Search

Factors associated with the borrowing behavior of young adults who are transitioning from financial dependence to financial independence were identified. Data used were from the 2009 Transition to Adulthood and its parental companion data set, Panel Studies of Income Dynamics. Results indicate that age, gender, race, and work status are associated with the debt burden of young adults. Conversely, closeness to mother and communication, parental resources, and human capital attainment are negatively associated with borrowing behavior. Financial independence was positively associated with both credit card borrowing and student loan debt of college students. (Contains 4 tables.)

Approximately 300,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears occur annually in the United States, half of which lead to the onset of knee osteoarthritis within 10 years of injury. Repetitive loading is known to result in fatigue damage of both ligament and tendon in the form of collagen unravelling, which can lead to structural failure. However, the relationship between tissue's structural, compositional, and mechanical changes are poorly understood. Herein we show that repetitive submaximal loading of cadaver knees causes an increase in co-localised induction of collagen unravelling and tissue compliance, especially in regions of greater mineralisation at the ACL femoral enthesis. Upon 100 cycles of 4× bodyweight knee loading, the ACL exhibited greater unravelled collagen in highly mineralized regions across varying levels of stiffness domains as compared to unloaded controls. A decrease in the total area of the most rigid domain, and an increase in the total area of the most compliant domain was also found. The results highlight fatigue-driven changes in both protein structure and mechanics in the more mineralized regions of the ACL enthesis, a known site of clinical ACL failure. The results provide a starting point for designing studies to limit ligament overuse injury. A series of mechanical tests in human cadavers show the unravelling effect that mechanical loading has on collagen at the femoral enthesis of the anterior cruciate ligament [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homelessness is an important social issue relevant to all children's lives in the United States, yet it has been little explored in early childhood education. Navigating a multiple-case study that focuses on teacher candidates' experiences with homelessness in school, this study illustrates how homelessness is addressed in early childhood education. The data showed that teacher candidates encountered limited discussions of the topic in their own school experiences. Furthermore, the teacher candidates realized that children today are in a similar situation, whereby homelessness is rarely discussed in school, and hold considerably distorted perspectives on it. They also found that teachers in their field placements tended to avoid conversations on homelessness with children in the classroom. Thus, this study opens a space to discuss how homelessness is addressed in early childhood education, as well as how teachers can better understand it and make a difference in children's lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The definition of affordable housing is often subjective and varies by household. Currently, there is limited research on how consumers define housing affordability in the United States. This study used an exploratory design to find themes associated with consumers' perceptions of affordable housing. The study analyzed qualitative responses to a question about housing affordability of 738 online survey respondents. Of the nine main themes which emerged, three themes were most commonly used to define housing affordability. The three themes were as follows: low financial strain, percent of income, and community‐level comparison. In addition, a relationship was found between two demographic factors (race and region of the country) and how a respondent defined housing affordability. Implications for housing and financial professionals are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The current study explores four types of emotions reflecting distinct dimensions of social orientation—interpersonal affiliation vs. distance, and valence—positive vs. negative, that users may experience on Facebook and their relationship to psychological well-being through two distinct routes: perceived relationship harmony and perceived control. A survey was conducted in the U.S. (n = 320) and South Korea (n = 336) to explore these relationships, as well as the moderating role of culture (i.e., valuing interdependence vs. independence). Results show that experiencing socially engaging emotions, whether positive (e.g., friendliness) or negative (e.g., shame), is positively associated with life satisfaction through perceived relationship harmony with Facebook friends for users valuing interdependence (vs. independence). In contrast, experiencing positive disengaging emotions (e.g., pride) is positively associated with perceived control in a Facebook context for users valuing independence (vs. interdependence). Perceived control is positively related to life satisfaction for users valuing independence (vs. interdependence) when experiencing positive emotions, whether engaging or disengaging (e.g., anger). Implications regarding adaptive consequences of experiencing culturally fit emotions on Facebook are discussed. Highlights • Experiencing culturally fit emotions on Facebook is related to well-being. • Culturally fit emotions help Facebook users fulfill central cultural goals. • Experiencing negative emotions is socially adaptive in interdependent cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to formulate and answer the question of how insights from poststructuralism can inform our pedagogy of reflection that is based on the inseparability between theory and practice. To meaningfully situate this discussion in the context of preservice teachers’ reflection on their community-based field experience, we draw on our own teaching experiences in the U.S. early childhood teacher education programs. In this article, we provide illustrative examples of several strategies we have found useful in helping preservice teachers engage with poststructurally inspired, theoretical reflection or reflective practice to examine their multiple and competing discourses that shape their understandings, relationships, and interactions with themselves and the children in their field sites such as Head Start programs and homeless shelters. In this process, we highlight how preservice teachers began to rethink their “at risk” discourse concerning children, coming from certain racial/ethnic, language, and social economic class backgrounds. Going beyond instrumental view of practical (ir)relevance of theory in the current evidence-based practice model, this article addresses the needs for providing epistemological diversity in teacher education to allow multiple readings of field experiences and disrupt the legitimacy afforded to dominant discourses in education. