Shiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160701The Effect of Goal Setting on Throwing Skill Learning in 10-Year-Old Boys164508310.17795/intjsh-26202ENMohammad HosseinZamaniDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran0000-0002-5213-7573RouholahFatemiPhysiology Research Center (PRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR IranElaheSasani SravestaniDepartment of Paramedical, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Hormozgan, IR IranJournal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> Learning is a phenomenon that has interested humans for a long time. Research on the factors influencing learning has always interested psychologists and all those dealing with education, particularly sports coaches.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> This study aimed to investigate the impact of goal setting on learning a skill targeting 10-year-old boys.<br /><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> For this purpose, forty 10-year-old male children were selected as the study sample and were assigned to one of two groups: goal-setting (n = 20) and non-goal setting (n = 20) groups. In the acquisition phase, each group participated in 8 sessions for 8 continuous days, and then participants in each group conducted 40 (4 blocks of 10 attempts per session) attempts separately. Finally, after 24 hours, the groups performed a retention test. The scores of each group at each phase were obtained and compared using ANOVAs and independent t-tests.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The results of the statistical analysis did not show differences in the acquisition phase between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the retention phase, there was a significant difference between the two groups, and this advantage was in favor of the goal-setting group (P < 0.05).<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In general, it is recommended that teachers and sports coaches use goal setting when teaching skills to children.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45083_d7a2b3b197457e2df48704de8f7ff254.pdfShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160701Awareness and Use of Psychoactive Substances Among Senior Secondary School Adolescents in Nigeria174508410.17795/intjsh-29387ENMfrekemfon P.InyangDepartment of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, NigeriaOnyekwere I.LonginusDepartment of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, NigeriaJournal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> Adolescence period is characterized by life threatening behaviors such as using psychoactive substances. However, the adverse effects of using psychoactive substances may include cirrhosis of the liver, lung cancers, and chronic illnesses.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> To investigate the awareness and use of psychoactive substances among secondary school adolescents living in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.<br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> The study method was cross-sectional with descriptive survey design. The research population was all secondary schools students (N = 16973) of Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting a sample size of 2000 participants. A modified WHO student drug use questionnaire on awareness and use of psychoactive substances by secondary school students was used for data collection. Also, relevant hypotheses were formulated and frequency counts, percentages, and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The results showed that a high number of study participants were aware of psychoactive substances but a relatively low number actually used them. Alcohol was the most abused form of psychoactive substance.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> An appropriate psychoactive drug education program should be included in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45084_10e85707b28fb7ef120eee3863f5aace.pdfShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160701The Prevalence of Specific Language Impairment in 6-Year-Old Persian-Speaking Children in Shiraz City, Iran, 2015154508510.17795/intjsh-31841ENMohammad MajidOryadi-ZanjaniDepartment of Speech Therapy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR IranMaryamVahabDepartment of Speech Therapy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR IranJavadRasouliDepartment of Epidemiology, Urmia Universiry of Medical Sciences, Urmia, IR IranFatemehMohammadiDepartment of Speech Therapy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR IranMotahareFirouzi-PariziDepartment of Speech Therapy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR IranJournal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> A child with a language impairment in the absence of significant sensory, psychiatric, neurological, or intellectual disorders should be diagnosed as having a specific language impairment (SLI). Data regarding the prevalence of SLI are rare and vary widely. A number of studies have been conducted in order to determine the prevalence of SLI in different populations. However, the prevalence of child language disorders in an Iranian population is unknown due to the limited epidemiologic studies in the field. In addition, many studies have found that children with SLI are at risk for social, behavioral, emotional, and educational difficulties.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of specific language impairment in 6-year-old Persian-speaking children.