Papers by Mehmet Akif Karaman
Journal of childhood, education & society, Feb 10, 2024
The global health crisis, COVID-19, swiftly enveloped people all around the world. Upon the World... more The global health crisis, COVID-19, swiftly enveloped people all around the world. Upon the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 as a pandemic, numerous countries have determined their own road maps. The main purpose of this study was to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life balance of parents with children aged 0-6 years in Türkiye. This study was a cross-sectional design. The data was collected from 514 parents who have at least one child at the age of 6 or less. Results showed that there were several direct and indirect relationships between demographic measures (gender, age, educational status, number of children in home and employment status of parents), mediating variables (self-rated measures such as support from distance learning, support from others), and endogenous variables (life balance variables). The findings of the study showed that "new normal" has entailed potential job losses for some individuals and changed perspectives and delivery methods of education. The findings also highlighted the importance of parents' engagement into education for understanding and helping children's development.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, Nov 24, 2021
Health professionals constitute a group that is at a high risk of COVID-19. They have been found ... more Health professionals constitute a group that is at a high risk of COVID-19. They have been found to experience difficulties in many issues, one of which is that they face the risk of infecting themselves and others due to interaction with high-risk patients. The present study investigates how demographical and individual factors and work addiction affected work-life balance and mental health needs of health professionals. The data of the present study were collected in the first wave of pandemic. The hypothesized structural equation model was rejected based on the fit indices. The second analysis of modified model was significant and indicated that whether health professionals live alone or with others such as family members had direct effects on work addiction, indirect effects on work-life balance, and needs for mental health. In addition, gender and working hours had direct effects on work-life balance. The highest effect on work-life balance was caused by work addiction. Moreover, work addiction had a moderate effect on mental health needs. As a result, the current study showed that work-life balance, work addiction, and the need for mental health were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical journal of Bakirköy, Mar 25, 2022
Objective: Inflammatory processes have a main role in the etiopathogenesis of psychosis. The aim ... more Objective: Inflammatory processes have a main role in the etiopathogenesis of psychosis. The aim of current study was to examine differences between the patients with the first episode psychosis's (FEPP) neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) levels with the healthy control groups The NLR and PLR are indicators that may define the existence of systemic inflammatory response. Methods: The participants of this study included 37 FEPP and 43 healthy individuals who had similar socio-demographic characteristics compared to the patient group. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was conducted to collect data from the patient group. Additionally, participants' complete blood count parameters were analyzed for the study. Results: The mean NLR and PLR levels of FEPP were significantly higher than the healthy control individuals (p=0.001 and p=0.045). There was no relationship between demographic variables, body mass index, smoking, severity of disease and NLR-PLR. Conclusion: Based on the literature review and electronic database search, no previous study evaluated PLR in the context of FEP. Therefore, the current study was first examining both NLR and PLR levels in FEP as hematologic inflammatory indicators. Our results indicated that inflammatory processes may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of psychosis.
International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling
The main purpose of this study was to determine the protective factors that can aid people in the... more The main purpose of this study was to determine the protective factors that can aid people in their recovery or help maintain their well-being in the face of collective adversity, in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic, and to examine how these factors can be further strengthened. The study included 89 participants from 14 different cities in Turkey, ranging in age from 18 to 70, 46 of them men and 43 women. In light of the findings of the study, it can be said that psychosocial support and readaptation programmes are needed to ease the social-emotional burden of living through a pandemic on individuals (especially those who survived the virus) even after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
Journal of Counseling Research and Practice
In the current study, the psychometric properties of a measure of psychological grit among 344 La... more In the current study, the psychometric properties of a measure of psychological grit among 344 Latinx college students was investigated. Researchers used confirmatory factor analysis to validate a previously identified two-factor model of the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S). Internal consistency was acceptable as measured by coefficient alpha. A two-factor model of Grit-S had a good model fit with the data. A discussion regarding the importance of these findings is provided and implications for counselors and researchers are offered
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Health professionals constitute a group that is at a high risk of COVID-19. They have been found ... more Health professionals constitute a group that is at a high risk of COVID-19. They have been found to experience difficulties in many issues, one of which is that they face the risk of infecting themselves and others due to interaction with high-risk patients. The present study investigates how demographical and individual factors and work addiction affected work-life balance and mental health needs of health professionals. The data of the present study were collected in the first wave of pandemic. The hypothesized structural equation model was rejected based on the fit indices. The second analysis of modified model was significant and indicated that whether health professionals live alone or with others such as family members had direct effects on work addiction, indirect effects on work-life balance, and needs for mental health. In addition, gender and working hours had direct effects on work-life balance. The highest effect on work-life balance was caused by work addiction. Moreover, work addiction had a moderate effect on mental health needs. As a result, the current study showed that work-life balance, work addiction, and the need for mental health were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 2021
This study investigated the relationship among academic self-concept, social support, and college... more This study investigated the relationship among academic self-concept, social support, and college adjustment of first-year college students enrolling at a Hispanic Serving Institution in the southwestern United States. A total of 496 first-year undergraduate students (291 females, 205 males) participated in the study. Results indicated that being multiracial had the most effect in adjustment, compared to being African American, Hispanic, and White. One of the factors affecting success in educational institutions is academic self-concept. Based on the results of our regression analysis, we found that social support, academic adjustment, and attachment were statistically significant predictors of academic self-concept.
