TITLE:

TITLE: Medicolegal Aspects of Child Abuse.

AUTHOR: Myers, J. E. B.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Pacific Univ., Sacramento, CA. McGeorge School of Law.

SOURCE: In: Reece, R. M. (Editor). Treatment of Child Abuse: Common Mental Health, Medical, and Legal Practitioners. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD., 2000; p. 36

ABSTRACT: Children s statements during examinations and interviews have forensic as well as medical significance. Under certain circumstances, the child s statements are inadmissible as evidence, due to the hearsay rules of evidence. There are, however, important exceptions. They include the excited utterance exception, disclosure under the doctrine of fresh complaint, statements made during diagnostic or treatment services, and the residual and child hearsay exceptions. Interviewing techniquesmust include the avoidance of suggestive or leading questions. Confidentiality and privileged communication have well-defined boundaries, and child abuse reporting laws override confidentiality and privilege. A professional called upon to appear in court as an expert witness should review only those portions of the record needed for the testimony and should document the parts of the record reviewed. Privileged and nonprivileged materials should be separated in the record. If one takes the record tocourt, limit what is taken to the intended testimony. If possible, do not take the record to the witness stand, and if it is taken, refer to it only if necessary. Expert testimony usually takes one of three forms: an opinion, an answer to a hypotheticalquestion, or a lecture providing information to the judge or jury. Be prepared for cross-examination, understanding that the defense attorney will try to raise doubts about the expert testimony. This is done by trying to limit the expert s ability to explain, by undermining the expert s assumptions, by impeaching the expert with a learned treatise, or by raising the issue of the expert s bias toward the prosecution. 33 references. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: medical aspects of child abuse; physicians role; legal processes; expert testimony; expert witnesses; rules of evidence; hearsay rule; confidentiality

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.press.jhu.edu

TITLE: Awareness and Prevention of the Maltreatment of Children With Disabilities: A Dialogue for

INST. AUTHOR: Georgia Univ., Athens. Center for Continuing Education.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

SOURCE: Georgia Univ., Athens. Center for Continuing Eduation., 2000; p. 70

ABSTRACT: This manual describes efforts to prevent and intervene in the abuse of people with developmental disabilities. The first section reports on the prevalence of abuse and neglect, nationwide and in Georgia. Section Two outlines the components of prevention efforts at the individual, family, service system, and cultural levels, as well as in residential care. Section Three examines the indicators of abuse, reporting requirements, investigation and case management, treatment issues, legal issues, and the use of child protective service teams in Georgia. Special considerations for interviewing abuse victims with developmental disabilities, such as the role of facilitated communication, are also discussed. The remainder of the manual lists national agencies and organizations on abuse and disability, curricula and publications on prevention, abuse, and disability, early intervention services, and county DFCS offices. Numerous references.

KEY TERMS: developmental disabilities; prevention; child abuse; intervention strategies; georgia; prevalence; institutional abuse and neglect; professional training

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

TITLE: Making an Impact - Children and Domestic Violence: A Reader.

AUTHOR: Hester, M.; Pearson, C.; Harwin, N.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Sunderland Univ., (United Kingdom). School of Humanities and Social Studies.

SOURCE: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Philadelphia, PA., 2000; p. 98

ABSTRACT: Commissioned by the British Department of Health, this resource provides background information about the link between domestic violence and child abuse. It can be used as part of individual study or as a supplement to group training. Part One defines domestic violence and reviews its impact on parenting and the coping ability of the victim. Factors that influence the effect of the abuse on children are also discussed. Part Two addresses the legal context of child safety. Protections under the criminal law, the civil law, and housing law are outlined. The third section focuses on intervention strategies and services for victims, children, and batterers. Topics include: risk and need assessment; disclosure of domestic violence; monitoring and recording domestic violence; interviewing children about domestic violence; responding to disclosures by children; child abuse interventions; group therapy; and community approaches to intervention with batterers. Multiagency involvement and cooperation are also examined. 2 tables.

KEY TERMS: spouse abuse; child witnesses of family violence; sequelae; great britain; legal processes; child protection; intervention strategies; interagency cooperation

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.taylorandfrancis.com

TITLE: Online Victimization: A Report on the Nation's Youth.

AUTHOR: Finkelhor, D.; Mitchell, K. J.; Wolak, J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: New Hampshire Univ., Durham. Crimes Against Children Research Center.

SOURCE: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria, VA., 2000; p. 116

ABSTRACT: Fifteen hundred youth aged 10 through 17 who regularly use the Internet were surveyed for this study about their exposure to sexual solicitation, sexual material, harassment, and knowledge about Internet safety. Approximately 20 percentof the youth interviewed reported that they were solicited or approached sexually while using the Internet during the previous year. One in thirty-three indicated that they received an aggressive sexual solicitation, defined as when they were asked to meet someone, or a contact called them on the telephone or sent them letters, money, or gifts. One-fourth of the teens indicated that they had unwanted exposure to photographs of nude people or individuals engaged in sex in the last year. Very few of theincidents were reported to the authorities and only one-fourth of the survey participants who reported a sexual solicitation told a parent. However, almost 40 percent of those surveyed who had unwanted exposure to sexual material informed a parent. Fewer than 20 percent of youth and their parents could identify an authority to whom they could report an incident. One third of the homes had filtering or blocking software on the computer. The results indicate a need for more aggressive prevention campaigns to raise public awareness about the threats of sexual exploitation and options for reporting unwanted exposure to sexual material. An array of prevention and intervention strategies, designed with assistance from young people, are needed to address the problem at different age levels. 4 references, 20 figures, and 10 tables.

KEY TERMS: internet crimes; sexual exploitation; sex offenses; prevalence; statistical data; risk factors; prevention; adolescents

PUBLICATION TYPE: Technical Report

INTERNET URL: http://www.missingkids.com

TITLE: Medicaid and Children: Overcoming Barriers to Enrollment. Findings From a National Survey.

AUTHOR: Perry, M.; Kannel, S.; Valdez, R. B.; Chang, C.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Lake Snell Perry and Associates.

SOURCE: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Washington, DC., January 2000; p. 118

ABSTRACT: More than 1,300 low income parents were interviewed for this study about the barriers to enrolling children in Medicaid. The sample included parents of children who were currently receiving Medicaid benefits, as well as parents of children who were eligible for Medicaid but not insured. The findings revealed that the majority of eligible, uninsured children lived in two-parent, working families. Parents of children enrolled in Medicaid were more likely than parents of non-participating children to receive welfare benefits. Uninsured children were also less likely to obtain medical care or prescription medication than children participating in Medicaid. Almost all of the parents reported that general health insurance for the children is very important and 81 percent of the parents of uninsured children believe that Medicaid is a good program. Barriers to enrollment identified by parents include difficulty collecting the required documentation, the complexity of the enrollment process, hours of operation of the Medicaid office, lack of knowledge about eligibility, public image about welfare administration, and language differences. More convenient application procedures and bilingual services would facilitate enrollment for the eligible, but non-participating families. 11 figures and 2 tables.

KEY TERMS: medicaid; child health; barriers; statistical data; health insurance; statewide planning; low income groups; parental attitudes

PUBLICATION TYPE: Technical Report

INTERNET URL: http://www.kff.org

TITLE: Handbook for Child Protection Practice.

AUTHOR: Dubowitz, H. (Editor); Depanfilis, D. (Editor)

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Maryland Univ., Baltimore. School of Medicine.

SOURCE: Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA., 2000; p. 145

ABSTRACT: This comprehensive reference reviews all aspects of child protection practice, from reporting and screening to assessment and intervention. Interviewing, service planning, evaluation and closure, and legal and ethical issues are also discussed. Topics include: determinations of urgency of response; engagement; culturally sensitive assessment strategies; coordination between child protective services and law enforcement; screening for substance abuse; criteria for substantiation; safety evaluation; family preservation and permanency planning; family assessment; strengths assessment; concurrent planning; family meetings; adjustments to foster care placements; treatment for sexual abuse perpetrators and physically abusive behavior; family services; and liability. Specific considerations for neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological maltreatment are highlighted. The book also provides lists of additional resources about parenting, child welfare competencies, and child protection. 17 tables.

