Gender-typed attributes and marital satisfaction in Mexican immigrant couples: a latent profile approach

Informed by socio-ecological and dyadic approaches to understanding marriage, the current study examined the patterning of gender-typed attributes in the relationships of 120 Mexican immigrant couples and their links with spouses' reports of marital satisfaction. Results from previous studies suggest that marital satisfaction is positively predicted by spouses' gender-typed attributes (i.e. femininity, androgyny) as well as within-couple similarity in gender-typed attributes (e.g., Antill, 1983; Gaunt, 2006; Zammichieli, Gilroy, & Sherman, 1988). However, studies of gender-typed attributes have rarely been expanded beyond White and middle-class samples and only scarcely studied in a dyadic context. The lack of research on the links between spouses' gender-typed attributes and marital satisfaction among non-White or immigrant couples is problematic given the unique socio-ecological niches these couples often inhabit--contexts that may place demands on spouses that challenge gendered and culturally bound notions of masculinity and femininity (Helms, 2013; Helms, Supple, & Proulx, 2011). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify a typology of couples based on spouses' self-reported masculine and feminine attributes. Three couple profiles were identified base on the LPA: (a) Androgynous Couples, (b) Undifferentiated Couples, and (c) Mismatched Couples. Results from a mixed model ANCOVA showed profile differences in couples' marital satisfaction, suggesting that spouses in the undifferentiated couples group were the least satisfied. Findings challenge stereotypical and patriarchal depictions of Latino family relationships and propose a more complex understanding of Mexican-origin spouses' gender-typed attributes and their link with marital quality than has yet been portrayed in the literature

A Virtual Mary Livermore Library, Help with Research in a New Dimension!

UNCP has a new campus -- in Second Life (SL), an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. The SL software, needed for entering this environment, is available for free at www.Secondlife.com. The Mary Livermore Library recently received an LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant to purchase several computers capable of operating Second Life. These should all be ready and available for use by the end of August. The next step for the Mary Livermore Library in the implementation of this sophisticated learning tool is to collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to fully utilize services and activities on the UNCP SL campus and beyond

Person-centered approaches to modeling trajectories of concurrent substance use across adolescence and adulthood: individual and family background predictors

Informed by theoretical approaches that emphasize variation in the developmental pathways of substance use (e.g., Moffit, 1993; Muthén & Muthén, 2000), the current study examined two person-centered approaches to assessing concurrent substance use across adolescence and adulthood (ages 16 to 28). Person-centered approaches have the advantage of capturing heterogeneity within a sample thus allowing for the explicit assessment of different developmental pathways of substance use for subsections of a larger population. Furthermore, trajectories of concurrent substance use have seldom been modeled in the extant literature, partially due to the complexity of data and models required to do so. Instead, studies have primarily relied on one indicator or one specific substance over time, which limits the extent to which those models accurately reflect individuals’ lived experiences. The analytical sample for the current study was drawn from the Center for Education and Drug Abuse Research (CEDAR, 2015) dataset and included 722 predominantly White male participants, approximately half of whom had fathers with diagnosed substance use disorders (SUD). Substance use was assessed across five waves of data from age 16 to age 28. Two approaches to modeling concurrent substance use trajectories were assessed: the multiple-indicator multilevel (MIML) growth mixture model (GMM) and the parallel processes latent class growth analysis (LCGA) model. Each model identified heterogeneity in substance use over time. Furthermore, family background and individual predictors differentially predicted membership into the profiles providing some evidence of at-risk versus normative patterns of substance use over time. Results indicated both the MIML GMM and parallel processes mixture model were appropriate methods for modeling concurrent substance use over time. Whereas results from the multiple-indicator multilevel growth mixture model indicated approximately 75% of the sample being classified as increasing low users, results from the parallel process mixture model indicated only 56% of the sample was classified as predominantly increasing low alcohol-only users. The typologies identified via these two different approaches are an important first step in assessing concurrent substance use trajectories from adolescence into adulthood and advance research that has been limited to a focus on modeling only one substance at a time. Furthermore, the ability of this study to identify at-risk versus normative patterns of use while simultaneously accounting for concurrent substance use is especially helpful for clinicians working with individuals who use or abuse substances

EFFECTS OF SYSTEMATIC INSTRUCTION ON LISTENING COMPREHENSION OF SCIENCE e-TEXTS FOR STUDENTS WITH MODERATE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

A multiple probe across participants design was used to examine the effects of systematic instruction (constant time delay and a system of least prompts) on both generating and answering questions about science e-texts for students with moderate intellectual disability. Three elementary aged students with moderate intellectual disability participated in this study. Two special education teachers served as the primary interventionists. The students were pretrained using constant time delay and visual and auditory cues delivered on an iPad2TM to access and navigate e-texts on the Internet. The primary dependent variable was the number of comprehension questions correctly answered after students generated a question and listened to a science e-text. Additional questions examined (a) the students’ ability to generate questions both with and without the support of an iPad2TM template, (b) the generalizability of generating questions and answering questions about science e-texts in a general education science setting, and (c) stakeholder perceptions. A functional relationship was demonstrated for both generating questions using an iPad2TM and answering comprehension questions. All three students demonstrated an ability to correctly answer questions by either saying an answer from memory or independently searching the e-text and replaying target text to find the correct answer. A functional relationship also was demonstrated between constant time delay instruction and the points earned accurately generating questions using an iPad2TM

