Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Exploring the Experiences and Perspectives of Saudi Mothers in Interaction with Their Primary School Children’s Autonomy and Motivation within COVID Learning Contexts(University Of Nottingham, 2024-08) Boudy, Dheya; David, Murphy; Urszula, PlustThe COVID-19 pandemic impacted families worldwide; those in Saudi Arabia were among them. This period presented mothers with unique opportunities and challenges, including the chance to “get to know” their children better and explore strategies to promote autonomy and motivation during the primary school years. Despite Saudi Arabia’s ongoing development and implementation of Vision 2030 – i.e., a dynamic strategy that supports lifelong learning and individual potential – there is a notable lack of studies that focus on the role of the family and the importance of autonomy for children in remote learning. However, remote learning is a relatively new experience for Saudi society, especially for primary-aged children. This research aligns with the concept of “actualising tendency”, pioneered by Carl Rogers in 1961, which emphasises personal autonomy as an intrinsic motivation that drives individuals towards excellence. Understanding how Saudi families navigated these challenges during remote learning is crucial for children and future educational development and alignment with the goals of Vision 2030. This research is divided into two studies. The first study solely focuses on mothers with a background in Saudi Arabia; the second study concentrates on mothers with a multicultural “KSA-UK” background. In order to explore the mothers’ in-depth subjective experience with remote learning, an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is used to analyse the interview data and answer the following questions: 1. What experiences, challenges and strategies are encountered by Saudi mothers, with exposure to only a single culture, when their children interacted with remote learning? 2. What are the influential factors and strategies that Saudi mothers perceived and experienced when their children interacted with remote learning and multicultural contexts? The findings revealed a complex interplay of culture and mothers’ experiences, which seem to shape their self-concept, defined in this study as a person’s perception and comprehension of themselves, including their beliefs, values, abilities and traits (Ismail & Tekke, 2015). Furthermore, remote learning plays a role in collaboration between mothers and their children, allowing them to experience autonomy and self-determination. Mothers acknowledge their children’s ability to adapt to challenges in remote learning contexts, which seems to contribute to increasing child autonomy. In both studies, mothers used rewards and punishment as motivational methods, which presents tensions with the person-centred approach (PCA) and self-determination theory (SDT), as these approaches emphasise intrinsic motivation and the importance of fostering autonomy rather than relying on external controls such as rewards and punishments. The second study reveals how the mother’s experience abroad possibly influences her personal values and attitudes. Moving away may have disrupted the influence of others, allowing mothers more freedom to develop their parenting style. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research and relevant theories. The study also considers the implications of the findings for Saudi society and families, including Saudi mothers who study abroad, remote learning and childhood education.32 0Item Restricted CULTURAL IMPACT ON SELF-EFFICACY OF DIVORCED WOMEN AND THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS MARRIAGE IN AL-AHSA, SAUDI ARABIA(UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA, 2024) Almuthaffar, Nouf khaleed; Lyndon, Novel AnakABSTRACT The increasing rate of divorce in Saudi Arabia has become a social problem that has weakened the cultural values, the social relationships of Saudi families and affected not only divorced women but their children as well. Hence, this study explored the socio- demographic profiles of divorced women in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia as well as the impact of cultural factors on the self-efficacy of divorced women. The impact of divorce on the social relations of Al-Ahsa children is also discussed in this study. The study also examined the attitudes of divorced women towards the institution of marriage in Al- Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The theory of feminism was applied as a theoretical framework in this study. The study used qualitative data collection techniques based on a case study approach. Both purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select informants. A total of eighteen informants comprising divorced women, parents, children from divorced families, academics, and social leaders were selected for in- depth, face-to-face interviews. Thematic data analysis has been used to analyze and interpret data. The findings showed that divorced women experienced emotional emptiness, had self-esteem problems, and were very depressed by the status of widows labelled by society. This situation clearly shows that the cultural