YES! in Rock County
Youth Emotional Stability
Survey Evalutation: Descriptives & Analysis
Will McShane & Suzanne Cox
1
The YES (Youth Emotional Stability) Family Support Committee of Rock County Coalition polled
community members of Rock County and Walworth County in order to determine the best ways for the
group to support and advocate for families of the area. Two-hundred and twenty-five community
members completed the survey in the spring of 2013. Questions in the survey addressed basic
demographic data of respondents, such as race, age, and household numbers; as well as concerns
respondents had for their children, the respondents’ happiness, and questions regarding the current
stressors of the respondents’ family. What follows in this report are descriptive analyses a) on the
entire sample, b) additional graph-like representations by region (e.g., North Rock Co., South Rock Co.,
and Walworth County, and c) additional graph-like representation of just the white surveys that
indicated agency, d) and questions of concerns from YES regarding specific stressors and services. There
were very few patterns comparing groups by region, agency, or race, but where there were significant
differences, those are noted at the end of the report.
A. Entire Sample
Of the 204 respondents who answered the question regarding their race, 88 identified
themselves as white, 69 as Hispanic, 32 as black, 12 as mixed, and 2 as Native American. The median age
of the 204 respondents who reported their age was 30. Some 202 respondents reported the number of
people in their household, making for a median of four and mean of 4.37 (SD=1.8) household members.
After questions regarding respondents’ demographics, respondents were polled about services
they’ve needed and received help with over the last 12 months. Some notable results were 52.9% (119)
respondents reported having received help with food, while only 3.9% (8) reported receiving no or not
enough help with food. The services that had the highest rates of respondents reporting no or not
enough help was available were dental care at 8% (18), security deposit or one month rent at 8% (18),
and childcare at 7.1% (16).
2
Respondents were then polled about their concerns, current and past, regarding the emotions
and behaviors of their children. Stand out concerns were of Extreme Anger with 18.2% (41) respondents
reporting it as a current concern and Hyperactivity with 17.3 % (39) reporting it as a current concern.
Further, respondents were asked to identify the age(s) of the child or children of concern. Here,
it was notable that 6.7% (15) of respondents reported having a child of the ages of 2-3 that showed
Extreme Anger. Also, 5.8% (13) of respondents reported having a child of the ages 4-7 who showed
Hyperactvity.
When polled about their happiness over the past week on a 1-5 scale respondents reported a
Happiness High mean of 3.95 (SD=1.03 with a mode of 5. When asked about their typical score on daily
basis participants reported a mean of 3.80 (SD=.91).
Total Respondents- Age of Respondents
25
20
15
10
Percentage
5
0
19>
19-21
22-25
26-29
30-33
34-37
38-44
45-50
51<
Age
Figure 1.1
The mean age of the respondents was 30.62 with a standard deviation of 30.6. The ages represented
ranged from 16 to 89 with a mode of 33 and a median of 30.
3
Total Respondents- Race
45
40
35
30
25
Percentage
20
15
10
5
0
White
Hispanic
Black
Mixed
Native American
Figure 1.2
The races represented in the sample were White, Hispanic, Black, Mixed, and Native American.
A total of 204 of the 225 respondents answered the question regarding their race. There were a total of
89 (44%) participants identifying as White, 69 (34%) as Hispanic, 32 (15%) as Black, 12 (6%) as Mixed,
and 2 (.9%) as Native American.
Total Respondents- Number of People in Household
30
25
20
15
Frequency
Percentage 10
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8≤
Number of People
Figure 1.3
4
The total number of people in respondents’ househould ranged from 1 to 14 people. The mean
number of people in a given household was 4.37 with a standard deviation of 1.805. The median was 4
and the mode of 4 as well. 202 respondents listed the total number of people in their household.
Total Respondents- Household Member Breakdown
Father
Zero
Mother
One
Zero
One
30%
45%
55%
70%
Figure 1.4
Figure 1.5
Children Ages 0-5
Zero
One
Two
Three
Children Ages 6-12
Zero
One
24%
13%
Two
Three
4%
14%
27%
27%
55%
36%
Figure 1.6
Figure 1.7
5
Children Ages 13-18
Zero
One
Two
Three
8.00%
7.00%
6.00%
5.00%
4% 3%
4.00%
11%
3.00%
One
2.00%
Two
1.00%
0.00%
82%
Figure 1.8
Figure 1.9
Respondents were asked to identify the number of specific people listed in the household for the
following categories: mother, father, step-mother, step-father, number of children ages 0-5, number of
children ages 6-12, number of children ages 13-18, girlfriend, boyfriend, grandparent(s), other family
members like aunts uncles cousins etc, and other. The above graphs (1.4-1.8) show the results of the
questions.
Respondents were asked “What services, if any, have you needed and been able to get help
from? (Please check all that apply).” Below a list of services with corresponding columns in which
respondents could check the following boxes for each service: “In the last 12 months we needed help
with”, “In the last 12 months we received help with”, and “In the last 12 months we needed help, but no
or not enough help was available.” The graph below (Figure 2.1) shows the frequencies of each box
checked in percentages of total respondents. It is noteworthy that lack of help with Dental Care and
Security Deposit/One Month Rent have the highest rates of response.
