Master of Public Health / Department of Human Ecology / Tandalayo Kidd / The objectives of the study were to assess fruit and vegetable intake of 6th to 8th grade youth in low-income areas, assess their food environment, and determine factors that influenced fruit and vegetable consumption. Sixth to eighth grade youth from two low-income communities in each of the three states of South Dakota, Kansas and Ohio were involved in the study. Fruit and vegetable intake was measured using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) fruit and vegetable screener tool. The food environment was measured using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Restaurants (NEMS-R) and the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Stores (NEMS-S) tools. A generalized linear mixed model in PROC GLIMMIX was used to assess possible predictors of fruit and vegetable intake. Average daily fruit and vegetable consumption for males and females was 3.8 cups (95%CI= 2.4-6.0) and 3.1 cups (95%CI=2.0-4.9) respectively. Grade, gender, ethnicity, community, and state of residence did not influence fruit and vegetable consumption, while fruit and vegetable availability at home influenced intake. Youth had a favorable view of their food environment, contrary to the findings of objective measures.

Responsive parenting is characteristically child-centered and creates a climate where children's needs are met. While responsive parenting has been studies less than harsh parenting, initial evidence supports a negative relationship between responsive parenting and children's externalizing problems. The current study sought to identify mechanism by which responsive parenting reduces risk for externalizing problems in the preschool years. Specifically, the study sought to evaluate the extent to which children's language development and children's emotion regulation skills mediate the expected negative relationship between responsive parenting and children's externalizing problems. While responsive parenting was found to be negatively related to children's externalizing problems, support for mediation was not found. Results are discussed in terms of what may account for the lack of support for study hypotheses

Thesis advisor: Lisa A. Goodman / As poverty rates in the United States increase, women continue to be disproportionately represented among individuals in poverty. As a result of their poverty, low-income women experience a range of acute stressors and chronic life conditions, within a sociopolitical climate that is highly stigmatizing. Not surprisingly, low-income women experience mental health issues at substantially higher rates than their higher-income counterparts. Despite the clear need for mental health services for this population, rates of access to treatment are low and attrition rates are high. The minimal research examining treatment outcomes for low-income women reveals mixed findings. Further, there is little research on low-income women's qualitative experiences of therapy; the role of their poverty and what they perceive to be meaningful and effective. The present study attempted to fill the gap in our understanding of low-income women's psychotherapy needs and experiences, in an effort to offer new insights about directions for research, training, and practice that can improve mental health services for this high-risk population. This study employed a qualitative descriptive methodology to explore low-income women's (n=10) experiences in traditional outpatient psychotherapy, with a particular focus on how poverty shaped their experiences and what they perceived to be most effective and meaningful. Six clusters emerged from data analysis: Awareness, Instrumental support and flexibility, Building strengths, Respect and dignity, Shared power, and Authenticity. These clusters, in turn, coalesced into three overarching themes: Awareness, Practices, and Relational Quality. Awareness pertains to participants' sense that their therapist understood the nature of poverty and was sensitive to the role of poverty-related stressors in their clients' lives. Practices reflects therapists' willingness to respond directly and actively to participants' poverty-related needs, as these are inextricably intertwined with their mental health. Relational quality refers to the participants' view of how therapists approached relational dynamics; in particular, how they negotiated issues such as power and transparency. Findings are discussed in the context of feminist theory and current research. Limitations are also presented along with recommendations for future research, training, and practice. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology.

This research report is an account of the results of investigations into the critical analysis of the private sector’s Financial Sector Charter (FSC) and the government’s Community Reinvestment Bill (CRB) in comparing their anticipated advantages towards housing and housing finance for the low income sector in South Africa. 2 stages of data gathering were adopted; namely interviews with 5 Banking Council officials and 5 Ministry of Housing officials and a questionnaire survey with representatives from SACC, NALEDI, SANGOCO, COSATU and SANCO which are independent organizations, which amongst other duties, generally assist in serving the social needs of disadvantaged individuals in the society. Multi-criteria analysis and SWOT analysis techniques were used to analyse the qualitative data. Results showed that the most critical aspect of the FSC is the establishment of risk sharing responsibilities between the government and the private sector, which still needs to be resolved. The private sector views the CRB as a forceful mechanism with strict requirements, which would result in the private sector’s participation in provision of housing finance to the low income sector to be ineffective as they would be acting unwillingly. Independent organizations view the CRB as being lenient on the private sector. Evaluation of the CRB and FSC showed that ultimate success lies in the combined efforts between the government and private sector, which in turn lies in the settling of the Memorandum of Understanding on-going negotiations. Key recommendations for addressing the low income sector housing and housing finance problems include; cultural adjustment of the banks towards low income sector individuals, formation of partnerships in dealing with housing and housing finance problems, establishment of efficient secondary property markets through amenities provision and infrastructure upgrading, identification of effective default management models, accommodation of new intellectual ideas and provision of different mortgage securities by banks and the government.

