The Consolidation of Education and Health in Families

2021 ◽  
pp. 000312242110285
Author(s):  
Vida Maralani ◽  
Camille Portier

For a given person, many socioeconomic resources are correlated, but resources also accumulate in families, depending on how people sort in relationships based on their individual characteristics. This study proposes that people match on multiple resources in long-term relationships as a strategy for creating families with systematically advantaged portfolios—a strategy we call “consolidation.” Analyzing Health and Retirement Study data and using smoking as a measure of health, we show that couples match on both educational and health statuses at the start of marriage, and this systematic pattern of matching intensifies over time. We find that matching on smoking is not simply a byproduct of educational homogamy, and that matching on smoking/non-smoking status has increased over time. Moreover, couples increasingly sort on education and health jointly, such that highly educated couples are even more likely to be nonsmoking than would be expected by matching on education or smoking status alone. Increasing educational inequalities in quitting smoking between marriage and first birth reinforce this consolidation process. Using Current Population Surveys, we find these patterns are stronger in marriages than in cohabitations. The consolidation of education and health in couples is an important mechanism that amplifies inequality in families and, potentially, across generations.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7908
Author(s):  
Lucía Mejía-Dorantes ◽  
Lídia Montero ◽  
Jaume Barceló

The spatial arrangement of a metropolis is of utmost importance to carry out daily activities, which are constrained by space and time. Accessibility is not only shaped by the spatial and temporal dimension, but it is also defined by individual characteristics, such as gender, impairments, or socioeconomic characteristics of the citizens living or commuting in this area. This study analyzes mobility trends and patterns in the metropolitan area of Barcelona before and after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, with special emphasis on gender and equality. The study draws on multiple sources of information; however, two main datasets are analyzed: two traditional travel surveys from the transport metropolitan area of Barcelona and two coming from smartphone data. The results show that gender plays a relevant role when analyzing mobility patterns, as already highlighted in other studies, but, after the pandemic outbreak, some population groups were more likely to change their mobility patterns, for example, highly educated population groups and those with higher income. This study also highlights that e-activities may shape new mobility patterns and living conditions for some population segments, but some activities cannot be replaced by IT technologies. For all these reasons, city and transport planning should foster sustainable development policies, which will provide the maximum benefit for society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 556-557
Author(s):  
Richard Settersten ◽  
Jack Day ◽  
Gunhild Hagestad

Abstract Is there a “double standard” (i.e., a harsher judgment) in the perceived ages at which women and men reach old age, and have these judgments changed over time? We use European Social Survey data from 23 countries in 2006 and newly released data from 16 of those countries in 2018. In both 2006 and 2018, men typically assign women substantially earlier ages than women themselves do. In some places, however, men also give themselves lower ages than women give them. With respect to when women become old, the differential views of men and women are persistent. So is the fact that women differentiate less between the sexes¬–though men differentiate less in 2018 relative to 2006. We use multilevel modeling to examine variation explained by both individual characteristics and country indicators of demographic and policy contexts. Findings underscore the significance of the double standard in cultural constructions of aging.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wander Lowie ◽  
Marijn Van Dijk ◽  
Huiping Chan ◽  
Marjolijn Verspoor

A large body studies into individual differences in second language learning has shown that success in second language learning is strongly affected by a set of relevant learner characteristics ranging from the age of onset to motivation, aptitude, and personality. Most studies have concentrated on a limited number of learner characteristics and have argued for the relative importance of some of these factors. Clearly, some learners are more successful than others, and it is tempting to try to find the factor or combination of factors that can crack the code to success. However, isolating one or several global individual characteristics can only give a partial explanation of success in second language learning. The limitation of this approach is that it only reflects on rather general personality characteristics of learners at one point in time, while both language development and the factors affecting it are instances of complex dynamic processes that develop over time. Factors that have been labelled as “individual differences” as well as the development of proficiency are characterized by nonlinear relationships in the time domain, due to which the rate of success cannot be simply deduced from a combination of factors. Moreover, in complex dynamic systems theory (CDST) literature it has been argued that a generalization about the interaction of variables across individuals is not warranted when we acknowledge that language development is essentially an individual process (Molenaar, 2015). In this paper, the viability of these generalizations is investigated by exploring the L2 development over time for two identical twins in Taiwan who can be expected to be highly similar in all respects, from their environment to their level of English proficiency, to their exposure to English, and to their individual differences. In spite of the striking similarities between these learners, the development of their L2 English over time was very different. Developmental patterns for spoken and written language even showed opposite tendencies. These observations underline the individual nature of the process of second language development.


