Family, Health, and Mental Health Specialization Exam in Demography

Fall 2005

Answer 1 question out of each section.

FAMILY DEMOGRAPHY

  1. Explain the difference between a non-marital fertility ratio and a non-marital fertility rate and describe race-ethnic differences in both. What kinds of questions are best answered with the non-marital fertility ratio and which with the non-marital fertility rate? In your answer explain how race-ethnic variation in marriage patterns might contribute to race ethnic variation in each measure.
  1. What are 3 positions on the causes of the rise in age at first marriage or the rise in divorce? Who are the main proponents of these theories? Which of these positions is best supported with empirical studies? (Please refer to specific studies.)

FAMILY AND MENTAL HEALTH

  1. Review the current evidence on the relationship between marital status and mental health. Be sure to include an assessment of gender differences in this relationship, the issue of marital status versus marital transitions, and issues of selection bias. Describe recent trends in marital status composition in the United States and explore the implications of these trends for group differences in mental health in the future.

2. The family serves as a major point for social contact for many people. While social interaction with family can have positive consequences, it can have negative ones as well. For this question, review the literature on family and mental health with a special focus on social integration, social support, and stress. In other words, explain, in terms of these three factors, how family life has an effect on the bettering or worsening of individual mental health.

FAMILY AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

1. Assume that you have been given the funding to develop your own study of family and physical health outcomes. For this question, describe the study you would propose focusing on the following issues:

-Given the current state of the literature, what major research questions might you explore?

-What population might you use for the study and how would you collect data from that population? What is your rationale for choosing that population and method of data collection?

-What family factors will you explore and how might you measure them?

-If you were to examine physical health outcomes in terms of disease incidence and mortality, how might you measure those variables?

  1. Mortality and health vary by sex, age, and family status. Focusing primarily on family status and gender, discuss the theories and evidence underlying the relationship between family status and health/mortality outcomes. How do you see the differentials in health changing in light of ongoing demographic changes in family status?