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This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of university students in the United Arab Emirates towards the marriage of people with disabilities. To achieve this goal, a sample of 396 students, consisting of 222 women and 174 men, was selected. All participants were administered a scale of 15 items built according to the closed-ended Likert. The results indicated a high level of positive attitudes towards this type of marriage. Furthermore, the results showed no statistically significant differences in attitudes attributed to variables such as gender and academic year, while there were statistically significant differences favoring students in scientific colleges over those in humanities colleges regarding academic specialization. The study also reflects a wider gendered analysis based on the field of Arab women with disabilities studies. This might help us to understand how the cultural and societal nature of these norms could impact ways in which students view marriage amongst people with disabilities thus providing more insights into an intersection between gender and disability within UAE. The study concluded with several recommendations, including that the UAE law on the rights of persons with disabilities must emphasize the right to marriage for persons with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the initiatives and policies implemented in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to protect Children of Determination (COD) from abuse and neglect. Despite global efforts to address child abuse, children with disabilities, referred to here as children of determination, remain particularly vulnerable. This paper explores the social framework, legal protections, prevention strategies, challenges, and necessary measures to ensure that such children are safe and empowered to protect themselves from abuse. The paper also explores approaches to enhancing the efficacy of the caregivers engaged with these children so that they can predict, prevent, and deal with incidents of abuse. Drawing upon qualitative research and data analysis, the study assesses the effectiveness of existing programmes and proposes a model for a child advocacy centre that promotes and implements best practices. The study adopts a qualitative approach to collect the views of ten social workers and parents of children of determination through in-depth interviews, and to analyse data, legislation, and initiatives related to the target population in the UAE. In particular, this study highlights the critical importance of protecting girl children from abuse, given that international research indicates that girls are more vulnerable to abuse than boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the motives for using critical thinking skills among gifted and non-gifted students. A measure of motivation for using critical thinking skills prepared by Valenzuela & et al., 2011 was used, which includes two dimensions: motivation for use based on expectation and value. The results showed that the level of motives for using critical thinking skills among gifted students was high, while the level was medium among non-gifted students. The results also indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the dimension of expectation and the total degree of the motives of use due to gender in favor of male students. The study also found statistically significant differences in the dimensions (expectation, value) and the total score of the motives of use due to the classification of students (gifted or non-gifted) in favor of gifted students. The study recommended teachers and curriculum developers to find strategies and activities that would raise the level of motivation for critical thinking among non-gifted and female students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effect of the Ukraine crisis on the national and international economy, which is intrinsically tied to education, research, and science. As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the country’s economy plummeted sharply. This displaced many local and international students, teachers, and educators at Ukrainian universities, schools, and institutes, including girls and women. In this paper, we have highlighted the global effort to sustain higher education and accommodate displaced students. We have adopted an exploratory, descriptive analysis of media coverage of the Russia-Ukraine War and other statistical studies and articles generally addressing the impact of the Ukraine crisis on the economy, particularly education, research, and science. Results suggest that immediate and continuous support for Ukrainians and international students is viewed as a necessity tightly linked to the national economy and the global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article is the first to consider the impact of intellectual disability on Bedouin-Arab families' caregiver burden, family functioning, marital quality, and sense of coherence. A random sample of 300 Bedouin-Arab parents with one or more intellectually disabled children, and a control group (n = 100) completed the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), the ENRICH marital quality questionnaire, Robinson's Caregiver Strain Index, the Sense of Coherence (SOC) questionnaire, and a basic demographic questionnaire. Findings revealed that families with intellectually disabled children reported more problematic family functioning, less marital satisfaction, more caregiver burden, and lower sense of coherence. Differences were found related to parental age, marital status, and education level, and the number of intellectually disabled children in the family. These findings have implications for family-centred care, for the educational, health, and social services that support familial structures, and in public education and community programs. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

