scholarly journals Speed-Up Society? Evidence from the UK 2000 and 2015 Time Use Diary Surveys

Sociology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oriel Sullivan ◽  
Jonathan Gershuny

Using time diary evidence on change in the frequency and distribution of activities from UK time diary data over the 15 years from the turn of the 21st century, we assess whether the thesis of ‘the speed-up society’ is manifested in an increase in time intensity in people’s daily lives. Comparing indictors like time fragmentation, multitasking and ICT use, to respondents’ reports of how rushed they normally feel, we find no evidence that time pressure is increasing, or that ICT use is associated with greater feelings of time pressure. Rather, we find consistent cross-sectional differentials in our measures of time intensity by gender and occupational status, supporting the idea of relative stasis in the underlying social inequalities of time. These findings are consistent with previous research based on time use data, and we pose them as a challenge to theories of societal speed-up.

2013 ◽  
Vol 202 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Jokela ◽  
G. David Batty ◽  
Jussi Vahtera ◽  
Marko Elovainio ◽  
Mika Kivimäki

BackgroundInequality in health and treatment of disease across socioeconomic status groups is a major public health issue.AimsTo examine differences in socioeconomic status in common mental disorders and use of psychotherapy provided by the public and private sector in the UK between 1991 and 2009.MethodDuring these years, 28 054 men and women responded to annual surveys by the nationally representative, population-based British Household Panel Survey (on average 7 measurements per participant; 207 545 person-observations). In each year, common mental disorders were assessed with the self-reported 12-item General Health Questionnaire and socioeconomic status was assessed on the basis of household income, occupational status and education.ResultsHigher socioeconomic status was associated with lower odds of common mental disorder (highest v. lowest household income quintile odds ratio (OR) 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.94) and of being treated by publicly provided psychotherapy (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.34–0.55), but higher odds of being a client of private psychotherapy (OR = 3.33, 95% CI 2.36–4.71). The status difference in publicly provided psychotherapy treatment was more pronounced at the end of follow-up (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.23–0.56, in 2005–2009) than at the beginning of the follow-up period (OR =0.96, 95% CI 0.66–1.39, in 1991–1994; time interaction P<0.001). The findings for occupational status and education were similar to those for household income.ConclusionsThe use of publicly provided psychotherapy has improved between 1991 and 2009 among those with low socioeconomic status, although social inequalities in common mental disorders remain.


Author(s):  
Rose Lindsey ◽  
John Mohan ◽  
Elizabeth Metcalfe ◽  
Sarah Bulloch

This book provides a longitudinal perspective on change and continuity in voluntary action in recent decades in the UK. Drawing on more than 30 years of different quantitative and qualitative data, its longitudinal, mixed-methods approach offers insights into recent and contemporary British voluntary action. The book deploys a range of quantitative data sources on individual behaviour, both cross-sectional and longitudinal, to analyse aggregate trends in individual engagement in both formal and informal volunteering, in the level and frequency of engagement, the types of activities that volunteers carry out, their responses to questions concerning their motivation and the rewards they obtain from volunteering. These analyses are complemented, and given much greater depth, by the use of qualitative data from individuals who volunteer for the Mass Observation Project, through which they provide free-form written testimony about their daily lives. Tracking a subset of these individuals over time provides unique and novel insights into behaviour, motivation, and lifetime engagement. This source is also highly informative of individuals’ understandings of, and particularly their attitudes towards, voluntary action, and the balance between public and private responsibility for the provision of public services. The findings lead us to caution against any simplistic suggestions that levels of voluntary action can be increased significantly without policies that work with the grain of individuals’ everyday lives.


Author(s):  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Mariyana Schoultz ◽  
Hilde Thygesen ◽  
Mary Ruffolo ◽  
Daicia Price ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has been a global healthcare concern impacting multiple aspects of individual and community wellness. As one moves forward with different methods to reduce the infection and mortality rates, it is critical to continue to study the impact that national and local “social distancing” policies have on the daily lives of individuals. The aim of this study was to examine loneliness in relation to risk assessment, measures taken against risks, concerns, and social media use, while adjusting for sociodemographic variables. The cross-sectional study collected data from 3474 individuals from the USA, the UK, Norway, and Australia. Loneliness was measured with the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Multiple linear regression was used in the analysis of associations between variables. The results showed that concerns about finances were more strongly associated with social loneliness, while concerns about the future was more strongly associated with emotional loneliness. Longer daily time spent on social media was associated with higher emotional loneliness. In conclusion, pandemic-related concerns seem to affect perceptions of loneliness. While social media can be used productively to maintain relationships, and thereby prevent loneliness, excessive use may be counterproductive.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 773-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Lawoko ◽  
Koustuv Dalal ◽  
Luo Jiayou ◽  
Bjarne Jansson

