bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Democracy in South Asia: Getting beyond the Structure-Agency Dichotomy
Authors: Adeney Katharine , Wyatt Andrew
Published: March 2004

With reference to South Asia, we argue that recourse to the conventional structuralist and transition accounts of democratisation sustains an unhelpful dichotomy. Those approaches tend towards either determinism or agent-driven contingency. In contrast, an alternative approach that recognises the relevance of both structure and agency is proposed. In certain circumstances, human agency opens up the possibility of the relatively rapid transformation of structures. In particular, there are periods of political openness when structures are malleable, and individuals, or individuals acting collectively, are able to reshape structures. Decolonisation both constituted a moment of transition and opened up the possibility of structural change in the context of enhanced elite agency. For the purposes of comparison, the discussion covers the three cases of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Particular attention is drawn to political parties and the structure of ethnic diversity as leading explanatory variables.
Neo-Liberalization and Incorporation in Advanced Newly Industrialized Countries: A View from South Korea
Authors: Kong Tat Yan
Published: March 2004

Historically closely associated with interventionist growth strategies, the demise of corporatism was widely predicted as neo-liberalism became the dominant economic paradigm from the late 1970s. The experience of social dialogue and social pacts in continental Europe during the 1980s and 90s, however, suggests that corporatism may have found a new economic purpose in the era of neo-liberalism. Similarly, in the developing world, the intellectual aversion to government accommodation of ‘special interest groups’ that accompanied the early phase of economic liberalization has given way to a more sophisticated appreciation of the economic advantages of social compromise. Using the case of South Korea, a country that recently established a social pact in support of its economic liberalization drive, this paper seeks to extend our knowledge about the compatibility between neo-liberalism and incorporation. The results contribute to the wider debate about the possibilities of diverse patterns of government-business-labour relations under ‘actually existing’ neo-liberalism. As one of the most advanced and successful newly industrialized countries, South Korea shares structural-institutional affinities with both advanced and developing societies. Hence, it represents an intermediate case of relevance to both the mature European and ‘third wave’ democracies.
Elites and the Diffusion of Foreign Models in Russia
Authors: Rivera Sharon Werning
Published: March 2004

Globalization has sparked renewed interest in the diffusion of ideas and norms across boundaries. Although much work has focused on diffusion at the macro-level and on the groups that transmit ideas, few researchers have studied the cognitive processes of political elites as they weigh the merits of various foreign-inspired models. Drawing on a series of original, in-depth interviews with Russian parliamentarians and high-ranking bureaucrats conducted in 1996, this paper makes two contributions to the study of individual-level borrowing in the Russian context. First, the openness of Russian elites to foreign borrowing is investigated; despite the public rhetoric about Russia's uniqueness, a substantial number of Russian elites are willing to borrow from foreign experience – particularly from models of European welfare capitalism. Second, three explanations of why policy-makers prefer to emulate some countries rather than others are tested – because they are similar to their own country either geographically, historically or culturally (comparability); because they have geostrategic prominence (prestige); or because they excel economically and/or politically (performance). Comparability and prestige are found to be of lesser importance than performance to Russian elites when considering the merits of various foreign models. Given that Russia closely approximates a most-likely case for validating explanations stressing comparability, this suggests that the array of foreign ideas that could become part and parcel of Russia's transition process is probably wider than is usually assumed. It also implies that, in general, the regional dimension of diffusion plays a smaller role than previously theorized.
The Interactive State: Democratisation from Above?
Authors: Akkerman Tjitske , Hajer Maarten , Grin John
Published: March 2004

The work of Robert Putnam has provoked a lively debate on the democratic importance of a robust civil society. Criticism of his work concentrates on the fact that his concept of social capital conceives of the relationship between civil society and government predominantly as a one-way affair – a strong civil society is good for politics. Taking up this line of argument, an appreciation of political factors is promoted to explain varying patterns of civic engagement. Now that Western governments increasingly initiate and stimulate citizens' participation in policy-making, it is becoming even more important to assess the role of the state. Drawing on recent empirical research on local practices in the Netherlands, we examine a Dutch variant of such top-down participatory arrangements – so-called ‘interactive policy-making’. We ask whether, and under what conditions, democratic advances can be expected from top-down state initiatives. And we develop a theoretical framework for assessing the democratic effects of top-down participatory initiatives. Squaring the main theoretical criteria with the empirical reality of interactive policy-making, we conclude that an active state does not necessarily corrode civil society.
Social Capital and Regional Economies in Britain
Authors: Casey Terrence
Published: March 2004

