged in different types of sex work and whether they had participated in utilising a range of sexual services or forms of adult entertainment. Results indicated that around 6% (2.7%–9.3%) of the sample was currently working in the sex industry – in erotic dancing, stripping or escorting, with significant numbers of both male and female students also involved in purchasing and using sexual services. Little evidence was found to link these activities to prior experiences of psychological adversity. The implications of the results are discussed.     

Are Graduating Students Ready for Financial Aspects of Social Work Practice?

ABSTRACT

Graduating students must be prepared with knowledge and skills for the financial aspects of social work practice. This study examines graduating students’ attitudes and perceptions about client finances, as well as their financial knowledge. Internet survey results (n = 116) of BSW and MSW graduating students indicate that respondents (a) perceive a limited function for discussing client financial circumstances in practice, (b) understand the relevance, however, of client finances, (c) are unprepared to address this aspect, and (d) are supportive of integrating this content into required policy and practice courses. Teaching and curricular implications, along with programmatic recommendations, are included.     

Sex stereotypes and school adolescents' sexual behaviour in Osun State,Nigeria

This study investigated the association between sex stereotypes and the sexual behaviour of Nigerian school-going adolescents. It also ascertained the effects of age and sex on adolescents' beliefs about sex stereotypes. The study sample consisted of 658 (male = 287, female = 371) adolescents from nine randomly selected secondary schools in three urban towns in Osun State, Nigeria. A survey questionnaire consisting of items describing various misconceptions about sexuality to which respondents were to indicate their levels of agreement on a five-point Likert scale was used to collect data. The instrument measured the extent to which respondents engaged in risky sexual behaviour such as casual sex, multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse. Data were analysed using simple percentages and chi-squared statistics. The results showed that Nigerian adolescent students strongly believed in sex stereotypes and demonstrate a tendency to engage in risky sexual behaviours. Results also indicated that respondents who reported a level of sex stereotypes showed a tendency to engage in risky sexual behaviour and that respondents' sex had a significant relationship with their belief in sex stereotypes. A large majority of respondents who reported a high level of stereotypes were males.     

A profile of part‐time undergraduates in Australian universities

Over one‐quarter of all undergraduates attending Australian universities enrol on a part‐time basis. This paper addresses the social, educational and financial characteristics of these students. In a survey in 2000, questionnaires were sent to a sample of 84,591 domestic (i.e. excluding overseas fee‐paying) undergraduate students at 19 Australian universities. The response rate was 41.1%. Systematic differences were found between full‐time and part‐time respondents across a wide range of characteristics. Importantly, part‐time undergraduates were more likely to be older, in full‐time employment and concentrated in particular fields of study. Just over one‐half of all part‐time undergraduates would have preferred to be studying full‐time, financial circumstances permitting. Slightly less than one‐third felt prevented from studying full‐time because of a lack of government income support. A tenth of all part‐time undergraduates felt unable to study full‐time because of costs.     

舞蹈教学与学生身心素质的相关性研究

舞蹈对人的身体、心理、生理有明显指涉,影响复杂。客观看待和研究舞蹈教学与学生身心素质的相关性具有重要的教育学意义。舞蹈教学可以促进学生心理健康发展,但不是决定因素。舞蹈教学会给学生身心健康带来负面影响。学生身心素质对舞蹈教学具有反作用,应高度重视身心素质与舞蹈的紧密结合。     

Education,Functional Limitations,and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults in South Korea

This study examined the associations of educational level with functioning and life satisfaction among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea (n = 4,152). The sample was drawn from Wave I of the Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging. To examine educational disparities, separate analyses were run to note predictors in less educated (below the 6th grade) and better educated (above the 6th grade) respondents. Educational disparities were found in major predictors of health and well-being. Older age and lower cognition were strong predictors of functional limitations, while being married, receiving public assistance, and better psychological functioning were associated with greater life satisfaction. The health and well-being of less educated respondents were influenced by demographic factors, while social engagement and psychological functioning were more prominent predictors for better educated respondents. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing cognitive functioning and function among older adults in Korea to promote their health and well-being.     

Student parents,hardship and debt: a qualitative study

To date little is known about the effects of financial hardship on student parents, who remain a significant although largely unrecognized proportion of the student population. The objective of this study was to gain an insight into their concerns and illuminate issues which may have far‐reaching consequences not only for the mental and physical health of student parents but also for their children. Interviews were conducted with 12 women who are parents balancing home life with studies and, in some cases, work. Questions were directed at obtaining information relating to both direct and indirect pressures of financial hardship on home and family life. Questioning covered eight topics: change in lifestyle; financial situation; work; sacrifices—financial or otherwise; financial resources; financial impact on mental or physical health; impact on children; doubts over worth of study. For the majority, financial adversity affected their psychological well‐being. In many cases parents reported that their own stress adversely affected their children. Questions were also raised regarding parents' ability to meet the dietary needs of their children. Quality of home and family life also suffered as a consequence of financial hardship. Students' reflections on their experiences offer a clear insight into the emotional costs of further education exacerbated by financial hardship for both them and their family.     

