bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organization and evaluation of an inpatient treatment program for eating disorders
Authors: Vandereycken Walter
Published: June 2007

This article briefly describes the basic guidelines of inpatient treatment for eating disorder patients as elaborated at the University Psychiatric Center in Kortenberg, Belgium. It concerns a highly structured group treatment program of which the most important organizational elements are highlighted: multidimensionality with a maximum of integration; active participation of the patients within a group format; involvement of the family and contact with the outside world; intensification of an action‐oriented and time‐limited approach. The second part of the article is devoted to the discussion of evaluation issues from an economic, scientific, and ethical point of view. It is emphasized that critical research, inspired by these issues, must serve as feedback regarding both the form and the content, the process and the outcome of treatment.
Elimination of habitual rumination through the strategies of food satiation and fading: A case study
Authors: Yang Li‐Zen
Published: June 2007

Food satiation and fading were employed to eliminate habitual rumination of a 17.5‐year‐old spoon‐feeding and profoundly retarded male who displayed rumination for several years. Two phases were implemented in the study: In Phase I, food satiation decreased rumination sharply and quickly, and in Phase II, fading of additional food maintained the effect of prior treatment and eventually decreased rumination. At an 84‐day (12 week) follow‐up no rumination was observed. Weight was also closely monitored during the study and indicated an increase. The results are discussed with reference to other studies of elimination of rumination. The advantages of food satiation over other techniques are also discussed.
Behavior modification in institutions: The development of legal protections of patients' rights
Authors: White Lauri Kent , Morse Larry A.
Published: June 2007

The early to mid 1970s saw an increase in court decisions favoring the rights of patients in mental institutions. These decisions have affected numerous changes to what constitutes patients' rights, and have had significant impact on the practice of behavior modification in institutions. The present article provides the practitioner with a comprehensive guide to the case law affecting behavior modification procedures. The topics covered include: the right‐to‐treatment concept, protection from institutional peonage, the right to enjoy basic privileges, and protection from aversive treatment.
Acceptability of behavioral staff management techniques
Authors: Davis John R. , Rawana Edward P. , Capponi Denise R.
Published: June 2007

This study describes an extension of Kazdin's work on acceptability of behavior therapy methods to the assessment of acceptability in the developing field of behavioral staff management. An instrument for assessing acceptability of behavioral staff management techniques was developed and then used to assess staff evaluations of four techniques that have been researched in the staff management literature (instruction, reinforcement, punishment, self‐management). The effects on acceptability of problem difficulty and duration of supervisor‐staff interaction were also investigated. Staff identified the techniques as having differing degrees of acceptability, with instruction rated most acceptable, followed in order by self‐management, reinforcement, and punishment. Ancillary studies supported the reliability and validity of the scale. Results are placed within the context of a recent behavioral supervision model, and discussed in terms of social validity and consumer satisfaction issues. Implications for delivering behavioral staff management interventions are presented.
Staff Management By Behavioral Contracting
Authors: Azrin Nathan H. , Pye Gregory E.
Published: June 2007

Employee performance has been shown to be improved by reinforcement procedures that are determined by the supervisor. The present study used behavioral contracting between an employee and her supervisor to structure their discussion in arriving at mutually acceptable performance standards and reinforcers. A multiple baseline design across responses was used with an employee who conducted training sessions with persons who are mentally retarded in a large institution. The results showed an improvement of the specific employee behaviors for which behavioral contracting was arranged for the duration of the contracted reinforcement. Behavioral contracting may be useful as a structured method of achieving employee‐supervisor agreements in employee motivation programs.
Sensory extinction of stereotyped object‐dropping: Identification of a reinforcer for skill training
Authors: Dalrymple Andrew J.
Published: June 2007

Stereotyped motor behavior, resistant to treatment by nonaversive means, can be effectively reduced by sensory extinction. Sensory extinction is a procedure which can identify the powerful sensory reinforcers maintaining stereotyped behavior. In this single‐subject, multiple‐baseline experiment, the elimination of auditory feedback to a workshop trainee who was blind and profoundly retarded, extinguished stereotyped object‐dropping. Contingent auditory stimulation delivered for a fixed ratio of correct object placements increased correct responding. Results were discussed in terms of the utility of selecting reinforcers on the basis of empirical manipulations, such as sensory extinction, and in terms of self‐control versus contingency functions of sensory reinforcement.
A long‐term case study of analysis, response suppression, and treatment maintenance involving life‐threatening pica
Authors: Paisey Timothy J. H. , Whitney Robert B.
Published: June 2007

