While environmental justice (EJ) research in the U.S. has traditionally focused on inequities in the distribution of technological hazards, the disproportionate impacts of Hurricane Katrina on racial minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged households have prompted researchers to investigate the EJ implications of natural hazards such as flooding. Recent EJ research has also emphasized the need to examine social inequities in access to environmental amenities. Unlike technological hazards such as air pollution and toxic waste sites, areas exposed to natural hazards such as hurricanes and floods have indivisible amenities associated with them. Coastal property owners are exposed to flood hazards, but also enjoy water views and unhampered access to oceans and the unique recreational opportunities that beaches offer. Conversely, dense urban development and associated impervious surfaces increase likelihood of floods in inland areas which may lack the amenities of proximity to open water. This dissertation contributes to the emerging literature on EJ and social vulnerability to natural hazards by analyzing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in the distribution of flood risk exposure in the Miami Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Florida--one of the most hurricane-prone areas in the world and one of the most ethnically diverse MSAs in the U.S. The case study evaluates the EJ implications of residential exposure to coastal flood risk, inland flood risk, and no flood risk, in conjunction with coastal water related amenities, using geographic information science (GIS)-based techniques and logistic regression modeling to estimate flood risk exposure. Geospatial data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are utilized to delineate coastal and inland 100-year flood hazard zones. Socio-demographic variables previously utilized in EJ research are obtained from tract level data published in the 2010 census and 2007-2011 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Principal components analysis is employed to condense several socio-demographic attributes into two neighborhood deprivation indices that represent economic insecurity and instability, respectively. Indivisible coastal water related amenities are represented by control variables of percent seasonal homes and proximity to public beach access sites. Results indicate that racial/ethnic minorities and those with greater social vulnerability based on the neighborhood deprivation indices are more likely to reside in inland flood zones and areas outside 100-year flood zones, while residents in coastal flood zones are disproportionately non-Hispanic White. Moreover, residents exposed to coastal flood risk tend to live in areas with ample coastal water related amenities, while racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with higher neighborhood deprivation who are exposed to inland flood risk or no flood risk reside in areas without coastal water related amenities. This dissertation elucidates the importance of EJ research on privilege and access to environmental amenities in conjunction with environmental hazards because areas exposed to natural hazards are likely to offer indivisible benefits. Estimating people and places exposed to hazards for EJ research becomes difficult when the boundaries of census areal units containing socio-demographic data do not match the boundaries of hazard exposure areas. This challenge is addressed with an application of dasymetric spatial interpolation using GIS-based techniques to disaggregate census tracts to inhabited parcels. Several spatial interpolation methods are assessed for relative accuracy in estimating population densities for the Miami MSA, and the output units from the most accurate method are employed in EJ regression analyses. The dasymetric mapping efforts utilized herein contribute to research on the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) and its effects on statistical analyses. Since the dasymetric mapping technique used for EJ analyses disaggregates census tracts to the inhabited parcel level, the results of the associated analyses for flood hazards exposure and access to coastal water related amenities should be more reliable than those based on tracts. The enhanced accuracy associated with inhabited parcels is a result of using a more precise geospatial depiction of residential populations, which leads to a more accurate portrayal of disproportionate exposure to flood hazards. Consequently, this dissertation contributes methodologically to GIS-based techniques of dasymetric spatial interpolation and empirically to EJ analysis of flood hazards with indivisible coastal water related amenities.