Thesis advisor: Ted Youn / The purpose of this study was to examine college pathways or college access and success of rural, first-generation students. Most research on college pathways for low- and moderate-income students focuses on those students as a whole or on urban low-socioeconomic status (SES) students. (Caution is in order when generalizing the experiences of low-SES urban students to those of low-SES rural students.) The literature reveals that rural students attend college at lower rates than their urban and suburban counterparts and are likely to have lower college aspirations. Why such differences exist remains highly speculative in the literature. Especially absent is knowledge about how rural culture interacts with rural student behavior. Current research on pathways primarily examines factors used to predict college aspirations, participation, and completion of rural students. This ethnographic case study examined why and how such factors influenced students in a rural, high poverty county in southern West Virginia. The study explored rural cultural values and how rural culture influenced college pathways. All students in the sample had attended high school in the selected county and were enrolled in West Virginia two- and four-year public institutions. This study found that attachment to family significantly influenced students' college-going decisions and behaviors. Students' parents, siblings, and extended family provided support and encouragement necessary for high educational aspirations, college-going, and persistence. Attachment to family made it difficult for students to leave the area. The decision to leave, return or stay was difficult for rural students given the strong attachment to family, place, and community; yet, the lack of economic opportunity in the area affected the decision as well. Cultural legacies, traditions, and norms influenced rural students' college-going and persistence. In addition to family's vital role in the success of rural students their high schools, communities, and peers were also relevant. Given the importance of family in the lives of rural students, local, institutional, state, and federal policies and practices must keep families involved and replicate family support models. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Administration and Higher Education.

Thesis advisor: Ted Youn / This study is about access for low-income students at an elite boarding school. As "feeder schools" to elite colleges and universities, elite boarding schools play a significant role in determining which students will be in the upper class in America; however, little is known about the history of low-income students at these schools. The purpose of this study is to examine the history of access at one elite boarding school through the frameworks of organizational saga and institutional theory to enhance understanding of how the concepts of access and opportunity at elite institutions have developed over time. Employing a historical, organizational case study approach, this study uses archival research, document review, and interviews with school leaders to construct a developmental history of Phillips Academy, in Andover, Massachusetts. Findings from data collection and analysis revealed a profound organizational saga oriented towards access that has guided Phillips Academy through its development. Phillips Academy's powerful organizational saga of access is embraced by senior leaders, faculty, and alumni, and has deepened their commitment to the historical traditions of the institution. This organizational saga allowed the school to survive and thrive, despite major changes in its organizational field over the last century. By fostering deep commitment among multiple actors throughout the institution's history, Phillips Academy's organizational saga has become a dominant influence in its organizational decision-making. This research extends Burton Clark's (1970) concept of organizational saga to the concept of organizational fields, and explores the interaction of a strong organizational saga with an institution's organizational field. It contributes to the literature on elite boarding schools, and enriches that of elite colleges and universities by better understanding their historic "feeder schools." It also contributes to our understanding of social production, reproduction, and mobility in the United States. Implications for theory and elite boarding schools, colleges, and universities are discussed, along with calls for further research. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Administration and Higher Education.

