Quasi-representative Sample Research Articles

Worktime control access, need and use in relation to work-home interference, fatigue, and job motivation.

Worktime control (WTC) has been suggested as a tool to reduce employees' work-home interference and fatigue and improve job motivation. The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to examine the prevalence of employees' need for, access to, and use of WTC, as well as the incongruence between need for and access to WTC (ie, mismatch); and (ii) to examine the associations of this mismatch and the use of WTC with employees' work-home interference (WHI), fatigue and job motivation. Questionnaire data were collected among a large (N=2420) quasi-representative sample of Dutch employees. The prevalence of WTC need, access, use, and mismatch was assessed by means of descriptive statistics. Associations with employees' outcomes were assessed by analyses of covariance. The need for WTC was highly prevalent. For many employees, we observed a negative mismatch between access to and need for WTC (ie, access<need). A negative WTC mismatch was associated with relatively high levels of WHI and fatigue, and lower job motivation. The use of WTC was also highly prevalent, but no meaningful associations were found with the outcome variables. It is relevant to examine WTC comprehensively, that is, to include measurements of employees' need for and access to WTC and assess employees' (mis)match between components of WTC. For practice, we recommend to introduce WTC on an organizational level and assess employees' need for WTC on an individual basis.

How to Support Prescriptive Statements by Empirical Research: Some Missing Parts

This paper continues a discussion started in a special issue about the acceptability of prescriptive statements in educational research articles. In light of some ambiguities concerning what counts as a prescriptive statement, and the special issue’s focus on causal relations as a requirement for the justification of prescriptive statements, a more detailed characterization of prescriptive statements and the structure of a complete argumentation for them is offered. This reveals two major obstacles to valid justifications of prescriptive statements that have received little attention before: the problem of normativity and the problem of generality. The proposed solution to the problem of normativity—that is, the impossibility to support prescriptive statements by empirical research alone—is to take into account that arguments for prescriptive statements target an audience that may agree on the values of many educational goals. The proposed solution to the problem of generality—that is, the necessity of well-established general causal regularities for the justification of prescriptive statements—requires appropriate designs for testing the generality of claims. Methodological suggestions include nested designs with quasi-representative samples of treatments as well as standard procedures for determining the cost and side effects on an agreed-upon set of relevant outcome dimensions for both current practice and any new intervention. If such steps are undertaken, prescriptive statements are no less justified in discussion sections than general descriptive claims as long as the final decision about them is suspended if the available normative and empirical arguments are not yet conclusive.

Internet Use for Health-Related Information via Personal Computers and Cell Phones in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Survey

BackgroundThe Internet is known to be used for health purposes by the general public all over the world. However, little is known about the use of, attitudes toward, and activities regarding eHealth among the Japanese population.ObjectivesThis study aimed to measure the prevalence of Internet use for health-related information compared with other sources, and to examine the effects on user knowledge, attitudes, and activities with regard to Internet use for health-related information in Japan. We examined the extent of use via personal computers and cell phones.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of a quasi-representative sample (N = 1200) of the Japanese general population aged 15–79 years in September 2007. The main outcome measures were (1) self-reported rates of Internet use in the past year to acquire health-related information and to contact health professionals, family, friends, and peers specifically for health-related purposes, and (2) perceived effects of Internet use on health care.ResultsThe prevalence of Internet use via personal computer for acquiring health-related information was 23.8% (286/1200) among those surveyed, whereas the prevalence via cell phone was 6% (77). Internet use via both personal computer and cell phone for communicating with health professionals, family, friends, or peers was not common. The Internet was used via personal computer for acquiring health-related information primarily by younger people, people with higher education levels, and people with higher household incomes. The majority of those who used the Internet for health care purposes responded that the Internet improved their knowledge or affected their lifestyle attitude, and that they felt confident in the health-related information they obtained from the Internet. However, less than one-quarter thought it improved their ability to manage their health or affected their health-related activities.ConclusionsJapanese moderately used the Internet via personal computers for health purposes, and rarely used the Internet via cell phones. Older people, people with lower education levels, and people with lower household incomes were less likely to access the Internet via cell phone. The Internet moderately improved users’ health-related knowledge and attitudes but seldom changed their health-related abilities and activities. To encourage communication between health providers and consumers, it is important to improve eHealth literacy, especially in middle-aged people. It is also important to make adequate amendments to the reimbursement payment system and nationwide eHealth privacy and security framework, and to develop a collaborative relationship among industry, government, and academia.

