Community Quality Of Life Research Articles

Collaborative resource sharing between public and school libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to examine youth service librarians’ use of collaborative collection development (CCD) behaviors and interlibrary loan (ILL) to collaborate with school librarians. Design/methodology – A quantitative design was implemented with a self-administered survey that was placed online. Findings – Public youth services librarians in the USA believe it is important to collaborate with school librarians. However, they are not frequently using collaborative resource sharing strategies. Public youth services librarians that have more experience, understand trends and issues in school libraries and feel they have knowledge of collaborative strategies are more likely to engage in collaborative resource sharing. Research limitations – The study was limited to 265 public librarians serving youth in the USA. This study does not present the perspectives of school libraries. Social implications – CCD and ILL between public and school libraries are overlooked practices for building relationships between public and school librarians that should be explored. Presenting the benefits of these strategies during training programs may increase the resources that youth can access, thus having an overall impact on the quality of life in communities. Collaborating will also help communities understand the value of libraries as institutions for promoting lifelong learning. Originality/value – The results provide evidence that public youth service librarians in the USA believe in the importance of collaborative relationships with school librarians. However, they do not frequently use ILL or engage in CCD behaviors with school librarians. Using ILL and CCD are two strategies that may be used to build stronger relationships.

Sustainable youth entrepreneurship in conditions of global economy toward energy security

Sustainable entrepreneurship is seen today as a cultural and economic phenomenon. Sustainable entrepreneurship through the creation of new businesses that produce new products and services, and thereby ensure public needs, creates new jobs and contributes to the overall economic stimulus and community quality of life, balancing economic gain, regional development needs and environmental issues. Particular attention is given in recent years, to youth entrepreneurship, believing that young people have a lot of potential to create, develop and manage their own businesses, thereby contributing to a variety of social problems such as youth unemployment and unemployment in general, the involvement of anti-social activities, lack of employment to etc. Sustainable youth entrepreneurship is not analyzed much in scientific literature. In the article is defined sustainable youth entrepreneurship, discussed the importance of youth entrepreneurship for sustainability in the context of globalization, provided model of sustainable youth entrepreneurship toward energy security.

커뮤니티 거주 고령자를 위한 식사서비스 환경에 관한 연구 - 국외의 고령자 식사지원서비스를 중심으로

Purpose: Healthy and balanced meal is very important for the elderly to maintain the quality of life in community. Senior meal delivery system and congregate meal services have been played an important role to prevent premature institutionalization of the elderly. Food delivery system and lunch service spaces for the Korean elderly were mostly focused and limited on low-income family. The purpose of this study is to analyze community food services environments for the elderly in the UK, the U.S. and Japan for the possibility of applying those service spaces to Korean community. Methods: Lunch service spaces of these three countries were investigated by literature research and visiting of venues. Pilot study of the elderly meal services in Seoul was done for comparing environments and future research. Results: Lunch service spaces in three countries were mostly community based for accessibility and the types of management were various for the elderly to choose the most suitable services for them. The group dining spaces are usually small and designed to give de-institutional atmosphere. Implications: Food service environments for the elderly in Korea should develop more community based model of food delivery and congregate meal service spaces as well as more de-institutionalized design of those spaces.

Does Caste Matter for Social Disability of Dalit Women?

A cross sectional study was conducted among 301 dalit women in rural Tamilnadu to examine the influence of caste on social identity, stigma, discrimination, social relations and quality of community life. Using multi-stage cluster sampling procedure, the present study used standardized scales to measure the variables of interest. Alongside descriptive analysis, univariate ANO VA was used to examine the caste-wise variance ofk ey variables observed. Results reveal that Parayar women internalized high level of ethnic or social identity, stigma, everyday life discrimination, frequent conflicts in social relations and reduced quality of community life. While women of other lower castes bettered on quality of community life. The study concludes that caste is a significant qualitative variable with substantial influence on ethnic or dalit identity internalization, perceptions of stigma, need for equity, discrimination, conflicts in social relations and quality cf community life. Thus social disability of dalits substantially differ caste wise; therefore developing caste wise systematic evidence on dalit social disability and exclusion are of critical importance to prioritize programmatic and policy interventions to better the life of dalits among dalits.