<br /><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> This research was an epidemiological study conducted over a three-month period in the summer of 2015 in Shiraz. The sample size was 180 children aged 6 years that included 95 boys and 85 girls who were recruited from 10 preschool centers in 9 urban areas in Shiraz using stratified sampling. The EpiSLI system was used to diagnose SLI. The Persian version of the test of language development (TOLD-P: 3) was employed to evaluate the children’s oral language skills. A number of descriptive statistics was employed, such as rates, mean, and standard deviation. In addition, the Chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between the prevalence of SLI with sex and area at a significance level of 0.05.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> This study estimated the prevalence of SLI in 6-year-old Persian-speaking children to be 2.7%. In addition, the estimated prevalence rates of SLI in boys and girls were 2% and 3.5%, respectively. Also, there was no significant correlation between the estimated prevalence of SLI with sex and area (P > 0.05).<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> According to the findings of this study, 2.7% of the 6-year-old Persian-speaking children living in urban areas of Shiraz and enrolling at preschool centers have a specific language impairment. Therefore, it is important to employ a screening system to identify these preschool children in order to prevent subsequent problems in school-aged children.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45085_dd7811448a7028e507806f9efe481e48.pdfShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160701Prediction of Cosmetic Surgery Tendency Based on Mindfulness, Personality Dimensions, Perfectionism and Mental Health Components164508610.17795/intjsh-32746ENAbdulzahraNaamiFaculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR IranHadisMahmood SalehiFaculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR IranJournal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> In all ages, people capitalize on different aspects of their body. A number of studies have indicated the relationship between mindfulness and body image.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cosmetic surgery tendency and mindfulness, personality-dimensions, perfectionism and mental health among female high school students in Isfahan.<br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> The population consisted of all female high school students who were enrolled in Isfahan high schools in academic year of 2014 - 2015. Two hundred students were randomly selected from six educational districts in Isfahan city, Iran. Personality inventory (NEO-PI-R), multidimensional body-self relations questionnaire (Kims), multidimensional perfectionism scale (MPS) and general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used to collect data. Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The results showed that the correlation between cosmetic surgery and mindfulness was -0.68. Also, correlation coefficients of cosmetic surgery and personality-dimensions, mental health and perfectionism were 0.62, 0.57 and 0.20, respectively (P < 0.01). All the predictive variables appropriately predicted the cosmetic surgery tendency variable and predicted 0.58 variance of cosmetic surgery tendency.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> According to these results, individuals who have depressive and perfectionism tendencies are not flexible in their thoughts and emotions, and cannot accept their body as it is, without judgment and with unconditional. Also, those who have closed personality with negative evaluations of their appearance are more likely to seek cosmetic surgery. Regarding the effectiveness of psychological factors in tendency towards the cosmetic surgery, it is better to refer patients to the psychological and mental health centers and take a test to determine whether the problem is mindfulness or other variables.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45086_aa239cff77cbc081c5ede29da2e275fd.pdfShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160701“Can You Cure me? Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Playing a Doctor Game With a Social Robot”194508710.17795/intjsh-29584ENRamonaSimutClinical and Life Span Psychology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, BelgiumCristina A.CostescuDepartment of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj, RomaniaJohanVanderfaeillieClinical and Life Span Psychology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, BelgiumGreetVan De PerreMultibody Mechanics and Robotics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, BelgiumBramVanderborghtMultibody Mechanics and Robotics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, BelgiumDirkLefeberMultibody Mechanics and Robotics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, BelgiumJournal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> Social robots may represent an important technological instrument for improving the social abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
<strong>Objectives:</strong> This work describes exploratory research in which a doctor game scenario, involving a social robot and a human partner, was implemented and tested with children with ASD.
<strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> Thirty children between the ages of four and eight who had been diagnosed with ASD were included in this study. The children alternated between playing a doctor game with the social robot Probo and playing the same game with a human partner, and were exposed to each condition only once in a counter-balanced order. The symbolic play task and the experimental setup were designed to test whether the children would engage in more collaborative behaviors while playing the doctor game with a social robot than performing the same activities with the human partner.
<strong>Results:</strong> Although the children with ASD were more interested in and entertained by the robotic partner, the children did not have better performance in the game, and did not show significantly more collaborative play and engagement while playing with the social robot, compared with the human partner.