impact faced by Saudi women is related to social, economic, psychological, and legal challenges in family and marriage institutions. This study also found that the self-efficacy of divorced women is particularly affected by women who are fully dependent on their husbands, especially in terms of finances. In addition, the vast majority of divorced women in the study still believe that they can remarry, do not give up hope of getting a better life, and believe in the role and function of marriage as an institution. This study concludes that the impact of divorce on women's self-efficacy is high in Al-Ahsa Saudi Arabia due to traditional cultural views on male and female roles and gender inequality. The implication of the study is that female-friendly intervention programs are needed to help divorced women adapt to the needs of life that are within the social structure of society.9 0Item Restricted Gender and intersectionality: Understanding and Addressing Women's Mental Health and Mental Health Policy within the Cultural Context of Saudi Arabia(University Of Glasgow, 2024-02-06) Alghamdi, NadiaAhmed Alhamd; Melville, CraigBackground: Intersectionality concerns the interconnected nature of social categories (e.g., race, gender, age, education) and how these ‘intersect’ to produce privilege and oppression. In the current context, this helps to understand women's mental health in socially disadvantaged positions, especially how intersections among gender inequality and factors such as socioeconomic status contribute to women’s mental health inequalities and experiences. Yet this remains an under researched area. This study’s overarching aim concerns understanding Saudi Arabian women’s mental health disorders, risks, challenges, and issues. For this, it has three objectives: to review the effects of intersectionality on this group within extant quantitative literature; to identify and explore the significant interactions among variables relating to this population’s social disadvantage and mental ill-health (e.g., gender and the risk of depression); and to analyse Saudi Arabia’s current mental health policy and gender equality. This study’s more specific aims involve furthering understanding of the effects of content, context, and actors behind mental health policies and programmes on Saudi women to help address their mental health needs. It takes the form of three studies. Study 1. This systematic review investigated quantitative methods used to study the intersectionality of multiple social disadvantages in women with common mental disorders. It reviewed studies on the intersectional effects of gender with multiple social disadvantages from the PROGRESS-Plus inequity framework and examined the quantitative methods these studies employ. The most common and means of studying intersectionality in mental health studies in the included studies was statistical interaction analysis. Other methods such as multilevel modelling and mediation decomposition analysis were also used. These robust statistical methods facilitate research on intersectional effects on mental health and improve understanding of the complex intersection of gender and other social disadvantages concerning women’s risk of common mental disorders. Study 2: This study analysed the National Survey of Saudi Food and Drug Authority dataset, a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 18–88 in Saudi Arabia (3,408 participants: 1,753 males and 1,655 females). Evaluating variable risks of depression using the PHQ-2 screening questionnaire, it found significant correlations between depression risk and the variables of gender, education, family income, and employment status. Although a subsequent multivariate analysis found the only significant predictors of depression risk to be female gender and education below the bachelor level. No interaction effects were observed, implying an additive effect of gender and education on the risk of depression. Study 3: This study analysed Saudi Arabia's mental health policies and gender equality. Using Walt and Gilson's health policy analysis framework, it highlights the need to address gender inequalities in the country's mental health policies. It provides evidence-based mental health policy recommendations relating to women in Saudi Arabia about enhancing their mental health and well-being and establishing an equal health system. Conclusions: Examining women’s mental health through an intersectionality lens can help policymakers address Saudi Arabian women’s mental health issue . To reduce inequalities, advances must be made in women’s education, training, employment, socioeconomic status, access and participation, equality, and overall independence. However, this must take place within a wider targeted and tailored reform agenda (legal, policy, political, PR, cultural, religious, economic, careers, educational) within which women must actively participate. Urgent inclusive, deep, and far-reaching intersectional initiatives, adjustments, research and reforms are needed to elevate Saudi women’s circumstances, experiences, and mental health and thereby address the current issue and ultimately improve society overall.41 0Item Restricted Exploring Teachers’ Beliefs and Practice Regarding