VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Goss, Rosemary Carucci"

Browsing by Author "Goss, Rosemary Carucci"

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Age as a predictor of acceptance of housing alternatives among the nonmetropolitan population
Reagor, Jane Davidson (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1989)
The main purpose of this study was to investigate a model of predictors of acceptance of housing alternatives among the nonmetropolitan population. The study analyzed data from the Southern Regional Research Project, S-141, “Housing for Low- and Moderate-Income Families." The sample consisted of 1,234 households and a subsample of 556 over age 55. The independent variables for this study were: housing situation, housing satisfaction, concept of home, and demographics, including age. The dependent variable was acceptance of housing alternatives. The work of Rogers (1962, 1983) and Rogers and Shoemaker (1971) on the adoption process of innovations formed the theoretical framework for this study. The Total Knowledge Index of Weber, McCray, and Claypool (1985), based on the decision stage of the adoption process of Rogers and Shoemaker (1971), was used to measure acceptance of six types of alternative housing: active solar, passive solar, apartment/multifamily, earth-sheltered/underground, manufactured/mobile home, and retrofitted/energy-improved. Multiple regression was used to test the first hypothesis that the age of the respondent would explain more variation in acceptance of housing alternatives than could be explained by given set of independent variables. Age did not significantly add to the amount of variation in acceptance that could be explained by the model of predictors. For the subsample over age 55 the addition of age significantly increased the amount of variation in acceptance. More of the variation in acceptance was explained by the model of predictors with the over age 55 subsample than with the entire sample. The second hypothesis involved regressing the set of predictors, excluding age, on each of the three age independent groups (under 55, 55 - 64, and age 65 and over). The set of predictors explained significantly more of the variation for the age defined groups of 55 to 64 and those age 65 and over than it did for the group under 55. Therefore, it appears that age is important in the prediction of acceptance of housing alternatives with the set of independent variables in this study, particularly for individuals over age 55.
Aging in place: functional environments: a survey and case study in Floyd County, Virginia
Barnes, Laquita Dawn (Virginia Tech, 1996-05-13)
The problem addressed in this study was: What home modifications are made to residential environments to meet the functional capabilities of the aging in place audience? The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase I 102 Floyd County, Virginia, adults 65 years of age or older were interviewed in order to identify their task capabilities and identify the modifications being made to meet their environmental needs and task capabilities. Phase II consisted of a case study of six females taken from the Phase I sample group. This section of the study focused on the modifications identified in Phase I, the techniques used, and the reasons they were made. The findings indicate that 26% of the adults in the study were experiencing difficulty with at least one Activity of Daily Living, 33% were experiencing difficulty with at least one Instrumental Activity of Daily Living. However, like many older adults, these individuals had a relatively high function level and wanted to stay in their home as long as possible. Modifications are being made in order to equalize the participants' function level and the characteristics of the living environment. Housing education programs should be targeted toward the elderly and their family members and provide more information relating to aging in place. Professionals in housing and related fields should have the knowledge necessary to advise clients on making decisions to help insure their ability to live independently as they age.
An analysis of individuals' attitudes and adaptations to chronic household water supply problems in a rural neighborhood
Breil, Pamela E. (Virginia Tech, 1993-04-05)
Reliable household water supply remains a problem for many small rural neighborhoods. Safe drinking water is increasingly becoming a national issue, and many small rural systems do not have the governmental supports, both financial and technical, that assure them an adequate and safe household water supply. This study focused on describing the attitudes and practices of 43 householders in a low-income rural neighborhood that owned their own water system. They had experienced chronic water problems for eight years, and were trying to get the county to take over the system. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was developed by the researcher. An 82 percent return was achieved. Dependent variables used for analysis were: age, sex, educational level, income, and tenure status. Findings showed that most residents took minimal action to prepare for water shortages: storing only two-five gallons in plastic jugs, females taking this action more often than males. No one had developed a larger storage system. Most residents relied on family and friends for emergency water, as well as alternative bathing and toilet facilities. Forty-five percent also used a privy or the woods for alternative toilet facilities. Older residents were more likely to use sponge baths as alternative bathing. The worst problems with the situation were not having water and carrying alternative supplies. Though the majority of residents were not satisfied with the water system, they felt the cost of water was about right. A majority of residents were satisfied with their housing and the location in which they lived.
