Post-secondary School Students Research Articles

Cyberbullying Among Emerging Adults: The Role of Parental Practices and Morality

Parental figures provide significant guidance in their children’s behavior to facilitate positive moral development. However, little is known about the moral implications of parental practices and its association with cyberbullying among emerging adults. The present study explored the potential mediating role of shame- and guilt-proneness in the association between parental practices and moral disengagement, and subsequently, the associations with cyberbullying behavior. Participants included postsecondary school students in Canada (N = 449; Mage = 21.85). Results from structural equation modeling revealed that guilt-proneness was a significant partial mediator between perceived psychological control and moral disengagement, which, in turn, was associated with cyberbullying perpetration. Overall, this study highlights the implications of social-emotional contexts beyond adolescence, especially its associations with moral and aggression outcomes among emerging adults.

Students’ Opinions, Views, and Perceptions of Science Laboratory Learning: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The scientific community continues to give conflicting impressions about the contribution of laboratory activities to science learning and yet ignores the views of students who are the focus of learning. In this paper, we reviewed postsecondary school students’ experiences in the science laboratories. Students were most concerned about the impact of the laboratory activities and their preferences pointed more towards greater independent, participatory and interactive learning engagements. This review has implied that students should not be left out in science laboratory learning reform efforts and their views about what obtains in the science laboratories should be routinely monitored to inform such reforms.

Adult Students’ Attitudes Towards Distance Learning During the SARS-Co-V-2 Virus Pandemic

The article is a study report on distance learning during the SARS-Co-V-2 virus pandemic, conducted among postsecondary school students. The subject of the study was the opinions of postsecondary school students about distance learning. The research was diagnostic in nature, and the method of a diagnostic poll withsurvey technique was used. The author’s survey was sent to 85 students of postsecondary schools in the Opole voivodship (Poland). As a result of the study, an average level of satisfaction, degree of motivation and involvement in self-learning by the respondents was determined, as well as an average evaluation of the level of effectiveness of learning conducted in that form. The respondents indicated both the positive and negative aspects of distance learning. The first group comprised mainly aspects related to saving time, money and the flexibility of this form of learning, while the other group included aspects of a social and health nature, related to shortcomings in self-study and evaluation of the learning process.

Exploration of the Influences of the Second Language on Academic Dishonesty of Post-Secondary School Students

Exploration of the Influences of the Second Language on Academic Dishonesty of Post-Secondary School Students

Systematic Review on How the Delivery of Vision Care Policies Affects Students’ Academic Performance and Mental Health

This is a systematic review that examines how the delivery of vision care policies, namely (1) vision acuity (VA) testing, (2) subsidized or free spectacles, (3) spectacle prescriptions, (4) vision care education and (5) time spent outdoors and/or away from a variety of near-work activities affect students’ academic performance and mental health. Relevant literature in both Chinese and non-Chinese contexts is studied. However, existing literature (1) focusing on post-secondary school students and adults, (2) presenting qualitative research, and (3) adopting non-experimental designs is excluded.

Mattering and Psychological Well-being in College and University Students: Review and Recommendations for Campus-Based Initiatives

The current paper examines the unique protective role of feelings of mattering in psychological well-being. Mattering is the feeling of being significant and important to other people. We provide an overview of research on individual differences in mattering as described initially by Rosenberg and McCullough (1981). Mattering is central to psychological well-being and health, but the concept of mattering itself has been severely neglected by researchers, counselors, and clinicians. Research on mattering in post-secondary school students is summarized and various ways of assessing and understanding individual differences in mattering are described, including mattering at university and in the community. It is demonstrated that feelings of not mattering are uniquely implicated in depression and suicidal tendencies. The need to matter among post-secondary students from diverse backgrounds is highlighted. This paper concludes with a discussion of proposed steps that colleges and universities can take to promote mattering among students. Campus-based initiatives, practices, and policies that instill a sense of mattering and address the need for students to feel like they matter are considered.