KEY TERMS: child protection; practice protocols; child abuse reporting; investigations; identification; risk assessment; service planning; intervention

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/

TITLE: Characteristics, Experiences, and Outcomes of Adolescents Served in Long-Term Foster Care.

AUTHOR: Downs, A. C.; Wolf, M.; Pecora, P. J.; Williams, J.; Dye, J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Casey Family Program, Seattle, WA.

SOURCE: Presented at: Society for Research in Adolescence Biennial Meeting, Chicago, IL., March 30-April 2, 2000; p. 203

ABSTRACT: Pre-care, care, and initial post-care characteristics of 1,611 individuals who received long-term foster care through The Casey Family Program from 1966-1998 were investigated using in-depth case record reviews. The findings suggested that services provided during foster care were directly related to the severity of pre-care maltreatment, with more abuse leading to more services. The findings also indicate that some services were directly related to more positive outcomes at case closure; specifically, independent living and employment experiences were related to attainment of high school diploma or GED. A historical analysis of services over a 33 year period indicated that in recent years, youth served were more likely to come from abusive backgrounds filled with family violence and caregiver substance abuse. In recent years, youths were more likely to be placed in kinship foster care and were more likely to receive an array of specialized services (e.g., mental health care). These results will be supplemented by interviews with alumni who consent to be interviewed in a subsequent study. 2 references and 12 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: foster care research; outcomes; long term foster care; adolescents; sequelae; individual characteristics; service delivery; program evaluation

PUBLICATION TYPE: Proceedings Paper

INTERNET URL: http://www.casey.org

TITLE: Violence Against Social Care Staff. Qualitative Research Report on Qualitative Research Among Social Care. Professionals.

INST. AUTHOR: Research Perspectives, London (United Kingdom).

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

SOURCE: Research Perspectives, London (United Kingdom)., April 2000; p. 222

ABSTRACT: Child welfare workers in the public and private sectors in Great Britain were interviewed individually and in focus groups for this qualitative study to determine the incidence and effects of violence in the workplace. Managers, social workers, day and home care workers and office-based staff believed that violence could be prevented by greater funding of social services, more supportive social attitudes, mobile phones, security in office buildings, notices about expected client behavior, professional training, and acceptable methods of defense. Proactive management support for workers can help to reduce the negative effects of violence against the worker, with procedures established for debriefing after an incident, reporting processes, and facilitation of police or court protection.

KEY TERMS: child welfare research; qualitative research; violence; risk factors; worker safety; prevention; child welfare workers; great britain

PUBLICATION TYPE: Technical Report

INTERNET URL: http://www.doh.gov.uk/

TITLE: Tips for Investigating Child Fatalities.

AUTHOR: Lee, D.; May, J.; O'Keefe, E.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Update

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: American Prosecutors Research Institute, Alexandria, VA. National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.

SOURCE: 13(1): pp. 1-2; American Prosecutors Research Institute, Alexandria, VA. National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse., 2000; p. 268

ABSTRACT: This article provides checklists for the investigation of child fatalities. Suggestions are presented for identifying and interviewing witnesses, examining the suspected crime scene, creating a timeline of the child s last hours or days, and analyzing data. Potential witnesses include the medical professionals who treated the child, emergency personnel, patrol officers, parents, caregivers, and neighbors. After hearing the parents explanation of the child s death, investigators should specifically seize the object involved in the child s death, clothes and diapers of the child, the caretakers clothes, bottles and food containers, poisons and medicines, home videos and photographs, and medical records. The timeline will clarify the progression of the events that lead to the child s death and the veracity of the caretaker s explanation.

KEY TERMS: investigations; child fatalities; interviews; protocols; guidelines; police operating procedures; police responsibility; police role

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

TITLE: Assessing the Value of Structured Protocols for Forensic Interviews of Alleged Child Abuse

AUTHOR: Orbach, Y.; Hershkowitz, I.; Lamb, M. E.; Sternberg, K. J.; et al.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Child Abuse and Neglect

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (DHHS), Bethesda, MD.

SOURCE: 24(6): pp. 733-752; Elsevier Science, Ltd., New York, NY., June 2000; p. 273

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Investigative Interview Protocol, a structured protocol of universally recommended guidelines for forensic interviews. The protocol was designed to maximize the amount of information obtained using recall memory probes, which are likely to elicit more accurate information than recognition memory probes. Forensic investigators were trained to use the protocol while conducting feedback-monitored simulation interviews. The utility of the protocol was then evaluated by comparing 55 protocol interviews with 50 prior interviews by the same investigators, matched with respect to characteristics likely to affect the richness of the children's accounts. The comparison was based on an analysis of the investigators' utterance types, distribution, and timing, as well as quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the information produced. As predicted, protocol interviews containedmore open-ended prompts overall as well as before the first option-posing utterance than non-protocol interviews did. More details were obtained using open-ended invitations and fewer were obtained using focused questions in protocol interviews than in non-protocol interviews, although the total number of details elicited did not differ significantly. In both conditions, older children provided more details than younger children did. The findings confirmed that implementation of professionally recommended practices affected the behavior of interviewers in both the pre-substantive and substantive phases of their interviews and enhanced the quality (i.e., likely accuracy) of information elicited from alleged victims. 101 references and 6 tables.(Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: interviews; investigations; child witnesses; protocols; validity; sexual abuse; measures

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

TITLE: Family Decision Meeting Project.

INST. AUTHOR: Portland State Univ., OR. Child Welfare Partnership.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

SOURCE: Portland State Univ., OR. Child Welfare Partnership., 2000; p. 278

ABSTRACT: Participants in 26 Family Unity Meetings in Oregon were interviewed before and after their meetings to determine the satisfaction of families with the family group decision making process and best practices for facilitation. In additionto interviews with caseworkers and birth parents, data were collected from observations of meetings and written evaluations. Findings revealed that the needs of the family were best addressed when more family members attended the meetings. However, family members did not realize that non-relatives who could also provide support could have also been invited. Barriers to attendance included the schedules of providers, geographical distance for family members, and employment. Several factors influenced the degree that family members participated in the discussion, such as knowledge about the meeting process; personal characteristics and comfort with speaking in the group; support for their position; and efforts by providers to involve the family in the conversation. Participants who were not willing to share information during the meeting attributed their resistance to distrust of the system, intra-family dynamics (loyalty, fear), legal implications, or confidentiality. Recommendations for improving the process address preparation of participants, meeting format, logistics (timing and location), clarification of the goal of the meetings, and adequate facilitation. The Oregon model involves a series of meetings, rather than one meeting endorsed by other family group approaches. The series format promotes team building, accountability, management of segments of the plan, and early identification of problems. 7 references and 10 tables.

KEY TERMS: decision making; family group conferencing; program models; program evaluation; child welfare research; oregon; qualitative research; case plans

PUBLICATION TYPE: Final Report

INTERNET URL: http://www.fgdm.org/

TITLE: Evaluation of Yoga and Meditation Trainings With Adolescent Sex Offenders.

AUTHOR: Derezotes, D.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Utah Univ., Salt Lake City. Graduate School of Social Work.

