scholarly journals When Do the Advantaged See the Disadvantages of Others? A Quasi-Experimental Study of National Service

2018 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 721-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
CECILIA HYUNJUNG MO ◽  
KATHARINE M. CONN
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
College Graduates ◽  
Intergroup Contact ◽  
Teach For America ◽  
Prejudice Reduction ◽  
National Service ◽  
Service Program ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
The Impact

Are there mechanisms by which the advantaged can see the perspectives of the disadvantaged? If advantaged individuals have prolonged engagement with disadvantaged populations and confront issues of inequality through national service, do they see the world more through the lens of the poor? We explore this question by examining Teach For America (TFA), as TFA is a prominent national service program that integrates top college graduates into low-income communities for two years and employs a selection model that allows for causal inference. A regression discontinuity approach, utilizing an original survey of over 32,000 TFA applicants and TFA’s selection data for the 2007–2015 application cycles, reveals that extended intergroup contact in a service context causes advantaged Americans to adopt beliefs that are closer to those of disadvantaged Americans. These findings have broad implications for our understanding of the impact of intergroup contact on perceptions of social justice and prejudice reduction.

Effects of the Your Family, Your Neighborhood Intervention on Neighborhood Social Processes

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-246
Author(s):  
Daniel Brisson ◽  
Stephanie Lechuga Peña ◽  
Nicole Mattocks ◽  
Mark Plassmeyer ◽  
Sarah McCune
Keyword(s):  
Social Control ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Neighborhoods ◽  
Social Processes ◽  
Neighborhood Social Cohesion ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Larger Sample

Abstract The objective of this study was to ascertain whether participation in the Your Family, Your Neighborhood (YFYN) intervention, an intervention for families living in low-income neighborhoods, leads to improved perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion and informal neighborhood social control. Fifty-two families in three low-income, urban neighborhoods participated in the manualized YFYN intervention. In this quasi-experimental study treatment families (n = 37) in two low-income neighborhoods received YFYN and control families (n = 15) from one separate low-income neighborhood did not. Families receiving YFYN attended 10 two-hour skills-based curriculum sessions during which they gathered for a community dinner and participated in parent- and child-specific skills-based groups. Treatment families reported increases in both neighborhood social cohesion and informal neighborhood social control after receiving YFYN. However, families receiving YFYN did not experience statistically significant improvements in perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion or informal neighborhood social control compared with nontreatment families. In conclusion, the delivery of YFYN in low-income neighborhoods may improve perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion. Further testing, with randomization and a larger sample, should be conducted to provide a more robust understanding of the impact of YFYN.

Home Visiting Effects on Breastfeeding and Bedsharing in a Low-Income Sample

2020 ◽  
pp. 109019812096419
Author(s):  
Joshua P. Mersky ◽  
Colleen E. Janczewski ◽  
ChienTi Plummer Lee ◽  
Ross M. Gilbert ◽  
Cali McAtee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Home Visiting ◽  
Health Department ◽  
The United States ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Breastfeeding Initiation ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Safe Sleep ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

Background Research suggests that home visiting interventions can promote breastfeeding initiation, though their effects on breastfeeding continuation are unclear. No known studies have assessed the impact of home visiting on bedsharing. Aims To test the effects of home visiting on breastfeeding and bedsharing in a low-income, urban sample in the United States. Methods During a field trial conducted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from April 2014 to March 2017, referrals to a public health department were randomized to a Healthy Families America (HFA) program or a prenatal care and coordination (PNCC) program. Of the 204 women who accepted services, 139 consented to the study and were allocated to the two treatment groups, which were compared with each other and a third quasi-experimental group of 100 women who did not accept services. Data were collected at four time points up to 12 months postpartum. Results Breastfeeding initiation was higher among 72 HFA participants (88.4%; odds ratio [OR] = 2.7) and 67 PNCC participants (88.5%; OR = 2.2) than 100 comparison participants (76.5%). Similar results emerged for breastfeeding duration, though group differences were not statistically significant. Unexpectedly, bedsharing prevalence was higher among HFA participants (56.5%) than PNCC participants (31.1%; OR = 2.9) and comparison group participants (38.8%; OR = 2.0). Discussion Home visiting was linked to increased breastfeeding, while effects on bedsharing varied by program. Progress toward precision home visiting will be advanced by identifying program components that promote breastfeeding and safe sleep. Conclusion Further research is needed to examine whether home visiting reduces disparities in breastfeeding and safe sleep practices.

