Perception Of Welfare Research Articles

Psychometric properties and validation of an instrument to measure perception of well‐being associated with water intake (IPBA) (810.33)

The IPBA was developed from a qualitative study and validated by an expert panel to measure perceived physical and mental welfare associated to hydration using 56 items and 2 dimensions: Physical (PW) and Mental (MW) Wellness. The objective of this analysis was to validate this instrument in adults of low socioeconomic status from Cuernavaca, Mexico.The IPBA was applied to participants of an intervention study (Clinical Trial: NCT01982981). We used Cronbach's alpha (CA) and conducted Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). A score was constructed with items from the final model and was associated with total liquids intake using a regression model.A total of 676 participants were included in the EFA. We identified two dimensions with 10 items each, the CA was 0.82 and 0.85 respectively, and the factor loadings over 0.45. In the CFA, 412 participants were included; the global CA was 0.844 (PW= 0.80; MW=0.79). Robust estimates of the model were satisfactory: Satorra‐Bentler test=115.4 (p=0.34), CFI=0.99 and RMSEA=0.011. In the final model 17 items were included achieving a maximum score of 68 and a minimum of zero. The welfare score was associated to liquid intake (0.85, p = 0.005).The IPBA is able to quantify the perception of welfare associated with hydration.

여성노인의 노인학대 인식과 신고의향

본 연구는 여성노인을 대상으로 하여 노인학대 인식과 신고의향을 파악하고 그 관계를 규명하는데 목적이 있다. 자료수집은 D시에 거주하는 2개의 경로당, 2개의 성당, 2개의 불교대학, 2개의 스포츠 센터와 1개의 노인복지관에서 만 60세 이상의 여성 노인 160명을 대상으로 2013년 5월 13일부터 6월 6일까지 설문조사를 실시하였다. 연구결과는 첫째, 대상자의 노인학대 인식정도는 2.89점으로 성적 학대(4.26점)가 가장 높았고, 노인학대 신고의향은 38.2%로 성적 학대(79.4%)가 가장 높게 나타났다. 둘째, 대상자의 특성에 따른 노인학대 인식정도는 모두 유의한 차이가 없었으나, 대상자의 특성에 따른 노인학대 신고의향은 교육수준, 결혼상태, 자녀수, 동거형태, 학대 관련 노인복지법 인식, 노인학대 관련 정보접촉에 따라 유의한 차이가 있었다. 셋째, 노인학대 인식과 신고의향의 상관관계는 유의한 양의 상관관계를 나타내었다. 이를 기초로 하여 학대에 취약한 여성노인의 학대인식과 신고의향을 고취시키고, 학대상황 발생 시 보다 적극적으로 대처할 수 있도록 학대예방연구에 단초를 제공하는데 의의가 있다. The purpose of this study was to understand the perception on elder abuse and intention to reporting in elderly women, and to identify the relationship between them. The participants of the study were 160 elderly Women aged 60 and over visiting 2 senior centers, 2 Buddhist University, 2 sports centers and 1 senior welfare center located in the D city. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from May 13th to June 6th of 2013. According to the results of this study, first, participants' perception of elder abuse was 2.89 points and, sexual abuse(4.26 points) was the highest score among the abuse sub-items, 38.2% of the intention to report on elder abuse, sexual abuse (79.4%) was the highest as well. Second, from the characteristics of the participants, there were no significant differences the level of perception on elder abuse, but intention to reporting elder abuse was significantly different according to education, marital status, the number of children, cohabitation, the perception of abuse-related Senior Citizens' Welfare Act and the information accessibility form. Third, There was positive correlation between elder abuse perception and intention to reporting. therefore, it is meaningful that the study results will be provided for promoting the notification intention of elderly women who are more vulnerable to abuse and more active coping when Abusive situations arise.