O aumento do poder aquisitivo das famílias de baixa renda no Brasil transformou esse público em um mercado atraente para as empresas de vários segmentos. Percebeu-se, contudo, que não está ainda refletida em conhecimento, na área de marketing, a relevância tanto econômica como social dessa parcela da população brasileira, uma vez que se verificou que há escassez de informações e de estudos sobre o tema. Nesse contexto, o objetivo nesta tese é investigar a preferência pela marca no processo de decisão de compra de mães de famílias de baixa renda no segmento alimentar. Para sua consecução, na fundamentação teórica, foram abordadas especificamente as teorias sobre o comportamento do consumidor, a marca e o valor. Além disso, apresentaram-se as características do consumidor de baixa renda brasileiro. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada em duas fases. Na primeira, que constitui um estudo qualitativo e exploratório, foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com as mães, a fim de se verificarem os fatores que elas levam em consideração na hora da compra dos produtos achocolatado em pó; bebida láctea; biscoito recheado; cereal de milho açucarado; petit suisse e snacks (salgadinho de milho e batatinha frita ondulada). Os fatores encontrados nas entrevistas em profundidade com as mães de famílias de baixa renda foram: para achocolatado em pó: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e embalagem (tampa de rosquear ou tampa de puxar); para bebida láctea: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de ilustração ou não; para biscoito recheado: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de figurinha ou não; para cereal de milho açucarado: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de brinde ou não; para petit suisse: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de ilustração ou não; para batatinha frita ondulada: marca, preço, nutrição (com gordura trans ou sem gordura trans) e sabor (natural, churrasco e cebola e salsa) e, por fim, para salgadinho de milho: marca, preço, nutrição (com gordura trans ou sem gordura trans) e presença de brinde ou não. O processo analítico foi baseado na análise textual interpretativa e na técnica de templates. Na segunda fase da pesquisa de campo, um estudo quantitativo e exploratório, foram realizadas entrevistas cujo roteiro foi elaborado com base nos resultados da primeira fase. Buscou-se investigar a importância da marca durante o processo de decisão de compra, verificando-se se a preferência pela marca ocorria para todos os produtos ou apenas para alguns específicos. Utilizou-se sobre essas avaliações o método da análise conjunta separadamente para cada produto. As análises obtidas mostraram que as mães de famílias de baixa renda compram todos os produtos investigados pela marca. Realizada a análise conjunta, procedeu-se à análise de agrupamentos com o objetivo de reunir em grupos as mães com preferências semelhantes e de analisar a composição de tais grupos quanto às variáveis auxiliares inseridas no questionário. Para alguns dos produtos, foram construídos três clusters, enquanto, para outros, quatro. Com isso, verificou-se que as mães de família de baixa renda não são todas iguais, ou seja, as empresas devem elaborar estratégias de marketing específicas para cada tipo de mãe. No entanto, em razão de a amostra ser nãoprobabilística e das técnicas adotadas, não foram realizadas inferências para toda a população brasileira. / The growing purchasing power of low-income families in Brazil has made this segment an attractive market for companies in a range of areas. The economic and social relevance of this section of Brazils population still doesnt appear to be reflected in marketing knowledge, however, since there is little information available and few studies on the subject. As such, the aim of this thesis is to investigate brand preference among mothers of low-income families when deciding what food products to buy. To this end, our theoretical foundation involved the specific examination of consumer behavior, brand and price theories. We also considered the characteristics of low-income Brazilian consumers. Our field research was conducted in two phases. In the first a qualitative, exploratory study we conducted in-depth interviews with mothers to establish which factors came into play when purchasing powered-chocolate drinks; milk-based drinks; filled cookies; sugar-coated corn flakes; processed cheese, and snack foods (corn chips and potato chips). The factors identified in the in-depth interviews were: for powered-chocolate drinks: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and packaging (screw-on or pull-off lids); for milk-based drinks: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and illustrations; for filled cookies: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and collectors cards; for sugarcoated corn flakes: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and surprise at the bottom of the box; for processed cheese: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and illustrations; for corn chips: brand, price, nutrition (with or without trans fatty acids), and surprise at the bottom of the packet; and, finally, for potato chips: brand, price, nutrition (with or without trans fatty acids), and flavor (natural, barbecue, and parsley and onion). The interviews were then given interpretative textual and template analyses. In the second phase of field research a quantitative, exploratory study we conducted interviews following a script developed from the results of the first phase. We sought to investigate brand importance when deciding which product to buy in order to determine if brand preference influenced the purchase of all products or only specific items. To assess these interviews a conjoint analysis was carried out for each individual product. The results obtained showed that mothers of low-income families bought all of the products studied according to brand. After the conjoint analysis, we conducted a cluster analysis in order to group mothers with similar preferences and analyze the composition of these groups with respect to the auxiliary variables included in the questionnaire. For some products, three clusters were established, while for others there were four. This revealed that the mothers of low-income families are not all alike; in other words, companies need to develop specific marketing strategies for each type of mother. However, because the sample was not probabilistic and the techniques were adopted, inferences were not made for the entire Brazilian population.

