Effects of various types of change in shift schedules: A controlled longitudinal study

Data from a longitudinal study accompanying changes in shift rotas connected with a shortening of working time in the chemical industry are presented. Altogether 260 subjects forming five experimental groups participated in both the pretest and the posttest. The effects of the change in shift schedules were controlled by the inclusion of five groups in which 139 subjects participated in both tests. Five types of change in shift schedule were investigated. The purpose was to determine to what extent similar, but in some aspects differing, types of change in shift schedule varied from one another in their effects on those involved, and on which factors their attitudes towards the new shift systems depended with regard to various types of schedule change. The effects of a change in shift schedule were tested by means of the 4-group investigation design developed by Solomon (1949). The results confirm that differences in the effects of new shift systems depend on the type of change. Only in three experimental groups were improvements in health and social life observed. One experimental group showed significant signs of deterioration in subjective health. In the analyses of the factors influencing the attitude of the shiftworkers towards the new shift system, differences in the structure of the influencing factors between the experimental groups were observed. The causal analysis was used in order to test how important the factors found in each group were and which of them were dominant. It showed that the most influential factors dominated so much that the disturbances in the less influential ones lost their importance. In spite of the number of indicators analysed regarding their influence on attitude in this study, further important factors seem to exist that have not been analysed here.     

Sibling death clustering in India: state dependence versus unobserved heterogeneity

Summary.  Data from a range of environments indicate that the incidence of death is not randomly distributed across families but, rather, that there is a clustering of death among siblings. A natural explanation of this would be that there are (observed or unobserved) differences across families, e.g. in genetic frailty, education or living standards. Another hypothesis that is of considerable interest for both theory and policy is that there is a causal process whereby the death of a child influences the risk of death of the succeeding child in the family. Drawing language from the literature on the economics of unemployment, the causal effect is referred to here as state dependence (or scarring). The paper investigates the extent of state dependence in India, distinguishing this from family level risk factors that are common to siblings. It offers some methodological innovations on previous research. Estimates are obtained for each of three Indian states, which exhibit dramatic differences in socio-economic and demographic variables. The results suggest a significant degree of state dependence in each of the three regions. Eliminating scarring, it is estimated, would reduce the incidence of infant mortality (among children who are born after the first child) by 9.8% in the state of Uttar Pradesh, 6.0% in West Bengal and 5.9% in Kerala.     

Abortion on demand

The author celebrates the legalization of abortion in India as it will hopefully end the injury and death that often followed illegal abortion. However, she regards the law as incomplete since it gives no protection to the unwed mother except in the case of rape. Further, the law does not emancipate women because, except in instances of rape or contraceptive failure in a married woman, it is the doctor who decides on the abortion. If the woman is less than 18 years old or mentally incompetent, her legal guardian must give his consent.     

'Your friends don't understand': Invisibility and unmet need in the lives of 'young carers'

This paper is based on a study of the experiences of people identified as ‘young carers’, commissioned by the National Assembly for Wales as part of a wider review of carers’ needs and services. Following a brief review of some of the previous research in this area, the paper reports key findings of the research, using the words of children and young people as much as possible. It then goes on to explore some of the wider implications of this and other research for the identification and support of ‘young carers’ and their families, and for the understanding of the needs and wishes of children and young people so defined. The paper concludes with an alternative definition of a ‘young carer’ and with some recommendations for professional practice, suggesting that the role of social work is crucial in this area of service.     

Educational success for children in public care: advice from a group of high achievers

