scholarly journals Inequality, identity, and partisanship: How redistribution can stem the tide of mass polarization

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (50) ◽  
pp. e2102140118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander J. Stewart ◽  
Joshua B. Plotkin ◽  
Nolan McCarty
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Racial Conflict ◽  
Wealth Redistribution ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Group Identities ◽  
Party Members

The form of political polarization where citizens develop strongly negative attitudes toward out-party members and policies has become increasingly prominent across many democracies. Economic hardship and social inequality, as well as intergroup and racial conflict, have been identified as important contributing factors to this phenomenon known as “affective polarization.” Research shows that partisan animosities are exacerbated when these interests and identities become aligned with existing party cleavages. In this paper, we use a model of cultural evolution to study how these forces combine to generate and maintain affective political polarization. We show that economic events can drive both affective polarization and the sorting of group identities along party lines, which, in turn, can magnify the effects of underlying inequality between those groups. But, on a more optimistic note, we show that sufficiently high levels of wealth redistribution through the provision of public goods can counteract this feedback and limit the rise of polarization. We test some of our key theoretical predictions using survey data on intergroup polarization, sorting of racial groups, and affective polarization in the United States over the past 50 y.

Differences in Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Three Racial Groups

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-178
Author(s):  
Brooke A. Ammerman ◽  
Martha K. Fahlgren ◽  
Kristen M. Sorgi ◽  
Michael S. McCloskey
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Assessment Procedures ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors

Abstract. Background: Despite being a major public health concern, it is unclear how suicidal thoughts and behaviors differentially impact separate racial groups. Aims: The aim of the current study was to examine the occurrence of nonlethal suicide events, in addition to suicide attempt characteristics and factors contributing to suicide attempts. Method: A final sample of 7,094 undergraduates from a large northeastern university, identifying as members of three racial groups (White [67.30%], Black [17.30%], and Asian [15.40%]), completed online questionnaires. Results: White participants reported increased likelihood of endorsing lifetime suicidal ideation and plan, whereas Black participants reported decreased likelihood of these events; no differences were found in rates of lifetime suicide attempts. Black participants' suicidal behavior may involve greater ambivalence of intent. A higher proportion of Asian participants endorsed interpersonal factors as contributing to their suicide attempts, whereas a greater percentage of White participants reported internal contributing factors. Limitations: Findings are limited by the sample size and assessment of lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Conclusion: The findings present a more nuanced look at attitudes and actions related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors that may inform future research and risk assessment procedures.

The Energy Politics of the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 371-405
Author(s):  
Juliann Emmons Allison ◽  
Srinivas Parinandi
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Energy Politics ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Subnational Governance

This chapter examines the development and politics of US energy policy, with an emphasis on three themes: the distribution of authority to regulate energy between national (or federal) and subnational governments, the relationship between energy and environmental policy and regulation, and the role of climate action in energy politics. It reviews patterns of energy production and consumption; provides an overview of national energy politics; and reviews literatures on federalism and energy politics and policy, the increasing integration of energy and environmental policies, and the politics of energy and climate action. The chapter concludes with a discussion of a future research agenda that underscores the significance of political polarization, subnational governance, and technological innovation for understanding US energy policy.

Mass School Shootings in the United States: A Novel Root Cause Analysis Using Lay Press Reports

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (13) ◽  
pp. 1423-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris A. Rees ◽  
Lois K. Lee ◽  
Eric W. Fleegler ◽  
Rebekah Mannix
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Root Cause Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Shootings ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Mass Shootings ◽  
Cause Analysis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Root Cause

School shootings comprise a small proportion of childhood deaths from firearms; however, these shootings receive a disproportionately large share of media attention. We conducted a root cause analysis of 2 recent school shootings in the United States using lay press reports. We reviewed 1760 and analyzed 282 articles from the 10 most trusted news sources. We identified 356 factors associated with the school shootings. Policy-level factors, including a paucity of adequate legislation controlling firearm purchase and ownership, were the most common contributing factors to school shootings. Mental illness was a commonly cited person-level factor, and access to firearms in the home and availability of large-capacity firearms were commonly cited environmental factors. Novel approaches, including root cause analyses using lay media, can identify factors contributing to mass shootings. The policy, person, and environmental factors associated with these school shootings should be addressed as part of a multipronged effort to prevent future mass shootings.

Examining Racial Discrimination’s Association With Depressive Symptoms Through Metadehumanization Among African Americans: Does Racial Identity Matter?

