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Research Article
Social Communication Traits in Typical Hispanic Infants and Toddlers for Use in Autism Screening
Nicolás Linares-Orama*,
Hillary Fossas,
Valeria Torres
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, April 2024
Pages:
12-16
Received:
13 February 2024
Accepted:
5 March 2024
Published:
20 March 2024
DOI:
10.11648/j.pbs.20241302.11
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Abstract: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that the first Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) screening of development and behavior for all children can be completed as early as 9 months of age. To address this recommendation this study was aimed at describing the gestural and oral receptive and expressive social communicative behavior of typical Puerto Rican Hispanic children, using skills in the Early Social-Communication Scales (ESCS). Twenty Puerto Rican infants and toddlers, 10-14 months of age, were studied. Each participant was examined and observed (using video-audio recordings), by a trained speech-language pathology graduate student and a speech-language pathologist of the FILIUS Center. One clinician elicited while the other observed each child’s responses to the ESCS items. At the end, the recorded sessions were analyzed and discussed by the two observers to assign values to observed abilities on a scale of from 1 to 5 for each skill (1= does not execute; 5=very frequent execution). The strongest indicators of typical social communication in these Hispanic infants and toddlers demonstrate that, at that very early age, infants and toddlers are driven to interact with a stranger when accompanied by their mothers as a confirmation of their empathic dispositions. These strong indicators of social communication in typical Hispanic infants and toddlers can be observed by health professionals to identify difficulties in interaction skills as signs to refer children at-risk of autism.
Abstract: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that the first Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) screening of development and behavior for all children can be completed as early as 9 months of age. To address this recommendation this study was aimed at describing the gestural and oral receptive and expressive social communicative behavior of ...
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Research Article
Pilot Research for the Assessment of Neuroanatomical Correlates in Relation to Brain Talents Identified Through the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment
Iannoccari Giuseppe Alfredo*,
Cariani Claudia Tania,
Domenico Rega,
Fariselli Lorenzo,
Iseppato Ilaria
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, April 2024
Pages:
17-31
Received:
19 January 2024
Accepted:
5 February 2024
Published:
2 April 2024
Abstract: The current research is centered on investigating the neurophysiological correlates associated with various talents, with the goal of determining whether specific brain areas are activated during the expression of these talents. The study specifically investigates individuals with different occupational roles, distinguishing between social/healthcare and non-healthcare (administrative) positions. The research was conducted in three phases. The initial phase involved the selection of 60 employees from the Piccola Opera Caritas of Giulianova. Participants were administered the Brain Talent Profile questionnaire to gather information about their talents. The second phase focused on identifying neuroanatomical correlates using the BrainBit helmet. Participants engage in various brief activities while wearing the EEG headband, suitable for both neurofeedback and brain activity measurements. The final phase was dedicated to analyze the data collected through the Brain Brief Profile, which comprises three domains: Perception, Evaluation, and Action. Our hypothesis suggests significant correlations between participants' talents and recorded EEG patterns. To validate this hypothesis, the outcomes derived from the Social and Emotional Intelligence (SEI) test were compared with EEG measurements. This research holds potential applications in the recruitment phase, providing insights into the neurological basis of talents in prospective employees. It may offer advantages in training initiatives dedicated to enhancing talents and skills across diverse organizational roles. The emphasis on various job roles, particularly in the social/healthcare and administrative sectors, strengthens the practical relevance of the study for talent assessment and development within organizational contexts. In summary, our research aims to bridge the gap between talents and neurophysiological correlates, with potential implications for recruitment and training strategies within organizational settings.
Abstract: The current research is centered on investigating the neurophysiological correlates associated with various talents, with the goal of determining whether specific brain areas are activated during the expression of these talents. The study specifically investigates individuals with different occupational roles, distinguishing between social/healthca...
