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As conservation scholars increasingly recognize the critical role of human thought and behavior in determining the persistence of biodiversity across the globe, a growing line of inquiry regarding the validity and comparability of previous applications of core psychological concepts has emerged. Specifically, inconsistent measurement and use of terms, such as attitudes and acceptance, reveal important questions about previous approaches. Given that these concepts differ by definition, yet have been used interchangeably, we explored what drives differences in people's responses when each concept is operationalized in the context of a contested wildlife species, the gray wolf (Canis lupus). To do so, we used data from a 2014 survey of U.S. residents (n = 1287) to test how measures of six concepts (i.e., acceptance, attitudes, benefits, risks, [prior] behavior, and behavioral intentions) often employed in the conservation social sciences were related with a broad set of possible explanatory variables. Despite moderate to strong correlations between all concepts measured (| Pearson's r | = 0.39-0.65, p < 0.001), results revealed considerable variation in their respective relationships with identical explanatory variables. Specifically, although wildlife value orientation (i.e., domination or mutualism) operated fairly consistently across cognitive and behavioral concepts, the relationship between the six concepts and other factors, such as social trust, identification with various interest groups (i.e., hunter, farmer, or rancher, environmentalist, and animal rights advocate), and political ideology (i.e., liberal vs. conservative), varied considerably. Our findings underscore that differences exist in these measures, which could have serious implications for conservationists integrating social science findings in their decision-making processes if they are unaware of the theoretical underpinnings of and distinctions between core psychological concepts.
Efectos de la semántica en los estudios de tolerancia a los lobos Resumen Los académicos dedicados a la conservación reconocen cada vez más lo importantes que son el pensamiento y el comportamiento humano para definir la persistencia de la biodiversidad a nivel mundial, por lo que ha emergido una creciente línea de indagación con respecto a la validez y la comparabilidad de las aplicaciones previas de conceptos psicológicos fundamentales. Más específicamente, las medidas incompatibles y el uso de términos como actitudes y aceptación revelan preguntas importantes sobre las estrategias anteriores. Ya que estos conceptos difieren por definición y aun así se han usado indistintamente, decidimos explorar qué impulsa las diferencias en las respuestas de las personas cuando cada concepto opera en el contexto de una especie de fauna controvertida: el lobo gris (Canis lupus). Para lograr esto, usamos datos de un censo de 2014 aplicado a residentes estadunidenses (n = 1,287) para analizar cómo la medida de seis conceptos usados frecuentemente en las ciencias sociales de la conservación (aceptación, actitudes, beneficios, riesgos comportamiento [previo] e intenciones conductuales) se relacionan con un amplio conjunto de variables explicativas posibles. A pesar de las correlaciones moderadas y fuertes entre todos los conceptos medidos (| Pearson's r | = 0.39 a 0.65, p < 0.001), los resultados revelaron una variación considerable en sus respectivas relaciones con las variables explicativas idénticas. De manera más precisa, aunque la orientación del valor de la fauna (es decir, dominancia y mutualismo) operó uniformemente en los conceptos cognitivos y conductuales, la relación entre los seis conceptos y otros factores, como la confianza social, identificación con varios grupos de interés (cazador, agricultor o ranchero, ambientalista, defensor de los derechos animales) e ideología política (liberal vs conservador) variaron considerablemente. Nuestros resultados destacan las diferencias que existen en estas medidas, las cuales podrían tener repercusiones serias para los conservacionistas que integran los resultados de las ciencias sociales dentro de sus procesos de toma de decisiones si no están concientes de las teorías fundamentales y las distinciones entre los conceptos psicológicos fundamentales.
