ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF DIVERSE FAMILIES RESIDING IN THE UNITED STATES AND SPECIFICALLY IN MINNESOTA.

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0177352
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2010
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2015
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MINNESOTA
(N/A)
ST PAUL,MN 55108

Performing Department
Family Social Science

Non Technical Summary
Financial security can take on a variety of meanings for various individuals; however it basically means that individuals and families have the ability to meet their basic needs along with reaching some of their wants. With the economic crisis, we are seeing many American individuals and families experiencing financial difficulties due to the lost of their jobs, their retirement savings disappearing, and/or losing their homes due to home foreclosures. As a result of this crisis, many American individuals and families are seeking ways to be financially secured. Trends and changes in labor market options for the diverse populations are important for policy makers and educators. Policy makers need information on where to invest public monies to assist individuals and families to effectively compete in the market place for labor income. Designers of educational curriculum need to know what education is needed for workers to effectively compete in the market place for labor income. The purpose of this research agenda is to understand the economic well-being of diverse families residing in the United States, as a whole, and in Minnesota. This project will specifically focus on the Hispanic or Latino(a) population both U.S. born and immigrant born and the general college student population with specific interest in students of color. The results of this project will serve as a base line to enhance future research and provide a better understanding of the various diverse populations from an economic perspective.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
801	6010	3010	50%
802	6020	3080	50%

Knowledge Area
801 - Individual and Family Resource Management; 802 - Human Development and Family Well-Being;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals; 6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics; 3080 - Sociology;

Keywords

economic well being

latino individuals and families

college students

Goals / Objectives
This research project will examine financial management issues that affect individuals and families economic well-being as well as employment options individuals and families choose to support themselves and their families such as being self-employed versus wage and salary earners. These issues can be examined from a native born and/or immigrant perspective and also by gender. The two research agenda objectives are as follows: To examine human capital, assimilation, individual and relationship capital, and demographic variables on employment choices by both native born citizens and immigrants. To examine financial management issues that affect individuals and families economic well-being, specifically college students.

