Drawing from concepts in criminological literature and sociological life-course perspective literature, data from adolescent and young adult measurements collected as part of a longitudinal panel study conducted on a cohort from Harris County, Texas, were used to estimate Structural Equation Models, testing the unmediated and mediated relationships between adolescent deviance, early timing of transitions to adult roles, and adult deviance. First, a simplified three latent variable model was estimated using the full sample (N= 3,379) to examine direct associations among adolescent deviance, early transitions to adulthood, and adult deviance while controlling for prior involvement in deviant behavior in adolescence. An expanded seven latent variable model was then estimated adding mechanisms in adolescence through which the relationships previously observed in the simplified model are mediated. Lastly, both the simplified and expanded models were estimated on eight subgroups in the sample to examine whether the relationships observed for the full sample are moderated by gender, race/ethnicity, paternal level of education, and expectations for future failure in conventional adolescent roles. For the full sample, the simplified model produced significant direct relationshipsbetween adolescent deviance and early transitions to adulthood, and between early transitions to adulthood and adult deviance. When this simplified model was estimated on the eight subgroups, the first relationship remained stable for each of the eight moderating subgroups, while the second relationship did not. When several intervening variables were added between adolescent deviance and early transitions to adulthood in the expanded model, the parameters added to the model using the intervening variables formed a chain of significant direct relationships fully mediating the relationship between adolescent deviance and early transitions to adulthood for the full sample. This chain of significant direct relationships remained stable for five of the eight subgroups, and the three subgroups that did not experience full mediation underwent great attenuation of the relationship. These intervening variables offer avenues for altering the trajectory of behavior seen in the simplified model.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of individuals who are aging with a lifelong and/or early-onset physical impairment. Method: A qualitative methodology was utilized consisting of narrative inquiry informed by the Life Course Perspective. The life course perspective is a dynamic approach that encompasses multiple theories including sociology, human development, and aging, highlighting how social, historical, and cultural contexts shape people’s lives. Narratives are storied ways of knowing and communicating that people use to organize events in their lives and make sense out of their experiences. Nine community-dwelling individuals (3 men; 6 women), aged 26-70, with mild to severe Cerebral Palsy were recruited using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling. Multiple (3-4), in-depth interviews were completed with each participant in order to co-construct their life stories. The data analysis was iterative. NVIVO 8 was used to organize the data, supporting a systematic caparison of emerging themes and categories, as well as the central plot that weaves the participants’ experiences together. Findings: “Defying the Odds” emerged as the central narrative that weaved together their experience of growing up and growing older. Their narrative is depicted through the trajectory of the disordered body that manifests itself in peaks and valleys. Their narrative is also weaved together by three central threads: Achieving a Sense of Belonging, Overcoming being Seen but not Heard, and Striving for Self-Reliance. “Normalization” emerged as a key recurring theme in the participants’ life stories. The focus of rehabilitation on "normalizing" movement, particularly walking, during childhood can lead to social psychological challenges as well as problems later in the life course as people encounter increasing fatigue and decreasing functional abilities but no longer have access to rehabilitation services. Implications: Theoretically, the disordered body needs to be reconceptualized in ways that are more positive. Conceptualizing a theory on aging with disability needs to be pursued. Clinically, we need to work towards developing a continuum of care across the life course with a focus on long-term maintenance and prevention of secondary health problems.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of individuals who are aging with a lifelong and/or early-onset physical impairment. Method: A qualitative methodology was utilized consisting of narrative inquiry informed by the Life Course Perspective. The life course perspective is a dynamic approach that encompasses multiple theories including sociology, human development, and aging, highlighting how social, historical, and cultural contexts shape people’s lives. Narratives are storied ways of knowing and communicating that people use to organize events in their lives and make sense out of their experiences. Nine community-dwelling individuals (3 men; 6 women), aged 26-70, with mild to severe Cerebral Palsy were recruited using a combination of purposive and snowball sampling. Multiple (3-4), in-depth interviews were completed with each participant in order to co-construct their life stories. The data analysis was iterative. NVIVO 8 was used to organize the data, supporting a systematic caparison of emerging themes and categories, as well as the central plot that weaves the participants’ experiences together. Findings: “Defying the Odds” emerged as the central narrative that weaved together their experience of growing up and growing older. Their narrative is depicted through the trajectory of the disordered body that manifests itself in peaks and valleys. Their narrative is also weaved together by three central threads: Achieving a Sense of Belonging, Overcoming being Seen but not Heard, and Striving for Self-Reliance. “Normalization” emerged as a key recurring theme in the participants’ life stories. The focus of rehabilitation on "normalizing" movement, particularly walking, during childhood can lead to social psychological challenges as well as problems later in the life course as people encounter increasing fatigue and decreasing functional abilities but no longer have access to rehabilitation services. Implications: Theoretically, the disordered body needs to be reconceptualized in ways that are more positive. Conceptualizing a theory on aging with disability needs to be pursued. Clinically, we need to work towards developing a continuum of care across the life course with a focus on long-term maintenance and prevention of secondary health problems.