Is social capital a prerequisite for prosperity? This paper analyzes social capital and economic performance in the British regions. Like Italy, Britain has a north-south economic divide. Are these differences caused by unequal stocks of social capital? This paper provides limited support for the hypothesized relationship between some indicators of social capital (especially trust and civic associations) and economic performance. Economic associations, however, are negatively correlated. This highlights shortcomings in social capital theory in terms of transferring the concept to new settings, the mechanisms linking social capital to production and the translation of social capital into public policy.
The Political Power of Words: The Birth of Pro-democratic Discourse in the Nineteenth Century in the United States and France
Authors: Dupuis-Déri Francis
Published: March 2004

Comparing France and the United States, I propose a general model for assessing the birth of pro-democratic discourse. I first explain why founders of the modern ‘democracies' were openly and vehemently anti-democratic. Next, I focus on two types of situation where the word ‘democracy’ is used on the political stage – when political actors want to distinguish themselves from their opponents and when political actors want to sanctify the political regime. The first case covers three specific modes of the use of the term ‘democracy’: (i) distinguishing oneself negatively by discrediting the opponent (the term ‘democracy’ is pejorative and associated with the ‘enemy’); (ii) distinguishing oneself positively by asserting one's worthiness (the term ‘democracy’ is positive and associated with ‘us’); (iii) fighting for an exclusive claim to the term in order to set oneself apart (several camps proclaim themselves ‘democrat’ and mutually accuse each other of usurping or even ‘stealing’ the title). I conclude that the use of the word ‘democracy’ generally results from a single motivation – to increase one's own political power or to diminish the power of one's opponents.
Populism as a Spectre of Democracy: A Response to Canovan
Authors: Arditi Benjamín
Published: March 2004

The literature on populism used to depict the phenomenon as an alternative to the standard path from traditional to modern society; as a way to enfranchise the underclass; or as an anomaly visà-vis class politics and liberal institutions. More recently, the debate has shifted into something of a terra incognita as a result of the growing interest in the connection between populism and democratic politics. One of the more intriguing contributions to this debate is an article by Margaret Canovan, if only because it makes this unknown territory less confusing. Her argument draws from Michael Oakeshott's claim that political modernity is characterised by the interplay of two distinct styles – the politics of faith and the politics of scepticism. She renames them the redemptive and pragmatic faces of democracy and suggests that populism arises in the gap between them. This establishes a relation of interiority between populism and democracy. The former will follow democracy like a shadow. At times, however, the theoretical status of the gap is somewhat uncertain, as it seems more appropriate for thinking politics (particularly radical politics) in general. The political valence of the shadow could also be specified further to show the undecidability between the democratic aspect of the phenomenon and its possible ominous tones. This paper looks into this in some detail to engage in a friendly interrogation of Canovan's claims.
Social Choice and the Grammar of Rights and Freedoms
Authors: Dowding Keith
Published: March 2004

The techniques of social choice and game theory are increasingly being used to analyse concepts in political theory. Although these techniques may prove invaluable for teasing out contradictory formulations, puzzles and problems with traditional concepts, formal writers often begin their analysis with simplistic intuitive accounts rather than building on earlier traditions in analytic political theory. This is no more obvious than with the social-choice and game-theory analysis of rights and freedoms. This paper reviews these approaches and demonstrates that by ignoring the grammar of rights and freedoms, social-choice and game-theory analysis goes wrong from the very beginning. Formal writers need to take more account of the history of their subject, as developed in the analytic theory tradition.
A ‘Radical Humanist’ Approach to the Concept of Solidarity
Authors: Wilde Lawrence
Published: March 2004

‘Solidarity’ conjures up positive images of the strength of togetherness and community, but in practice it is experienced by groups when confronted by a real or perceived threat from other groups. The ideal of a universal human solidarity appears tenuous and flimsy. However, Richard Rorty and Axel Honneth have attempted, in different ways, to bring this ideal under philosophical consideration. Their treatment of human solidarity is flawed by their a priori rejection of the normative idea of a common human nature. Such an idea, termed ‘radical humanism’, is recon-structed from the work of Erich Fromm, and one of its chief implications – the rejection of liberal nationalism – is proposed as part of a radical challenge to contemporary social and political theory.
Research Note a Comparative Study of the Politics of GM Food and Crops
Authors: Toke Dave
Published: March 2004

Comparative study of GM food and crops may reveal the extent to which systems of scientific regulatory assessment are related to priorities which are derived through cultural influence rather than positivistic assessment. Differing regulatory outcomes, and differing priorities for scientific assessment of agricultural biotechnology, are visible in the UK, the USA and India. Explanations of these differences can be obtained by investigating the nature of the differing interest groups whose values underpin different national regulatory paradigms and also by investigating the way that these interest groups came to have influence.
An Upper Bound on the Value of the Standard Deviation
Authors: Croucher John S.
Published: March 2004

