Middle Eastern Culture Research Articles

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Arabic Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in schizophrenia: Qualitative analysis of a focus group.

As part of a project to translate and validate scales used in the diagnosis and treatment of Arab patients with schizophrenia, this study aimed to explore the experience of clinical research coordinators (CRCs) while administering the Arabic version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) on Arab schizophrenia patients. We previously reported that the Arabic version of PANSS is a valid and reliable tool to assess Arab patients with schizophrenia. Five CRCs and the principal investigator attended focus group discussions on cultural issues in administering the PANSS. A thematic analysis approach was utilized for data coding and analysis. The results identified issues related to the translation of the instrument, the structure of the interview, the cultural sensitivity of some questions, and the procedures for rating items of the PANSS. Qualitative analysis also identified four main themes relevant to clinical assessment of patients from Middle Eastern cultures: religion, beliefs and values, gender, and semantic expressions. In conclusion, researchers or clinicians administering the PANSS scale interview in Arabic should be trained to consider the roles of local dialects, familiarity with abstract thinking, religion, and social constructs when assessing psychosis.

SPATIAL PERCEPTION ELEMENTS IN JAMI’E DARUSSALAM MOSQUE, CENTRAL JAKARTA

Abstract- In the course of the development of Islam since the time of the Prophet Muhammad until now, the strategic position of the mosque is not only as a place of worship but also as the center of Islamic Introduction. As we know that establishing a mosque is a culture that has been rooted in the life of Muslim society. The founding principle of the mosque comes from the teachings contained in the Qur'an and Hadith. However, the two sources did not disclose and include the building and physical codes of the mosque. All of it is left to the people to design their own buildings and physical mosque in accordance with the conditions of the local community. The mosque in Indonesia is developed into two forms, the first being a form influenced by the local culture. The second is a form influenced by middle eastern culture. Then, a mosque with a different shape from the two previously described forms began to appear. One of the mosques is the Jami'e Darussalam, the mosque which became the object of research.The study was conducted based on a preliminary study conducted by studying the theory of space perception put forward by Bert Bielefeld and the theory of space perception in the mosque. From the existing theory can then be formulated an indicator of the perception of space needed in a mosque. Existing indicators are then used to research buildings with a focus on the perception of space. The result of object study analysis then further be processed through the analysis table so that it can be inferred the space forming element that influence the human perception on the mosque.From the research, it is found that the perception of space needed in a mosque is only in the prayer room of Jami'e Darussalam Mosque, but not in other spaces. This is because the character of different space-forming elements in each space.The benefit of this research for the general public is to increase knowledge about the perception of space needed in a mosque and how the perception of space can be realized. Meanwhile, for the architects and mosque institutions, this research can add knowledge about the perception of space in a mosque and how to design the elements of space to be able to realize the perception of space. Key Words: elements of space formation, perception of space, mosque

Sexual abuse and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

We investigated the frequency of reported sexual abuse in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) in a Middle-Eastern culture (Iran) and tried to characterize the association between a history of sexual abuse and the clinical characteristics of PNES in these patients. In this retrospective database study, patients with PNES, who were investigated at Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from 2008 until 2018, were studied. Patients were categorized into two groups: (1) those with a history of sexual abuse and (2) those without such a history. A total of 314 patients were studied. Twenty-six patients (8.3%) had a history of sexual abuse, while 288 patients (91.7%) denied having such an experience. Sex ratio (OR: 3.53; 95% CI: 1.14-10.89; p = 0.02) and a history of child abuse (OR: 4.85; 95% CI: 1.82-12.96; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with a history of sexual abuse. Some people with a history of sexual abuse are at risk of developing PNES later in their lives. While social, cultural, and even genetic predisposition may be interacting for such an association to come to play, there is no concrete direct evidence to clarify this link yet. This should be investigated in future international cross-cultural studies and also highlights the need for planning genetic studies in patients with PNES.

Practice and Attitudes of Physicians Regarding Disclosure of Information to Patients With Serious Illness

BACKGROUND: Health Information disclosure is the cornerstone in respecting the patients’ autonomy and beneficence, particularly in the context of serious illness. Some Middle Eastern cultures prioritise beneficence over patient autonomy. This may be used as a justification when patient’s family takes over the decision-making process. Although guidelines and protocols regarding information disclosure are fast evolving, there are no sufficient data regarding the application of these guidelines in the clinical context. The objective of this study is to explore the truth disclosure practices of physicians in Bahrain. 
 
