RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DUAL-EARNER SPOUSES,STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH HOME–WORK DEMANDS AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Based on Bronfenbrenner's (1979 Bronfenbrenner, V. 1979. The ecology of human development, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.  [Google Scholar]) ecological approach, the present study examined attitudes toward various aspects of marital life (gender-role attitudes, reported division of domestic labour and perceived spousal support) among educated Jewish (n?=?59) and Arab-Muslim women (n?=?87) from dual-earner families in Israel. Moreover, we compared the types of strategies used to cope with stress resulting from conflicting home–work demands, as well as emotional well-being and its relation to the other variables under study. Data were collected through structured questionnaires in various parts of Israel, from women employed in the education system and in municipalities. Results point to some cultural differences: Jewish women expressed more liberal gender-role attitudes and reported a more egalitarian division of domestic labour. At the same time, both groups of women tended to use the active coping strategy of concerted efforts to reduce role conflict. Moreover, similar patterns were found regarding the variables that account for emotional well-being. The effect of culture is particularly significant with regard to structural characteristics of marital life, such as the division of domestic labour, but less significant with regard to spousal support and to variables that explain various dimensions of well-being.

Sur la base de l'approche écologique de Bronfenbrenner (1979 Bronfenbrenner, V. 1979. The ecology of human development, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.  [Google Scholar]), la présente étude examine les attitudes envers divers aspects de la vie conjugale (attitudes en matière de rôle sexuel, division des tâches domestiques et soutien perçu par le conjoint) parmi les femmes juives (n?=?59) et arabo-musulmanes (n?=?87) éduquées de familles à deux revenus en Israël. En outre, nous avons comparé les types de stratégies appliquées pour gérer le stress résultant des exigences contradictoires maison–travail, ainsi que le bien-être affectif et son rapport à d'autres variables étudiées. Les données ont été recueillies au moyen de questionnaires structurés dans diverses régions d'Israël, auprès de femmes employées dans le système éducatif et dans les municipalités. Les résultats indiquent plusieurs différences culturelles: les femmes juives ont exprimé des attitudes plus libérales quant au rôle sexuel et ont indiqué une répartition plus égalitaire du travail domestique. Par ailleurs, les deux groupes de femmes avaient tendance à utiliser la stratégie opérante active d'efforts concertés pour réduire le conflit des rôles. En outre, des modèles similaires ont été constatés au niveau des variables rendant compte du bien-être affectif. L'effet de culture est particulièrement significatif en ce qui concerne les caractéristiques structurelles de la vie conjugale, telle que le partage des tâches domestiques, mais est moins significatif pour ce qui est du soutien du conjoint et les variables qui expliquent certaines dimensions du bien-être.     

Response shrinkage estimation in multinomial logit models

A shrinkage estimation method for multinomial logit models is developed. The proposed method is based on shrinking the responses for each category towards the underlying probabilities. The estimator is also used in combination with Pregibon's resistant fitting. The resulting estimator can also be used to control the over-estimation of Pregibon's resistant estimator. The proposed method handles not only the problem of separation in multinomial logit models but estimates also exist when the number of covariates is large relative to the sample size. Estimates exist even when the MLE does not exist. Estimates can be easily computed with all commonly used statistical packages supporting the fitting procedures with weights. Estimates are compared with the usual MLE and Firth's bias reduction technique in a simulation study and an application.     

Development of Economic Consequence Methodology for Process Risk Analysis

A comprehensive methodology for economic consequence analysis with appropriate models for risk analysis of process systems is proposed. This methodology uses loss functions to relate process deviations in a given scenario to economic losses. It consists of four steps: definition of a scenario, identification of losses, quantification of losses, and integration of losses. In this methodology, the process deviations that contribute to a given accident scenario are identified and mapped to assess potential consequences. Losses are assessed with an appropriate loss function (revised Taguchi, modified inverted normal) for each type of loss. The total loss is quantified by integrating different loss functions. The proposed methodology has been examined on two industrial case studies. Implementation of this new economic consequence methodology in quantitative risk assessment will provide better understanding and quantification of risk. This will improve design, decision making, and risk management strategies.     

Risk Analysis of Dust Explosion Scenarios Using Bayesian Networks

In this study, a methodology has been proposed for risk analysis of dust explosion scenarios based on Bayesian network. Our methodology also benefits from a bow‐tie diagram to better represent the logical relationships existing among contributing factors and consequences of dust explosions. In this study, the risks of dust explosion scenarios are evaluated, taking into account common cause failures and dependencies among root events and possible consequences. Using a diagnostic analysis, dust particle properties, oxygen concentration, and safety training of staff are identified as the most critical root events leading to dust explosions. The probability adaptation concept is also used for sequential updating and thus learning from past dust explosion accidents, which is of great importance in dynamic risk assessment and management. We also apply the proposed methodology to a case study to model dust explosion scenarios, to estimate the envisaged risks, and to identify the vulnerable parts of the system that need additional safety measures.     