For a generation in many sociological literatures, China has provided the example of traditional family with good intra-familial relationship, filial piety and extended family support which is unusually stable and substantially unchanged. However, with the emergence of modernity, in the forms of industrialization and urbanization; capitalization and public policy transformation, the family structure has undergone changes where nuclear and asymmetrical types have emerged. At the same time, family support for the elderly is affected by the changes in family formation, family dynamics, as well as people’s values and their way of life. Do the theories concerning the relationship between modernity and family change that have been proposed and developed by western scholars, apply to Chinese societies also? Are there any differences between Western and Chinese culture in forming family organizations during modernity? For answering these questions, this study explores the impact of modernity on family structure and changing functions in terms of family support for elderly in China. The aim is to understand why and how family change in its structure and functions within modernity. To fit the purpose and nature of this study, the exploratory strategy is used. By adopting historical review in the first stage, families in six historical stages (legendary and heroic age; Neolithic age; Xia, Shang and Western Zhou dynasty; Spring and Autumn, Warring States, Qin and the Western Han dynasty; from Eastern Han to early and middle period of Qing; and Late period of Qing until more recent years) are examined to show the “macro-transformations” and “micro-adaptive adjustments” that had happened to Chinese families in history. Then, adopting the methodological concept of invariance, multiple-case (M-C) studies in three areas in China are conducted to illustrate the Chinese families in different level of modernization, namely the agrarian pre-modern (Yunnan), the transforming-mix modern (Beijing), and the capitalist modernized (Hong Kong). Based on the survey data and from analysis of semi-structured interview with 62 respondents about their own family experiences and 8 experts about their viewpoint and explanations, there is evidence showing that corresponding structure and family support for elderly changes are aiding modernization under diverse socio-economic characteristics (i.e. under developed, developing and developed localities). To explain this phenomenon under study, a geo-adaptation model is developed from both macro and micro perspective to give insight on how modernity affects the ways of family support for elderly members. It has concluded that the development of modernity, as one of the vital reasons, contribute to changes in family structure globally (i.e. from stem and extended to nuclear and diverse form), but the care function for the aged, is not destined to deteriorate. To some extent, the Chinese tradition of filial piety and the family policy could strengthen social cohesion by maintaining the core functions once provided by the stem and extended family.

No description available.

Maternity leave is a critical work-family policy that affects over two-thirds of the working U.S. female population. Although it has been studied extensively, especially since the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the majority of the research has focused on White, middle-class, married, and educated working mothers. There is a plethora of information about access to maternity leave, utilization of maternity leave, length of maternity leave, and compensation during leave. However, there are several limitations in the research. A majority of studies use outdated datasets; measure family leave as a proxy for maternity leave; study paid and unpaid maternity leave as one variable; and leave out contextual factors. Using intersectionality theory as a guiding framework, which poses that women's gendered experiences are shaped by the intersection of race/ethnicity and class, the purpose of this study is to identify similarities and differences in the maternity leave practices of a racially diverse sample of working mothers. The Listening to Mothers III Survey of births occurring in 2011 and 2012 will be used for this study. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the factors that predict access to leave, utilization of leave, length of leave, and compensation during leave. Results show that sociodemographic factors such as household income, poverty level, and insurance are consistent predictors of access to leave, use of leave, and length of leave. Using an intersectional approach revealed that mothers' intersectional locations can increase or decrease their chances of getting access to leave, using leave, the length of leave taken, and compensation received during leave. The results of this study show that including sociodemographic factors in maternity leave research can further our understanding of how the social characteristics of working mothers impact their maternity leave experiences. Paying more attention to these factors in maternity leave research will contribute recommendations for creating more inclusive maternity leave policies.

Current data highlight significant disparities in infant and maternal health (IMH) outcomes both when comparing outcomes to other countries and between groups within the U.S. Previous studies indicate that disparities in health outcomes are caused by health inequities. Health inequities are a result of marginalized groups historically being denied resources and exposed to increased risk directly impacting health. These resources and risks are considered social determinants of health (SDoH), such as income, housing, transportation, and access to care. Although SDoH influence individuals across multiple levels of society, communities are sites where individuals directly access protective resources and are potentially exposed to risk. Therefore, given the persistence of poor IMH outcomes and the role communities play as sites in which social factors directly impact health, this study sought to understand the relationship between local-level SDoH and IMH outcomes in Florida as well as the role local health departments play in improving outcomes. To do this, a mixed methods analysis was conducted using secondary quantitative and qualitative data. The secondary quantitative data was compiled to create a dataset for variables that represent community-level SDoH and IMH outcomes, which were all analyzed statistically and utilizing geospatial visualizations. The secondary qualitative data consisted of county-level content from Healthy Start Coalition websites as well as Community Health Needs Assessments and Health Improvement Plans. Findings suggest that there are statistically significant relationships between variables utilized to measure racial residential segregation, neighborhood deprivation, housing stability, rurality and access to care and the variables utilized to measure infant health outcomes. Further, the qualitative data suggest that less than half the sample considered IMH a priority issue. Of the counties who did, many focused on implementing strategies to impact individual behaviors, however all counties in the sample did discuss SDoH and health equity to varying degrees.

Increasing numbers of older adults are expected to return to the labor force to reap both the financial and social rewards of paid employment. However, little is known about how the workplace supports older workers' successful aging process. The purpose of this study was to examine how the design of a job (opportunities for decision making, use of a variety of skills, coworker support, and supervisor support) influences successful aging (having a sense of control over life, social networks, emotional support, and opportunities for generativity) in older workers (aged 55 and older) in the home building industry. The study explored the relationship between two broad constructs: a model of successful aging and the demand control model of healthy job design. In a cross-sectional, survey design, a convenience sample of 109 older workers completed the Job Content Questionnaire, Social Network scale, Emotional Support scale, Mirowsky-Ross 2 X 2 Index of Sense of Control, and Loyola Generativity Scale. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that job design influenced two measures of successful aging: generativity and personal sense of control. Job design contributed to 23% of the variance in generativity and 15.5% of the variance in personal sense of control. The job design characteristics of skill variety and coworker support were most important to successful aging. It was recommended that managers design jobs for older workers that incorporate opportunities to use a variety of skills, work collaboratively with others, and offer mentoring experiences. This study contributes to social change by promoting the workplace as a naturally occurring social institution that supports successful aging for older workers.

No description available.

No description available.