c-fos mRNA induction in acute and chronic audiogenic stress: possible role of the orbitofrontal cortex in habituation

To study putative brain circuits involved in habituation to stress, rats were exposed daily (30 min for 15 days) to an environment in the presence (Chronic) or absence (Acute) of loud noise (105 dB sound pressure level--SPL A Scale). Behavioral and endocrine measures of stress were taken throughout this habituation period, and both measures displayed strong habituation in the Chronic group. All rats were killed immediately after the day 16 exposure, constituting an acute stressor for the Acute group, and regional brain activity was assessed using c-fos mRNA induction with in situ hybridization. Hearing damage could not easily explain these results because additional rats exposed to a similar stress protocol exhibited no changes in auditory brainstem evoked potentials. c-fos mRNA induction in the central auditory system was similar between the Acute and Chronic groups, particularly at lower auditory processing levels, also arguing against a simple reduction in auditory processing in the chronically stressed rats. However, c-fos mRNA expression was reduced in chronically, as compared to acutely, stressed rats in several regions previously implicated in audiogenic stress (lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, some preoptic areas, and the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus). Interestingly, the orbitofrontal cortex was the only region displaying higher c-fos mRNA induction in the chronically as compared to acutely stressed rats. This region has connections to several stress-responsive areas and may thus be a critical region actively inhibiting stress.     

Empowering Muslim children’s spirituality in Malay Archipelago: integration between National Philosophical Foundations and Tawakkul (trust in God)

Multiple studies indicated that children raised to be spiritual were found to be happier, have more resilience and positive outlook towards life events. This paper attempts to explore and integrate the value of spirituality and religious practices. It is approached through the understanding and application of the tawakkul (trust in God) concept, as perceived from an Islamic viewpoint. This aspect is explored through the consolidation of the ‘believing in God’ component, as highlighted in the National Philosophical Foundations in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia to tawakkul. It will further seek to find the prospect of empowering Muslim children’s spirituality through such integration. This theoretical paper is based on the Islamic foundations and characteristics; its implementation and implications. The outcome illustrates indication of ‘divine involvement’ as the main essence of tawakkul; resulting sustainable religious, spiritual and moral enhancement. Moreover, an internalised and implicit form of tawakkul should be encouraged to promote self-understanding.     

Meaning of work among a sample of Kuwaiti workers

The study tested the meaning of work among 340 Kuwaiti workers in the public sector. A questionnaire was constructed to measure meaning of work by drawing 46 items from existing scales and from the meaning of work literature. They were put together, translated into Arabic, and adapted to be relevant to Kuwaiti society. Analysis showed the developed scale has acceptable reliability and validity coefficients for Kuwaiti workers. Also, Kuwaiti workers gave priority to extrinsic rewards from work, then intrinsic rewards, whereas Work Centrality had the lowest priority. Sex, occupation, and the intention not to change one's job in the future were significantly related to the meaning which these workers attributed to their work.     

Local traditions and Islamic tradition: The dynamics of a conflict seen through the study of a specific case: Funeral rites in a Shfcite village in South Lebanon

In the wake of fifteen years of ‘war’ in Lebanon, the gap between the different religious communities which make up Lebanese society seems to have become unbridgeable. However, through the study of shared traditions, anthropological investigation reveals the existence of a common basis of custom. Similarities in lifestyle and manner of life are all the more apparent in that these communities are united by a common identity (in this case rural), even if at certain times of polarization the likenesses are ignored, and even denied. Detailed research into the funeral rites as practised in a Shi^cite village in Lebanon today, together with a comparative study of those in a Christian village in the same region, bring to light the fact of a shared way of living and an identical attitude in the face of death.     

Predictors of subjective well-being among college youth in Lebanon

The authors investigated the prevalence and predictors of subjective well-being (SWB) in a particular Middle Eastern culture: that of Lebanon. The authors examined personality constructs of self-esteem, optimism, and positive affect in relation to SWB. The authors surveyed a sample of 689 individuals between the ages of 17 and 24 by using four instruments with established cross-cultural validity: (a) the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; E. Diener, R. Emmons, R. J. Larsen, & S. Griffin, 1985), (b) the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; D. Watson, L. A. Clark, & A. Tellegen, 1988), (c) the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE; M. Rosenberg, 1965), and (d) the revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R; M. F. Scheier, C. S. Carver, & M. W. Bridges, 1994). The results indicated that college youth's SWB was positively correlated with self-esteem, optimism, and positive affect. Examining the demographic variable of gender, the authors found that men had higher scores on positive affect than did women. A trend emerged that suggested that language dominance and socioeconomic status were associated with SWB levels. The results suggest that internal personality constructs are more predictive of satisfaction with life than are demographic variables.     

School Counseling in Lebanon: Past,Present, and Future

This article examines the status of school counseling in Lebanon. An overview that points out some weakness in the educational system, such as high dropout and repetition rates, is presented. Calls for counseling have been voiced partly because of the psychological consequences of social change, such as political instability in Lebanon. A sample of school counselors in public and private schools were surveyed. Private school counselors reported fewer stressors and more rewards than did their counterparts in public schools.     

School programs targeting stress management in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis

Introduction

This meta-analysis evaluates the effect of school programs targeting stress management or coping skills in school children.

Methods

Articles were selected through a systematic literature search. Only randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies were included. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) between baseline and final measures were computed for experimental and control groups. Experimental groups were groups that either received an intervention of (a) relaxation training, (b) social problem solving, (c) social adjustment and emotional self-control, or (d) a combination of these interventions. If no baseline measurement was available, SMDs were calculated between final measures of the groups. The overall pooled effect size was calculated and the pooled effect sizes of improvement on stress, coping, (social) behavior, and self-efficacy by random effects meta-analysis. The dependence of the results on study characteristics (i.e. methodological quality and type of intervention) was evaluated using meta-regression analysis.

Results

Nineteen publications met the inclusion criteria of controlled trials for class programs, teaching coping skills or stress management. Overall effect size for the programs was − 1.51 [95% confidence interval (CI) − 2.29, − 0.73], indicating a positive effect. However, heterogeneity was significant (p < .001). Sensitivity analyses showed that study quality and type of intervention were sources of heterogeneity influencing the overall result (p values < .001). The heterogeneity in quality may be associated with methodological diversity and differences in outcome assessments, rather than variety in treatment effect. Effect was calculated per intervention type, and positive effects were found for stress symptoms with a pooled effect size of − 0.865 (95% CI: − 1.229, − 0.502) and for coping with a pooled effect size of − 3.493 (95% CI: − 6.711, − 0.275).

Conclusion

It is tentatively concluded that school programs targeting stress management or coping skills are effective in reducing stress symptoms and enhancing coping skills. Future research should use clear quality criteria and strive for less diversity in methodology and outcome assessment.