No Place like Home: Rooming Houses in Contemporary Urban Context

2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Mifflin ◽  
Robert Wilton
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Security Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Ontological Security ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Depth Interviews

In this paper we connect existing work on rooming houses to literature dealing with the meaningful nature of ‘home’ and its impact on individuals' health and social well-being. We then examine the extent to which rooming houses provide low-income tenants with ‘homes’, drawing from in-depth interviews with rooming-house tenants living in Hamilton, a city of 450 000 people in southern Ontario, Canada. Our analysis raises concerns about the capacity of rooming houses to provide affordable and stable accommodation. Poor living conditions and poor relations with rooming-house landlords worked directly against the capacity of rooms to offer private, controllable spaces and a degree of ontological security. Analysis also raised concerns about rooming houses as sites for social relations. Many respondents saw rooming houses as unpredictable and sometimes unhealthy social spaces, forcing them to seek other environments to cultivate and sustain relationships with friends and family. In general, respondents' experiences point to the shortcomings of rooming houses as ‘home’ environments, with implications for the health and social lives of the tenant population. Conceptual and policy implications are discussed in conclusion.

scholarly journals PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: HARNESSING SOCIAL NETWORKS TO OPTIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTS FOR DIVERSE AGING EXPERIENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S583-S583
Author(s):  
Philip A Rozario ◽  
Emily Greenfield ◽  
Nancy Kusmaul
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Senior Housing

Abstract Social networks provide opportunities for engagement with others and structure the receipt and provision of emotional, instrumental, informational and appraisal support. Indeed scholars in this field have documented the importance of having strong social networks in influencing older adults’ well-being and quality of life. The three papers in this symposium draw on the convoy model of social relations and ecological model to examine and better understand the micro, mezzo, macro contexts that shape and influence how older people engage with and benefit from their networks in three areas: low-income senior housing communities, urban areas specifically targeting older Latinos with dementia, and disaster preparedness in micropolitan counties in eastern Iowa. The first paper, a cross-sectional study focusing on social connections in senior housing communities, examines levels of social networks, engagement, support and loneliness and their relationship with well-being outcomes. The second paper, a community-based participatory research project, reports an intervention that seeks to train natural helpers in a predominantly Latino urban neighborhood to identify and refer older Latinos with dementia to bilingual assessment services. The third paper, synthesizing findings from interventions targeting network building at the individual and state levels as well as a community-based network analysis, presents ways to strengthen networks at the mezzo and macro levels as well as environmental contexts that enable better disaster preparedness for community-based older adults. These papers will consider practice, policy and research implications in strengthening social networks and engagement to optimize older adults’ well-being in various settings.

scholarly journals Evaluating The Economic Impact Of Marriage Versus Cohabitation In Same-Sex Couples Age 50+

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 876-876
Author(s):  
Setarreh Massihzadegan ◽  
Jan Mutchler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Same Sex Couples

Abstract Utilizing the first set of 5-year American Community Survey data available since the United States’ legalization of same-sex marriage in mid-2015, this poster investigates the economic security of older adults (age 50+) in same-sex marriages compared to those in same-sex partnerships who are cohabiting but not married. Viewed through the lens of cumulative disadvantage theory, we consider differences in the economic circumstances of same-sex couples by gender and by geographic location. Findings point to gender differences in economic well-being, but relatively few differences based on marital status. For example, rates of low income are somewhat higher among female couples than among their male counterparts, but marital status differences are not substantial. These findings suggest that the benefits of being married that have long been recognized among older adults may not extend equally to same-sex couples. Findings are discussed with respect to the emerging salience of marriage within the LGBTQ older community, future research opportunities, and important policy implications.

Supporting Healthy Relationships in Low-Income Couples: Lessons Learned and Policy Implications

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Karney ◽  
Thomas N. Bradbury ◽  
Justin A. Lavner
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
New Policies ◽  
Antipoverty Programs

For the past two decades, policymakers have invested heavily in promoting the quality and stability of intimate relationships in low-income communities. To date, these efforts have emphasized relationship-skills education, but large-scale evaluations of these programs indicate that they have produced negligible benefits. Current policies are limited by their unfounded assumption that low-income couples have needs similar to more affluent couples. In contrast, recent research finds that financially disadvantaged environments confront low-income couples with unique challenges in maintaining intimacy. Rather than skills training, these couples need policies that address the real circumstances that affect their day-to-day well-being. Preliminary evidence from military families and antipoverty programs suggests that providing couples with financial security may have indirect positive effects on their relationships. New policies that promote financial well-being may be more effective at supporting low-income couples than interventions targeting relationships directly.

scholarly journals Making the best of it: Adolescents' perceptions of how their home and neighborhood spheres shape their lives

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-131
Author(s):  
Vibeke Krane ◽  
Ellen Andvig
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Income Family ◽  
Future Outcomes ◽  
Housing Standards ◽  
Underlying Processes ◽  
Depth Interviews

