Measuring alcohol craving in Saudi Arabia with possible implications for social work intervention

It is only in recent times that there has been recognition of alcohol abuse in Saudi Arabia, and social, psychological and health implications are now acknowledged. This study measured craving among Saudi alcoholics and compared it with the levels of alcohol they consumed. The study used an instrument for measuring craving (Alcohol Craving Questionnaire) after identifying the subjects by means of a demographical questionnaire and testing their level of alcohol use by means of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The study concludes that all Saudi alcoholics experience levels of craving. The overall results of both scales indicate that all patients can be considered to be alcoholics and that they experience various levels of craving for alcohol.     

Professionals’ Attitude Toward Reporting Child Sexual Abuse in Saudi Arabia

Child sexual abuse (CSA) requires specialized knowledge and training that includes forensic interview skills. The aim of this study was to determine variations in professionals’ attitudes toward CSA by measuring three aspects of forensic attitudes (sensitivity, specificity, and skepticism) and evaluating disagreements concerning the assessment of CSA cases in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, web-based study, in which the Child Forensic Attitude Scale was used to measure professionals’ attitudes, was conducted. Professionals who dealt with suspected cases of CSA as part of their jobs or were in professions that necessitated involvement with such cases, were selected as participants. Of 327 participants, 53% were aged ≤40 years, and 54% were men. In addition, 24% were doctors/nurses, 20% were therapists/psychiatrists, 24% were social workers, 17% were educators, 9% were law enforcement professionals, and 5% were medical examiners. Attitude subscale scores differed significantly according to participants’ sex, specialty, and training. Women, healthcare professionals, and those who had participated in more than five training courses were more concerned about the underreporting of abuse (high sensitivity) relative to other professionals. In comparison, men, medical examiners, law enforcement officers, and undertrained professionals tended to underreport suspected sexual abuse cases (high specificity). High specificity in attitudes toward suspected cases of CSA could affect professionals’ judgment and contribute to low reporting rates. Certain strategies, including increasing self-awareness of personal bias, specific CSA recognition courses, and team approaches to case assessment and management, should be implemented to control the influence of subjective factors.     

Situating Children's Voices: Considering the Context When Conducting Research with Young Children

I problematise my own concept of children's voices in research by reflecting on certain practices in a study that I conducted in a kindergarten classroom in a city in Saudi Arabia. I examine the cultural and social contexts of my research by drawing on my experience of obtaining children's assent or dissent, my assumptions regarding the possibility of reducing power differentials, and finally, my understanding of the ways children voice their feelings and views. I conclude that voices manifest themselves in multiple ways that extend beyond visual or verbal media. Voices are constructed socially and are shaped culturally to reflect norms regarding how individuals should express their views and feelings within a particular setting and time.     

沙特地方行政体制及其发展

沙特地方行政体制的发展是沙特政治现代化的成就和经验之一，但前人对此问题的研究似乎尚显薄弱。在现代沙特地方行政体制发展中，历任国王发挥了重要作用。目前，尽管沙特地方行政体制中还存在一些问题，但它在沙特现代化进程中一直发挥着重要作用。     

Factors Which Influence the Size of the Contemporary Dwelling: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

This study investigates the phenomenon of building big dwellings in contemporary Saudi society. It relates the size of the contemporary villa-type dwelling with the traditional dwelling, and it compares it to a number of average (standard) international dwellings. It questions the rationale of its large size; hence, it argues against leaving this trend to continue unchecked. It further defines and discusses factors which influence the dwelling size, i.e. economic, socio-cultural, and new building practice and trade. The aim of this research is to draw attention to this phenomenon, to inform those involved in housing policy and design of the extent of size-related problems in terms of initial construction and furnishing cost and in terms of operating and maintenance life-cycle cost, and to call for further research to investigate its social, environmental, and economic impact on the country and its population.     

美国撤军伊拉克后伊朗和沙特的抗衡

美国从伊拉克撤军后对伊拉克安全稳定的最大挑战是地区势力的角逐,尤其是伊朗和沙特在该地区的竞争将对伊拉克的安全和稳定带来重要影响。沙特担心伊朗将利用其在伊拉克的影响来使其在美国撤军后在地区称霸。本文讨论伊朗和沙特之间的竞争以及该竞争对伊拉克未来稳定的影响。     

美国撤军伊拉克后伊朗和沙特的抗衡

美国从伊拉克撤军后对伊拉克安全稳定的最大挑战是地区势力的角逐,尤其是伊朗和沙特在该地区的竞争将对伊拉克的安全和稳定带来重要影响。沙特担心伊朗将利用其在伊拉克的影响来使其在美国撤军后在地区称霸。本文讨论伊朗和沙特之间的竞争以及该竞争对伊拉克未来稳定的影响。     

Poverty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An Exploratory Study of Poverty and Female‐headed Households in Jeddah City

This article reports an exploratory study in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia, which assembled data and information from government and non‐governmental organizations about poverty and poverty alleviation policies. A list of poor families which were receiving benefits from the Social Security Department and charitable associations in Jeddah City was constructed, from which female‐headed households were identified and classified depending on the circumstances of the female head. The article describes the social, cultural and demographic characteristics of poor female‐headed households in Jeddah. The article also uses the results of interviews with 13 poor female heads of households to analyse aspects of their everyday lives. This evidence is used to discuss the ability of the Saudi state's income support system to address poverty as the country undergoes economic and social modernization.     

An integrated simulation model for effective planning of maintenance operations for Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)

An effective maintenance system is essential for SAUDIA in order to meet its set objectives. These objectives include minimal flight cancellations, minimal delays, minimal repair turn time, and effective utilization of maintenance resources. In this paper, the elements of an integrated simulation model for SAUDIA have been described. The integrated model consists of several modules. These are planning and scheduling, organization, supply, quality control and performance measures. The required data and software for such a model have been described. Also, the utility of such a model for SAUDIA has been outlined.     

The transformation of Saudi Arabia’s rentier state and ‘the international’

ABSTRACT

The Saudi state is conventionally characterized as a neo-patrimonial rentier state that emerged out of a combination of traditional domestic social structures and oil wealth. However, the conceptualization of the rentier state as endogenously generated based on ‘traditional’ society is an example of Eurocentric institutionalism. In this article, I draw on literature that has sought to ‘internationalise’ the East Asian developmental state concept to show that Saudi rentier state formation has historically always been ‘international’. Thus, while Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman claims that his current economic reforms are opening up Saudi Arabia’s rentier economy to globalization, the restructuring of the rentier state is only the latest episode in this process, which was shaped by the colonial era in the Gulf and the transformation of an American-dominated global economy since World War II. The ‘internationalisation’ of the rentier state concept thereby also holds wider lessons for other neo-Weberian statist concepts such as failed or weak states.