Presents conceptual framework for family therapy process research that integrates new process perspective with family systems theory. Focuses on circular interaction, over time, between and within therapist and family systems/subsystems. Explains empirical implications of each framework component. Concludes with three methodological criteria for…

Discusses ethical and practical concerns family therapists face when using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition Revised (DSM-III-R), including incompatibility of orientations, stigma associated with diagnosing, being asked to misrepresent diagnoses to third-party payers, and competency of some family therapists…

Presents 10 myths about depressed children and adolescents and then dispels each with facts. Includes discussion of diagnostic criteria from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition for Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder. Distinguishes between depressive disorders in children/adolescents and in…

"What gets assessed is what gets taught" is a common assertion whose meaning is often underestimated. It is not just what gets assessed, but how it is assessed that has implications for what is learned. When a child who is asked the meaning of his report card grades responds, "If I knew that I'd be the teacher" he is saying something about the…

Compares in table format 57 commercially available word processing programs for microcomputers and provides definitions/explanations for comparative criteria categorized according to editing and printer/formatting features. (JN)

Discusses need for careful examination of codependency as diagnostic category. Critically examines assumptions that codependency is disease, addiction, or predetermined by the environment. Discusses implications of assumptions. Offers recommendations for mental health counselors focusing on need for systematic research, redirection of efforts to…

Notes that professionals in need of information often turn to reviews in professional journals. Explains how the review process is supposed to work. Discusses three areas of potential problems and abuses: selection of the wrong reviewer, writing an unsatisfactory review, and the editor's failure to correct either of these problems. Offers…

Describes role of inadequate construct definition in the current problems involving measurement of counseling performance and suggests potential responses for improving measurement capability. Identifies primary task at hand to be deciding upon and describing constructs to measure. (Author/NB)

Assuring the quality of higher education in America was once a straightforward, if tedious, proposition. Audit an institution's fiscal condition, check faculty credentials, make sure that the administration isn't riding roughshod over academic freedom, see whether or not the curriculum as expressed in the catalogue is reasonably coherent, browse…

This special issue deals with the identification and remediation criteria/practices employed in several countries regarding learning disabilities (LD). An analysis of the identification criteria suggests that most countries follow early law mandates of the United States (e.g., PL 94-142) regarding the definition of the disorder and use the…

This document is a report on the implementation of changes to methods formerly used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to evaluate claims relating to mental impairment for disability benefits. The introductory letter states several conclusions reached by the General Accounting Office's (GAO) review of the criteria used by the SSA to…

Suggests criteria developed within context of Erikson's first five psychosocial stages that may help in evaluating self-concept and ego development. To assess strengths and weaknesses in self's growth as it progresses through the stages, five behavioral expressions tables are presented, each illustrating possible behaviors and implicit attitudes…

Although subject to modification by political, funding, and popular considerations, the audit review of psychiatric facilities is seen as a useful step in providing quality care. (CM)

Reviews approaches for categorizing outcome criterion measures in the human services. Suggests a multidimensional paradigm based on conceptualizations advocated in the literature. Discusses paradigm's implications for rehabilitation practice. (Author/ABL)

There are five goal domains in early childhood education that are worthy of evaluation. Three criteria should be used in judging goal statements: intrusiveness (does the goal intrude upon a basic need?); worthiness (what makes the goal worth pursuing?); and source (where do the goals come from?). (Author/LC)