Life-Course Circumstances and Frailty in Old Age Within Different European Welfare Regimes: A Longitudinal Study With SHARE.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess whether cumulative disadvantage in childhood misfortune and adult-life socioeconomic conditions influence the risk of frailty in old age and whether welfare regimes influence these associations. METHOD: Data from 23,358 participants aged 50 years and older included in the longitudinal SHARE survey were used. Frailty was operationalized according to Fried's phenotype as presenting either weakness, shrinking, exhaustion, slowness, or low activity. Confounder-adjusted mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to analyze associations of childhood misfortune and life-course socioeconomic conditions with frailty. RESULTS: Childhood misfortune and poor adult-life socioeconomic conditions increased the odds of (pre-)frailty at older age. With aging, differences narrowed between categories of adverse childhood experiences (driven by Scandinavian welfare regime) and adverse childhood health experiences (driven by Eastern European welfare regime), but increased between categories of occupational position (driven by Bismarckian welfare regime). DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that childhood misfortune is linked to frailty in old age. Such a disadvantaged start in life does not seem to be compensated by a person's life-course socioeconomic trajectory, though certain types of welfare regimes affected this relationship. Apart from main occupational position, our findings do not support the cumulative dis/advantage theory, but rather show narrowing differences.

Subjective well-being and job performance: testing of a suppressor effect / El bienestar subjetivo y el desempeño en el trabajo: análisis de un efecto supresor

This is a four-year follow-up study on the relationship between the cognitive and emotional components of subjective well-being (SWB) and job performance. We hypothesized a positive relationship between these variables and job performance. The sample consisted of 170 managers of a Spanish company in the Information Technology and Communication (ITC) industry. The cognitive component of SWB was assessed with the Satisfaction with Life (SWL) scale and the emotional component with the SPANE scale. Two independent ratings, one from the direct supervisor and another from the HR manager, served as evaluations of job performance during four years in a row. Results showed that the two components of SWB predicted job performance over the four years. Additionally, when the two components are entered in a regression equation the validity increases over time as a consequence of a suppressor effect on the cognitive component of SWB. Finally, we discuss the implications for the theory and the practice of SWB at work

Este es un estudio de seguimiento a cuatro años sobre la relación entre los componentes cognitivos y emocionales del bienestar subjetivo (SWB) y el desempeño laboral. Nuestra hipótesis se refiere a la relación positiva entre estas variables y el desempeño laboral. La muestra estuvo formada por 170 managers de una empresa española de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC). El componente cognitivo de SWB se evaluó con la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWL) y el componente emocional con la escala SPANE. Dos calificaciones independientes, una del supervisor directo y otra del manager de recursos humanos, sirvieron para evaluar el desempeño laboral durante cuatro años consecutivos. Los resultados mostraron que los dos componentes de SWB predijeron el desempeño laboral durante los cuatro años. Además, cuando los dos componentes se incluyen en una ecuación de regresión, la validez aumenta con el tiempo como consecuencia de un efecto supresor sobre el componente cognitivo del SWB. Finalmente, se discuten las implicaciones para la teoría y la práctica de SWB en el trabajo

Targeted social protection in a pastoralist economy: case study from Kenya.

Social protection programmes are designed to help vulnerable populations - including pastoralists - maintain a basic level of well-being, manage risk, and cope with negative shocks. Theory suggests that differential targeting according to poverty status can increase the reach and effectiveness of budgeted social protection programmes. Chronically poor households benefit most from social protection designed to help them meet their basic needs and make vital investments necessary to graduate from poverty. Vulnerable non-destitute households benefit from protection against costly temporary shocks, but do not necessarily need regular assistance. Welfare gains occur when a comprehensive social protection programme considers the needs of both types of households. The authors use evidence-based understanding of poverty dynamics in the pastoralist-based economy of northern Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands as a case study to discuss and compare the observed impacts of two different social protection schemes on heterogeneous pastoralist households: a targeted, unconditional, cash-transfer programme designed to support the poorest, and an index-based livestock insurance programme, which acts as a productive 'safety net' to help stem a descent into poverty and increase resilience. Both types of social protection scheme have been shown to decrease poverty, improve food security and protect child health. However, the behavioural response for asset accumulation varies with the type of protection and the household's unique situation. Poor households that receive cash transfers retain and accumulate assets quickly. Insured households, who are typically vulnerable yet not destitute, protect existing herds and invest more in the livestock they already own. The authors argue that differential targeting increases programme efficiency, and discuss Kenya's current approach to implementing differentially targeted social protection.

