The impact of precarious employment in early adulthood on age at first childbirth: development of theoretical, methodological and analytical frameworks from a life course perspective.

The average age of Australian women at first childbirth in 2006 was 28.2 years, while the proportion of first births among women aged ≥ 35 years increased from 8% in 1997 to 14% in 2006. From a public health perspective, this shift has a raft of health consequences for women and children, including increased risks of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and birth defects in the child. Furthermore, the use of assisted reproductive technologies associated with older childbearing carries risks in pregnancy, and adverse outcomes in offspring, in addition to very significant financial and emotional costs. Thus, it is imperative to understand barriers to childbearing at ‘optimal’ ages. Since evidence also suggests women now have fewer children than they would like, it is particularly important to investigate underlying structural determinants of older motherhood and foreshortened reproductive careers. Precarious employment conditions, related to trends in international labour markets, may play an important role in older age of first-time motherhood (as suggested in contemporary fertility theories). However there is a paucity of Australian research about this issue. A post-positivist approach was used to design a theory incorporating multiple disciplinary perspectives. The theory sought to explain the influence of macro-economic factors on individual lives, and was cognisant of the life course dimension. The ensuing conceptual framework and research questions guided the design of a retrospective cross-sectional study based on a birth cohort (n ~ 1000, born 1973-75) which was established when women were aged ~ 30 years. A detailed event history instrument was developed to obtain data regarding a range of life domains including pregnancy, partnering, education, and employment (sometimes as detailed as monthly intervals). Time-varying and time-constant survival analysis techniques were applied within a life course framework to examine the effects of precarious employment on age at first childbirth (taking into account educational attainment and other influential factors), with a sub-set of the study cohort (n=230). This project is innovative at a number of levels. For the first time within the public health domain, an argument is presented for the relevance and significance of the contemporary social issue of older age at first childbirth. From an epidemiological perspective, the project offers advances in a number of areas, including theory-building (particularly in the convergence of life course and hierarchical perspectives) and engagement with a relatively new exposure variable (precarious employment). The project contributes substantially to the sub-discipline of life course epidemiology, in the following ways: (1) collection of fine-grained life course data (event history data as opposed to cross-sectional or successive point-in-time measures); (2) improvement of techniques to collect high quality retrospective data (type of survey instruments and fieldwork procedures); and (3) presentation of a framework for the use of survival analysis techniques to complement life course theories. This PhD thesis presents and discusses each stage of project development and execution, including theory-building, survey design, fieldwork, and construction of the analysis framework, culminating in a description of preliminary data analyses conducted (n=230) and results obtained. In this thesis the intellectual contributions arise from the combined work on theoretical, methodological and analytical frameworks. They will form the basis of future (postdoctoral) analyses to be conducted with the entire dataset. Results from this project will contribute to the growing evidence base highlighting detrimental impacts of globalisation and recent changes to labour market institutions on the lives of individuals. Ultimately the study findings may help to shape policy which enables women and their partners to have children (if desired) at a time in the life course which is most conducive to their health and to the health of their children.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 201

A Political History of School Finance Reform in Metropolitan Hartford, Connecticut, 1945-2005

This historical study examines legislative debates over public school funding in Connecticut in the post-World War II era, focusing on a narrative of shifting urban-rural-suburban political coalitions amid demographic changes