6
Total Respondents- Service Needs
0
10
Percentage
20 30 40
50
60
Food
Personal Care or Hygiene Items
Clothing
Household Goods or Furniture
Childcare
Assistance filling out forms for…
Education/Job training
Medical Care
Dental Care
Prescription Assistance
Alcohol or other Drug Abuse…
Mental Health Counseling
Domestic Violence Services
In the last 12 months we needed
help with
In the last 12 months we received
help with
In the last 12 months we needed
help, but no or not enough help
was available
Sexual Assault services
Emergency Shelter
Security Deposit or One Month…
Multiple Month Rental Assistance
Mortgage Assistance
Legal Services
Transportation Assistance
Utility Assistance
Immigration Assistance
Figure 2.1
7
Total Respondents- Concerning Emotions and
Behaviors
0
5
10
Extreme anger
Extreme anger in the past
20
18.2
0.4
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity in the past
15
17.3
1.3
Acts w/o thinking
12.4
Acts w/o thinking in the past
Extreme sadness
6.2
Extreme sadness in the past
Wants to be alone most of the time
7.6
Wants to be alone most of the time in…
Hurts others or self
8
Hurts others or self in the past
Concern
Loss of interest in frends and social…
4.4
Loss of interest in the past
Child's safety
4.4
Child's safety in the past
Extreme fears
4.9
Extreme fears in the past
Sleeps habits
6.2
Sleep habits in the past
Eating habits
Eating habits in the past
8.9
0.4
Lack of communication
Lack of communication in the past
8.4
0.4
Percentage
Figure 2.2
8
Respondents were asked “Is your child expressing or displaying any of the following emotions or
behaviors that you are concerned about?” Respondents had the option to check Yes, No, and Not right
now but one or more child has in the past. The above graph shows the percentage of respondents who
answered Yes and Not right now but one or more child has in the past. It is noteworthy that both
Extreme Anger and Hyperactivity were both indicated in more than 15% of the sample.
9
Total Respondents - Concern by Age
Range
Hurts others or self 13-18
Hurts others or self 8-12
Hurts others or self 4-7
Hurts others or self 2-3
Hurts others or self 0-1
Wants to be alone 13-18
Wants to be alone 8-12
Wants to be alone 4-7
Wants to be alone 2-3
Wants to be alone 0-1
Extreme sadness 13-18
Extreme sadness 8-12
Extreme sadness 4-7
Extreme sadness 2-3
Extreme sadness 0-1
Acts without thinking 13-18
Acts without thinking 8-12
Acts without thinking 4-7
Acts without thinking 2-3
Acts without thinking 0-1
Hyperactivity 13-18
Hyperactivity 8-12
Hyperactivity 4-7
Hyperactivity 2-3
Hyperactivity 0-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Percent
Figure 2.3
10
Total Respondents - Concern by Age Range
Cont.d
Extreme Anger 13-18
Extreme Anger 8-12
Extreme Anger 4-7
Extreme Anger 2-3
Extreme Anger 0-1
Lack of communication 13-18
Lack of communication 8-12
Lack of communication 4-7
Lack of communication 2-3
Lack of communication 0-1
Eating habits 13-18
Eating habits 8-12
Eating habits 4-7
Eating habits 2-3
Eating habits 0-1
Sleep habits 13-18
Sleep habits 8-12
Sleep habits 4-7
Sleep habits 2-3
Sleep habits 0-1
Extreme fears 13-18
Extreme fears 8-12
Extreme fears 4-7
Extreme fears 2-3
Extreme fears 0-1
Safety 13-18
Safety 8-12
Safety 4-7
Safety 2-3
Safety 0-1
Loss of interest 13-18
Loss of interest 8-12
Loss of interest 4-7
Loss of interest 2-3
Loss of interest 0-1
0
2
Percent
4
6
8
Figure 2.4
11
Further, respondents were asked to identify the age of the children displaying concerning
emotions and/or behavior. The above graphs (2.3 & 2.4) show the results broken down into age ranges,
but note that frequency of response may be directly related to number of respondents with children in
that particular age group (e.g., parents of 4-7 year-olds comprised a larger percentage of the sample
than other age groups). Still, it is noteworthy that Extreme Anger in the 2-3 year-old group and
Hyperactivity in the 4-7 year-old groups were the highest ranking concerns. Again, this may be a
function of the agency affiliation of the families who responded, with so many respondents associated
with EHS and HS.
Total Respondents - Happiness
Respondents were also asked “On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being sad and/or depressed and 5 being
happy and/or content: What was your highest score over the past week?” Answered ranged from 1-5.
The mean score reported by respondents was 3.94 with a standard deviation of 1.034. The mode
response was 5 and the median was 4.
