Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, Jun 23, 2013
The rapid growth in comparative survey research carried out in multiple countries, or among diffe... more The rapid growth in comparative survey research carried out in multiple countries, or among different language communities within a single nation, has given rise to a renewed concern with problems of translation. The fundamental problem facing the comparative survey researcher relates to the complexity and subjectivity of language, and the fact that complete equivalence of concepts in different linguistic, cultural, and social class contexts may be in principle impossible to achieve. Yet language remains the only medium through which information concerning subjective states, values, and beliefs can be collected. That language and the subjective constructs to which it refers are influenced by a wide range of cultural and social factors. This fact has particular relevance for comparative aging research since older individuals are often monolingual in their native languages and more tied to traditional cultures than younger individuals. This paper consists of a review of basic issues related to the nature of language and communication, and discusses the possibility of a truly scientific translation process. It outlines current best practices, and also raises questions related to the common practice of using information collected with translated survey instruments in ways that assume it reflects a comparable and quantifiable latent construct.
Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Mar 1, 1991
This paper examines risk, defined as the threat of danger or disruption, as a contextual concept ... more This paper examines risk, defined as the threat of danger or disruption, as a contextual concept important for understanding patterns of patient selection and referral. We explore the hypothesis that risks associated with mental disorder, as represented by factors such as thoughts about suicide or problems associated with drinking, increase the probability of referral of patients receiving mental health care from general medical practitioners to the specialty mental health sector. Interview and claims data from the RAND Health Insurance Experiment, a large experimental study of coinsurance, are used to examine referral processes over a five-year period. Risk, and especially a measure of suicide thoughts, increase the probability of referral to specialty care. Women and persons with higher education are more likely to use specialty services; older persons are less likely to use such services. Understanding referral requires attention to the behavioral contingencies and illness behavior surrounding the presentation of mental disorder.
In this chapter, we present a theoretical framework related to the role of Civil Society Organiza... more In this chapter, we present a theoretical framework related to the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in advocating for and providing basic social services to elderly citizens. We present preliminary qualitative data from a convenience sample of organizations in Mexico City to begin to understand how such organizations frame their missions. Initial observations lead us to theorize three potential foci around which these organizations frame their objectives: (1) A focus on quality of life, health, and self-development; (2) a focus on material needs and economic security; and (3) a focus on social and political rights. These foci are not mutually exclusive, and organizational characteristics and membership determine which specific focus or foci dominate. Our initial observations reveal a wide range of organizations whose effectiveness in furthering the rights and welfare of their members reflects the human and political capital of their membership. Certain organizations whose members consists primarily of women who have low levels of education and little formal work experience promote social participation and physical activity but have little ability to extract benefits and services from the State. Other organizations, which tend to be predominantly male, many of whom are ex-government employees or retired members of powerful unions, are more able to leverage their experiences in dealing with the State to further their own interests, as well as to influence public policy more broadly. Throughout we discuss the potential role of such organizations both as providers of needed social services and as advocates and collective political actors that focus on furthering the basic rights of the elderly.
We employ two surveys to identify similarities and differences in the risk of abuse among poor ur... more We employ two surveys to identify similarities and differences in the risk of abuse among poor urban Mexican-origin women in the United States and Mexico. While the two surveys reveal basic structural similarity in the predictors of partner violence, the rate of violence among Mexican women is far lower than among either foreign-born or native-born Mexican origin women in the United States. While these differences may reflect reality, we argue that survey data must be interpreted cautiously and with an understanding of the cultural, economic, and political context in which the information is collected as well as methodological differences between the surveys.
... reason for the relatively greater income contributions of nonnuclear members among Hispanic h... more ... reason for the relatively greater income contributions of nonnuclear members among Hispanic house-holds is the more popular cultural argument mentioned ... One basic goal is to determine whether the forma-tion of extended family households is related to the alleviation of ...
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, Jun 23, 2013
The rapid growth in comparative survey research carried out in multiple countries, or among diffe... more The rapid growth in comparative survey research carried out in multiple countries, or among different language communities within a single nation, has given rise to a renewed concern with problems of translation. The fundamental problem facing the comparative survey researcher relates to the complexity and subjectivity of language, and the fact that complete equivalence of concepts in different linguistic, cultural, and social class contexts may be in principle impossible to achieve. Yet language remains the only medium through which information concerning subjective states, values, and beliefs can be collected. That language and the subjective constructs to which it refers are influenced by a wide range of cultural and social factors. This fact has particular relevance for comparative aging research since older individuals are often monolingual in their native languages and more tied to traditional cultures than younger individuals. This paper consists of a review of basic issues related to the nature of language and communication, and discusses the possibility of a truly scientific translation process. It outlines current best practices, and also raises questions related to the common practice of using information collected with translated survey instruments in ways that assume it reflects a comparable and quantifiable latent construct.
Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Mar 1, 1991
This paper examines risk, defined as the threat of danger or disruption, as a contextual concept ... more This paper examines risk, defined as the threat of danger or disruption, as a contextual concept important for understanding patterns of patient selection and referral. We explore the hypothesis that risks associated with mental disorder, as represented by factors such as thoughts about suicide or problems associated with drinking, increase the probability of referral of patients receiving mental health care from general medical practitioners to the specialty mental health sector. Interview and claims data from the RAND Health Insurance Experiment, a large experimental study of coinsurance, are used to examine referral processes over a five-year period. Risk, and especially a measure of suicide thoughts, increase the probability of referral to specialty care. Women and persons with higher education are more likely to use specialty services; older persons are less likely to use such services. Understanding referral requires attention to the behavioral contingencies and illness behavior surrounding the presentation of mental disorder.
In this chapter, we present a theoretical framework related to the role of Civil Society Organiza... more In this chapter, we present a theoretical framework related to the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in advocating for and providing basic social services to elderly citizens. We present preliminary qualitative data from a convenience sample of organizations in Mexico City to begin to understand how such organizations frame their missions. Initial observations lead us to theorize three potential foci around which these organizations frame their objectives: (1) A focus on quality of life, health, and self-development; (2) a focus on material needs and economic security; and (3) a focus on social and political rights. These foci are not mutually exclusive, and organizational characteristics and membership determine which specific focus or foci dominate. Our initial observations reveal a wide range of organizations whose effectiveness in furthering the rights and welfare of their members reflects the human and political capital of their membership. Certain organizations whose members consists primarily of women who have low levels of education and little formal work experience promote social participation and physical activity but have little ability to extract benefits and services from the State. Other organizations, which tend to be predominantly male, many of whom are ex-government employees or retired members of powerful unions, are more able to leverage their experiences in dealing with the State to further their own interests, as well as to influence public policy more broadly. Throughout we discuss the potential role of such organizations both as providers of needed social services and as advocates and collective political actors that focus on furthering the basic rights of the elderly.
We employ two surveys to identify similarities and differences in the risk of abuse among poor ur... more We employ two surveys to identify similarities and differences in the risk of abuse among poor urban Mexican-origin women in the United States and Mexico. While the two surveys reveal basic structural similarity in the predictors of partner violence, the rate of violence among Mexican women is far lower than among either foreign-born or native-born Mexican origin women in the United States. While these differences may reflect reality, we argue that survey data must be interpreted cautiously and with an understanding of the cultural, economic, and political context in which the information is collected as well as methodological differences between the surveys.
... reason for the relatively greater income contributions of nonnuclear members among Hispanic h... more ... reason for the relatively greater income contributions of nonnuclear members among Hispanic house-holds is the more popular cultural argument mentioned ... One basic goal is to determine whether the forma-tion of extended family households is related to the alleviation of ...
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Papers by Ronald Angel