Higher Socioeconomic Backgrounds Research Articles

Compensatory School Effects and Social Capital

The aim of this study is to explore whether and how school-based social capital (SSC) may increase or reduce inequalities in the academic achievement and well-being of students from different backgrounds (class, gender, and ethnicity). SSC here refers to those qualities of social relationships and the degree of interconnectedness between students, teachers, and parents that can support the educational attainment and social adjustment of young people. As the results of our ethnographic studies indicate, there is a significant association between SSC and school composition—i.e., the class and ethnic background of students in a school. The association indicates the stratification effect of social capital in schools as a predominant pattern. In a school with students from higher socio-economic backgrounds, we observed more qualified and motivated teachers, an intensive parental involvement, and, consequently, more constructive and friendly relationships among students. In contrast, in a school located in a disadvantaged area, the social relations were quite the reverse. We then found a third category. In a school with children from lower social class backgrounds placed in an immigrant-dense area, highly committed school staff were able to create an emotional closeness and trust between them, the pupils, and their parents. School-based social capital in this context introduced a sense of solidarity and created a pro-educational climate.

Haemoglobin A1c is a predictor of COVID-19 severity in patients with diabetes.

AimPoor outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) have been linked to diabetes, but its relation to pre‐infection glycaemic control is still unclear.Materials and MethodsTo address this question, we report here the association between pre‐infection Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and COVID‐19 severity as assessed by need for hospitalization in a cohort of 2068 patients with diabetes tested for COVID‐19 in Leumit Health Services (LHSs), Israel, between 1 February and 30 April 2020. Using the LHS‐integrated electronic medical records system, we were able to collect a large amount of clinical information including age, sex, socio‐economic status, weight, height, body mass index, HbA1c, prior diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease, depression/anxiety, schizophrenia, dementia, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, smoking, and chronic lung disease.ResultsOf the patients included in the cohort, 183 (8.85%) were diagnosed with COVID‐19 and 46 were admitted to hospital. More hospitalized patients were female, came from higher socio‐economic background and had a higher baseline HbA1c. A prior diagnosis of cerebrovascular accident and chronic lung disease conferred an increased risk of hospitalization but not obesity or smoking status. In a multivariate analysis, controlling for multiple prior clinical conditions, the only parameter associated with a significantly increased risk for hospitalization was HbA1c ≥ 9%.ConclusionUsing pre‐infection glycaemic control data, we identify HbA1c as a clear predictor of COVID‐19 severity. Pre‐infection risk stratification is crucial to successfully manage this disease, efficiently allocate resources, and minimize the economic and social burden associated with an undiscriminating approach.

College Choice, Interrupted: Understanding the Choice Processes of Hurricane-Affected Puerto Rican Students in Florida

ABSTRACT After Hurricane María, approximately 3,500 students enrolled in on Florida’s school district from Puerto Rico. Displaced Puerto Rican high schoolers incurred the transitional costs of forced migration at a time in their educational trajectories when they are formulating their postsecondary plans. While student mobility is not uncommon, prevailing college choice models do not account for changes in context. This embedded case study leverages 87 interviews across district stakeholders, including 10 high schoolers to examine whether and how changes in educational contexts (state policy, postsecondary landscape, and schools) influenced changes in postsecondary expectations through the lens of expectancy-value theory. First, Florida’s policy context (as an English-only state with English-only testing) created a challenging environment for students to acquire diplomas, which reduced students’ expectations for success. Second, the enrollment patterns and institutional costs were vastly different between Puerto Rico and Florida; Florida counselors were unprepared to help students consider postsecondary options in Puerto Rico and emphasized utility and low cost of community college. Third, class mattered, as students from higher socio-economic backgrounds were less likely to change their educational expectations, relative to the downward shifts in expectations of low-SES students. We close with implications for college guidance, policy, and research.