This study examines social inequalities in intimate partner violence (IPV) among women of reproductive age in Kenya. A sample comprising 3,696 women was retrieved from the Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey of 2003. The study design was cross-sectional. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that while high education among women reduced the risk of IPV exposure, both being employed and having a higher education/occupational status than her partner increased a woman’s vulnerability to IPV. Age differences between the partners, illiteracy, and lack of autonomy and access to information increased the likelihood of IPV. Finally, being in polygamous relationships was associated with IPV exposure. The findings indicate demographic, social, and structural differences in exposure to IPV with important implications for interventions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzhi Zhou ◽  
Ekaterina Hertog ◽  
Kamila Kolpashnikova ◽  
Man-Yee Kan

This report aims to provide basic facts about gender inequality in income, time use, and wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. We compare employment, income, time use, and well-being figures reported before and during the lockdown period (late March to April 2020) of the same group of individuals by analyzing longitudinal data from the 2020 UK Household Longitudinal Survey (UKHLS) COVID study and the full UKHLS data. Earlier studies on the topic are based on cross-sectional data with different survey designs and sample selections. -Women undertake the major share of housework and childcare and form 80% of the health and social care workers who are more exposed to the virus, among people aged between 20 to 49. -There was a 30% reduction in paid work time for both women and men, and the percentage was 45% among non-key workers. Women and men experienced a similar amount (3-4 hours) of an increase in weekly housework hours. We also note a comparable reduction in monthly labour income for women and men. -Women, especially mothers experienced a more dramatic decline in well-being amid the COVID pandemic.-Single mothers fare the worst in the labour market, are the least likely to own a house, have a car in the household, and have the highest risk of depression, which makes them particularly vulnerable in the current circumstances. Single parents experience the largest 7% increase in the non-working rates during the lockdown period.-Childcare support is critical when the usual support networks, such as grandparents, friends, and neighbours, can no longer help with childcare, especially for mothers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akiko Ohta ◽  
Motoko Nishina ◽  
Chiemi Motohashi ◽  
Naoko INoue ◽  
Takashi Miyazaki ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Text: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use has penetrated the daily lives of individuals as well as the activities of public organizations. We examined the cross-sectional association between ICT use and participation in community support activities in the elderly aged 65-74 for building community social capital in the current active aging policy of Japan. Methods Text: The target population was all residents aged 65-74 years without disabilities in a municipality, Japan. The self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 5,163 individuals in 2018. A Total of 2,283 persons responded (response rate, 44.2%). Participants provided information on basic characteristics, ICT use, and intention to participate in community support activities for the elderly. Results Text: A total of 1,089 (47.7%) persons showed positive intention to participate in community support activities for the elderly. Respondents who used a smartphone daily were 768 (33.6%). The proportion of participants with positive intention to participate in community support activities was 55.9% for those who used smartphones daily, whereas 42.8% for those who did not. Respondents who used the website, LINE, or QR codes were more likely to participate in community support activities than those who did not. Conclusions Text: Elderly people who utilize ICT frequently were more likely to participate in community support activities. ICT use among the elderly may be useful for building relationships of mutual assistance in the community. Key messages Text: ICT helps mutual assistance among the elderly in communities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (55) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Carla Da Silva Santana ◽  
George Leeson

This paper investigated the perceptions of sample composed by British and Brazilian adults and older people on the use of electronic devices in their daily lives. This is an exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 100 adults and elderly subjects, 50 Brazilian and 50 British adults. The data collection included a social-economic questionnaire; an IDLA index – the Lawton & Brody scale (1969), and a self-reported and a structured questionnaire. The results show that exposure time to technology had a positive impact during the most advanced phases of usage, which was supported by reports of fewer difficulties in the use of such devices, a feeling of greater confidence, and a sense of belonging to the modern world. The frequency in the use electronic devices in daily life, the ability to use them, use perception in public as a stressful experience were shown to be the main differences between the British and Brazilian groups. Both are not comfortable in modern society, complain of unsuitable appliances and refer to their lack of contact with these devices in the past.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000942
Author(s):  
Oliver G P Lawton ◽  
Sarah A Lawton ◽  
Lisa Dikomitis ◽  
Joanne Protheroe ◽  
Joanne Smith ◽  
...  

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document