Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Bonnie Ghosh-Dastider Author-X-Name-First: Bonnie Author-X-Name-Last: Ghosh-Dastider Author-Workplace-Name: RAND and Princeton University Author-Name: J. L. Schafer Author-X-Name-First: J. Author-X-Name-Last: Schafer Author-Workplace-Name: Pennsylvania State University Title: Outlier Detection and Editing Procedures for Continuous Multivariate Data Abstract: We present a semi-automatic method of outlier detection for continuous, multivariate survey data. In large datasets, outliers may be difficult to find using informal inspection and graphical displays, particularly when there are missing values. Our method relies on an explicit probability model for the data. The raw data with outliers is described by a contaminated multivariate normal distribution, and an EM algorithm is applied to obtain robust estimates of the means and covariances. Mahalanobis distances are computed to identify potential outliers. The procedure is implemented in a software product which detects outliers and suggests edits to remove offending values. We apply the algorithm to body-measurement data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This method works quite generally for continuous survey data, and is particularly useful when inter-variable correlations are strong. Creation-Date: 2003-09 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906175059/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0307.pdf Number: 297 Classification-JEL: C30 Keywords: Contaminated normal; EM algorithm; outliers; posterior probability Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0307.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Kevin T. Leicht Author-X-Name-First: Kevin Author-X-Name-Last: Leicht Author-Workplace-Name: University of Iowa Author-Name: Teresa Sullivan Author-X-Name-First: Teresa Author-X-Name-Last: Sullivan Author-Workplace-Name: University of Texas, Austin Author-Name: Michael Maltese Author-X-Name-First: Michael Author-X-Name-Last: Maltese Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Kim Lloyd Author-X-Name-First: Kim Author-X-Name-Last: Lloyd Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Closing the Gap?: Admissions & Enrollments at the Texas Public Flagships Before and After Affirmative Action Abstract: This paper uses administrative records to evaluate the impact of eliminating affirmative action in Texas on admissions and enrollments at the state's two most selective public universities during the 1990s. Although Texas is rapidly becoming a majority minority state, the demographic profile of the two public flagships has failed to keep pace with the growth of minority groups among college-age students. Unless qualified minority students who are admitted to the public flagships actually enroll, both institutions will weaken their reach in educating a leadership class for the State's rapidly growing minority population. Changes in admissions probabilities during the 1990s reveal substantial changes in the structure of opportunities for African American, white, Hispanic and Asian American applicants. On the one hand, H.B. 588 leveled the playing field for students ranked in the top decile of their class by equalizing their nearly equal odds of admission before the Hopwood decision. This change benefited high achieving minority students who may have been rejected for low test scores or poor essays before the top ten percent law was implemented in 1998. On the other hand, Hopwood reversed the favorable admission probability enjoyed by minority applicants who graduated in the second decile of their class or below, but the non-overlapping groups simulation indicates that no more than three percent of all admitted students were affirmative admits at either institution. The Hopwood reversal benefits white applicants, and especially Asian Americans seeking admission to UT. Moreover, contrary to public criticisms alleging that H.B.588 privileges high performing students who attend low performing schools, the admission probability of students from the major feeder high schools who ranked in the second decile actually rose at both institutions, but most especially at UT. The ban on affirmative action did have a chilling effect on enrollment odds of minority students admitted to the public flagships. For African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans admitted to A&M, the net odds of enrollment relative to whites, which were well below unity for all groups before Hopwood, fell after 1996. At UT the odds ratios for enrollment conditional on admission, which were below parity before 1996, changed very little for Hispanics and Asian Americans, and dropped slightly for African Americans. Admitted white applicants are significantly more likely to enroll than African Americans and Hispanics granted admission to UT, and Asian Americans accepted to UT after 1997 were about 16 percent more likely to matriculate than their white statistical counterparts. The enrollment analyses forcefully demonstrate that by itself, the top ten percent policy is NOT an alternative to race sensitive admissions; rather, it is a merit-based admission plan that emphasizes high school academic achievement in the admission decision while de-emphasizing standardized achievement tests for top ranked students. In the absence of financial support to needy students coupled with a vigorous outreach program to high schools populated by minority and economically disadvantaged students, the top ten percent policy will not diversify campuses of selective universities. Creation-Date: 2003-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201145/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0301.pdf Number: 303 Classification-JEL: I23, I24, I28 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0301.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Population Association of America Title: Demography and the Social Contract Abstract: As the most demographically complex nation in the world, the United States faces ever more formidable challenges to fulfill its commitment to the democratic values of equity and inclusion as the foreign-born share of the population increases. Immigration, the major source of contemporary population diversification, provides several lessons about how to prepare for that future within a framework of social justice and how to realign recent demographic trends with cherished democratic principles. A review of historical and contemporary controversies about representation of the foreign born and alien suffrage both illustrates the re-emergence of ascriptive civic hierarchies and highlights some potentially deleterious social and civic consequences of recent demographic trends. Creation-Date: 2002-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906185837/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0204.pdf Number: 305 Classification-JEL: J11 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0204.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Berkeley Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Title: Do Chronic Stressors lead to Physiological Dysregulation? Testing the theory of Allostatic Load Abstract: Objectives. We explore three questions: 1) Do chronic stressors predict physiological dyregulation? 2) Is that relationship moderated by characteristics of the individual and social environment? and 3) Do perceived levels of stress mediate the relationship between stressors and dysregulation? Methods. Data come from a nationally representative, longitudinal study of older Taiwanese (n=916). Regression models are used to examine the relationship between the number of life challenges (i.e., stressors) during 1996-2000 and physiological dysregulation (in 2000) based on 16 biomarkers that reflect neuroendocrine function, immune system, cardiovascular function, and metabolic pathways. We include interaction terms to test whether psychosocial vulnerability moderates the impact of stressors. Additional models evaluate the mediating effects of perceived stress. Results. We find a significant association between the number of stressors and physiological dysregulation only for those with high vulnerability. Even among this group, the magnitude of the effect is small. The level of perceived stress partly mediates the relationship between chronic stressors and physiological dysregulation. Conclusions. Our results provide some support for the theory of allostatic load, although the relationship between life challenges and physiological dysregulation is weak. The evidence also supports the stress-buffering hypothesis: the combination of low social position, weak social networks, and poor coping ability is associated with increases in the physiological consequences of life challenges. Creation-Date: 2007-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20130326003206/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0701.pdf Number: 281 Classification-JEL: I10 Keywords: Chronic stressors, physiological dysregulation, allostatic load, perceived stress, stressful experiences, Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0701.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Kimberly V. Smith Author-X-Name-First: Kimberly Author-X-Name-Last: Smith Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Socioeconomic differences in health among older adults in Mexico Abstract: Although the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and health is well-established in Western industrialized countries, few studies have examined this association in developing countries, particularly among older cohorts. We use the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), a nationally representative survey of Mexicans age 50 and older, to investigate the linkages between three indicators of SES (education, income, and wealth) and a set of health outcomes and behaviors in more and less urban areas of Mexico. We consider three measures of current health (self-rated health and two measures of physical functioning) and three behavioral indicators (obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption). In urban areas, we find patterns similar to those in industrialized countries: higher SES individuals are more likely to report better health than their lower SES counterparts, regardless of the SES measure considered. In contrast, we find few significant SES-health associations in less urban areas. The results for health behaviors are generally similar between the two areas of residence. One exception is the education-obesity relationship. Our results suggest that education is a protective factor for obesity in urban areas and a risk factor in less urban areas. Contrary to patterns in the industrialized world, income is associated with higher rates of obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. We also evaluate age and sex differences in the SES-health relationship among older Mexicans. The results suggest that further economic development in Mexico may lead to a widening of socioeconomic inequalities in health. The study also provides insight into why socioeconomic gradients in health are weak among Mexican-Americans and underscores the importance of understanding health inequalities in Latin America for research on Hispanic health patterns in the U.S. Creation-Date: 2007-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20070610172124/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0607.pdf Number: 283 Classification-JEL: I14 Keywords: Mexico Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0607.