Search
Search Results
-
Impact of the Pandemic on Adults' Social Relationships and Health
51-62Views:217During the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, numerous researchers have investigated the societal impacts of the pandemic, the resulting changes of which continue to be integral parts of people's lives. Generally, it can be stated that individuals' health behaviors have significantly transformed due to the restrictions. In our study, we examined Hungarian adults (n=336), focusing on assessing their experiences related to harmful addictions, mental health, and maintaining social relationships. The respondents reported that over half of them communicated and/or met with acquaintances and friends less during the pandemic. 72% of the respondents reported smoking the same amount, while 36% consumed the same amount of alcohol as before the pandemic. Regarding harmful addictions (alcohol consumption and smoking), a proportional relationship was found between the frequencies of the two variables. Those who smoked more than before the pandemic also consumed alcohol more frequently, and this trend was also observed in the decrease in frequencies. Respondents who did not experience changes in their smoking habits also held similar views on alcohol consumption. Women respondents exhibited greater emotional fluctuation than male respondents when asked about the frequency of experiencing depression and feelings of hopelessness. Overall, the majority of participants (54.8%) experienced worsened mental health due to the pandemic, and it was found that the adverse effects of the pandemic period were more pronounced on women's (60.3%) mental health compared to men’s (46.2%).
-
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE LIGHT OF TALENT, HEALTH AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
43-56Views:517Background and aim: Academic achievement is determined by several intra- and interpersonal factors. Talent is an internal factor whose role in academic progress is unquestionable (Dávid et al., 2014a; Mező, 2008; Ceglédi, 2008). Health awareness is also an internal factor that has a significant effect on academic achievement, considering the positive effect of regular physical activity and positive self-image, and body image within the latter (Kovács, 2020). Also, interpersonal and environmental factors need to be emphasized, as adequate social support can significantly improve performance and can also play a crucial role in disadvantage compensation (Szemerszki, 2015; Ceglédi 2012). However, deficits of these factors (of which exclusion is very severe, for example) have the opposite effect. In our research, we examined the role of self-assessed talent preferences, self-satisfaction, regular physical activity, and coping with exclusion among the students of the University of Debrecen (N=159). Results: Based on the results of the linear regression analysis, exclusion itself has a negative effect on academic achievement, but self-satisfaction and coping with exclusion show a positive effect. Our results draw attention to the importance of social relationships and prevention of exclusion, as it is clear that social exclusion has a long-term impact on self-esteem and higher academic achievement, and is stronger the earlier it appears.
-
The Role and Importance of Obstacle Course Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
63-74Views:532Aim: In this study, we set out to describe the motor development deficits of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on existing research and to provide a methodologically based recommendation for the use of obstacle courses as a motor development tool and opportunity for children with ASD. Methods: a primary research study was conducted to present the results of semi-structured in-depth interviews with parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (N=25). The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive summary of the experiences of a group of 25 interview participants whose children with autism spectrum disorder participated in an obstacle course movement development programme. The interviews explored the impact of obstacle course movement development on the children's various skills (motor, social, communication and emotional/behavioural). Results: the parents' experiences confirmed that the obstacle course physical activity programme, which was provided for at least six months, was not only effective in developing children's gross motor and fine motor skills, but also led to positive changes in social relationships, social skills, communication skills and emotional behaviour.
-
Assimilation and Acculturation Processes in the Study of Inter-Ethnic Marriages
7-21Views:288Inter-ethnic marriages present a captivating arena for examining assimilation and acculturation processes, where individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds merge their identities. This article delves into the dynamics of inter-ethnic marriages in the Turkestan region of Southern Kazakhstan through the lens of assimilation and acculturation theories. Utilizing data collected from 45 interviews across five villages, including Zhana Iqan, Hantagy, Shornak, Turki poselkasy, and Kentau, the study explores various aspects of daily life such as language usage, religious practices, traditions, cuisine, and ethnic values. Research questions probe how individuals negotiate cultural differences in their interactions and interpret multicultural coexistence through assimilation, acculturation, and dissimilation theories. The hypothesis posits three cohabitation patterns -acculturation, assimilation, and dissimilation- equally valid within the same cultural and geographical space. Employing qualitative methods including interviews and surveys, the study uncovers patterns of adaptation and the degree of assimilation or acculturation within relationships. By analyzing data through the prism of assimilation and acculturation theories, the study sheds light on how cultural elements are integrated into daily routines and decision-making processes within inter-ethnic marriages. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how individuals navigate cultural diversity within marital relationships, enriching scholarly discourse on multiculturalism and societal relations.
-
Perceptions of University Students on the Role of Roma Student Societies in Higher Education
97-114Views:138As a result of the expansion of higher education, the student population is becoming more diversified, with students who are the first in their families and communities to undertake a university degree. Minorities defined as Roma have been an integral part of Europe since the Middle Ages, but their educational attainment lags behind the general population, and they are still under-represented in higher education. The study analyses the perceptions of mostly Roma students who are on the path of social mobility in their formal education and the non-formal community (Roma student societies) that provides targeted support for their academic progress. The study involved the members of the network of Roma student societies in Hungarian universities in questionnaire format research (N=300, n=182). In this study, the implicit ideas of the participants about the university and the Roma student societies are inquired into, exploring the similarities and differences in the function of the two institutions, and analysing the role of the Roma student society in social mobility. The data were processed using a qualitative analysis strategy, thematic coding. The results shed light on the functions of the university, which is a formal space, and the Roma student society, which is a non-formal socialization space. The university was associated with formal learning and socialisation, while the Roma student society was associated with experiential, action-oriented, non-formal space. The respondents perceived the university, but especially the student society, as a positive experience. Our study reveals the perceptions of the pedagogical programme of the Roma student societies. The Roma student society is compared to the relationships experienced in a family; the Roma student society is seen as a continuum of the sense of security provided by the family. Through the responses of Roma students, this study highlights that non-formal small communities in universities are effective means for the successful advancement of underrepresented groups in higher education, which supports a positive experience of their mobility.
