SBS Graduate Programs

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Investigating the Co-occurrence of Visual and Auditory Neglect in a Patient with Right Hemisphere Stroke: A Case Study
(1999) Abdo, Rania Antoine
Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) has been observed in individuals suffering brain damage, specifically in the right hemisphere. USN is characterized by a failure, on the part of the patient, to orient towards, respond to, or report stimuli (visual, auditory or tactile…) presented in the hemispace contralateral to the hemisphere with the damage. Does USN involve modality-specific or supermodal mechanisms? In the present study the supermodality of USN is examined. Using updated versions of the Tachistoscopic Presentation (TP) and the Dichotic Listening (DL) tests, the co-occurrence of contralateral visual and contralateral auditory neglect is investigated. The purpose of the TP test is to compare the frequency of target identification in the left quadrants, center, and right quadrants of the screen. The purpose of the DL test is to compare frequency of correctly reported consonant-vowel syllables from the right and left ear during a non-forced, forced-right, and forced-left attentional condition. A case study of a 60-year-old male with a massive right hemisphere cerebrovascular accident is presented. A normal control participant was also tested. The patient's lesion involved the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes and the inferior parietal lobule. Neurological examination revealed left hemiparesis, left upper quadrant hemianopia and left hemianesthesia. The patient exhibited both left visual neglect and left auditory neglect. The results also showed that, compared to the control participant, the patient neglected, although less frequently, visual and auditory stimuli presented in the right hemisphere. In addition, when the patient was interviewed for anosognosia, he showed unawareness of visual and auditory neglect, of hemianopia, and of the exact nature of his illness and its implications, On the other hand he was to some extent aware of his motor defect, i.e., hemiparesis. The results of the follow up on the prognosis of visual neglect showed a clear amelioration of neglect in the left visual hemispace and especially in the right hemisphere. The results were discussed within the attention-arousal model of Hailman and his coworkers. The findings supported a supramodal neglect syndrome and the hypoarousal model proposed by Hailman and his coworkers.
Factors that Affect Teachers' Quality of Professional Life
(2000) Osseiran, Lara
Increasingly, national and international initiatives are directed toward finding ways to improve the quality of the teaching profession for all teachers. One step in developing a high-quality staff would be in understanding the factors (work conditions, roles and responsibilities, and classroom practices) associated with teachers' perceptions regarding their teaching career (overall job satisfaction, work centrality, and occupational stress). The schools were randomly selected from a list of private schools in Beirut, Lebanon whose language of instruction is English. The list was available from the Center of Education Research and Development. Permission to involve the teachers was obtained from the principals of schools. 90 teachers out of one hundred-ten responded to the questionnaire that inquired about teacher's perceptions regarding the teaching career in terms of the factors that affect satisfaction on the job. The frequencies of the teachers' perceptions were measured through the selection of one of the following indicators: "a great deal, to some extent, not much." These indicators were represented consecutively by the numbers 3, 2, and 1. The questionnaire consisted of 31 questions. Frequency counts were calculated to detect the range required for the teachers' responses. In addition, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the level of the teachers' satisfaction on the job. Positive results were obtained by correlating classroom practices with overall job satisfaction (r = .355; p < 0.001). Another positive correlation was found between work centrality and classroom practices (r = .311; p < 0.001). Almost 98% of the teachers considered success on the job as important. In the case of roles and responsibilities with overall job satisfaction, there was a significant positive correlation between them (r = .316; p<0.001). Another significant positive correlation was obtained between work conditions and overall job satisfaction (r = .387; p<0.001). All subjects appear to place high value regarding classroom practices. They were all in favor of building warm relationships with their pupils. Further, only 17% of the subjects considered that job satisfaction is not good "most of the time." Finally, results showed that 16% of the subjects experienced stress in their present job.
