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A Thematic Analysis on the Effects of Mindful Meditation on Stress and Anxiety among University StudentsThis study explores the effects of mindful meditation on stress and anxiety among students, utilizing a thematic analysis of 12 studies. The research focuses on secular mindfulness practices, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and includes one study on Islamic mindfulness meditation (muraqabah). The analysis identifies common themes across these practices, such as the importance of regular practice and the enhancement of emotional regulation. Additionally, the study highlights the unique contributions of Islamic mindfulness, which integrates spiritual well-being with mental health practices. The findings suggest that while secular practices are effective in reducing stress and anxiety, incorporating spiritual practices like muraqabah offers a more comprehensive approach to student mental health. This study has important implications for how mindfulness can be implemented in educational settings to support holistic student well-being.
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Exploring the role of parent’s involvement in childhood and adulthood quality of lifeThis case study research explores the relationship between the physical and emotional involvement of parents in their children’s upbringing, and how it relates to their mental status, life quality, coping mechanisms, and way of thinking in their later life as they grow up. The literature review discusses many research papers that have discussed the potential of a child growing up to have a satisfied mental and emotional stability as for others growing up to getting unstable quality of life shown by tests like SDQs, interviews, and some surveys on participants. More research utilized a positive correlation between having the parent’s involved in their children’s childhood and a positive quality of life later on. This research paper has resulted in a relationship between parent’s involvement in their children’s life as they grow up rather than only existing physically, a good mental health stability, and strong resilience later on. The methodology was to interview 3 participants with different growing up environments about the following themes: Current life, past life, and the connection between both periods.This topic plays an important role in the informance of the huge impact of parent’s involvement in their children’s life as well as it demonstrates the relation between an individual’s stability/instability and their parent’s role in their childhood life. It suggests future implications as including a sample size with a wider range of environmental background varieties as it could lead to a wider understanding of the topic creating more underlying themes, factors, and results.
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Pet ownership effect on stress levels for university students during highly stressfull academic periodsUniversity students usually get stressed out during stressful academic periods, negatively impacting their well-being and academic performance. This research was carried out to investigate the connection between pet ownership and anxiety levels among university students during the most stressful academic periods. A quantitative, non-experimental method, including the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), was used to measure the participants' anxiety levels before and after interacting with their pets. A paired sample t-test was conducted on a small sample of 6 participants to compare the anxiety levels before and after the pet interaction. The results proved a statistically significant decrease in anxiety levels after interacting with pets (M=37). 6, SD=6. 0) in contrast to the previous time (M=64). 8, SD=4. 7), with p<. 001. Thus, the results prove that communication with pets may ease anxiety among university students during stressful academic periods. Nevertheless, the study's limitations, like a small sample size and the use of self-reported measures, should be considered. Besides, research with bigger sample sizes, objective measures, and longitudinal designs is recommended to investigate the causal relationships and the long-term effects of pet tenure on anxiety levels. Moreover, investigating the possibility of introducing pet friendly policies or university programs could be the solution to supporting students' mental well being during stressful periods.
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EFFECTS OF MEDIA VIOLENCE ON CHILDRENThis paper examines current violent behaviors caused by TV, social media as, according to analysis's, they influence youth, and their lifestyles. This research project has taken approximately 20 studies into consideration to demonstrate that tv, music, movie, the Internet, computer games and the news play a significant role to promote violence among adults and youngsters. The paper does not have empirical proof that either of the mediums is solely to blame for the abuse in the youths. This paper discusses a hypothesis that the integration of all of the above mediums, as well as other cultural influences, contributes to violence. The paper will explore the impact of media, violence caused by media particularly among our youngsters by analyzing past literary work. It is concluded, majority of the literature I examined concentrated on disclosing the outcome of violence rather than the violence cause. The study that portrayed violence through media has shown that violence has negative effects on children, such as children becoming apathetic towards the suffering of others, they may become fearful, and also are more likely to become aggressive towards people. Moreover, research has also shown that excessive watching of violence on media may make children more aggressive and may make them less sensitive towards real-world violence. Although violence on media is not the only factor that determines aggression levels or other negative effects in children, it could be a combination
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Translation and Validation of the Arabic version of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) to Examine its Correlation with Social Anxiety, Social Desirability and Gender DifferencesThe aim of this study was to translate and validate an Arabic version of the BES and examine its correlation with social desirability, social interaction anxiety and gender differences. We used a quantitative survey approach. The study utilized four scales turned into questionnaires which were all translated into Arabic: the original BES, the Perth Empathy Scale (PES), the Social Desirability Scale with 17 items (SDS-17), and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) and administered to 192 Arab speaking sample aged 18+. The results yielded an excellent reliability but satisfactory validity followed by a higher empathy score for females than males. No correlation was found between social interaction anxiety and empathy but there was a correlation with social desirability and empathy. The findings conclude that cultural variations can affect how empathy is expressed and perceived, and a culturally appropriate scale guarantees that the evaluation correctly captures these nuances.