Assessment of the impact of pharmacist-led face-to-face counselling on HIV/AIDS among school & college going students, and infected patients in south India

Problem consideredOver the past decade HIV/AIDS infection has tremendously increased among young people aged 15–24 years in the developing countries like India. By keeping this in mind, pharmacist counselling could be an essential asset that has been associated with improved health outcomes among public and infected patients as well. AimTo assess the impact of pharmacist-led counselling on HIV/AIDS among school & college going students and infected patients. MethodsA prospective intervention survey was conducted by using the simple random sampling technique. A total of 509 participants were sampled i.e., post-secondary school students (98), college students (364), and infected patients (47) respectively and interviewed by the student pharmacist using a pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS pre and post-test respectively. Verbal consent from all the participants was obtained before initiating the study. Responses were scored, analyzed and mean score and percentage were used to determine the level of knowledge pre and post-test. ResultsOf the total 509 survey participants, 246 (48.3%) were males, and 263 (51.7%) were females with a mean age and SD of 24.59 years ± 0.54. The study results noticed that the study participants, especially school students and infected patients were not attentive and conscious about the HIV/AIDS. ConclusionThe study results infer that there is an immense need for health education and prevention awareness camps for HIV/AIDS among school & college going students as well as the infected patients in south India.

Academic support model for post-secondary school students with learning disabilities: student and instructor perceptions

ABSTRACTWhile post-secondary school students with learning difficulties confront many challenges, there is little research on methods of support. In the current study, the ‘adapted course’ model was qualitatively examined from the perspective of both students and instructors. The main goal was to explore how students and instructors perceived the instruction in adapted courses. Five pre-service students with learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and three instructors were interviewed. Responses were analysed using subjective analysis, with central content categories identified based on student and instructor statements. Six main themes emerged: (1) small class size; (2) emotional support; (3) adjusted teaching methods; (4) independent practice exercises; (5) instruction by modelling; and (6) instructor characteristics. The current study can inform pedagogical principles on which a support model for post-secondary students with LD can be based. It provides analyses of the effectiveness of one support model and presents the perceptions of both faculty and students. Moreover, the study provides an opportunity to learn about potential components of effective teaching-learning, not only in the specific context of adapted courses, but in any supportive learning situation (e.g. tutoring) or course.

Factors associated with HIV counseling and testing behavior among undergraduates of universities and vocational technical training schools in Tbilisi, Georgia.

BackgroundStigmatizing attitude towards HIV/AIDS alongside other factors such as HIV knowledge, substance use, sexual behavior, and involvement in various social activities (e.g., internet use, exposure to media) may be related to likelihood of having HIV counseling and testing (HCT). Thus, we examined these associations among 18–24 year old post-secondary school students in Tbilisi, Georgia.MethodsWe conducted a secondary data analysis of a 2010 cross-sectional survey of 1,879 secondary and post-secondary school students aged 15 to 24 years in Tbilisi, Georgia examining sociodemographics, substance use, sexual behavior, HIV-related knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes, and recreational activities in relation to lifetime HCT. A stratified two-stage cluster sample design was used by the parent study with universities selected with probabilities proportional to their size at the first stage, and with a random selection of students stratified by gender in each of the participating university at the second stage.ResultsThe vast majority (95.6%) of participants never received HCT. In the multivariate regression model, significant predictors of lifetime receipt of HCT included being married (p = 0.03), not having HIV stigmatized attitude (p = 0.03), more often reading fiction literature (p = 0.02), more often going out in the evenings (p = 0.03), and more often passing time with friends (p = 0.05).ConclusionsIntervening on HIV stigmatizing attitudes may be a critical prevention or HCT promotion strategy among youth in Georgia. In order to better inform policy and programs, future research should examine contextual factors in secondary and post-secondary schools that impact HCT among Georgian youth. Specifically, factors impacting differential rates of HCT among males and females, the social stigma and knowledge related to HCT and HIV, and the impact of leisure time activity involvement on HCT should be examined further. In addition, interventions and policies that might impact attitudes toward HIV and HCT should be investigated and considered.