The relation between self-reported body weight and health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Japan

Whilst being obese is associated with increased mortality, less is known about the relationship between body weight and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to examine this relationship in the general Japanese population, focusing on both underweight and overweight individuals. We cross sectionally analyzed data from the Health Diary Study, which surveyed health-related behavior in a nationally quasi-representative sample from 2003. HRQOL was measured using the Short Form-8 Health Survey. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight values. We compared differences in HRQOL in people with normal BMI (18.5-24.9) with those with underweight (<18.5), overweight (25-29.9) or obese (≥30) BMIs. Among a population-weighted random sample (5387 households), 1857 households (34.5%) agreed to participate. Of the targeted sample population (3658 people), 3477 responded (95.1%). Of 2453 people (age ≥18 years), we analyzed data from 2399 people. After adjusting for age, sex and status of chronic conditions, we found that being overweight was correlated with impaired physical HRQOL [coefficient:-0.96 (95% confidence interval (CI): -1.73, -0.20)] but not with mental HRQOL [coefficient: -0.17 (95% CI: -0.50, 0.95)]. Although the differences were small, being overweight was correlated with impaired physical HRQOL but not with mental HRQOL.

Different emergence of fear expressions in infant boys and girls

This study examined the emergence of fear expressions, based on survey reports from a quasi-representative sample of 957 Hungarian mothers. Infant girls showed fear expressions significantly earlier (3.48 weeks) than boys (4.28 weeks). Results indicate a possible gender-related development of facial expressions of fear in human infants.

Homelessness among individuals with psychotic disorders hospitalized for the first time: findings from the Suffolk County Mental Health Project.

Although data suggest that homelessness among persons with severe mental disorders is both distressing and common, several important epidemiologic questions remain unanswered. This study reports on the occurrence of homelessness in a quasi-representative sample of persons newly hospitalized with psychotic disorders. The authors also compared rates of homelessness in different diagnostic groups and among groups with differing symptom profiles. The study was based on data from 237 first-admission patients hospitalized at 10 of the 12 inpatient facilities in eastern Long Island, N.Y. Consensus diagnoses were derived from multiple sources of information, including the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Patients were followed over a 24-month period after initial interview. Homelessness histories were based on subject self-reports. Fifteen percent of the patients had experienced at least one episode of homelessness before or within 24 months of their first psychiatric hospitalization. In more than two-thirds of these cases, the initial homeless episode had occurred before the first hospitalization. There were no significant differences in the risk of homelessness among diagnostic groups. Among subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders, those with high levels of negative symptoms had a significantly greater risk of prehospitalization homelessness than those with low symptom levels. The high rate of homelessness observed must be viewed with profound concern by clinicians, consumers, and policymakers alike. The findings support the importance of intervening early in the course of disorder, particularly for persons diagnosed with psychotic illnesses.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF EATING, DRINKING, AND SMOKING IN ADULT WOMEN

The psychological functions of eating, drinking, and smoking were analyzed in relation to the self-reported behaviors of 20 to 30 year old women. Participants were recruited from a range of sources, and the 766 volunteers generated two quasi-representative samples of 265 subjects each which matched each other and census data on a range of demographic variables. Eight scales of psychological functions were developed. In each domain, one scale reflected behavior aimed at relief of negative effect, and one scale reflected positively motivated behavior. In the eating domain, a third scale represented eating in response to external cues, and in the drinking domain there was a scale of socially motivated drinking. Psychometric properties of each scale were investigated. Multiple correlations between the scales and their criteria ranged from R = .63 to R = .75 reflecting the importance of the predictors studied. Functions were compared within and between behavioral domains and the role of habit was also compared across domains.

