Evaluation of the Staying Healthy after Fifty program indicated that medical self-care instruction produces substantial improvements in health-related knowledge, skills performance, and actions. It produced no evidence that medical self-care instruction has any effect on health status, use of medical care, or quality of life. (JOW)

International nursing research is essential to an understanding of the nature, constraints, and resources related to the pressing needs facing nursing worldwide. The collaboration of researchers could empower nurses to make a difference in health and health care to those who need it most. (Author/JOW)

A developmental-acquisition model of case management was compared to usual case management services provided for the chronically mentally ill, using a sample of 89 persons referred to a large midwestern mental health center for community support services. The developmental-acquisition model was seemingly successful and deserves further refinement…

Recent research on the causes of hypertension could influence the care given by sports medicine physicians to Black patients in general, and to Black athletes in particular. (JD)

Noting that treatment foster care is a recent and expanding multisystem service, this article summarizes the empirical literature on treatment foster care and offers suggestions for future research directions. Results from program evaluations and experimental research suggest that treatment foster care is an effective alternative to residential…

This issue deals with the future of an age-based public policy. Articles discuss the history of age-based public policy; the competing bases for benefits; population dynamics; Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare; employer policies; and local and state policies. Describes California's Linkages Program. (JOW)

Findings from self-reports of 78 mental health clients revealed clear convergence of narcissistic needs and self-perceptions of interpersonal behaviors. Those with strong grandiose-exhibitionistic needs viewed themselves as having both dominant and friendly behavior, whereas those with strong idealizing needs viewed themselves as being submissive…

Reviews the literature dealing with the role of computers in psychiatric interviewing, and with the role of the computer as a patient or as a therapist. Efforts to develop forms of computer-assisted therapy are described, and implications for the mental health field are suggested. (40 references) (LRW)

School leaders and policymakers are increasingly challenged by vocal, well-organized opponents to progressive practices, curricular approaches, and recommended textbooks used in school classrooms. Two superintendents disclose their strategies for managing lawsuits involving a Michigan school health program and an Ohio district's adoption of the…

Pitfalls of sloppy science are discussed as they relate to the evaluation of human services programs. Differences between trial-and-error methods and the scientific method are discussed; and the requirements for sound research are reviewed, as are the shortcomings of a less rigorous approach. (SLD)

Examines the literature for strategies in establishing therapeutic relationships with African-American men. Notably absent are empirical data pertaining to the effectiveness of psychotherapy with this population. Reviews the literature on psychotherapy and proposes an agenda for the next decade of research with African-American male clients.…

Students and clients who do not seek counseling voluntarily often are characterized in a negative light and receive services that are prescriptive and forced, resembling a rigid philosophy. An alternative and more humanistic approach is that of solution-focused counseling, which emphasizes therapeutic collaboration. (Author)

Describes the emergence of parish nursing as a specialty practice within community health nursing. Parish nurse roles include health educator, health counselor, liaison to community resources, and clarifier of the relationship between faith and health. (JOW)

Compares the codes of ethics of 13 professional organizations for community mental health service providers. Results suggest that only two of the codes of ethics address many of the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing." Provides implications and recommendations for professional organizations. (Contains 20 references and…

Discusses the development and implementation of a surgery-patient education program in two Dutch hospitals. Evaluation of the new program shows that the specified information was provided to only a limited extent, partly because of problems with the implementation process and partly because some information was made available for patients to use…