Aytul Kasapoglu

Attitude‐behaviour relationship in environmental education: a case study from Turkey

This article reports a study on relationships between students’ environmental attitudes and behaviours in Turkey. The theories of reasoned action and learning have been used in this research. The data were obtained from grade‐eight secondary school students (N = 248) in the capital city, Ankara. Factor analysis result showed that there were three factor groups namely ‘general’, ‘economy’ based and ‘domestic’ attitudes and behaviours. Although students’ attitudes towards the environment were highly positive, their answers for behaviours were lower than those for attitudes. Recommendations are presented to improve students’ environmentally responsible behaviour.

Predictors of Adolescent Cigarette Smoking Behavior: A Sociological Case Study in Ankara, Turkey

ABSTRACT This paper aims to discuss important predictors of adolescent cigarette smoking behavior, such as their sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, socioeconomic status, mothers and fathers educational level, and school type), health-promoting behavior (healthy nutrition, physical activities), risk behavior (cigarette smoking and alcohol use), school achievement, life satisfaction, future expectations, smoking patterns in the family, and school environment. This study is a part of a larger comparative youth research where 310 questionnaires were applied to students in grade 11 in Yenimahalle district in Ankara, Turkey, with characteristics of mean years of age = 16.99; st.d: 0.78; minimum 15 and maximum 20 years of age and 41.1% male and 51.9% female. Of the students in grade 11, 29.9% were smoking and it was reported that 14.0% had smoked often, 7.1% sometimes, 8.8% rarely, and 70.1% had never smoked. Age (19–20 older age group), gender (being male), and alcohol use were the most important predictors of adolescent smoking behavior. Prevention implications and recommendations are also discussed.

THE CASE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA IN TURKEY

ABSTRACT The primary concern of this paper is to inquire about the associations between socio-demographic and psychological variables related to avian influenza in Turkey. The data were collected from a survey given to a sample of 247 females and 223 males from six regions in Turkey. Statistical analysis revealed that gender, education level, and socio-economic status had significant impacts on knowledge, attitudes, and responsible behavior. Participants who were more aware of the impacts of nature made important suggestions at both the national and international level.

Impact of Several Worry Factors on Responsible Behavior The Case of the 1999 Earthquake in Turkey

Fifteen thousand people died in the August 1999 Earthquake in Turkey, and almost all segments of society were caught unprepared. In order to lessen the problems experienced after future earthquakes, this research investigates factors that influence societys awareness of and preparedness for disasters and aims at developing policies on the basis of investigating the relationship between worries and the variables of locus of control, verbal commitment, and responsible behavior. This research is based on a survey conducted a year after the earthquake using a representative sample size of 500 survivors living in temporary prefabricated houses. One of the basic findings of this research is that education is the most important independent variable influenc-

Relationship between adolescent health behaviors and self-esteem in Turkey.

The main objectives of this article were to present first adolescent self-esteem levels including its predictors and second to show the correlations between student self-esteem evaluations, health compromising and risk behaviors. This study was a part of a larger comparative youth research with questionnaires to the students in grade eleven in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara, Turkey. A brief group type questionnaire was administered to the 310 students. The results showed that, the students were not homogeneous in terms of their positive and negative self-esteem levels. Regression analysis revealed that fathers educational level as an independent variable was effective on positive self-esteem scores. Gender was effective on student negative self-esteem ratings. It was also found that there was a significant correlation between student self-esteem evaluations and perceptions about other students along with health compromising and risk behaviors. Prevention implications and recommendations are discussed.

Problems With Sociology Education in Turkey on Its 100th Anniversary

Although sociology education began a century ago in Turkey, sociology is considered a scientific discipline rather than a profession in which graduates can earn money. The primary aim of this article is to identify the essence of this problem in sociology education based on students’ and sociologists’ views. To achieve the study objectives, a phenomenological study based on standpoint theory was designed and conducted with 25 students and 20 working sociologists. The findings reveal that sociology education is quite far removed from being considered a professional education. Theoretical courses without field studies are not in accordance with the requirements of both the public and private sectors. Students and sociologists are quite romantic regarding what sociology is and what sociologists do. Students mostly begin the study of sociology involuntarily and without a clear understanding of the discipline. Sometimes students find themselves in a paradox or dilemma: Although the knowledge and skills they have developed during their sociology education enable students to express themselves effectively and understand social events more comprehensively, the risk of unemployment is a severe threat. Even if they are employed, graduates are disappointed because they are not prepared to conduct the tasks that their jobs demand. Students assess these activities as social work and thus inappropriate. To solve the problems of sociology as a profession in society and as an academic field in the university, both problems must be clearly defined and programs must be carefully reconfigured to meet the demands of both society and sociologists.

Predictors of violence and depression: the case of adolescents in Turkey

Abstract Violence is a leading problem that has a negative impact on daily living. Today, it continues to be an important topic owing to its widespread occurrence, especially among the youth. The main objective of this study is to specify the predictors that influence violence and depression observed among youth aged 15–18 years. While some of these factors are individual (age, gender, flirting, sports. etc.), the subjects’ background, such as the family’s education level, sibling number, etc., were investigated as social and environmental factors. In the survey, data were obtained from 109 high school students receiving education in a private teaching institution using a structured questionnaire technique. With regards the reliability of the survey, equal numbers of boys and girls were chosen from each year in high school lasting for 4 years. After asking questions that aim to obtain students’ sociodemographic features, their depression level was surveyed using the Beck Depression Scale; meanwhile, the Violence Tendency Scale was used to survey their tendency to be violent. Findings revealed that some individual and domestic features of adolescents have significant impacts on their tendencies towards violence and depression.