SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Domestication”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Barriers to screening for domestic violence.

CONTEXT: Domestic violence has an estimated 30% lifetime prevalence among women, yet physicians detect as few as 1 in 20 victims of abuse. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with physicians' low screening rates for domestic violence and perceived barriers to screening. DESIGN: Cross-sectional postal survey. PARTICIPANTS: A national systematic sample of 2,400 physicians in 4 specialties likely to initially encounter abused women. The overall response rate was 53%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self-reported percentage of female patients screened for domestic violence; logistic models identified factors associated with screening less than 10%. RESULTS: Respondent physicians screened a median of only 10% (interquartile range, 2 to 25) of female patients. Ten percent reported they never screen for domestic violence; only 6% screen all their patients. Higher screening rates were associated with obstetrics-gynecology specialty (odds ratio [OR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31 to 0.78), female gender (OR, 0.51; CI, 0.35 to 0.73), estimated prevalence of domestic violence in the physician's practice (per 10%, OR, 0.72; CI, 0.65 to 0.80), domestic violence training in the last 12 months (OR, 0.46; CI, 0.29 to 0.74) or previously (OR, 0.54; CI, 0.34 to 0.85), and confidence in one's ability to recognize victims (per Likert-scale point, OR, 0.71; CI, 0.58 to 0.87). Lower screening rates were associated with emergency medicine specialty (OR, 1.72; CI, 1.13 to 2.63), agreement that patients would volunteer a history of abuse (per Likert-scale point, OR, 1.60; CI, 1.25 to 2.05), and forgetting to ask about domestic violence (OR, 1.69; CI, 1.42 to 2.02). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians screen few female patients for domestic violence. Further study should address whether domestic violence training can correct misperceptions and improve physician self-confidence in caring for victims and whether the use of specific intervention strategies can enhance screening rates.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neighborhood environment, racial position, and risk of police-reported domestic violence: a contextual analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of neighborhood socioeconomic conditions to risk of police-reported domestic violence in relation to victim's race. Data on race came from police forms legally mandated for the reporting of domestic violence and sexual assault. METHODS: Using 1990 U.S. census block group data and data for the years 1996-1998 from Rhode Island's domestic violence surveillance system, the authors generated annual and relative risk of police-reported domestic violence and estimates of trends stratified by age, race (black, Hispanic, or white), and neighborhood measures of socioeconomic conditions. Race-specific linear regression models were constructed with average annual risk of police-reported domestic violence as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Across all levels of neighborhood poverty (< 5% to 100% of residents living below the federal poverty level), the risk of police-reported domestic violence was higher for Hispanic and black women than for white women. Results from the linear regression models varied by race. For black women, living in a census block group in which fewer than 10% of adults ages > or = 25 years were college-educated contributed independently to risk of police-reported domestic violence. Block group measures of relative poverty (> or = 20% of residents living below 200% of the poverty line) and unemployment (> or = 10% of adults ages > or = 16 years in the labor force but unemployed) did not add to this excess. For Hispanic women, three neighborhood-level measures were significant: percentage of residents living in relative poverty, percentage of residents without college degrees, and percentage of households monolingual in Spanish. A higher degree of linguistic isolation, as defined by the percentage of monolingual Spanish households, decreased risk among the most isolated block groups for Hispanic women. For white women, neighborhood-level measures of poverty, unemployment, and education were significant determinants of police-reported domestic violence. CONCLUSION: When data on neighborhood conditions at the block group level and their interaction with individual racial position are linked to population-based surveillance systems, domestic violence intervention and prevention efforts can be improved.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The effect of a domestic violence interclerkship on the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of third-year medical students.