This article derives a simple upper bound for the sample standard deviation that could be useful in guarding against gross errors of calculation.
A Useful Example when Teaching Hypothesis Testing
Authors: Wiseman Frederick
Published: March 2004

This article describes an example which is useful when teaching hypothesis testing in order to highlight the interrelationships that exist among the level of significance, the sample size and the statistical power of a test. The example also allows students to see how what they learn in the classroom directly affects the content of some of the commercials that they watch on television.
Presentation of Type I and Type II Error Rates to Non‐statisticians
Authors: Hauptman Joe
Published: March 2004

This article describes a simple computer program which graphically demonstrates both Type I and Type II statistical errors.
Charts in Excel – A Series Matter
Authors: Hunt Neville , Mashhoudy Houshang
Published: March 2004

The Chart Wizard in Microsoft Excel is supposed to make chart drawing so easy that a child can do it, yet many intelligent adults fail to use it successfully. This article suggests some simple principles that resolve many of the difficulties.
A VBA‐based Simulation for Teaching Simple Linear Regression
Authors: Jones Gregory Todd , Hagtvedt Reidar , Jones Kari
Published: March 2004

In spite of the name, simple linear regression presents a number of conceptual difficulties, particularly for introductory students. This article describes a simulation tool that provides a hands‐on method for illuminating the relationship between parameters and sample statistics.
Classical versus Bayesian Inference: A Classroom Illustration
Authors: Woolley Thomas W.
Published: March 2004

This article describes an illustration of Bayesian inference that has proved popular with students.
Annotation: Children's relationships with their nonresident fathers
Authors: Dunn Judy
Published: March 2004

Background:  The frequency of parental separation means that increasing numbers of children have fathers who live in different households from mother‐and‐child; the significance of contact and relationships between children and their nonresident fathers for children's adjustment is receiving growing attention. Lessons from this research are considered.

Methods:  Recent meta‐analyses and overviews of research, and key research projects, are discussed. Findings related to contact and relationship quality are the main focus of the annotation.

Results:  Economic support from nonresident fathers is related to children's well‐being, and continues to be a key factor. Findings on contact are more mixed, especially from early studies; the effect size of associations between contact and positive child outcome has increased in recent research. Quality of child–father relationships is consistently related to adjustment outcome. Authoritative parenting, involvement and feelings of closeness are of particular importance in relation to adjustment, and these links are related to the quality of mother–nonresident father relations, and the mother–child relationship. Age differences, patterns over time, and gender are discussed; the perspectives of fathers and the problems they face in maintaining authoritative relationships are considered.

Conclusions:  The significance of child–nonresident father relationships for children's and fathers’ well‐being is clear and merits further research; fruitful new directions for such research, within the framework of other family relationships, are outlined.
Risks for conduct disorder symptoms associated with parental alcoholism in stepfather families versus intact families from a community sample
Authors: Foley Debra L. , Pickles Andrew , Rutter Michael , Gardner Charles O. , Maes Hermine H. , Silberg Judy L. , Eaves Lindon J.
Published: March 2004

Background:  It is not known if the prevalence of parental psychiatric disorders is higher in stepfather than intact families, or if parental alcoholism is differentially associated with risk for conduct disorder (CD) symptoms in stepfather families versus intact families.

Method:  The sample comprised 839 girls and 741 boys from 792 intact families and 99 girls and 67 boys from 83 stepfather families from a population‐based registry of twins aged between 8 and 17 years. Children's current psychiatric symptoms were assessed at personal interview with the child, mother and father. Parental histories of psychiatric disorder were assessed at personal interview with each residential parent. Associations between CD symptoms and parental alcoholism were characterized using both linear and Poisson regression, and results are presented with and without adjustment for maternal drug use during pregnancy, parental conflict, and estimated socioeconomic status (SES) based on census tract data.

Results:  Mothers from stepfather families had a higher lifetime prevalence of alcoholism, antisocial personality disorder, depression and social phobia than mothers from intact families. Stepfathers had a higher lifetime prevalence of alcoholism and depression than biological fathers from intact families. Children from stepfather families had more externalizing (CD/ODD) symptoms than children from intact families. Girls who lived with an alcoholic stepfather had significantly more CD symptoms than girls who lived with an alcoholic biological father. Boys who lived with an alcoholic stepfather had significantly fewer CD symptoms than boys who lived with an alcoholic biological father. This sex difference was statistically significant. Adjustment for maternal drug use during pregnancy, parental conflict, and estimated SES based on census tract data did not change these findings.