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Debra Donahoe Author-X-Name-First: Debra Author-X-Name-Last: Donahoe Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Human Asset Development and the Transition from School to Work: Policy Lessons for the 21st Century Abstract: The transition from school to work is the lynchpin in the transition to adulthood. Because full-time employment usually permits financial independence as well as social and emotional independence, both of which are crucial for developing private (i.e., family) and public (i.e., civic) adult roles, there is great societal interest in youth negotiating this transition successfully. The ability of young adults to establish independent households and to be financially independent as well as socially and emotionally mature depends crucially on how well they prepare themselves to compete for and secure well-paying jobs and to participate in social, civic, and familial activities. Creation-Date: 1999-06 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906210112/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9903.pdf Number: 322 Classification-JEL: I26, J39 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9903.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sharon Bzostek Author-X-Name-First: Sharon Author-X-Name-Last: Bzostek Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Anne R. Pebley Author-X-Name-First: Anne Author-X-Name-Last: Pebley Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Los Angeles Title: Why Do Hispanics Report Poor Health? Abstract: Despite the health and survival advantages of Hispanics relative to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics report themselves to be in worse health than whites. Prior research indicates that these ethnic differences in self-reported health (SRH), measured by a simple question asking individuals to assess their overall health status, persist in the presence of an extensive set of explanatory variables. In this paper we use data from the first wave of the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey (L.A.FANS) to test four hypotheses regarding Hispanic-white differences in SRH. We evaluate whether poorer health reports among Hispanics result from: (1) differences in meaning between the Spanish and English versions of the SRH question; (2) somatization of emotional distress by Hispanics; (3) varying levels of acculturation among Hispanics; and (4) measures of SES and health that are often omitted in other studies. Our results provide new insights into the validity of these explanations and suggest avenues for future research. First, they underscore the importance of language of interview, suggesting that translation issues between the Spanish and English versions of the SRH question give rise to some of the differences. Second, although respondents who are depressed are more likely to report poor SRH, this study provides little evidence to support the somatization hypothesis. Third, none of our measures of acculturation ? household language, age of immigration, duration of U.S. residence, and documented status ? is significantly associated with reports of poor health, although some of the models indicate that foreign-born Hispanics report poorer health than their native-born counterparts. Finally, whereas controls for health status exacerbate the ethnic discrepancies in SRH, adjustment for SES ? especially years of schooling ? narrows, but does not eliminate, the gap. The second wave of L.A.FANS incorporates new questions that are likely to permit more in-depth assessments of these hypotheses in future analyses. Creation-Date: 2006-06 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20070610171803/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0606.pdf Number: 284 Classification-JEL: I14 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0606.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Berkeley Title: New evidence for protective effects of DHEAS on health among men but not women Abstract: The adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate form (DHEAS) have been the focus of considerable publicity in recent years because of their demonstrated associations with a broad range of health outcomes. Yet, despite a large literature examining the health consequences of DHEA(S), few have been based on prospective surveys of population-representative samples. Thus, our knowledge about the causal effects of DHEA(S) on health in humans is limited and often inconclusive. In this analysis, we use a national longitudinal survey in Taiwan to explore the associations between DHEAS and changes over a 3-year period in functional limitations, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and global self-rated health for men and women. Our estimates suggest that, for the older Taiwanese population, DHEAS is related to subsequent declines in mobility and increased depressive symptoms among men, but there are no significant associations between DHEAS and women?s mental and physical health. These findings differ from those in a previous cross-sectional analysis based on the Taiwan study and underscore the importance of using prospective rather than cross-sectional data to examine the effects of DHEAS on health. The evidence to date from this study and other investigations based on longitudinal data suggests that DHEAS is protective of some health outcomes for men, but not women, in both Western and non-Western populations and raises questions about what factors give rise to these sex differences. Creation-Date: 2006-07 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906210135/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0605.pdf Number: 285 Classification-JEL: I14 Keywords: Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0605.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: David Potere Author-X-Name-First: David Author-X-Name-Last: Potere Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Neal Feierabend Author-X-Name-First: Neal Author-X-Name-Last: Feierabend Author-Workplace-Name: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Author-Name: Eddie Bright Author-X-Name-First: Eddie Author-X-Name-Last: Bright Author-Workplace-Name: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Author-Name: Alan Strahler Author-X-Name-First: Alan Author-X-Name-Last: Strahler Author-Workplace-Name: Boston University Title: A New Source for Land Cover Change Validation: Wal-Mart from Space Abstract: We introduce an event data set of the location and opening dates for 3,043 Wal-Mart stores as a means for validating land cover change-related products at medium (30 m) to coarse (1 km) resolutions throughout the conterminous United States (US). As validation data, these Wal-Mart stores and distribution centers share several favorable attributes, including construction atop a diverse array of vegetated environments, wide dispersion across the entire country, building and parking lot footprints that measure between 100 m and 500 m on a side, and construction dates that span much of the remote sensing record (1964-2005). To generate the data set, we geo-coded the full Wal-Mart store address list, combined these locations with a listing of Wal-Mart store opening dates, and geo-located the building footprints of 30 Wal-Mart stores using cost-free high-resolution (4 m) imagery available from internet search engines. Twenty-five stores constructed in North Carolina and Virginia between 1987 and 2002 served to validate a single scene (WRS2 p16 r035, 180 km per side) of the new Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive Processing System (LEDAPS) product - a 28.5 m resolution forest disturbance map which is in production for the conterminous US. Disturbance events were clearly discernable in the LEDAPS beta product at all 25 of the validation sites. In addition, we selected five Wal-Mart sites constructed between 2000-2005 in Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and California to validate the University of Maryland?s 250 m Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation index 16-day time series (MOD44C). These five construction events are evident in the time series. At a Wal-Mart distribution center in Gordonsville, Virginia, a similar construction signature is present at 1 km resolution for the MOD13A2 enhanced vegetation index 16-day time series. These results demonstrate a new approach for validating land cover change related products by combining an unusual disturbance event data set with free high-resolution internet-based images. Creation-Date: 2006-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906191650/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0604.pdf Number: 286 Classification-JEL: R30 Keywords: land cover change, remote sensing Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0604.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Cassio M. Turra Author-X-Name-First: Cassio Author-X-Name-Last: Turra Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University and Cedeplar, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Berkeley Author-Name: Yu-Hsuan Lin Author-X-Name-First: Yu-Hsuan Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotion, Taichung, Taiwan Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Title: Physiological Dysregulation Predicted Poorer Health and Lower Survival in a Survey of the Older Population Abstract: We investigate whether a multi-system measure of physiological dysregulation based on 16 biological measures is associated with deterioration in physical and mental health over a three-year period. We use data from a national survey of persons 54 and older in Taiwan that collected standard clinical markers related to cardiovascular and metabolic function and preclinical measures pertaining to the immune, neuroendocrine and sympathetic nervous systems. The dysregulation score counts the number of biomarkers for which values are in the lowest or highest decile. Statistical models examine whether dysregulation predicts four health outcomes (survival, physical functioning, cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms), in the presence of extensive controls for baseline health. The estimates reveal significant associations between dysregulation and health for each outcome, although there is variability across outcomes. The associations are often attenuated in the presence of health controls, underscoring the importance of longitudinal analysis. This study has extended previous research on the health consequences of physiological dysregulation by considering a broader range of outcomes and biomarkers in a non-Western population-based sample. Our analysis suggests that such dysregulation provides early warning signs of a broad range of co-morbidities. Creation-Date: 2006-03 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907010102/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0602.pdf Number: 287 Classification-JEL: I14 Keywords: physiological dysregulation; allostatic load; biological markers; mortality; health; Taiwan. Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0602.