Socio-occupational Categories Research Articles

Assessing the impact of telework enhancing policies for reducing car emissions: Exploring calculation methods for data-missing urban areas – Example of a medium-sized European city (Besançon, France)

Teleworking has been identified as a potential key lever for reducing air pollution. Yet, evaluating the atmospheric outcomes of teleworking enhancing policies remains difficult, especially when official databases on telework, household equipment and car emissions are incomplete or nonexistent. Here we propose several techniques to efficiently assess the impact of an increase in teleworking rates, and to explore the resulting bias, in a typical medium-sized European metropolitan area where few data are available: Besançon, France. Population and cartographical data are introduced in an individual-based daily mobility simulation model. We then calculate the resulting emissions for twenty atmospheric pollutants, using three different methodologies that aim to compensate, with different precision levels, for the lack of accurate information regarding vehicle fleets. Our results confirms the efficiency of telework for reducing emissions, with an average reduction of −0.42% in emission for an increase of 1% in teleworking rate. The precision level of data used strongly impacts the estimated quantity of air pollutant emissions (up to a factor ten). Failing to correctly account for inequalities in teleworking rate and equipment between socio-occupational categories introduces strong bias in the results which may degrade the correct evaluation of environmental benefits of teleworking enhancing planning policies.

La estructura socio-ocupacional metropolitana brasileña: diversificación y homogeneidad en los años 2000

Este artículo examina los cambios experimentados por la estructura socio-ocupacional de las quince principales regiones metropolitanas de Brasil entre 2000 y 2010. Emplea medidas de ubicación y especialización geográfica para identificar patrones de distribución espacial relacionados con ocho grupos sociales jerárquicos. Los resultados muestran una relativa estabilidad en la composición y distribución de las categorías sociolaborales en las quince regiones metropolitanas, con poca especialización regional, a pesar de los cambios sociales y económicos significativos experimentados durante la década de 2000. Los cambios observados, aunque de corto alcance, están asociados con las metrópolis situadas más al norte.

Spatial Microsimulation Combined with Skater Regionalization Methods: A Study for the Paraíba Valley and North Coast Metropolitan Region Subregion 4 in the São Paulo State

This study analyzes the socio-occupational distribution in the Paraíba Valley and North Coast Metropolitan Region (in Portuguese: Região Metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba e Litoral Norte – RMVPLN) Subregion 4 using spatial microsimulation techniques. To fulfill the proposed objective, the Iterative Proportional Fitting (IPF) technique was used to obtain spatial microdata in the territorial census tracts unit through the 2010 Brazilian Demographic Census. After the Skater regionalization technique was applied, eight homogeneous socio-occupational groups were found. Overall, the proposed socio-occupational categories, studied at an intra-urban scale, allowed for highlighting the social structure on a subregion of the newest Metropolitan space in the São Paulo state. Although this is a preliminary study, it is already capable to identify inequalities degrees that consistently spatially segregate and the less privileged population socioeconomic groups.

Inter and intra cultural variations of millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) uses in Niger (West Africa)

BackgroundAn ethnobotanical study was conducted in the eight regions of Niger to identify local knowledge variation of millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) uses. In fact, the level of individual knowledge can be affected by many factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, religious and cultural beliefs, etc. This study documented indigenous knowledge of millet uses in Niger and aimed specifically to (i) identify the different types of millet organ uses and (ii) assess the variation of local knowledge of millet uses along with ethnicity, occupation, and age.MethodsThe data were collected in 32 major millet-producing villages in Niger through individual semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. About 508 individuals from 5 ethnic groups were interviewed. The assessment of the knowledge was performed by calculating five ethnobotanical indices such as the number of reported uses by parts of the plant (RU), the use-value of the parts of the plant (PPV), the specific use-value (SU), the intraspecific use-value (IUV), and the relative frequency of citations (FRC). Data were analyzed using descriptive, univariate, and multivariate statistical analyses.ResultsThe results indicated a significant variation in uses across ethnic groups (H = 38.14, P = 0.000) and socio-occupational categories (H = 6.80, P = 0.033). The Hausa, Kanuri, and Zarma-Sonhrai ethnic groups, farmers were the largest users of the species. Dietary (51.40%) and forage (40.35%) were the most reported uses. The most commonly used parts of the plant were the stubble (74.92%) and grains (73.68%).ConclusionsThe study showed the importance of P. glaucum in the daily life of local people. It also confirmed the uneven distribution of indigenous knowledge of millet uses in Niger due to social factors. Now, the challenge is how to incorporate these social differences in knowledge of millet uses in view to sustainable management and conservation of local genetic resources of millet. Finally, this work could be an important decision-making tool for future millet valuing.