Project Methods
This research project will use both quantitative and qualitative data sources to meet both objectives 1and 2. To meet objective 1, quantitative data will come from existing data sources which include the 1990, 2000, and the forthcoming 2010 Census of Population and Housing Public Use Microdata Sample. To meet objective 2, both quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. The quantitative data will come from the Rural Families Speak Project data set and the National Family Business Survey data set. The qualitative data source that will be used is the Mexican Agricultural Workers in Minnesota: A Study of Transnational Work and Family Issues project data set. To specifically examine the college students money management experience, qualitative data will come from the Financial Management Experiences of College Students data set which sampled a small sample utilizing University of Minnesota students. To meet these objectives, variables will be drawn from economics (human capital theory), sociology (level of cultural assimilation), and family science (individual and relationship capital) disciplines. It is important to further investigate financial management issues that affect individuals and families economic well-being.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Educators, policy makers, researchers, college students, financial counselors, financial practitioners, financial planners, financial therapists, and student financial aid officers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?For the first research project, findings were incorporated in the researcher's personal and family finance course by utilizing case studies, group work, and problem-based activities. For the second research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. For the third research project, a paper was submitted, accepted, and presented at the American Sociological Association Meeting; Chicago, ILL in August, 2015 to its membership along with a journal article on the same topic was published in Gender Issues. Additionally, a newsletter article pertaining to poverty and family was written and published in the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education quarterly newsletter. For the fourth research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. For the fifth research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. None to report for the sixth research project. None to report for the seventh research project. None to report for the eighth research project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?For the first research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a personal and family finance course and the course was designed with many of the findings in mind to benefit the learners. For the second research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a family financial counseling course. For the third research project, findings were shared with American Sociological Association Meeting, Chicago, ILL membership. Additionally, a newsletter article pertaining to poverty and family was written and published in the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education quarterly newsletter. For the fourth research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. For the fifth research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. None to report for the sixth research project. None to report for the seventh research project. None to report for the eighth research project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This is the final reporting period for this project. Plans are to continue examining college student money management practices and to examine family owned businesses.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This research project has two goals and the focus of this past year's work was mainly on the second goal which is to examine financial management issues that affect individuals and families economic well-being, specifically college students. For the first research project, authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and the manuscript was accepted for publication and is now published in the College Student Journal. The article focused on active learning approaches to teaching, including the use of case studies and problem-based learning in university personal and family finance courses. For second research project, authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and the manuscript was accepted for publication, however it is in the In Press stage of the publication process with the Journal of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. This article focused on college students' perceptions of being overindulged as children and how it relates to their current financial skills and behaviors. For third research project, authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and the manuscript was accepted for publication and is now published online in Gender Issues Journal. The article explored income disparity and poverty between single mothers and single fathers across three decades (1990-2010), using a U.S. nationally representative sample. Additionally, a paper was presented at the American Sociological Association Meeting, Chicago, ILL in August, 2015. Along this same topic of poverty and families, a newsletter article was written and published in the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education quarterly newsletter. The fourth research project aimed to answer the question: What is the knowledge in the experiences of financial counselors working with minority families; by interviewing eight financial counselors and educators who work with ethnic and cultural minority families to explore their experiences. The results from this research study were presented to a university family financial counseling course. Authors are working on a manuscript to submit to a refereed journal publication outlet. The fifth research project aimed to examine how financial capability program providers define & utilize a variety of delivery methods to maximize successful outcomes with their clients. Authors are working on a manuscript to submit to a refereed journal publication outlet. A sixth research project focused on family economic well-being of emerging adults by examining economic pressure in early adulthood. Authors are working on a manuscript and submitted a refereed journal publication outlet and are on the revise and resubmit phase. The seventh research project focused on predictors associated with eligible nonparticipation for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in rural low-income families. Authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and it was rejected. The eighth research project focused on college student's money management practices specifically examining college students. Three manuscripts are in the works. One manuscript focuses on college students who are in a committed relationship and their money practices; the second manuscript is examining college student's financial literacy knowledge; and the third manuscript is focusing on Asian college students. Authors are working on manuscripts to submit to refereed journal publication outlets.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Gudmunson, C.G., Zuiker, V.S., Katras, M.J., & Sabri, M.F. (2015). Enhancing personal and family finance courses using case studies. College Student Journal,49(3), 321-330.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kramer, K.Z., Olsen, L., Zuiker, V.S., & Bauer, J.W. (In Press). Comparison of poverty and income disparity of single mothers and fathers across three decades: 1990 - 2010. Gender Issues. doi: 10.1007/s12147-015-9144-3
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kramer, K. Z., Olsen, L., Zuiker, V. S., and Bauer, J. (August, 2015). Comparison of poverty and income disparity of single mothers and single fathers across three decades: 1990 to 2010. Presented at the American Sociological Association Meeting, Chicago, IL.
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Rea, J. K. & Zuiker, V. S. (February, 2015). Poverty and Family Finances. The Standard, Q1: 1(33), 1, 9-10, &15. Retrieved from http://www.flipsnack.com/rwiggins/afcpe-the-standard-newsletter-q1-2015.html
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Gudmunson, C. G. & Zuiker, V. S. (Revise and resubmit). Economic Pressure in Diverging Life Paths: A Life Course Examination of Stress in Early Adulthood.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2015 Citation: Seo, C., Zuiker, V., Katras, M.J., & Bauer, J.W. (Rejected). Factors associated with WIC nonparticipation among eligible rural mothers.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Heuring, S.M., Solheim, C.A., Zuiker, V.S., & Ballard, J. (In Press). The link between childhood overindulgence and adult financial behaviors. Journal of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Educators, policy makers, researchers, college students, financial counselors, financial practitioners, financial planners, financial therapists, student financial aid officers, foster youth, and social workers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? For the first research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. For the second research project, a paper was submitted, accepted, and presented at the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium in November 2014. For the third research project two online modules were developed and went live for the general public to use in 2014. One of the modules focus was specifically designed for the foster youth transitioning out of the child welfare system and the second module was specifically designed for the case worker as background knowledge on credit reports and credit scores who work with these youths. None to report for the fourth research project. None to report for the fifth research project. None to report for the sixth research project. None to report for the seventh research project. None to report for the eight research project. None to report for the ninth research project. None to report for the tenth research project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? For the first research project, findings were presented to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. For the second research project, findings were presented at the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium in November 2014. For the third research project, the online modules were made live in 2014 for the general public to access. None to report for the fourth research project. None to report for the fifth research project. For the sixth research project, authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and the manuscript was accepted for publication, however it is in the In Press stage of the publication process. None to report for the seventh research project. None to report for the eight research project. None to report for the ninth research project. None to report for the tenth research project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Plans for this project in 2015 are to continue to work on a manuscript to submit to a refereed journal publication outlet in 2015 and to present the findings to students enrolled in a university family financial counseling course. Plans for the second research project in 2015 are to analyze the data and to disseminate the results in various ways such as journal articles, newsletters, conference presentation & posters, and possibly develop webinars on this topic. There are no plans to continue the third research project in 2015. Plans for the fourth research project in 2015 are to disseminate the results in various ways such as journal articles, newsletters, conference presentation & posters, and possibly develop webinars on this topic. Plans for the fifth research project in 2015 are to revise and resubmit with the goal of publishing this manuscript. There are no plans to continue the sixth research project in 2015. Plans for the seventh research project in 2015 are to revise and resubmit with the goal of publishing this manuscript. Plans for the eight research project in 2015 are to revise and resubmit with the goal of publishing this manuscript. Plans for the ninth research project in 2015 are to revise and resubmit with the goal of publishing this manuscript. Plans for the tenth research project in 2015 are to work with the Minnesota Population Center to access U.S. Census data and to revise and resubmit the manuscript with updated Census data.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This research project has two goals and the focus of this past year’s work was mainly on the second goal which is to examine financial management issues that affect individuals and families economic well-being, specifically college students. The first research project aimed to answer the question: What is the knowledge in the experiences of financial counselors working with minority families; by interviewing eight financial counselors and educators who work with ethnic and cultural minority families to explore their experiences. The results from this research study were presented to a university family financial counseling course. Authors are working on a manuscript to submit to a refereed journal publication outlet. The second research project aimed to examine how financial capability program providers define & utilize a variety of delivery methods to maximize successful outcomes with their clients. The online survey went live at the end of 2013 to financial program providers and in 2014 work began on analyzing the data. A paper was submitted, accepted, and presented at the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium in November 2014. The third research project involved working with Social Worker professionals to develop online modules for both case workers and foster children who are transitioning out of the child welfare system to learn about money management specifically revolving around credit reports and credit scores. Two online modules were developed in 2013 and were made live for the general public to use in 2014. A fourth research project focused on college student’s money management practices. An Institutional Review Board application was submitted and approved, an online survey was developed and then uploaded to an online survey software tool, and the online survey went live in April 2014 to college students. This project continued building the literature review on this topic. Additionally, a research proposal on this topic was submitted to the college so that the investigator could gain skills on grant writing to seek funding for this project, but the proposal was rejected. In the fall of 2014, three research teams were organized to begin to examine various aspects of college student’s money management practices. A fifth research project focused on college students’ perceptions of being overindulged as children and how it relates to their current financial skills and behaviors. Authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and are in the revise and resubmit stage of the review process. The sixth research project focused on active learning approaches to teaching, including the use of case studies and problem-based learning in university personal and family finance courses. Authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and the manuscript was accepted for publication, however it is in the In Press stage of the publication process. The seventh research project focused on predictors associated with eligible nonparticipation for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in rural low-income families. Authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and are in the revise and resubmit stage of the review process. The eight research project explored income disparity and poverty between single mothers and single fathers across three decades (1990-2010), using a U.S. nationally representative sample. Authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and are awaiting reviews from the editor. The ninth research project examined the influence of parenting performance and economic strain on life quality using family stress theory with rural low-income families. Authors submitted a manuscript to a refereed journal publication outlet and it was rejected. The tenth research project: with regards to the first overall goal to examine human capital, assimilation, individual and relationship capital, and demographic variables on employment choices by both native born citizens and immigrants, a manuscript was submitted for peer review in a journal outlet and it was rejected.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gudmunson, C.G., Zuiker, V.S., Katras, M.J., & Sabri, M.F. (In Press). Enhancing personal and family finance courses using case studies. College Student Journal.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Katras, M.J., Zuiker, V.S., Croymans, S., Anderson-Porisch, S., & Hawkins, B. (2014). What's in a name? Exploring and defining financial delivery methods. In V.J. Mason, Proceedings of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, 27.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Heuring, S.M., Solheim, C.A., Zuiker, V.S., & Ballard, J. (Revise and resubmit). Childhood overindulgence and adult financial behaviors: Is there a link?
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Seo, C., Zuiker, V., Katras, M.J., & Bauer, J.W. (Revise and resubmit). Factors associated with WIC nonparticipation among eligible rural mothers.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kramer, K.Z., Olsen, L., Zuiker, V.S., & Bauer, J.W. (In review). Comparison of poverty and income disparity of single mothers and fathers across three decades: 1990 to 2010.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bird, C., Zuiker, V.S., & Bauer, J.W. (Rejected). Life quality: Assessing the influence of economic strain and parenting confidence.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zuiker, V.S., Gudmunson, C.G., Olson, P.D., Katras, M.J., & Seo, C. (Rejected). Hispanic Self-Employment in the United States in 1990 and 2000 by Poverty Level.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Educators, policy makers, researchers, college students, financial counselors, financial practitioners, financial planners, financial therapists, student financial aid officers, foster youth, and social workers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Findings were presented at the Financial Therapy Association Conference in Lubbock, Texas which membership consists of financial planners, counselors, therapists and college students majoring in personal finance and financial counseling related fields and to a university family financial counseling course. None to report for the second research project. For the third research project two online modules were developed and are waiting to go live for the general public to use. One of the modules focus was specifically designed for the foster youth transitioning out of the child welfare system and the second module was specifically designed for the case worker as background knowledge on credit reports and credit scores who work with these youths. None to report for the fourth research project. None to report for the fifth research project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Findings were presented at the Financial Therapy Association Conference in Lubbock, Texas which membership consists of financial planners, counselors, therapists and college students majoring in personal finance and financial counseling related fields and to a university family financial counseling course. None to report for the second research project. None to report for the third research project. None to report for the fourth research project. None to report for the fifth research project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Plans for this project in 2014 are to take the comments from the presentation and incorporated into a manuscript to be sent out for peer review to a refereed journal in 2014. Plans for the second research project in 2014 are to analyze the data and to disseminate the results in various ways such as journal articles, newsletters, conference presentation & posters, and possibly develop webinars on this topic. Plans for the third research project in 2014 are for the two online modules to go live for the general public use. Plans for the fourth research project in 2014 are submit an Institutional Review Board application, develop the online survey, launch the online survey, analyze the data, and seek outside funding. Next, we have plans to disseminate the results in various ways such as journal articles, newsletters, conference presentation & posters, and possibly develop webinars on this topic. Plans for the fifth research project in 2014 are to work with the Minnesota Population Center to access U.S. Census data and to revise and resubmit the manuscript.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This research project has two goals and this year’s focus was mainly on the second goal which is to examine financial management issues that affect individuals and families economic well-being, specifically college students. The first research project aimed to answer the question: What is the knowledge in the experiences of financial counselors working with minority families; by interviewing eight financial counselors and educators who work with ethnic and cultural minority families to explore their experiences. The results from this research study were analyzed and submitted to present at a national conference and to a university family financial counseling course. The second research project aimed to examine how financial capability program providers define & utilize a variety of delivery methods to maximize successful outcomes with their clients. In this project, an Institutional Review Board application was submitted and approved, an online survey was developed and then uploaded to an online survey software tool, and the online survey went live from November 2013 to December 2014 to financial program providers. The third research project involved working with Social Worker professionals to develop online modules for both case workers and foster children who are transitioning out of the child welfare system to learn about money management specifically revolving around credit reports and credit scores. Two online modules were developed and are waiting to go live for the general public to use. A fourth research project is still in its infancy stage and will focus on college student’s money management practices. The work currently being done with this project has focused on the literature review on this topic, working on an Institutional Review Board application, contacting researchers who are also working on this topic to learn more about their surveys, and developing an online survey to be sent out in 2014. Additionally, a research proposal on this topic was submitted to national funder, but it was rejected. Fifth research project: with regards to the first overall goal to examine human capital, assimilation, individual and relationship capital, and demographic variables on employment choices by both native born citizens and immigrants, a manuscript was submitted for peer review in a journal outlet and it is in the revise and resubmit stage.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hawkins, B. & Zuiker, V. S. (2013, September/October). Lessons from financial counselors working with cultural minority families. Paper presented at the Financial Therapy Association Conference in Lubbock, Texas.