 METHOD: In this cross sectional study, a random sample of 234 physicians was obtained from the database of Salmaniya Medical Complex (the largest public hospital in Bahrain). We used self-administered 21-item questionnaire to assess the practices and attitudes of physicians regarding disclosure of information to patients with serious illnesses. 
 
 RESULTS: A total of 200 physicians completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 69.6%. The question about the usual policy of disclosure revealed that 62.5% (125) of the doctors would always disclose the diagnosis to the patients, 26% (52) would often disclose the diagnosis and only 1% would never disclose the real diagnosis to a competent adult. Only 15% of the physicians would never make exceptions to their policy of “telling the patient” while all remaining physicians (85%) made exceptions to their policy either often, occasionally or rarely. The most common reason for not disclosing the diagnosis was family request (39.5%). About 64.5% of the physicians were not aware of any existing protocol or policy for diagnosis disclosure to patients. There was no statistically significant association between doctors’ policy of disclosure and other demographic variables. 
 
 CONCLUSION: Most physicians opt to disclose the truth; however, the majority would make exceptions at some point particularly upon family request. Regional truth disclosure policies should take into consideration the interplay and balance between patient autonomy and the role played by the family in the decision-making process.

The question of «vestigial Neolithic» forest-steppe Don

The concept of vestigial Neolithic was presented by A.T. Sinyuk in his thesis and hasnt undergone any significant changes. It was based on statistical and stratigraphic observations of Universitetskaya 3 settlement. Here three Neolithic stages and the fourth stage vestigial Neolithic were identified. Its beginning was connected with the appearance of the population of the lower Don Eneolithic culture on the Middle Don, which contacted with the tribes of fish culture. The findings were based on the assumption that the economy of the Rybnoserskaya culture was appropriating, while the economy of the Nizhnedonskaya culture was producing. The possibility of their coexistence was explained by the rich ecological resources of the forest-steppe Don, as well as the focus on the extraction of different food resources. New materials have not confirmed the Neolithic nature of the Nizhnedonskaya culture. The topography of the settlements indicates that both local and alien tribes occupied the same ecological niche. The beginning of the Eneolithic period on the Middle Don should be associated with the Middle Eastern culture, the population of which displaced or assimilated the aborigines. There wasnt any period of coexistence of Eneolithic and Neolithic (survivable) cultures either on the Middle Don, or in the forest-steppe Volga region.

Restorative justice capacities in Middle Eastern culture and society: towards a hybrid model of juvenile justice in Palestine

Restorative justice capacities in Middle Eastern culture and society: towards a hybrid model of juvenile justice in Palestine

Forensic Accounting & Financial Investigation

Forensic Accounting & Financial Investigation

“Muslim Women Seeking Power, Muslim Youth Seeking Justice”: An Edited Volume of Research Findings, Resources and Advocacy

This article gives an overview of a recently published book on the search of Muslim women and youth for social justice and equality, both in Mus-lim-majority cultures, and in Western countries of the Muslim diaspora. The theoretical and research model of critical realism is employed, in which levels of disadvantage and oppression are identified using a value-based approach. The model is applied to Islamic ontology, and the “middle path” of Islamic modesty, peace-making and compromise within multicultural, plural societies, with a focus on Islamic feminism. In a study of Muslim women in management in Western, Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, barriers to women’s employment are identified. Empirical work using “situation tests” comparing ethnically-identified CVs submitted in employment applications showed significant discrimination against Muslim women and young people in the spheres of employment in England and The Netherlands. A study of citizenship education in English schools showed that Muslim adolescents were particularly likely to adopt positive citizenship values, despite social pressures such as Islamophobia, which could lead to discrimination, and alienation. Case studies of Bangladesh and Pakistan (Muslim-majority cultures) in the search for social systems which could apply Islamic values in positive ways proved disappointing. We identified numerous ways in which girls and women in these cultures were exploited and oppressed, socially, economically and sexually. A final chapter explores why higher order values have so little purchase in some Muslim-majority (and other) cultures. The case study of women in Gaza, surviving intermittent warfare, did offer a model of Islamic peace-making, and prospects for a rapprochement of Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Humanist moral positions in seeking to establish co-operative multicultural, plural societies.

Middle Eastern Rhinoplasty: Update

Summary:Middle Eastern rhinoplasty requires especially precise preoperative planning to achieve a successful result. Among all aesthetic surgery procedures, there is a higher demand for rhinoplasty among Middle Eastern cultures. The key is to maintain the ethnicity of the patients while meeting their goals. In this brief overview, common features in Middle Eastern patients and Middle Eastern rhinoplasty techniques in men and women are highlighted.

