Traces the development and history of reform of the Massachusetts State Department of Human Services, which departed abruptly from a tradition of institutionalizing young offenders. The Massachusetts approach demonstrates the elements of successful intervention with young offenders through intensive services, community-based programs, small case…

Examines the Mandala (circular) drawings of elderly patients diagnosed with dementia in order to explore the drawings' role in artmaking and patients' internal processes. Categorized drawings using the MARI Card Test (a projective psychological instrument). Describes the six MARI stages drawn most frequently and colors used most often. (RJM)

Interviews 40 lesbians about their relationships with their parents and their partner's parents. Respondents reported that since coming out, their parents' attitudes about their lesbianism shifted over time from profound disapproval to ambivalence. Partners emerged as a beneficial influence on most of the respondents' intergenerational…

Presents a model of conceptualization and intervention for juvenile delinquency. Model includes the characteristics of the adolescent, ecological context in which the adolescent lives, and the interaction among these variables. Describes a specific integrated service, training, and research project based on the model. The project utilizes a…

Examines client level of spirituality as a potential moderator for the effectiveness of including spiritual process in the counseling process. Results suggest that a spiritual intervention was perceived similarly to a cognitive-behavioral intervention for all respondents. Those respondents who self-reported higher levels of spirituality rated the…

Risk factors for suicide include psychiatric disorders, social factors, psychological factors, and biologic and genetic factors. Important knowledge about why people commit suicide has been obtained from 20 psychological autopsy studies of suicide victims carried out over the past 40 years. Based upon these studies, recommendations are offered for…

Describes treatment activities at the Boys Town Emergency Shelter Program for runaway and homeless youths. An examination of data collected from 100 shelter users indicated a high number of teaching interactions between staff and youths high levels of youth satisfaction with the staff; and a low frequency of youth disruptive behaviors in the…

In Australia, a children's services advisor (CSA) makes regular visits to all providers of children's services in a particular area, identifies and advises on provider problems, and makes recommendations on provider licensing and funding. A college senior describes his experiences as an intern with a CSA in rural New South Wales. (SV)

Human service education students who are interested in pursuing a career in rehabilitation need to be cognizant of the prominent theoretical models that guide rehabilitationalists. This paper consolidates and synthesizes the literature and provides a quick reference for students to investigate each model in more detail. (Contains 28 references.)…

Describes a classroom activity to enhance understanding of how major theorists differ in their conceptualization and treatment of a client's problems. Participants either watched a dramatized play in which prominent clinicians discuss a case, or attended a comparable lecture. Results of a quiz indicate that students who watched the play…

Korean Americans, who spoke Korean as their primary language and attended church in the Chicago area, completed a survey which rated the helpfulness of various sources of social support in addressing three psychological problems, as described in case studies. Path analysis revealed that traditionalism and attitudes toward professionals mediated…

The authors divided 275 elderly volunteers into 2 groups (affiliated and non-affiliated participants) and examined demographic, emotional, and practical issues that affect elderly people. There were significant differences between the groups on issues of loneliness, nutrition, and overall quality of life. (Contains 20 references and 3 tables.)…

A survey and three measures of attitudes toward disabilities were completed by 391 undergraduate and graduate students in human services fields (62 percent in nursing). Groups categorized by size of home community generally were similar in attitudes, except that rural-origin students had more negative attitudes on two factors: derogatory…

Much of the multicultural counseling literature has focused on counselor competencies. This paper discusses the importance of incorporating the client preferences and expectations into the multicultural literature. Discusses the effect of context on the client's perceptions. (JDM)

Recent research amongst mental health service users reveals how important spiritual care and counsel are and how few resources are available to provide this service from psychiatry, religious organizations or secular counseling services. Describes the results of three research projects in Somerset and explores the significance of the recovery of…