INTERACTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND POLICY CONTEXTS ON THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF DIVERSE RURAL LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0202400
• Multistate No.: NC-_OLD1171
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2008
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2013
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
3 RUTGERS PLZA
NEW BRUNSWICK,NJ 08901-8559

Performing Department
Agricultural Food & Resource Economics

Non Technical Summary
The analyses of the NC223/1011 project thus far have begun to illuminate the issues facing rural low income families. The dataset has provided a broad brush stroke for painting the picture of the issues and barriers rural mothers face in obtaining well-being. Health has emerged as having particular importance for families and has been found to relate to other systemic factors including employment and economic status, health insurance status, and access to health services providers. Rural families face barriers to being healthy that could be personal, familial, community-based or policy-driven. Having a better understanding of the confluence of these factors will enhance the ability to create policy and programs to promote healthy rural low-income families. More information is needed to identify the systemic levels of influence on health status and decision-making about health. For example, what prevents women from seeking the care they need How do women with and without health insurance navigate health systems What is the influence of SCHIP on the heath of rural children How do competing health needs within a family get prioritized How do long term health issues, or chaotic health, of family members influence family economic well-being Finally, we have no information on how state health policies affect decision-making and health status for rural families. This project will be uniquely positioned to increase understanding regarding mental and physical health and economics in rural America and the role that community plays in the overall well-being of rural, low-income residents. A better understanding of what promotes and inhibits rural family health can lead to improved quality of life for rural families, thus strengthening the vitality and sustainability of rural communities. Unhealthy families are not able to fully socially and economically contribute to their communities. These outcomes and impacts correspond to USDA Strategic Plan 2005-2010 Goals number 3 and 5: "Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality of Life in Rural America" and "Improve the Nations Nutrition and Health" and USDA North Central region priority "Social Change and Development." This project will assist in improving quality of life in rural America by demonstrating those factors which successfully contribute to positive mental and physical health and economic well-being within a familys ecological context.

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
803	6020	3080	100%

Knowledge Area
803 - Sociological and Technological Change Affecting Individuals, Families, and Communities;

Subject Of Investigation
6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
3080 - Sociology;

Keywords

health

mental health

economic well-being

family

social policy

Goals / Objectives
Overall research objective: To determine the interactions of individual, family, community, and policy contexts on physical and mental health outcomes in diverse rural low-income families. To examine individual and family level characteristics which impact physical and mental health in diverse rural low-income families. To examine the interactions of individual, family, community, and policy on mental and physical health in diverse rural low-income families.

Project Methods
Our overall project objective requires that we quantitatively measure predictors and outcomes and also qualitatively understand processes and contexts. We want to develop a complete picture of the impacts of and contextual interactions among individuals, families, communities and policies for physical and mental health in diverse rural low-income families. Therefore, this project will utilize a mixed methods approach. Mixed methods research involves the collection, analysis, and integration of quantitative and qualitative data to provide a better understanding of a phenomenon than could be achieved with either approach alone. Specifically, we will use a triangulation mixed methods design to collect complementary quantitative and qualitative data.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The principal goal that has focused my work during the project is to assess how changes in family structure and family policies have impacted self-sufficiency of vulnerable populations. I presented some of my work on this topic at the University of Konstanz in Germany (May 28, 2010) and University of Catania in Italy (June 5, 2010) and again in April and July of 2011 at the University of Palermo and the University of Catania in Italy. I have also shared my work in 2009, 2010, and 2011 with students in my statistics classes. I focused attention in these courses on the problems that can arise when combining data from different states even when strong written protocols have been created to optimize uniformity of data collection and variable measurement. PARTICIPANTS: Michael J. Camasso, Maurizio Caserta, Radha Jagannathan, Jessica Varela, Arohi Shah, Stefan Mend, Francesco Reito, and Edwardo Celini. TARGET AUDIENCES: The principal target audiences addressed by this project are state and local governmental officials who provide monetary or in-kind support to vulnerable families and children. Secondart target populations include professional colleagues and students interested in conducting policy research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report. PARTICIPANTS: Michael J. Camasso, Maurizio Caserta, Radha Jagannathan, Jessica Varela, Arohi Shah, Stefan Mend, Francesco Reito, and Edwardo Celini, TARGET AUDIENCES: The principal target audiences addressed by this project are state and local governmental officials who provide monetary or in-kind support to vulnerable families and children. Secondary target populations include professional colleagues and students interested in conducting policy research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The project has had an influence on how I view the possibilities for achieving fundamental changes in human and social capital development in vulnerable populations living in sparsely populated areas. I also believe several of my students have developed heightened analytic skills through their work with information generated on the project.

