Strategic Growth Area: Equity and Social Disparity in the Human Condition (ESDHC)

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https://hdl.handle.net/10919/79471

ESDHC explores and analyzes crucial issues related to diversity, especially those highlighted through the application of the analytical lens of intersectionality, emphasizes the simultaneous possession of multiple identities for all human beings, producing unique interactions among the identities and factors such as place and social institutions that have implications for experience and life chances. Scholarship about social disparities and difference in the human condition build on VT strengths in the areas of Health and the Environment, Identities and Culture, and Institutions, Organizations, and Policy (e.g., education, political and policy systems, businesses, and markets). Thematic areas include food security and systems, the built environment, the natural environment, sustainable global prosperity, public health, or innovative technologies.

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Gender Inequality and the Division of Household Labor in the United States and Sweden: A Socialist-Feminist Approach
Calasanti, Toni M.; Bailey, Carol A. (University of California Press, 1991-02)
In this paper, we offer a socialist-feminist framework for exploring the persistence of gender inequality in the division of household labor. The inconsistent results generated by the relative resources, gender-role ideology, and time-availability hypotheses speak to the need to examine the structural bases for power relations based on gender. Emphasizing the relative autonomy and interrelations of capitalism and patriarchy, socialist-feminism posits that different forms of patriarchal capitalism have varying effects on the division of household labor. (We thus examine the usefulness of this approach by exploring the relationships expressed in three traditional hypotheses about gender inequality and the performance of five household tasks in the United States and Sweden.) The results of our regression analyses indicate that previous perspectives do not adequately examine the power differential embodied in gender relations and that socialist-feminism may give us insights into why gender inequities in the home are maintained despite progressive legislation.
Gender Disparity in Third World Technological, Social, and Economic Development
Akubue, Anthony I. (Epsilon Pi Tau and Virginia Tech Libraries, 2001)
Despite their seemingly intractable problems, Third World countries have made remarkable progress in improving the well-being of their people in recent decades… A troubling concern, however, is the notion that gains from progress have not been equally beneficial to the genders… This article is about Third World women in relation to technological and socioeconomic progress. It examines the differential gender outcome of this progress and probable causes…
Making design work: Sustainability, Product Design and Social Equity
Walker, Stuart; Dorsa, Edward A. (Kluwer, 2001)
This paper discusses the relationship between the product designer, sustainability and the creation of good quality work within the manufacturing sector. When the principles of sustainability are applied to the nature of employment it points to a new direction for design and product production where ethics, environmental issues and social wellbeing become far more important criteria for ‘success’ than is currently the norm. Awareness of the relationship between ‘work’ and sustainability is not generally being addressed, but needs to become a part of a comprehensive approach to sustainability in design school curricula.
What About Elders Who Have No Informal or Formal Support?
Blieszner, Rosemary; Roberto, Karen A. (Virginia Tech, 2001-06-30)
Telephone interview data from a representative sample of 2,034 rural elders showed that 26.3% had limitations in abilities to perform daily activities (cooking, walking, cleaning, driving, etc.). Of these, many received informal assistance from family and friends or formal help from community agencies. However, 64 persons who had needs received no routine assistance from anyone. What are the effects of lack of support on their well-being? What coping strategies do they use in relation to their needs for assistance with everyday tasks? These elders did not differ from the others on demographic characteristics or psychological well-being. They demonstrated both resilience in current coping strategies and potential vulnerability in terms of risk to their physical health and psychological well-being in the future. Community service providers must address unexpressed needs in order to prevent exacerbation of problems and must educate elders and their families about the availability of services.
Well-being and Coping Strategies of Elders Without Informal Support
Blieszner, Rosemary; Roberto, Karen A. (Virginia Tech, 2001-08-25)
Telephone interview data from a representative sample of 2,034 rural elders showed that 26.3% had limitations in abilities to perform daily activities (cooking, walking, cleaning, driving, etc.). Of these, many received informal assistance from family and friends or formal help from community agencies. However, 64 persons who had needs received no routine assistance from anyone. What are the effects of lack of support on their well-being? What coping strategies do they use in relation to their needs for assistance with everyday tasks? These elders did not differ from the others on demographic characteristics or psychological well-being. They demonstrated both resilience in current coping strategies and potential vulnerability in terms of risk to their physical health and psychological well-being in the future. Community service providers must address unexpressed needs in order to prevent exacerbation of problems and must educate elders and their families about the availability of services.