The next question asked respondents “What would you say that your typical score is on a daily
basis?” on a 1-5 scale. The results showed a mean score for all respondents of 3.80 with a standard
deviation of .910. The mode and medians responses were 4.
12
Total Respondents - Current Stressors
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Nutrition
Nutrtion-Past
Violence in my home
Violence in my home- Past
Employment/Education
Employment/Education-Past
Housing
Housing- Past
Language
Language-Past
Alcohol/Drugs
Alcohol/Drugs-Past
Transportation
Transportation-Past
Multiple family home
Multiple family home-Past
Pregancy
Percentage
Pregancy-Past
Homelessness
Homelessness-Past
Safe neighborhood
Safe neighborhood-Past
Violence outside my home
Violence outside my home-Past
Exposure to porn
Exposure to porn-Past
Gangs
Gangs-Past
Weapons in the home
Weapons in the hom-Paste
Bullying
Bullying-Past
Immigration
Immigration-Past
Figure 2.5
13
Respondents were asked about their current and past stressors for their family. Above (Figure
2.5) are the options for the respondents to select as stressors and the percentage who checked each
stressor. It is noteworthy that Employment/Education, Transportation, and Safe Neighborhood had the
highest frequency of response.
Respondents were given the opportunity to write in answers to a series of 4
“Optional/Additional Questions”. Below is an evaluation of those topics done through a topic count.
Question one: Was there anything that surprised you when you were filling out this survey?
-Two respondents reported being surprised by the question regarding Exposure to pornography as a
current stressor.
- Two respondents said they appreciated the questions in the survey.
- Five respondents explained that they weren’t surprised by the questions, because the questions were
true to “real life.”
- Two respondents mentioned the father or their children having been deported and not knowing or not
remembering what happened to him.
-Three expressed general confusion as to why the survey was being administered by the organization
they had received the survey from.
Question two: Once you were asked to think about these things, did it make you want to know more
about any specific supports? If so, what topics, resources, services? As the figures below indicate,
Transportation is a consistent need, along with Employment or Financial barriers.
Specific Supports Mentioned
Transportation
Employment
Housing
Food
Health
Education
Bullying
Rent
Security Deposit
Childcare
Household Goods
Domestic Violence
Dental
Immigration
Mental Health
Figure 2.6
Count
9
5
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
14
Question three: “What would keep you from taking next steps (barriers) to work on a specific issue or
work on a specific goal?” Financial and Transportation barriers are noteworthy.
Barrier Type Mentioned
Financial
Transportation
Childcare/Sitter
School
Time Management
Job
Health
Focus/Motivation
Language
Housing
Stress
Self
Immigration
Lack of Internet
Figure 2.7
Count
14
13
8
7
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
Question four: What support or information would help you take next step(s) needed to work on a
specific goal or issue?
Support for Next Steps
Employment
Transportation
Education
Financial
Childcare/Sitter
Housing
Counselor
Rent Help
Motivation
Internet
Nutrition
Figure 2.8
Count
9
6
6
5
5
4
3
2
2
1
1
15
B. Analyses by Region
North Rock County Frequencies
A total of 39 respondents were from North Rock County, below are the frequencies for the
region.
Total Respondent- Age of Respondents
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Percentage
19>
19-21
22-25
26-29
30-33
34-37
38-44
45-50
51<
Age
Figure 2.9
North Rock Co. - Number of People in
Household
60
50
40
30
Frequency
Percentage 20
10
0
1
2
3
4
5
Number of People
Figure 3.1
16
North Rock Co. - Race
60
50
40
30
Percentage
20
10
0
White
Hispanic
Black
Mixed
Native
American
Figure 3.2
Mother
Zero
One
Father
Three
Zero
One
4%
12%
13%
88%
83%
Figure 3.3
Figure 3.4
17
Children Ages 0-5
Zero
One
Two
Children Ages 6-12
Three
Zero
One
Two
4%
9%
17%
26%
30%
70%
45%
Figure 3.5
Figure 3.6
Children Ages 13-18
Zero
One
Two
4%
9%
10.00%
9.00%
8.00%
7.00%
6.00%
5.00%
4.00%
3.00%
2.00%
1.00%
0.00%
O
n…
87%
Figure 3.7
Figure 3.8
18
North Rock Co. - Service Needs
0
20
Percentage
40
60
80
100
Food
Personal Care or Hygiene Items
Clothing
Household Goods or Furniture
Childcare
Assistance filling out forms for…
Education/Job training
Medical Care
Dental Care
Prescription Assistance
Alcohol or other Drug Abuse…
Mental Health Counseling
Domestic Violence Services
In the last 12 months we needed
help with
In the last 12 months we received
help with
In the last 12 months we needed
help, but no or not enough help
was available
Sexual Assault services
Emergency Shelter
Security Deposit or One Month…
Multiple Month Rental Assistance
Mortgage Assistance
Legal Services
Transportation Assistance
Utility Assistance
Immigration Assistance
Figure 3.9
19
North Rock Co. - Concerning Emotions and
Behaviors
0
5
Extreme anger
Extreme anger in the past
10
15
Extreme sadness
30
35
0
30.4
0
Acts w/o thinking
Acts w/o thinking in the past
25
13
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity in the past
20
8.7
0
4.3
Extreme sadness in the past
0
Wants to be alone most of the time
0
Wants to be alone most of the time in… 0
Hurts others or self
Hurts others or self in the past
17.4
Percentage
0
Concern
Loss of interest in frends and social… 4.3
Loss of interest in the past
0
Child's safety
0
Child's safety in the past
0
Extreme fears
Extreme fears in the past
8.7
0
Sleeps habits
Sleep habits in the past
Eating habits
Eating habits in the past
8.7
0
4.3
0
Lack of communication
Lack of communication in the past
8.7
0
Figure 4.1
20
North Rock Co. - Happiness
Respondents were asked “On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being sad and/or depressed and 5 being
happy and/or content: What was your highest score over the past week?” Answered ranged from 1-5.
