Development and initial validation of the institutional child abuse processes and coping inventory among a sample of Irish adult survivors of institutional abuse

ObjectiveTo develop a psychometric instrument to evaluate psychological processes associated with institutional abuse and coping strategies used to deal with such abuse.MethodsAs part of a comprehensive assessment protocol, an inventory containing theoretically derived multi-item rational scales which assessed institutional abuse-related psychological processes and coping strategies were administered to 247 Irish adult survivors of institutional child abuse. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to derive 6-factor scales, the reliability and validity of which were assessed.ResultsFactor scales to assess the following constructs were developed (1) traumatization, (2) re-enactment, (3) spiritual disengagement, (4) positive coping, (5) coping by complying, and (6) avoidant coping. There were varying degrees of support for the validity of the scales with most support for the traumatization and re-enactment scales.ConclusionsThe Institutional Child Abuse Processes and Coping Inventory (ICAPCI), particularly its traumatization and re-enactment scales, may be used in future research on adult survivors of institutional child abuse because they are currently the only scales that have been developed with this population to provide reliable and valid assessments of these constructs.Practice implicationsThe ICAPCI may be used, cautiously, to assess adult survivors of institutional child abuse.     

Two decades of World Bank assisted extension services in Nigeria: Lessons and challenges for the future

Abstract

This paper reviewed the period between 1975 and 1995 when World Bank funds were used to reactivate the erstwhile moribund extension services in Nigeria. It noted that significant progress had been made in the establishment of an institutional framework for a functional extension service in the country. There were, however, some weak areas that require special attention for the extension services to remain functional and relevant to the needs of a majority of farmers. These areas include the input supply system, the need for a special focus on issues of natural resources management for sustainable land use and the environment. Others are the need for democratization and empowerment of local communities and farmers’ associations, and the harnessing NGO efforts for a wider coverage and sustainability of the extension services. It was concluded that the big challenge in the next decade would be in the areas of securing government commitment and mobilizing local funds for sustaining the service. JAgr Educ Ext (2001, 7, 3, pp 143–152)     

How universities can enhance student mental wellbeing: the student perspective

ABSTRACT

The growing prevalence and severity of mental health difficulties across university student populations is a critical issue for universities and their wider communities. Yet little is known about student perspectives on the stressors in university environments and the steps that universities could take to better support student mental wellbeing. This article reports on a study that collected and analyzed 2776 student responses to the question: What can be done to improve student wellbeing? Students made diverse recommendations that fell into seven categories: Academic teachers and teaching practices; student services and support; environment, culture and communication; course design; program administration; assessment; and student society activities. The findings from our study offer important insight to university educators and administrators about the role they can play in better supporting student wellbeing and preventing the high rates of psychological distress. We argue that the process of seeking and acting on students’ suggestions fosters students’ sense of inclusion and empowerment, and this is critical given that the goal of improving student mental wellbeing can only be achieved through an effective partnership between students and institutional actors.     

Disqualifying Specified Students from the Campus Psychological Service

Abstract

Inasmuch as college mental health programs are ordinarily mandated and designed to provide a wide range of services, modalities of treatment, and a competent professional staff determined to assist students in various states of crisis, there is usually little thought or attention given to denying services to particular students. Nevertheless, most college mental health programs are, from time to time, beset by students who attempt to utilize their services in a manner that is highly inappropriate, sometimes quite disruptive, and, in extreme cases, even dangerous. This article will provide certain guidelines and criteria that may be used, when and if necessary, for disqualifying such students from utilizing the campus psychological service.     

University quality of life and learning (UNIQoLL): An approach to student well-being,satisfaction and institutional change

Institutional self-evaluation is becoming increasingly pertinent as the student population becomes more diverse and higher education institutions become more customer focused. This paper describes the philosophy and early stages of a large-scale institutional self-evaluation project, based at and funded by the University of Leeds. UNIQoLL (UNIversity Quality of Life and Learning) aims to monitor student well-being over time, on a university-wide basis. It explores students' perceptions of strengths and weaknesses in the university's academic and service infrastructure and the relationship of these perceptions to student well-being. It aims to 'close the loop' by facilitating change in academic and service infrastructure in the light of emerging findings in order to enhance the student experience. The focus on student psychological well-being in addition to satisfaction, the longitudinal approach and the university- wide scope make UNIQoLL unique as a system of institutional self-evaluation. A pilot study in which 23 departments ( n =3667 students) participated is described to illustrate the procedures and underlying philosophy of UNIQoLL. Selected findings from two pilot surveys are presented to illustrate the potential of the project in providing relevant and useful information for academic departments, university support services and university managers. Illustrative data relating to academic issues, accommodation, student finances and student well-being are presented. Long-term success of an institutional self-evaluation project like UNIQoLL depends on the active cooperation of and ownership of findings by departments, students and university agencies. It also needs procedures to be sufficiently rigorous to generate robust findings and yet be sufficiently manageable to be feasible and sustainable.     