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Cassio M. Turra Author-X-Name-First: Cassio Author-X-Name-Last: Turra Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Berkeley Author-Name: Christopher L. Seplaki Author-X-Name-First: Christopher Author-X-Name-Last: Seplaki Author-Workplace-Name: Johns Hopkins University Author-Name: Yu-Hsuan Lin Author-X-Name-First: Yu-Hsuan Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Taiwan Title: Predicting Mortality from Standard and Nontraditional Biomarkers Abstract: Few studies focus on preclinical warning signs associated with mortality. In this paper, we investigate associations between all-cause mortality and two clusters of biological risk factors: 1) standard clinical measures related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic function; and 2) nontraditional measures pertaining to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, sympathetic nervous system activity and inflammatory response. Data come from the 2000 Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study, a national sample of Taiwanese ages 54 and older: 1497 persons were interviewed in their homes and 1023 participated in a hospital examination. The analysis is based on 927 respondents with complete information. Logistic regression models describe the association between biomarkers and the three-year probability of dying. Although both groups of biomarkers are significantly associated with mortality, a model with nontraditional biomarkers has better explanatory and discriminatory power than one with clinical measures. The association between the nontraditional measures and mortality remains strong after adjustment for the clinical markers, suggesting that the physiological effects of the nontraditional biomarkers are broader than those captured by the cardiovascular and metabolic system measures included here. Nontraditional markers are likely to provide early warning signs of deteriorating health and function beyond what can be learned from conventional markers. Our findings are consistent with recent studies that 1) demonstrate the importance of neuroendocrine and immune system markers for survival, and 2) indicate that standard clinical variables are less predictive of mortality in older than in younger populations. Creation-Date: 2006-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906193417/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0601.pdf Number: 288 Classification-JEL: J19 Keywords: biomarkers; mortality; aging; Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0601.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Jennifer C. Cornman Author-X-Name-First: Jennifer Author-X-Name-Last: Cornman Author-Workplace-Name: Polisher Research Institute, Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life Author-Name: Ming-Cheng Chang Author-X-Name-First: Ming-Cheng Author-X-Name-Last: Chang Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Taiwan Title: Measuring subjective social status: A case study of older Taiwanese Abstract: Despite widespread use of measures of social status and increasing interest in the relationship between social status and health, variables used to denote social status are often inappropriate for older populations. This paper examines responses to a recently developed measure of subjective social position, known as the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status. The instrument asks respondents to use 10 rungs of a ladder to position themselves socioeconomically relative to other people in their country and, separately, in their community. These questions were incorporated in a recent national survey of middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan. The objective of the analysis is to gain a better understanding of how such subjective assessments are formed -- i.e., to explore the contribution of social, economic, and cultural factors in the determination of position within a social hierarchy -- and to assess the potential utility of the ladder instrument in social science and health research. Results from Taiwan are compared with those derived from subjective measures of social status in Western populations. The findings support use of this instrument as a measure of subjective social status for an older population and suggest that it may provide further insights into the social gradient in health. Creation-Date: 2005-02 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201208/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0502.pdf Number: 289 Classification-JEL: Z13, J14 Keywords: ladder; social gradient; social status; subjective social position; Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0502.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Ming-Cheng Chang Author-X-Name-First: Ming-Cheng Author-X-Name-Last: Chang Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Taiwan Author-Name: Yi-Li Chuang Author-X-Name-First: Yi-Li Author-X-Name-Last: Chuang Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Taiwan Title: Results from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS) 2000 Abstract: During the last half of the 20th century, life expectancy in Taiwan increased by about 20 years (Population Reference Bureau, 2001). As a result, the percentage of people who are age 65 or older has almost quadrupled from 2.5 to 9%, and it is projected to rise to 14% by 2020 (Li, 1994). The health and well-being of this group are important for assessing their quality of life and of interest for determining the demands that will be placed on the public infrastructure in order to meet the needs of this growing population. This report presents results from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS), a nationally representative sample (with the exception of the aboriginal population) of Taiwanese aged 54 and older in 2000. The study collected a broad range of information including not only self-reports of physical, psychological, and social well-being, but also extensive clinical data based on medical examinations and laboratory analyses. Creation-Date: 2005-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906210124/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0501.pdf Number: 290 Classification-JEL: J19 Keywords: Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0501.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jennifer Dowd Author-X-Name-First: Jennifer Author-X-Name-Last: Dowd Author-Workplace-Name: Mathematica Policy Research Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Do Biomarkers of Stress Mediate the Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Health? Abstract: Psychosocial stress is posited as one of the primary pathways linking socioeconomic status (SES) to health outcomes, via sustained activation of stress-related autonomic and neuroendocrine responses, especially elevated levels of cortisol. To date, little population-level work has tested the relationship between SES and biological markers of these stress responses. We analyzed data from a national survey of 972 middle-aged and elderly respondents in Taiwan including survey, clinical, and biological measures. We tested the relationships between SES, as measured by education and income, and 13 biomarkers representing functioning of the neuroendocrine system, immune/inflammatory systems, and the cardiovascular system. We also examined whether these biomarkers account for the observed relationship between SES and self-reported health and mobility difficulties in our sample. Lower SES men have greater odds of falling into the highest risk quartile for only 2 of 13 biomarkers, and show a lower risk for 3 of the 13 biomarkers, with no association between SES and cortisol. Lower SES women have a higher risk for many of the cardiovascular risk factors, but a lower risk for elevated readings of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Inclusion of all 13 biological markers does not explain the relationship between SES and health outcomes in our sample. These data do not support the hypothesis that stress, via sustained activation of the body?s stress response, is an important mediator in the relationship between socioeconomic status and health. Most notably, lower SES is not associated with higher levels of cortisol in either men or women. Creation-Date: 2004-06 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201225/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0406.pdf Number: 291 Classification-JEL: I14 Keywords: Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0406.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sara Curran Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: Curran Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Chang Chung Author-X-Name-First: Chang Author-X-Name-Last: Chung Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Wendy Cadge Author-X-Name-First: Wendy Author-X-Name-Last: Cadge Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Anchalee Varangrat Author-X-Name-First: Anchalee Author-X-Name-Last: Varangrat Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Population and Social Research Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhom Prathom, Thailand Title: Boys and Girls Educational Opportunities in Thailand: The Effects of Siblings, Migrations, School Proximity, and Village Remoteness Abstract: Within individual countries, the paths towards increasing educational attainment are not always linear and individuals are not equally affected. Differences between boys' and girls' educational attainments are a common expression of this inequality as boys are more often favored for continued schooling. We examine the importance of birth cohort, sibship size, migration, school accessibility for explaining both the gender gap and its narrowing in secondary schooling in one district in Northeast Thailand between 1984-1994. Birth cohort is a significant explanation for the narrowing of the gender gap. Migration, sibship size, and remote village location are important explanations for limited secondary education opportunities, especially for girls. Creation-Date: 2002-05 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201152/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0205.pdf Number: 304 Classification-JEL: I24 Keywords: Thailand Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0205.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Christopher Seplaki Author-X-Name-First: Christopher Author-X-Name-Last: Seplaki Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: I-Wen Liu Author-X-Name-First: I-Wen Author-X-Name-Last: Liu Author-Workplace-Name: Center for Population and Health Survey Department of Health, Taiwan, ROC Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Title: Perceived Stress and Physiological Dysregulation Abstract: We use a population-based representative sample of older Taiwanese to investigate links between perceived stress and a broad set of biological measures. These biomarkers were collected at a single time (2000) and reflect SNS-activity, HPA-activity, immune function, cardiovascular response, and metabolic pathways. We model the relationship between measures of perceived stress and (1) both high and low values for each of 16 individual biological indicators; and (2) a measure of cumulative physiological dysregulation based on the full set of biomarkers. We consider two measures of perceived stress, one derived from the 2000 interview and a second based on data from three interviews (1996-2000). Age and sex-adjusted models reveal significant associations between measures of perceived stress and extreme values of cortisol, triglycerides, IL-6, DHEAS and fasting glucose. Numerous biomarkers examined here, including those pertaining to blood pressure and obesity, are not significantly related to perceived stress. On the other hand, the measure of cumulative physiological dysregulation is associated with both the level of perceived stress at a given time and to a longitudinal measure of perceived stress. Some results suggest that the relationship between level of perceived stress and physiological response is stronger for women than men. Creation-Date: 2004-05 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906193427/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0405.pdf Number: 292 Classification-JEL: I10 Keywords: Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0405.