Articles tagged with Social Surveys
Astronomers discovered a distant quasar that has apparently run out of gas, leading to a significant decrease in its brightness. The quasar, SDSS J1011+5442, was found to have consumed all the glowing-hot gas in its vicinity, causing it to dim drastically.
A new Boston University study found that most obesity research relying on one-time measures of body mass index (BMI) overlooks the health impacts of weight change over time. The researchers argue that using 'weight histories' in studies clarifies the risks of obesity and shows they are much higher than appreciated.
African-Americans and Latinos show deeper mistrust of physicians due to cultural and socioeconomic factors. Physicians must consider structural competency, including a patient's neighborhood, policies, and institutions, to provide better care.
The 2015 Monitoring the Future survey found decreasing use of illicit drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids and heroin, among teens. Marijuana use remained stable, but perception of its harms continued to decline. Prescription opioid abuse and tobacco product use also decreased, while e-cigarette use remained a concern.
Research at Lund University finds that 75% of employees experience rudeness, leading to stronger social support and increased risk of bullying; training for staff and managers is key to addressing unpleasant behavior.
A nationally representative survey of over 7,000 people in India reveals that more than one in four older individuals on low and middling incomes have an unhealthy midriff bulge. Women are particularly prone to central adiposity, with a significant portion carrying an unhealthy spare tyre.
A new study published in the American Sociological Review found that more than half of children in the US either misperceive or reject their parents' political party affiliations. The study suggests that parent-child communication and social support do not necessarily lead to accurate transmission of political values.
Research published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found no significant link between frequent sex and happiness after one sexual encounter per week. Instead, maintaining an intimate connection with a partner is key to overall happiness.
A systematic review of 61 studies found that when missing preferences are included, the majority of those questioned preferred to die at home. However, the large amount of missing data makes it unclear whether home is where most participants with cancer or other conditions preferred to die.
A new study by Michigan State University sociologists found that Americans are more likely to accept a higher gas tax if the revenue is used for energy-efficient transportation, road and bridge repairs, or refunded to taxpayers. The survey of over 3,000 participants showed that an average increase of 51-53 cents per gallon could be acc...
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery found a support group addressing psychological and educational needs of people with lupus to be a valuable resource, increasing knowledge, coping skills, and social support. The program had high satisfaction rates among participants.
A study suggests that health campaigns tailored to teen subcultures can reduce risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking. The 'peer-crowd' campaign, which targets alternative youth, has shown promising results in preventing smoking from being seen as socially acceptable.
A new study reveals that 38% of state public health workers plan to leave the workforce by 2020, with those aged 25-40, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with fewer than 10 years of experience being most likely to exit. The study also highlights pay disparities between different groups in the public health sector.
A new study published in the journal Obesity found that accounting for weight history and smoking habits eliminates the mortality advantage associated with being obese. The researchers analyzed data from over 30,400 participants and found that obesity is harmful to those with cardiovascular disease, contrary to previous studies.
Treatment for opioid use disorders remained low in the US during 2004-2013, with only 18.8% of individuals receiving care. Inpatient and office-based treatments increased significantly over the decade.
Total travel trips and time spent on journeys have remained stable since 1965, but increased distances traveled have nearly doubled, according to the National Travel Survey. The data suggests that investment in transport and car use have expanded employment and leisure opportunities for women and older people.
A survey of 282 adolescents aged 12-18 found that most prefer to know secondary genetic findings, even if not medically actionable until adulthood. The main reasons cited were future planning and reducing anxiety, with some respondents expressing concern about introducing stress in their family.
A new survey from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research reveals that Copenhagen residents are less welcoming to immigrants, with only 29.5% rating relations between Danes and non-Western immigrants as 'excellent' or 'good'. In contrast, 48% of Houstonians said the same about their city.
A new study found that 87% of Millennials use paid content for entertainment or news, with popular services including movies and TV, music, and Facebook. Socioeconomic differences were not a major indicator of paid content usage.
A new study reveals that Millennials are not a monolithic group, but rather four distinct types with different information consumption habits. The study identifies key characteristics of each group, including their age, interests, and media use.