Behavioral assessment and intervention strategies used to treat chronic, life‐threatening pica in an institutionalized, 16‐year‐old male with profoundly retarded collateral self‐injurious and aggressive conduct, are described and evaluated. Thirty‐minute observation sessions, conducted under baited contitions, revealed that bait saliency and the absence of caregiver supervision were discriminative for high rates of pica. Oral delivery of response‐contingent lemon juice suppressed pica to near zero rates, while a procedural package incorporating delivery of water mist contingent on response‐antecedant wandering contributed to further reductions in pica. Considerable suppression was maintained for approximately 18 months, with administration by paraprofessional staff. Data spanning nearly four years indicated that pica suppression was primarily a function of the introduction, maintenance, and withdrawal of aversive contingencies, rather than of concurrent schedules of positive reinforcement. Positive and negative side effects, and ethical questions associated with the use of aversive stimuli in treating life‐threatening behavior, are discussed.
Memory checklists: A method of teaching functional skills to brain‐damaged adults
Authors: Zencius Arnie H. , Wesolowski Michael D. , Burke William H. , McQuade Pat
Published: June 2007

Three head‐injured clients had difficulty performing vocational tasks and routine activities of daily living. Memory checklists, which consisted of a task analysis for each activity, were introduced. All three clients were immediately able to perform the tasks.
Psychometric properties of attitudinal measures of behavioral treatment in geriatric settings
Authors: Lundervold Duane , Young Lee , Bourland Gordon , Jackson Thomas
Published: June 2007

Internal consistency of two forms of the Geriatric Treatment Acceptability Survey (GTAS) and the Attitudes toward Behavior Analysis Scale (ABAS), a global measure of attitudes toward behavior modification, was evaluated. Alpha coefficients regarding treatment acceptability ratings for GTAS Form H were: (a) wandering 0.94; (b) hoarding 0.96; (c) disruptive behavior 0.92; (d) property destruction 0.95; and (e) aggression 0.94. Internal consistency for Form NH was: (a) wandering 0.96; (b) hoarding 0.97; (c) disruptive behavior 0.96; (d) property destruction 0.97; and (e) aggression 0.76. Internal consistency of the ABAS resulted in alpha coefficients of 0.90 (total score); 0.87 (ethics and humaneness); and 0.76 (use). These measures appear useful in assessing older adults, nursing home patients' and geriatric nursing staffs' global and specific attitudes regarding the use of behavioral treatments with older adults. Further research is needed to establish psychometric constructs assessed by the instruments and sensitivity to detecting change in attitudes based on educational or clinical interventions.
Program report: “time‐in”: A two‐year project for the reduction of severe maladaptive behaviors in a center for persons with developmental disabilities
Authors: Myers Alexander M. , Richards Terrance , Huff Jean
Published: June 2007

The results of a two‐year project designed to organize a unit for 18 developmentally disabled clients with severe behavior disorders (primarily aggression) were presented. Providing tightly organized structure and focusing on appropriate resident behavior resulted in substantial gains. Noted changes included significant decreases in aggression, total number of target behaviors, required uses of restrictive procedures, and residents' injuries. Decreases were also noted in staff injuries and turnover. Subjectively, the unit became a better place to work and live. Difficulties encountered with developing, maintaining, and generalizing the project were discussed.
Reducing verbal aggression in adults with brain injury
Authors: Zencius Arnie H. , Wesolowski Michael D.
Published: June 2007

This study presents data on the reduction of verbal aggression of two clients with brain injury. In one client, the inappropriate verbal behavior was reduced by using behavioral contracts with the duration of up to 6 days. In the other client, restitution (apology), reinforcement, and response cost were used to reduce verbal aggression.
The use of publicly‐posted performance feedback in an inpatient psychiatric treatment setting
Authors: McMorrow Martin J. , Sheeley Richard , Levinson Marc , Maedke James , Treworgy Scott , Tripp Tom , Casey Mary , Hunter Richard
Published: June 2007

This study examined the effects of publicly‐posted performance feedback on the in‐hospital behavior of patients residing on a self‐management unit at a large, state operated, psychiatric treatment facility. When contrasted to a baseline phase in which staff received weekly information regarding patients' performance, scores in six of the eight assessment areas improved when this information was provided directly to patients. The authors' conclude that performance feedback may be a useful adjunct to inpatient treatment programs because it clarifies programmatic expectations, helps focus attention on developing strategies or interventions to meet those expectations, and encourages active treatment participation from patients and staff.
Making choice a routine part of mealtimes for persons with profound mental retardation
Authors: Reid Dennis H. , Parsons Marsha B.
Published: June 2007