The mean score reported by respondents was 4.14 with a standard deviation of 0.834. The mode
response was 5 and the median was 4.
The next question asked respondents “What would you say that your typical score is on a daily
basis?” on a 1-5 scale. The results showed a mean score for all respondents of 3.86 with a standard
deviation of .889. The mode and medians responses were 4.
21
North Rock Co. - Current Stressors
0
10
20
30
40
50
Nutrition
Nutrtion-Past
Violence in my home
Violence in my home- Past
Employment/Education
Employment/Education-Past
Housing
Housing- Past
Language
Language-Past
Alcohol/Drugs
Alcohol/Drugs-Past
Transportation
Transportation-Past
Multiple family home
Multiple family home-Past
Pregancy
Percentage
Pregancy-Past
Homelessness
Homelessness-Past
Safe neighborhood
Safe neighborhood-Past
Violence outside my home
Violence outside my home-Past
Exposure to porn
Exposure to porn-Past
Gangs
Gangs-Past
Weapons in the home
Weapons in the hom-Paste
Bullying
Bullying-Past
Immigration
Immigration-Past
Figure 4.2
22
South Rock County Frequencies
A total of 22 respondents were from South Rock County, below are the frequencies for the
region.
South Rock Co. - Age of Respondents
25
20
15
Percentage
10
5
0
19>
19-21
22-25
26-29
30-33
34-37
38-44
45-50
51<
Figure 4.3
South Rock Co. - Race
60
50
40
30
Percentage
20
10
0
White
Hispanic
Black
Mixed
Native
American
Figure 4.4
23
South Rock Co. - Number of People in Household
60
50
40
Frequency
Percentage
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
4
5
Number of People
Figure 4.5
Children Ages 0-5
Zero
One
Two
Three
Children Ages 6-12
Zero
One
4%
10%
Two
Three
Four
3%
5%
15%
25%
45%
35%
60%
Figure 4.6
Figure 4.7
24
Father
Zero
One
South Rock Co. - Age of
Respondents
Two
25
3%
20
15
30%
10
67%
Percentage
5
0
Figure 4.8
Figure 4.9
25
South Rock Co. - Service Needs
0
10
Percentage
20 30 40
50
60
Food
Personal Care or Hygiene Items
Clothing
Household Goods or Furniture
Childcare
Assistance filling out forms for…
Education/Job training
Medical Care
Dental Care
Prescription Assistance
Alcohol or other Drug Abuse…
Mental Health Counseling
Domestic Violence Services
In the last 12 months we needed
help with
In the last 12 months we received
help with
In the last 12 months we needed
help, but no or not enough help
was available
Sexual Assault services
Emergency Shelter
Security Deposit or One Month…
Multiple Month Rental Assistance
Mortgage Assistance
Legal Services
Transportation Assistance
Utility Assistance
Immigration Assistance
Figure 5.1
26
South Rock Co. - Concerning Emotions and
Behaviors
0
5
10
15
Extreme anger
Extreme anger in the past
2.5
22.5
2.5
Acts w/o thinking
Acts w/o thinking in the past
20
0
Extreme sadness
Extreme sadness in the past
25
20
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity in the past
20
5
0
Wants to be alone most of the time
5
Wants to be alone most of the time in… 0
Hurts others or self
Hurts others or self in the past
17.4
Percentage
0
Concern
Loss of interest in frends and social…
Loss of interest in the past
Child's safety
Child's safety in the past
5
0
2.5
0
Extreme fears
Extreme fears in the past
10
0
Sleeps habits
2.5
Sleep habits in the past
2.5
Eating habits
2.5
Eating habits in the past
0
Lack of communication
Lack of communication in the past
7.5
0
Figure 5.2
27
South Rock Co. - Current Stressors
0
Nutrition
Nutrtion-Past
Violence in my home
Violence in my home- Past
Employment/Education
Employment/Education-Past
Housing
Housing- Past
Language
Language-Past
Alcohol/Drugs
Alcohol/Drugs-Past
Transportation
Transportation-Past
Multiple family home
Multiple family home-Past
Pregancy
Pregancy-Past
Homelessness
Homelessness-Past
Safe neighborhood
Safe neighborhood-Past
Violence outside my home
Violence outside my home-Past
Exposure to porn
Exposure to porn-Past
Gangs
Gangs-Past
Weapons in the home
Weapons in the hom-Paste
Bullying
Bullying-Past
Immigration
Immigration-Past
5
10
15
20
25
30
Percentage
Figure 5.3
28
Walworth County Frequencies
A total of 34 respondents were from Walworth County, below are the frequencies for the
region.