SOURCE: 17(2): pp. 97-113; Kluwer Academic-Human Sciences Press, Inc., Dordrecht (The Netherlands)., April 2000; p. 281

ABSTRACT: This program evaluation assessed the effectiveness of yoga and meditation instruction for treating adolescent sex offenders. A literature review shows little content on the use of yoga and meditation instruction in general, and no content on the use of such methods with adolescent sex offenders. There is evidence, however, that such techniques can contribute to the improved physical and mental health of adults. Adolescent participants, their parents, and their trainers in the program were interviewed about their overall impressions of the program, what they liked and disliked about the yoga, breathing, and medication trainings, impact on relaxation, self-awareness, control of thoughts and feelings, and the potential impact onrecidivism. All of the participants reported that the training had a positive effect on their ability to relax and recognize their thoughts and feelings. However, some indicated that they would have liked more assistance from staff. They all indicated that they used yoga techniques on their own, but the majority felt more comfortable with an instructor. None of the youth committed repeat sexual offenses during the study period. The article recommends that the program be replicated and tested in other sites, with modifications for greater flexibility to meet individual needs. Yoga and meditation should be integrated throughout the program and parents and the community should be more involved. 32 references and 1 figure. (Author abstract modified)

KEY TERMS: program evaluation; adolescent sex offenders; sex offenders therapy; therapeutic effectiveness; childrens therapy; treatment programs; treatment evaluation

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.wkap.nl

TITLE: In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories.

AUTHOR: Simon, R. J.; Roorda, R. M.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: American Univ., Washington, DC. School of Public Affairs.

SOURCE: Columbia Univ. Press, New York, NY., June 2000; p. 285

ABSTRACT: Twenty-four transracial adoptees were interviewed for this book about the transracial adoption experience. The adoptees were asked about their relationship with their family and friends as they were growing up, the reaction of the community, and their perspective of racial identity. All but one of the interviewees were in their 20s during the study and most were adopted before their sixth birthday. While some of the adoptees believed that black children should be adopted by black families, others were satisfied with their family background. Racial identity was important to several of the adoptees, but not to all of those interviewed. Most recommended that white families adopting black children make an effort to form connections with the black community, by attending a black church or living in a diverse neighborhood. The book also provides a historical perspective of transracial adoption and reviews findings from relevant research. 5 tables.

KEY TERMS: transracial adoption; interracial families; racial identity; adoption outcomes; historical perspective; case studies; adopted adults; african americans

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup

TITLE: Cultural Factors in Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence in Korea.

AUTHOR: Doe, S. S.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Children and Youth Services Review

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Indiana Univ. Northwest. Div. of Social Work.

SOURCE: 22(3-4): pp. 231-236; Elsevier Science, Ltd., New York, NY., March-April 2000; p. 286

ABSTRACT: Recent laws enacted and proposed in Korea illustrate the country s growing recognition of the social problems of child maltreatment and domestic violence. However, differences in perceptions of the use of corporal punishment and intervention exist among teachers, physicians, and social workers, as well as in the general public. In Korean culture, children are taught to be obedient and to live up to adults expectations, quietly carrying out their important duties like schoolwork.In such an adult-centered culture that has largely ignored children s opinions and perceptions, corporal punishment has been accepted as a disciplinary action often employed by parents and teachers. Until recently, little public attention has been paid to children at risk of being abused in the name of disciplining. Empirical studies conducted in the 1990s found that physical punishment is prevalent, with boys and younger children most likely to be disciplined. Social workers and physicians are more likely than teachers to perceive corporal punishment as child maltreatment and to support government intervention. Similarly, traditional patriarchal values also contributed to domestic violence, as husbands imposed the hierarchical order in the family. One study found that as many as 30 percent of couples interviewed had experienced some form of violence in the previous year. Coverage by the media and advocacy by various civic and non-profit organizations has prompted the establishment of a national level public policy for preventing child abuse and domestic violence. 6 references. (Author abstract modified)

KEY TERMS: child abuse research; spouse abuse; asia; cultural factors; cultural values; corporal punishment; social problems; public awareness

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

TITLE: Remember the Children: Mothers Balance Work and Child Care Under Welfare Reform. Growing Up in Poverty Project. Wave 1 Findings: California, Connecticut, Florida.

AUTHOR: Fuller, B.; Kagan, S. L.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: California Univ., Berkeley. School of Education.

SOURCE: California Univ., Berkeley. School of Education., February 2000; p. 293

ABSTRACT: Wave One of the Growing Up in Poverty Project investigated the impact of welfare to-work initiatives on the quality of care provided to children whose mothers are joining the laborforce. Almost 1,000 single mothers of preschool childrenin California, Connecticut, and Florida were interviewed. Data were also collected from visits to child care providers and assessments of early language and social development. The analysis found that center-based care was more popular among families inFlorida, and that family child care was used most often in California and Connecticut. Fifty-four percent of mothers in California and 77 percent of mothers in Connecticut arranged for unregulated care offered by relatives. While the quality of home-based care was similar in all three states, child care centers in California were of higher quality than centers in Connecticut and Florida. Almost half of mothers in California and Florida received child care subsidies compared to 13 percent of mothers in Connecticut. Although more women are moving into jobs and training, wages are low and families are still living in poverty. Mothers in all three states faced an array of challenges, including social isolation, stress, and household members with a substance abuse problem. Gaps in insurance and clinical medical and mental health services and child development are also reviewed. Numerous figures and tables.

KEY TERMS: welfare reform; child care; state surveys; california; connecticut; florida; statistical data; outcomes

PUBLICATION TYPE: Technical Report

INTERNET URL: http://pace.berkeley.edu/

TITLE: How Sexual Abuse Interviews Go Astray: Implications for Prosecutors, Police, and Child Protection Services.

AUTHOR: Wood, J. M.; Garven, S.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Child Maltreatment

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Texas Univ., El Paso. Dept. of Psychology.

SOURCE: 5(2): pp. 109-118; Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA., May 2000; p. 304

ABSTRACT: This article argues that child sexual abuse interviews can go astray in two different ways: improper interviewing has the potential to elicit false allegations from children and clumsy interviewing does not typically produce false allegations, but may have other negative consequences, particularly for child victims. The article clarifies the distinction between the two kinds of bad interviewing and suggests that clumsy interviewing is the more common of the two. The potential negative consequences of both improper and clumsy interviewing are described, along with implications for prosecutors, police, and child protection services. Improper interviewing can probably be eliminated rather easily, but clumsy interviewing may be considerably more resistant to change. 65 references. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: sexual abuse; interviews; investigations; child witnesses; sequelae; leading questions; methods; false allegations

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

TITLE: Developmental, Familial, and Peer Determinants to Adoption Placement.

AUTHOR: Weir, K. N.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Adoption Quarterly

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Marriage and Family Therapy Program.

SOURCE: 3(3): pp. 25-50; Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 404

ABSTRACT: This article focuses on the developmental, familial, and peer deterrents that form barriers to adoption placement among teen mothers in a residential facility. An Eriksonian developmental model is used to explore developmental issues ofidentity, projective identification, and industry among teens. The findings suggest that family cutoffs and re-admissions also serve as deterrents to adoption placement. Additionally, peer pressure from residents of the facility form barriers to adoption placement. The teen mothers interviewed for the study expressed how they were deterred from adoption placement and constrained into child-rearing as pregnancy resolution strategies. This qualitative study suggests that family therapy interventions can facilitate adoption placement by addressing the constraints teen mothers face. 40 references. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: barriers; adoption research; adoption; adolescent child bearing; adolescent parents; pregnancy counseling; family therapy; intervention strategies

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com

TITLE: Childhood Experiences of Domestic Violence.

AUTHOR: McGee, C.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, London (United Kingdom). Child Protection Research Group.

SOURCE: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London (United Kingdom)., 2000; p. 405

ABSTRACT: Fifty-four children and their mothers were interviewed for a study about the best ways to support children who have witnessed domestic violence, the perceptions of children and their mothers about support services, and the typical +; sources of support sought by families. Study participants were asked about the forms of domestic violence and child abuse they experienced, triggers of violence, characteristics of abusers, and the effects of witnessing violence on the child's identity, +; health, education, friendships, and relationships with family members. This book summarizes the findings of the study and identifies methods of coping and barriers to assistance for the women and children. The responses of social service agencies, law +; enforcement, schools, courts, and health professionals to the needs of children affected by domestic violence are also reviewed and assessed. The final chapter outlines recommendations for raising public awareness of domestic violence, legal protection, +; professional training, support services, and the protection of children during contact with the abuser. Numerous references, 1 figure, and 1 table.

