The Voices of Black and White Rural Battered Women in Domestic Violence Shelters*

Abstract: Very little research has examined the experiences of Black and White rural battered women. In this exploratory study of 88 participants, 30 rural battered women who sought assistance from domestic violence shelters in southwest Virginia were interviewed. Black and White rural women's experiences in the shelters, helpseeking, and perceived social support during and after their stay in the shelter were compared. Future research directions and suggestions to improve services are presented.     

Sister‐to‐Sister Talk: Transcending Boundaries and Challenges in Qualitative Research With Black Women*

Our purpose is to discuss the challenges that Black women researchers face when doing qualitative research with Black women on sensitive topics. From a Black feminist perspective, we explore the dynamics of race, class, and gender in the informant‐researcher relationship between Black women. We also share five recommendations for conducting ethical qualitative research with Black women: contextualizing research, contextualizing subjectivity, triangulating multiple sources, monitoring symbolic power, and caring in the research process.     

Asthma Management Among Low‐Income Latino and African American Families of Infants and Young Children*

To discover the underlying understandings that organize how low‐income Latino and African American parents of infants and toddlers with severe persistent asthma manage symptoms in their children, 11 families with children 12–48 months old and recently hospitalized with asthma were interviewed over 3–6 months. Interpretive phenomenology was used to analyze parents’ narratives about everyday asthma management practices. Four different family management styles were discovered: determined, discontinuous, flexible, and disrupted. Each arose from parents’ particular understandings of asthma and asthma management. Attention to illness meaning and individually developed management plans would improve the family management of asthma in these high‐risk families.     

Transnational Ties,Poverty, and Identity: Latin American Immigrant Women in Public Housing*

Abstract: This study used ethnographic data to examine the nature and functions of transnational relationships of low‐income Latin American women who had immigrated to the United States and were living in areas of extreme poverty. Findings indicated that these Latin American mothers utilized transnational ties to help maintain the cultural identities of themselves and their children, to alleviate social isolation, and to provide a safer summer housing alternative for their children. Transnational ties may have had some negative consequences, including financial and social burdens associated with maintaining long‐distance familial relationships. However, despite some negative aspects, we conclude that transnational ties are often an instrumental resource for immigrant mothers living in poverty and are vital to immigrant social mobility.     

Shelter in a Time of Storm: Parenting in Poor Rural African American Communities*

This study focuses on strengths and challenges of poor rural African American parents. Ninety‐two participants responded to semistructured interview questions about parenting, religiosity, and stress. Parents who are more religious reported using fewer coercive parenting strategies and experiencing fewer stressful life events. These findings are discussed in terms of practical implications for professionals who support rural African American families.     

Effectiveness of an Integrated Pest Management Intervention in Controlling Cockroaches,Mice, and Allergens in New York City Public Housing

Background

Cockroaches and mice, which are common in urban homes, are sources of allergens capable of triggering asthma symptoms. Traditional pest control involves the use of scheduled applications of pesticides by professionals as well as pesticide use by residents. In contrast, integrated pest management (IPM) involves sanitation, building maintenance, and limited use of least toxic pesticides.

Objectives

We implemented and evaluated IPM compared with traditional practice for its impact on pests, allergens, pesticide use, and resident satisfaction in a large urban public housing authority.

Methods

We assigned IPM or control status to 13 buildings in five housing developments, and evaluated conditions at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months in 280 apartments in Brooklyn and Manhattan, in New York City (New York). We measured cockroach and mouse populations, collected cockroach and mouse urinary protein allergens in dust, and interviewed residents. All statistical models controlled for baseline levels of pests or allergens.

Results

Compared with controls, apartments receiving IPM had significantly lower counts of cockroaches at 3 months and greater success in reducing or sustaining low counts of cockroaches at both 3 and 6 months. IPM was associated with lower cockroach allergen levels in kitchens at 3 months and in beds and kitchens at 6 months. Pesticide use was reduced in IPM relative to control apartments. Residents of IPM apartments also rated building services more positively.

Conclusions

In contrast to previous IPM studies, which involved extensive cleaning, repeat visits, and often extensive resident education, we found that an easily replicable single IPM visit was more effective than the regular application of pesticides alone in managing pests and their consequences.     