Assisted Living Facility as a Home: Cases in Southwest Virginia
Kim, Youngjoo (Virginia Tech, 2002-04-26)
Older people are as diverse a group as they were as younger people. Home environments should reflect these diverse individuals' varying interests, preferences, and needs. In spite of efforts to remain independent and at home, some elderly people have to leave conventional housing and move into long-term care facilities because of factors such as mental or physical health problems or the loss of family members. Most elderly people who move into these facilities do not feel "at home" in their new living arrangements. Assisted living facilities (ALFs) have been developed as a response to these issues. The major goal of assisted living is to create a supportive social setting that elderly residents can call home. Although assisted living is the fastest growing long-term care alternative, it still needs to continually change in response to the needs of older residents and the desires and interests of family members. The purpose of this study was to examine the features that make residents feel "at home" in ALFs in Southwest Virginia and to suggest further policy and design guidelines for better quality of ALFs as a "home." For this purpose, residents' needs, experiences, and opinions of the physical environment, the social environment, and the organizational environments such as policies and programs of ALFs were identified. As a multi-site case study, I studied five ALFs in Southwest Virginia and did a cross-case analysis. In addition to face-to-face interviews with 25 residents and five administrators of five ALFs, I also conducted observations and recorded my feelings in a personal journal with document review. To analyze the data gathered in this study, I used the constant comparative method of data analysis. The respondents' age range was between 64 and 95 and the average age was 82. There were 6 males and 19 females among the respondents and most of them were widowed. They came from a wide geographic area, and most of them have lived in single-family homes for a long time. Many had children or family members nearby. Overall, the five sites selected presented homelike features showing the philosophy of assisted living which combines housing and services. Each facility was designed to be a single-family house or multi-family dwelling in outside appearance. However, the older the structure, the fewer homelike features were provided. As a whole, residents felt isolation and loneliness and they did not have active interaction with other residents because of diverse background among the residents. During meals, people had active interaction with one or two residents. However, all of them had close relationships with the staff. The staff's attitude and behavior seemed to influence greatly the residents' feeling "at home." Friends and family members also provided an important role for the residents to adjust to their new environment. Despite the provision of diverse activities by the facilities, many residents did not participate in the programs. Among the services provided, there were only a few complaints about food and mealtimes. Most of the residents agreed that the rules and regulations were fair; however, one person disagreed with the smoking rules. For the meaning of "home," many residents talked about love, fellowship, privilege, stability, and security. The administrators tried to make the residents feel "at home;" however, they mentioned the limitation of providing a real "home" for the residents due to the residents' diversity. Some categories which could contribute to the perception of ALFs as a "home" were classified by the researcher: safety and security, services and care, autonomy/privacy, independence, social life/friendship, family support, daily routine, personalization, physical environment, and management. Regardless of the type of facilities and the residents' characteristics, most of the respondents were satisfied with their current dwelling. In spite of high satisfaction with the facility, many people did not think of their current dwelling as a real "home." As the biggest difference between living in their own homes and living in the ALF, people pointed out a lack of independence, freedom, and autonomy. Moreover, they talked about the loneliness stemming from living with strangers who are not their family or friends. Residents of ALFs may have reordered their priorities in their current life situation so that safety, security, and care were more important to them than feeling "at home." Among the four factors --personal, physical, social, and organizational-- that affect the residents' perception of ALFs as a "home," many emphasized the importance of social factors such as relationships with the staff and residents, and social support from their family or friends.