Geriatric Chronic Pain: Issues and Challenges from the Research Literature
Gold, Deborah T.; Roberto, Karen A. (Virginia Tech, 2001-11)
Researchers interested in chronic pain in older adults come from multiple disciplines; thus existing information about geriatric pain is widely scattered. To establish a foundation from which to construct future research and interventions for older women and men, we developed a comprehensive, multidisciplinary database of the chronic pain and aging literature published between 1990 and 1998. In this paper, we examined the focus of studies of chronic pain in later life, how chronic pain was assessed and treated, and the influence of chronic pain on older adults’ quality of life. A search of ten electronic databases that index scientific journals yielded 302 articles that focused on chronic pain in later life. Given the disproportionate number of women in many of the study samples, gender comparisons were not always statistically feasible. Because a limited number of studies report gender comparisons in older adults, it is difficult to determine whether older women's experiences with chronic pain are unique and require special attention from health care providers or whether the causes, treatments, and consequences of chronic pain should be considered universal to the older population as a whole.
Center for Gerontology Newsletter, Fall 2002
(Virginia Tech, 2002)
The Center for Gerontology newsletter, published twice annually, provides faculty and project updates, along with recognitions received by faculty and students in the area of age-related research and activities.
Osteoporosis & The Health of Virginia's Older Women: Issues & Consequences Affecting Quality of Life
Roberto, Karen A. (U. S. Department of Agriculture, 2002)
Older Families in Rural Communities: Personal and Social Influences on Service Use
Roberto, Karen A.; Blieszner, Rosemary (U. S. Department of Agriculture, 2002)
The overall goal of this research project was to gather data from older adults and their family caregivers living in rural southwest Virginia to learn how health and community-based services programs can win greater acceptability in these rural communities as a suitable complement to or, when necessary, alternative to family caregiving.
Spending Behaviors of Older Women Living in an Assisted Living Facility
McClung, Mary E. (Virginia Tech, 2002-03-02)
A major demographic trend in the United States is the increasing older adult population. According to the US Census, the number of persons, ages sixty-five and older has increased approximately 4 million in 2000 and will continue to grow. As the baby boom generation reaches retirement, one issue facing older adults is how to assess and manage their housing and living expenses. An option for older adults that need some support, but are not totally dependent on others for their care is assisted living facilities. There is little public awareness about the cost associated with this housing option. The purpose of this study is to examine the monthly expenditures of older adult women living in an assisted living facility located in rural southwest Virginia. Interviews with the women identified spending patterns and the actual living expenses beyond the base rate residents pay each month. The findings highlight the array of expenses for older adult women living in an assisted living facility.
Eco-Ethics and Sustainability Ethics (part 1)
Cairns, John Jr. (Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics, 2003)
This book is part one of a collection of John Cairns, Jr's papers and articles highlighting the importance of eco-ethics and sustainability ethics in protecting the biospheric life support system.
Elderly & Disabled Waiver Services: What Do We Know About Providers?
Glass, Anne; Roberto, Karen A.; Teaster, Pamela B.; Brossoie, Nancy (Virginia Tech, 2003)
Little is known about home and community based services (HCBS) and even less about the quality of those services. As part of a “Real Choice Systems Change” grant received by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech conducted a survey of agencies providing HCBS under the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled (E & D) Waiver. A written survey was sent to 160 providers across the state, based on a sampling plan designed to ensure representation of all planning districts and services mixes. Seventy surveys were returned for a response rate of 44%.
Center for Gerontology Newsletter, Spring 2003
(Virginia Tech, 2003)
The Center for Gerontology newsletter, published twice annually, provides faculty and project updates, along with recognitions received by faculty and students in the area of age-related research and activities.
Community Connections and Sense of Community among Older Adults
Brossoie, Nancy; Mancini, Jay A.; Roberto, Karen A.; Blieszner, Rosemary (Virginia Tech, 2003)
The goal of this exploratory study is to identify what factors predict sense of community in older adult community members.