Les programmes de protection sociale ont pour but d'aider les populations vulnérables (y compris les pasteurs) à maintenir un niveau acceptable de bienêtre, à gérer le risque et à faire face aux situations de crise. Théoriquement, le traitement différencié en fonction du niveau de pauvreté permet d'accroître la couverture et l'efficacité des programmes de protection sociale budgétisés. Les ménages vivant dans une pauvreté chronique tirent un meilleur bénéfice d'une protection sociale leur permettant de couvrir leurs besoins de base et de réaliser les investissements indispensables pour sortir de la pauvreté. Les ménages vulnérables mais non entièrement démunis tirent un meilleur bénéfice d'une protection leur permettant de couvrir les dépenses liées à des crises ponctuelles, mais n'ont pas nécessairement besoin d'un dispositif d'aide permanent. Des gains de bien-être sont constatés lorsque des programmes de protection sociale complets prennent en compte les besoins de ces deux catégories de foyers. À partir d'éclairages factuels sur la dynamique de la pauvreté dans le système économique à dominante pastorale des régions arides et semi-arides du nord du Kenya, les auteurs réalisent une étude de cas qui leur permet d'examiner et de comparer les impacts avérés de deux dispositifs différents de protection sociale sur un ensemble hétérogène de ménages pastoraux : le premier est un programme ciblé de transfert de liquidités sans conditionnalités, destiné aux foyers les plus pauvres, le deuxième est un programme d'assurance du bétail doté d'une clause d'indexation et faisant office de « filet de sécurité ¼ productif pour aider les pasteurs à ne pas basculer dans la pauvreté en cas de coup dur et à améliorer leur capacité de résilience. Chacun des deux dispositifs de protection sociale permet de contenir la pauvreté, d'améliorer la sécurité alimentaire et de protéger la santé infantile. Néanmoins, les comportements qui en résultent en termes d'accumulation d'actifs varient suivant le type de protection et la situation particulière de chaque foyer. Les foyers les plus pauvres aidés par un apport de liquidités conservent et accumulent rapidement des actifs. Les foyers habituellement vulnérables mais pas entièrement démunis soutenus par un dispositif d'assurance protègent leurs troupeaux et investissent davantage pour le bétail qu'ils possèdent déjà. Après avoir plaidé en faveur du ciblage différencié, qui selon eux améliore l'efficacité des programmes, les auteurs font le point sur la manière dont le Kenya met actuellement en oeuvre une protection sociale ciblée et différentielle.

Los programas de protección social están concebidos para ayudar a las poblaciones vulnerables (entre ellas, las pastorales) a mantener un nivel básico de bienestar, gestionar el riesgo y hacer frente a los acontecimientos negativos. Según la teoría, los programas de protección social presupuestados pueden revestir mayor alcance y eficacia cuando distinguen entre los beneficiarios y se adaptan a ellos en función de su nivel de pobreza. Las familias que sufren pobreza crónica son las que más se benefician de los dispositivos de protección social concebidos para ayudarles a cubrir sus necesidades básicas y hacer las inversiones vitales necesarias para salir de la pobreza. Las familias vulnerables, pero no desposeídas, se benefician de la protección contra malas rachas temporales que tienen un costo elevado, pero no necesitan forzosamente ayuda sistemática. Para que un programa integral de protección social depare mayores cotas de bienestar es preciso que en él se tengan en cuenta las necesidades de ambos tipos de familias. Los autores emplean una descripción científicamente contrastada de la dinámica de la pobreza en la economía basada en el pastoreo de las tierras áridas y semiáridas del norte de Kenia como estudio monográfico a partir del cual examinar y comparar los efectos observados de dos dispositivos diferentes de protección social en un conjunto heterogéneo de familias de pastores: un programa selectivo y no condicionado de transferencia de efectivo, destinado a respaldar a los más pobres; y un programa de seguro del ganado basado en un índice, que ofrece una «red de seguridad¼ productiva y ayuda a las familias en cuestión a protegerse de la pobreza y adquirir mayor resiliencia. Se ha demostrado que ambos tipos de programa de protección social reducen la pobreza, mejoran la seguridad alimentaria y protegen la salud infantil. Sin embargo, el comportamiento de respuesta en cuanto a la acumulación de activos difiere según el tipo de protección y la situación propia de cada familia. Los hogares pobres que reciben transferencias de efectivo retienen y acumulan activos rápidamente. Los hogares asegurados, que normalmente son vulnerables pero no están desposeídos, protegen los rebaños existentes e invierten más en el ganado que ya poseen. Los autores postulan que la diferenciación entre beneficiarios confiere mayor eficacia al programa, y examinan el planteamiento adoptado actualmente en Kenia, que consiste en aplicar dispositivos de protección social diferenciados en función del beneficiario.

