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Article
Publication date: 3 May 2019

Geoff Lindsay, Vaso Totsika and Ruth Thomas

There is growing evidence of the efficacy and effectiveness of targeted parenting programmes but the evidence for universal parenting programmes is much less developed. The…

208

Abstract

Purpose

There is growing evidence of the efficacy and effectiveness of targeted parenting programmes but the evidence for universal parenting programmes is much less developed. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of Parent Gym, a parenting programme delivered in schools.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper a quasi-experimental design was utilised. Parents were recruited to the Parent Gym programme comprising six two-hour weekly sessions. Parents completed measures of their parenting efficacy, parenting satisfaction, interest in parenting and mental well-being at pre- and post-course. Comparative data were derived from a retrospectively-defined randomly selected group of non-participant parents at two time points, equivalent to the length of the Parent Gym course.

Findings

Changes in the Parent Gym group were compared with the comparison group using repeated measures mixed 2×2 ANOVAs, which accounted for the potential effect of demographic characteristics (parent gender, ethnicity, parent age, parent education level and single parent status), and their potential interaction with group membership. Parenting satisfaction showed a significantly greater increase for the Parent Gym group with a large effect size (d=0.80). Regarding parenting efficacy, there was a significant time × group interaction indicating efficacy scores increased in the Parent Gym group but decreased in the comparison group (d=1.93). Mental well-being also improved for the Parent Gym group from below the national norm before the course (d=−0.26) to significantly greater than the national norm at post-course (d=0.29).

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the present study is the absence of data on outcomes for children. Second, the administration of the research at local level, primarily the distribution and collection of the measures and return to the research team for analysis, is a potential source of data loss: both pre- and post-programme data were available on 55 per cent of Parent Gym parents, similar to other community studies. Third, the present study did not include a longer term follow-up after the programme ended. Future research is required to examine the sustainability of effects produced from community implemented programmes.

Practical implications

Findings from the present study indicate that a universal programme, Parent Gym, was effective in aiding the positive development of aspects of parenting behaviour, namely parents’ self-efficacy, parenting satisfaction and mental well-being, when delivered in community settings. This demonstrates its potential as part of a regular service delivery option of evidence-based support for parents.

Social implications

Successful parenting requires both the development of parenting skills and a positive relationship between parent and child. Parents vary in the resources (e.g. family) available to develop positively. Evidence-based parenting programmes have an important role in aiding parenting development, both those targeted at parents with most challenges and those (universal) aimed across the population. This study demonstrated that the universal Parent Gym programme is effective across a wide range of parents and has the potential to be a positive social resource for community delivery.

Originality/value

This is the first rigorous study of Parent Gym. It adds to the limited evidence about parenting programmes delivered outside of trials, as part of normal service delivery. With this evidence, parent choice of a suitable evidence-based programme is increased.

Details

Journal of Children's Services, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

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Article
Publication date: 14 August 2017

Ruth Thomas

There is a strange paradox at play in workplaces today – and it has all to do with that most basic of needs: “pay”. Employees might well be working longer hours and taking out…

291

Abstract

Purpose

There is a strange paradox at play in workplaces today – and it has all to do with that most basic of needs: “pay”. Employees might well be working longer hours and taking out more second jobs, but the amount of money they have left in their pockets simply is not keeping pace with the cost of living.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines how pay has shot back to the top of the things employees most want from their employer, but (despite this) it also examines the extent to which pay – the greatest cost most businesses face – seems overlooked in terms of being measured with the same sort of ROI rigour as other business costs.

Findings

Most firms would not invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in new IT if it did not yield some form of efficiency/productivity return but, as this paper argues, many firms can quite easily see the total pay of their employees’ pay rise by the same amount, and yet they know nothing about whether paying some staff more than others will actually boost productivity and profitability.

Originality/value

It is this paper’s view that compensation measurement and management is vital if businesses are to understand how what they pay impacts performance. Firms that use data may discover they do not need to improve everyone’s pay by the same amount to boost their productivity, but they can do more targeting compensation around key people and key performers.

Details

Strategic HR Review, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1475-4398

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 31 March 2021

Ruth Banomyong and Thomas E. Fernandez

The purpose of this paper is to assess the logistics performance of national trade corridors in Myanmar based on a theoretical portrayal of multimodal transport in logistics…

879

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to assess the logistics performance of national trade corridors in Myanmar based on a theoretical portrayal of multimodal transport in logistics chains combined with the real-time operation of such chains. A cost-time-distance model was used as the core theoretical framework for the discussion. Empirical data related to cost, time and distance was obtained to evaluate national trade corridors in Myanmar. The study explored the performance of trade corridor in the pulses and beans sector from the largest sown and harvest areas to the main seaports in Myanmar. The pulses and beans sector was selected because the country is the 2nd highest exporter in the world and would benefit from improved access to its national seaports. Under the cost-time-distance model used, it was observed that physical infrastructure, institutional environment as well as limited capability of local providers hindered the overall performance of the trade corridors under study.