Digital inequality in Austria: Empirical evidence from the survey of the OECD “Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies”

Digitisation and rapidly emerging new technologies are transforming many aspects of life such as education, work, and leisure. These changes lead to a growing demand for new skills related to ICT use, computer literacy, internet use, or technical digital skills. However, the extensive literature on digital inequality provides evidence for significant differences in computer skills along the usual dimensions of social inequality. Due to the omnipresence of digital technologies in everyday life, it is all the more important to know the extent of digital inequality to be able to take appropriate measures to ensure that social participation does not degenerate into a question of social stratification in the Digital Age. In this paper, we provide empirical evidence for socio-economic digital inequality in Austria using survey data from the “Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies” (PIAAC) conducted in 2011/2012.11The data set that supports the findings of this study is available as a scientific use file (SUF) for scientific research made available by Statistics Austria free of charge after conclusion of a data use agreement. We show, for Austria, that higher socio-economic background is positively related to digital problem-solving while being female is negatively correlated. However, when controlling for ICT engagement in everyday life, the positive effect of the socio-economic background only remains significant for groups of people with a very high socio-economic background while the effect of gender becomes statistically insignificant. Furthermore, based on Eurostat data we cannot identify a uniform trend towards a decline of digital inequality since 2012. Our results indicate that disadvantaged population groups in Austria should be encouraged and enabled to integrate ICT usage in their everyday life to reduce digital inequality.

Factors predicting physical activity and healthy nutrition habits among students in Israel

Abstract Background The World Health Organization has defined school systems as the significant framework for health promotion, because it enables accessibility to most of the child population. Objectives To examine the association between health promotion policies of school principals and student-level factors that predict health behaviour patterns: physical activity and proper nutrition. Methods This cross-sectional study is based on data from the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children) survey that included 7,000 students in grades 6, 8, and 10 in secular and religious public schools and in Arab schools, and about 126 principals. Results The findings of the study indicate: at the student level boys perform physical activity more frequently than girls (B = 0.80, p < 0.01); with increasing age students from a high socio-economic background are more physically active (B=-0.34, p < 0.01); and students in religious public schools perform less physical activity compared to students in secular public schools (B=-0.37, p < 0.01). At the multi-level, implementation of a policy that encourages physical activity is a predictor of physical activity habits at the student level (B = 0.09, p < 0.05). Moreover, findings show that school nutrition policies (OR = 0.89, p < 0.05) and principals' commitment to health promotion (OR = 1.13, p < 0.01) predict healthy eating habits among students. Findings also indicate that students in the Arab sector consume less healthy food compared to students in public schools (OR = 0.54, p < 0.05). Conclusions The results of the current study emphasize the importance of implementing health promotion policies in schools among principals to improve students' physical activity and healthy eating habits.

Can school-based, health behavioural interventions tackle health inequities in childhood?

Abstract Background To improve the health situation of children in primary school, many school-based interventions that are aimed at changing health behaviours, are being set up. Prior to knowing the (long-term) effectiveness of such intervention, we set out to examine whether there is room for such interventions to also tackle the health gap between children from high and low socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods Data from the Dutch quasi-experimental Health Primary School of the Future were used. All children from eight primary schools were included in the period 2015-2019. In the first cross-sectional phase, we studied whether there were socioeconomic differences in various health outcomes (e.g. body mass index) and whether these were smaller in children in the oldest groups (highest classes). In a two-year longitudinal approach, it was studied how socioeconomic differences in health outcomes developed in two years time and whether health behaviours could “explain” any socioeconomic differences in the outcomes. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used, including multilevel variants thereof, as well as mediation analyses. Results Both the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses indicated substantial and consistent socioeconomic differences in various health outcomes. The socioeconomic differences in health appeared stronger in the oldest children (highest classes). Due to only small socioeconomic differences in health behaviours, such behaviours did not mediate the socioeconomic differences in the children's health outcomes. Conclusions The findings indicate substantial socioeconomic differences in health in primary school. That being longer at school did not attenuate the socioeconomic differences in health and that health behaviours did not mediate the socioeconomic differences in health suggests that there might not be much room for school-based, health behaviour interventions to easily tackle socioeconomic differences in health in childhood. Key messages We found substantial socioeconomic differences in child health in the Netherlands. But we found only little evidence that primary school-based, health behavioural interventions will easily tackle socioeconomic differences in child health.

SCHOOL SEGREGATION IN PUBLIC AND SEMIPRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ANDALUSIA

ABSTRACT School segregation by socio-economic background is a feature of most education systems and impacts negatively on educational outcomes for poor children. Evidence on this issue is lacking for the Spanish primary education system and in particular the extent to which a) poor and rich students sort into different types of school and b) the extent of segregation within different school types. We measure the level of segregation of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds into public and semiprivate schools and within these two types of school using the Hutchens Index. The analysis is based on data for students attending 5th grade in the largest region in Spain (Andalusia). Our results indicate significant differences in the level of segregation across and within both school types. Students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to attend semiprivate schools. This provides evidence of the inequity of providing public funding for semiprivate schools that are then disproportionately attended by wealthier students.

