Reduction of bias and skewness with applications to second order accuracy

Suppose [^(q)]{\widehat{\theta}} is an estimator of θ in \mathbbR{\mathbb{R}} that satisfies the central limit theorem. In general, inferences on θ are based on the central limit approximation. These have error O(n ^−1/2), where n is the sample size. Many unsuccessful attempts have been made at finding transformations which reduce this error to O(n ⁻¹). The variance stabilizing transformation fails to achieve this. We give alternative transformations that have bias O(n ⁻²), and skewness O(n ⁻³). Examples include the binomial, Poisson, chi-square and hypergeometric distributions.     

Future Directions in the Study of Close Relationships: Conflict Is Bad (Except When It's Not)

Beneficial and detrimental correlates of interpersonal disagreement have been postulated and documented. The conclusion: conflict is both bad and good. The evidence for these paradoxical effects is summarized. In this article, we argue that the consequences of conflict for individuals depend on its frequency, the way in which it is managed, and the quality of the relationship in which it arises. Non‐linear patterns of association are hypothesized such that constructive conflicts, particularly those arising in supportive relationships, should (up to a limit) predict more beneficial and fewer detrimental outcomes. In contrast, coercive conflicts, particularly those arising in unsupportive relationships, should predict more adverse and fewer favorable outcomes.     

We care about care: advice by children in care for children in care,foster parents and child welfare workers about the transition into foster care

Twenty children in foster care, ages 8 to 15 years, provided advice to children in care, foster parents and child welfare workers about ways to assist service delivery during the transition into foster care. The children discussed the importance of tending to experiences such as foster home expectations, the importance of time and information, the new foster/parent–child relationship, coping with stress, the ability to be engaged in decision‐making, the benefits of foster care and the need to build a trusting and personal relationship between children in care and their caregivers. The importance of listening to children's experiences of the transition into foster care and incorporating their advice into future research, policy and practice will be discussed.     

Therapist Effects on Disparities Experienced by Minorities Receiving Services for Mental Illness

OBJECTIVES: The authors examine if some of the reason clients from racial and ethnic minority groups experience outcome disparities is explained by their therapists. METHOD: Data from 98 clients (19% minority) and 14 therapists at two community mental health agencies where clients from racial and ethnic minority groups were experiencing outcome disparities were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling with treatment outcomes at Level 1, client factors at Level 2, and therapists at Level 3. RESULTS: There were substantial therapist effects that moderated the relationship between clients' race and treatment outcomes (outcome disparities). Therapists accounted for 28.7% of the variability in outcome disparities. CONCLUSIONS: Therapists are linked to outcome disparities and appear to play a substantial role in why disparities occur.     

Recruitment,enrollment & data collection with victims of elder abuse and neglect identified from police incident reports

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the success of researcher-generated recruitment, enrollment, data collection, and safety protocols for field research with victims of elder abuse and neglect (EAN) identified from police incident reports in terms of their success including cost-effectiveness, ability to generate a representative sample, and safety. After reviewing 492 police incident reports involving victims age 65 years or older to identify cases of EAN 62 victims were identified. Mail, phone, and in-person recruitment strategies were used. After 259 recruitment attempts, 52 (84%) eligible victims were contacted, of which 24 (46%) consented to participate. Phone calls were the least expensive mechanism to produce a successfully enrolled participant. Findings from a regression show completion of a research interview could not be predicted by victim, suspect, or offense characteristics, indicating that the recruited victims likely represent the population they were drawn from. No safety or adverse events occurred.     

Divorce Insurance: Mitigating the Adjudication Period Financial Crisis

Divorce can subject both parties in a troubled marriage to one of the most emotionally and financially trying periods they will experience in their life. Much attention has been given toward life after divorce—either the decisions such as custody of children that will influence this, or the changed circumstances that both parties will find themselves facing. Yet the period from filing to final grant of a divorce poses additional challenges on top of the emotional uncertainties suffered during this period. Total household expenses might double or triple as a result of spouses seeking separate residences, legal bills, added travel, and other expenses forced by a divorce. At the same time, disruptions in one's personal life due to a divorce can disrupt job performance, and in certain situations, even make it difficult or impossible to work; household income can drop accordingly. This article proposes a workable insurance solution to alleviate this second lesser known challenge that a changed financial situation imposes on couples during the divorce adjudication period.