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This research project examines financial management issues that affect individuals and families' economic well-being; this can include employment options such as being, self-employed versus wage and salary earners. Eight research projects are reported under this project. One refereed journal article publication was published and two refereed conference presentations were accepted. Progress on the manuscripts include: four manuscripts were resubmitted for peer review in another journal and one manuscript is in the revise and resubmit stage, one manuscript is in the in review stage and two manuscripts were rejected with plans to submit to another refereed journal. Two additional manuscripts are in the writing stage. The first project examines both the U.S. and immigrant self-employed Hispanic householder utilizing both the 1990 and 2000 PUMS Census data. A manuscript was submitted for peer review to a different journal outlet and it is in the revise and resubmits stage. The second project focuses on issues of work and family that span national boundaries of Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. Results for this research were accepted by a refereed journal. A third project examines work characteristics and human capital variables that may help to explain income disparity between single mothers and single fathers. A manuscript was submitted for peer review in another journal outlet and it is in the in review stage. The fourth research project focuses on college students taking a personal and family finance course and examines their money management issues by using case studies. The manuscript was rejected and is in the plans to resubmit to another refereed journal stage. The fifth project investigates the economic pressure of emerging adulthood. Results from this project were presented at a national conference. Comments from the presentation will be incorporated into a manuscript to be sent out for peer review to a refereed journal. The sixth project examines the influences of the domains of economic strain and parenting performance on rural, low-income mothers' life quality utilizing a sample from wave two of Rural Families Speak project. The manuscript was rejected and is in the plans to resubmit to another refereed journal stage. The seventh project is in the data collecting and data transcribing stage. This research project is examining family patterns that are connected to financial decision-making that counselors/educators/practitioners may have learned when working with minority families. The last project is working with the School of Social Work faculty to help develop on line modules for foster children who are transitioning out of the child welfare system to learn about money management specifically revolving around credit reports and credit scores. The modules are being developed at this time. PARTICIPANTS: Project 1: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs, and Iowa State University Faculty Project 2: University of Minnesota Faculty; University of Minnesota Extension Educators; Graduate Student RAs, faculty from a university in Mexico. Project 3: University of Minnesota Faculty and University of Illinois Faculty Project 4: University of Minnesota Faculty and Iowa State University Faculty Project 5: University of Minnesota Faculty and Iowa State University Faculty Project 6: University of Minnesota Faculty and North Carolina State University Faculty. Project 7: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate Student, and Undergraduate Student Project 8: University of Minnesota Family Social Science and School of Social Work Faculty and Graduate Students TARGET AUDIENCES: Educators, policy makers, researchers, minority business owners, college students, financial counselors/practitioners, foster youth and their case workers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None reported

Impacts
Gudmunson and Zuiker (2012) examined patterns of financial economic pressure of individuals who were in the emerging adulthood developmental stage (between the ages of 25 to 31) to determine whether economic pressure is influenced by their childhood social background. Results showed that for the average person in this study until the age of 31 that they experienced a "moderate" amount of economic pressure. Females and ethnic/racial minorities felt greater initial economic pressure than their counterparts and the differences were mostly perpetuated over time. Solheim, Rojas-Garcia, Olson, and Zuiker (2012) examined Mexican immigrant agricultural workers in Minnesota and their family's influences on goals and remittance use. Seventeen family pairs were interviewed one of the pairs included the Mexican immigrant agricultural worker in Minnesota along and their family member still residing in Mexico who was receiving remittances from the U.S. family member. Results indicated that for many of these family pairs that the decision to leave their home country to work in the United States was a difficult one and not made in isolation. One of the migration goals stated by many of the family pairs is coming to this country to cover their basic living expenses and another goal often mentioned was to gather resources so that they could provide a good education for their family. Zuiker and Hawkins (2012) presented how to utilize Motivational Interviewing concepts in financial counseling sessions through the use of vignettes and discussion to financial educators, counselors, and therapists.

Publications

• Gudmunson, C. G., & Zuiker, V. S. (2012). A life course investigation of economic pressure in emerging adulthood. In Memphis, TN, Proceedings of the American Council on Consumer Interests, 58.
• Solheim, C.A., Rojas-Garcia, G., Olson, P.D., & Zuiker, V.S. (March/April, 2012). Family Influences on Goals, Remittance Use, and Settlement of Mexican Immigrant Agricultural Workers in Minnesota. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 43(2).
• Zuiker, V. S. & Hawkins, B. (2012, September). Motivational interviewing techniques: Barriers in financial counseling situations. Paper presented at the Financial Therapy Association Conference in Columbia, Missouri.

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Examining the economic well-being of diverse families residing in the United States, as a whole, and in Minnesota is the focus of this research project. The project examines both employment options such as being self-employed versus being a wage and salary earner and also financial management issues that affect individuals and families' economic well-being. Eight research projects are reported under this project. One refereed journal article publication was published; one refereed journal article was accepted, but is awaiting a publication date; and one refereed conference presentation was accepted. Progress on the manuscripts include: four manuscripts were resubmitted for peer review and were rejected and three more manuscripts are in the writing stage. A video based on findings from the NIFA International Science Education research project titled "Mexican Agricultural Workers in Minnesota: A Study of Transnational Work and Family Issues" was produced. The first project examines both the U.S. and immigrant self-employed Hispanic householder utilizing both the 1990 and 2000 PUMS Census data. A manuscript was submitted for peer review and was rejected with plans to resubmit to another refereed journal. The second project focuses on issues of work and family that span national boundaries of Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. Results for the research were accepted by a refereed journal; however the authors are awaiting a publication date. A video based on this project was produced and has been shared in a variety of venues which include meetings and in a university classroom. A third project examines work characteristics and human capital variables that may help to explain income disparity between single mothers and single fathers. A manuscript was submitted for peer review and was rejected with plans to resubmit to another refereed journal. The fourth research project focuses on college students' narratives about financial socialization experiences in their families. Results for this manuscript were accepted for publication in a refereed journal. The fifth research project focuses on college students taking a personal and family finance course and examines their money management issues by using case studies. A manuscript was submitted for peer review and was rejected with plans to resubmit to another refereed journal. The sixth project examines the influences of the domains of economic strain and parenting performance on rural, low-income mothers' life quality utilizing a sample from wave two of Rural Families Speak project. The manuscript was resubmitted for peer review and was rejected with plans to resubmit to another refereed journal. The seventh project focuses on how college students manage their finance using financial ratios. This project is in the data analyzing and writing stage. The last project examines the emerging adulthood task of becoming financially self-reliant. Results from this project were presented at a national conference. Comments from the presentation will be incorporated into a manuscript to be sent out for peer review to a refereed journal. PARTICIPANTS: Project 1: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs, and Iowa State University Faculty Project 2: University of Minnesota Faculty; University of Minnesota Extension Educators; Graduate Student RAs, faculty from a university in Mexico. Project 3: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs, and University of Illinois Faculty Project 4: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA Project 5: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA, and Iowa State University Faculty Project 6: University of Minnesota Faculty and North Carolina State University Faculty. Project 7: University of Minnesota Faculty, North Carolina State University Faculty, and undergraduate student Project 8: University of Minnesota Faculty and Iowa State University Faculty TARGET AUDIENCES: Educators, policy makers, researchers, minority business owners, college students PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None reported

Impacts
Gudmunson and Zuiker (2011) examined the emerging adulthood tasks of becoming financially self-reliant utilizing the Youth Development Study sample consisting of a cohort born in 1973-1974 residing in the upper Midwest resulting in 732 participants. Five life paths were identified using Eliason, Mortimer, Vuolo, and Tranby (2009) study. Financial self-reliance of these five life paths was examined using latent growth curves by examining their childhood social background characteristics. For the total sample from ages 23 to 26, their financial self-reliance increased sharply, however it then decreased slightly and then increased again before they reached the age of 31. Also, those with higher GPAs were more likely to be more financially self-reliant. Solheim, Zuiker, and Sheldeshova (2011) study examined the financial socialization experiences of 217 college students. Through the students' narratives, the two most frequently learned financial concepts that were revealed were savings and how to manage their finances including credit use. Solheim, Olson, Zuiker, and Garcia (2010) developed a video based on findings from the NIFA International Science Education research project titled Mexican Agricultural Workers in Minnesota: A Study of Transnational Work and Family Issues titled REALIDADES: Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. Findings from this research project were presented in the video highlighting the life of Mexican immigrants working here in the U.S. while having families who still resided in their home country. This video was used as a teaching tool in a university classroom to teach students concepts of culture and language when working with clients who come from a different culture than their own.

