The graduate student's double bind: A professional socialization problem in sociology

The problem some graduate students have developing a confident professional self is argued to be at least partially a result of a double bind structured into the graduate sociology program. The double bind consists of two contradictory communications: the communication of shapeless complexity and the communication of closure, the first pointing to an infinitely complex and shapeless knowledge pool and the second to finality and comprehensiveness. After elucidating the double bind and its communicators, its variability is examined in terms of 13 working hypotheses. Finally, some solutions to the double bind are suggested. The paper's goals are twofold: to provoke thought on this particular professional socialization problem and to expose and alleviate one harmful dimension of our professional socialization process.     

Estimating the immediate impact of the COVID-19 shock on parental attachment to the labor market and the double bind of mothers

Review of Economics of the Household - I examine the impact of the COVID-19 shock on parents’ labor supply during the initial stages of the pandemic. Using difference-in-difference estimation...     

Fathers and families: forging ties that bind

26% of all babies in the US are born to unmarried mothers and nearly 50% of all families headed by a single mother live in poverty. A growing number of programs across the US are seeking the most effective ways to help young unmarried fathers take legal, financial, and emotional responsibility for their children. For example, the Ford Foundation is supporting research and pilot projects that improve the employment opportunities of unwed mothers and fathers of children on welfare. A major obstacle to responsible fatherhood is that many men lack the education, training, and jobs they need to provide for their children. Often, young men are ordered to pay a child support amount that does not take into account their fluctuating employment history. Many programs are providing low-income fathers with the education and job opportunities they need to become consistent providers. Before they can become good fathers, many young men require guidance in dealing with feelings of anger and low self-esteem. Support groups connected with these programs address topics such as male-female relationships, child rearing, decision-making, racism, how to control anger, and what it means to take responsibility for your life. Evaluations are underway to determine what happens to young fathers once they leave these programs.     

Dysphagia in psychiatric patients

1. Psychiatric patients in acute and long-term care settings may be at high risk for dysphagia and its sequelae. 2. The prevalence of dysphagia in the psychiatric population is higher than commonly believed. 3. Routine screening is essential for the safety and management of psychiatric patients at risk for dysphagia.     

Treating the disconfirmed psychiatric client

Frequent disconfirmation behaviors have been documented in psychiatric clients. Individuals who demonstrate maladaptive patterns of disconfirmation can learn to understand and modify this dysfunctional sequence. Through one to one interactions and group discussions, psychiatric nurses can help clients learn more positive communication behaviors. This accomplishment will positively affect the client's interpersonal responsiveness and self-esteem.     

Gender differences in the roles and functions of inpatient psychiatric nurses

This study explored the difference between male and female psychiatric nurses' job performance and job satisfaction levels on an acute care inpatient unit. The amount of time male (n = 28) and female (n = 45) nurses spent on 10 specific functions and roles during a shift were observed and recorded. The nurses also self-rated the amount of time they spent on these specific functions and roles. The observed and self-rated functions were then correlated with job satisfaction. Female nurses were observed and self-rated as spending significantly more time on patient care activities, and these activities were significantly correlated with higher job satisfaction levels. Male nurses who self-rated spending more time on patient care activities had significantly lower job satisfaction scores. Findings confirm the concepts from social role theory that gender identity and expectations influence job performance in psychiatric nursing. The results offer insight for increasing job satisfaction and recruitment/retention efforts.     

Clinicians' fallacies in psychiatric practice

Eleven common clinicians' fallacies have been briefly described. Based on experience, the authors of this article believe these are the most common and pernicious ones in interdisciplinary psychiatric treatment. These patterns may lead to erroneous interdisciplinary treatment decisions for many patients. In order to protect the well-being of psychiatric patients, their families, and the integrity of interdisciplinary treatment teams, it behooves each and every team member to become knowledgeable about clinicians' fallacies. Those aware of clinician's fallacies will reason more soundly basing judgments on empirical evidence, careful observation, measurement, and a determination not to be influenced by emotional appeals.     

The strategies that bind: NGO coalitions and their influence

Abstract This article examines NGOs as strategic organizations that form coalitions in order to influence other actors, particularly international financial institutions. It has three primary aims: to examine NGOs as strategic organizations; to look at a particular type of NGO network, the coalition, which unlike a network involves more value and commitment; and to assess the factors that contribute to their strategies such as changes to the NGO environment. To do this, the resource dependency perspective is utilized to evaluate the influence of various resources (funding, legitimacy and information) on NGOs’ organizational strategy. Oxfam International, the NGO Working Group on the World Bank, and the Bretton Woods Project are three NGO coalitions examined. I conclude that there are differences between NGO networks and coalitions and that the coalitions strategically act and react to changing resources in their environments.