KEY TERMS: child witnesses of family violence; spouse abuse; service delivery; intervention strategies; policy formation; battered women; child protection; sequelae

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.jkp.com

TITLE: Questioning the Child Witness: What Can We Conclude From the Research Thus Far?

AUTHOR: Quas, J. A.; Goodman, G. S.; Ghetti, S.; Redlich, A. D.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Trauma, Violence, and Abuse

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: California Univ., Irvine. Dept. of Psychology and Social Behavior.

SOURCE: 1(3): pp. 223-249; Sage Publications Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA., July 2000; p. 461

ABSTRACT: In recent years increasing numbers of studies have investigated children's memory, suggestibility, and false event reports. This article highlights key findings from and implications of this research for interviewing child witnesses. First, developmental changes in children s memory and suggestibility are discussed, spanning from the early childhood years through middle childhood, suggesting that the most consistent and robust predictor of differences in children's performance is age. Second, theory and research concerning relations between emotional distress and children's memory are reviewed, with an emphasis on methodological differences that have led to varied results across studies and sheds light on the degree to which emotional distress helps versus hinders children ' memory and suggestibility. Third is a description of factors associated with the context of an interview that may influence children's susceptibility to false suggestions, in particular discussing the implications of questioning tactics and contextual features of forensic interviews. Fourth, recent studies are discussed concerning individual differences in children's mnemonic capabilities, suggestibility, and false memories. Finally, recommendations are provided about what can and cannot be concluded from research on questioning child witnesses, with an eye on aiding professionals in understanding the research and its capabilities and limitations. Numerous references. (Author abstract modified.)

KEY TERMS: child witnesses; research; false allegations; memory; suggestibility; stress; risk factors; literature review

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/

TITLE: Assessing Children's Experiences of Out-of-Home Care: Methodological Challenges and

AUTHOR: Berrick, J. D.; Frasch, K.; Fox, A.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Social Work Research

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: California Univ., Berkeley. School of Social Welfare.

SOURCE: 24(2): pp. 119-127; National Association of Social Workers, Inc., Washington, DC., June 2000; p. 499

ABSTRACT: The U.S. foster care system has undergone profound changes over the past decade, with caseload growth, increases in the number of very young children entering care, and problematic behaviors among some children. This article discusses +; some of the methodological issues raised in a study conducted in California. The sample included 100 children ages 6 to 13 residing in kinship or non-kinship care for a minimum of six months. The study used face-to-face interviews with the children in +; the homes of their caregivers and was built on the previous work by the investigator, which also involved interviews with the children's kin and non-kin foster parents. From the interviews, three challenges emerged in conducting research with children in+; foster care: 1) the recruitment of the study sample; 2) development of the study instrument; and 3) selection and training of interviewers. Potentially problematic methodological concerns are highlighted, and a variety of strategies to minimize their +; effect are suggested. Conclusions support the importance of working collaboratively with social services agencies and the courts to overcome some of the obstacles faced in research of foster care. Techniques must be devised and defined to gain access to +; children in care and to incorporate their perspectives into the research enterprise. Twenty-four references.

KEY TERMS: out-of-home care; foster care; behavior problems; kinship care; service delivery; research methodology; california; data analysis

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.naswpress.org

TITLE: Children and the Law: Doctrine, Policy and Practice.

AUTHOR: Abrams, D. E.; Ramsey, S. H.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Missouri Univ., Columbia. School of Law.

SOURCE: West Group, St. Paul, MN., 2000; p. 586

ABSTRACT: Written for advanced law courses about child advocacy and juvenile law, this text reviews doctrine, policy, and practice regarding the rights of children, parents, and government; the competency of children; and the lawyer's representation of children. Emphasis is placed on collaborating with professionals from related disciplines, including psychology, sociology, medicine, education, and criminology to ensure effective representation. The chapters explain the definition of the parent-child relationship, children's abilities and disabilities, abuse and neglect, foster care, criminal abuse and neglect, adoption, medical decision-making, financial responsibilities and control, regulations of child behavior, and delinquency laws and procedures. Specific topics include strategies for interviewing child witnesses, the competency of children to advise counsel, child abuse and neglect reporting statutes, the child protection system, terminations of parental rights, racial bias,child's right to protection from harm, types of placements, adoption consent, and international adoption. Contemporary legal problems are presented in each chapter for class discussion.

KEY TERMS: child advocacy; lawyers; lawyers responsibility; lawyers role; legal problems; professional training; federal case law; state case law

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.westgroup.com

TITLE: Emotional Well-Being Among Grandparents Raising Children Affected and Orphaned by HIV

AUTHOR: Joslin, D.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: William Patterson Coll., Wayne, NJ. Dept. of Community Health.

SOURCE: In: Hayslip, B.; Goldberg-Glen, R. (Editors). Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Theoretical, Empirical and Clinical Perspectives. Springer Publishing Co., Inc., New York, NY., 2000; p. 619

ABSTRACT: Twenty grandparents were interviewed for this exploratory study of the physical and emotional well-being of individuals caring for grandchildren who are affected or orphaned by HIV. The study participants were asked about their emotional health compared to the previous year, demographic characteristics, use of psychotropic medications, psychological distress, and attitudes about their surrogate parenting experience. Slightly more than half of the sample rated their emotional health as fair or poor and 45 percent reported that their well-being was worse than it was a year ago. Seven of the 20 participants indicated that they felt burdened by caregiving sometime during the previous six months, while equal numbers felt they were never or nearly always burdened. Half of the sample felt lonely during the past week. Feelings of hopelessness were most common among parents whose child recently died, had lower incomes, and were younger. Social isolation was reported by many of the people interviewed. Implications for further research are discussed in the chapter. 46 references and 5 tables.

KEY TERMS: kinship care; grandparents; parental stress; hiv infection; aids; orphans; emotional health; child welfare research

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.springerpub.com

TITLE: Using a Microanalysis of a Videotaped Interview to Understand the Dynamics of a Grandparent-Headed Household.

AUTHOR: Sands, R. G.; Goldberg-Glen, R. S.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia. School of Social Work.

ABSTRACT: A microanalysis conducted of an interview in which a custodial grandmother revealed that her husband is the father of one of her grandchildren reveals clues about the grandmother's state of mind and her feelings about caregiving. Researchers performed the microanalysis by reviewing a videotape of the interview and noting the verbal as well as nonverbal responses of the grandmother and the interviewer. In a previous survey, the interviewee had expressed her displeasure with the custodial role. The microanalysis provided the reasons for her attitude by finding that she referred to the child as that instead of he and that the woman was previously avoiding questions about her relationship with her husband. These findings indicate that follow-up interviews may be needed to obtain more in-depth information than can be collected in a written questionnaire. In addition, interviewers should be trained to read clues that an interviewee is protecting some key information about the family. 22 references and 2 tables.

KEY TERMS: kinship care; grandparents; interviews; qualitative research; videotaping; research methodology; data analysis; disclosure

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.springerpub.com

TITLE: Trends and Correlates of Coresidency Among Black and White Grandmothers and Their Grandchildren: A Panel Study, 1967-1992.

AUTHOR: Caputo, R. K.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Yeshiva Univ., New York, NY. Wurzweiler School of Social Work.