International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 2020
Today the world is suffering from coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic illness, and people all around ... more Today the world is suffering from coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic illness, and people all around the world stay at home due to its rapid spread. People including students gather information and government instructions through TVs, social media and others around them. Since the classes were canceled in many countries, the novel coronavirus affects students’ interest in coursework. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of TV news, social media and communication with people on interest in coursework, and mediating roles of fear of contamination, depression, and anxiety on these effects. A path analysis was carried out with the data collected from 773 college students. The results showed that interest in coursework was most strongly affected by communication with people. This was due to its direct and indirect effects. Social media and TV News did not directly affect interest in coursework, but indirectly affected. The study also found that among the three mediator variabl...
Turkish Adaptation of the Juhnke–Balkin Life Balance Inventory Mehmet Akif Karaman, Richard S. Ba... more Turkish Adaptation of the Juhnke–Balkin Life Balance Inventory Mehmet Akif Karaman, Richard S. Balkin & Gerald A. Juhnke To cite this article: Mehmet Akif Karaman, Richard S. Balkin & Gerald A. Juhnke (2018) Turkish Adaptation of the Juhnke–Balkin Life Balance Inventory, Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 51:3, 141-150, DOI: 10.1080/07481756.2017.1308226 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/07481756.2017.1308226
Frontiers in Psychology, 2021
The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on high school studen... more The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on high school students' psychological symptoms and to understand how ready counselors and school counseling services are based on the data we have. Therefore, this research is designed under two different studies: (A) Study 1: Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on students' psychological symptoms and (B) Study 2: Views and expectations of students and school counselors about school counseling services. The first study was a quantitative study and included 549 high school students (398 female, 151 male). A structural equation model (SEM) was created to examine the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on participants' psychological symptoms. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) scores showed that 107 (19.50%) individuals had a score of 50 and above pointing out that individuals in this group had severe impact of event/trauma symptomologies. The SEM analysis indicated that IES-R scores had a total effect of...
Research on Education and Media, 2019
In recent years, social media use and its effects on mental health have been investigated many ti... more In recent years, social media use and its effects on mental health have been investigated many times. Mostly, studies focused less on the global health when addressing mental health. In this cluster analysis study, on a sample of 261 Turkish college students who were emerging adults, the associations between social media use and depression, sleep disturbance, and global health were tested. By using k-means cluster analysis, participants were divided into three groups: ordinary and none, mild, and severe social media users. The results indicated that male college students had higher social networking addiction than females. There was a significant and positive relationship between time spent on social media and depression and sleep disturbance. The results showed that mild level social media users differ statistically in global health and sleep disturbance from both ordinary/none and severe users. The results were similar with the previous published studies in different cultures and ...
International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 2019
This study presents a culturally and psychometrically sound instrument of perceived school counse... more This study presents a culturally and psychometrically sound instrument of perceived school counselor support among Turkish high school students. The study has been framed using American School Counseling Association’s Mindsets and Behaviors for Students Success Model to create a valuable instrument that measures students’ perceptions of their school counselors’ support in a different culture, society, and education system. The results of this study supported the theoretical based Perceived School Counselor Support Scale long and short forms providing initial and strong evidence based on internal structure and relations to other variables. Internal consistency estimates on subscales ranged from good to strong.
International Journal of Progressive Education, 2019
For decades, researchers have attempted to define and measure what motivates individuals to achie... more For decades, researchers have attempted to define and measure what motivates individuals to achieve. Numerous attempts have sought to measure achievement motivation by using self-report tests. The concepts of motivation and achievement motivation have a rich history of being discussed among different cultures. The purpose of this study was to adapt and report psychometric properties of Turkish-language version of the Achievement Motivation Measure. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses and correlational analysis for factor structure and measurement invariance of Achievement Motivation Measure. Participants were 336 undergraduate students and CFA findings were acceptable for the sample, x 2 (62) = 155.94, p< .001, χ 2 /df= 2.51; GFI= .93, CFI= .91, SRMR= .056, and RMSEA= .067 (90% CI= .054-.081), supporting the 13-item two factors model. Moreover, the Achievement Motivation Measure had partial measurement invariance across gender. Results were consistent with the original Achievement Motivation Measure.
International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 2019
This study investigated the factorial validity of the Contextual Achievement Motivation Measure, ... more This study investigated the factorial validity of the Contextual Achievement Motivation Measure, assessing achievement motivation in multiple settings with a sample of 493 undergraduate and graduate students. Exploratory factor analysis identified a four-factor model: School (6 items), Employment/Work (6 items), Family (5 items), Community (4 items). These factors accounted for approximately 60% of the variance and correlated in the expected directions with a criterion measure, the Adult Hope Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the identified four-factor model fit the data, χ2(182)= 348.10, p< .001; χ2/df = 1.91, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI)= .92, comparison fit index (CFI)= .93, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) [.058, .080]= .069, and standardized root-mean square residual (SRMR)= .063. In addition, the scale showed partial scalar invariance between genders. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.
