scholarly journals Neighborhood Structure, Community Social Organization, and Residential Mobility

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 237802311879786
Author(s):  
Gregory Sharp ◽  
Cody Warner
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Organization ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Neighborhood Disorder ◽  
Neighborhood Structure ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Strong Deterrent ◽  
Actual Mobility

This article expands on classic models of residential mobility by investigating how neighborhood features influence mobility thoughts and actual mobility, with a particular focus on the role of neighborhood disorder and several indicators of community social organization. Using longitudinal data from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey, the authors find that actual mobility is more susceptible to neighborhood structural conditions than are mobility thoughts. Specifically, neighborhood physical disorder and residential turnover affect the likelihood of moving, and disorder operates through the extent that residents are socially isolated and fearful in their neighborhoods. Mobility thoughts are directly affected by resident perceptions of social cohesion, but a lack of local kinship ties and social engagement within the neighborhood increases the chances of moving. For both mobility outcomes, being satisfied with one’s neighborhood is a strong deterrent to thinking about moving as well as relocating to a new neighborhood.

Contextualizing from Within: Perceptions of Physical Disorder in a South Central L.A. African American Mosque

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela J. Prickett
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Disorganization ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Historical Research ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Broken Windows ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Physical Problems ◽  
South Central ◽  
South Central Los Angeles

Physical disorder is fundamental to how urban sociologists understand the inner workings of a neighborhood. This article takes advantage of ethnographic and historical research to understand how, over time, participants in an urban mosque in South Central Los Angeles develop patterns of meaning–making and decision–making about physical disorder. I examine how specific negative physical conditions on the property came to exist as well as the varied processes by which they changed—both improving and worsening—over the community's long history. Contrary to dominant “social disorganization” and “broken windows” theories that argue disorder is always a destructive force, I find that members saw specific signs of physical disorder as links to their collective past as well as placeholders for a future they hoped to construct. I then analyze how these shared imaginings shaped the ways members responded to physical problems in the present. The strength of this “contextualizing from within” approach is that attention to context and period allows researchers to better theorize why communities may or may not organize to repair physical disorder.

Second Nature

October ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 151-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Chan
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Presidential Candidates ◽  
Second Nature ◽  
The Relationship

Paul Chan's speech, first delivered on the occasion of Engage More Now! A Symposium on Artists, Museums, and Publics at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles (November 2015), proposes that artistic experiences be understood as forms that vividly emblematizes the relationship between cunning and reasoning. It considers the ways in which this relationship echoes within the broadest arenas of social life and how such an outlook could upend what have become standard and increasingly tedious debates about aesthetics, politics, and social engagement in art. Chan also delivers a brief attack against the xenophobic and racist 2016 G.O.P presidential candidates, in particular Donald Trump.

scholarly journals A Protocol-Driven, Bedside Digital Conversational Agent to Support Nurse Teams and Mitigate Risks of Hospitalization in Older Adults: Case Control Pre-Post Study

10.2196/13440 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. e13440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Bott ◽  
Sharon Wexler ◽  
Lin Drury ◽  
Chava Pollak ◽  
Victor Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Hospitalized Older Adults

Background Hospitalized older adults often experience isolation and disorientation while receiving care, placing them at risk for many inpatient complications, including loneliness, depression, delirium, and falls. Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are technological entities that can interact with people through spoken conversation. Some ECAs are also relational agents, which build and maintain socioemotional relationships with people across multiple interactions. This study utilized a novel form of relational ECA, provided by Care Coach (care.coach, inc): an animated animal avatar on a tablet device, monitored and controlled by live health advocates. The ECA implemented algorithm-based clinical protocols for hospitalized older adults, such as reorienting patients to mitigate delirium risk, eliciting toileting needs to prevent falls, and engaging patients in social interaction to facilitate social engagement. Previous pilot studies of the Care Coach avatar have demonstrated the ECA’s usability and efficacy in home-dwelling older adults. Further study among hospitalized older adults in a larger experimental trial is needed to demonstrate its effectiveness. Objective The aim of the study was to examine the effect of a human-in-the-loop, protocol-driven relational ECA on loneliness, depression, delirium, and falls among diverse hospitalized older adults. Methods This was a clinical trial of 95 adults over the age of 65 years, hospitalized at an inner-city community hospital. Intervention participants received an avatar for the duration of their hospital stay; participants on a control unit received a daily 15-min visit from a nursing student. Measures of loneliness (3-item University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale), depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale), and delirium (confusion assessment method) were administered upon study enrollment and before discharge. Results Participants who received the avatar during hospitalization had lower frequency of delirium at discharge (P<.001), reported fewer symptoms of loneliness (P=.01), and experienced fewer falls than control participants. There were no significant differences in self-reported depressive symptoms. Conclusions The study findings validate the use of human-in-the-loop, relational ECAs among diverse hospitalized older adults.

