Valuing the invaluable: Do emotional experiences during fertility treatments affect the willingness to pay for them?

Introduction

This paper extends the accepted economic method of valuation by taking psychological factors into consideration.

Impact of educational intervention on willingness-to-pay for suicide prevention: a quasi-experimental study among university students in Japan

Many individuals show negative attitudes toward the use of taxes for suicide prevention. Activities that enhance knowledge and awareness of suicide and suicide prevention may increase willingness to pay (WTP) for suicide prevention. WTP is the amount that a consumer will pay for a product or service. The present study examined the influence of educational activities on enhancing knowledge and awareness of suicide and its prevention on WTP. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to examine the influence of lectures on suicide by comparing the amount of change in WTP between two groups over the same period: an intervention group (n = 92) comprising students who participated in the lectures and a control group (n = 128) comprising general university students recruited through an Internet-based survey. A t-test showed that the amount of change was significantly larger in the intervention group (t (152.31) = 2.25, p = .026). Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that increased WTP was significantly correlated with an annual household income of JPY 4–6 million or higher. It may be appropriate to conclude that participation in lectures about suicide is effective in increasing WTP for suicide prevention.     

Predicting Recycling Behavior from Global and Specific Environmental Attitudes and Changes in Recycling Opportunities1

Surveys of households in a medium-sized city were conducted at three different points in time to investigate changes in general environmental concern (as measured by the New Environmental Paradigm), specific recycling attitudes (as measured by constructs of the Schwartz moral norm model), and recycling behavior that occurred as recycling opportunities increased over time. After the initial data point, a voluntary curbside recycling program was implemented in central sections of the community and then later expanded citywide. The results indicate that over time, the proportion of households indicating that they recycled increased along with the actual volume of materials recycled in the community. General environmental concern and specific attitudes regarding recycling also became more favorable over time with recyclers exhibiting stronger pro-environmental attitudes than nonrecyclers. Specific recycling attitudes were found to be only moderately related to generalized concern for the environment. Lastly, the predictive utility of general environmental concern and specific recycling attitudes were examined.     

Negative Affect Shares Genetic and Environmental Influences with Symptoms of Childhood Internalizing and Externalizing Disorders

The co-occurrence of internalizing and externalizing disorders suggests that they may have common underlying vulnerability factors. Research has shown that negative affect is moderately positively correlated with both internalizing and externalizing disorders in children. The present study is the first to provide an examination of negative affect in relation to a wide spectrum of childhood internalizing and externalizing problems using a biometric model. This study extends prior findings of more narrowly focused associations by using a factor approach including multiple disorders. The sample for this study included families of 691 same-sex 7- to 13-year old twin pairs. A multifactorial independent pathway model was used to examine the genetic and environmental influences underlying the covariation of parent-reported negative affect, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing symptoms. Results of the current study suggest that negative affect shares genetic and environmental influences with both internalizing and externalizing disorders in childhood. These common influences may partially explain their comorbidity. Understanding that negative affect is at least one contributor to the covariation among these disorders may highlight avenues for early risk assessment, intervention, and perhaps prevention.     

Normal Versus Noncentral Chi-square Asymptotics of Misspecified Models

In this article, we present a Bayesian spatial factor analysis model. We extend previous work on confirmatory factor analysis by including geographically distributed latent variables and accounting for heterogeneity and spatial autocorrelation. The simulation study shows excellent recovery of the model parameters and demonstrates the consequences of ignoring spatial dependence. Specifically, we find inefficiency in the estimates of the factor score means and bias and inefficiency in the estimates of the corresponding covariance matrix. We apply the model to Schwartz value priority data obtained from 5 European countries. We show that the Schwartz motivational types of values, such as Conformity, Tradition, Benevolence, and Hedonism, possess high spatial autocorrelation. We identify several spatial patterns—specifically, Conformity and Hedonism have a country-specific structure, Tradition has a North–South gradient that cuts across national borders, and Benevolence has South–North cross-national gradient. Finally, we show that conventional factor analysis may lead to a loss of valuable insights compared with the proposed approach.     

Perfect apples or sustainable production?—Consumer perspectives from Germany

In recent years, environmental problems, such as resource depletion and biodiversity loss, have come to the forefront of society's attention. Consumption of fruits and vegetables from extensive production systems could decrease food loss and increase biodiversity and more sustainable resource use. However, fruits and vegetables from extensive production systems are not always of perfect external quality, and hence, rejected by consumers. To increase acceptance of imperfect fruits, this study aims to better understand consumers' perceptions of different levels of imperfections, using apples as an example. An online survey with 842 German consumers investigated associations, important apple-buying criteria, organic apple consumption, socio-demographics, and willingness to pay (WTP) for apples with different levels of imperfection. The latter is investigated via contingent valuation. A multiple linear regression was calculated for each level of imperfection. Results show that consumers' WTP for apples differed depending on the level of external imperfections. The majority of consumers accepted slightly imperfect apples; a noticeable share would even buy them at the same price as flawless apples. Apples with heavy imperfections were mainly accepted by consumers who had sustainable buying criteria. To increase acceptance, it is important to tell consumers that their food choice can make an impact on how apples are produced, that imperfect apples come from more sustainable production systems and are of perfect internal quality. And finally, it is important to give specific advice that buying these apples can help to increase sustainable resource use and biodiversity.     