Effects of an 1-day education program on physical functioning, activity and quality of life in community living persons with multiple sclerosis

Persons with MS (pwMS) in the community show reduced physical activity while studies demonstrated beneficial effects of exercise therapy in supervised settings. This study investigated, in pwMS living in the community, the effects of a 1-day education program about exercises and sports, on physical activity behavior and related outcome measures as self-efficacy, perceived walking ability, fatigue, perceived impact of MS and quality of life. PwMS attended an education day with theoretical and practical sessions that was organized by the Flemish MS Society and professional exercise experts. Forty-two participants immediately completed questionnaires as well as after three and six months. Overall disability and physical activity level were measured using PDSS (patient determined disease steps) and PASIPD (Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities) respectively. Other outcomes were the ESES, MSWS-12, MFIS, MSIS-29 and SF-36. Analyses of variance were performed in groups distinguished by self-reported disability level (PDDS ≤1; n = 24 and PDSS >1; n = 18). Groups differed significantly for perceived walking ability (PDDS,MSWS-12) and physical related-domains of MSIS-29 and SF-36, but not PASIPD. A trend towards significant group*time interaction effect was found for the PASIPD indicating, at 3 and 6 months, increased physical activity in the subgroup PDDS ≤1. For the MSIS-29, a significant time effect was found with reduced impact being largest for the more disabled group at 6 months. No changes were found in other outcome measures. An one-day education program had, depending on perceived disability level, some long-standing effects on physical activity and perceived impact of MS.

Urban Park of the University City Lot of Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil: Example of Environmental Recovery (Five Years of Research)

The objective of this project was to turn an impacted area at The University City Lot in Passo Fundo, Brazil, into an urban park through the local community effort, since urban green areas play an important role in environmental quality and sustainability. Qualitative research methods were applied and a plan of action to present to the municipal authorities was elaborated in a participatory manner, which included several environmental perception surveys, soil profile and water quality parameters identification, remediation and preventive actions to increase soil and water quality. Overall, research results in 2005 and 2010 have shown greater native plant diversity with evidence of improved soil and water quality, contributing to the environmental recovery and the community quality of life.

Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Stroke Survivors

Background: The prevalence of stroke has been increasing. Post-stroke survivors often have deformities which impact their quality of life. Objective: To examine the relationship between demographic data, ability of daily living, depression, social supports.and quality of life in post-stroke survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used in the study. One hundred and three stroke survivors were selected from Saraburi hospital by using purposive sampling technique, and completed Socio-demographic characteristics, Barthel Activity of daily Living index, Thai Geriatric Depression Scale, Social Support Measure, and World Health Organization Quality of Life in Brief version. The overall reliability was 0.93. Data analysis: Data were analyzed by using percentage arithmetic means, standard deviation, Chi-square, and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Results: Most of participants were males (56.3%), and married (63.1%), primary school educated (71.8%). Participants were, on average 62.59 years old and 54.01 months post-stroke. Average monthly income was 2231.07 bath. The major symptoms were hemiparesis (100%), imbalance movement (39.8%), aspirate and constipation (20.4%) respectively. Moreover, the majority showed depression at a normal level (65%), were able to perform their daily living activities (75.7%), the mean overall social support score was moderate level (M = 87.35, SD = 19.61), especially material and financial support (M =18.37, SD = 4.32). Regarding the quality of life, most participants perceived their quality of life either overall or individual dimension at a moderate level (M = 78.59, SD = 15.2). Chi-square and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient were conducted to explore the relationships between those variables and quality of life. The results showed that social support, ability of daily living, and educational level were statistically significant positive relationships with the quality of life (r=0.74, p<0.01, r=0.27, p<0.01, r=0.28, p<0.01) respectively. In addition, there was statistically significant negative relationships between length of diagnosis with stroke, depression level and quality of life (r= -0.21, p<0.05, r = -0.23, p<0.05). These results implied that the participants who had received more social support, more independence to perform their daily living, higher education, lower depression level, and shorter periods of stroke diagnosis were more likely to have a better quality of life. Conclusion: This finding will guide health care professionals to strengthen social support for improving quality of life in community- dwelling stroke survivors

The Effects of Citizen Satisfaction on Community Quality of Life: the Evidence from the City of Sioux Falls City in U. S.

The Effects of Citizen Satisfaction on Community Quality of Life: the Evidence from the City of Sioux Falls City in U. S.

