Vocational education has become a huge enterprise in the United States. Federal involvement and the emphasis on the evaluation of vocational education has increased in recent decades. Many positive results concerning the effects of vocational education have been found by research. Since many factors other than the program itself may influence the effects of participation in vocational education, studies which include those factors are needed. This study focused on participation in public school vocational education, along with student background factors and in-school factors to determine their effects upon students post high school activities. The study used the information collected by the High School and Beyond surveys and analyzed those data using path analysis to determine the effects of selected factors upon post high school activities. However, the effects of participation in vocational education were of primary concern in the study. Six basic and five composite activities with a total of sixteen dependent variables were studied. Vocational education participation was found to have no effects upon the post high school activities of military service, homemaking, unemployment, and employability, and have negative effects upon participation in academic education related activities. The findings concerning vocational types of activities were mixed. Vocational education participation does not influence specific vocational types of activities such as only working or only pursuing additional vocational education. However, when vocational types of activities were studied in combination with other activities positive effects were found. / Ed. D. / incomplete_metadata

In education, tests are used as indications of students' success or failure. Inferior test performance has been shown to be associated with the debilitating effects of evaluation stress. An educator's task is to provide opportunities for students to enjoy learning experiences that allow for success. Teachers must, therefore, be aware of factors that might impede this process. The purpose of this study was to determine levels of test anxiety (TA) perceived to be experienced by secondary students, as well as the relationship to TA of students' personal characteristics, home environment characteristics, participation in co- and extra-curricular activities, performance on cognitive tests, and curriculum type. The sample used for the third fol1owup of the High School and Beyond (HSB) 1980 Senior Cohort (n=ll,995) was examined for this study. A TA index was constructed using data from three questions from Section 7 of the HSB cognitive test. Results of item analysis and Kuder-Richardson Internal Consistency Reliability Estimate (KR-20) indicated that the index had internal consistency and low to moderate reliability. A second item analysis, using supplemental variables, indicated that the index was valid. Transformation of student responses to TA index items, assigned students TA scores ranging from -13 to +13, with -13 representing the minimum level of TA. Only six (.01%) of the students scored +13, the highest TA level. TA scores for 11% of the students indicated high levels. / Ed. D.

Lifetime sexual and physical victimization history was examined within a shelter sample (N = 30) and outpatient sample (N = 13) of battered women. Participants reported complex and varied lifetime victimization histories with 71% of women reporting a childhood experience of physical abuse and 53% of women reporting a childhood experience of sexual abuse. Lifetime victimization histories were then examined as predictors of functioning within three domains: general psychological distress, intrapersonal functioning, and interpersonal functioning. General psychological distress was an important measure of psychological adaptation which was specifically linked to the severity of more recent victimization, including current sexual abuse and interim physical abuse. Difficulties with identity development, low self-worth, and (at the trend level) difficulties with intimacy and symptoms of borderline personality received some Support as long-term outcomes following childhood abuse, specifically experiences of chronic childhood physical abuse.These findings suggest that the type of outcome may be differentially associated with the type, onset, and combination of abuse experiences. / Ph. D.