Reactions to an Online Demonstration of the Effect of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Appearance: Survey Study.

BackgroundInadequate fruit and vegetable consumption causes a considerable disease burden and premature mortality. Despite public health promotion of a healthy diet, the average consumption is still below recommended levels. Fruit and vegetable consumption influences human skin color, increasing red/yellow/orange pigment in the skin. Given that this color is deemed attractive and healthy-looking, the appearance benefit may motivate to eat more fruit and vegetables. Such appearance motivation could be particularly useful in young individuals who currently eat the least fruit and vegetables.ObjectiveOur objectives were to assess how widely the impact of diet on skin color is known within the UK and to compare the strength of motivation to eat fruit and vegetables based on health and appearance benefits among different demographic groups.MethodsFour groups of UK residents (N=200 per group) were recruited through the Prolific online platform. Groups comprised younger (aged 18-24) and older adults (aged 40-60) of low and high self-reported socioeconomic status (1-5 and 6-10 on a 10-point rating scale). Facial images simulating the skin color associated with low and high fruit and vegetable diets were shown to participants. Questionnaires were used to assess (1) background knowledge of the health and skin color effects of dietary fruit and vegetables, (2) the specific motivational impact of the skin color illustration, and (3) the relative importance of motivation to consume fruit and vegetables arising from health and skin color appearance benefits.ResultsWe found that 61% (n=487) of all participants were unaware of the dietary–skin color association. We also found that 57% (n=457) of participants found the simple demonstration of the dietary impact on skin color positively motivating to eat more fruit and vegetables. The visual demonstration was equally motivating for participants of high and low self-reported socioeconomic status (P=.63) and different ethnic backgrounds (White N=453, Black N=182, Asian N=87, P=.22). Health benefits from a diet high in fruit and vegetables were regarded as more motivating than skin color appearance benefits. The appearance-changing benefits of a high fruit and vegetable diet (compared to the health benefits) were relatively more important for the younger participants (Mann-Whitney U=96,263, P<.001) and for women (N=489) than for men (N=310, U=83,763, P=.01).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the promotion of the skin color effects of diets high in fruit and vegetables could provide additional motivation for a healthier diet. Our study indicates the broad appeal of appearance benefits from dietary fruit and vegetable (across ethnicity and socioeconomic status) and particularly amongst young adults where an inadequate diet is most prevalent.

Influence of teachers’ political orientation and values on their success prediction toward students from different socioeconomic background

IntroductionTeachers tend to develop negative expectations and behaviours towards students coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to test the influence of teacher political orientation, as well as their attachment to power and universalism values, on their predictions of academic success towards students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. MethodEighty-eight high school teachers (Mage=38.04years; 44.3% men) responded to a questionnaire of political ideology and values, as well as to a questionnaire evaluating their prediction of success towards male high school students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. ResultsTeachers predicted a better academic success for students coming from a high socioeconomic background. Despite relatively small effect size, political ideology, as well as attachment to power and universalism values, predicted the bias of judgment. ConclusionTaking into consideration teachers’ ideology and values would deepen understanding of processes underlying expectations development.

“The Only Thing New is the Cameras”: A Study of U.S. College Students’ Perceptions of Police Violence on Social Media

The present study explored the impact of publicized incidents of police violence on racially underrepresented college students in the U.S. Approximately 134 college students at various colleges and universities in the U.S. completed a questionnaire that examined their engagement with police brutality videos, reactions about police killings of unarmed Black men (and boys), their encounters with police, and perceptions toward the issue of police violence. The majority of participants were students of color, from the middle to high socioeconomic backgrounds and attended private and public institutions of higher education. The main findings included: (1) social media as a medium to learn about incidents of police violence; (2) students displayed symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (i.e., anger, sadness, and fear) after viewing the videos; and (3) student’s race affected how they viewed police violence in social media. These findings reflect that witnessing publicized police killings of unarmed Black men (and boys) is traumatic for college students and contributes to anxiety and fear for future police encounters.

Socio-Economic Status of Parents as Predictor of Achievement Motivation of Students of Covenant University Ota, Ogun State

The research investigated the socio-economic status of parents as predictor of achievement motivation of students of Covenant University Ota, Ogun State. Data for the study were collected using an adapted version of Achievement Motivation Scale Questionnaire by Atkinson &amp; McClelland. Stratified random sampling technique was used for selecting the sample. The sample consists of 300 students from 3 colleges in the university. Two null hypotheses were raised and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Findings indicated that there is a significant correlation between parents' income and achievement motivation and also, a significant relationship between parents' type of accommodation and achievement motivation of the students. The null hypotheses raised were rejected which contradicts popular assumptions that students from higher socio-economic status have higher achievement motivation. Based on the findings, the study recommends that further research be carried out to determine the likely factors that may be responsible for low achievement motivation among students of high socio-economic background.