<p>Syftet med denna uppsats är att ge en forskningsöversikt kring begreppet social sårbarhet i relation till naturkatastrofer i allmänhet. Sårbarhet i relation till naturkatastrofer har kartlagts och studerats vetenskapligt under en kortare period, medan social sårbarhet, som är en undergrupp till sårbarhetsfältet, har studerats förhållandevis lite. Genom att ta reda på vilka människor/grupper av människor som är mest utsatta för naturkatastrofer finns det en möjlighet för beslutsfattare att fatta välgrundade beslut om var förebyggande insatser bör göras, såväl som akuta insatser i händelse av en naturkatastrof. Tanken är att denna uppsats skall ligga till grund för en lokal studie 2009-2010 av social sårbarhet i en utvald kommun vid Vänerns strand. Vänern är som känt hotad av ökad översvämningsrisk i samband med klimatförändringar och vikten av att undersöka social sårbarhet där är stor. Det huvudsakliga resultatet är att social sårbarhet i relation till naturkatastrofer är bristfälligt kartlagt i vetenskaplig litteratur. Den metodik som har utarbetats för att mäta och hantera social sårbarhet i olika samhällen är fortfarande på ett experimentellt stadium. Att mäta och analysera social sårbarhet i Sverige är möjligt, om än med tydliga begränsningar, men det är av största betydelse att hänsyn tas till de unika förhållanden som råder på den plats som skall studeras. De variabler som används i utländska studier för att mäta social sårbarhet är förmodligen annorlunda från vilka variabler som är lämpliga att använda i Sverige. De studier som undersökts i rapporten använder sig av variabler som är lätta att kvantifiera. Kvalitativa variabler skulle sannolikt vara mer intressanta att mäta i en studie om social sårbarhet i Sverige.</p>

Syftet med denna uppsats är att ge en forskningsöversikt kring begreppet social sårbarhet i relation till naturkatastrofer i allmänhet. Sårbarhet i relation till naturkatastrofer har kartlagts och studerats vetenskapligt under en kortare period, medan social sårbarhet, som är en undergrupp till sårbarhetsfältet, har studerats förhållandevis lite. Genom att ta reda på vilka människor/grupper av människor som är mest utsatta för naturkatastrofer finns det en möjlighet för beslutsfattare att fatta välgrundade beslut om var förebyggande insatser bör göras, såväl som akuta insatser i händelse av en naturkatastrof. Tanken är att denna uppsats skall ligga till grund för en lokal studie 2009-2010 av social sårbarhet i en utvald kommun vid Vänerns strand. Vänern är som känt hotad av ökad översvämningsrisk i samband med klimatförändringar och vikten av att undersöka social sårbarhet där är stor. Det huvudsakliga resultatet är att social sårbarhet i relation till naturkatastrofer är bristfälligt kartlagt i vetenskaplig litteratur. Den metodik som har utarbetats för att mäta och hantera social sårbarhet i olika samhällen är fortfarande på ett experimentellt stadium. Att mäta och analysera social sårbarhet i Sverige är möjligt, om än med tydliga begränsningar, men det är av största betydelse att hänsyn tas till de unika förhållanden som råder på den plats som skall studeras. De variabler som används i utländska studier för att mäta social sårbarhet är förmodligen annorlunda från vilka variabler som är lämpliga att använda i Sverige. De studier som undersökts i rapporten använder sig av variabler som är lätta att kvantifiera. Kvalitativa variabler skulle sannolikt vara mer intressanta att mäta i en studie om social sårbarhet i Sverige.

Anecdotal evidence in disaster studies suggests that multifamily housing takes longer to recover than single family homes, but almost no studies have provided quantitative evidence to clarify this “multifamily home lag” phenomenon. This research examines the recovery of single family, duplex, and apartment complex housing in south Miami-Dade County, Florida, after 1992 Hurricane Andrew to determine if there is indeed a "multifamily home lag." This research also provides a better understanding of the factors influencing the recovery trajectories of these three housing types. The findings of this research indicate that duplexes and apartment buildings have slower recovery trajectories than single family dwellings. In addition, rental housing, housing that sustained higher levels of damage, and single family dwellings and duplexes located in predominately non-Hispanic Black neighborhoods show significantly slower recovery trajectories. The analyses specific to apartment buildings also finds that apartment buildings with fewer than 10 units have significantly slower recovery trend than apartment buildings with more than 50 units.