Animal welfare: towards transdisciplinarity – the European experience

The premises of animal welfare science can be found in the debate about the moral status of animals in philosophy, the introduction of the concept of stress in physiology, and the description of the behaviour of animals by ethologists. In the 1970s animal welfare became an object of study for applied research with the aim of improving the life of domesticated animals. It was first studied within disciplines, e.g. applied ethologists compared the behaviour of domesticated animals to that of their wild counterparts and identified behavioural needs. Then it became clear that stress is more a psychological concept than a physiological one. The links between stress and behavioural needs and preferences were also established. Similarly the links between animal welfare and health were investigated by looking at malaise behaviour and at stress-immunity relations. More recently, frameworks developed in human psychology were applied to animals to identify the emotions they can experience. This typically requires that researchers from one discipline engage with other disciplines for a cross fertilisation of concepts and frameworks. Animal welfare scientists now use many indicators, covering a wide range of possible disorders from abnormal behaviour, diseases, production failure, and poor emotional states. Animal scientists started to work with social scientists to relate their own perception of animal welfare and that of society at large. This interdisciplinary approach is illustrated by the Welfare Quality project where an overall assessment of animal welfare was built according to scientific evidence of what matters to animals as seen by animal scientists and of what society value as good care to these animals. We feel that animal welfare requires breaking frontiers between disciplines to create a holistic approach. We discuss whether we need to move from an interdisciplinary to a transdisciplinary approach, across and beyond disciplines, whereby not only scientists but also stakeholders and society at large can contribute to the definition of this particular research object: animal welfare.

The Role of Elites in Economic Development

Elites have a disproportionate impact on development outcomes. While a country's endowments constitute the deep determinates of growth, the trajectory they follow is shaped by the actions of elites. But what factors affect whether elites use their influence for individual gain or national welfare? To what extent do they see poverty as a problem? And are their actions today constrained by institutions and norms established in the past? This volume looks at case studies from South Africa to China to seek a better understanding of the dynamics behind how elites decide to engage with economic development. Approaches include economic modelling, social surveys, theoretical analysis, and program evaluation. These different methods explore the relationship between elites and development outcomes from five angles: the participation and reaction of elites to institutional creation and change, how economic changes affect elite formation and circulation, elite perceptions of national welfare, the extent to which state capacity is part of elite self-identity, and how elites interact with non-elites. Contributors to this volume - the late Alice H. Amsden, formerly of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Diego Avanzini, Latin American School of Social Sciences (FLACSO), Chile Francois Bourguignon, Paris School of Economics, France Thomas Cantens, World Customs Organization, Brussels Alisa DiCaprio, UNU-WIDER, Finland Sai Ding, University of Minnesota, USA Dieter von Fintel, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Johan Fourie, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Bjorn Gustafsson, Goteborg University, Sweden Chipiliro Kalebe-Nyamongo, University of Birmingham, UK Monica Pinhanez, Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Brazil Elisa P. Reis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil James A. Robinson, Harvard University , USA Andres Solimano, International Center for Globalization and Development, CIGLOB, Chile Thierry Verdier, Paris School of Economics, France Alison Wolf, King's College London, UK Sam Wong, University of Liverpool, UK Xiaowei Zang, University of Sheffield, UK

Welfare Perceptions of Public Expenditure on Environmental and Non-Environmental Goods

Increasing research shows that income growth has a less than substantial impact on people’s well-being. In contrast, environmental factors are found to have non-negligible impact on people’s well-being. The research raises the question of whether more can be done to improve the well-being of the public through government spending on the environment. We conducted pair comparison surveys using the variance stable rank method on preferences for public expenditure on education, environment and transportation in Singapore. Both aggregate preference rankings as well as rank ordered logitregression analysis on individuals’ rankings reveal that respondents perceive larger improvements in well-being from increasing public expenditure on environment goods compared to an equivalent increase in public expenditure on education goods.

Convincing State-Builders? Disaggregating Internal Legitimacy in Abkhazia

De facto states, functional on the ground but unrecognized by most states, have long been black boxes for systematic empirical research. This study investigates de facto states’ internal legitimacy—people's confidence in the entity itself, the regime, and institutions. While internal legitimacy is important for any state, it is particularly important for de facto states, whose lack of external legitimacy has made internal legitimacy integral to their quest for recognition. We propose that the internal legitimacy of de facto states depends on how convincing they are to their “citizens” as state-builders. Using original data from a 2010 survey in Abkhazia, we examine this argument based on respondent perceptions of security, welfare, and democracy. Our findings suggest that internal legitimacy is shaped by the key Weberian state-building function of monopoly of the legitimate use of force, as well as these entities’ ability to fulfill other aspects of the social contract.