Reduced Bone Mineral Density in Children: Another Potential Health Effect of PFAS.

Vol. 128, No. 4 Science SelectionOpen AccessReduced Bone Mineral Density in Children: Another Potential Health Effect of PFASis accompanied byPer- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Plasma Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Midchildhood: A Cross-Sectional Study (Project Viva, United States) Charles W. Schmidt Charles W. Schmidt Search for more papers by this author Published:20 April 2020CID: 044002https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6519View Article in:中文版AboutSectionsPDF ToolsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsCopy LTI LinkHTMLPDF ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail AbstractPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are among the most stable industrial compounds ever created.1,2 Used for decades to make nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foam, and other products, they persist indefinitely in the environment and accumulate in the bodies of exposed people.3 A study in adults associated higher PFAS levels in blood with lower bone mineral density, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis.4 Now a study in Environmental Health Perspectives provides new evidence associating the chemicals with lower bone mineral density in children, too.5Bone mass accumulates rapidly during childhood and peaks when individuals reach their late teens and early 20s.6 Therefore, “identifying environmental factors with an influence on bone health during childhood and adolescence can inform preventive interventions with potentially large impacts on fracture risk in later life,” says senior author Abby Fleisch, a pediatric endocrinologist at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute in Portland.Peak bone mineral density in youth strongly predicts an individual’s susceptibility to osteoporosis later in life.8 If evidence bears out that PFAS affects bone mineral density, childhood exposures could have long-term implications for bone health. Image: © iStockphoto/nkbimages.For this study, Fleisch’s team reviewed data from children participating in a long-term study of mothers and their children called Project Viva.7 Sponsored in part by Harvard Medical School, Project Viva recruited just over 2,000 pregnant women between 1999 and 2002 and is still following the mother–child pairs today. Fleisch and her colleagues focused specifically on a subset of 576 children who had undergone bone density scans and provided blood plasma samples for chemical analysis when they were between 6 and 10 years of age. The researchers narrowed their analysis to the six most commonly detected PFAS: summed isomers of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), summed isomers of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid, and perfluorononanoic acid. They expressed bone mineral density measures as z-scores normalized for age, sex, race, and height.To generate their results, the authors used linear regression models to see whether lower z-scores (indicating lower bone mineral density) were associated with higher plasma concentrations of individual PFASs. In addition, they used a method called weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression to examine the association of z-scores with the PFAS mixture as a whole.According to the analysis, higher concentrations of each individual PFAS were associated with lower z-scores, with the strongest associations estimated for PFOA, PFOS, and PFDA. A similar association was noted for the PFAS mixture. Specifically, every incremental increase in the WQS index was associated with a corresponding reduction in the z-score for bone mineral density.Most of the children came from relatively high socioeconomic backgrounds and had college-educated mothers. Fleisch acknowledges that could limit the generalizability of the findings to the broader population. She points out that wealthier families may be “more prone to use things that have PFAS, such as carpets and furniture with stain-repellant properties.”Naila Khalil, an associate professor at Wright State University who was not involved in the study, notes, “Researchers tend to focus more on soft-tissue and immune impacts from PFAS exposure. Bone is harder to study, especially in growing children. That makes this paper a robust addition to the limited research on PFAS and its impacts on skeletal health.”Antti Koskela, a physician and researcher who specializes in bone development at the University of Oulu, Finland, points to several strengths of the study. Koskela, who also was not involved in the study, specifically cites the large number of participants, the assessment of a complex PFAS mixture on bone health, and the use of total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for measuring bone density, which is considered the gold standard method. “The data confirm earlier findings and underline concerns about PFAS exposure in children,” he says. “The concern [about potential bone effects] is not just for adults anymore.”Charles W. Schmidt, MS, an award-winning science writer from Portland, ME, writes for Scientific American, Science, Undark, various Nature publications, and many other magazines, research journals, and websites.

