Studying social change with survey data: Examples from Louis Harris surveys

The recent publication of a volume that identifies almost 14 000 repeated questions from Louis Harris surveys should greatly facilitate the use of survey data for the study of social change. Four problems that accompany trend analyses with survey data are discussed in this paper with special attention to Harris data. They involve sample composition, question context, question wording, and short term versus long term change.     

Daring to Marry: Marriage Equality Activism After Proposition 8 as Challenge to the Assimilationist/Radical Binary in Queer Studies

I analyze three case studies of marriage equality activism and marriage equality–based groups after the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Evaluating the JoinTheImpact protests of 2008, the LGBTQ rights group GetEQUAL, and the group One Struggle One Fight, I argue that these groups revise queer theoretical arguments about marriage equality activism as by definition assimilationist, homonormative, and single-issue. In contrast to such claims, the cases studied here provide a snapshot of heterogeneous, intersectional, and coalition-based social justice work in which creative methods of protest, including direct action and flash mobs, are deployed in militant ways for marriage rights and beyond.     

Quilting as a generative activity: Studying those who make quilts for wounded service members

A qualitative study of 24 quilters examined their experiences creating and delivering quilts to wounded service members who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Using Erikson’s (1963) perspective on generativity and Baumeister and Vohs’s (2002) theory of motivation as theoretical frameworks, along with McCracken’s (1988) five-step analysis model, we looked at the part motivation played in this process. The results were that respondents wanted to supply quilts in response to their own family histories of military involvement, to support friends/acquaintances with family in the military, and to make a difference to those who seemed young and badly wounded. Some respondents described being affected by the reactions of quilt recipients and of healing from their own traumas and grief.     

Tuberculosis with relapse: A model

ABSTRACT

In a model of tuberculosis with relapse, the basic reproduction number R₀ includes new and relapse infections. Lyapunov functions help to prove that the global dynamic is completely determined by R₀. Replicated Latin hypercube sampling shows that early diagnosis and treatment are more efficient when relapse cases are considered.     

Walking with technology: understanding mobility-technology assemblages

ABSTRACT

It is difficult to deny that technology – be it listening to music through headphones, engaging with smartphone apps or conversing through hands-free headsets – has become a ubiquitous part of everyday walking practices, influencing daily activities and shaping how these are operationalised. While digital technologies cannot replace conventional interactions with landscapes (e.g. the weather, clothing, street furniture, etc.), the intersections of people, places and technologies can converge in exciting and surprising ways to produce new forms of interrelating with(in) spaces. In this paper, I focus on the digital walking tour as a novel instrument through which to examine how mobility-technology assemblage assists with understanding how engagements with environments might produce various, contrasting assemblages of mobilities, bodies, affects, emotions and placemaking. I argue that participating within hybridised physical/digital spaces affects and is affected by different mobility practices. Through this paper, I propose that mobility-technology assemblage thinking provides new interventions into the ways in which people interact with technology, with each other and with(in) everyday spaces. Hence, while the person–technology interface may be considered a largely individual experience, I posit that the amalgamation of people, places and technologies can, in fact, greatly influence how pedestrian experiences are assembled, transmitted, received and interpreted.     

Working with women: Semi-structured interviews with Australian complementary medicine maternity care practitioners

ProblemDespite the known prevalence of complementary medicine use by women during pregnancy and childbirth and the evolution of preferred models of maternity care, very little is known about the nature and characteristics of the care provided to women by complementary medicine practitioners during this important life stage.BackgroundWoman-centred care is a speciation of person-centred care which has achieved prominence in maternity care policy in recent years. There is also evidence that the core principles of some complementary medicine systems of medicine emphasise patient-centredness and that these principles are core drivers toward complementary medicine use in multiple populations.AimThis study aims to explore the approach to care delivered by complementary medicine practitioners to women during pregnancy and birth.MethodsSemi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 23 complementary medicine practitioners who identified as specialising in maternity care. Data from the interviews were analysed using a framework approach.FindingsThe analysis of the perspective of complementary medicine practitioner’s experiences providing care to pregnant and birthing women identified three main themes: Responding to women’s expectations of care; providing woman-centred care; and the therapeutic relationship at the heart of woman-centred care.DiscussionThe approach to maternity care reported by complementary medicine practitioners aligns with the principles of woman-centred care, possibly due to the similarities between woman-centred care and the core features of many systems of medicine within complementary medicine.ConclusionComplementary medicine practitioners may contribute to an overall experience of woman-centred maternity care for pregnant and birthing women.     

Satisfaction with life among international students: An exploratory study

The study examines self-reported satisfaction with life and thefactors predicting it among 304 international students (159 malesand 145 females) at the University of Bergen, Norway. Thestudents had on the average lived 2.34 years (SD = 2.31) inNorway. The students reported on the whole good satisfactionwith life. However, students from Europe and North America wereon the whole more satisfied than their peers from Africa andAsia. It was also found that factors such as the number offriends, satisfaction with finances, perceived discrimination andinformation received prior to the foreign sojourn significantlyaffected the student's life satisfaction. The importance ofthese factors differed for students from developing and developedcountries where some paradoxical findings came out. Theseparadoxical findings may be the result of the Norwegian contextof the study. Language proficiency (with respect to host andEnglish languages), and having a host national friend did notshow significant effect on life satisfaction.     