Details

Journal of International Logistics and Trade, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1738-2122

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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1999

Thomas A. Cornille, Ruth E. Pestle and Robin W. Vanwy

This study examines the conflict management styles that elementary school teachers use with their peers and with their students' parents. Elementary school teachers (N = 156…

1673

Abstract

This study examines the conflict management styles that elementary school teachers use with their peers and with their students' parents. Elementary school teachers (N = 156) provided responses anonymously to Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory II and demographic questions. Teachers' conflict management styles were different in all five styles of conflict management from those a normative group of the business managers. No differences were found between responses of teachers in urban and nonurban schools. Teachers in urban schools reported being more likely to use dominating styles with their students' parents than with their peers. Based on these findings, the authors suggest continuing education for teachers to learn intentional ways of dealing with conflicts, both with peers and with students' parents.

Details

International Journal of Conflict Management, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1044-4068

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2004

Paula Whitty, Ruth Thomas and Jeremy Grimshaw

Discusses the feasibility of disseminating and implementing guidelines in routine practice, informed by discussions with senior actors in the field of guidelines implementation…

786

Abstract

Discusses the feasibility of disseminating and implementing guidelines in routine practice, informed by discussions with senior actors in the field of guidelines implementation. Comments about the lack of protected budgets to support guideline dissemination and implementation strategies and common strategies of using “soft money” or resources for specific initiatives to support such activities. The “opportunity costs” of strategies need to be considered. In addition there are implications for the implementation of the NHS information strategy. For clinical governance as a whole, not only is it likely that widespread cultural change is required, but also the capacity of the system still needs considerable expansion if sufficient educational activities are to become routine.

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

Keywords

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Book part
Publication date: 4 October 2012

Jannica Heinström and Eero Sormunen

Purpose – This chapter will discuss empirical results on how attitudes toward group work and the prospect of publishing in wikis influence students’ work in collaborative…

Abstract

Purpose – This chapter will discuss empirical results on how attitudes toward group work and the prospect of publishing in wikis influence students’ work in collaborative knowledge construction. It will also explore how writing for an audience can be used in information literacy education.

Methodology – Data were collected by pre- and post-questionnaires and group interviews from two 8-week courses in an upper secondary school. In total, 58 students were involved. The quantitative data was analyzed by frequency and correlation analysis. Content analysis was applied to transcribed interviews.

Findings – Group work experiences carried over from one context to another. Ways to undertake group work influenced the learning experience. Cooperation – sharing tasks to be undertaken individually – tended to be a negative experience while working closely together enhanced learning. Wikis were mainly used as platforms for combining texts written individually by the students. The prospect of publishing on public Wikipedia had a considerably stronger influence on students’ motivation than publishing a text for fellow classmates on the school wiki.

Practical implications – Wiki-publishing enables an emphasis on information use as part of information literacy instruction, where students learn to adapt their texts toward their audiences. Careful instruction is, however, needed for the use of social media tools and collaborative processes, in order for them to serve their purpose.

Originality – The study showed how group work attitude in general influence future group work experiences. It also demonstrated the influence of publishing texts on wikis or Wikipedia on students’ motivation.

Details

Social Information Research
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-833-5

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Article
Publication date: 1 May 1966

THINGS have travelled full circle. There was a time when the Swedes were busy learning from our enterprise and experiences, especially in the fields of industry and commerce; now…

51

Abstract

THINGS have travelled full circle. There was a time when the Swedes were busy learning from our enterprise and experiences, especially in the fields of industry and commerce; now the position is somewhat reversed and we are eager to profit from them in such diverse fields as social welfare, labour relations, modern design generally, and what is more relevant here, librarianship. Sweden has also much to offer from its cultural life through its novelists, poets, artists and musicians, many of whom deserve wider audiences both here and in other countries.

Details

New Library World, vol. 67 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

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Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

Ashraf Salama

The process of educating future architects and designers around the world varies dramatically. However, there is one striking similarity - the dominance of the design studio as…

177

Abstract

The process of educating future architects and designers around the world varies dramatically. However, there is one striking similarity - the dominance of the design studio as the main forum for knowledge acquisition and assimilation, and for creative exploration and interaction. Such a setting encompasses intensive cognitive and physical activities, which ultimately result in conceptualizing meaningful environments proposed to accommodate related human activities. The design studio is the primary space where students explore their creative skills that are so prized by the profession; it is the kiln where future architects are molded. It has occupied a central position since architectural education was formalized two centuries ago in France and later in Germany, the rest of Europe, North America, and the rest of the world.

Details

Open House International, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 1964

It is said that travel broadens the mind, deepens the understanding and refreshes the spirit. Judging by the amount of long distance travel undertaken nowadays by more people than…

73

Abstract

It is said that travel broadens the mind, deepens the understanding and refreshes the spirit. Judging by the amount of long distance travel undertaken nowadays by more people than ever before, it may also be said to widen the beam! However, this brief article is mainly concerned with the scope and benefits of the Library Association's programme of internships.

Details

New Library World, vol. 66 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 1964

IT is said that travel broadens the mind, deepens the understanding and refreshes the spirit. Judging by the amount of long distance travel undertaken nowadays by more people than…

57

Abstract

IT is said that travel broadens the mind, deepens the understanding and refreshes the spirit. Judging by the amount of long distance travel undertaken nowadays by more people than ever before, it may also be said to widen the beam! However, this brief article is mainly concerned with the scope and benefits of the Library Association's programme of internships.

Details

New Library World, vol. 66 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

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