Anarchistic action. Social organization and dynamics in southern Scandinavia from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
Trine Louise Borake
Keyword(s):  
Social Organization ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Network Organization ◽  
Late Iron Age ◽  
Human Intentionality ◽  
And Migration ◽  
The Middle Ages

AbstractA general interest in centralized institutions, state formation and prestige objects has dominated research on social organization and dynamics in Scandinavia from the Late Iron Age to the Middle Ages. Accordingly, a focus on kingly power, aristocratic influence, hierarchies and warrior might has dominated archaeological research designs for the last forty years. Subsequently, other perspectives have been evaded and their significance has been diminished. In this article, I use anarchistic principles as an analytic perspective and present examples of anarchistic actions – network organization, justified leaders and decentralization – drawing on well-known but ambiguous phenomena such as thing sites, the southern Danish defence system Danevirke, and migration and mobility. I suggest a perspective that recognizes resistance, authority and decentralization as well as centralization and institutionalization, allowing a broad spectrum of social engagement and interrelations to influence social organization. I will argue that human intentionality has been overlooked in favour of structures and institutions, and that the power of network organization and decentralization is influential in shaping social organization and dynamics.

Eclipsing Community? Neighborhood Disadvantage, Social Mechanisms, and Neighborly Attitudes and Behaviors

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Neighborhood Effects ◽  
Neighborhood Disadvantage ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Social Mechanisms ◽  
Neighborhood Satisfaction ◽  
The Social ◽  
Systemic Model ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates how objective neighborhood characteristics influence attitudinal and behavioral dimensions of community social organization. Grounded in ecological and neighborhood effects traditions, I extend prior inquiries by adjudicating the social mechanisms that link neighborhood disadvantage with residents’ satisfaction and neighboring. Results from longitudinal data from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey indicate that the neighborhood disadvantage perspective garners support when considering neighborhood satisfaction, while the systemic model marshals support for informal neighboring. Consistent with the local danger model, experiencing fearful feelings toward the neighborhood is detrimental to both satisfaction and neighboring. In addition, a cumulative disadvantage effect exists whereby individuals who live in highly disadvantaged areas and perceive the neighborhood as dangerous exhibit the highest levels of dissatisfaction. Having friendship ties living nearby buffers the impact of fear on neighborhood satisfaction, while being socially isolated exacerbates feelings of local danger. These findings suggest that community investment initiatives could mitigate the factors contributing to disadvantaged neighborhoods and foster local satisfaction and engagement as a result.

scholarly journals Understanding the Pathways of Neighborhood Environmental Influences on Health Among U.S. Chinese Older Immigrants

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 110-111
Author(s):  
Yi Wang ◽  
Man Guo ◽  
Jinyu Liu ◽  
Kara Carter
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Health ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Neighborhood Social Cohesion ◽  
Sense Of Mastery

Abstract Neighborhood environment has proven to be consequential for older Americans’ physical, mental and cognitive health. However, this topic is much less studied among older Asian immigrants, a fast growing immigrant group who embrace values of collectivism and community connections. The current study used the first wave data (N=2920) of the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), the largest population-based sample of Chinese older adults in the U.S., 1) to examine the direct associations between neighborhood environment (social cohesion, physical disorder) and health outcomes (self-rated health, depression, and cognitive health); and 2) to identify possible mediators at intrapersonal (sense of hopelessness, sense of mastery) and interpersonal levels (social engagement, cognitive engagement) through which neighborhood environment influences health. The results of Sobel tests from path analysis showed that neighborhood social cohesion was associated with better health outcomes on all the domains: self-rated health (b= 0.050, p&lt;.01), depression (b= -0.202 p&lt;.001), and cognitive health (b=0.092, p&lt;.001), whereas neighborhood physical disorder was associated with poorer self-rated health (b= -0.069, p&lt;.01) and more depressive symptoms (b=0.174, p&lt;.001). Full and partial mediations were detected. For example, neighborhood physical disorder influences depression completely through intrapersonal traits, higher sense of hopelessness (b=1.879, p&lt;0.001) and reduced sense of mastery (b= -2.656, p&lt;0.001). Neighborhood social cohesion contributes to better cognitive health partially through increased social engagement (b=1.696, p&lt;0.001) as well as cognitive activities (b=1.392, p&lt;0.001). The findings identified the ecological component in resilience building processes, and provide evidence for mezzo-level intervention to improve health among aging U.S. Chinese immigrants.

scholarly journals Lonely places or lonely people? Investigating the relationship between loneliness and place of residence

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina R Victor ◽  
Jitka Pikhartova
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Area Classification ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Deprived Areas