¿Converge la fecundidad en Brasil y Argentina? Un enfoque desde las desigualdades

La idea de una tendencia de la fecundidad hacia niveles convergentes en América Latina y el Caribe posee una amplia aceptación, tanto en estudios académicos como así también en los supuestos por detrás de las proyecciones de población de los países de la región. Sin embargo, es poco lo que se sabe sobre los procesos de convergencia demográfica al descomponer la fecundidad según variables de diferenciación social. El objetivo de este artículo fue observar de forma comparada la hipótesis de convergencia en Argentina y Brasil desde 1970 hasta el 2010 de acuerdo a un análisis de periodo de la tasa global de fecundidad (TGF) según regiones estadísticas, niveles educativos y categorías socioocupacionales. Los datos provienen de los censos nacionales de población y las variables fueron armonizadas de manera tal de lograr comparaciones entre ambos países. Se aplicó una modificación de los métodos de la razón P/F de Brass y del modelo relacional de Gompertz para estimar los niveles de fecundidad, y se calcularon medidas de convergencia y dispersión para evaluar la hipótesis según las variables de análisis. Los resultados muestran evidencia de que la fecundidad presentó pautas de convergencia durante el período de estudio, especialmente para Brasil, aunque con algunos ciclos de divergencia y diferencias notorias entre los dos países, en particular de aquellos derivados de la posición en la estructura ocupacional.

The Porto Alegre Metropolitan Area

This article presents the findings of a multidisciplinary study regarding socio-spatial changes in the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Area (PAMA) that is part of the project entitled “The Metropolis Observatory: territory, social cohesion and democratic governance”, developed by a network of researchers in Brazil’s main metropolises. The article provides a brief overview of the metropolization process in Brazil as a contemporary urban phenomenon and then goes on to briefly outline the history of the formation of the PAMA and its place in the urbanization and metropolization process in Brazil over the last three decades, highlighting the effects of the different economic models adopted by the country’s government during the period, and market globalization and liberalization. Finally, it discusses socioeconomic and socio-spatial changes over the last three decades, using a specific methodology to construct a socio-spatial typology that reflects the role played by socio-occupational categories in the metropolitan and intrametropolitan landscape.

Working conditions and occupational risk exposure in employees driving for work

IntroductionAn analysis of the occupational constraints and exposures to which employees facing road risk at work are subject was performed, with comparison versus non-exposed employees. Objective was to improve knowledge of the characteristics of workers exposed to road risk in France and of the concomitant occupational constraints. The descriptive study was based on data from the 2010 SUMER survey (Medical Monitoring of Occupational Risk Exposure: Surveillance Médicale des Expositions aux Risques professionnels), which included data not only on road risk exposure at work but also on a range of socio-occupational factors and working conditions. Materials and methodsThe main variable of interest was “driving (car, truck, bus, coach, etc.) on public thoroughfares” for work (during the last week of work). This was a dichotomous “Yes/No” variable, distinguishing employees who drove for work; it also comprised 4-step weekly exposure duration: <2h, 2–10h, 10–20h and ≥20h. Results75% of the employees with driving exposure were male. Certain socio-occupational categories were found significantly more frequently: professional drivers (INSEE occupations and socio-occupational categories (PCS) 64), skilled workers (PCS 61), intermediate professions and teaching, health, civil service (functionaries) and assimilated (PCS 46) and company executives (PCS 36). Employees with driving exposure more often worked in small businesses or establishments.Constraints in terms of schedule and work-time were more frequent in employees with driving exposure. Constraints in terms of work rhythm were more frequent in non-exposed employees, with the exception of external demands requiring immediate response. On the Karasek's Job Demand-Control Model, employees with driving exposure less often had low decision latitude. Prevalence of job-strain was also lower, as was prevalence of “iso-strain” (combination of job-strain and social isolation). Employees with driving exposure were less often concerned by hostile behavior and, when they did report such psychological violence (inspired on the Leymann questionnaire), it was significantly more frequently due to clients, users or patients. DiscussionEmployees with driving exposure at work showed several specificities. The present study, based on a representative nationwide survey of employees, confirmed the existence of differences in working conditions between employees with and without driving exposure at work. In employees with driving exposure, constraints in terms of work-time and rhythm increased with weekly exposure duration, as did tension at work and exposure to hostile behavior.