PURPOSE: To determine whether participation in an intensive domestic violence interclerkship (DVI) improved the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of two successive cohorts of students at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. METHOD: The authors measured the knowledge, attitudes, and skills pertaining to domestic violence of third-year students in the classes of 1997 and 1998 using a validated written examination administered before, immediately after, and six months after participation in a 3.5-day or two-day DVI, respectively; they compared the scores using paired t-tests. Nine months after the DVI, the students' domestic violence screening skills were measured by a performance-based assessment (OSCE); using unpaired t-tests, the authors compared the OSCE scores with those of a previous third-year class that had not participated in a DVI. Immediately after the OSCE, the students reported their levels of confidence in domestic violence screening and their satisfaction with the domestic violence curriculum; using chi-square analysis, those self-reports were compared with those of the class with no DVI. RESULTS: The students who participated in the DVIs immediately and significantly improved their knowledge, attitudes, and skills (p < .001), and fully or partially sustained those improvements six months later (p < .001). Nine months after the DVI, the students performed domestic violence screening more effectively (p < .001), expressed greater comfort with domestic violence screening (p < .001), and felt better-prepared by the curriculum to address domestic violence issues (p < .001) than did the students with no DVI. CONCLUSION: Participation in a short, focused DVI curriculum produced sustainable improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and skills that were successfully applied by third-year medical students to effective domestic violence screening. Interclerkships are an effective way to fit into the clinical curriculum those subjects that transcend the traditional biomedical domain and intersect all areas of medical practice.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Dentists' attitudes and behaviors regarding domestic violence. The need for an effective response.

BACKGROUND: The authors examined the attitudes and behaviors of a national sample of dentists regarding domestic violence and the barriers dentists face in intervening to help victims. METHODS: The authors surveyed a national random sample of 321 dentists by mail from November 1997 to March 1998 about their attitudes and clinical practice behaviors related to domestic violence. Survey items were developed based on the domestic violence and health care literature. The authors used the Total Design Method to maximize the response rate and analyzed data to determine differences between dentists who had received domestic violence education and those who had not. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of responding dentists never screened for domestic violence; 18 percent never screened even when patients had visible signs of trauma on their heads or necks. Overall, respondents intervened only minimally to help patients whom they had identified as victims. Respondents reported that the major barriers to screening were the presence of a partner or children (77 percent), lack of training (68 percent), concern about offending patients (66 percent) and their own embarrassment about bringing up the topic of abuse (51 percent). Respondents who had received domestic violence education were significantly more likely to screen for domestic violence and to intervene. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists face many barriers to identifying and helping patients who are abuse victims, yet these data suggest that education about domestic violence could help them overcome some of these barriers. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: We suggest that dentists follow the AVDR model when approaching abused patients in their practice: Ask about abuse, provide Validating messages, Document presenting signs and Refer victims to domestic violence specialists.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Domestic violence: effect on pregnancy outcome.

A predominantly white, suburban, indigent population of pregnancy women were followed up to determine the incidence of domestic violence and its effect on preterm delivery, low birth weight, and outcome of pregnancy (infant admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 489 gravidas were screened for domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse. Patients were assigned to the control group if they had no substance abuse and no domestic violence and to the study group if they had no substance abuse but were victims of domestic violence. Of the total study population, 20% were victims of domestic violence. Among patients suffering domestic violence, 22% had preterm deliveries as compared with 9% of patients without domestic violence (P = .002). Sixteen percent of patients in the study group had low-birth-weight babies compared with 6% of women in the control group (P = .002). No significant relationship was found between domestic violence and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Therefore, domestic violence is a risk factor for preterm delivery and low-birth-weight infants.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Domestic violence awareness in a medical school class: 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Previous studies have examined short-term effectiveness of domestic violence instruction. We studied the long-term effectiveness (LTE) and long-term retention (LTR) of formal instruction about domestic violence. METHODS: A general knowledge survey on domestic violence was given before, 1 month after, and 2 years after 3 hours of instruction to medical students. Good LTE was defined as significant improvement in responses between the first and third surveys. Good LTR was defined as lack of a significant decrease in results between the second and third surveys. RESULTS: Two years after the instruction, 104 of 148 (70%) participated. Knowledge of rates of domestic violence against women showed neither good LTE nor good LTR. Responses showed good LTE and LTR concerning domestic violence incidence among men, ethnic and socioeconomic groups being equally represented, victims not being personally responsible for the abuse, and physicians not being required to report domestic violence in the survey state. Responses showed poor LTR and LTE regarding rates of domestic violence in women and abused persons being unable to simply leave their situation. CONCLUSIONS: Some improvement in domestic violence awareness was seen 2 years after instruction. However, some information was not retained. Domestic violence instruction should be reemphasized throughout medical school.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Domestic violence: level of training, knowledge base and practice among Milwaukee physicians.

