... from differences in income (Blau & Beller, 1988) and authority (Wright, Baxter ..... more ... from differences in income (Blau & Beller, 1988) and authority (Wright, Baxter ... The gendersegregation of occupations means that the job characteristics, industries, and types of ... The consequences of women's occupational segregation are not limited to restricted labor markets ...
Like many countries, the increase in the population of older adults in Nepal has led to national ... more Like many countries, the increase in the population of older adults in Nepal has led to national policies and programs to address their needs. It would, however, also be fair to say that not enough is yet known about older adults and hence it is unclear if government programs truly address those needs. Nepal is a very poor country that is still largely rural and characterized by extremes of inequality based on caste/ethnicity, gender, region, and income/wealth. In this paper, we describe the demographic and social conditions of older adults in Nepal, inequality, sources, and limitations of the data about older adults, and public policy and programs for older adults. We believe that studies of older adults in Nepal would benefit from adopting social determinants of health, healthy aging, and life-course perspectives to both identify needs and formulate policy for older adults in Nepal.
Abstract Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to use sociological theory and research to develo... more Abstract Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to use sociological theory and research to develop an explanation for how chronic illnesses are managed at home and to thereby suggest some ways in which a sociological perspective can be applied to improve health care for persons with chronic illnesses. Self-care illness management is crucial to the prevention of and reduction of morbidity and mortality from chronic illness. Methodology/approach Review and synthesis of research literature. Findings Sociological research and theory suggest two important insights that should inform health care services aimed at improving self-care; chronic illness care occurs in the context of the household, neighborhood, and community and, therefore, the “patient” (i.e., the object of health services) is really the caregiving social network around the patient, and because the risk of chronic illness and the resources available to deal with it are socially (and unequally) distributed, “health care” interventions need to take account of disparities in risks and resources that will affect the patient’s ability to successfully comply with self-care regimens. Research limitations/implications The review does not include an examination of the clinical research literature. It does, however, suggest that sociologists need to explicitly study chronic illness and health care related to it. Originality/value of chapter The chapter links the long history of research on family caregiving to the concern with the success of self-management of chronic illness. It also links concerns about that success to social disparities in the distribution of social resources and hence to morbidity and mortality disparities.
Preface. 1. Introduction: Social Causes and Consequences of Mental Illness. I. SOCIAL CAUSES OF M... more Preface. 1. Introduction: Social Causes and Consequences of Mental Illness. I. SOCIAL CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS. 2. The Stress Process and Mental Illness. 3. Social Status: Gender. 4. Social Status: Socioeconomic Status and Race/Ethnicity. 5. Social Status: Age. 6. Social Status: Community. 7. Social Roles: Spouse, Parent. 8. Social Roles: Worker. 9. The Intersection of Statuses and Roles. II. SOCIAL REACTIONS TO MENTAL ILLNESS. 10. Labeling Deviant Behavior as Mental Illness. 11. The Relationship between Public Attitudes and Professional Labels. 12. The Medicalization of Deviant Behavior and Mental Illness. 13. The History of Societal Reactions to Mental Illness. 14. The Challenge of Community Mental Health. 15. The Contribution of Sociology. Bibliography. Index.
The signs and symptoms of mental illness, especially serious mental illness, are universally asso... more The signs and symptoms of mental illness, especially serious mental illness, are universally associated with stigma and discriminatory behavior. For these reasons, it is crucial that we understand the complex structure of stigma and its possible origins so that effective public policy and anti-stigma programs can be designed. We use data from a sample of 365 households in a small village in Nepal to empirically determine the range of stigmatic reactions (dimensionality and attributions of responsibility) to metal illness. We identified four dimensions; social exclusion, social distance, emotional distance and dangerousness. We found that measuring a number of separate dimensions of stigma as well as perceptions of causation yield a textured and complex view of stigma. It is our contention that cultural differences in the meaning of stigma and, therefore, societal responses to mental illness can be captured in a meaningful way by assessing the dimensions of stigma.
ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network t... more ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network ties for help in situations requiring support. According to this perspective, help seekers should choose ties based on the nature of the problem (practical or emotional) and on the resource strengths of different types of ties (instrumental aid or expressive aid). We distinguished the separate practical and emotional concerns represented in 10 different problems and tested whether subjects choose ties based on these characteristics. Results indicate an overwhelming preference for strong ties regardless of the perceived characteristics of the problem. Moreover, prior experience and the structure of the interpersonal network affected choices. We conclude that social resources models that predict choice of social supporters need to be refined by differentiating the nature of specific resources possessed by strong and weak ties as well as by consideration of the complete network structure.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1207 S15324834basp0901_1, Jun 7, 2010
ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network t... more ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network ties for help in situations requiring support. According to this perspective, help seekers should choose ties based on the nature of the problem (practical or emotional) and on the resource strengths of different types of ties (instrumental aid or expressive aid). We distinguished the separate practical and emotional concerns represented in 10 different problems and tested whether subjects choose ties based on these characteristics. Results indicate an overwhelming preference for strong ties regardless of the perceived characteristics of the problem. Moreover, prior experience and the structure of the interpersonal network affected choices. We conclude that social resources models that predict choice of social supporters need to be refined by differentiating the nature of specific resources possessed by strong and weak ties as well as by consideration of the complete network structure.
