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The purposes of this study are to examine how social learning processes and social structure correlate with delinquency among Turkish adolescents and to articulate to what extent Akers's social structure and social learning (SSSL) theory explains delinquency in Turkey, which is a different cultural context from Western countries in terms of family structure, level of collectivism or individualism, religion, belief systems, and norms. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing the first study testing Akers's theory in the Turkish context. Analyses, relying on a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework, showed that the social learning process accounted for a substantial amount of variation in explaining adolescent delinquency. We also found that social learning process somewhat mediates social structural effects on delinquency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The advantages of empowering direct care workers (DCWs) within nursing homes (NHs) are well documented. Our objective is to identify factors that create DCW empowerment as this has not received adequate attention. Method: The data come from a larger study focused on the empowerment of DCWs in NHs. A self-administered instrument was completed by 372 DCWs within 11 NHs in the north Texas region. Cluster analysis and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression were performed. Results: Feedback from nurse management to DCWs was positively associated with shared decision-making (SDM) and ranked highest followed by information exchange, trust in management, and wages linked to performance. Discussion: SDM may be enhanced where nurse management shares relevant information with the DCWs, listens to their ideas, provides explanations when DCW suggestions are not used, and does so in a supportive environment. Organizational characteristics of importance include linking wages to DCW performance and providing an accessible training program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]