https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/3969 2026-04-20T15:16:58Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/58633 Title: Book reviews [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(2)] Abstract: The books reviewed in this volume are characterised by their diversity of themes and approaches. They include engagement with anger in young children with a focus on the communicative intent of problem behaviour, emotional supports for young people displaying violent and aggressive behaviour, as well as a broader exploration of unconscious emotions and projections in early years’ attachment through a spatial- phenomenology. Other books examined interrogate stories to help build emotional intelligence and resilience in young children, as well as a classroom resource on promoting social and emotional aspects of learning, including for students with special educational needs. We would like to thank Neil Humphrey for his previous editorship of this review section and look forward to continuing to develop excellent reviews. 2012-11-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/58632 Title: Editorial [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(2)] Abstract: In a paper we wrote a couple of years ago we argued that the worldwide shift away from collectivist values and the move towards individualism, which locates self-actualisation as the pinnacle of human achievement, has led to serious problems for children and young people (Cooper and Cefai, 2009). The psychologist Oliver James (2007) refers to this excessive individualism among adults as ‘affluenza’, which he equates to a disease characterised by an obsessive, but hopeless pursuit of fulfillment through rampant materialism and the urge to economic consumption and display. He argues that ‘affluenza’ distorts values to the extent that human qualities such as empathy, kindness and love for others become sidelined. Layard and Dunn (2009) cite this individual pursuit of private interest and success as one of the major causes of problems that contribute to the social, emotional and behavioural difficulties manifested by children and young people, including bullying, anxiety and depression. They refer to evidence showing the widening gap between adults and children in terms of the amount of time that children spend with adults as opposed to with their peers. 2012-11-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/58631 Title: Book reviews [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(1)] Abstract: In this issue of the IJEE book reviews section we focus on a single text, “Children’s social and emotional wellbeing in schools: a critical perspective” (2012, Policy Press), written by Debbie Watson, Carl Emery and Phil Bayliss, with contributions from Margaret Boushel and Karen McInnes. There are two reviews – by Ruth Cigman and Katherine Ecclestone – followed by a response from the authors. The text by Watson et al. provides a critical perspective on an area that is central to the mission statement of ENSEC, and as a result has been viewed by some as challenging the core principles of our organisation. Having read the book, my own view is that it is less incendiary and controversial in its key propositions about children’s wellbeing than it has perhaps been given credit for – reinforcing the age-old maxim that we should never judge a book by its cover. Watson et al do challenge many of the assumed truths in the field of social and emotional wellbeing, but their critique is primarily about how the concept itself is constructed and understood. They offer an alternative perspective on wellbeing, but at the core of their thesis is the view that, “engaging with children’s social and emotional development is vital, and the contested nature of the concept of wellbeing does not mean that there is not a need for many of the activities taking place on the ground” (p.209). 2012-04-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/58630 Title: Editorial [International Journal of Emotional Education, 4(1)] Abstract: It is my pleasure to organize the first International Journal of Emotional Education (IJEE) special issue on “Social-Emotional Factors Related to Substance Misuse in Adolescents.” Substance misuse remains a significant public health problem. Approximately 435,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone are attributable to tobacco use (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012), with overconsumption of alcohol responsible for additional 85,000 deaths and illicit drug use responsible for 17,000 deaths (Mokdad et al., 2004). Worldwide, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use are accountable for nearly 13% of all deaths (World Health Organization, 2009). 2012-04-01T00:00:00Z