This research investigates the public perception of hurricane forecasting and warning systems with a view to improving response activities. The hazard literature shows that the effectiveness of such systems is contingent upon on the smooth operation of all components of the system and that warning recipients fully understand the implications of the warning message by taking appropriate action. It is argued that public perception of warning systems will vary depending on various socio-demographic factors, such as age, gender, level of education, socioeconomic status and area, factors that will ultimately influence overall effectiveness. To test this, a questionnaire survey was undertaken of local residents in Lake Wales, Florida, a town that was severely impacted by three hurricanes in the 2004 season. Results indicate that some demographic factors appear to influence an individual's willingness and ability to respond. Overall, level of education and income seem to have a larger affect on response than age or gender. The two sampling areas in Lake Wales elicited more significant differences than do the other variables but, the area variable takes into account all of the other factors of age, gender, level of education, and socioeconomic status. In fact, what is argued here is that area actually acts as a surrogate variable for the others. Therefore, it is not where one is located that makes a difference but the composition of the people in the location itself.

Syftet med denna studie har varit att analysera socialsekreterares erfarenheter av bakomliggande orsaker till att barn i familjer med utländsk bakgrund blir aktuella för utredning enligt Socialtjänstlagen (SFS 2001:453). Studien behandlar skillnader mellan familjer med utländsk bakgrund och familjer med svensk bakgrund vad gäller bakomliggande orsaker för aktualisering hos socialtjänsten. Studien är kvalitativ och grundar sig på fem semistrukturerade intervjuer. Till grund för analysen har Bronfenbrenners utvecklingsekologiska teori använts vilken har kompletterats med begrepp som behandlar migrationsprocess, socialisationsprocess och kultur. Resultatet visar att det inte finns någon större skillnad gällande bakomliggande orsaker för aktualisering beroende på härkomst. Det framkommer att social utsatthet är vanligt förekommande hos de familjer som aktualiseras och då främst i form av ekonomisk utsatthet, boendesituation och arbete. Det som skiljer familjer med utländsk bakgrund från familjer med svensk bakgrund är att de invandrande familjerna har bristande integreringsmöjligheter. Samhällsorientering för de nyanlända ses i denna studie som en tänkbar faktor i bristande integreringsmöjligheter. För att få mer kunskap av informationens betydelse för integreringen i det nya landet ges förslag att vidare forskning bör behandla de nyanländas egen uppfattning kring samhällsorienteringen och dess innehåll. / The purpose of this study has been to analyse social workers experiences of underlying factors to why children in families with an immigrant origin becomes subject for the social services. The study involves differences between families with an immigrant background and families with Swedish background in terms of underlying factors to why they become subjects for the social services. The study is qualitative and based on five semi-structured interviews. The analysis is based on Bronfenbrenners ecological systems theory and has been supplemented by concepts that involve migration process, socialization and culture. The survey reveals that there is no significant difference, in the underlying factors for the cause to become the subject of social services, due to origin. It appears that social deprivation is common among the families that become subject for the social services, mainly in form of economic vulnerability, living situation and work. What distinguishes families with an immigrant background from families with Swedish background is their lack of integration possibilities. Civics for the newly arrived families is seen in this survey as a possible factor in the lack of integration possibilities. To gain more knowledge of the role of information for inclusion in the new country, suggestions for further research are to address the newly arrived families own perception of the civics and its contents.