scholarly journals The Role of Personality Factors in the Reduction of Intergroup Anxiety and Amelioration of Outgroup Attitudes via Intergroup Contact

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon N. Turner ◽  
Kristof Dhont ◽  
Miles Hewstone ◽  
Andrew Prestwich ◽  
Christiana Vonofakou
Keyword(s):  
Intergroup Contact ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
Prejudice Reduction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Intergroup Anxiety ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Potential Confound

Two studies investigated the role of personality factors in the amelioration of outgroup attitudes via intergroup contact. In study 1, the effect of extraversion on outgroup attitude operated via an increase in cross–group friendship, whereas openness to experience and agreeableness had a direct effect on outgroup attitude. In study 2, we included intergroup anxiety as a mediator explaining these relationships, and we ruled out ingroup friendship as a potential confound. We found that the relationships between openness to experience and agreeableness on the one hand and outgroup attitude on the other were mediated by reduced intergroup anxiety. In addition, the effect of extraversion on outgroup attitude operated via an increase in cross–group friendship that was in turn associated with lower levels of intergroup anxiety. Across both studies, the friendship–attitude relationship was stronger among those low in agreeableness and extraversion. We discuss the importance of integrating personality and situational approaches to prejudice reduction in optimizing the impact of contact–based interventions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

scholarly journals Diversity in health care institutions reduces Israeli patients’ prejudice toward Arabs

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (14) ◽  
pp. e2022634118
Author(s):  
Chagai M. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intergroup Contact ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Prejudice Reduction ◽  
Majority Group ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Impact ◽  
To Receive

Diversity in the lines of public institutions, such as hospitals, schools, and police forces, is thought to improve provision for minority group members. Nonetheless, whether and how diversity in public institutions shapes majority citizens’ prejudice toward minorities are unclear. Building on insights from the intergroup contact literature, I suggest that diversity in public institutions can facilitate positive intergroup contact between majority group members and minorities in elevated social positions. Such unique interactions, which exceed the equal status condition for effective intergroup contact, can serve to reduce prejudice and facilitate more inclusive attitudes among majority group members. To test this expectation, I focus on health care provision—a leading sector with regard to minority representation. Leveraging a natural experiment unfolding in 21 Israeli medical clinics where Jewish patients are haphazardly assigned to receive care from Jewish or Arab doctors and embedding prejudice-related questions in a routine evaluation survey, I demonstrate that brief contact with an Arab doctor reduces prejudice. Specifically, contact with an Arab doctor reduces Jewish patients’ exclusionary preferences toward Arabs by one-sixth of an SD and increases Jewish patients’ optimism about peace by a 10th of an SD. The modest magnitude of these effects is similar to the impact of well-powered interventions recently reviewed in a meta-analysis of prejudice reduction experiments. These findings emphasize how the demographic makeup of public institutions can reduce mass prejudice, even in a context of intractable conflict.

Mentoring Students Back On-Track to Graduation: Program Results From Five Communities

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 643-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Abele Mac Iver ◽  
Steven Sheldon ◽  
Sarah Naeger ◽  
Emily Clark
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Mentoring Program ◽  
Student Attendance ◽  
School Students ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Warning Indicators

This quasi-experimental study examines the impact of a mentoring program for low-income and minority middle and high school students displaying early warning indicators of dropping out on attendance, behavior problems, and course passing. The study was conducted over 3 years in five districts throughout the country and used a comparison group identified through propensity score matching. Although students reported positive experiences with mentoring in surveys, significant program effects on student attendance, behavior, and course passing were not found. Such interventions may have little demonstrated effect not only due to implementation issues but also because they do not address school experience variables that influence student outcomes.

How Effective are Public Policies to Increase Health Insurance Coverage Among Young Adults?

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip B Levine ◽  
Robin McKnight ◽  
Samantha Heep
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Public Health Insurance ◽  
Experimental Variation ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gain Access

This paper assesses the impact of policies to increase insurance coverage for young adults. The introduction of SCHIP in 1997 enabled low-income teens up to age 19 to gain access to public health insurance. More recent policies enabled young adults between the ages of 19 and (typically) 24 to remain covered under their parents' health insurance. We use the discrete break in coverage at age 19 to evaluate the impact of SCHIP, and quasi-experimental variation to evaluate the impact of “extended parental coverage” laws. Our results suggest that both types of policies were effective at increasing health insurance coverage. (JEL G22, H75, I18, J13)

