Developed two scales to examine the relationship between personality and performance of residential child care workers. The first scale differentiated child care workers from the general population, the second "most effective" from "least effective" child care worker incumbents. Personality characteristics proved to be better…

Identified concerns in statements of 116 family caregivers to dementia patients. Concerns included ethical issues of family obligations for caregiving; conflicts with responsibilities to family, career or personal well-being; financing health care; standards of care; and patient roles in planning care. (Author/ABL)

Introduces special issue on the developmental requirements of children and adolescents in relation to the care they receive while they are in non-familial, group living situations. Provides a brief overview of the issue's contents, and advocates a strong role for the central caregiver in group settings. (KH)

Addresses some issues of a group of caregivers who are virtually ignored--the elderly who provide care rather than receive it. Contends elderly parents who care for disabled adult children may have needs slightly different from other caregivers. Concludes research is needed so that social workers can better serve these families. (Author/ABL)

Provides a comparative assessment of maternal and nonmaternal infant caregiving practices in own-home and unregulated family day-care homes, respectively. A total of 30 caregivers (10 employed mothers, 10 substitute caregivers, and 10 nonemployed mothers) were observed in interaction with five- to six-month-old infants. (Author/RH)

Examines data on child care from a longitudinal study of 310 mothers of preschool children. Findings indicated that most mothers change care arrangements frequently, especially substitution of group day care and multiple care for care by relatives. Discusses implications of frequent changes in day care. (NRB)

Social interactions regarding moral and conventional transgressions were observed among two toddler groups. Each of 16 day care center classrooms, eight serving 13- to 27-month-olds and eight serving 18- to 40-month-olds, was observed for three 45-minute sessions. Implications of results concerned the developmental origins of distinctions between…

Interviews of 31 caregivers and directors of day care centers assessed role identity constructs and attitudes toward parents and the child care profession. Results concluded that conflict over attachment issues contributed to problems between parents and caregivers. (Author/CI)

Critically examines Dilsey Gibson, one of William Faulkner's archetypical Black mammies, who appears in "The Sound and the Fury." Contrasts Gibson's two mothering styles in dealing with her Black and White families as well as their treatment of her. Comments on other critics' reaction to the portrayal of Gibson. (ML)

The construction of moral decisions within a socially ambiguous situation is not exclusive to Andersen's emperor but, rather, is shared by many early childhood educators as powerful decision makers within the day care center. Suggests a cognitive model which explains the gap between these decision makers' hypothetical and actual moral knowledge.…

This paper describes a program of activity group therapy (utilizing child care workers as co-therapists) in two residential treatment centers. Activity group therapy was used to extend the child care worker's influence, to provide him with interactional opportunities in a different relationship system and to further his training in the group. (MS)

More children than ever are in care centers, and child care experiences of infants and toddlers are believed to have a powerful and lasting impact on children's well-being. A team of researchers from the FPG Child Development Institute created a study to examine the effects that transitions have on children's behavior and observable stress when…

Whether a center director or teacher aide, child care professionals share in the leadership process every day. This guide draws on the author's more than 23 years of experiences to help early childhood teachers at all levels make the most of their roles as leaders in the lives of children, families, and fellow educators. The guide combines…

For over half a century, researchers have attempted to specify the effects of childrearing in socially depriving environments on child development, specifically studying the development of children from institutions found to provide few social and emotional interactions between caregivers and children and comparing findings to those for…

Trust, in much the same way as hope, represents one of the essential components of a healthy upbringing. This article investigates the concept of trust as set forth in Eric Erikson's and Louise Kaplan's theories of basic trust, with particular emphasis on definition and development. The article analyzes some of the criteria that have been…