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence is a prevalent problem with significant health consequences. Early recognition and appropriate intervention with referral to local domestic violence agencies can be life-saving. Little is known, however, about the current level of training, knowledge base and attitudes of physicians in this area. METHODS: A survey was sent to 1300 physicians practicing in Milwaukee County in the following specialties: Family Practice, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Psychiatry. Demographic information was obtained. Questions were designed to explore attitudes towards domestic violence, frequency of encounters with victims or abusers, and knowledge of resources and appropriate intervention. RESULTS: Of the 192 respondents, 74% reported having some training in domestic violence. Thirty percent reported seeing victims in their practice on a daily or weekly basis. Seventy percent feel able to identify a victim of domestic violence. Less than a third of respondents screened at least half of the patients they see for the possibility of abuse. Less than half always refer victims to a hotline or shelter, and less than a quarter of the respondents discuss safety plans with victims. A potentially dangerous response is telling a victim not to go back to an abuser without providing referrals and safety supports. In spite of this, almost a quarter of respondents always tell a victim to not go back to the abuser. Family practitioners and psychiatrists were more likely to discuss abuse with patients than were internists. CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of physicians, in Milwaukee County, practicing certain specialties that potentially have a high rate of contact with domestic violence victims have had insufficient training in domestic violence assessment and intervention. Physicians should be familiar with the domestic violence hotlines and shelters in their communities and need to incorporate screen questions for domestic violence into their regular practice.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2001

Domestic violence: prevalence among women in a primary care center--a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence is a prevalent problem with serious consequences, including the risk of death. The lifetime prevalence ranges from 21 to 34%, with 8-14% of them reporting abuse in the previous year. The incidence seen in primary care practice is about 8%. Despite this high rate, domestic violence is under-diagnosed in primary care. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence among women visiting a primary care center, to characterize them and to evaluate a screening tool. METHODS: A brief anonymous questionnaire (in Hebrew and Russian) for self-completion was used as a screening tool. During October 1998 we distributed the questionnaires in a primary care clinic in Beer Sheva to all women aged 18-60 years whose health permitted their participation. A woman was considered at high risk for domestic violence when she gave a positive answer to at least one of the three questions related to violence. The risk factors for domestic violence were calculated by odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The response rate was 95.7%. We found 41 women (30.8%) at high risk for violence. Women preferred talking about this issue with their family physician. Women at highest risk were older than 40 years, had emigrated from the former Soviet Union during the last 10 years, were living alone, and were unemployed. None of the women visited the Domestic Violence Center during the study period and 2 months thereafter. Only three women tore off the Center's address and phone number attached to the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The anonymous questionnaire was well accepted and had a high compliance rate. Its disadvantages are that respondents must be literate and that it permits the woman to continue with her "secret-keeping" behavior. A high prevalence of domestic violence among women visiting a primary care clinic should convince family physicians to be more active in diagnosing the problem accurately among their patients, providing treatment and preventing further deterioration and possible danger. Further effort should be directed at improving the clinic staff's ability to detect domestic violence among patients, and at developing management programs in the health system to help combat domestic violence.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of domestic violence among patients in three ambulatory care internal medicine clinics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of domestic violence among patients seen in three university-affiliated ambulatory care internal medicine clinics and to assess the personal characteristics of those patients affected by domestic violence. DESIGN: Survey using a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. SETTING: Three university-affiliated internal medicine clinics at the University of California Irvine Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS: We asked all patients on randomly selected days during the three-month study to participate. 453 (72%) of the 629 eligible English- and Spanish-speaking patients completed the questionnaire. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 28% of participants had experienced domestic violence at some time in their lives, and 14% were currently experiencing domestic violence. Logistic regression analysis showed that female gender, unmarried status, and poverty were important predictors of domestic violence. However, domestic violence occurred in all groups regardless of sex, ethnicity, age, or socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: The study found an unexpectedly high prevalence of domestic violence in the three internal medicine clinics. Physicians should ask their patients routinely about domestic violence and, when domestic violence is present, should offer emotional support, information about social service agencies, and psychological care.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

A reconsideration of the domestication geography of tetraploid wheats.

