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While a large literature connects family environments characterized by access to two married biological parents to better child mental health outcomes, we know less about the mechanisms linking family structure to mental health outcomes for children living in other family structures. While essentialist theory suggests that access to both male and female parents will be an important determinant of child mental health, some research directly comparing single-mother and single-father families found no difference in child outcomes by parent gender, suggesting evidence for more structural theories of gender. However, most of this research uses data from Western countries and seldom extends to examining mental health outcomes. In this paper, we used data from a large, generalizable survey of Korean adolescents (the 2021 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey) to compare the mental health of children living in families with two married biological parents, single mothers, and single fathers. Our findings underscore the importance of examining family environments in different contexts.

The aim of this study is two-fold: to discern patterns in pathways of work and family transitions among young women (aged 24–39 years) whose decisions and behaviors toward labor force participation, marriage, and parenthood are considerably shaped by social constraints and gender norms; and to examine whether and to what extent work and family pathways are associated with later health. Using data from a longitudinal survey based on a large sample of adult women in Korea (N = 2418), we identified eight dominant pathways of employment, marriage, and parenthood among young women and found that educational attainment and family values are strong predictors of these work–family pathways. We also found that the timing and sequencing of work–family pathways appears to be associated with later health outcomes. In particular, unemployed women who are not married and do not have children seem to be vulnerable to health problems, compared to those with other pathways. We discuss the implications of our findings regarding the occurrence of work and/or family transitions, as well as their timing and sequencing for women’s health in later life.

There have been numerous discourses around millennials and some of them may sound worrisome. To discuss millennials and moral panic, this study looks at three different areas (i.e., criminal justice, teaching at higher education institutions, and transitions to adulthood in South Korea) with some issues pertinent to millennials and younger generations faced in society currently. Drawing on a wide range of the literature, this study attempts to recognize unique characteristics of our younger generations, to find ways to better understand them using multiple angles, and to identify reasons why we should stay hopeful about the future. Our society will continue to change, often in unpredictable ways, and there will always be a new generation on the horizon. Efforts should be made to work with younger generations, learning from each other and finding ways to work together.

Purpose Social contact is known to be vital for older adults' mental and physical health but, because communication impairments often co-occur with other types of disability, it is difficult to generalize about the relative impact of a communication impairment on the social relationships of older adults. Specific aims of the study were to examine whether the severity of a communication impairment was associated with a range of social measures and to examine the association between these characteristics and psychological well-being. Method Community-dwelling older adults ranging in age from 65 to 94 were recruited for the study of Communication, Health, Aging, Relationship Types and Support. The sample included 240 participants with communication disorders arising from a variety of etiologies including hearing impairment, voice disorders, head and neck cancer, and neurologic disease, as well as older adults without a communication disorder. Results Communication impairment was a significant independent predictor for key characteristics of social relationships, including the number of friends in the social network, two types of social support, the frequency of social participation, and social self-efficacy. Communication impairment was also a significant predictor for higher levels of loneliness and depression. In addition, two distinct pathways between communication impairment and psychological well-being were identified, with social self-efficacy and reassurance of worth as mediators. Conclusions Even after controlling for age, gender, health, and disability, communication impairment is a significant independent predictor for key aspects of the social function of older adults and demonstrates two distinct pathways to loneliness and depression. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7250282

Supplemental material, Online_Appendix for Social Characteristics as Predictors of ADHD Labeling across the Life Course by Melissa Thompson, Lindsey Wilkinson and Hyeyoung Woo in Society and Mental Health

