The Role of Leadership in the Management of Conflict and Knowledge Sharing in the Research Groups of a Spanish Public University

Public Organization Review - This paper analyses how academics perceive their group leaders’ behaviour in managing the scientific activities of their research group and, particularly, how the...     

Longitudinal data analysis for generalized linear models with follow‐up dependent on outcome‐related variables

In longitudinal studies, observation times are often irregular and subject‐specific. Frequently they are related to the outcome measure or other variables that are associated with the outcome measure but undesirable to condition upon in the model for outcome. Regression analyses that are unadjusted for outcome‐dependent follow‐up then yield biased estimates. The authors propose a class of inverse‐intensity rate‐ratio weighted estimators in generalized linear models that adjust for outcome‐dependent follow‐up. The estimators, based on estimating equations, are very simple and easily computed; they can be used under mixtures of continuous and discrete observation times. The predictors of observation times can be past observed outcomes, cumulative values of outcome‐model covariates and other factors associated with the outcome. The authors validate their approach through simulations and they illustrate it using data from a supported housing program from the US federal government.     

Crafting Communities: Promoting Inclusion,Empowerment, and Learning between Older Women

Abstract

While social policy and planning documents are replete with ominous warnings about the cost of an ageing population, this article tells a different story about the productive and self-sustaining networks that exist among older women in the community who do craftwork. From our research conducted in Victoria, Australia during 2007–2008 we discovered a resilient and committed group of older women quietly and steadily contributing to community fundraising, building social networks, and providing learning opportunities to each other in diverse ways. Through our conversations with nine craftswomen we have been able to articulate clear links between the theory and models commonly espoused in the community development literature and the life-enriching practices used in organising informal community craft group activities. From our interviews with the older women we provide evidence of sustained participation, the generation of social capital, and the fostering of life-long learning. While none of the women we spoke to were trained in community development and did not use language commonly associated with feminist ideology, the relationship between the informal group work with principles of empowerment and self-efficacy were unmistakeable. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our findings for critical social work practice.     

Kommunikation und Problemlösen in Gruppen: eine Prozessanalyse

This study analyses problem-solving processes in groups concerning the formation of contents and activities in the group, and such which are directed toward the task. Building on a theoretical model of group problem-solving, the communication process of three distinct groups, given a complex, non-dynamic problem, was encoded by means of a multi-level coding system to study the underlying thinking and action processes. The complete interaction was encoded episode by episode. On a macro level, differences in communication patterns depending on different stages of the problem-solving process were observed. Furthermore, on the micro level, single sequences of interactions are analysed. The underlying thinking and problem-solving process is discussed on the basis of these vare observed interaction sequences. A two-process-theory of problem solving in groups is proposed, in which ‘routine’ problem-solving is differentiated from a more elaborate form of problem-solving.     

Intergroup Relations: political action and identity in the deaf community

This paper examines the relationship between self-image and political action in the deaf community. Self image has two components: personal identity and social identity. The two are inextricably intertwined. Self image is associated with political action largely through identifying oneself as a member of a particular group and then perceiving that one's group is receiving an inequitable share of resources compared to some other reference group. The deaf community is used as a case in point to illustrate the development and formation of a politically conscious and active community. The effects of ethnocentrism, stereotyping, and inequities in resource distribution on intergroup relations between deaf and nondeaf members of these two communities are analyzed.     

Cycle-Related Changes in Mood,Sexual Desire,and Sexual Activity in Oral Contraception-Using and Nonhormonal-Contraception-Using Couples

Findings on women's sexuality across the menstrual cycle are inconsistent. One relatively consistent finding is a midcycle and premenstrual peak in sexual desire in freely cycling women. Results on the cycle-related effects on sexual behavior are less clear. Large proportions of reproductive-aged women use combined oral contraception (COC), but studies on potential cycle-related shifts in sexual desire and behavior are sparse. A prospective diary study assessed sexual desire, sexual behavior, and mood in 89 heterosexual couples. Women were using one of four contraceptive methods: (1) nonhormonal contraception, (2) low-dose COC containing 20 mcg ethinylestradiol and 75 mcg gestoden or desogestrel, (3) COC containing 35 mcg ethinylestradiol and 2 mg cyproteronacetate, and (4) COC containing 30 mcg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone. No cycle effects of sexual desire were established in the COC group, but frequency of sexual intercourse declined in the last days of active pill taking. These results were similar in both female and male partners. Negative affect did not covary with sexual desire.     

Wo lernen Kinder mit sonderpädagogischem Förderbedarf besser? Ein Vergleich schulischer Kompetenzen zwischen Regel- und Förderschulen in der Primarstufe

Promoted by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there is a trend towards the inclusive education of students with special educational needs (SEN) in regular classrooms. The present study addresses the question if achievement differences emerge between SEN students who attend a regular primary school and those who attend a school for special education. Based on data from the IQB-Ländervergleich Primarstufe 2011, a national assessment in German primary schools, the achievement of SEN students in regular schools (n?=?658) was compared to the achievement of students in special schools (n?=?413). Propensity score matching was applied to control for differences in achievement related characteristics between the two groups. After matching, SEN students in inclusive educational settings showed significantly higher test scores in German reading and listening comprehension as well as in mathematics than comparable SEN students in special schools. The effects were more pronounced for students with a special need of learning support than for students with speech and language-related special education support. Possible explanations for the higher achievement of SEN students in regular schools and for differential effects with regard to type of SEN are discussed.     

Life Satisfaction Among Children in Different Family Structures: A Comparative Study of 36 Western Societies

This paper examines differences in life satisfaction among children in different family structures in 36 western, industrialised countries (n = 184 496). Children living with both biological parents reported higher levels of life satisfaction than children living with a single parent or parent–step‐parent. Children in joint physical custody reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction than their counterparts in other types of non‐intact families. Controlling perceived family affluence, the difference between joint physical custody families and single mother or mother–stepfather families became non‐significant. Difficulties in communicating with parents were strongly associated with less life satisfaction but did not mediate the relation between family structure and life satisfaction. Children in the Nordic countries characterised by strong welfare systems reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction in all living arrangements except in single father households. Differences in economic inequality between countries moderated the association between certain family structures, perceived family affluence and life satisfaction.