Publications

• Solheim, C.A., Zuiker V.S., & Sheldeshova, P. (2011). Financial socialization family pathways: Reflections from college students narratives. Family Science Review, 16(2), 97-112.
• Gudmunson, C. G., & Zuiker, V. S.(2011). A life course investigation of financial self-reliance in emerging adulthood.Paper presented at the Fifth Conference on Emerging Adulthood in Providence,Rhode Island.
• Solheim, C.A., Olson, P.D., Zuiker, V.S., Garcia, G.R. (2010). REALIDADES: Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. Video based on findings from the NIFA International Science Education research project titled Mexican Agricultural Workers in Minnesota: A Study of Transnational Work and Family Issues.

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This research project examines financial management issues that affect individuals and families' economic well-being; this can include employment options such as being, self-employed versus wage and salary earners. Eight research projects are reported under this project. One refereed journal article was published along with two refereed conferences presentations, one manuscript is in the revised and resubmit stage; three manuscripts are in the review stage, and five manuscripts are in the writing stage. The first project focuses on podcasts as a method to provide financial education to college students. The results for this project were published in the Journal of Extension, [On-line,]48. Available: http://www.joe.org/joe/2010august/a7.php. The next project examines both the U.S. and immigrant self-employed Hispanic householder utilizing both the 1990 and 2000 PUMS Census data. One manuscript was submitted for peer review and authors are awaiting journal reviewer's comments. A second manuscript is currently in the writing stage. The third project focuses on issues of work and family that span national boundaries of Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. Results for the research were presented at the National Conference on Family Relations in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Comments from the session will be incorporated into a manuscript to be sent out for peer review to a refereed journal. A second manuscript is currently being revised and resubmitted to a journal. A fourth project examines work characteristics and human capital variables that may help to explain income disparity between single mothers and single fathers. A manuscript was submitted for peer review and authors are awaiting journal reviewer's comments. The fifth research project focuses on college students narratives about financial socialization experiences in their families. A manuscript was submitted for peer review and authors are awaiting journal reviewer's comments. The sixth research project focuses on college students taking a personal and family finance course and examines their money management issues by using case studies. Results for the research were presented at the annual meeting of the Iowa Educational Research and Evaluation Association, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Comments from the session will be incorporated into a manuscript to be sent out for peer review to a refereed journal. The seventh project examines the influences of the domains of economic strain and parenting performance on rural, low-income mothers' life quality utilizing a sample from wave two of Rural Families Speak project. The manuscript was resubmitted for peer review and the manuscript was rejected. Authors incorporated the comments from the reviewers and are locating another journal to submit the manuscript. The eighth project focuses on how college students manage their finance using financial ratios. This project is in the data analyzing and writing stage. PARTICIPANTS: Project 1: University of Minnesota Faculty and University of Minnesota Extension Educators Project 2: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 3: University of Minnesota Faculty; University of Minnesota Extension Educators; Graduate Student RAs, faculty from a university in Mexico. Project 4: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 5: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA Project 6: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA Project 7: University of Minnesota Faculty and North Carolina State University Faculty. Project 8: University of Minnesota Faculty, North Carolina State University Faculty, and undergraduate student TARGET AUDIENCES: Educators, policy makers, researchers, minority business owners, college students PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None reported

Impacts
Hendrickson, Jokela, Gilman, Croymans, Marczak, Zuiker, & Olson (2010) explored the viability of delivering financial education via podcasts with college students. Results suggest that educators wanting to use only podcasts as a means to deliver financial education should also consider other teaching tools to complement the podcasts delivery. College students were receptive to using podcasts, however did not prefer it as their only means to learn about financial education. Who delivered the financial information was also a concern of college students. College students wanted their financial information to be delivered by a "trusted" individual (Hendrickson et al., 2010). Gudmunson, Zuiker, and Sabri, (2010) study examined 138 students at a large public university in the Midwest enrolled in a Personal Finance course. Results suggest that if students viewed their personal finance learning as interesting, relevant, and had positive group interactions that their preference for traditional lecture formats could be overcome. Reinke, Jang, Zuiker, and Solheim (2010) examined how family and workplace contexts influence an individual's acculturation experiences utilizing a sample consisting of 19 Minnesota migrants and 17 Mexico family members which results in 17 kinship pairs. Results indicate that depending on the family and workplace context, that acculturation can be an important factor in life satisfaction. For these migrant individuals, having to maneuver family responsibilities between their host country and their home country adds a level complexity when interacting with their host country. The remaining research projects are either in the data analysis stage or writing the manuscript stage and it is too early to describe the findings.

Publications

• Hendrickson, L., Jokela, R., Gilman, J., Croymans, S., Marczak, M., Zuiker, V.S., & Olson, P. (2010). The viability of podcasts in extension education: Financial education for college students, Journal of Extension, [On-line,]48. Available: http://www.joe.org/joe/2010august/a7.php
• Gudmunson, C. G., Zuiker, V. S., Sabri, M. F. (2010, December). Meaningful experience as a solution for the aptitude problem in active learning classrooms. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Iowa Educational Research and Evaluation Association, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
• Reinke, J., Jang, J., Zuiker, V.S. & Solheim, C.A. (2010). The bidimensional nature of acculturation in Mexican transnational families. Annual meeting of the 72nd National Council on Family Relations Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This research agenda examines the economic and management issues that affect individuals and families well being residing in the United States, as a whole, and in Minnesota. Eight research projects are reported under this project. One refereed journal article was published along with three refereed conferences presentations, three manuscripts are in the revised and resubmit stage; five manuscripts are in the writing stage, and a research proposal is being rewritten. The first research project examined the key differences between the entrepreneurial experience for Mexican immigrant and US-born Mexican entrepreneurs. The results for this project were published in the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. The next project examines both the U.S. and immigrant self-employed Hispanic householder utilizing both the 1990 and 2000 PUMS Census data. Two manuscripts are currently in the writing stage. A third project examines the influences of the domains of economic strain and parenting performance on rural, low-income mothers' life quality utilizing a sample from wave two of Rural Families Speak project. The manuscript was submitted for peer review and the reviewer's comments are being incorporated to be sent out for another review process. A fourth project focuses on podcasts as a method to provide financial education to college students. The manuscript was revised and resubmitted for peer review and are awaiting the editor's comment for publication. In addition, results from this project were presented at the Annual Conference for the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education in Scottsdale, Arizona. A fifth project examines work characteristics and human capital variables that may help to explain income disparity between single mothers and single fathers. Results for this research were presented at the American Sociological Association Meeting in San-Francisco, CA. Comments from the session were incorporated into a manuscript to be sent out for another review process for peer review for a refereed journal publication. The next project focuses on issues of work and family that span national boundaries of Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. The manuscript is currently being revised and resubmitted to a journal. Another manuscript is currently in the analyzing and writing stage. The seventh research project focuses on college students taking a personal and family finance course and examines their money management issues by using case studies. This manuscript has been revised and resubmitted for publication. Finally, an eighth research project will investigate students' of color attitude, behavior, and usage of credit cards and financial literacy knowledge; to examine the factors related to credit card attitude, behavior, and usage and financial literacy in each racial group; and to examine the relationship between credit card behavior and student's knowledge of finances and their academic success. A research proposal was submitted and denied funding, however plans are underway to incorporate the suggestions from the reviewers and find another funding source to fund the research idea. PARTICIPANTS: Project 1: Faculty from other U.S. universities Project 2: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 3: University of Minnesota Faculty and North Carolina State University Faculty. Project 4: University of Minnesota Faculty and University of Minnesota Extension Educators Project 5: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 6: University of Minnesota Faculty; University of Minnesota Extension Educators; Graduate Student RAs, faculty from a university in Mexico. Project 7: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA and Undergraduate student TA Project 8: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA TARGET AUDIENCES: Educators, policy makers, researchers, minority business owners, college students PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None reported