The domestication of tetraploid wheats started from their wild progenitor Triticum dicoccoides. In this paper, the geographical distribution of this progenitor is revised to include more sampling locations. The paper is based on a collection of wild and domesticated lines (226 accessions in total) analyzed by AFLP at 169 polymorphic loci. The collection includes the 69 wild lines considered by Mori et al. (2003) in their study on chloroplast DNA haplotypes of T. dicoccoides. The goal of the experiment was to reconsider which location thought to have generated the domesticated germplasm has the highest chance of being the actual site from which wild progenitors were sampled during domestication. Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear AFLP databases indicates that two different genetic taxa of T. dicoccoides exist, the western one, colonizing Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, and the central-eastern one, which has been frequently sampled in Turkey and rarely in Iran and Iraq. It is the central-eastern race that played the role of the progenitor of the domesticated germplasm. This is supported by the cumulative results of the AFLP data from the collections of Ozkan et al. (2002) and of Mori et al. (2003), which indicate that the Turkish Karacadag population, intermixed with some Iraq-Iran lines, has a tree topology consistent with that of the progenitor of domesticated genotypes. The Turkish Kartal population belongs genetically to the central-eastern T. dicoccoides race but at the nuclear DNA level is less related to the domesticated gene pool. A general agreement between published work on tetraploid wheat domestication emerges from these results. A disagreement is nevertheless evident at the local geographical scale; the chloroplast DNA data indicate the Kartal mountains while AFLP fingerprinting points to the Karacadag Range as the putative site of tetraploid wheat domestication.

Cluster Analysis↗

PubMed2005

The use of exploratory factor analysis in evaluating midwives' attitudes and stereotypical myths related to the identification and management of domestic violence in practice.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the suitability of the 'Midwives' Attitudes to Domestic Violence Scale' for evaluating midwives' attitudes and stereotypical myths related to the identification and management of domestic violence in practice. Other objectives were to assess midwives' perceived role and experience of raising the issue of domestic violence with their clients, and to assess their perceived prevalence of domestic violence in their current practice. DESIGN: survey using a postal quesnionnaire. The questionnaire included a scale on attitudes to, and stereotypical myths surrounding, domestic violence within maternity care, and assessed demographic details. SETTING: Northern Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: 861 hospital and community midwives. FINDINGS: 488 midwives returned a completed questionnaire leading to a 57% response rate. Exploratory factor analysis of the 22-item attitude questionnaire produced three factors that accounted for 36% of the variance: namely, factor 1: non-susceptible to myths; factor 2: training and information; and factor 3: confidence. In general, as indicated by the mean summary score, most of the midwives (82%) did not subscribe to the numerous stereotypical myths surrounding domestic violence. Similarly, there was general agreement with issues associated with factor 2: training and information (mean summary score 74%). Importantly, however, factor 3, associated with confidence levels, indicated that, in general, midwives lacked confidence in dealing with the issues addressing domestic violence (mean summary score 33%). KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the measure provides a reliable method for assessing midwives' attitudes and training needs for identifying and dealing with domestic abuse. It may also serve to evaluate training and policy interventions in domestic violence.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Domestication effects on foraging strategies in fowl.