Effects of community-based natural resource management on household welfare in Namibia.

Biodiversity conservation, as an environmental goal, is increasingly recognized to be connected to the socioeconomic well-being of local communities. The development of a widespread community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) program in Namibia makes it an ideal location to analyze the connection between conservation and socioeconomic well-being of local communities. Namibia's CBNRM program involves the formation of communal conservancies within rural communities and previous studies have found it to be successful on both ecological and economic fronts. In order to broaden the understanding of the program's impact to include social factors, we have conducted a comparative analysis to determine the effects of this program on household welfare outcomes. Data from two rounds of the Namibia Demographic and Health Surveys (2000 and 2006/07) and quasi-experimental statistical methods were used to evaluate changes in various health, education and wealth outcomes of those living in conservancies, relative to non-conservancy comparison groups. Regression results indicate mixed effects of the conservancy program at the household level. The program had positive effects on some health outcome variables, including bednet ownership, which was twice as likely to increase over time in conservancy compared to non-conservancy households. Program impacts were negative for education outcomes, with the proportion of school attendance of conservancy children being 45% less likely to increase over time than non-conservancy children. Wealth outcome results were inconclusive. Our findings highlight the importance of analyzing community conservation programs at a variety of scales when evaluating overall impact, as community-level benefits may not necessarily extend down to the household level (and vice versa).

Trends in mortality by labour market position around retirement ages in three European countries with different welfare regimes.

OBJECTIVES: In the face of economic downturn and increasing life expectancy, many industrial nations are adopting a policy of postponing the retirement age. However, questions still remain around the consequence of working longer into old age. We examine mortality by work status around retirement ages in countries with different welfare regimes; Finland (social democratic), Turin (Italy; conservative), and England and Wales (liberal). METHODS: Death rates and rate ratios (RRs) (reference rates = 'in-work'), 1970 s-2000 s, were estimated for those aged 45-64 years using the England and Wales longitudinal study, Turin longitudinal study, and the Finnish linked register study. RESULTS: Mortality of the not-in-work was consistently higher than the in-work. Death rates for the not-in-work were lowest in Turin and highest in Finland. Rate ratios were smallest in Turin (RR men 1972-76 1.73; 2002-06 1.63; women 1.22; 1.68) and largest in Finland (RR men 1991-95 3.03; 2001-05 3.80; women 3.62; 4.11). Unlike RRs for men, RRs for women increased in every country (greatest in Finland). CONCLUSIONS: These findings signal that overall, employment in later life is associated with lower mortality, regardless of welfare regime.

Social inequalities in 'sickness': European welfare states and non-employment among the chronically ill.

The aim of this paper is to examine educational inequalities in the risk of non-employment among people with illnesses and how they vary between European countries with different welfare state characteristics. In doing so, the paper adds to the growing literature on welfare states and social inequalities in health by studying the often overlooked 'sickness'-dimension of health, namely employment behaviour among people with illnesses. We use European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) data from 2005 covering 26 European countries linked to country characteristics derived from Eurostat and OECD that include spending on active labour market policies, benefit generosity, income inequality, and employment protection. Using multilevel techniques we find that comprehensive welfare states have lower absolute and relative social inequalities in sickness, as well as more favourable general rates of non-employment. Hence, regarding sickness, welfare resources appear to trump welfare disincentives.

Health inequalities and welfare state regimes: theoretical insights on a public health 'puzzle'.

Welfare states are important determinants of health. Comparative social epidemiology has almost invariably concluded that population health is enhanced by the relatively generous and universal welfare provision of the Scandinavian countries. However, most international studies of socioeconomic inequalities in health have thrown up something of a public health 'puzzle' as the Scandinavian welfare states do not, as would generally be expected, have the smallest health inequalities. This essay outlines and interrogates this puzzle by drawing upon existing theories of health inequalities--artefact, selection, cultural--behavioural, materialist, psychosocial and life course--to generate some theoretical insights. It discusses the limits of these theories in respect to cross-national research; it questions the focus and normative paradigm underpinning contemporary comparative health inequalities research; and it considers the future of comparative social epidemiology.