An Assisted Living Private Dwelling Unit Based on User Needs
Stumb, Emily Maples (Virginia Tech, 2004-05-07)
The United States is experiencing a rapid rise in its citizens aged 85 and older, which is the fastest growing segment of the population. By the year 2050 the population of adults 65 years old and older is predicted to double in size. This trend, referred to as the graying of America, has been a catalyst for researchers eager to fill gaps in appropriate housing options for this population. For the past decades assisted living has grown as such an option for senior housing. The purpose of this study was to design an assisted living private dwelling unit based on criteria found in literature and in the findings of two research projects. Data were collected during site visits to five assisted living facilities as part of the Best Practices study. Data collected during the CAVE study, in which participants expressed preferences toward assisted living apartment designs, were also utilized. Design criteria emerging from both studies were found to be in support of current literature. A design concept employing these criteria was developed. The design was presented through graphic techniques including plans, elevations and isometric drawings.
A cost analysis of the ownership and use of traditional and innovative cooking appliances
Young, Betty S. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1988)
The purpose of this study was to develop a framework for analysis and assessment of the cost of ownership and use of major cooking appliances. This involved an assessment of the monetary cost as well as the cost of human resources required to maintain and operate cooking systems. The goal was to provide information useful in making purchase decisions within a framework that can be used to organize information about cost beyond the initial purchase price. Five cooktops--conventional electric coil, induction, solid element with thermostatic control, solid element with thermal limiter, and gas--and a microwave oven were used to develop a decision-making matrix. Data were collected in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University College of Human Resources household equipment laboratory. In addition, data were compiled from previous studies which included the same variables. One-way analysis of variance, Student-Newman-Keuls, and Tukey’s HDS techniques were used to analyze the data. Results were used to assign weights in the matrix used to develop a 10-point scale which represented the total cost of owning and using a cooking system in food preparation. The scale was then used to evaluate the appliances used in this study. Based on the matrix, the microwave oven received the highest score followed by gas, conventional electric coil, solid element with thermostatic control, solid element with thermal limiter, and induction cooktops. The cost of owning and using any of these appliances is not markedly different in terms of life expectancy, maintenance, energy, or cooking time. However, such factors as user interaction with the appliance, speed of heat-up, heat recover rate, retained heat, evenness of heating, cleaning time, and initial purchase price do vary and are likely to influence satisfaction with a cooking system.
A discrete choice model of housing selection by low-income urban renters
Murray, Margaret S. (Virginia Tech, 1992)
The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a statistical model that classifies the housing problems of affordability, quality and crowding as elements in a choice set facing low-income urban renters, (2) identify the demographic, socioeconomic and regional factors which influence housing outcomes, (3) use the resulting model to estimate the probability that an individual household faces a particular combination of housing problems, and (4) consider how the receipt of housing assistance alters those probabilities by addressing the question of targeting assistance. The study used data from the American Housing Survey of 1989 to estimate the model. These were low-income renters who both lived in an urban area and moved from one residence to another during the prior twelve month period. The mean income level of the final sample was $14,336. Sixty-one percent of the sample had affordability problems, twenty-eight percent had quality problems and six percent had crowding problems. The theoretical framework for the study is discrete choice analysis based on a random utility function. The conceptual framework included the development of seven, binary, logit models. These models represent a sequence of choices which the low-income renter makes when finding housing. The assumed choice hierarchy was affordability decisions followed by quality decisions and finally crowding decisions. The affordability and crowding models performed well; however, the quality model was somewhat disappointing. It appears that either quality is not easily modeled using a binary variable or households perceive quality differently than do the policy makers who establish quality guidelines. The models clearly show that affordability problems constitute the biggest hurdle for the low-income renter. Regional location is a significant factor in estimating the probability of having housing problems. Households in the western region of the United States are most likely to have multiple problems. A major contribution of this study is the focus on housing assistance and how receiving assistance alters the probability of low-income households finding basic shelter.