This study deals with identifying risk factors using measuring instruments in the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters in reconstituted families. Risk factors can complicate the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters and deviate from the given criteria in this study. Extensive literature survey has been done concerning the reconstituted family, relationshlps, stepmothers, adolescent stepdaughters . and biological fathers. Research shows that the stepmother-stepdaughter relationshlp is the most complicated relationshlp within the reconstituted family and adolescent stepdaughters experience more problems adapting than stepsons. Statistics reveal that the divorce rate and therefore the number of reconstituted families is still on the increase. Literature survey shows that overwhelmingly poor relationshlps are found within the reconstituted family. Added to the risk factors that have been identified during research, professional people were also consulted in identifying the risk factors that could complicate the relationship between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters as experienced in practice. After establishing the risk factors, measuring instruments have been emperically applied to determine if the mentioned risk factors in reconstituted families can be identified. The measuring instruments include five standardised and one unstandardised questionnaires. The EPI, 16-PF and HSPQ were used to determine the characteristics in the three parties involved. The Parentchild- communication questionnaire and the Persoonlike vraelys vir hoi!rskoolleerlinge were utilised to identifY various risk factors. The unstandardised RF-Agtergrondvraelys provides background information and highlights risk factors other measuring instruments do not identifY. Arising from information gained on a spesific reconstituted family through measuring instmments, the risk factors can be carried over onto the Samevattende evalueringsblad vir risikofaktore. The biggest problems seem to be discipline and divided loyalty. The structure and conditions of each reconstituted family are unique; therefore the risk factors will differ in families. Even similar risk factors can be experienced differently by each member or other families. The uniqueness and complexity surrounding the reconstituted family is emphasised by this. The identified risk factors can be used in various fields of study that involve reconstituted families. This study is helpful in court where custody placement of minors is broached. The identified risk factors can ease in counselling and therapy . / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rotter’s (1966) locus of control (LOC) is, fundamentally, a theory pertaining to individuals’ perceptions of personal control and their appraisal of the contingency of reinforcements in life. An individual may feel as though he/ she has either no control (external LOC) or ample control (internal LOC) over reinforcements. Due to its expediency, the locus of control construct has garnered much attention since it was first introduced to academia in the late 1960s. While originally positioned within Social Learning Theory, the notion of loci of control has since been appropriated into academic fields such as Medicine and Sociology. This particular study now brings the theory of LOC into the realm of Political Science. Employing World Values Survey (WVS) data collected over three time points (1995, 2001, and 2006) in South Africa; this longitudinal study establishes whether or not self-reported class and/ or race influence LOC by measuring the relationship between these three variables. The extent to which any relationships may be significant is also examined. The data analyses showed that the LOC of South Africans has steadily increased (become more internalised) from 1995 to 2006, and that a significant interaction effect occurs between race and class on LOC in South Africa. It was likewise discovered that class and LOC were highly correlated with each other – the self-reported Lower Class had a notably lower LOC compared to the relatively high LOC of the self-reported Upper Class. It is suggested that improved education levels and social security benefits may have a role in improving individuals’ LOC, especially in the South African context. The results of this study uncover future research avenues into class analyses, particularly studies that seek to understand the psychological dimensions of self-reported class or the psychological antecedents of class mobility. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Rotter (1966) se lokus van beheer (LVB) is, fundamenteel, ‘n teorie wat betrekking het tot individueë se persepsies van persoonlike beheer en die waarde wat hul heg aan gebeurlikhede waar versterkings hul voordoen in hul lewens. ‘n Individu mag voel asof hy/sy geen beheer het nie (eksterne LVB) of genoegsame beheer het (interne LVB) oor versterkings. As gevolg van die bruikbaarheid van die term, geniet die lokus van beheer toenemend aandag sedert die bekendstelling daarvan aan academici in die laat 1960s. Die term was aanvanklik geposisioneer in Sosiale Leer Teorie, maar die idee van lokusse van beheer is ook later aangewend in Sosiologiese en Mediese studies. Hierdie studie bring nou die teorie van LVB na Politieke Wetenskap. World Values Study (WVS) data wat versamel is tydens drie opeenvolgende jare (1995, 2001 en 2006) in Suid-Afrika is aangewend as deel van hierdie longitudinale studie om te bepaal of self-geidentifiseerde klas en/of ras ‘n impak het op LVB. Die verhoudinge van hierdie drie veranderlikes, sowel as die beduidendheid van hierdie verhoudings, is ondersoek. Die data analise toon dat die LVB van Suid-Afrikaners bestendig vermeerder het (meer geinternaliseer het) vanaf 1995 tot en met 2006, en dat ‘n noemenswaardige interaksie effek voorkom tussen ras en klas en hul impak op LVB in die Suid-Afrikaanse geval. Daar is eweneens gevind dat klas en LVB hoogs gekorrileerd is vir die aangeduide periode – die self-geidentifiseerde Laer Klas het merkbaar laer LVB in vergelyking met die relatiewe hoë LVB van die self-geidentifiseerde Hoër Klas. Dit word voorgestel dat verbeterde opvoeding vlakke en welsyns voordele ‘n rol speel in die verbetering van individueë se LVB, veral in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Die bevinding van hierdie studie kan gebruik word om toekomstige navorsing met betrekking tot klasverskille te begrond, vernaam studies wat sielkundige dimensies van self-geidentifiseerde klasgroep of die sielkundige bepalers van klas mobiliteit ondersoek.

Chan Wai-Lok. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-58). / Abstracts in English and Chinese ; questionnaire also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 擇要 --- p.ii / Acknowledgement --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.iv / List of Tables --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.vii / List of Appendices --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Parenting Style --- p.1 / Effects of Parenting Style on Misbehavior --- p.3 / Effects of Parenting Style on Academic Performance --- p.4 / Paradox in Chinese --- p.5 / Summary on Parenting Style --- p.9 / Teaching Style --- p.10 / Effects of Teaching Style on Misbehavior --- p.12 / Effects of Teaching Style on Academic Performance --- p.13 / Teaching Style in Chinese --- p.14 / Summary on Teaching Style --- p.15 / Interaction Effects of Parenting and Teaching Styles --- p.15 / Parental Influences and Teacher Influences on Children and Adolescence --- p.17 / Summary --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Method --- p.20 / Participants --- p.20 / Measures --- p.20 / Parenting Style --- p.20 / Teaching Style --- p.21 / School Misbehavior --- p.22 / Academic Performance --- p.22 / Procedures --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.24 / Time 1 Analysis --- p.24 / Means & Correlation --- p.24 / Hierarchical Regression Analysis --- p.25 / Across Time Analysis --- p.27 / Correlation --- p.27 / Direct Effect Analysis --- p.28 / Indirect Effect Analysis --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion --- p.34 / References --- p.46

