The Poverty of Wealth and Income in the United States

An alternative poverty rate was calculated using poverty thresholds from the U.S. Census Bureau to assess income poverty and a similar set of thresholds at four months’ of the poverty threshold for annual income to assess wealth (i.e. net worth) poverty. Using point estimates derived from the multiple imputations of the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) between the years of 1989 and 2007, the findings revealed the percentage of households in poverty by both measures was 6% in 2007 compared to 11.1% of households experiencing poverty of income only and 22.4% experiencing a poverty of at least one of the measures. The author assessed the demographics of the households experiencing poverty of both income and wealth and found a larger racial gap for African Americans and Hispanics than income poverty alone, support for the lifecycle hypothesis, and the importance of home ownership in lower poverty rates among other factors

License auctions with exit (and entry) options: Alternative remedies for the exposure problem

Inspired by some spectrum auctions, we consider a stylized license auction with incumbents and one entrant. Whereas the entrant values only the bundle of several units (synergy), incumbents are subject to non-increasing demand. The seller proactively encourages entry and restricts incumbent bidders. In this framework, an English clock auction gives rise to an exposure problem that distorts efficiency and impairs revenue. We consider three remedies: a (constrained) Vickrey package auction, an English clock auction with exit option that allows the entrant to annul his bid, and an English clock auction with exit and entry option that lifts the bidding restriction if entry failed

A qualitative investigation into participant experiences of group person based cognitive therapy for chronic depression

Section A: The effectiveness of acute phase psychological therapies for chronic major depression: A literature review. This review critically evaluates the literature pertaining to the use of psychotherapy for people experiencing moderate to severe chronic depression. It concludes that people with chronic major depression (CMD) experience a greater reduction in depressive symptoms from extended periods of treatments and from combined therapy, both in the form of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, but also integrative therapies which combine different therapeutic models and modalities. Section B: This study explored participants’ experiences of ways in which group person based cognitive therapy (PBCT) for people with chronic major depression facilitated or hindered therapeutic change. Qualitative methodology was used to explore the experiences of six participants who had completed the 12-week group. Transcripts of the semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Five super-ordinate themes emerged: experiences of depression before the group; the group experience; perceived changes; role of external factors; desire for more. Participants reported a changing experience of depression with regard to the way in which they related to and managed their symptoms, viewed themselves, and managed challenging situations. This study indicates that PBCT may be a suitable intervention for adults with CMD, and enhances previous findings which suggest that briefer mindfulness practices may be more acceptable to people experiencing current symptoms of depression. Section C: In a critical appraisal of the study described in section B, this section discusses the author's learning and reflections pertaining to research skills developed, applying the findings to clinical practice, and gives consideration to further research