Does media coverage influence public attitudes towards welfare recipients? The impact of the 2011 English riots

Following the shooting of Mark Duggan by police on 4 August 2011, there were riots in many large cities in the UK. As the rioting was widely perceived to be perpetrated by the urban poor, links were quickly made with Britain's welfare policies. In this paper, we examine whether the riots, and the subsequent media coverage, influenced attitudes toward welfare recipients. Using the British Social Attitudes survey, we use multivariate difference‐in‐differences regression models to compare attitudes toward welfare recipients among those interviewed before (pre‐intervention: i.e. prior to 6 August) and after (post‐intervention: 10 August–10 September) the riots occurred (N = 3,311). We use variation in exposure to the media coverage to test theories of media persuasion in the context of attitudes toward welfare recipients. Before the riots, there were no significant differences between newspaper readers and non‐readers in their attitudes towards welfare recipients. However, after the riots, attitudes diverged. Newspaper readers became more likely than non‐readers to believe that those on welfare did not really deserve help, that the unemployed could find a job if they wanted to and that those on the dole were being dishonest in claiming benefits. Although the divergence was clearest between right‐leaning newspaper and non‐newspaper readers, we do not a find statistically significant difference between right‐ and left‐leaning newspapers. These results suggest that media coverage of the riots influenced attitudes towards welfare recipients; specifically, newspaper coverage of the riots increased the likelihood that readers of the print media expressed negative attitudes towards welfare recipients when compared with the rest of the population.     

Men,Gender, and Health: Toward an Interdisciplinary Approach

Abstract

The anatomy and physiology of the ears, nose, and sinuses are reviewed. Diseases and injuries typically associated with water sports are discussed, with emphasis on pathophysiology, treatment, and preventative measures.

“Screening for Chlamydial Infections in Women Attending Family Planning Clinics: Evaluation of Presumptive Indicators for Therapy,” JULIUS SCHACHTER, EILEEN STONER, and JEANNE MONCADA. Chlamydia trachomatis was recovered from the cervices of 9.8 percent (268/2,729) of women attending seven family planning clinics. The infection rate varied from 5.5 percent to 22.5 percent in different clinics. Chlamydial infection could be associated with younger age, nulliparity, being black and use of oral contraceptives. Most (70 percent) of the chlamydial infections were inapparent and presumptive indicators for antichlamydial therapy that are useful for symptomatic women will not make a major impact on this reservoir. It is concluded that chlamydial cultures are needed to deal with the high prevalence of these infections. (Western Journal of Medicine 1983 Mar;138:375–379.)     

Some Correlates of Emotional Well-Being Among New England College Students

Abstract

In a questionnaire survey of New England college students, a large number of undergraduate men and women reported problems related to their personal, social, or academic adjustment. Given a list of 22 items described as “common concerns or feelings experienced by college students,” respondents were asked to rate the extent to which each item had been a problem for them in the past year. Most students (86%) reported having very much or somewhat of a problem with one or more items on the list. Pressure to do well in school, problems with weight control, anxiety, poor concentration and depression were among the most commonly reported concerns. The prevalence of these self-reported concerns and problems was found to be significantly associated with the respondents' sex, their perceptions of their health status, and academic standing.     

Attitudes of Social Work Students About Substance Abuse: Can a Brief Educational Program Make a Difference?

ABSTRACT

This study examined whether a brief educational program could modify attitudes of master's level social work students about substance abuse. Study methodology involved a two-group pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design. The Substance Abuse Attitude Survey, a standardized assessment instrument, was used to measure attitudes based on five distinct factors. No significant changes in student attitudes were found after participating in the educational session. Recommendations are offered for how social work schools may enhance their efforts to prepare students to effectively work with substance abusing clients and their families.     

Understanding Older Americans' Attitudes,Knowledge, and Fears About Vision Loss and Aging

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to identify factors associated with attitudes, knowledge, and fear of age-related vision impairment in a representative sample of US adults age 55 and older. Data were obtained from a national telephone survey. Attitudes toward vision impairment and aging were positive, but fears were extensive and knowledge was lacking. Higher socioeconomic status and experience with nonrelated persons who were visually impaired predicted better attitudes and greater knowledge. Being a women and having experience with persons who were visually impaired predicted lower fear. Findings emphasize the importance of accurate knowledge and training about visual impairment for practitioners working with this population.     

中国非英语专业大学生汉语和英语阅读观念关系研究

借助“语言阈限假设”理论，调查汉语与英语阅读观念关系问题。研究发现，学生的汉语和英语阅读观念是不同的。汉语阅读观念在英语阅读观念的解释上有极大的作用；英语水平的贡献在许多方面也是显著的，但影响较小。语言阈限的概念不适用于汉语和英语间阅读观念的转移。     

Perceptions of Resistance to Unwanted Sexual Advances

Abstract

In this study we investigated which response strategies used by females against unwanted sexual advances were more likely to be interpreted as token resistance. Male and female participants were given one of seven brief scenarios which varied the type of response to an unwanted sexual advance. The participants were asked to indicate the extent to which they thought the female wanted the male to stop his advances. Also, they were asked to attribute positive and negative feelings to the female. Finally, the participants were given the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale. As predicted, the results indicated that for both males and females, the more salient and direct responses were less likely to be interpreted as token resistance. These responses also resulted in less positive feelings and more negative feelings being attributed to the female in that situation. Also, male participants whose scores on the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale indicated beliefs consistent with rape myths were more likely to interpret a female's response as token resistance.     

Beliefs About Diet and Health:

Low income older women (N = 20) in South Carolina were recruited from congregate meal sites for qualitative interviews to assess beliefs about general health, physical functioning, and preventive health behaviors. A loosely structured interview guide of topics was used to encourage free expression of informants' ideas. The Ethnograph analysis package was used for data analysis. In response to open-ended questions, the women spontaneously shared their beliefs about diet and health. Implications for health promotion in rural areas are discussed.