The impact of broiler production system practices on consumer perceptions of animal welfare

This research explores the extent to which different farm management practices influence the perceived animal friendliness of broiler production systems, and how this differs between individuals. Using a conjoint design with paired comparisons, respondents evaluated broiler production systems that were described on the basis of 7 animal welfare-related practices. It was found that practices in the area of outdoor access, stocking density, and day-night rhythm were overall perceived to have a larger impact on perceptions of animal friendliness than other practices, such as transport duration or the type of breed used. However, individuals differed regarding the extent to which they believed the different farm management practices influenced the animal friendliness of the production system. Differences between individuals regarding their knowledge about and familiarity with livestock farming, degree of anthropomorphism, and their moral beliefs regarding animal welfare partly explained the relative importance individuals attached to farm management practices. The obtained insight into which welfare-related farm management practices, in consumers’ minds, most strongly contribute to animal welfare, and the existence of differences between consumers, can be helpful in the development of animal welfare-based certification schemes that are appealing to consumers, as well as the positioning of welfare concepts in the market.

Political Theories of Low-Wage Work

This article explores the concept of low-wage work in America as presented in the political science literature with the goal of developing a theoretical framework. Based on traditional political theory, contemporary political perspectives, and public opinion, a modern political conceptualization of low-wage work represents a balance between policies that promote work as virtuous and those that present it as a form of social control. This balance is informed by historical notions of work, contemporary issues of racism, the economic realities of single mothers, and public perceptions of welfare and income support measures, such as the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.

The Relationship between Farmers' Perceptions and Animal Welfare Standards in Sheep Farms.

In this study, we investigated the relationship between welfare standards in sheep farms and farmers’ perceptions of factors affecting animal welfare. We developed a scale of 34 items to measure farmers’ perceptions of animal welfare. We examined the relationships among variables in farmers’ characteristics, our observations, and farmers’ expressed perceptions through a t test, variance analysis and correlation analysis. Results of the research suggested that higher welfare standards for sheep exist on farms run by farmers who have a higher perception level of animal welfare. These farmers believed that personnel and shelter conditions were more effective than veterinary inspection, feeding and other factors in terms of animal welfare. In addition, we detected a significant relationship between the farmers’ perceptions and their gender, educational level, whether they enjoyed their work, or whether they applied the custom of religious sacrifice. Our results showed that emotional and cognitive factors related to farmers’ perceptions may offer opportunities for progress in the domain of animal welfare.

The Effect of Steps to Promote Higher Levels of Farm Animal Welfare across the EU. Societal versus Animal Scientists' Perceptions of Animal Welfare.

Simple SummaryWe studied different EU production standards and initiatives to determine whether there is still room or not for further animal welfare improvement, and which should be the best way to achieve it. Many of the adopted measures in these standards and initiatives are scientifically supported, but other aspects that are equally important for animal welfare are not included in any of them. Animal welfare improvement should consider, for each country, those aspects actually benefiting animals, but also the social expectations within each country. Economic constraints might explain the gap between what society demands, and what farm animals actually need.Information about animal welfare standards and initiatives from eight European countries was collected, grouped, and compared to EU welfare standards to detect those aspects beyond minimum welfare levels demanded by EU welfare legislation. Literature was reviewed to determine the scientific relevance of standards and initiatives, and those aspects going beyond minimum EU standards. Standards and initiatives were assessed to determine their strengths and weaknesses regarding animal welfare. Attitudes of stakeholders in the improvement of animal welfare were determined through a Policy Delphi exercise. Social perception of animal welfare, economic implications of upraising welfare levels, and differences between countries were considered. Literature review revealed that on-farm space allowance, climate control, and environmental enrichment are relevant for all animal categories. Experts’ assessment revealed that on-farm prevention of thermal stress, air quality, and races and passageways’ design were not sufficiently included. Stakeholders considered that housing conditions are particularly relevant regarding animal welfare, and that animal-based and farm-level indicators are fundamental to monitor the progress of animal welfare. The most notable differences between what society offers and what farm animals are likely to need are related to transportation and space availability, with economic constraints being the most plausible explanation.

