Social Support in America: Stratification and Trends in Access over Two Decades

Social Forces ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 725-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashton Verdery ◽  
Colin Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
General Population ◽  
Large Body ◽  
The United States ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Demographic Subgroups

AbstractSocial networks of family and friends are key resources that individuals turn to in times of need. When family and friends can provide assistance, they constitute a form of social capital that individuals may draw on for social support. Although a large body of research has examined the use of social support in its own right and as a predictor or moderator of other outcomes, few studies have explored differentials in access to social support for the general population or how these access levels have changed over time. There are many open questions. Is access to social support broadly distributed in the population or does it differ by demographic subgroups? Have levels of access remained constant? We compare levels of access to social support through both family and friends across population subgroups and describe the changing contours of access to it in the general population. Using repeated cross-sectional measurements that we compile from nearly two decades of surveys conducted as part of the Survey of Income and Program Participation, we expand on a literature that has, to date, focused almost exclusively on the use of social support as a predictor of other outcomes using non-representative data. This article presents, to our knowledge, the first nationally representative study of stratification and trends in access to social support for individuals in the United States.

Faith-Health Collaboration in the United States: Results from a Nationally Representative Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Jacob Steinman ◽  
Athe Bambakidis
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Low Income ◽  
General Social Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Graduate Degree ◽  
Religious Congregations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Nationally Representative

Purpose. Estimate the prevalence of and identify characteristics associated with religious congregations' collaboration with health agencies. Design. Cross-sectional analyses of self-report data from the National Congregations Study, a random sample of religious congregations generated from the 1998 General Social Survey. Setting. United States. Subjects. Key informants from 1236 congregations. Each respondent described a single congregation. Measures. Respondents provided open-ended descriptions of congregational programs. Researchers coded program descriptions by content (e.g., domestic violence) and whether the program involved collaboration with a secular agency. Other congregational characteristics (e.g., denomination) were measured by validated measures and linked census tract data. Results. Overall, 11.1% of congregations participated in faith-health collaboration (FHC). Logistic regression analyses found that FHC was more common among congregations with more members, with a small proportion of congregants under 35 years, and with a senior pastor with a graduate degree. Other effects were conditional; for instance, denominational differences varied depending on urban/suburban/rural location and the proportion of low-income members. Conclusion. This study provides the first national estimates of the prevalence of FHC. Such collaborative efforts may require different approaches in different areas. These results can help practitioners identify congregations that may be more willing to collaborate.

scholarly journals What differentiates prisoners who attempt suicide from those who experience suicidal ideation? A nationally representative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Favril
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Violent Offending ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objective: Many people who think about suicide do not engage in suicidal behavior. Identifying risk factors implicated in the process of behavioral enaction is crucial for suicide prevention, particularly in high-risk groups such as incarcerated offenders. Method: Cross-sectional data were drawn from a nationally representative sample of 17,891 prisoners (79% men) in the United States. We compared prisoners who attempted suicide (n = 2496) with those who thought about suicide but never made an attempt (n = 1716) on a range of established risk factors. Results: More than half (59%) of participants who experienced suicidal ideation had also attempted suicide. Violent offending, trauma, brain injury, alcohol abuse, and certain mental disorders independently distinguished attempters from ideators. Conclusion: Our results fit within recent ideation-to-action theories that emphasize the role of a capability for suicide in the transition from thoughts to acts of suicide.

scholarly journals Women’s techniques for making vaginal penetration more pleasurable: Results from a nationally representative study of adult women in the United States

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249242
Author(s):  
Devon J. Hensel ◽  
Christiana D. von Hippel ◽  
Charles C. Lapage ◽  
Robert H. Perkins
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Instrument ◽  
Sexual Pleasure ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Sexual Experiences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Probability Sample ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Nationally Representative

The study purpose was to assess, in a U.S. probability sample of women, the specific ways women have discovered to make vaginal penetration more pleasurable. Through qualitative pilot research with women that informed the development of the survey instrument used in this study, we identified four previously unnamed, but distinct, techniques women use to make vaginal penetration more pleasurable: Angling, Rocking, Shallowing and Pairing. This study defines each technique and describes its prevalence among U.S. adult women. Weighted frequencies were drawn from the Second OMGYES Pleasure Report—a cross-sectional, online, national probability survey of 3017 American women’s (age 18–93) sexual experiences and discoveries. Participants were recruited via the Ipsos KnowledgePanel®. Data suggest that 87.5% of women make vaginal penetration more pleasurable using ‘Angling’: rotating, raising, or lowering the pelvis/hips during penetration to adjust where inside the vagina the toy or penis rubs and what it feels like. Approximately 76% of women make vaginal penetration more pleasurable using ‘Rocking’: the base of a penis or sex toy rubbing against the clitoris constantly during penetration, by staying all the way inside the vagina rather than thrusting in and out. About 84% of women make vaginal penetration more pleasurable using ‘Shallowing’: penetrative touch just inside of the entrance of the vagina—not on the outside, but also not deep inside—with a fingertip, sex toy, penis tip, tongue, or lips. Finally, 69.7% of women orgasm more often or make vaginal penetration more pleasurable using ‘Pairing’: when a woman herself (Solo Pairing) or her partner (Partner Pairing) reaches down to stimulate her clitoris with a finger or sex toy at the same time as her vagina is being penetrated. These data provide techniques that are at women’s disposal to make penetration more pleasurable—which can enable women to better identify their own preferences, communicate about them and advocate for their sexual pleasure.