Impacts
Shinnar, Cardon, Eisenman, Zuiker, & Lee found differences in motivation of being an entrepreneur between US-born Mexican entrepreneurs and Mexican immigrant entrepreneurs. US-born Mexican entrepreneurs were more likely to be motivated by individualistic financial benefits where as Mexican immigrant entrepreneurs were more likely to be motivated by serving society and their communities. With regards to the Mexican immigrant entrepreneurs, it appeared that this group continued to keep their relationship active with their co-ethnic clientele while the US-born Mexican entrepreneurs were more likely to branch out of the ethnic enclave and seek new clients and possibly build a broader based clientele rather than just serving the communities from their ethnic enclave. Results from the financial literacy of college students found that students differed in how they wanted their financial education delivered. College students interviewed felt that podcasting was not their first choice to learn financial education, but that it should accompany other materials or a lecture from a class (Hendrickson, Croymans, Hagen-Jokela, Gilman, & Zuiker, 2009). Kramer, Olsen, Zuiker, & Bauer (2009) found single mothers' earnings decrease with each additional child, however this did not hold true for single fathers' earnings. A single mother with one child earns about $5,024 less than a single father with one child, after controlling for work, household, and human capital characteristics. Solheim, Zuiker, & Sheldeshova (2009) found that through the student's reflections on how they learned about money management that reported multiple ways of learning about money and how to manage it. Teaching money management was a way for parent to have conversations about money and their values towards money and families played an important role in the development of financial competencies in their college student. The remaining research projects are either in the data analysis stage or writing the manuscript stage and it is too early to describe the findings.

Publications

• Kramer, K.Z., Olsen L., Zuiker, V.S., and Bauer, J.W. (2009). Differences in Income between Single Fathers and Single Mothers. Paper presented at the American Sociological Association Meeting, San-Francisco, CA.
• Solheim, C., Zuiker, V.S., & Sheldeshova, P. (2009). How They Learned About Money: Insights From College Students Reflection. Annual meeting of the 71st National Council on Family Relations Conference, San Francisco, CA.
• Shinnar, R.S., Cardon, M.S., Eisenman, M., Zuiker, V.S., & Lee, M.S. (2009). Immigrant and U.S- born Mexican-owned businesses: Motivations and management. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. 14(3), 273-295.
• Hendrickson, L., Croymans, S., Hagen-Jokela, B., Gilman, J., & Zuiker, V.S. (2009). Financial literacy of college students: Understanding student interests in technology use and content. In Scottsdale, AZ, Proceedings of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, 97.

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Currently, eight research projects contribute to the goals and objectives of this research agenda. This research project examines the economic well-being of diverse families and individuals residing in the United States and economic and management issues that affect individuals and families well being. Overall, two refereed presentations were made, one manuscript is in the revised and resubmit stage, three manuscripts have been submitted for review, four manuscripts are in the writing stage, and a research proposal has been submitted. The first research project focuses on understanding the key differences between the entrepreneurial experience for immigrant and U.S. born Mexican entrepreneurs. Results were presented at the 2008 Academy of Management Annual Meeting held in Anaheim, California in August, 2008. Comments from the session were incorporated into a manuscript that has been submitted for peer review for a refereed journal publication. The next project examines both the U.S. and immigrant self-employed Hispanic householder utilizing both the 1990 and 2000 PUMS Census data. In July 2008, the researcher was invited to present research findings at the 2008 Research Conference on Entrepreneurship among Minorities and Women, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C. Two manuscripts are currently in the writing stage. A third project examines the influences of the domains of economic strain and parenting performance on rural, low-income mothers' life quality utilizing a sample from wave two of Rural Families Speak project. A manuscript has been submitted for peer review to a journal. A fourth project focuses on podcasts as a method to provide financial education to college students. A manuscript has been submitted for peer review to a journal. Another manuscript is in the writing stage. A fifth project examines work characteristics and human capital variables that may help to explain income disparity between single mothers and single fathers. Data for this study was is the 2000 5% sample the U.S. PUMS dataset. A manuscript has been written and is in the revise and resubmits stage. The next project focuses on issues of work and family that span national boundaries of Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. Stages of this project: all interviews have been completed, monthly conference calls with researchers at a university in Mexico, and a data set is being created to start data analysis. The seventh research project focuses on college students taking a personal and family finance course and examines their money management issues by using case studies. The team is currently working on a manuscript to be submitted to a refereed journal. Finally, an eighth research project will investigate students' of color attitude, behavior, and usage of credit cards and financial literacy knowledge; to examine the factors related to credit card attitude, behavior, and usage and financial literacy in each racial group; and to examine the relationship between credit card behavior and student's knowledge of finances and their academic success. A research proposal has been submitted for possible funding from the university. PARTICIPANTS: Project 1: Faculty from other U.S. universities Project 2: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 3: University of Minnesota Faculty and North Carolina State University Faculty. Project 4: University of Minnesota Faculty and University of Minnesota Extension Educators Project 5: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 6: University of Minnesota Faculty; University of Minnesota Extension Educators; Graduate Student RAs, faculty from a university in Mexico. Project 7: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA and Undergraduate student TA Project 8: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA TARGET AUDIENCES: Educators, policy makers, researchers, minority business owners, college students PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Results presented at the 2008 Academy of Management Annual Meeting provide some evidence that the entrepreneurial experience of immigrant and U.S. born Mexican entrepreneurs are not so different from each other regarding the reliance on the ethnic enclave, business management practices and succession planning. Findings presented at the 2008 Research Conference on Entrepreneurship among Minorities and Women revealed that although there were many similarities between the U.S. born and the immigrant born self-employed Hispanic householder who have earnings above the poverty threshold and those who have earnings below the poverty threshold that there are many differences as well. They have different sets of needs and programs developed for them should not assume that these groups are homogeneous due to their ethnicity. The remaining research projects are either in the data analysis stage or writing the manuscript stage and it is too early to describe the findings.

Publications

• Zuiker, V.Z., Gudmunson, C., Olson, P.D., & Seo, C. (June 2008). Between two decades 1990 and 2000: Examining Hispanic self-employment in the United States at a level above and below the poverty threshold. Paper presented at the 2008 Research Conference on Entrepreneurship among Minorities and Women, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
• Olson, P.D., Zuiker, V.S., Danes, S.M., Stafford, K., Heck, R.K.Z., & Duncan, K. (2008). Impact of the family and business on family business sustainability (Chapter 5, pggs. 90-112). In V. Gupta , N. Levenburg, L. Moore, J. Motwani, & T. Swartz (Eds.), Culturally-sensitive Models of Family Business in Anglo Culture: A Compendium using the GLOBE paradigm. Hyderabad: ICFAI University Press.
• Shinnar, R. S., Cardon, M. S., Eisenman, M., Zuiker, V.S. & Lee, M.S. (2008). Mexican immigrant and Mexican-American owned business: Motivations, management and success. Academy of Management Meeting (Entrepreneurship track), in Anaheim, CA.