Conclusions:  Children living in stepfather families are exposed to more parental psychiatric risk factors than children from intact families. The increased risk for CD symptoms in girls (but not boys) from stepfather families is partly mediated by or associated with the stepfather's history of alcoholism.
Adopted children's problem behavior is significantly related to their ego resiliency, ego control, and sociometric status
Authors: Juffer Femmie , Stams Geert‐Jan J.M. , van IJzendoorn Marinus H.
Published: March 2004

Background:  Many studies have documented that adopted children are at higher risk for behavior problems, but less is known about the correlates of their problem behavior.

Method:  The correlates of parent‐reported and teacher‐reported problem behavior in 7‐year‐old internationally adopted children (N = 176) were investigated by examining these children's ego resiliency, ego control, and sociometric status, and exploring possible risks factors in the home and racial influences.

Results:  Using the 25th percentiles lowest and highest scores on ego resiliency and ego control as cut‐off criteria, we found that: (1) resilient children were almost free of behavior problems; (2) overcontrolling children showed predominantly internalizing behavior problems (33% at school, and 28% at home); (3) undercontrolling children showed high rates of externalizing behavior problems (50% at school, and 34% at home), and an elevated rate of comorbidity (21% at school, and 21% at home). Adopted children identified by peer report as controversial or rejected had significantly higher externalizing problem scores than popular, average or neglected adopted children. The adopted children did not experience much (racial) discrimination. Nevertheless, children who wished to be white (46%) presented more mother‐reported behavior problems.

Conclusions:  Our findings replicate R.W. Robins et al.'s (1996) work on three types of personality functioning: resilients, overcontrollers and undercontrollers (identified by J. Block, 1971), extending the model from adolescent boys to school‐aged boys and girls, adopted from Asia and South America. The wish to identify with white parents and white peers may constitute a potential risk factor for internationally adopted children in middle childhood.
Do risk factors for problem behaviour act in a cumulative manner? An examination of ethnic minority and majority children through an ecological perspective
Authors: Atzaba‐Poria Naama , Pike Alison , Deater‐Deckard Kirby
Published: March 2004

Background:  Extensive research has identified risk factors for problem behaviour in childhood. However, most of this research has focused on isolated variables, ignoring possible additive influences. The purpose of this study was to examine whether risk factors for problem behaviour act in a cumulative manner, and to investigate whether cumulative risk stemming from distinct ecological levels (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) differentially influences the manifestation of problem behaviours in middle childhood. In addition, ethnic differences between minority (i.e., Indian) and majority (i.e., English) families were examined.

Methods:  The sample consisted of 125 children (59 English and 66 of Indian origin) between the ages of 7 and 9.6 (M = 8.51, SD = .62) and their parents. Both mothers and fathers completed questionnaires regarding the children's problem behaviour and provided reports of the children's characteristics and environment. Children were also assessed and provided reports about themselves and their relationships. Finally, parent–child mutuality and parenting behaviour were coded from a videotaped parent–child interaction task.

Results:  Risk factors acted in a cumulative manner – the more risk children experienced, the more problem behaviour they exhibited. Total problem behaviour was predicted by all three levels: individual, microsystem and exosystem. However, externalising problems were mainly predicted by microsystem‐level cumulative risk, whereas internalising problems were predicted by both individual‐level cumulative risk and exosystem‐level cumulative risk. These results were similar for both ethnic groups.

Conclusions:  The support for the cumulative hypothesis highlights the importance of having a broad picture of children's characteristics and environmental components when analysing children's adjustment. The distinct influence of risk stemming from the different ecological levels suggests that the trajectories of internalising, externalising and total problem behaviour may be different.
The factor structure of autistic traits
Authors: Constantino John N. , Gruber Christian P. , Davis Sandra , Hayes Stephanie , Passanante Natalie , Przybeck Thomas
Published: March 2004

Background:  Although DSM‐IV requires symptoms in three criterion domains for a diagnosis of autistic disorder, the extent to which those domains are phenotypically independent is an unanswered and important question. The identification of ‘endophenotypes’ of the autistic syndrome may be very useful for genetic and neurobiologic studies of autism, but only if they represent truly independent sub domains of the disorder.

Methods:  In this study we examined the factor structure of autistic traits using data from 226 child psychiatric patients with and without pervasive developmental disorders, employing cluster analysis of data from the Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised (ADI‐r) and principal components factor analysis of data from the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS, a quantitative genetic measure of autistic traits formerly known as the Social Reciprocity Scale).

Results:  The results were consistent with the existence of a singular, continuously distributed underlying factor, resulting in disparate phenotypic manifestations across the three criterion domains for autistic disorder (social deficits, language deficits, and repetitive/stereotypic behaviors).