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Research Article
Epidemiology of Substance Abuse Among the Youths in Makueni County, Kenya
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, April 2024
Pages:
32-42
Received:
19 March 2024
Accepted:
7 April 2024
Published:
17 April 2024
Abstract: Introduction: Majority of youths all over the world ignorantly rely on one or more types of drugs for their everyday activities, including Mandrax, Cocaine, Tobacco, Heroine, Khat, Morphine, Alcohol, Amphetamines, Ephedrine, and Glue among others. This study’s purpose was to evaluate the epidemiology of substance abuse among the youths in Makueni County, Kenya. The broad objectives that guided the study was; to determine the epidemiology of substance abuse among the youths in Makueni County, Kenya. Methodology: -A Cross-sectional mixed-method study design was undertaken, with the target population consisting of all youths from Makueni County's eight main marketplaces. Purposive sampling was employed to obtain the 8 Major urban centres while simple random selection approach was employed to obtain respondents in each market. Qualitative data was collected using 8 key informants to supplement the quantitative data collected from the youths. A self-administered questionnaire was employed. Quantitative data was analysed using Descriptive as well as inferential statistics while qualitative narrative data was grouped into themes and was presented inform of texts with verbatim quotes used to amplify the voice of the informants. Results: The study sampled 384 respondents from Makueni County. Prevalence of Drug/Substance abuse stood at 62.3 % with alcohol (58.3%) being the most commonly abused drug/Substance. Hard Drugs were the least abused with 96.9% reporting they had never abused. Pearson correlation between gender, age and education level on prevalence of drug abuse in Makueni showed a weak positive relationship(r=0.032), weak negative relationship (r=-0.064) and a significant negative relationship (r=-0.212) respectively. High unemployment rates 62.3%, easy availability of drugs 34.3%, Peer pressure 72.3%, cheap cost of drugs 28.3% and poverty level 15.1% are main contributory factors to drug abuse. A chi-square run on the factors contributing to drug abuse also indicated a significant positive relationship between the local music, TV programs, friends, and social media with prevalence of drug abuse in Makueni County. The chi-square results also revealed a weak positive relationship between parents and prevalence of drug abuse in Makueni County. Faith-based organizations, local leaders, religious leaders, and non-governmental organizations had a strong negative relationship with prevalence of drug abuse in Makueni County. Conclusion & Recommendations: There is high prevalence of Drug/Substance abuse among the youths in Makueni County and both the County Government, national Government and the community in general must put stringent measures to curb the easy availability, sale and buying of abusive Drugs and other substances in the county.
Abstract: Introduction: Majority of youths all over the world ignorantly rely on one or more types of drugs for their everyday activities, including Mandrax, Cocaine, Tobacco, Heroine, Khat, Morphine, Alcohol, Amphetamines, Ephedrine, and Glue among others. This study’s purpose was to evaluate the epidemiology of substance abuse among the youths in Makueni C...
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Research Article
Psychological Flexibility Skills and Mental Wellbeing in Athletes: An Exploration of Associations and Gender Differences
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 2, April 2024
Pages:
43-55
Received:
21 March 2024
Accepted:
9 April 2024
Published:
29 April 2024
Abstract: Psychological flexibility skills (PFS) have shown to be an important aspect of wellbeing among the general population, however, there is a gap in research exploring flexibility skills among athletes. The present study examined the effects of PFS on young athletes’ (n = 106, M = 19.9) psychological wellbeing, symptomatology, and gender differences. Data was investigated using correlations and linear regression analyses. Higher PFS was associated with subjective wellbeing, recovery experiences, self-esteem, and lower levels of perceived stress, and depression symptoms (r = 0.30-0.53). Among the PFS, value-based actions acted as the strongest predictor for mental wellbeing and symptoms. In addition, avoidance of distressing thoughts and emotions related to sport was a significant predictor for self-esteem, symptoms of stress and depression but not for subjective wellbeing and recovery experience. Also, our results highlighted gender disparities, with female athletes reporting higher stress and depressive symptoms, while males exhibited better mental wellbeing, psychological recovery, self-esteem, and higher psychological flexibility skills. Overall, engagement in value-based actions may enhance athletes’ mental wellbeing. Further, it might be important to pay attention to individual differences related to gender both when assessing psychological flexibility skills and when applying interventions aimed at enhancing mental wellbeing among athletes.
Abstract: Psychological flexibility skills (PFS) have shown to be an important aspect of wellbeing among the general population, however, there is a gap in research exploring flexibility skills among athletes. The present study examined the effects of PFS on young athletes’ (n = 106, M = 19.9) psychological wellbeing, symptomatology, and gender differences. ...
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,
Jacob Masika
