scholarly journals Do Surveys Overestimate or Underestimate Socioeconomic Differences in Voter Turnout? Evidence from Administrative Registers

2019 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannu Lahtinen ◽  
Pekka Martikainen ◽  
Mikko Mattila ◽  
Hanna Wass ◽  
Lauri Rapeli
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequality ◽  
Nonresponse Bias ◽  
Socioeconomic Differences ◽  
Parliamentary Elections ◽  
Previous Evidence ◽  
Survey Techniques ◽  
Occupational Social Class

Abstract Surveys generally overestimate the overall level of voter turnout in elections due to both the misreporting of voting and nonresponse. It is sometimes argued that socioeconomic differences in turnout are exaggerated in surveys because social desirability has a more pronounced effect on eligible voters in more advantaged socioeconomic positions. However, the contribution of nonresponse bias has not been taken into consideration in these assessments. Using a register-linked survey with information on the education, occupational social class, income, and voting in the 2015 Finnish parliamentary elections of both respondents and nonrespondents, this study shows that nonresponse bias leads to not only a larger overestimation of the overall level of turnout than social desirability, but also an underestimation of educational, social class, and income-related differences in the propensity to vote. Socioeconomic differences in the probability of voting in register-based data were at least two-thirds larger than differences obtained when using standard survey techniques. This finding implies that socioeconomic inequality in electoral participation is a more pressing social problem than previous evidence might indicate.

scholarly journals Gender and Socioeconomic Disparities in Reasons for Not Smoking Cigarettes Among Danish Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Gad Kjeld ◽  
Stine Glenstrup Lauemøller ◽  
Lotus Sofie Bast
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Socioeconomic Disparities ◽  
Socioeconomic Differences ◽  
Occupational Social Class ◽  
Reported Data

Abstract Objective: To examine gender and socioeconomic differences in adolescents’ reasons for not smoking cigarettes using self-reported data from Danish 14-year-olds (N = 1,559) collected in 2018. χ2-tests were used to assess whether the proportion of students who rated 12 statements as important reasons for not smoking cigarettes differed according to gender and family occupational social class (OSC).Results: More girls than boys stated that thinking the taste of cigarettes is disgusting, not being allowed to smoke by parents, knowing smoking is dangerous, not being allowed to smoke before the age of 18, not wanting to be addicted to smoking, and that smoking makes you smell bad were important reasons for choosing not to smoke cigarettes. More boys than girls reported exercising a lot and having a partner that does not smoke as important reasons for not smoking cigarettes. More students with a high OSC compared with a low OSC stated exercising a lot and that smoking makes you smell bad were important reasons. In conclusion, reasons for not smoking cigarettes differed substantially across gender and less according to socioeconomic position.

scholarly journals Midlife socioeconomic position and old-age dementia mortality: a large prospective register-based study from Finland

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e033234
Author(s):  
Kaarina Korhonen ◽  
Elina Einiö ◽  
Taina Leinonen ◽  
Lasse Tarkiainen ◽  
Pekka Martikainen
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Socioeconomic Inequalities ◽  
Socioeconomic Differences ◽  
Occupational Social Class ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Overall Mortality

ObjectivesTo assess the association between multiple indicators of socioeconomic position and dementia-related death, and to estimate the contribution of dementia to socioeconomic differences in overall mortality at older ages.DesignProspective population-based register study.SettingFinland.Participants11% random sample of the population aged 70–87 years resident in Finland at the end of year 2000 (n=54 964).Main outcome measureIncidence rates, Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities and Cox regression HRs of dementia mortality in 2001–2016 by midlife education, occupational social class and household income measured at ages 53–57 years.ResultsDuring the 528 387 person-years at risk, 11 395 individuals died from dementia (215.7 per 10 000 person-years). Lower midlife education, occupational social class and household income were associated with higher dementia mortality, and the differences persisted to the oldest old ages. Compared with mortality from all other causes, however, the socioeconomic differences emerged later. Dementia accounted for 28% of the difference between low and high education groups in overall mortality at age 70+ years, and for 21% of the difference between lowest and highest household income quintiles. All indicators of socioeconomic position were independently associated with dementia mortality, low household income being the strongest independent predictor (HR=1.24, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.32), followed by basic education (HR=1.14, 1.06 to 1.23). Manual occupational social class was related to a 6% higher hazard (HR=1.06, 1.01 to 1.11) compared with non-manual social class. Adjustment for midlife economic activity, baseline marital status and chronic health conditions attenuated the excess hazard of low midlife household income, although significant effects remained.ConclusionSeveral indicators of socioeconomic position predict dementia mortality independently and socioeconomic inequalities persist into the oldest old ages. The results demonstrate that dementia is among the most important contributors to socioeconomic inequalities in overall mortality at older ages.

scholarly journals Gender and socioeconomic disparities in reasons for not smoking cigarettes among Danish adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Gad Kjeld ◽  
Stine Glenstrup ◽  
Lotus Sofie Bast
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Socioeconomic Position ◽  
Socioeconomic Disparities ◽  
Socioeconomic Differences ◽  
Occupational Social Class ◽  
Reported Data