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the past year, seven research projects are reported under this project. In the first project, we focused on college students taking a personal and family finance course and examined their money management issues by using case studies. Our research questions centered on how to best use the case study approach in large lecture based classrooms. We examined methods to best implement the case study discussions; to effectively integrate the case study with course content; and make the course more relevant to the students. Each round of qualitative and quantitative surveys was used to evaluate the previous intervention. Field notes from classroom observation and interviews with students were also used with the surveys to formulate new questions about how to adapt the case studies. Our works were presented at a local meeting, two national conferences, one international conference, and the team is currently working on a manuscript to be submitted to a refereed journal. The second project focused on podcasts as a method to provide financial education to college students. Seven focus group discussions took place on diverse college campuses, including public and private schools in different regions of the state. Activity for this project included IRB approval, questionnaire developed; holding focus groups, transcription of data, and analyzing the qualitative data. The team is currently working on a manuscript to be submitted to a refereed journal. Another project examined the influences of the domains of parenting performance and economic strain on rural, low-income mothers' life quality. Structural equation modeling was conducted with a sample of 253 from wave two of Rural Families Speak project. The stage of this project is in writing a manuscript for a refereed publication. A fourth project examined the income disparity between single mothers and single fathers using a human capital theoretical framework. Data for this study was the 2000 5% sample of the U.S. Census of Population and Housing, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS). The stages of this project are in the revise and resubmit to a refereed journal. The fifth project focuses on issues of work and family that span national boundaries of Mexican agricultural workers in Minnesota. Questions focus on demands and supports in Minnesota and Mexico that impact workers' productivity. Stages of this project included IRB approval, development of the questionnaire in English and Spanish, monthly conference calls with researchers at a university in Mexico, and data collection. At this time, 13 interviews have been completed with the anticipation of at least 7 more interviews. The sixth project examines both the U.S. native-born self-employed Hispanic householder and the U.S. immigrant self-employed Hispanic householder utilizing both the 1990 and 2000 PUMS Census data. This research project is in the data analyzing and the manuscript writing stage. A seventh project focuses on Mexican immigrant and Mexican-American family owned businesses' motivations for entry, self-assessment of success, and succession plans. This research project is in the data analyzing and the manuscript writing stage. PARTICIPANTS: Project 1: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RA and Undergraduate student TA Project 2: University of Minnesota Faculty and University of Minnesota Extension Educators Project 3: University of Minnesota Faculty and Faculty member from North Carolina State University. Project 4: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 5: University of Minnesota Faculty; University of Minnesota Extension Educators; Graduate Student RAs, faculty from a university in Mexico. Project 6: University of Minnesota Faculty, Graduate student RAs Project 7: Faculty from other U.S. universities TARGET AUDIENCES: Educators, policy makers, researchers, minority business owners PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None.

Impacts
Our preliminary findings on college students taking a personal and family finance course found that 68% of students preferred having case studies integrated into the lecture rather than devoting an entire class period to case study discussions. Quantitative findings helped identify pertinent issues related to learning in the class and the qualitative data were helpful in understanding nuances of the issues that arose. Qualitative findings indicated that students asked that the case studies to be more like them versus the married couple case study that was currently being used. When this changed was made, our qualitative findings indicated that students could relate to the newly developed case study that featured a college coed like themselves. Students were able to take what they learned and apply it to their own situation.

At this time, each of the research projects are either in the data analysis or writing the manuscript stages and it is too early to describe the findings.

Publications

• Ruhe, V., Zuiker, V.S., & Gudmunson, C. (2007, December). Using design-based research to evaluate a cooperative learning intervention: Lessons learned. Paper presented at 5th annual conference of the Center for Educational Development, Evaluation, & Research, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
The first research grant awarded was from the Ewing M. Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City. The grant title is 'Examining the Trends and Changes in Self-Employment for the United States Native Born and Immigrant Hispanic Populations between Two Decades.' The study examines both the U.S. native-born self-employed Hispanic householder and the U.S. immigrant self-employed Hispanic householder utilizing both the 1990 and 2000 PUMS Census data. This research project is in the data analyzing stage. In June 2006, the researcher was invited to participate in the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Research Conference on Entrepreneurship among Minorities and Women. In October 2006, the researcher was an invited panelist at Baruch College Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship 2003 & 2005 National Minority Business Owner Surveys (2003 & 2005 NMBOS) Conference at New York City, New York on the 'State of the field of minority entrepreneurship specifically on Hispanic/Latina(o) businesses.' The second research grant awarded was from the USDA/CSREES International Science and Education (ISE) Competitive Grants program. The project focuses on issues of work and family that span national boundaries. Questions focus on discovering demands and supports both in Minnesota and Mexico that might enhance or impede workers' productivity. Data have not been collected at this time and researchers are currently working on the grant. This study examined college students taking a personal and family finance course and focused on money management issues of college students by using case studies. The research questions ask whether students prefer case studies to be integrated with other forms of teaching or whether they prefer stand-alone case studies and which of the two methods was more effective. T-tests indicated more agreement with these key items using the integrated method: 'today's small group discussions made the lectures easier to understand (t=3.87, p < .05); today's discussion about the Garcia case study made the textbook easier to understand (t=2.25, p < .05); working through today's case study in class has helped me to understand how to do my own financial statements (t=2.25, p < .05); and today's discussion made the lectures more relevant (t=3.0, p < .01).' When asked directly, 68% of students preferred the integrated case study. Another study examined life quality as influenced by parenting performance and economic strain among rural, low-income mothers utilizing family stress theory. Structural equation modeling was conducted with a sample of 253 from wave two of Rural Families Speak project. Model results indicated parenting performance and economic strain were interwoven, borrowing money from the social network increased economic strain, and economic strain decreased life quality.

Impacts
These projects contribute to understanding the economic well-being of diverse families and individuals residing in the United States, as a whole, and in Minnesota. Corresponding to the dramatic shift in ethnic composition, the United States' work force has become more diverse. The face of Minnesota agriculture is rapidly changing due to globalization and the movement of goods, services and people across borders. Workers emigrating from Mexico increasingly comprise a significant portion of the agricultural labor force, particularly in the food processing industries of southern Minnesota. They face many challenges in their new home and work environments, including language difficulties, lack of affordable housing, low wages and access to health care. It is important to explore which teaching strategies will have an impact with college students in learning money management skills. These findings suggest that students prefer being taught a concept and then using case studies that are relevant to their life situation. Bird et al. (2006) study suggests that parenting performance and economic strain were interwoven, borrowing money from the social network increased economic strain, and economic strain decreased life quality. These findings suggest that programs are needed that provide opportunities for social support for rural, low-income mothers to improve life quality and that increasing the level of community-based resources can assist families who are dealing with stress.

Publications

• Zuiker, V.S., Ruhe, V., Cohen, B., Lundberg, M., Gudmunson, C., & Egge, J. (November 2006). Using case studies in large enrollment courses: A comparison of two methods. Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Educators Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
• Zuiker, V.S., Cohen, B., Ruhe, V., Lundberg, M., Gudmunson, C., & Egge, J. (2006, November). A collaborate approach to redesigning a large enrollment course using case studies. Paper presented at the annual International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) 2006 Conference, Washington D.C.
• Bird, C., Zuiker, V.S., & Bauer, J.W. (November 2006). Life Quality and Parenting Performance, Well-Being, and Economic Strain. National Council on Family Relations Conference in Minneapolis, MN.

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
This research project examines differences between the self-employed Hispanic householder and the wage/salary earner residing in the United States by gender. A human capital model that is enhanced by social capital concepts and acculturation concepts is used to explain the differences between Hispanic self-employed and wage/salary earners by gender. Using the 1990 U.S. Census of Population and Housing data set, this study explored the differences between self-employment and traditional wage and salary employment among Hispanic women, using a human capital model that is augmented by the concepts of social capital and acculturation. Results showed that self-employment yields a higher yearly income, but the marginal benefit of each additional hour of work is smaller in the self-employment sector compared to the wage and salary sector. Hispanic self-employed females were slightly older and work more hours per year than their female Hispanic wage and salary counterparts, which is consistent with previous research. In this study, Hispanic self-employed females were more likely to be married with a spouse present and had a larger amount of other household income than their female Hispanic wage and salary counterparts. Hispanic wage and salary earner females were more likely to be high school graduates and to have some college than Hispanic self-employed females. The findings of the study suggest that practices and public policies focusing on building human capital stock, social capital, and acculturation level would help increase the financial well-being of the Hispanic self-employed. In July 2005, the researcher was one of twenty scholars invited to participate in the second annual Entrepreneurship Boot Camp held at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus. This event was made possible by a grant from the Ewing M. Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, the camp brought together junior faculty who were interested in research on minority business enterprise (MBE) and women business enterprises (WBE) with leading scholars in the field. The participants spent three intensive days onsite, learning from experts in their fields, sharing ideas and networking. The July camp was taught by seven faculty members from across the nation who rank as top scholars in entrepreneurship subfields covering African Americans, Hispanics, and women. The researcher also submitted a grant entitled: Examining the Trends and Changes in Self-Employment for the United States Native Born and Immigrant Hispanic Populations Between Two Decades.

