Barbara A. Zsembik

Race and ethnic variation in the disablement process.

Objectives:This analysis examines ethnoracial group differences in the transition from health to disability. Methods:Using data from the AHEAD study, the authors examine the relative influence of each stage in the disablement process in the evolution of ethnoracial group differences in basic and instrumental disability. Results: Predisposing factors account for disability differences between Whites and other Latinos, whereas excess disability among African Americans stems from their higher level of cognitive limitation. The excess disability of Mexican Americans arises from their higher level of physical limitations. The data also reveal a larger impact of medical conditions and physical limitations on acquisition of disability among African Americans andMexican Americans. This article demonstrates the importance of cognitive status in the disablement process, especially in ethnoracial group differences. Discussion:The authors discuss the practical implications for health care delivery to non-White elders and the theoretical implications for understanding the complexities of disablement.

The Changing Caregiving Networks of Older Adults

One of the dominant features of caregiving networks, their propensity to change over time, continues to be incompletely described and inadequately understood. The purpose of this study is to illuminate the complex patterns of change that shape the evolving caregiving networks of older adults. Using data from the Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA), a transition matrix approach is used to describe the changes older adults experience in their caregiving arrangements over time. These caregiving networks are characterized by both stability and change. At any given time, most elders are able to live independently without the help of a caregiver. The caregiving network, once activated, appears to be characterized by a great deal of change in care configurations. Finally, beyond a certain threshold off frailty, extensive care is required in either a community or an institutional setting. Variation in transitions by age, gender, race, and place of residence are examined.

Race Comparisons of the Household Dynamics of Older Adults

Longitudinal studies have suggested that households are much more fluid than was once believed. Yet our understanding of changes in household composition is based on limited sets of transitions occurring across relatively long intervals. Furthermore, we know relatively little about ethnoracial variation in household dynamics. Using data from a sample of older Floridians, the authors describe race differences in longitudinal patterns of household change that occurred during four 6-month intervals. Approximately one quarter of respondents experienced some change in composition during the 24-month study. Older African Americans lived in larger and more dynamic households and were more likely to form coresident relationships with grandchildren and nonrelatives. Age, gender, marital status, and disability were also associated with the likelihood of acquiring a new household member. Findings from this research provide additional insight into the processes through which race differences in the composition of households emerge and are maintained over time.

Preference for coresidence among older Latinos

Abstract Using data from older Latinos who live alone, this article empirically evaluates a conceptual model of the determinants of living arrangements preferences. National origin heritage operates directly on the preference for coresidence and partly through acculturation, the opportunities for coresidence and economic and noneconomic resources. The demonstrable variation in preference for coresidence among older Latinos underlies, in part, observed differences in actual living arrangement outcomes. Theoretical and policy implications of the finding that the overwhelming majority of older Latinos who live alone prefer it to coresidence are discussed.

Determinants of Living Alone among Older Hispanics

This research evaluates whether living alone, relative to living with family, among older, unmarried Hispanics varies by national origin. Results indicate that living alone, and the determinants of living alone, varies according to national origin and gender. Central/South American men and Puerto Rican women are most likely to live alone, whereas Central/South American women and Cuban men are most likely to live with family. The effects of kin availability, economic resources, and health on living alone also vary by national origin. For example, kin availability is a significant determinant of living arrangements among Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans, but not among Cubans.

Patterns of informal care among Puerto Rican, African American, and white stroke survivors

Background. There has been an increase in the number of non-institutionalized stroke survivors over the past few decades leading to larger numbers of family caregivers. Less is known about the patterns of informal caregiving within racially and ethnically diverse families even though there is greater post-stroke morbidity and mortality for these groups. Research aims. The purpose of our research is to examine the informal caregiving networks of white, African American, and Puerto Rican caregivers. Methodology. We examine data collected from 118 stroke survivors and caregivers to explore the dynamics of caregiving. Data are drawn from a diverse group of whites, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans living on the US Mainland and Puerto Rico at three different time points over the course of 12 months. Analysis. We examine the size, stability, change, and family dynamics of informal caregiving networks. Findings and implications. We find that whites, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans each have differing caregiving structures highlighted by expansion and contraction across time, size of network, and relationship to the stroke survivor. Greater cultural awareness among health professionals can lead to improved coordination of information or formal care services. These findings may also be used as a baseline for understanding the caregiving patterns of other Spanish-speaking Caribbean nations.