Attitudes towards catch-and-release recreational angling, angling practices and perceptions of pain and welfare in fish in New Zealand

AbstractAlthough there is still some debate regarding whether fish have the capacity to feel pain, recent scientific research seems to support the notion that fish can indeed suffer. However, the continued scientific discourse has led to questions regarding how members of the public perceive issues of pain and welfare in fish. A questionnaire was developed and randomly distributed to 700 members of the general public in New Zealand. Questionnaires gathered basic demographic information, information regarding respondents’ participation in and opinions on angling practice, and opinions about fish welfare and pain. The response rate was 62.4% (437/700). The primary aim of the study was to assess public concerns for the impact of catch-and-release angling (CRA) on the welfare of fish. Most respondents indicated a belief that fish are capable of feeling some pain although older respondents scored the capacity of fish to feel pain lower than younger respondents. Likewise, most respondents believed that CRA causes pain and compromises survival in fish. Principle Component Analysis identified two major components within responses. These were: i) importance placed on good fishing techniques; and ii) concern for pain and survival of fish. Female respondents showed more concern about angling practices and their impact on pain and survival of fish than male respondents. Respondents who participate in CRA and considered it acceptable showed less concern for pain and survival in fish than both respondents who do not participate and those who considered CRA unacceptable. The majority of respondents considered angling an acceptable pastime (65%; 284/435) but also indicated support for the introduction of guidelines and regulations to improve fish welfare in the future (76.4%; 334/434). Those respondents that did not believe regulations were necessary provided statistically lower importance scores for both pain and survival in fish and good angling practices than respondents that did. Education about good angling practices may provide the best route by which fish welfare can be improved.

Perceptions of Food Animal Welfare in Extension: Results of a Two-State Survey

Food animal welfare has become a contentious issue, pitting agricultural producers against an array of animal advocacy groups. The stakes in this debate are large both economically and culturally. Extension is likely to find itself squarely in the middle as it attempts to reconcile decades of research aimed at increased productivity with initiatives demanding changes in well-established production practices. Extension's reputation as a source of unbiased, research-based information will depend in part upon personal opinions that faculty bring to the debate. A survey of Iowa and Nebraska Extension faculty demonstrates that variation in opinion with implications for educational efforts.

Concerns about animal welfare: a cluster analysis of German pig farmers

PurposeThe Federal Government of Germany, as well as the European Commission, are discussing the enhancement of animal welfare requirements. This study aims to explore different groups of conventional German pig farmers with respect to their understanding of animal welfare. Based on the results, a target group is determined that is willing to take part in an animal welfare programme in accordance with the current state of research, i.e. considering the four “Welfare Quality” principles: good housing, good feeding, good health and especially appropriate behaviour.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 160 German pig farmers between March and May 2010 using an online questionnaire. Data analysis combines two quantitative methods. To reduce complexity and to identify the animal welfare perceptions of the farmers first an explorative factor analysis was conducted. Subsequently, based on the determined factors, the sample was divided into different groups by means of a cluster analysis.FindingsThree groups of pig farmers were defined with regard to the establishment of an animal welfare programme according to the current state of research. While a broad acceptance of the principles good housing, good feeding and good health exists among the farmers, the appropriate animal behaviour is only important for a small group of pig farmers. Therefore, the three groups should be addressed by the developers of an animal welfare programme, using different strategies to gain the support of all farmers.Originality/valueTo successfully introduce new animal welfare requirements, farmers are important actors to take into account. This paper is the first analysis of the animal welfare perceptions of conventionally producing German pig farmers and determines different groups for a comprehensive animal welfare husbandry system as currently discussed by scientists and politics.

Animal science and veterinary student perception of farm animal welfare practices

This study was part of a larger study conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service surveying livestock producers, livestock market employees, and students studying animal agriculture to determine their perceptions of animal agriculture's animal welfare practices as well as their understanding of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). This paper focuses on students engaged in the study of production animal agriculture. To identify students' overall perception of animal welfare in production agriculture, five constructs were developed. The five constructs of animal welfare used in this study were: (1) production agriculture; (2) production methods; (3) attitudes toward animals in general; (4) attitudes toward animals in production agriculture; and (5) production practices. In addition, students were surveyed to assess their basic knowledge of BQA practices. Overall, results indicated that students felt production agriculture was doing a good job as it relates to animal welfare, with favorable attitudes toward current animal agriculture production practices. Student responses to the BQA-related questions indicated a lack of knowledge of BQA principles.