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Christopher L. Seplaki Author-X-Name-First: Christopher Author-X-Name-Last: Seplaki Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Dana Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Title: A Comparative Analysis of Measurement Approaches for Physiological Dysregulation in an Older Population Abstract: A growing body of evidence suggests that the cumulative experience of emotional challenges and stressful events over the lifecourse may take a significant physiological toll, referred to as allostatic load, on multiple interrelated systems of the body. Multiple summary measures of these effects have been proposed in the literature, but there is no systematic evaluation of alternative measurements. We use data from a population-based sample of older Taiwanese to compare the explanatory power and predictive performance of several measures of allostatic load for diverse health outcomes. We find that, although modest, the various assumptions made when constructing measures of allostatic load do have effects that should be considered carefully. Our findings suggest development of measures that preserve the continuous properties of the component biological measurements and underscore the importance of nonlinear effects suggested in previous research. These fundamental insights are of use to applied researchers in the field currently in search of useful empirical formulations of allostatic load and to those who are focused on the development of improved measurement strategies. Creation-Date: 2004-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907011907/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0404.pdf Number: 293 Classification-JEL: I10 Keywords: Aging; Allostatic load; Biomarkers; Health outcomes; Physical mobility; Cognitive function; Depression; Self-assessed health; Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0404.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Christopher L. Seplaki Author-X-Name-First: Christopher Author-X-Name-Last: Seplaki Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Maureen A. Smith Author-X-Name-First: Maureen Author-X-Name-Last: Smith Author-Workplace-Name: University of Wisconsin, Madison Author-Name: Burton H. Singer Author-X-Name-First: Burton Author-X-Name-Last: Singer Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Variation in Living Environments Among Community-Dwelling Elders Abstract: Many studies examine the movement of elderly individuals across living arrangement and institutional care settings, but the rapidly evolving structure of elderly living environments makes traditional measurement paradigms less representative. We investigate the diverse health-related environmental characteristics of noninstitutional elderly living environments in 1993 and their association with health. We use the 1993 wave of the Asset and Health Dynamics of the Oldest Old (AHEAD) survey, which includes both physical and social characteristics of the living environment for over 7,000 older Americans. Grade of membership (GoM) models are used to summarize variation in social and physical environment characteristics, and examine differences between males and females. We also estimate the cross-sectional association between living environment and several measures of physical and mental health status. Results illustrate extensive within and between-sex heterogeneity in elderly living environments using five idealized environment types, as well as significant associations with physical and mental health status measures. As older individuals stay in the community for longer periods of time, traditional me need to be replaced by definitions of noninstitutional environments that meaningfully represent the social and physical challenges faced by this rapidly growing segment of our population. Creation-Date: 2004-03 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907014511/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0403.pdf Number: 294 Classification-JEL: J14, R31 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0403.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Christopher L. Seplaki Author-X-Name-First: Christopher Author-X-Name-Last: Seplaki Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Yu-Hsuan Lin Author-X-Name-First: Yu-Hsuan Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotion, Center for Population and Survey Research, Department of Health, Taichung, Taiwan Title: Measurement of Cumulative Physiological Dysregulation in an Older Population Abstract: Theories of allostatic load postulate that an important pathway connecting the social environment with health involves biological responses to stressful stimuli and subsequent dysregulation of interrelated physiological systems. We formulate a new measure for cumulative physiological dysregulation using a grade of membership model estimated with biodemographic data from a national sample of older Taiwanese. We investigate associations between the measure and physical, psychological, and cognitive function. The results provide insights into the relationships between a set of biological profiles and various health outcomes, identify limitations of earlier approaches, and underscore next steps in the development of improved formulations of physiological dysregulation. Creation-Date: 2004-02 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906192042/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0402.pdf Number: 295 Classification-JEL: I10 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0402.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Lauren Hale Author-X-Name-First: Lauren Author-X-Name-Last: Hale Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Life Experiences, Strength of Emotional Response, and Sex-specific Mortality Risk Zones Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a new operationalization of the concept of allostatic load -- the cumulative biological burden exacted on the body through attempts to adapt to life's demands. We use a recursive partitioning (RP) methodology to specify categories of low, intermediate, and high risks of later-life mortality. The risk categories are defined in terms of either low or high ranges of values on the biomarkers, each of which has been implicated as an indicator of possible dysregulation in one or more biological systems. We find that the cumulation of positive life experiences is positively related to membership in a low mortality risk zone, thereby supporting our contention that our operationalization of allostatic load is interpretable as a biological signature of adaptation to life challenges. We also find sex differences in risk categories and their corresponding associations with emotional response profiles. Creation-Date: 2004-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906185829/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0401.pdf Number: 296 Classification-JEL: J19 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0401.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Narayan Sastry Author-X-Name-First: Narayan Author-X-Name-Last: Sastry Author-Workplace-Name: RAND Santa Monica Author-Name: Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar Author-X-Name-First: Bonnie Author-X-Name-Last: Ghosh-Dastidar Author-Workplace-Name: RAND Santa Monica and Princeton University Author-Name: John Adams Author-X-Name-First: John Author-X-Name-Last: Adams Author-Workplace-Name: RAND, Santa Monica Author-Name: Anne Pebley Author-X-Name-First: Anne Author-X-Name-Last: Pebley Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Los Angeles and RAND Santa Monica Title: The Design of a Multilevel Survey of Children, Families, and Communities: The Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey Abstract: In the last fifteen years, there has been a growing interest in the role of neighborhoods in shaping a variety of outcomes for children, adults, and families. Although theoretical perspectives are well advanced and the basic statistical methods for modeling neighborhood effects are in place, a major shortcoming concerns the limitations of existing datasets. Past surveys concerned with understanding children's outcomes have not been designed with the explicit goal of supporting multilevel modeling. This makes it difficult to address the most important unresolved research issue in this area, which is to develop an understanding of the causal effects of neighborhoods factors. In this paper, we describe the development and implementation of the sampling design for the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Study (L.A.FANS), a survey of children, adults, families, and neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. This survey was designed to support multilevel studies on a number of topics, including child development, residential mobility, and welfare reform. We describe the design of the baseline wave, highlighting the analytical and statistical issues that shaped the study. We also present the results of an in-depth statistical investigation of the survey's ability to support multilevel analyses that was carried out as part of the study design. The results of this study provide important guideposts for future studies of neighborhoods and their effects on adults and children. Creation-Date: 2003-06 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906191033/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0306.pdf Number: 298 Classification-JEL: C83 Keywords: LAFANS Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0306.