Evaluated legal representation for children in child protection proceedings, using data from a random sample of cases and attorneys in North Carolina. Results showed the attorneys, in general, produced no significant benefits for the children. Based on results, identifies particular types of effective attorneys. (NRB)

Investigated factors associated with relationship quality of 49 first-time pregnant women and their mothers using data from a two-wave mail survey. Compared correlations of intimacy and perceptions of equity with correlations of intimacy and actual help patterns. Findings indicated that perception of equity is more associated with relationship…

Authors submit that the model for dual relationships proposed by Hill and Mamalakis does not, in principle or practice, replace the concise, fairly unequivocal prohibition of dual relationships (DRs) set forth by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The proposed model does not adequately protect clients, therapists, and…

The goal of the original article was to open constructive dialogue about risk factors to consider when evaluating potential dual relationships in religious community settings. The authors still aim to develop a model that supports therapists in the process of interpreting and applying the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics…

Analyzed data from 99 grandfathers living in rural transitional areas with regard to patterns of association, helping, and levels of affect. Results showed the grandfather role is of little relative importance as seen through low levels of interaction and priority as a role. Geographical proximity was most consistently related to the…

Through interviews and observation, the impact of caring for an elderly parent or in-law on 30 women was studied. The study differentiated between care provision and care management. Social and behavioral precedents and consequences of the role were identified. Costs of caregiving were much greater for providers than managers. (Author/JAC)

Using past experience, describes important issues in working with adolescent parents. Discusses why teenage parenthood is a vital social concern, who is at risk, what methods promote competent parenting among adolescents, how can parental competence be promoted among youth, and what issues require further attention from researchers and…

Therapists involved with religious communities as leaders, employees, or community members face challenges in evaluating benefits and risks of dual relationships. Authors propose a three-level model of factors to use to evaluate risk: (a) professional ethics codes and legal guidelines, (b) theory of therapy, and (c) contextual variables and…

Examines the reliability and validity of the Youth Support Inventory, a tool designed for community coalitions to assess the availability of local resources and supports that previous research indicates are important for preventing adolescent alcohol and other drug use. (BF)

Using a social exchange perspective and data from a national sample of 978 spouse and child caregivers of older family members, this study assessed the association between caregiver relationship and gender and the costs and rewards of caregiving. We also evaluated whether relationship and gender moderate the effects of helpfulness on caregiver…

Uses systems perspective to analyze psychological and social forces which may limit support that families who are losing their farms seek from their neighbors and that their neighbors offer them. Discusses nonhelp intended as help, blaming victims, farm community values, and other factors that make farm family in crisis pull back from neighbors.…

Concerns the economic crisis which has led to farm foreclosures, closings of rural businesses, and decreased livelihood of some rural communities. Presents an empowerment strategy as a possible approach to rural revitalization. Examines programs that have used an empowerment process and suggests additional efforts based on empowerment principles.…

Examined extent to which adult sons were incorporated into support network of older rural fathers (N=56). Results revealed that sons played relatively minor role in support network of older fathers as seen through helping and moderately active role through association. Association could be explained through proximity. (Author/NB)

Preserving the personhood of one's partner emerged as a guiding directive for spouses caring for a partner with dementia. On the basis of data from open-ended interviews with 38 husband and wife caregivers, 4 strategies that facilitate this directive were identified: maintaining continuity, sustaining existing competencies, protecting the partner…

Differentiated roles of kin and formal assistance in instrumental care and decision making using interviews with 193 White and 51 Black family caregivers. Results revealed few differences in size of support networks. White elders were twice as likely to participate centrally in decision regarding their care as were Blacks. Found notable absence of…