Adolescents’ homes are fundamental components of their living conditions and essential for their everyday life, health, well-being and development. Previous research has focused on how housing affects adolescents through investigating certain aspects of adolescent health and future outcomes. In this qualitative study, we explored low-income family adolescents’ subjective experiences of their homes and in what ways their experiences of housing influenced their everyday lives. Seven participants aged between 12 and 20 years were recruited through a housing project. The participants were interviewed using individual in-depth interviews. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis and organised into four themes: 1) housing features affecting social life and privacy, 2) moving around, 3) the importance of neighbourhood and 4) worries and dreams. The findings show how the housing standards affected adolescents’ social life and privacy. House moves could provide new opportunities but also lead to a lack of continuity in relationships. The neighbourhood was highlighted as a public sphere, providing access to places and friends. Adolescents’ worries and dreams concerning housing conditions are also presented. The results show how housing is central in shaping adolescents’ social relationships, the importance of access to neighbourhood spheres and how adolescents adapt to their situation. The findings further reveal the important underlying processes to facilitate a greater understanding of the role of housing in low-income family adolescents’ lives.

Childhood Death and Poverty: A Study of All Childhood Deaths in Maine, 1976 to 1980

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
William S. Nersesian ◽  
Michael R. Petit ◽  
Ruth Shaper ◽  
Don Lemieux ◽  
Ellen Naor
Keyword(s):  
Social Welfare ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Excess Mortality ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Time Of Death ◽  
Welfare Programs ◽  
Social Welfare Programs ◽  
Low Income Families

All child deaths occurring from 1976 to 1980 in Maine were studied. All children who were participating in social welfare programs (Medicaid, Food Stamps, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children [AFDC]) at the time of death were categorized as children from "low-income" families. This group of children had an overall death rate 3.1 times greater than children who were not on a social welfare program at the time of death. Children from low-income families were at higher risk for disease-related deaths (3.5:1), accidental deaths (2.6:1), and homicide deaths (5.0:1), but not for suicides. These data suggest that excess mortality is occurring among infants and children from low-income families in spite of Medicaid and other poverty programs and that this excess mortality has important public health and social policy implications. Pediatricians and others interested in the well-being of children should support improvement of current health care delivery and social welfare programs, because the current system is failing to provide an optimal health outlook for every child.

scholarly journals “It’s All about the Scenery”: Tourists’ Perceptions of Cultural Ecosystem Services in the Lofoten Islands, Norway

ARCTIC ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Bjørn P. Kaltenborn ◽  
Eivind F. Kaltenborn ◽  
John D.C. Linnell
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Lofoten Islands ◽  
Core Elements ◽  
International Visitors ◽  
Depth Interviews

The Lofoten Islands in northern Norway face challenges from increasing visitor numbers, congestion, environmental impacts, and growing host-visitor tensions. Benefits include increased local employment and growing revenues. Future tourism policy requires better documentation of the non-economic benefits and values associated with tourism in Lofoten; this information is important to the development of policy and management processes. We conducted 45 in-depth interviews with domestic and international visitors, using the cultural ecosystem services (ES) framework to ascertain the core elements of the tourism experience, as well as views on management needs and development. We probed reflections on place, aesthetics, recreational opportunities, inspiration, social relations, cultural heritage, knowledge, spirituality, and identity by offering a combination of statements and questions. All these categories of cultural ES were important to most visitors. However, the importance of the landscape was paramount. Policy implications include the need to include landscape in ES assessments, to map places of especially high scenic value, and to use the ES framework more extensively to identify and compare non-economic and economic tourism values and benefits.

scholarly journals Snapshot of the Use of Urban Green Spaces in Mexico City during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4304
Author(s):  
Carolina Mayen Huerta ◽  
Gianluca Cafagna
Keyword(s):  
Mexico City ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Future Citizen ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Depth Interviews

The present qualitative research explores the factors that have influenced the use of urban green spaces (UGS) in Mexico City during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications of their usage on residents’ well-being. This study was conducted using a combination of solicited audio and written diaries, photography, and in-depth interviews with 16 participants, aged 22 to 58. The article provides a critical reflection on the incentives and deterrents to the UGS use of participants while social distancing measures were in place. The results show that in Mexico City: (1) participants’ lack of access to UGS has hampered their use, mainly among those of low-income neighborhoods; (2) UGS size did not directly impact participants’ UGS use during the pandemic; and (3) women were deterred from accessing UGS due to safety concerns related to the fear of violence. Overall, the results suggest that UGS use has served as a coping mechanism to decrease the effects of stress and isolation caused by the pandemic, increasing users’ physical and mental well-being. This study’s conclusions can help develop future citizen participation tools that are useful for resilience in urban design, as they provide interesting insights into the perceptions of residents, such as the most valued characteristics of UGS.

scholarly journals PM2.5 Concentrations and Subjective Well-Being: Longitudinal Evidence from Aggregated Panel Data from Chinese Provinces

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pan Zhang ◽  
Zhiguo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Initial Level ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Haze Pollution ◽  
Empirical Tests