Campus climate: The role of teacher support and cultural issues

ABSTRACT

The literature on campus climate has mainly focused on diversity and demographic variables within single or multiple university campuses from one country. There is a need to investigate campus climate further with regard to cultural issues and the role of teachers. This study thus proposed to examine perceived teacher support as a mediator of the relation between institutional and psychosocial variables of the campus climate of two universities from two culturally distinct countries. To achieve this goal, 980 Brazilian and Portuguese university students answered the Institutional and Psychosocial Campus Climate Inventory. Findings showed significant differences in how students from two different countries described their campus climate and how both Brazilian and Portuguese students described their institutional climate more accurately than their psychosocial climate. Moreover, results from a mediation analysis revealed that perceived teacher support mediated the relationship between students’ perceptions of the institutional readiness of their university and their sense of well-being, as well as newcomer adjustment. A moderation analysis showed that the country of origin moderated the relationship between students’ perceived teacher support and newcomer adjustment. Implications for developing a positive campus climate are discussed.     

Economic Recession and Inequality in Education: Children needing special services in focus

This study examines equality in education during a national recession when the supply of special services has decreased. Who gets selected for the scanty services? The need for and the availability of special services (remedial instruction, special education and psychological counselling) were studied with reference to students' social, family and personal factors. The sample included 906 sixth-graders from southern Finland and the study was carried out by means of questionnaires to students and teachers. A considerable gap was found between need and supply of special services. The need for services was widely related to the background factors. The selection process was biased against boys in remedial instruction, internalising children in psychological counselling, and it favoured students with more resources: those achieving well, being motivated and having a higher socio-economic status. The study reveals one possible pathway aggravating inequality in education.     

Moral Education in Sweden

Abstract

Past work in the field is examined at four levels: the social structural, the institutional, that of action and the social psychological in both the psychological and sociological traditions. A definition of morality is proposed with the aim of directing future work. This definition focuses upon choice. The concept of choice is analysed into three components: the ‘objective’ situation, the actor's definition, and the perceived social structural constraints. Each component is then applied to moral education in an attempt to indicate worthwhile future directions for research.

     

The Economics of Education: From a Free Social Benefit to the Commercialization of Educational Services

Abstract

The article discusses the specific features characterizing the development of the market for commercial educational services under modern Russian conditions. The study finds that many parents have reacted negatively to the introduction of market forces to the education sector. Paid educational services provided by the school are not popular despite the fact that they offer a number of advantages. The results of the study have revealed a number of factors that have led to the expansion in the sector of informal education, includeing low teacher salaries, difficulties in registering a tutoring service business, the desire to reduce financial costs, and the fact that schools insufficiently prepare students to pass the Unified State Exam. The movement of students who seek assistance from the informal educational sector has placed a strain on the institutional relationships between students and teachers.     

Toward a Dialogic Theory of Fundraising

ABSTRACT

In this case study research, the effectiveness of psychological support services rendered to students at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college in South Africa is explored. Using the systems theory of psychology, the article postulates that students at TVET colleges encounter a myriad of psychological challenges, which can adversely affect their academic success. From an interpretivist paradigmatic standpoint, a sample of 30 students was purposively selected to participate in focus group interviews. It was found out that psychological support services improved students’ academic performances, attendance, retention, and also enhanced college certification rate. It is recommended that institution need to establish linkages with key stakeholders such as the Departments of Higher Education and Training and Health, psychological professional bodies, and other TVET colleges in order to create a platform for sharing vital information on psychological support to students.     