ABSTRACT Research over the past 20 years has consistently shown that children in public care fall behind at school, seldom achieve good qualifications, and are much less likely than their peers to go on to further or higher education. However, a small minority of looked‐after children do well academically. This paper examines the opinions of 38 high‐achieving young people who spent at least a year in residential or foster care on what they think are the best ways to enhance the educational experience of looked‐after children. An evaluation of four key questions from a semistructured interview highlighted the importance of foster carers, residential workers, social workers and teachers in providing support and encouragement for academic achievement. On the other hand, many of these individuals emphasized their dislike of being ‘singled out’ by the teacher. A third of the participants believed that negative stereotypes and low expectations of children in care among professionals and care providers were major obstacles to their educational success. Over half the sample reported that in many children’s homes basic necessities such as books, a desk and a quiet place to do homework were lacking. In addition their opportunity to engage in outside interests and hobbies was severely limited. By contrast, for these individuals foster care had provided better opportunities. On entering higher education the majority of the participants had faced severe problems. They stressed the need for continuing financial support and adequate year‐round accommodation, because, unlike most students, these care leavers usually have no parental home to return to during university vacations. A third of participants also felt a strong desire for a ‘guardian angel’ to support and encourage them during their time at university. The paper concludes that the views of these thoughtful and resilient individuals should be taken very seriously and translated into improvements in policy and practice. Official guidance now highlights the importance of education for looked‐after children, but changing attitudes and priorities at ground level presents a major challenge.     

Determinants of Household Insurance Coverage Among Low‐Income Families from Boston,Chicago, and San Antonio: Evidence from the Three‐City Study*

Objectives. In this article we examine correlates of health insurance coverage for low‐income households. Methods. Using data from the Welfare, Children, and Families Project (1999–2001), a sample of 2,402 low‐income families from Boston, Chicago, and San Antonio, we estimate two logistic regressions, one that predicts health insurance coverage for one focal child in each household and another that assesses the odds that all children in the household have coverage. Results. The children of poorly‐educated, immigrant, and Mexican‐origin parents are at an elevated risk of lacking insurance. These characteristics also increase the risk of incomplete household coverage. Mexican‐origin children and households are at particularly high risk of lacking complete coverage, a fact partially reflecting their residential concentration in states with high uninsurance rates, such as Texas. Conclusions. Serious holes in the health‐care safety net affect poor Americans differently based on their state of residence, race, ethnicity, and household structure.     

The linked survival prospects of siblings: Evidence for the Indian states

This paper reports an analysis of micro-data for India that shows a high correlation in infant mortality among siblings. In 13 of 15 states, we identify a causal effect of infant death on the risk of infant death of the subsequent sibling (a scarring effect), after controlling for mother-level heterogeneity. The scarring effects are large, the only other covariate with a similarly large effect being mother's (secondary or higher) education. The two states in which evidence of scarring is weak are Punjab, the richest, and Kerala, the socially most progressive. The size of the scarring effect depends upon the sex of the previous child in three states, in a direction consistent with son-preference. Evidence of scarring implies that policies targeted at reducing infant mortality will have social multiplier effects by helping avoid the death of subsequent siblings. Comparison of other covariate effects across the states offers some interesting new insights.     

A Behavior Analysis of Individuals' Use of the Fairness Heuristic When Interacting With Groups and Organizations

The Response Deprivation Model states that any behavior in an organism’s repertoire can serve as a reinforcer if access to that behavior is restricted. A deprivation contingency requires the organism to engage more in the target behavior in order to obtain access to the restricted behavior. This model replaces the limited and sometimes incorrect Premack Principle. By applying this model to Organizational Behavior Management, businesses can increase workers’ productivity by restricting their access to certain tasks. The reviewed studies include applications to sales and quality management. The relative paucity of current applications in Organizational Behavior Management, possible reasons for this, and solutions are discussed.     

Ethnic Identity and Offending Trajectories Among Mexican American Juvenile Offenders: Gang Membership and Psychosocial Maturity

We examined the association of joint trajectories of ethnic identity and criminal offending to psychosocial maturity, gang membership, and Mexican American affiliation among 300 Mexican American male juvenile offenders from ages 14 to 22. There were two low‐offending groups: one was the highest in ethnic identity and changing slightly with age and the other was the lowest in ethnic identity and stable with age. A third group displayed moderately declining offending and moderately stable ethnic identity. A fourth group displayed high‐offending individuals with moderate, but increasing, levels of ethnic identity, who were initially lower in psychosocial maturity and more likely to be gang members. The findings highlight the need to contextualize theories of ethnic identity development.