Despite increased recognition of the importance of providing routine choice opportunities for persons with severe handicaps, this population continues to experience a typical lack of such opportunities. We evaluated a program for increasing the amount of choices made during routine mealtimes by persons with profound mental retardation and minimal communication skills. The choice provision program, involving systematic presentation of alternative food and drink items in a step‐wise fashion during the course of the meal, was implemented with three persons in a residential facility. Results indicated that after implementation of the choice program, all three participants made consistently more choices concerning the foods and beverages they consumed relative to baseline. The choice provision program was conducted without extending the amount of time typically allotted to mealtime within the residential setting. Results are discussed in regard to additional research needed to continue developing means of assisting persons with profound mental retardation to exert control over meaningful events in their lives.
Treating preschool children with multiple behavior problems: Testing for the response covariation phenomenon
Authors: Houlihan Daniel , Sloane Howard N. , Jenson William R. , Levine Howard D.
Published: June 2007

This study was conducted with four subjects with multiple behavior problems (noncompliance, nonattending, and poor academic performance). The subjects ranged in age from 3‐years 1‐month to 5‐years 6‐months. Treatment occurred in a classroom setting using an interacting elements design counterbalanced across subjects. The results indicated the existence of behavioral covariations and treatment side‐effects. The implications of these findings for research on generalization effects and treatment approaches to children with multiple behavioral problems was discussed.
Effects of increased opportunities within scripted activities on communication rates of individuals with severe retardation
Authors: Sack Sara H. , McLean Lee S. , McLean James E. , Spradlin Joseph E.
Published: June 2007

Staff members of a residential center for persons with mental retardation were taught to follow a scripted routine which provided specific opportunities for participants to communicate in a snack activity and then in an art activity. Five individuals with severe mental retardation participated in the study. Each of the five subjects increased his rate of communication acts within the scripted routine context. The percentage of spontaneous communication acts also increased once the routine was introduced. Finally, for two of the five subjects, there was an increase in the percentage of words or manual signs during the scripted routine phase.
New food sources of essential trace elements produced by biotechnology facilities
Authors: Mazo Vladimir K. , Gmoshinski Ivan V. , Zorin Sergey N.
Published: June 2007

Population satiety with trace elements (TE) is a problem that is widely discussed in nutrition science. For optimal nutrition, the form of TE eaten in food is very important. Organic forms of TE in nutrition are appropriate as human metabolism has adapted to these kinds of nutrients during species evolution. This is now considered a reason for the beneficial use of biotechnologically produced TE sources in human food. Advanced matrixes for TE incorporation are unicellular organisms such as yeast, lactobacilli and Spirulina. Addition of inorganic salts at certain concentrations into cultivation media enables the mineral ions to incorporate into the microbial biomass. As a consequence, the biomass becomes enriched with organic forms of incorporated TE, which are presented by their complexes with amino acids, proteins and probably lipids and polysaccharides. In addition, a new direction of research has made good advances, in which technology has been developed for production of organic forms of TE through complex formation between transition metals (zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, iron) with amino acids and peptides formed during enzymatic hydrolysis of food protein. This brief review discusses the results demonstrating the advances in the biotechnological production of new TE sources, to obtain food components destined for wide prophylaxis of TE deficiency or for dietary treatment of the adverse consequences of these deficiencies.
Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L proteinase‐based synthetic peptide for immunodiagnosis and prevention of sheep fasciolosis
Authors: Jezek Jan , Ridi Rashika El , Salah Mohamed , Wagih Amal , Aziz Haidy W. , Tallima Hatem , El Shafie Mohamed H. , Khalek Tarek Abdel , Abo Ammou Faten F. , Strongylis Constantinos , Moussis Vassilios , Tsikaris Vassilios
Published: June 2007

