Predictors of safer sex behaviors of midlife and older women

Heterosexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in midlife and older women is increasing, yet little is known about the safer sex practices of these women. Identification of HIV risk and protective factors necessitates understanding of the influences of individual, interpersonal, and socio-environmental factors on the sexual behaviors of this understudied, at-risk population. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of self esteem, sensation seeking, self silencing, sexual assertiveness, and HIV-stigma on the safer sex behaviors of women aged 50 and older. ^ This study was guided by the ecological perspective which emphasizes the multilevel factors affecting health behaviors within individual, interpersonal, and socio-environmental contexts. A community-based, ethnically diverse sample of 572 women aged 50 to 93 (M = 63.6 years, SD = 10.5) completed a 128-item anonymous questionnaire. This study used a cross-sectional, correlational research design. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. ^ Results from the regression analysis with the predictors (i.e., ethnicity, education, self esteem, sensation seeking, self silencing, sexual assertiveness, and HIV stigma) indicated the model significantly predicted safer sex behaviors (p < .001). Self silencing (β = -.115, p < .05) was a significant predictor. The lower the self silencing scores, the higher the safer sex behavior scores. Further exploration of the data revealed that the greater the age of the woman, the more likely she is to engage in safer sex behaviors (β = .173, p < .001). While the data showed this model was statistically significant, its practical significance may be limited due to the low proportion of variance explained by age and self silencing. HIV/AIDS prevention interventions that are socially anchored, age-appropriate, and gender-specific are discussed and recommendations for socially meaningful strategies to reduce the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS in midlife and older women are presented. ^

Predictors of Independent Living Outcomes Among Older Women Receiving Informal Care

This study examined the predictors of independent living outcomes among community–living older women who received informal care. The central hypothesis was that older women’s level of functioning is influenced by their relationship with their informal caregiver. The study attempted to understand the independence of older women through the perspective of both informal caregivers and the older women themselves. The following eight variables were measured: 1) the older women’s independence (dependent variable); 2) the relationship between older women and their informal caregivers (independent variable); 3) roles of both the informal caregiver and older women (independent variable); 4) the older women’s attitudes toward aging (independent variable); 5) the older women’s age identity (independent variable); 6) the older women’s health (control variable); 7) the older women’s level of social support (control variable); and 8) the older women’s level of depression (control variable). The variables were measured from the perspective of the older woman herself and her informal caregiver. This study used an ecological and developmental framework along with role theory to understand the interaction among the aforementioned variables through a cross-sectional design. The recruited older women participants of this study were receiving ongoing care and personal assistance from two large home care agencies located in Miami, FL. An analysis was conducted through a mixed-methods incorporated into the study design. The present study aimed to contribute to the understanding of how the relationship between older women and their informal caregivers influences older women’s ability to maintain independent outcomes. The primary finding of this study was that there were both positive and negative experiences within the relationship dynamic of older women and their informal caregivers and that this relationship was either unidirectional or bi-directional.

Analysis of Housing Partnerships using the Balanced Scorecard framework

Housing Partnerships (HPs) are collaborative arrangements that assist communities in the delivery of affordable housing by combining the strengths of the public and private sectors. They emerged in several states, counties, and cities in the eighties as innovative solutions to the challenges in affordable housing resulting from changing dynamics of delivery and production. ^ My study examines HPs with particular emphasis upon the identification of those factors associated with the successful performance of their mission of affordable housing. I will use the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) framework in this study. The identification of performance factors facilitates a better understanding of how HPs can be successful in achieving their mission. The identification of performance factors is significant in the context of the current economic environment because HPs can be viewed as innovative institutional mechanisms in the provision of affordable housing. ^ The present study uses a mixed methods research approach, drawing on data from the IRS Form 990 tax returns, a survey of the chief executives of HPs, and other secondary sources. The data analysis is framed according to the four perspectives of BSC: the financial, customer, internal business, and learning and growth. Financially, revenue diversification affects the financial health of HPs and overall performance. Although HPs depend on private and government funding, they also depend on service fees to carry out their mission. From a customer perspective, the HPs mainly serve low and moderate income households, although some serve specific groups such as seniors, homeless, veterans, and victims of domestic violence. From an internal business perspective, HPs’ programs are oriented toward affordable housing needs, undertaking not only traditional activities such as construction, loan provision, etc., but also advocacy and educational programs. From an employee and learning growth perspective, the HPs are small in staff size, but undertake a range of activities with the help of volunteers. Every part of the HP is developed to maximize resources, knowledge, and skills in order to assist communities in the delivery of affordable housing and related needs. Overall, housing partnerships have played a key role in affordable housing despite the housing market downturn since 2006. Their expenses on affordable housing activities increased despite the decrease in their revenues.^