Cohabitors’ Reasons for Living Together,Satisfaction with Sacrifices,and Relationship Quality

The purpose of our study was to identify both negative and positive associations of cohabitation with relationship quality. Using a sample of 280 cohabitors, we examined how reasons for cohabitation (i.e., spending time together, testing the relationship, and convenience) are associated with relationship quality (i.e., commitment, satisfaction, ambivalence, and conflict) as moderated by satisfaction with sacrifices. Results showed that a higher score on spending time together as a reason for cohabitation was linked with greater commitment and satisfaction and lower ambivalence and conflict, even when cohabitors reported lower satisfaction with sacrifices. In contrast, a higher score on testing the relationship as a reason for cohabitation was linked with more ambivalence regardless of the level of satisfaction with sacrifices. Finally, a higher score on convenience as a reason for cohabitation was linked with lower commitment, including when cohabitors reported lower satisfaction with sacrifices. Collectively, our results are important in demonstrating the positive and negative aspects of cohabitation in association with relationship quality and when satisfaction with sacrifices moderates such associations.     

Understanding the Decision to Marry Versus Cohabit: The Role of Interpersonal Dedication and Constraints and the Impact on Life Satisfaction

The current study explored men's and women's reasons for choosing to marry rather than to cohabit using a national data set (n = 786) of adults who were currently married or had been married previously. Using commitment theory participant's open-ended reasons for choosing to marry were coded into categories of either interpersonal dedication or constraint commitment. A variety of demographic, attitudinal, and relationship history variables were then used to predict commitment type. The influence of commitment type during the decision to marry on life satisfaction was also explored. Results indicate that current marital status (being married vs. being divorced or separated) and cohabiting before marriage were the strongest predictors of interpersonal dedication reasons for marriage for both men and women. Level of conventionality and parents' marital status also emerged as significant predictors of constraint commitment. Finally, marrying for reasons related to interpersonal dedication significantly predicted higher life satisfaction for men but not for women.     

Relationships Among Active Engagement in Life Activities and Quality of Life for Assisted-Living Residents

This cross-sectional research explored the relationships between active engagement in life activities (leisure, social, and instrumental activities of daily living) and quality of life for seniors aged 65 and older residing in assisted living facilities. It is increasingly recognized that active participation in diverse physical, cognitive, and social activities can promote older adults’ quality of life, including physical and mental health, but there is limited information about this in the population of residents in assisted living facilities. It is estimated that there are one million older adults residing in assisted living facilities, making assisted living facilities a rapidly growing segment of senior housing. Older adults who relocate to assisted living facilities commonly experience lifestyle changes, often related to their altered physical and social environment, reduced demands regarding household chores and meal preparation, and new opportunities for recreation and socialization. In this study, interviews were conducted with 131 ambulatory residents from assisted living facilities in the New York City metropolitan area using the 55-Item Activity Checklist, SF-36v2, Life Satisfaction Index-Z, and demographic questions. Results found significant low to moderate correlations between retained engagement in life activities (leisure, social, and instrumental activities of daily living) and life satisfaction, and several quality of life domains, including physical functioning, mental health, general health, and vitality. Older adults continued to engage in a greater percentage of everyday life activities they identified as important. This data supports exploration of client-centered activity programs to promote participation of residents in assisted living facilities in diverse activities to both maintain resident functional abilities and manage functional decline.     

Individual and Familial Correlates of Body Satisfaction in Male and Female College Students

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the relative contributions of global self-esteem, body mass index (BMI), dieting behaviors, and perceived parental control and care on body satisfaction among a nonclinical sample of college students. Participants and Methods: Participants (49 males and 299 females) reported weight and height (to calculate BMI) and completed the EAT 26 test. Perceived parental care and control, global self-esteem, and body satisfaction were measured and examined in relation to BMI and dieting behavior. Results: High BMIs were associated with lower body satisfaction for both genders; dieting behavior, self-esteem, and perceived parental care and control demonstrated a unique gender-specific association among variables in prediction of body satisfaction and dieting behavior for each gender. Conclusions: Body satisfaction as a part of global self-esteem is constructed differently by males and females. Various aspects of parenting (care and control) are associated with self-esteem and body satisfaction for each gender, influencing dieting behavior.     

Evaluation of Adult Protective Services: Perspectives of Community Professionals

ABSTRACT

Due to challenges associated with client characteristics, funding, and the expectation of poor outcomes, few studies have evaluated the services provided by Adult Protective Services (APS). The article reports community-based professionals' satisfaction with APS when investigating cases of suspected elder abuse. Results from a 12-item quantitative survey indicate respondents were most satisfied with the intake process, followed by assessment, and case management. Satisfaction was higher than expected, though areas for improvement are identified. This survey and its results should serve as a starting point for more extensive evaluation methodologies needed to enhance the delivery of services provided by APS.     

全日制专业学位研究生校外导师队伍建设思考

导师是研究生培养的关键要素。建立科学、合理的全日制专业学位研究生校外导师队伍,是保证全日制专业学位研究生培养质量的前提。当前全日制专业学位研究生校外导师队伍建设存在着数量不足、管理不规范、整体素质有待提高、与校内导师配合不够紧密等问题。应通过完善政府激励机制、高校管理制度,提高校外导师研究指导水平等方面的措施,促进高素质的校外导师队伍建设。     

大学生就业能力与社会需求匹配状况分析——基于江西高校的调查

大学生充分就业是社会和谐发展的一个重要方面,大学生的就业能力与社会需求匹配程度决定了大学生的就业程度。通过对江西高校大学生就业能力与社会需求匹配状况的调查,发现大学生在创新能力、动手能力、社会责任感、人际能力等方面与需求的匹配程度较低,主要原因是高校的育人机制方面存在问题,同时在人力资本理论、资源基础观理论、学术资本理论和人职匹配理论等方面的应用存在不足。提升大学生就业能力与社会需求匹配程度,需要在高校、用人单位、政府、大学生等主体之间构建静态机制和动态机制。     

Factors Affecting Choice and Satisfaction: Social Work in Turkey

ABSTRACT

The study examines the relationship between professional choices and employment expectations of social worker trainees in the country of Turkey. Professional choices are examined according to gender and the relationship between employment expectations and satisfaction. This study examined responses with a comparative relational scanning model with a sample of 692 social service (social worker) trainees studying at four different universities in Turkey. Students were surveyed and answered 25 open- and closed-ended questions identifying aspects related to their career choice. Study findings reveal that gender, university entrance scores, and employability were high among the career selection factors. Additional factors identified included family-related factors, personality traits, and compatibility. Examination of the findings is discussed, and recommendations for further research are made.     

Social Support,Caregiver Burden,and Life Satisfaction in a Sample of Rural African American and White Caregivers of Older Persons With Dementia

This article reports the findings of a study of African American and White dementia caregivers (n = 141) living in rural areas of Alabama that examined the relations between the participants' receipt of informal social support, and their levels of caregiver burden and life satisfaction. The sample, as a whole, reported high levels of social support with no reported differences in social support by race. Female caregivers reported higher mean scores on 3 of the 4 dimensions of social support than their male counterparts. Two of the 4 dimensions of social support accounted for 32% of the variance of the caregivers' reported level of life satisfaction.