Research using surveys to study people and society. Covers consumer studies, dietary change, social-media and mood links, and public opinion.
The study highlights that many people remain sexually active well into later life and positive sexual experiences are related to overall health and wellbeing. It also shows changes in sexual behaviour over the last century, including earlier onset of sex, increased older people's activity, and a closing gap between men and women.
Research found that manager support for fun significantly reduces employee turnover, especially among younger workers. However, this support also negatively impacts sales performance, regardless of age. The study suggests a balance between manager support for fun and engaging activities to minimize productivity losses.
A national survey conducted by Concordia University found that Canadians have varying opinions on the country's social welfare programs and Aboriginal self-governance. While a majority (65%) supports universal access to assistance programs, there is significant variation in prioritization, with families with children living in poverty ...
Research by University of Cincinnati's Matthew Logan suggests that inmates with military backgrounds are not more likely to misbehave, but rather fare better in prison. They were 20% less likely to be sent to solitary confinement and 36% less likely to use drugs or alcohol.
The 2013 Houston Education Survey found African-Americans are the most likely to emphasize the importance of postsecondary education, followed by Asians and Latinos. The survey highlights educational disparities and income inequalities as key factors contributing to these gaps.
Women working in Head Start programs experience higher rates of physical health conditions, depression, and poor overall health. The researchers suggest addressing the staff's health through wellness initiatives, mindfulness, and a supportive workplace culture.
A Baylor University study found that people with higher levels of religious certainty and those affiliated with high-tension congregations tend to give more. The research suggests that social exchange theory can explain why voluntary giving is a dominant aspect of America's philanthropy.
A study published in the Journal of Contemporary Religion found that Danes aged 50-76 show increased support for Christian faith and spirituality. The research contradicts the idea that Western societies are increasingly individualizing their religious practices.
A new survey reveals that older Americans are working longer, with 82% of those age 50+ likely to continue working in retirement. The Great Recession has led to a shift in retirement plans, with many now planning to retire later than expected and favoring solutions to ensure Social Security's long-term health.
The American Chemical Society's annual survey shows that salaries and employment for chemists are improving, with full-time jobs reaching a five-year high and median salaries increasing. However, disparities persist, including lower earnings for women and regional differences in job opportunities.
A majority of underage students in Ontario who smoke or drink obtain their substances from friends or family members. The survey found that males are more likely to buy cigarettes from corner stores than females, while females are more likely to receive alcohol from a friend or family member.
Biological societies are experiencing declining membership, with smaller organizations hit hardest. The American Institute of Biological Sciences survey highlights the need for these organizations to adapt to changing dynamics in 21st century science.
A study by sociologist Junchen Yan found that young Chinese employees are disappointed with career opportunities in Western companies, citing flat hierarchies and limited promotion. The researcher suggests that companies should improve their communication with employees regarding career objectives and work on increasing their image in ...
Researchers found that institutions often penalize interdisciplinary researchers who cross disciplinary boundaries, despite its benefits in developing new knowledge. Communication problems, funding issues, and lack of credit for promotion and tenure are major obstacles to interdisciplinary research.
A study of 5,400 young Swiss men found that those who prefer beer exhibit riskier drinking patterns and substance use behaviors. Beer-drinkers are more likely to binge drink, smoke, and use cannabis than wine drinkers.
A study of 64 pregnant women in NYC found that common hearsay and media play a significant role in shaping their expectations about pregnancy. Women often referenced media sources when discussing their experiences, despite minimizing the influence of cultural mythologies in daily conversations.
Research finds bystanders intervene in about a third of bar fights, with most intervening in male-male conflicts. Nonviolent interventions were used in 65% of male-male fight breakups, while incidents between males and females received the lowest intervention rates.
A study from the European Social Survey found that women working full-time still do two-thirds of the household chores, despite an increase in women in the labor market. However, this burden is not matched by men, who may actually benefit from a more equal distribution of housework.
A recent study found that long-distance couples tend to be more intimate with each other, largely due to their increased disclosure of personal thoughts and feelings. This heightened intimacy is also driven by the idealization of their partner's behaviors, which becomes more pronounced in text-based communication.
A University of Colorado study found that mortality risks vary among nondrinkers, with some groups having similar risks to light drinkers. The researchers analyzed data from over 41,000 people and discovered that abstainers with religious or moral motivations had similar mortality risks to light drinkers.