Sheep fasciolosis is a devastating burden for the livestock industry. We herein report on immunodiagnosis of fasciolosis, and significant protection of sheep against challenge infection with Fasciola gigantica following immunization with a peptide based on the H‐Asp110‐Lys‐Ile‐Asp‐Trp‐Arg‐Glu‐Ser‐Gly‐Tyr‐Val‐Thr‐Glu‐Val123‐OH (Fas14p) sequence of F. gigantica cathepsin L‐cysteine proteinase. This sequence was synthesized in three different forms: as Nα acetylated (Ac‐Asp110‐Lys‐Ile‐Asp‐Trp‐Arg‐Glu‐Ser‐Gly‐Tyr‐Val‐Thr‐Glu‐Val123‐OH, FasAc14p), bearing at the amino‐terminus an Nα acetylated cystein (Ac‐Cys‐Asp110‐Lys‐Ile‐Asp‐Trp‐Arg‐Glu‐Ser‐Gly‐Tyr‐Val‐Thr‐Glu‐Val123‐OH, FasAcCys14p), and conjugated to sequential oligopeptide carrier Ac‐[Lys‐Aib‐Gly]4‐OH (Ac‐SOC4) through an amide bond formed between Val123 carboxylic group of the epitope and the lysine Nϵ groups of the carrier (Ac‐[Lys(Fas14p)‐Aib‐Gly]4‐OH). Ac‐[Lys(Fas14p)‐Aib‐Gly]4‐OH failed to readily discriminate between naïve and infected sheep. In contrast, the free peptides reproducibly differentiated between parasite‐free sheep, sheep infected with parasites other than Fasciola, and experimentally Fasciola‐infected sheep. The data together indicated that the peptides might be of considerable use for discriminating between early and late, and low and high burden, sheep infection with F. gigantica. FasAc14p was chosen to determine whether a peptide based on a critical enzymatic site of cathepsin L proteinase may induce protection against challenge infection. Sheep immunization with FasAc14p peptide induced significant expression of interleukin‐4 mRNA, and humoral antibodies that bound to molecule(s) on the intact surface membrane of newly excysted juvenile worms, and mediated their attrition. The immune responses were associated with significant (P < 0.02) decrease of 23.1% in worm recovery, but with no decrease in the size or maturation of worms recovered. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90:349–357, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Highly sensitive and quantitative analysis of polyeptides using a new gradient system based on an abrupt change in adsorption of polypeptide to the reversed‐phase column packing
Authors: Goda Ryoya , Sudo Kenichi
Published: June 2007

During a study of 100 µL aliquots of urocortin containing various acetonitrile contents, we hypothesized that a change in the acetonitrile content in the solution across a specific content of acetonitrile (critical threshold) causes an abrupt change in adsorption capacity to the column packing. Circular dichroism measurements suggest that the conformational change induced by acetonitrile in the solution causes the abrupt change in adsorption capacity, and this solvent‐induced conformational change is reversible across the critical threshold. This hypothesis can apply to various polypeptides with molecular weights range from 1007 to 6789 and to other organic solvents. A new gradient system utilizing the instant recovery of the adsorption capacity across the critical threshold was designed, and applied to the analysis of a 100 µL aliquot of various polypeptide solutions. The results suggest that use of a solution containing organic solvents more than the critical threshold allows successful dilution of polypeptides up to picomolar concentration range without any loss due to its adsorption during handling procedures and loading onto the LC system, and that a new gradient system enables quantitative analysis of polypeptides at picomolar concentrations in such solutions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HPLC method for comparative study on tissue distribution in rat after oral administration of salvianolic acid B and phenolic acids from Salvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Xu Man , Fu Gang , Qiao Xue , Wu Wan‐Ying , Guo Hui , Liu Ai‐Hua , Sun Jiang‐Hao , Guo De‐An
Published: June 2007

A sensitive and selective high‐performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated to determine the prototype of salvianolic acid B and the metabolites of phenolic acids (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid and ferulic acid) in rat tissues after oral administration of total phenolic acids and salvianolic acid B extracted from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, respectively. The tissue samples were treated with a simple liquid–liquid extraction prior to HPLC. Analysis of the extract was performed on a reverse‐phase C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.05% trifluoracetic acid. The calibration curves for the four phenolic acids were linear in the given concentration ranges. The intra‐day and inter‐day relative standard deviations in the measurement of quality control samples were less than 10% and the accuracies were in the range of 88–115%. The average recoveries of all the tissues ranged from 78.0 to 111.8%. This method was successfully applied to evaluate the distribution of the four phenolic acids in rat tissues after oral administration of total phenolic acids of Salvia miltiorrhiza or salvianolic acid B and the possible metabolic pathway was illustrated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐cultural perspectives in child abuse and neglect
Authors: Agathonos‐Georgopoulou Helen
Published: June 2007

The rapid development of scientific knowledge pertaining to the identification, treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect during the last 30 years has not been followed by a parallel consideration of the significance of the concept of culture. The gradual expansion of a ‘syndrome’, recognized by a medical doctor in the US, to a world phenomenon, regardless of ethnicity, colour, language or religion is calling for careful consideration of the significance of a cross‐cultural dimension. This involves issues of definition, research priorities and methodological questions that take into account both ethnic and cultural variations as well as a whole range of different child protection systems. Such an approach is ultimately based on the view that vulnerability depends to a large degree on the cultural context. International data suggest that child maltreatment is the product of a complex interaction of parental characteristics and the social and cultural conditions in which they exist. The value placed on children, on different categories of vulnerable children, on child‐rearing practices (including views on physical punishment and the informal social sanctions regarding children and family organization and functioning) are central to the study of the phenomenon within each specific culture. As child abuse and neglect awareness expands across geographical, ideological and cultural barriers, we need not only to promote cross‐cultural awareness but at the same time provide competence by incorporating the significance of a cultural dimension into research, theory and practice.
The connections between disability and child abuse: A review of the research evidence
Authors: Kelly Liz
Published: June 2007