Objective: The primary goal of this research is to identify social vulnerability and resilience to earthquake hazards within the Capital Regional District (CRD) and to generate recommendations for how the provincial health system and various local and regional government agencies can support the continued enhancement of disaster-resilient communities. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed to evaluate social vulnerability and resilience. Quantitatively, the methodology developed by Cutter et al., was replicated to create a Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI). These data were supported by qualitative data obtained from focus group interviews in three communities in the CRD. Together, this mixed methods approach provided additional insights into the dimensions of social vulnerability, and resilience within the CRD. Results. From the SoVI, twenty-five census tracts (CTs) within the CRD exhibited ‘high social vulnerability’. These highly vulnerable CTs were most likely to be in more densely populated areas, whether they were in inner city neighbourhoods or suburbs of the City. The qualitative results suggest that a large scale seismic hazard will present substantial challenges for the CRD. The smaller, rural and remote communities of Sooke and Port Renfrew appeared to be more interested in emergency preparation than those in the City of Victoria, if judged by their participation rates. Conclusion. The information collected from research participants and the generation of the SoVI complements existing hazard maps and local knowledge well. Both have their place as tools for enhancing understanding of risk-assessment for the area. / Graduate

ABSTRACT Exploitation of older people can result in devastating emotional and financial consequences. Researchers and policy makers have widely recognised the deleterious effects of exploitation on older adults, particularly cognitively impaired older people. Studies to date have provided basic information about the demographic and health characteristics that contribute to exploitation in later life, namely extreme dependence, frailty, social isolation, severe physical illness, and cognitive impairment. However, an overarching explanatory framework of vulnerability, and clinical instruments to aid with identifying those individuals at elevated risk of exploitation a priori have been lacking. Furthermore, the specific cognitive and social factors at the level of the individual which promote vulnerability to exploitation remain largely unexplored. The present research was directed towards addressing these issues. For definitional purposes, the term social vulnerability is used throughout in reference to an individual’s degree of susceptibility to exploitation. Exploitation of older people can take many forms including social and sexual exploitation, mistreatment, and deprivation of rights. Financial exploitation in particular is a relatively widespread phenomenon among older people, and may be a salient marker of social vulnerability in later life. In Chapter 1 of this dissertation, literature relevant to financial exploitation and social vulnerability more generally among older people is reviewed, and a conceptual framework for describing and explaining heightened vulnerability is presented. Central to this framework are various factors of personal competence at the level of the individual (i.e., intelligence, cognitive functioning, social intelligence, social skill, personality traits) which, in theoretical terms, contribute to, or protect against, exploitation. Chapter 2 details the development and psychometric evaluation of a standardised scale for assessing social vulnerability among older adults (termed the SVS15). Given that financial exploitation may be a pertinent marker of social vulnerability in older people, item content for the scale includes items of a financial nature. The results of two studies provided support for the reliability (internal consistency) and validity (known-groups) of the SVS15. Results of a factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution, with the emerging factors labelled gullibility and credulity. Stability in factor structure of the SVS15 was established in an independent sample using structural equation modelling. Chapters 3 and 4 of the dissertation detail the methodology employed in, and results of, a series of three studies systematically investigating the relationships between personal competence factors and social vulnerability in older people. Using multiple regression analyses, non-significant associations between basic demographic characteristics and social vulnerability were found in a nonclinical older sample, indicating that heightened vulnerability to exploitation is not readily explained by age, gender, or education. Rather, general cognitive functioning emerged as the most significant correlate of SVS15 scores in a combined clinical and nonclinical sample of older adults such that poorer cognitive functioning was associated with greater vulnerability to exploitation. Executive functioning in particular showed significant overlap with SVS15 scores after controlling for differences in memory and age. These results support the inclusion of standardised neuropsychological tests of memory and executive functioning (tests which are routinely used) when issues of social vulnerability arise. After general cognitive functioning, social measures of self-awareness and social skill were also important correlates of social vulnerability scores, indicating that social measures could also contribute useful information when assessing social vulnerability in older people. From an applied perspective, Chapter 5 of the thesis presents normative data for the SVS15, and an examination of the Tclinical utility of the scale using individual case studies of older adults diagnosed with a dementia syndrome. In Chapter 6, an amalgamation of the results from the project is presented, and the theoretical and clinical contributions of the findings are highlighted. TThe findings contribute to the extant literature in two ways: (1) through the development of aT potentially useful and psychometrically sound instrument which targets symptoms of social Tvulnerability more directly than existing neuropsychological measures and (2) by enhancing the current understanding of the cognitive and social personal competence factors associated with heightened vulnerability in later life.