Opening Pandora's Box: A Culturally-oriented Look at the Covert Content of Passages 1

This study investigates the cultural content and covert syllabus of one well-known widely printed English Language Teaching (ELT) course book: Passages 1. In order to analyse the content, two coding systems the Five Dimensions of Culture and the Categories of Culture by Chao (2011) were used. The findings indicate that Passages 1 has encouraged various aspects of culture with an emphasis on the presentation of products, persons and viewpoints of the West. The partiality for the Target Culture (countries with English as the native language) is clear throughout the course book in terms of the selection of reading texts, listening tracks, and the images. Findings indicate that there is a minimal focus on the introduction of local and the Middle Eastern cultures. The theme of 'universality across cultures', as a specific classification in this study, is mostly placed in the speaking practices which revolves around sharing personal experiences rather than engaging in intercultural thinking and awareness. Based on the findings, some recommendations are given to ensure some aspects of the target culture are adequately addressed in the writing of ELT course books.

Addressing free riders in collaborative group work

PurposeFree-riding behaviour may threaten the success of teamwork, when one or more group members receive the benefits of other members’ achievements with little effort or cost of their own. The purpose of this paper is to investigate students’ collaborative behaviour to address the problem of free riders (FRs) in university settings.Design/methodology/approachThe research is an 11-week field study of three senior finance classes and incorporates mobile learning employing Quip and Google Docs applications to facilitate group work. A comprehensive set of quantitative and qualitative methods analysing students’ perceptions, instructors’ reflections, peer reflections and mobile learning methods are used to answer questions pertaining to group work, the work experience, FRs and ways to minimise the last.FindingsIn this paper, the author shows that students at the university level have positive views of group work despite the presence of FRs. Students like to form their own groups; consequently, peer evaluation appears to be unreliable. The study points to free riding as a serious threat to academic productivity and calls for actions and strategies from institutions and instructors to eradicate this behaviour. Mobile applications enable instructors to track FRs and to some extent discourage their behaviour.Originality/valueThere are limited studies that focus on FRs in higher education and, to the researcher’s knowledge, no such investigation has been applied in the Middle East and North Africa. Likewise, there is little research available on incorporating mobile learning to assess group work in higher education. This study aims at exploring the existence and associated experiences of free riding, along with methods to curtail the problem. The findings of this study provide a good platform for inquiry into the FR phenomenon in higher education and its impact on student learning, as well as the possible roles of instructors and mobile applications. The findings of this study could be developed further through more research with a view to providing a broader perspective of the situation in Middle Eastern and North African cultures.

Newborn Care Practices of Mothers in Arab Societies: Implication for Infant Welfare.

There are at least 22 Arab league states and sections in Northern Africa, southwestern Asia, and Europe that incorporate the vast Middle Eastern culture. The purpose of this study was to identify the cultural variations in newborn care practices, self-management of common illnesses, and their potential impact on infant welfare. A qualitative design using a focus group approach with 37 Arab mothers in Jordan was used. Findings revealed strong similarities in terms of beliefs, care practices, and the experience of intergenerational conflict in establishing and maintaining traditional practices among mothers. Potentially harmful practices included restrictive swaddling, rubbing a newborn's body with salt, and encouraging the ingestion of herbs in newborns. It is important for nurses and midwives to be aware of traditional practices, cultural beliefs, and the implications for infant welfare if they are to effectively engage with families to promote the well-being of the newborn.

Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Behavioural Intentions in the Banking industry: the case of Middle East

The link between Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Behavioural Intentions has been of interest to academicians and practitioners alike considering their potential to contribute to the effectiveness and success of the organization. This study endeavours to establish the nature of link between the three constructs in the Middle Eastern country and culture context, using a customized measurement tool developed for this unique context. Using cluster sampling method involving 373 retail banking customers of the major commercial banks in Oman, the study reveals that in the retail banking environment, Service Quality contributes to Customer Satisfaction and the link is strong and significant. Customer Satisfaction is found to lead to Behavioural Intentions but the link is weak but significant. Guidelines are provided for practicing managers for formulating strategies to leverage and strengthen the relationships.