Two possible connections between disability and abuse are explored: that disability can be the outcome of abuse, and that children with disabilities are differentially vulnerable to abuse. Evidence supporting both propositions is presented and assessed. Major problems in research and research methods are highlighted: the differing definitions of disability and abuse, the reliance on data drawn from clinical samples and case files, and failure to develop innovative methods which would enable direct participation of children and adults with a range of disabilities. The paper concludes that our current knowledge base is inadequate to either distinguish between the two connections or provide clear guidance on a range of concerns within the child protection field.
Not the only way to communicate: A challenge to voice in child protection work
Authors: Kennedy Margaret
Published: June 2007

Children with disabilities and communication differences have consistently been failed under child protection provisions in four vital areas. We have not studied communication in relation to safety programmes, assessment process, criminal proceedings and therapeutic services. Many disabilities have communication differences inherent in the disability. For these children communication may be in the form of sign and/or symbol in conjunction with some level of English speech or speech reading. Children with multiple disability or cerebral palsy may also use a variety of computer aided communication systems with keyboards and/or voice simulators. This paper provides an overview of various communication methods which workers need to be aware of when doing child protection work with children with disabilities.
Bridging the gap: Investigating the abuse of children with multiple disabilities
Authors: Marchant Ruth , Page Marcus
Published: June 2007

This is a summary of a series of practical papers written to help bridge the ‘gap’ between the fields of child protection and childhood disability, with a view to improving practice in child protection work with severely disabled children. Particular attention is paid to the needs of children using alternative communication systems. The theme of the paper is that disabled children are in most senses just like other children, but may have particular needs in relation to the investigation of abuse, as well as being particularly vulnerable to abuse. Issues around the assessment of suspicion, preparation for interviewing and the interview process are presented. The needs of the child, the accompanying adult and the child protection worker are considered. Guidelines and recommendations for practice at different stages of the investigation are given. The need to adapt the investigation to the particular needs of the child is emphasized throughout.
Child abuse prevention: Blending research and practice
Authors: Wolfe David A.
Published: June 2007

For over two decades, child abuse interventions have been plagued by poor definitions of what (or who) exactly is being treated, what constitutes ‘success’, and how services can be delivered in such a way as to minimize the harm to the child and to his/her family. Most recently, intervention/prevention programmes reflect the growing recognition that child maltreatment is the product of the interaction between the parent's abilities and resources and the child's emerging behavioural and emotional characteristics (i.e. the parent–child relationship), and place less emphasis on individual psychopathology. Accordingly, ways to strengthen this relationship offer considerably more promise than those aimed at correcting only one component (i.e. the parent) or treating only the visible symptoms of conflict. In an attempt to focus greater effort on prevention and early intervention, this paper reviews prominent risk factors that have been linked to physical abuse and neglect of children and their consequences. Major intervention targets are identified from this literature and discussed in reference to: (a) problems related to the family context; (b) child treatment needs; and (c) parent/caregiver treatment needs. The paper concludes with a discussion of promising developments in early intervention that are beginning to address problems in the early formation of the parent–child relationship (i.e. the pre‐natal and infancy periods of development) and problems associated with parental competency and family support. Most notably, preventive efforts have been associated with more positive parenting knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviour, as well as fewer child injuries, emergency room visits, and reports to protective agencies among at‐risk parents and children. Further evaluation and expansion of these programmes appears to be warranted by these data.
Experiences of disclosure of childhood sexual abuse and psychopathology
Authors: Waller Glenn , Ruddock Angela
Published: June 2007

Reported child sexual abuse is associated with the development of anorexia and bulimia nervosa overall, but the mediating factors that determine whether such abuse is relevant in individual cases are not adequately understood. This study considers the importance of the experience of initial disclosure as a mediator in a case series of eating‐disordered women. The extent of psychopathology (particularly the frequency of vomiting and the presence of the symptoms of borderline personality disorder) was associated with the nature of the perceived response to an attempted disclosure. A perceived lack of response or a negative, hostile response was associated with specific patterns of symptomatology. Further research is suggested to extend these conclusions, and the clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Playing safe: Media coverage of child sexual abuse prevention strategies
Authors: Kitzinger Jenny , Skidmore Paula
Published: June 2007