Effects of open-plan housing on perceived household crowding among families with children
Gruel, Nancy L. (Virginia Tech, 1993-08-05)
The purposes of this study were (a) to compare open plan housing to semi-open and closed-plan designs on perception of crowding and reactions to crowding and (b) formulate a theoretical basis for explaining housing and human behavior. The objectives were to determine (a) if the number of people who could occupy open-plan housing without feeling crowded would differ from the number who could occupy semi-open or closed plans and (b) if the crowding accommodation time and reactions to crowding would be influenced by floor plan design. Analysis of Variance statistical techniques were used. Forty-five women who worked outside the home and occupied households of four or more persons with at least two children under the age of 18 were were randomly assigned to one of the three floor plan groups. Three identical models constructed with varying degrees of openness to 1" = 1'-0" scale represented the public areas of a dwelling approximately 1,150 square feet in size. Figures and furniture were constructed to the same scale. Subjects independently placed figures in the models in four typical family activity scenarios until one more figure was perceived as one too many. The scenarios, which represented goal-directed and non-goal directed activities, varied in the level of social interaction that was anticipated. After figures were placed to simulate crowding, subjects were asked questions related to their attitudes and responses to crowding. At the .05 level of significance, subjects placed fewer figures in the open plan model than in the semi-open and closed plans when given a scenario in which low levels of social interaction (privacy) were desirable. Significant differences were also observed among the four different scenarios. When scenarios represented goal-directed behaviors, fewer figures were placed, accommodation time was less, and reaction to crowding was greater than when scenarios represented unstructured social activities. The results suggest that small dwellings constructed for families with children should have some division of space in the living, dining, and kitchen area to support low-social interaction and goal-directed behaviors. Further research is needed to determine if uncontrollable high social interaction within a dwelling reduces goal-directed behavior.
Energy-efficient housing alternatives: a predictive model of factors affecting household perceptions
Schreckengost, Renee (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1985)
The major purpose of this investigation was to assess the impact of household socio-economic factors, dwelling characteristics, energy conservation behavior, and energy attitude on the perceptions of energy-efficient housing alternatives. Perceptions of passive solar, active solar, earth- sheltered, and retrofitted housing were examined. Data used were from the Southern Regional Research Project, S-141, "Housing for Low and Moderate Income Families." Responses from 1804 households living in seven southern states were analyzed. A conceptual model was proposed to test the hypothesized relationships which were examined by path analysis. Perceptions of energy-efficient housing alternatives were found to be a function of selected household and dwelling characteristics, energy attitude; household economic factors, and household conservation behavior. Age and education of the respondent, family size, housing-income ratio, utility-income ratio, energy attitude, and size of the dwelling unit were found to have direct and indirect effects on perceptions of energy-efficient housing alternatives. Energy conservation behavior made a significant direct impact with behavioral energy conservation changes having the most profound influence. Conservation behavior was influenced by selected household and dwelling characteristics, energy attitude, and household economic factors. Significant effects were found between conservation efforts and age, size, and condition of the housing unit, age and education of respondent, family size, and energy attitude. Household economic factors were directly affected by selected household and dwelling characteristics. Age and education of respondent and age and condition of dwelling had significant effects on the proportion of monthly income spent for housing and utilities.
Energy-efficient, innovative housing: a comparison of probable adopters and nonadopters
Dagwell, Carol Vaughan (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1983)
The purpose of this research, based on classical diffusion of innovations theory, was to examine factors related to the probable adoption or nonadoption of energy-efficient housing alternatives, specifically passive and active solar and earth sheltered/underground dwellings. Three types of factors were examined: demographics (geographical location by state, type of household, stage in family life cycle, race, age, and educational level); energy (belief in the energy crisis, the impact of energy on housing decisions, efforts to reduce utility costs, average monthly utility costs, and the presence of energy-conserving features in the dwelling); and, local regulatory codes for building (the presence of housing alternatives in the locality, the presence of regulatory codes, and the prior need for variances in order to construct alternative forms of housing). The study utilized daca collected as part of a regional research project, S-141, Housing for Low- and Moderate-Income Families. Data from households were collected by means of an interview schedule using a random sample of 1804 households from four counties selected in each of seven southern states after stratification on the basis of income and the number of nonfarm households. Data from local building officials in the same counties were collected using mailed questionnaires. Techniques of analysis utilized included the chi-squared test, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, the t-test, and discriminant analysis. Findings indicated that probable adopters of the housing alternatives were usually younger, had more education, were in the earlier stages of the family life cycle, believed in the energy crisis, believed the energy situation had impacted housing decisions, had attempted to reduce utility costs, and lived in houses with more energy-conserving features than probable nonadopters.