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Susan Cassels Author-X-Name-First: Susan Author-X-Name-Last: Cassels Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Sara R. Curran Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: Curran Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Randall Kramer Author-X-Name-First: Randall Author-X-Name-Last: Kramer Author-Workplace-Name: Duke University Title: Do migrants degrade coastal environments? Migration, natural resource extraction and poverty in North Sulawesi, Indonesia Abstract: Recent literature on migration and the environment has identified key mediating variables such as how migrants extract resources from the environment for their livelihoods, the rate and efficiency of extraction, and the social and economic context within which their extraction occurs. This paper tests these theories in a new ecological setting using data from coastal fishing villages in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. We do not find as many differences between migrant and non-migrant families regarding destructive fishing behavior, technology and investment as might have been expected from earlier theories. Instead, the context and timing of migrant assimilation seems to be more important in explaining apparent associations of migration and environmental impacts than simply migrants themselves. This finding fits well with recent literature in the field of international migration and immigrant incorporation. Creation-Date: 2003-05 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906195040/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0305.pdf Number: 299 Classification-JEL: R23, Q22 Keywords: Indonesia Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0305.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Christopher L. Seplaki Author-X-Name-First: Christopher Author-X-Name-Last: Seplaki Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Yu-Hsuan Lin Author-X-Name-First: Yu-Hsuan Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Health, Taichung, Taiwan Title: How Are Biomarkers Related to Physical and Mental Well-Being? Abstract: We investigate how biological markers of individual responses to stressful experiences are associated with profiles of physical and mental functioning in a national sample of middle-aged and elderly Taiwanese. Data come from a population-based sample of middle-aged and elderly Taiwanese in 2000. They combine rich biological measures with self-reported information on physical and mental health. Grade of membership methods are used to summarize functional status and multinomial logit models provide information on the association between biological measures and function. The analysis identifies significant associations between biomarkers of stressful experience and profiles of physical and mental functioning. Our results illustrate diverse physiological mechanisms that are associated with a comprehensive measure that reflects physical and mental functioning. The findings point to directions for future research regarding the pathways through which stressful experiences may affect health. Creation-Date: 2003-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906183846/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0304.pdf Number: 300 Classification-JEL: I10 Keywords: Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0304.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Jennifer Cornman Author-X-Name-First: Jennifer Author-X-Name-Last: Cornman Author-Workplace-Name: Polisher Research Institute, Madlyn & Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life Author-Name: Burton Singer Author-X-Name-First: Burton Author-X-Name-Last: Singer Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Teresa Seeman Author-X-Name-First: Teresa Author-X-Name-Last: Seeman Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Los Angeles Title: Sex Differentials in Biological Risk Factors for Chronic Disease: Estimates from Population-based Surveys Abstract: In light of substantial sex differences in health outcomes, researchers need to focus on disentangling the underlying biological and social determinants. The objective of this study is to determine whether two populations that differ in many cultural and social dimensions Taiwan and the US also vary with regard to sex differentials in biological markers of chronic disease. The analysis is based on three population-based surveys that include interviews, urine and blood specimens, and physical examinations: The Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study in Taiwan, the Wisconsin Longitudinal Survey, and the MacArthur studies of successful aging. The outcomes comprise six indicators of cardiovascular risk (total/HDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin and waist-hip ratio) and four markers of SNS and HPA-axis functioning (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and DHEA-S). US males have significantly (p<0.05) higher risk than females for all indicators of cardiovascular risk except glycosylated hemoglobin. Sex differences are less consistent and smaller in Taiwan. Indicators of SNS and HPA-axis functioning reveal a significant female disadvantage in both countries. The analysis identifies important sex differences between Taiwan and the US in biomarkers of cardiovascular risk that are consistent with cause-of-death data and may emanate from cultural and social differences between the two societies. The similarity of sex differences in SNS and HPA-axis functioning across studies may reflect either stable sex differences in biological aging of these axes or commonalities in the social construction of gender-based responses to life experiences. Creation-Date: 2003-03 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906192742/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0303.pdf Number: 301 Classification-JEL: I14 Keywords: sex differences; cardiovascular risk factors; sympathetic nervous system; hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, Taiwan; United States; USA Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0303.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Christopher L. Seplaki Author-X-Name-First: Christopher Author-X-Name-Last: Seplaki Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Yu-Hsuan Lin Author-X-Name-First: Yu-Hsuan Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotion, Center for Population and Survey Research, Department of Health, Taichung, Taiwan Title: Before and After the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake: Traumatic Events and Depressive Symptoms in an Older Population Abstract: Natural disasters may have dramatic consequences for well-being. We investigate variability in resilience to depressive symptoms in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in Taiwan. Data come from a national, longitudinal survey with interviews before and after the 1999 earthquake. We estimate regression models testing complex relationships among depressive symptoms, earthquake experiences and socio-demographic characteristics. Persons of low SES, socially isolated individuals and women reported higher levels of depressive symptoms, as did persons who experienced damage to their homes. The effects of damage were strongest among those aged 54-70. The results suggest that people who experience damage to their home during a disaster are at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms, with the elderly being more resilient than the near-elderly. Creation-Date: 2003-02 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907011921/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0302.pdf Number: 302 Classification-JEL: Q54, I10 Keywords: earthquake, depressive symptoms, Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0302.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: I-fen Lin Author-X-Name-First: I-fen Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Bowling Green State University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Yu-Hsuan Lin Author-X-Name-First: Yu-Hsuan Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Survey Research Center for Population and Health, Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Taiwan, ROC Title: Evaluating the Quality of Self-Reports of Hypertension and Diabetes Abstract: Researchers and health specialists are increasingly obtaining information on chronic illnesses from self-reports. This study validates self-reports of two major health conditions, hypertension and diabetes, based on a recently fielded survey in Taiwan (SEBAS, 2000). The survey includes both self-reported health information and a physical examination for a large, nationally representative sample of respondents aged 54 and older. Average blood pressure readings, laboratory measures of glycosylated hemoglobin and information on whether the respondent was taking medication for hypertension or diabetes are used to validate respondents' reports of high blood pressure and diabetes. The resulting comparisons reveal that self-reports vastly underestimate the prevalence of hypertension (by almost 50 percent), but yield a reasonably accurate estimate of the prevalence of diabetes (a sensitivity of 83 percent). Significant correlates of the accuracy of the self-reports include age, education, time of the most recent health exam, and cognitive function. Creation-Date: 2002-03 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201217/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0203.pdf Number: 306 Classification-JEL: I10 Keywords: diabetes; hypertension; self-reports; validity, accuracy; Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0203.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jennifer C. Cornman Author-X-Name-First: Jennifer Author-X-Name-Last: Cornman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Ming-Cheng Chang Author-X-Name-First: Ming-Cheng Author-X-Name-Last: Chang Author-Workplace-Name: Bureau of Health Promotions, Department of Health, Taiwan Title: Social Ties and Perceived Support: Two Dimensions of Social Relationships and Health Among the Elderly in Taiwan Abstract: Assess the effects of social relationships on physical and mental health among the elderly in Taiwan. Using four waves of a survey of the elderly, we examine the relationship between social ties and perceived support and four health outcomes -- mortality, functional status, self-assessed health and depression. Perceived support and social ties are related to health, but many of the apparent effects are attenuated in the presence of controls for prior health. However, positive perceptions about support are protective of mental (but not physical) health. If baseline health is ignored, estimates of the effects of social relationships on health at a given stage of life are likely to be inflated by reverse causality or by effects occurring prior to baseline. Inclusion of controls for initial health reveals that, in general, the relationship between social support and health at the older ages in Taiwan is relatively modest. Creation-Date: 2002-02 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201137/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0202.pdf Number: 307 Classification-JEL: J14 Keywords: social support, perceived support, health, elderly, Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0202.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: University of California, Berkeley Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: German Rodriguez Author-X-Name-First: German Author-X-Name-Last: Rodriguez Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Utilization of Care During Pregnancy in Rural Guatemala: Does Obstetrical Need Matters Abstract: This study examines factors associated with the use of biomedical care during pregnancy in Guatemala, focusing on the extent to which complications in an ongoing or previous pregnancy affect a woman's decisions to seek care. The findings, based on multilevel models, suggest that obstetrical need as well as demographic, social, and cultural factors are important predictors of pregnancy care. In contrast, measures of availability and access to health services have modest effects. The results also suggest the importance of unobserved variables such as quality of care in explaining women's decisions about pregnancy care. Creation-Date: 2002-01 File-URL: https://www.princeton.edu/~ngoldman/papers/2003_Utilization_Of_Care.pdf Number: 308 Classification-JEL: I12, J13 Keywords: Guatemala Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0201.