what was leonard pearlin's inspiration?

Answer 1

Well, for me the first question had to be: Who is Leonard Pearlin?

"Leonard Pearlin
Ph.D. Columbia University, 1956

Position: Senior Research Scientist & Graduate Professor
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Departmental Specialty Areas:

Additional Research Areas:
Medical Sociology, Aging




Leonard Pearlin has been Graduate Professor and Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Sociology since 1995. He has received many honors and awards over his career, including the Distinguished Career Award for the Practice of Sociology from the American Sociological Association in 1998, and the Award for Career Contributions to the Sociology of Mental Health, from the ASA Section on the Sociology of Mental Health in 1996.

He is past chair of the Medical Sociology Section of American Sociological Association, (1986-87), and past chair of the Section on the Sociology of Mental Health (1994-95). He was editor of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior (1982-84) and has served as an editorial consultant for the American Sociological Review, American Journal of Sociology, Sociology and Social Research, and Social Forces. He has been on the Steering Committee for Research on Health and Disease, and the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Pearlin has been a member of myriad National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Task Forces, including task forces on Research into Social Problems and Minority Group Research. He was a contributor on the National Research Plan on Aging, and is a Grants Consultant for the National Institute on Aging, National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Mental Health. He was a member of the NIMH Life Course Review Panel and served on the Board of Directors for the National Alzheimer's Association.

Presently, Dr. Pearlin directs the Center for the Study of Stress and Health in the department of sociology. His research centers on the connection between people’s status location in society, the stressors to which they are exposed, and their health and well-being. His current work focuses on the disparities in rates of morbidity and mortality in society, focusing on stress along the life course, in accounting for health differences among groups differing in education, gender, race, and economic resources."

As for his inspiration, well, I doubt you'll find that anywhere on the Net. But why not e-mail him and ask?