An evaluation and comparison of the livability of prototypical and conventional house types: the development and testing of a methodology
Beamish, Julia O. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1983)
The purpose of the study was to develop a methodology for evaluating the livability of single-family houses and to test it on conventional and prototypical house types. The House Plan Evaluation Checklist and the Housing Satisfaction Scale were developed and analyzed for content validity using the responses of randomly selected housing professionals. Once the instrumsnts were revised they were used to evaluate the Benchmark house type (FmHA plan no. H5-41) and the Solar Attic house type (Cooperative Extension Plan Service experimental plan no. 7220). A randomly selected sample of 32 housing professionals evaluated the plans of these houses using the Hause Plan Evaluation Checklist. They rated the Solar Attic plan significantly higher on five of ten subscales. All of the subscales of the House Plan Evaluation Checklist had high inter-rater reliability when used by the housing professionals to rate the Benchmark house and the majority of the subscales also had high inter-rater reliability when used to rate the Solar Attic plan. The Housing Satisfaction Scale and an interview schedule were used with samples of 15 Benchmark and 15 Solar Attic residents to obtain information about their housing satisfaction and demographic, housing, and energy characteristics. The Solar Attic residents rated their satisfaction with their housing significantly higher than the Benchmark residents on five of 13 Housing Satisfaction subscales. The Benchmark residents had significantly more female heads of households, less educated heads of households, and lower income households. Their housing was older, smaller and the residents had lived there longer. They used more electrical energy, although their housing had many of the same energy-saving features as the Solar Attic houses. The subscales of the Housing Satisfaction Scale had inconsistent inter-rater reliability when used by the residents of both house types to rate their satisfaction, but they had high internal consistency reliability ratings on all but the Cost subscale.
Evaluation of Resident Policy Handbooks of Eight Assisted Living Facilities in Virginia
Lee, Sung-jin (Virginia Tech, 2006-04-05)
The purpose of this study was to examine resident policies in assisted living facilities and to recommend consistent policies for resident handbooks. To accomplish this purpose, in the first phase, a mail survey form was developed to determine current resident policies provided in existing assisted living facilities in Virginia. In the second phase, the researcher analyzed each policy from the eight participating assisted living facilities and then compared the policies to determine which policies should be included in resident handbooks. Policies with similar content, but with different names were categorized together. The study employed the content-analysis method, which is oriented to qualitative research. The number of resident policies dealt with in this study totaled 56. The framework for analyzing resident policies was divided into three sections: 1) policies related to administration, 2) policies related to resident services, and 3) resident activities listed in the handbooks. As a result of content analysis and evaluation of policies as they related to the aging process, a total of 27 recommendations were suggested. Two recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the resident handbooks survey, and 25 recommendations were suggested from analysis of the handbooks. The recommendation of resident policies can help staff to manage assisted living facilities efficiently, and the handbooks will be able to offer prospective residents clear information as they make decisions among various assisted living facilities. Moreover, current residents will benefit from lucid and consistent resident handbooks in that they will provide explicit information about policies and services.
Home-based Business Workspace: Satisfaction of North Dakota Women Entrepreneurs
Bach, Annette L. (Virginia Tech, 1997-07-17)
This study obtained data on North Dakota women entrepreneurs engaged in home-based businesses in order to provide a profile of this population. The study also determined what demographic characteristics and workspace conditions are related to satisfaction with the workspace. The Women's Business Institute provided the database. The survey method was an opscan format mail questionnaire, which produced a 38% response rate. Chi-Square and Phi Coefficient analysis of 116 responses provided answers to the research questions. A telephone survey of non-respondents suggested that the responses were representative of the sample. Testing of the model showed the following major findings: (1) These North Dakota home-based businesses are small, part-time, developing businesses fulfilling personal as well as economic needs. (2) The women entrepreneurs are well educated, middle-aged, and have no children under five years of age. (3) Most of the businesses are not the major source of income for the household. Almost two-thirds of the entrpreneurs report that the business provides less than 20% of the total household income. (4) Almost three-fourths of the sample expressed satisfaction with all five workspace variables: space, privacy, security, personal safety, and accessibility. The women entrepreneurs are committed to having a business in the home, as suggested by their designation for workspace and storage, and time spent in the workspace. This sample showed that a business can be integrated into the home without decreasing satisfaction with housing. Also, this group of entrepreneurs may be an indicator of an emerging style of home-based business, "hobbypreneurs." They seek fulfillment of personal needs as well as economic needs, and spend most of the business time in the workspace versus away from home.
