Humanities, Society, and Community

Building Working Alliance on Online and Offline Counselling

Hafnia Rahma Alifa, Suci Nugraha, Endah Nawangsih — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Telecounseling in Indonesia can be a solution to overcome the shortage of mental health professionals to address psychological problems. Telecounseling is a new challenge for psychologists. The high public interest in using telecounseling has not been accompanied by empirical data on the challenges psychologists face in providing online counseling services, especially in establishing working alliances as a key competency for building therapeutic relationships. The purpose of this study was to understand counselor competencies in building working alliances in online and offline psychological services. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 93 counselors selected by simple random sampling. The measurements were conducted using the Indonesian version of the Therapist Interpersonal Skill Scale. In general, the counselor’s ability to provide online counseling was lower (79.58%) than when providing offline counseling (96.8%). The differences in counselors’ abilities covered all three aspects of the working alliance measured, namely 1) extra-therapeutic influence, 2) therapy skills, and 3) perception of outcomes. Because this research is cross-sectional, it can only analyze the characteristics of respondents in one-time period, but it does offer empirical data about the differences in counselor ability to build working relationships in online and offline counseling.

Site Suitability Analysis for Provision of Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Waterfront Development

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The "area of a town near an area of water, such as a river or the sea" and "the interface between land and water" were two ways to define the urban waterfront. This study aimed to shed light on the pressing issue of management service deficits within canal environments, emphasizing the detrimental consequences of canal encroachment, such as heightened flood vulnerability, dwindling groundwater recharge, and the loss of ecosystems and biodiversity. Based on these issues, the study identified suitable sites for sustainable waterfront development by conducting an in-depth analysis and employing geospatial mapping techniques. The criteria included proximity to water bodies, flora and fauna, urban green space, urban built-up areas, urban fellow land, and road access, and utilized GIS, KII, and community people consultations. The study addressed the practical challenges that the capital cities of Bangladesh and similar cities worldwide face in reconciling the demands of urban development with ecological conservation. The study’s aims, new findings, and contributions to the current literature are integral to advancing the discourse on sustainable urban development. Among the 4,316 evaluated locations, 50% were deemed entirely suitable, 37% predominantly suitable, and the remaining locations had lower suitability levels, including 10% slightly acceptable and none moderately suitable. This research provides actionable insights to inform urban planners, policymakers, and researchers on the creation of resilient and competitive urban regions by addressing the urgent need for holistic solutions that balance environmental preservation, social equity, and economic viability.

Relationship of Open Communication to Employee Motivation in a Government Agency in the Philippines

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Effective communication is essential for fostering a motivated and engaged workforce, particularly in government organizations where transparency and collaboration are vital. This study examines the relationship between open communication practices and employee motivation within a government agency in the Philippines, focusing on 129 employees from a total population of 192 in the division under the Collection Service. Employing a descriptive-correlation research design, data were gathered through a researcher-structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient as statistical tools. The results indicate that effective communication, particularly regarding information accessibility, improves employee engagement and performance. However, feedback mechanisms and communication frequency were identified as areas for improvement. A supportive work environment emerged as the most potent motivator, followed by recognition and career development opportunities, whereas compensation played a lesser role. This study revealed that barriers such as organizational structure and inadequate communication channels hinder effective communication. The findings also reveal a strong positive correlation between open communication and employee motivation. On the other hand, the correlation between open communication and barriers to it was weak, whereas the relationship between employee motivation and barriers to it exhibited a moderate positive correlation. The study emphasizes the importance of enhancing open communication to boost employee engagement and performance and offers strategic recommendations to address these barriers.

Exploring Consumers’ Locavorism Through the Lens of Attitude: Empirical Study of Myanmar Market

Atar Thaung Htet — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

As a growing concept of consumer ideology, locavorism is a well-known topic in consumer research. The preference for local food consumption is a crucial issue that is actively discussed at the stage of consumer and sociology research from different perspectives. Therefore, this study explores the locavorism of consumers through the lens of attitudes in Myanmar. There were two specific research objectives in this study: 1) to analyze the effect of locavorism on consumers’ attitudes in the Myanmar market and 2) to examine the effect of attitude on consumers’ purchase intention in the Myanmar market. This study mainly used an explanatory research approach. For data collection, a survey method was employed in this study. For the hypotheses testing, descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were applied as the major data analysis techniques in this study. According to the result of the empirical analysis, only one of the three attributes of locavorism has a positive and significant effect on attitude. Moreover, attitudes have a positive and significant effect on purchase intentions. Based on the research findings, some major recommendations for both literature and the practical world are made in this study. Among them, local food brands should promote their brand identity by identifying how the consumption of local foods develops the local community economy, as well as in their marketing campaigns. Finally, creating positive attitudes toward local foods that well shape highly intentions to buy local foods because attitudes and purchase intentions are positively related.

Inclusive Workplace Culture of a Government Office in the Philippines Through Intercultural Communication

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Effective intercultural communication is essential in the workplace to address cultural barriers, improve inclusivity and promote employee engagement. In this respect, the study aimed to enhance cultural competence by observing emotions, developing cultural sensitivity, and identifying barriers to intercultural communication within a government office in the Philippines. This study examined the cognitive aspects of intercultural communication and barriers to effective interaction among employees. A comprehensive quantitative-descriptive study was conducted with a census of fifty (50) employees from the subject government office, including permanent staff and outsourced personnel. The data-gathering tool was a validated questionnaire distributed via an in-person survey. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The findings indicate that respect for cultural differences is highly practiced in the office, with the cognitive interaction aspects of intercultural communication to be further improved for a more efficient inclusive environment. Although barriers to intercultural communication exist, they can be minimized by fostering respectful and inclusive interactions among employees. Based on the findings of the study, a strategy roadmap for improving intercultural communication is proposed. This study is essential for an organization seeking to improve workplace dynamics and the long-term success created through diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Laro Ng Lahi Through the Lens of Junior High School Students: A Phenomenological Inquiry

Myra F. Ruin, Victoria E. Tamban, Marcial M. Bandoy — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Junior high school students’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of traditional games are crucial to explore, and their integration into curriculum programs can optimize learning and developmental outcomes. This study aimed to understand and explore the lived experiences of junior high school students regarding their attitude and engagement toward Laro ng Lahi and its cultural significance. Laro ng Lahi has become unfamiliar or is no longer recognized by today’s generation. The researcher aimed to emphasize the love for traditional games. Traditional games, such as Luksong baka, jump over the person (baka) or "cow," without touching, Patintero where goal for offensive players without being tagged, Piko which hop from section to section without touching the lines and Tumbang preso, tossing a slipper at a can object of the game. This study used a qualitative transcendental phenomenological approach. We aimed to examine the lived experiences of 20 junior high school students. The findings revealed that the students initially found the traditional games to be fun, exciting, and deeply memorable, often evoking strong emotions and a sense of nostalgia. We also identified challenges such as varying levels of student engagement and the need for more inclusive strategies to effectively integrate Laro ng Lahi into the broader educational framework. Our study strongly advocated for a more nuanced approach to incorporating Laro ng Lahi into the curriculum, stressing the need to overcome barriers and leverage these games as a valuable resource for holistic education.