Thinking Styles and Academic Performance Among Tribal and Non-tribal Students

This study examines differences in thinking styles among tribal (n = 272) and non-tribal (n = 229) secondary school students, and their relationship with academic performance. Based on Sternberg’s (1997) theory of mental self government, MANOVA results indicated that thinking style of tribal and non-tribal students differed. Regression results revealed that hierarchic and local thinking styles contributed positively while legislative, monarchic, anarchic and global thinking styles contributed negatively to academic achievement of the students.     

Multilevel Perspectives on Community Intervention: An Example from an Indo-US HIV Prevention Project in Mumbai, India

This paper explores the meaning and applicability of multilevel interventions and the role of ethnography in identifying intervention opportunities and accounting for research design limitations. It utilizes as a case example the data and experiences from a 6-year, NIMH-funded, intervention to prevent HIV/STI among married men in urban poor communities in Mumbai, India. The experiences generated by this project illustrate the need for multilevel interventions to include: (1) ethnographically driven formative research to delineate appropriate levels, stakeholders and collaborators; (2) identification of ways to link interventions to the local culture and community context; (3) the development of a model of intervention that is sufficiently flexible to be consistently applied to different intervention levels using comparable culturally congruent concepts and approaches; (4) mechanisms to involve community residents, community based organizations and community-based institutions; and (5) approaches to data collection that can evaluate the impact of the project on multiple intersecting levels.     

Collectivism coexisting with individualism: an Indian scenario

A sample of 292 respondents, drawn from three locations, participated in a study designed to examine the effects of eighteen situations on the choice of collectivist and individualist behaviour and intentions, or their combinations. The findings indicated that concerns for family or family members evoked a purely collectivist behaviour. Compelling and urgent personal needs and goals in conflict with the interests of family or friends led to a mix of individualist and collectivist behaviour and intentions. Individualist behaviour intended to serve collectivist interests was the third most frequently opted choice. Respondents' education had a significant effect and other background variables had indeterminate effects on the choice of either purely collectivist or a mix of collectivist and individualist behaviour and intentions.     

Icosahedral Al-Mn films produced by vapour deposition

Abstract

Icosahedral Al-Mn films have been synthesized ab initio by vapour deposition under specific conditions.     

Post-migration Education Among Recent Adult Immigrants to Canada

The present study examines post-migration educational investment by new immigrants to Canada from two perspectives. First, what are the factors that influence whether a new immigrant invests in post-migration education (PME)? Second, is investment in PME associated with improved earnings? The results indicate that younger immigrants from ??non-traditional?? source countries, who are already well educated, fluent in English or French, and worked in a professional or managerial occupation prior to migration are most likely to enroll in PME. But acceptance of previous work experience by Canadian employers lowers the likelihood of investing in PME. Family obligations also reduce the likelihood of participating in PME. Financial limitations are not found to affect participation in PME. The earnings effect of PME is dependent on the type of course undertaken. In the short term, job-related seminars lead to improved earnings growth, while post-secondary courses result in a period of deceased earnings growth. Policy implications are discussed.     

Primary Care Physicians’ Awareness, Experience and Opinions of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

The purpose of this study was to assess primary care physicians’ awareness, experience, opinions and preparedness to answer patients’ questions regarding direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing. An anonymous survey was mailed to 2,402 family and internal medicine providers in North Carolina. Of the 382 respondents, 38.7% (n = 148) were aware of and 15% (n = 59) felt prepared to answer questions about DTC genetic tests. Respondents aged 50 or older were more likely to be aware of DTC genetic testing than those less than 40 years old (OR = 2.42). Male providers were more likely to feel prepared to answer questions than female providers (OR = 2.65). Among respondents who reportedly were aware, family practitioners were more likely than internists (OR = 3.30) to think DTC testing was clinically useful, and 18.9% had patients ask questions or bring in test results. The small percent of physicians who were aware of DTC genetic testing or felt prepared to answer questions about it suggests that education of providers will be necessary if testing becomes more widespread.     

How children and adolescents spend time across the world: work, play, and developmental opportunities

The authors review studies on time use of children and adolescents around the world and discuss developmental implications of population differences. Industrialization and schooling are linked to dramatic declines in time spent on household and wage labor. This labor is often unchallenging, sometimes hazardous; developmental benefits often do not increase above a limited number of hours; hence, reduction in these activities opens time for activities that may be more developmentally beneficial. Adolescents in East Asian postindustrial societies spend this freed-up time in schoolwork, a use associated with lower intrinsic motivation but high achievement and economic productivity. Adolescents in North America spend more time in leisure, associated with greater self-direction but of an uncertain relation to development. Age, gender, and socioeconomic differences in activities and with whom time is spent are also considered.