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Four databases were searched to identify studies published by Arab researchers on parents’ perceptions of autism spectrum disorder and studies conducted by US researchers and published in systematic reviews of this topic. The electronic search resulted in 14 studies published by Arab researchers and 55 studies published by US researchers. The results showed that autism spectrum disorder has many of the same effects on Arab and American families. Six major areas were identified in the results. Financial difficulties associated with raising children with autism spectrum disorder were mentioned more in Arab studies than in US studies. Arab studies had more emphasis on gender than US studies. The results related to quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Arab studies were equivocal. US studies included comparisons with families without a child with autism spectrum disorder, and addressed factors that were associated with quality of life indicators. More health, educational, and social services were available in United States than in Arab countries, but some frustration was reported by US parents in obtaining appropriate services in some studies. A higher percentage of Arab studies mentioned the role of religious faith than US studies. Finally, social stigma was evidenced in both cultures, but not much research was available.

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The purpose of the study was to determine the causes of death as reported in court files of the female victims of honour crimes, the Jordanian penal codes regarding crimes of honour, the evidence used in the sentencing of the defendants, the types of weapons used, the characteristics of the physical assaults on the victims and the sentencing of the offenders. A retrospective study of crimes of honour in Jordan was conducted, and the 16 homicide cases considered to be crimes of honour were reviewed. The autopsy reports of the victims provided information on the physical condition of the victims, including the type and severity of injuries. In over 60% of the honour crime cases, multiple gunshot wounds were the direct cause of death. In cases where the victim was a single pregnant female, the offender was acquitted of murder or received a reduced sentence. The majority of murders were committed by the brother of the victim and the length of sentence received by the offender varied from no sentence to life with hard labour. Offenders who received the harshest punishment were those whose victims married without the family consent.

Introduction Research to date on social support for adolescents with visual impairments (that is, blindness or low vision) has been primarily carried out in developed countries, and very little is known about the social support systems that are available for such adolescents in developing countries such as those in the Arab world. In the present study, social support among adolescents with and without visual impairments was investigated in Jordan, which is considered a developing country. Methods Study participants included 86 adolescents with visual impairments and 73 sighted adolescents. The instrument used to collect information in this study was an Arabic version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results The level of social support reported by adolescents with visual impairments was higher than that reported by sighted adolescents. In all three domains of the MSPSS (family, friends, and significant others), students with visual impairments reported receiving more social support than those without impairments. However, there was no statistically significant effect for gender. Discussion The results of the study are not consistent with findings of previous studies, all of which were conducted in Western countries. The disparities in experiences of adolescents with visual impairments in developed and developing countries may be attributed to differences in cultural values as well as to the conceptualization of support by those involved. Implications for practitioners Special education teachers need to be aware of the cultural backgrounds of their students and to develop and implement culturally appropriate programs for them.