Publications

• Jagannathan, R. and M. J. Camasso. (2011). “The Institutionalization of Risk as Moral Outrage in Child Protective Services.” Children and Youth Services Review, 33:894-900.
• Jagannathan, R., M. J. Camasso, S. G. Mend, J. Varela and A. Shah. (2011). “University-Community Partnering Using a Targeted Mutual-Interests Approach. ” Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society, 42:410-423..

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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The principal goal that has focused my work in 2010 has been to assess how changes in family structure and family policies have impacted self-sufficiency of vulnerable populations. I presented some my work on this topic at the University of Konstanz in Germany (May 28, 2010) and University of Catania in Italy (June 5, 2010). I have also shared my work in 2010 with students in my statistics and econometrics classes. I focused attention in these courses on the problems that can arise when combining data from different states even when strong written protocols have been created to optimize uniformity of data collection and variable measurement. PARTICIPANTS: Michael J. Camasso Arohi Shaw Jessica Varela TARGET AUDIENCES: The principal target audiences addressed by this project are state and local governmental officials who provide monetary or in-kind support to vulnerable families and children. Secondary target populations include professional colleagues and students interested in conducting policy research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The project has had an influence on how I view the possibilities for achieving fundamental changes in human and social capital development in vulnerable populations living in sparsely populated areas. I also believe several of my students have developed heightened analytic skills through their work with information generated on the project.

Publications

• Jagannathan, R., M. J. Camasso and U. Sambamoorthi(2010). "Experimental Evidence of Welfare Reform Impact on Clinical Anxiety and Depression Levels Among Poor Women." Social Science and Medicine, 71(1):152-160.
• Jagannathan, R., M. J. Camasso, and C. Harvey (2010). "Money or Message The Price and Social Disapproval Effects of Family Caps on the Fertility Decisions of Women Receiving Welfare." Journal of Social Service Research, 36(4): 346-361.

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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The principal goal that has focused my work in 2009 has been to assess how changes in family structure and family policies have impacted self-sufficiency of vulverable populations. I presented some my work on this topic at the Livable Cities Conference held in Portland, Oregon in October, 2009. In addition to this presentation, I have shared information/data collected on the project with project members from Nebraska, Iowa, New Hampshire and Minnesota. I have also shared my work in 2009 with students in my statistics and econometrics classes. I focused attention in these courses on the perils that can arise when combining data from different states even when strong written protocols have been created to optimize uniformity of data collection and variable measurement. PARTICIPANTS: Michael J. Camasso, Anula Gautam TARGET AUDIENCES: The principal target audiences addressed by this project are state and local governmental officials who provide monetary or in-kind support to vulnerable families and children. Secondary target populations include professional colleagues and students interested in conducting policy research. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Although this project is still in its early, formative stages, the project has had an influence on how we view the possibilities for achieving fundamental changes in human and social capital development in vulnerable populations living in sparsely populated areas. I also believe several of my students have developed heightened analytic skills through their work with information generated on the project.

Publications

• Camasso, M.J. and Jagannathan,R. (2009) How Family Caps Work: Evidence from a National Study. Social Service Review.83:389-428.

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

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The principal goal that has focused my work in 2008 has been to assess overtime how families have adapted to policy changes to achieve self-sufficiency. I presented my work at the annual conference held in Omaha, Nebraska (October 9-11, 2008). In addition to presenting my work here, I have shared the data generated on this project in 2008 with students in my graduate research methods and undergraduate applied econometrics and statistics courses. The research methods and statistics courses were taught in the Fall semester while the applied econometrics was taught in the Spring. PARTICIPANTS: Michael J. Camasso TARGET AUDIENCES: Students, colleagues, local governmental officials. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No major changes.

