A sample of 73 divorced single parents were asked to rate the severity of a variety of child-centered problems. The problems of greatest concern involved discipline, behavior problems resulting from the separation and following the ex-spouse's visit, and the lack of an available male model. (Author)

Presented is a case study of a family in which mentally retarded parents abused their two normal children. Arthur Retlaw and Associates, Inc., Suite 2080, 1603 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201. (CL)

Proposed is a model for child health practitioners based on the promotion of health rather than the treatment of psychological and social pathology in cases of child abuse. Available from: Arthur Retlaw and Associates, Inc., Suite 2080, 1603 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201. (MH)

Presents a family therapy model for working with "no problem problem" families of first offense adolescent substance abusers. Illustrates applications of this model through a case example. Describes the model as a practical therapy approach that is present- and future-oriented and seeks to build on family strengths. (Author/ABB)

Examined the developmental trend of conflict from the initial recognition that the marriage may dissolve to its legal termination in 107 divorced persons using a retrospective interview. Conflict increased significantly from initial recognition to discussion and decreased significantly once action to secure a legal dissolution was initiated.…

Compares two major approaches to understanding how families respond to a member's chronic illness or disability with regard to how each conceptualizes illness and the family's response to illness. For each approach, discusses methodological implications, examples of research, and clinical implications. Presents advantages of combining elements of…

A sample of family therapists responded to three hypothetical cases depicting a problem that could be normal for each of three developmental levels. For each case, chi square analyses showed no differences according to sex, education, parent status, and age of own children for proportion of counselors giving developmental responses. (Author/CH)

Examined crisis intervention techniques in a community-based setting, including factors of immediacy of response, location, prior identification, and flexibility of service. Found crisis intervention techniques viable and valuable in identification and preventive intervention of family and individual problems, demonstrating reduced conflict and a…

Presents the view that the family is in trouble and discusses three symptoms of that trouble: no-fault divorce, fatherless families, and childlessness. Considers the role of individualism in causing symptoms and offers recommendations for changes in child support laws and parent responsibility. (NB)

Mothers' perceptions of family stress and ways of coping with autistic (N=36) or mentally retarded (N=36) adolescents were compared. Mothers of the autistic perceived more family stress than did mothers of the mentally retarded. Marital adjustment did not differ. (Author/DB)

Suggests that the emphasis on problems in current American adolescent fiction could have a negative effect on teenage readers. (ARH)

The perceptions of divorce in 41 gifted and regular students (grades 5-8) were compared through interviews, writing samples, and the Defining Issues test. Gifted students gave longer stories, more readily took the perspective of adults, showed a stronger desire to understand reasons for divorce, and displayed more advanced moral reasoning.…

Demographic data on changes in the prevalence and types of single-parent families of handicapped and nonhandicapped children are reviewed. Research on adaptation in these families is discussed, service needs are noted, and an overview of employment-related and publicly funded resources is provided. (Author/VW)

Comparison of 154 families who placed developmentally disabled family members in residential programs and 377 families who cared for family members at home suggested increased incidence of family problems as well as more severe impairment among families who placed the developmentally disabled. (Author/DB)