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The Translation and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES-Ar)The Basic Empathy Scale (BES) is widely used measure of empathy that was first developed in 2006 and has since been validated in various languages. This study’s aim was to translate and validate an Arabic version of the BES (BES-Ar) with a sample of 192 Arabic-speaking individuals over the age of 18. The study found that the BES-Ar exhibited satisfactory internal consistency, test–retest reliability, concurrent and convergent validity. Exploratory factor analysis showed that the one-factor model is the best fit for the BES-Ar, providing an overall empathy score with no subscale scores. Female participants reported higher empathy scores than males, which is consistent with previous research findings. The findings of this study confirm that the BES-Ar is a valid tool for measuring empathy in Arabic-speaking populations. This research contributes to the cross-cultural understanding of empathy and provides a valuable tool for assessing empathy in the Arabic language.
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The Translation and Validation of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES-AR)The Arabic version of the Basic Empathy Scale demonstrates strong reliability and satisfactory validity, resembling the original scale by Farrington and Jolliffe (2006). Female participants showed higher levels of empathy compared to males. The Arabic scale correlates positively with the Perth Empathy Scale, indicating concurrent validity. A weak significant relationship was obtained between BES and SDS, suggesting an association between empathy and social desirability. There is no significant correlation observed between social interaction anxiety and empathy. The exploratory factor analysis favored a one-factor model for an overall empathy score. With Arabic-speaking people, the Arabic BES demonstrates validity and reliability for clinical and research applications, enabling assessments that are sensitive to cultural differences. Its participation in research promotes empathy awareness worldwide and helps educators and mental health professionals with diagnosis, treatment, and skill development.
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The effectiveness of sensory processing interventions for children with AutismChildren with ASD often experience significant sensory processing challenges that can affect their daily lives and overall development. These sensory issues can lead to behaviors such as avoidance of certain activities or environments, difficulty focusing, and problems in emotional regulation. Sensory processing problems can impact their ability to participate in typical activities, affecting their learning, social interactions, and quality of life. Therefore, knowing mothers’ impressions towards the interventions used, such as sensory integration therapy, applied behavior analysis, and occupational therapy can help in knowing the effectiveness of these interventions for children with ASD and how to improve it. Thus, online semi-structured interviews were conducted to 3 mothers of children with autism and it covered 2 themes (symptoms improvement and mothers’ wellbeing). Results showed positive views on the therapy’s effectiveness and showed improvement on the mothers’ overall wellbeing.
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The Effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis for Children with Autism from Mothers' PerspectivesAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic approach aimed at improving these areas by breaking down skills into smaller, manageable steps and using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. ABA interventions are structured, targeting specific behaviors through techniques such as reinforcement, prompting, and shaping. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of applied behavior analysis in the treatment of children with autism from mothers’ perspective. 3 mothers of children with autism that are receiving ABA therapy were interviewed. The interview questions covered two themes (symptoms improvement & mothers’ well-being). Results revealed positive views on the therapy’s effectiveness and showed improvement on the mothers’ overall well-being.
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Divorce in the Middle EastThis qualitative study aims to provide a detailed investigation into the various aspects of divorce in the Middle East, focusing on cultural and societal influences, effects on family structures and gender roles, social implications, and the psychological well-being of those involved. The research aims to enhance understanding and awareness of the dynamics of divorce in the Middle East. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the study conducted online semi-structured interviews via Zoom and FaceTime with eight participants, including four parents and four children. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Key findings reveal distinct themes for both children and parents. For children, mental health, social life, and relationships with parents were predominant themes. For parents, financial child support, emotional child support, relationships with ex-partners, and pre- and post-divorce support emerged as critical areas of focus. The study concludes that both children and parents face significant challenges due to divorce, with finances and communication being particularly difficult for parents, while children struggle with mental health, social life, and maintaining parental relationships. Despite these challenges, many participants demonstrated resilience and adaptability, successfully navigating life after divorce.
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Exploring the Differences in Family Cohesion, Depression, and Self-esteem among Adolescents and Young Adults with Divorced Parents and Those with Intact FamiliesMany children show resilience through parental divorce, but can still be susceptible to negative experiences and consequences on their psychological wellbeing. This study aims to explore the potential differences in family cohesion, depression, and self-esteem among adolescents and young adults in divorced families and those in intact families. We hypothesize that adolescents and young adults from divorced will have significantly lower family cohesion and self-esteem and higher depression compared to those from intact families. The scales used to measure the variables was the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Demographic data was also gathered to explore further moderating factors. The sample contained 111 participants between the ages of 16 and 25 in Saudi Arabia. Results showed significant difference in family cohesion and depression between participants from divorced families and those from intact families. However, there was no statistically significant difference found in self-esteem between the two groups. These findings can contribute to the understanding of the impact of parental divorce on adolescents and young adults, in addition to highlighting the need for specific or customized interventions to support individuals from divorced families.
