The opposite of totality: Levinas and the Frankfurt School

Theory and Society -     

Diffusion, cohort change, and social patterns of smoking()

In noting that common explanations of smoking cannot account for both its current inverse relationship with SES and the shift over time toward greater concentration among low SES groups, this paper presents an explanation based on diffusion and status distinctions. The explanation predicts that, as cigarette diffusion proceeds and fashions change, the social determinants of smoking will shift across cohorts, such that initially positive relationships between pre-adult components of socioeconomic status and smoking in early cohorts become negative in later cohorts. Tests using historical, cohort-linked aggregate data on cigarette diffusion, and individual-level data from the General Social Surveys covering the years from 1978 to 1994 and cohorts from 1889 to 1976 largely support the predictions. In comparing older to newer cohorts, the results show correspondence between the stage of cigarette diffusion and the direction and strength of the relationships of education, parental status, urban residence, and gender with cigarette smoking.     

Genetic algorithms and scatter search: unsuspected potentials

We provide a tutorial survey of connections between genetic algorithms and scatter search that have useful implications for developing new methods for optimization problems. The links between these approaches are rooted in principles underlying mathematical relaxations, which became inherited and extended by scatter search. Hybrid methods incorporating elements of genetic algorithms and scatter search are beginning to be explored in the literature, and we demonstrate that the opportunity exists to develop more advanced procedures that make fuller use of scatter search strategies and their recent extensions.     

Mindfulness‐Based Relationship Education for Couples Expecting their First Child—Part 2: Phenomenological Findings

This phenomenological study is the second phase of a larger mixed methods study of a relationship‐enhancement program for couples expecting their first child (see Gambrel & Piercy, this issue). The 4‐week Mindful Transition to Parenthood Program uses mindfulness practices and interpersonal activities to develop skills of internal and interpersonal attunement. Based on semi‐structured interviews with thirteen couples, four overarching themes emerged: (a) positive changes for self, (b) improvements in couple relationship, (c) more prepared for baby, and (d) male involvement. Participants stated that the program increased their acceptance and awareness, deepened connections with their partners, and led them to be more confident about becoming parents. Male participants felt they became more identified as fathers. The authors discuss the clinical implications of these findings. Video Abstract     

Estimating sexual behavior parameters from routine sexual behavior data

In mathematical models for predicting the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), the rate of acquisition of new sex partners and concurrency, the number of simultaneous sexual partnerships, are important parameters. Yet, information on these parameters is rarely obtained in routine sexual behavior surveys; instead, questions about the total number of sex partners during specific periods are often asked. We present two methods that estimate the rate of partnership acquisition and concurrency from reported numbers of sex partners in two overlapping periods. The first method assumes homogeneous behavior, while the second method also takes account of heterogeneity in sexual behavior. Both methods assume random (Poisson) partnership acquisition and the possibility of overlap in relationships. For both methods it might be relevant to distinguish individuals who are in a stable relationship from those who are not.     

The Outposting Method of Community Services: A Multistaged Field Experience

Outposting is an interorganizational method of service delivery that requires an exchange relationship between an initiating agency and a host setting, for the benefit of third-party clients. This paper reports its experimental adoption as a graduate field training modality at a school of social work. Consideration is given to the contractual relationships among the parties, and to the learning objectives and outcomes. It focuses on problems of dual agency orientation and the integration of outposting with outreach and multiple advocacy. It confirms that outposting is a flexible service modality most appropriate in times of turbulence and social change.     

Mental budgeting and the management of household finance

Mental budgeting and financial management were investigated in a large sample of the Dutch population. Mental budgeting was quite common, and was explained from general education, having saving goals, financial knowledge, time orientation, and financial situation. Also, mental budgeting, in addition to effects of financial situation, time orientation and financial knowledge, was positively associated with having an overview of expenses and current accounts, and household financial management.     

Social Capital, Savings, and Educational Performance of Orphaned Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa

We examine the impact of social capital on savings and educational performance of orphaned adolescents participating in a family-level economic strengthening program in Uganda. Findings indicate that if given the opportunity, poor families in Uganda will use financial institutions to save for the education of their adolescent youth. Moreover, although the results are mixed, overall, adolescents with higher levels of social capital and social support, including participation in youth groups, are likely to report better saving performance compared to their counterparts with lower levels of social capital and social support. The results point to: (1) the role for family-economic strengthening programs specifically focused on improving the educational outcomes of orphaned adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) the need for adolescents to be encouraged to participate in youth groups since these groups seem to offer the much needed supportive informal institutional structure for positive adolescent outcomes.     

Religion and Subjective Well-Being in Ghana

Using 2008 Afrobarometer survey data, we examine the relationship between religion and subjective well-being (SWB) in Ghana, as well as religious group differences in their experiences of SWB. Two measures of religion—religious affiliation and religious importance, and two measures of SWB—absolute SWB (own perceived living conditions) and relative SWB (own living conditions compared to those of other Ghanaians) are employed in this study. Results show that religious affiliation is significantly related to both measures of SWB although associations depicted for such relationships were not strong. Religious importance significantly related to relative SWB only (with a weak-to-moderate association). Significant religious affiliation and religious importance group differences are found on both SWB outcomes via non-parametric test procedures (Kruskal–Wallis H test, followed by post hoc tests). On balance, the None/Traditional religious group experienced less favorable SWB than Other Christian, Evangelical/Pentecostal, and Muslim groups, especially for absolute SWB, while the None/Traditional group experienced particularly less favorable relative SWB than the Protestant group. Religious importance groups also significantly differed in such a way that the group that considered religion very important had more favorable experiences of both types of SWB than the group that considered religion not at all/not very important. Other significant differences on both outcomes are found among ethnic, educational, and regional groups. In view of the findings, the study contributes to SWB research and suggests policy implications.