Dimensions of Identity Development Scale: Confirmatory factor analysis,gender invariance,and external validity of the Persian version

The present study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties and gender invariance of the Iranian version of the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS). A total of 1453 adolescents (50.8% female; 14–18 years old, mean = 15.48) participated in a cross-sectional study and completed the DIDS and the Youth Self-Report of behavior problems. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported the six-factor model of the DIDS, echoing past studies showing the original 5th factor (Exploration in Depth) being divided into Exploration in Depth and Reconsidering the Commitment. The invariance testing showed comparable measurement properties of the DIDS across males and females (strict measurement invariance). Further, behavior problems were associated positively with Ruminative Exploration and negatively with Commitment Making, Identification with Commitments, Exploration in Depth, and Reconsideration of Commitments, whereas the opposite was true for academic performance. A six-factor DIDS was shown to be a valid and reliable measure for the assessment of identity development dimensions among Iranian adolescents. Future studies in the Iranian context evaluating the identity clusters derived from identity dimensions and their gender differences are warranted.     

Perceived Climate in Physical Activity Settings

This study focused on the perceived climate for LGBT youth and other minority groups in physical activity settings. A large sample of undergraduates and a selected sample including student teachers/interns and a campus Pride group completed a school climate survey and rated the climate in three physical activity settings (physical education, organized sport, exercise). Overall, school climate survey results paralleled the results with national samples revealing high levels of homophobic remarks and low levels of intervention. Physical activity climate ratings were mid-range, but multivariate analysis of variation test (MANOVA) revealed clear differences with all settings rated more inclusive for racial/ethnic minorities and most exclusive for gays/lesbians and people with disabilities. The results are in line with national surveys and research suggesting sexual orientation and physical characteristics are often the basis for harassment and exclusion in sport and physical activity. The current results also indicate that future physical activity professionals recognize exclusion, suggesting they could benefit from programs that move beyond awareness to skills and strategies for creating more inclusive programs.     

试论爱伦·坡的种族观

出于对国家未来的焦虑,爱伦.坡把当时美国社会尖锐的种族问题巧妙融入小说叙事中。他用隐喻、象征等多种艺术手法,对残酷的奴隶制和种族压迫进行了无情的批判和鞭挞,对黑奴的悲惨遭遇表达了深切的同情和怜悯。然而,坡深受南方传统文化的熏陶,其思想上的保守因子导致种族立场的局限性和不彻底性。为了避免过分触及种族问题而陷入政治漩涡,他在小说中采取一种调和策略,即一种既不触怒白人读者、又能为大多数黑人所接受的"平均种族主义"。坡竭力在小说中构建一个没有种族歧视、种族迫害的理想世界,表达了对黑人、白人等多种族和谐共存的美好憧憬。     

当美国犹太人遇上黑人——试论马拉默德的种族观

马拉默德一直很关注美国犹太人与黑人的种族关系,在其三部作品中都涉及到了这个问题,在马拉默德看来,美国犹太人与黑人的关系一直处在动态变化之中,并不能够简单地以“结盟”或“分裂”这样的字眼来概括。由于历史和种族的原因,这两个民族产生过种种误会和隔阂,只有用爱与怜悯、理解与宽恕的方式去面对矛盾和分歧,才能使他们真正和睦相处。他的这一种族观,正是源于他一贯坚持的人道主义思想。     

Factorial Invariance of the Indecision Scale of the Career Decision Scale: A Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Results of a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (N= 686) indicated factorial invariance of a 3‐factor model of the Indecision scale of the Career Decision Scale (CDS; Osipow, Carney, Winer, Yanico, & Koschier, 1976 ). Differential item function was not observed when ΔCFI (comparative fit index) was used for comparison of models, thus indicating strong measurement invariance across gender. Men had significantly greater latent means for all 3 dimensions of career indecision. Given the multidimensional structure, use of the CDS may provide an initial step to help practitioners identify possible factors that are responsible for a client's career indecision. Clients may need assistance for initiating a career search, information to help them identify career possibilities for a chosen major, or detailed information concerning several possible careers that are under consideration.     