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Despite repeated expansions of federal food assistance, food insecurity and hunger continue to affect many Americans. While job loss and poverty are among major contributors, theoretical and empirical literature suggest that households' ability to borrow and save might provide a buffer protecting from food insecurity. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we tested whether liquidity constraint, asset inadequacy, and insolvency risk defined based on financial ratios could predict household food insecurity separately from the effects of income and program participation. Results showed that a household's liquidity constraint and asset inadequacy were linked with increased risk of food insecurity at all income levels, although the association was strongest among poor households and those with incomes slightly above the federal food assistance eligibility threshold. Unlike indications from qualitative literature, financial constraint appeared to be an exogenous determinant of household food insecurity. Implications for financial practitioners and policymakers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young adults are in an important transition period from financially depending on their parents to becoming financially independent. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with perceived financial independence among American young adults aged 18-23. Taking an interdisciplinary perspective, we hypothesized that major contributing factors of young adults' financial independence would include economic, psychological and family factors. Data were from two linked data sets, the 2009 Transition into Adulthood data set and its parental companion data set, the 2009 Panel Study of Income Dynamics, a nationally representative US sample. Results indicated that economic factors, such as young adults' income, assets, work status and educational attainment were positively associated with financial independence. Several psychological factors such as economic self-efficacy, money management ability and problem-solving ability were also positively associated with financial independence. Family economic factors such as parental income, stock holding and financial assistance decreased the level of young adults' financial independence. Additional analyses indicated that the level of financial independence of college graduates was higher than those who had never attended college or were currently in college but did not differ from those who had dropped out of college. Common and different factors associated with young adults' financial independence were also identified among the four education groups. The findings of this study have implications for consumer educators to develop and implement targeted financial education programs for young adults aged 18-23 who differ by educational attainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children make up half of the homeless population in the US, and of those, almost 50 percent are under age six. Homeless children face many different challenges in school. These children and their families have been invisible in school due to the indifference and stereotypes about them. This article focuses on early childhood pre-service teachers' beliefs over the course of one semester at a private university in the United States. The pre-service teachers explored their own perceptions about homeless children through urban community-based field experiences. The pre-service teachers regularly worked with children in homeless shelter learning centers throughout the semester. The data revealed that the pre-service teachers had fears about interacting with the unfamiliar setting, as well as deficit perspectives about homeless children. However, while they were engaged in the community-based experiences, they started to re-examine their deficit views about young homeless children and their families, acquire more accurate information on their complex situations, and positively developed their professional perspectives on these children. This study suggests that raising awareness about homeless children and their families should be a part of both professional development in schools and early childhood teacher education programs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the asset ownership of Asian immigrants using a nationally representative sample of newly legalized immigrants (New Immigrant Survey). Findings revealed that ownership of a business or farm, financial assets, and home ownership were associated with socioeconomic, demographic, and acculturation variables. Family income, education, English fluency, and length of stay were significant in all types of asset ownership. Variances in asset ownership by ethnic groups exist. Asian Indians and Koreans had higher levels of business asset ownership. Korean, and Filipino immigrants were also more likely to be homeowners. Asian Indian and Chinese immigrants were more likely to own financial assets. Vietnamese lagged in business or farm and financial asset ownership. Findings provided insights into the investment decisions of new Asian immigrants for financial educators, researchers, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how young Korean American children and the adults around these children perform naming practices and what these practices mean to the children. As part of a large ethnographic study on Korean American children's peer culture in a