Occupational naming conventions : historicity, actors, interactions

»Konventionen der Berufsbezeichnung: Historizitat, Akteure, Inter-aktionen«. Since the Middle Ages, governments have been using occupational titles and categories as some of the main criteria for the identification of individuals. Resulting from a complex interaction between endogenous categories created by the actors in the naming process and exogenous categories developed by public authorities, occupational titles and socio-occupational categories and designations are the product of negotiations, conventions and agreements between various actors. Therefore, it appears that as part of a pragmatic approach towards the development of socio-occupational designations, it would be pertinent for historians to apply the theories of the 'economie des conventions'. Doing so, this paper seeks to approach the issue of the historicity of occupational naming by considering the building of the state, followed by the role and autonomy of various actors in naming processes, and finally the way in which occupational registration and categorisation influenced the social prestige and 'grandeur' of those concerned in the creation and transformation of linguistic conventions.

Donneurs de sang réguliers ou donneurs occasionnels : différences sociodémographiques et motivationnelles

AimBlood donor retention represents a fundamental objective in public health. Comparison between the sociodemographic characteristics and motivational factors between lapsed and regular donors is then required. The objectives of this analysis were: (1) to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of lapsed donors and current donors; (2) to compare the motivations to donate blood expressed by lapsed and current donors. Patients and methodsData from a 2008 survey, representative of the population by crossed quotas method, of 1400 individuals questioned by phone were used to reach these objectives. Chi2 tests and binary logistic regressions were used. ResultsResults show that socio-occupational categories and motivational factors are different between lapsed and regular donors. Workers, senior management and higher intellectual professions are more often lapsed than regular donors. Concerning motivations, results show that lapsed donors more frequently mention the first experience with blood donation (with colleagues, friends, and parents) than regular donors, for whom altruistic and community motivations are more frequently cited. ConclusionWorkers, senior management and higher intellectual professions should be targeted uppermost, in order to convert them in regular donors. Finally, concerning motivations, the social pressure applied to lapsed donors for their first blood donation appears crucial, whereas regular donors have internalized their motives, more often altruistic and community motivations.

Relationships between impact on employment, working conditions, socio-occupational categories and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after the industrial disaster in Toulouse, France

The aims of this paper were (1) to analyze the prevalence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (S-PTSD) in a population of workers 1year after an industrial disaster; and (2) to assess the role of factors of vulnerability such as the occupational impact of a disaster and economic conditions. A cross-sectional survey assessing the relationships between socio-occupational category, impact on employment and S-PTSD was conducted by the self-administered impact of event scale-revised. The prevalence of S-PTSD in workers in the peripheral zone (<3km around the explosion site) was 12% in men and 18% in women. Factors significantly associated with S-PTSD in men were non-managerial socio-occupational category: employees (ORa=4.3; [2.3; 7.8]), factory workers/laborers (ORa=3.7; [1.8; 7.6]), intermediate professions (ORa=3.3; [1.9; 5.9]), and artisans (ORa=3; [1.3; 7.7]); and layoff (ORa=2.6; [1.5; 4.5]) or unusable workplace after the explosion (ORa=1.8; [1.1; 2.8]). In women, factors significantly associated with S-PTSD were the socio-occupational categories of employees and factory workers (ORa=2.2; [1.4; 3.5]), artisans (ORa=2.7; [1.3; 5.7]) and intermediate professions, (ORa=1.5; [1; 2.3]) and reporting of an occupational accident (ORa=1.5; [1.1; 2.2]). Impact on the workplace and socioeconomic conditions were associated with S-PTSD. The epidemiological approach in disaster situations needs to be improved, particularly in the social and occupational dimension when economically active populations are involved. Vulnerable subgroups, defined by occupational impact and low socioeconomic category, should be taken into account.

Does Monastic Life Predispose to the Risk of Saint Anthony's Fire (Herpes Zoster)?

