Authors:Nai-Cheng Kuo, Trellani Hicks First page: 8 Abstract: Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has gained increasing attention in many countries across education, psychology, healthcare, organizational management, and social work. ABA is a research-based approach to help individuals develop socially significant behavior and improve their lives. Different countries have organizations to provide training and certification programs locally, nationally, and internationally such as the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), the Asians and Pacific Islanders Association for Behavior Analysis (APIABA), and the Malaysia Association of Behaviour Analysis (MABA). For years, ABA has been focused on individual, egocentric, and self-oriented behavior. Because behavior changes cannot happen without one’s inner breakthroughs and resolutions to be the change, it is necessary to center ABA practice on humanistic, compassionate, and socially-oriented behavior to sustain human well-being and the development of society. In this article, we use the ABA programs in higher education accredited by ABAI as a case study to explore how the value-creating education framework developed by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi can cultivate humanistic behavior analysts. ABAI verifies university programs in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom to fulfill the Behavior Analyst Certified Board (BACB)’s coursework requirements. This case study, emphasizing humanity in behavioral analysis, can potentially maximize the practice of ABA globally. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Perera D. Candace, Maxine Newell Pages: 17 - 25 Abstract: Gender-based violence (GBV), which primarily affects women's health, is predicted by attitudes conducive to the acceptance of such violence. While there are extensive studies on the perception of GBV and its correlation with gender, only a few studies have analyzed the attitudes toward GBV in a predominantly Christian, Asian university, and how religion correlates with GBV. This cross-sectional study empirically compared the difference in perception of GBV between genders and religions, using survey data collected from 182 students at Asia-Pacific International University, Thailand; female respondents comprised 54% of this number. The predictive factors of acceptance of GBV were assessed through an online questionnaire that included demographic data, attitudes toward gender norms and justification of GBV. The results showed that gender and gender role beliefs were significantly positively correlated, and that religion had a significant effect on the justification of GBV as shown by a one-way ANOVA. This study demonstrated that gender, religion, gender role beliefs, and justification of GBV had a significant effect on the attitudes toward acceptance of GBV. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Sharifah Sophia Wan Ahmad, Su-hie Ting, Collin anak Jerome , Jiin-Yih Yeo Pages: 26 - 34 Abstract: The study focussed on deconstructing heterosexuals’ stigmatisation of LGBT in the context of religion in Malaysia. The qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 21 heterosexuals (Buddhist, Christian, Muslim). The interview questions focussed on societal and personal views of LGBT. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts totalling 30,488 words showed the lay perspective on the construction of homosexuality in terms of personal choice, situational factors, and ideologies of stigma. The participants were able to empathize with personal choice only because they perceived the LGBT individuals had no chance of reverting to a so-called normal identity. The participants re-animated, rehearsed and re-presented the ideological defence of heterosexuality through repeated stigmatisation of difference and non-conformity in the context of the normative religious beliefs. They also perceived homosexuals as a potential threat to the morality of the norm-compliant population, prone to emotional and psychological instability, and a threat to the veneer of normalcy. The study showed that such popular theorising is not a neutral instrument of knowledge but one that carries ideological power in normalizing stigma towards LGBT. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Angelito Cabanilla, Gaspar B. Batolbatol, Fate S. Jacaban, Amelia Bonotan Pages: 35 - 45 Abstract: Gamified instruction refers to utilizing game design elements for non-game activities and applying them in education. In this study, a meta-synthesis research design was utilized to synthesize findings on gamified instruction. Harzing’s Publish or Perish software was used to collect articles on gamified instruction from the Google Scholar and Scopus databases that were published from 2015–2022. A review protocol in the form of inclusion and exclusion criteria was established to screen possible articles for meta-synthesis, and 32 out of 134 articles were selected as part of this systematic review. Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis flow diagram were used to organize the extracted data. Braun and Clarke’s protocol on thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data from the included studies. Eleven themes emerged that were clustered into three meta-themes, consisting of positive experiences, negative experiences, and addressing these challenges. Students’ experiences enabled them to learn mathematics engagingly without trying hard to learn, while enhancing and creating meaningful learning. It is recommended that teachers should test the effectiveness of gamified instruction to assess students’ mathematical achievements. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Margihon Bayu Putra Kaumpungan Pages: 46 - 56 Abstract: The impact of COVID-19 on mental health has received significant attention. However, the data remains limited when it comes to examining its effects upon the clergy. In this study, the experiences of six Seventh-day Adventist pastors working in Singapore were explored in regards to their mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their relationships with people, their ability to navigate changing policies, and their sense of self-worth were themes identified as affecting mental health. Conflict involving parishioners, loss of interaction, and the lack of boundaries at home affected pastors’ mental health and their dealings with people. Under the theme of policy, pastors needed to navigate through constant directional changes specified by government authorities and higher-level church organizations. Pastors felt a constant pressure to adhere to all the requirements when managing their churches. Supplementing these two themes, pastors were also constantly struggling internally, particularly with the sense of helplessness and incompetency. The findings from this study contrast with other similar studies, and point to potentially distinctive socioeconomic factors that may have played a role in the pandemic experiences of pastors in Singapore. