Adolescent Struggles
Mediation Role of Delinquency Behavior as the Mediator on the Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Drug Abuse Behavior
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mahadzirah Mohamad, Nor Azman Mat Ali
The incidents of drug abuse increased globally. It was reported that youths were the majority group involved in drug abuse and it became a major social problem in Malaysia. Delinquency was found to be a leading factor that contributed to youth drug abuse. Moreover, it was noted that life satisfaction was found to be an important mitigating factor that addressed drug abuser relapse. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the effect of life satisfaction on drug abuse behavior and to identify the mediating role of delinquency on the relationship between life satisfaction and drug abuse behaviour. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among youths at drug rehabilitation centers. A total of 275 questionnaires were subjected for analysis using structural equation modelling as the main technique for data analysis. Results indicated that life satisfaction had a significant influence on delinquency but had no direct effect on drug abuse behavior. Moreover, delinquency had a full mediating effect on the relationship between life satisfaction and drug abuse behavior. This study concluded that increasing life satisfaction could reduce delinquency and drug abuse behavior among youth. Therefore, drug rehabilitation programmes should focus on improving life satisfaction to curb drug abuse relapse.
Examining School Teachers’ Choice of Coursebooks
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Andi Musafir Rusyaidi
Although recent studies on the use of coursebooks in the Indonesian tertiary and primary education have found that teachers have different freedom on the choice of their coursebooks (Supriadi, 1997; Zacharias, 2005), little is known about the use of coursebooks in the secondary levels. This study investigated the belief of secondary schools teachers in Indonesia about the choice of coursebooks and criteria that the teachers used when choosing their coursebooks. A total of twenty-seven participants from different parts of Indonesia, twenty-four teachers, and three principals, were surveyed for their perception on the choice of coursebooks. Each participant was given a questionnaire consisted of twenty questions. The data then interpreted based on the participants’ responses. The results showed that teachers in the secondary level are free to choose their own coursebooks and applying some criteria (such as appropriate and attractive contents, clear instructions, and based on the newest curriculum) in choosing their own coursebooks.
Economic Crisis and Adolescents' Educational Outcomes : A Case Study in Southern Europe
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Antonio Citarella
This study investigated the effects of economic crisis on three adolescents outcomes, including academic grades, career indecision, and positive future expectations. Additionally, the mediating role of academic self efficacy was tested. Data from 500 middle school youth from Southern Italy were analyzed using path modeling. Results indicated that financial pressure due to crisis negatively affects academic grades and positively affects career indecision, while no significant effect was found among economic pressure and positive future expectations. Academic self efficacy positively relate with academic grades and positive future expectations, and negatively with career indecision. However, academic self efficacy does not mediate the relationships between economic pressure and outcomes.
Alternative Education: Illustrations of the Concept
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Andrea Barrientos Soto, Gracia González Gijón
Alternative education is not a new form of education, nonetheless it is not widely known, in part because of its many definitions and manifestations. It is commonly associated with Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, among other methodologies, and inspired by one of its most popular examples - the Summerhill School. Alternative education has evolved from a modality of education available to wealthy families to become a tool for social inclusion for the youth of disadvantaged communities. Examples of this include Barbiana School and Democratic Schools. As documented in several countries, alternative education has become a popular method of providing remedial education to at-risk youth since it may be designed to accommodate educational, behavioral and/or medical needs of youth, which cannot or are not addressed in a traditional school environment. However, there are multiple modalities, some of which are considered as a model for adolescent education since they highlight social and interpersonal skills as well as authentic student participation in the school community. Alternative education is a concept, a modality, as well as a teaching and learning strategy, which contemplates the essence of a learning community and integrated curriculum in a setting that promotes values of peace, civic engagement, and social justice, outside of the regular school system. In this paper, we trace the history of alternative education and focus on the common strategies of this model as well as explore the results and impact on student retention, graduation, and performance.