Impacts
This research has changed the views of my graduate students on the possibilities for achieving fundamental social change in the creation of social and human capital within poor populations. Students have also developed analytic, statistical and computer skills working on project data.

Publications

• Camasso, M. J. 2009. "Family Caps, Medicaid Policies and Abortions: Evidence from a National Analysis." Forthcoming in Social Service Review.
• Camasso, M. J. and Sambamoorthi, U. 2008. "Anxiety and Depression Among Poor Women: Does Welfare Reform Help or Hurt" Asked to revise and resubmit.
• Camasso, M. J., Jagannathan, R., Killingsworth, M. and Harvey, C. 2008. "Money or Message: Family Cap Effects on Fertility Decisions of Women on Welfare." Asked to revise and resubmit.
• Camasso, M. J. & Jagannathan, R. 2008. "Nurture thru Nature: Engaging children of low income families in science exploration." Paper submitted.

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

Outputs
The principal goal that has focused my work in 2007 has been to assess over time, how families have adapted to policy changes to achieve self-sufficiency. I have presented my work at the annual conference held in Columbus, Ohio (October, 2007), U gave aksi shared datea generated in 2007 with students in my graduate Research Methods and Applied Econometrics classes. The former was taught in Fall 2007 while the latter was taught in Spring 2007.

Impacts
This research has changed the views of my graduate students on the possibilities for achieving fundamental social change in the creation of social and human capital development within poor populations. Students have also exhibited measurable increases in analytic, statistical and computer skills working on project data.

Publications

• Camasso, M. J. Welfare Reform, Abortion, and Women of Color: Research Connection and Political Rejection. (2007). Oxford University Press.
• Camasso, M. J. oFamily Caps, Medicaid Policies and Abortions: Evidence from a Nationwide Analysis.o Revise and Resubmit.
• Camasso, M. J., M. Killingsworth, and C. Harvey. oMoney or Message: Family Cap Effects on Fertility Decisions of Women on Welfare.o Revise and Resubmit.
• Camasso, M. J. and Usha Sambamoorthi. "Anxiety and Depression Among Poor Women: Does Welfare Reform Help or Hurt?" Submitted.

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

Outputs
In 2006, the PI wrote a book: Family Caps, Abortions, and Women of Color. The book is now in gallies and will be published by Oxford University Press in August 2007.

Impacts
The social impact of my research is evident in state and federal legislation that has sought to limit or repeal family cap laws. These bills include US House of Representative HR-4628, NJ Assembly Bill(A2398) NJ Senate Bill(s1298). The research was also used in numerous court cases including C.K. v. Shalala ,decided in the US 3rd circuit and Sujourner v NJ Department of Human Services decided in the NJ Supreme Court in september 2001.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

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

Outputs
In this past year, my efforts focused on the workers who deliver welfare services to the rural poor and the specific types of training and workforce orientation they provide to clients. I also examined the relative efficacy of laborfoce attachment, human capital investment and combined strategies used by workers to facilitate the movement of poor recipients from welfare to work. In another research effort, I attempted to pinpoint how welfare reform was influencing child fostering (children' s living situations defined by the absence of both biological parents)in welfare families.

Impacts
This research will add to a sparse literature on the commitment and confidence of welfare workers as they administer welfare-to-work programs. It points to serious questions in the welfare worker laborforce which can have serious implications for welfare recipients as they transition into the world of work.

Publications

• Jagannathan, R. and Michael J. Camasso. 2005. Public Assistance Workers' Confidence in Welfare-to-Work Programs and the Clients They Serve, Journal of Administration in Social Work, Vol. 30(1): 7-32.
• Jagannathan, R.,Michael J. Camasso, and Sara S. McLanahan. 2005.Welfare Reform and child Fostering: Pinpointing Affected Child Populations, Social Science Quarterly, Vo.86:1080-1103.
• Jagannathan, R. and Michael J. Camasso. 2005. Beyond Intention to Treat Analysis in Welfare-to-Work Studies: The Efficacy of Labor Force Attachment, Human Capital Investment and combined Strategies for Self-sufficiency, Journal of Social Service Research, Vol.31(4):43-60.