Gangs as Alternative Transitional Structures

SUMMARY

This paper reports the results of a comparative study of youth gangs in minority communities in Los Angeles and London, England. A combined qualitative-quantitative research design was used to obtain information on the experiences, attitudes and behaviors of Black youth who were involved with or influenced by gangs.

Measures included two semi-structured interview schedules for focus groups and individual youth, respectively. Demographic data and statistics on social indicators were obtained for this population in both cities from government and social agency reports on rates of school drop-outs, youth unemployment, involvement in the juvenile/criminal justice system, and health/mental health utilization.

The sample included a total of 144 African-American youth, ages 15-30, in 17 focus groups and 32 for individual interviews in Los Angeles, and a total of 86 Afro-Caribbean youth, ages 15-24, in ten focus groups and 66 for individual interviews in London. Results suggest that gangs provide minority youth with an alternative transitional structure for achieving social and economic mobility.     

Immigration and Immigrants

Abstract

Public opinion polls conducted from 1964 to 1999 found that Americans' desire to reduce immigration increased dramatically, but there existed a wide variation regarding which nationalities were to be restricted. Furthermore, the majority believed that many immigrants wind up on welfare and raise taxes for Americans and, hence, cause problems for the United States. This article reports on these findings and their implications for current political attitudes toward immigration and recent change and proposed changes inimmigration laws and programs.     

A Review of: “Dattilio,Frank M. (2010). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Couples and Families: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians.”

This conceptual study focuses on health disparities among African Americans in the Arkansas Delta. The author uses an ecosocial perspective to explore several social and individual-level influences upon patients' perceptions of health care quality, including health beliefs and life experiences of discrimination that can lead to not accessing health care systems. The study findings identify community-based strengths that can inform the development of strategies and programs to reduce rural health disparities. The discussion includes the potential implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for progress in health care quality and health equality, especially for rural racial/ethnic minorities.     

Male Juveniles with Sexual Behavior Problems: Are There Differences Among Racial Groups?

This study used archival data on a sample of 186,492 referrals from a southwestern state Juvenile Probation Commission to compare the characteristics of 5,439 male Black, Hispanic, and White juveniles with sexual behavior problems on the five most common sexual offenses in the data set. The characteristics of 181,053 juveniles of the three races without sexual behavior problems were also compared on the basis of the seven most common nonsexual offenses. The bases of comparison were the seven variables: reported incidence of sexual offenses, the primary caregivers or living arrangements, age, suspected sexual abuse, suspected emotional abuse, suspected physical abuse, and special education status, on which racial differences were found. Prevention and treatment implications of findings are discussed.     

A Review of: “Producing Sperm Sperm Counts: Overcome by Man's Most Precious Fluid. By Lisa Jean Moore.”

This paper offers a preliminary conceptualization of the psychological structure of AIDS‐related attitudes among American adults and describes some of the social and psychological factors that affect those attitudes. Data were collected first from participants in focus groups in five U.S. cities and then from respondents in a national telephone survey. Two major psychological dimensions of attitudes were observed consistently. The first dimension, labeled COERCION/COMPASSION, includes judgments about the extent to which AIDS is viewed as highly contagious and requiring containment, through coercion if necessary. It also includes attributions of blame to people with AIDS. The second dimension, PRAGMATISM/MORALISM, includes judgments about the extent to which AIDS is viewed as controllable through research, public education and governmental sponsorship of behavior‐change programs. The two attitude dimensions are not highly correlated. Regression analyses suggest that the two dimensions have different social and psychological antecedents and that these antecedents differ between White and Black Americans. Using the two factors, a tentative typology of responses to the AIDS epidemic is presented. Implications for AIDS education and policy are discussed.