Neighborhood Structure and Fear of Crime in Urban China: Disorder As a Neighborhood Process

SummaryFear of crime has always been a major topic in the popular media and for public policy. Consequences of fear of crime are salient for citizens' and the community's quality of life. Since the late 1970s, there has been a much scholarly attention paid to the role of disorder in producing fear of crime and further producing adverse community consequences. Particularly influential works were Wilson and Kelling's paper (1982) and Skogan's work (1990); these works greatly influenced public policy in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Greene and Taylor 1988; Ferraro 1994). The salient feature of this research is its emphasis on the role of community context, analyzing how disorder generates fear of crime and leads to community decline at the street block and neighborhood level. The impact of fear of crime extends beyond the victims of the crimes, and indicates the salience of the social aspect of fear of crime. Therefore, neighborhood effects are highly relevant to the understanding of fear of crime. Scholars have recognized that individuals' fear is better understood within a neighborhood or community context. The purpose of the present study is to build upon prior work to address critical questions of neighborhood effects on fear of crime under context of contemporary urban China. Using multilevel analyses of data from Tianjing, China, this paper found that neighborhood context variables have effect on fear of crime independent of individual characteristics.

Evaluating the urban design and community life in public housing in Australia

Public housing is an essential component of urban life. For those unable to access the private housing market, it provides vital shelter. Constructed during the later decades of last century, housing estates comprise the majority of public dwellings in New South Wales. Social and economic change has left many of these estates as ‘homes of last resort’ struggling to meet the needs of tenants. During the 1990s the NSW Department of Housing embarked upon the Neighbourhood Improvement Program (NIP), a strategy for renewing the most disadvantaged of housing estates. This renewal was targeted at the urban fabric of the estates, and sought to improve the quality of life experienced by tenants. This research explores the claims that urban design can be used to alter the quality of community life experienced by residents, a notion often incorporated into the planning stages of residential development. As the basis for analysis, this research draws upon the case study of the public housing estate at Riverwood in Sydney's south west, which was subject to NIP improvements. Archival research, community surveys and consultation with stakeholders provided insight into the realities of neighbourhood renewal through physical intervention and its effectiveness. Findings are presented with stakeholder motivations and outcomes analysed. Finally, recommendations are made as practical and achievable mechanisms to retrofit existing estates and improve the experienced quality of life.

The economics of the nonprofit sector: Insights from the institutionalism of John R. Commons

While modern nonprofit economics is dominated by the neoclassical and new institutional economic paradigms, this paper develops an economic explanation of the nonprofit sector from the perspective of the original institutionalism of John R. Commons. Instead of focusing on the neoclassical conception of market optimality, John R. Commons’ theory of reasonable value draws attention to the nonprofit sector's role in attaining a reasonable quality of community life. In contrast to the new institutional economics conception of the superiority of full private property rights, John R. Commons’ theory of scarcity, efficiency, and transactions shows the specific property rights structure of the nonprofit organizational form to be well-suited for precisely that purpose. This argument is illustrated on the example of agricultural and rural nonprofit organizations, which make an important contribution to attaining a more reasonable quality of community life in rural areas worldwide.

Comparative study of mental health and quality of life in long term refugees and host populations in Oru-Ijebu, Southwest Nigeria

BackgroundRefugees as “People Living in Highly Stressful Situation” are particularly vulnerable to mental ill-health as a result of the trauma experienced pre- and post-migration. The lack of information on the mental health disparities of refugees and non-refugees in West Africa is what this study aimed to bridge.A cross-sectional study design was employed using a cluster sampling technique. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaires consisting of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), WHO quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Community Quality of Life (CQoL) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 17. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of mental health status and QoL.ResultsRespondents consisted of 444(45.7%) refugees and 527(54.3%) non-refugees. Two-thirds 292 (66%) of the refugees were Liberians. Mean age: refugees - 34.8 ± 12.8 years versus non-refugees - 33.3 ± 8.1 years (p < 0.05). While the majority 376(84.7%) of the refugees were married, most 468(88.8%) of the native population were not (p < 0.001). Significantly higher proportion of refugees had polygamous marriages, lived in poorer type of accommodation and had no formal education compared to the non-refugees (p < 0.05). The overall QoL and CQoL scores were both significantly lower for the refugees (p < 0.001). Refugees were three times more likely than non-refugees to have poor mental health [OR: 3.43; 95%CI: 1.83-6.40]. Overall, being currently ill tripled the odds of mental ill health [OR: 2.73; 95%CI: 1.98-3.77]. Unskilled workers [OR: 2.78; 95%CI: 1.68-4.60], skilled workers [OR: 2.98; 95%CI: 2.03-4.38] and the unemployed [OR: 1.94; 95%CI: 1.29-2.92] had two or more times the odds of poor mental health compared to professionals.ConclusionsQoL and occupational status were the major threats to the mental health of the refugees. Results of this study point to the need for continued attention to not only the healthcare needs but the welfare, housing, employment and overall QoL to support the long-term mental health of refugees and non-refugee populations alike.