Center for Gerontology Newsletter, Fall 2003
(Virginia Tech, 2003)
The Center for Gerontology newsletter, published twice annually, provides faculty and project updates, along with recognitions received by faculty and students in the area of age-related research and activities.
Rural Older Adults’ Previous Help and Support Experiences: Influences on Attitudes about Current and Future Assistance
Blieszner, Rosemary; Roberto, Karen A.; Love-Norris, Denise; Rogers, Sharon; Fruhauf, Christine A. (Virginia Tech, 2003-11)
We investigated the extent to which earlier life experiences with informal and formal services might influence older adults’ views of getting assistance in the future. In a short-term longitudinal follow up of telephone interviews with a representative sample of rural, community dwelling elders (N = 532), we conducted face-to-face interviews with a subsample (n = 84) who were originally receiving informal assistance only, formal services only, both forms of support, or no assistance. We examined changes in assistance over 18 months and inquired about previous and current use of community resources (restaurants, hired help, overnight travel), home-based nursing or personal care, and formal services, as well as plans for future care needs. Past and current acceptance of external (nonfamilial) sources of support are associated with willingness to rely on formal services in the future. However, most participants expressed a strong preference for maintaining as independent a lifestyle as possible, even while expecting a need for greater assistance in the future. Whereas a minority have made arrangements for some type of formal care such as long term care insurance or nursing home placement, most intend to rely on family members for help. Few endorse depending on friends, neighbors, or other informal helpers except for occasional assistance. The results of this study have implications for research and public education on family caregiving, as well as for planning and delivery of informal and formal community services in rural areas.
Center for Gerontology Newsletter, Spring 2004
(Virginia Tech, 2004)
The Center for Gerontology newsletter, published twice annually, provides faculty and project updates, along with recognitions received by faculty and students in the area of age-related research and activities.
Rural Older Women’s Experiences with Chronic Health Problems: Daily Challenges and Care Practices
Roberto, Karen A.; Gigliotti, Christina; Husser, Erica; Kemp, Audrey June (Virginia Tech, 2004)
Living with chronic diseases and their manifestations affects daily functioning and influences the quality of life of older women. This study, guided by the integration of life-course theory and a trajectory model of chronic illness, examines health care practices and management strategies that women with multiple chronic conditions incorporate into their daily lives. Responses to a telephone interview with 268 community-dwelling rural older adults (M age = 77 yrs., S.D. = 5.40) and qualitative interviews with 58 of the women from the larger sample were analyzed to examine the functional, psychological, and social consequences of their health. The women reported an average of 3.5 chronic conditions; the most common were arthritis (68%), heart disease (57%), osteoporosis (41%), and diabetes (31%). Findings suggest that the women played an active role in shaping the course of their illness within the context of their everyday living situations. One condition typically predominated their lives; however, regardless of the type or severity of their conditions, the importance of maintaining independence and autonomy was strongly emphasized by the women. Pain often contributed to functional limitations associated with their health conditions and frequently precluded or interfered with their completion of daily activities. To compensate for these changes, many older women slowed down the pace and number of activities they performed. Although they appreciated support from members of their social network, they infrequently turned to them for assistance. Consideration of personal and social variables that influence the life experiences of older women managing multiple health problems warrants continued investigation.
IPM CRSP Annual Highlights, Year 11: 2003-2004
(Virginia Tech, 2004)
Published every year, the annual reports detail work, accomplishments, training, and publications from each of our programs.
Assuring Quality Care: Exploring Strategies of Medicaid E&D Waiver Providers
Brossoie, Nancy; Roberto, Karen A.; Teaster, Pamela B.; Glass, Anne (Virginia Tech, 2004)
Implementing quality assurance (QA) programs in unregulated noninstitutional settings remains a challenge for home and community-based service providers. A sample of 65 Elderly & Disabled (E&D) Waiver providers in Virginia were presented with eight problem scenarios commonly found in home-care services. Each of the respondents was able to identify strategies they would use to recognize and address each problem. Findings suggest providers currently use multiple mechanisms as part of their overall QA program. Discussion focuses on the strengths of using multiple approaches and on increasing provider awareness of complementary QA strategies and reducing the reliance on staff report as a major QA strategy.

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