ABSTRACT: Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience, Mature Women's Cohort were analyzed to examine racial differences in the prevalence of coresident grandparenting, the characteristics of coresident grandmothers and grandchildren, predictors of coresident grandparent status, and the incidence of three generation households and skipped-generation households. The sample included 5,083 women originally interviewed from 1967 through 1992. Of the sample, 422 Black women and 323 White women reported coresident or caregiver status. Throughout the 15 years of the survey, Black women were more likely than White women to report living with grandchildren. However, the differences between Black and White respondents decreased during the survey period. Approximately seven percent of Black women were coresident grandparents, compared to half of a percent of White women. In 1992, almost 18 percent of Black respondents were coresident grandparents, compared to about 2 percent of White respondents. Overall, 60 percent of Black grandmothers had resided with grandchildren sometime between 1967 and 1992, while 15 percent of White women had lived with their grandchildren. The duration of coresidency was also longer for Black families. Correlates of coresidency for Black and White women were number of own children and years of coresidency, and age. Number of own children was a stronger predictor of coresidency for White women than Black women. Although income status had no statistical impact on coresidency in 1992 for White or Black respondents, 38 percent of Black women in skipped and three generation households lived in poverty. The policy implications of these findings are discussed. 21 references.

KEY TERMS: kinship care; grandparents; child custody; statistical data; trend analysis; racial differences; longitudinal studies; prevalence

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.springerpub.com

TITLE: A Comparison of Low-Income Caregivers in Public Housing: Differences in Grandparent and Nongrandparent Needs and Problems.

AUTHOR: Kauffman, S.; Goldberg-Glen, R. S.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Widener Univ., Chester, PA. Center for Social Work Education.

ABSTRACT: This chapter describes the public housing service system and presents the findings of an assessment of the needs of 82 public housing residents in Chester, Pennsylvania. The needs of grandparent caregivers, parent caregivers, and non-child households are compared. Each study participant was interviewed about the composition of the family, economic issues, attitudes, service needs, and barriers to service. Grandparent caregivers reported fewer problems with transportation, unemployment, juvenile crime, family violence, financial stress, and mental illness, but they indicated that they had more health problems and conflicts among children. Teenage children were more difficult for grandparents to manage and more grandparent caregivers reported the arrest of a family member. The findings suggest that grandparent caregivers may be better off financially than other public housing residents, but need assistance with managing child behavior and coping with the arrest of a child and sudden caregiving responsibilities. 9 references and 2 tables.

KEY TERMS: grandparents; public housing; low income groups; needs assessment; kinship care; child custody; social services; service delivery

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.springerpub.com

TITLE: Intercountry, Transracial Adoption and Ethnic Identity: A Korean Example.

AUTHOR: Huh, N. S.; Reid, W. J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: International Social Work

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Hallym Univ., Chuncheon City, Kang won Do (South Korea). Dept. of Social Welfare.

SOURCE: 43(1): pp. 75-87; Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA., 2000; p. 717

ABSTRACT: Thirty adoptive Caucasian families with a total of 40 adopted Korean children were interviewed for this study about the development of ethnic identity in transracially-adopted children. Parents and children were asked about the family'sparticipation in Korean cultural activities, the child's identification with Korean culture, and parent-child communication about the adoption. Parent and child participation in Korean cultural activities was the most significant predictor of the child's ethnic identity. Families with greater involvement in cultural activities also reported better communication about the child s birth and adoption history. Eighty percent of the children with high levels of ethnic identity categorized themselves as Korean American, compared to 20 percent of children with low ethnic identity scores. Slightly more than half of the children with lower ethnic identity classified themselves as Korean. Data from the qualitative part of the study was used to conceptualize a typical process for ethnic development, beginning with the recognition and rejection of differences from age 4 through 6 years. Ethnic identification starts during ages 7 and 8 and acceptance of difference and ethnic dissonance occurs during ages 9 to 11. The integration of Korean heritage and American culture begins during early adolescence (ages 12-14). Implications for practice are briefly discussed. 24 references.

KEY TERMS: intercountry adoption; transracial adoption; ethnic identity; korean americans; adoption research; ethnic studies; cultural identity; cultural factors

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/

TITLE: Beyond Searching For Deficits: Evidence That Physically and Emotionally Abused Women Are Nurturing Parents.

AUTHOR: Sullivan, C. M.; Nguyen, H.; Allen, N.; Bybee, D.; Juras, J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Emotional Abuse

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Michigan State Univ., E. Lansing. Dept. of Psychology.

SOURCE: 2(1): pp. 51-71; Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 727

ABSTRACT: Eighty women who had a history of recent domestic violence and their children aged 7-11 were interviewed for this study of the interrelationships between women's experience of physical and emotional abuse, their parenting stress, quality of maternal parenting, and children's behavioral adjustment. The participating mothers and children agreed that the mothers were emotionally available to their children, and that mothers were more likely to use noncorporal punishment with their children than corporal punishment. Multivariate analysis indicated that mothers' experience of physical and emotional abuse had no direct impact on their level of parenting stress or use of discipline with their children. Rather, assailants' abuse of mothers had a direct impact on children's behavioral adjustment. The study illuminates the importance of identifying battered women's parenting strengths and assets. Research and policies implications are also discussed. 46 references and 1 figure. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: adults abused as children; sequelae; parenting skills; parental stress; spouse abuse; emotional response; child behavior; mothers

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com

TITLE: Adoption With Contact: A Study of Adoptive Parents and the Impact of Continuing Contact With Families of Origin.

AUTHOR: Sykes, M.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Adoption and Fostering

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Wiltshire Mental Health Care NHS Trust (United Kingdom).

SOURCE: 24(2): pp. 20-32; British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 2000; p. 735

ABSTRACT: Adoption practice in the 1990s has seen a substantial increase in adoptive families where there continues to be contact with families of origin. This study examines the impact of contact experiences for adoptive parents at least two years after placement. Thirty adoptive parents in 17 families completed a written questionnaire about their experience and about half of the respondents were interviewed for more information. The analysis of the narratives from the interviews considered the impact on parenthood, specifically themes of control, entitlement to parent, communication, bonding, and ownership, as well as the relationships between adoptive and birth parents. The findings suggest that the passage of time and a greater sense of control assist in establishing confidence, while adopters develop a more empathic view towards birth mothers. This has emotional costs to the adoptive mother. The study suggests that contact is more likely to be sustained where adoptive parents are able to develop a coherence in their understanding of their own past experiences. The implications for practice are discussed. 43 references. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: adoption research; post adoption contact; open adoption; sequelae; birth mothers; visitation; emotional response; parental attitudes

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk

TITLE: Concurrent Planning: Tool for Permanency. Survey of Selected Sites.

AUTHOR: Lutz, L. L.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

SOURCE: National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning, New York, NY. Hunter Coll. of Social Work., April 2000; p. 773

ABSTRACT: Twelve sites were surveyed for this study about best practices for implementing concurrent planning for children in foster care. Program coordinators answered questions about target populations, involvement with birth parents, preparation of stakeholders, caseload and agency organization, differential assessment and service planning, case reviews, and the role of resource families. The most effective programs featured intensive case work with the birth families of the children; frequent visits between the children and their birth families; communication with birth families about alternatives for permanency planning and their progress toward reunification; searches for absent parents and resolution of paternity; searches for relatives to participate in permanency planning or to care for the child; frequent reviews of the effectiveness of services; and the preparation of foster parents to support family reunification. The interviewees noted that changes were necessary in the organizational structure of their agency and the attitudes of social workers to facilitate the new system of care. Although most of the concurrent planning coordinators believed that the twelve-month time requirement of the Adoption and Safe Families Act was appropriate, some indicated that it may not be long enough to make a determination for families affected by substance abuse or mental illness. Evaluations of the programs in the sample found that concurrent planning and practices resulted in a greater number of children being placed with relatives, an increase in the quality of care provided by foster and adoptive parents, and that 30 - 50 percent of the children in expedited permanency planning and concurrent planning were returned home. 1 figure and 4 tables.

KEY TERMS: concurrent planning; permanency planning; asfa; program evaluation; outcomes; best practices; surveys; demonstration programs

PUBLICATION TYPE: Technical Report

INTERNET URL: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp

TITLE: Child Psychological Maltreatment in Palestinian Families.

AUTHOR: Khamis, V.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Child Abuse and Neglect

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Bethlehem Univ., West Bank (Palestine). Dept. of Social Sciences.

