Direct observation of computer workplace risk factors of college students

Recently, researchers have reported high musculoskeletal symptom prevalence at several US colleges. Since ergonomic interventions have been shown to prevent and reduce disability, it is important to identify the risk factors for developing symptoms among college students. A nested case-control study was completed to determine computer-related ergonomic risks associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. A trained observer completed ergonomic assessments on 52 randomly selected cases and controls. More than 75 percent (cases and controls combined) of the population was exposed to nine potential postural strains including: arms not along side during keying or mousing; lower back not supported; not having chair accessories; computer monitor not adjustable; mouse being too high or low; hand/wrist/forearm in contact with the desk edge; lack of wrist support; and keyboard not being adjustable. Cases and controls were equally likely to have substantially elevated risks but because the sample was small and lacked power, no risks were statistically significant. Since many known risk factors were prevalent in cases and controls, more research is required to evaluate and prevent injury in this population.     

Aging in the Biosocial Order: Repairing Time and Cosmetic Rejuvenation in a Medical Spa Clinic

This article examines the relationship between biosocial meanings of aging and anti‐aging culture, whereby new standards of measuring age derive from nonchronological models of plasticity. The first part explores recent models of functional age, sexual performance, and cognitive health, while the second part outlines the cosmetic rejuvenation practices, discourses, and technologies of medi‐spa clinics that promise to repair the effects of time on the bodies of aging women. Both parts illustrate the sociological significance of the aging body in posttraditional society as the object of increasing public anxieties about the health of aging populations and ethical concerns for extending life.     

An Ethical Analysis of the Second Amendment: The Right to Pack Heat at Work

We examine the issues concerning the legality and ethicality of the Second Amendment right to bear arms balanced by the employer's duty to provide a safe workplace for its employees. Two court rulings highlight this balancing act: McDonald et al. v. City of Chicago et al. and District of Columbia v. Heller. “Stand Your Ground” and “Castle Doctrine” laws in the recent Trayvon Martin shooting on February 26, 2012 are also applicable. Various ethical frameworks examine the firearms debate by viewing the Second Amendment from three perspectives. These include a pro‐gun perspective drawing upon libertarianism and fundamental rights; a moderate gun perspective drawing upon consequentialism and stakeholder theory; and finally, an anti‐gun perspective drawing upon a Public Health Ethics and peace ethics approach. We explore the issue of gun control from a business perspective as employers face ethical decisions in responding to legislation that allows guns in the workplace and/or in employer parking lots while still being responsible to provide a safe workplace for their employees. We make recommendations regarding how companies should manage by proactively avoiding legal challenges to employees' rights to own and carry guns into the workplace. This includes emphasis on enhanced security, Human Resource policies and monitoring rapidly changing laws.     

Experimental Analysis of Neighborhood Effects

Families, primarily female‐headed minority households with children, living in high‐poverty public housing projects in five U.S. cities were offered housing vouchers by lottery in the Moving to Opportunity program. Four to seven years after random assignment, families offered vouchers lived in safer neighborhoods that had lower poverty rates than those of the control group not offered vouchers. We find no significant overall effects of this intervention on adult economic self‐sufficiency or physical health. Mental health benefits of the voucher offers for adults and for female youth were substantial. Beneficial effects for female youth on education, risky behavior, and physical health were offset by adverse effects for male youth. For outcomes that exhibit significant treatment effects, we find, using variation in treatment intensity across voucher types and cities, that the relationship between neighborhood poverty rate and outcomes is approximately linear.     

“I screamed but then realized nobody was listening”: Exploration of the presence of others during intrafamilial child sexual abuse through survivors' testimonies from the Israeli Independent Public Inquiry

Intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA) is perceived as a crime perpetrated without witnesses. Nevertheless, researchers have explored two main aspects of the others present during abusive incidents: bystanders in extra-familial child sexual abuse and bystanders' decisions of whether to become involved. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how children and survivors perceive and experience the presence of others during abusive incidents. The current study examined survivors' experiences and perceptions concerning the presence of others during IFCSA based on their written testimonies for an independent inquiry. Of the more than 500 written testimonies sent to an independent Israeli inquiry, 16 addressed IFCSA and the others present. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted, and four main themes were identified: survivors' perceptions of others, others' responses to the abuse, familial dynamics with others during abuse, and acceptance. The discussion addresses the phenomenon of the presence of others during IFCSA and related theories of trauma and family dynamics. The findings challenge the social perception of IFCSA as a secret, highlighting the awareness that characterizes it in reality, as illustrated in the survivors' testimonies. This emphasizes the urgent need for policy-makers and professionals to promote the publicness of IFCSA instead of maintaining its secrecy.     

COVID-19: Impact on children living in out-of-home care and their carers

Children enter out-of-home care (OOHC) having experienced significant childhood adversities and trauma. Little is known about the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on this vulnerable group. To gain some insights, we analysed the early impacts on the well-being and experiences of children in OOHC and their carers using the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study data prior to and post the first lockdown restrictions. A total of 862 children, young people and their carers were interviewed either pre-COVID-19 restrictions (n = 567) (April 2019–March 2020) or post-COVID-19 restrictions (n = 295) (June–December 2020). While the two groups showed no significant differences in socio-emotional well-being, both the pre- and the post-COVID-19 restriction groups of children in OOHC had slight reductions in socio-emotional well-being. The interviews with the post-COVID-19 group showed that the pandemic restrictions affected children's well-being and behaviour, education, social and physical activities, as well as time spent with their birth family. Likewise, interviews with carers post-COVID-19 found a negative effect on carers' well-being, their ability to manage financially and their capacity to care and access services and support. The article contributes new evidence to inform OOHC policy and practice to support service systems facing unique challenges arising from a pandemic.