Author(s):  
Denteh Raphael ◽  
Samuel Dontoh ◽  
Augustine Adjei ◽  
Francis Kyei Badu

The study was to explore the factors that account for low enrolments in senior high schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that account for low enrolments in the community-based senior high school in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to investigate socio-economic factors, school related factors, geographical factors and individual characteristics that influence enrolments, participation, retention, attendance, progression and dropout in community-based senior high schools in Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purposive and quota sampling were used to select a sample size of 120 respondent make up of 10 heads, 10 Districts Directors of Education, 10 PTA chairmen and 90 parents of sampled schools. The instruments used to collect data from the respondents were the questionnaire for heads, structured interview guide for parents. PTA Chairmen and the District Directors of GES and observation guide on school building and furniture. The reliability co-efficient of the study was 0.82. The co-efficient is high enough and hence the items were deemed reliable for the study. Data were analysed by the use of frequencies, percentages and apparent cohort method. The finding of the study indicated that most of the sampled senior high schools do not have school bus to convey day students to and from schools. The sample senior high schools do not have workshops for all programmes, classrooms and standard science laboratories and science equipment to enhance academic work.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251694
Author(s):  
Petra Rattay ◽  
Niels Michalski ◽  
Olga Maria Domanska ◽  
Anna Kaltwasser ◽  
Freia De Bock ◽  
...  

The main strategy for combatting SARS-CoV-2 infections in 2020 consisted of behavioural regulations including contact reduction, maintaining distance, hand hygiene, and mask wearing. COVID-19-related risk perception and knowledge may influence protective behaviour, and education could be an important determinant. The current study investigated differences by education level in risk perception, knowledge and protective behaviour regarding COVID-19 in Germany, exploring the development of the pandemic over time. The COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring study is a repeated cross-sectional online survey conducted during the pandemic in Germany from 3 March 2020 (waves 1–28: 27,957 participants aged 18–74). Differences in risk perception, knowledge and protective behaviour according to education level (high versus low) were analysed using linear and logistic regression. Time trends were accounted for by interaction terms for education level and calendar week. Regarding protective behaviour, interaction terms were tested for all risk perception and knowledge variables with education level. The strongest associations with education level were evident for perceived and factual knowledge regarding COVID-19. Moreover, associations were found between low education level and higher perceived severity, and between low education level and lower perceived probability. Highly educated men were more worried about COVID-19 than those with low levels of education. No educational differences were observed for perceived susceptibility or fear. Higher compliance with hand washing was found in highly educated women, and higher compliance with maintaining distance was found in highly educated men. Regarding maintaining distance, the impact of perceived severity differed between education groups. In men, significant moderation effects of education level on the association between factual knowledge and all three protective behaviours were found. During the pandemic, risk perception and protective behaviour varied greatly over time. Overall, differences by education level were relatively small. For risk communication, reaching all population groups irrespective of education level is critical.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisardo Becoña ◽  
Elena Fernández del Río ◽  
Ana López-Durán ◽  
Úrsula Martínez ◽  
Bárbara Piñeiro ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and personality patterns in the general population, taking into account the possible influence of nicotine dependence. We used a stratified random sample of 1,081 adults from the general population (519 smokers and 562 non-smokers) in the region of Galicia (Spain). Personality patterns were assessed with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). The results indicated that nicotine-dependent smokers had a higher probability of obtaining a PREV > 75 in the histrionic and antisocial personality patterns and non-nicotine-dependent smokers are more likely to present a PREV > 75 in paranoid personality pattern than non-smokers. On the contrary, non-smokers are more likely to have a PREV > 75 on the compulsive personality scale. Our findings suggest that there are different personality patterns according to smoking status (smoker/non-smoker) and according to the presence of nicotine dependence. We concluded that it is necessary to identify the personality characteristics of smokers, since these characteristics could be key variables in increased risk of being a smoker and of difficulties for quitting smoking.


