Describes an effective, cost-efficient method of intervention with families of failure-to-thrive infants which employs supervised social work students to model nurturing and provide support services to mothers. (Author)

State laws pertaining to truants, runaways, and other "status offenders"--as distinguished from delinquents who have committed crimes--are discussed. Characteristics of these youths and their families are noted. Shortcomings of existing programs for them and the need for educational alternatives are pointed out. (PP)

Cognitively impaired elderly are often cared for by their families, but little clinical intervention has been aimed at helping families to cope with behavior problems. Families may benefit from learning behavior management strategies successfully utilized with institutionalized elderly. Several case examples are discussed. (Author/RC)

Harbor Area Adult Day Care Center has operated for two years with a primary purpose of providing respite care to families caring for a relative with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. The rationale, history, program, staffing, funding, and experience for the first two years of the project are provided. (Author/RC)

Presents a general model for the assessment of the problem maintenance process for family problems. Case studies demonstrate the model's use with symptomatic spouse, symptomatic child, and conflictual couple problems. Implications of the model for clinical practice are also discussed. (Author/JAC)

Investigates whether accumulated life changes cause or are correlated with family members' perceptions of their family's ability to function in an effective manner. Modest changes in family effectiveness were inversely related to the rate of life change experienced. The family effectiveness of husbands was related to changes in stress. (Author)

Presents data from an ongoing assessment of the functioning of parents and their children during psychological outpatient services. Parallel improvement and strong positive correlations were found between the two groups. (Author/DB)

This study of 29 adopted children examines the consequences of parental rights termination (PRT) for neglected or abused children in relation to antecedent characteristics of children, parents, and circumstances in the foster care process. Suggests alternative plans for children whose PRT has not been followed by permanent adoptive placement.…

Examines first the right of parents to decide educational issues that affect their children and then the bases for children's rights. Proposes a standard for insuring that children's interests are protected when conflicts erupt over an educational issue. (Author/MLF)

Indicates that victims and perpetrators of child abuse in institutions are similar to victims and perpetrators of abuse in the home and that, therefore, systems therapy may be similarly effective in institutions as it is in homes. Describes one program that tries to alleviate stresses that lead to abuse. (Author/GC)

Used discriminant analysis in an attempt to differentiate nonviolent and violent families as a function of variables said to be significant predictors of family violence in a decade review by Gelles. Results indicate that the predictor variables fail to account consistently for differences among the groups. (Author)

Offers the hypothesis that increasing efforts to help families and marriages inadvertently contributes to their dysfunction. By examining the institutions of family and marriage in broader societal perspectives as well as the theories we use a more useful service to the health of these systems is rendered. (Author)

Discusses ways to deal with four common problems in family therapy: phone calls in general; finding the identified patient in individual therapy; the offer of secret revelations; and the role of psychoactive drugs. Presents tactics which succeed in controlling these incidents. (RC)

Examines the extent of violence toward parents by adolescent children in relation to: (1) sex and age of the child; (2) the likelihood that mothers, more than fathers, are victims of children's violence; (3) social factors that may influence child to parent violence; and (4) stress as a factor in family violence. (Author/MJL)

Reviews literature on reactions of parents and siblings to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The prospects for prolonged, adverse reactions are considered, and professional concerns regarding abnormal adaptation are noted. (Author/DB)