PERSONAL MYTHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPYFeinstein, David
doi: 10.1037/h0080251pmid: 9361858
The sweeping changes and crises in the guiding myths of contemporary cultures provide the context of the individual's psychological and spiritual development. A five-stage process for facilitating the evolution of an individual's personal mythology is illustrated in a detailed case study, and the psychosocial tasks that must be accomplished to successfully navigate each stage are discussed.
WOMEN'S MENTAL HEALTHPadgett, Deborah K.
doi: 10.1037/h0080252pmid: 9361859
Some key issues regarding gender differences in the prevalence of mental disorders, the course of mental illness, and the use of services are reviewed, along with their diagnosis and psychopharmacologic treatment. Implications for clinical practice are examined, as are directions for future research that will ensure the presence of women's mental health as a major element in the national agenda on women's health.
THE REGULATORY STATUS OF CENTER-BASED INFANT AND TODDLER CHILD CAREYoung, Kathryn Taaffe; Marsland, Katherine White; Zigler, Edward
doi: 10.1037/h0085084pmid: 9361860
Ten years ago, a review of U.S. center-based infant and toddler care found that not even one state met federally recommended standards of quality with regard to group composition, staff training, and program of care. The present analysis indicates that little progress has been made since then. While most states currently require centers to follow appropriate practice guidelines, standards for staff training were rated as unacceptable in almost all states. Findings are discussed in terms of the interrelation of quality dimensions and the ongoing importance of improved state-level infant and toddler child-care regulation.
CHILD WELFARE POLICY AND PRACTICEPelton, Leroy H.
doi: 10.1037/h0085085pmid: 9361861
The family-preservation orientation of child welfare policy and practice is questioned, and the reasons why child rescue efforts continue to grow are explored. Child placement rates are examined in historical context and compared to those of other countries. This paper argues that the child welfare system in the U.S. has long been two “systems ” and that, as currently structured, it is incapable of promoting family preservation.
EVALUATING SYSTEMS OF CARE FOR CHILDRENSolnit, Albert J.; Adnopoz, Jean; Saxe, Leonard; Gardner, Judith; Fallon, Theodore
doi: 10.1037/h0080253pmid: 9361862
A clinical assessment of the Mental Health Services Program for Youth, a national initiative to integrate systems and coordinate care for severely emotionally disturbed children, was designed to augment and enrich the larger evaluation of program structure. Case conferences were used as a method of examing the effects of collaborative systems of care on vulnerable individuals and of generating clinical insight and understanding. Case vignettes are presented and discussed in terms of the contributions and shortcomings of current system-of-care efforts.
TRANSRACIAL ADOPTEESVroegh, Karen S.
doi: 10.1037/h0080254pmid: 9361863
At the fifth phase of a longitudinal study of transracial adoption outcomes, 52 adolescents of black descent adopted in infancy were examined with respect to racial self-identity, general adjustment, and self-esteem. The 34 adolescents adopted into white families and the 18 adopted into black families identified themselves as black or of mixed race in similar proportions, and most were found to be well adjusted and to have good or very good self-esteem. The findings offer implications for adoption policy and placement decisions.
OPEN ADOPTION AND ADOPTIVE MOTHERSLee, Judith S.; Twaite, James A.
doi: 10.1037/h0080255pmid: 9361864
The nature and extent of contact between 238 adoptive mothers and their child's biological mother was assessed for the period prior to the birth of the child and during the first two years of the child's life. Adoptive mothers who reported such contact prior to the child's birth had significantly more favorable attitudes toward both the biological mother and the adopted child. Those with contact either before or after the birth also demonstrated significantly more favorable parenting attitudes. Policy implications and the need for further research are noted.
PARENTAL ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER FAMILY DISRUPTIONSAmodeo, Maryann; Griffin, Margaret
doi: 10.1037/h0080256pmid: 9361865
Adult outcomes were investigated in 14 pairs of African-American and white daughters of alcoholic parents. On the basis of four outcome factors, subjects were divided into three sister-pair categories: well-adjusted, impaired, and mixed. Interviews and standardized questionnaires showed that family-of-origin variables contributing to the impaired adult outcomes included parental psychiatric problems and childhood abuse or neglect.