Alienation and Domestic Abuse: How Abused Women Cope with Loneliness

This study explored the manner in which abused women cope with loneliness. Eighty women, victims of domestic abuse, were compared to 84 women from the general population who have had no history of abusive relationships. A 34-item yes/no loneliness questionnaire was utilized in order to compare the beneficial ways of coping with loneliness in the two samples. The questionnaire is comprised of six factors, namely Reflection and acceptance, Self-development and understanding, Social support network, Distancing and denial, Religion and faith and Increased activity. Results confirmed that abused women, indeed, cope with loneliness differently than the general population does. The abused women scored significantly higher on the Self-development and understanding, Distancing and denial and the Religion and faith subscales.     

Challenges of rural women living with obstetric fistula: A phenomenological study

BackgroundObstetric fistula is a devastating complication caused by a prolonged and obstructed labor. It is estimated that about 2 million girls and women continue to live with obstetric fistula while between 50,000–100,000 women worldwide develop obstetric fistula each year. This condition continues to persist and remains a major problem in Ghana and other developing countries.AimTo explore the challenges and post-surgery integration needs among rural women living with obstetric fistula.MethodA critical exploratory research methodology based on phenomenology was used to conduct in-depth one-on-one interviews. A non-probability and purposive sampling were done to identify thirty-six (36) women between the ages of 25 and 65. The interviews were recorded electronically and transcribed verbatim. A systematic analysis of data was then done to identify and categorize emerging themes.ResultsThe results from the study showed that those who lived with obstetric fistulae experienced psychosocial, physical and economic challenges. Dominant among the psychological challenges identified were disruptions in social relations, divorce and loss of baby through neonatal death. Physical challenges include rashes and sores, foot drop, incontinence of urine. Economically, these women lost their source of livelihood and were heavily dependent on other family members. Support from family was also found to be key towards the post-surgery integration of the women.ConclusionObstetric fistula is a dilapidating condition that needs to be addressed at the micro, mezzo and macro level. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made to improve emergency obstetric care for women especially for women living in rural communities.     

Spousal Support of Older Women with Osteoporotic Pain: Congruity of Perceptions

ABSTRACT

Thirty-four couples were interviewed to assess the congruity of husbands' and wives' perceptions of the wives' osteoporotic pain and the exchange of instrumental support within the marital relationship. Moderate correlations were found between the husbands' and wives' ratings of two specific dimensions of the wives' pain experience: interference with daily life and pain severity. Wives who perceived their pain as more severe but as having a lesser impact on their personal lives provided the most frequent help to their husbands. The wives' pain perceptions were not predictive of the amount of assistance they perceived receiving from their spouses. Husbands' perceptions of their wives' pain experience were not predictive of the frequency of instrumental support they either received from or gave to their wives.     

Birth environments for women with complex pregnancies: A mixed-methods systematic review

BackgroundBirth environments can help support women through labour and birth. Home-like rooms which encourage active birthing are embraced in midwifery-led settings. However, this is often not reflected in obstetric settings for women with more complex pregnancies.AimTo investigate the impact of the birth environment for women with complex pregnancies.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods systematic review, incorporating qualitative and quantitative research. A literature search was implemented across three databases (Medline, CINAHL, Embase) from the year 2000 to June 2021. Studies were eligible if they were based in an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development country and reported on birth environments for women with complex pregnancies. Papers were screened and quality appraised by two researchers independently.Findings30,345 records were returned, with 15 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Studies were based in Australia, the UK, and the USA. Participants included women and health professionals. Five main themes arose: Quality of care and experience; Supportive spaces for women; Supportive spaces for midwives; Control of the space; Design issues.DiscussionWomen and midwives found the birth environment important in supporting, or failing to support, a positive birth experience. Obstetric environments are complex spaces requiring balance between space for women to mobilise and access birthing aids, with the need for medical teams to have easy access to the woman and equipment in emergencies.ConclusionFurther research is needed investigating different users’ needs from the environment and how safety features can be balanced with comfort to provide high-quality care and positive experiences for women.     

On human capital formation with exit options: comment and new results

Katz and Rapoport (2005) conclude that with linear production technology and the possibility of unilateral migration, region-specific shocks may increase the average level of education. Previously, Poutvaara (2000) derived a corresponding result with Cobb–Douglas technology and migration which may go in both directions. This paper extends the analysis to all strictly concave production functions, and shows how the effect of the region-specific shocks depends on the shape of the production function. Also, the paper establishes when the presence of exit option increases and when it reduces investment in education. The results are robust to allowing for migration costs.     