Conclusion:  The analyses generally failed to support the existence of independent sub domains of dysfunction in autism spectrum conditions. Future studies of the association between genetic/neurobiologic markers and autistic symptomatology may be enhanced by approaches which consider autistic symptoms as quantitative traits, and which are informed by ongoing research on the development and phenomenology of core deficiencies in reciprocal social behavior.
Theories of conduct disorder: a causal modelling analysis
Authors: Krol N. , Morton J. , De Bruyn E.
Published: March 2004

Background:  If a clinician has to make decisions on diagnosis and treatment, he or she is confronted with a variety of causal theories. In order to compare these theories a neutral terminology and notational system is needed. The Causal Modelling framework involving three levels of description – biological, cognitive and behavioural – has previously been used to compare causal accounts for dyslexia and autism.

Method:  In this article we present this framework and explore its application to four causal theories of conduct disorder. We discuss the problems we encountered in this application and evaluate both the framework and the theories of conduct disorder.

Conclusions:  It was possible to capture parts of the theories of conduct disorder in the Causal Modelling framework but a multi‐model approach may be necessary for the alternative theories of conduct disorder we evaluate. The application of the framework helps to see the relationships among the various theories of aspects of conduct disorder and demonstrates the need for more explicitness in the causal theories.
A comparison of performance on the Towers of London and Hanoi in young children
Authors: Bull Rebecca , Espy Kimberly Andrews , Senn Theresa E.
Published: March 2004

Background:  The Towers of London (TOL) and Hanoi (TOH) have been viewed as equivalent measures of planning and/or problem solving, although recent evidence in adults suggests that the underlying measurement characteristics of these two tasks may differ. As tower tasks are one of the few instruments that can be used to assess executive functioning in young children, the cognitive demands for both tasks merit further examination.

Methods:  The relation among tower tasks and those of short‐term memory, inhibition, and shifting ability were examined in a sample of 118 typically developing young children (M age = 4 years, 9 months, SD = 6 months). Half the children completed TOL and half completed TOH, with groups matched with respect to age, sex, and child vocabulary.

Results:  Whilst performance on a shifting task uniquely predicted TOH performance, none of the executive function measures were related to TOL performance after statistically controlling for the influence of baseline naming speed. For both tower tasks, performance on a shifting task contributed more strongly on complex trials that required more moves in the counter‐intuitive direction relative to the end‐state goal, whereas inhibition task performance only predicted performance on complex TOL trials.

Conclusions:  Successful tower task performance may be determined, at least at higher levels of complexity, by mental flexibility in this age range. However, overall the findings suggest that TOL and TOH are not interchangeable tasks even in young children, and more generally, raise methodological issues regarding the complex nature of executive function tasks.
Experience of parenthood, couple relationship, social support, and child‐rearing goals in planned lesbian mother families
Authors: Bos Henny M.W. , Van Balen Frank , Van Den Boom Dymphna C.
Published: March 2004

Background:  The phenomenon of planned lesbian families (i.e., two‐mother families in which the child was born to the lesbian relationship) is relatively new and very little research has been conducted among those families. The overall aim of this research was to examine whether planned lesbian mother families differ from heterosexual families on factors that are assumed to influence the parent–child relationship, such as experience of parenthood, child‐rearing goals, couple relationship, and social support.

Method:  A hundred lesbian two‐mother families were compared with 100 heterosexual families having naturally conceived children. A variety of measures were used to collect the data, including questionnaires and a diary of activities kept by the parents.

Results:  Lesbian parents are no less competent or more burdened than heterosexual parents. Both lesbian and heterosexual parents consider it important to develop qualities of independence in their child. However, ‘conformity’ as a child‐rearing goal is less important to lesbian mothers. Furthermore, lesbian social mothers feel more often than fathers in heterosexual families that they must justify the quality of their parenthood.

Conclusion:  There are few differences between lesbian couples and heterosexual couples, except that lesbian mothers appear less attuned to traditional child‐rearing goals and lesbian social mothers appear more to defend their position as mother.
Testing a maternal attachment model of behavior problems in early childhood
Authors: McCartney Kathleen , Owen Margaret Tresch , Booth Cathryn L. , Clarke‐Stewart Alison , Vandell Deborah Lowe
Published: March 2004

Background:  The purpose of the present study was to test a maternal attachment model of behavior problems in early childhood using phase I data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care, a prospective study of 1,364 children from birth through sixth grade.

Methods:  Mothers’ and caregivers’ ratings of children's internalizing and externalizing problems at age three were regressed separately on a set of fifteen predictors that included security and disorganization scores from 15, 24, and 36 months using hierarchical and logistical modeling.

Results:  There were three main findings. First, Q‐set mother–child attachment security, based on home observations at 24 months, provided the best evidence that attachment was associated with behavior problems, especially above‐average levels of problems. Second, insecurity in the 36‐month modified Strange Situation predicted mothers’ and caregivers’ ratings of internalizing problems for boys and girls as well as their ratings of externalizing problems for boys. Third, maternal depressive symptoms predicted mothers’ ratings of internalizing and externalizing problems.