A recent survey conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that social factors such as neighborhood bonds and social supports play a vital role in coping with disasters. The study revealed that friends, family, and neighbors were the most important sources of help before, during, and after Superstorm Sandy.
A Baylor University researcher found that Israeli Jewish adults who regularly attend synagogue, pray often, and consider themselves religious are significantly healthier and happier than non-religious counterparts. Commitment to Jewish religious belief and practice is strongly associated with greater physical and psychological well-being.
Research shows free bus travel for teens in London led to a doubling of short journeys taken by bus, while walking decreased, but cycling declined. This shift reduced road traffic injuries and had a positive impact on the environment by decreasing car usage and distances traveled.
Baylor researchers found that entrepreneurs in the US pray daily and attend services in congregations that encourage business and profit-making. The study suggests that faith communities may play a role in preparing individuals for entrepreneurship.
A University of Alberta sociology researcher identified key characteristics of people who use cellphones while driving, emphasizing social pressure and education as critical in curbing this behavior. The study found that males, those in the 35-44 age group, and lower-income earners are more likely to use their phones behind the wheel.
Smokeless tobacco prevalence among US youths remained stable from 2000 to 2011, with declines observed in younger age groups. The prevalence increased in the 15-17 year age group. Evidence-based interventions are needed to reduce smokeless tobacco use.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has selected a University of Massachusetts Amherst research team to conduct a multi-year study on the economic and social effects of casino gambling in Massachusetts. The study will focus on problem gambling but also examine various social and economic factors.
This study assesses the effectiveness of the Liverpool Care Pathway on quality of end-of-life care for adult cancer patients. The LCP provides a structured programme to improve care dimensions, resulting in clinically significant improvements in respect, kindness, dignity, family emotional support, self-efficacy, and coordination of care.
A new study suggests that people may hold extreme policy positions due to an illusion of understanding, which is debunked when they're asked to explain the policies. The researchers found that participants softened their positions after explaining the policies, indicating a potential psychological process to combat political polarization.
A survey by AIG reveals that hospital executives prioritize financial sustainability over patient safety, citing barriers such as inadequate teamwork, poor communication, and documentation burdens. Despite a cultural emphasis on patient safety, many executives acknowledge the need for major changes to maintain this culture.
New Johns Hopkins research finds no link between patient satisfaction scores and surgical care quality scores, but suggests that a better workplace culture for staff can improve patient satisfaction. The study emphasizes the need for better instruments to capture technical skills and medical judgment in measuring hospital quality.
A CU-Boulder study found that people reported higher levels of happiness as they reported higher sexual frequency, but also believed their peers were having less sex than them. This 'relative aspect' of sex frequency increases happiness, suggesting social comparisons play a role in the relationship between sex and happiness.
A University of Michigan study examines how community size affects interracial friendships and found that larger groups discourage such relationships. Researchers tested a theoretical model using data from 4,745 US high school students, revealing the impact of group size on friendship formation.
Researchers found that only 22% of manipulated responses were corrected, while 92% of participants accepted and endorsed the reversed political survey score. This suggests that people can reason about issues with considerable openness to change, contradicting traditional polling assumptions.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice found that a common methodological practice, called capping, undercounts violent crime by 87% and household crime by 36%. The researchers suggest updating this technique to yield more accurate crime reporting.
A new study by the University of Luxembourg found that employment and health problems are the main reasons why migrants feel unhappy in their new country. Economic factors such as unemployment and low income, as well as health issues, were found to have a significant impact on migrants' wellbeing.
A recent survey of over 150,000 people reveals a seven-class structure in the UK, with an elite class and a precariat class marked by economic disadvantage. The traditional working class has fallen to 14% of the population, while new classes such as 'new affluent workers' and 'emergent service worker' have emerged.
Research by University of Toronto sociologist Scott Schieman found that men have greater levels of managerial authority and associated benefits, including job autonomy and higher earnings. Women, even when holding equal levels of authority, tend to earn less income.
A recent survey by NORC at the University of Chicago found that getting ahead is seen as a personal responsibility, with employers investing in training but facing confidence issues. Lower-wage workers are less satisfied and perceive fewer advancement opportunities, with pessimism being acute among white and younger workers.