Author(s):  
Himanshu ◽  
Peter Lanjouw ◽  
Nicholas Stern

This chapter attempts to draw on the analysis of seven decades of data and evidence from Palanpur to indicate some predictions for the future. It suggests that all-India trends of expanding non-farm, informal, employment will continue to exert an influence in Palanpur. The central role of caste and landholding in driving distributional outcomes is predicted to gradually diminish over time. However, a critical question relates to the potential role that the currently high, and rising, inequality might play in locking-in the forces that perpetuate inequality. The chapter argues that there is an intense need for improvement in the public supply of education and health services. Given the still weak state of education outcomes and also still poorly developed availability of financial services, it argues that for the foreseeable future entrepreneurship will continue to draw primarily on households’ own resources and initiative.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Child ◽  
Charmian A. Quigley ◽  
Gordon B. Cutler, Jr ◽  
Wayne V. Moore ◽  
Kupper A. Wintergerst ◽  
...  

Background/Objectives: Growth hormone (GH) treatment of idiopathic short stature (ISS) received US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2003. We assessed height gain and safety in 2,450 children with ISS treated with GH in US clinical practice. Methods: Short-term height gain, near-adult height (NAH), and safety outcomes were investigated using Genetics and Neuroendocrinology of Short Stature International Study data. Results: Compared to children with isolated idiopathic GH deficiency (IGHD), those with ISS were shorter at baseline but had similar age and GH dose. Mean ± SD height SD score (SDS) increase was similar for ISS and IGHD, with 0.6 ± 0.3 (first), 0.4 ± 0.3 (second), 0.3 ± 0.3 (third), and 0.1 ± 0.3 (fourth year) for ISS. Girls with ISS (27% of subjects) were younger and shorter than boys but had similar height gain over time. At NAH in the ISS group (n = 467), mean ± SD age, GH duration, and height SDS were 17.3 ± 2.3 years, 4.6 ± 2.7 years, and –1.2 ± 0.9, respectively. Height gain from baseline was 1.1 ± 1.0 SDS and was greater for boys than girls (1.2 ± 1.0 vs. 0.9 ± 0.9), but boys were treated longer (5.1 ± 2.8 vs. 3.6 ± 2.5 years). Adverse events were reported for 24% with ISS versus 20% with IGHD – most were common childhood conditions or previously reported in GH-treated patients. Conclusions: GH-treated children with ISS achieved substantial height gain, similar to patients with IGHD. Fewer GH-treated girls were enrolled than boys, but with similar height SDS gain over time. No ISS-specific safety issues were identified. Thus, GH treatment of ISS appears to have a safety/effectiveness profile similar to that of IGHD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 682-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon L Manne ◽  
Deborah A Kashy ◽  
David W Kissane ◽  
Melissa Ozga ◽  
Shannon Myers Virtue ◽  
...  

Abstract Perceived unsupportive responses from close others play an important role in psychological adaptation of patients with cancer. Little is known about whether these negative responses change after someone experiences a serious life event, and even less is known about the individual characteristics and related factors that might contribute to both the levels of and changes in perceived unsupportive responses over the course of adaptation to an experience. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate changes in perceived unsupportive behavior from family and friends among women newly with gynecologic cancer as well as initial demographic, disease, and psychological factors that predict the course of perceived unsupportive behavior over time. Women (N = 125) assigned to the usual care arm of a randomized clinical trial comparing a coping and communication intervention with a supportive counseling intervention to usual care completed six surveys over an 18 month period. Growth models using multilevel modeling were used to predict unsupportive responses over time. Average levels of perceived unsupportive responses from family and friends were low. Unsupportive responses varied from patient to patient, but patients did not report a systematic change in perceived unsupportive responses over time. Cultivating meaning and peace and coping efficacy were associated with fewer perceived unsupportive responses as well as reductions in perceived unsupportive responses over time. Emotional distress, cancer concerns, functional impairment, holding back sharing concerns, and cognitive and behavioral avoidance predicted higher perceived unsupportive responses over time. The findings are discussed in terms of the self-presentation theory and social network responses to persons undergoing difficult life events.


Author(s):  
Charlotta Pisinger ◽  
Serena Tonstad

Smoking causes all forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD): there is no safe level of smoking. The health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate. In patients with coronary heart disease smoking cessation results in a dramatic decline in future cardiovascular events and reduces cardiovascular death; it is the most effective and cheapest treatment for preventing new or recurrent CVD. Tobacco dependence should be regarded as a chronic disease with a lifelong risk of relapse. Making treatment readily available and reducing barriers to treatment increase the likelihood that smokers will accept treatment. Medication and follow-up should be arranged for all smokers upon hospital discharge and in outpatient settings. High priority should be given to identification and documentation of the smoking status of all patients, and systematic provision of cessation support. Clinicians should also ask about exposure to second-hand smoke and should play an active role in advocating for stronger tobacco controls.


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