Examining Satisfaction of Older Home Owners with Intergenerational Homesharing

We surveyed 252 homeowners in three midwestern cities about their satisfaction with intergenerational homesharing, using a 21-question survey with 5 satisfaction-with-life dimensions. The purpose of this study was to see if homeowners would report changes in these satisfaction dimensions as a result of taking part in homesharing. An additional purpose was to see if there were age differences, gender differences, and length-of-match differences in satisfaction. Across the five satisfaction dimensions of the survey, 94% of the responses indicated that older participants' lives had either stayed the same or improved due to involvement in intergenerational homesharing. Results suggest that younger homeowners (ages 50 to 69) reaped more financial benefits from homesharing, probably because the purpose of their homesharing match was for the collection of rent. Older homeowners (age 70 and older), who are more likely to be looking for companionship and assistance, reported significantly greater satisfaction than younger homeowners in the dimensions of health, well-being and social activities. Males reported being significantly better off than females in the areas of well-being and health. No differences based on length of homesharing match were found. These data are generally consistent with previous survey work conducted on intergenerational homesharing, suggesting that homesharing is a viable housing option for older homeowners. Given that verbal reports may not be consistent with behavior, the collection of direct observation outcome data on homesharing is recommended for future research on homesharing.     

Rapid Error Correction During Human Arm Movements

Studies were made of rapid error correction movements in eight subjects performing a visually guided tracking task involving flexion-extension movements about the elbow. Subjects were required to minimize reaction times in this two-choice task. Errors in initial movement direction occurred in about 3% of the trials. Error correction times (time from initiation to reversal of movement in incorrect direction) ranged from 30-150 ms. The first sign of correction of the error movement was a suppression of the electromyographic (EMG) activity in the muscle producing the error movement. This suppression started as early as 20-40 ms after the initiation of the error-related EMG activity and as much as 50 ms before any overt sign of limb movement. The correction of the error movement was also accompanied by an increase in the drive to the muscle which moved the arm in the correct direction. This increased activity always occurred after the initiation of the error movement. It is concluded that the first step in the error correction, suppression of drive to the muscle producing the error movement, cannot be based on information from the moving limb. It is thus suggested that this earliest response to the error movement is based on central monitoring of the commands for movement.     

Simulation Modeling of Policies Directed at Youth Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption

Childhood obesity is a significant public health problem requiring innovative solutions. While recent reviews indicate that some policies show promise, there is a lack of information regarding which policies, and policy combinations, work best. Low-nutrition, energy-dense foods and beverages such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have been identified as a major contributor to the problem. The purpose of this paper is to use simulation modeling to show how changes in three categories of SSB policies—school nutrition, school-based education, and taxes—impact SSB and other food consumption. The model shows that policies directed at SSBs, particularly tax hikes, could lead to substantial reductions in the number of calories consumed by youth. The estimates, however, are subject to a high degree of uncertainty. Estimates from school-based nutrition and school-based education policies, while also helping to reduce caloric intake, generally show smaller effects than tax policies and considerable variation around parameter estimates for individual and combined policies. We conclude with a discussion of the limits of the model, and suggest where additional information is needed. Limitations notwithstanding, simulation modeling is a promising methodology that can help advance our understanding of policy effects, thereby helping policymakers to better formulate effective policies to reduce obesity prevalence and the associated social harms.     

Survey of School Psychologists' Attitudes,Feelings, and Exposure to Gay and Lesbian Parents and Their Children

Abstract

School psychologists' attitudes and feelings toward gay and lesbian parents were surveyed in relation to their training and exposure, and professional services offered to gay and lesbian parents and their children. The relationship between attitudes, feelings, training, exposure, and demographic characteristics was explored as well. A stratified random sample of 500 school psychologists who were members of NASP was surveyed using a 30-item questionnaire. Out of the 500 surveys sent, 267 school psychologists (53.4%) returned them. Overall, school psychologists have positive attitudes and feelings toward gay and/or lesbian parents. More specifically, school psychologists who were female, homosexual/bisexual, or living in the Western region of the United States had significantly more positive attitudes and feelings toward gay and/or lesbian parents. Although few school psychologists (30%) received any formalized training, those who had some training indicated more positive attitudes. The majority of school psychologists (89.4%) reported having personal associations with homosexual individuals. More exposure to homosexual individuals by a school psychologist indicated more positive attitudes as well as feelings. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.     

