Bayesian Estimation of Change Point in Inverse Weibull Sequence

A sequence of independent lifetimes X ₁,…, X _m , X _m+1,…, X _n were observed from inverse Weibull distribution with mean stress θ₁ and reliability R ₁(t ₀) at time t ₀ but later it was found that there was a change in the system at some point of time m and it is reflected in the sequence after X _m by change in mean stress θ₁ and in reliability R ₂(t ₀) at time t ₀. The Bayes estimators of m, R ₁(t ₀) and R ₂(t ₀) are derived when a poor and a more detailed prior information is introduced into the inferential procedure. The effects of correct and wrong prior information on the Bayes estimators are studied.     

Including Spirituality in the Social Work Curriculum: Perspectives from South Asia

This article is based on a study of 1,084 social work educators from six South Asian countries on their perspectives on including spirituality in the social work curriculum. Findings revealed that all educators across countries felt that a course on spirituality was desirable. They differed however in aspects such as level of course introduction (undergraduate or postgraduate), the nature of the course (optional or compulsory) and the curriculum content (evidence based or experiential). Further educators construed varied meanings of spirituality (transcendence, mind-soul discourse, relational) and spiritually sensitive practice (actively using spirituality and mindfulness as methods of practice for intervention and drawing upon the spiritual strength and potential of the clientele/group/community to plan intervention). Four log regression models also determined predictors of educators' perceptions on spirituality for micro practice, macro practice, level of course introduction and curriculum content. Country, educators' religious background, years of service and scores on Spirituality Assessment Scale emerged as key predictors. Based on educators' responses, this article provides a suggestive frame for the curriculum. With spirituality and its plausible settings of applications, a case is also made for giving credence to indigenising and decolonising approaches in social work education in South Asia.     

Spirituality for Wellbeing of Bereaved Children in Residential Care: Insights for Spiritually Sensitive Child-Centred Social Work Across Country Contexts

This experimental study examines the effect of spiritual intervention programmes. Data include pre and post-tests from 1689 bereaved children in residential homes across 13 countries. Post-treatment scores of bereaved children were higher on outcome measures of psychological wellbeing, self-concept, health, happiness, resilience and academic performance. Post-treatment scores on measures such as depression and discrepancy between perceived and preferred self were markedly lower. Children from South Asian and African countries, boys and Christians scored higher on the self-concept scale, health questionnaire and resilience scale, and lower on the depression and discrepancy measures vis-à-vis their counterparts from European countries, US and Canada, girls and non-Christians. Children who underwent the customized spiritual intervention programme vis-à-vis open-ended sessions on centering and meditation and those who regularly self-practiced, were more likely report higher scores on the wellbeing measure. The results suggest that spiritual intervention programmes work for institutionalized bereaved children and further propose that they should be customized and focused, incorporate diversity, emphasize on positive thinking, futuristic attitude and self-practice.     

State-initiated development and the Reang ethnic minority in Tripura (North East India)

This paper explores the wider implications of state-led development on the Reang ethnic minority in the North East Indian state of Tripura, and in doing so presents a critical view on such development endeavours. Basing itself on the study of the relationship between the state and the ethnic minorities, this research argues the following: – first, most state-led development programmes are formulated on a preconceived notion of ‘backwardness’ in the ethnic minorities. Second, state-led development projects create internal fissures and ruptures within ethnic minorities on issues of what constitutes development. Third, often, state-led development programmes create an image of oneself as inherently ‘backward’, whereby the conditioning of the mind plays an important role in extending the desire of the members of an ethnic minority to achieve this ‘imagined modernity’.     

Gender,tribe and development: a case study of the Reang tribal community in Tripura (Northeast India)

The article critically examines the gendered impacts of state-led development among the Reang tribal community in Tripura (Northeast India) and outlines causes of gender-based inequalities that affect Reang women’s ability to engage in livelihood, achieve financial independence and participate in political affairs of the state. The article outlines two interlinked arguments. First, gender-based inequalities are not adequately addressed by the postcolonial Indian state which tends to homogenise members of tribal communities through development policies by privileging ethnicity over gender. Second, gender-based inequalities are also not adequately addressed within the Reang community highlighting complex intra-tribal dynamics wherein differential notion of inequalities among the Reangs and position of certain influential actors within the community determines which issues are addressed and which are marginalised.     