ABSTRACT Exploitation of older people can result in devastating emotional and financial consequences. Researchers and policy makers have widely recognised the deleterious effects of exploitation on older adults, particularly cognitively impaired older people. Studies to date have provided basic information about the demographic and health characteristics that contribute to exploitation in later life, namely extreme dependence, frailty, social isolation, severe physical illness, and cognitive impairment. However, an overarching explanatory framework of vulnerability, and clinical instruments to aid with identifying those individuals at elevated risk of exploitation a priori have been lacking. Furthermore, the specific cognitive and social factors at the level of the individual which promote vulnerability to exploitation remain largely unexplored. The present research was directed towards addressing these issues. For definitional purposes, the term social vulnerability is used throughout in reference to an individual’s degree of susceptibility to exploitation. Exploitation of older people can take many forms including social and sexual exploitation, mistreatment, and deprivation of rights. Financial exploitation in particular is a relatively widespread phenomenon among older people, and may be a salient marker of social vulnerability in later life. In Chapter 1 of this dissertation, literature relevant to financial exploitation and social vulnerability more generally among older people is reviewed, and a conceptual framework for describing and explaining heightened vulnerability is presented. Central to this framework are various factors of personal competence at the level of the individual (i.e., intelligence, cognitive functioning, social intelligence, social skill, personality traits) which, in theoretical terms, contribute to, or protect against, exploitation. Chapter 2 details the development and psychometric evaluation of a standardised scale for assessing social vulnerability among older adults (termed the SVS15). Given that financial exploitation may be a pertinent marker of social vulnerability in older people, item content for the scale includes items of a financial nature. The results of two studies provided support for the reliability (internal consistency) and validity (known-groups) of the SVS15. Results of a factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution, with the emerging factors labelled gullibility and credulity. Stability in factor structure of the SVS15 was established in an independent sample using structural equation modelling. Chapters 3 and 4 of the dissertation detail the methodology employed in, and results of, a series of three studies systematically investigating the relationships between personal competence factors and social vulnerability in older people. Using multiple regression analyses, non-significant associations between basic demographic characteristics and social vulnerability were found in a nonclinical older sample, indicating that heightened vulnerability to exploitation is not readily explained by age, gender, or education. Rather, general cognitive functioning emerged as the most significant correlate of SVS15 scores in a combined clinical and nonclinical sample of older adults such that poorer cognitive functioning was associated with greater vulnerability to exploitation. Executive functioning in particular showed significant overlap with SVS15 scores after controlling for differences in memory and age. These results support the inclusion of standardised neuropsychological tests of memory and executive functioning (tests which are routinely used) when issues of social vulnerability arise. After general cognitive functioning, social measures of self-awareness and social skill were also important correlates of social vulnerability scores, indicating that social measures could also contribute useful information when assessing social vulnerability in older people. From an applied perspective, Chapter 5 of the thesis presents normative data for the SVS15, and an examination of the Tclinical utility of the scale using individual case studies of older adults diagnosed with a dementia syndrome. In Chapter 6, an amalgamation of the results from the project is presented, and the theoretical and clinical contributions of the findings are highlighted. TThe findings contribute to the extant literature in two ways: (1) through the development of aT potentially useful and psychometrically sound instrument which targets symptoms of social Tvulnerability more directly than existing neuropsychological measures and (2) by enhancing the current understanding of the cognitive and social personal competence factors associated with heightened vulnerability in later life.