The consequences of the epidemiology of varicella for zoster epidemiology are still debated. We therefore compared the frequency of herpes zoster in an adult population with virtually no varicella zoster virus (VZV) exposure with that in the general population (GP). We performed a national, multicenter, observational, exposed versus nonexposed, comparative study. The nonexposed population consisted of members of contemplative monastic orders (CMO) of the Roman Catholic Church living in 40 isolated monasteries in France. The exposed population consisted of a sample of the GP representative of the French population in terms of age group, sex, socio-occupational categories, and regions. The primary analysis population comprised 920 members of CMO (41.5% nuns; mean age, 64.2 years) and 1533 members of the GP (51.9% women; mean age, 64.6 years). The reported frequency of zoster was 16.2% among CMO and 15.1% in the GP (P = .27, adjusted for sex and age). The reported mean age of onset of zoster was 54.8 and 48.6 years, respectively (P = .06). This study failed to demonstrate an increased risk or earlier onset of zoster in members of CMO not exposed to VZV, compared with that in the GP. Although adults highly exposed to VZV could have a reduced risk of zoster, compared with the GP, our results suggest that the opposite is not true: adults not exposed to VZV are not at increased risk of zoster when compared with the GP, challenging the relevance of the assumptions and forecasts of current epidemiological models.

Évaluation des pratiques préventives d’une consultation de médecine générale hospitalière

Background Preventive measures are available for most of the pathological conditions causing premature mortality in France. Moreover, there is a seven-year discrepancy in life expectancy figures between persons in the least favorable socio-occupational categories and the rest of the general population. The overall target of our study was to analyze preventive practices applied as part of routine primary care in the outpatient clinics of a general medicine hospital in Paris (Hotel-Dieu) where the majority of patients belong to unfavorable social categories. Methods We collected and analyzed the content of all outpatient visits conducted during a three-week period using a questionnaire designed to gather information about areas of preventive care requiring particular attention. Results Analysis of 211 outpatients visits shows that the population concerned was young (44 ± 17-year-old) and that the visits lasted longer than commonly observed (21 ± 8 min). Cancer screening was performed in 25 to 50% of the theoretical targeted population. Addictions were discussed during half of the visits, yet follow-up and advice on how to stop addictive behavior were insufficient. Blood pressure was measured during half of the visits. Vaccinations were checked for 60% of patients and STD status for 30%. Seventy percent of the patients stated they wanted to attend a preventive care consultation; the physician considered this type of consultation would be useful for 30% of patients; the opinions were in disagreement for half of the patients. Lack of time, heavy workload in terms of number of visits, and the current setup of charts prevented updating various precautionary measures, which would have been appropriate for each patient as a function of age, gender, past history and lifestyle. Conclusion This inquiry highlights many weaknesses in our preventive practices. Delegating some medical acts, a more adapted medical file and the implementation of dedicated consultations could help improve prevention in this particularly vulnerable population. The key to success of such measures lies in physician and patient awareness.