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Rona Beth S. Saban, Rowena Imelda A. Ramos, Rosalie C. Nacar Pages: 57 - 68 Abstract: Today’s organizations aim to establish healthy work environments. Through purposive sampling, 150 participants from two higher educational institutions were selected to explore the factors influencing their quality of work life. The instrument was composed of adapted questions from the Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale, Assessment for Change Readiness, and Work- Related Quality of Life Scale. The findings revealed high levels of social intelligence and change readiness, along with an average quality of work life. Social intelligence (p = .001) and change readiness (p = < .001) were associated with the quality of work life. Significant differences in quality of work life were also exhibited in terms of educational attainment (p = .045) and work position (p = .022). The results of this study verified these associations with social intelligence, change readiness, and quality of work life. Furthermore, confidence and optimism were the specific subscales that significantly predicted the employee's quality of work life. The study underscored that work has the potential to influence life to a great extent, and thus managers of establishments are urged to create nurturing environments that promote personal advancement, work-life balance, satisfaction, and trusting relationships. These factors critically enhance the quality of work life. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Yilin Li, Maxine Newell Pages: 69 - 75 Abstract: Mental health is a raising concern globally. Anxiety disorders and depression dominate among all mental health problems. Previous studies have shown that physical activity, especially when done in an outdoor natural setting, may have a positive impact on improving mental health including depression and anxiety symptoms. This descriptive correlational study was conducted at Asia-Pacific International University, Thailand to investigate the relationship between physical activity in a natural environment and the occurrence of depressive and anxiety disorder symptoms. In the study conducted, a cross-sectional design was used involving a total of 62 online students who participated in a survey in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicated a high prevalence of depressive (67.2%) and anxiety (77%) symptoms ranging from mild to extremely severe. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation. The results showed a weak but insignificant negative (r = – 0.157) correlation between physical activity in a natural environment and anxiety symptoms, and a weak but insignificant positive (r = 0.134) correlation between physical activity in a natural environment and depressive symptoms. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Richla Sabuin Pages: 76 - 82 Abstract: In a traditional learning style where the teacher assumes an authoritative position, students may be receiving input rather than producing output. Contrary to this, a flipped classroom model emphasizes more output; furthermore, input is generated by students’ own preparation for learning activities that are done in class. With an interest in the flipped classroom model, this paper investigates the perceptions of university EFL students in relation to the development of their speaking skills. A questionnaire was distributed to 12 students enrolled in a General English 4 class at a university in Indonesia. This questionnaire aimed to describe students’ satisfaction and experience in learning English through a flipped classroom model. Students’ responses from the questionnaire indicated that the flipped classroom model is a viable approach that can have a positive influence on students’ learning satisfaction and experience. The study also indicated that students particularly enjoyed speaking activities which were done in a collaborative manner. Based on this finding, a recommendation for practice is offered. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Rhalf Jayson F. Guanco, Lorein Kate Y. Delgra, Urriel E. Dotimas, Kayecelyn B. Dumas, Elly Rose D. Lumpay Pages: 83 - 91 Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic altered the way people live. For safety reasons, the government of the Philippines imposed health guidelines that affected the grieving process of Filipinos, resulting in complicated bereavement; yet there is little research examining potential protective factors for grieving Filipinos. This study investigated the mediating role of coping strategies between complicated grief and psychological wellbeing among 200 bereaved Filipinos aged 18 to 67. The researchers employed random sampling to administer modified versions of the Inventory of Complicated Grief, Coping Strategies Scale, and Ryff's Psychological Well-being questionnaires. It was determined that the degree of complicated grief was low, the level of coping strategies was high, and coping mechanisms were frequently employed. The findings indicated that coping strategies fully mediated the relationship between symptoms of complicated grief and psychological well-being (β =-0.493, t=2.16, p=0.03). Implications and recommendations were discussed. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
Authors:Joy Kuttappan, Gauri Joy Pages: 93 - 100 Abstract: Allusions are implied or indirect references that give writing aesthetic value. Robert Frost used allusions in his poems, but his Biblical allusions in the poem, “Mending Wall”, have not yet been studied in detail. Perhaps the reason is that they are obscure rather than overtly present in the poem. The purpose of the study was to analyze this poem’s obscure Biblical allusions through literary research. Numerous obscure Biblical allusions were discovered, including the poem’s title “Mending Wall”, which alluded to God’s salvation as a mending process. “He is all pine” alludes to wood used to make the cross for the Crucifixion of Christ; “apple orchard” refers to the Garden of Eden; “good neighbor” to Jesus’ command to love one’s neighbor in the parable of the “Good Samaritan;” “loaves” to the miracle of loaves and fishes; and “Bringing a stone … In each hand” denotes the tablets of the Ten Commandments carried by Moses. Thus, all these references used in Frost’s poem have Biblical affiliations and represent the obscure Biblical allusions hidden in this poem. PubDate: 2023-04-17 Issue No:Vol. 24, No. 1 (2023)
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