Comparison on predictors of mental health service use among Asian older adults

Studies have mostly examined mental health service use of older Asian immigrant combining all Asian Americans into one group whereas immigration backgrounds and socioeconomic status of each Asian minority group are different. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of mental health service use within specific ethnic groups among older Asian adults focusing on Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and Vietnamese in California. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations (BMVP) is used to guide the secondary data analysis of a sample of 3,453 older Asian immigrants from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Logistic and linear regression analyses are performed to examine predictors of mental health service use and the frequency of mental health service use, respectively. As results, mental health‐seeking patterns differ by ethnicity within the older Asian immigrant sample, not being married (Korean), higher levels of acculturation (Filipino), lower levels of neighborhood cohesion (Korean and Vietnamese), higher levels of perceived safety (Korean) and lower levels of perceived safety (Vietnamese), higher levels of mental distress (Korean and Filipino), and having perceived need (all) were related to more visits for mental health services. The study findings highlight the necessity of cultural competency services and programs for each Asian ethnicity.     

Key Determinants to using Telehealth Technology to Serve Medically Ill and Depressed Homebound Older Adults

Despite the increasing evidence for the effectiveness of telehealth technology in screening and treating chronic diseases, and comorbid depression among older adults, they have been slowly adopted by home health care (HHC) agencies. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors that determine telehealth technology adoption. Twenty directors from the National Association for Homecare & Hospice member agencies completed a 45-min telephone interview. Questions were asked regarding their perceptions of telehealth, the key determinants of telehealth adoption and use, and recommendations they would give on telehealth adoption. The majority of the participants perceived telehealth as effective for managing symptoms and reducing cost. Meanwhile, some participants had a mixed feeling toward telehealth for depression care as they did not recognize their agency as equipped with the necessary resources and trained staff. Moreover, significant determinants of telehealth adoption included the agency-related characteristics, the patient-home environment, reimbursement and cost-related factors, and staff telehealth perception. Findings imply that there is a need for financial support both at the state and the federal levels to encourage telehealth adoption among HHC agencies. Future studies should consider exploring strategies used by successful programs to overcome barriers.     

Sexual Health Services for Homeless Youth: A Qualitative Analysis of their Experiences

The sexual health problems experienced by homeless youth bring into question their use of available sexual health services. Using a qualitative typological analysis, this study aims to identify sexual health services utilization profiles for homeless youth, and to understand the role of the homeless experience on the utilization of sexual health services. Individual interviews were conducted with 33 homeless youth (17 men, 16 women) between 18 and 25?years of age. Typological analysis identified four profiles: (1) a targeted use of sexual health services to determine one’s serological status following a relational change during the homeless experience; (2) a limited use of sexual health services to manage sexual emergencies that arise during the homeless experience; (3) a regular use of sexual health services to avoid the risks associated with the homeless experience; (4) a frequent use of sexual health services to obtain support when engaging in prostitution during the homeless experience. This study shows that the precarious and unstable conditions within the homeless experience incite youth to utilize sexual health services in different ways. These findings point to the importance of rethinking sexual health services to better adapt them to the different utilization profiles of homeless youth.     

关于提升我国教育服务贸易竞争力的战略思考

在经济全球化和知识经济的背景下,教育服务贸易已经成为一些国家的主要贸易收入来源.我国的教育服务在加入世贸组织后被推向了全球竞争与发展的轨道,被推向了国际大市场.文章分析了我国教育服务贸易发展现状和存在的问题,提出了提升我国教育服务贸易竞争力的发展思路和对策.     

基于顾客网络评价的乡村民宿服务质量分析 ——以武夷山南源岭村民宿为例

以武夷山南源岭乡村民宿作为研究对象,选取携程旅行网的顾客评价数据为样本,利用ROST CM 6内容挖掘软件,进 行评论信息提取,建立3项一级指标和13项二级指标,并将点评内容与民宿服务质量测评指标相对应,分析武夷山南源岭乡村 民宿服务质量。最后,针对服务质量的不足提出升级民宿硬件设施设备、加强民宿经营者培训等意见和建议。     

大学生思想政治教育的新载体———志愿服务探析

志愿服务活动是大学生参与社会实践的重要方式,也是大学生进行自我教育的有效途径.志愿服务代表的助人和自助精神与大学生思想政治教育相契合,已成为新时期大学生思想政治教育的新载体.但在目前志愿服务活动开展过程中尚存在一些问题,如参与动机不纯,导向作用不清晰;活动内涵待深化,育人功能不到位;活动持续性差,载体作用发挥缺乏稳定性等.文章从加强对大学生志愿者的培训和激励、不断拓展志愿服务的广度和深度、建立服务基地、搭建活动平台、打造大学生志愿服务行动品牌等方面提出了相应的对策,以期更好地发挥志愿服务在大学生思想政治教育中的载体作用     

公共服务市场化的国际比较及其启示

公共服务市场化在西方的实践有着深刻的历史背景和广泛的内涵,作为西方各国行政改革最核心的部分,它使政府从繁杂的公共事务中脱离出来,同时在相当大程度上提高了公共服务的水平。因此,公共服务市场化对我国政府行政改革同样具有重要的意义,借鉴别国的实践经验为我所用,构建公共服务新体制,是实现我国政府行政改革目标的新途径。     

建立中国特色的社区综合养老社会服务体系

支持老人就地养老是当前老年社会服务的一个核心实践。它不仅能够让老人在熟悉的社区环境里度过晚年,维系对身心健康具有重要意义的社会网络和社会支持,而且与机构照顾相比,能够显著降低社会成本。分析我国当前社区养老服务的有利条件和不利因素,总结梳理国际上的养老服务经验,提出在我国城市和农村建立社区综合养老社会服务体系的框架。这一框架试图将当前参与养老社会服务的多元主体纳入其中,包括社区养老服务、机构养老服务、居家养老服务、家庭(类似家庭或模拟家庭)养老、结伴(老年公寓)养老等方面。最后就政府的宏观战略规划、完善社会服务支持体系和构建良好的养老环境提出了政策建议,以期对社区综合养老服务体系的建立和完善提供必要支持。     

社会主义新农村建设中基本公共服务均等化问题

社会主义新农村建设涉及农村居民生活的方方面面,公平有效的基本公共服务能为农村居民的生活和生产提供基础性保障。中国城乡分割二元体制以及公共服务供给机制不健全等,制约了基本公共服务均等化进程。在推进社会主义新农村建设的过程中,要加强关乎民生等基础公共性领域的制度安排,充分发挥财政转移支付的作用,加大对农村基本公共服务的投入,建立农民需求表达机制与政府回应机制,以及以政府为核心、多元参与的农村公共服务供给体系,实现基本公共服务均等化。