Thai Adolescents' Normative Beliefs of the Popularity of Smoking Among Peers,Adults, the Successful and Elite,and Parents

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions of Thailand adolescents regarding the prevalence of smoking, the popularity of smoking among successful/elite elements of society, and disapproval of smoking by friends and parents. These perceptions were analyzed in conjunction with actual smoking and smoking susceptibility rates among the subjects to determine whether beliefs and behaviors were associated with each other. This study was conducted among a school‐based sample of 2516 Chiang Mai, Thailand upper secondary and vocational students. Although perceived prevalence of smoking was not associated with smoking outcomes, perceived popularity of smoking among the successful and elite was associated with higher risk, and perceived disapproval by friends/parents was associated with lower risk. Youth smoking programs should consider assessing and taking these social normative factors into account when considering educational intervention strategies that aim to lower adolescent smoking rates.     

Development of a First Peoples-led cultural capability measurement tool: A pilot study with midwifery students

Background

Midwives have a central role in closing the gap in health inequalities between Australias’ First Peoples and other childbearing women. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework (The Framework) identifies five core cultural capabilities (respect, communication, safety and quality, reflection and advocacy) to foster culturally safe health care.

Effectively preparing students for international field placements through a pre-departure class

Goals of international social work internships include greater cross-cultural sensitivity, professional growth, increased awareness of the impact of culture on the helping process, and a greater degree of intercultural adaptability, however, purposeful preparation is required to these desired goals. Therefore, a US BSW program developed a semester-long pre-departure class for students preparing to complete international internships. Theories of intercultural development and cross-cultural competence shaped the curriculum to help students increase self-awareness and critical reflection on their home culture; develop an understanding of cultural values about helping and social work as a profession in the destination country; and learn practical aspects of international travel and living abroad. Utilizing a non-randomized comparison group, significant differences were found on the Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory.     

Macroeconomic Conditions and Australian Financial Risk Attitudes, 2001–2010

This paper employed panel data from the 2001–2010 waves of the Household, Income, and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey to investigate the financial risk attitudes of 10,000 individuals across 6,839 households. Ordered logit models including individual and household random effects tested for changes in risk tolerance while focusing on the impact of transitory macroeconomic conditions and controlling for individual demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. We found Australians generally reduced their tolerance for risk over time, though higher levels of education, wealth, good health, and being self-employed indicated the increased likelihood of risk tolerance. We also found macroeconomic conditions were jointly significant in determining financial risk attitudes. However, the innate demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of individuals were more important at the margin.