Emotion regulation and academic perceptions in adolescence

Although studied extensively in the field of adolescent mental health, the role of emotion regulation (ER) in the academic functioning of adolescents is not well understood. This study examined the role of ER in adolescents’ perceptions of themselves and their learning environments. We compared adolescents with high and low levels of ER on perceptions of school achievement and attitudes towards school and their perception of their parents’ academic involvement. Students completed surveys about perceptions of their learning and parental involvement, as well as their ER abilities. Results indicated that students with higher emotion dysregulation endorsed more negative self-perceptions of their own academic abilities, had more negative attitudes towards school, and rated their mothers and fathers as more controlling in relation to their learning. These results demonstrate the importance of ER in the academic context, particularly in the home learning environment.     

SIDE-VIEW: Evaluation of a system to develop team players and improve productivity in Internet collaborative learning groups

This paper briefly summarizes the initial development of a computer-supported collaborative learning environment and evaluates its effects in relation to the productivity of CSCL groups. The design of the SIDE-VIEW system is driven by the social identity approach to understanding group behaviour and is premised upon the need to establish congruity between the self-definition of group members and their collaborative learning tasks. We begin by outlining the rationale for the system in relation to productivity and the emergence of team players within collaborative learning groups. We then describe aspects of the design that are intended to enhance both, and report on a field trial of the initial prototype on international groups of higher education students. The preliminary results of the field study indicate that aspects of the design encourage the emergence and influence of team players within groups, with consequential improvements to the quality of the group output. The role of team players in CSCL groups is contrasted with that of group leaders.     

Investigating the impact of NAPLAN on student,parent and teacher emotional distress in independent schools

Concerns have been raised about the impact Australia’s national standardised testing, the National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), has upon the well-being of students, parents and teachers. To date, research evidence is unclear as to the level and extent of emotional distress experienced by stakeholders during testing. Despite an unclear evidence base, the prevailing view is that NAPLAN has a general negative impact upon stakeholder well-being. In a pilot study that surveyed all stakeholder groups across 11 independent schools in Western Australia, we found evidence of a minimal impact from the testing. We also found evidence for a small positive association between student and parent distress during testing, and a moderate positive association between parent and teacher distress during testing and their estimations regarding how NAPLAN impacts other people. Our results are not consistent with the prevailing view that NAPLAN has a broad negative impact on well-being, and highlights the need for further research to inform debates about the usefulness and impact of NAPLAN testing.     

Toy safety and selection

Toys can be used to promote children's cognitive, physical, motor, language, social, and emotional development. Safety and developmental appropriateness are of the utmost importance when selecting children's toys. Parents and teachers and other helping professionals need to teach children the safe use of toys to prevent toy-related accidents. Obtain additional information regarding toy safety by calling the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1(800)638-CPSC.     

Anogenital warts in childhood

Fifteen children with anogenital warts are presented. Twelve cases were referred for assessment of sexual abuse which was established in six cases, strongly suspected in one, and excluded in three. In two, the source was unclear. Papillomavirus typing was carried out by HPV DNA dot and Southern blot hybridization using mixed HPV 6/11, 16/18, and 2/3 DNA probes on 15 specimens from 12 of the children. Seven biopsy specimens were positive for HPV 6 or 11 and one hybridized with both HPV 6/11 and 16/18 mixed sets of probes. Two specimens were positive for HPV 2, and a further two hybridized with both HPV 18 and 2. Three wart specimens could not be typed with the available genital or skin probes. The viruses causing genital tract papillomata are the same for children and adults. The identification of HPV 16/18 raises the concern of potential oncogenicity and stresses the need for long-term assessment. The diagnosis of sexual abuse was made on history rather than examination, as only two cases showed additional physical signs of sexual abuse. It is advocated that the presence of anogenital warts alone be sufficient grounds to pursue the possibility of sexual abuse. Nonsexual transmission, although possible, is far less likely.     