Children’s Creativity in Visual Art from Three to Six Years Old in Riyadh, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(University of Leeds, 2023-12-01) Aldosari, Dimah Hamad M; Clarke, PaulaThis qualitative study aimed to explore preschool teachers’ beliefs and practices regarding preschool children’s creativity in the visual arts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has neither a programme at preschool nor a university course designed to support children’s creativity, which could pose a problem for preschool teachers when defining what creativity is and how to support it. The research was based on the theories of Bourdieu, Bronfenbrenner and Vygotsky (Bourdieu, 2010; Vygotsky, 1979; Bronfenbrenner, 1979; 2005; Routledge, 2016; Harkonen, 2007; Thuketana and Westhof, 2018; Reunamo et al., 2014), which assert that cultures and societies have an influence on children’s development, especially their creativity. For this case study, three methods were developed and applied in four sequential phases with 11 teachers in three cases of preschools in Riyadh. The methods were semi-structured interviews (first and fourth phases), observation (second phase), and a photography task (third phase). The study revealed that the teachers agreed that children’s development is influenced by their culture and society. However, the teachers were uncertain about the definition of ‘creativity’. Teachers’ beliefs led their practice in supporting the creativity of the children, which reflected several barriers that teachers face, some of which are not easy to overcome. These barriers were a source of inspiration for the teachers to discern what to advise policymakers. This research can help educators to explore definitions of children’s creativity and support it with the use of the observation schedule developed in this study to observe children’s creativity. It can also help teachers define what policymakers could provide for them to support children’s creativity in preschools. Finally, this research could inform further studies in the area of creativity, especially through the use of the methods developed for this study as there may be a lack of applicable research methods related to this subject.31 0Item Restricted Non-Religious Tourism In Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-10-18) Hashabl, Abdullah Hussain; Osman, HannaBy examining the experiences of non-religious tourists in Saudi Arabia, this study intends to pinpoint particular goals that will direct the nation's support for this industry. The study aims to improve Saudi Arabia's non-religious tourist options by analysing tactics, gaps, and sociocultural factors. This method, which employs a descriptive survey design, is preferred over interview-guided approaches because it effectively gathers data from a larger sample in less time. The study uses a quantitative approach and adheres to a positivist worldview. A survey with a sample size goal of 500 people was given to both domestic and foreign tourists, with a focus on those with non religious goals. Data for the study were gathered by asking respondents about their attitudes, views, and opinions regarding non-religious travel experiences. The analysis of quantitative data yields insights into variables using descriptive and inferential statistics. Variable properties are clarified by descriptive statistics like mean, median, frequency, standard deviation, and percentages. The information gained through this method helps us understand non-religious tourism in Saudi Arabia and provides suggestions for development and future research topics.54 0Item Restricted Saudi Food History and Culture: A focus on Hejazi food traditions(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-09-29) Jamalalhariry, Maha; Proglio, GabrieleThe Hejaz region, located in the west of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is known for its cultural diversity. It is especially seen in modern Hejazi cuisine's wide range of integrated dishes. However, With the exposure of modern technologies, globalization, and the emergence and development of the Kingdom, history is being overlooked, leaving only traces of the culinary tradition and culture to the recent generations. This research concentrates on the region of Hejaz as it is now the second most visited area of the kingdom after the capital city, Riyadh. It is crucial to focus on this region to appreciate the external cultural influences that arose hundreds of years ago with the arrival of pilgrims for religious reasons and the continuation of these influences brought by modern-day expats. The goal of this paper is to understand the food culture and traditions of Hejaz and how they have been changing over time. Qualitative research has been conducted to point out and further clarify today’s result of the influence from different aspects including the perspectives of citizens with Hejazi origins and expats who were brought up in the area. Personal interviews were done in a storytelling manner by including questions about their background and knowledge of the region to pinpoint the root of their opinion and others that enabled them to be descriptive about their memories and experiences connecting to certain Hejazi dishes. The collective