Hussein H. Soliman

Preventable Tragedies: Heat Disaster and the Elderly

Abstract This study examines the socioeconomic, cultural and atmospheric factors that contribute to deaths in the elderly population due to heat wave disasters. The framework for this study is the Vulnerability Perspective (Blaikie, Cannon, Davis & Wisner, 1994) and the Hazard Coping Theory (Burton, Kates & White, 1978). Even though it is possible to predict heat waves better than many other natural disasters the message does not always reach the elderly and their caregivers who themselves may be of advanced age and isolated. The model of the Philadelphia, Pa. Hot Weather-Health Watch/Warning System is also discussed.

A Cross-Cultural Evaluation of Depression in Children in Egypt, Kuwait, and the United States

The English version of the Arabic Childrens Depression Inventory, constructed by Abdel-Khalek, was applied to a sample of 535 U.S. students (11 to 18 years old). Cronbach coefficients alpha were .88, .90, and .89 for boys, girls, and all subjects, respectively. Seven factors were extracted by principal axis factor analysis (Negative mood and self-depreciation, Fatigue, Lack of loneliness, Sleep problems, Weak concentration, Pessimism, and Feeling happy), denoting clear factorial structure; however, the scale was intended to be unidimensional. Sex and racial differences for this American sample were not statistically significant but the correlation of depression scores with age was .22. The scale appears useful in studying depression in American school children and adolescents. Also, cross-cultural differences in childhood depression between samples from Egypt and Kuwait of previous studies and the present American sample were examined. Based on the effect size, female Kuwaiti had a lower mean depression score than either the Egyptian or American groups. The scale can be used in cross-cultural research.

Sinking under the weight of corruption: Neoliberal reform, political accountability and justice

The United Nations adopted the 2003 Convention Against Corruption to reduce corruption in developing nations. Corruption’s determinants include political systems’ permeability to economic influence, state economic intervention, weak political competition and officials’ discretionary power to allocate resources. Corruption’s outcomes are slowed economic development, misallocation of government resources, income inequalities and, less frequently, disasters. Using archival and interview data, this article documents corruption’s shaping of the 2006 sinking of an Egyptian ferry in the Red Sea, which killed 1034; high-level corruption not only caused the disaster but exacerbated its impacts. The study’s findings confirm much of the empirical literature but contradict assertions that corruption is associated with high levels of government intervention in the economy. Based on the findings, the article gives a critique of neoliberal reform that associates it with high-level corruption.

The challenges of modernization of social work education in developing countries: The case of Egypt

Due to the changes that developing countries are currently facing, social work educators are forced to assess the curricula in order to help societies deal with new waves of social problems. This study explores a number of factors that contribute to the process of modernizing social work education in Egypt.

A cross-cultural study of social work students' attitudes toward AIDS policy: implications for social work education

AIDS is no longer an issue in a single country or region, but is prevalent worldwide. Chin (1995) shows an alarming prevalence rate of this epidemic for all regions of the world including SubSaharan Africa, North America, Western Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. In developing countries, AIDS has become a major crisis representing an enormous financial burden to the government in terms of providing medical treatment to reported cases, education to the public, and participating in research activities (De Bruyn, 1992; Ainscow, 1991). The AIDS crisis has complex medical, economic, and social impacts on society as the number of infected people and cost of their care increase. Many policy questions have been raised by this crisis, challenging the basic moral values of every society. People with AIDS (PWA) may experience social discrimination, stigmatization, and isolation (Miah and Ray, 1994). Policy analysis provides ideas about basic assumptions every society makes regarding provision of service and treatment to address the specific problem. For this purpose, examining cultural variables influencing social workers’ attitudes toward the provision of services to PWA is essential.

Psychosocial profile of people with AIDS and their caregivers in Egypt.

Caring for individuals with AIDS in developing countries represents a major crisis to families and natural caregivers. This study presents the psychosocial profiles of people with AIDS and their caregivers in Egypt to assess the effects of HIV/AIDS on patients, their caregivers, and the factors that influence caregiving and support. Various stressors and challenges for patients as well as hardships the caregiver faces were explored. The literature documents difficulties such as inadequate health care services, lack of resources, and stigma that patients experience in developing countries. Findings indicate an association between the psychosocial effects of AIDS on patients and their caregivers.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: treatment outcomes for a Kuwaiti child

Children who experience political violence and wars are vulnerable to different sorts of psychological reactions. Unfortunately, cultural constraints and the stigma attached to therapy may prevent these children from receiving needed treatment. This study presents a case of a child with PTSD where a single subject design was used to measure treatment outcomes. The design enabled the social worker to assess, monitor and measure the course of treatment. The advantages of applying the design in clinical intervention in other cultures are highlighted.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AMONG AMERICAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

The Arabic Childrens Depression Inventory in its English version was administered to a sample of 535 U.S. school students (11 to 18 years old). By sex, differences on total score and on 19 of 27 items (70.4%) were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, differences were significant for 8 (29.6%) items on which girls had higher mean scores. Half of the items were positive indicators of depression (I am sad, I feel lonely, I feel miserable, and I hate myself), while the other half were negative (I feel happy, Life is rosy, A lot of people like me, and I am optimistic).

The effects of divorce on Saudi girls’ interpersonal adjustment

Considering the increase in divorce in Saudi Arabia, 99 girls, ages 12–16, were randomly selected in the city of Riyadh, SA, to measure the impact of parental divorce on their social and educational adjustment. Multivariate analysis was used to test a model of three independent variables ‘behavior, self-relation, and stress’, which explained 45 percent of the variation in the dependent variable ‘adjustment’. Findings indicate that Saudi girls’ adjustment to divorce was influenced by the Saudi society cultural traditions and expectations. Implications for social work practice in school settings have been drawn based on the available intervention models with children of divorce.

Families’ Satisfaction With Public Housing in Saudi Arabia and Its Effect on the Quality of Their Lives

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of participating in social services programs designed for families who reside in supportive housing on their overall quality of life. A random sample of 300 households from a total of 1,400 families who reside in the Prince Salman Housing Program (PSHP) in Saudi Arabia were selected. PSHP provides a number of services such as job training, education, and micro-credit training. The following 6 independent variables were examined using 1 dependent variable, “quality of life”: challenge to family functioning, family communication, communication with organization, perception of social services, family resources, and housing equipments. Overall findings showed statistical significance between communication with organizations and perception of services as these variables influence the overall quality of life among participating families. Future research should continue to assess the overall impact of participation in social services programs on families who reside in supportive housing projects.