Validating the Effects of Inclusive Childcare with the Interaction Rating Scale

Abstract This study aimed to validate the effects of inclusion in center-based childcare, focusing on the inclusion of children with disabilities. One hundred thirty-eight 3 to 12-year-olds participated in this study. Participants were required to complete a 5-minute interaction session and were evaluated using the Interaction Rating Scale between Children (IRSC) as an evidence-based practical index of social skills. Significantly higher IRSC self-control scores were observed in interactions between typically developing children and children with disabilities than in normal children pairs. Additionally, behaviors reflecting the IRSC items, "explains his/her opinion logically" and "explains his/her opinion based on the level of competence/ability of the partner" were more frequently observed in interactions involving peers with disabilities than in those involving only typically developing peers. These results suggest that inclusive childcare may be effective in enhancing child social competence, especially self-control and flexibility/adaptability, depending on interaction partners' needs for care

Municipal health expectancy in Japan: decreased healthy longevity of older people in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas

BACKGROUND: Little is known about small-area variation in healthy longevity of older people and its socioeconomic correlates. This study aimed to estimate health expectancy at 65 years (HE65) at the municipal level in Japan, and to examine its relation to area socio-demographic conditions. METHODS: HE65 of municipalities (N = 3361) across Japan was estimated by a linear regression formula with life expectancy at 65 years and the prevalence of those certificated as needing nursing care. The relation between HE65 and area socio-demographic indicators was examined using correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The estimated HE65 (years) ranged from 13.13 to 17.39 for men and from 14.84 to 20.53 for women. HE65 was significantly positively correlated with the proportion of elderly and per capita income, and negatively correlated with the percentage of households of a single elderly person, divorce rate, and unemployment rate. These relations were stronger in large municipalities (with a population of more than 100,000) than in small and medium-size municipalities. CONCLUSION: A decrease in healthy longevity of older people was associated with a higher percentage of households of a single elderly person and divorce rate, and lower socioeconomic conditions. This study suggests that older people in urban areas are susceptible to socio-demographic factors, and a social support network for older people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged conditions should be encouraged