Test de favoritismo endogrupal interétnico adaptado al modelo ampliado de aculturación relativa: fiabilidad y evidencias de validez / In-group Bias Test adapted to the relative acculturation extended model: reliability and validity evidences

El favoritismo endogrupal (FE) se ha convertido en una variable de enorme importancia en el estudio de las relaciones interétnicas. De acuerdo con los planteamientos actuales, se puede entender como una tendencia entre los miembros de un grupo a favorecer el comportamiento, actitudes, preferencias y percepciones de su propio grupo sobre otro al que no pertenecen. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de un nuevo test para medir el FE interétnico que tenga aplicación tanto en el grupo mayoritario (autóctonos) como en el minoritario (inmigrantes). El test se basa en los ámbitos socioculturales contemplados en el MAAR. 992 personas españolas y 975 personas inmigrantes (500 de origen rumano y 475 ecuatoriano) participaron en el estudio. La estimación de la fiabilidad y las evidencias de validez de estas muestras confirman que las propiedades psicométricas de la medida de FE son apropiadas para su uso en contextos multiétnicos, ya que puede ser utilizada tanto en grupos mayoritarios (autóctonos) como en minoritarios (inmigrantes rumanos -IR- y ecuatorianos -IE-)(AU)

In-group favouritism has become a variable of enormous importance in the study of interethnic relations. According to current approaches, it can be understood as a tendency among the members of one group to favour or value the behaviour, attitudes, preferences or perceptions of their own group over those of another group to which they do not belong. The aim of this work is to study the psychometric properties of a new test for measuring inter-ethnic in-group bias, in majority (native) and minority (immigrant) groups. The test is based on the acculturation areas of the Relative Acculturation Extended Model (RAEM). Participants were 992 Spaniards and 975 immigrants (500 Romanians and 475 Ecuadorians). The reliability estimate and validity evidence for these samples show that the psychometric properties of the In-group Bias Test are appropriate for use in multi-ethnic contexts, as it can be used in majority (native) and minority (Romanian and Ecuadorian immigrants) groups(AU)

Supporting working carers: do policies in England and The Netherlands reflect 'doulia rights'?

Governments of advanced European welfare states with ageing populations are struggling to reconcile what seem to be conflicting policies. On the one hand, they are trying to increase the labour market participation of women and older workers. On the other hand, they are making more demands on people to care for disabled, chronically ill and frail older relatives and friends. Those caregivers are more likely to be women and older people. In this paper, we present the policies and experiences of carers from two countries that differ in type of welfare state, health and social care system and labour market context: England and The Netherlands. The aim was to compare English and Dutch policy measures for carers and examine their impact with evidence from two studies of people who combine work and care. The analysis is informed by the theoretical concepts of 'doulia' (whereby the state, employers and other sections of society reciprocate carers and other dependency workers for their unpaid caregiving) and 'doulia rights' (a carer's right to provide care without the risk of impoverishment). The evidence suggests that English and Dutch carers' policies have different strengths and weaknesses, but in neither country do they show strong commitment to the right to doulia.

Orden social y salud mental: una aproximación desde el bienestar social / Social order and mental health: a social wellbeing approach

En este artículo hemos querido abordar las relaciones entre el orden social y algunos aspectos de la salud, tomando como marco de referencia una de las más conocidas propuestas teóricas de Emilio Durkheim. Hemos partido de una concepción del orden social no como un hecho en sí sino como un hecho percibido que se refleja en las cinco dimensiones del bienestar social (integración social, aceptación social, contribución social, actualización social, y coherencia social) para desde ahí analizar sus relaciones con algunos componentes de la salud. Los datos apoyan de manera diáfana que la percepción, la experiencia y la atribución de características positivas a las cinco dimensiones del bienestar social auguran alta autoestima, satisfacción con la vida, sentimiento global de bienestar, implicación en los problemas sociales y afectos positivos. Por el contrario, las experiencias negativas mantienen relaciones muy estrechas con depresión, anomia, afectos negativos e indefensión