Abstract Objective To examine gender and socioeconomic differences in adolescents’ reasons for not smoking cigarettes using self-reported data from Danish 14-year-olds (N = 1,559) collected in 2018. χ2-tests were used to assess whether the proportion of students who rated 12 statements as important reasons for not smoking cigarettes differed according to gender and family occupational social class (OSC). Results More girls than boys stated that thinking the taste of cigarettes is disgusting, not being allowed to smoke by parents, knowing smoking is dangerous, not being allowed to smoke before the age of 18, not wanting to be addicted to smoking, and that smoking makes you smell bad were important reasons for choosing not to smoke cigarettes. More boys than girls reported exercising a lot and having a partner that does not smoke as important reasons for not smoking cigarettes. More students with a high OSC compared with a low OSC stated exercising a lot and that smoking makes you smell bad were important reasons. In conclusion, reasons for not smoking cigarettes differed substantially across gender and less according to socioeconomic position.

scholarly journals Trends in socioeconomic differences in daily smoking among 15-year-old Danes 1991–2014

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 667-673
Author(s):  
Bjørn E. Holstein ◽  
Anette Andersen ◽  
Mogens Trab Damsgaard ◽  
Pernille Due ◽  
Lotus Sofie Bast ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
Daily Smoking ◽  
Socioeconomic Differences ◽  
Danish Health ◽  
Prevalence Difference ◽  
Occupational Social Class ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Substantial Decline

Aim: To examine trends in socioeconomic differences in daily smoking among 15-year-old Danes between 1991–2014, using occupational social class as indicator of socioeconomic status. Methods: The study included 15-year-olds participating in seven Danish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children studies between 1991–2014, n = 8,641. The analyses focused on absolute socioeconomic differences (prevalence difference between low and high occupational social class) and relative socioeconomic differences communicated by odds ratio for daily smoking. Results: The prevalence of daily smoking declined from 18.6% in 1991 to 4.5% in 2014. Across all surveys, the prevalence was 8.9% in high, 12.8% in middle and 16.5% in low occupational social classes ( p < 0.0001). The absolute socioeconomic differences increased from 1991 to 2006 and declined thereafter. Across all survey years, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for daily smoking was 1.40 (1.19–1.65) in middle and 1.90 (1.56-2.32) in low versus high occupational social classes. The statistical interaction between occupational social class and survey year was significant ( p = 0.0404), suggesting increasing relative socioeconomic differences from 1991 to 2014. Conclusions: There was a substantial decline in daily smoking among 15-year-olds between 1991–2014 in all occupational social class groups. The prevalence of daily smoking was highest in the low occupational social class during the entire period. The absolute socioeconomic differences in daily smoking increased between 1991–2006 and declined thereafter. The relative socioeconomic differences increased over 1991–2014. Studies of change in socioeconomic differences over time should address both absolute and relative socioeconomic differences as they may result in different conclusions and because important improvement in prevalence patterns may be disguised by exclusive focus on changes in relative socioeconomic differences.

Social Desirability Related to Social Class among Adults

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 808-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirja Kalliopuska
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Intellectual Functioning ◽  
Response Style ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
Defensive Response ◽  
Academic Education ◽  
Social Desirability Scale

The hypothesis tested was that adults of higher social status complete the Crowne and Marlowe Social Desirability Scale more honestly and less defensively than adults belonging to lower social classes. 341 parents of 215 different families were tested during home interviews. The hypothesis was verified among women, but not among men. These results suggest that social status is associated with defensive response style, perhaps reflecting at the same time academic education and cognitive-intellectual functioning.

scholarly journals Minority status and mental distress: a comparison of group density effects

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (14) ◽  
pp. 3051-3059 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schofield ◽  
J. Das-Munshi ◽  
L. Bécares ◽  
C. Morgan ◽  
V. Bhavsar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Occupational Social Class

BackgroundIt has been observed that mental disorders, such as psychosis, are more common for people in some ethnic groups in areas where their ethnic group is less common. We set out to test whether this ethnic density effect reflects minority status in general, by looking at three situations where individual characteristics differ from what is usual in a locality.MethodUsing data from the South East London Community Health study (n = 1698) we investigated associations between minority status (defined by: ethnicity, household status and occupational social class) and risk of psychotic experiences, common mental disorders and parasuicide. We used a multilevel logistic model to examine cross-level interactions between minority status at individual and neighbourhood levels.ResultsBeing Black in an area where this was less common (10%) was associated with higher odds of psychotic experiences [odds ratio (OR) 1.34 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.67], and attempted suicide (OR 1.84 95% CI 1.19–2.85). Living alone where this was less usual (10% less) was associated with increased odds of psychotic experiences (OR 2.18 95% CI 0.91–5.26), while being in a disadvantaged social class where this was less usual (10% less) was associated with increased odds of attempted suicide (OR 1.33 95% CI 1.03–1.71). We found no evidence for an association with common mental disorders.ConclusionsThe relationship between minority status and mental distress was most apparent when defined in terms of broad ethnic group but was also observed for individual household status and occupational social class.