The Friendship Journey: Developing Global Understanding in the Middle Grades

The goals of developing a global perspective are consistent with the faith-based values of Catholicism. The primary goal is to prepare students academically, morally, and socially to participate in a globalized world that constantly faces new problems. A key component of this is the understanding that other people, who may appear on the surface to be very different from themselves, have differences which have value and similarities which unite us. The purpose of this article is to present one Catholic school’s attempts to prepare its students to meet the challenges of citizenry in an international community and to describe the impact of those efforts. The questions we explored are: (a) Does a student-focused, cultural exchange program enhance American students’ global perspectives? Does a student-focused, cultural exchange opportunity enrich students’ cultural understandings? Findings from this study revealed that students gained an appreciation for diverse cultures through social interaction. While the pre- and post-test survey data revealed some changes in students’ beliefs and attitudes, interviews and observations provided substantial evidence of students’ evolving awareness and respect for other cultures. The tangible connections formed produced young people who have a greater appreciation for our global community. Résumé Les objectifs consistant à développer une perspective mondiale s’accordent avec les valeurs religieuses du catholicisme. Le principal objectif est de préparer les élèves au niveau scolaire, moral et social à prendre part à une mondialisation qui rencontre constamment de nouveaux problèmes. Pour y parvenir, il est essentiel qu’ils comprennent que d’autres personnes qui ne leur ressemblent pas du tout en apparence, présentent des différences que nous apprécions et des ressemblances qui nous unissent. Cet article a pour objet de montrer comment une école catholique a essayé de préparer ses élèves à surmonter les problèmes rencontrés en tant que citoyen d’une communauté internationale et de décrire quel impact ces actions ont eu. Les questions étudiées sont les suivantes : (a) Un programme d’échanges culturels centré sur l’élève renforce-t-il les perspectives mondiales des élèves américains ? Leur compréhension des cultures se trouve-t-elle enrichie par la possibilité d’effectuer un échange culturel centré sur l’élève ? Les conclusions tirées de cette étude ont montré que les élèves ont appris à apprécier des cultures diverses par l’interaction sociale. Alors que les données de l’étude avant et après les tests ont révélé certaines modifications des croyances et attitudes des élèves, les entretiens et observations ont clairement prouvé une évolution de la sensibilisation des élèves et de leur respect vis-à-vis d’autres cultures. Les liens tangibles qui se sont tissés ont amené les jeunes à mieux apprécier notre communauté mondiale. Resumen Los objetivos para desarrollar una perspectiva global son consistentes con los valores basados en la fe del catolicismo. El principal objetivo es preparar a los estudiantes académica, moral y socialmente para participar en un mundo globalizado que se enfrenta constantemente a nuevos problemas. Un componente clave de esto es el entendimiento de que otra gente, que puede aparentar en la superficie ser de una manera muy distinta a ellos, tiene diferencias que resultan valiosas y a su vez similitudes que nos unen. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar la intención de una escuela católica de preparar a sus estudiantes para que logren los desafíos de la ciudadanía en una comunidad internacional y describir el impacto de estos esfuerzos. Las preguntas exploradas son: (a) ¿Puede un programa de intercambio cultural centrado en el alumno ampliar las perspectivas globales de los estudiantes estadounidenses? (b) ¿Puede una oportunidad de intercambio cultural centrado en el alumno enriquecer la comprensión cultural de los estudiantes? Los resultados de este estudio revelaron que los estudiantes ganaron apreciación por las diversas culturas a través de la interacción social. Aunque la información previa y posterior a las encuestas revelaron cambios en las creencias y actitudes de los estudiantes, las entrevistas y las observaciones ofrecieron pruebas sustanciales de evolución en la sensibilización y respeto de los estudiantes hacia otras culturas. Las conexiones tangibles que se formaron produjeron jóvenes con un mayor aprecio por nuestra comunidad global

Random effects dynamic panel models for unequally-spaced multivariate categorical repeated measures: an application to child-parent exchanges of support

Exchanges of practical or financial help between people living in different households are a major component of intergenerational exchanges within families and an increasingly important source of support for individuals in need. Using longitudinal data, bivariate dynamic panel models can be applied to study the effects of changes in individual circumstances on help given to and received from non-coresident parents and the reciprocity of exchanges. However, the use of a rotating module for collection of data on exchanges leads to data where the response measurements are unequally spaced and taken less frequently than for the time-varying covariates. Existing approaches to this problem focus on fixed effects linear models for univariate continuous responses. We propose a random effects estimator for a family of dynamic panel models that can handle continuous, binary or ordinal multivariate responses. The performance of the estimator is assessed in a simulation study. A bivariate probit dynamic panel model is then applied to estimate the effects of partnership and employment transitions in the previous year and the presence and age of children in the current year on an individual’s propensity to give or receive help. Annual data on respondents’ partnership, employment status and dependent children, and data on exchanges of help collected at 2- and 5-year intervals are used in this study

Facilitating Web-Based Collaboration in Evidence Synthesis (TaskExchange): Development and Analysis