Mercury Vapor Exposure from Dental Amalgams, and Its Relationship to Several Psychological, Motor and Cognitive Variables
(2000) Artinian, Vahan Luder
The present study investigated the relationship of dental amalgams to a set of psychological, cognitive and motor measures. The study comprised two parts, a survey-based research and an experiment part. The survey part involved three samples, a university sample and two different internet samples. It examined hypotheses concerning the relationship of amalgam with depression, social phobia, smoking and habit. Results showed that participants who had amalgam tended to score higher than participants who had no amalgams on measures of depression. Further, participants who had very high amalgam tended to score higher also in social phobia and smoking frequency. Gender differences were also noted. The results daggered among the three samples. These differences were explained in terms of sample characteristics such as age and gender. The experimental part of the study, which was based on a university sample, tested hypotheses concerning the relationship of dental amalgams to simple reaction time, memory span and finger tapping. Results indicated that subjects with high amalgam scores tended to do poorer in reaction-time, finger tapping and digit span forward. Gender differences were also obtained. It was concluded that dental amalgams should be considered as a possible contributor in the etiology of depression and social phobia and possibly to motor and cognitive deficits. It was also concluded that the present research is important in alerting clinical psychologists, all health professionals and the general public to the potential adverse effects of dental amalgam, on psychological functions in particular.
Domestic Violence: A Man's Perspective: A Lebanese Study
(2000) Mroueh, Mona Mohammed
The research was conducted in order to investigate the male perspective on violence. The literature review showed the social, psychological, and biological causes of violence. Two studies were conducted to explore how men defined and justified violence, and how wives explained what instigated it. The survey showed a discrepancy between the male's and the couple's answers: Whereas men defined violence as physical act, women viewed it mainly as psychological one. Both, men and women, attributed violence to feelings of lack of control and facing financial problems. Two findings may be valuable for couple therapy: The first one was why men were afraid to discuss "violence". Was it because they were violent themselves? The second one was that both men and women considered violence as a means of teaching the wife a lesson. These two findings are worth investigating in future research.
The Effects of Teacher Ability, Motivation and Work Situation on Student Performance
(2000) Tchenozian, Hourig
This study examines the relationship of teachers' performance to student performance in mathematics of 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students in Beirut. A general model of teachers' performance suggests that the effects of teachers on students' achievement can be explained by three general classes of variables: teachers' ability, motivation, and work situation. This study shows and discusses how the combined effects of these classes of variables can explain students' performance in math. The analyses revealed that teachers' performance could have a direct but week [sic.] effect on student performance in mathematics.
Multicultural Approach to Induction of Depressive Mood by Music
(2001) Cholakian, Lara Aram
The present research studied the differential effect that ethnic music has on the induction of depressive mood amongst members of two ethnic communities. The following hypotheses were tested (1) Induction of depressive mood using Armenian music will be more effective to Armenians than Arab subjects. (2) Depressive mood will be more pronounced in older people of the two ethnic groups than the young. (3) It was expected that young Armenians would show significant mood change by listening to Arabic music than young Arabs to Armenian music. 72 healthy subjects young and old volunteered to participate in the experiment from both Armenian and Arab ethnic groups. Depressive mood was induced by making subjects listen to sad Armenian and Arabic music. Change in mood was measured by the administration of MAACL-R test before and after the induction procedure, also by judging 12 faces with respect to six emotions presented during the experiment on the computer screen. Results indicate that the influence of music on individuals is not a simple one; age, ethnic background and familiarity with ethnic music play a role in the induction of depressive mood. Contrary to hypothesis one and two the response of both Armenian old and young to Arabic or Armenian music was almost identical. Contrary to the hypothesis three an interesting and unexpected outcome of this research was the intense depressive mood induced on young Arabs who listened to Armenian music. Both of these results were explained in terms of assimilation of Armenians into Lebanese Arab society and the familiarity of Armenian and Lebanese groups with each other's ethnic music.
Job-related Stress, School Climate and Burnout Among Classroom Teachers
(2001) Balian Sarkissian, Takouhie
A questionnaire-based research was conducted to examine the relationship between both forms of teacher burnout (psychological and physical) with the following factors: (a) job-induced stress, (b) school climate and (c) teaching experience. The questionnaire was adopted from Hock (1988) and Riehl and Sipple (1996). The sample was composed of 48 elementary English teachers of private schools in Beirut. The results showed that only the school climate was positively related with both forms of burnout. Moreover, it was found that buffers (i.e. parental support, paperwork and being provided with the necessary teaching materials) were significantly related with teachers' physical burnout. While the order of students (i.e. students' attitude toward school work and their behavior in classroom) and administrative support were significantly correlated with teachers' psychological burnout. Salary was also found to be the highest stress-inducing factor among the other job-stressors, for most of these teachers. Therefore, to enhance the psychological and physical well-being of teachers, they should be supported by their principals and by their students' parents. In addition, they should be provided with the essential teaching materials and be relieved from unnecessary paperwork and from the disciplinary problems that are associated with students.