Uneven progress in reducing exposure to violence at home for New Zealand adolescents 2001–2012: a nationally representative cross‐sectional survey series

Objective: To explore trends, and identify risk factors, that may explain changes in adolescent exposure to family violence over time. Methods: Data for this study was drawn from the Youth 2000 series of cross‐sectional surveys, carried out with New Zealand high school students in 2001, 2007 and 2012. Latent class analysis was used to understand different patterns of exposure to multiple risks for witnessing violence at home among adolescents. Results: Across all time periods, there was no change in witnessing emotional violence and a slight decline in witnessing physical violence at home. However, significant differences were noted between 2001 and 2007, and 2007 and 2012, in the proportion of adolescents who reported witnessing emotional and physical violence. Four latent classes were identified in the study sample; these were characterised by respondents' ethnicity, concerns about family relationships, food security and alcohol consumption. For two groups (characterised by food security, positive relationships and lower exposure to physical violence), there was a reduction in the proportion of respondents who witnessed physical violence but an increase in the proportion who witnessed emotional violence between 2001 and 2012. For the two groups characterised by poorer food security and higher exposure to physical violence, there were no changes in witnessing of physical violence in the home. Implications for public health: In addition to strategies directly aimed at violence, policies are needed to address key predictors of violence exposure such as social disparities, financial stress and alcohol use. These social determinants of health cannot be ignored.     

New‐Concept Part‐Time Employment as a Work‐Family Adaptive Strategy for Women Professionals with Small Children*

This study investigates how the option for new‐concept part‐time (NPT) employment influences the ability of mothers of preschool children working in professional occupations to successfully integrate work and family responsibilities. Female NPT professionals (n = 279) and female full‐time (FT) professionals (n = 250) were compared. The NPT group reported 20 fewer weekly work hours and about $18,000 less estimated annual household income than the FT group. They allocated this additional time primarily to caring for and nurturing their dependent children. They also reported less job‐related travel, unnecessary work, and work‐to‐family conflict, as well as greater work‐family success, childcare satisfaction, and family success. However, NPT mothers reported a more traditional division of labor in household responsibilities and less career opportunity and work success. Implications are presented and discussed.     

Long‐Term Effects of Stressors on Relationship Well‐Being and Parenting Among Rural African American Women*

Abstract: This investigation of the effects of stressful life events on rural African American women’s relationship well‐being, psychological functioning, and parenting included 361 married or long‐term cohabiting women. Associations among stressful events, socioeconomic status, perceived racial discrimination, coping strategies, psychological functioning, relationship well‐being, and parenting were tested. Stressful events were related directly to diminished relationship well‐being and heightened psychological distress and indirectly to compromised parenting. The results can inform research and intervention with African American women.     

Parent–Adolescent Relationship Qualities and Adolescent Adjustment in Two‐Parent African American Families

Using multi‐informant data from 134 two‐parent African American families, the goals of this study were to (a) describe parent–adolescent warmth and shared time as a function of parent and youth gender and (b) assess links between these indices of relationship quality and adolescent adjustment. Mixed‐model ANCOVAs revealed that mothers reported warmer relationships with adolescents than fathers, and both parents reported warmer relationships with younger versus older offspring. Interparental differences in time spent with sons and daughters and older and younger siblings were also found. Tests of multilevel models indicated that greater maternal warmth was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and less risky behavior for sons, and more paternal warmth and shared time with fathers were associated with less risky behavior in youth. Discussion highlights the utility of cultural ecological and family systems perspectives for understanding parent‐adolescent relationships and youth adjustment in African American families.     

Linking Employment Status,Maternal Psychological Well‐Being,Parenting, and Children's Attributions About Poverty in Families Receiving Government Assistance*

Functional changes in rural African American single‐mother‐headed families after the implementation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families were explored from an ecological risk–protection perspective. The sample included 96 single mothers who received government assistance and their 10‐ or 11‐year‐old children. Links among maternal employment status, mothers' physical health and psychological functioning, parenting, and children's attributions about the causes of poverty were examined. Maternal psychological distress was linked with children's attributions about the causes of poverty, both directly and indirectly through its association with parenting. Children who did not attribute poverty to social causes had higher academic goals than did those who attributed poverty to social, economic, or political barriers. Further research is needed on barriers to employment and the influence of maternal psychological functioning on parenting.     

An Experimental Study of an Empowerment‐Based Intervention for African American Head Start Fathers

This study examined the effects of an empowerment intervention, Men as Teachers, on African American Head Start fathers. Fathers were randomly assigned to the empowerment program or to a control group in which participants viewed a five‐part videotape series on parenting. The results revealed a significant improvement in fathers' attitudes about their ability to teach their preschool‐age children for the experimental group only. There was no significant improvement in these fathers' attitudes about racial oppression socialization practices. Resident fathers in the experimental group showed significant gains in self‐esteem and parenting satisfaction.     

