Brian W. Ward

Social Norms and the Relationship Between Cigarette Use and Religiosity Among Adolescents in the United States

This study investigated the social dynamics that underlie the negative association between religiosity and cigarette use among U.S. adolescents. Using data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the authors used a theory-based conceptual model (vicarious learning networks [VLN]) to examine the role that key reference group norms play in the religiosity—smoking relationship. This relationship is partially mediated by parents’ and close friends’ perceived disapproval for smoking. However, religiosity maintains a strong negative association with smoking. Consistent with the VLN model, cigarette use varied substantively based on reference group normative configurations. To the extent that the protective effects of religiosity arise from its influence in structuring the social milieu, some of religiosity’s benefits could potentially be leveraged through interventions that promote healthy norms among reference groups within the social network. The VLN model may be a useful tool for conceptualizing the transmission of health behavior through social learning processes.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drug Use Among Native American College Students: An Exploratory Quantitative Analysis

We examine alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among US Native American college students by using 4 years of College Alcohol Study data (1993, 1997, 1999, and 2001; n = 267). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to quantitatively examine this population using advanced statistical analyses and a nationally representative sample of US college students. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses show that Native American college students have unique rates and patterns of substance use that must be addressed accordingly. It is suggested that specialized future research and policy are needed to properly address alcohol and drug use among this population. Limitations of the study are noted.

Religiosity, Heavy Alcohol Use, and Vicarious Learning Networks Among Adolescents in the United States:

Previous research has found that religiosity may protect against risky alcohol and drug use behaviors among adolescents, but the social mechanics underpinning the relationship are not well understood. This study examined the relationship between religiosity, heavy drinking, and social norms among U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, using the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 14,556). Based on a vicarious learning networks theoretical perspective, the effect of religiosity on heavy drinking behavior was hypothesized to be exerted indirectly through the norms of key reference groups in the social network (close friends and parents). Support was found for reference group norms as one underlying mechanism of the religiosity–alcohol relationship. Religiosity and nonpermissive drinking norms of parents, close friends, and peers maintained a strong protective association with adolescent heavy drinking. Supplementary analyses elaborated on the role of competing and complementary normative orientations among reference groups in the social network.

Identifying Environmental Effects on Alcohol Use and Social-Norms: The Socio-environmental Context Model

Building from the social norms approach, the following study uses the theoretical and empirical literature to guide the development of a conceptual model that can be used in studying the effects of environment on alcohol use and social norms. This model, referred to as the socio-environmental context model, contains four dimensions that each play a unique role in the environments influence on alcohol use and social norms. The following research demonstrates how applying this conceptual model can help attain a better understanding of the environmental effects on alcohol use and social norms that exist within a given environment.

Comparison of the National Violent Death Reporting System and Supplementary Homicide Report: Potential Benefits of Integration

This paper introduces researchers and practitioners to a new data source called the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), which has the potential to be linked to the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR). Using data from Maryland, we examine limitations of the SHR cited by past research and how integration of the SHR with the NVDRS can simultaneously enhance both the SHR and NVDRS. Although some limitations remain, it appears that the integration of the SHR with the NVDRS has potential benefits that can more accurately inform both homicide research and local policy.

Integrating Medical Examiner and Police Report Data

BACKGROUND Recently, suicide in the United States has begun to be viewed as a preventable public health issue. This has led to the creation of a National Violent Death Reporting System that collects and integrates data on the social circumstances surrounding suicides. AIMS The study examines data on social circumstances surrounding suicides as collected by the medical examiner report (ME) and police report (PR) and subsequently integrated into the state of Marylands violent death reporting system. METHODS Reported data on social circumstances surrounding suicides occurring in the years 2003-2006 in Maryland (n = 1,476) were analyzed by examining their prevalence in the ME and PR, strength of association, and integration. RESULTS With the exception of three circumstances, there was variation among reported circumstances in the ME and PR. Furthermore, there was only a moderately strong relationship between the ME and PR for most circumstances, while a significant increase occurred in the prevalence of these circumstances when ME and PR were integrated. CONCLUSIONS The integration of ME and PR has the potential to increase our knowledge of the circumstances surrounding suicide and to better inform prevention efforts. However, before this potential can be reached, there are still issues that must be considered.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Relationship Among Cigarette Use, Religiosity, and Social Norms for U.S. Adolescents

This study investigated the racial/ethnic differences in the role of social norms in the protective relationship between religiosity and cigarette smoking. The 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was used to investigate the relationships between smoking, religiosity, and social norms of U.S. adolescents (N = 13,278). Significant indirect effects between religiosity and smoking were found through social norms for non-Hispanic White adolescents. Findings were mixed for non-Hispanic Black adolescents. Mechanisms driving the religiosity–smoking association differ across subpopulations. Smoking prevention efforts and messaging campaigns that include partnerships with religious communities may require consideration of these racial/ethnic differences when planning prevention strategies.

Implications of Using Different Measures of Work Shift in Survey Research

Approximately 20% of workers are employed during nonstandard work shifts, and research on this topic has begun to increase. As the survey is a primary mode of data collection on nonstandard work, it is important for sociological practitioners and researchers to understand the implications of using different work shift measures in survey research. In the following study, data was used from the 2004 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (n = 6,559) to compare both self-defined and clock-derived measures of work shift. A high level of overall agreement was found between these two different types of measures; however, agreement was not found among all individual types of shifts. In addition, certain demographic characteristics resulted in higher odds of agreement between these two work shift measures. Drawing from these results, the strengths, limitations, and implications for using self-defined and clock-derived work shift measures in survey research are discussed.

The Master's Thesis: A Valuable (but Overlooked) Tool for Learning How to Apply Sociology

Although attention has been given to the manner in which applied sociology is learned by students, the masters thesis is not often taken into account. In the following manuscript, I argue that the thesis should be considered as a tool for learning applied sociology. Graduate students can use the thesis to learn new skills and further develop skills already gained in the classroom and through outside of the classroom experiences. To provide an example, one students thesis is used as a case study to show how it functioned as a learning tool for various skills including: developing research questions, grant writing, coordination with outside parties, applying sociological theory, developing methodological/analytical skills, and more. Based on the outcome of this example, it is suggested that departments which focus on applied sociology give further consideration to using the thesis as a tool to teach graduate students applied sociology.