SOURCE: 24(8): pp. 1047-1059; Elsevier Science Inc., New York, NY., 2000; p. 795

ABSTRACT: This study was designed to identify predictors of child psychological abuse in Palestinian families. It examined the relative contributions of child characteristics, parents' sociodemographics, and economic hardships, family characteristics such as family values, family ambiance, gender inequities, parental support, harsh discipline, psychological abuse, and other forms of abuse. The sample consisted of 1,000 school age children from 12 to 16 years. Two school counselors interviewed the children at school, and with the available parent at home. Results showed that child school performance was specifically associated with child psychological abuse. Parents who perceived that the family did not have enough money to meet the child's needs were more likely to abuse their children psychologically. Gender inequities, harsh discipline, family ambiance, and lack of parental support were the most salient predictors of abuse. Child psychological abuse occurred concurrently withother forms of abuse such as physical abuse and child labor. Parental psychological abuse proved to be weakened with high traditional family values. Conclusions suggested that a significant portion of the sample could be considered psychologically abused. The authors recommend that intervention and prevention efforts should be focused on child welfare, educational programs for high-risk parents, and mobilization of the community and social services agencies. Two tables; numerous references. (Author abstract modified.)

KEY TERMS: child abuse; middle eastern cultures; family; psychological abuse; socialization; questionnaires; data analysis; predictor variables

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

TITLE: What Do Young Children Know About Sex? Research on the Sexual Knowledge of Children Between the Ages of 2 and 6 Years.

AUTHOR: Brilleslijper-Kater, S. N.; Baartman, H. E. M.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Child Abuse Review

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Vrije Univ., Amsterdam (The Netherlands). Dept. of Education.

SOURCE: 9(3): pp. 166-182; John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY., 2000; p. 811

ABSTRACT: The authors conducted research on the sexual knowledge of 63 Dutch children between the ages of two and six. The sample included 32 girls and 31 boys, each with average or above average IQ and with no previous experience of sexual abuse. Each child was interviewed individually for 30 minutes during nursery or school, showing them 15 pictures to measure sexual knowledge. Results found that young children have a very limited knowledge of sexuality; they possess only basic knowledge of genital differences, gender identity, sexual body parts, and non-sexual functions of the genitals. Knowledge of pregnancy and birth, reproduction and adult sexual behavior was found to be very limited and decreased. Non-sexually abused children appearto interpret situations that show physical intimacy between adults and children in terms of their own experience. None of the children discussed sexual activities; older children generally knew more than younger ones; and no significant differences in knowledge between boys and girls were found. These results are in agreement with other theoretical findings on the sexual development of children, including the developmental categorization of children s understanding of reproduction by other studies. The authors recommend that more research is essential, particularly in comparing the knowledge of children who have been sexually abused with that of non-abused children. One table; numerous references. (Author abstract modified.)

KEY TERMS: sexual abuse; sexual behavior; children; diagnosis; netherlands; data collection; data analysis; psychosexual development

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.wiley.com

TITLE: Effects of Prenatal Cocaine-Crack and Other Drug Exposure on Electroencephalographic Sleep Studies at Birth and One Year.

AUTHOR: Scher, M. S.; Richardson, G. A.; Day, N. L.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Pediatrics

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Cleveland Univ. Hospitals, OH. Div. of Pediatric Neurology.

SOURCE: 105(1): pp. 39-48; American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, IL., January 2000

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effect of prenatal cocaine use on electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep patterns, a marker of central nervous system development. The longitudinal study interviewed women at the end of each trimester about cocaine, crack, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drug use. Two- hour paper- and computer-generated EEG sleep recordings were obtained on a sample of the full-term infants on the second day of life and at 1 year postpartum. Eligible newborns were full- term, had received no general anesthesia, and had a 5-minute Apgar score of greater than 5. All infants whose mothers used one or more lines of cocaine during their first trimester or any crack were selected for the EEG study. A comparison group was chosen randomly from the group of women who did not use cocaine or crack during their pregnancy. The 37 women who used cocaine or crack during the first trimester were older, less educated, less likely to be working, and used more tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs than the 34 women who did not use cocaine or crack during the first trimester. There were no differences in infant birthweight, length, head circumference, or gestational age between the two exposure groups. After controlling for the significant covariates, prenatal cocaine exposure was associated with less well-developed spectral correlations between homologous brain regions at birth, and with lower spectral EEG power values at 1 year of age. Prenatal alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use were found to affect state regulation and cortical activities. These results indicate that the neurotoxic effects of prenatal cocaine-crack use can be detected with quantitative EEG measures. 61 references and 6 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: prenatal influences; drug exposed infants; cocaine; sequelae; neurology; neurological impairments; neurological examinations; longitudinal studies

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.pediatrics.org

TITLE: Supervised Visitation: The Families and Their Experiences.

AUTHOR: Pearson, J.; Thoennes, N.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Family and Conciliation Courts Review

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Center for Policy Research, Denver, CO.

SOURCE: 38(1): pp. 123-142; Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA., January 2000

ABSTRACT: Data were collected from reviews of 676 case files and interviews with 201 participating parents to provide a profile of families receiving supervised visitation services, their experiences, and the outcomes from one of four programs. Findings indicate that the visitation programs successfully serve a wide variety of families and garner high ratings of user satisfaction, but half of the families exit without formal closure. Families that drop out receive fewer court hearings and evaluations for the problems that brought them into the programs in the first place, suggesting that they may feel neglected. In most cases that formally exit the program, the visitation situation improves over time, although interviewed parents give mixed reports about their visitation situations after they leave the programs. 13 references and 11 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: visitation; family services; family characteristics; outcomes; program evaluation; model programs; foster care; family reunification

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/

TITLE: Factors Associated With Stress Among Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren.

AUTHOR: Sands, R. G.; Goldberg-Glen, R. S.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Family Relations

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Pennsylvania Univ., Philadelphia. School of Social Work.

SOURCE: 49(1): pp. 97-105; National Council on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN., January 2000

ABSTRACT: This cross-sectional study of 129 grandparents raising their grandchildren examined the extent to which social supports are related to the grandparents' stress (psychological anxiety). The sample included 129 grandparents consisting of 32 African American and 32 white middle aged grandparents; and 34 African American and 31 white older grandparents. Trained female interviewers, matched with interviewees by race, conducted face-to-face interviews with grandparents. Participants were asked sociodemographic information about themselves and others in their household, to describe the circumstances surrounding their becoming surrogate parents, to offer health and life stage information, and to answer questions about supports, stressors, and satisfactions. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that contextual factors, stressors related to caretaking, and lack of supports accounted for 35 percent of the variance. Younger grandparents, children with psychological and physical problems, and low family cohesion were associated with stress. Implications for clinical and educational intervention are discussed. When there was a lack of support and resources, there was heightened psychological anxiety after controlling for background and contextual conditions and caretaking stressors. 5 tables and numerous references. (Author abstract modified)

KEY TERMS: anxiety; grandparents; interviews; psychological stress; family support systems; support systems; caretakers

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.ncfr.com

TITLE: Child Characteristics Which Impact Accuracy of Recall and Suggestibility in Preschoolers: Is Age the Best Predictor?

AUTHOR: Geddie, L.; Fradin, S.; Beer, J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Child Abuse and Neglect

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: East Carolina Univ., Greenville, NC. Dept. of Psychology.