Char land is well-known as a hard-to-reach community in Bangladesh where the basic health services are very pitiable. Drawing an example from two char land communities in Bangladesh, this study explored the status of the public health services and service gaps. The study collected data from 222 respondents (heads of the households) and used a quantitative research approach where a face-to-face structured interview schedule was employed for data collection. Results showed that the char land family members were suffering different types of diseases, but they did not have adequate scientific treatment facilities; manpower and institutional facilities for health services were lacking against needs; and the quality of health services was awfully poor. All of the respondents mentioned a high service gap between demand and supply on health tests, specialized services and emergency services. Findings would be important guidelines for policy makers, development practitioners, health providers, and health workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to explore the status of social behavior practices for child protection and well‐being among low‐income urban households in Bangladesh. This study used a survey method, and data were collected through a face‐to‐face structured interview from 378 low‐income household heads from 12 wards (Konabari and Kashimpur) of Zone 5 of the Gazipur City Corporation. Results found that the current status of the presence of child protection services is very low (in many cases, this number is zero except children having birth registered). A significant number (55%) of them were married between 15 and 19 years. The study found a low level of access on the components of social behaviors where around 50% to 60% caregivers stated 4 benefits of key behaviors, necessity of hand washing after defecation and before and after taking a meal, the age of boys and girls to get married off, and know the effect and consequences of child marriage. The chi‐squared tests confirmed extremely high significance in almost all of the components. Findings will be an important guideline for the policymakers, child service practitioners, and human rights workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a growing interest, especially among Emirati organizations concerned with family development, in the rising rates of early divorce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this research is to identify the reasons for early divorce among Emiratis. The authors selected 2,162 Emirati early divorcees who were registered with the Family Development Foundation (FDF) in Abu Dhabi and who received services from the (FDF) between 2012 and 2018. Among those, 200 divorcees agreed to participate in this study. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Results found that the most common reasons for early divorce were the lack of marital relations, partners' bad behavior, and domestic violence. Other reasons frequently quoted by the participants included the partner's personality type, health issues, and the partner's physical appearance. Findings will offer useful guidelines to the policymakers, service providers, social workers, and experts to improve the national-level family support interventions to prevent early divorce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: COVID-19 is shaping all aspects of life throughout the world. The unexpected number of people who have been infected with and died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is evidence that the pandemic has affected families and societies. The strong shock wave that has resulted in the international response has focused more on medical rather than psychosocial interventions. Little has been written or studied about the impact of COVID-19 on families. This article explores the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the mental health of families. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with Jordanian families through snowball sampling. Findings: The results show that 20 interviewees described varied and new experiences. Many of the families we interviewed displayed symptoms of mental health problems, including disrupted sleep patterns, changes in eating habits, excessive digital media use, anxiety, depression, excessive smoking, stomach aches, bedwetting among children, and persistent headaches. The study also demonstrated the psychological stress partners felt during the lockdown due to their worries about job security. They also communicated their hope that renewed family commitments might bring more stability to their relationships. During the lockdown, family members spent more time together, and it became harder to conceal any issues from each other. Applications: The findings of this research demonstrate a critical need for social workers, and it is hoped that future legislation will include a role for social workers in various fields of crisis. Moreover, social workers should encourage families to ask for intervention to overcome the long-term effects that may result from COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the public health measures adopted by the Jordanian government that contributed to stemming the spread of the pandemic and the impact of these measures on the behavior patterns of families. Content analysis was used with 117 news briefs, and interviews were conducted with 20 families identified through snowball sampling. Ecological systems theory and a public health model are used to frame our understanding of the results. We found themes from interviews that included a shift to online education, use of social media, changes in consumer behavior, and social initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study to find the effects upon children in Jordan whose fathers were imprisoned is conducted. Results show that children were adversely affected and stigmatized and had problems relating to emotional development, schooling and behavior.

In Bahrain, the role of women can be determined by examining their activities in all sectors of society. Traditions and laws primarily hold women back from their full participation in the economy and politics of the nation. Discrimination that has carried forward into the constitution of the land was caused by adherence to historical remnants of a society that does not really exist anymore. This study presents the social, economic, and political reality of Bahraini women in light of applicable legislation, and the barriers women face in achieving equality. The objective is to examine these realities within the context of Bahraini traditions, cultural norms and expectations, legislation, and the political process. The outcomes include the identification of specific barriers and some possible ways forward in the social experiment that has begun in Bahrain of equality and empowerment for women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the link between volunteering and social work in Arab society, using Jordan as a case study. One hundred fifty- one female and male students were interviewed. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS. The findings showed that female students (67%) were more likely to volunteer than male students (33%); 9.9 percent of Jordanian students volunteered in family- and children organizations. The main reason students gave for volunteering was seeking to develop their character (97.4%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]