Working with a radical agenda: the Musasa project,Zimbabwe

In 1988, a nongovernmental organization, the Musasa Project, was created to combat domestic violence against women in Zimbabwe where such violence is not only widespread, it is also socially acceptable. Therefore, Musasa not only set up shelters and provided counseling to victims of domestic violence, it also attempted to transform society through an extensive public education campaign. This campaign started with the police force through an identification of the problems police officers had experienced in their dealings with domestic violence. Discussions of these problems led to changes in the ways in which victims are interviewed. The police officers also reported difficulties interacting with the legal system which were addressed through a series of workshops facilitated by Musasa for members of the police force and of the legal system. Whereas these actions were both radical and innovative, the project's public statements were cautious during the first 3 years. Since the time of a planned change in leadership (when the original founders withdrew according to schedule), the project has grown increasingly radical and now addresses gender issues through a series of gender workshops designed to expose the workings of the patriarchy and the problems associated with lobola (the bride price).     

A folded model for compositional data analysis

A folded type model is developed for analysing compositional data. The proposed model involves an extension of the α‐transformation for compositional data and provides a new and flexible class of distributions for modelling data defined on the simplex sample space. Despite its rather seemingly complex structure, employment of the EM algorithm guarantees efficient parameter estimation. The model is validated through simulation studies and examples which illustrate that the proposed model performs better in terms of capturing the data structure, when compared to the popular logistic normal distribution, and can be advantageous over a similar model without folding.     

Mandates for a changing practice: PSRO and P.L. 94-142.

Federal legislation in the fields of education and health care now requires the development of systems of professional accountability. This accountability to the sponsoring system and to the client is making profound changes in practice. Implications of these changes are reviewed with a challenge to social workers to assume leadership in translating these changes into effective practice models.     

Non-parametric MANOVA approaches for non-normal multivariate outcomes with missing values

Between-group comparisons often entail many correlated response variables. The multivariate linear model, with its assumption of multivariate normality, is the accepted standard tool for these tests. When this assumption is violated, the non-parametric multivariate Kruskal–Wallis (MKW) test is frequently used. However, this test requires complete cases with no missing values in response variables. Deletion of cases with missing values likely leads to inefficient statistical inference. Here we extend the MKW test to retain information from partially observed cases. Results of simulated studies and analysis of real data show that the proposed method provides adequate coverage and superior power to complete case analyses.     

A Survey of 100 Community Colleges on Student Substance Use,Programming, and Collaborations

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to survey community college personnel about student substance use, and infrastructure (staff and funding), programs, and collaborations dedicated to substance use prevention. Participants: The sample included 100 administrators, faculty, and health services staff at 100 community colleges. Methods: Participants completed a Web-based survey. Results: Participants reported a number of alcohol and other drug (AOD) related concerns. Despite limited staff and funding dedicated to AOD, institutions are implementing a number of programs, although many are not implementing some of the programs popular at traditional 4-year colleges. They are also collaborating with a number of on- and off-campus groups. The availability of staff and funding dedicated to AOD, and the presence of residence halls, is associated with health programming and substance abuse collaborations. Conclusions: Results suggest that there is a need for increased research to understand the most effective AOD prevention strategies for community colleges.     

The relationship between unit diversity and perceptions of organizational performance in the military

Structural equation modeling techniques are used to examine the relationship between demographic diversity and perceptions of organizational performance in military units. Analyzing data from the Military Equal Opportunity Climate Survey reveals higher female and minority representation reduces females’ and minorities’ perceptions of organizational effectiveness, respectively. Identical factors appear to influence the perceptions of organizational performance across these two subgroups of employees. The results demonstrate the importance of conducting separate analyses for subgroups in examining the effects of demographic diversity on organizational performance.     

Tracing the legacy of Anita Hill: The Thomas/Hill hearings and media coverage of sexual harassment

Many anecdotal accounts suggest that the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings had an important effect on the politics of sexual harassment allegations. This research examines one part of this phenomenon, reporting the results of content analysis of articles published in major newspapers the month after reports of allegations against Bob packwood and Bill Clinton. Our data analysis provides a preliminary look at the continued significance of the Hill/Thomas case today and how it affects public discourse about sexual harassment, providing strong evidence that Anita Hill has indeed found a place in modern American political history as a symbol for the sexual harassment issue. Clearly, the hearings have significantly impacted the ways in which the media and the public view allegations of sexual harassment brought against political figures. She is currently serving as a 2000–2001 APSA Congressional Fellow.     

Gender differences in physical activity are partially explained by anxiety sensitivity in post-secondary students

Abstract

Objective: Female post-secondary students typically engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Given that women have greater anxiety sensitivity (ie, fear of arousal-based body sensations) and anxiety sensitivity is inversely related to physical activity participation, this study sought to determine if anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in self-reported physical activity. Participants and methods: A sample of 802 post-secondary students completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and a Lifestyles Questionnaire in September 2017. Results: Women reported significantly less physical activity and significantly greater anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly and inversely related to self-reported physical activity. A significant indirect effect of gender on physical activity via anxiety sensitivity was shown (B?=?5.56, SE?=?2.81, p?<?.05, 95% CI [1.31, 12.78], P_M?=?.0843). Conclusions: Results suggest that anxiety sensitivity partially explains gender differences in physical activity. Anxiety sensitivity reduction interventions might increase physical activity participation and reduce the existing gender gap.