Introdução - Os padrões alimentares de refeições, comparados aos padrões diários, discriminam com mais acuidade a alimentação dos indivíduos, que por sua vez é muito influenciada pela renda, no entanto há poucos estudos. Objetivos - Realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre as definições de café da manhã, almoço e jantar. Adaptar um índice de qualidade do café da manhã. Estudar os padrões de refeições de indivíduos em situação de pobreza. Métodos - Foi realizada uma extensiva busca em base de dados online. Breakfast Quality Meal Index (BMQI) foi baseado e adaptado do Main Meal Quality Index e recomendações internacionais para avaliar a qualidade do café da manhã. Foram utilizados dados brasileiros da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares e britânicos do National Diet and Nutrition Survey para comparar os padrões de refeições de indivíduos em situação de pobreza através de três parâmetros: frequência alimentar, omissão das refeições e qualidade da refeição. Foram considerados em pobreza relativa os indivíduos com renda equivalente, em dólar, abaixo de 60% da mediana da renda nacional anual equivalente, perfazendo uma amostra final de 3073 brasileiros e 464 britânicos. As análises estatísticas foram efetuadas no STATA®, sendo considerado o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados - A revisão sistemática encontrou 21 definições distintas de refeições que variaram de um a quatro critérios usados simultaneamente. As definições mais utilizadas foram \"pre-determined eating events\" (61.5% dos estudos), \"self-report\" (13.1%) e \"time-of-day\" (7.8%). O BMQI foi positivamente associado com carboidrato (g), proteína (g), fibra (g), vitaminas e minerais (mg) e negativamente associado com gordura total (g), gordura saturada (g), colesterol (mg), e açúcar de adição (g). O BMQI foi positivamente associado com idade, renda, área rural e qualidade da dieta; e negativamente associado com o índice de massa corpórea. Na comparação dos padrões de refeições de brasileiros e britânicos em situação de pobreza, estes últimos realizaram mais refeições (4,7 versus 3,8) (p<0,001), no entanto, os brasileiros pularam menos o café da manhã, almoço e jantar. Não houve diferença entre os países para a qualidade geral do café da manhã, porém, em relação aos componentes, os britânicos apresentaram melhores pontuações para proteína, cálcio e frutas e os brasileiros para fibra, gordura saturada, açúcar de adição e carne processada (p<0,001). Os brasileiros apresentaram melhores pontuações para almoço e jantar (69,2 e 62,1 respectivamente) quando comparados aos britânicos (45,9 e 48,3, respectivamente). As pontuações de gordura saturada e gordura total do almoço e jantar dos brasileiros superaram o dobro dos indivíduos britânicos. Conclusões - Levando em consideração o número de diferentes definições de refeições, um consenso é necessário na sua padronização. O BMQI identificou a qualidade do café da manhã, mostrando um papel protetor contra o excesso de peso nos brasileiros. Brasileiros em situação de pobreza apresentaram melhores padrões de refeições, pularam menos refeições e apresentaram melhor qualidade de almoço e jantar e melhor escore para marcadores de dieta saudável quando comparados aos britânicos. / Introduction - Meals patterns more accurately than daily patterns distinguish individuals\' diet and are strongly influenced by income levels; however, there are only few studies. Objectives - To perform a systematic review about breakfast, lunch and dinner definitions. To adapt for breakfast a meal quality index. To study the meals\' pattern of individuals in poverty situation. Methods - Extensive search in online databases was performed. The Breakfast Meal Quality Index (BMQI) was adapted from Main Meal Quality Index including also international nutritional recommendations to evaluate the breakfast quality. Data from two cross-sectional population-based studies, one from Brazil, the National Diet Survey, and one from the UK, the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme were used to compare the meals\' patterns of individuals in poverty situation through three parameters: eating frequency, meals omission and meals\' quality. Individuals with equivalised income, in dollar, 60% below of the national annual equivalised median income were considered as in relative poverty, performing a final sample of 3,073 Brazilians and 464 British. All analyses were performed using the software Stata, and it was considered a significance level of 5%. Results - The present review showed twenty one distinct definitions of meals that ranged from one to four criteria used simultaneously. The three most used meal definitions were \"pre-determined eating events\" (61.5% of the studies), \"self-report\" (13.1%) and \"time-of-day\" (7.8%). The BMQI was positively associated with the following nutrients: carbohydrate (g), protein (g), fiber (g), vitamins and minerals (mg) and negatively associated with total fat (g), saturated fat (g), cholesterol (mg) and added sugar (g). BMQI score was positively associated with age, income, rural residence area and diet quality; and negatively associated with body mass index. Adults in relative poverty situation in the UK had higher eating frequency (4.7 versus 3.8 of Brazilians) (p<0.001), however, Brazilians skipped less breakfast, lunch and dinner. There was no difference between the countries for breakfast quality, but British presented better score for protein, calcium and fruits components (p<0.001), and Brazilians for fiber, saturated fat, added sugar and processed meat at breakfast (p<0.001). For lunch and dinner qualities, Brazilians in relative poverty presented better score (69.2 e 62.1, respectively) when compared to British in similar situation (45.9 e 48.3). Saturated and total fat components scores of Brazilian\'s lunch and dinner surpassed the double of British in relative poverty. Conclusions - Taking into consideration the number of different meals definitions, a consensus is needed on their standardization. The BMQI adequately discriminated the breakfast, showing a protective role against overweight in Brazilians. Brazilians in relative poverty situation presented better meal patterns, skipped fewer meals, and had better lunch and dinner quality and better scores for unhealthy diet markers when compared to British.