-
LIVING CONDITIONS OF FAMILIES RAISING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN BERETTYÓÚJFALU
7-23Views:276Bass (2004) examined the living conditions of families raising severely disabled children in the framework of national data collection. His research results reflect the circumstances nearly twenty years ago. The present study aims is to compare the research results of Bass to the present living conditions of interviewees who live in Berettyóújfalu in the 2020s, revealing the changes which have occurred in their lifestyle, family relationships, and future plans in the course of the past years. We used a qualitative interview to reveal the characteristics of the living conditions of ten families living in Berettyóújfalu. According to our research results, there are positive tendencies in the families’ social situation, relationship system or in the economic activity of the parents, but they still face hardship and drawbacks in accessing public services and ensuring their child’s long-term future.
-
Prevalence and Consequences of Substance Abuse among Undergraduates in Ilorin Metropolis
31-43Views:174This study investigated the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse among undergraduates in Kwara State. The study examines whether or not moderating variables such as age, gender and family type would influence the respondents’ view on the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse among Undergraduates in Kwara State. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents from each of the three selected institutions. Thus, a total of 180 respondents participated in the study. A researcher-developed questionnaire titled "Prevalence and Consequences of Substance Abuse Questionnaire (PCSAQ)" was used to collect data for the study, using a t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the prevalent substances among undergraduates in Kwara State are cigarettes, alcohol, and tobacco among others. The findings also revealed that the consequences of substance abuse among undergraduates in Kwara State are low self-esteem, dropping out of school, and social isolation (i.e. Poor relationships with others) among others. The findings of this study also revealed that there was no significant difference in the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse among undergraduates based on age and family type. However, a significant difference was found in the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse based on gender. Based on the findings, it was recommended 1) that undergraduate students should be properly oriented by the counsellors on the dangers associated with substance abuse at the beginning of their academic year, 2) seminars and workshops should be provided by counsellors so that students would be informed about the consequences of substance abuse, 3) education should be properly structured and provided to students by school counsellor and parents at the early stage of development and 4) counsellors should organize seminars on the prevalence and consequences of substance abuse on the health of individual.
-
The Relationship Between Parental Involvement and Academic Achievement in Hungary Based on the National Competency Measurement Data
7-20Views:351The aim of our study is to review the wide-ranging network of relationships between schools and parents based on investigations carried out along various indicators in diverse social grups. By analyzing the National Competence Measurement database, we examined parental involvement, a factor known to influence academic outcomes, particularly in the 6th and 10th grades in Hungary. Principal component analysis and crosstabulation analysis were used in order to unveil correlations between the gained results and both the students' family background and age. It was found that although the level of parental involvement decreases with the child’s age, it still has an impact on parental participation. Additionally, we have demonstrated that lower-status families have a different involvement strategy, but the level of involvement is not as high as families from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, leading to misunderstandings between families and schools
-
THE ROLE OF ADVENTURE THERAPY AND ART THERAPY ELEMENTS IN FACILITATING ENCOUNTERS WITH SEVERE AND MULTIPLE DISABILITIES INDIVIDUALS
105-112Views:469The first encounter with people with severe and multiple disabilities could be highly challenging. Physical deformities of the body and face which are highly frequent in this group, lead to subconscious rejection. The lack of verbal communication makes the relationship even more difficult, thus, nonverbal methods are effective in facilitating relationship building. Methods such as nonverbal art therapies are highly popular in creating mutually empowering relationships. Common shared active and receptive artistic experiences as well as commonly solved challenges and other elements of adventure therapy helps to facilitate group processes. In this article, we refer to a pilot project: a special experience-based facultative course about facilitating encounters with adults with severe disabilities with art and adventure-based activities.
-
Research of Factors Influencing the Physical Activity Components of 14-18 Year Old Secondary School Students in Hajdúböszörmény
111-124Views:273Over the past decade and a half, the number of studies exploring the characteristics of physical activity has increased significantly. Many scientific papers have already highlighted the positive effects of regular physical activity. In our research, we conducted an age and gender representative study of secondary school students in Hajdúböszörmény, taking into account external and internal factors influencing physical activity. We used a questionnaire survey (N=302). The questions examined, in addition to sociodemographic data, the components of physical activity, its external and internal motivational background. We used a statistical analysis program (SPSS Statistics 25.0) to organise the questionnaire data and performed the appropriate statistical tests. External factors influencing physical activity (effects of educational institutions, parental pattern, friendship pattern, income, housing, amount of leisure time) were interpreted in relation to gender and age groups within the age group, using a self-made questionnaire. The PALMS (Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale) questionnaire was used to map intrinsic motivational factors (physical fitness, physical appearance, psychological well-being, personal development, social relationships, expectations of others, enjoyment, competition with others) affecting secondary school students. In our research, we looked for correlations between different motivational factors and an individual's physical activity. Identifying the extrinsic motives for physical activity is desirable to increase the effectiveness of preventive physical activity programmes. The results suggest that the effects of time spent in educational institutions (primary and secondary school) have only a small influence on the physical activity of the population studied, which may be a warning sign for professionals working in the field of physical education. The characteristics of the study sample are in line with the results of national surveys (physical activity levels, gender differences). In terms of motivational factors, it can be concluded that improving health (especially physical health) is a priority, which is particularly important as the past years have had a negative impact on the physical activity of the population of Hajdúböszörmény. The rejection of external factors is a general phenomenon, which can also be explained by the age characteristics of the persons surveyed, and may be related to a high degree of autonomy.