The United States national inventory program measures a subset of tree heights in each plot in the Pacific Northwest. Unmeasured tree heights are predicted by adding the difference between modeled tree heights at two measurements to the height observed at the first measurement. This study compared different approaches for directly modeling 10-year height increment of red alder (RA) and ponderosa pine (PP) in Washington and Oregon using national inventory data from 2001&ndash, 2015. In addition to the current approach, five models were implemented: nonlinear exponential, log-transformed linear, gamma, quasi-Poisson, and zero-inflated Poisson models using both tree-level (e.g., height, diameter at breast height, and compacted crown ratio) and plot-level (e.g., basal area, elevation, and slope) measurements as predictor variables. To account for negative height increment observations in the modeling process, a constant was added to shift all response values to greater than zero (log-transformed linear and gamma models), the negative increment was set to zero (quasi-Poisson and zero-inflated Poisson models), or a nonlinear model, which allows negative observations, was used. Random plot effects were included to account for the hierarchical data structure of the inventory data. Predictive model performance was examined through cross-validation. Among the implemented models, the gamma model performed best for both species, showing the smallest root mean square error (RSME) of 2.61 and 1.33 m for RA and PP, respectively (current method: RA&mdash, 3.33 m, PP&mdash, 1.40 m). Among the models that did not add the constant to the response, the quasi-Poisson model exhibited the smallest RMSE of 2.74 and 1.38 m for RA and PP, respectively. Our study showed that the prediction of tree height increment in Oregon and Washington can be improved by accounting for the negative and zero height increment values that are present in inventory data, and by including random plot effects in the models.

Using nationally representative longitudinal data collected in South Korea from 2006 to 2013, this study evaluates the associations between nonstandard employment and various health outcomes with a focus on gender differences. We also examine to what extent family status, that is, marital status and parenthood, conditions these associations for men and women. Our results reveal an important role of selection in that many of the significantly negative associations between nonstandard/self-employment and health outcomes disappear in fixed-effects models when time-invariant unobserved individual heterogeneity is taken into account. Such negative selection appears to be more pronounced for men than for women. We also find a significant association between nonstandard/self-employment and health, which differs by gender and particular health outcomes examined. As for the moderating role of family status, our results show that mothers do benefit from self-employment in terms of lower depressive symptoms.

Introduction Given the high prevalence of smoking among Veterans and the economic, social, and clinical implications, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to smoking in order to focus efforts to mitigate these factors and improve smoking cessation efforts among Veterans. The availability of research on smoking in Veterans compared with civilians is limited given the military-specific differences in their life course. We aimed to identify military-specific factors combined with sociodemographic factors for ever smoking and current smoking among Veterans to inform future interventions. Materials and methods We used data from the 2010 National Survey of Veterans, the most current, to analyze the association of sociodemographic and military-specific factors with ever versus never smoking, and current versus past smoking using multiple variable logistic regression models (IRB#4125). Results Among 8,618 respondents, the proportions of current, past, and never smokers were 17%, 48%, and 34%, respectively. Sociodemographic factors associated with ever smoking were female gender, educational attainment of less than a bachelor's degree, and being divorced/separated/widowed. Military-specific factors associated with ever smoking were exposure to dead/dying/wounded soldiers during service, and past, current, and unsure enrollment in Veterans Affairs healthcare. Never smoking was associated with Hispanic ethnicity, income over $75,000, and reporting fair or poor health. Military factors associated with never smoking were presence of a service-connected disability and military service July 1964 or earlier (i.e., pre-Vietnam). Among 5,652 ever smokers, sociodemographic factors associated with current smoking were age less than 65, being non-Hispanic black, educational attainment of less than a bachelor's degree, being divorced/separated/widowed, never married, and having no insurance. Factors associated with reduced likelihood of current smoking compared with past smoking included income >$41,000 and reporting fair or poor health. Military-specific variables associated with reduced likelihood of current smoking were service era of May 1975 or later (i.e., post-Vietnam) and 5 or more years of service. Conclusion Military-specific variables are associated with smoking behaviors among Veterans. Findings from this study that exposure to dead/dying/wounded soldiers, service era, duration of service, service-connected disability status, and enrollment in VA care all influence smoking in Veterans, can inform prevention and cessation efforts in part by encouraging alternative healthy habits or cessation techniques in subgroups of Veterans with particular military backgrounds. By assessing risk factors in this unique population future research can leverage these findings to determine mechanisms that help explain these associations. Identifying factors associated with smoking offers insights for smoking cessation and prevention interventions given the military experiences and increased smoking incidence among Veterans.