New research questions prevailing theory on female genital cutting as a social norm, finding no correlation between community norms and cutting practices. Alternative forces like sexual fidelity benefits may sustain the practice, highlighting the need for more effective policy interventions.
A new RAND Corporation study found that the number of young female anesthesiologists is increasing, but their wages are lower than those of their male peers. Female anesthesiologists worked fewer hours and were more likely to work part-time, leading to a wage gap of 13%.
A Johns Hopkins University study found that Obamacare led to a decline in support for government health-care spending among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Before the law's passage, about two-thirds of independents and Republicans supported increased health spending, but this dropped significantly after its enactment.
Researchers found that young black men who feel powerless are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of violence. These individuals often experience racial discrimination, institutional biases, and limited opportunities for social change.
University of Cincinnati researchers have developed a new method to measure the influence of Biblical interpretation on political attitudes, providing more nuanced insights into religion's impact on politics. The study found that respondents' opinions about biblical error were the strongest predictor of political conservatism.
A study of 78,000 people found that arts participation is linked to educational attainment, not social status or wealth. Higher-income individuals are less likely to participate in arts activities than those with lower incomes.
A new study found increasing support in the USA and Canada for smokefree laws in playgrounds, school grounds, and other areas. Most residents welcome these regulations, with majority support seen across various locations.
A recent study by the Pew Research Center reveals significant differences in Americans' understanding of various science topics, with educational level being a major factor. Adults with higher education tend to perform better on science-related questions, while gender also plays a role, with men generally outperforming women.
A study of over 4,000 European men found that those earning the majority of household income are most likely to want to work fewer hours. Men in partnerships and without children also desire shorter working weeks. The researchers suggest businesses should prioritize work-life balance for male breadwinners to reduce overwork.
A University of Texas at El Paso study found that fourth and fifth graders exposed to toxic air pollutants at home have lower GPAs. The researchers used data from 1,895 children living in El Paso, estimating their exposure to air pollutants like diesel exhaust.
A recent survey found that fewer than 1 in 3 Americans are aware of Pope Francis's efforts to publicize global warming as a priority issue for the Catholic Church. Most Americans support the pope's stance on the issue, despite few considering it a religious or social justice concern.
A study by University of Connecticut researchers found that people's spiritual awareness varies throughout the day, with higher levels in the morning and during engaging activities. Spiritual awareness was lower during work-related tasks and watching TV.
Most social surveys in the US conflate sex and gender, ignoring current gender theory and lived experiences. Researchers suggest changing binary categories, incorporating self-identified gender, and asking separate questions for sex at birth and current gender identity.
Research published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that single people with high 'avoidance social goals' were equally happy whether single or in a relationship. In contrast, those with low avoidance goals who prioritized relationships experienced lower happiness when single. The study analyzed over 4,000 New ...
A new study by Jennifer B. Kane found that a woman's weight at birth, education level, and marital status before pregnancy can impact the birth weight of her daughters and granddaughters, with biological and social factors influencing this cycle across generations.
A new study found that 77% of dentists ask patients about illicit drug use and 54% believe screenings should be their responsibility. Dentist attitudes toward substance misuse screening vary by age, gender, and prior training, but more educated and younger dentists are more likely to accept such screenings.
A study linked household survey data with New York state administrative records to better measure government transfers and their impact on reducing poverty. The analysis identified widespread underreporting of social welfare program payments, resulting in overstated poverty rates and ineffective policy decisions.
Research published in BMJ Open found that successful aging is associated with harmful drinking among older adults. Analysis of over 9000 responses from the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing showed that higher income, better health, and social activity levels are linked to increased risk of hazardous drinking.
A new survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults found that nearly 90% recognize the role of calcium and vitamin D supplements in supporting bone health when dietary intake is insufficient. Consumers also understand that multivitamins should not replace healthy eating habits.
A new study reveals that adults in the US provide over a billion hours of unpaid caregiving every week, primarily provided by women. The researchers project a rise in the need for such care, with the value of unpaid care projected to increase to $839 billion by 2050.
A new study from Rice University and the University of Colorado at Boulder found that adults living in socio-economically disadvantaged cities are more than two times more likely to die by suicide. The research suggests that broader social climate factors influence suicide risk, rather than individual characteristics alone.