University faculty’s perceptions and practices of student centered learning in Qatar

Purpose Although student-centered learning (SCL) has been encouraged for decades in higher education, to what level instructors are practicing SCL strategies remains in question. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a university faculty’s understanding and perceptions of SCL, along with current instructional practices in Qatar. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method research design was employed including quantitative data from a survey of faculty reporting their current instructional practices and qualitative data on how these instructors define SCL and perceive their current practices via interviews with 12 instructors. Participants of the study are mainly from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field. Findings Study results show that these instructors have rather inclusive definitions of SCL, which range from lectures to student interactions via problem-based teamwork. However, a gap between the instructors’ perceptions and their actual practices was identified. Although student activities are generally perceived as effective teaching strategies, the interactions observed were mainly in the form of student–content or student-teacher, while student–student interactions were limited. Prevailing assessment methods are summative, while formative assessment is rarely practiced. Faculty attributed this lack of alignment between how SCL could and should be practiced and the reality to external factors, including students’ lack of maturity and motivation due to the Middle Eastern culture, and institutional constraints such as class time and size. Research limitations/implications The study is limited in a few ways. First regarding methodological justification the data methods chosen in this study were mainly focused on the faculty’s self-reporting. Second the limited number of participants restricts this study’s generalizability because the survey was administered in a volunteer-based manner and the limited number of interview participants makes it difficult to establish clear patterns. Third, researching faculty members raises concerns in the given context wherein extensive faculty assessments are regularly conducted. Practical implications A list of recommendations is provided here as inspiration for institutional support and faculty development activities. First, faculty need deep understanding of SCL through experiences as learners so that they can become true believers and implementers. Second, autonomy is needed for faculty to adopt appropriate assessment methods that are aligned with their pedagogical objectives and delivery methods. Input on how faculty can adapt instructional innovation to tailor it to the local context is very important for its long-term effectiveness (Hora and Ferrare, 2014). Third, an inclusive approach to faculty evaluation by encouraging faculty from STEM backgrounds to be engaged in research on their instructional practice will not only sustain the practice of innovative pedagogy but will also enrich the research profiles of STEM faculty and their institutes. Social implications The faculty’s understanding and perceptions of implementing student-centered approaches were closely linked to their prior experiences – experiencing SCL as a learner may better shape the understanding and guide the practice of SCL as an instructor. Originality/value SCL is not a new topic; however, the reality of its practice is constrained to certain social and cultural contexts. This study contributes with original and valuable insights into the gap between ideology and reality in implementation of SCL in a Middle Eastern context.

Cross-cultural Communication and Language Perspective: Moving from Localization to Glocalization

Abstract Objective: This is a case study on how a French firm went from Localization to Glocalization from a cross-cultural communication and language perspective. Methodology: The method used was a case study approach. Lionel Thibaud, the General Manager, Impression et Enregistrement des Résultats (IER) (a French firm) based on the Middle East thought about achievements and challenges faced by the company within the Middle East region over the period of 2007–2013 in relation to various cross-cultural and multi-national issues. Findings: The problem faced by the decision-makers in this region was how to do business with the different Middle Eastern countries while handling and striking a balance with all varying cultures and customs. In addition, to meet the needs of the customers, a key strategic mission was to establish long-term relationships and collaborations with suppliers and customers. This ‘way of doing business’ was made all the more difficult as the Middle Eastern culture was perceived similar from the outside. Value Added: Culture in Middle East was a good way to create discussions and healthy debate to understand how to do business in the Middle East and gain a competitive advantage through the relationships that IER developed through trust from the customers. IER Middle East continued to strive successfully on how to do business within the Middle Eastern region in handling and striking a balance with all varying cultures and customs. In addition, to meet the needs of the customers, IER had a long-term mission to establish long-term relationships and collaborations within the Middle East region. Recommendations: IER Middle East was to continue being the preferred vendor of airlines and airports while providing innovative ideas and solution as well as to continue to offer outstanding customer support.

Impact of acculturation on depression, perceived stress and self-esteem in young Middle Eastern American adults

Background: Human biologists have a longstanding interest in understanding the biological and health impacts of migration. Acculturation, the cultural adjustment that a group or individual experiences when previously separate cultures interact, has been found to be one pathway through which migration may impact human biology and health, not only for the migrants themselves, but also their descendants.Aim: The authors conducted a pilot study to examine the relationship between acculturation and perceived stress, self-esteem and depression among young Middle-Eastern American adults.Subject and methods: Survey data were collected from 48 young Middle-Eastern American adults. Participants were divided into one of two acculturation categories, integrated (American and Middle Eastern culture oriented) and assimilated (American culture oriented). Health measures were compared between these acculturation categories.Results: Integrated individuals had significantly lower stress (F = 8.1, p < 0.01) and depression (F = 10.8, p < 0.01) than assimilated individuals. Integrated individuals had lower self-esteem than assimilated individuals (F = 5.0, p < 0.05). Generational status, a proxy used for acculturation, was only significantly associated with self-esteem (F = 3.15, p = 0.05).Conclusion: This pilot study furthers understanding of the effects acculturation can have on perceived stress and mental health among young Middle-Eastern Americans. Future research should incorporate biological measures of stress to determine the physiological impacts of acculturation.