scholarly journals Patterns of Red and Processed Meat Consumption across North America: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Comparison of Dietary Recalls from Canada, Mexico, and the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Frank ◽  
Lindsay M. Jaacks ◽  
Carolina Batis ◽  
Lana Vanderlee ◽  
Lindsey Smith Taillie
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
The United States ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Us ◽  
Total Meat ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Processed Meat Consumption ◽  
Red And Processed Meat

Close economic ties encourage production and trade of meat between Canada, Mexico, and the US. Understanding the patterns of red and processed meat consumption in North America may inform policies designed to reduce meat consumption and bolster environmental and public health efforts across the continent. We used nationally-representative cross-sectional survey data to analyze consumption of unprocessed red meat; processed meat; and total red and processed meat. Generalized linear models were used to separately estimate probability of consumption and adjusted mean intake. Prevalence of total meat consumers was higher in the US (73.6, 95% CI: 72.3–74.8%) than in Canada (65.6, 63.9–67.2%) or Mexico (62.7, 58.1–67.2%). Men were more likely to consume unprocessed red, processed, and total meat, and had larger estimated intakes. In Mexico, high wealth individuals were more likely to consume all three categories of meat. In the US and Canada, those with high education were less likely to consume total and processed meat. Estimated mean intake of unprocessed red, processed, and total meat did not differ across sociodemographic strata. Overall consumption of red and processed meat remains high in North America. Policies to reduce meat consumption are appropriate for all three countries.

Classroom Music Experiences of U.S. Elementary School Children

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Miksza ◽  
Brent M. Gault
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Students Of Color ◽  
Elementary School Children ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Music Instruction ◽  
School Year ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Nationally Representative

The primary purpose of this study was to describe the music experiences elementary school children in the United States receive in the academic classroom setting. The data were drawn from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study of the Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999 (ECLS-K), a nationally representative study that followed kindergarteners through to their eighth-grade school year with the last data collection wave in 2006–2007. The variables pertaining to music experiences in the academic classroom that were available in the ECLS-K were (a) the frequency and duration with which children received music instruction, (b) the frequency that music was used to teach math, and (c) the percentage of children receiving formal music instruction outside of school. Each of these variables also was analyzed as a function of child urbanicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and race. Statistically significant ( p < .001) disparities among children based on urbanicity, SES, and race were found on each of the music experience variables. Overall, White suburban students of high levels of SES tended to receive significantly more music experiences than students of color from urban and rural settings and of low SES. The findings support the need to advocate for high-quality music programs for all students and particularly for those from traditionally underserved populations.

scholarly journals Total Usual Dietary Intakes of Pregnant Women in the United States, 2001-2014 (FS08-01-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Regan Bailey ◽  
Susan Pac ◽  
Victor Fulgoni ◽  
Kathleen Reidy
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Critical Dimension ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Excessive Consumption ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Objectives Nutrition during pregnancy is a critical dimension not only for women’s heath, but also for the offspring’s lifelong health. Very limited national data exist on the usual dietary intakes of pregnant women. The objective of this study was to estimate total usual nutrient intakes (from foods and dietary supplements) of pregnant women in the U.S. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of a nationally-representative sample of pregnant U.S. women, ages 20-40 years (n = 1,003) from NHANES 2001-2014. Total usual dietary intakes were estimated using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to adjust 2, 24-hour dietary recalls for within-person variation. Adherence with the Dietary Reference Intakes were used to assess the proportion at risk of inadequacy by the Estimated Average Requirement (%< EAR), assumed to be adequate by the Adequate Intake (% >AI), and at risk of excess by the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (% >UL). Results About 70% of pregnant women use a dietary supplement. Less than 5% of pregnant women have usual diets that are at risk for inadequate intakes of riboflavin (3%), niacin (1%), vitamin B12 (1%), iron (2%), phosphorus (< 0.5%), and selenium (< 0.5%). More pregnant women have usual intakes < EAR for vitamins A (15%), B6 (11%), folate (16%), C (11%), D (46%), E (43%), and minerals including copper (5%), calcium (13%), magnesium (47%) and zinc (11%). Few pregnant females have usual intakes >AI for potassium (2%) and choline (8%), whereas only 48% have vitamin K intakes >AI. The majority of pregnant women (95%) exceed the UL for sodium, while folic acid (34%), iron (28%), calcium (3%), and zinc (7%) were also of concern for intakes >UL. Conclusions Many U.S. pregnant women ( >10% < EAR or < 10% >AI) do not consume enough of key nutrients during pregnancy specifically vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, folate, and choline and minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, while almost all are at risk of excessive consumption of sodium, and many at risk of excessive consumption of folic acid and iron. Improved dietary guidance to help pregnant women meet and not exceed dietary recommendations is warranted. Funding Sources Nestle Nutrition.

