Does More Schooling Reduce Hospitalization and Delay Mortality? New Evidence Based on Danish Twins

Schooling generally is positively associated with better health-related outcomes—for example, less hospitalization and later mortality—but these associations do not measure whether schooling causes better health-related outcomes. Schooling may in part be a proxy for unobserved endowments—including family background and genetics—that both are correlated with schooling and have direct causal effects on these outcomes. This study addresses the schooling-health-gradient issue with twins methodology, using rich data from the Danish Twin Registry linked to population-based registries to minimize random and systematic measurement error biases. We find strong, significantly negative associations between schooling and hospitalization and mortality, but generally no causal effects of schooling.     

Effects of Aerobic Training on Primary Dysmenorrhea Symptomatology in College Females

Abstract

“Single-Dose Therapy for Cystitis in Women: A Comparison of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Amoxicillin, and Cyclacillin,” Thomas M. Hooton et al. We evaluated single-dose regimens of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, and cyclacillin as treatment for acute cystitis in 38 women. The trial was prematurely stopped because of frequent treatment failures. At two days after treatment, all 13 patients given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were cured, while four (31%) of the 13 given amoxicillin and four (33%) of 12 given cyclacillin had persistent bacteriuria. At two weeks, 11 (85%) of 13 patients given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, six (50%) of 12 given amoxicillin, and three (30%) of ten given cyclacillin were cured. One patient with positive results of antibody-coated bacteria testing who was treated with cyclacillin had signs and symptoms of acute pyelonephritis three days after treatment, and two patients treated with amoxicillin and one treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole converted antibody-coated bacteria test results from negative to positive after therapy. We conclude that single-dose treatment of cystitis in unselected women with cyclacillin and amoxicillin may result in low cure rates and that progression to acute pyelonephritis may occur following ineffective single-dose therapy. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1985;253:387-390.)     

Correlates of depression in self-neglecting older adults: A cross-sectional study examining the role of alcohol abuse and pain in increasing vulnerability

ABSTRACT

Self-neglect among older adults results in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Depression is strongly linked to self-neglect and when untreated, severely complicates management of health and functional outcomes. The study aims to identify factors correlated with depression to inform approaches to service recruitment and retention that improve long-term outcomes. The sample included urban community-dwelling older adults (n = 96) 65 years of age and older with Adult Protective Services-substantiated self-neglect. All participants completed a range of validated cognitive, functional, and self-report demographic and clinical measures around health and mental health functioning. A secondary data analysis using multivariable logistic regression revealed that a positive screen for alcohol abuse, low self-rated health, and higher self-reported pain were associated with significantly higher odds of self-reported depression. Further research is needed to understand the temporality between these correlates and depression and to inform prevention and intervention practices for self-neglecting older adults.     

Engagement of the Elderly in Time Banking: The Potential for Social Capital Generation in an Aging Society

Community currency systems attempt to empower the economically marginalized and build social capital. This research explores the role of the elderly in a local voluntary organization. The elderly are potentially very important contributors, yet we know little about their participation in these local exchange networks. Eighty-seven months' worth of transaction data from a “time bank,” which has had a total of 950 members, was examined in social network analyses. Measures of quantitative engagement in the system were constructed. The elderly were found to be as active as other members. Qualitative characteristics of the network were also explored. The organization is rather homogeneous, yet exchanges within it tend to connect diverse actors. Male and female seniors undertransact with themselves and with one another, generating bridging social capital. The evidence presented suggests that the participation of the elderly in local currencies is mutually beneficial.     

A Psychometric Analysis of Field Evaluation Instruments Designed to Measure Students’ Generalist-Level Social Work Competencies

ABSTRACT

There is a dearth of research on the evaluation of the psychometric performance of instruments designed to measure students’ generalist-level social work competencies. There is also uncertainty on the performance of various response option formats used to measure students’ competencies in assessment instruments. Using a sample of 198 master of social work students and 198 field instructors, the current study employs confirmatory factor analysis to assess the psychometric performance of a field evaluation instrument designed to measure students’ generalist-level social work competencies. The results provide evidence to support the validity and reliability of the instrument. The results also highlight nuances associated with a 5-point response option format for items used to measure competency indicators. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.     

Adult Attachment and Stepparenting Issues: Couple Relationship Quality as a Mediating Factor

Using a sample of 390 stepparents, we assess the influence of insecure attachment and couple relationship quality on stepparenting issues. We also examine the extent to which relationship quality mediates connections between attachment and stepparenting issues. Results from ordinary least squares regression and Sobel tests indicate greater levels of attachment avoidance and anxiety are associated with greater levels of stepparenting issues. Results also indicate greater levels of relationship satisfaction and stability are associated with less stepparenting issues. Relationship satisfaction and stability significantly mediate the influence of attachment anxiety on stepparenting issues. Limitations, implications, and directions for future research are discussed.