Quality of prediction: A critique of Bronner

In this comment on Bronner's article ‘Decision style in transport mode choice’ two problems are discussed. The first and minor one deals with the choice of criterion in the model tests for the quality of prediction. The second and major problem concerns the invalidity of the model tests, which is due to the psychometrically incorrect classification procedure adopted by Bronner. This issue is extensively discussed because some of Bronner's conclusions can be shown to evolve from his incorrect assignment procedure.As an alternative method of attitude assignment the use of a matching constant is suggested. In order to evaluate predictive quality of models, it is recommended to consider mode choice as the criterion variable instead of attitudes within travel mode categories.     

Work-related health factors for female immigrants in Sweden

Work-related health has been a focus of research since the rate of sickness-related absences began to increase in Sweden. The incidence of sickness-related absences and early retirement is higher among female immigrants than among others in the total population. This study is based on a questionnaire survey which was conducted in a municipality in Sweden. The study population consisted of 2 429 native and immigrant female employees. The aim was to study work-related health factors for female immigrants. The results of this study show that about 20% of female immigrants who participate in the survey have temporary employment while the proportion is 8% for native women. The perception of ethnic discrimination among female immigrants was three times as much as among native females. The results also show that 69% of female immigrants report having received no opportunity to discuss their wages with managers, in comparison to 63% of native females. About 40% of female immigrants and 35% of native women report that they do not get opportunities to upgrade their skills. Female immigrants over the age of 50 experience gender and ethnic discrimination and lack of access to skills training programs more often than younger immigrants. They also participate in health-care activities more often.     

‘McDonald’s Is Good for My Social Life’. Developing Health Promotion Together with Adolescent Girls from Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods in Amsterdam

There is limited knowledge about key factors that enable adolescent girls with a low socioeconomic position (SEP) to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This paper aims to better understand the complexity of addressing health behaviour of adolescent girls with a low SEP by gaining insights into (i) the perspectives of adolescent girls with a low SEP (n = 26) on a healthy lifestyle, (ii) how to develop health promotion that fits these girls’ daily realities, by using participatory action research (PAR) in which girls developed health promotion materials. The study offers an understanding of girls’ daily lives and how health promotion could be improved.     

Latino Families with a Child with Prader–Willi Syndrome: Exploring Needs for Support

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex, genetically based disorder; caring for a family member with a disability such as PWS brings significant challenges to the whole family. However, no research has been conducted focusing on the impact of PWS in the dynamics of Latino families. This qualitative study explored the challenges and need for support services among Latino families of children with PWS. Findings of the study suggest the need for support services geared toward the whole family unit to help members cope with daily challenges at home.     

The magic in the (extra)ordinary: Intensive validation to recalibrate the life-worlds of adolescents exposed to abuse

This qualitative case study aimed to explore environmental circumstances and interactional processes that appeared to be relevant for the dynamics of resilience in adolescents exposed to child abuse. Fieldwork at a learning and coping centre for children and their families was combined with semi-structured interviews with adolescent participants aged 12 to 18 years. A critical realist approach was used to unpack what has been called the ‘ordinary magic’ of resilience. We found that intensively validating qualities of both the environment and relationships seemed to be driving components for resilience. Borrowing ideas from the sociometer theory, we propose that particularly the consistent intensiveness may offer a recalibration of the adolescents' immediate life-worlds, in terms of how they perceive the people they meet and the environments they step into. In keeping with the transactional-ecological model of resilience, we suggest that such a recalibration leads to altered social agency that becomes visible through their immediate social participation.     

Estimating sexual behavior parameters from routine sexual behavior data

In mathematical models for predicting the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), the rate of acquisition of new sex partners and concurrency, the number of simultaneous sexual partnerships, are important parameters. Yet, information on these parameters is rarely obtained in routine sexual behavior surveys; instead, questions about the total number of sex partners during specific periods are often asked. We present two methods that estimate the rate of partnership acquisition and concurrency from reported numbers of sex partners in two overlapping periods. The first method assumes homogeneous behavior, while the second method also takes account of heterogeneity in sexual behavior. Both methods assume random (Poisson) partnership acquisition and the possibility of overlap in relationships. For both methods it might be relevant to distinguish individuals who are in a stable relationship from those who are not.     

Social work practitioners' experience of the clinical utility of the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory

Clinical utility of an assessment instrument can provide important information about the potential value of that instrument when used in practice. The aim of this study was to describe social work practitioners' experiences of the clinical utility of a Swedish version of the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory. Because knowledge of clinical utility in this area is scarce, a qualitative method based on semi‐structured interviews was used to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. Data were collected through 16 interviews and then analysed by qualitative manifest content analysis. The analysis yielded five categories: improves quality of child protection investigations, supports practitioners, HOME has drawbacks and difficulties, certain issues are important for future applications and basic conditions are crucial. The findings supported the clinical utility of the HOME Inventory though some critical issues have to be addressed, especially concerning the category basic conditions are crucial. A thorough education, the possibility to practice activities related to the administration of the method and support from management were found to be essential. Replication and further studies are needed in the Swedish context to confirm the applicability of the HOME Inventory.     

Implizite und explizite Botschaften in Karriereratgebern f��r Frauen

Many women, especially those with a higher level of education, are eager to prove themselves at work. Nowadays, more and more people turn to anonymous authorities, like therapists and professional coaches, to seek advice and help. Regarding this situation the article examines present career-advice books for women. A reconstructive approach allows to show implicit assumptions and hidden constructions of labour and gender. It unveils the inconsistencies behind the suggested advice given. Furthermore it can be shown how the presented instructions can lead to constant self-improvement and increased self-exploitation.     

Auf den Rangplatz kommt es an – Wirkung der Rangfolge von Produkten auf das Entscheidungsverhalten

Customers often search for and choose from ordered sets. E. g., online shops present their product assortments as lists; very often the products are listed according to criteria as defined by the customers. Based on theoretical explanations it can be assumed that the rank of a product in a list effects its demand. An empirical study run in the market for used cars shows the importance of that effect. The study also reveals the most preferred rank and provides further insights for an optimal ordering of products. Furthermore, the understanding of individual decision about rank ordered products can be deepened.