Effects of Socioeconomic Status on the Educational Aspirations and Expectations of the Lebanese Armenian High School Students
(2001) Harboyan, Lory
The current study examined the effects of socioeconomic status on high school students' educational aspirations and expectations. Two other variables, academic achievement and significant others' influence, were studied as influential factors in students' post-high school destinations. The arguments were based on Hyman's class-differentiated value system, and Sewell's social-psychological model for educational attainment. The target sample was the Lebanese Armenian youth attending Armenian schools in Lebanon. The instrument used to collect the data was a 30-item questionnaire that was answered by 211 Lebanese Armenian eleventh grade students. Results of the stepwise regression analyses showed that socioeconomic status had some significant predictive power over students' educational aspirations and expectations. Reported academic achievement—mainly the official Brevet examination scores—and significant others' influence were also related to the subjects' post-high school plans.
The Relationship of Bullying to Several Academic Variables
(2002) Sisserian, Vera
The present study investigated several hypotheses pertaining to interrelations between bullying in school and several academically relevant variables, in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th elementary. H1, H2, and H3 investigated the relationship between grades and involvement in bullying. Hypothesis 4 dealt with an expected positive relationship between absence rates and victimization. Through hypothesis number 5 it was expected that children involved in bullying activities either as bullies or victims will be less happy than the rest. The 6th hypothesis investigated gender differences in the frequency and types of bullying. Hypothesis 1, 2, 3 were not supported. The results were discussed and it was concluded that the reliability and validity of the scoring system in the elementary grades had its effects on the results. H4 was also not supported; the results were explained in that the low socioeconomic level of families played a role in obtaining these results. It was suggested that future study must be conducted on a more randomized sample. H5 and H6 were supported. As an ultimate project a nationwide intervention plan with zero-tolerance level to bullying was suggested.
Factors Influencing School Mobility: Armenian Case in Lebanon
(2003) Khatchigian, Sarine Ghazaros
The purpose of the following research is to try to comprehend the factors that influence and contribute to school mobility, with a stress on the Armenian situation in Lebanon. The research also attempts to scientifically ascertain why some Armenian parents are choosing non-Armenian schools, and to understand the parents' opinions and perceptions concerning Armenian schools operating in Lebanon. The instrument used to collect data was a 32-item questionnaire, which was made up of two sections. The sample consisted of 311 parents of grade six students attending the Armenian schools in Greater Beirut. The results showed that the majority of the families come from a low SES background. It also became clear that there have been significant demographic changes when residence is concerned, and, also, more than half of the students have already changed school before. As for parents' perceptions of Armenian and non-Armenian schools, in most cases parents have a positive perception of the Armenian schools, except when integration with the local Lebanese community and establishing contacts with the latter are considered.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Level and Coping Strategies of Youth (ages 13-19) Living in South of Lebanon
(2003) Tchennozian, Karen Leon
The purpose of the following study was to assess the level of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to assess the type of coping strategies (problem solving, seeking social support, avoidance) while under stress among a sample of youth (ages 13-19) who were living in the South of Lebanon during the Israeli occupation of the South. The sample included 160 youth (74 male and 76 female) ages 13-19 (X=15.83). The Penn Inventory for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Coping Strategies Indicator were administered. Results showed that age and PTSD level are inversely related; female participants scored a higher PTSD level than male participants. ANOVA results showed that coping strategies differ across age groups; however, no significant results were obtained across gender.