Birds of two different breeds differing in degree of domestication were studied to reveal any differences in foraging strategies between them. The breeds were wild-type birds (crossing between red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) and Swedish bantam (Gallus gallus domesticus) and domestic birds (Swedish bantam), breeds representing an increasing level of domestication. Bantam birds have not been selected for any specific characteristics. The birds were allowed to forage in an experimental pen containing two separate food patches, which depleted as a function of being exploited, to see how well the different breeds were able to assess costs and benefits as the distance between patches were changed (short distance between patches compared to long distance between patches). Both breeds behaved in accordance with some general predictions of optimal foraging theory, i.e. moved between patches, left patches before these were empty and stayed for a shorter time in more depleted patches. Wild-type birds responded more than domestic birds to an increase of distance between patches, by spending longer average time in patch when there was a long distance between them compared to when there was a short distance. The wild-type birds adopted what seemed to be a more costly foraging strategy, moving more between patches than the domestic birds without ingesting more feed. During domestication, in the protected environment provided by man, individuals using less costly behavioural strategies may have gained increased fitness over those spending more energy on foraging. Although domestic birds still possessed the ability to respond adaptively to environmental conditions, the differences between the wild-type and the domestic breed might be a result of the reduction of the natural selection pressure which accompanies domestication.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Failure of the mandatory domestic violence reporting law to increase medical facility referral to police.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of California's 1994 mandatory domestic violence reporting law on Los Angeles Sheriff's Department dispatches to medical facilities for domestic violence incidents. METHODS: This ecological time-trend study analyzed data from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department for the period January 1, 1993, to December 31, 1995. All 26,051 dispatches for domestic violence offenses during the study period were analyzed. The outcome measures were changes in biweekly department dispatches for domestic violence offenses resulting from the implementation of the mandatory domestic violence reporting law adjusted for seasonal variation and the Simpson/Goldman murders. RESULTS: The percentage of biweekly dispatches to medical facilities for domestic violence offenses did not increase in response to the law (beta = -.0072, P = .095). Total domestic violence dispatches increased significantly after the Simpson/Goldman murders but not after passage of the law (beta = 82.7, P < .0001 versus beta = -10.1, P = .2205). CONCLUSION: The mandatory domestic violence reporting law in California did not increase medical personnel reporting of domestic violence situations to the Sheriff's Department during the 2 years after its implementation.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Genetic identification of wild and domestic cats (Felis silvestris) and their hybrids using Bayesian clustering methods.

Crossbreeding with free-ranging domestic cats is supposed to threaten the genetic integrity of wildcat populations in Europe, although the diagnostic markers to identify "pure" or "admixed" wildcats have never been clearly defined. Here we use mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences and allelic variation at 12 microsatellite loci to genotype 128 wild and domestic cats sampled in Italy which were preclassified into three separate groups: European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), Sardinian wildcats (Felis silvestris libyca), and domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus), according to their coat color patterns, collection localities, and other phenotypical traits, independently of any genetic information. For comparison, we included some captive-reared hybrids of European wild and domestic cats. Genetic variability was significantly partitioned among the three groups (mtDNA estimate of F(ST) = 0.36; microsatellite estimate of R(ST) = 0.30; P < 0.001), suggesting that morphological diversity reflects the existence of distinct gene pools. Multivariate ordination of individual genotypes and clustering of interindividual genetic distances also showed evidence of distinct cat groups, partially congruent with the morphological classification. Cluster analysis, however, did not enable hybrid cats to be identified from genetic information alone, nor were all individuals assigned to their populations. In contrast, a Bayesian admixture analysis simultaneously assigned the European wildcats, the Sardinian wildcats, and the domestic cats to different clusters, independent of any prior information, and pointed out the admixed gene composition of the hybrids, which were assigned to more than one cluster. Only one putative Sardinian wildcat was assigned to the domestic cat cluster, and one presumed European wildcat showed mixed (hybrid) ancestry in the domestic cat gene pool. Mitochondrial DNA sequences indicated that three additional presumed European wildcats might have hybrid ancestry. These four cats were sampled from the same area in the northernmost edge of the European wildcat distribution in the Italian Apennines. Admixture analyses suggest that wild and domestic cats in Italy are distinct, reproductively isolated gene pools and that introgression of domestic alleles into the wild-living population is very limited and geographically localized.

Alleles↗

PubMed2006

Domestic violence and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of life-time domestic violence by the current partner before HIV-1 testing, its impact on the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions and frequency after testing. DESIGN: A prospective cohort. METHODS: Antenatally, women and their partners were interviewed regarding physical, financial, and psychological abuse by the male partner before HIV-1 testing and 2 weeks after receiving results. RESULTS: Before testing, 804 of 2836 women (28%) reported previous domestic violence, which tended to be associated with increased odds of HIV-1 infection [univariate odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.2; P < 0.0001, adjusted OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9-1.6; P = 0.1], decreased odds of coming with partners for counseling (adjusted OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0; P = 0.04), and decreased odds of partner notification (adjusted OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.1; P = 0.09). Previous domestic violence was not associated with a reduced uptake of HIV-1 counseling, HIV-1 testing, or nevirapine. After receiving results, 15 out of 1638 women (0.9%) reported domestic violence. After notifying partners of results, the odds of HIV-1-seropositive women reporting domestic violence were 4.8 times those of HIV-1-seronegative women (95% CI 1.4-16; P = 0.01). Compared with women, men reported similar or more male-perpetrated domestic violence, suggesting a cultural acceptability of violence. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence before testing may limit partner involvement in PMTCT. Although infrequent, immediate post-test domestic violence is more common among HIV-1-infected than uninfected women. Domestic violence prevention programmes need to be integrated into PMTCT, particularly for HIV-1-seropositive women.