A survey of 236 US adolescents found that teens believe sexting causes more harm to others than themselves, but also consider consensual sexting between two people as less harmful. The study reveals a significant gender gap in perceptions, with girls perceived as more harmed by sexting.
A new US survey reveals that one in five Americans (20%) have no religious preference, a significant increase from 1990. The General Social Survey found that only 8% of respondents were raised without religion, but 3% identified as atheists.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that marriage provides less protection against mortality as health deteriorates. Married people tend to overestimate their own health, which can lead to a false sense of security. The study's findings suggest that marriage may be more beneficial for those in excellent health, but not f...
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found significant public support for government actions to address obesity and noncommunicable diseases, particularly those promoting healthy choices. Support was highest for menu labeling requirements and lower for penalizing certain behaviors or health conditions.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that Canadian workers who report high levels of job pressure often experience problems navigating work and family roles, as well as symptoms of physical and mental health issues. Having control over one's work schedule and job autonomy are associated with lower levels of job pressure.
A global survey reveals that environmental issues, particularly climate change, are a low priority for people in the US and around the world. In the surveys, the economy ranked highest in concern, with environmental issues ranking sixth.
The study found that growing proportions of Harris County's Asian adults are now the U.S.-born children of Asian immigrants, and they are even better educated than their parents. This demographic shift suggests a changing face for the local Asian population in Houston.
A new study finds that obesity increases risk of death with age, contradicting earlier research on the 'obesity paradox'. The analysis of over 800,000 adults reveals that obese individuals face a higher risk of mortality as they get older.
The UK government has invested £3.5 million in the Millennium Cohort Study to track the lives of 19,000 children born in 2000-01 as they enter adolescence. The study aims to understand risk behaviors, educational choices, and social relationships among teens.
A study of over 75,000 adults found that late middle-aged adults, particularly women, report higher levels of emotional reactivity and perspective-taking. This inverted U-shaped pattern suggests a potential link between age-related cognitive changes and empathy.
A study by MIT and LSE found that migrants from certain countries may be up to 40% less likely to gain citizenship due to biases in the voting process. Despite this, interactions with immigrant groups can help reduce prejudice over time.
A new study published in the American Sociological Review found that sex frequency is linked to the types of household chores each spouse completes, rather than just the division of labor. Married couples who follow traditional gender roles around the house reported greater sexual frequency.
A new study found that women who legitimize their compensation requests and communicate concern for organizational relationships are viewed more favorably by colleagues. This approach, rather than a direct negotiation style, is key to avoiding social backlash and successfully negotiating higher salaries. The study calls for further res...
The Monitoring the Future survey reveals that 6.5% of high school seniors smoke marijuana daily, while perception of marijuana's harmfulness is down among teens, signaling future increases in use. Long-term NIH-funded study shows a significant drop in IQ between ages 13-38 for those who used cannabis heavily in their teens.
A study of 20 industrialized countries found that women tend to earn less when sharing the same occupation as men. However, the researchers discovered that when women work in different trades and professions, they receive higher pay on average. Countries with more women in diverse occupations showed a significant reduction in pay gap.
A leading researcher's findings reveal that mental health is not improving at the same rate as global health and lifespan, with autism prevalence found in males, those without higher education, and social housing residents. Training Health Visitors to assess and support mothers after childbirth can prevent depression in adults.
The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 found that people worldwide view different health conditions similarly, regardless of culture or individual circumstances. The study used surveys to calculate disability weights and healthy life expectancy, revealing that global population is living longer but spending more years in poor health.
A survey of American researchers at the ASH annual meeting found that 63% relied on NIH funding for their studies. This reliance is seen across both U.S. and international respondents, with 75% expressing extreme concern about potential budget cuts.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that most employees who work remotely add 5-7 hours to their workweek compared to those who work exclusively in the office. This increased work time often occurs after a standard 40-hour workday.
A survey of over 6,200 Finns found that there is substantial disagreement about whether certain states of being should be considered diseases, influencing public funding and policy decisions. The results highlight the complexities of defining disease and its impact on social debates.
A nationwide survey found that terrorism is not perceived as a major threat to everyday life, despite government claims. The study also revealed a link between public perceptions of security threats and their tolerance towards minorities.