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The impact of early childhood education and nursery school on later-life creativity in Saudi ArabiaThis study examined the impact of nursery attendance on later life creativity in Saudi Arabia. Numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of nursery, yet the specific influence of nursery attendance on creativity has rarely been explored. A sample of 119 individuals aged 18 to 40 years participated in the study. The Creative Behavior Inventory and Creative Attitude Survey were utilized to assess their creative behaviors and attitudes. The findings revealed a significant positive association between nursery attendance and creativity, indicating that individuals who attended nursery demonstrated higher scores of creativity compared to those who did not attend nursery. These findings have important implications for early childhood education, suggesting that nursery attendance may have a positive influence in fostering children's creativity. Future research should further investigate the underlying mechanisms and potential long-term effects of nursery attendance on creativity, considering contextual factors and individual differences.
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The Effect of Language Barrier in Work Related Stress in Non – Arabic WorkersIn present day society, it is common for people from different backgrounds to be working under the same company. Studies show that employees experience higher levels of stress when operating in a second language. However, there is not a lot of research that looks into language related stress that may be faced by workers in Saudi Arabia who are not familiar with the national language. This study uses qualitative methods to understand their experience with the Arabic language specifically if they experience any stress related to language ability. Six participants who were working in Effat University were selected using convenience sampling and were interviewed. This study showed that the workers had mostly beginner level of proficiency in Arabic and experienced stress during meeting, when understanding written material and while speaking with colleagues who were not fluent in English. The participants also shared some factors that prevents them from improving the ability in Arabic. This study shows the importance of language related classes in helping to mitigate language barriers in multinational workplaces.
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The Impact of Language Barrier in Work Related Stress in Non – Arabic WorkersIn today’s globalized society, it is common for people from different backgrounds to be working under the same company. Studies show that employees experience higher levels of stress when operating in a second language. However, there is not a lot of research that looks into language-related stress that may be faced by workers in Saudi Arabia who are not familiar with the national language. This study uses qualitative methods to understand their experience with the Arabic language specifically if they experience any stress related to language ability. Six participants who were working in Effat University were selected using convenience sampling and were interviewed. This study showed that the workers had mostly beginner level of proficiency in Arabic and experienced stress during meeting, when understanding written material and while speaking with colleagues who were not fluent in English. The participants also shared some factors that prevents them from improving the ability in Arabic. This study shows the importance of language related classes in helping to mitigate language barriers in multinational workplaces.
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The Stigma of Mental Health in Arab Culture vs. Western CultureThe mental health stigma has become a part of social turmoil since the inception of modern generation of humans. However, the division among people is still existed on the topic of mental health stigma. The aim of this research is providing a difference between Western and Arab cultures on the perspective of mental health stigma by analyzing how social and cultural norms impact behavior of individuals and how they take serious and treatment of mental health. In this study, the research will examine the role of cultural norms of Western and Arab cultures where how people view and reaction on mental health. Western culture has a higher level of social acceptance and the range of accessible treatments of mental health. Mental health and psychological disorder is considered and treated in well manner by mental health professional. However, Arab culture faces mental health stigma and abstain from mental health care and even want to confidential their mental health. This research must be conducted to analysis the particular effects of mental health stigma on individuals in Arab and Western communities. We can immediately response and confront it and provide people awareness and counselling of mental health by identifying the main causes of the stigma. This will make mental health is more widely accepted and reduce the social stigma of mental health, they are suffering from it, will disappear.
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The Impact of the Quran and Music on Anxiety LevelsCalm music has been used to treat mental health problems and has been incorporated into relaxation techniques to treat psychological issues as supported by the research in mental health. The holy Quran is a holy book in Islam and has been used by Muslims for its healing properties. This quantitative study focused on exploring the effect of listening to the Quran versus calm music on anxiety levels. The current study measured the anxiety levels of participants by using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Thirty-six individuals participated in the current study and were divided into two groups, the Music Group (n=20) who listened to a five minute audio of calm music, and the Quran group (n=16) who listened to a five-minute audio of Surat Yusuf. Anxiety levels were measured by administering questionnaires. For analysis of the results, paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test were applied. Within group difference results showed that Quran and music are both effective in decreasing anxiety levels. However, between-group differences, it was found that post-audition anxiety levels of people who listened to the Quran were lower than people who listened to music. There were no significant differences in the results of previous experiments with listening to music and listening to the Quran. This shows that the Quran has healing properties and may be effective for therapeutic techniques. The impact of listening to the Quran may be further explored in future studies with different areas of other mental health problems.
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Can Nurturing a Houseplant Promote College Students' Mental Wellbeing?Agricultural research proves that adding indoor plants into personal spaces can have multiple benefits to people physically and mentally. And numerous other studies have been conducted on the prevalence of mental health issues in college students. This experimental study aimed to explore the effects of nurturing a houseplant on college students’ depressive mood, stress, and motivation levels. The participants were 12 Effat university students from the psychology department. They were randomly divided into a control group and a study group who were given plants to nurture for six weeks. The results indicated no statistically significant difference in change in scores of depression, stress, and motivation in pre, mid, and post-intervention. If future studies with a larger, more enhanced design could confirm the positive effects of plants on college students’ mental wellbeing, plants could be used as a support system for college students on universities scale.