Impacts
This project contributes to the understanding of the economic stability and viability of female Hispanic householders who are either self-employed or a wage and salary owner. As Hispanic women grow in number and percentage in the work force, these results provide helpful information for job and school counselors, small business counselors, bank loan officers who work with Hispanic females interested in pursuing either employment sector about the impact of occupation selection, financial rewards for education, and English competency which will impact income for both self-employed and wage and salary Hispanic females. These findings are important discussion topics for job counselors, small business counselors, bank loan officers who work with Hispanic females interested in pursuing either employment sector. Also, these findings might suggest that occupational choice matters in terms of the rate of return of income for both self-employed and wage and salary females.

Publications

• Zuiker, V.S., Katras, M.J., Olson, P.D., & Montalto, C.P. (2005). Taking a closer look: Differences in earnings between Hispanic females self-employed and Hispanic females wage and salary earners. The Mexican International Family Strengths Conference, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Additional research has begun to focus on factors associated with the poverty status of Asian immigrant householders, to examine the perspectives of rural, low-income families to understand their experiences in accessing and using childcare resources to meet the needs of their families, so parents could continue their employment, and to examine a self-employment option for individuals as a daily money manager. Theories stressing human capital, social capital, and acculturation are employed in the analysis of these groups. Data from the 1990 Census examined the demographic, human capital and acculturation factors associated with the poverty status of Asian immigrant householders. Descriptive statistics showed that Asian immigrant householders significantly differed by their U.S. citizenship status. Human capital variables and acculturation variables were significant predictors of the Asian immigrant household heads' poverty level, after controlling for the effect of the demographic characteristics. The higher educated the householder and the more weeks the householder worked, the lower the odds of living below the official poverty threshold. The findings of this study suggest that practices and public policies focusing on building human capital stock and acculturation level would help to increase the economic well-being of Asian immigrants. Phenomenological analysis was based on 52 rural, low-income families utilizing data from Wave 1 of the Rural Families Speak Project to understand how these families accessed and used childcare resources to meet the needs of their families, so parents could continuing their employment. The results highlighted the existence and nature of support systems to which these families had access to help them, however, the results also suggested that there were difficulties that these families faced as they tried to maintain these support systems, thus, revealing the inadequacies in these systems thus possibly having parents to choose between maintaining their employment or caring for their children. People who are experiencing financial difficulty seek assistance from many types of professionals in both the financial industry and the social services industry. A self-employment option that is filling a gap that is not always met by either the financial or social service industries is the role of daily money manager. Daily money managers work with individuals and small businesses that need help with their ongoing daily, weekly, and monthly financial affairs. In this research study, five daily money mangers and nine professionals working in related careers participated in this study. Findings suggest that individuals wanting to work as daily money managers would need to determine, among other things, the services they would and would not provide to clients, the fees they would charge for various services, methods of record keeping, ways to protect themselves in case of inadvertent errors, and how to market a business of this type.

Impacts
These studies contribute to the understanding of the economic stability and viability of Asian immigrant households, rural, low-income families accessing and using childcare resources to meet the needs of their families to maintain employment, and also a self-employment option as a daily money manager. Kwon et al. (2004) contributes to a better understanding of Asian immigrant householders and the impact that human capital and acculturation factors have on the poverty status of these Asian immigrant householders as they choose to reside in the United States. Katras et al. (2004) study suggests that current policy can play a role in helping to provide other childcare choices to strengthen rural families and the communities in which they are employed in and where they reside. Knudson and Zuiker (2004) study suggest that daily money managing can be a very rewarding career for a person who enjoys financial organizing, working with people, and experiencing appreciation for doing quality work. These findings have the potential to impact how agencies working with immigrant householders should take into consideration both the impact that human capital and acculturation factors have on the poverty status of this group; how future policy must develop alternative means of support for rural, low-income families if they are to have the childcare resources needed; and that as the baby boomers age the need for daily money management services will continue to increase.

Publications

• Kwon, H.K., Zuiker, V.S., & Bauer, J.W. (2004). Factors associated with the poverty status of Asian immigrant householders. Journal of Family and Economic Issues. 25(1), 101-120.
• Katras, M.J., Zuiker, V.S., & Bauer, J.W. (2004). Private safety net: childcare resources from the perspective of rural low-income families. Family Relations, 53 (1), 201-209.
• Knudson, D.L. & Zuiker, V.S. (2004). Researching the components, requirements, and necessary steps to begin a career as a daily money manager. In R. Travnicheck, Proceedings of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, 61.

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
This research project examines differences between the self-employed Hispanic householder and the wage/salary earner residing in various regions of the United States. A human capital model that is enhanced by social capital concepts and acculturation concepts is used to explain the differences between Hispanic self-employed and wage/salary earners. Additional research has begun to focus on factors associated with the poverty status of Asian immigrant householders and on family owned business further testing elements of the above model: economic, social, and cultural. Theories stressing human capital, social capital, and acculturation were combined and income equations were estimated separately for Hispanic self-employed males and Hispanic self-employed females. Data from the 1990 Census on Hispanics residing in California found that income differences in self-employment do exist by gender. For example, having less than a high school education relative to being a high school graduate decreased self-employment income for both males and females, but the effect was larger for males. Hispanic self-employed males were slightly older, worked more hours in 1989, and are more likely to be married with spouse present compared to Hispanic self-employed females. Hispanic self-employed males were more likely to speak English compared to Hispanic self-employed females. For both the Hispanic self-employed male and female, being married with spouse present and having other household income had positive effects on their income. The findings of the study suggest that practices and public policies focusing on building human capital stock, social capital, and acculturation level would help increase the financial well-being of the Hispanic self-employed. Data from the 1990 Census examined the demographic, human capital and acculturation factors associated with the poverty status of Asian immigrant householders. Descriptive statistics showed that Asian immigrant householders significantly differed by their U.S. citizenship status. Human capital variables and acculturation variables were significant predictors of the Asian immigrant household heads poverty level, after controlling for the effect of the demographic characteristics. The higher educated the householder and the more weeks the householder worked, the lower the odds of living below the official poverty threshold. The findings of this study suggest that practices and public policies focusing on building human capital stock and acculturation level would help to increase the economic well-being of Asian immigrants. Results based on analysis of data utilizing the 1997 National Family Business Survey identified strategies for families to use to increase the success of both their business and their family. Reducing family tension, living in a two- or three-generation family, reallocating time from sleep to the business, and hiring temporary help during hectic periods increased business revenue.

Impacts
These studies contribute to the understanding of the economic stability and viability of Hispanic households who are self-employed, Asian immigrant households, and also to U.S. family-owned businesses and their families. Zuiker et al. (2003) provides insights to the role that self-employment plays in providing financial benefits to Hispanic workers and their families and a better understanding of the impact that human capital, acculturation, and social capital concepts have on the earnings of the Hispanic self-employed householder. Kwon et al. (In press) contributes to a better understanding of Asian immigrant householders and the impact that human capital and acculturation factors have on the poverty status of these Asian immigrant householders as they choose to reside in the United States. Olson et al. (2003), Zuiker et al. (2002), and Danes et al. (2001) studies contribute to the understanding of intermingling of resources between the family system and the business system of U.S. family-owned businesses. These findings have the potential to impact how financial counselors and agencies working with families who own businesses counsel their clients with cash flow problems by not just examining one system but also understanding that each of systems impact the other in their financial management practices.