2020 ◽  
pp. 009579842098366
Author(s):  
Yara Mekawi ◽  
Natalie N. Watson-Singleton
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Racial Identity ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Social Cognitive Theories

Though considerable empirical work has documented the ways in which African Americans are dehumanized by other racial groups, there is no research examining how perceiving dehumanization (i.e., metadehumanization) is associated with the mental health of African Americans. In this study, we examined the indirect effect of racial discrimination on depressive symptoms through metadehumanization and explored whether this indirect effect was contingent on racial identity (i.e., centrality, private regard). African American students completed measures in a university lab located in the Midwestern region of the United States ( N = 326; Mage = 19.7, 72.4% women). We found that the degree to which racial discrimination was indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through metadehumanization was contingent on racial identity dimensions. Specifically, the indirect effect of racial discrimination on depressive symptoms through metadehumanization was only significant for individuals who were relatively higher on centrality and private regard. This research suggests that the role of metadehumanization is stronger among African Americans who strongly identify with and have positive views of their racial group. We discuss these results in the context of social cognitive theories.

scholarly journals Increasing Awareness and Knowledge among Adult Latinos regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ijeoma S. Eze ◽  
Margaret Brady ◽  
Beth Keely
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
The United States ◽  
Consistent Condom ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Consistent Condom Use ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Post Test

AbstractLatinos in the United States are disproportionately affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They account for about 24 % of newly diagnosed AIDS cases each year and are two to three times more likely to develop STIs when compared with non-Latino whites. Limited knowledge of STIs has remained one of the contributing factors to the disparity. The purpose of this study was to implement an educational bundle and evaluate its effectiveness in increasing STI knowledge and consistent condom use among adult Latinos seen in an outpatient clinic that serves low income patients. A pre- and post-test design was used to evaluate changes in STI knowledge and consistency of condom use. The educational bundle consisted of YouTube STI-related videos, a pre-designed one to one educational session, provision of condoms and STI-related educational materials. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data at baseline and one week post implementation of the educational bundle. Forty-six Latinos (18 females and 28 males) ranging in ages 19 to 60 years participated in the project. The total mean STI knowledge and condom use frequency improved from pre-test (M = 1.67, M = 3.09) to post-test (M = 3.80, M = 5.33). Results of paired samples t-tests demonstrated statistically significant differences between total mean STI knowledge (t(45) = –15.48, p < 0.001) and condom use frequency (t(45) = –7.09, p < 0.001) at pre-test and post-testing. The educational bundle was effective in increasing STI knowledge and consistent condom use among adult Latinos in an outpatient clinic. Further study needs to be done to determine the long-term effect of this mode of education for this population.

scholarly journals The Epidemiology and Genetics of Hyperuricemia and Gout across Major Racial Groups: A Literature Review and Population Genetics Secondary Database Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Faven Butler ◽  
Ali Alghubayshi ◽  
Youssef Roman
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Risk Allele ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
The United States ◽  
Allele Frequencies ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
1000 Genomes Project ◽  
1000 Genomes ◽  
Risk Alleles

Gout is an inflammatory condition caused by elevated serum urate (SU), a condition known as hyperuricemia (HU). Genetic variations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), can alter the function of urate transporters, leading to differential HU and gout prevalence across different populations. In the United States (U.S.), gout prevalence differentially affects certain racial groups. The objective of this proposed analysis is to compare the frequency of urate-related genetic risk alleles between Europeans (EUR) and the following major racial groups: Africans in Southwest U.S. (ASW), Han-Chinese (CHS), Japanese (JPT), and Mexican (MXL) from the 1000 Genomes Project. The Ensembl genome browser of the 1000 Genomes Project was used to conduct cross-population allele frequency comparisons of 11 SNPs across 11 genes, physiologically involved and significantly associated with SU levels and gout risk. Gene/SNP pairs included: ABCG2 (rs2231142), SLC2A9 (rs734553), SLC17A1 (rs1183201), SLC16A9 (rs1171614), GCKR (rs1260326), SLC22A11 (rs2078267), SLC22A12 (rs505802), INHBC (rs3741414), RREB1 (rs675209), PDZK1 (rs12129861), and NRXN2 (rs478607). Allele frequencies were compared to EUR using Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact test, when appropriate. Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was used, with p < 0.0045 for statistical significance. Risk alleles were defined as the allele that is associated with baseline or higher HU and gout risks. The cumulative HU or gout risk allele index of the 11 SNPs was estimated for each population. The prevalence of HU and gout in U.S. and non-US populations was evaluated using published epidemiological data and literature review. Compared with EUR, the SNP frequencies of 7/11 in ASW, 9/11 in MXL, 9/11 JPT, and 11/11 CHS were significantly different. HU or gout risk allele indices were 5, 6, 9, and 11 in ASW, MXL, CHS, and JPT, respectively. Out of the 11 SNPs, the percentage of risk alleles in CHS and JPT was 100%. Compared to non-US populations, the prevalence of HU and gout appear to be higher in western world countries. Compared with EUR, CHS and JPT populations had the highest HU or gout risk allele frequencies, followed by MXL and ASW. These results suggest that individuals of Asian descent are at higher HU and gout risk, which may partly explain the nearly three-fold higher gout prevalence among Asians versus Caucasians in ambulatory care settings. Furthermore, gout remains a disease of developed countries with a marked global rising.

