Modified ridge analyses under nonstandard

A well-known procedure for the optimization of a second-degree response function over a spherical region of interest is that of ridge analysis. Khuri and Myers (1979) introduced a modification of this procedure by incorporating a certain constraint on the prediction variance. Both procedures, however, assume that the response variable has a constant variance throughtout the experimental region. In the present article, we consider two extensions to Khuri and Myers modifioed ridge analysis. The first extension relaxes the constant variance assumption. In the second extension. generalised linear models are used instead of the trasitional linear model. which are commenly used in responce variables that are not necessaily continusly distribution, including these have discreate distributions, Two examples are presented to illustrate the implementation of the proposed extensions.     

A Dynamic Model of Work Satisfaction: Qualitative Approaches

Traditional work satisfaction research iscriticized for its personalistic approach inconceptualization and measurement. Its results aredoubted because of the artificially high proportions ofsatisfied. In order to overcome some of theseshortcomings, the extended model of different forms ofwork satisfaction originally proposed by Bruggemann(1974) is validated. Six forms of work satisfaction(progressive, stabilized, resigned satisfaction;constructive, fixated, resigned dissatisfaction) arederived from the constellation of four constituentvariables: comparison of the actual work situation andpersonal aspirations, global satisfaction, changes inlevel of aspiration, controllability at work. Resultsfrom semistructured interviews, a free Q-sort, and aquestionnaire for differentiating forms of worksatisfaction for 46 nurses provide support for the model.Various methods proved useful in accessing particularaspects of the underlying cognitive and evaluativeprocesses in the formation of different forms of work satisfaction. Implications for personnelmanagement and studies in organizational behavior(performance, intervention strategies) arediscussed.     

Improving the Mental Health Outcomes of LGBTQ Youth and Young Adults: A Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this groundbreaking study was to evaluate outcomes of 482 LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning) youth and young adults who received services and supports through the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances Program (CMHI). This study was a secondary data analysis using data from a larger study of 3208 LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ youth ages 11 through 21 who had a serious emotional disturbance (SED). This study is significant in that it evaluates functional outcomes for young people identified as LGBTQ based on a specialized service framework (i.e., system of care approach). In essence, do LGBTQ youth with SED benefit from a specific approach to intervention? In addition, a comparison at intake on suicidality, bullying and victimization was conducted between the LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ identifying youth from the larger sample. The youth and a caregiver were interviewed face-to-face separately at intake, 6-months, and 12-months. Significant improvements were found across all of the dependent variables, supporting the viability of SOC for improving outcomes for LGBTQ youth. Future research should continue to build on this study by adding to the design a control group to improve internal validity of the findings.     

Perceptions of,and Assistance Provided to,a Hypothetical Rape Victim: Differences Between Rape Disclosure Recipients and Nonrecipients

Abstract

Objective: Undergraduate rape disclosure recipients’ and nonrecipients’ sociodemographic and life experience variables, attitudes towards rape, and responses to a hypothetical rape disclosure were compared to determine differences between them. Participants: One hundred ninety-two undergraduates at 3 universities participated in this online survey between November 2011 and April 2012. Methods: Participants reported on their rape myth acceptance (RMA) and personal direct and indirect (ie, disclosure receipt) experiences with sexual assault. Participants also responded to a hypothetical rape disclosure. Results: Disclosure recipients were more likely to report a victimization history, and less confusion and perceived ineffectiveness in helping the hypothetical victim. RMA and nonrecipient status predicted perceived victim responsibility; these variables and childhood victimization predicted confusion about helping. RMA also predicted perceived ineffectiveness of one's helping behaviors. Victimization history and female gender predicted victim empathy. Conclusions: These findings can inform sexual assault–related programming for undergraduates through the provision of targeted assistance and corrective information.     

The Touchard distribution

We present a novel model, which is a two-parameter extension of the Poisson distribution. Its normalizing constant is related to the Touchard polynomials, hence the name of this model. It is a flexible distribution that can account for both under- or overdispersion and concentration of zeros that are frequently found in non-Poisson count data. In contrast to some other generalizations, the Hessian matrix for maximum likelihood estimation of the Touchard parameters has a simple form. We exemplify with three data sets, showing that our suggested model is a competitive candidate for fitting non-Poisson counts.     

Ist Das Normalarbeitsverhältnis Noch Armutsvermeidend?

The article tests the hypothesis that welfare state retrenchment and labor market deregulation have increased poverty within the German working population using a time series of poverty ratios based on different income concepts for a period of 14 years (1991–2004). The basic assumption is that changes in the societal context (welfare state, labor market, houschold structures), besides individual risk factors, explain the development of poverty over time. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study it is shown that changing labor market conditions and tax regulations have increased poverty, and this has not been attenuated by additional income sources (welfare state, household members) or by recent changes in household composition. As a result, poverty has increased for full-time employees during the observation period, especially so in Eastern Germany.     

Comparing the Economic Impact of Natural Disasters Generated by Different Input–Output Models: An Application to the 2007 Chehalis River Flood (WA)

Due to the concentration of assets in disaster‐prone zones, changes in risk landscape and in the intensity of natural events, property losses have increased considerably in recent decades. While measuring these stock damages is common practice in the literature, the assessment of economic ripple effects due to business interruption is still limited and available estimates tend to vary significantly across models. This article focuses on the most popular single‐region input–output models for disaster impact evaluation. It starts with the traditional Leontief model and then compares its assumptions and results with more complex methodologies (rebalancing algorithms, the sequential interindustry model, the dynamic inoperability input–output model, and its inventory counterpart). While the estimated losses vary across models, all the figures are based on the same event, the 2007 Chehalis River flood that impacted three rural counties in Washington State. Given that the large majority of floods take place in rural areas, this article gives the practitioner a thorough review of how future events can be assessed and guidance on model selection.