Examined the impact of completed suicide on the surviving family, comparing widows (N=13) whose husbands had died through suicide to widows (N=13) whose husbands had died in accidents. Found suicide survivors showed no more family dysfunction, life stress, or psychiatric symptomatology than accident survivors. (Author/ABL)

Examines concept of caregiver burden relative to the resources available for supporting family members who care for an ill or disabled member. Concludes there must be a national policy on caregiving and a shift in national priorities if families' needs are to be met. (Author/ABL)

Reviews current research on Black families headed by a single mother indicating that economic insecurity of Black males is an important causal factor in explaining both the numbers and the impoverishment of this family type. Contends social workers must advocate for policies to assist these groups economically. (Author/ABL)

If current trends continue, a disproportionate number of America's children will grow up poor, undereducated, and untrained. Skills for Growing, a multifaceted K-5 program designed to develop character, citizenship, and positive social skills, offers a collaborative approach to socialization of children in isolation. (MLH)

Reports how often children are held hostage and the likelihood of their being physically harmed by the hostage taker. Forty percent of the negotiated hostage incidents involved child hostages. One percent resulted in serious physical injury and 1% resulted in death. Perpetrators were relatives in 85% of the incidents. (JBJ)

This paper reviews studies of the link between parental substance abuse and child maltreatment and then explores standardized methods developed for screening for substance abuse among various populations and suggests ways of adapting these screening devices for families reported for child maltreatment. Assessment and treatment considerations in…

Discusses family factors associated with child abuse from an ecological perspective. Identifies economic and cultural generative factors of child abuse. Explores special circumstances affecting occurrence of child maltreatment. Examines dimensions of responsiveness, demandingness, and parental authority patterns in their application to abusive…

Results of 2 studies suggested that 11- and 12-year-old children's appraisals of marital conflict are influenced by the content, intensity, and cause of the conflict; and that the meaning of marital conflict to children is an important determinant of its impact on them. (MDM)

Presents family professional with overview that highlights challenges and opportunities in the field by describing several troubling trends in family life (divorce, teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse/violence, poverty), growing diversity and complexity among families in the United States, and the importance of prevention. Emphasizes prevention,…

Calls occurrence of sibling incest underrecognized. Presents four cases of females who experienced sibling incest to illustrate problem areas, including issues of enforced secrecy, interpersonal power differentials, influences on sexual development, individual after effects, disturbances in family dynamics, and gender-based differences in…

To reach out to homeless and castoff children, educators must understand how street life affects youngsters' classroom behavior and learning ability. Many homeless and runaway youth come from backgrounds that include unstable families, early deprivation, and abuse. Tips for overcoming barriers to educating such children are outlined, along with…

Describes sociocultural factors germane to African American families. Analyzes the African American family system and its inherent strengths. Presents a family strengths model of adjustment to disability for African American clients and potential applications of the model to the adjustment process. Includes 29 citations. (Author/CRR)

This study examines the possibility that parental visitation and the level of interparental conflict between divorced parents interact to influence young adolescents' ability to function. Competence, and particularly cognitive competence, varied as a function of visitation and interparental conflict. (CB)

Explored adolescent seat belt use and psychosocial risk factors in urban minority population (n=541). Found seat belt use reported by 49 percent of respondents. Those reporting no or intermittent seat belt use were significantly more likely than seat belt users to feel down, have decreased home support, have problems with school and the law, and…

The Double ABCX model of family stress and coping was evaluated with 86 families raising mentally retarded children. The model evaluates the stressor (A), families' use of resources (B), their perception of the stressor (C), and the stress experiences (X). The causal ordering of the model suggested an ACBX rather than an ABCX relation. (Author/DB)