Abstract Background: Loneliness in later life is largely presented as a problem of the individual focusing upon antecedents of loneliness such as demographic or health factors. Research examining the role of the broader living environments is rarer. We examined the relationship between loneliness and three elements of the lived environment: geographical region, deprivation, and area classification (urban or rural). Methods: Our sample consisted of 4,663 core members (44% males) aged 50+ (base wave mean age 65.5, S.D=.7.9) present in waves 3 (2008) and 7 (2014) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) which both included questions about individual-based and area-based loneliness. Loneliness was measured using two approaches- the three item University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scale (ranging from 3 =not lonely to 9= lonely and using cut off at level 6+ marking loneliness) which assessed individual-based (self-reported) loneliness, and a novel self-rated evaluation by participants of how often they felt lonely in their area of residence (area-based; ranging from 1=often to 7=never, using cut off 4+). The lived environment was classified in three different ways: the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), Government Office Regions (GOR), and as urban or rural. Covariates with established relationship with loneliness including demographic factors, social engagement and health, were included in the analyses. Results: In wave 7, individual-based loneliness was reported by 18% and area-based loneliness by 25% of participants. There was limited congruence between measures: 68% participants reported no individual- or area-based loneliness and 9% reported loneliness in both areas. Adjusting for individual co-variates, a significant association was observed only for the association between area-based loneliness and deprivation measure area characteristic, with higher levels of loneliness in more deprived areas (OR=1.4 for highest quintile of deprivation). No other significant relationships were observed regarding other types of area characteristics. Conclusions: Our results indicate that loneliness in older adults is higher in the most deprived areas independent of individual-level factors. In order to develop appropriate interventions further research is required to investigate how area-level factors combine with individual-level loneliness vulnerability measures to generate increased levels of loneliness in deprived areas.

scholarly journals Lonely places or lonely people? Investigating the relationship between loneliness and place of residence

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina R Victor ◽  
Jitka Pikhartova
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Area Classification ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Deprived Areas

Abstract Background: Loneliness in later life is largely presented as a problem of the individual focusing upon antecedents such as demographic or health factors. Research examining the role of the broader living environments is much rarer. We examined the relationship between loneliness and three dimensions of the lived environment: geographical region, deprivation, and area classification (urban or rural).Methods: Our sample consisted of 4,663 core members (44% males) aged 50+ (wave 7 mean age 72.8, S.D.= 7.1) present both in waves 3 (2006) and 7 (2014) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Loneliness was measured using two approaches, individual and area-based, and both waves included these questions. Individual-based (self-reported) loneliness was assessed using the three item University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scale (ranging from 3 =not lonely to 9= lonely with a score of 6+ defining loneliness. We also used a novel question which asked participants to evaluate how often they felt lonely in their area of residence (area-based; ranging from 1=often to 7=never, using cut off 4+ to define loneliness). The lived environment was classified in three different ways: the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), Government Office Regions (GOR), and area classification (urban or rural). Covariates with established relationship with loneliness including demographic factors, social engagement and health, were included in the analyses. Results: In wave 7, the prevalence of individual-based loneliness was 18% and area-based was 25%. There was limited congruence between measures: 68% participants reported no individual- or area-based loneliness and 9% reported loneliness for both measures. After adjusting for individual co-variates only one significant relationship was observed between loneliness and area -based characteristics. A significant association was observed between area-based loneliness and deprivation score, with higher levels of loneliness in more deprived areas (OR=1.4 for highest quintile of deprivation). Conclusions: Our results indicate that loneliness in older adults is higher in the most deprived areas independent of individual-level factors. In order to develop appropriate interventions further research is required to investigate how area-level factors combine with individual-level loneliness vulnerability measures to generate increased levels of loneliness in deprived areas.

Peer Learning and Social Interactions in an Asynchronous Learning Environment

2010 ◽  
pp. 1498-1510
Author(s):  
Angela T. Ragusa
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Peer Learning ◽  
Asynchronous Learning ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Upper Level

This chapter explores how Internet-based asynchronous communication forums utilized in teaching undergraduate courses affect social interactions and student satisfaction. Drawing from an analysis of qualitative data, such as student and teachers’ perceptions, this case study reveals four key factors that affect learner satisfaction: (1) trust of people and technology, (2) awareness of how technicallymediated interactions differ from face-to-face interactions, (3) peer-based learning opportunities, and (4) integration of relevant learning materials and opportunities for social engagement. The findings suggest that when asynchronous forums are used as the principle vehicle for communication and learning, students feel less socially isolated, report a sense of belonging, and positively evaluate learning outcomes. The case study identifies asynchronous electronic forums as an effective tool for peer learning and social interactions among upper-level distance education students in Australia.

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