SOURCE: 24(2): pp. 223-235; Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY., February 2000

ABSTRACT: This study determined whether individual difference factors of metamemory, intelligence, and temperament can improve the ability to predict accuracy of recall and suggestibility in preschoolers. Fifty-six children ranging in age from 43 months to 83 months were recruited from 13 child care centers in a rural southwestern town. Children participated in a circus day event conducted by 2 female undergraduate psychology students dressed as clowns. About 10 days after the event, children were interviewed regarding their experiences. Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed in order to determine which factors were related and unique contributors to accuracy of memory and suggestibility. Of principal importance is the finding that child characteristics such as metamemory ability, intellectual functioning, and temperament may indeed be helpful in determining a child's capacity to accurately recall information in an interview, although for the most part age is the best predictor. Findings also underscore the importance of considering a child's socioeconomic status and race when planning and conducting interviews with young children. Possible explanations for these findings as well as implications for future research and clinical application are discussed. 2 tables and numerous references. (Author abstract modified)

KEY TERMS: preschool children; memory; suggestibility; individual characteristics; predictor variables; interviews; intelligence

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

TITLE: Child Welfare Employee Licensure Study Guide.

AUTHOR: Ahern, C.; Bailey, R.; Hamilton, J.; Harris, R. et al.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Illinois State Dept. of Children and Family Services, Springfield. Division of Training and Development.

SOURCE: Illinois State Dept. of Children and Family Services, Springfield. Division of Training and Development., February 2000; 176 pp.

ABSTRACT: This self-study guide was developed to prepare child welfare workers in Illinois to meet licensing standards as required by state law. All investigators, supervisors, and child welfare specialists employed by the Department of Children and Family Services and its contractors must meet practice standards. The guide explains relevant child welfare laws and initiatives and outlines best practices in professionalism, human diversity, human behavior and development, juvenile court system, interviewing, assessment, service planning, documentation, and intervention. Ethics, cultural competence, attachment, parents' and children's rights in juvenile court, interviewing techniques, risk assessment models, investigation procedures, substance abuse and domestic violence, and permanency planning are specifically discussed. The guide includes review questions at the end of each section, as well as a practice exam.

KEY TERMS: child welfare workers; licensing; professional training; staff development; illinois; competency based training; assessment; intervention strategies

PUBLICATION TYPE: Training Material

INTERNET URL: http://www.state.il.us/dcfs

TITLE: OUT OF HOME CARE: RESIDENTIAL CARE AND GROUP HOMES: Selected Articles.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

SOURCE: NCCAN Annotated Bibliographies; 2000

KEY TERMS: orphanages; orphans; social policies; policy formation; child welfare reform; family preservation; outcomes; adoption; funding; child welfare services; institutional abuse and neglect; foster care drift; judicial role; permanency planning; florida; historical perspective; deinstitutionalization; model programs; program descriptions; program development; residential care institutions; welfare reform; political factors; private sector; poverty; therapeutic effectiveness; child placement; economic disadvantage; attitudes; child development; research reviews; psychological characteristics; research methodology; maternal deprivation; foster care; incidence; statistical data; predictor variables; social workers attitudes; public opinion; government role; discipline; state statutory law; federal statutory law; vocational training; state laws; licensing; standards; state surveys; personnel; treatment programs; program models; federal aid; grants; religious organizations; family characteristics; family life; program costs; cost effectiveness; costs; operating expenses; program planning; federal laws; sequelae; residential care; michigan; child welfare research; managed care; residential treatment; program administration; out of home care; foster children; direct service providers; emotionally disturbed children; behavior modification; therapeutic intervention; intervention strategies; service delivery; program evaluation; family programs; shared family care; adolescent sex offenders; sex offenders therapy; hispanics; american indians; african americans; models; parenting; group dynamics; control; interviews; adolescents; focus groups; family therapy; canada; cultural conflicts; residential schools; environmental stress; trauma; counselors; disclosure; mental health services; social services; mental disorders; institutions

PUBLICATION TYPE: Annotated Bibliography

INTRODUCTION:    This annotated bibliography is a product of the National Clearinghouse
on Child Abuse and Neglect Information. The references have been selected
from thousands of materials available in our database to provide you with
the most up-to-date information related to child victims, witnesses, and
perpetrators of violence.

This bibliography looks at prevention, intervention and treatment issues
in relation to the impacts of violence on children. It is presented in
three sections: children as victims of violence, children as witnesses of
violence, and children and adolescents as perpetrators of violence.
Although many references cover more than one subject area, each citation
is listed only once in this bibliography, primarily under its major
subject heading.

All documents in this bibliography are contained in the Clearinghouse
library and are referenced following the format of the American
Psychological Association (APA). Authors, titles, publication dates and
publishers are provided within this format for each reference. We are
not, however, able to provide photocopies of all materials due to
copyright restrictions. Copies of publications that are not copyrighted,
such as Government publications, grant reports, or unpublished papers,
are available from the Clearinghouse for a reproduction fee of $0.10 per
page. Journal articles and chapters in books are copyrighted and may be
found at research or university libraries.

Information Specialists can answer questions about copyright status and
ordering information, as well as guide you in selecting materials from
this bibliography or suggest other materials that may be useful to you.
In addition, Specialists are available to conduct customized searches
of Clearinghouse databases for a base fee of $5.00 plus $.20 per record.

For more information, please contact

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information
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Washington, DC 20447
Tel.: (800)394-3366 or 703-385-7565
Fax:   703-385-3206
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INTERNET URL: http://www.calib.com/nccanch

TITLE: Legislation Requiring or Authorizing Joint Investigations and Cooperation Between Law Enforcement and Child Protection Agencies in Child Abuse Cases (Current through December 31, 1999): Kentucky.

INST. AUTHOR: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INFORMATION; NATIONAL CENTER FOR PROSECUTION OF CHILD ABUSE

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Investigations Number 14

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children's Bureau; NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INFORMATION 330 C Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20447, (703) 385-7565 Outside Metropolitan Area: (800) FYI-3366; NATIONAL CENTER FOR PROSECUTION OF CHILD ABUSE 99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA, 22314, (703) 739-0321

SOURCE: In: Authorization for Joint Investigations

KEY TERMS: Statute; Kentucky; Abuse; advocate; Child; Child Abuse; Child Abuse Cases; Child Protection Agencies; Commission; conduct; Cooperation; Court; Department; Investigation; Joint Investigation; Law Enforcement; Legislation; offense; professional; services; treatment

PUBLICATION TYPE: Statutes

INTERNET URL: http://www.ndaa-apri.org

TITLE: Legislation Mandating or Authorizing the Creation of Multidisciplinary/Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (Current through December 31, 1999): Kentucky.

INST. AUTHOR: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INFORMATION; NATIONAL CENTER FOR PROSECUTION OF CHILD ABUSE

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Investigations Number 15

SOURCE: In: Authorization for Multidisciplinary Team

KEY TERMS: Statute; Kentucky; Abuse; advocate; Agency; assessment; Child; child's welfare; Commission; conduct; Court; Creation; Department; Legislation; Multi-Agency; Multidisciplinary team; Multidisciplinary/Multi-Agency; offense; professional; services; treatment

PUBLICATION TYPE: Statutes

INTERNET URL: http://www.ndaa-apri.org

TITLE: Legislation Mandating or Authorizing the Creation of Multidisciplinary/Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (Current through December 31, 1999): Oklahoma.

INST. AUTHOR: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INFORMATION; NATIONAL CENTER FOR PROSECUTION OF CHILD ABUSE

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

JOURNAL TITLE: Investigations Number 15

SOURCE: In: Authorization for Multidisciplinary Team

KEY TERMS: Statute; Oklahoma; Abuse; Agency; Child; Child Abuse; Creation; Department; Director; Human Services; jeopardy; Legislation; Multi-Agency; Multidisciplinary/Multi-Agency; neglect; professional; services; treatment

PUBLICATION TYPE: Statutes

INTERNET URL: http://www.ndaa-apri.org

TITLE: Interviewing Ethnic Children and Families About Child Maltreatment.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

ABSTRACT: Fontes teaches how to help diverse ethnic children speak as comfortably and accurately as possible about experiences of child abuse and neglect. She discusses building rapport with children and families of diverse backgrounds, and how to conduct interviews with children who do not speak English. This tape will help professionals who work with immigrant children, including social workers, forensic interviewers, psychotherapists, law enforcement professionals, physicians, nurses, educators, and attorneys.

