Internalizing and externalizing problems and parenting: Results from a Saudi Arabian sample

Relatively few studies have attempted to identify factors that contribute to variation in parental behavior. The literature has revealed associations between both internal and external factors in the variation in parenting behaviors. In addition, the vast majority of the existing literature has focused almost exclusively on Western cultures (e.g., the USA). The current study addresses these limitations by examining direct and indirect pathways involving both internal and external sources of influence on parenting behaviors in a sample of adults from Saudi Arabia (N = 196). The employed statistical models revealed robust and consistent direct associations between the examined internalizing sources of influence (self-control and psychopathy) and parenting behaviors. Subsequent models revealed some evidence of mediation stemming from external sources of influence (namely, aggression). However, the resulting indirect effects were inconsistent, indicating that other, unmeasured mechanisms ultimately connect the examined internalizing problems and parenting behaviors.     

Fertility and Financial Development in South Asia

The paper empirically examines old-age security hypothesis to explain fertility rates in South Asia. Panel data is used for the period 1972–2013 for seven South Asian countries which include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The estimated results reveal that in South Asia fertility rate decreases with the increase in financial development. Thus, the findings support old-age security hypothesis that parents use children as financial instruments to secure their old age. This paper validates the theory that the availability of alternative financial tools reduces the incentives of households to have large offspring. Infant mortality is also shown an important factor for high fertility rate in South Asia. This implies that households cover their risk from losing children by producing more children. The results also reveal that fertility rate decreases with the increase in per capita income, which implies that households treat children as inferior good in this region. In other words, households prefer quality of children over quantity of children when their income level increases. The results have also shown that fertility decreases with the increase in education, urbanization, agriculture productivity and industrialization. The study has some important policy implications.     

Consanguinity and Other Marriage Market Effects of a Wealth Shock in Bangladesh

This paper uses a wealth shock from the construction of a flood protection embankment in rural Bangladesh coupled with data on the universe of all 52,000 marriage decisions between 1982 and 1996 to examine changes in marital prospects for households protected by the embankment relative to unprotected households living on the other side of the river. We use difference-in-difference specifications to document that brides from protected households commanded larger dowries, married wealthier households, and became less likely to marry biological relatives. Financial liquidity-constrained households appear to use within-family marriage (in which one can promise ex-post payments) as a form of credit to meet up-front dowry demands, but the resultant wealth shock for households protected by the embankment relaxed this need to marry consanguineously. Our results shed light on the socioeconomic roots of consanguinity, which carries health risks for offspring but can also carry substantial benefits for the families involved.     

Culture,Structure, and the Refugee Experience in Somali Immigrant Family Transformation

This analysis suggests a theoretical refinement of migrant acculturation theories to deal specifically with refugee acculturation experiences. Using the case of family dynamics among Somali refugees in Minnesota, we find that the same factors that are theorized to affect voluntary migrants are also important for refugees. Specifically, the nature of exit from the sending society, the reception in a new location, and group characteristics all appear to be important. However, within the category of exit from the sending society, there are specific concerns that will be more relevant to refugees than to “voluntary” migrants. Specifically, the ongoing condition of the sending society and the effects of any transitions on transnational ties are critically important in the refugee context. We demonstrate how the societal upheaval that created the Somali refugee community also affected culture and connections within Somalia, and how this has an ongoing impact on the US Somali refugee community. We argue that it is valuable to refine the acculturation framework when considering refugees.     

Is Tourism Marriage of Young Girls in Egypt a Form of Child Sexual Abuse? A Family Exploitation Perspective

Tourism marriage in Egypt is considered a part of the child marriage phenomenon, as parents following false interpretations of Islamic teachings offer up their daughters for short-term sexual relationships in return for money from tourists. This exploratory study used qualitative methods to interview 42 parents who reside in the city of Darasa, Giza, Egypt, whose daughters were persuaded to engage in tourism marriage. Eight social work students utilized an interview guide that contained 10 questions exploring how parents strike deals with tourists and avoid all legal and traditional procedures of marriage in Egypt. The findings of this study were summarized in six distinct themes, which show evidence of family exploitation of young women. This experience likely increases the child’s vulnerability to psychological, social, and physical consequences.     