scholarly journals Urinary 2,5-dicholorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol concentrations and prevalent disease among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary R Rooney ◽  
Pamela L Lutsey ◽  
Parveen Bhatti ◽  
Anna Prizment
Keyword(s):  
National Health ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Nutrition Examination Survey ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Prevalent Disease ◽  
Nationally Representative

ObjectiveTo test cross-sectional associations between urinary concentrations of 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, lung disease, thyroid problems and liver conditions.MethodsLogistic regression was used to evaluate associations of urinary concentrations of 2,5-DCP and 2,4-DCP with prevalence of various medical conditions among 3617 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants from 2007–2008 and 2009–2010. ORs and 95% CIs for each disease were estimated. All regression models were adjusted for urinary creatinine.ResultsWe observed a monotonically increasing association between quartiles of 2,5-DCP and prevalence of CVD. After adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, participants with the highest versus lowest quartile of urinary 2,5-DCP had an OR=1.84 (95% CI 1.26 to 2.70) (p linear trend=0.006). The association was similar with further adjustment for established clinical CVD risk factors. Higher 2,5-DCP was also associated with prevalence of all cancers combined (ORQ4 vs Q1=1.50 (95% CI 1.00 to 2.26); p trend=0.05) and, in exploratory analyses, with gynaecological cancers (ORQ4 vs Q1=4.15 (95% CI 1.51 to 11.40; p trend=0.01)). No associations were detected between 2,5-DCP and lung diseases, thyroid problems or liver conditions, nor between 2,4-DCP and prevalent disease.ConclusionIn this nationally representative study, higher urinary 2,5-DCP concentrations were associated with greater prevalence of CVD and all cancers combined. Further examination may be warranted to assess whether chronic exposure to 2,5-DCP is associated with incidence of adverse health outcomes.

scholarly journals Changes in Australian community perceptions of non-communicable disease prevention: a greater role for government?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne C. Grunseit ◽  
Eloise Howse ◽  
Erika Bohn-Goldbaum ◽  
Jo Mitchell ◽  
Adrian E. Bauman
Keyword(s):  
Government Intervention ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Soft Drink ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Demographic Subgroups

Abstract Background Monitoring trends in community opinion can identify critical opportunities to implement upstream health policies or interventions. Our study examines change and demographic modifiers of change in community perceptions of government intervention for prevention of lifestyle-related chronic disease across two time points in Australia. Methods Data were drawn from the 2016 (n = 2052) and 2018 (n = 2601) waves of a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey, ‘AUSPOPS’. Survey questions gauged perceptions of government intervention for health in general, peoples’/organizations’ role in maintaining health (e.g., parents, government) and support for specific health interventions (e.g., taxing soft drink). Bivariate and multivariate regression models tested for change between the two surveys, adjusted for demographic characteristics. Models with interactions between survey wave and demographic variables tested for differential change. One-tailed variance ratio tests examined whether opinions had become more polarized in 2018 compared with 2016. Results The large, significant increase observed in the perceived size of the role that government has in maintaining people’s health was uniform across demographic subpopulations. The role for employers and private health insurers was also perceived to be larger in 2018 compared with 2016, but the degree of change varied by gender, age and/or socioeconomic status. Support for some government interventions (e.g., taxing soft drinks) increased among specific demographic subgroups whilst exhibiting no overall change. Opinion was more polarized on general attitudes to government intervention for population health in 2018 compared to 2016, despite little change in central tendency. Conclusions Opportunities may exist to implement government health-promoting policies (e.g., taxing soft drinks), although advocacy may be needed to address the concerns of less supportive subpopulations. Attitudes on government intervention in general may be becoming more polarized; future research examining the association of such changes with exposure to different information sources could inform communication strategies for future health policy change.

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