The Effects of Principal Leadership: Teachers' Involvement in Reconstructing Schools
(2004) Cholakian, Rima
To have a restructures school, an effective principal is needed. The list of the Armenian schools was taken from the Armenian Evangelical Educational Council, and a questionnaire was given to two hundred twenty-seven full-time teachers. A research was conducted using the Armenian private schools of Beirut to test the following hypotheses (If principals empower their teachers in decision-making processes, if teachers feel they are accountable to their principals, if teachers perceive their principals to be effective, if teachers have high values in themselves and each other, then restructuring can be implemented positively and effectively) pertaining to a number of factors related to restructuring. The questionnaire consisted of thirty-one questions. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was run to find the relationship between restructuring as perceived positively by teachers and all other factors affecting restructuring. The affected factors were empowerment of teachers in decision-making, accountability of teachers toward their principals, perception of the teachers toward their principals as being effective, and teachers having high values in themselves and each other. Teachers believe that the effective principal is the key and pivotal person to restructure the school. On the other hand, the principals should be aware of the teachers' opinions and they should not underestimate them because teachers are better able to spot areas of improvement, identify solutions and take corrective actions than the principals. To have a restructured school, effective principal and teachers should work hand-in-hand. This implies that principals' and teacher's attitude, students' learning and outcome will be affected positively.
Effects of Phonological Awareness Instruction on Reading Acquisition of the English Language in Lebanese Private Schools
(2005) Khattab, Gina
The current study examined the effects of phonological awareness instruction on children’s reading achievement in Lebanese private schools at the preschool level. In addition to phonemic awareness, two variables - rhyme and letter-sound knowledge, were included to ascertain if a relationship exists between rhyme and letter-sound knowledge to phonological awareness and its importance in achieving a higher level of literacy development. The target sample was the preschool level in the Lebanese private school (ages 4, 5 & 6). The instrument used to collect data was a 35-item assessment test. One-hundred and eighteen children were assessed in Kindergarten II from three different schools which implement diverse instructional methods in learning a second language (English). Results showed a significant difference between the average scores of children receiving the two instructional methods; phonological awareness and letter-sound knowledge, and the average scores of children who only received letter-sound knowledge and/or rhyme instruction. No evidence was found for a significant difference between children who received rhyme and letter-sound knowledge instruction and children who only received letter-sound instruction.
Body Weight, Self-esteem and Depression in Lebanese Male and Female University Students
(2005) Papas, Anita D.
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in body weight and desired body weight between males and females, also to find out if the discrepancy of actual weight and desired weight led to low self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Perception of a weight problem was studied in relation to self-esteem and depression as well. The sample consisted of 160 university students, BMI and DBMI were calculated based on self-reported weight and height. Perception of having a weight problem was evaluated by one question: "Do you see yourself as having a weight problem?" Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and depression was measured by using the Beck Depression Inventory. The results conveyed that more females than males were in the underweight and normal weight categories. Desired BMI was always lower for females in all weight categories whereas for males desired BMI fluctuated a lot depending on their weight category. The discrepancy between actual weight and desired weight had no relation to self-esteem and depression. Perception of a weight problem did not predict level of self-esteem however in predicting depression the relation proved to be highly significant.
The Impact of Father Involvement on Self-esteem and Attachment Styles in Lebanese Male and Female Young Adults
(2005) Kalo Jaroudi, Rana
This study investigated the relationship between perceived father involvement and self-esteem and romantic attachment styles in young adult Lebanese males and females. A sample of 136 university students (77 females and 59 males) completed self-report questionnaires that measured their perception of their relationship with their fathers, their self-esteem, and their romantic attachment style. Regression and correlation analyses showed that there is no gender difference in the perception of father involvement in this particular sample, and that self-esteem is strongly correlated with a secure attachment style. Moreover, results confirmed that father involvement predicts levels of self-esteem in both males and females, and that this relationship was even more strongly significant for males. However, father involvement was found to have no relationship to adult relational style, as was initially predicted.
Differences in Self-esteem and Psychological Well-being Between Working and Non-working Lebanese Women
(2005) Safi Haddad, Nada
The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in self esteem and general psychological well-being including levels of autonomy, personal growth and self-acceptance between working women and non-working women. The sample consisted of randomly selected 101 Lebanese women between 250and 55 years old. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being were the two tools used in this study. This study was a quantitative study that utilized the t-test, as well as the method of correlation and simple percentages. The results were significant and showed that working women score higher on the Self-Esteem Scale and the Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being as well as the subscales, personal growth, self-acceptance and autonomy. This study confirmed the importance of work in increasing levels of self-esteem and psychological well-being among Lebanese women.