Hope and Adaptation to Old Age: Their Relationship with Individual-Demographic Factors

This study examined the relationship between hope as disposition, adaptation to old age, and individual-demographic factors. One hundred and fifty older adults, aged 60–93 years old, completed the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale developed by Snyder et al. [1991, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, pp. 570–585], and the Adaptation to Old Age Questionnaire developed by Efklides et al. [2003, European Psychologist, 8, pp. 178–191]. Factor analyses revealed 2 factors for hope, “Pathways Thought” and “Agency Thinking”, and 4 factors for adaptation to old age, “Health Comparison”, “General Adaptation/Self-Efficacy”, “Self-Control”, and “Generativity”. Regression analyses showed that hope as pathways thought predicted all factors of adaptation, whereas hope as agency thinking predicted only “General Adaptation/Self-Efficacy” and “Self-Control”. There were also some effects of gender, education, marital status, place of residence, and health status on specific aspects of adaptation to old age.     

建设人口均衡型社会:条件、问题及对策

在建设资源节约、环境友好型社会的进程中,人口的均衡发展是一个关键。自上世纪70年代初开始的计划生育政策,加速了我国人口生育率下降,有效地控制了人口过快增长,促进了经济增长与人口增长的协调发展。但是,从1990年代我国进入低生育率开始已有20来年,长期的低生育率的人口非均衡发展下将产生了更为复杂的人口现象,引发了人口规模与结构、劳动供给与需求、人口流动与区域发展等之间的失衡和矛盾,成为制约未来我国经济与社会发展的人口难题,破解这些人口难题是建设人口均衡型社会的应有之意。     

A simple endogenous growth model with endogenous fertility: indeterminacy and uniqueness

This paper studies the equilibrium dynamics and indeterminacy of equilibria in an endogenous growth model with endogenous fertility choice. We characterize the conditions that give rise to an unique equilibrium as well as multiple equilibria. Whenever there exists a unique equilibrium, it will be globally determinate; when multiple equilibria arise, indeterminacy occurs. In particular, we find that two equilibria occur – one is associated with high fertility and low growth, while the other is associated with low fertility and high growth. A parameterized example is given to assess the empirical feasibility of our results. The validity of the neo-Malthusian relation between fertility and growth is then re-examined. Finally, we study the relation between growth and welfare and compare different balanced growth equilibria in terms of their lifetime-attained utility. JEL classifications: O41, J13 Received December 11, 1995 / Accepted October 20, 1996     

Experience of hope: An exploratory research with bereaved mothers following perinatal death

ProblemThe negative implications of perinatal death on mothers’ mental health are documented, however little is known about their experience of hope.BackgroundWithin the broader literature, hope has contributed to better mental health and bereavement adjustment and often bereaved mothers report the importance of hope for the grieving process.AimThis study aims to explore bereaved mothers’ experience of hope following perinatal death.MethodsIndividual interviews were conducted with 33 mothers having experienced the death of an infant in the perinatal period. Data from the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe mothers’ experience of hope following perinatal loss is organized into three themes: Hope disrupted by perinatal loss; Transformed hope: a new pregnancy challenged by the sense of foreboding of another loss; and Ways to restore and foster hope in life.DiscussionAlthough hope has been a motivating force for mothers to reconnect with their life plan and move on after a loss, it is also negatively affected by the experience of perinatal bereavement, social support, and health professionals’ clinical practice.ConclusionBereaved mothers have reported a disruption in their experience of hope. While some experience a loss of hope or a sense of hopelessness, others experience a transformation and restoration of hope, which is reinvested in the grieving process. Mothers’ experience of hope highlights the need for the support of a healthcare professional and may contribute to enhanced clinical practice through the promotion of bereavement care, considering the aspects that instil, maintain, and interfere with hope.     

Conducting longitudinal research with older widows: Exploring personal communities through multiple methods

This article reports on the process of undertaking a longitudinal multiple methods study with older women experiencing the transition of later-life widowhood. Three qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 26 older widows in North Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Interviews included the use of personal community diagrams to identify the structure of personal communities and Christmas and Christmas cards to further explore social relationships and practices during transition. Examples of cases are given to illustrate the findings derived from the methods employed. The cases demonstrate the diverse and often paradoxical nature of social relationships within similar networks.     

Gender Differences in Subjective Well-Being: Comparing Societies with Respect to Gender Equality

These analyses explore the relationship between gender inequality and subjective well-being. The hypothesis was tested as to whether societal gender inequality is related to the size of gender differences in subjective well-being in various societies. Results come from comparative data sets (World Values Survey, involving 57 countries; OASIS project, involving Norway, England, Germany, Spain and Israel). The size of gender differences varied with the extent of societal gender inequality and the cultural attitudes regarding gender equality in different countries. Including individual resources like education and income in the analyses reduced the size of gender and country differences. Gender differences in subjective well-being could therefore be related to gender specific access to goal relevant resources.