Alfred C. Hexter, Reconfounding the Confluence Model: Is the Relationship of Sibship Size and Birth-Order to Intelligence an Artifact?, American Sociological Review, Vol. 46, No. 4 (Aug., 1981), pp. 485-486

Michael C. Burrage, David Corry, At Sixes and Sevens: Occupational Status in the City of London from the Fourteenth to the Seventeenth Century, American Sociological Review, Vol. 46, No. 4 (Aug., 1981), pp. 375-393

Roberto M. Fernandez, Jane C. Kulik, A Multilevel Model of Life Satisfaction: Effects of Individual Characteristics and Neighborhood Composition, American Sociological Review, Vol. 46, No. 6 (Dec., 1981), pp. 840-850

Differences in the status attainment process for groups are often 9 inferred from differences in corresponding regression coefficients when structural equations models are separately estim2ted for each group. This paper examines the credibility of inferences based on crossgroup compfirisons of regression coefficients using black-white differences in the educational attainment process as an example. It 'reviews evidence bout race differences from previous studies and finds inconsistencies. Reanalyses of the data from these studies using common models and methods fails to produce consistent results. Additional reason for caution in substantive interpretation of differences in regression coefficients is illustrated using NLS data in which a large portion of the subgroup differences in regression coefficients can easily be interpreted as due to black-white differences in the measurement properties of the observed variables. Other sources of regreinn slope filictuatior that may arise from methodological rather than substantive processes are also illustrated. Evidence implies that regression slope differences across groups in models of attainment provide ambiguous evidence on which to base statements about differences in the attainment process.

In recent years a great deal of interest has developed in the role as a way of understanding the high rates of psychological distress among women in our society. Although this work has been almost entirely cross-sectional, the underlying hypothesis predicts that the relationship between sex and distress should decline as sex roles become more comparable. Basing our analysis on three national surveys and two community surveys spanning the years 1957 to 1976 -a period of rapid changes in the roles of women-we document a reduction in the relationship between sex and one indicator of distress, a screening scale of psychophysiological symptoms. Specification analyses show that the increased labor-force participation of women has been responsible for part of this trend. However, there appear to be no relationships between the decline in psychophysiological symptoms and changes in educational attainment, rates of marriage, marital dissolution, or childbearing.

Nan Lin, Walter M. Ensel, John C. Vaughn, Social Resources and Strength of Ties: Structural Factors in Occupational Status Attainment, American Sociological Review, Vol. 46, No. 4 (Aug., 1981), pp. 393-405