Multivariate normal mean-variance mixture distribution based on Lindley distribution

This article introduces a new asymmetric distribution constructed by assuming the multivariate normal mean-variance mixture model. Called normal mean-variance mixture of the Lindley distribution, we derive some mathematical properties of the new distribution. Also, a feasible maximum likelihood estimation procedure using the EM algorithm and the asymptotic standard errors of parameter estimates are developed. The performance of the proposed distribution is illustrated by means of real datasets and simulation analysis.     

On the Qualities of a Teacher and a Student: An Eastern perspective based on Buddhism,Vedanta and Sufism

This essay looks at the requirements and qualities of a student and a teacher as seen from Eastern traditions such as Vedanta, Zen Buddhism and Sufism. The objective is to show or to propose that the same qualities are also needed in our present-day education system, no matter what the subject of study is. Though the emphasis is on these three particular systems, it is understood that one can find the same or similar qualities in other spiritual traditions. At the end of the essay, a heat transfer model is developed whereby the different aspects of an "ideal" teacher, sometimes also referred to as the real teacher, or the true teacher, can be obtained from such a model.     

A skew factor analysis model based on the normal mean–variance mixture of Birnbaum–Saunders distribution

This paper presents a robust extension of factor analysis model by assuming the multivariate normal mean–variance mixture of Birnbaum–Saunders distribution for the unobservable factors and errors. A computationally analytical EM-based algorithm is developed to find maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters. The asymptotic standard errors of parameter estimates are derived under an information-based paradigm. Numerical merits of the proposed methodology are illustrated using both simulated and real datasets.     

Efficacy of writing for recovery on traumatic grief symptoms of Afghani refugee bereaved adolescents: a randomized control trial

Effective evidence-based intervention for traumatic bereavement is one of the current major research issues in the field of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents. The "Writing for Recovery" group intervention is a new treatment approach developed by the Children and War Foundation for traumatized and bereaved children and adolescents after disasters. The purpose of this project was an empirical examination of this intervention with 12- to 18-year-old war bereaved Afghani refugees. Eighty-eight war bereaved Afghani refugees were screened using the Traumatic Grief Inventory for Children (TGIC). From those with the highest total score, 61 were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n = 29) or control group (n = 32). The experimental group received six sessions of group training on 3 consecutive days in their school. The difference of TGIC scores between the experimental group in pretest and posttest was significant (p = 0.001). Results of analysis of covariance also showed a significant effect of Writing for Recovery on the experimental group (p < 0.001). It is concluded that "Writing for Recovery" is an effective group intervention for bereaved children and adolescents after disasters.     

The impact of acculturation identification and acculturative stress on creativity among Iranian immigrants living in Malaysia

The authors investigate how patterns of heritage and mainstream cultural identification and acculturative stress may explain how Iranians living in Malaysia demonstrate enhanced creativity in creative achievements and creative problem-solving. The sample included 328 Iranian students who were recruited using a cluster sampling method. The results reveal that acculturative strategies (biculturalism, bicultural integration, or bicultural marginalisation) are associated with enhanced creativity. Specifically, strategies that involve disengaging from cultural practices, also referred to as marginalisation, are associated with creative achievements and finding creative solutions to problems. Moreover, heritage cultural identification mediated the relationship between culture shock and creative solution. That is, students who experienced culture shock in the mainstream culture relied on their cultural heritage knowledge and showed decline in their ability to solve a problem creatively. The findings illuminate how creative accomplishment and enhanced creativity potential may be linked to acculturation strategies.     

HIV prevention barriers in transgender women: a qualitative study

Abstract

Sexual contact is still one of the most important routes of HIV transmission. The aim of this study was identify the factors that underlie the higher prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors in a sample of transgender women in Iran. The qualitative study used face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews in a sample of 15 transgender women. Our participants used sexual practices as a way to be approved/accepted as a woman. Using sex for this purpose led them to engage in high-risk sexual relationships. It is essential to consider these issues in consulting and education about high-risk behaviors.     

A system theory approach to interfaith dialogue

Dialogue is an encounter between two or more human beings. We will consider how some scientists, philosophers and religious scholars have looked at dialogue and attempt to learn from each tradition while seeing this encounter under the umbrella of ‘Systems theory’, related to thermodynamics and flavored with Buddhist philosophy. The process of dialogue consists of three stages or phases: (1) pre‐dialogue; (2) dialogue; (3) post‐dialogue. Suggestions and techniques are offered for each phase and as to how to synthesize the three stages into a ‘whole’ dialogue.     

Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge Among Men and Women Aged 15 to 49 Years in Metropolitan Tehran

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge is an important predictor of an individual’s sexual behavior; however, little is known regarding this issue among Iranians. This study assessed sexual and reproductive health knowledge among men and women aged 15 to 49 years in Tehran. A total of 755 men and women aged 15 to 49 years were recruited using multistage, random cluster sampling in June 2014. An illustrative anonymous questionnaire endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to collect the data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The results showed that men and women were moderately knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive health (mean score of SRH knowledge = 39, range: 26 to 52); however, myths and misperceptions prevailed in different aspects of SRH. For example, only 45% of women and 38.7% of men accurately knew that a person infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can look healthy. Friends were identified as the primary or secondary source of knowledge about puberty and sex-related issues. A multivariate analysis showed that being female (coefficient = 0.139, p < 0.001) and being married (coefficient = 0.180, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of better SRH knowledge, while being young (age group 15 to 24) was a significant determinant of poor SRH knowledge (coefficient = ?0.161, p < 0.001) when other influencing factors were controlled. Culturally appropriate and age-specific comprehensive education is recommended, particularly for men, the unmarried, and the younger generation in Iran.     

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction Ratings; Multiple Group Invariance Analysis Across Scales with Different Response Format

The current study evaluates three hypothesized models on subjective well-being, comprising life domain ratings (LDR), overall satisfaction with life (OSWL), and overall dissatisfaction with life (ODWL), using structural equation modeling (SEM). A sample of 1,310 volunteering students, randomly assigned to six conditions, rated their overall life (dis)satisfaction and their (dis)satisfaction with six different life domains. Each condition used one of six response formats, differing in (1) orientation (horizontal vs. vertical), and (2) anchoring (0 to 10, −5 to +5, and Not numbered). The results of a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) support a six-factor model of LDR based on satisfaction or dissatisfaction items. However, our findings indicate that the kind of response format used to obtain satisfaction and dissatisfaction ratings can affect the factor loadings. Our results indicate that the proposed models of OSWL, and ODWL fit the data well, and are able to predict OSWL and ODWL, respectively. Moreover, among six life domains, which figure as the latent variables in our models, psychological well-being was found to be the strongest predictor of both OSWL and ODWL.