Conclusions:  There are meaningful associations between attachment insecurity and behavior problems as assessed not only by mothers but also by caregivers.
Psychosocial determinants of behaviour problems in Brazilian preschool children
Authors: Anselmi Luciana , Piccinini Cesar A. , Barros Fernando C. , Lopes Rita S.
Published: March 2004

Background:  This investigation aimed at examining, through an epidemiological study, the social demographic, family and individual determinants of behaviour problems in preschool children.

Method:  Six hundred and thirty‐four children, age four years, and their mothers, belonging to a cohort of 5,304 children being followed from birth, took part in the study. During a home visit, the child's behaviour problems and IQ were examined, as well as the prevalence of maternal psychiatric disorder, the quality of the home environment, and other social demographic, family and individual factors.

Results:  The results revealed a prevalence of children's behaviour problems of 24% (clinical and borderline groups). Regression analysis showed that maternal psychiatric disorder, education and age, number of younger siblings and quality of the home environment explained 28% of the variance of the child's behaviour problems.

Conclusions:  The results point to the multi‐determination of child behaviour problems.
Ethnic differences in the link between physical discipline and later adolescent externalizing behaviors
Authors: Lansford Jennifer E. , Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Dodge Kenneth A. , Bates John E. , Pettit Gregory S.
Published: March 2004

Background:  Parents’ use of physical discipline has generated controversy related to concerns that its use is associated with adjustment problems such as aggression and delinquency in children. However, recent evidence suggests that there are ethnic differences in associations between physical discipline and children's adjustment. This study examined race as a moderator of the link between physical discipline and adolescent externalizing behavior problems, extending previous research beyond childhood into adolescence and considering physical discipline at multiple points in time.

Methods:  A representative community sample of 585 children was followed from pre‐kindergarten (age 5) through grade 11 (age 16). Mothers reported on their use of physical discipline in the child's first five years of life and again during grades 6 (age 11) and 8 (age 13). Mothers and adolescents reported on a variety of externalizing behaviors in grade 11 including aggression, violence, and trouble at school and with the police.

Results:  A series of hierarchical linear regressions controlling for parents’ marital status, socioeconomic status, and child temperament revealed significant interactions between physical discipline during the child's first five years of life and race in the prediction of 3 of the 7 adolescent externalizing outcomes assessed and significant interactions between physical discipline during grades 6 and 8 and race in the prediction of all 7 adolescent externalizing outcomes. Regression slopes showed that the experience of physical discipline at each time point was related to higher levels of subsequent externalizing behaviors for European American adolescents but lower levels of externalizing behaviors for African American adolescents.

Conclusions:  There are race differences in long‐term effects of physical discipline on externalizing behaviors problems. Different ecological niches may affect the manner in which parents use physical discipline, the meaning that children attach to the experience of physical discipline, and its effects on the adjustment of children and adolescents.
Pre‐literacy skills of subgroups of children with speech sound disorders
Authors: Raitano Nancy A. , Pennington Bruce F. , Tunick Rachel A. , Boada Richard , Shriberg Lawrence D.
Published: March 2004

Background:  The existing literature has conflicting findings about the literacy outcome of children with speech sound disorders (SSD), which may be due to the heterogeneity within SSD. Previous studies have documented that two important dimensions of heterogeneity are the presence of a comorbid language impairment (LI) and the persistence of SSD, but these factors have not been examined separately.

Method:  The current study used a 2 × 2 MANOVA design (with follow‐up MANCOVAs) to examine how a comorbid language impairment (LI) and the persistence of SSD relate to pre‐literacy skills in a sample of 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children with SSD.

Results:  Significant main effects for persistent SSD and LI were obtained, such that each factor was associated with worse performance on pre‐literacy tasks, particularly those assessing phonological awareness (even with nonverbal IQ covaried). In addition, even SSD children with normalized speech without LI were found to have deficits on phonological awareness tasks relative to control participants.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that a history of SSD and comorbid LI are strong correlates of pre‐literacy deficits.
How specific are executive functioning deficits in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism?
Authors: Geurts Hilde M. , Verté Sylvie , Oosterlaan Jaap , Roeyers Herbert , Sergeant Joseph A.
Published: March 2004

Background:  The objective of this study is to identify intact and deficient cognitive processes in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and children with high functioning autism (HFA).

Method:  Three rigorously diagnosed groups of children aged between 6 and 12 years (54 ADHD, 41 HFA, and 41 normal controls) were tested on a wide range of tasks related to five major domains of executive functioning (EF): inhibition, visual working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency. In addition, the role of comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and comorbid conduct disorder (CD) in ADHD was investigated by directly comparing 20 children with ADHD and 34 children with comorbid ADHD + ODD/CD.