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jennifer C. Cornman Author-X-Name-First: Jennifer Author-X-Name-Last: Cornman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Maxine Weinstein Author-X-Name-First: Maxine Author-X-Name-Last: Weinstein Author-Workplace-Name: Georgetown University Author-Name: Hui-Sheng Lin Author-X-Name-First: Hui-Sheng Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Center for Population and Health Survey Research Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Taiwan Title: Perception of Elderly Taiwanese About the Availability of Social Support Abstract: We examine the Taiwanese elderly's perceptions about the availability of social support, an aspect of social support about which little is known in the Taiwanese setting. Using data from a longitudinal study of the elderly in Taiwan, we create three typologies that measure the stability of perceptions about emotional and sick care. We also investigate the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, network characteristics, social involvement and personality characteristics on the stability of perceptions. In general, the elderly hold positive perceptions about the availability of social support, and these perceptions are fairly stable over the 10-year period under review. Elderly who are older, have a secondary school education, are Taiwanese, are continuously married throughout the study period, have four or more close friends, are socially involved, are not depressed, and who have a high life satisfaction are more likely than their respective counter parts to have consistently positive perceptions about the availability of social support. Creation-Date: 2001-05 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906193444/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0105.pdf Number: 309 Classification-JEL: J14 Keywords: Taiwan Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0105.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Rebecca Katz Author-X-Name-First: Rebecca Author-X-Name-Last: Katz Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Biological Weapons: A National Security Problem that Requires a Public Health Response Abstract: Biological weapons are a threat to the health and well-being of American citizens. The events of 11 September 2001 prove that terrorists are willing to sacrifice the lives of innocent civilians in order to further their agenda. The spread of anthrax through the United States mail system further demonstrates the willingness of terrorists to use nonconventional weapons against citizens. This paper will clarify the definitions associated with biological weapons and chronicle the rising threat of biological weapons over time. Given the real threat of a large-scale biological attack, defense against biological weapons should not only be considered a national security issue, but also public health priority. Sustainable defense, response and deterrence against a biological attack are rooted in an effective public health system. The public health infrastructure needs to be strengthened in order to successfully detect and respond to an attack, which will have the side benefit of enabling the public health system to better fulfill its commitment to protecting the health of the population. Creation-Date: 2001-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907011914/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0104.pdf Number: 310 Classification-JEL: F51, I18 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0104.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sigal Alon Author-X-Name-First: Sigal Author-X-Name-Last: Alon Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Racial, Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in College Destinations, 1982 and 1992 Abstract: This study examines college destinations of high school graduates to determine whether the impact of socioeconomic status on college attendance patterns differs by race and ethnicity and whether these relationships are stable over time. Using the HS&B and NELS:88 surveys, the college destinations of high school graduates in 1982 and 1992 are arrayed by type (less-than-2-yr; 2-yr and 4-yr institutions) and selectivity (ranging from open door to highly selective institutions). Analyses chart persistence and change in the sorting processes that enable some minorities to enroll in highly selective institutions, others to enroll in noncompetitive colleges, and still others to skip college altogether. Results show that socioeconomic status has a direct and persisting effect on college destination, and it is particularly crucial in providing access to highly selective colleges. Moreover, high-SES white graduates are significantly more likely to attend a selective or highly selective college compared to their minority counterparts whereas the opposite is true for youth hailing from less than affluent families. The conclusion discusses the policy implications of these results. Creation-Date: 2001-02 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20140704084218/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0102.pdf Number: 311 Classification-JEL: I24 Keywords: NELS; HS&B; High School and Beyond Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0102.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sara Curran Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: Curran Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Wendy Cadge Author-X-Name-First: Wendy Author-X-Name-Last: Cadge Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Anchalee Varangrat Author-X-Name-First: Anchalee Author-X-Name-Last: Varangrat Author-Workplace-Name: Mahidol University Author-Name: Chang Chung Author-X-Name-First: Chang Author-X-Name-Last: Chung Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Boys and Girls? Changing Educational Opportunities in Thailand: The Effects of Siblings, Migration and Village Location Abstract: This paper uses unique data to explore, at multiple levels, the correlates and causes of increasing educational opportunity and declining gender inequality in education in rural Thailand. We examine three correlates of educational opportunity that are of theoretical and empirical interest: sibling number, gender, migration and the relative location of primary and secondary schools. The relationship among these correlates and children?s educational opportunities is considered through the lens of the household economy literature in the context of social change and economic development in Thailand. The longitudinal data capture one period of rapid economic development in Thailand between 1984 and 1994 and include information about more than 5,000 households, their members, and the 51 communities in which they live. Creation-Date: 2001-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906191102/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0101.pdf Number: 312 Classification-JEL: I24, F22 Keywords: Thailand Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0101.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sara Curran Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: Curran Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Sara McLanahan Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: McLanahan Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Jean Knab Author-X-Name-First: Jean Author-X-Name-Last: Knab Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Does Remarriage Expand Perceptions of Kinship Support Among the Eldrely? Abstract: This study addresses the debate over whether higher-order marriages will help offset the expected loss of social support from kin due to divorce for future generations of the elderly. We use data from the first wave of the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH1, 1987-88) to examine the effects of marriage, marital disruption, and remarriage on perceptions of overall support and support from kin. To measure overall support, we look at whether respondents say that have someone to (1) turn to in an emergency, (2) borrow money from, and (3) talk to when they are depressed. To measure support from kin, we look at whether respondents name kin as a source of support. We find that marriage and remarriage increase perceptions of support from kin, whereas divorce reduces perception of support. We also find that men benefit more from marriage and lose more from divorce than women. Taken together our findings suggest growing inequality in social support among the future elderly population. Creation-Date: 2000-09 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906193433/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0006.pdf Number: 313 Classification-JEL: J12, J14 Keywords: National Survey of Families and Households Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0006.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sigal Alon Author-X-Name-First: Sigal Author-X-Name-Last: Alon Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Occupational Careers of Young Women Abstract: Occupational exchanges are a pervasive feature of the U.S. labor market as millions of persons change their occupation in any given year; the majority do so voluntarily, seeking better pay, job advancement, or improved working conditions. Yet it is unclear what share of these changes are chaotic and which represent leading to a systematic sequence of upward mobility. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (WorkHistory file) we examine the occupational careers of young women and find striking differences in the timing and frequency of occupational changes according to levels of education, particularly between college graduates and those with less than high school education. "Career trees" for most frequent occupational paths reveal that systematic occupational trajectories do exist, although with varying degrees of orderliness. We discover four modal career types based on the amount of schooling acquired. We conclude that the complex nature of women's occupational careers is simplified by our focus on their educational attainment. Creation-Date: 2000-08 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906191047/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0005.pdf Number: 314 Classification-JEL: J16 Keywords: NLSY, National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0005.