Walworth Co. - Age of Respondents
30
25
20
15
Percentage
10
5
0
19> 19-21 22-25 26-29 30-33 34-37 38-44 45-50 51<
Figure 5.4
Walworth Co. - Race
60
50
40
30
Percentage
20
10
0
White
Hispanic
Black
Mixed
Native
American
Figure 5.5
29
Walworth Co. - Number of People in Household
40
35
30
25
20
Frequency 15
Percentage
10
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8≤
Number of People
Figure 5.6
Mother
Zero
Father
One
Zero
One
3%
30%
70%
97%
Figure 5.7
Figure 5.8
30
Children Ages 0-5
One
Two
Children Ages 6-12
Three
Zero
One
Two
Three
5%
25%
25%
23%
52%
20%
50%
Figure 5.9
Figure 6.1
Children Ages 13-18
Zero
One
6.00%
5.00%
One
Two
4.00%
3.00%
20%
2.00%
1.00%
80%
Figure 6.2
0.00%
Figure 6.3
31
Walworth Co. - Service Needs
0
Percentage
10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Food
Personal Care or Hygiene Items
Clothing
Household Goods or Furniture
Childcare
Assistance filling out forms for…
Education/Job training
Medical Care
Dental Care
Prescription Assistance
Alcohol or other Drug Abuse…
Mental Health Counseling
Domestic Violence Services
In the last 12 months we needed
help with
In the last 12 months we received
help with
In the last 12 months we needed
help, but no or not enough help
was available
Sexual Assault services
Emergency Shelter
Security Deposit or One Month…
Multiple Month Rental Assistance
Mortgage Assistance
Legal Services
Transportation Assistance
Utility Assistance
Immigration Assistance
Figure 6.4
32
Walworth Co. - Concerning Emotions and
Behaviors
0
5
10
15
Extreme anger
Extreme anger in the past
2.5
10
0
Acts w/o thinking
Acts w/o thinking in the past
Extreme sadness
Extreme sadness in the past
10
0
2.5
0
Wants to be alone most of the time
5
Wants to be alone most of the time… 0
Percentage
Hurts others or self
Hurts others or self in the past
Concern
25
22.5
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity in the past
20
10
0
Loss of interest in frends and social… 0
Loss of interest in the past
0
Child's safety
0
Child's safety in the past
0
Extreme fears
Extreme fears in the past
5
0
Sleeps habits
Sleep habits in the past
5
0
Eating habits
Eating habits in the past
15
2.5
Lack of communication
Lack of communication in the past
7.5
0
Figure 6.5
33
Walworth Co. - Happiness
Respondents were also asked “On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being sad and/or depressed and 5 behing
happy and/or content: What was your highest score over the past week?” Answered ranged from 1-5.
The mean score reported by respondents was 4.45 with a standard deviation of .760. The mode
response was 5 and the median was 5.
The next question asked respondents “What would you say that your typical score is on a daily
basis?” on a 1-5 scale. The results showed a mean score for all respondents of 4.39 with a standard
deviation of .718. The mode and medians responses were 5.
34
Walworth County- Current Stressors
0
5
10
15
20
25
Nutrition
Nutrtion-Past
Violence in my home
Violence in my home- Past
Employment/Education
Employment/Education-Past
Housing
Housing- Past
Language
Language-Past
Alcohol/Drugs
Alcohol/Drugs-Past
Transportation
Transportation-Past
Multiple family home
Multiple family home-Past
Pregancy
Percentage
Pregancy-Past
Homelessness
Homelessness-Past
Safe neighborhood
Safe neighborhood-Past
Violence outside my home
Violence outside my home-Past
Exposure to porn
Exposure to porn-Past
Gangs
Gangs-Past
Weapons in the home
Weapons in the hom-Paste
Bullying
Bullying-Past
Immigration
Immigration-Past
Figure 6.6
35
c. YES! Agencies/White Surveys
YES! Agencies Frequencies
A total of 122 respondents were surveyed by the following agencies: Rock County Health
Department, Head Start, Early Head Start, Early Head Start Home Base, Exchange Family Resources
Center, and Black Hack Technical College, below are the frequencies for the Rock County based
frequencies.