What motivates higher education educators to innovate? Exploring competence,autonomy, and relatedness – and connections with wellbeing

ABSTRACT

Background: High quality tertiary teaching is important for maximising the impact of tertiary education for students, employers and society, as well as for institutional reputation and accountability. Varied interpretations exist regarding what counts as ‘innovative’ tertiary teaching.

Purpose: This study sought to explore the deeper drivers of motivations of tertiary educators to initiate and implement teaching innovations.

Method: Drawing from the data from semi-structured interviews from a wider study into innovative teaching in a tertiary education institution in Aotearoa New Zealand, we analysed the rationale of 13 expert tertiary educators for teaching in novel ways. The framework for analysis was based on Self-Determination Theory: data were analysed in relation to three basic psychological needs known to impact on motivation and wellbeing – competence, autonomy and relatedness.

Findings: Our analysis suggests that tertiary educator motivation to innovate in their teaching is related to feelings of all three needs. Findings suggest that innovative pedagogical change was linked to educators’ need for feelings of competence in relation to subject area content, pedagogy and developing student competence. Enhancing autonomy for the educators themselves, or for their students, was also an important factor motivating innovative practice. Developing relatedness between students, between themselves and students, and between students and society were reported as motivations for innovative teaching. Some teaching innovations were motivated by the educator’s desire for greater personal or student wellbeing.

Conclusions Educators’ motivations for being innovative in their tertiary pedagogical practice encompassed content, pedagogical, personal and social dimensions. None reported that their innovation was motivated by institutional policy or expectations. The reported challenges to innovative teaching practice, including institutional structures and processes, lack of access to specific technologies, and the time needed to develop and implement changed practice, indicate that educators must be strongly committed to making change in their practice to sustain the effort required.     

Values and Ethics in the Education Market Place: the case of Northwark Park [1]

ABSTRACT

The 1988 Education Reform Act introduced into England and Wales a market structure of secondary school provision. It is argued here that the education market functions as a system of rewards and punishments, a disciplinary mechanism, fostering particular cultural forms and socio‐psychological dispositions and marginalising others. The paper considers the case of one school in particular, Northwark Park, an undersubscribed, predominantly working‐class school, whose staff and governors find themselves having to confront the issue of institutional survival in the market context. The value conflicts and ethical dilemmas in which the staff and governors are becoming enmeshed are discussed, and the implications of the education market for patterns of educational opportunity considered.

     

Making “Second Generation,” Inflicting Linguistic Injuries: An Ethnography of a Mainland Chinese Church in Canada

ABSTRACT

Based on a larger ethnography, this article explores intergenerational relationships between First-Generation Immigrants and Second-Generation youth and focuses on psychological damages (Piller, 2016), particularly linguistic injuries, within a new mainland Chinese church in Canada. Specifically, I show why Second-Generation young people were largely separated into the English congregation, with little support from the parent generation in the Mandarin congregation. Drawing on language and non-language ideologies (Bucholtz, 2001) and semiotic processes of differentiation (Irvine & Gal, 2000), particularly fractal recursivity, focusing on relevant practices and discourses, I analyze and delineate linguistic injuries suffered and perpetuated by First- and Second-Generation members. Exploring their origins and manifestations, I tentatively define linguistic injuries as psychological damages caused by judgement based on language or language use at the interpersonal and institutional levels, but originated from “structures” such as ideology and legislation. Implications and future directions of this research are discussed.     

Institutional Innovation and Public Extension Services Provision: The Marche Regional Administration Reform in Central Italy

Abstract

This paper describes how Marche Regional Administration (MRA) introduced an innovative institutional reform of an Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS) in central Italy. In order to study the main features of the MRA reform we used a methodological approach based on three steps: (i) first we applied a desk analysis to sketch the main elements of the reform; (ii) we then analyzed farmers' assessment of the institutional change by using information derived from a field survey on a sample of beneficiaries, and (iii) using a focus group technique. We found that MRA reform introduced an institutional innovation in the domain of public extension services (ES) provision within the Italian context. However, the assessment of the short-term effects indicate that the original objectives of the reform have been only partially achieved. This is in line with other experiences presented in the literature and confirms the difficulties to introduce institutional innovation in the domain of AKIS. The paper describes the analysis of an institutional reform in the AKIS domain which has been considered a ‘best practice’ within the Italian context. Using an institutional analysis approach the paper provides an original way of looking at a ‘new’ model for organizing public ES.