This paper explores teachers' conceptions of the ideal student, aspects of the hidden curriculum, and how each varies by neighborhood-level social class. I used a thematic analysis to analyze 30 ...semi-structured interviews with public elementary school teachers in the United States. Emergent themes indicate the creation of archetypes regarding the ideal student, their connection to social class, and their effect on the hidden curriculum. Most notably, teachers teaching in lower-class neighborhoods idealized the eager conformist; teachers teaching in middle-class neighborhoods idealized the well-rounded collaborator; and teachers teaching in upper-class neighborhoods idealized the independent innovator. Findings suggest that teachers' conceptions of the ideal student reflect the social conditions of the neighborhood where they teach, which impacts aspects of their teaching pedagogy and classroom-management techniques.
Sociological research has demonstrated a link between moving during adolescence and depressive symptoms. In addition, research has documented an inverse association between social support and ...depressive symptoms. One of the consequences of moving during adolescence is the disruption of social support systems. This suggests that social support may play an important role in the link between moving in adolescence and depressive symptoms, but few studies have explored this possibility. Drawing on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and using structural equation models to address measurement error and test mediation, this study finds indirect effects of moving in adolescence on depressive symptoms via certain domains of social support—social support from parents and other adults. Results indicate that the role of social support from teachers and other adults in the link between moving and depressive symptoms merits further investigation.
Little qualitative sociological research has investigated teachers' attitudes supporting or opposing medication use for Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and how these attitudes vary by ...social class and race. This study aims to fill that gap by conducting a thematic analysis using qualitative data gathered from 34 semistructured interviews with elementary school teachers in a medium-sized metropolitan area. Emergent themes in support of ADHD medication use include severity of ADHD symptoms and academic normalcy. Emergent themes in opposition to ADHD medication use included personality change and medicalization. In addition, African American teachers and teachers from lower-class areas were less approving of medication use for ADHD. In contrast, white teachers and teachers from upper-class areas were more in favor of medication use. I conclude with a discussion concerning attitudes for medication use in relation to teachers' race and neighborhood-level social class, medicalization, and medical mistrust.
Introduction African Americans, especially those in the South, suffer a disproportionate burden of obesity and are at high risk for perceived discrimination (PD). This study investigates the ...association between PD and weight status among African Americans and clarifies the role of perceived stress and health behaviors in this relationship. Methods Data came from the Jackson Heart Study, Examination 1 (2000–2004; analyses conducted in 2016 using Stata, version 14). African Americans from Jackson, Mississippi, aged 21–95 years were recruited (N=5,301). Weight status was measured using anthropometric data with BMI; waist circumference (in centimeters); and obesity class (I, II, III). Survey instruments were used to measure PD, perceived global stress, and health behaviors. Multivariate regression was used to model weight status outcomes as a function of PD, perceived stress, and health behaviors. Results After controlling for sociodemographic factors and health status, perceived everyday discrimination was associated with higher BMI (b=0.33, p <0.01); higher waist circumference (b=0.70, p <0.01); and higher relative risk of Class III obesity versus non-obesity (relative risk ratio, 1.18; p <0.001). Global perceived stress was linked to higher BMI (b=0.42, p <0.05) and higher waist circumference (b=1.18; p <0.01) and partially mediated the relationships between PD and these weight status outcomes. Health behaviors led to suppression rather than mediation between PD and weight status and between stress and weight status. Conclusions PD and perceived stress are potential risk factors for higher weight status. They should be considered as a part of a comprehensive approach to reduce obesity among African Americans.
Previous research has demonstrated a link between depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Researchers have also demonstrated that children with higher social skills have less ...depression. In addition, sociological scholars have found that those with ADHD have fewer social skills. However, little sociological research has examined whether social skills mediates the relationship between depression and ADHD. Data from the National Survey of Children's Health (N = 64,076) analyzing children aged 6-17 years, are used to test the relationship between depression and ADHD. Results indicate that adolescents with ADHD have worse social skills as well as significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with depression and that social skills account for a significant part of the association between ADHD and depression. Lastly, the author suggests social interventions designed to increased social ties and social integration among those with ADHD.
The study of disparities in minority recruitment to cancer clinical trials has focused primarily on inquiries among minority patient populations. However, clinical trial recruitment is complex and ...requires a broader appreciation of the multiple factors that influence minority participation. One area that has received little attention is minority recruitment training for professionals who assume various roles in the clinical trial recruitment process. Therefore, we assessed the perspectives of cancer center clinical and research personnel on their training and education needs toward minority recruitment for cancer clinical trials. Ninety-one qualitative interviews were conducted at five U.S. cancer centers among four stakeholder groups: cancer center leaders, principal investigators, referring clinicians, and research staff. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Qualitative analyses focused on response data related to training for minority recruitment for cancer clinical trials. Four prominent themes were identified: (1) Research personnel are not currently being trained to focus on recruitment and retention of minority populations; (2) Training for minority recruitment and retention provides for a specific focus on factors influencing minority research participation; (3) Training on cultural awareness may help to bridge cultural gaps between potential minority participants and research professionals; (4) Views differ regarding the importance of research personnel training designed to focus on recruitment of minority populations. There is a lack of systematic training for minority recruitment. Many stakeholders acknowledged the benefits of minority recruitment training and welcomed training that focuses on increasing cultural awareness to increase the participation of minorities in cancer clinical trials.
Over the past 25 years, the adult obesity rate in the U.S. has increased 70%, with obesity placing a disproportionate chronic disease burden on African Americans. Using Photovoice methodology, this ...study aimed to: (1) explore the social determinants contributing to obesity from the perspectives of residents of two low-income municipalities in Birmingham, Alabama with varying levels of segregation, (2) better understand residents' perceptions of contributors to obesity in their communities, and (3) examine residents' perceptions of interventions that might be effective in promoting positive change. Focus groups (N = 10) segmented by race and community were conducted by trained moderators. Transcriptions were analyzed by theoretical thematic analysis. The study design and data analysis analyses were guided by a conceptual framework based on the Social Determinants of Obesity model. Findings from this study lend support to the efficacy of the conceptual framework as a multilevel approach describing obesity disparities in the south. Regardless of community and race, participants believed that elements of their built environment, such as fast food restaurants and unsafe walking conditions, contributed to obesity, and that schools and churches should play an active role in addressing the issue.
This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status and the likelihood of receiving medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and then addresses the embodiment of ...the "ideal student," using the National Survey of Child's Health. We find that the construction of the ideal student and parents' higher income is correlated with higher odds of medication use for children and adolescents with ADHD. Furthermore, our results imply that structural inequalities in the current healthcare system increase the odds of upper-class children and adolescents receiving medication for ADHD. We find evidence that both severity of ADHD and younger ages increase the odds of receiving medication. We conclude with a discussion of the academic ethic, upper-class life, and future suggestions for research.
Sociological research has demonstrated a link between moving during adolescence and depressive symptoms. In addition, research has documented an inverse association between social support and ...depressive symptoms. One of the consequences of moving during adolescence is the disruption of social support systems. This suggests that social support may play an important role in the link between moving in adolescence and depressive symptoms, but few studies have explored this possibility. Drawing on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and using structural equation models to address measurement error and test mediation, this study finds indirect effects of moving in adolescence on depressive symptoms via certain domains of social support—social support from parents and other adults. Results indicate that the role of social support from teachers and other adults in the link between moving and depressive symptoms merits further investigation.
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