Results:  ADHD was associated with EF deficits in inhibiting a prepotent response and verbal fluency. Children with HFA demonstrated deficits in all EF domains, except interference control and working memory. The HFA group showed more difficulties than the ADHD group with planning and cognitive flexibility. The comorbid ADHD + ODD/CD group did not show a distinctive pattern of performance on the EF tests compared to the ADHD group.

Conclusion:  The present study indicates that children with HFA exhibit more generalised and profound problems with EF tasks compared to children with ADHD.
Institutional care: associations between overactivity and lack of selectivity in social relationships
Authors: Roy Penny , Rutter Michael , Pickles Andrew
Published: March 2004

Background:  The behaviour of children raised in institutional care in their early years is typified by heightened levels of inattention and overactivity irrespective of the quality of the care. There is some evidence that this behaviour may be specifically associated with forms of attachment disorder behaviours, but to date studies have been restricted to institutions characterised by high levels of malnutrition and lack of active experiences.

Methods:  Nineteen primary school age children admitted to good quality residential group care before the age of 1 year were compared with 19 children of the same gender reared in a foster family from the same age. A combination of observational, questionnaire, interview and psychometric measures was employed.

Results:  A fifth of the institutional children but none of the foster‐family children showed a marked lack of selective attachment relationships with their caregivers. The same proportions were found for a lack of selectivity in friendships with their peers but the children showing these features were not identical. A lack of selectivity in relationships was strongly associated with inattention/overactivity, both as observed and reported. The pattern of a marked lack of selectivity and inattention/overactivity was evident only in the boys in the institution‐reared group.

Conclusions:  It is concluded that the pattern represents a relatively specific response to some feature of an institutional rearing; nevertheless, it occurred in only just over a third of the institutional children, so that it is a far from universal consequence.
Early anxious/withdrawn behaviours predict later internalising disorders
Authors: Goodwin Renee D. , Fergusson David M. , Horwood L. John
Published: March 2004

Background:  The aim of the study was to examine the association between anxious/withdrawn behaviours at age 8 and the development of internalising disorders in adolescence and young adulthood (ages 16–21).

Methods:  Data were gathered over the course of a 21‐year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of over 1,000 New‐Zealand‐born young people. Over the course of the study, data were gathered on: (a) anxious/withdrawn behaviour at age 8; (b) anxiety disorders and major depression at ages 16–18 and 18–21; (c) a range of potential confounding factors, including measures of adversity and family factors during childhood.

Results:  Increasing anxious/withdrawn behaviour at age 8 was associated with increasing risks of social phobia; specific phobia; panic/agoraphobia; and major depression during adolescence and young adulthood. These associations persisted after adjustment for a series of confounding social, childhood, and family factors.

Conclusions:  Anxious/withdrawn behaviour in childhood is associated with elevated rates of anxiety disorders and major depression during adolescence and young adulthood. These data are consistent with, and extend, previous clinical and epidemiologic findings, by showing consistent linkages between childhood anxious/withdrawn behaviours at age 8 and increased risk for anxiety disorders and depression at ages 16–18 and 18–21 among young persons in the community. These results may point to the need to provide support and possibly intervention to children showing early anxious or withdrawn behaviours.
Evidence of fearlessness in behaviourally disordered children: a study on startle reflex modulation
Authors: van Goozen Stephanie H.M. , Snoek Heddeke , Matthys Walter , van Rossum Inge , van Engeland Herman
Published: March 2004

Background: Patterns of low heart rate, skin conductance and cortisol seem to characterise children with disruptive behaviour disorder (DBD). Until now, the startle paradigm has not been used in DBD children. We investigated whether DBD children, like adult psychopaths, process emotional stimuli in an abnormal way.

Method: Twenty‐one DBD and 33 normal control children viewed a series of 27 positive, neutral and negative slides. Startle probes were presented unpredictably during slide presentations and eye blink reflexes were measured.

Results: DBD and control children showed a similar linear relationship between slide valence and startle magnitude, but the startle‐elicited blinks of the DBD children were significantly lower for all categories of slides. Moreover, the more delinquent the DBD children were, the lower their startle responses during unpleasant states.

Conclusions: The results suggest a deficit in neurophysiological fear modulation. The implications of the findings for the fearlessness theory of antisocial behaviour are discussed.
Speech and Language Therapy: Its Potential Role in CAMHS
Authors: Law James , Garrett Zoe
Published: March 2004

This review examines the implications of a recent systematic review of speech and language therapy interventions for child mental health services. The premise is that communication skills and mental health are closely related and that intervention in the one field may have an impact on skills and achievement in the other. The paper begins by discussing what we know about the relationship between speech/language and behavioural difficulties; it then reports results from the review, before examining the implications for practice and policy.
Dangerous Children: Assessment and Management of Risk
Authors: Tiffin Paul , Kaplan Carole
Published: March 2004

Background:  Workers in the field of child health appear to be presented with increasing numbers of young people who exhibit behaviours that pose a potential or actual risk to the safety of others.

