Correlates Of Class Membership Research Articles

Identifying Cigarette Smoking Trajectories from Homelessness to Housing

AbstractThis study examines cigarette smoking trajectories from homelessness to housing and assesses demographic and clinical characteristics associated with multiple longitudinal smoking behavior patterns. Data were drawn from a longitudinal prospective cohort study of 421 adults experiencing homelessness who entered permanent supportive housing (PSH). Four quantitative surveys (baseline [while homeless], 3-, 6-, and 12 months post-housing) gathered participants’ smoking frequency used for Repeated Measure Latent Class Analysis (RMLCA), which identified subgroups that share longitudinal smoking behavior patterns. Baseline and time-varying demographic, mental health (e.g., schizophrenia), and substance use (e.g., cannabis use) measures were examined as correlates of class membership. RMLCA estimates supported a three-class model: (1) mixed-frequency decreasers (n = 71): who smoked at differing frequencies while demonstrating a significant decrease over time; (2) high-frequency maintainers (n = 194): participants who smoked daily/almost-daily and maintained this smoking rate across waves; and (3) low-frequency increasers (n = 56): participants who generally were non-smokers at baseline and significantly increased to monthly or weekly consumption longitudinally. Compared to Black and African American participants, Hispanic and Latino participants had greater odds of low-frequency increaser and mixed-frequency decreaser membership. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder diagnoses increased odds of high-frequency maintainer membership compared to the two less-frequent-using subgroups. Cannabis use increased longitudinally and was associated with greater odds of high-frequency maintainer membership. This is the first study to find smoking changes from homelessness to housing. While encouraging that some residents reduce their smoking post-housing, many maintained high smoking rates. Cessation services that address mental health and co-occurring substance use within PSH are warranted.

Sexual risk and sexual healthcare utilization profiles among Black sexual minority men in the U.S. Deep South

ABSTRACT Black gay, bisexual, and other Black sexual minority men (BSMM) continue to experience negative health outcomes along the HIV prevention and treatment continuum, especially in the U.S. Deep South. The purpose of this study is to identify sexual risk and healthcare utilization profiles behaviors among BSMM in the Deep South. Guided by the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, latent class analysis was used to identify sexual risk and healthcare utilization profiles using data from 348 individuals in Jackson, MS and Atlanta, GA. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify the correlates of class membership. A 3-class solution was identified: Class 1 (Substance using, Low Testers); Class 2 (Condom using testers), and Class 3 (Casual Partner Testers). Class 1 had the highest conditional probabilities of drug (75%) and alcohol (84%) use before sex and the lowest probability of STI and HIV testing. Class 2 had the highest probabilities of condom use and a 65% probability of seeing a healthcare provider. Class 3 had the highest probability of inconsistent condom use and seeing a healthcare provider in the previous 12 months (76%). Findings support the need for targeted interventions tailored to BSMM of different sexual risk and healthcare utilization behaviors.

Using Mixed-Model Item Response Theory to Analyze Organizational Survey Responses: An Illustration Using the Job Descriptive Index

In this article, the authors illustrate the use of mixed-model item response theory (MM-IRT) and explain its usefulness for analyzing organizational surveys. The authors begin by giving an overview of MM-IRT, focusing on both technical aspects and previous organizational applications. Guidance is provided on how researchers can use MM-IRT to check scoring assumptions, identify the influence of systematic responding that is unrelated to item content (i.e., response sets), and evaluate individual and group difference variables as predictors of class membership. After summarizing the current body of research using MM-IRT to address problems relevant to organizational researchers, the authors present an illustration of the use of MM-IRT with the Job Descriptive Index (JDI), focusing on the use of the ‘‘?’’ response option. Three classes emerged, one most likely to respond in the positive direction, one most likely to respond in the negative direction, and another most likely to use the ‘‘?’’ response. Trust in management, job tenure, age, race, and sex were considered as correlates of class membership. Results are discussed in terms of the applicability of MM-IRT and future research endeavors.