Diagnosis and disclosure of a memory problem is associated with quality of life in community based older Australians with dementia

Identification of factors associated with quality of life (QoL) in people having dementia will help develop strategies for maintenance and improvement of patient QoL. This study examined the predictors of QoL in a community-dwelling population aged 75 years and over, with or without dementia. This was a cross-sectional study involving 169 GPs and 2,028 patients. Patients were interviewed to collect information on personal circumstances. Several instruments were administered including the WHOQOL-BREF (quality of life outcome measure), Geriatric Depression Scale, GPAQ (satisfaction with GP care), and the CAMCOG-R (cognitive function). Patients with a CAMCOG-R score < 80 were allocated to the dementia group. GPs provided an independent clinical judgment of cognitive function for each of their participating patients. The dementia group had significantly lower QoL scores in all four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF (all p ≤ 0.002). The GDS score was negatively correlated with all four domains in the non-dementia group and with physical, psychological, and environmental QoL in the dementia group (all p < 0.001). Satisfaction with GP communication was positively associated with psychological QoL in the dementia group and all domains in the non-dementia group. Participants in the dementia group who had been given a diagnosis of a memory problem had significantly higher physical (2.05, 95% CI 0.36 to 3.74) and environmental (2.18, 95% CI 0.72 to 3.64) QoL. Satisfaction with GP communication is associated with a higher QoL in their older patients. Diagnosis and disclosure of memory problems is associated with better QoL in people with dementia. Clinicians should not be deterred from discussing a memory diagnosis and plans for the future with patients.

Job Satisfaction in the Shrimp Trawl Fisheries of Vietnam

This paper investigates the job satisfaction of small-scale shrimp trawl fishers in the vicinity of Camau National Park in southern Vietnam. The research sample consisted of 77 fishers who belong to a growing population of shrimp fishers in the region. The results suggest that 60 % would change their fishing metier, 78 % would leave fishing for another occupation and 76 % would not advise a young person to enter the occupation of fishing. These responses indicate a negative attitude towards the occupation. This is explained with reference to deteriorating stocks and low economic returns. Generally speaking, however, fishers are satisfied with the physical safety, cleanliness of work and “healthfulness” of their occupation, as well as with the quality of community life.

Diversity for Better Quality of Community Life: Evaluations in Famagusta Neighbourhoods

Physical qualities that create diversity in uses and users are the basis of well-functioning of the neighbourhood environment. However, since the Modernist period, there have been obvious shortcomings in planners’ contribution to the concept of diversity within neighbourhood structure and spatial pattern in many cases. This study, therefore, first investigates the issue of “diversity” within neighbourhood environments and highlights its significance in achieving a successful neighbourhood; then, it will build up a model for analysis of diversity and will analyze four neighbourhoods of Famagusta based on a proposed model in order to make recommendations towards better quality of community life in neighbourhoods.

Community-driven violence reduction programs

D espite some evidence of reductions (FBI, 2009a), violent crime remains among the most important social problems affecting the quality of life in communities throughout the United States. Aggregate reductions also mask the variability in violence among and within communities. The total number of persons annually victimized by violence remains high. In 2008, more than 9,000 persons were killed with guns (FBI, 2009b). In 2006, 71,000 persons suffered nonfatal gunshot wounds, and 2.1 million persons sustained an injury requiring emergency-room treatment as a result of a violent incident (CDC, 2010). Overall, more than six million individuals were victimized by crimes of violence in 2006 (BJS, 2007). One comprehensive review of gun research indicated that firearms play a significant role in violence and that young persons are particularly vulnerable to violence and death from firearms (Wellford, Pepper, and Petrie, 2005). The impact of violent crime on individuals, families, and communities is substantial. Some estimates indicate that the annual costs of gun violence are approximately $100 billion (Cook and Ludwig, 2000). The annual costs of all personal victimization by violence, including intangible losses such as pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life, are more than $450 billion (NIJ, 1996). This figure is dated and likely to be significantly higher today.