This paper examines the media coverage of preventing child sexual abuse. It draws on a content analysis of all press and TV news coverage about child sexual abuse that appeared in the UK during a complete 12‐month period. The findings demonstrate that the bulk of the coverage was case‐based, for example focusing on the Orkney case. There was very little opportunity for broader discussion of general issues of concern, including how sexual assaults against children might be prevented. The coverage of ‘prevention’ which did exist drew on a very narrow range of debates and was disproportionately concerned with abuse outside the home (abductions by strangers, or abuse within institutions such as schools or children's homes). Discussions about prevention were dominated by reactive news stories generated by particular ‘scandals’. The coverage was also largely drawn from a small constituency of official source agencies (such as government officials, court proceedings and police statements). There were few attempts to address the broader social conditions which might facilitate or inhibit sexual violence or to examine explicitly political analyses of the problem. The paper argues for a more diverse discussion about ways of preventing sexual violence against children, especially assaults by fathers, uncles, brothers and friends of the family. This demands close attention to the ways in which the mass media operate, as well as the priorities of source agencies. The paper points to factors within news production practices which both obstruct and facilitate debate about prevention and concludes by suggesting strategies to promote this issue as a vital part of the public agenda.
A review of the epidentiological research on child sexual abuse. Community and college student samples
Authors: Pilkington Bridget , Kremer John
Published: June 2007

This article is the first of two consecutive reviews on the major empirical studies which have been carried out in an attempt to estimate the prevalence of child sexual abuse among females. The research is structured in terms of three sample categories: (a) probability and non‐probability samples of the general population; (b) college student samples; and (c) clinical inpatient and outpatient samples. This part of the review deals with (a) and (b) and highlights a number of unresolved methodological issues which may contribute to the variance in reported prevalence rates. These include a myriad of definitions of child sexual abuse and different methods of eliciting information on possible histories of abuse. Despite these problems. taken as a whole the prevalence studies indicate the significant numbers of people who have experienced abuse and who are willing to disclose aspects of these abusive experiences.
Family participation in child protection
Authors: Thoburn June , Lewis Ann , Shemmings David
Published: June 2007

The paper summarizes a Department of Health funded research study of the extent to which parents and children were involved in the child protection work of seven English social services departments. The child protection process and the social work practice with a cohort of 220 consecutive cases is described for the period before the initial conference and the 6 months following it. The authors draw on interview data from parents, young people and social workers and on social work records to assess whether the process and practice were participatory and the extent to which family members were actually involved in the decisions and the work. They concluded that there was benefit for parents and children in attempts to involve them, even thought only 3% of 378 family members were rated as partners in the protection process and a further 13% were rated as participating to a considerable extent. There was a statistically significant association between the participation of family members and the interim outcomes for the parents and children being rated by the researchers as good or moderately good.
Specialist assesstnent services for child abuse and neglect
Authors: Fitzgerald Karen M. , McGregor Katherine J.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes the Child Protection Service, Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia, a specialist assessment service for infants, children and adolescents following allegations of abuse and neglect. The psychosocial and medical services provided for infants, children, adolescents and their families are outlined briefly and the Child Protection Service's view that the assessment process can and needs to be therapeutic is discussed. Data was provided about the age and gender of infants, children and adolescents seen and the number of families referred on for longer‐term therapeutic intervention. The unit's philosophical stance, affecting its clinical practice and interagency and consultation service, is described, as is its research focus. The paper also raises a number of issues that warrant further and detailed attention. These include the need for workers to monitor and attend to their emotional responses while working in the area of abuse and the destructive potential of denial that may consequently and subtly impact on professional practice. The tendency for professionals and the wider society to ignore the impact of physical abuse is also raised.
Sexual abuse: Effects of group therapy on pre‐adolescent girls
Authors: De Luca Rayleen V. , Boyes Debby A. , Grayston Alana D. , Romano Elisa
Published: June 2007

This article describes the effectiveness of a group therapy program used at the University of Manitoba with pre‐adolescent girls who have experienced sexual abuse. Thirty‐five girls, ranging in age from 7 to 12, were referred to structured therapy groups of 9 to 12 weeks' duration. Issues addressed in weekly sessions included feelings about the offender, problem‐solving, sex education, and prevention of further abuse. Measurements of self‐esteem, anxiety, and internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems were taken for participating children prior to and following treatment at 1 and 9 to 12 month intervals. Parent‐ and child‐reported social validity data were also collected following treatment. Comparison group data for self‐esteem and anxiety were provided by a non‐random sample of 35 girls with no known history of sexual abuse. Results indicated that following group therapy, self‐esteem increased and anxiety and behaviour problems decreased. Comparison group data further supported the effectiveness of group treatment in improving the self‐esteem of sexually abused girls. Social validity reports of children and parents also suggested that treatment was helpful and worthwhile. Implications of the findings are discussed as are difficulties encountered in conducting treatment outcome research with children who have been sexually abused.
Traveller children and the state: Welfare or neglect?
Authors: Cemlyn Sarah
Published: June 2007