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Lobos , Animales , Humanos , Semántica , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Animales Salvajes , ActitudRESUMEN
The COVID-19 outbreak caused major disruptions on individuals' out-of-home activities. Worldwide mandates to slow down the spread of the disease resulted in significant reductions in travel. This study analyzes the changes in individuals' travel outcomes and their risk perceptions related to exposure and specific travel modes during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data collected through an online survey with residents of Columbus, OH from April 30 to May 7, 2020. Employing multiple generalized estimating equations (GEEs) with a logit link function, we analyze the perceived risk of infection while traveling with different modes controlling for socio-demographics. The findings show that on average individuals are more likely to find shared modes (i.e., transit, ride-hailing, carsharing) riskier as compared to individual ones (i.e., walking, autos) when it comes to COVID-19 exposure. This study also suggests that the associations between perceptions related to exposure and various travel modes vary across groups with (1) different primary mode preferences (auto users vs non-auto users (e.g., transit users, bicyclists, etc.)), and (2) different socio-demographics. For example, auto users are more likely to find shared modes such as ride-hailing or transit riskier as compared to personal car. The conclusions present recommendations for future transportation policies in the post-COVID era. These include building upon the emerging positive perceptions towards non-motorized modes as an opportunity to promote sustainable transportation as well as formulating viable solutions to address the high-risk perceptions associated with transit.
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OBJECTIVE: To examine whether state-level spending on social and public health services is associated with lower rates of homicide in the USA. DESIGN: Ecological study. SETTING: USA. PARTICIPANTS: All states in the USA and the District of Columbia for which data were available (n=42). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Homicide rates for each state were abstracted from the US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounding variables, we found that every $10 000 increase in spending per person living in poverty was associated with 0.87 fewer homicides per 100 000 population or approximately a 16% decrease in the average homicide rate (estimate=-0.87, SE=0.15, p<0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant effect in the quartile of states with the highest percentages of individuals living in poverty but significant effects in the quartiles of states with lower percentages of individuals living in poverty. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, spending on social and public health services is associated with significantly lower homicide rates at the state level. Although we cannot infer causality from this research, such spending may provide promising avenues for homicide reduction in the USA, particularly among states with lower levels of poverty.
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Gastos en Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Homicidio/estadística & datos numéricos , Salud Pública/economía , Asignación de Recursos/estadística & datos numéricos , Servicio Social/economía , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pobreza/economía , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Adult obesity rates in the United States have reached epidemic proportions, yet vary considerably across states and counties. We sought to explore community-level factors that may be associated with reduced adult obesity rates at the county level. METHODS: We identified six U.S. counties that were positive deviants for adult obesity and conducted semi-structured interviews with community leaders and government officials involved in efforts to promote healthier lifestyles. Using site visits and in-depth qualitative interviews, we identified several recurrent themes and strategies. RESULTS: Participants: 1) developed a nuanced understanding of their communities; 2) recognized the complex nature of obesity, and 3) implemented a county-wide strategic approach for promoting healthy living. This county-wide approachwas used to a) break down silos and build partnerships, b) access community resources and connections, and c) transfer ownership to community members. CONCLUSIONS: We found that county leaders focused on establishing a county-wide structure to connect and support community-led initiatives to promote healthy living, reduce obesity, and foster sustainability. Findings from this study can help inform county-level efforts to improve healthy living and combat the multi-faceted challenges of adult obesity across the U.S.
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OBJECTIVE: Despite considerable advances in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, the burden of new infections of HIV and AIDS varies substantially across the country. Previous studies have demonstrated associations between increased healthcare spending and better HIV/AIDS outcomes; however, less is known about the association between spending on social services and public health spending and HIV/AIDS outcomes. We sought to examine the association between state-level spending on social services and public health and HIV/AIDS case rates and AIDS deaths across the United States. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal study of the 50 U.S. states over 2000-2009 using a dataset of HIV/AIDS case rates and AIDS deaths per 100 000 people matched with a unique dataset of state-level spending on social services and public health per person in poverty. METHODS: We estimated multivariable regression models for each HIV/AIDS outcome as a function of the social service and public health spending 1 and 5 years earlier in the state, adjusted for the log of state GDP per capita, regional and time fixed effects, Medicaid spending as % of GDP, and socio-demographic, economic, and health resource factors. RESULTS: States with higher spending on social services and public health per person in poverty had significantly lower HIV and AIDS case rates and fewer AIDS deaths, both 1 and 5 years post expenditure (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that spending on social services and public health may provide a leverage point for state policymakers to reduce HIV/AIDS case rates and AIDS deaths in their state.