Effectiveness of the English Writing Process for Post-secondary School Students

With the intention of contributing to the current state of knowledge about the writing skills of Singapore students, a study was carried out on a group of 73 post-secondary students in a polytechnic. The students are mandated to undertake an English Language and Communication module which aims to strengthen their core English Language proficiency. The aims of the study reported in this paper are: (a) to examine the differences in the levels of writing skills of the post-secondary students before and after completion of the English Language and Communication module, and (b) to investigate students’ perceptions of the English Language and Communication module. The study compared the compositions written by the students at the start and end of the module in terms of vocabulary, fluency, clarity and organisation, and overall composition levels. A scoring rubric, based on an evaluation rubric used by the Ministry of Education Singapore (2010), was developed to grade these compositions. Based on the analysis of the data, it was found that the students’ writing skills improved significantly. The study also administered a questionnaire to elicit the students’ perceptions on the usefulness of the module in the enhancement of their writing skills. The questionnaire analysis corroborates with our findings that the module is effective in enhancing the writing skills of post-secondary students. The findings, in the light of writing process method and recommendations for future research study, are discussed.

A cross-sectional study examining youth smoking rates and correlates in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Georgia has high smoking rates; however, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of youth smoking. We conducted a secondary data analysis of a 2010 cross-sectional survey of 1,879 secondary and postsecondary school students aged 15 to 24 years in Tbilisi, Georgia, examining substance use, perceived risk, and recreational activities in relation to lifetime and current (past 30 days) smoking. Lifetime and current smoking prevalence was 46.1% and 22.6%, respectively. In secondary schools, lifetime smoking correlates included being male, consuming alcohol, lifetime marijuana use, and lower perceived risk (P's ≤ .001). Correlates of current smoking among lifetime smokers included being male, consuming alcohol, lifetime marijuana use, lower perceived risk, less frequently exercise, and more often going out (P's < .05). In postsecondary schools, lifetime smoking correlates included being male, consuming alcohol, lifetime marijuana use, lower perceived risk, more often going out, and recreational internet use (P's < .0). Correlates of current smoking among lifetime smokers included being male (P's = .04), consuming alcohol, marijuana use, lower perceived risk, and more often going out (P's < .05). Tobacco control interventions might target these correlates to reduce smoking prevalence in Georgian youth.

Engineering design projects as a reflection promoter

This article describes examples of reflection documented in a longitudinal research comprising two studies: a three-year three-stage study on technology project-based learning (TPBL) and a three-year two-stage study on engineering thinking (ET). Both studies used qualitative tools such as interviews, active observations, and document analysis. Reflections expressed by 10th grade pupils from eight high schools and 14 post-secondary school students who participated in the TPBL study as well as the reflection findings of experts and undergraduates from the ET study were used. The data analysis indicates that reflection is not generated on its own; it must be fostered. Reflection takes one of three forms: as a reaction to an irregularity or error made when working on the system design; conducted in groups that is inherent to the design process in industry; and from intuition that something may not be quite right, even though preliminary results seem to be correct.

The concept of learning Japanese: explaining why successful students of Japanese discontinue Japanese studies at the transition to tertiary education

Student attrition and falling tertiary education enrolments afflict languages education across the ‘inner circle’ English speaking world. In the southern hemisphere, in New Zealand and Australia, Japanese has become one of the most successful languages of education. However, numbers of students are now declining. This paper examines why successful secondary school students of Japanese as a foreign language (FL) in New Zealand who have not chosen Japanese as a major, do not continue their study of Japanese at university or another tertiary educational institution. It utilises a grounded theory approach to explain an area of language learning and attrition which is not currently well understood: the transition stage between secondary school and tertiary education. Analysis of interview data of former secondary students of Japanese revealed two core categories that explain why successful secondary students drop Japanese when they leave high school: the participants' ‘concept of learning Japanese’ and ‘the incompatibility of Japanese and the major’. In this paper, we look at the first of these categories in depth in order to explore these mainly affective reasons for post secondary school students not continuing Japanese at tertiary level. It is hoped our paper will prove instructive for other jurisdictions which are witnessing a decline in their Japanese language students and language students more generally.