Travellers' historical experience is of persecution. Recent policy in England and Wales reflects assimilation or exclusion, with Travellers facing the paradox of pressure to settle and insufficient sites because of the failure to implement legislation. The conditions for many Travellers are damaging, and undermine access to other rights and services. Children are particularly severely affected, resulting in societally imposed neglect. Traveller children's low health status and the negative effects on their development are documented in practice reports, seminars and research. Policy trends have culminated in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which removes rights and increases penalties for travelling, and is likely to exacerbate an already problematic situation for many Traveller children. Welfare services both have contributed to and can counteract this societal neglect. Problems of access and service delivery are outlined in relation to health, education and social services, and new service developments described. Key criteria for positive practice are found to be common to these areas of welfare provision, and include anti‐discrimination and cultural respect, outreach and community‐oriented work; hand‐held records; specialist provision focused on immediate needs and commitment to mainstream change; flexibility and inter‐agency development work; and advocacy and campaigning alongside Travellers.
When violence overshadows the spirit of sporting competition: Italian football fans and their clubs
Authors: Zani Bruna , Kirchler Erich
Published: June 2007

This study addresses violence of fans during football matches. It focuses on group dynamics and sociodemographic variables as determinants of serious disturbances. Overall, 505 male and female football fans, who were either ‘fanatic’ or ‘moderate’ fans from Naples and Bologna, Italy, completed a questionnaire on attitudes towards football and violence in stadiums, and related matters, and gave self‐descriptions and descriptions of their own and other football clubs. It was hypothesized that, if ‘fanatic’ fans identify more strongly with their club than ‘moderate’ fans do, they should discriminate more sharply between the fan clubs and more likely participate in disturbances. Violent behaviour was also assumed to depend on the norms associated with different fan clubs. Moreover, participation in disturbances was hypothesized to depend on sociodemographic variables. The results suggest that individuals become more aggressive in groups, that the behaviour is controlled by group norms and, hence, that aggression depends on the group's acceptance of violence. The study also supports a rather traditional picture of ‘hooligans’: the football fans who participate in disturbances are, in general, young, unemployed, poorly educated fanatics who attributed their violence to external factors.
The importance of the individual in the ‘causal’ relationship between attractiveness and self‐esteem
Authors: Kenealy Pamela , Gleeson Kate , Frude Neil , Shaw William
Published: June 2007

This paper argues that many psychological explanations underlying health and social behaviour stress the importance of the relationship between attractiveness and self‐esteem. The nature of this relationship is not well understood, yet can have important implications for the individual in areas of medical intervention which involve treatment on aesthetic grounds. A survey of psychosocial factors among 1018 children aged 11‐12 years is reported. The study examined the association between perception of physical attractiveness and self‐esteem in order to clarify the relationship between self‐esteem and self versus others' perception of attractiveness. Self‐ratings of attractiveness were linked to judges' ratings to determine whether subjects underrated, over‐rated, or accurately perceived their own physical attractiveness. The results showed that although ratings of general facial attractiveness by others were associated with self‐perceived attractiveness, in the specific area of dental health, attractiveness (as judged by others) was not. There were no significant relationships between ratings of attractiveness by others and self‐esteem. Self‐perception of attractiveness, however, was significantly associated with self‐esteem. Further analyses showed that children who under‐rated their own facial attractiveness had a lower mean score for self‐esteem than over‐raters or accurate perceivers (who did not differ significantly). In contrast, under‐raters of dental attractiveness had a lower mean score for self‐esteem than over‐raters, but did not differ significantly from accurate perceivers. Over‐raters of dental attractiveness had a higher mean score for self‐esteem than accurate perceivers. These finding suggest that if an over‐rater were to receive treatment on aesthetic grounds it is unlikely, given that they have high self‐esteem already, that such intervention will have a profound psychological impact. These data indicate the importance of determining the way in which individuals evaluate their appearance compared to others, and may help to clarify previously equivocal findings concerning the relationship between self‐esteem and attractiveness.
Stress and coping in mothers caring for a child with severe learning difficulties: A test of Lazarus' transactional model of coping
Authors: Quine Lyn , Pahl Jan
Published: June 2007

The literature on psychological stress among women consistently points to the adverse effects of child rearing on mothers, particularly those caring for children with physical or mental handicaps. Early studies of the effects on family functioning of caring for a child with severe learning difficulties adopted a pathological approach in which it was assumed that psychological distress was inevitable among family members, particularly mothers. Recent research has emphasised that many families cope with and adapt to the stress they experience, and seeks to discover how they do so.