YES! Agencies- Age of Respondents
25
20
15
10
Percentage
5
0
19> 19-21 22-25 26-29 30-33 34-37 38-44 45-50 51<
Age
Figure 6.7
YES! - Race
45
40
35
30
25
20
Percentage
15
10
5
0
White
Hispanic
Black
Mixed
Native
American
Figure 6.8
36
YES! Agencies- Number of People in
Household
60
50
40
Frequency
Percentage
30
20
10
0
1
2
3
4
5
Number of People
Figure 6.9
Mother
Zero
One
Father
Two
Zero
One
8%
19%
43%
57%
73%
Figure 7.1
Figure 7.2
37
Children Ages 0-5
Zero
One
Two
Children Ages 6-12
Three
Zero
One
Two
Three
Four
4% 2%
13%
11%
40%
16%
27%
54%
33%
Figure 7.3
Figure 7.4
Children Ages
13-18
Zero
One
Two
8.00%
7.00%
6.00%
5.00%
On
e
4.00%
6%
3.00%
12%
2.00%
1.00%
0.00%
82%
Figure 7.5
Figure 7.6
38
YES! Agencies - Service Needs
0
10
Percentage
20
30
40
50
Food
Personal Care or Hygiene Items
Clothing
Household Goods or Furniture
Childcare
Assistance filling out forms for…
Education/Job training
Medical Care
Dental Care
Prescription Assistance
Alcohol or other Drug Abuse…
Mental Health Counseling
Domestic Violence Services
In the last 12 months we needed
help with
In the last 12 months we received
help with
In the last 12 months we needed
help, but no or not enough help
was available
Sexual Assault services
Emergency Shelter
Security Deposit or One Month…
Multiple Month Rental Assistance
Mortgage Assistance
Legal Services
Transportation Assistance
Utility Assistance
Immigration Assistance
Figure 7.7
39
YES! Agencies - Concerning Emotions and
Behaviors
0
5
10
15
Extreme anger
Extreme anger in the past
2.5
22.5
2.5
Acts w/o thinking
Acts w/o thinking in the past
20
0
Extreme sadness
Extreme sadness in the past
25
20
Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity in the past
20
5
0
Wants to be alone most of the time
5
Wants to be alone most of the time… 0
Hurts others or self
Hurts others or self in the past
17.4
Percentage
0
Concern
Loss of interest in frends and social…
Loss of interest in the past
Child's safety
Child's safety in the past
5
0
2.5
0
Extreme fears
Extreme fears in the past
10
0
Sleeps habits
2.5
Sleep habits in the past
2.5
Eating habits
2.5
Eating habits in the past
0
Lack of communication
Lack of communication in the past
7.5
0
Figure 7.8
40
YES! Agencies- Current Stressors
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Nutrition
Nutrtion-Past
Violence in my home
Violence in my home- Past
Employment/Education
Employment/Education-Past
Housing
Housing- Past
Language
Language-Past
Alcohol/Drugs
Alcohol/Drugs-Past
Transportation
Transportation-Past
Multiple family home
Multiple family home-Past
Pregancy
Percentage
Pregancy-Past
Homelessness
Homelessness-Past
Safe neighborhood
Safe neighborhood-Past
Violence outside my home
Violence outside my home-Past
Exposure to porn
Exposure to porn-Past
Gangs
Gangs-Past
Weapons in the home
Weapons in the hom-Paste
Bullying
Bullying-Past
Immigration
Immigration-Past
Figure 7.9
41
YES! Agencies - Happiness
Respondents were also asked “On a scale of 1-5 with 1 being sad and/or depressed and 5 behing
happy and/or content: What was your highest score over the past week?” Answered ranged from 1-5.
The mean score reported by respondents was 3.76 with a standard deviation of 1.00. The mode
response was 4 and the median was 4.
The next question asked respondents “What would you say that your typical score is on a daily
basis?” on a 1-5 scale. The results showed a mean score for all respondents of 3.56 with a standard
deviation of .879. The mode was 3 and the median response was 4.
42
YES! Agencies- Current Stressors
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Nutrition
Nutrtion-Past
Violence in my home
Violence in my home- Past
Employment/Education
Employment/Education-Past
Housing
Housing- Past
Language
Language-Past
Alcohol/Drugs
Alcohol/Drugs-Past
Transportation
Transportation-Past
Multiple family home
Multiple family home-Past
Pregancy
Percentage
Pregancy-Past
Homelessness
Homelessness-Past
Safe neighborhood
Safe neighborhood-Past
Violence outside my home
Violence outside my home-Past
Exposure to porn
Exposure to porn-Past
Gangs
Gangs-Past
Weapons in the home
Weapons in the hom-Paste
Bullying
Bullying-Past
Immigration
Immigration-Past
Figure 8.1
43
d. Specific Comparisons
Comparisons Across Total Respondents
In order to answer the question if Unmet Needs predicted to the scores on the 2 Happiness
questions, a comparison of means was used by using t-tests. Any responses as “needed help (with a
service), but no or not enough help was available” for any service was coded for as an unmet need.