heritage language school in the United States, data were collected by observing 11 prekindergarten children in a Korean language classroom and by interviewing nine guardians, including seven mothers and two grandmothers, and teachers during the 2007--2008 academic year. Our analysis showed that children's naming practices reflected their developing sense of self. The children negotiated adults' naming practices based on their shared meanings and norms in peer culture. The findings of this study shed light on the role of naming practices in children's self-concept and in their peer relations. The authors conclude with implications for the education of and research on young children from diverse cultural backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines what a Korean heritage language school means to Korean immigrant families and their children, considering Korean immigrant mothers' perspectives on American early schooling. As part of an ethnographic research project on Korean-American children's peer culture in a heritage school, seven mothers, two guardians (grandmothers), and their young children were observed and interviewed during one academic year. The analysis showed that the heritage language school functions as a social and emotional support system, a buffer for reducing the detachment from parents, and a safety net for the Korean-American children's challenging lives. The Korean immigrant mothers also showed that they felt burdened by different cultural views of their children's behaviors, and described how their children were often considered problematic. The social and culture barriers caused by their immigrant status profoundly influenced their reasons for sending their children to a Korean heritage language school. This study suggests that teachers' deep understanding of culturally different perspectives on children's behaviors, along with systematic social and emotional support, can help these children attain psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to individual's retirement confidence using the 2004 Retirement Confidence Survey. Retirement confidence includes the views and attitudes of Americans regarding retirement, their preparations for retirement, their confidence with regard to various aspects of retirement, and related issues. The results suggest that those who calculated their retirement fund needs, had more savings, higher levels of confidence in government programs such as Social Security and Medicare, higher household income, better health, and who received workplace financial education and advice had higher levels of retirement confidence than others. The findings provide implications for financial professionals, employers, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants exhibited lower food insecurity when they also demonstrated desirable behaviors in the areas of financial management, nutrition literacy, and conscientious food shopping. Design Using data from the US Department of Agriculture's newly launched National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey, this study examined whether consumer competency is a factor that affects food insecurity. Participants A total of 4,158 participants were included. Sampling weights were applied to represent the population better. Main Outcome Measure(s) Very low food insecurity was the dependent variable. Important independent variables were participants’ financial management skills, nutrition literacy, and conscientious shopping. Analysis Logit and 2-staged least-squares models were used for empirical analyses. The significance of models was tested at .05, .01, and .001. Results Consumer competency-related factors such as financial management ability, not defaulting on bill payments within the previous 6 months, and using the nutrition panel frequently when shopping were negatively associated with food insecurity and very low food security after controlling for a number of other demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral characteristics. Conclusions and Implications Policies that focus solely on consumer competency programs such as SNAP-Education might marginally achieve program goals but the effect would be modest owing to the unique challenges that SNAP participants may face. Further investigations are needed to understand better why SNAP participants do not benefit successfully from competent consumer practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Describe long-term breastfeeding initiation trends by prenatal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation and race/ethnicity., Design: Cross-sectional study of birth certificate data from 2009 to 2017 in 24 states that adopted the 2003 birth certificate revision by 2009., Participants: Term births with hospital costs covered by Medicaid (N = 6,402,704)., Main Outcome Measures: Breastfeeding initiation., Analysis: The descriptive characteristics of WIC participants and WIC-eligible nonparticipants were compared by year and race/ethnicity using the chi-square test of independence or t tests. Adjusted breastfeeding initiation prevalence was estimated using linear regression models with county fixed effects, controlling for sociodemographic and obstetric/health factors. Trends were compared by WIC status overall and within racial/ethnic groups. Differences and P values were assessed using interaction terms between WIC and year., Results: Breastfeeding initiation increased for WIC participants and nonparticipants. