Parental Support for Basic Psychological Needs and Happiness: The Importance of Sense of Uniqueness

Past empirical research relying on self-determination theory (SDT) has consistently shown that parental support of basic psychological needs (BPN) is associated with adolescent happiness. Yet, the specific mechanisms accounting for this link are still undetermined. The present study aimed to address this gap in the literature by testing a theoretical model proposing that adolescents’ satisfaction of BPN in life and sense of uniqueness mediate the association of parental support for BPN and happiness. The analyses relied on structural equation modeling and bootstrapping procedures and found support for the model. The theoretical implications of the model for SDT and applied considerations to improve the well-being of adolescents are discussed. Also, suggestions for future research that could further improve our understanding of the dynamic interplay between BPN, sense of uniqueness and happiness are presented.     

Run statistics in a sequence of arbitrarily dependent binary trials

Let {Z _i } _i≥1 be an arbitrary sequence of trials with two possible outcomes either success (1) or failure (0). General expressions for the exact distributions of runs, both success and failure, in Z ₁, . . . , Z _n are presented. Our method is based on the use of joint distribution of success and failure run lengths and unifies the results on distribution of runs. As a special case of our results we obtain the distributions of runs for various binary sequences. As illustrated in the paper the results enable us to derive the distribution of runs for binary trials arising in urn models.     

New High-Speed Computing Devices

“One method of error analysis (not the one we will use) is based upon the principles of mathematical statistics. Unfortunately, statistical methods can only be meaningfully applied when one has large amounts of data for a given system. In many cases … these large quantities of data are not available … then statistical methods are not applicable, and some other methods must be devised.”     

A Validity and Reliability Study of the Multidimensional Trust in Health-Care Systems Scale in a Turkish Patient Population

The importance of trust within health care is widely acknowledged. Measuring patients’ trust in health care systems may contribute to plans for the financing, delivery, and outcomes of health services. Although many scales are available to measure patient trust, less attention has been paid to the multidimensional nature of trust in health care systems. The purpose of this methodological study was to adapt the Multidimensional Trust in Health-Care Systems Scale into Turkish and to evaluate its psychometric properties for a Turkish patient population. The scale was adapted into Turkish through a translation and back-translation process. The content validity of the scale was assessed using expert approval. The psychometric properties of the scale were investigated by collecting data from 232 hospitalised patients in Ankara during theperiod of 1 January–30 December 2010. An exploratory factor analysis identified that the eigenvalues for the three factors of the scale were 7.30, 2.61, and 1.21; these three factors explained 65 % of the variance. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated a sufficient model fit for the construct validity of the scale. Cronbach’s α for the total scale was 0.87, as well as 0.91, 0.82, and 0.61 for the three subscales; the Spearman-Brown split half reliability coefficient was 0.67. Despite the low internal consistency of the subscale 3, evidence from this study supports the validity and reliability of the Multidimensional Trust in Health-Care Systems Scale. This instrument can be used to measure multiple aspects of trust in the health care system; however, as trust is a contextual phenomenon, further work is needed to test the psychometric properties of this scale both in Turkish and different cultures.     

试论客家方言对粤语语音的影响

粤语作为强势方言,对客家话影响较大.但在长期的语言接触中,客家话对粤语亦产生影响.本文论述这些影响,内容有古全浊声母的送气读法;晓、匣母合口读f;疑、日母(细音)合流为鼻音;溪母保留送气;特殊的kv、k‘v、声母;精、庄、章组的分混;晓、匣母细音读擦音;韵母缺乏撮口呼;舌尖元音 ;蟹合一帮组读 i或i;山、咸摄细音保持复合元音的读法;古鼻音韵尾的丢失与归并;粤语、在石歧郊区话的混读;四邑话舒声调与客家话声调的类型接近;中山客话与石歧话声调数目.     

Islamophobia in the media: a response from multicultural education 1

This paper looks at the media in Germany and Australia in order to focus on the question of how Islam is accepted in both countries, and the extent to which Islamophobia exists. It was discovered that, for the most part, the media in both countries present a somewhat biased view of Muslims and Islam. However, there were some significant differences: (1) a higher acceptance of multiculturalism in the Australian media, which is revealed in the greater number of articles on ordinary, everyday multicultural life; (2) differences in the portrayal of migrants’ roles; and (3) the terminology used to refer to migrants. The paper concludes by outlining the ways in which multicultural education could contribute to a reduction of Islamophobia.     

Does Perceived Social Support Buffer the Negative Effects of Type C Personality on Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients?

The present study investigated possible Type C personality–quality of life (QOL) relationship, and the moderating role of perceived social support in this relation among 101 postoperative breast cancer patients. Participants were from different cities in Turkey but receiving treatment in the capital, Ankara. Obtained data were analyzed by moderated regression analysis. According to the results, Type C personality was not related to the QOL of participants, however, higher perceived social support was associated with better QOL in patients. Also, perceived social support moderated Type C personality–QOL relation. Accordingly, patients high on Type C personality and perceived social support had the highest QOL. In contrast, patients high on Type C personality and low on perceived social support had the lowest QOL. Findings, as well as the strengths and limitations of the study, were discussed in the light of the relevant literature. As a possible clinical implication, enhancement of social support networks of the patients were suggested.     

推进城镇化是解决"三农"问题的根本出路

十六大报告提出农村要走中国特色的城镇化道路 ,是符合我国国情及农村生产力的发展水平的 ,标明我们已跳出了就“三农”解决“三农”问题的思路 ,开辟了农村经济发展的新思路。要注意从国情出发 ,走多元化的城镇化道路并加强对小城镇的规划和管理。