Propensity score matching (PSM) and distance-adjusted PSM enable estimation of causal effects from observational data by selecting controls that are similar to treated observations in terms of environmental covariates and spatial locations. Quantifying effects of natural disturbances such as wildfires often encounters limited availability of observational data due to the scarcity of ecological events or cost of data collection over large areas. Using empirical data of national forest inventory plot measurements, we conducted a sensitivity analysis of distance-adjusted PSM on data availability for wildfire effect quantification. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we assessed the influence of sample size and covariates on the balance of propensity score distributions and the performance of effect estimates. The inclusion of the distance measure in matching compensated for the omission of key covariates. This study provides a practical guide of determining sample size and covariates for matching with spatial information to analyze ecological data.

The NIA’s strategy to improve ADRD clinical research participation emphasizes local community collaboration. Literature that focuses on a person with dementia’s decision to participate in research does not speak to specific state or local factors nor the effects of local efforts. This study aimed to develop strategies to improve dementia research participation in the Portland, OR metropolitan area. A community advisory board comprised of clinicians, researchers, advocates, people with dementia, family caregivers, and older African Americans was established for this project. Thirty-three interviews were conducted with clinicians, researchers, advocates, people with ADRD, and family caregivers. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Action Framework was used to conceptualize motivation strategies and reflect elements that describe research participation among people with dementia. Strategies were identified to improve dementia clinical research participation: 1) Identify and promote local champions for ADRD clinical research participation; 2) Promote policies and processes that incentive cross-sector collaboration; 3) Recognize caregivers as full research participants; 4) Include people with ADRD and caregivers in the research design process; 5) Offer alternative options to reduce participation burden; 6) Evaluate and improve relationships between healthcare/research staff and patients/participants. These strategies can be used in conjunction with the Culture of Health Action Framework as a roadmap to form organization-community partnerships, facilitate motivation and empowerment, give decision-making power to people with ADRD and promote a local culture of research. Studies should be conducted in a larger context or as pilots in other communities to determine contextual relevance and generalizability for other areas.

Objectives We examined how experiencing low income multiple times is associated with depressive symptoms over the life course to better understand the influence of low income experience on psychological well-being. Methods We employed fixed effects models to estimate the association between low income experience and depressive symptoms using data from a longitudinal survey of a representative sample of adults in Korea (N=6,930). We also considered age variations given different perspectives and social circumstances related to different ages and family stages over the life course that potentially modify the association. Results Our results revealed that the detrimental influence of low income experience on depressive symptoms slowly declines with additional increments in the number of the exposures. Additionally, although older adults have a higher risk of experiencing low income more than once, the detrimental influence appears more salient among younger adults compared to older individuals. Discussion We offered some explanations for the diminishing effects of additional experiences of low income on depressive symptoms, and the age group variations in the association in Korea. We also discussued policy implications of our findings.

Although originally considered to be a disorder of childhood, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly being diagnosed for the first time in adulthood. Yet we know little about the social characteristics (race, gender, and social class) of those first labeled in adulthood, how these differ from those first labeled in childhood/adolescence, and whether the ADHD label is applied proportionately across social groups given ADHD symptomology. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, the current research considers how typifications of ADHD affect application of the ADHD label in childhood/adolescence and in adulthood. Results indicate that even after controlling for ADHD symptoms, social characteristics are important predictors of the ADHD label in childhood/adolescence but are less influential in predicting ADHD labeling in adulthood. Additionally, results indicate the importance of race in moderating the association between childhood ADHD symptoms and application of the ADHD label throughout the life course.