Professional Identity and Coping Behaviors in Dual‐Career couples

Abstract: This qualitative study of 15 dual‐career couples examines the connection between partners’ professional identity and coping behaviors implemented in response to work and family stressors. The analysis provided evidence that dual‐career couples enact professional and family identities that rely on being competent and responsible in both work and family roles. Coping patterns fell into similar patterns across work and family domains, but strategy use was unique by domain and reflective of couples’ belief in the value of interdependent interactions.     

Avoidance and Attacking Conflict‐Resolution Strategies Among Married Couples: Relations to Depressive Symptoms and Marital Satisfaction*

This study examined the relation of depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction to conflict‐resolution strategies (avoidance and attacking) in a sample of 40 married couples. Using hierarchical regression analyses, models were tested wherein avoidance and attacking scores were regressed on husbands' and wives' depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction scores. Depressive symptoms and marital satisfaction were powerful predictors of conflict‐resolution strategies; however, different predictors were noted for avoidance and attacking conflict‐resolution strategies. Gender differences were also revealed.     

The Relationship of Women's Role Strain to Social Support,Role Satisfaction,and Self‐Efficacy*

The relationship of social support, role satisfaction, and self‐efficacy to measures of role strain was explored in a sample of 129 married, employed women with at least 1 preschool‐aged child. Self‐efficacy in work and parental roles proved to be a significant predictor of these women's work‐family conflict and role overload, respectively. In addition, satisfaction with their child care was related to significantly less anxiety about being separated from their young children. Spousal and supervisor support also accounted for significant variation in work‐family conflict, but the impact of organizational support on role conflict was fully mediated by job self‐efficacy.     

Predicting Non‐African American Lesbian and Heterosexual Preadoptive Couples' Openness to Adopting an African American Child

Despite increases in transracial adoption, African American children remain the least likely to be adopted. No research has examined the factors that predict prospective adopters' willingness to adopt an African American child. This study used multilevel modeling to examine predictors of willingness to adopt an African American child in a sample of 48 lesbian couples and 65 heterosexual couples. Individuals pursuing public adoption were more willing than those pursuing private domestic adoption, and heterosexuals pursuing international adoption were more willing than heterosexuals pursuing private domestic adoption. In addition, younger persons, White persons (rather than non‐African American racial minorities), lesbians, and individuals who perceived their neighborhoods as more diverse were more likely to be willing to adopt an African American child.     

上海市青浦区医务人员职业安全现况与管理对策

目的调查上海市青浦区医务人员的职业安全工作现状,探讨医务人员的职业安全风险,以制定有效的职业安全管理措施。方法对青浦区现有20家医院100名医务人员的职业安全意识,职业安全教育及培训等现状进行问卷调查,并对医院硬件设施,医院对职业安全的重视等方面进行督导。结果在调查的100名医务人员中对职业暴露意义不了解的50名,占50%;认为岗前职业暴露教育没必要的18名,占18%;8家民营医院均不开展职业安全教育和培训工作,对职业安全执行情况也不进行检查和督导;医院的硬件设施调查显示,20家医院均无静脉配置中心,仅1家医院供应室能达到集中清洗。放射科硬件达标9家。结论该区医务人员的职业安全防护方面存在一定的问题,基层医疗机构应严格执行相关的政策法规,重视和完善医务人员职业安全防护工作。     

Properties of global‐ and local‐ancestry adjustments in genetic association tests in admixed populations

Population substructure can lead to confounding in tests for genetic association, and failure to adjust properly can result in spurious findings. Here we address this issue of confounding by considering the impact of global ancestry (average ancestry across the genome) and local ancestry (ancestry at a specific chromosomal location) on regression parameters and relative power in ancestry‐adjusted and ‐unadjusted models. We examine theoretical expectations under different scenarios for population substructure; applying different regression models, verifying and generalizing using simulations, and exploring the findings in real‐world admixed populations. We show that admixture does not lead to confounding when the trait locus is tested directly in a single admixed population. However, if there is more complex population structure or a marker locus in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the trait locus is tested, both global and local ancestry can be confounders. Additionally, we show the genotype parameters of adjusted and unadjusted models all provide tests for LD between the marker and trait locus, but in different contexts. The local ancestry adjusted model tests for LD in the ancestral populations, while tests using the unadjusted and the global ancestry adjusted models depend on LD in the admixed population(s), which may be enriched due to different ancestral allele frequencies. Practically, this implies that global‐ancestry adjustment should be used for screening, but local‐ancestry adjustment may better inform fine mapping and provide better effect estimates at trait loci.