Menstrual Hygiene Practices among Junior Secondary School Students in Benin City

The study assessed the menstrual hygiene practices and challenges of junior school students during menstrual periods, with its implication for Home economics education. The multistage method of sampling was used to select a sample of 500 post menarche junior secondary school students. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Frequency tables were generated. Percentages and mean values with standard deviation were calculated. 70.9% of the respondents reported some challenges during their menstrual periods. Abdominal pains and cramps were the major challenges. 11.7% feel depressed. 63.9% do nothing to relieve the discomfort, while 17.5% visit a doctor for treatment. 83.4% use sanitary pads. About half of the respondents have challenges with getting good sanitary facilities and sanitary pads. 13.8% have absented themselves from school/examinations during menstruation as a result of severe menstrual pain [dysmenorrhoea].52.1% of the students change their sanitary pads twice daily; and a majority of 83.9% bathe two or more times a day. Many of the students burn their sanitary material. A minority flush their sanitary pads in the toilets. Increase in public enlightment in the society and increase in the toilet facility in the schools were suggested as ways of improving menstrual hygiene practice. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n8p129

Off-time higher education as a risk factor in identity formation

Abstract One of the important determinants of development during the transition to adulthood is the undertaking of social roles characteristic of adults, also in the area of finishing formal education, which usually coincides with beginning fulltime employment. In the study discussed in this paper, it has been hypothesized that continuing full-time education above the age of 26, a phenomenon rarely observed in Poland, can be considered as an unpunctual event that may be connected with difficulties in the process of identity formation. Relationships between identity dimensions and identity statuses, and age and educational context were analyzed. 693 individuals aged 19-35 took part in the study. The participants attended three types of educational institutions: (1) full-time university studies (BA or MA level), (2) part-time university studies (BA or MA level), and (3) full-time post-secondary school (certificate courses such as: medical rescue, massage therapy, cosmetology, occupational therapy). Among the students of full-time university studies predictable dependencies, also in respect of highlevels of indicators of identity crisis and a high frequency of diffused identity occurrence, were observed. Such dependencies were not found in the group of full-time post-secondary school students.

A Survey of the Services of Public Libraries in Meeting the Information Needs of Post-Secondary School Students in Some Three Selected Public Libraries in Nigeria

The role of Public Libraries in meeting the information needs of the Community cannot be neglected. The Library is meant to serve the needs of all and sundry in the society without any bias. The main objective of this study was to examine the services of the Public Libraries in meeting the information needs of Post Secondary School Students in Public Libraries in Nigeria. The study adopted a Descriptive Survey Design and the Simple Random Sampling Techniques was used to select one hundred and fifty respondents (Post-Secondary School Students) in three selected Public Libraries, that is, Oyo, Ogun and Kwara State Library Boards. The questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data for the study, while descriptive statistics with tables of frequencies and percentages was used in analysing the data. The study revealed that the information needs of the Post-Secondary School Students were information on academic work, personal development and sports news and recreation. Different services rendered by Public Libraries were looked into. Inadequate information resources were the major factor militating against the Public Library services to the Post-Secondary School Students. Various reasons why post-secondary school students use the public library were also highlighted. It is recommended that adequate information resources be provided in Public Libraries so that information needs of the user can be met.

Strategy-Based Reading Instruction Utilizing the CALLA Model in an ESL/EFL Context

This paper describes four English reading instruction approaches which are primarily used in ESL/EFL reading classes: ExperienceTextRelationship, the Reciprocal Teaching Approach, Transactional Strategy Instruction, and the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach. Each reading approach is based on reading strategy instruction, and students are considered active learners in these paradigms. The CALLA model in particular puts emphasis on both language and content development while teaching strategies explicitly. Considering that the CALLA model is based on promotion of language and content at the same time, it can be a desirable instructional model in ESL/EFL reading classes. Targeting post-secondary school students whose English reading proficiency levels are in between intermediate and highintermediate, this paper illustrates each stage of the CALLA instructional model and provides a sample lesson plan. ESL/EFL teachers may utilize the demonstration or the lesson plan in a real teaching situation to help learners be successful ESL/EFL readers while increasing their content knowledge and language proficiency.