Method:  A review of the current literature on the assessment and management of these children and adolescents was conducted.

Results:  A history taking check‐list has been devised on the basis of what is known about current associations with background and current factors and violent acts directed to others. There is emerging evidence of interventions that may be effective in reducing long‐term risks in such youths. However, these are often resource intensive and may be less effective in older children and adolescents.

Conclusions:  Faced with the challenge of assessing and managing severely conduct disordered children, child and family mental health teams should develop formalised assessment procedures and protocols for managing risk factors in a multi‐agency context.
The Role and Value of a Paediatric Specialist Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Service: Parental Perceptions
Authors: Giannoulis Katingo , Beresford Fran , Davis Hilton , Baird Gillian , Sclare Irene
Published: March 2004

Background:  This study was undertaken to explore parental perceptions of the role and value of a specialist service for children and families. This service offers assessment and diagnosis of children with neurodevelopmental disorders of the kind that are not evident at birth.

Method:  Information was collected from 37 families on expectations and experience of clinic attendance, user satisfaction and outcome through interviews and questionnaires, once before and twice after clinic attendance.

Results:  87% of parents found clinic attendance worthwhile, with most expecting to be provided with a diagnosis and advice on education. Parents perceived that the clinic was best able to meet their diagnostic needs and they reported that they were more able to obtain a diagnosis and a specialist opinion at a regional centre than at local clinics. Parent satisfaction with the parent‐child relationship improved following clinic attendance and parents’ self‐identified concerns about their child decreased.
Providing Specialist Psychological Support to Foster Carers: A Consultation Model
Authors: Golding Kim
Published: March 2004

Background:  The task of fostering today is a complex one and foster carers need good quality support. This paper discusses a consultation service for foster carers.

Method:  It draws upon our qualitative experiences to explore the important themes that have emerged during the provision of the consultation service.

Results:  Foster carers are highly satisfied with the consultation service, which provides them with improved levels of access to psychological advice, a different understanding of the children, and continuing support if required.

Discussion:  The reasons for this satisfaction, together with some of the difficulties we have experienced, are explored. Experimental research is needed to investigate the complex relationship between consultation, support, confidence and understanding for foster carers and to consider the long‐term effects of consultation for the carer and the child.
Multisystemic Treatment of Antisocial Adolescents in Norway: Replication of Clinical Outcomes Outside of the US
Authors: Ogden Terje , Halliday‐Boykins Colleen A.
Published: March 2004

Background:  MST is an intensive home‐ and community‐based intervention for youths with serious antisocial behaviour and other serious clinical problems, which has been effective at reducing out‐of‐home placements and producing favourable long‐term clinical outcomes in the US. The aims of the study were to determine the degree to which these outcomes would be replicated in Norway for youths with serious behaviour problems and to conduct a randomised trial of MST by an independent team of investigators.

Method:  Participants were 100 seriously antisocial youths in Norway who were randomly assigned to Multisystemic Therapy (MST) or usual Child Welfare Services (CS) treatment conditions. Data were gathered from youths, parents, and teachers pre‐ and post‐treatment.

Results:  MST was more effective than CS at reducing youth internalising and externalising behaviours and out‐of‐home placements, as well as increasing youth social competence and family satisfaction with treatment.

Discussion:  This is the first study of MST outside of the US and one of the first not conducted by the developers of MST. The findings replicate those obtained by MST's developers and demonstrate the generalisability of short‐term MST effects beyond the US.
The Staffing of Inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Authors: Jaffa Tony , Lelliott Paul , O'Herlihy Anne , Worrall Adrian , Hill Peter , Banerjee Sube
Published: March 2004

Background:  There is a need for more accurate information regarding the staffing of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric inpatient units. This is both to facilitate clinical governance and to allow planning and focused further development of these services.

Method:  Postal surveys were sent to all units in England and Wales.

Results:  Seventy‐three percent (n = 1060) of the 1460 staff employed by the units were nurses; 43% of nurses were unqualified. On average there was one consultant psychiatrist for every 25 patients. Only 12% of nurses working on a ‘census’ day held a specialist qualification in nursing children. The use of agency and bank staff was higher in independent sector units than in NHS units (37% vs 10% of all nurses who worked a shift on the census day).

Conclusions:  Some child and adolescent inpatient units are not staffed by a multi‐disciplinary team. There is evidence of problems of recruitment and retention of nurses.