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participants had lower adjusted breastfeeding initiation (2009: 69.0%; 2017: 78.5%) than nonparticipants (2009: 70.8%; 2017: 80.1%) (P < 0.001 per year). Breastfeeding initiation increased more rapidly in WIC participants than in nonparticipants for non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander (21.4% and 8.6%, respectively; P < 0.001) and American Indian/Alaskan Native (13.6% and 8.1%, respectively; P = 0.02)-narrowing the gap between WIC participants and nonparticipants over time., Conclusions and Implications: Annual birth certificate data provide detailed information for monitoring trends and disparities in breastfeeding initiation by prenatal WIC status. These findings can inform WIC and maternal child health program efforts to improve breastfeeding promotion for populations with low-income and racial/ethnic groups., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Understanding how different countries have responded to mitigate the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) transmission in dental offices is important. This article describes the different approaches taken towards optimal fallow periods in Canadian jurisdictions., Methods: We searched publicly available information from dentist and dental hygiene regulator websites across the 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada. We also searched for guidance documents on dental associations' websites or through personal communication with government officials. We extracted and tabulated information on fallow period recommendations or guidance, when available., Results: Nine jurisdictions (6 provinces and all 3 territories) acknowledge or provide guidance on fallow periods following aerosol-generating procedures. Among those who have provided guidance regarding a fallow period, recommendations follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance if the air changes per hour (ACH) in the dental operatory is known., Conclusion: The evidence for deciding on optimal fallow period is limited and still being explored, resulting in substantial variation across Canadian jurisdictions. A focus on developing scientific evidence relevant to dentistry and assimilating existing science is crucial to establishing consistency and uniformity in information to deliver safe oral health care services., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None disclosed., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesize the best available evidence for the effectiveness of cultural competence educational interventions on health professional and patient outcomes., Methods: We conducted a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. We searched seven electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and four Korean databases in June 2018. Studies that provided cultural competence educational interventions for health professionals and measured the impact on health professional outcomes, patient outcomes, or both were included. A narrative synthesis of study findings was performed., Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies used a randomized (n = 5) and a non-randomized controlled trial (n = 6) design and were conducted in the USA (n = 7), South Korea (n = 3), and Sweden (n = 1). Cultural competence education was provided mostly to those of single occupations, nurses (n = 5) or physicians (n = 4). The delivery mode was classroom (n = 7), online (n = 3), or blended learning (n = 1), using mainly lectures, discussions, and case studies as teaching and learning methods. Education duration ranged from less than 1 hr to 3 days. Nine studies reported significantly improved health professional outcomes compared to the control group. Patient outcomes were reported in three studies. Only one study reported significant effect on patient satisfaction (d = 0.94) and trust (d = 0.71). There was no significant effect on patient physiological outcomes., Conclusions: Cultural competence educational interventions had a positive effect on health professional outcomes. There is a considerable lack of research assessing patient outcomes, and there is limited evidence on whether interventions can change patient outcomes., (© 2020 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.)

Importance: Misinformation about cannabis and opioid use disorder (OUD) may increase morbidity and mortality if it leads individuals with OUD to forego evidence-based treatment. It has not been systematically evaluated whether officially designating OUD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis is associated with cannabis dispensaries suggesting cannabis as a treatment for OUD., Objective: To examine whether state-level policies designating OUD a qualifying condition for medical cannabis are associated with more dispensaries claiming cannabis can treat OUD., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study of 208 medical dispensary brands was conducted in 2019 using the brands' online content. The study included dispensaries operating in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, where OUD is a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, and in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia, where this policy does not exist., Exposures: Presence of OUD on the list of qualifying conditions for a state's medical cannabis program., Main Outcomes and Measures: Binary indicators of whether online content from the brand said cannabis can treat OUD, can replace US Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for OUD, can be an adjunctive therapy to Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for OUD, or can be used as a substitute for opioids to treat other conditions (eg, chronic pain)., Results: After excluding duplicates, listings for nonexistent dispensaries, and those without online content, 167 brands across 7 states were included in the analysis (44 [26.3%] in states where OUD was a qualifying condition and 123 [73.7%] in adjacent states). A dispensary listed in a directory for West Virginia was not operational; therefore, comparison states were Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio. In policy-exposed states, 39% (95% CI, 23%-55%) more dispensaries claimed cannabis could treat OUD compared with unexposed states (P < .001). For replacing medications for OUD and being an adjunctive therapy, the differences were 14% (95% CI, 2%-26%; P = .002) and 28% (95% CI, 14%-42%; P < .001), respectively. The suggestion that cannabis could substitute for opioids (eg, to treat chronic pain) was made by 25% (95% CI, 9%-41%) more brands in policy-exposed states than adjacent states (P = .002)., Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, state-level policies designating OUD as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis were associated with more dispensaries claiming cannabis can treat OUD. In the current policy environment, in which medical claims by cannabis dispensaries are largely unregulated, these advertisements could harm patients. Future research linking these policies to patient outcomes is warranted.