A migração acentuada para áreas urbanas e o rápido crescimento da população nas últimas décadas criaram forte demanda por habitações no Brasil e, como conseqüência, o aparecimento de graves problemas urbanos, com o aumento das necessidades habitacionais da população, principalmente no segmento de baixa renda. Uma das razões do não-atendimento dessa demanda é a dificuldade de acesso da população a habitações adequadas no setor formal. O presente trabalho fará uma análise da adequação dos programas de financiamento habitacional voltados à população de baixa renda, à luz das necessidades e limitações dessa população, visando a dar subsídios à elaboração e estruturação de programas de financiamento habitacional que possam melhorar o acesso da população de baixa renda a habitações adequadas. O texto inicialmente preocupa-se em discutir as características da população de baixa renda, como suas necessidades habitacionais, orçamento familiar e capacidade de pagar o preço da menor habitação adequada. Posteriormente, apresenta e analisa os principais programas de financiamento habitacional voltados à população de baixa renda no Brasil, discutindo seus objetivos, fontes de recursos e principais características. Por fim, o trabalho discute a adequação desses financiamentos às necessidades da população de baixa renda, seja quanto à sua capacidade de pagamento, seja quanto ao volume de recursos necessários para atender à sua demanda para aquisição de habitações adequadas, mostrando onde existem desajustes que interferem no acesso dessa população a habitações adequadas no setor formal e sugerindo realinhamentos na estruturação dos programas e no volume de recursos ofertados. / The accentuated migration to urban areas and the rapid population growth in the last decades have created strong demand for housing in Brazil and, as consequence, the appearance of serious urban problems, with an increase in the number of housing necessities, mainly in the segment of the low-income population. One of the reasons for the existence of non-attended demand is the low-income population difficulty in accessing adequate housing units in the formal market. The present dissertation will analyze the adequacy of the housing finance programs directed to low-income households, in the light of their necessities and limitations, aiming to give subsidies for the development and structuration of housing finance programs that could improve the access of the low-income population to adequate housing units. The dissertation initially discusses the characteristics of the low-income population, such as their housing necessities, familiar budget and capacity to pay the price for the smallest adequate housing unit. Later, it presents and analyzes the main housing finance programs directed to the low-income population in Brazil, discussing their objectives, sources of funds and main characteristics. Finally, the dissertation discusses the adequacy of these housing finance programs to meet the necessities of the low-income population, both in relation to their payment capacity and to the volume of resources to attend their demand for purchasing adequate housing units, showing where it is disadjusted in a way that interferes in the access of this population to adequate housing units in the formal market and suggesting realignments in the structuration of these programs and in the volume of the offered resources.

New Jersey is one of only three states in the United States offering a paid maternity leave benefit beyond temporary disability insurance at the present time. Understanding the impact of state maternity leave policies on low-income mothers is of particular urgency, since previous research suggests this group is less likely to utilize paid leave than wealthier women. In addition, existing literature also suggests that in a poverty environment, with its already existing vulnerability to social, emotional, cognitive, and health impairments, rapid return to work postpartum may be particularly damaging to the physical and emotional health of both mothers and their babies. This study examines the effectiveness of the New Jersey law mandating payments to postpartum mothers who were employed before giving birth. Using a mixed methods approach, outcomes from high- and low-income mothers were compared regarding the usage and impact of Family Leave Insurance (FLI), New Jersey’s paid family leave policy. For the quantitative study, data from 497 postpartum mothers from the Center for Disease Control’s 2012 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data set were analyzed. For the qualitative study, three high- and three low-income mothers from the same New Jersey county were interviewed in depth, and six narrative profiles were constructed. Data from the qualitative and quantitative analyses were combined. Consistent with existing literature, quantitative results suggested poor FLI utilization. However, there was no significant association (p > .05) between low-income status (household income under $22,000) and FLI usage. A statistically significant (p < .05) association between FLI usage and postpartum depression in low-income mothers was noted. Qualitative findings supplemented and explained the quantitative results. The qualitative data suggested policy underutilization stemmed from poor public awareness due to inadequate publicity, lack of community education, and poor advisement on the part of human resource personnel and New Jersey Department of Labor of Workforce Development call-in center advisors. Results also suggest that if parameters of FLI and the awareness of the policy remain the same, the benefits existing research associates with paid maternity leave will not be fully reaped by New Jersey families.