How Residential College Students Adjust Socially and Emotionally to First Year University

In this longitudinal study at the University of Wollongong, a model of social and emotional adjustment to first year university was developed. For the study sample of 126 late‐adolescent, non‐local college students it was found that social and emotional adjustment to university was only partly a function of the new, “objective” circumstances that confronted them. Most important was their outlook: feeling positive from the beginning about the transition, believing they had sufficient friends to rely upon, experiencing intimacy and not worrying about whether they were independent enough. Unexpectedly, membership of a particular college predicted more positive emotional adjustment. Differences between the colleges are discussed to help explain this desirable outcome. Interactions between sex and several other factors indicated that male and female students adjusted in different ways. Suggestions are made for how these findings would be very useful for those engaged in counselling students, for professional staff in houses of residence, for university administrators and for academic staff.     

Understanding Turkish students’ preferences for distance education depending on financial circumstances: A large-scale CHAID analysis

In the past, distance education was used as a method to meet the educational needs of citizens with limited options to attend an institution of higher education. Nowadays, it has become irreplaceable in higher education thanks to developments in instructional technology. But the question of why students choose distance education is still important. The purpose of this study was to determine Turkish students’ reasons for choosing distance education and to investigate how these reasons differ depending on their financial circumstances. The author used a Chi squared Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) analysis to determine 18,856 Turkish students’ reasons for choosing distance education. Results of the research revealed that Turkish students chose distance education not because of geographical limitations, family-related problems or economic difficulties, but for such reasons as already being engaged in their profession, increasing their knowledge, and seeking promotion to a better position.     

The relationship between child protection contact and mental health outcomes among Canadian adults with a child abuse history

Despite being a primary response to child abuse, it is currently unknown whether contact with child protection services (CPS) does more good than harm. The aim of the current study was to examine whether contact with CPS is associated with improved mental health outcomes among adult respondents who reported experiencing child abuse, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and abuse severity. The data were drawn from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health (CCHS-2012), which used a multistage stratified cluster design (household-level response rate = 79.8%). Included in this study were individuals aged 18 years and older living in the 10 Canadian provinces (N = 23,395). Child abuse included physical abuse, sexual abuse, and exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV). Mental health outcomes included lifetime mental disorders, lifetime and past year suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, and current psychological well-being and functioning and distress. All models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and severity of child abuse. For the majority of outcomes, there were no statistically significant differences between adults with a child abuse history who had CPS contact compared to those without CPS contact. However, those with CPS contact were more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts. These findings suggest that CPS contact is not associated with improved mental health outcomes. Implications are discussed.     

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Students' Prior Sexual Abuse Victimization

This paper reports findings of an exploratory study surveying 61 students about their prior child sexual abuse victimization. Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students were surveyed at the beginning and end of a child abuse course and results indicated that 19.7 % of the students reported being sexually abused during childhood. Results also indicated that taking a child abuse course may increase BSW students' self‐awareness regarding prior victimization. The paper discusses how prior child sexual abuse victimization can affect social work students, education, and practice.     

性教育师资职前培养现状分析

以目前国内唯一仍在持续招生的性教育辅修专业为例,以全部10届462名报读学生为总样本,采用问卷调查为主要方式,调查其报读动机、家庭支持度、学习体验、学习前后的观念变化、在工作中开展性教育的情况等。81.8%的学生报读性教育辅修专业时具有知性懂爱的动机,却仅有8.4%的学生希望在将来教学过程中教授性相关知识;专业学习前后学生在性与性教育方面知识、技能和态度综合自评差异极其显著(p≤0.001);毕业后开展过性教育的人数比例为53.5%,而成为教师的毕业生有高达69.2%以上的人开展过性教育;80.0%的学生在工作和学习中向身边的人普及过性教育。学生报读动机更多是出于自身接受性教育的需要,通过学习能提升开展性教育的意愿,仍然能很好地达成培养目标;从事教师职业的毕业生开展性教育活动的比例较高,远高于从事其他职业的毕业生;师范专业学生学习性教育非常必要,意义重大。     

Therapeutic groupwork with young children and mothers who have experienced domestic abuse

There is mounting recognition that exposure to domestic abuse causes far‐reaching damage to children’s lives, development and psychological well‐being. Studies estimate 10% to 20% of children are at risk of exposure to domestic abuse – thus domestic abuse must be seen as a crucial issue for educational psychologists (EPs). This study investigates the effects of domestic abuse on a group of mothers and their young children. It also describes how an Education Psychology Service (EPS) was involved in developing, running and evaluating therapeutic groupwork to promote positive mother–child relationships and to enhance the psychological well‐being of mothers and their young children who have experienced domestic abuse.     