Social class based on occupation is associated with hospitalization for A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. Comparison between hospitalized and ambulatory cases

2015 ◽  
Vol 144 (4) ◽  
pp. 732-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. PUJOL ◽  
P. GODOY ◽  
N. SOLDEVILA ◽  
J. CASTILLA ◽  
F. GONZÁLEZ-CANDELAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Corticosteroid Treatment ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Occupational Class ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Occupational Social Class

SUMMARYThis study aimed to analyse the existence of an association between social class (categorized by type of occupation) and the occurrence of A(H1N1)pmd09 infection and hospitalization for two seasons (2009–2010 and 2010–2011). This multicentre study compared ambulatory A(H1N1)pmd09 confirmed cases with ambulatory controls to measure risk of infection, and with hospitalized A(H1N1)pmd09 confirmed cases to asses hospitalization risk. Study variables were: age, marital status, tobacco and alcohol use, pregnancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic respiratory failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic liver disease, body mass index >40, systemic corticosteroid treatment and influenza vaccination status. Occupation was registered literally and coded into manual and non-manual worker occupational social class groups. A conditional logistic regression analysis was performed. There were 720 hospitalized cases, 996 ambulatory cases and 1062 ambulatory controls included in the study. No relationship between occupational social class and A(H1N1)pmd09 infection was found [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0·97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·74–1·27], but an association (aOR 1·53, 95% CI 1·01–2·31) between occupational class and hospitalization for A(H1N1)pmd09 was observed. Influenza vaccination was a protective factor for A(H1N1)pmd09 infection (aOR 0·41, 95% CI 0·23–0·73) but not for hospitalization. We conclude that manual workers have the highest risk of hospitalization when infected by influenza than other occupations but they do not have a different probability of being infected by influenza.

scholarly journals Poor health, physical workload and occupational social class as determinants of health-related job loss: results from a prospective cohort study in the UK

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e026423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranu Sewdas ◽  
Allard J van der Beek ◽  
Cecile R L Boot ◽  
Stefania D’Angelo ◽  
Holly E Syddall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Social Class ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Job Loss ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Physical Workload ◽  
Perceived Health Status ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Occupational Social Class

ObjectivesThe aims of the present study were to assess the association and interactions of physical workload and poor health with health-related job loss (HRJL) among older workers, and the association and interactions of occupational social class and poor health with HRJL.MethodsData were used from an existing prospective cohort study, Health and Employment after Fifty, where employed or self-employed workers aged 50–64 years (n=4909) were followed-up between 2014 and 2016. Associations between potential determinants (self-perceived health status, physical workload and occupational social class) and 2-year HRJL were examined by Cox regression analyses. To study whether physical workload or occupational social class moderates the influence of poor health on HRJL, additive and multiplicative interactions were calculated.ResultsOlder workers with poor self-perceived health status had increased risk of HRJL during the 2-year follow-up period (men: HR 2.57 (95%CI: 1.68 to 3.92); women: HR 3.26 (95%CI: 2.33 to 4.55)). Furthermore, men with high physical workload were at increased risk for HRJL (HR 1.63 (95%CI: 1.09 to 2.43)). No significant interactions (p<0.05) were identified between poor health and high physical workload, nor between poor health and lower occupational social class.ConclusionOur study indicates that older workers in poor health, and older workers with a physically demanding job, are at increased risk of HRJL. Having a physically demanding job or working in routine/manual occupations does not moderate the association between poor health and HRJL.

scholarly journals Intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks among adolescents: Trends and social inequality in Denmark 2002-2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Bjørn E. Holstein ◽  
Mogens Trab Damsgaard ◽  
Pernille Due ◽  
Rikke Fredenslund Krølner ◽  
Trine Pagh Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Social Inequality ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Occupational Social Class ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Representative Samples

Background: Intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks (SSSD) has decreased among adolescents, but trends in social inequality in SSSD intake are unknown. Aim: Examine trends in social inequality in SSSD intake among adolescents in Denmark during 2002–2018. Methods: Five Health Behaviour in School-aged Children surveys with data on SSSD intake and parents’ occupational social class (OSC) from nationally representative samples of 11, 13 and 15 year olds, n =20,112. Results: The overall prevalence of daily SSSD intake decreased from 10.1% in 2002 to 6.4% in 2018. The prevalence decreased in both high OSC (from 8% to 5%) and middle OSC (from 10% to 6%) but remained around 12% in low OSC. The odds ratio (OR) estimates of low compared with high OSC increased over the years around an overall OR of 2.01 (1.74–2.34). Conclusions: Danish adolescents’ SSSD intake decreased during 2002–2018 and was higher the lower the parents’ OSC. Thus, social inequality increased during 2002–2018.

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