Drakologia starożytna. Motyw smoka w literaturze pozabiblijnej

The article focuses on dragons and their role in ancient Roman, Greek,Egyptian and Middle Eastern cultures. By analyzing their appearancein texts, the division into two main groups is made: the characteristic ofdragons and the function of the dragon motif. This may help in understandingthe origins, place and function of dragon motifs in the Bible.

Key predictors of individual creativity in a Middle Eastern culture

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically test a model in which antecedents of creativity are hypothesized to lead to enhance employee creativity and, subsequently, to increase innovative performance outcomes. Leader–member exchange (LMX) is posited as a moderator of the leader encouragement of creativity and employee creativity relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a sample of 163 employees working in various service organizations in Kuwait and pursuing an MBA. Structural equation modeling techniques with AMOS software were used to assess the relationships between the different constructs.FindingsThe findings show that all creativity antecedents are positively and significantly related to individual creativity, except for leader encouragement of creativity and perceived organizational support. The results show also that LMX mediates the relationship between leader encouragement of creativity and individual creativity, and that intrinsic motivation moderates the relationship between perceived organizational support and individual creativity.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has several limitations including a small sample size, cross-sectional design, same-source bias and one point in time data. Future studies could examine these findings in different settings, use longitudinal design and capture a full range of creativity antecedents,Originality/valueThis study is the first to theorize and identify antecedents that promote individual creativity in a collectivist context (i.e. Kuwait). Moreover, this study is unique in that we predict that employee creativity is a mediating mechanism that can explain the link between creativity antecedents and creativity outcomes.

Caregiver Experiences of Caring for a Down Syndrome Child in Saudi Arabia

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that causes various intellectual and physical developmental problems.Despite the high incidence of DS in Saudi Arabia (SA), there is a dearth of research on the experience of families—especially of the primary caregiver (mother)—with a child with DS in SA. Additionally, the effect on a caregiver’s life of caring for a child with DS in SA is not clear. Objectives:To present the findings of interpretive research which identified and described the qualitatively different ways Saudi Arabian (SA) women as primary caregivers’ understood the experience of caring for a child with Down syndrome (DS). Methods: We conduct a qualitative study as an innovative research designduring November 2011 to January 2012 on 18 mothers caring for children with DS in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam in SA. Methods were guided by accepted phenomenograpic approaches to data collection and analysis. Semi- structured interviews were undertaken with 18Saudi mothers caring for children with DS from centers in three regions of SA (Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. Results: Five categories of description were identified and revealed unique awareness of the group and provide insight into their personal, social and collective understanding (being excluded, being isolated, being disappointed, having difficulty accessing services and needing support). The findings contribute to knowledge needed to support mothers caring for children with DS in SA. The research is useful to inform strategies for supporting families of children with DS, women in similar contexts, and healthcare disability policy and implementation. Conclusions: Mothers caring for children with DS In SA have qualitatively different understanding of their experiences in caring for their children with DS. In this article Implication are discussed Disclosure: I certify that this paper does not incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted in any Journals; and that to the best of my knowledge and belief it does not contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the Keywords: Down syndrome; Saudi Arabia; women; family; middle eastern culture; disability; carers; phenomenography; qualitative research

From Egypt to Mount Qāf: The Symbolism of the Hoopoe in Muslim Literature and Folklore

The bird known as the hoopoe (Lat. upupa epops, Ar. hudhud) has been a common motif in the literature and folklore of eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, from ancient to modern times. As a solar symbol, it was often associated with kingship, filial piety, and wisdom, and its body was believed to possess potent magical and medicinal properties. In the medieval Islamic world, the hoopoe also played a prominent cultural role, most notably via its inclusion in the Qur'ānic narrative surrounding the prophet Solomon, and its prominence as the central character in Farīd al-Dīn 'Aṭṭār's (d. ca. 1220 ce) book-length poem The Conference of the Birds (Manṭiq al-Ṭayr). Through a review of Biblical, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman sources alongside medieval Islamic literature and modern folklore, this article argues that the medieval Islamic world did not develop an independent tradition of literature and folklore related to hoopoes, but rather drew upon and continued pre-existing ancient and late antique traditions.