A new nationally representative survey found that nearly three-quarters of Americans believe they waste less food than the national average, despite 31-40% of the American food supply being wasted. The top foods wasted are fruits and vegetables, with food waste costing Americans $161.6 billion annually.
Researchers found that pre-election polls can influence voter behavior, leading to biased electoral results. A study on French elections showed that exit polls influenced voters in territories, resulting in higher turnout and a 'bandwagon effect'. This insight suggests that polling errors can sway election outcomes, even in the UK.
A survey of nearly 3,000 low-income adults in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas found that state policies significantly affect awareness, application rates, and successful enrollment under the Affordable Care Act. Latinos were less likely to complete the application process compared to non-Latino whites.
A study of 7,000 participants from 75 countries found that most people want access to genes linked to serious conditions and want to be 'forewarned' about their future health risk. Participants also expressed interest in having raw genomic data, despite its limited usefulness for predicting health outcomes.
A national survey found that most Americans disclose their personal data for discounts because they believe marketers will harvest the data anyway. The study's lead author argues that marketers misrepresent consumers' behaviors as rational acceptance of 'tradeoffs,' which is not true.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that cynical individuals tend to earn lower incomes due to their distrust and skepticism towards others. Adopting a more idealistic view of human nature and trustful attitude can help achieve life goals and promote life satisfaction.
A new survey by Lappeenranta University of Technology found that companies consider wage-related costs and a lack of competence among supervisors the biggest barriers to increasing productivity. Researchers recommend prioritizing supervisor education and creating a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people who moved to more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods gained additional weight. The study used data from over 3,000 Dallas County residents and found a significant association between moving to a higher-NDI neighborhood and increased weight gain.
A new study by SDSU psychology professor Jean M. Twenge shows a significant change in attitudes about sex and sexuality among different generations, with Millennials being the most accepting of premarital sex. The study also found that acceptance of same-sex relations has increased substantially over time.
Researchers at British American Tobacco developed a new smoking-specific survey, TQoLIT, to assess the impact of next-generation tobacco and nicotine products on 'otherwise healthy' smokers. The tool improves upon existing general health questionnaires by reducing ceiling effects and detecting specific smoking-related health changes.
A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that California residents experiencing psychological distress face high levels of perceived stigma and discrimination, discouraging help-seeking. The survey found nearly 9 in 10 reported discrimination based on their mental health problem, with most experiencing it in intimate social relationships.
A UCLA study found that 77% of California physicians understand the basics of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with 59% supporting it. The survey also revealed a correlation between doctors' political affiliations and medical specialties.
The USPSTF completed a systematic evidence review to inform an upcoming update of Task Force recommendations on screening asymptomatic adults for type 2 diabetes. Screening was found to help delay progression to diabetes by identifying those who could benefit from treatment, but did not improve mortality rates.
A recent study by Penn State psychologists found that college students often disregard social norms when texting, with many admitting to sending texts during funerals, in the shower, or while having sex. The researchers suggest that breaking with these norms is too tempting for most students, who prioritize checking their texts over pr...
A new study from UC Berkeley suggests that despite egalitarian efforts, many people still believe their destiny is tied to their station in life. Children and adults who were more influenced by caste were also more likely to believe that their own natural aptitude, academic success, and personality traits were fixed or set in stone.
A new study found that people who transitioned to same-sex attraction in early adulthood reported more depressive symptoms than those whose sexual orientations did not change or changed in the opposite direction. The study highlights the need for social support during periods of sexual identity transition.
A study of 215 clinicians found that implicit race and social class biases were present in most respondents, but these biases were not associated with clinical decisions. However, the study suggests that existing biases may still influence the quality of care received by minority patients and those of lower socioeconomic status.
A recent study by SDSU psychology professor Jean M. Twenge found that Americans are increasingly tolerant of people with different views and lifestyles, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, atheists, and have differing political beliefs. The study, which analyzed data from the General Social Survey, also found a decrease in toleranc...
Research from UCL's ESRC International Centre for Lifecourse Studies found direct biological effects of stress during unemployment contribute to higher levels of inflammatory markers, predicting atherosclerosis and heart disease. Unemployed men and women had higher levels than employed counterparts, with stronger effects in Scotland.