EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TYPES OF FAMILY WORK AND MARITAL WELL-BEING

We use an expanded definition of family work and test its association with marital well-being. Using a gender perspective, we examine the role of the respondent's and partner's performance of family work for both husbands and wives. Data are taken from a sample of couples with dependent children under age 18 (N = 96), and separate regression equations are estimated by gender. Though housework is cited as one of the most contentious issues reported by couples, it is not significant in our analysis of marital well-being. In our analysis, other forms of family work are considered, and childcare, emotion work, and formal volunteering are significantly associated with marital well-being. The role of partner's provision of emotion work is particularly salient. Discussion of the gendered nature of our findings follows.     

Gender,academic performance and university athletes

This paper investigates gender differences in academic performance among university athletes at an NCAA Division I school. Using regression analysis, the findings suggest that background scholastic achievement variables and race influence university academic performance for student athletes, but sport participation measures and race are negatively related to university academic performance for males only. The consequences of inequalities between men's and women's athletic programs are explored. Implications for academic programs are discussed.     

Academic Support Services and Career Decision‐Making Self‐Efficacy in Student Athletes

This study examined the relationship between evaluations of academic support services and student athletes’ career decision‐making self‐efficacy. One hundred and fifty‐eight NCAA athletes (68% male) from 11 Division I teams completed measures of satisfaction with their academic support services, career decision‐making self‐efficacy, general self‐efficacy, and locus of control. Results indicated that evaluations of academic support services were positively related to levels of career decision‐making self‐efficacy. In addition, this relationship was moderated such that student athletes with lower levels of general self‐efficacy and internal locus of control benefited more from positive experiences with academic support services. Limitations and implications are discussed.     

Carer Participation: Training for People With Intellectual Disabilities in a Chinese Society

People with intellectual disabilities require training to improve independence, and carers are important partners in the process. Studies show that carers are able to motivate family members with intellectual disabilities to participate in training. In addition, family members may serve as cotrainers. To increase carers' participation, it is necessary to empower them with training techniques and develop strategies to relieve their stress. This article aims to explore the effects of carer support to enhance training quality of daily living skills for their family member with intellectual disabilities, through the use of care case studies, in the context of families living in Hong Kong. A model of multiple case studies is adopted. Three cases are analyzed to illustrate various modes of carer participation.     

A Comparison of the Multicultural and Colorblind Perspectives on the Intergroup Attitudes of College Students

This investigation examined whether exposure to a multicultural or colorblind orientation influenced social tolerance in racially diverse students. Students were randomly assigned to a colorblind, multicultural, or control ideology. They completed group-specific measures and general measures of diversity. Results indicate that successful anti-bias interventions require focus on the particular level from which intergroup attitudes are being formed. Second, the effectiveness of these opposing theories is a factor of the history of within group socialization practices. Finally, widespread use of these prominent ideologies in different sectors of society poses a threat to social tolerance in more diverse group settings.     

Age influences anthropometric and fitness-related predictors of bone mineral in men

Objective. This study assessed the influence of age on the predictors of bone mineral in men.

Methods. Middle-age (n = 41, 54 ± 4 yrs) and older (n = 40, 69 ± 5 yrs) men underwent grip and knee extensor strength tests, total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with regional analyses and a graded exercise treadmill test.

Results. Bone-free lean mass (BFLM) and, to a lesser extent, fat mass (FM) were correlated with bone mineral variables in middle-age men. In older men, BFLM and, to a lesser extent, FM were related to bone mineral content (BMC) at most sites, but inconsistently to bone mineral density (BMD). Knee extensor strength related to bone mineral (BMC and BMD) at most sites in middle-age men, but none in older men. Grip strength inconsistently related to bone mineral in both groups. Aerobic capacity related to bone mineral in middle-age men, but none in older men. In multiple regression, body weight or BFLM predicted bone mineral in middle-age men (R² = 0.33–0.68) and BMC in older men (R² = 0.33–0.50). Predictors of BMD were inconsistent in older men.

Conclusions. Relationships of body composition, muscular strength and aerobic capacity to bone mineral are stronger in middle-age versus older men.     

Racial Differences in Attitudes Toward Professional Mental Health Treatment: The Mediating Effect of Stigma

Stigma associated with mental illness continues to be a pervasive barrier to mental health treatment, leading to negative attitudes about treatment and deterring appropriate care seeking. Empirical research suggests that the stigma of mental illness may exert an adverse influence on attitudes toward mental health treatment and service utilization patterns by individuals with a mental illness, particularly African Americans. However, little research has examined the impact of stigma on racial differences in attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment. This study examined the hypothesis that stigma partially mediates the relationship between race and attitudes towards mental health treatment in a community-based sample of 101 African American and White older adults. Multiple regression analyses and classic path analysis was utilized to test the partial mediation model. Controlling for socio-demographic factors, African American older adults were more likely to have negative attitudes toward mental health treatment, and they also reported more public and internalized stigma than their White counterparts. As hypothesized, the relationship between race and attitudes toward mental health treatment was partially mediated by internalized stigma, suggesting that internalized stigma may cause older adults to develop negative attitudes about mental health treatment. The partial mediation model was not significant for public stigma, however. Implications for social work research and practice are discussed.     

Causativity in Czech: The Verbs dá(va)t and nech(áv)at

In the present essay I employ archetypal criticism to explore the mythological subtext of Valerii Shevchuk’s novella Hunchback Zoya. I argue that the theme of initiation of the male characters—congruous with the theme of healing repeatedly present in Shevchuk’s works—is central to this particular novella. My analysis of this topic relies on such Jungian notions as the archetype, the conscious and unconscious psyche, and individuation. I further argue, that like Shevchuk’s other works, his Hunchback Zoya endorses implicit post-colonial arguments, inviting parallels between the characters’ and the nation’s individuation. On this level the novella suggests that modern Ukraine is capable of reintegratiing its cultural and spiritual heritage and restoring its national selfhood.     

Patterns of Early Childhood,Elementary, and Middle-Level Social Studies Teaching: An Interpretation of Illinois Social Studies Teachers’ Practices and Beliefs

Using data from a national social studies survey, the authors examined instructional trends among Illinois elementary and middle school social studies teachers. The authors found that teachers preferred whole-group and teacher-centered instructional strategies over more active, student-centered methods. While surveyed teachers predominately indicated that one of the primary goals of teaching social studies was to improve critical-thinking ability, their pedagogical preferences were more conducive to teaching basic facts. The authors also found that middle-level teachers were more likely to use teaching strategies that promoted critical thinking than were used by their elementary school colleagues.     

The Estimation of Task Performance and Reward Recommendations as a Function of Status Ranks

Abstract

A recurrent concern among social psychologists is to determine how individuals react to status ranks of others. This study presented 144 college students with a hypothetical situation and asked them to recommend an reward allocation to a person in the situation and to estimate that person's future task performance. Subjects were presented with information about either a diffuse status characteristic (educational level), or specific status characteristic with task relevance (performance on a related task), or both for an individual in comparison to a standard comparison other. When information was available on only one status rank, rewards were allocated and task performance estimated consistent with the single status rank. When information about both status ranks were available, specific status significantly affected both the reward distribution and performance expectations, while diffuse status significantly affected the reward distribution and had a marginally significant effect on performance expectations. The results are discussed in terms of status expectancy theory (Berger et al.), Kimberly's modification and extension of that approach, and equity theory (Adams).