We investigated whether women (n = 223) higher in the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism) are subjected to greater cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors by their ...long-term romantic partners, and we considered women's desire for marriage as a moderator. We found that women higher in narcissism reported lower levels of verbal insults associated with “derogating value as a person” inflicted by their partners. Women higher in psychopathy reported higher levels of verbal insults associated with derogating physical attractiveness, derogating value as a partner, accusations of sexual infidelity, and general cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors inflicted by their partners. Women higher in psychopathy and who also reported a higher desire for marriage were subjected to more cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors than women higher in psychopathy that reported a lower desire for marriage. In this context, mate retention behaviors may reduce the likelihood of infidelity by decreasing the self-worth of women higher on the Dark Triad traits so that they conclude they are unable to compete successfully for other partners.
This exploratory study investigated whether factors such as gender, age, level of education, monthly income, and the number of family members are associated with verbal and non-verbal communication ...in Saudi Arabian families. A convenience sampling procedure was used to recruit 182 Saudi Arabian adults who responded to a self-report survey. Verbal and non-verbal communication was categorized into positive and negative communication. Descriptive and ordinal regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationships of familial variables with communication. Female gender status had a small negative association with positive communication, whereas the number of family members, level of education, monthly income, and age did not correlate with positive communication or negative communication. The Discussion section addresses the limitations of the current study and identifies several directions for future research, with special attention to the Saudi Arabian family context.
The current research is an exploratory, qualitative study of Saudi parents' perspectives on the use of touch screen tablets (i.e. iPads) to enhance learning outcomes for children with learning ...disabilities (LDs), ages 6-8 years. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 Saudi parents whose children with LDs used iPads for learning purposes. The results suggest that Saudi parents perceive this technology positively. However, the results also indicate that parents need guidance to support their child's use of this technology. Finally, the current study suggests the value of research investigating a broader array of parental perceptions of digital technology, as educators and policymakers incorporate digital technology into mainstream and LD education.
This study explored the association of interpersonal communication style (ICS) with personal and professional growth among Saudi Arabians in the context of the work environment. It was hypothesized ...that different ICSs are differently associated with personal and professional growth. The participants were 143 Saudi Arabian adults, including members of both genders, who were employed, with varying incomes, and who had different education levels. The participants completed a self-report survey, assessing their ICS and their personal and professional growth in an employment context. Consistent with the hypothesis, the results indicated that different ICSs are differently associated with personal and professional growth. The controlling ICS had the strongest relationship to professional and personal growth, whereas the dynamic ICS had the weakest relationship to professional and personal growth. In the Discussion, we address the limitations of the study and identify several directions for future research, with specific reference to the Saudi Arabian cultural context.
This study investigated in the Saudi Arabian context the relationship between student-instructor interaction and students' academic attainment. A survey secured reports from university students (n ...= 167) of their age, gender, interactions with instructors, and cumulative grade mean score for the previous three semesters. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between student-instructor interaction and student academic attainment. These findings have implications for teaching practices and suggest a need to implement a facilitative, interactive style of teaching, instead of relying on conventional instructor-centred teaching, both within and outside the classroom. We identify limitations of the current research and suggest directions for future research, with reference to the Saudi Arabian university context.
Bullying among primary school students is a serious problem that often has multiple negative effects including poor academic performance and mental health problems. The current study used qualitative ...methodology to determine the role of communication in creating awareness and preventing bullying in a school setting through stakeholder intervention and bullying-prevention programs. If teachers are aware of bullying, then they are likely to take adequate measures to reduce or prevent future bullying. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers working in public primary schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The results provide an initial step in the Saudi Arabian context toward identifying the forms and types of school bullying, helping administrators, teachers, parents, and students reduce bullying and develop long-term plans for addressing bullying. Consideration of teachers' perceptions may enable the development and implementation of new programs for addressing bullying in primary school students. The discussion highlights future research directions and the limitations of the current research.
This exploratory, qualitative study investigated the perceptions of Saudi Arabian parents of elementary school–aged children with learning disabilities with regard to their involvement in their ...children's education. Guided by results of previous research conducted primarily with Western samples, and using a semistructured interview methodology followed by thematic phenomenological analyses, specific interview topics included parental perceptions of (a) the importance of parent–school partnerships, (b) the means of encouraging a parent–school relationship, and (c) how school practices may affect parental participation. The study involved 13 parents of children in elementary education (ages 7–12 years) diagnosed with learning disabilities. The results suggest several ways to overcome the involvement barriers reported by parents.
Many people live with disabilities and many countries worldwide are acting to provide people with disabilities opportunities to find and sustain gainful employment. Notwithstanding, people with ...disabilities still do not have the same access to employment as their counterparts without disabilities. Although some research has investigated these issues in Western countries, very little research has investigated these issues in the Middle East, in general, and in Saudi Arabia, in particular. The aim of the present study is to gain an initial understanding of the employment experiences of people with disabilities and prospective employers of people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia. We identify several potential obstacles preventing people with disabilities from securing and maintaining gainful employment in Saudi Arabia. We secured qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with five prospective employers and five individuals with disabilities in Saudi Arabia. We focused on identifying barriers to employment. The impact of demographic factors such as age, gender, and education on employment opportunities was also examined. The results suggest several practical conclusions and recommendations relating to improving and enhancing opportunities for employment for people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia.
The purposes of this exploratory, qualitative research are to (a) examine the parental role in providing materials to facilitate learning and play for children with physical disabilities, and (b) ...identify the difficulties expressed by parents that affect the support provided to their children with physical disabilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 Saudi Arabian parents of children with physical disabilities to identify the parental role in providing play and learning materials as well as the challenges identified by parents in providing this support. Parents recommended that they initiate and maintain contact with other parents of children with physical disabilities and with associated organisations. Parents also recommended that teachers welcome parents to be involved in support of their children with physical disabilities, especially in the provision of play and learning materials. The authors conclude that disability awareness programs for peers and staff members may improve physical and psychological health for children with physical disabilities.
The successful implementation of inclusive education depends on many factors, among the most important of which are as teachers' attitudes about and perspectives on inclusive education. The current ...study employed a qualitative research design to explore and identify factors that public school teachers identify as obstacles to successful inclusion of students with disabilities in the mainstream classroom. Semi-structured individual interviews allowed respondents to share their personal perspectives in narrative detail. Twenty-four public primary school teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia participated. The results indicated that, in concert with their Western colleagues, Saudi teachers identified several factors as especially obstructive of inclusive education, including school readiness, lack of teacher training, and lack of effective partnerships with parents. We situate these results alongside previous research focused on Western teachers' attitudes about inclusive education, and we identify several areas for future research to advance the policy and practice of inclusive education in Saudi Arabia.
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