Although haze pollution with PM2.5 as the chief pollutant has become a critical threat worldwide, little research has examined the effects of PM2.5 concentrations on subjective well-being. Based on a longitudinal aggregated panel dataset from Chinese provinces, this study investigates the effects of PM2.5 concentrations on levels of happiness and the inequality of happiness. The results showed that high ground-level PM2.5 concentrations decreased the average level of happiness and high PM2.5 concentrations had stronger negative effects on the happiness of persons with high income than those with low income. In addition, PM2.5 concentrations were also significantly negatively related to inequality of happiness in Chinese provinces. Further empirical tests showed that the negative effects of PM2.5 concentrations on the inequality of happiness could be explained by the stronger influence of PM2.5 concentrations on the subjective well-being of individuals with a higher initial level of happiness than those with a lower initial level of happiness. This confirms that PM2.5 pollution can do harm to subjective well-being and reduce variations in the subjective well-being of individuals. The policy implications of controlling haze pollution and improving well-being are discussed.

scholarly journals RESPONS PSIKOSOSIAL DAN KESEJAHTERAAN PSIKOLOGIS PASIEN FILARIASIS DI KOTA AMBON

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-37
Author(s):  
Melany Sandra Reasoa ◽  
Yulius Yusak Ranimpi ◽  
R.Rr. Maria Dyah Kurniasari ◽  
Fiane De Fretes
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Social Interest ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Social Treatment ◽  
Psychosocial Responses ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract – Filariasis (elephantiasis) is a tropical disease and is pendemic in many regions in Indonesia. Filariasis is caused by transmission of microorganisms through mosquito bites. Although filariasis is not lethal, the resulting physical disability will lead to psychological pressures of the sufferers, such as: depression, anxiety, demotivation, lack of productivity and social interest. While psychosocial responses of the sufferers could be negative or positive, the positive response is believed to assist the sufferers in achieving well-being. The purpose of this study was to describe the psychosocial and well-being responses of filariasis patients. This study used in-depth interviews to two participants, approached through purposive sampling. The results emerged in four categories: 1). not excluded, 2). optimistic, 3). negative impact, and 4). social relations. The study concludes that physical disability experieced by the participants resulted in being dependent to others, which led to negative social treatment. However, participants achieved well-being from the fact that they were not excluded by their family; this gained a sense of optimistic and social interest to relate with their environment. Abstrak — Filariasis (kaki gajah) merupakan penyakit tropis yang sangat umum terjadi di beberapa daerah di Indonesia. Filariasis disebabkan oleh penularan mikroorganisme melalui gigitan nyamuk. Meskipun filariasis tidak mengakibatkan kematian, kecacatan yang ditimbulkan dapat berdampak pada tekanan psikologis penderita, seperti: depresi, kecemasan, demotivasi, serta melemahnya produktivitas dan minat sosial. Respons psikososial penderita dapat berupa pemikiran negatif dan positif. Pemikiran positif ini mampu mengarahkan penderita untuk mencapai kesejahteraan psikologis. Tujuan penelitian ini ialah untuk mendeskripsikan respons psikososial dan kesejahteraan psikologis (well-being) pada pasien filariasis. Penelitian ini menggunakan wawancara mendalam terhadap dua partisipan yang direkrut melalui teknik purposive sampling. Hasil penelitian ini terangkum dalam empat kategori, yaitu: 1). tidak dikucilkan, 2). optimis, 3). dampak negatif, dan 4). hubungan sosial. Dari studi ini, dapat disimpulkan bahwa  kecacatan yang dialami partisipan akibat filariasis mengakibatkan dirinya bergantung terhadap orang lain serta mendapat perlakuan negatif dari lingkungannya. Meskipun demikian, kesejahteraan psikologis yang dicapai partisipan dipengaruhi oleh kondisi bahwa ia tidak dikucilkan oleh lingkungan keluarganya sehingga memunculkan rasa optimis dan minat sosial. Hal itu memotivasi partisipan untuk terus menjalin relasi sosial dengan lingkungan yang lebih luas.

scholarly journals SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND HEALTH AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN SENIOR HOUSING COMMUNITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S583-S583
Author(s):  
Harry O Taylor ◽  
Nancy Morrow-Howell
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Residential Setting ◽  
Informal Social Support ◽  
Senior Housing

Abstract Our study describes social connections among residents in two low-income senior housing communities and then examines if these connections influence their well-being. Operationalization of social connections included social network size, informal social support, social engagement, and loneliness. The Convoy Model of Social Relations guides our study in identifying objective and subjective social connections and examining how they affect well-being. Most residents maintained active connections: 53% saw five or more family members in the previous month, 52% felt they could rely on their family members and over 60% participated in group and/or Church activities; however, 70% of residents were moderately or severely lonely. Greater loneliness and less informal social support were associated with worse self-rated physical health, worse mental health, and lower life satisfaction. This residential setting offers promise for developing interventions to decrease loneliness and strengthen social connections to improve residents’ health and well-being.

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