Homeowner perception and response to radon
Himes, Lori J. (Virginia Tech, 1994-05-05)
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that numerous lung cancer deaths result every year due to radon exposure. Given this, radon education has become an important issue. The purpose of this research was to examine what action consumers had taken to respond to radon as a hazard following an education testing program and why they had taken that action. In the Fall of 1992, the Virginia citizens Consumer Council, in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, conducted a radon education campaign to promote and sell radon test kits. This study is based on a follow-up telephone survey in which 100 Virginia consumers whose homes tested with high radon levels were asked what action they had taken to reduce their radon exposure. Using a proportional allocation, a sample was drawn from eight Virginia counties. statistical analysis included the use of cross tabulation tables and testing for association through the use of the gamma function. Statistically significant findings included: 1) objective risk does have an impact of hazard response; and 2) a correlation was found between how worried consumers were about their radon problem and their response to the hazard.
Housing Behavior of Older Adults in Multifamily Housing
Kwon, Hyun Joo (Virginia Tech, 2012-04-27)
People age 55 and over will dramatically increase in the next 25 years, and will comprise approximately 30% of the total population. They may want to maintain their current lifestyle, and at the same time, they will experience changes of their lifecycle stage that could affect their housing choices. Even though single-family, detached housing is the most dominant housing type in the U.S., a significant number of older adults could choose to live in multifamily housing if their motivations and background are understood. The choice to live in multifamily housing by adults in their later life may be influenced by their past experiences living in multifamily housing, and by their current satisfaction with multifamily housing living. The purpose of this study was to investigate the past, current, and future housing behavior of residents 55 and older living in multifamily housing. The research framework for this study was developed based on Morris and Winter's (1975, 1978) theory of housing adjustment and Wiseman's (1980) model of elderly migration. The research framework was comprised of five major sections: (a) Current Demographic Characteristics, (b) Previous Demographic Characteristics, (c) Reasons for Moving into Current housing, (d) Residential Satisfaction, and (e) Intention to Move in the Future. Five major hypotheses were tested. This study was designed as a quantitative study, using a self-administered questionnaire administered by an online survey company. Between February 2, 2012 and February 4, 2012, a total of 431 usable surveys for this study were collected. Several statistical methods were employed: descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, crosstabs, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and structural equation model (SEM). From EFA, three major reasons for moving into current housing (the multifamily living reason, the nearby activities reason, and the financial reason), and three residential satisfaction factors (satisfaction with the unit design, the multifamily community, and the location) were derived. Multifamily living reason significantly positively influenced satisfaction with the unit design, the multifamily community, and the location. There was a significant influence of the nearby activities reason only on satisfaction with the location. Financial reason significantly negatively influenced satisfaction with the unit design, the multifamily community, and the location. Satisfaction with the unit design and the multifamily community significantly negatively related to the intention to move. The findings from this study can help older adults and their advisors to better understand the housing decision-making process in later life, and inform the housing industry about the perceived potential benefits and challenges in developing multifamily housing for older adults.