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-08-03T19:00:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissALCM.pdf: 1925747 bytes, checksum: a2061ae118cc5edbf3ec5d6b5c0711ce (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-08T14:22:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissALCM.pdf: 1925747 bytes, checksum: a2061ae118cc5edbf3ec5d6b5c0711ce (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-08T14:22:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissALCM.pdf: 1925747 bytes, checksum: a2061ae118cc5edbf3ec5d6b5c0711ce (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-08T14:22:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissALCM.pdf: 1925747 bytes, checksum: a2061ae118cc5edbf3ec5d6b5c0711ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Introduction: Frailty, defined as a multifactorial syndrome that can cause functional disability and an increased risk of comorbidities. Older people in a context of high social vulnerability may present greater risk of frailty. The identification of frailty’s levels and associated factors in the elderly in situations of social vulnerability is fundamental for a social care and health care therapy. Objective: To identify the factors associated with frailty in the elderly living in the context of high social vulnerability. Methodology: This is a correlational, cross-sectional research. The data collection was carried out at the participants' home with application of the instruments: Socio-demographic Questionnaire; Fried Frailty Phenotype Assessment; Mini Mental State Examination; Geriatric Depression Scale; Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living; Lawton And Brody Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living; Advanced Daily Life Activity Questionnaire - FIBRA network; International Physical Activity Questionnaire; Timed Up and Go Test; and Social Support Scale of the Medical Outcome Study. The Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Carlos approved the project (Opinion No. 1,207,390). Logistic regression was performed to analyze the data. Results: Of the 304 elderly evaluated, 56,9% were female, 53,5% were aged between 60 and 69 years, 12.2% were classified as non-fragile, 60.5% as pre-fragile and 27.3% classified as fragile. The main factors associated with fragility in the studied sample were presence of depressive symptoms (OR: 1.9 95% CI: 1,1 – 3,7), mobility deficit (OR: 3.0 95% CI: 1,5 – 5,8), occurrence of two or more falls within 12 months (OR: 3,1 95% CI: 1,4 – 7,1) and low level of physical activity (OR: 5.2 95% CI: 2,5 – 11,0). Conclusion: The associated factors confirm the relationship between deficits in the physical and psychological aspects resulting from the aging process and socioeconomic conditions with the presence of frailty, in order to meet the national and international publications on the subject. The present study presented contributions so that new public policies can be created and new actions can be planned and implemented by health institutions and professionals, aiming at the promotion of health, prevention of associated factors, reversion and impediment of the progress of frailty, considering the negative impact it generates on the life of the elderly individual. / Introdução: A fragilidade, definida como uma síndrome multifatorial que pode ocasionar incapacidade funcional e maior risco de comorbidades. Idosos em contexto de alta vulnerabilidade social podem apresentar maior risco de fragilidade. A identificação de níveis de fragilidade e fatores associados em idosos em situação de vulnerabilidade social é fundamental para uma adequada assistência social e em saúde. Objetivo: Identificar os fatores associados à fragilidade em idosos que residem em contexto de alta vulnerabilidade social. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa correlacional, de corte transversal. A coleta de dados foi realizada no domicílio dos participantes com aplicação dos instrumentos: Caracterização Sociodemográfica; Avaliação do Fenótipo de Fragilidade de Fried; Mini Exame do Estado Mental; Escala de Depressão Geriátrica; Escala de Independência em Atividades de Vida Viária de Katz; Escala de Independência de Atividades Instrumentais de Vida Diária de Lawton e Brody; Questionário de Atividades Avançadas de Vida Diária – Rede FIBRA; Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física; Teste Timed Up and Go; e Escala de Apoio Social do Medical Outcome Study. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de São Carlos (Parecer nº 1.207.390). Para análise dos dados foi realizado regressão logística. Resultados: dos 304 idosos avaliados, 56,9% eram do sexo feminino, 53,5% possuía idade entre 60 a 69 anos, 12,2% foram classificados como não-frágeis, 60,5% pré-frágeis e 27,3% foram classificados como frágeis. Os principais fatores associados a fragilidade na amostra estudada foram presença de sintomas depressivos (OR: 1,9 95% IC: 1,1 - 3,7), déficit de mobilidade (OR: 3,0 IC 95%: 1,5 - 5,8), ocorrência de duas ou mais quedas dentro de 12 meses (OR: 3,1 IC 95%: 1,4-7,1) e baixo nível de atividade física (OR: 5,2 IC 95%: 2,5 - 11,0). Conclusão: Os fatores associados encontrados confirmam a relação entre déficits nos aspectos físicos e psicológicos decorrentes do processo de envelhecimento e condições socioeconômicas com a presença da fragilidade, indo ao encontro das publicações nacionais e internacionais sobre o tema. O presente estudo apresentou contribuições para que novas políticas públicas possam ser criadas e novas ações possam ser planejadas e implantadas por instituições e profissionais de saúde, visando a promoção de saúde, prevenção de fatores associados, reversão e impedimento do progresso da fragilidade, considerando-se o impacto negativo que essa gera na vida do indivíduo idoso.