... from differences in income (Blau & Beller, 1988) and authority (Wright, Baxter ..... more ... from differences in income (Blau & Beller, 1988) and authority (Wright, Baxter ... The gendersegregation of occupations means that the job characteristics, industries, and types of ... The consequences of women's occupational segregation are not limited to restricted labor markets ...
Like many countries, the increase in the population of older adults in Nepal has led to national ... more Like many countries, the increase in the population of older adults in Nepal has led to national policies and programs to address their needs. It would, however, also be fair to say that not enough is yet known about older adults and hence it is unclear if government programs truly address those needs. Nepal is a very poor country that is still largely rural and characterized by extremes of inequality based on caste/ethnicity, gender, region, and income/wealth. In this paper, we describe the demographic and social conditions of older adults in Nepal, inequality, sources, and limitations of the data about older adults, and public policy and programs for older adults. We believe that studies of older adults in Nepal would benefit from adopting social determinants of health, healthy aging, and life-course perspectives to both identify needs and formulate policy for older adults in Nepal.
Abstract Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to use sociological theory and research to develo... more Abstract Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to use sociological theory and research to develop an explanation for how chronic illnesses are managed at home and to thereby suggest some ways in which a sociological perspective can be applied to improve health care for persons with chronic illnesses. Self-care illness management is crucial to the prevention of and reduction of morbidity and mortality from chronic illness. Methodology/approach Review and synthesis of research literature. Findings Sociological research and theory suggest two important insights that should inform health care services aimed at improving self-care; chronic illness care occurs in the context of the household, neighborhood, and community and, therefore, the “patient” (i.e., the object of health services) is really the caregiving social network around the patient, and because the risk of chronic illness and the resources available to deal with it are socially (and unequally) distributed, “health care” interventions need to take account of disparities in risks and resources that will affect the patient’s ability to successfully comply with self-care regimens. Research limitations/implications The review does not include an examination of the clinical research literature. It does, however, suggest that sociologists need to explicitly study chronic illness and health care related to it. Originality/value of chapter The chapter links the long history of research on family caregiving to the concern with the success of self-management of chronic illness. It also links concerns about that success to social disparities in the distribution of social resources and hence to morbidity and mortality disparities.
Preface. 1. Introduction: Social Causes and Consequences of Mental Illness. I. SOCIAL CAUSES OF M... more Preface. 1. Introduction: Social Causes and Consequences of Mental Illness. I. SOCIAL CAUSES OF MENTAL ILLNESS. 2. The Stress Process and Mental Illness. 3. Social Status: Gender. 4. Social Status: Socioeconomic Status and Race/Ethnicity. 5. Social Status: Age. 6. Social Status: Community. 7. Social Roles: Spouse, Parent. 8. Social Roles: Worker. 9. The Intersection of Statuses and Roles. II. SOCIAL REACTIONS TO MENTAL ILLNESS. 10. Labeling Deviant Behavior as Mental Illness. 11. The Relationship between Public Attitudes and Professional Labels. 12. The Medicalization of Deviant Behavior and Mental Illness. 13. The History of Societal Reactions to Mental Illness. 14. The Challenge of Community Mental Health. 15. The Contribution of Sociology. Bibliography. Index.
The signs and symptoms of mental illness, especially serious mental illness, are universally asso... more The signs and symptoms of mental illness, especially serious mental illness, are universally associated with stigma and discriminatory behavior. For these reasons, it is crucial that we understand the complex structure of stigma and its possible origins so that effective public policy and anti-stigma programs can be designed. We use data from a sample of 365 households in a small village in Nepal to empirically determine the range of stigmatic reactions (dimensionality and attributions of responsibility) to metal illness. We identified four dimensions; social exclusion, social distance, emotional distance and dangerousness. We found that measuring a number of separate dimensions of stigma as well as perceptions of causation yield a textured and complex view of stigma. It is our contention that cultural differences in the meaning of stigma and, therefore, societal responses to mental illness can be captured in a meaningful way by assessing the dimensions of stigma.
ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network t... more ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network ties for help in situations requiring support. According to this perspective, help seekers should choose ties based on the nature of the problem (practical or emotional) and on the resource strengths of different types of ties (instrumental aid or expressive aid). We distinguished the separate practical and emotional concerns represented in 10 different problems and tested whether subjects choose ties based on these characteristics. Results indicate an overwhelming preference for strong ties regardless of the perceived characteristics of the problem. Moreover, prior experience and the structure of the interpersonal network affected choices. We conclude that social resources models that predict choice of social supporters need to be refined by differentiating the nature of specific resources possessed by strong and weak ties as well as by consideration of the complete network structure.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1207 S15324834basp0901_1, Jun 7, 2010
ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network t... more ABSTRACT This study tested predictions made by social resources models of the choice of network ties for help in situations requiring support. According to this perspective, help seekers should choose ties based on the nature of the problem (practical or emotional) and on the resource strengths of different types of ties (instrumental aid or expressive aid). We distinguished the separate practical and emotional concerns represented in 10 different problems and tested whether subjects choose ties based on these characteristics. Results indicate an overwhelming preference for strong ties regardless of the perceived characteristics of the problem. Moreover, prior experience and the structure of the interpersonal network affected choices. We conclude that social resources models that predict choice of social supporters need to be refined by differentiating the nature of specific resources possessed by strong and weak ties as well as by consideration of the complete network structure.
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