Willis J. Goudy

Further Analysis of Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale:

Further factor analysis of responses to Rosenbergs 10-item self-esteem scale by 1,332 older men living in small communities suggested this was not a unidimensional scale.

Further consideration of indicators of community attachment

Two studies of contradictory results concerning models of community attachment are briefly reviewed, one of which reported strong support for a ‘systemic’ model while the other placed greater emphasis on the relationship of size of place with attachment. Using data from 27 communities located in Iowa, measures used in both studies are replicated to the extent possible. Length of residence, age, and local social ties, important elements in the ‘systemic’ model of community attachment, are more strongly related to attachment than is size of place in this restudy.

The ideal and the actual community: Evaluations from small‐town residents

It is necessary to have some idea of what is wanted by local residents in order to plan community programs. But what residents consider to be ideal levels of factors operating in their localities are seldom explored. especially in relation to actual states. Data on both ideal and actual social diemnsions are reported from a mail questinnaire styd of more than 4,600 residents of 27 small lowa communities. the ideal and actual states differ significantly on most individual ites. and on total scores. Selected sociodemographic measures (community size, age of respondent, likelihood of residing in the community in 5 years) account for relatively little of the variance in the ideal and actual scores or for differences between them. Community evaluations (local opportunities and services, attachment, quality of life) are more effective predictors. A call for the inclusion of public values and evaluations in determining, planning, and carrying out development projects concludes the article.

Social Ties and Life Satisfaction of Older Persons

Social ties, including family relationships, friendship ties, and community involvement are expected to inhance the life satisfaction of older people. But relationships among the social ties and the relative importance of these ties to life satisfaction remain unclear. To examine these relalionships, we analyzed data from more than 2,300 small-town Iowa respondents who were 50 years of age or older. Our results tended to support those reported in a previous article in this journal, particularly on the success of friendship ties and the failure of family relationships to predict life satisfaction. We found an even stronger relationship between community involvement and dissatisfaction with life, however. In addition, we analyzed data from four communities separately and found relationships varying substantially among them, thus influencing our conclusions.

Effects of sample attrition and data analysis in the retirement history study

Bias can be created through the attrition of respondents in panel studies of older people. After a review of previous studies, a change in the method of examining attrition is suggested. Tests comparing those eligible to respond and those actually continuing in the panel are reported for five waves of data from the Retirement History Study. Results indicate that this data set is relatively free of bias caused by respondent attrition. Although caution is urged, attrition is suggested to be less of a factor in this data set and in panel studies in general than earlier studies involving samples of older individuals might indicate.

Older Men: Occupation, Employment Status, Household Involvement, and Well-Being

reflects a white-collar bias, and has neglected older men. Our research evaluated the influence of occupation and employment status on the involve ment of older males in the home and the impact of these factors on wellbeing. Data were analyzed from intervicws with I193 men, 60 years of age or older. Occupation and employment status independently influenced family tasks and well-being. Involvement in feminine tasks had little impact on well-being while participation in masculine activities was more salient to evaluations of self and life.

Integrating Research with Local Community-Development Programs.

Abstract Even though community attitude studies have long been conducted by development specialists, many researchers and practitioners fail to define research as an integral part of the community development process. This article presents a case study of a small rural Iowa community which integrated a community survey and a community development seminar into a total community effort. The results included the initiation of new action programs in recreation and housing, the involvement of more citizens in leadership roles, and the development of communication networks within the community.

Meeting Research and Extension Objectives

AbstractRecent federal legislation mandated the development of closer ties between data gathering and dissemination efforts in rural America. In Iowa, collaboration between university researchers and extension delivery-system specialists is shown by a study of 27 rural communities. Survey data useful in designing local and regional programs were gathered from more than 4,600 community residents. Results on local services, opportunities, and social factors are provided as well as information on the delivery of the data to individuals and groups in the communities and regional planning and/or action agencies. Examples of development efforts, generated after examining the survey data, are reported.

Consistency in subjective evaluations of community attributes

Subjective indicators of life quality are used frequently in the planning and decision making process. The limitations inherent in the use of subjective indicators often go unnoticed among those most likely to use such data in the context of planned change. We direct attention to a potential source of error in subjective evaluations of community services and facilities. Specifically, we utilize repeated measures to test for response bias that results from placing items in alternative sections of the same survey instrument. Evidence concerning the hypothesized presence of systematic bias was mixed. When overall service evaluation items were embedded within a section devoted exclusively to that service, considerable systematic bias was observed. The findings indicate that the choice of question format depends upon the ultimate use to which the data will be put.

Desired and Actual Communities: Perceptions of 27 Iowa Towns

To initiate community development programs, some idea of what is desired by local residents is necessary. But little is known about how residents perceive selected social dimensions operating in their communities or in desired situations. To explore this, data is reported from a study of 27 Iowa communities. Variations by individual community are examined. Analysis indicates that the desired and actual perceptions differ significantly on many of the social dimensions, with desires not reached in most instances but surpassed in others.