Housing Market Choice Patterns of Single Women Homeowners
Wood, Rebecca S. Jr. (Virginia Tech, 1998-05-21)
Housing researchers are aware of the lower homeownership rates and other housing problems of single women but there is very little research focusing on single women homeowners or the characteristics of the housing they buy. Also, since a wide body of research can be found that examines determinants of homeownership for various population groups, the importance of this study was in its focus on single women homeowners and the characteristics of their housing rather than the determinants of ownership for this group. Using data from the 1993 American Housing Survey (AHS), the study sample consisted of 639 women homeowners who were either widowed, divorced, separated, or never-married, and who did not own their previous residence. The study's purpose was to construct a profile of single women home- owners that included a description of their demographic and housing characteristics, the means by which they acquired their homes, and the changes made in their housing when they became homeowners. Additionally, this study examined which demographic and previous housing characteristics of this group were related to the housing characteristics of their present homes. Descriptive results from this study suggested that single women homeowners are primarily middle aged without young children at home, earn moderate incomes, and that the largest proportion of them live in the South and metropolitan areas. When compared to homeowners in general, single women homeowners' homes cost less and represented a higher proportion of attached and mobile home units. The results also showed that single women used low-down payment financing instruments to a lesser degree than did all homeowners. Results from statistical analyses suggested that significant relationships exist between single women homeowners' housing characteristics, and a) their demographic characteristics, b) their previous housing characteristics, and c) their reasons for moving and selecting their current homes and neighborhoods. Another key finding was that single women homeowners of varying marital status differed in their present and previous housing characteristics and their reasons for selecting the current home. The results of this study support suggestions made by other researchers that examining differences not only by gender but also by the variations in marital status will help to clarify and add to the knowledge of housing and its relevance to populations of varying social composition.
Housing- and neighborhood-related stress of female heads of single-parent households
Baillie, Sheila (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986)
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of housing- and neighborhood-related deficits and stress in female heads of single-parent households. The main objectives were to determine: (1) if a correlation existed between the characteristics of the housing and neighborhood occupied by single-parent households and the number of deficits they reported; (2) if a correlation existed between the number of housing and neighborhood deficits and the amount of stress reported; and (3) what specific housing and neighborhood deficits were significantly associated with stress. A proportionate sample was drawn systematically from the 1983 school census data of Roanoke County and the independent city of Roanoke, Virginia. A self administered questionnaire was developed, pretested, and mailed to 1000 mothers of elementary school aged children and 162 usable responses were obtained. The Langner 22-item Index of Mental Illness was used to measure stress. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, linear regression, and multiple regression with controls for the effect of extraneous variables on stress. Significant differences were found between the number of deficits reported and several characteristics of the respondents’ housing, including the type of dwelling, length of tenancy, method of housing payment, and dwelling satisfaction. A significant positive relationship was also found between the number of housing- and neighborhood-related deficits and the stress level of the respondents. Twelve of the 48 possible housing deficits were significantly related to stress (p < .01). These included inadequate size of rooms, inadequate space for family activities, entertaining, or children’s activities in the kitchen, no separate bedroom for the parent, lack of freedom to make changes in the Interior of the dwelling, inadequate Indoor storage, hard—to clean materials on the floors and in the bathroom, bedrooms not large enough for needed furnishings, no assigned parking space, and lack of privacy for family members. Four of the 21 possible neighborhood deficits were significantly related to stress (p < .01). These included inadequate police surveillance, lack of social acceptance of the single-parent lifestyle, and neighborhoods which were not clean or were not pleasant and attractive looking.