Journal of College Counseling, 2019
The purpose of this study was to examine factors predictive of college students' academic str... more The purpose of this study was to examine factors predictive of college students' academic stress. Three hundred seven undergraduate students (179 men, 128 women) participated in the study. Results indicated that female college students had higher academic stress than did male college students. Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses revealed that life satisfaction, locus of control, and gender were significant predictors of academic stress. Directions for future research and implications for counselors are discussed.
Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 2018
This study investigated the factor structure of the Juhnke-Balkin Life Balance Inventory (JBLI) w... more This study investigated the factor structure of the Juhnke-Balkin Life Balance Inventory (JBLI) with a sample of 429 Turkish participants. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the validated 10-factor model of JBLI did not fit the Turkish data. Therefore, a parallel analysis and an exploratory factor analysis were used to create the JBLI Turkish form.
Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 2018
In this study, we examined the association between resilience, academic self-concept, and first-y... more In this study, we examined the association between resilience, academic self-concept, and first-year student adjustment to college using data collected from 514 first-year undergraduate students enrolled at a medium-size, Hispanic-serving university in the southern United States. Utilizing a simultaneous multiple regression analysis, we found resilience and academic self-concept to be significant positive predictors of college adjustment for first-year students. Based on our findings, we provide suggestions for college counselors and student affairs professionals working to support students’ positive adjustment experiences.
Personality and Individual Differences, 2017
This study compared measures of achievement motivation, life satisfaction, academic stress, and l... more This study compared measures of achievement motivation, life satisfaction, academic stress, and locus of control across 307 U.S. and international undergraduate students. Descriptive statistics and MANOVA were used to analyze the variables. A hierarchical multiple regression was employed to determine the extent to which locus of control, academic stress, and life satisfaction predicted achievement motivation. The results indicated a statistically significant difference between U.S. and international students as related to achievement motivation. Further analysis revealed significant relationships among predictor and criterion variables. Locus of control, academic stress, and life satisfaction significantly explained 18% of the variance in achievement motivation. However, a comparison of model fit between U.S. and international students revealed no statistically significant differences.
The Professional Counselor, 2016
Movements such as the Arab Spring (as described by popular media) and recent regional conflicts h... more Movements such as the Arab Spring (as described by popular media) and recent regional conflicts have forced people to leave their homes and flee to other countries or regions. Syrian refugees are currently the second largest refugee group worldwide, with half of them resettled in Turkey. Turkish government and non-governmental civil organizations have mobilized efforts to address the immediate survival needs of these refugees such as food, shelter and other provisions. Despite efforts to manage the complexity of mental health and social service needs of forcibly displaced people, counseling services are still lacking. This expository article addresses the mental health needs of Syrian refugees and provides implications for counseling professionals working with displaced people from a crisis intervention approach built on principles and perspectives of humanistic mental health. In addition, programs of support, such as the Mental Health Facilitator program, are discussed.
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Papers by Mehmet Akif Karaman
The content analysis revealed that personal factors, such as personality traits and adaptability, influenced the work-life balance of the white-collar employees. Among organizational factors, workplace culture and the home environment emerged as significant determinants. Most remote workers were found to be unable to set a work-life balance, consequently experiencing conflicts. However, some participants managed to maintain a harmonious balance between their professional and personal lives, though it tended to be skewed towards a work-centered equilibrium. The observed imbalances resulted in several negative outcomes for the participants, including the need for psychological support, role conflicts in different aspects of life, and diminished motivation. In contrast, those who achieved balance reported higher levels of life satisfaction, job satisfaction, and subjective well-being.
between depression, self-esteem, and loneliness among Turkish preservice
teachers. The study emphasized that it is valuable to address
psychological well-being and social support of students preparing
for the Public Personnel Selection Examination (PPSE). The study,
which was a sequential explanatory design, included 322 college of
education students. The quantitative results indicated that there was
a strong correlation between depression, self-esteem, and loneliness
scores. Depression significantly predicted self-esteem. When depression
scores increased, self-esteem scores decreased. Furthermore,
the findings indicated that individuals who had higher self-esteem
scores, had lower loneliness scores. Qualitative results showed that
time management, test anxiety, and performance-related issues
were among the difficulties encountered during PPSE preparation.
The results of the current study demonstrated the significance of
emphasizing social support, useful coping mechanisms, and attending
to students’ psychological and emotional health during highstakes
exams such as the PPSE.
adults. It also sought to investigate the correlation between the type of diet in conjunction with DAI and the scores on GAD 7-Item Scale in adults. A cross-sectional design was used to examine if DAI was lower in individuals with GAD; followed by an interventional study of 40 adults with severe GAD, who were exposed to higher DAI for a period of 6 weeks. The results indicated that participants with severe GAD had significantly lower levels of DAI compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). After 6 weeks of antioxidant supplementation, a significant decrease in GAD-7 scores of participants was observed (p < 0.001). The study found a significant negative relationship between DAI and GAD.