Suchergebnisse

Many studies have shown that parent-teacher collaboration results in better school performances and social skills (Arnold, Zeljo, Doctoroff, & Ortiz, 2008; Comer, 1984; 1988; Izzo & Weissberg, 1999; Kohn & Zellman, 1994; Marcon, 1999; McNeal, 1999; Taylor & Machida, 1994). The role of the relationship between parents and educators in the child's development and wellbeing is relatively unexplored in infancy and early childhood. This work investigates the relationship between the child's behaviour, the parent-teacher relationship and the parents' satisfaction with aspects of care and provision in day-care centres. The study involved 100 families of children (48 boys; average age 27.7 months) attending 5 day-care centres, and 29 day-care educators. A questionnaire was given to the parents to assess their child's temperament, attitudes toward the day-care activities and services and parent-teacher involvement. Day-care educators filled in a questionnaire on job satisfaction, children's problematic behaviour and parent-teacher involvement. Results show that parents' satisfaction with material features is associated with their satisfaction with educational features of the day-care. Parent-teacher involvement assessed by parents is negatively associated with parents' age, education and satisfaction with the day-care services, and is positively correlated with the child's social orientation, emotional development and motor activity.

In recent years, mindfulness has been considered as a potential source of proenvironmental attitudes and behavior. Present research is aimed at consolidating and expanding previous knowledge by proposing that mindfulness is related to both proenvironmental behavior and belief in global climate change through social dominance orientation (SDO). A first study was conducted on undergraduate students ( n = 279) and found, as expected, that trait mindfulness was related to proenvironmental behavior through SDO. A second study using a known groups approach compared practitioners ( n = 44) and nonpractitioners ( n = 53) of Buddhist meditation, which is known to develop a mindful stance. Moreover, in Study 2, a measure of belief in global climate change was adopted as a further outcome. Again, trait mindfulness was related to both proenvironmental outcomes through SDO. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Background: Despite the empirical and clinical relevance of understanding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) heterogeneity in refugees and asylum-seekers, very few studies have examined the manner in which PTSD symptoms manifest in such populations. Aims: This study sought to investigate patterns and predictors of DSM-5 PTSD in a treatment-seeking sample of African refugees. Methods: Participants were 122 African refugees and asylum-seekers living in Italy who completed measures of trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify PTSD symptom profiles, and predictors of class membership were identified via multinomial logistic regression. Results: Among participants, 79.5% had a probable diagnosis of PTSD. Three PTSD classes were identified by LCA: Pervasive (32.0%) with high probabilities of all symptoms, high-Threat (45.9%) with higher probabilities of intrusions and avoidance symptoms, moderate-Avoidance (22.1%) with high probability of thoughts/feelings avoidance. None of the examined variables (legal status, gender, age, education, months spent in Italy, number of traumatic events, employment) significantly predicted class membership with the relevant exception of reception conditions. Specifically, living in large reception centres (over 1,000 people) significantly predicted Pervasive PTSD class membership compared to high/Threat PTSD class and to moderate/Avoidance class. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for distinct patterns of PTSD symptomatology in refugees and asylum seekers. We identified three classes which present both qualitative and quantitative differences in symptoms: Pervasive class, high-Threat class and a new moderate class, characterised by avoidance symptoms. Reception conditions contributed to the emergence of the Pervasive PTSD profile characterised by the symptoms highest severity. These findings highlight that stressors in the post-migration environment, as inadequate reception conditions in large facilities, may have detrimental effect on refugees' mental health. We emphasise the importance for host countries to implement reception models that provide effective protection and integration to this vulnerable population.