The Cuban Ethnic Economy and Labor Market Outcomes of Latinos in Metropolitan Florida

This research of 1990 census data examines the impact of the substantial entrepreneurship among Cubans in Florida’s cities on urban workers, especially on immigrants from Latin America. The large Cuban business community does not employ a significant number of Latino immigrants, except for recent Cuban immigrants. Non-Cuban Latino immigrants, however, appear quite successful in finding employment in the general economy, hired by non-Latinos. The high levels of entrepreneurship among Nicaraguans suggest that some Latino immigrants are flourishing business owners who contribute to the growth of Florida’s economy. The economic impact of Latin American migration depends on the national origin group; overall, Latino immigrants are likely to be contributors to Florida’s economy.

THE EFFECT OF ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING ON PUERTO RICAN WOMEN'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN THE FORMAL SECTOR

The joint effort by the U.S. government and the political elite of Puerto Rico to industrialize the island created increased demand for female labor and a decline in the number of jobs traditionally held by men. The authors examine whether womens labor force participation in the formal sector responds to improving opportunities for women, declining opportunities for men, or the households changing opportunity structures. Specifically, they examine a womans return to work after the birth of her first child as the initial point of conflict between productive and reproductive work. The data used in these analyses are from the 1982 Puerto Rican Fertility and Family Planning Assessment (PRFFPA), an islandwide, representative sample of never-married and ever-married women between the ages of fifteen and forty-nine. The authors estimate a series of nested logistic regression models to evaluate the influence of occupational expansion or contraction on the timing of return to work after the first birth. Their findings offer selective support for the idea that womens lives are affected primarily by the occurrence of growing labor demand for womens labor.

Labor market structure and fertility differences among Puerto Rican women: The effects of economic and social policies on opportunity costs

The oft-observed inverse relationship between economic activity in the formal or informal sector and levels of fertility is attributed to the opportunity costs of reproduction. The economic and social policies that initiate and maintain the substantial flow of federal transfer payments to the Puerto Rican population is likely to reduce the opportunity costs among women participating in the informal economy; therefore, informal labor market participants will have fertility levels more like women who have never worked than like women active in the formal labor market. Using data from the 1982 Puerto Rican Fertility and Family Planning Assessment, this paper compares fertility differentials among ever-married women who have never worked, who have ever worked in the informal economy, and who have only worked in the formal economy. Contrary to expectations, the fertility levels of informal labor market participants are more like those of formal labor market participants; economic activity in either sector is associated with bearing fewer children. Federal transfer payments do not appear to reduce the opportunity costs of reproduction among women employed in the informal economy. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 1989 meeting of the Population Association of America.

A longitudinal analysis of sociodemographic and health correlates of sexual health among HIV-infected men in the USA

BACKGROUND Sexual health among HIV-infected men primarily has been examined in cross-sectional designs. Few have used longitudinal data to measure sexual health change or factors associated with change. Moreover, studies of HIV-infected men disproportionately focus on sexual risk behaviours. The present paper examines temporal changes in sexual health based on measures of sexual activity, erectile function, sex drive, and sex life satisfaction. METHODS Data from a prospective cohort study of HIV-infected men (n = 197) in the USA were used. Sexual health measures were based on self-reported sexual activity, erectile function, sex drive, and sex life satisfaction at 12- and 24-month follow-ups. Transition matrices described 1-year sexual health changes. Logistic regression models determined sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with change. RESULTS Men reported considerable change in sexual health during the year-long observation interval. Among men who experienced change, younger age, cohabitation, and higher CD4 counts were associated with greater sexual activity over time. Men with more depression symptoms had lower erectile function over time, and higher education and higher income were protective against temporal declines in sex drive and satisfaction. Less disease comorbidity was associated with 1-year improvements in sex life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Some men in our sample experienced sexual health change, but stability was common for most. Temporal changes in sexual health varied according to age, cohabitation, education, income, and physical and mental health covariates. The present paper highlights the benefits of longitudinal investigations and multidimensional definitions of sexual health.