Risk-Based Integrity and Inspection Modeling (RBIIM) of Process Components/System

Process plants deal with hazardous (highly flammable and toxic) chemicals at extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. Proper inspection and maintenance of these facilities is paramount for the maintenance of safe and continuous operation. This article proposes a risk-based methodology for integrity and inspection modeling (RBIIM) to ensure safe and fault-free operation of the facility. This methodology uses a gamma distribution to model the material degradation and a Bayesian updating method to improve the distribution based on actual inspection results. The method deals with the two cases of perfect and imperfect inspections. The measurement error resulting from imperfect inspections is modeled as a zero-mean, normally distributed random process. The risk is calculated using the probability of failure and the consequence is assessed in terms of cost as a function of time. The risk function is used to determine an optimal inspection and replacement interval. The calculated inspection and replacement interval is subsequently used in the design of an integrity inspection plan. Two case studies are presented: the maintenance of an autoclave and the maintenance of a pipeline segment. For the autoclave, the interval between two successive inspections is found to be 19 years. For the pipeline, the next inspection is due after 5 years from now. Measurements taken at inspections are used in estimating a new degradation rate that can then be used to update the failure distribution function.     

Risk Management of Domino Effects Considering Dynamic Consequence Analysis

Domino effects are low‐probability high‐consequence accidents causing severe damage to humans, process plants, and the environment. Because domino effects affect large areas and are difficult to control, preventive safety measures have been given priority over mitigative measures. As a result, safety distances and safety inventories have been used as preventive safety measures to reduce the escalation probability of domino effects. However, these safety measures are usually designed considering static accident scenarios. In this study, we show that compared to a static worst‐case accident analysis, a dynamic consequence analysis provides a more rational approach for risk assessment and management of domino effects. This study also presents the application of Bayesian networks and conflict analysis to risk‐based allocation of chemical inventories to minimize the consequences and thus to reduce the escalation probability. It emphasizes the risk management of chemical inventories as an inherent safety measure, particularly in existing process plants where the applicability of other safety measures such as safety distances is limited.     

Participation in leisure activities by Arab adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community

Azaiza F, Rimmerman A, Croitoru T, Naon D. Participation in leisure activities by Arab adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community Int J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: 97–103 © 2009 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. The present research study examined factors affecting participation in leisure activities of Arab adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community, via the conceptual frame of the ICF (International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health). The research was based on a secondary analysis of data taken from a nationwide survey, thus being the first of its kind. The factors examined were bodily functions (health condition, physical functioning and cognitive functioning); activities (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living); participation in employment; and the environmental factor of service utilisation (N= 153). The findings reveal interesting patterns regarding the roles of physical functioning and cognitive functioning in participation in leisure activities. These findings are discussed in relation to previous findings and cultural characteristics with reference to socio‐economic disparities.     

Subsea Release of Oil from a Riser: An Ecological Risk Assessment

This study illustrates a newly developed methodology, as a part of the U.S. EPA ecological risk assessment (ERA) framework, to predict exposure concentrations in a marine environment due to underwater release of oil and gas. It combines the hydrodynamics of underwater blowout, weathering algorithms, and multimedia fate and transport to measure the exposure concentration. Naphthalene and methane are used as surrogate compounds for oil and gas, respectively. Uncertainties are accounted for in multimedia input parameters in the analysis. The 95th percentile of the exposure concentration (EC_95%) is taken as the representative exposure concentration for the risk estimation. A bootstrapping method is utilized to characterize EC_95% and associated uncertainty. The toxicity data of 19 species available in the literature are used to calculate the 5th percentile of the predicted no observed effect concentration (PNEC_5%) by employing the bootstrapping method. The risk is characterized by transforming the risk quotient (RQ), which is the ratio of EC_95% to PNEC_5%, into a cumulative risk distribution. This article describes a probabilistic basis for the ERA, which is essential from risk management and decision‐making viewpoints. Two case studies of underwater oil and gas mixture release, and oil release with no gaseous mixture are used to show the systematic implementation of the methodology, elements of ERA, and the probabilistic method in assessing and characterizing the risk.     

Knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS: a comparison between Arab and Jewish professionals living in Israel

This paper investigates similarities and differences between Arab and Jewish professionals living in Israel regarding their knowledge and attitudes about AIDS. Although AIDS in Israel is not considered to be a pressing crisis, the aim of the research is to document and analyse what professionals in the helping professions – Arabs and Jews alike – know and how they feel about AIDS. The study also explores thoughts and feelings concerning AIDS–related education and training. This is the first scholarly attempt to compare Israeli and Arab professionals' attitudes and knowledge about such a stigmatised topic as the AIDS epidemic. The study sample consists of 350 professionals, including 218 Jews and 132 Arabs, working in various social and health–care agencies providing services to the Arab population. Professionals include social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, and special education teachers and counsellors. Results indicate that Jewish professionals scored significantly higher on both knowledge and attitude scales than did their Arab counterparts. Two regression models predicting both knowledge and attitudes are presented, and their implications are discussed using several frameworks: the status of the disease, including perception of the threat; perception of adequacy of training; educational environment; and the socialisation process of Arab professionals in Israel     

Structural social work and the compatibility of NGO approaches: a case analysis of Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC)

This article offers a comparative analysis between the ideological orientation of structural social work (SSW) and the programmatic orientation of the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC). SSW sees social problems as arising from specific socio-economic contexts rather than from the failings of individuals. This perspective recognises that patriarchy is a central feature of life in Bangladesh. BRAC analyses poverty, broadly defined, from a perspective that is political, making use of feminist principles. By assessing SSW as it pertains to the programme coverage of BRAC, this article presents the consistencies and inconsistencies of the approaches. Yet, SSW and BRAC share a common objective of shifting the locus of power to facilitate the empowerment of marginalised communities.