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sigal Alon Author-X-Name-First: Sigal Author-X-Name-Last: Alon Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Debra Donahue Author-X-Name-First: Debra Author-X-Name-Last: Donahue Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: The Effects of Early Work Experience on Young Women's Labor Force Attachment Abstract: In this article, we examine women's labor force experience during the early life course in order to assess the conditions conductive to the establishment of stable labor force careers. To represent the complexity of women's work trajectories during young adulthood, we develop a conceptual framework that depicts a broad range of work activity profiles. Empirical results obtained using the NLSY show that three aspects of early experience influence mature women's labor force attachment, namely the amount of experience accumulated; the timing of work experience; and the volatility of that experience. Above and beyond these experience measures, we also find that background factors influence adult women's attachment to the market. The conclusion discusses the policy implications of these results. Creation-Date: 2000-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906201049/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0004.pdf Number: 315 Classification-JEL: J16 Keywords: NLSY, National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0004.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Meredith Kleykamp Author-X-Name-First: Meredith Author-X-Name-Last: Kleykamp Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Physical and Mental Health Status of Hispanic Adolescent Girls: A Comparative Perspective Abstract: Adolescence is a time of physical and emotional transition and a crucial period for identity formation as sex roles become differentiated and individual identities, including ethnicity, crystallize. The onset of puberty brings physical changes that require emotional adjustment and impose behavioral challenges for youth, who begin experimenting with adult behaviors even as they have little appreciation for how some actions can affect their health status in later years. Experimentation with adult roles often places adolescents at risk of healthcompromising behavior, particularly when drugs, narcotics or tobacco are involved. For girls, unprotected sexual activity not only increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, but also the likelihood of unintended pregnancy. Eating disorders and early initiation into sexual activity also jeopardize long-term health prospects of youth. Peer pressures, parental absence during formative years, and living in dangerous neighborhoods places an increasing number of adolescents at great physical risk. Experiences with physical or sexual abuse lead to high levels of stress, low self-esteem and suicidal ideation all indicators of poor mental health. Creation-Date: 2000-08 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906170013/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0003.pdf Number: 316 Classification-JEL: I10 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0003.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sara R. Curran Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: Curran Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Barbara Entwisle Author-X-Name-First: Barbara Author-X-Name-Last: Entwisle Author-Workplace-Name: University of North Carolina Author-Name: Aree Jampaklay Author-X-Name-First: Aree Author-X-Name-Last: Jampaklay Author-Workplace-Name: University of North Carolina Title: Postnupital Residence as an Expression of Social Change in Nang Rong, Thailand Abstract: Although Thailand is often described as having a loosely structured family system, there is evidence of distinct patterns of exogamy and matrilocality, specifically uxorilocality (Ngamchalermsak 1995). Research in the 1980s found a surprising amount of variation, however, explaining the variation in behavior as a result of lucrilocality, where partners' postnuptial residence decision depended on comparative resource advantages between husband and wife's parents' homes and villages. Our analysis takes up the challenges proffered by the 1980s research to examine marriage exogamy and locality with recently available data from a rural district in northeastern Thailand. Using a complete census of people from each of 51 villages for 1994, we match couples and compare their residence patterns while they were growing up and after they are married. We link postnuptial residence patterns with data about village land resources and value, distribution of land, and an individual's age to test the lucrilocality hypothesis. Creation-Date: 2000-05 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906174659/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0002.pdf Number: 317 Classification-JEL: J12, R20, R23 Keywords: Thailand Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0002.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sigal Alon Author-X-Name-First: Sigal Author-X-Name-Last: Alon Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Employment and Wage Consequences of Young Women's Labor Force and Job Transitions Abstract: By age 30 white women are more likely to be employed, either full or part-time, and to earn more compared to Hispanic and black women. We trace these employment and wage inequalities to young women's early work experiences, in particular work-related transitions. Using the NLSY79 (Work History File) we examine two facets of women's labor market dynamics between ages 16-30, namely transitions between employment and nonemployment, and transitions among employers. Neither labor force instability or job turnover influence women's employment status at age 30, but both aspects of early market dynamism influence wages. We find that a moderate amount of job turnover during young adulthood is an essential component of the career shaping process which enhances women?s economic mobility. However, excessive turnover, particularly among young adult women, is economically counterproductive. Young black women experience fewer transitions over the early life course, but our results indicate that they benefit more from both types of transitions compared to white and Hispanic women. Creation-Date: 2000-05 File-URL: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.586.6104&rep=rep1&type=pdf Number: 318 Classification-JEL: J16 Keywords: NLSY79; National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:1 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Dana A. Glei Author-X-Name-First: Dana Author-X-Name-Last: Glei Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Understanding Ethnic Variation in Pregnancy-Related Health Care in Rural Guatemala Abstract: Guatemala, one of the poorest countries in Latin America, experiences some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the region. It is also one of the most stratified countries in the world with ethnicity playing a major role in the distribution of resources. Approximately half of the population is indigenous1 - i.e. descendents of the Mayans or other pre-conquest groups who maintain separate cultural identities and language while the ladino population, loosely defined as all non-indigenous people, regard themselves as part of the national Guatemalan culture, speak Spanish, wear western clothing, and are of mixed indigenous and European origins. The indigenous population is concentrated in the most disadvantaged segments of society, while the upper levels of the income and education distribution are dominated by ladinos. Creation-Date: 1999-07 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906164256/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9906.pdf Number: 319 Classification-JEL: I14, J13 Keywords: Guatemala Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9906.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Thomas J. Espenshade Author-X-Name-First: Thomas Author-X-Name-Last: Espenshade Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: High-End Immigrants and the Shortage of Skilled Labor Abstract: The 1990 Immigration Act (IMMACT) responded to claims of an impending shortage of skilled labor in the United States (Johnston and Packer, 1987) and to growing concerns that the skill levels of immigrant workers were falling farther and farther behind those of natives (Borjas, 1990, 1994). IMMACT raised the annual number of employment-based permanent resident visas from 54,000 to 140,000 and created a new temporary-worker category (H-1B) to permit U.S. employers to recruit skilled workers from abroad for professional specialty occupations. The latter include, for example, computer programmers, engineers, medical professionals, and accountants.1 H-1B workers must have at least a bachelor?s degree or its equivalent, and they may remain in the United States for up to six years. In 1990 Congress decided to cap the number of newly admitted H-1B workers at 65,000 per year. Creation-Date: 1999-06 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150907021642/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9905.pdf Number: 320 Classification-JEL: K37, F22, J21 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9905.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: V. Joseph Hotz Author-X-Name-First: V. Joseph Author-X-Name-Last: Hotz Author-Workplace-Name: UCLA Author-Name: Avner Ahituv Author-X-Name-First: Avner Author-X-Name-Last: Ahituv Author-Workplace-Name: Hebrew University Author-Name: Michelle Bellessa Author-X-Name-First: Michelle Author-X-Name-Last: Bellessa Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Employment and Wage Prospects of Black, White, and Hispanic Women: Evidence from the 1980s and Early 1990s Abstract: Since the mid-1970s, the U.S. experienced substantial changes in the industrial composition of employment and wages owing to energy price shocks, increased international competition, and technological change. As the share of total manufacturing employment declined and service employment expanded in both absolute and relative terms, wage inequality increased, particularly between college and high school educated workers. Furthermore, changes in the legal and institutional structure of U.S. labor markets, including a decline in the share of the labor force that is unionized and changes in the enforcement of affirmative action laws, constrained employment options for unskilled and semiskilled workers. Creation-Date: 1999-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906210118/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9904.pdf Number: 321 Classification-JEL: J16, J15 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9904.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Noreen Goldman Author-X-Name-First: Noreen Author-X-Name-Last: Goldman Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Patrick Heuveline Author-X-Name-First: Patrick Author-X-Name-Last: Heuveline Author-Workplace-Name: University of Chicago Title: Health Seeking Behavior for Child Illness in Guatemala Abstract: In this paper, we rely on data from the 1995 Guatemalan Survey of Family Health (EGSF) to analyze the relationship between child illness and health seeking behavior. The EGSF is better suited to this type of analysis than most earlier studies because it contains detailed calendar information -- from a large random sample of mothers in rural Guatemala -- on the nature and timing of illness and treatment behavior for children age five and below. Information on illness was collected for a total of 3,193 children. This analysis is based on 870 of these children who began a diarrheal or respiratory illness during a 13-day period prior to interview. Estimates are derived from binomial and multinomial logistic models of the probability of seeing any or a specific type of provider on a given day of illness as a function of characteristics of the illness and the child. The results indicate that modern medical care plays a major role in the treatment of infectious illness among children in rural Guatemala, with visits to pharmacists, doctors and the staff at government health facilities occurring much more frequently than visits to curers and other traditional practitioners. In general, families are much more likely to seek a provider when a child experiences fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, as compared with respiratory and other symptoms, and when a mother perceives the illness to be serious. The estimates also indicate that infants, low parity children, and children assessed as having generally been in good health are more likely to visit providers than other children. However, the particular associations often vary by type of provider. Creation-Date: 1999-02 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906194436/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9902.pdf Number: 323 Classification-JEL: I12 Keywords: diarrhea, ARI, Guatemala, health care behavior Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9902.