女大学生常见的心理问题及教育对策

女大学生的心理健康不仅将直接影响着她们的学习、生活和将来的就业工作,而且将直接关系到国家的未来。文章通过多年的心理咨询工作,分析总结了女大学生常见的心理问题,分析原因,寻找出心相应的教育对策,为女大学生有一个健康的心理及关注此问题的同行尽一,最绵薄之力。     

民办高校二级学院心理工作模式的创新研究——以三江学院商学院心理工作站为例

民办高校学生心理健康工作具有独特性,而学校心理健康中心因人力及财力限制,使得学校心理工作的渗透性不强和覆盖面较窄,各学校应充分发挥二级学院心理工作站的先天条件和优势资源,与学校层面的心理健康教育工作相互补充和有益促进。文章以三江学院商学院心理工作站为例,积极探索二级学院心理工作的创新模式并对其当前存在的问题进行分析和探讨。     

体育舞蹈、武术对大学生身体自尊、学业自我的影响

为了了解体育舞蹈、武术选项大学生身体自尊、学业自我等方面的差异性,对丽水学院部分体育舞蹈、武术选项的大学生进行了身体自尊、学业自我的调查研究.结果表明:体育舞蹈选项的大学生在身体自尊各维度上都具有非常显著的差异,且性别对各量表均有不同的主效应,而学业自我的得分没有显著性差异;武术选项的大学生在身体自尊、学业自我各项评价上虽有差异但没有显著差异,且性别对各量表均有不同的主效应.     

心理健康教育在“90后”高职学生管理中的应用

随着“90后”学生进入高职院校,高职院校的学生管理工作遇到了新情况、新挑战。基于目前高职在校生的特点,将心理健康教育应用到日常的高职学生管理工作中,要尊重、关爱学生,形成良好的师生关系,学生才能易于接受。也能提高辅导员的工作效率和管理水平。     

Grade 5 Students’ Online Argumentation about Their In-Class Inquiry Investigations

This study examined the extent to which fifth-grade students participate in online argumentation and the argument patterns they produced about the inquiry-based investigations completed using the Science Writing Heuristic approach in their science classes. One hundred twenty-nine students from five classes of two teachers in a Midwestern public school completed two inquiry-based investigation units, one per semester, followed by asynchronous online discussions using the Moodle forum. Among the 129 students, 107 students produced 739 notes in the plant investigation online discussion and 111 students produced 686 notes in the human health investigation online discussion. Results indicate that students were actively engaged in the online discussions about inquiry investigations with comments being focused on providing more evidence and backing for claims and negotiating evidence in both investigations. The students also engaged in challenging and querying the test procedures and reference sources as the basis for evidence. Implications are discussed for science teaching and learning and further study on argument-based inquiry in online environments.     

An Analysis of First Experience Students' Financial Awareness and Attitude to Debt in a Post-1992 UK University

While students have always found balancing their finances difficult, the current generation are faced with unprecedented debt burdens during and on completion of their studies. Student debt is now an expected outcome of attending university and, apart from the negative consequences it may have on participation in higher education, it may have a detrimental impact on the academic performance and psychological well‐being of students as they strive to fund their education and reduce their debt through part‐time working patterns. However, student debt can be managed better if students possess adequate personal financial awareness, have a responsible attitude to debt and are able to budget carefully. This study attempts to measure the personal financial awareness, attitude to debt and budgeting capabilities of 149 first‐year business school undergraduates using a specially developed test. The mean test score of 34 per cent on the financial awareness section indicates significant gaps in their personal financial knowledge and it appears that they are entering a critical stage of their lives ill‐equipped to cope with the severe cash restrictions they will encounter. This study is a valuable starting point in understanding the financial challenges faced by students in higher education in the UK and highlights how academic institutions can provide support to increase the financial awareness of students so that they can manage better their personal finances while at university.     

Learning From the Pros: Influence of Web‐Based Expert Commentary on Vicarious Learning About Financial Markets*

Web‐based financial commentary, in which experts routinely express market‐related thought processes, is proposed as a means for college students to learn vicariously about financial markets. Undergraduate business school students from a regional university were exposed to expert market commentary from a single financial Web site for a 6‐week period. When compared to a control group, students in the experimental group were found to possess higher levels of financial market awareness. Degree of engagement, as approximated by measures of project exposure time and effort, was significantly related to market awareness. Finance majors were found to be more engaged in the process than nonfinance majors. Although this study should be considered exploratory in nature, findings support the notion of using Web‐based vicarious learning processes in financial education. Future research can extend the generalizability of these findings, as well as shape vicarious learning mechanisms for use across business disciplines.