A study involving 470 parents of children with developmental disabilities examined the psychometric properties of a five-item subcomponent (DEP5) of Factor 1, Parent and Family Problems, of the Friedrich Questionnaire on Resources and Stress. Results found the DEP5 to be a reliable and valid measure of depressive reactions. (Author/CR)

Interviews were conducted with 17 families having a member with mental retardation and problem behavior, to investigate the families' definition of problem behavior, challenges the family faces, and successful approaches to changing the behavior. The needs of families were identified, such as the need for more information on the problem behavior.…

Presents analyses of data from the National Comorbidity Survey to assess the extent to which problems within marriage spill over to produce work loss. Results indicate that marital distress is positively associated with work loss. Suggests family interventions targeted at prevention of marital problems may result in important psychosocial and…

Measures of parenting stress and anger expression were examined for their ability to jointly predict child abuse potential in two samples (total N=123) of New Zealand parents. The study found a strong joint contribution of scores on the Parenting Stress Index and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory in predicting results of the Child Abuse…

Behavioral and family characteristics of sexually aggressive (SA) children were obtained from 155 treatment providers to investigate a social learning theory model of childhood sexual aggression. Most SA children lived with at least one chemically dependent caretaker and had been sexually abused by a caretaker; 48% had at least one parent with a…

Describes whether stress experienced by families of adults with mental retardation was a function of characteristics of caregivers or care recipients and other influences. Data from interviews with 105 families indicated that the marital status of the caregiver, the number and level of services needed, and other factors influenced the families'…

Compared adult children from dysfunctional families (with and without alcoholism) and adult children of functional families to gauge current relationship satisfaction. No significant differences emerged between the two dysfunctional groups. Analyses connected dysfunction in the family of origin to global distress and to difficulties with…

Compared the dental experiences of 132 women with a history of sexual abuse to 49 women reporting no such history. Findings show that a history of abuse, especially the severity of abuse, predicted different patterns in making and keeping dental appointments, stress-related dental problems, and post-traumatic-stress-disorder-type symptoms while at…

Examines children referred for outpatient treatment following sexual abuse to study the relationship among interview technique, disclosure, parental support, foster home placement, and other factors. Results indicate that both initial and ongoing structure is necessary to obtain disclosure of sexual abuse. Maternal support and foster home…

Describes "Critical Thinking," a training strategy developed to guide staff who are serving families with multiple challenges. Discusses insights that staff generated through the "Critical Thinking" process about the characteristics of families with multiple challenges and the strategies considered effective in addressing those families' needs.…

A survey of 1,142 elementary school students in Seoul (Korea) found that 8 percent were seriously battered, 58 percent were mildly battered, and 34 percent were unbattered in a 1-year period. Child battering was more serious in families in lower social strata, with poor living conditions, in broken families, and where parents were unskilled or…

Mothers (N=27) of infants and children with long-term tracheostomy completed modified version of Impact-on-Family Scale in study examining maternal perceptions of effects of infant disability on family life. Mothers reported much stress in caring for young disabled children, most notably in financial status. Reported strong sense of mastery in…

Associations between parents' poor marital adjustment, parent-child discord, affectionless control, low family cohesion, and parental divorce and DSM-III diagnoses were explored among 220 offspring of parents with and without major depression. Parental depression and family risk factors were significant predictors of conduct disorder. (RH)

Examines important considerations for family therapists working with rural families of mentally ill persons. Reviews current issues in family therapy. Describes recent research and practical matters associated with service delivery to rural families. Case study identifies service provided to chronically mentally ill client and her rural family.…

Provides a rationale for services to children of alcoholics and describes school-based interventions to help these children. Asserts that schools are the logical setting for providing knowledge, skills, and support to help children of alcoholics understand the dysfunctional effects of familial alcoholism. Offers suggestions for school counselors…