<strong>Conclusions:</strong> A longer and more thorough study is needed to interpret these findings and better understand the ASD child-robot interaction. This paper concludes with a discussion of the related literature and proposals for future research directions.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45087_ae0ef44d1b4cf6a5d80f09b4d17452ac.pdfShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160401Parents’ Attitude Toward Child Abuse Conducted in the Health Centers of Tabriz164508810.17795/intjsh-31198ENMalihehAsadollahiDepartment of Nursing, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR IranMahnazJabraeiliDepartment of Nursing, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR IranMohammadAsghari JafarabadiRoad Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR IranMarziehHallajDepartment of Nursing, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR IranJournal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> Attitudes are very important in the formation of behaviors. Parents’ attitudes toward children and behaviors with them are the main causes of child abuse. Identifying these attitudes and their related factors can be the primary basic action for prevention of child abuse.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> This study was conducted to investigate the parents’ attitudes toward child abuse in the health centers of Tabriz.<br /><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> In this cross-sectional study 384 parents with children 2 to 12 years old, filled a questionnaire about parents’ attitude toward child abuse in the 13 health centers of Tabriz. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 16.0).<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The results showed that the mean score of total attitude toward child abuse was significantly higher than the middle (P < 0.001) and was correlated significantly with ’parents’ educational level, number of children they have, attendance status and economic status (P < 0.05).<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The results showed that the parents’ attitudes toward child abuse were negative, but because of the relationship between parents’ attitudes with some of their demographic characteristics, parents should be supported economically and socially to prevention of child abuse.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45088_ad22b11d3f7e89b8c7f6702a1ab9581f.pdfShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160701Prediction of High School Students’ Life Satisfaction and Academic Performance Based on Locus of Control and Self-Esteem174508910.17795/intjsh-31924ENSeyed AliKhaleghinezhadCurriculum Development, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, IR IranMohammadShabaniShahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, IR IranRezvanHakimzadehFaculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR IranHosseinNazari ShakerFaculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR IranMohammadAmerianAllameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, IR IranJournal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> Psychological factors are among the most influential parameters in education. Among these effective traits, personal features centering around the self, have been of utmost importance specially in one’s future of education and psychological well-being. Due to their critical period of life in terms of cognitive development, teenagers are subject to considerable academic and mental transformation at school.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of the present study was to predict life satisfaction and academic performance based on locus of control and self-esteem among school students.<br /><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> Overall, 315 high school first-grade students (143 girls and 172 boys) were chosen from an Iranian city using random cluster sampling and responded to three scales of self-esteem (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965), locus of control (SCS; Ingels et al. 1992) and brief multi-dimensional students Life satisfaction scale (BMSLSS; Seligson, Huebner et al. 2003). Moreover, academic performance was measured via the students’ total score average in the second semester of 2014 - 2015 academic year.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multi-variate analysis (stepwise regression method), the data analysis indicated that locus of control and self-esteem have a positive relationship with life satisfaction and predict twenty-five percent of variance changes of the variable. In addition, the results showed that the variables of locus of control and self-esteem have a positive and significant relationship with academic achievement and these two variables characterize eleven percent of the academic achievement variance changes.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In conclusion, the findings of this study revealed that locus of control and self-esteem play crucial roles in developing students’ life satisfaction and academic performance.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45089_829525d6340a478bf62d4ab48aba8aab.pdfShiraz University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of School Health2345-51523320160701Psycho-Social Strengthening Program for High-School Students: Targeting Female Students’ Attitudes Toward Drug Use154509010.17795/intjsh-32428ENNajafTahmasbi PourDepartment of Educational Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, IR IranSadeghNasriDepartment of Educational Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, IR IranYasamanKasiriDepartment of Educational Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, IR Iran0000-0003-1146-7290Journal Article19700101<strong>Background:</strong> Adopting caring behaviors in adolescence is very important since alcohol and drug use among teenagers has become a pressing social problem and is also a predictor of school drop-out rates and academic failure. Research has shown that there is lack of awareness about drug and alcohol use.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> The present study describes a psycho-social strengthening program aimed at changing female students’ attitudes toward drug use.<br /><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> The research design involved an experimental group that participated in a pre-test and post-test, as well as a control group. The study population comprised female students in the first grade of high school in Tehran city during the educational year 2014 - 2015. Random cluster sampling was used to select 60 students in total. Mohammad Khani’s (2006) risk and protective factors questionnaire (RAPQ) was used to collect the data. The treatment group participated in the united nations office on drugs and crime (UNDOC) “psycho-social strengthening program in the schools” package over eleven 90-minute sessions. Covariance analysis was used to analyze the data.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The significance of covariance F at the level of P < 0.05 showed that psycho-social strengthening is effective in changing female students’ attitudes toward drug use.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Given the importance of caring about high-risk behaviors and the role of psycho-social strengthening in changing female students’ attitudes toward drug use, it is better to carry out such interventions at an early age in school to ensure more preventative and sustainable effects.https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_45090_814ad1bbcf46c6e892acb58d46830a0e.pdf