ATTITUDES OF ADULT WOMEN TO DRINKING AND SMOKING

Attitudes towards drinking and smoking were assessed in 766 women aged 20 to 30 years. This total sample generated two quasi-representative samples of 265 subjects each which matched each other and census data across a range of demographic variables. Attitudinal measures were analyzed in relation to criterion measures of status as drinker/smoker, and level of drinking/smoking. All measures showed promising psychometric properties and initial indications of validity. Results were consistent across samples, and basic drinking and smoking statistics were comparable- with previous research. The attitudinal measures related moderately to their criteria, apart from attitudes to smoking which were unrelated to level of smoking. For the remaining criteria, multiple correlations with relevant attitudinal predictors ranged from R = .46 to R = .56. The concept of dissonance amongst smokers was investigated, and comparisons were made across domains to establish a hierarchy of attitudes to drinking, smoking, and drunkenness.

Eating, drinking, and smoking and their relationship in adult women.

The eating, drinking, and smoking habits of 766 women aged 20 to 30 yr. were studied. The behaviors were seen as currently prevalent representatives of the set of indulgent behaviors and so were of interest as a group. The total pool of volunteer subjects yielded two quasirepresentative samples of 265 subjects each which matched each other and census data across a range of demographic variables and were used to crosscheck all results. A subsample of 64 subjects provided retest data at an interval of 3 mo. between testings. Measures for the study included indicators of status in the drinking and smoking domains, and measures of level in each domain. All measures had generally acceptable psychometric properties. Within the study samples, and using the measures as developed, the behaviors were empirically independent apart from a moderate link from status in the smoking domain to drinking behavior. The predominant finding of empirical independence was explored in terms of the different frequency bases of the three behaviors, the different subjective priorities associated with them, and the possibility of opposing combinatorial and substitutory pressures.

Reducing unemployment: Lay beliefs about how to reduce current unemployment

Whereas most psychological work on unemployment has concerned how people react to being unemployed, considerably less has concerned peoples' explanations for and attitudes towards unemployment. This study was concerned with lay peoples' perceived cures for current unemployment. It was argued that these perceptions both influence and are influenced by current economic policy options. A quasi-representative sample of nearly 450 people answered one open-ended and six closed questions. The results showed a wide variety of perceived ways of reducing unemployment ranging from stimulating the economy to provide more jobs to redistributing existing jobs. However, the ratings of the six specific questions revealed that there was little agreement between the subjects with regard to job sharing, reducing working hours and women giving up their jobs. Further, there were some interesting and predictable sex, age and employment history differences in the subjects' response. The results are discussed in terms of the role of lay beliefs in the economy, the literature on unemployment and possibilities for future research.

PERSONALITY VARIABLES AND EATING, DRINKING, AND SMOKING IN ADULT WOMEN

Personality variables of Discipline, Social Competence, Sophistication, and Religiosity were studied in relation to eating, drinking, and smoking behaviors. Discipline was conceptualized as the intrapsychic predisposition to engage in indulgent behavior, and the remaining personality variables were seen as potentially moderating its form of expression. Data were contributed by 766 female volunteers aged 20 to 30 years, sorted to yield two quasi-representative samples of 265 subjects each. A subsample of 64 subjects repeated the questionnaire after three months, and all measures had acceptable properties. Analyses involving Discipline supported its general relevance to a broad range of behaviors, and Social Competence, Sophistication, and Religiosity were selectively relevant as anticipated. Overall, the personality variables had stronger links with drinking status, smoking status, and drinking level than with eating behavior or smoking level.