Independent t-tests revealed that there was a statistically significant difference on both Happiness
High and Happiness Typical scores, with respondents with unmet needs being more likely to have
lower happiness scores than those who did not have unmet needs (e.g., Means of 3.63 vs. 4.06 and
3.42 vs. 3.95 on Happiness High and Happiness Typical items, respectively).
Unmet Need x Happiness Scores t-test
Need Met?
Happiness High
Happy Typical
N
Mean
Std.
Deviation
Yes
146
4.06
.998
Std.
Error
Mean
.083
No
59
3.63
1.065
.139
Yes
146
3.95
.866
.072
No
59
3.42
.914
.119
Statistically Significant
Difference?
Yes t(203)=2.77, p=.006
Yes t(203)=23.89, p=.000
Figure 8.2
In order to examine the relationship between Type of Stressor and Unmet Needs, a
series of X2 analyses were performed. To create the stressor types, stressors were broken
down into five groups. Family Home Stress was made up of Nutrition, Violence in Home,
Housing, Multiple Family Home, Homelessness, Pregnancy, and Exposure to Pornography.
Health Stress consisted of Health, Alcohol/Drugs Problems, and Pregnancy. Financial Stress
was made up of Employment and Transportation. Immigration Stress consisted of Language
Barrier and Parent Detained by Immigration. Violence Stress was Violence in Home, Violence
44
outside of Home, Safe Neighborhood, Exposure to Violence, Gang Exposure, Weapons inside
Home, and Bullying.
Significant differences were found between respondents who identified as having had
all their needs met and those who didn’t in regards to the following stress types: Family Home
Stress, Financial Stress, and Violence Stress. There was a significant relationship between Family
Home Stress and whether need was met with 52.3% (n=34) of respondents with Unmet Need
reporting Family Home Stress and 30% (n=48) of those No Unmet Need reporting Family Home
Stress.
Unmet Need by Stress Type
Stress Type
Immigration
Stress
Violence Stress
Financial Stress
Health Stress
Family Home
Stress
Figure 8.3
Unmet
Need
(n=65)
9.2%(n=6)
No Unmet
Statistically Significant?
Need
(n=160)
11.9%(n=19) No
26.9%(n=44) Yes X2(2, N=225)=8.09,
p>.017
60%%(n=39) 42.5%(n=68) Yes X2(1, N=225)=5.68,
p>.017
9.3%(n=6)
6.3%(n=10) No
52.3%(n=34) 30%(n=48)
Yes (1, N=225)=9.93, p>.002
46.2%(n=30)
45
In order to compare a degree of stress as a predictor of Happiness (High and Typical) we
calculated the number of Total Stressors indicated (e.g., Family Stressors, Nutrition/food Needs, Violence
in My Home, etc.) and then split the sample into two groups (High Stress and Low Stress) by a median
split (e.g., those at or above versus below the median number of stressors, High and Low). When
comparing respondents with High versus Low Stress a statistically significant relationship was found in
happiness scores. Respondents who were in the Low Stress group were more likely to report higher
happiness scores.
Stress Group x Happiness Score T-Test
Stress
Group
N
Mean
Std.
Deviation
Std.
Error
Mean
Happy
High/week
Low
Stress
145
4.13
.981
.081
60
3.47
1.016
.131
Happy
Typical/week
High
Stress
Low
Stress
145
3.94
.884
.073
60
3.47
.892
.115
High
Stress
Statistically
Significant
Yes… t(203)=4.37,
p=.000
Yes… t(203)=3.47,
p=.000
Figure 8.4
46
Chi square tests were also used to compare frequency counts in the Stress Groups (High versus
Low) with Unmet Need in each individual service (e.g. Food, Personal Care, Clothing, etc.), and a number
of statistically significant differences arose. See Figure 8.5 below.