The functional theory of human values: From intentional overlook to first acknowledgement—A reply to Schwartz (2014)

Schwartz has been aware of the Functional Theory of Values for over a decade. For the first time, Schwartz (2014) acknowledges the Gouveia theory and provides considerations based on the Gouveia, Milfont, and Guerra (2014) study. In this reply we present a historical overview of the development of the theory, noting unwarranted barriers to the publication of our work. We then address his comments, focusing on the theoretical innovations of the theory and remarking that recent refinements of Schwartz’s model were already evident in the Gouveia theory. Hypotheses tested in Gouveia et al. (2014) are also re-tested and supported with European Social Survey data using the Schwartz PVQ-21. We conclude by summarizing current projects that offer further opportunities to continue the theoretical debate.     

A welfare economic approach to measure outcomes in stuttering: Comparing willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare two welfare outcome measures, willingness to pay (WTP) and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, to measure outcomes in stuttering.MethodSeventy-eight adult participants (74 nonstuttering and 4 persons with stuttering) completed one face-to-face structured interview regarding how much they would be willing to pay to alleviate severe stuttering in three interventions of varying impact. These data were compared with QALYs gained as calculated from time trade off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) data.ResultsMean (median) WTP bids ranged from US$ 16,875 (8000), for an intervention resulting in improvement from severe stuttering to mild stuttering, to US$ 41,844 (10,000) for an intervention resulting in a cure of severe stuttering. These data were consistent with mean changes in QALYs for the same stuttering interventions ranging from 2.19 (using SG) to 18.42 (using TTO).ConclusionsThis study presents the first published WTP and QALY data for stuttering. Results were consistent with previous cost-of-illness data for stuttering. Both WTP and QALY measures were able to quantify the reduction in quality of life that occurs in stuttering, and both can be used to compare the gains that might be achieved by different interventions. It is widely believed that stuttering can cause reduced quality of life for some speakers; the introduction into this field of standardized metrics for measuring quality of life is a necessary step for transparently weighing the costs and consequences of stuttering interventions in economic analyses.Educational objectives: The reader will be able to (a) describe the underlying theoretical foundations for willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years, (b) describe the application of willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years for use in economic analyses, (c) compare and contrast the value of willingness to pay and quality adjusted life years in measuring the impact of stuttering treatment on quality of life, (d) interpret quality adjusted life years, and (e) interpret willingness to pay data.     

In search of a comprehensive value model for assessing supplementary person-organization fit

In this study, the authors tested the comprehensiveness of the S. H. Schwartz (1992) value model as a conceptual framework for assessing supplementary person-organization fit. They conducted an extensive literature search in which they identified 42 value instruments or typologies that are used to measure life, work, or organizational values. Experts judged whether each of 1,578 items from these 42 instruments could be regarded as an indicator of 1 of the 10 value types identified by S. H. Schwartz (1992). The authors found that (a) 92.5% of the items could be classified into 1 of the 10 value types and (b) the remaining items suggested 2 possible new types (goal orientedness and relations). The authors also found indications that 2 value types could be split to obtain a more univocal meaning. Overall, these findings suggest that the S. H. Schwartz (1992) value model might be an appropriate comprehensive framework for studying supplementary person-organization fit.     

The implications of low quality bicycle paths on gaze behavior of cyclists: A field test

Unlike for car driving and walking, the visual behavior during cycling is poorly documented. The aim of this experiment was to explore the visual behavior of adult bicycle users ‘in situ’ and to investigate to what extent the surface quality affects this behavior. Therefore cycling speed, gaze distribution and gaze location of five participants were analyzed on a high and a low quality bicycle track. Although there was no difference in cycling speed between the low and the high quality cycling path, there was an apparent shift of attention from distant environmental regions to more proximate road properties on the low quality track. These findings suggest that low quality bicycle tracks may affect the alertness and responsiveness of cyclists to environmental hazards.     

环境因素与出生缺陷

出生缺陷是严重影响出生人口素质的重要因素之一。引起出生缺陷的因素分为遗传因素和环境因素,单纯由遗传因素或环境因素引起的出生缺陷不到其总数的1/3,另外2/3以上的出生缺陷是由遗传因素和环境因素共同作用所导致的。因此,只有不断深入研究和认识导致出生缺陷发生的原因,辩证地分析不同环境因素在出生缺陷中的作用,才能采取相应的预防和治疗措施,这对于提高出生人口素质具有十分重要的现实意义。     

Willingness to Pay for Local Public Goods: Some Evidence From the Nonprofit Theatre Sector

It is clearly the case that many people may derive option benefits from the embodiment of creativity in cultural products. This article describes a method that can be used to offer more support for a local public good—namely local theatre. This is the application of willingness to pay (WTP) pricing. Survey evidence from two nonprofit regional theatres in the UK were used to examine determinants of the WTP function for local theatre. A WTP equation was estimated and showed the following: Female respondents offered much lower prices; there was a positive influence of income on willingness to pay with a small elasticity; loyalty to the theatre contributed to higher price offers and perceived characteristics poverty of the theatre productions was so strong that it would cancel this out where a person has such feelings. The price terms show that the offered price is linked positively to perceptions of the normal price at the theatre and reasonable prices for other events.     