The one-child family

Abstract This paper observes change since 1970s in proportion of men and women having only one child during their reproductive life, and examines their sociodemographic characteristics. The aim is to explore significant variables of complement of parity progression ratio to second birth (1-A1). First, we present theories, findings, and results relating to single-child family model in Europe. Then, we perform a multivariate analysis, with dependent variable of model being fact of not having had a second child ten years after birth of a first child in stable unions. 1. Introduction When men and women are asked about their ideal family size or number of children they would like to have, answer is seldom one child. There are many prejudices, based on work of psychologists, child psychiatrists, and other specialists, concerning difficulties parents are supposed to have in successfully bringing up a child who is deprived of a brother or sister.3 And yet having only one child is much more frequent than generally supposed. In France, for example, this is case for one woman in five, a proportion that has not greatly changed over time. The false impression of rarity is due to a statistical fact: since, by definition, number of children from large families is large, we more frequently come across people from families of three children or more than those who are only children, and latter have almost never represented more than 10% of a cohort (Toulemon 2001). Why then, despite these prejudices, do so many couples only have one child? Although in some cases reason may be the of life (late union, separation, difficulties in conceiving, etc.), comparison with United Kingdom, where most probably same vagaries occur but where frequency of one-child families is barely half that of France, shows that gap between stated desire or ideal and observed reality is due, at least in part, to deliberate behavior. In this article we attempt to determine who are women and men who have only one child, by identifying most significant criteria: What is role of biological or physiological factors related to late childbearing? What is role of specific union histories with early union dissolution not followed by repartnering? To what extent can these men and women be said to have made a choice? Does this happen more frequently in particular socio-occupational categories? What is role of cultural factors and influence of family history, such as own sibship size? These questions about socio-cultural factors that appear to favor one-child families in France are of particular relevance at a time when this family pattern is spreading across a number of Central European countries and in Southern Europe, notably Italy and Spain. The frequency of one-child families is one reason for current low level of fertility in these countries, along with a high proportion of childlessness. Although research into factors associated with childlessness is abundant and relatively long-established, only recently has demographic literature featured articles devoted specifically to characteristics of one-child families and factors associated with birth of a second child (see, for example, Jefferies 2001; Olah 2003; Kreyenfeld and Zabel 2005; Torr and Short 2004; Prskawetz and Zagaglia 2005; Gerster et al. 2007; Parr 2007). This recent surge in interest is clearly due to rapid increase in proportion of one-child families in certain countries. In first part of article, we present an overview of comparative frequency of childless women and one-child mothers in Europe, using statistical data we have collected. We then review various hypotheses that may explain why women and men restrict their number of children to one. Part three describes our data and methodology. …

Socio-occupational status and congenital anomalies.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between socio-occupational status and the frequency of major congenital anomalies in offspring. Methods: The study population comprised 81 435 live singletons born to mothers enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort between 1996 and 2002. A total of 3352 cases of major congenital anomalies (EUROCAT criteria) were identified by linkage to the National Hospital Discharge Register. Malformations were recorded at birth or in the first year of life. Information about maternal and paternal socio-occupational status was collected prospectively using telephone interviews in the second trimester of pregnancy and was categorized as high, middle or low. Associations were measured as relative prevalence ratios using the highest socio-occupational status within the couple as the reference group. Results: The prevalence of all recorded major congenital anomalies was similar, about 4%, in all the socio-occupational categories. Low social status of the couple did, however, correlate with a higher prevalence of congenital anomalies of the ‘respiratory system’. No association was substantially attenuated when we adjusted for maternal and paternal age, smoking status, maternal alcohol habits, folic acid intake and body mass index. When malformations of the heart and the cardiovascular system were grouped together, they were more frequent in families where both parents presented a low socio-occupational status. Conclusion: We detected an association between low socio-occupational status and congenital anomalies of the respiratory system, the heart and the circulatory system. These malformations are good candidates for a large study on occupational, environmental and social determinants.

Évolution de l’obésité en France de 1981 à 2003 : les disparités entre milieux sociaux augmentent

In France, the average body weight of both women and men has increased since 1981, with acceleration since the 1990s. Young as well as older populations have felt this trend. Nevertheless, this process has not affected all socioeconomic groups in the same way. Geographical differences have increased between the North and East, where the prevalence of obesity is higher, and Île-de-France and the Mediterranean region, where it is lower. Likewise, the gap between socio-occupational categories has greatly widened: obesity has increased much faster in farmers and blue-collar workers than managers and professionals. In contrast to women, poorer men have not demonstrated weight gain on average.In parallel, more and more people have indicated following weight-loss diets, but this group is not the most affected by obesity. This is a sign that disparities with respect to obesity may continue to grow.

Prevalence of Sensory and Cognitive Disabilities and Falls, and Their Relationships: A Community-Based Study

This study assessed the prevalence of sensory and cognitive disabilities and falls for various age groups, sexes, and socio-occupational categories, and their associations in the Lorraine population.The sample included6,159 subjects, aged 15 years or more, randomly selected from the Lorraine population. They filled in a mailed questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, job, falls with physical injuries at the time of the survey, and sensory and cognitive disabilities. Data analysis was made via the adjusted odds ratios.The prevalences of sensory and cognitive disabilities were 3.0 and 4.7%, respectively, that of falls with physical injuries 2.4%: 1.2% for falls on the same level and 1.2% for falls to a lower level. Subjects aged over 70 were markedly affected, but the other age groups had relatively high prevalences as well; the workmen had the highest prevalence, followed by the foremen, farmers, craftsmen and tradesmen, and employees. A twofold risk independently of age, sex and job was found for the subjects with sensory or cognitive disabilities for all falls combined.These findings show the high prevalences of sensory and cognitive disabilities and falls with physical injuries, and their strong associations in the general population. Preventive measures are needed to detect and follow up the persons with these disabilities, limit their risk of falls and reduce occupational hazards.

