Association Fellows' Luncheon Address: Maintaining Purpose in a Changing Environment

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the motivational factors and the barriers to physical activity (PA) in traditional college students (TS) and nontraditional college students (NTS) and determine if differences exist between these 2 groups. Participants: A total of 746 college students; 628 were TS (19.1 ± 1.2 years), and 118 were NTS (31.2 ± 8.6 years). Methods: In fall 2010, students voluntarily completed a demographic questionnaire, Barriers to Being Active Quiz, and Exercise Motivations Inventory–2 (EMI-2). Results: EMI-2 revealed that TS and NTS differed on 8 of the 14 motivational factors for exercise. There was a significant difference between TS and NTS for the following barriers: fear of injury (p = .001), lack of resources (p = .017), and lack of skill (p = .003). Conclusion: Based on these findings, interventions can be developed for the varied needs of a diverse student population as it pertains to PA participation.     

服务贸易壁垒的度量及其自由化的影响

随着服务贸易在世界经济贸易中所占比重的逐渐加大,各国学者对服务贸易壁垒的研究也越来越多。近期相关领域的研究发现,度量服务贸易壁垒的几种方法各有优劣,采用哪种方法,可视测量的服务部门而定,多部门分析可以采用频度测量的方法,研究单个部门一般采用价差测量的方法。在金融服务、电信服务、卫生服务和运输服务四个服务领域中,占服务贸易比重最大的运输服务自由化程度反而最低,而金融服务开放程度更高,并且每个领域的服务自由化都会存在正反两方面的影响。     

人民币汇率补贴论:美国贸易堡垒的新借口——以美国《汇率改革促进公平贸易法案》为视角

美国《汇率改革促进公平贸易法案》(编号H.R.2 378,以下简称H.R.2 378法案)的出台已引起中国的强烈反对。该法案针对中国汇率政策,将在特定条件下把所谓"人民币低估"行为视为《补贴与反补贴措施协定》中的出口补贴。但根据世界贸易组织的相关规定和案例,人民币汇率并不构成出口补贴,美国拟采取贸易措施对中国输美产品进行征税,不但于法无据,而且违反非歧视原则,与《补贴与反补贴措施协议》倡导的公平贸易的精神背道而驰,可能引致国际贸易争端,构建新的贸易壁垒。文章对此进行分析,并提出我国应对策略。     

进入壁垒的七种基本定义及其意蕴比较

进入壁垒是研究市场定义和市场势力的核心概念。自从贝恩提出这一概念以来,进入壁垒主要有七种基本定义,其定义有不同的缺点及其效率含义。经济学家围绕进入壁垒的含义进行了大量深入分析,但是对进入壁垒的基本含义、判定标准和主要形式等方面还存在实质性的分歧。     

贸易技术壁垒的大陆法经验

在所谓贸易自由化中,贸易壁垒被不断地打破,这似乎可以自由贸易了,但事实并非如此,贸易保护只不过在不同的国家与地区,被不断地改变了一些观念与手段,至少那类保护性质的贸易规则在贸易活动中是仍然存在的。2008年的金融危机之后,保护主义倾向更明显起来,技术贸易壁垒也更成为继关税壁垒之后,客观上最有表现的贸易保护方式。现在,它又最活跃,叉成为一个有新特点的前沿问题。由于这种壁垒主要涉及到技术性规范,从而使得贸易壁垒的技术含量更高,或者也可以说,贸易规则的制定更技术化。大陆法地区在制度上有着传统的成文法实践,针对贸易活动亦如此,贸易技术壁垒中,大陆法体系下有各种有效的贸易技术措施、尤其是非政府机构规范的制定,其现代贸易制度的经验亦完备而有特色。     

广东应对国外技术性贸易壁垒预警机制的构建

近年来,广东出口贸易突飞猛进,美国、日本、欧盟等发达国家纷纷采用隐蔽性较强、透明度较低、不易监督和预测的保护措施——技术性贸易壁垒,给广东的对外贸易造成很大的障碍。实践证明,建立一套行之有效的技术性贸易壁垒预警机制,可以较好地预防和降低甚至消除技术性贸易壁垒带来的损失。     

Assessing Child Welfare Agency Practices and Attitudes that Affect Father Engagement

ABSTRACT

The importance of fathers' involvement in their children's lives is irrefutable. Supportive, warm, and positive involvement of fathers leads to children being well-adjusted. Indeed, involved fathers positively influence their children's cognitive ability, social behavior, psychological well-being, and educational achievement. For children in foster care, when fathers are involved they have significantly shorter stays in foster care than those whose fathers are not involved. For parents to demonstrate fitness to parent they must show the successful completion of goals specified in a case plan that promotes safety and permanence of their child. This cross-sectional study investigated how fathers' perception of social workers' attitude and practice skills was associated with fathers' understanding and confidence with regard to completing the case plan goals. A purposive sample of 56 child welfare-involved fathers completed the Child Welfare Father Involvement Questionnaire. The findings indicated that the more positive fathers perceived social workers' attitude and skills, the greater their understanding about the case plan goals and greater confidence to complete case plan goals. The results were statistically significant. These results have implications for child welfare training to build the social worker-client relationship in a compassionate manner while maintaining a rigorous assessment and monitoring of fathers' parenting capabilities.     

Self-reported Barriers to Professional Help Seeking Among College Students at Elevated Risk for Suicide

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to describe self-reported barriers to professional help seeking among college students who are at elevated suicide risk and determine if these barriers vary by demographic and clinical characteristics. Participants: Participants were 165 non–treatment seekers recruited as part of a Web-based treatment linkage intervention for college students at elevated suicide risk (from September 2010 through December 2011). Methods: Data were collected using Web-based questionnaires. Two coders coded students’ responses to an open-ended question about reasons for not seeking professional help. Results: The most commonly reported barriers included perception that treatment is not needed (66%), lack of time (26.8%), and preference for self-management (18%). Stigma was mentioned by only 12% of students. There were notable differences based on gender, race, and severity of depression and alcohol abuse. Conclusions: Efforts aimed at reaching students at elevated risk for suicidal behavior should be particularly sensitive to these commonly described barriers.     

Prevalence of clinical autistic traits within a homeless population: barriers to accessing homeless services

ABSTRACT

Recent research suggests a high prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) amongst the homeless population. Although, it is well-documented that autistic people experienced many barriers to accessing health services, little is known about their challenges in accessing homeless services. Thus, the present study aimed to measure prevalence of high levels of autistic traits, and to identify barriers that prevent autistic people accessing homeless services. Participants recruited from homeless services (n?=?65) completed the Autism Quotient-10 (AQ-10) alongside a questionnaire regarding perceived accessibility of homeless services. Results revealed that 18.5% of participants scored Above the Clinical Threshold of the AQ-10 (ACT-AQ). Moreover, the ACT-AQ group reported that encountering big groups in shared accommodation represent a significant barrier to engaging with homeless services. Further research is needed to identify the full degree of ASC representation and the factors that might prevent autistic homeless people accessing homeless services, and thus overcoming homelessness.     

Assessing Service Providers at LGBTQ-Affirming Community Agencies on Their Perceptions of Training Needs and Barriers to Service

Service providers (N = 109) at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ)-affirming social service agencies were surveyed on their perceived training needs, experiences, and barriers to service access experienced by their clients. Hierarchical regression analysis identified that training experiences significantly influenced self-perceived competence, controlling for agency-related factors including the extent of perceived barriers to service. Findings are discussed with implications for training, practice, and future research.