Integrative perspectives on acculturation

Comments on the original article, "Rethinking the concept of acculturation: Implications for theory and research," by S. J. Schwartz, J. B. Unger, B. L. Zamboanga, and J. Szapocznik (see record 2010-08987-001). Schwartz et al are to be commended for their attempts "to propose an expanded, multidimensional model of acculturation and of the demographic and contextual forces that can influence the acculturation process" (p. 238). In their article, they called attention to key factors such as the generational status of immigrants and their children; the role of location, particularly in ethnic enclaves; and the context of reception that immigrants enter, including the potential discrimination they may face. These variables are the crucial backdrop for the authors' call to "focus on the higher order construct of receiving-culture acquisition as well as on the individual dimensions of this higher order construct-practices, values, and identifications" (p. 246). As a sociologist trained in social psychology, I am pleased by their incorporation of some of the sociological literature on these processes. However, I was surprised by important gaps in their discussion of Portes and Rumbaut's (1996, 2006) work and by their neglect of one of the most widely used terms employed by sociologists to hypothesize outcomes for the very questions Schwartz et al were posing.     

The interaction approach to early intervention

A brief summary of research, supportive of the idea that quality of parent-infant interaction has a powerful effect on infant development, introduces an early intervention model based on that proposition. Also, central to the interaction model is the knowledge that (1) parent and infant both contribute to what happens between them and that (2) a multitude of factors, environmental and internal to parent and infant, affect the parent, the infant, and their interaction. Ten sets of principles and strategies that convey the essence of the interaction model constitute the core of this article. The principles and strategies address the importance of identifying sources of support and stress in the family, of developing relationships with both parents, and of supporting positive interactions between parents and the infant's siblings. The limitations of this model are also addressed, especially in cases where the parent is the primary risk factor. The infant's exposure to nurturing adults in quality day care programs and a more clinical approach with the parent and infant, such as Selma Fraiberg's model, may be more effective with such families.     

The best-worst scaling approach: an alternative to Schwartz's Values Survey

Traditional self-report ratings have some measurement problems that a relatively new method, best-worst scaling (BWS; Finn & Louviere, 1992), may overcome. This alternative method, based on Louviere's BWS, can be used to measure the relative importance or perceived trade-offs among choice alternatives. The method is illustrated as an alternative to the Schwartz Value Survey (SVS; Schwartz, 1992). In a series of samples, it was found that Schwartz values best-worst survey (SVBWS) reproduced Schwartz's (1992) theoretical value structure and supported hypothesized relationships between values and value-expressive behaviors, ethnocentrism, and environmental-related tourism activities. In addition, the SVBWS approach took significantly less respondent time than the traditional SVS approach.     

Does the Value Circle Exist Within Persons or Only Across Persons?

This study tests whether the Schwartz (1992) value circle exists within individuals, not only across individuals, thereby providing evidence for the within‐person rationale underlying the value circle. We analyze responses from five samples (a representative sample in Britain, a general population sample in the United States, and university students in Britain and Iran) varying in value measures of the Schwartz value theory (SVS, PVQ40, PVQ21). An unfolding model is used to map each person's value profile into a two‐dimensional space representing both persons and values. In all samples, clear value circles were found, with values ordered around the circle largely according to the theory. The model also represents most individuals well. The value circle exists within individuals, providing strong support for the underlying within‐person rationale for the Schwartz (1992) value theory. The unfolding analysis allows identifying which persons fit the model less well and in which way, identifying how meaningful subgroups differ in their value profiles, and testing whether meaningful subgroups have different value structures. The model opens up many new possibilities for research linking values to other variables.     

Associations among perceptions of social support, negative affect, and quality of sleep in caregivers and noncaregivers.

The authors used structural equation modeling to examine associations among perceptions of negative affect, social support, and quality of sleep in a sample of caregivers (n = 175) and noncaregiver control participants (n = 169). The authors hypothesized that caregiver status would be related to sleep quality directly and also indirectly by way of negative affect and social support. This hypothesis was partially supported in that caregiving was found to be indirectly related to sleep quality. However, after accounting for the indirect effects of negative affect and social support, the direct effect of caregiving on sleep quality was no longer statistically significant. The structural model accounted for approximately 43% of the variance in sleep quality. The present findings may be useful in the development of successful sleep interventions for caregivers.