Understanding parental leave experiences: connecting the dots with a multiple-methods approach

ABSTRACT

This research note draws selected findings from a multiple-methods study conducted in partnership with a large public-sector employer in Portland, OR to describe the added value of this approach for research translation. We focus on how our study of a newly implemented paid parental leave policy can translate to actionable steps for two important end-users: employers and policymakers. Using administrative records (N?=?579), a countywide employee survey (N?=?137 leave-takers) and focus groups (N?=?35), we describe how each data source contributes important and unique information about how the policy’s implementation affected diverse employees. We find gender differences in how employees changed leave-taking in response to the policy, and describe the critical but nuanced role that supervisors play. Working with employers and policymakers to develop and implement thoughtful policies will help to ensure equitable distribution of the benefits of paid leave policies.     

Quality of care: relationship between the perceptions of elderly home care users and their caregivers

The aim was to study the relationship between elderly home care users', and their caregivers', perceptions of the quality of care. The sample consisted of 151 matched elderly home care user-caregiver pairs in a Swedish municipality. The elderly home care users were interviewed and their caregivers filled in questionnaires using an established, theory-based instrument. Results showed that the elderly home care users evaluated most care components more favourably than their caregivers. On ratings of the various care components' subjective importance to the caretaker, the caregivers consistently scored higher than the elderly home care users. Within the subset of elderly home care users who received help at least twice a day, there were greater similarities between caregivers and caretakers. The results are related to comparable research and discussed in terms of caregivers' needs to legitimize their professional identity and actions.     

个人和社会的关系问题是社会观念的核心问题

个人和社会的关系问题是社会哲学的本体论和方法论确立的基础,是社会观念的核心问题。这一问题对人的生存和发展具有根本意义,是各种社会观念分歧的聚焦点,是解决社会哲学其他重大理论问题的逻辑前提。哲学史上的个体原子主义和社会整体主义是实体性的、单向度的思维方式,具有二难选择、机械循环和理论前提批判不彻底等缺陷,是用非关系性的思维思考关系性的对象和问题。马克思的交往实践理论是社会观念的根本变革,它论证了个人和社会相互同构、相互映照和不可相互归约的张力关系,坚持了人和社会相互追问、辩证批判的解释性循环和历史主义方法,说明了个人和社会辩证联结、交互作用的过程。深入研究马克思解决这一问题的思维进路,具有重要的理论价值和现实意义。     

Individual rights and collective obligation. Compulsory intervention towards substance abusers in Norwegian social law

This article focuses on an important duality in the modern welfare state: the will to help our fellow citizens through institutionalized welfare policies, and the danger of violating individual liberty and integrity. Individual rights of self-determination and integrity are important values of the liberal constitutional government (the Rechtstaat). Our collective ethical obligation to help those in need is an important value of the welfare state. With respect to compulsory intervention towards adult and under-age substance abusers, the possible tensions between these values are particularly visible. The legal foundation for such efforts in Norwegian social law is discussed with regard to different ethical and moral principles. The main questions are how compulsory interventions are justified and how different principles are weighted in positive law. The ethical principles of collective obligation and the moral principle of individual rights are differently balanced in the Child Care Service Act and the Social Service Act. Both acts, however, expose the problematic combination of solving social problems by the use of force and securing individual autonomy and integrity.     

Substance use and other factors associated with child welfare case duration: Looking beyond out of home care

Little is known about factors associated with child welfare case duration. Understanding factors associated with case duration may help stakeholders make more informed decisions about funding and service allocation and improve compliance with federal law. This study had two research questions: (1) What factors are associated with child welfare case duration? And (2) Do factors differ depending on whether children were placed exclusively with parents or with others (e.g. relatives and foster care) during the case? The study sample consisted of families (N = 874) with co-occurring child maltreatment and substance use in one midwestern state in the United States between 2007 and 2016. Linear regression models were used to identify correlates of case duration while controlling for child placement status. Overall, having a child under 1 year of age, benzodiazepine use, methamphetamine use and injection drug use were all associated with longer case duration, whereas marijuana use with no other substance use was associated with shorter case duration. Additionally, factors associated with case duration differed based on child placement status during the case. These findings suggest important heterogeneity in families involved with child welfare services and may allow for proactive mitigation of cases at greater risk.     

Unmet mental health and substance abuse treatment needs of sexual minority elders

In a survey exploring the reliability and validity of a screening tool, we explored the substance abuse and mental health issues among 371 elders; 74 were sexual minorities. Analyses by age group indicated that elders 55-64 years had significantly more problems with substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts compared to those 65 and older. Bisexuals reported significantly greater problems with depression, anxiety, and suicidality than either heterosexual or lesbian or gay elders. Mental health and substance abuse treatment utilization was low among all elders with problems. Implications for assessment, access to care, and group-specific services delivery are discussed.     

The Effects of Honesty and Openness About Sexual Orientation on Gay and Bisexual Clients in Substance Abuse Programs

A convenience sample of 183 gay, lesbian, and bisexual participants who were previously treated in substance abuse programs, completed surveys that included questions regarding their honesty and openness about their sexual orientation with counselors and clients in their programs, as well as in their personal lives. It was found that levels of honesty and openness in treatment positively correlated with reported program completion, satisfaction with treatment, feelings of therapeutic support, and feelings of connection to the program. However, there were no correlations between honesty and openness and reported abstinence from substances at the end of treatment and at the time of survey completion.     

Impact of Mentors During Adolescence on Outcomes Among Gay Young Adults

ABSTRACT

Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and the Adolescent Health and Academic Achievement study datasets, this study examined whether natural mentoring relationships during adolescence were associated with young adult outcomes among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. Outcomes in three domains were investigated: education and employment, psychological wellbeing, and substance use and abuse. Results indicated that LGB persons reporting natural mentors during adolescence were about three times as likely to graduate from high school as those without. Discussion surrounds strategies to foster mentoring relationships within the school environment or community.     

基于TRIZ物场分析的管理创新方法

管理问题错综复杂,类型各异,寻找解决方案的切入点很重要,管理创新受管理主体的惰性影响严重,创新时如何突破管理人员惯性思维来寻找解决思路亦很重要.将TRIZ理论中的物场分析方法与管理创新相结合,直接从管理问题的主体、对象、手段以及主体对对象的作用类型出发分析问题,针对效用不足或产生有害作用的管理,通过管理手段的轮动、替换,彼此搭配,管理主体与管理对象的引入、改变来实现管理的正常化,可建立起一种迅速定位管理问题类型的“管理物场模型”以及与模型对应可突破行业思维惯性寻找管理创新问题解决思路的集合,最终形成一种全新的管理创新方法.     

“一体多元”论

论述了“一体多元”理论内涵中的5项重要内容,即一体之“一”、一体之“体”、多元之“多”、多元之“元”以及心物相即的真相是“一体多元”;以此5项内容为根本,对“一体”、“多元”以及潜藏在或者生发在“一体”、“多元”中的“无体无元”做了一次原创性的区分与综合,并在这种区分与综合的辩证建构与解构中对其进行了分析。分析认为：人类生命的主观与宇宙万有的客观,即心物的根本特质就是“一体多元”,提示了人类心灵实践进向的新的可能性。