Taking as a framework one of the most well-known theories by Emile Durkheim, this paper addresses the relationship between social arder and a number of health related topics. Social arder understood not just as an event as such, but as a perceived event unfolded into five wellbeing dimensions: social integration, social acceptance, social contribution, social actualization, and social coherence. Relationships of these dimensions with some components of health are then examined. Results show clearly one hand, that people with a positive image, a good experience and an optimistic attributional style regarding their sociallife have also high self-esteem, positive affection, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing and are willing to get involved in community issues dimensions. On the other hand, people undergoing negative experiences are also fiable to depression, anomy, negative affection and helplessness

Caracterización de los estudiantes de una institución de educación superior de Pereira / Characterization of the Students of a Higher Education Institute of Pereira

En este estudio descriptivo se identificaron y analizaron características relacionadas con aspectos socioeconómicos, académicos, socioculturales, familiares y de proyección personal; se obtuvieron elementos para optimizar y maximizar el quehacer educativo y los propósitos de bienestar hacia la comunidad estudiantil de la Institución. Se recolectó información a 147 estudiantes de primer semestre, del segundo período académico del 2004, de la Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Seccional Pereira. La encuesta que se aplicó tomó como referente el instrumento utilizado por la Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina seccional Bogotá y otras universidades1. También se analizó la entrevista de ingreso a la Institución para los nuevos estudiantes. Entre los principales resultados se encuentra que los estudiantes de primer semestre en un porcentaje alto son adolescentes y adultos jóvenes entre 16-23 años; aproximadamente 1 de cada 3 estudiantes trabaja; son padres o madres de familia 59.5 por cien, porcentaje que se incrementa especialmente con los estudiantes de enfermería grupo B; 41 por cien ingresó a la Institución luego de 2 años o más de haber terminado su bachillerato; 1 de cada 3 estudiantes se encuentra laborando al inicio de su carrera; aproximadamente el 50 por cien procede de familias de estrato medio bajo.

Las personas con discapacidad: su calidad de vida y la de su entorno / The people with discapacidad: its quality of life and the one of its surroundings

El presente artículo se dirige no solo a los profesionales del área de la salud, sino a todas las personas interesadas en el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de las personas con discapacidad, mediante la explicación de la diferencia entre los conceptos de discapacidad y minusvalía, y con argumentos que permiten el cambio de mentalidad hacia los individuos que la presentan

Copago y sociedad del bienestar / Copayment and welfare society

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Public health care with waiting time: the role of supplementary private health care.

We consider an economy where most of the health care is publicly provided, and where there is waiting time for several types of treatments. Private health care without waiting time is an option for the patients in the public health queue. We show that although patients with low waiting costs will choose public treatment, they may be better off with waiting time than without. The reason is that waiting time induces patients with high waiting costs to choose private treatment, thus reducing the cost of public health care that everyone pays for. Even if higher quality (i.e. zero waiting time) can be achieved at no cost, the self-selection induced redistribution may imply that it is socially optimal to provide health care publicly and at an inferior quality level. We give a detailed discussion of the circumstances in which it is optimal to have waiting time for public health treatment. Moreover, we study the interaction between this quality decision and the optimal tax/subsidy on private health care.

The Pediatrician's role in family support programs. Committee on Early Childhood and Adoption, and Dependent Care.

Children's brain growth, general health, and development are directly influenced by emotional relationships during early childhood. Contemporary American life challenges families' abilities to promote successful developmental outcomes and emotional health for their children. Pediatricians are positioned to serve as family advisors and community partners in supporting the well-being of children and families. This statement recommends opportunities for pediatricians to develop their expertise in assessing the strengths and stresses in families, in counseling families about strategies and resources, and in collaborating with others in their communities to support family relationships.

"A future not of riches but of comfort": the emigration of pauper children from Bristol to Canada, 1870-1915.

This article examines the emigration of orphan and deserted children from Bristol to Canada in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This emigration was organised and financed by the local Boards of Guardians and, as such, raises important questions about the way in which state agencies cared for dependent children. The emigration of Poor Law children is explored in relation to debates about childcare, poverty, racial degeneration and imperialism. Of particular interest is the role played by women in promoting child emigration and the article considers the women's contribution to discourse and practice, both locally and nationally. The dynamics of emigration are analysed by using both British and Canadian sources and the tensions associated with pauper emigration are examined in some detail.