A Study about Relationship Between Public Welfare and Private Welfare Activities: Focused on the Effect of Welfare Perception on Private Welfare Activities

A Study about Relationship Between Public Welfare and Private Welfare Activities: Focused on the Effect of Welfare Perception on Private Welfare Activities

The experience effect of social welfare service for the elderly on welfare perception: Double difference analysis using propensity score matching(PSM)

The experience effect of social welfare service for the elderly on welfare perception: Double difference analysis using propensity score matching(PSM)

Veterinarians’ and agricultural advisors’ perception of calf health and welfare in organic dairy production in Norway

Veterinarians, as opposed to other professionals, have been accused of being unduly critical to animal welfare in organic farming. A nationwide questionnaire (QuestBack™) was distributed to 400 Norwegian production animal veterinarians and 400 agricultural dairy advisors to compare attitudes and opinions on calf health and welfare in organic dairy farming. The response rate was 52 % for veterinarians and 54 % for advisors. In direct comparison, both groups thought that the calves’ overall health status and well-being did not differ in organic and conventional dairy farming systems. However, a significant number of both veterinarians and advisors considered the calves’ confidence in people and space allowance to be better in organic dairy herds compared with conventional dairy herds, whereas feed quality was regarded to be poorer. When asked in more depth about organic dairy farming, the majority of respondents considered the routine of keeping calves with their mothers and the good care of the calves by stockpersons as important welfare advantages. Among all factors related to health, welfare, morbidity and mortality, low calf mortality and adequate treatment of disease and injury received the best scores. Body condition and growth, as well as the use of calf health recording cards, received the worst scores. The two professions differed in their views on the most important welfare challenges for calves in an organic environment: while both groups agreed on poor feed quality, veterinarians indicated concern for inadequate disease treatment while advisors pointed to poor hygiene. Results from the questionnaire indicated that the participants’ familiarity with organic standards was relatively poor, especially among the less-experienced professionals. In conclusion, the view that veterinarians are more sceptical towards animal health and welfare in organic production compared with other professionals is not supported. The few differences found between the two groups may reflect different emphases due to their education and focus, e.g. treatment of disease versus advice on feeding, rather than different attitudes to organic farming. Future efforts should address the possible challenges and shortcomings in organic calf production found in the current study.

Equine tendons: reducing the risk of injury

Tendon injuries are commonplace in the equine athlete and contribute to days lost from competition and training, and wastage of horses. Equestrian sport, in particular horseracing, is popular with the general public and the advent of television coverage and the internet enables accidents to be more widely broadcast. This can have a significant negative impact on public perception of equine welfare and negatively affect participation and financial input to the industry. Riders and trainers would benefit from an increased understanding of the risk factors and pathology of tendon injuries to enable prophylactic strategies to be employed to reduce tendon injury occurrence, promote equine health and welfare and optimize performance and career longevity in the equine athlete. This review provides an introduction to the role of tendons in the equine distal limb specifically the superficial digital flexor tendon as this has the highest incidence rate of injury recorded. Intrinsic and extrinsic risks are introduced and related to loading and subsequent pathology to enable preventative strategies to be proposed. This should enable the veterinary support team to enhance knowledge of tendon injury and prevention in clients.

Factors impacting intention to leave in social workers and child care workers employed at voluntary agencies

Abstract Introduction To ameliorate high turnover in child welfare, researchers have attempted to identify factors that lead to undesirable turnover. While this has been studied extensively, little attention has been paid to turnover based upon job roles. Like social workers in child welfare, the field of child care also experiences high turnover. Child care workers employed in child welfare settings are no exception. The current study seeks to understand differential factors that impact intent to leave for preventive and child care workers employed in child welfare agencies. Materials and methods Data for prevention workers (n = 538) were obtained from all preventive service programs under contract with the City. Data for child care workers (n = 222) were obtained from three voluntary agencies located elsewhere in the State. The instrument was a modified version of a survey developed to examine job satisfaction and potential turnover among public child welfare workers. Domains measured included job satisfaction, intention to leave, career commitment, and agency investment. Data were analyzed using bivariate analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results Child care workers had more positive perceptions of child welfare and planned to stay in child welfare longer. Despite this, prevention workers felt more invested in their work. Child care and prevention workers had different levels of satisfaction with their jobs although overall job satisfaction did not differ nor did their intention to leave. Tenure at the agency was predictive of career investment. Investment, perceptions of child welfare, satisfaction with nature of work, and contingent rewards were associated with career commitment. Commitment and satisfaction with supervision were the greatest predictors of intention to leave. Discussion There is a gap in literature addressing child care workers in child welfare, and future study of this group is needed. Child care workers are just as likely to intend to leave their jobs as prevention workers. For both groups, it appears that investment in their jobs increases commitment to the field which reduces intention to leave.

A Study on types of social workers’ perception of cultural welfare

A Study on types of social workers’ perception of cultural welfare