Background: The conduct and publication of scientific research are increasingly open and collaborative. There is growing interest in Web-based platforms that can effectively enable global, multidisciplinary scientific teams and foster networks of scientists in areas of shared research interest. Designed to facilitate Web-based collaboration in research evidence synthesis, TaskExchange highlights the potential of these kinds of platforms. Objective: This paper describes the development, growth, and future of TaskExchange, a Web-based platform facilitating collaboration in research evidence synthesis. Methods: The original purpose of TaskExchange was to create a platform that connected people who needed help with their Cochrane systematic reviews (rigorous syntheses of health research) with people who had the time and expertise to help. The scope of TaskExchange has now been expanded to include other evidence synthesis tasks, including guideline development. The development of TaskExchange was initially undertaken in 5 agile development phases with substantial user engagement. In each phase, software was iteratively deployed as it was developed and tested, enabling close cycles of development and refinement. Results: TaskExchange enables users to browse and search tasks and members by keyword or nested filters, post and respond to tasks, sign up to notification emails, and acknowledge the work of TaskExchange members. The pilot platform has been open access since August 2016, has over 2300 members, and has hosted more than 630 tasks, covering a wide range of research synthesis-related tasks. Response rates are consistently over 75%, and user feedback has been positive. Conclusions: TaskExchange demonstrates the potential for new technologies to support Web-based collaboration in health research. Development of a relatively simple platform for peer-to-peer exchange has provided opportunities for systematic reviewers to get their reviews completed more quickly and provides an effective pathway for people to join the global health evidence community.</p

Facilitating Web-Based Collaboration in Evidence Synthesis (TaskExchange): Development and Analysis

Background: The conduct and publication of scientific research are increasingly open and collaborative. There is growing interest in Web-based platforms that can effectively enable global, multidisciplinary scientific teams and foster networks of scientists in areas of shared research interest. Designed to facilitate Web-based collaboration in research evidence synthesis, TaskExchange highlights the potential of these kinds of platforms.// Objective: This paper describes the development, growth, and future of TaskExchange, a Web-based platform facilitating collaboration in research evidence synthesis.// Methods: The original purpose of TaskExchange was to create a platform that connected people who needed help with their Cochrane systematic reviews (rigorous syntheses of health research) with people who had the time and expertise to help. The scope of TaskExchange has now been expanded to include other evidence synthesis tasks, including guideline development. The development of TaskExchange was initially undertaken in 5 agile development phases with substantial user engagement. In each phase, software was iteratively deployed as it was developed and tested, enabling close cycles of development and refinement.// Results: TaskExchange enables users to browse and search tasks and members by keyword or nested filters, post and respond to tasks, sign up to notification emails, and acknowledge the work of TaskExchange members. The pilot platform has been open access since August 2016, has over 2300 members, and has hosted more than 630 tasks, covering a wide range of research synthesis-related tasks. Response rates are consistently over 75%, and user feedback has been positive.// Conclusions: TaskExchange demonstrates the potential for new technologies to support Web-based collaboration in health research. Development of a relatively simple platform for peer-to-peer exchange has provided opportunities for systematic reviewers to get their reviews completed more quickly and provides an effective pathway for people to join the global health evidence community

Engaging the next generation in Appalachian studies: building community and expanding outreach through technology and diversity of programming

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1089/thumbnail.jp

XLIX. Discours

BackgroundAn online weight management intervention (POWeR+) combined with a small amount of primary care healthcare practitioner support is effective in helping patients to lose weight, but little is known about how practitioners interact with the POWeR+ intervention or their experiences of providing support for patients using POWeR+. The aim of this study was to explore practitioners’ usage of POWeR+ and their experiences of providing support to patients using POWeR+. MethodsSet within a randomised controlled trial of POWeR+, practitioners’ usage of POWeR+ was automatically captured and a qualitative process analysis was conducted employing semi-structured telephone interviews with practitioners who provided support to patients using POWeR+. The usage analysis captured how 54 practitioners used the POWeR+ intervention. Thirteen telephone interviews explored practitioners’ experiences of using POWeR+ and providing patients with face-to-face or remote (email and telephone) support. Interview data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. ResultsUsage analysis indicated that almost all practitioners engaged with POWeR+. Pages which displayed patients’ progress and allowed practitioners to email patients were used the most. Practitioners found POWeR+ straightforward and easy to use. Some practitioners preferred providing support face-to-face, which they enjoyed more than remote support. A small number of nurses found providing non-directive support using the CARe approach (Congratulate, Ask, Remind) challenging, feeling it was the opposite of their normal approach. POWeR+ enabled practitioners to raise the topic of weight loss with patients, and POWeR+ was viewed as a superior alternative to existing weight management support which was limited in most practices. Still some practitioners found it difficult to fit providing support into their busy schedules. ConclusionsOverall, practitioners engaged well with POWeR+ and perceived providing patients with support whilst using POWeR+ as acceptable and feasible. CARe provides a potentially useful model for how practitioners can combine human and digital support in a cost-effective way, which could be useful for the management of other conditions. Some potential barriers to implementation were identified, which allowed modification of POWeR+. The findings suggest that implementing this cost-effective online weight management intervention in Primary Care would be feasible and acceptable to practitioners.</p