Investigation of functional literacy and job-skills used in clerical workplace settings

This paper presents the findings of a study on the functional literacy and job-skills used by clerical workers in a variety of work situations. The study focused on the employees' own perceptions of their tasks. The results revealed three main requirements for successful performance of clerical work: (1) the possession of requisite knowledge and the ability to apply it; (2) thinking skills; (3) the ability to manage oneself and others. None of these capacities was sufficient on its own. The authors argue that the study has important implications for vocational education and training and for easing the transition from school to work.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Artikel präsentiert die Ergebnisse einer Studie über funktionale Alphabetisierung und Berufskenntnisse, die Büroangestellte in unterschiedlichen Arbeitssituationen benötigen. Die Studie konzentriert sich auf die eigenen Wahrnehmungen der Angestellten ihrer Aufgaben. Drei Hauptanforderungen für eine erfolgreiche Bewältigung der Büroarbeit wurden identifiziert: 1. fundiertes Wissen und die Fähigkeit zur Anwendung, 2. die Fähigkeit, mitzudenken, 3. die Fähigkeit, sich selbst und andere zu organisieren. Keine dieser Kapazitäten ist ohne die anderen ausreichend. Der Autorinnen argumentieren, daß diese Studie sich wesentlich auf Berufsbildung und Fortbildung auswirken und den Übergang von der Schule zum Arbeitsplatz erleichtern kann.

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Resumen El trabajo presenta los resultados de un estudio realizado sobre la capacidad funcional de leer y escribir y sobre las habilidades laborales aplicadas por empleados en una variedad de situaciones de trabajo. El estudio se concentraba en las propias percepciones de los empleados en cuanto a sus cometidos. Los resultados revelaron tres principales requisitos para el desempeño exitoso del trabajo de oficina: (1) la posesión de los conocimientos requeridos y la capacidad de aplicarlos; (2) habilidades intelectuales; (3) la capacidad de gestionarse a sí mismo y a los demás. Ninguna de estas capacidades era suficiente por sí misma. El autor sostiene que el estudio tiene consecuencias importantes para la educación y la formación vocacional y para facilitar la transición del colegio al trabajo.

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Résumé Cet article présente les résultats d'une étude sur l'alphabétisation fonctionnelle et les compétences professionnelles des employés de bureau dans diverses situations de travail. L'étude met l'accent sur la perception qu'ont les employés de leurs tâches. Les résultats révèlent trois conditions principales pour la réussite dans le travail de bureau: (1) la maîtrise des connaissances requises; (2) l'aptitude à la réflexion; (3) des capacités d'autonomie et relationnelles. Aucune de ces conditions ne se suffit à elle-même. Les auteurs soutiennent que l'étude a des répercussions importantes sur réduction et la formation professionnelles, pouvant faciliter la transition entre l'école et le monde du travail.

     

Child abuse treated in a psychiatric day hospital

Actuarial, medical and social data are reported on 50 psychiatric day hospital patients known to have abused their children and 50 non-abusers undergoing treatment at the same time. A sub-group of 30 of each completed personality and intelligence tests and the majority had electroencephalograms, and these results were compared with those of a group of 30 healthy mothers selected by health visitors for positive child-rearing abilities.Findings which confirms those of other studies of child abuse include youthfulness, a higher incidence of family violence from childhood onwards, more unplanned pregnancies and lower intelligence in the index group. In this sample, however, all social classes were represented, there was no significant differences in perinatal pathology between the groups, personality scored showed high morbidity in the patient groups but few distinctive features, and EEGs were not significantly more abnormal in the index group than in the two contrast groups. Moreover, the index group did not show the expected discrepancy between verbal and performance sub-tests on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.Treatment of the 50 child-abusers with their children resulted in a re-injury rate of 8% during the four year period of study. A scheme for early identification and prevention is outlined.     

Concurrent and Subsequent Associations Between Daily Digital Technology Use and High‐Risk Adolescents’ Mental Health Symptoms

Adolescents are spending an unprecedented amount of time using digital technologies (especially mobile technologies), and there are concerns that adolescents’ constant connectivity is associated with poor mental health, particularly among at‐risk adolescents. Participants included 151 adolescents at risk for mental health problems (M_age = 13.1) who completed a baseline assessment, 30‐day ecological momentary assessment, and 18 month follow‐up assessment. Results from multilevel regression models showed that daily reports of both time spent using digital technologies and the number of text messages sent were associated with increased same‐day attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) symptoms. Adolescents’ reported digital technology usage and text messaging across the ecological momentary assessment (EMA) period was also associated with poorer self‐regulation and increases in conduct problem symptoms between the baseline and follow‐up assessments.