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Chenoa Flippen Author-X-Name-First: Chenoa Author-X-Name-Last: Flippen Author-Workplace-Name: University of Chicago Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Pathways to Retirement: Patterns of Labor Force Participation and Labor Market Exit among the Pre-Retirement Population by Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex Abstract: This paper examines the pre-retirement labor force participation behavior of black, white, and Hispanic men and women to determine how patterns of labor market exit differ among groups. We combine data from the first and second waves of the Health and Retirement Study and apply multinomial logit regression techniques to model labor force status in the first wave of the HRS and change over time. Black, Hispanic, and female elderly persons experience more involuntary job separation in the years immediately prior to retirement and the resulting periods of joblessness often eventuate in retirement or labor force withdrawal. Minority disadvantage in human capital, health, and employment characteristics account for a large part of racial and ethnic differences in labor force withdrawal. Nevertheless, black men and Hispanic women experience more involuntary labor market exits than whites with similar socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Workers most vulnerable to labor market difficulties during their youth confront formidable obstacles maintaining their desired level of labor force attachment as they approach their golden years. This has significant policy implications for the contours of gender and race/ethnic inequality among elderly persons, particularly as life expectancy and the size of the minority elderly population continue to increase. Creation-Date: 1999-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906185819/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9901.pdf Number: 324 Classification-JEL: J26 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9901.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Chenoa Flippen Author-X-Name-First: Chenoa Author-X-Name-Last: Flippen Author-Workplace-Name: University of Chicago Author-Name: Marta Tienda Author-X-Name-First: Marta Author-X-Name-Last: Tienda Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Family Structure and Economic Well-Being of Black, Hispanic, and White Pre-Retirement Adults Abstract: This paper examines how family structure is related to racial and ethnic inequality among older populations. We show that intergenerational living serves the economic needs of minority and unmarried female elders more than non-minority and married elders. The greater economic motivation for co-residence among minority and female elders was suggested both by their higher reliance on the income of co-resident kin and by their subjective evaluations of who benefited most from co-residence. However, when the contributions of co-resident kin are weighed against the additional costs they bring to the household, the inequality-reducing effect of extension falls considerably. The contributions per co-resident kin are smaller in minority households, and thus the economic well-being of elders living in extended households is often no better, and occasionally worse, than had they lived alone. Only unmarried women receive a substantial net boost from co-residence, primarily because adult offspring who co-reside with unmarried women contribute more than their counterparts in unmarried male or couple households. Creation-Date: 1998-09 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906193410/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9802.pdf Number: 326 Classification-JEL: J26 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9802.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Sara Curran Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: Curran Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Sara McLanahan Author-X-Name-First: Sara Author-X-Name-Last: McLanahan Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Jean Knab Author-X-Name-First: Jean Author-X-Name-Last: Knab Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Ties That Bind: Marital History, Kinship Ties and Social Support Among Older Americans Abstract: This study analyzes the importance of marital history (as one measure of kin network) to intergenerational exchanges of support among the elderly using the first round of the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH1, 1987-88). Specifically we examine the impact of never being married as well as multiple marriages (accounting for different ways that marriages may be disrupted), relative to one marriage, upon potential social support as measured along three dimensions: emergencies, borrowing money, and talking with someone when depressed. The results of the study yield insights on the hypothesis that with each successive cohort of elderly a growing diversity of kin (through more complex marital histories) will lead to both greater variety and potential sources of social support. Creation-Date: 1998-04 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906210130/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9801.pdf Number: 327 Classification-JEL: J12 Keywords: NSFH Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9801.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: German Rodriguez Author-X-Name-First: German Author-X-Name-Last: Rodriguez Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: James Trussell Author-X-Name-First: James Author-X-Name-Last: Trussell Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Fitting the SCHWARTZ-BARRETT-MARSHALL Model Abstract: These notes summarize work done in fitting the Schwartz-Barrett-Marshall model of conception probabilities. Section 1 derives the results needed for calculating the estimates and their standard errors. Section 2 documents the S functions that actually do the work. Sections 3 to 5 report selected results for the Barrett-Marshall and the Wilcox-Weinberg datasets. Creation-Date: 1997-04 File-URL: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/43644175/fitting-the-schwartz-barret-marshall-model-office-of-population- Number: 328 Classification-JEL: C25 Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:9703 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Elisha P. Renne Author-X-Name-First: Elisha Author-X-Name-Last: Renne Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: Changing Patterns of Child-spacing and Abortion in a Northern Nigerian Town Abstract: For many Hausa Muslim women in the town of Zaria in northern Nigeria, abortion is morally reprehensible and should not be openly discussed. Nonetheless, in the past, induced abortion was considered morally preferable to pregnancy prior to weaning a nursing child. Women then used medicinal herbs and other organic materials as abortifacients to maintain intervals between births. More recently, however, shortened periods of postpartum abstinence and reduced child-spacing appear to be altering the practice of abortion in Zaria. These changes are attributed, in part, to women's attendance at government and Islamic schools beginning in the late 1970s where they learned that postpartum abstinence over forty days and that two years of nursing were not necessary. The appearance of a pregnancy within a year of childbirth is no longer considered to be disgraceful. Induced abortion now may be less common for married women although a number of Zaria women reported experiencing spontaneous abortions. Yet if education has led to a decline in induced abortion among married women, it may be contributing to an increase in abortion among unmarried secondary school students. Until recently, many Hausa women married at the ages of 13 or 14, thus precluding the need for abortion. Nowadays, however, young women seeking secondary education may choose to postpone marriage and childbearing until they have completed their schooling--often when they are 17 years old, thus increasing the possibility of premarital pregnancy and abortion. This paper examines these changing patterns of abortion and child-spacing in relation to women's education, based on research conducted in Zaria from 1994 to 1996. Creation-Date: 1997-01 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20011118134628/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr9701.pdf Number: 329 Classification-JEL: J13 Keywords: Nigeria Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr9701.pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Thomas J. Espenshade Author-X-Name-First: Thomas Author-X-Name-Last: Espenshade Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Analia S. Olgiati Author-X-Name-First: Analia Author-X-Name-Last: Olgiati Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Author-Name: Simon A. Levin Author-X-Name-First: Simon Author-X-Name-Last: Levin Author-Workplace-Name: Princeton University Title: On Weak and Strong Population Momentum Abstract: This paper decomposes total population momentum into two constituent and multiplicative parts called weak momentum and strong momentum. Weak momentum depends on deviations between a population's observed age distribution and its implied stable age distribution. Strong momentum is a function of deviations between a population's implied stable and stationary age distributions. In general, the factorization of total momentum into the product of weak and strong momentum is a very good approximation. The factorization is exact, however, if the observed age distribution is stable or if initial fertility is already at replacement. We provide numerical illustrations by calculating weak, strong, and total momentum for 176 countries, the world, and its major regions. In short, the paper brings together disparate strands of the population momentum literature and shows how the various kinds of momentum fit together into a single unifying framework. Creation-Date: 2009-06 File-URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20150906191108/http://opr.princeton.edu/papers/opr0901.pdf Number: 1167 Classification-JEL: C010, D190, J110, J130 Keywords: population, momentum, fertility Handle: RePEc:pri:opopre:opr0901.pdf