The impact of oil-related pollution on housing satisfaction of Kuwaiti households
Al-Najadah, Ali Saleh (Virginia Tech, 1996-05-07)
The 1991 oil fires that were set by the Iraqis as they retreated from Kuwait during the Gulf War are still considered the worst and biggest oil fires in the history of the world. An initial study was conducted in 1992 to investigate the negative effects of the pollution caused by the oil fires on the socio-psychological values of housing and the cultural meanings of home and homeownership of Kuwaiti households. In 1994, a follow-up study was conducted to examine how time between the two studies and treatments of residential interiors and exteriors might have affected Kuwaiti households' perceptions regarding the negative effects of ORP on the socio-psychological values of housing, cultural meanings of home and homeownership, and housing satisfaction. Three-hundred and forty-seven non-smoking and non-institutionalized Kuwaiti household members participated in the follow-up study. Only eighty-nine of the participants in the follow-up study has also participated in the initial study. All the participants were 18 years or older, and were randomly selected from 60 different cities and suburbs in Kuwait. Six trained interviewers collected the data via telephone using survey questionnaires constructed specifically for that purpose. A comparison of frequencies and percentages from both the initial and the follow-up studies showed that more than two-thirds of the participants continued to be very concerned about the unclear hazardous effects of ORP on their health and safety and the health and safety of their family members. There was a decrease in the negative effects of ORP on most of the socio-psychological values of housing and cultural meanings of home and homeownership. The overall housing satisfaction of Kuwaiti households with their contaminated homes remained high. It was concluded from this study that only time and treatment of residential interiors had significant influence on Kuwaiti households’ perceptions about the negative effects of ORP on the housing values, cultural meanings of home and homeownership, and housing satisfaction. The implications of this study could be beneficial mainly to Kuwaiti households who wish to solve their housing problems caused by ORP; to the Kuwaiti government to seek, through the United Nations, financial compensations from Iraq; and to Kuwait University and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research to expand their research base and investigate the best methods to remedy the problem of ORP in the Kuwaiti residential environment.
Influence of Lifestyle on Housing Preferences of Multifamily Housing Residents
Lee, Hyun-Jeong (Virginia Tech, 2005-11-14)
Lifestyle is a popular concept used to understand consumers' behaviors; however, the lifestyle concept rarely has been applied to housing studies. Although renting a multifamily dwelling is a non-normative housing choice in the United States, many people prefer to rent multifamily housing units for reasons other than financial. The purpose of this study is to identify the housing preferences of multifamily housing residents as determined by their lifestyles. The model of influences on housing choice was used as a theoretical framework for the study. Fifty nine housing activity, interest, and opinion (AIO) statements were developed as a lifestyle measurement for this study. A total of 211 responses were collected from residents of nine selected apartment communities in Charlotte, N.C., through two phases of questionnaire surveys. The respondents were represented by young single-person or couple households with high income and college degrees or higher education. Four lifestyle factors (Well-being, Social, Spaces, and Envirotech) were derived from housing interest and opinion items, and the respondents were grouped into four lifestyle clusters (Community Cluster, Basics Cluster, Home Cluster, and Environment Cluster) on the basis of the lifestyle factors. The relationships between the lifestyle clusters and their housing preferences were tested and the model of influences on housing choice was partially supported. Households in the Community Cluster had a strong downtown-orientation and the weakest perception of homeownership, and preferred to have security features. Households in the Basics Cluster had the weakest preferences for apartment home and community features and the second weakest perception of homeownership. Households in the Home Cluster had the strongest perception of homeownership and relatively strong feature preferences, including preferences for upscale interior design features. Households in the Environment Cluster had a strong suburban-orientation and preferred to have outdoor parking spaces in front of the building, plant watering service, and an on-site car care center. The findings from this study can be applied to the design and management of apartment communities and to marketing strategies that are sensitive to lifestyle concepts. Because of the unique sampling framework, the results from this study cannot be generalized. Instead, it is recommended that further research studies test the housing AIO statements with different groups in diverse markets.
Interior design creativity: the development and testing of a methodology for the consensual assessment of projects
Barnard, Susan Smith (Virginia Tech, 1992-08-05)
The purposes of this study were: (1) to adapt the Consensual Technique for Creativity Assessment (Amabile, 1982; 1983a) methodology for use in the domain of interior design; and (2) to provide evidence for reliability and construct validity of the methodology. Participants were subjects who created the 18 projects used in the study, and judges, the 44 professional interior design experts who rated the projects. The sample of subjects was comprised of interior design students at a FIDER-accredited institution in the Mid-Atlantic region. The judges sample included two sub-categories: Educators (13) who were Corporate members of IDEC; and Designers (31) who were Professional members of ASID. Projects were assessed by subjective ratings on the Dimensions of Judgment for Interior Design creativity, the list of 12 rating criteria adapted from Amabile. Ratings were collected in judging sessions at three regional sites.

Browsing by Author "Goss, Rosemary Carucci"

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