Lifelong learning : the state of the field

The study defined lifelong learning. The study was needed because of the confusion and conflict existing in the literature and in programming which carries the label of lifelong learning. The methodology involved a critical analysis of the literature related to lifelong learning. From the analysis, criteria were developed which identified essential elements to be included in the definition. The criteria provided the standards on which the definition based. This study includes an up-to-date bibliography on lifelong learning, a review of current definitions for this field, and the development of criteria leading to a statement of the resulting definition. Implications for further research were suggested

A descriptive analysis of the effects of a model of flexible scheduling on achievement in reading

It was the purpose of this study to investigate the effects of a model of flexible scheduling on achievement in reading for primary school children. It was hypothesized that the model of flexible scheduling would reduce the fragmentation of the primary school day and increase the time allocation to the language arts and reading instruction. It was also hypothesized that any increase in the time allocations to the subject area of reading would result in an increase in "academic learning time" (ALT) and more achievement in reading. The subjects were 70 students in the primary school using the model of flexible scheduling and 187 students in four comparison schools (primary level). Two of the comparison schools used some form of scheduling and two did not. The subjects were not randomly selected but were considered to be representative of all students in the school populations. The data were collected using a pretest/posttest pre-experimental design over a six-month period of time for the 70 subjects and by calculating gain scores (scale scores) in reading for the 187 students at the comparison school and 46 of the 70 subjects at the intervention school over a three-year period of time. Teachers at Brown Summit Primary School who worked with the implementation of the scheduling model responded to a questionnaire on the effects of the scheduling model on fragmentation and reading achievement. These data were analyzed using a t test and by summarizing the responses to the questionnaire

Strategic innovation in information technology outsourcing: identifying the gaps between vendor contribution and client requirement

While much research has focused on information technology (IT) outsourcing, little research has concentrated on how a vendor's offerings fit into the strategic vision of its client company. This research identifies the areas in which client companies expect information technology (IT) outsourcing vendors to make contributions to their strategic innovation. Through case studies and a literature review, this research offers insights into each IT outsourcing party's definitions and perceptions of innovation, how client and vendor companies formulate and implement innovation, and each party's expectations in outsourcing for innovation. Case studies of client and vendor organizations engaged in IT outsourcing arrangements and a review of the service level agreement literature yielded the following findings: (1) client companies present certain challenges to vendors that are trying to innovate in their organizations, (2) vendors must determine how to bridge the gap between the client's current IT organization and the client's desired result, (3) certain traits must be present in client companies in order for them to realize innovation through IT outsourcing arrangements, and (4) certain contractual elements are instrumental in ensuring that the client's innovation requirements are met

The hammered dulcimer in the Southern Appalachian old time string band music of North Carolina, Southwest Virginia, and West Virginia

The hammered dulcimer, although present since early in American history, has within the past few decades encountered a resurgence of popularity with some players performing the traditional Appalachian string band music known as Old Time. Although present in small pockets in areas such as West Virginia and Randolph and Guilford counties in North Carolina for well over 100 years, the instrument was mostly unknown to the general population. Although not commonly considered historically authentic by the Old Time community, the hammered dulcimer has been a part of the rural American soundscape for over two centuries. The relative popularity of the instrument, however, waned around the turn of the twentieth century as pianos and guitars became more commonplace. The instrument nearly died out of common usage until the latter part of the folk revival during the 1970s and 1980s when dulcimer construction and playing experienced a rebirth. The instrument underwent significant changes that made it more portable and better in tune. Old Time music festivals have played an important role in the pedagogy of the genre. Competitions and "jam" sessions at these festivals strengthened the Old Time community by providing a social outlet for learning repertoire and style. However, hammered dulcimer players were sometimes excluded from these events. The result of this study showed that hammered dulcimer players learned the Old Time music repertoire separate from the Old Time establishment and perform the genre in bands created outside of the festival experience. Dulcimer players also formed their own instrument-specific festivals that featured classes and performances solely for mountain and hammered dulcimers. These players continue to be a part of the Old Time community. However, their experience differed greatly from more common instruments in the genre such as fiddle, banjo, and guitar

A study of needed alterations in ready-made dresses

Women generally are faced with the problem of having their clothes fit properly. Whether their dresses are made at home or bought ready-made, they must fit correctly to look fashionable and to be comfortable and serviceable to the wearer. Dresses made by mass production cannot assure a dress in every size to fit every individual, but the dresses should be cut and constructed so as to eliminate the necessity for many alterations and to allow for the alterations that are necessary. A dress which fits the figure is more likely to sell than one which needs many adjustments, costly in both time and money