Educational choice of Russian high school students in grade nine

ABSTRACT Drawing on the data provided by Russian panel study ‘Trajectories in Education and Careers’ (TrEC), we explore the different rationales pupils employ in deciding their education path in grade nine. Drawing on the relative risk aversion theory we show how young people’s decision-making logics are aimed at class maintenance and risk management. Using a qualitative methodology we show that the decision to continue into grade ten with the view to enter a university program is largely a ‘non-decision’ informed by class-appropriate ambition. While students from higher socio-economic backgrounds ‘automatically’ enrol in grade ten, students of lower socio-economic backgrounds tend to opt for vocational education in the hope of ‘fast-tracking’ to adulthood and the world of work. Drawing on the concept of a ‘cultural narrative’ we also demonstrate that what is considered ‘rational,’ ‘safe’, ‘risky,’ etc. is both class- and culture-specific.

Who wants to be a sportsperson? Student aspirations for sporting careers

ABSTRACT Sports participation and elite sporting success are fundamental to Australian culture and a prominent source of national pride. As sport is a major part of day-to-day living in Australia, it is not surprising that many young people aspire to careers as sportspersons. While such aspirations are often dismissed as fanciful and unattainable, the reality is that a higher proportion of Australians participate in the workforce as sportspeople than in careers as mining engineers, surgeons, optometrists or barristers. Indeed, little is known about aspirations for sports careers. Drawing on data from a 4-year longitudinal study involving 6492 Australian school students in Years 3–12, we sought to understand the extent to which young Australians aspire to a career as a sportsperson and the extent to which these aspirations are evenly distributed across demographic categories. Our findings suggest that not only was sportsperson the most popular occupational category, but this interest was heavily shaped by social and cultural markers of difference. Logistic regression analysis revealed that significant predictors of interest in a career as a sportsperson were being male, Indigenous, from high socioeconomic background, and attending advantaged schools. Far from sport’s reputation as the great equalizer, accessible to all, these results demonstrate that aspirations for a career as a sportsperson largely reflect the status quo of sports participation in Australian society and wider inequalities. Given the growing number of careers in professional sports and the value sport holds in the lives of Australians, we argue that aspirations for careers in sport should be treated seriously, and that disrupting current patterns in who aspires to careers as sportspeople is vital. It will require access for a more diverse range of students to the kinds of social resources and networks that nurture their capacity to aspire.

A liminal approach to parents in leadership positions in schools with students of high socioeconomic background in Israel

PurposeParents’ collective involvement in their children’s education takes the form of holding leadership positions in schools. Employing the concept of liminality, which is used in anthropological and sociological approaches, the purpose of this paper is to explore the features of parent leadership in schools (PLS).Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with 18 individuals: 11 chairpersons and 7 members of the parent leadership of 11 primary schools in Israel attended by students of high socioeconomic backgrounds.FindingsData analyses disclose PLS as a liminal framework, which constitutes both formal and informal dimensions, whether these be its in-school limited activities or out-of-school actions in introducing change and supporting the institutions. PLS’s functions are restricted by school principals, but simultaneously enhance school principals’ position.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings carry implications for school collaboration with external entities. School principals need to support PLS and keep encouraging entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. There is a need for acknowledging the value of PLS’s contributions whereas policy makers must provide more guidelines and support to parent leaders.Originality/valueThe study focuses on exploring the position of collective parental involvement in schools. This issue is of significance in a time where parents gain more responsibility over their children’s education and schools support more collaborative relationships with external agencies. The study highlights the benefits of parents in leadership positions for school benefits and for school principals’ legitimacy, from the approach of liminality.

Perception and practices regarding cannabis consumption in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study