Objectives. The high predictive validity of self-rated health (SRH) is a major strength of this widely used population health measure. R ecent studies, however, noted that the predictive validity varies across population subgroups. The aim of this study is to examine respondents’ age as a moderator of SRH predictive validity with respect to subsequent mortality risk. Method. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey–Linked Mortality Files (NHIS-LMF) 1986–2006, we estimate Cox proportional hazard models of all-cause and cause-specific mortality for adults aged 45–84 years as a function of their health ratings (N = 574,008). Results. The data show significant age moderation of the predicti ve validity of SRH across all levels of ratings: the hazard ratios for mortality decline by about a half between the ages of 50 and 80 years. This attenuation appears primarily among earlier birth cohorts; there is no significant age attenuation in more recent cohorts—however, this may be in part attributed to the earlier ages when the respondents are observed. Discussion. The findings of declining predictive validity of SRH across age imply that indi viduals may evaluate their health differently as they age. The results also suggest caution in using SRH to capture age-related health changes in the older population.

Develop a basic understanding of population dynamics and structures Understand the size and composition of various groups Define and discuss major demographic processes: fertility, mortality, and migration Consider major shifts related to globalization and urbanization Understand how patients’ backgrounds contribute to their perceptions of disease, health care, and treatments

Learn the major concepts and methodologies in social science Understand how scientific data is used and presented in social science research Evaluate research in social science critically Become a better informed user of the many social science studies that shape health policy

Introduce and define race and ethnicity Differentiate between prejudice and discrimination and identify their sources Provide a historical overview of racism Examine the connection between race/ethnicity and health outcomes Develop ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals with various backgrounds

Recognize importance of socio-cultural impacts on health Define social determinants of health Introduce and define basic concepts in sociology and major theoretical perspectives

Describe how education reflects and reproduces culture and social inequality. Describe changes in family arrangements in twenty-first century. Describe the modernization of religion in America. Describe the influence of each of the social institutions on health.

Introduce basic concepts and theories of stratification Examine the ways in which inequalities are distributed within societies and by social class, gender and race/ethnicity

Understand medicine as a social institution. Understand the causes and consequences of health disparities by race, class, and gender. Understand the causes and consequences of health care disparities by race, class and gender.

Part 1: Social Interactions and Socialization: will discuss the ways we interact with each other, types of communication, and the socialization process Part 2: Group Influence and Dynamics: will discuss the distinction between PSY and SOC (outside influences versus inner), sociologically define groups, and consider the micro- and macro-level study of groups

Introduce sociological perspectives on the development of self-identify and its stages Discuss the role of social processes in identity formation and self-presentation Understand how self-concept and identity influence human behavior

Societies with a higher level of income inequality tend to have lower levels of intergenerational income mobility. Known as the Great Gatsby Curve, this negative relationship in part derives from greater intergenerational economic heritance among the poor. Societies with higher rates of relative poverty will have a higher level of income inequality, but they will also tend to have lower intergenerational mobility due to the reduced capacity of low-income persons to become upwardly mobile. Reviewing relevant research in psychology, we describe how poverty is associated with decreased psychological resources that compromise the competitiveness of low-income persons for superior attainment in the educational system and for greater productivity in the labor market. Economic deprivation in itself thus leads to a “vicious circle” of disadvantage that diminishes intergenerational mobility even without the existence of any culture of poverty or monopolistic institutions in the economy.

This study explored 346 Korean immigrants living in California to examine: a) differences in stressors, coping resources, and general well-being (anxiety, depression, positive well-being, self-control, vitality, and general health) between younger (18–64 years old) and older (65–96 years old) Korean immigrants; and b) differences in associations of stressors and coping resources with general well-being in the 2 groups. Results revealed that the older immigrants experienced higher levels of socioeconomic stressors and psychological/physical problems. In addition, English-language problems, low education, and financial difficulties were more consistently associated with lower levels of general well-being in the older immigrants than in the younger immigrants. Social support, religious practice, and spiritual coping were more likely to alleviate the detrimental consequences of stressors on general well-being in the older immigrants than in the younger immigrants. To improve the general well-being of...

