The association between marriage and well-being has led to policies that promote marital interventions and discourage divorce. These include federal initiatives specifically targeting poor couples and couples of color. While there are many prospective studies on marriage that have informed some couple interventions, the studies that are included…

Approximately 1.7 million children have parents who are incarcerated in prison in the United States, and possibly millions of additional children have a parent incarcerated in jail. Many affected children experience increased risk for developing behavior problems, academic failure, and substance abuse. For a growing number of children,…

Michael G. Wessells, recipient of the International Humanitarian Award, is cited for his pioneering and sustained contributions to the protection of children affected by armed conflict and to the development of international guidelines for the provision of community-based, culturally responsive psychosocial support in emergencies. Wessells has…

As psychological knowledge has increased and as areas such as child mental health have gained legitimacy, psychologists have played an active role in the development of policy with regard to children and youth. Their continued involvement is necessary if broader polices committed to children are to be effected. (Author/GC)

Provides background to a forum on psychological mistreatment of children. This forum attempts to stimulate efforts to examine the prevention, treatment, research, and policy aspects of this phenomenon, which many psychologists contend is the core issue in child abuse and neglect. (Author/LHW)

Psychological maltreatment appears to be more prevalent and potentially more destructive than other forms of child abuse and neglect. However, it receives little attention from the public or professional sector. This article reviews the literature and concludes that psychological maltreatment is the core issue in child maltreatment. (Author/LHW)

Identifies several research directions for psychologists interested in studying the psychological maltreatment of children and youth. In order to organize research, two conceptual perspectives are suggested: ecological and developmental. Policy issues are also discussed. (Author/LHW)

Current social policy supports neither high quality infant day care nor alternatives to day care. Psychologists should take action on research evidence showing the importance of quality infant care, by proposing and supporting policies that would grant voluntary, partially paid, six-month leaves to working parents for infant care. (Author/MJL)

Reviews five federal policy-based initiatives for children and families (Project Head Start; lead poisoning prevention; Medicaid; Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children; and Earned Income Tax Credit), discussing aspects of federal prevention program design, implementation, policy, and research. (Contains references.) (SM)

Michigan's ex-governor discusses (1) the impact of the Reagan administration's budget proposals on State social service programs and their implications for the State role concerning such programs, and (2) the need for state governments to negotiate strongly with the Federal government on proposed policy changes to protect the interests of the…

Examines obstacles to research utilization in social policy development. Describes efforts of the Foundation for Child Development to link research and policy in such activities as supporting research for policy and practice, creating new services for children, child advocacy, and encouraging private and public sector collaboration in child…

Provides a brief history of Federal agency involvement in programs for children and their families, examines factors that affect the development of Federal social policy, and suggests future trends. Includes a brief summary of the existing 93 programs operated by various agencies of the Federal government. (Author/BJV)

Psychological maltreatment may be too imprecise a concept on which to base involuntary intervention in families. Before intervening on these grounds alone, the state should find an actual or reasonably foreseeable injury which, if untreated, will create protracted difficulties for the child. (Author/LHW)

A developmental psychologist describes her experience in testifying at Congressional hearings on proposed revisions in child labor legislation. The testimony argued that proposals to increase job opportunities for school-going teenagers are a threat to their development and to the job prospects of unemployed out-of-school youths and adults.…

Reviews definitions, causal hypotheses, research, and information regarding incidence and treatment of child abuse. Discusses problems with screening, including poor validity of the measures utilized to predict abuse, invasion of family privacy, and the absence of adequate treatment and prevention programs. (GC)