Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper describes the results of a study in which people interacting in a virtual environment were asked to answer open-ended questions regarding their impressions of their online teammates, and what cues present in their mediated interactions contributed to the creation of those impressions. Just over a third of the respondents reported that for various reasons they did not form impressions of their online teammates. However, as predicted by Social Information Processing theory, the majority of the respondents drew upon a variety of cues present in their online interactions to create impressions of their virtual teammates. As one survey respondent remarked so succinctly, “Based on chat threads, I picture short sentences coming from short people.”

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In response to the 1996 Personal Responsibility Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, many states developed policies to “divert” applicants from receiving cash assistance (TANF). The intent of this policy was to encourage self-sufficiency and to prevent the diverted from becoming “dependent” on welfare. Critics of the policy argued that applicants were likely to be in severe economic difficulties and that diversion would only delay their receipt of badly needed safety-net supports. Using data from the Oregon Welfare Study, we examine the outcomes of diversion. These data include a sample of welfare “leavers,” diverted, and individuals who left the Food Stamp program in early 1998. The study followed this sample until the end of 1999. About 35 percent of the diverted received cash grants within 2 months of initially failing to receive such grants. The diverted had a much higher rate of TANF receipt the other two groups in the sample. However, we did not find that the diverted were in greater financial difficulty than the other groups during the 19 months of the study. Their incomes and the proportion with incomes below the poverty threshold were similar, as most of those in the study remained in low wage jobs. Moreover, all of those in the study were similar on a variety of demographic characteristics. We conclude that in the short term, diversion in Oregon denied assistance to many of those in need and did not increase their ability to be self-sufficient.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Cohabitation is a complex family form that most Americans experience at some point in their lives (Smock 2000). Despite the diversity of cohabitation experiences, researchers focus on the temporary nature of cohabitation. Studies show that couples who have cohabited for five or more years make up approximately ten percent of the cohabiting population (Bumpass and Sweet, 1989; Bumpass, Sweet, and Cherlin 1991, Brown and Booth 1996). Yet, scant theoretical and empirical attention has been given to this subset of cohabitors. Wave 1 of National Survey of Families and Households data are used to analyze to what extent long-term cohabiting couples are similar to and different from other cohabiting couples and married couples on sociodemographic and attitudinal variables as well as measures of relationship stability and quality.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper examines restorative justice conferences from a micro sociological perspective, emphasizing on the ritual components that make an interaction a success or a failure. It uses Collins theory of Interaction Ritual Chains (Collins 2004) to evaluate conferences. By taking this perspective, one can make short terms predictions about the immediate outcomes of a conference (levels of group solidarity) and as well as long term predictions (a change in emotional energy, reduced offending). Current tests of restorative justice are under-theorized and under-analyzed. By examining in detail the conferences that “succeed” and “fail,” one can develop and further a theory of restorative justice and refine the theory of interaction ritual chains.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Author: Eric Keuffel (ekeuffel@wharton.upenn.edu), Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.

Title: The Effect of Physical Activity on Short Run Medical Costs and Lost Work Days among US Adults

Background: Regular physical activity is frequently defined as rigorous activity sustained for at least 30 minutes three times per week. While the epidemiological implications of regular physical activity are well-established, the association between activity level and economic medical costs is not as well understood in US adults. The incentives for offering effective primary prevention programs promoting physical activity are influenced by anticipated cost savings and work days saved. Given the high rate of managed care and employee turnover in the US, short run returns are particularly important. Prior studies offer varying conclusions; some find short-run returns to physical activity others find no effect.

Objective: This study estimates the effect of regular physical activity on medical costs and days work lost after accounting for demographics, medical conditions, health insurance status and other covariates. I examine whether current year physical activity, prior year physical activity and persistent two-year physical activity result in lower medical costs and work days lost.

Data: The study data are from the 2001-2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). There are 15,269 adults (> age 16) in panel six of MEPS with data recorded in both years. MEPS records physical activity with a bivariate measure (1-rigourous physical activity at least 3 times per week/30 minutes per session; 0-not physically active) for both 2001 and 2002.

Methods: Year 2002 medical costs are modeled with a two part approach using STATA 9.1. Part I uses a probit regression to estimate the probability of positive costs. Part II estimates total medical costs conditional on positive costs with a generalized linear model (GLM gamma). Marginal effects accounting for both stages were estimated. A negative binomial model estimated the percent change in work days associated with physical activity. In each case, three separate specifications test whether current year physical activity (2002), prior year physical activity (2001) or persistent physical activity (2001 and 2002) significantly effect costs or days work missed. The base case uses robust standard errors and clusters on household.

Results: Mean 2002 medical costs in the sample are $3,025 (SD=$8,207) and 18 percent of the sample have no costs. After controlling for covariates; current, prior and persistent physical activity significantly increases (p<.10) the probability having positive costs, but only by 0.8 -1.1 percent. Physical activity is associated with lower conditional costs. Overall, point estimates for the marginal effects of current and prior year physical activity were -$32 and -$203, respectively. Mean days of work missed due to illness were 4.7 (SD=15.3 n=8,661). Persistent physical activity results in 17% fewer days missed due to sickness (p<.01).

Conclusions: Returns to physical activity in terms of medical costs are relatively modest over two years and most of the returns appear to accrue as a result of activity in the first year. Missed work days are a potentially important component when calculating the benefits of physical activity.