Validation d'un questionnaire de repérage de l'usage nocif d'alcool et de cannabis dans la population générale : le CRAFFT-ADOSPA

Adolescents and young adults seeing a nurse or physician for any reason should be screened for psychoactive substance use. Several English-language questionnaires are available to screen for and assess harmful use of psychoactive substances among adolescents, but to our knowledge, no such instrument exists in French. The aim of the ADOTECNO study was therefore to develop simple and efficient tools for this purpose. Two questionnaires widely used in French epidemiologic studies (CRAFFT-ADOSPA to screen for harmful use and POSIT to assess the seriousness of consumption from physical, psychological and social viewpoints) were completed by 1728 secondary and post-secondary school students. Statistical analyses assessed correlations between the questionnaires and calibrated optimal cutoff points for the different tools included in ADOTECNO. Correlations between psychoactive substance consumption, responses to the CRAFFT-ADOSPA questionnaire, and POSIT factor A scores showed that CRAFFT-ADOSPA provided early detection of regular alcohol intoxication and of regular and daily cannabis use. At a score of 2, CRAFFT-ADOSPA detects harmful substance use, and at a score higher than or equal to 3 it demonstrates serious substance use. These findings enabled us to recommend useful cutoff values for the CRAFFT-ADOSPA tools for screening subjects at moderate or high risk of substance abuse. This simple broad screening should be complemented for the subjects found to be at risk by a computer-assisted POSIT to guide practitioners in selecting an approach (educational, school, family, psychological, psychiatric, etc.) to care and management according to the specific types of impairment resulting from substance use.

Marketing a Hard-to-Swallow Message

Binge drinking, commonly defined as having more than five drinks on a single occasion, is a public health issue affecting two thirds of Canadian young adults between the ages of 19–24 years. To educate young adults about alcohol poisoning, a network of 16 Ontario Health Units developed and implemented a mass-media campaign. The focus of this article is to report on post-secondary students’ perceptions about key media campaign strategies, elements and messages for future campaigns designed to increase awareness about the risks of binge drinking. As part of a multi-method process evaluation, nine focus groups were facilitated to explore the young adults’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about binge drinking and the campaign messages. Participants were also asked to identify specific marketing messages and techniques that would increase their level of awareness about the risks of binge drinking. Participants recommended that campaigns be targeted towards parents and high school and post-secondary school students. Participants provided recommendations for the types of messages, images, and language they perceived would capture the attention of young adults. Television, posters and the internet were identified as key media channels for disseminating health information about the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. The problem of binge drinking is pervasive across Canadian campuses and students are largely unaware of the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. To reach this target population, it is important for future media campaign developers to utilize language, definitions, graphics and channels of communication to which this group relates.

So What are You Doing after College? An Investigation of Individuals Studying the Arts at the Post-Secondary Level, Their Job Aspirations and Levels of Realism

Even as jobs in the arts continue to be scarce and rates of pay relatively low, post-secondary school students on both the undergraduate and graduate levels continue to pursue degrees in the arts. The present study was designed to investigate who is pursuing such studies, in what areas, and why. Questions were asked regarding perceived probability of finding and keeping employment in the arts after graduation, the perceived respect that students' chosen fields of endeavor have in the general population of citizens, the degree of support for newcomers by colleagues in the arts, and contingency plans students are making if they cannot find employment in the arts. It was found that a large proportion of arts majors were also seeking certification as arts educators even though they did not intend to teach, and that teaching jobs in the arts fields are also scarce. It was also indicated that post-secondary students in the arts were both realistic and at the same time optimistic and enthusiastic about their chosen professions and plan to stay in the arts as a lifelong endeavor.