Career Counselling: A New Concept in Lebanon
(2005) Costa, Nabil
This study provides an overview of WAZNAT, a recently established Lebanese career counseling firm. The Founders had perceived the dilemma of graduating high school students in relation to their career options. They sought to address this need through the provision of relevant information and career guidance services at the school level. The study provides a qualitative analysis in relation to Waznat's in-formal educational role in terms of providing career guidance and academic orientation services in schools. The survey included 200 high school students from Grade 11 and another 100 from Grade 12.
Validation of the Humor Styles Questionnaire: Correspondence between Humor Styles and Ratings of Specific Types of Jokes and the Effect of Participants' Social Settings on the Humor Style Preference
(2005) Berberian, Sossi
The current study examined the validity of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) within the Lebanese society. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) Individuals' ratings of their style of humor on the HSQ correlates with the degree to which they liked the corresponding type of Lebanese culture-specific Abu el Abed jokes, and the likelihood of them telling the jokes to others. (2) The humor style ratings of Lebanese participants on a modified Humor Styles Questionnaire would differ depending on whether the statements referred to friends or to family members separately. Obtained results supported hypothesis one for the most part: individuals' scores on the HSQ correlated with the degree to which they liked the corresponding type of Abu el Abed jokes, for all three dimensions of humor: affiliative, self-enhancing, and hostile, but not the self-defeating style. On the other hand, correlations were significant for individuals' ratings on the HSQ and the likelihood of them telling the corresponding type of jokes to others for all four dimensions of humor: affiliative, self-enhancing, hostile, and self-defeating. Results offered partial support for hypothesis two, in that depending on whether the statements referred to friends or to family members, individuals' humor style rating differed significantly for the affiliative and self-enhancing, but not for the hostile and self-defeating style of humor. Results were interpreted in terms of findings reached in Martin et al.'s development and initial validation of the HSQ, as well as in terms of differences between individualist and collectivist cultures.
The Effects of a Professional Development Program on the Implementation of Mathematical Problem Solving in the Classroom
(2005) Shoufani, Elias
Problem solving in school mathematics has been a priority in mathematics education since 1980, and while it has been a key area of focus, students continue to score poorly on test questions that measure mathematical problem-solving skills. With the emphasis on standardized testing globally, there is a real need to find a solution for this continuing poor student performance in mathematics. Most research completed in the last 25 years in the area of mathematical problem solving has focused on student achievement. One approach to improving student solving skills is to implement reform to educate teachers in mathematical problem-solving skills. With the current shortage of qualified mathematics teachers, and teachers with certifications other than teaching mathematics, it is necessary to determine effective ways of providing professional development for teachers in critical areas of mathematics such as problem solving. The purpose of this study was to determine if a professional development program that taught mathematical problem-solving skills affected teachers' performance. Did these teachers provide problem-solving opportunities more frequently than teachers who had not participated in the program? This study compared two groups of teachers, those who participated in a professional development program, and a group of teachers who did not participate in the professional development program. The area addressed was the use of the problem solving model and strategies. The results of this study suggested that teachers who participated in the professional development program incorporated problem solving more frequently than teachers who had not participated in the program. The study supported existing research, that if educational reform is to be accomplished, it requires well-constructed professional development programs and long-term support.
E-Learning Education: An Exploratory Study on High School Students' Attitudes and Educational Use of the Internet
(2005) Jabbour, Sawsan
The current study explored, within E-Learning education, the possible impact of Internet-based learning on high school students' attitudinal and E-educational use of the Internet. It investigated the context of E-Learning education in Lebanese educational institutions. It explored the practices of Lebanese postmodern generation in relation to the Internet and their tendency towards a New Value System. The study compared students' attitudes towards the use of the Internet with teachers' attitudes towards the Internet, as perceived by students. It also pointed at teachers' impact on students' integration of E-Learning in educational settings. The instrument used to collect the data was a 34-item questionnaire that was answered by 232 English high school students of eleventh grade. Results of frequency tests on Internet accessibility and connectivity is supported, so as the frequency tests of the Practices of the New Value System of postmodern generation. Although the correlation tests run for students' and teachers' attitudes showed no positive relation, it supported the current research considerably. A t-test is run to describe teachers' attitudes and their Internet-based integration. It also was found supported.

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