Publications

• Zuiker, V.S., Katras, M.J., Montalto, C.P., Olson, P.D. (2003). Hispanic self-employment: Does gender matter? Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 25(1), 73-94.
• Olson, P. D., Zuiker, V. S., Danes, S. M., Stafford, K., Heck, R. K. Z., & Duncan, K. A. (2003). The impact of the family and the business on family business sustainability. Journal of Business Venturing, 18 (5), 639-666.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Differences between the self-employed Hispanic householder and the wage/salary earner residing in various regions of the United States continue to be a focus of this research project. This research project uses a human capital model that is enhanced by social capital concepts and acculturation concepts to explain the differences between Hispanic self-employed and wage/salary earners. Additional research has begun to focus on factors associated with the poverty status of Asian immigrant householders and on family owned business further testing elements of the above model: economic, social, and cultural. Research utilizing data from the 1990 Census on Hispanics residing in California found that income differences in self-employment do exist by gender. The mean income for Hispanic self-employed males, across all occupational categories, was 84% more than the mean income for the Hispanic self-employed females. Hispanic self-employed male's mean income, in any one of the occupational categories, was at least 40% higher than the mean income for Hispanic self-employed females, therefore suggesting that self-employed income provided a higher positive earning difference for males than for females. Hispanic self-employed males were slightly older, worked more hours in 1989, and are more likely to be married with spouse present compared to Hispanic self-employed females. Hispanic self-employed males were more likely to speak English compared to Hispanic self-employed females. For both the Hispanic self-employed male and female, being married with spouse present and having other household income had positive effects on their income. Research utilizing data from the 1990 Census examined the demographic, human capital and acculturation factors associated with the poverty status of Asian immigrant householders. Descriptive statistics showed that Asian immigrant householders significantly differed by their U.S. citizenship status. Human capital variables and acculturation variables were significant predictors of the Asian immigrant household heads' poverty level, after controlling for the effect of the demographic characteristics. The higher educated the householder and the more weeks the householder worked, the lower the odds of living below the official poverty threshold. The findings of this study suggest that practices and public policies focusing on building human capital stock and acculturation level would help to increase the economic well-being of Asian immigrants. Results based on analysis of data utilizing the 1997 National Family Business Survey identified strategies for families to use to increase the success of both their business and their family. Reducing family tension, living in a two- or three-generation family, reallocating time from sleep to the business, and hiring temporary help during hectic periods increased business revenue. Results based on data from the 1997 National Family Business Survey found that businesses with cash flow problems were more likely to report intermingling of business to family finances and family to business finances than businesses without cash flow problems.

Impacts
These three studies continue to contribute to the understanding of the economic stability and viability of Hispanic households who are self-employed, Asian immigrant households, and also to U.S. family-owned businesses and their families. The first study when published will provide insights to the role that self-employment plays in providing financial benefits to Hispanic workers and their families and a better understanding of the impact that human capital, acculturation, and social capital concepts have on the earnings of the Hispanic self-employed householder. The second study, when published, will contribute to a better understanding of Asian immigrant householders and the impact that human capital and acculturation factors have on the poverty status of these Asian immigrant householders as they choose to reside in the United States. The last study contributes to the understanding of intermingling of resources between the family system and the business system of U.S. family-owned businesses. These findings have the potential to impact how financial counselors and agencies working with families who own businesses counsel their clients with cash flow problems by not just examining one system but also understanding that each of systems impact the other in their financial management practices.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
The Hispanic population has increased in size and extended its presence in the U.S., therefore there is an interest in the economic growth of this group. There is a need for research investigating the differences between Hispanic self-employed and wage/salary earners. Differences between the self-employed Hispanic householder and the wage/salary earner residing in various regions of the United States continue to be a focus of this research project. This research project uses a human capital model that is enhanced by social capital concepts and acculturation concepts to explain the differences between Hispanic self-employed and wage/salary earners on three levels: economic, social, and cultural. Research utilizing data from the 1990 Census on Hispanics residing in California found that income differences in self-employment do exist by gender. Hispanic self-employed women are more likely to be employed in service occupations and also earn lower salaries than their male counterparts. Hours worked per year, four of the five occupational distributions relative to the service occupation (omitted category), married with spouse present, the amount of other household income, having a bachelor's degree or more, and speaks English are positive and statistically significant for both Hispanic self-employed males and females. If Hispanic self-employed females increased their hours worked per year and the amount of other household income to levels comparable to those of Hispanic self-employed males, all else equal, their income would increase. These findings are important discussion topics for job counselors, small business counselors, and bank loan officers who work with Hispanic females interested in pursuing self-employment. The influence of gender on ability to support Hispanic households at a level above poverty was examined using data drawn from the 5% 'A' sample of the 1990 Census of Population and Housing Public Use Microdata Sample. Characteristics of male and female self-employed Hispanic householders with earnings above the poverty threshold included: were more likely to live in the city versus rural; had a mean age of 44 years and a mean of 12 years education; were more likely to work fulltime versus part time; paid taxes on their property; were more likely to be U.S. citizens than not a U.S. citizen; and males were more likely than the females to be married with a spouse present. For the male and female self-employed Hispanic householder with earnings below the poverty threshold characteristics included: had a mean age of 44 years and a mean of 9 years of education; males were more likely to work fulltime than their female counterparts; females were more likely to be U.S. citizens than their male counterparts; and males were more likely than the females to be married with a spouse present. These findings can be useful to the welfare to work policies and programs currently being changed in the United States. Financial counselors and business advisors who assist clients in career alternatives can find these results helpful in assisting their Hispanic clientele with the decision to become self-employed.

Impacts
Research has suggested that various ethnic, religious, and racial groups achieve upward economic and social mobility by entering the mainstream economy through self-employment and small businesses (Aronson, 1991; DeFreitas, 1991). Perez and Kamasaki (2000) emphasized that, due to the youthfulness and the population growth of this ethnic minority group, Hispanic employment and economic outcomes will either fuel or impede our nation's future prosperity. Therefore, it is important to examine the role that self-employment plays in providing financial benefits to Hispanic workers. Results suggest that self-employed Hispanic individuals worked more hours per year, paid a higher amount for taxes and insurance, were slightly older, mean income was higher, and were more likely to be married than their counterparts.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
Research continued to examine differences between the self-employed Hispanic householder and the Hispanic wage and salary earner residing in various regions of the United States. Characteristics of self-employed Hispanic householders who are above the poverty threshold with characteristics of self-employed householders who are below the poverty threshold for the total population were also examined. Research results utilizing California data from the 1990 Census found that self-employed Hispanic individuals worked more hours per year, paid a higher amount for taxes and insurance, were slightly older, mean income was higher, and more likely to be married than Hispanic wage earners. For both self-employed Hispanics and wage and salary earners, males had higher incomes than females, however the gender difference was much larger among self-employed Hispanics. When examining Minnesota self-employed Hispanic householders, preliminary results suggest that self-employed Hispanic households were males, spoke English, lived in urban areas, had at least a high school education and beyond, and worked full time. These results would be helpful to business advisors working with Hispanic individuals who are considering self-employment.

Impacts
Self-employment may offer economic benefits to Hispanic workers. Results suggest that self-employed Hispanic individuals worked more hours per year, paid a higher amount for taxes and insurance, were slightly older, mean income was higher, and more likely to be married than Hispanic wage earners in California.

Publications

• Olson, P.D., Zuiker, V.S., & Montalto, C.P. (2000). Self-employed Hispanics and Hispanic wage earners: Differences in earnings. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 22(1), 114-130.
• Zuiker, V.S. & Nakamoto, M.J. (1999). Hispanics: Self-employment and poverty. In C.R. Hayhoe (Ed.), Proceedings of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, 187.

Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
Research continued to examine the extent to which self-employment enabled the Hispanic householder to stay above the poverty. The past year has been devoted to extracting the data from the national data set, using the data set with the statistical package, and working on manuscripts. Research results suggested that differences were found among the self-employed Hispanic householder with earnings above the poverty threshold and the self-employed Hispanic householder with earnings below the poverty threshold. The differences between the two groups above and below the thresholds were statistically significant at the p<.001 in each of the following areas: more males (78 to 56 percent, respectively above and below the threshold); city dwellers (84 to 79 percent, respectively above and below the threshold); worked more hours per week (45 to 37 hours, respectively above and below the threshold); worked more weeks per year (48 to 38 weeks, respectively above and below the threshold); and was more likely to be employed full-time (88 to 66 percent, respectively above and below the threshold). The earnings of the two groups were very similar (51 and 49 percent, respectively above and below the threshold). This research can be useful to the welfare to work policies and programs currently being changed in the United States. Specifically, business advisors working with Hispanic individuals who are considering self-employment would find these results helpful in assisting Hispanic self-employed households in using their human capital effectively.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

• Zuiker, V.S. & Nakamoto, M.J. (1999). Hispanics: Self-employment and poverty. In C.R. Hayhoe (Ed.), Proceedings of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, 187.
• Zuiker, V.S. & Nakamoto, M.J. (1999, submitted to AAFCS conference). Self-Employment: A Comparison of Hispanic Self-Employed Householders Who Are Above and Below the Poverty Threshold.

Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

Outputs
Research focuses on the extent to which self-employment enables the Hispanic householder to stay above the poverty line. The past year has been devoted to extracting the data from the national data set, cleaning up the data set (missing values, etc.), and using the data set with the statistical package.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

• No publications reported this period