Closing the Implementation Gap in Services for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS: From Assisting Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) to Providing Long-term Opportunities for Economic Growth

While delivering innovative care for over 17 million children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS is a priority for today's global health community, most of these children's health needs remain unmet. Concerns about funding, implementation, and transparency continue to obstruct quality care for all. This paper discusses why services supported by macro-level funding, local initiatives, innovative financing, and enhanced long-term development strategies, are imperative. Concurrent advocacy and preventive measures, such as universal access to education, can sustain this investment in human capital. Such efforts may enhance economic growth, expand local capacity, and improve the quality of life in communities currently burdened by the HIV epidemic.

Toward a holistic nonprofit economics: insights from institutionalism and systems theory

The main thrust of the current nonprofit economics literature is that nonprofit organizations exist to correct market failures. However, the methodological individualism of the market failure theories of nonprofit organizations makes these theories unable to take account of the complex institutional embeddedness of the nonprofit sector. To fill this gap, the present paper outlines an approach of holistic nonprofit economics by building upon the insights from Thorstein Veblen’s institutionalism and Ervin Laszlo’s contribution to the general systems theory. From the Veblenian dichotomy, holistic nonprofit economics benefits by recognizing the limitations of the profit motive in ensuring a high quality of community life. From the systems theory conception of the multi-level universe, holistic nonprofit economics borrows the insight that the key to a high quality of community life is in the integration between man, society, and nature. Accordingly, holistic nonprofit economics locates the role of the nonprofit sector in ensuring this integration by counteracting the profit motive. Thus, in contrast to the market failure theories of nonprofit organizations, holistic nonprofit economics generates a research program exploring the embeddedness of the nonprofit sector into the encompassing societal and natural systems.

Developing Community Health Conditions for Happiness, Phase 1

Problem statement: Complete health of physical, social and intellectual development is an appropriate plan of human development and raises the quality of life in communities. If the development plan is integrated into the local community it will create peace and generosity. Good health is also fundamental to sustainable development which will create a peaceful society where community members are happy and content. Approach: The purpose of this research in Phase 1, is to (1) Identify leaders in communities at village and sub-district level to drive the ongoing research study and development to achieve good community health conditions in all aspects and dimensions. (2) To have the participants and researchers identify the key elements and indicators of health issues that communities feel are most important to their way of life. Results: Village communities were selected by cluster sampling from the provinces of Roi-Et and Maha Sarakham. The developed model for developing community health for living happily in communities is an appropriate and practical method that can be utilized in other communities. Conclusion: The model is in accordance with Participatory Action Research (PAR) and the procedures are flexible and the development plans which are the results of Phase 1 can be extended to other communities and backgrounds.

Thought Exercises on Accountability and Performance Measures at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): An Invited Commentary for Circulation Research

Recently, popular magazines and newspapers broadcast skeptical headlines, such as, “Desperately Seeking Cures”1; “A Decade Later, Genetic Map Yields Few Cures”2; “Faltering Cancer Trials”3; and “Grant System Leads Cancer Researchers to Play It Safe.”4 Some patients, physicians, advocacy groups, journalists, scholars, and policymakers openly wonder about the value of billions of dollars in government-supported research. During the past 10 years, the NIH budget has doubled, yet cardiovascular disease, while decreasing in incidence and severity, is still the leading cause of death and cancer incidence and death rates have declined little. Along with “Where Are the Cures?” critics ask “Who Is Accountable?”5 There is a rapidly growing body of scholarship on the metrics of science, methods by which scientists, scientific organizations, policymakers, and funding agencies can gauge the value and impact of their work and investments.6 To assess the impact of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the White House Executive Office are engaged in an ambitious “STAR METRICS” project.7 Metrics often focus on publications and citations (“bibliometrics”) but also consider commercial products and quantitative impacts on practice or intellectual thought. Although scientists are typically eager to publish their work and see it cited, many worry about seeing their value to society, employers, and funders graded by black-box numbers.8 Some professional groups have harshly criticized bibliometrics, noting their inherent flaws and the risk that the act of measuring science will damage innovation, which is at the heart of the scientific enterprise.9 At NHLBI, we increasingly recognize that we need to be held accountable for our performance, which means that it is incumbent on us to assess the performance of the scientists and projects we choose to support. …