Cervico‐motor reflex: Description of the reflex and role in sexual acts

A recently identified reflex, termed the “cervico‐motor reflex,” was studied in 15 healthy women (mean age 36.6 years). The response of levator ani (LA) and puborectalis (PR) muscles to electrical and mechanical stimulation of the cervix uteri (CU) was determined. One concentric needle electrode was inserted into the CU (stimulating), a second into the LA (recording), and a third into the PR (recording). The vaginal pressure was measured at rest and on cervical stimulation by balloon‐tipped catheters. Electrical stimulation of the CU led to a reduction in pressure in the upper portion of the vagina (p < .05) and an increase in pressure in the middle and lower portions (p < .001). Stimulation also caused an increase in the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the LA and PR muscles (p < .01). Mechanical stimulation induced the same effects but to a lesser degree. Stimulation of the anesthetized CU, LA, or PR did not evoke the response. The data suggested the presence of a reproducible reflex relationship between the CU and both the LA and PR. During the sexual act and penile buffeting of the CU, levator contraction “balloons” the upper vagina, which acts as a “receptacle” for the semen. Meanwhile, PR contraction narrows the lower vagina, which may effect an increase of penile erection and rigidity. The cervico‐motor reflex may be incorporated as an investigative tool in sexual act disorders.     

Assessment of multidimensional poverty and effectiveness of microfinance-driven government and NGO projects in the rural Bangladesh

This paper has developed a multidimensional model usable in assessing economic, social, political and cultural dimensions of poverty by utilizing primary data collected from 78 villages in Bangladesh using a participatory approach. Employing the developed model, a comparative analysis has been performed between microfinance-driven government (GO) and NGO (non-government organization) projects to explore their relative effectiveness in enhancing wellbeing of the poor in rural Bangladesh. It is observed that GO agencies are more effective in enhancing ‘economic wellbeing’ of the poor, whereas NGOs are contributing more in the ‘social’ aspects of wellbeing. Findings also revealed that, as whole, GO agencies perform 42% better than NGOs in improving living standards of the rural poor which contradicts with the existing literature of poverty reduction projects in developing countries.     

RigiScan data under long-term testosterone therapy: improving long-term blood circulation of penile arteries,penile length and girth,erectile function,and nocturnal penile tumescence and duration

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) presents with low serum testosterone (TT) levels and sexual and nonsexual symptoms. Erectile dysfunction affects a man’s self-esteem and as a result partner relationship and quality of life.

Objectives: To investigate the andrological clinical profile outcomes of testosterone therapy (TTh) in men (n?=?88) with symptomatic LOH complaints and symptoms.

Main outcome measures: Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire at baseline and at 6 and 12 months of TTh. In addition, penile length was measured at baseline and 12 months. We also evaluated nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT, using RigiScan) and blood flow of cavernous arteries (penile Doppler ultrasonography) at baseline and 12 months of TT.

Materials and methods: Eighty-eight LOH men (M_age 51.1 years) with erectile dysfunction, all with serum TT?<10.4?nmol/L before TTh. Patients received intramuscular long-acting testosterone undecanoate for 12 months.

Results: Following TTh, in all patients, serum TT levels were restored within 3 months to normal levels. Compared with baseline values, erectile function significantly improved at 6 (mean score increase 1.95) and 12 months (mean score increase 2.16). No significant changes in penile length were observed. NPT significantly improved at 12 months in terms of both the frequency (mean increase 1.27 times) and duration of rigidity (mean increase 5.12?min). As regards the blood flow of the cavernous arteries, we observed a significant improvement (decrease of 1.16?cm/s) and end diastolic velocity of the penile arteries.

Conclusion: TTh in men with LOH resulted in improvement of the erectile function, NPT, and to some extent the blood flow of the cavernous arteries.     

Cyber warriors in the Middle East: The case of the Syrian Electronic Army

This paper investigates the online hacking group, the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA), and examines its goals. The study argues that it is not a hacktivist group but is made up of cyber warriors who are closely connected to the Syrian government in order to serve two main goals: serving as a public relations tool for the Syrian government to draw the world's attention to the official Syrian version of events taking place in the country and countering the impact of Syrian oppositional groups. The study investigates the online reaction to SEA by analyzing the comments posted on its YouTube videos in order to better understand the group's aims and strategies and the public perception.