Sopranos but not tenors live longer

The longer life spans of females compared to males has been attributed to the effects of sex hormones. Since experimental tests of this possibility in humans are unethical, indirect studies have been relied on for evidence. The present study offers such indirect evidence by comparing life spans of female and male opera singers, since sex hormones are known to influence development of voice. Life spans of sopranos were found to be significantly greater than those of lower voice registered contraltos, even after controlling for birth year. Differences among male opera singers were not statistically significant. The data support the hypothesis that females live longer than males because of the beneficial effects of estrogens on longevity-related genes.     

An Evidence Base for Group Work with Older Adults Living in the Community

There is a small but illuminating body of research related to group work with older adults living in the community. A broad range of interventions with diverse elderly participants have been studied internationally using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Although scanty, the published literature informs group work practitioners on the strengths and limitations of different interventions. This article presents a critical review of 13 studies published between 1990 and 2007 to guide group work practitioners in organizing and facilitating groups for older adults in the community. Each review notes the characteristics of the participants, type of group intervention, methodology, and findings of the study. It examines the rigor, impact, and applicability of the findings to practice with this population. Much needs to be done to develop an evidence base for group work with older adults living in the community. Recommendations for practice and future research are offered.     

What do highly qualified professionally achieving women do after retirement in India? Exploring time use,leisure, and volunteering

ABSTRACT

This study analyzes the time use of highly qualified professionally achieving (HQPA) women after retirement. Data were collected from a random sample of 1,023 HQPA women in the city of Mumbai, India. HQPA women spent their postretirement time in caregiving and family responsibilities, leisure activities, and volunteer work. Several HQPA women volunteered at social service organizations as the main postretirement activity. In a developing country like India, which is still growing in terms of skilled human resources, this voluntary engagement of experienced and skilled older women is crucial. Policy makers in India and developing nations can promote this.     

Bayes Estimation of Change Point in Non Standard Mixture of Left-Truncated Exponential With Unknown Proportions

A sequence of independent lifetimes X ₁, X ₂,…, X _m , X _m+1,…, X _n were observed from the mixture of a degenerate and left-truncated exponential (LTE) distribution, with reliability R _1τ at time τ and minimum life length η with unknown proportion p ₁ and θ₁ but later it was found that there was a change in the system at some point of time m and it is reflected in the sequence after X _m by change in reliability R _2τ at time τ and unknown proportion p ₂ and θ₂. This distribution occurs in many practical situations, for instance; life of a unit may have a LTE distribution but some of the units fail instantaneously. Apart from mixture distributions, the phenomenon of change point is also observed in several situations in life testing and reliability estimation problems. It may happen that at some point of time instability in the sequence of failure times is observed. The problem of study is: When and where this change has started occurring. This is called change point inference problem. The estimators of m, R ₁(t ₀), R ₂(t ₀), p ₁, and p ₂ are derived under asymmetric loss functions namely Linex loss & general entropy loss functions. Both the non informative and informative prior are considered. The effects of prior consideration on Bayes estimates of change point are also studied.     

Childhood depression and spirituality: Insights for spiritually sensitive child-centred social work interventions

Based on a one-year longitudinal study of 1,769 children from schools across countries diagnosed with depressive symptoms, this randomized, controlled, trial-based research has investigated the influences and impact on childhood depression of two kinds of spiritual programs, customized and open-ended. Results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test showed that children had lower scores on depression scales and higher scores on the happiness scale post-intervention. Results of the logistic regression analysis and structural equation models specifically highlighted that boys, Christians, children from the middle class, and those who underwent the customized spiritual program were more likely to exhibit lower depressive symptoms and greater happiness, post-intervention. The implications of these findings for social work with depressed children have been discussed.