Prévalence des déficiences et disparités sociales

Population ageing and longer duration of the working career could increase the prevalence of impairments and disabilities whereas there have been few data to help prevention and care. This study aimed at describing the prevalence of various types of impairments and assessing their social inequalities in the Lorraine population (north-eastern France). The sample included 6.214 subjects aged 15 or more from 8.000 households randomly selected in the Lorraine population. A mailed questionnaire including socio-demographical characteristics, job, and various types of impairments was used. The data were analysed with the chi2 independence test, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and the Mantel-Haenszel test. The prevalence of at least one impairment was 30% in both sexes. It varied from about 20% for subjects aged less than 40 years to about 60% for the subjects aged 70 years or more. It was higher in men than in women among the individuals aged more than 50 years (OR adjusted on age: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.04-1.44). The impairments were generally multiple for the subjects aged over 50. The prevalence of at least one impairment was higher for workmen (OR adjusted on age: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.68-2.66), farmers, craftsmen, traders and heads of firms (OR adjusted on age: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.17-2.18) and for employees (OR adjusted on age: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.29-2.03) in comparison with executives, intellectual professionals and teachers. For workmen a higher prevalence was observed for all types of impairments: intellectual and psychological functions, language, hearing, vision, visceral functions, and skeleton and posture. Farmers, craftsmen, traders, heads of firms and employees showed an excess for most types of impairments. Social inequalities were significant for various age groups during their period of occupational activity, but not after retirement. Unemployed people also had an excess of impairments. The prevalence of impairments strongly increased with advancing age. Marked inequalities were observed between various socio-occupational categories. Men were more affected than the women over 50 years of age. Impairments represent a health index which is useful for prevention to reduce their causes and consequences.

Temporal Stratification of Taste: The Social Diffusion of First Names

Because it involves objectifying esthetic preferences in official records, parents' choice of name for their newborn child is one of the best materials for empirically testing the classical hypothesis of vertical social diffusion of taste. The present study is based on a representative sample (N=367,000) of first names of persons born in France between 1930 and 1988. The proportion of innovative choice (i.e., choice made at the very beginning of the diffusion process) in the various socio-occupational categories provides an indicator for a temporal hierarchy of taste. This hierarchy, which corresponds closely to the nomenclature of socio-occupational categories used by the French national statistics institute Insee (Institut national de la statistique et des etudes economiques), tends to become compressed over time. To grasp the full meaning of the temporal stratification of taste, the hierarchy obtained with this indicator is compared to those for the various standard dimensions of social stratification.

Marital Status and Occupational Structures in the Ile-de-France Region

A comparison of socio-occupational structures of married, single, widowed and divorced women, between 21 and 50 years of age, living in the Ile-de-France region is developed. The latter hold more frequently privileged jobs but the sharpest contrasts are observed between married women and single heads of household (most of them live alone). They work more often in liberal professions and top-level and middle-level management. Moreover, the rate of celibacy among working women according to socio-occupational categories moves in an opposite direction from that of working men: the rate is higher in the higher occupational groups. An analysis of the spatial distribution of residence of married and single women in relation to the distribution of female jobs leads to a paradoxical situation. From the point of view of proximity and access to jobs, single women are favoured in relation to married women. Commuting constraints more frequently weigh heavily on them than on those less taken up with domestic and family activities.

Vote des groupes socio-professionnels et variables contextuelles

VOTING BY SOCIO-OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES, AND CONTEXTUAL VARIABLES, by GUY MICHELAT Analysis of electoral behaviour is usually based on the data provided by electoral geography on the one hand, and by opinion polls on the other. The intention here is to combine the two series of data by coupling opinion roll and contextual data — the latter being represented here by the departemental electoral strength of the different political currents. It is demonstrated that voting by all socio-occupational categories depends on the political leaning of the departement. [Revue française de science politique XXV (5), octobre 1975, pp. 901-918.]