The paper reports on a study of 166 mothers caring for a child with severe learning difficulties. The aim of the study was to investigate both the factors associated with maternal stress and those which might mediate or buffer the effects of stress. The study used the Folkman and Lazarus' (1979) transactional model of stress. Stress is the condition that results when person/environment transactions lead the individual to perceive a discrepancy between the demands of a situation and his/her resources or ability to cope with those demands. The nature and type of coping generated by a person will be determined by the coping resources in the person's environment. The model identifies five categories of coping resource: utilitarian resources, health/morale, social networks, general and specific beliefs, and problem solving skills. In our study, the five coping resources were represented by the mother's social class and appraisal of her financial worries, physical health, social support, acceptance of and adjustment to the child, and assessment of coping skills. Stress was measured by the Malaise Inventory (Rutter, 1970).

Four of the five coping resources were found to be significant contributors in a hierarchical regression analysis of stress scores, contributing additional variance beyond that of behavioural and other child characteristics. Altogether, 55% of the variance in stress scores was explained.
AIDS social representations; contents and processes
Authors: Páez Darío , Echebarria Agustín , Valencia Jose , Romo Idoia , Juan Cesar San , Vergara Anabel
Published: June 2007

This article reports the results of an empirical investigation of the social representations of AIDS. Social representations are defined as a cognitive product of a social object created by a group and used by it to allow communication among the members of that group, and also to guide responses towards the object of the representations. An initial interview was held in which subjects were asked about the causes of AIDS, affected groups, modes of transmission, preventive behaviour, a Bogardus scale on social contact with high‐risk groups and attitude toward AIDS. Their responses were found to be divided into two clusters of beliefs—the liberal and the conservative—which were established independently of groups. However, the more contact respondents had with homosexuals, the more their representations were in accord with the liberal cluster. We also confirmed the congruent relationship between attitude, structures of knowledge (clusters), groups defined in function of their religious beliefs and level of social contact with high‐risk groups, and social and preventive behaviours. Two weeks later, subjects were given a recognition test on technical information about AIDS (provided at the end of the first interview). The results of these tests confirmed subject's tendency to falsely recognise items which are congruent with their pre‐existing representations. The cluster of conservative beliefs appears to be the best predictor of negativistic bias in memory. These findings are interpreted as confirming the functional and predictive value of social representations.
Multiple stigma and AIDS: Illness stigma and attitudes toward homosexuals and IV drug users in AIDS‐related stigmatization
Authors: Crandall Christian S.
Published: June 2007

AIDS‐related stigmatization may come from both social and illness sources. The social stigma comes from the association between HIV‐related illness and stigmatized bheaviour associated with HIV infection, notably homosexuality and IV drug use. The illness stigma comes from the disease itself ‐ the severity and contagiability of the illness. To compare social and illness stigma, 16 versions of ‘Dan’ were presented to 393 undergraduates. Four ways of transmitting HIV (homosexual behavior, IV drug use, blood transfusions, health care workers' contact with infected blood products) were crossed with four different diseases (AIDS, hepatitis, paraplegia and the flu). Dan was highly stigmatized when he was described as a homosexual or an IV drug user, as compared to a transfusion recipient or a health care worker. Also, Dan was strongly stigmatized for AIDS and hepatitis, as compared to paraplegia and the flu. There was no interaction, suggesting that these stigmas are additive, and that homosexuality and IV drug use are not the primary source of AIDS‐stigma. On the health severity index, main effects (for disease state and transmission pathway) emerged, as well as a significant interaction, suggesting that subjects were sensitive to the potential interactions among HIV‐related transmission pathways and other diseases.
Adolescents' perceptions of friends' and parents' attitudes to sex and sexual risk‐taking
Authors: Moore Susan , Rosenthal Doreen
Published: June 2007

This study investigated the association between adolescents' perceptions of parental and peer attitudes towards sexuality and AIDS precautions, and the risky sexual behaviours of 1008 sexually active, heterosexual undergraduate students aged 17‐20 years. Students were asked to rate the extent to which their mothers, fathers and friends would agree or disagree with 16 statements reflecting support of the adolescent engaging in sexual behaviour and using sexual precautions, including precautions against AIDS. The adolescents also indicated whether they were sexually active and their level of condom use in both ‘regular’ (or steady) and ‘casual’ relationships. Results indicated that adolescents perceived their parents as non‐liberal in their sexual attitudes and relatively unlikely to discuss sex or precautions with them. Parents were viewed as more accepting of their sons' sexual behaviours than of their daughters'. Adolescents believed that peers were more likely to discuss sexuality and precautions than parents, and were more liberal in their sexual attitudes. Adolescent sexual risk‐taking was related to the perceived attitudes of significant others in ways which varied across gender and type of relationship. Implications for interventions are discussed.