Recent Attitudes toward ADHD in the Broader Community: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 108705472110036
Author(s):  
Matthew Bisset ◽  
Leanne Winter ◽  
Christel M. Middeldorp ◽  
David Coghill ◽  
Nardia Zendarski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Standardized Protocol

Objective: This review aimed to understand the broader community’s attitudes toward ADHD, which could facilitate public health interventions to improve outcomes for individuals with ADHD. Methods: A standardized protocol identified peer-reviewed studies focusing on attitudes of broader community samples, published from January 2014 to February 2020 (inclusive). Results: A total of 1,318 articles were screened and 10 studies were included, examining attitudes of broader community samples from Australia, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. Findings revealed that broader community samples displayed varying degrees of ADHD-related knowledge, negative attitudes (that ADHD is over-diagnosed; that pharmacological treatment is not acceptable; that those with ADHD are more likely to exhibit poor behavior), and a desire for maintaining social distance from individuals with ADHD. Conclusion: Findings suggest that community attitudes are generally negative toward those with ADHD. Targeted mental health literacy could provide an important avenue for improving the broader community’s attitudes toward those with ADHD.

Examining the Relationship Between Racialized Poverty Segregation and Hazardous Industrial Facilities in the U.S. Over Time

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422110134
Author(s):  
Kerry Ard ◽  
Kevin Smiley
Keyword(s):  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Sociological Theory ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Industrial Facilities ◽  
Race And Class ◽  
Industrial Sites ◽  
Over Time

Scholars interested in understanding the unequal exposure to environmental harms by race and class have often relied on urban sociological theory. Specifically, the argument that the outmigration of middle-class Whites and African Americans from America’s industrial areas, as well as the decline in manufacturing employment in these communities, concentrated minority poverty around industrial sites. These nested, community-level, processes have not yet been measured as such in the environmental inequality literature. This article addresses this limitation by using spatial measures of poverty segregation between and within racial groups. Multilevel models are presented that examine how the density of industrial facilities is related to the economic health of a host-tract, the broader economic context of the county, and the level of poverty segregation (both within and between racial/ethnic groups). Results demonstrate that there is a spatial separation of the economic benefits and environmental harms across the United States, a pattern that has remained consistent over time.

Integration to Inclusion in Hong Kong: Not an Easy Progression

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Peter Westwood
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Academic Standards ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Large Class Size ◽  
Inclusive Schooling ◽  
Education In Hong Kong

Abstract This article describes the evolution of inclusive education in Hong Kong, moving from segregation via integration to inclusion. The outside influence of education policies and trends from Britain, Australia, and the United States are identified, and the current situation is described. In particular, obstacles that are encountered on the route to inclusion are compared with those found in other countries. These obstacles include large class size, teachers’ often negative attitudes, parents’ expectations, teachers’ lack of expertise for adapting the curriculum and for providing differentiated teaching, and ongoing conflicts between the notion of ‘inclusive schooling for all’ and the ‘academic standards agenda’.

From residence to movement: The nature of racial segregation in everyday urban mobility

Urban Studies ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 004209802097896
Author(s):  
Jennifer Candipan ◽  
Nolan Edward Phillips ◽  
Robert J Sampson ◽  
Mario Small
Keyword(s):  
Distinct Element ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Racial Segregation ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
Racial Conflict ◽  
Twitter Users ◽  
Black Populations ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
Us Cities

While research on racial segregation in cities has grown rapidly over the last several decades, its foundation remains the analysis of the neighbourhoods where people reside. However, contact between racial groups depends not merely on where people live, but also on where they travel over the course of everyday activities. To capture this reality, we propose a new measure of racial segregation – the segregated mobility index (SMI) – that captures the extent to which neighbourhoods of given racial compositions are connected to other types of neighbourhoods in equal measure. Based on hundreds of millions of geotagged tweets sent by over 375,000 Twitter users in the 50 largest US cities, we show that the SMI captures a distinct element of racial segregation, one that is related to, but not solely a function of, residential segregation. A city’s racial composition also matters; minority group threat, especially in cities with large Black populations and a troubled legacy of racial conflict, appears to depress movement across neighbourhoods in ways that produce previously undocumented forms of racial segregation. Our index, which could be constructed using other data sources, expands the possibilities for studying dynamic forms of racial segregation including their effects and shifts over time.

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