The Dynamic Effects of a Summer Learning Program on Behavioral Engagement in School

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-51
Author(s):  
Jaymes Pyne ◽  
Erica Messner ◽  
Thomas S. Dee
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Behavioral Engagement ◽  
Dynamic Effects ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
School Students ◽  
Summer Learning ◽  
Unexcused Absences ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Evidence that student learning declines or stagnates during summers has motivated an interest in programs providing intensive summer instruction. However, existing literature suggests that such programs have modest effects on achievement and no impact on measures of engagement in school. In this quasi-experimental study, we present evidence on the impact of a comprehensive and mature summer learning program that serves low-income middle school students and features unusual academic breadth, including a robust and well-designed social-emotional learning curriculum. Our results indicate that this program led to substantial reductions in unexcused absences, chronic absenteeism and suspensions and a modest gain in ELA test scores. We find evidence that the gains in behavioral engagement are dynamic, growing over time and with additional summers of participation.

Does the Diabetes Health Plan Have a Differential Impact on Medication Adherence Among Beneficiaries with Fewer Financial Resources?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huang ◽  
MS Norman Turk ◽  
Susan L. Ettner ◽  
Mangione ◽  
Moin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Health Plan ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Income Group ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
A Value ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The Diabetes Health Plan (DHP), a value-based insurance plan that reduces cost sharing, was previously shown to modestly increase employer-level medication adherence. However, it is unclear whether the DHP has a larger impact on individual-level medication adherence among lower- or higher-income beneficiaries. Methods: An employer-level propensity score match was done to identify suitable control employers, followed by individual-level propensity score weighting. These weights were applied to difference-in-difference (DID) models examining 1) the effect of the DHP and 2) the effect of income on changes in adherence to metformin, statins, and ACE/ARBs. The weights were then applied to a differences-in-differences-in-differences (DDD) model to estimate the differential impact of DHP status on changes in adherence by income group. This is a retrospective, quasi-experimental study.Results: There were no significant differences in changes to adherence for any medications between beneficiaries enrolled in the DHP versus standard plans. However, changes in adherence were higher for all medications among those in the highest income strata (>$75,000) versus those in the lowest income strata (<$50,000; p < 0.01). Finally, the DDD term examining the impact of income on the DHP effect was not significant for any comparisons. Conclusion: We did not find significant associations between the DHP and changes in individual-level medication adherence, even for low-income beneficiaries. New strategies to improve consumer engagement may be needed in order to translate value-based insurance designs into changes in patient behavior.

“STEMming” the Swell of Absenteeism in the Middle Years: Impacts of an Urban District Summer Robotics Program

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Abele Mac Iver ◽  
Douglas J. Mac Iver
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Summer School ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Attendance Rate ◽  
Urban District ◽  
Program Effect ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

This article reports findings from a quasi-experimental study of the impact of a summer robotics program for urban middle-grade students. The study focuses on student engagement, measured by school attendance rate the year following the program. Program students, who were nearly all low-income minority students, were matched to comparison students who did not attend summer school. After establishing baseline equivalence in attendance between the groups, the study found a statistically and educationally significant program effect on school attendance the following year, suggesting that high-interest hands-on educational activities can help maintain student engagement in school.

The Impact of Teach for America on Non-Test Academic Outcomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Backes ◽  
Michael Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Teach For America ◽  
Dade County ◽  
Unexcused Absences ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Teacher Productivity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Elementary And Middle School

Recent evidence on teacher productivity suggests that teachers meaningfully influence non-test academic student outcomes that are commonly overlooked by narrowly focusing on test scores. Despite a large number of studies investigating the Teach For America (TFA) effect on math and English achievement, little is known about non-tested academic outcomes. Using administrative data from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, we investigate the relationship between being in a TFA classroom and five non-test student outcomes commonly found in administrative datasets: days absent, days suspended, GPA, classes failed, and grade repetition. We validate our use of non-test student academic outcomes to assess differences in teacher productivity using the quasi-experimental teacher switching methods of Chetty, Friedman, and Rockoff ( 2014 ) and fail to reject the null hypothesis of unbiasedness in most cases in elementary and middle school, although in some cases standard errors are large. We find suggestive evidence that students taught by TFA teachers in elementary and middle schools were less likely to miss school due to unexcused absences and suspensions compared with students taught by non-TFA teachers in the same school, although point estimates are very small. Other outcomes were found to be forecast-unbiased but showed no evidence of a TFA effect.

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