Through this cross-sectional study the authors explore how stressors, social support, and religious practice are associated with the general well-being of 147 Korean adult immigrants through interviews. Hierarchical regression analysis reveals that low English proficiency and financial hardship are significantly related to low general well-being. However, high social support and religious practice are significantly associated with high general well-being. Social service and health care providers need to carefully assess stressors, social support systems, and spiritual issues for providing appropriate services/programs for English, culture, or social activities as well as spiritual intervention to maximize the strengths of Korean immigrants coping with health issues.

Demographers have long been interested in understanding persistent racial and ethnic gaps in infant mortality, which are likely a reflection of disproportionately distributed resources across groups. Using micro-level cohort linked birth-death files from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) for the years 1990, 2000, and 2004, we estimate multinomial logistic regressions to examine race and ethnicity-specific trends in risk of infant death due to low birthweight , maternal complications, and other causes over time. We further investigate whether or not a survival advantage by gestational age and birthweight varies across racial and ethnic groups. We found that risk of death has increased for non-Hispanic black infants, and that the beneficial effect of Hispanic ethnicity is reduced over time. We further found that both race and ethnicity interact with preterm and/or low birthweight delivery to magnify risk of death due to several causes in later years. Overall, this research confirms the presence of an increasing black-white infant mortality gap, lends support to findings of a survival disadvantage in Black infants, and calls attention to a survival disadvantage in Hispanic infants. Additional attention to the mechanisms that generate magnified risk of infant death among racial and ethnic minorities who experience compromised births, i.e. preterm or low birthweight, is needed.

Self-rated health (SRH) is widely used to capture racial and ethnic disparities in health. It is therefore critical to understand whether individuals with different racial and ethnic backgrounds assess their SRH differently. Despite the high overall predictive validity of SRH for subsequent mortality, few studies paid attention to potential variations by race and ethnicity. This study examines racial and ethnic differences in the predictive validity of SRH for subsequent mortality risk among older adults (55–84) by estimating Cox Proportional Hazard models using data from the National Health Interview Surveys Linked Mortality Files (1989–2006; N = 289,432). Results indicate that SRH predicts mortality risk less well for non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics than non-Hispanic Whites. Three proposed mechanisms—socioeconomic status, immigration status, and cause of death—explain only a modest proportion of the variation. These results suggest that individuals from different racial and ethnic groups may evaluate their heath differently, and thus caution is necessary when using SRH to estimate racial and ethnic health disparities.

With continued cost increases as well as demands for charitable donations and economic subsidies, universities are concerned with public relations and political legitimacy. The latter are fostered by the Model Minority Myth which implicitly asserts the moral superiority of universities and their graduates by condemning American society in general and the white working class in particular as being racist. Despite its intellectual and empirical limitations, the Model Minority Myth persists because it promotes the political power of universities in the current era of increasing inequality and the rising exploitation of the working class that are fostered by educational credentialism.

A classic issue in education centers on the nature of the relationship between schooling and labor market outcomes. Three general theories of this relationship are the human capital view, the market signal view, and the credentialist view. All three approaches predict a positive association between education and wages, but they differ in regard to its underlying causes. We argue that these theories may be fundamentally differentiated in terms of their implications for productivity, and we provide some relevant findings using productivity data for US manufacturing industries from 1976 to 1996. The results most strongly support the market signal view which emphasizes the association between productivity and relative educational attainment due to the role of the latter in certifying more reliable and trainable workers.

Despite numerous studies of second generation minorities in recent years, South Asian Americans have been largely ignored. Using the most recent data available from the US Census Bureau, we investigate the socioeconomic attainments of second generation South Asian Americans. We find that their average levels of education, wages, and occupational attainment exceed those of non-Hispanic whites. Contrary to the “model minority myth” view, second generation South Asian Americans remain slightly advantaged relative to non-Hispanic whites in terms of labor market success net of age, education, and region of residence. These results are also inconsistent with discussions of white privilege that emphasize the socioeconomic disadvantages of minorities with darker skin tones. Our results suggest that theories of race relations should also incorporate South Asian Americans.