Several studies have been carried out regarding the awareness and usage of cannabis around the world, especially in developed countries. Pakistan ranks amongst the top nations in regards to cannabis consumption. However, the amount of literature shedding light on people's perception, knowledge and practices are scarce. Therefore, the authors sought to establish a baseline study to ignite the discussion on the possibility of cannabis' induction in the medical field in Pakistan, and additionally provide a foundation for further research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of understanding and consumption practices in Karachi with respondents from different socio-economic backgrounds, age groups and gender regarding cannabis use and assessing the awareness of the general population. The null hypothesis is that the usage of cannabis does not have a significant correlation with age, gender, or socio-economic status of a population. We conducted a cross-sectional study in November 2018 using convenience sampling and interviewed 518 individuals for their gender, age, and socio-economic status, to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cannabis usage. The participants were questioned about their knowledge and its source. Attitudes were judged using three and five-point Likert scales while questions regarding practices centered upon the past and current usage of cannabis. One-way analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used as the primary statistical tests. Out of the 518 people who responded, more than half of the respondents were males (n = 340, 65.6%). The majority was familiar with the use of cannabis (n = 514, 99.2%), and the different ways in which it is consumed (n = 435, 84%). About one-third of the participants happened to consume cannabis (n = 168, 32.4%), and a quarter mentioned recreational use/curiosity as the principal reason (n = 134, 25.9%). Majority of the respondents agreed upon the harmful effects of consuming cannabis (n = 364, 70.3%), while when compared to other inimical drugs, half of them believed it to be less harmful (n = 259, 50%). Besides, an overwhelming majority stated, that if they were to consume cannabis, they would not consider taking permission from their parents/guardians (n = 441, 85.2%). Concerning legality, three-fifths of the participants chose cannabis to remain illegal in Pakistan (n = 307, 59.3%) and, for not consuming/quitting cannabis, the primary reason chosen was its harmful consequences (n = 210, 40.5%). Our study revealed that knowledge about usage of cannabis still requires a great deal of attention. Only individuals from higher socio-economic backgrounds have a positive attitude towards cannabis usage and are aware of it. There is an urgent need for awareness programs that especially reach out to the lower socio-economic status population, who otherwise do not have access to essential information resources. We also found that males were more likely to be consumers and to have more knowledge about cannabis, therefore, it is equally important to educate females about this topic so that an informed discussion about cannabis use and its medical benefits can be generated in Pakistan.

Rise and fall in the Third Reich: Social advancement and Nazi membership

We explore the relationship between Nazi membership and social advancement using a unique and highly detailed dataset of the German military during the Third Reich. We find that membership of a Nazi organisation is positively related to social advancement when measured by the difference between fathers’ and sons’ occupations. However, we find that this observed difference is mainly driven by individuals with different characteristics self-selecting into these organisations, rather than from a direct reward to membership. This result is supported by an instrumental variable approach that uses the location of Catholic priests sympathetic to the Nazis as an instrument for Nazi membership. In addition, we explore the determinants of Nazi membership. We find that NS membership is associated with higher socio-economic background and human capital levels, in line with occupational choice models of radicalisation.

The role of socioeconomic background and prior achievement for students’ perception of teacher support

Building on the sociological work by Lareau, this study examined the association between students’ socioeconomic background, prior achievement and the perception of teacher support within the classroom. We expected that students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds would be more critical about the support they receive in the classroom and rate their teachers more negatively, while those with higher prior achievement would perceive teacher support more positively. Multilevel models confirmed that there is a negative association between wealth and students’ perception of two dimensions of teacher support, and a negative association between parental educational attainment and one dimension of teacher support. Our findings were in line with the ‘sense of entitlement’ theory by Lareau. Having higher prior achievement was associated with a more positive perception of teacher support, but did not seem to interact with socioeconomic background.

Longitudinal analysis of health disparities in childhood

ObjectiveCombatting disparities in health outcomes among children is a major public health concern. This study focuses on two questions: (1) To what extent does socioeconomic status (SES) contribute to disparities...

Socioeconomic inequalities in oral health-related quality of life in adolescents: a cohort study.

Socioeconomic inequalities are recognized as a major problem with people in low socioeconomic groups having worse subjective oral health outcomes, including oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). However, only a few longitudinal studies assessed the impact of contextual and individual socioeconomic determinants in adolescents' OHRQoL. We estimate the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on adolescents' OHRQoL over a 2-year period. This study followed up a random sample of 1134 12-year-old schoolchildren for 2years in Brazil. OHRQoL was assessed by the Brazilian version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for 11- to 14-year-old Children (CPQ11-14) at baseline and follow-up. Participants were clinically examined for dental caries, gingival bleeding, and malocclusion. The schoolchildren's parents answered a questionnaire regarding socioeconomic status, social capital, and adolescents' use of dental service. Socioeconomic contextual variables were collected from official city publications. Multilevel linear regression models fitted the associations between socioeconomic factors and overall CPQ11-14 scores over time. A total of 747, 14-year-old adolescents were reassessed for OHRQoL (follow-up rate of 66%). Adolescents with lower mean income school's neighborhood (P < 0.05), household income (P < 0.05), and maternal schooling (P < 0.05) had higher overall CPQ11-14 scores. Female sex, attending a dentist by toothache, dental caries, and malocclusion were also associated with higher overall CPQ11-14 scores. Adolescents from low socioeconomic background reported worse OHRQoL at 2-year follow-up compared to those from high socioeconomic background. Actions toward health inequalities need to address socioeconomic factors in adolescence.