Unmet Services x Stress
UnMet Services
Food
Personal Care
Clothing
High Stress
(n=52)
9.6% (n=5)
9.6% (n=5)
11.5% (n=6)
Low Stress
(n=173)
1.7% (n=3)
2.3% (n=4)
1.7% (n=3)
Above Median Stressors
Significance
X2 (1, N=225)=8.11, p>.004
X2 (1, N=225)=10.33, p>.001
X2 (1, N=225)=6.10, p>.014
Household Goods
11.5% (n=6)
5.2% (n=9)
X2 (1, N=225)=4.27, p>.039
Childcare
Assistance w/ Forms
Education
Medical Care
Dental Care
Prescriptions
11.5% (n=6)
5.8% (n=3)
11.5% (n=6)
13.5% (n=7)
17.3% (n=9)
2% (n=3.8)
5.8% (n=10)
1.2% (n=2)
2.3% (n=4)
3.5% (n=6)
5.2% (n=9)
2.3% (n=4)
NS
X2 (1, N=225)=6.17, p>.013
X2 (1, N=225)=8.09, p>.004
X2 (1, N=225)=10.27, p>.001
X2 (1, N=225)=6.22, p>.013
NS
Alc/Drug Treatment
1% (n=1.9)
1.2% (n=2)
NS
Mental Health
Counseling
Domestic Violence
Services
Sexual Assault
9.6% (n=5)
1.2% (n=2)
X2 (1, N=225)=5.88, p>.014
1.9% (n=1)
0.6% (n=1)
NS
0% (n=0)
0.6% (n=1)
NS
Emergency Shelter
1.9% (n=1)
0.6% (n=1)
NS
Security Deposit
Multiple Month Rent
Mortgage Assistance
Legal Services
Transportation assistance
Utility Assistance
Immigration Assistance
Figure 8.5
11.5% (n=6)
11.5% (n=6)
1.9% (n=1)
7.7% (n=4)
13.5% (n=7)
9.6% (n=5)
3.8% (n=2)
6.9% (n=12)
3.5% (n=6)
0.6% (n=1)
1.7% (n=3)
2.9% (n=5)
4.6% (n=8)
2.3% (n=4)
NS
NS
NS
X2 (1, N=225)=5.99, p>.014
X2 (1, N=225)=4.94, p>.026
NS
NS
47
Age was also used as a predictor variable. The median age of all respondents (30) was used to create
a median-split in which respondents above the age of 30, the older group, were compared to those at
the age of 30 and below, the younger group. The table below (Figure 8.6) shows the differences
between the two groups in percentage frequencies in regards to stressors with a chi-square test to
explore whether the differences between the two groups were significant. The younger group reported
more stress in Nutrition and Multiple Family Home while the older group of respondents reported more
stress in Language Barriers.
Stressors x Age Group
Stressors
Older-Yes (Present & Past)
Younger-Yes (Present & Past
Statistical Significance
Nutrition
13.50% (n=13)
28.8% (n=35)
X2(2, N=225)=6.75, p>.034
Health
Employment
Violence in Home
Housing
30.2% (n=29)
36.0% (n=34)
26.8% (n=7)
26.8% (n=23)
24.1% (n=28)
43.2% (n=52)
12.2% (n=10)
21.6% (n=26)
NS
NS
NS
NS
Language Barriers
Alc/Drug
Transportation
Multiple Family Home
14.0%(n=12)
5.8% (n=6)
18.6% (n=18)
2.3% (n=3)
5.7% (n=6)
5.1% (n=6)
28.1% (n=32)
10.8% (n=12)
X2(2, N=225)=6.01, p>.049
NS
NS
X2(2, N=225)=7.843, p>.020
Pregnancy
2.3% (n=3)
6.7% (n=7)
NS
Homelessness
Safe Neighborhood
7.0% (n=7)
15.1% (n=16)
9.4% (n=11)
18.7% (n=18)
NS
NS
Violence Outside Home
3.5%(n=5)
12.2% (n=14)
NS
Porn
Gangs
Weapons
2.3% (n=3)
3.5% (n=13)
1.1% (n=1)
1.4% (n=1)
7.2% (n=9)
0.8%% (n=1)
NS
NS
NS
Bullying
Immigration
Figure 8.6
11.6% (n=12)
5.8% (n=13)
10.8% (n=12)
2.9% (n=2)
NS
NS
48
Black v. Non-Black x Service Needs
Given the statewide initiative to address racial disparities in infant mortality from a 12-point lifecourse perspective, and YES’ overlapping goals with Beloit LIHF in Rock County, it is important to
consider racial differences in the data, particularly differences in experiences of stress and unmet needs
in the African American population. A series of chi square tests were run comparing all black
respondents to all non-black respondents in regard to service needs. Significant differences were found
when evaluating the number of respondents who checked that In the last 12 months we needed help
with Education/ Job Training, X2(2, N=204)=8.69, p>.013, with 34.4% of black respondents stating that
they needed help with Education/Job Training as opposed to 13.5% of non-black respondents. Significant
differences were also found when the number of respondents who stated that In the last 12 months we
received help with Education/ Job Training, X2(2, N=204)=8.16, p>.017, with 28.1% of black respondents
stating that they received help as opposed to 9.9% of non-black black respondents. It is reassuring and
noteworthy that there was no significant difference in black vs. non-black respondents in regards to the
number of who stated that In the last 12 months we needed help with (Education/ Job Training) but no,
or not enough, was available.
Further, significant differences were found in black and non-black respondents’ answers to In
the last 12 months we needed help with utility assistance, X2 (2, N=204)=6.84, p>.033, with 40.6% of
black respondents stating they needed help with utility assistance as opposed to 19.9% of non-black
respondents.
No significant differences were found in regards to black vs. non-blacks in stressors, happiness,
or children’s emotional/behavioral concerns.
49
Conclusion
The analyses described here are general and exploratory. While the data suggest some
interesting trends that we hope will be helpful to YES-affiliated agencies, we encourage a more
extensive inquiry into the patterns described here. For example, while it’s not surprising that level of
stress predicts to happiness, it would be important to consider the barriers to meeting needs and
achieving happiness for individual clients and families served.
If there are additional questions that we can assist with, please let us know. Thanks for the
opportunity to explore the data and to contribute to the goals of YES.
50