Child↗

PubMed2006

Mitochondrial haplotypes of European wild boars with 2n = 36 are closely related to those of European domestic pigs with 2n = 38.

Wild boars from Western Europe have a 2n = 36 karyotype, in contrast to a karyotype of 2n = 38 in wild boars from Central Europe and Asia and in all domestic pigs. The phylogenetic status of this wild boar population is unclear, and it is not known if it has contributed to pig domestication. We have now sequenced the mtDNA control region from 30 European wild boars (22 with a confirmed 2n = 36 karyotype) and six Asian wild boars (two Hainan and four Dongbei wild boars) to address this question. The results revealed a close genetic relationship between mtDNA haplotypes from wild boars with 2n = 36 to those from domestic pigs with 2n = 38. Thus, we cannot exclude the possibility that wild boars with 2n = 36 may have contributed to pig domestication despite the karyotype difference. One of the European wild boars carried an Asian mtDNA haplotype, and this most likely reflects gene flow from domestic pigs to European wild boars. However, this gene flow does not appear to be extensive because the frequency of Asian haplotypes detected among European wild boars (c. 3%) were 10-fold lower than among European domestic pigs (c. 30%). Previous studies of mtDNA haplotypes have indicated that pig populations in Europe and Asia have experienced a population expansion, but it is not clear if the expansion occurred before or after domestication. The results of the present study are consistent with an expansion that primarily occurred prior to domestication because the mtDNA haplotypes found in European and Asian wild boars did not form their own clusters but were intermingled with haplotypes found in domestic pigs, indicating that they originated from the same population expansion.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Appliances and their impact: the ownership of domestic technology and time spent on household work.

Ever since the appearance of Vanek's pioneering article in 1974, there has been a controversy about whether 'labour saving' domestic appliances actually save labour time. Vanek argued that time spent in housework had barely changed since 1926, despite the diffusion of practically every known domestic appliance over this period. Gershuny and Robinson challenge Vanek's 'constancy of housework' thesis, arguing that, between 1965 and 1985, domestic technology has significantly reduced the weekly hours of women's routine housework. Although there is much talking past each other, none of the protagonists in this dispute have any direct data about which households own or do not own domestic appliances. Instead, they all rely on the passage of the years as a proxy for ownership of domestic appliances, since a higher proportion of contemporary households now own domestic appliances. The Australian 1997 Time Use Survey (Australian Bureau of Statistics 1998b) is rare among official surveys, as it simultaneously provides detailed information on time spent in housework and an inventory of household appliances. The analysis of this data show that domestic technology rarely reduces women's unpaid working time and even, paradoxically, produces some increases in domestic labour. The domestic division of labour by gender remains remarkably resistant to technological innovation.

Australia↗

PubMed2004

Domestic strain: a hindrance in rehabilitation?

Long-term sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders has increased, especially for women. The aim of this paper was to explore women's and men's descriptions of the private arena in relation to rehabilitation and sickness absence. This study is part of a larger project focusing on consequences of sick leave. Individual interviews were conducted in 1997 and 1998 with 20 women and men who had been long-term sick-listed in 1985 with musculoskeletal diagnoses. The data were analysed using Grounded theory in combination with gender analysis, which involved separately comparing men's and women's statements in order to find similarities and differences. According to the interviewees, factors in the private arena were closely associated with the rehabilitation process. Women described themselves as being responsible for the domestic work while men more often 'helped out' when asked to do so. Women and men described similar strategies to facilitate domestic work. Three dimensions of domestic life were identified, comprising division of domestic work and division of responsibility for domestic life and the amount of socio-emotional support or isolation at home. Using these dimensions, a 'domestic strain model' was developed. Our study indicates that long-term sick-listed women experiencing domestic strain would rather stay at home than return to work. Domestic strain involves inequities in the division of work and responsibilities and a lack of socio-emotional support at home. However, the model of domestic strain needs further empirical testing.

Adaptation, Psychological↗