result was the observation of the contrast in knowledge between generations and what food signifies to the society. In conclusion, the gastronomic culture has been and will always be the focal point of the identity and representation of the Hejazi region.25 0Item Restricted Cognitive Test Performance in Racialised Minorities(University of Exeter, 2023-09-11) Alawami, Mohammed; Moberly, NickSystematic review: Research has shown that racialised minorities perform poorer on executive functions tasks compared to their White counterparts. Some suggest that factors such as culture, education, and psychosocial variables such as racial discrimination might explain this discrepancy. However, there is a scarcity of reviews that looked at causal evidence to understand the relationship between racial discrimination and executive function with greater clarity. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to investigate experimental studies that manipulated racial discrimination and its impact on executive functions among racialised minorities. A literature search was conducted using Ovid and Web of Science (January 1975 – February 2023) to find studies that compared performance on at least one neuropsychological measure assessing any of the three core executive functions, recruited adult racialised minorities exposed to racial discrimination compared to a control group, and were published in English. Eight studies (n = 802) met the inclusion and were all conducted in North America. Results indicate that exposure to racial discrimination can impact executive functions as assessed by the Stroop task with a small-to medium effect size. This can have clinical implications for neuropsychological assessment with racialised minorities. However, the current evidence base is limited by using only one measure of executive function, lack of a pre-measure in many studies, lack of exploring potential mediators and moderators, and the lack of including diverse samples of racialised minorities. Further research is needed to further strengthen the evidence base of this relationship.31 0Item Restricted Saudi-Arab Emerging Video Game Cultures, Archetypes, Narratives, and User Experiences(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-05) Alkhamees, Omar Abdulaziz S; Yecies, BrianArab representation in literature and media has been a major focus of many works of renowned scholars, such as Edward Said (1978), Shaheen (2000), Karim (2005) and others. Journalism, film, television, and ancient literature have all been studied in these works. A recent addition to the study of Arab representation is the medium of video games. This was first examined by Reichmuth and Werning (2006) and Machin and Suleiman (2006) and extended by many works that are discussed in this thesis. The vast majority of the literature on Arab representation in video games focuses on Western video games and the reaction of Arab developers to these representations. Lack of specificity is another characteristic of this field. Both characteristics manifest in repeated comparative studies, where scholars select one local culture as an archetype, then embark on a comparative study of the global gaming community. In so doing, there is an unfair generalisation of Arab identity across broad and diverse regions, in terms of ethnic, ideological, national, historical, and even linguistic components. The present investigation critiques the shortcomings of this previous literature, while testing some alternative methods and approaches needed to re-examine the lack of access, language barriers and the aforementioned generalisations that have limited this field until now. Rather than assuming a single archetype for Saudi culture, this thesis departs from previous scholarship by examining the various aspects of the transformation process leading to what could be called an emergent “Saudiness”. Specifically, this study examines the construction and depiction of Saudi-Arab identity through the narratives and audiovisual content of video games, paying close attention to recent developments in Saudi cultural and media policy and the mandates set forth by the Vision 2030 development plan (SCEDA, 2016). Using theories on participatory culture (Jenkins, 2009) and spreadable media (Jenkins, Ford, and Green, 2013) as well as a content analysis of previously understudied material shared by a cohort of Saudi gamers, this research investigates the particular markers and strategies used to distinguish the spectrum of cultural aspects and elements with which Saudi gamers identify. To achieve this, the analysis focuses on three distinct archetypes of Saudi Arabs in video games: (a) the Saudis in Western video games, as suggested by previous works; (b) the Saudi citizen archetype, as recommended by state policy; and (c) the Saudi culture, as represented by Saudi gamers and Saudi game producers -- who in many cases reject the idea of a single archetype. In sum, this research sheds new light on the interactions between centralised and decentralised media in Saudi Arabia, as well as the Saudi gamers' sense of agency, demonstrating how Saudis perceive Saudi representations in video games as part of a complex spectrum of interactions within a larger global gaming community.32 0