Semiparametric model for regression analysis with nonmonotone missing data

Statistical Methods & Applications - Semiparametric likelihoods for regression models with missing at random data (Chen in J Am Stat Assoc 99:1176–1189, 2004, Zhang and Rockette in J Stat...     

Bureaucratic Neglect and Oppression in Child Welfare: Historical Precedent and Implications for Current Practice

Historically, child maltreatment has been seen as an issue warranting the involvement of the American government. However, over time, the definition of child maltreatment has changed; typically, maltreatment is often understood as a violation of the parental right to care for and protect a child. Consequently, the government, through systems such as child protective services is expected to be the acceptable parental alternative. As illustrated by the numerous negative outcomes experienced, it is clear that the system is not meeting the needs of abused and neglected children. This bureaucratic neglect is allowed to occur because of population primarily served by the child welfare system, the poor and families of color. In this way, dynamics of power and privilege manifest in the differing expectations of appropriate care between biological parents and the foster care system.     

Tolerance of Uncertainty: Links to Happenstance,Career Decision Self‐Efficacy,and Career Satisfaction

This study investigated the extent to which tolerance of uncertainty affects the relationship between happenstance skills and career satisfaction via career decision self‐efficacy. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted on data collected from 321 graduates (175 men, 146 women) of Korean universities making the school‐to‐work transition. Results showed that career decision self‐efficacy fully mediated the relationship between happenstance skills and career satisfaction. Furthermore, the moderation effect of tolerance of uncertainty had a significant impact on the relationship between happenstance skills and career decision self‐efficacy. Tolerance of uncertainty should be considered an important variable in happenstance career theory and intervention. Unplanned influences should also be considered important factors in the career decision‐making process.     

Attachment Change in the Beginning Stages of Therapy: Examining Change Trajectories for Avoidance and Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of self‐reported attachment change (avoidance and anxiety) in the context of six sessions of couple therapy designed to emphasize both therapist‐centered and couple‐centered (i.e., enactment‐based) clinical process during the beginning stages of therapy. A total of 48 couples with at least one partner who reported clinically significant relationship dissatisfaction participated in this study. Findings confirmed that some couples experience positive attachment‐related change (anxiety or avoidance), while also identifying a subset of individuals who may not experience optimal levels of attachment‐related change. In addition, findings point toward both differences and similarities between change trajectories for avoidance and anxiety. Finally, there was evidence that socio‐demographic factors may be associated with attachment change.     

Housing hardship and energy insecurity among native-born and immigrant low-income families with children in the United States

The costs for rent and utilities account for the largest share of living expenses, yet these two critical dimensions of material hardship have seldom been examined concurrently in population-based studies. This paper employs multivariate statistical analysis using American Community Survey data to demonstrate the relative risk ratio of low-income renter-occupied households with children experiencing ‘rent burden', ‘energy insecurity', or a ‘double burden’ as opposed to no burden. Findings suggest that low-income households are more likely to experience these economic hardships in general but that specific groups are disproportionately burdened in different ways. For instance, whereas immigrants are more likely to experience rental burden, they are less likely to experience energy insecurity and are also spared from the double burden. In contrast, native-born African Americans are more likely than all other groups to experience the double burden. These results may be driven by the housing stock available to certain groups due to racial residential segregation, decisions regarding the quality of housing low-income householders are able to afford, as well as home-country values, such as modest living and energy conservation practices, among immigrant families. This paper also points to important policy gaps in safety net benefits related to housing and energy targeting low-income households.     

Tournaments as a Worker Discipline Device

This article explores the macroeconomic implications of tournaments as a worker discipline device in the vein of shirking models. It is shown that, if the full exploitation of tournaments is feasible, there will be no involuntary unemployment. Thus, as far as the elimination of involuntary unemployment is concerned, tournaments can serve as a perfect substitute for the so-called employment fee or bonding scheme. An immediate corollary of this finding is that the involuntary nature of unemployment must ultimately rely upon impediments that hinder the full exploitation of tournaments.     

第二住宅现象的分析与思考

随着改革开放的深化和人民生活水平的不断提高,我国第二住宅现象应运而生.笔者拟就我国第二住宅现象生成的背景与动因作些分析,并就如何因势利导地促进我国第二住宅的发展提出一些思路与对策.     

新环保法视角下环保NGO公益诉讼分析

2014年新修订的环保法赋予了环保NGO公益诉讼的主体资格,可以说是环境公益诉讼史上的一座里程碑。本文通过对近年来环保NGO参与环境公益诉讼面临问题及原因的分析,提出:由于新环保法相关条款的限制性规定、公益诉讼原告诉求保障不足、我国环保NGO自身能力较弱等原因,环保NGO在新环保法颁布后参与环境公益诉讼仍可能面临一定的阻力。应该完善新环保法相关公益诉讼条款、出台激励环保NGO参与环境公益诉讼的具体措施、加强环保NGO的能力建设,以促进新环保法的有效施行。