Teaching Violence Prevention

Summary

This paper defines violence from a Public Health perspective. It offers recommendations for creating a curriculum to teach health professionals about the critical issues involved in establishing a more peaceful society. Specific learning objectives, teaching methods, and examples of group discussion activities are presented, as well as an extensive bibliography. The intention is to make available to health professionals information that promotes an understanding of the overall impact of violence in our society, and specific skills in the recognition and management of victims of violence. Because of the importance of domestic violence as the center of the web of violence in our culture, emphasis is placed on understanding the dynamics and effects of this specific form of violent behavior. Teaching violence prevention occupies a critical role for medical education.     

The Effects of Child Abuse on the Self-System

Abstract

Normal development of aspects of the self-system in terms of the I- and Me-self are discussed. These concepts are then applied to research findings from abused children and youth where damage to the self is noted in terms of its negativity, fractionation, and lack of coherence, natural consequences of dealing with severe and prolonged maltreatment. Comments are also made concerning the nature of parenting in maltreating homes that enhances this damage.     

Toward Empirically Based Standards for Abuser Intervention

Summary

This article describes the development of operational guidelines for Abuser Intervention Programs in Maryland. Unlike in many states which have adopted quite specific standards regarding program format, duration, etc., the Maryland guidelines address a fairly narrow range of issues. These include outreach to victims, communication with the courts, and the need for intervention programs to address domestic abuse directly in their program content. Maryland has also established a research task force on Abuser Intervention Programs, whose goal is to use empirical data to inform the use of best practices in the state, to facilitate empirical research at abuser intervention programs in Maryland, and to develop more detailed program standards in the future.     

What We Know—and Don't Know—About Preventing Child Maltreatment

Abstract

Although child maltreatment is routinely acknowledged as a serious social problem, it remains widespread, raising questions about how prevention efforts can be improved. Following a review of theory and research relevant to prevention programming, the two dominant models of child abuse prevention-child empowerment and parent education-are examined, emphasizing both those factors that appear to contribute to program success (e.g., early intervention, sufficient time commitments, cultural sensitivity) and weaknesses in current efforts (e.g., poor implementation). Although underutilized, broader social and system-level reforms, including social policy and media initiatives, hold promise for prevention. Ways in which to leverage these tools are explored. Additional research is urged to explore assumptions on which programs are based, as well as to conduct more rigorous evaluation of current programs. The article concludes that a sustained commitment to prevention efforts aimed at child abuse and neglect is required.     

Factors Impacting on Career Choices of Technikon Students From Previously Disadvantaged High Schools

Career development is a socially constructed process involving complex interactions among different structures, forces, and systems all constituting spheres of influence. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence career decisions. Eighty respondents (40 males and 40 females with mean age of 22 years) participated in the study. Results revealed that family variables of parental high expectations of children and appropriate communications within the family, as well as factors such as prestige statuses of some occupations, school curricular subjects, academic performance, teacher influences, and peer pressure had strong positive influences on career choices. Barriers to career choices identified included finance, lack of appropriate information, poor academic performance, and unsatisfactory career counseling services. Results suggest need for a better approach to career education in schools and counseling services that are adaptive to social, economic, and cultural contexts.     

Review of the theoretical underpinnings of loyalty programs

A review of the extant literature reveals that the theoretical underpinnings of the majority of loyalty program research rest on psychological mechanisms from three specific domains—status, habit, and relational. We propose that to understand how loyalty programs actually work, a broader, more holistic research perspective is needed to account for the simultaneous effects across these three theoretical domains as well as both cross-customer and temporal effects. The contribution of this approach is a fresh research agenda advanced in 15 research propositions.