Multicollinearity problems and ridge regression in sociological models

The consequences of omitting relevant variables in regression analysis in order to cope with even moderate levels of multicollinearity can produce severe difficulties in subsequent theoretical interpretation of social science data. Use of ridge regression, a form of biased linear estimation, is explored. Application of ridge regression to a substantive sociological model is given to illustrate ridge regression's strengths as well as its limitations.     

Searching for critical issues in philanthropy

Who Really Cares: America's Charity Divide—Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters, by Arthur C. Brooks. New York: Basic Books, 2006. 256 pp., $26.00 cloth, $16.95 paper. Foundations and Public Policy: The Mask of Pluralism, by Joan Roelofs. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2003. 270 pp., $29.95 paper. The Foundation: A Great American Secret, by Joel Fleishman. New York: PublicAffairs, 2007. 384 pp., $27.95 cloth. The Billionaire Who Wasn't: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune, by Conor O'Clery. New York: PublicAffairs, 2007. 352 pp., $26.95 cloth.     

Intimacy,Gender and Self Psychology: Considerations for Relationship Counselling

This paper reviews major conceptualisations of intimacy and the blocks, frequently attributed to gender, which are thought to contribute to problems in couple relationships. The paper concludes that gender is often not the limiting factor that inhibits intimacy in heterosexual couples. It may be more productive to consider individual rather than couple therapy to deal with impasses that appear to be associated with gender. Ideas from self psychology provide insights into how some requests for intimacy may be related to immature self‐object needs, which may better be handled through individual rather than couple therapy. A range of therapeutic goals and strategies that focus directly on intimacy are then outlined.     

Marital Assimilation Among Hispanics: Evidence of Declining Cultural and Economic Incorporation?*

Objective. We document intermarriage patterns between Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites over the 1990 to 2000 period in 155 U.S. metropolitan areas and evaluate the effects of spatial, cultural, and economic assimilation on interdecade changes in intermarriage. We hypothesize that changes in Hispanic‐white intermarriage during the 1990s reflect changing spatial, cultural, and economic assimilation among U.S. Hispanics. Methods. We use data from the 1990 and 2000 Census Public Use Microdata Samples. Results. Analyses show that intermarriage between Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites declined during the 1990s, a result fueled in part by burgeoning immigration of Hispanics, especially Mexicans. The 1990s also ushered in a period of increasing Hispanic segregation from non‐Hispanic whites, growing language barriers, and accelerated educational inequality, which also dampened Hispanic‐white intermarriage rates. Conclusions. Our results imply that the Hispanic population is at a transition point, if intermarriage rates are an indication, and possibly a new period of retrenchment in the assimilation process.     

Causes of Placement Breakdown for Foster Children Affected by Alcohol

A sample of 63 licensed foster parents who had fostered a child who was diagnosed with a disorder in the fetal alcohol spectrum were asked “What would make you consider ending a placement with a child who has a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?” The responses to this question were grouped together by foster parents. The grouping data were subjected to multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. Results indicated that foster parents would consider ending a placement if they felt they were being taken for granted, burned out, had insufficient information about the child, or if the child had serious behavior problems, caused harm to others in the home, or did not comply with household rules and routines. Discrepancies between the literature and study results were described and suggestions for future research were made.     

The Meaning of Good Parent–Child Relationships for Mexican American Adolescents

Perceptions of good parent–adolescent relationships were explored among 19 Mexican American high school students aged 14–17 who participated in focus group interviews on what it means for Mexican American teenagers to have good relationships with parents. Using a grounded theory approach, five general themes emerged in the responses, corresponding to open communication, instrumental and emotional support, indirect expressions of caring, parental control, and valued relationship qualities. Both genders described distinct relationships with mothers and fathers. Relationships with mothers were closer and more open than relationships with fathers, and mothers were seen as being more affectionate, lenient, and emotionally supportive, whereas fathers tended to express caring indirectly by providing instrumental and financial support and by just being there. Parental upbringing, culture, gender, and parental role expectations emerged as explanations for parents' behavior. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.     

Household Economic Behavior in Post‐Socialist Rural Hungary*

Abstract This paper investigates the organization of household economic behavior in post‐socialist rural Hungary. Data from 751 randomly selected households in three rural regions of the country showed weak labor force attachment and heavy reliance on social welfare programs among these households. Self‐provisioning and interhousehold exchange were also prevalent. The data showed that interhousehold exchange is motivated by both economic and social logics. Interhousehold exchange appears to be more likely among better‐off households with more economic and social resources.     

Disease clusters: should they be investigated, and, if so, when and how?

Individual cluster reports are subject to several difficulties in interpretation. Although they rarely lead to new aetiological insights, a public health response to delineate the size and extent of any excess risk may be warranted. Further investigation, where merited, should usually include an examination of data for different areas and/or different time periods. A statistical evaluation of disease clusters is often secondary to a detailed appreciation of issues such as the availability and quality of data, confounding and bias in the selection of areas for study.     

Demographic Characteristics and Contraceptive Practices of Abortion Patients at a New Zealand Medical Centre

A highly controversial Centre performing early pregnancy terminations opened in Auckland in May 1974, and remained the only facility specialising in abortion in New Zealand. It closed following the enactment of the Crimes Amendment Act in December 1977. Analysis of social characteristics of attenders shows that this Centre served a younger population than those having abortions in public hospitals. Fewer than 47% of those obtaining abortions had previously used a contraceptive technique, and of those who did the majority used methods with relatively high failure rates. There was a relationship between educational attainment, age, and contraceptive usage.