Uses the pyramid-of-services model to organize the complexity of child day care systems and to delineate their place in the framework of family preservation and support services. Argues that the family focus of family preservation and family support can utilize the unique elements of child day care as a vehicle for family empowerment. (MDM)

A series of brief essays examines inner-city crime and the growing crime gap between blacks and whites. The articles discuss ways to close the gap through four approaches: (1) securing inner-city neighborhoods; (2) increasing the police presence on inner-city streets; (3) incarcerating violent and repeat criminals; and (4) removing severely…

Examined 171 female alcoholic inpatients, including subjects' own childhood, offspring, and family environment. Found that female alcoholics resemble males alcoholics and have disturbed childhoods with a drug- or alcohol-abusing, suicidal parent. In particular, boys of female alcoholics are extremely vulnerable during adolescence and have a more…

Analyzed narrative accounts of incest perpetrators (10 men, 1 woman) using the concepts of justice and care. Almost all perpetrators defined incest as love and care and viewed their behavior as considerate and fair, although this care and love were contradicted by adults' refusal to stop when children wanted them to stop. (RJM)

Reports on patterns of alcohol use and consequences of abuse among a sample of individuals with disabilities (n=916), analyzing demographics, disability groupings, and various consequences of abuse. Examines specific self-reported consequences as they relate to health, family relationships, legal involvements, and work problems. (JPS)

A study of family dynamics and it relationship to lethality and hopelessness for 34 families of suicidal adolescents and 15 families of nonsuicidal symptomatic adolescents demonstrates similarities of both types of families in terms of overprotection and enmeshment. Rigidity and conflict avoidance were more evident in suicidal families. (SLD)

Winbush suggests that family caregiving today occurs in a context of changed family composition and devalued attitudes toward families. Cantor highlights trends in family structure that may affect the ability of families to care for impaired members. (SK)

A case study is presented of a female adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse where the perpetrator was her older brother. The family dynamics are described, emphasizing the physically absent father (a clergyman), the emotionally distant mother, and the surrogate parent status of the perpetrator. The individual's efforts to receive appropriate…

Classified 86 community sample families on basis of father's alcoholism and obtained interview and questionnaire data from parents and adolescent sons. Found that alcoholic families reported significantly more family conflict and less marital satisfaction than did nonalcoholic families. There were more mental disorders diagnosed among children of…

Reactions to 4 versions of a vignette describing a successful manager were obtained from 233 management students, including 50 executives in an extension course. Career success was perceived as a major cause of personal failure. The personal price paid by successful people was perceived differently depending on gender and marital status. (SK)

Reviews literature that illustrates concerns about childhood chronic illness and its effects on families. Includes an example of research on preterm infants with low birthweight and complex medical needs. Preliminary analyses of infants' intervention needs during their first 18 months are discussed in relation to the reduction of family stress.…

Literature review indicates adoption status never really ends for any adoptive family; agencies should help whenever help is needed. For families adopting children with special needs, it is imperative help be available at all times. This involves special considerations. Kinds of services needed are discussed, and program designed to provide those…

Evaluated six-week support group for six preadolescent siblings of children with mental or physical handicaps. Comparison with five nonparticipants revealed that group had significant effect on participants' perceptions of social support. Parents indicated some improvements in participants' behavior toward siblings. Found no significant…

Surveyed 97 adults self-identified as coming from dysfunctional families. Although level of family dysfunction was generally high, no significant differences were observed between adult children of alcoholics and adults from families whose dysfunction was not due to substance abuse. Degree of family dysfunction was significantly associated with…

Investigated effects of recent life events, psychological adjustment, and social support on lymphocyte count among 192 older adults. For males, recent sexual dysfunction lowered lymphocyte count, whereas psychological adjustment and percentage kin in intimate network elevated it. For females, family or legal problems elevated count as did frequent…