ABSTRACT
As the relationship between social class and health strengthens and socioeconomic and health inequalities widen, understanding how parents' socioeconomic advantage translates into health and class advantages in the next generation is increasingly important. Our analyses illustrate how a classed performance of "health" is a fundamental component of transmitting cultural capital in families and communities. Socially advantaged parents' health and class goals for children are often met simultaneously by building children's cultural capital in community-specific ways. This study uses observational, interview, and focus group data from families in two middle-class communities to illustrate how health-focused cultural capital acquisition plays out in everyday life. As parents manage children's lives to ensure future advantages, they often focus on health-related behaviors and performances as symbols of class-based distinction for their children. The synergy between family and community cultural capital is strengthening class and health advantages for some children, even as health-focused cultural capital often has drawbacks for stress and well-being. The intensification of and value placed on "health" in cultural capital may have long-term implications for health, socioeconomic attainment, and inequalities. If health-focused cultural capital continues to become increasingly salient for status attainment, its importance could grow, widening these gaps and reducing intergenerational mobility.
ABSTRACT
Previous research has shown a negative relationship between adverse childhood events (ACEs) and health and resiliency among the general population, but has not examined these associations among children with autism. Purpose To determine the prevalence of ACEs among children with autism and how ACEs are associated with resiliency and health. Methods A quantitative analysis was conducted using data from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health. Results Children with autism experience significantly more ACEs than their peers, which is negatively associated with their health. However, resiliency is not significantly associated with ACEs in this population. ACEs disproportionately affect children with autism, which is negatively associated with health, but not resiliency. Further investigation into why children with autism experience more ACEs but maintain resiliency is warranted.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/psychology , Life Change Events , Resilience, Psychological , Adolescent , Child , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the comparative effectiveness of three variations of an online-based health promotion program for improving health and employment outcomes in a sample of Vocational Rehabilitation consumers. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: A total of 222 VR consumers participated in a randomized trial of three health promotion variations and provided baseline, 2-, 4-, and 6-month data. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. The three health promotion variations included (a) FACTSHEETS-a series of four electronic factsheets; (b) HPE-an online interactive health promotion website that included health behavior content and tailored action planning, and (c) HPE + MI-the online health promotion website plus two 30-minute calls with a trained motivational interviewer. RESULTS: Contrary to expectations, evidence did not support between-group differences based on intervention intensity. In fact, the Factsheet, HPE, and HPE + MI participants all experienced significant reductions in secondary conditions, F(2.85, 489) = 7.808, p < .001, HRQoL symptom days, F(2.7, 495) = 4.795, p = .004; and significant improvements in healthy lifestyle behaviors, F(2.6, 495) = 3.66, p = .017 over the 6-month study period. Although this study did not include a control group, a control group from another study with a similar population did not experience similar outcomes. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: People with disabilities experience significantly higher rates of secondary health conditions and lower employment rates than people without disabilities. The combination of these factors signifies the need for health promotion programming outside the work setting.
Subject(s)
Health Behavior , Health Promotion/methods , Program Evaluation/methods , Rehabilitation, Vocational/methods , Analysis of Variance , Comparative Effectiveness Research/methods , Comparative Effectiveness Research/statistics & numerical data , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Health Promotion/standards , Health Promotion/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Internet , Life Style , Male , Middle Aged , Motivational Interviewing/methods , Motivational Interviewing/standards , Motivational Interviewing/statistics & numerical data , Program Evaluation/statistics & numerical data , Rehabilitation, Vocational/standards , Rehabilitation, Vocational/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: We conducted a review of four health behavior change (HBC) theories (Health Belief, Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive, and Transtheoretical) to consider how these theories conceptually apply to people with disabilities. METHODS: We identified five common constructs across HBC theories and examined how these commonalities fit within the International Classification of Function (ICF). RESULTS: Four of the HBC constructs appear to be Personal Factors within the ICF, while the fifth represents Environmental Factors. CONCLUSIONS: Using the ICF framework to understand disability and HBC, we propose that including a sense of meaning as another personal factor will further develop HBC theories that lead to more effective HBC interventions for people with disabilities.