This study deals with identifying risk factors using measuring instruments in the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters in reconstituted families. Risk factors can complicate the relationshlp between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters and deviate from the given criteria in this study. Extensive literature survey has been done concerning the reconstituted family, relationshlps, stepmothers, adolescent stepdaughters . and biological fathers. Research shows that the stepmother-stepdaughter relationshlp is the most complicated relationshlp within the reconstituted family and adolescent stepdaughters experience more problems adapting than stepsons. Statistics reveal that the divorce rate and therefore the number of reconstituted families is still on the increase. Literature survey shows that overwhelmingly poor relationshlps are found within the reconstituted family. Added to the risk factors that have been identified during research, professional people were also consulted in identifying the risk factors that could complicate the relationship between stepmothers and adolescent stepdaughters as experienced in practice. After establishing the risk factors, measuring instruments have been emperically applied to determine if the mentioned risk factors in reconstituted families can be identified. The measuring instruments include five standardised and one unstandardised questionnaires. The EPI, 16-PF and HSPQ were used to determine the characteristics in the three parties involved. The Parentchild- communication questionnaire and the Persoonlike vraelys vir hoi!rskoolleerlinge were utilised to identifY various risk factors. The unstandardised RF-Agtergrondvraelys provides background information and highlights risk factors other measuring instruments do not identifY. Arising from information gained on a spesific reconstituted family through measuring instmments, the risk factors can be carried over onto the Samevattende evalueringsblad vir risikofaktore. The biggest problems seem to be discipline and divided loyalty. The structure and conditions of each reconstituted family are unique; therefore the risk factors will differ in families. Even similar risk factors can be experienced differently by each member or other families. The uniqueness and complexity surrounding the reconstituted family is emphasised by this. The identified risk factors can be used in various fields of study that involve reconstituted families. This study is helpful in court where custody placement of minors is broached. The identified risk factors can ease in counselling and therapy . / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This thesis explores the relationship between the needs people experience in later life and the types of care they receive. The thesis provides evidence on the role of different types of care in supporting the needs of people aged 60+ in England using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The research presented adopts a number of new approaches to capturing the multi-dimensional nature of dependency by utilising a range of binary indicators of difficulty performing 10 actions related to upper and lower body mobility, 6 activities of daily living (ADL) and 7 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The thesis provides a detailed analysis of the prevalence of these items when considered independently and collectively in combination. A central aim of the research is to develop a more nuanced understanding of dependency to allow for the dimensionality of the needs experienced by older people living in their own homes to be considered. The thesis utilizes a number of different approaches, including simple binary and count-based indicators of need and more complex measures reflecting dependency across different domains of need. These approaches allow a more dynamic picture of dependency in later life to be considered. Using these measures, the research explores the role of different types of care in meeting different types of need. Of these, a unique application of an existing assessment tool is presented, the Indicator of Relative Need (IoRN), which is used as a framework to derive an equivalent measure – the Array of Need (AoN). Given the aim of the study is to investigate the multi-dimensional nature of dependency, various data reduction approaches are used including principal components analysis. Finally, research from similar studies is acknowledged and work from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) study is reproduced using ELSA. The thesis suggests that when considering the dependency needs experienced by older people living in the community, it is important to be aware that this group includes both less and more dependent older people. As such, developing a better understanding of the dynamic relationship between dependency and the receipt of informal and formal care may require more suitable measurements of dependency.

This study aimed at exploring the developmental profile of HIV positive/AIDS infants and children (three to 35 months) over a period of 11 months in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, utilising the Revised Extended Griffiths Scales of Mental Development (GSMD). The purpose was to generate information about the development of HIV positive/AIDS infants and children, highlighting developmental strengths and weaknesses to ultimately aid the custodians of these children with their interventions. A non-probability purposive sampling method was applied, and a longitudinal profile was generated as participants were assessed twice. Participants were all outpatients at Kwazakhele Day Clinic, Dora Nginza and Livingstone Hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Metropole, and were located for the study through their caregiver’s attendance of an HIV support groups at the Dora Nginza Hospital. Data was analysed statistically using descriptive statistics and Hotelings-T² tests. Results indicated a significant difference between first and second assessment on the General Quotient and on two of the six subscales, namely Eye-Hand Co-ordination (D) and Practical Reasoning (F). It was deduced that development declined or did not improve as participants aged.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 P32 / Master of Science