TARGET AUDIENCE: professionals

KEY TERMS: ethnic groups; child neglect; interviews; professional personnel

PUBLICATION TYPE: Audiotape

YEAR: 2000

INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/

BROAD TERMS: Child Welfare

TITLE: Patterns of Abuse: Exploding the Cycle.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000

ABSTRACT: This video explores the link between animal abuse and human cruelty. Experts and survivors are interviewed about the various forms of abuse, its effect on society, and intervention tactics necessary to stop the cycle of violence.

TARGET AUDIENCE: professionals; general public

KEY TERMS: animal cruelty

PUBLICATION TYPE: Videotape

YEAR: 2000

INTERNET URL: http://www.pyramidmedia.com

BROAD TERMS: Public Awareness

TITLE: Mandated Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse: Ethics, Law, and Policy.

AUTHOR: Kalichman, S. C.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Wisconsin Medical Coll., Milwaukee. Dept. of Psychiatry and Mental Health Sciences.

SOURCE: Second Edition. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC., 1999; p. 48

ABSTRACT: This guide for human services professionals explores the legal, ethical, and practice implications of mandatory reporting laws. The first section reviews the evolution of child abuse reporting laws and outlines the ethical dilemmas faced by professionals who are required to report suspected cases of abuse. Concepts of duty to warn, confidentiality, informed consent, diluting professional roles, the effects of reporting on child and family services, and conflicts between reporting laws and ethical standards are explained. Section Two explains therapeutic aspects of mandatory reporting laws and uses case studies to illustrate reasons that professionals may or may not report abuse. The final section presents guidelines for each stepof the reporting process, from interviewing children and informing parents and guardians to working with child abuse investigators. Ethical standards, definitions, and a hierarchical approach to managing uncertainty are discussed. Numerous references, 12 figures, and 10 tables.

KEY TERMS: mandatory reporting; ethics; public policy; reporting procedures; state statutory law; decision making; confidentiality; sequelae

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.apa.org/

TITLE: Materials for Interviewing-Questioning Children.

AUTHOR: Walker, A. G.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

SOURCE: Presented at: ABA Ninth National Conference on Children and the Law, Washington, DC, April 8-10, 1999. American Bar Association, Washington, DC. Center on Children and the Law.; p. 85

ABSTRACT: This document contains several papers prepared to help interviewers ask children about alleged child abuse and neglect experiences. The materials include a checklist, facts about children's language skills, guidelines for interviews, and a bibliography about the preparation and interviewing of child witnesses and testimonial aspects of child witnesses. Emphasis is placed on assessing the development and language skills of the child and forming questions that are clear and understandable. Interviewers are advised to ask simple questions, avoid legal terminology and abstract concepts, and be clear about the meanings of pronouns and literal language. 16 references.

KEY TERMS: child witnesses; interviews; leading questions; suggestibility; testimony; child development; language development; best practices

PUBLICATION TYPE: Technical Report

TITLE: Coordination of Family Preservation Services in a Rural Community: A Case Study.

AUTHOR: Freer, R.; Wells, K.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Family Preservation Journal

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Arkansas State Univ., Jonesboro. Dept. of Social Work.

SOURCE: 4(2): pp. 53-74; Eddie Bowers Publishing, Inc., Dubuque, IA., 1999; p. 147

ABSTRACT: This case study examined the aspects of communities, human service agencies, workers, and families that affect the coordination of family preservation services in a rural area. Information was sought from all workers who provided services to each of five families and from the families' case records. Thirty-one workers were interviewed with a semi-structured instrument containing rating scales and questions with open-ended response formats. Analyses of data from the interviews andcase records revealed that services were coordinated to a moderate degree but that coordination deteriorated over time. Although workers met together frequently to review cases, there was no case in which all of the workers were present at the same meeting. The discussions usually addressed how to find services for families instead of how those services contributed to the overall treatment plan. Implications of findings for future research are reviewed in the article. 39 references and 3 tables. (Author abstract modified)

KEY TERMS: family preservation; service coordination; interagency collaboration; program descriptions; rural environment; community role; agency role; family role

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

TITLE: Foster Parents' Understanding of Children's Problematic Attachment Strategies: The Need for Therapeutic Responsiveness.

AUTHOR: Tyrrell, C.; Dozier, M.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Adoption Quarterly

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Delaware Univ., Newark. Dept. of Psychology.

SOURCE: 2(4): pp. 49-64; Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 1999; p. 165

ABSTRACT: Foster mothers and biological mothers were interviewed regarding their understanding of children's insecure attachment strategies and their knowledge of foster care issues. In addition, parent sensitivity was assessed and case workers in the foster care system reported on foster mothers' effectiveness. As expected, foster mothers reported significantly more attachment-related difficulties with their foster children than biological mothers reported with their natural children. Foster mothers were not significantly different from biological mothers in their understanding of attachment strategies, knowledge about foster care issues, or sensitivity. Case workers' reports of foster parent effectiveness were significantly related to foster parents' knowledge about foster care issues but were not significantly related to parents' understanding of attachment strategies. The importance of sensitivity to attachment issues among foster parents is discussed in the article. 37 references and 2 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: foster parents; birth mothers; behavior problems; attachment behavior; intervention; parenting skills; parental reactions; foster care research

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com

TITLE: Effective Interviewing of Children: A Comprehensive Guide for Counselors and Human Service Workers.

AUTHOR: Zwiers, M.; Morrissette, P.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Markham-Stouffville Hospital, Toronto, ON (Canada). Mental Health Services.

SOURCE: Taylor and Francis, Philadelphia, PA., 1999; p. 175

ABSTRACT: This book provides guidelines for conducting child-focused interviews for assessment, research, or legal purposes. The first two chapters outline child and professional variables that influence the quality of interviews. Emphasis is placed on understanding child development and the rapport between the child and the professional. The remaining chapters discuss practical considerations for interviews with children, the use of language, issues for special circumstances, and the ethics of interviewing. Recommendations for the research interview and diagnostic clinical interviews are also presented. Specific topics include: establishing rapport; timing of the interview; recording; pacing; types of questions; working with challenging children; aggression and withdrawal; data collection and analysis; informed consent; custody evaluation; child abuse; and psychopharmacology. Numerous references and 1 table.

KEY TERMS: interviews; evaluation methods; assessment; suggestibility; credibility; social workers role; communication techniques; leading questions

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

TITLE: Epidemiology of Family Violence Involving Children.

AUTHOR: Haugaard, J. J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. Dept. of Human Development.

SOURCE: In: Ammerman, R. T.; Hersen, M. (Editors). Assessment of Family Violence: A Clinical and Legal Sourcebook, Second Edition. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA., 1999; p. 185

ABSTRACT: This chapter summarizes the data from epidemiological studies of family violence involving children as victims and as aggressors. The studies of children as victims of physical and sexual abuse are categorized as community or national samples of households; cases reported to child protective services or other agencies; and research using college students as subjects. Although comparisons between studies are difficult because of differences in methodology and definitions, data from national or community samples indicate that 2 percent to 3 percent of all children are seriously physically abused by a parent. Data about sexual abuse is less consistent in these types of studies. Research with samples of identified victims suggests that reports of child abuse increased significantly from 1970 to 1992. Young children and children from low-income families are at greatest risk of maltreatment. Studies of college students are limited by the selectiveness of the sample and concerns about its representativeness to the general population. However, three studies indicate that 6 percent to 8 percent of undergraduates had been sexually abused by a father or father-figure. Finally, two nationally-based studies collected data about violence inflicted on parents by their children. In both studies, 9 percent of parents or children interviewed reported some type of parental abuse. 45 references.

KEY TERMS: epidemiology; family violence; child witnesses of family violence; statistical data; prevalence; incidence; literature reviews; research reviews

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.josseybass.com

TITLE: Physical Punishment by Mothers and Fathers in British Homes.

AUTHOR: Nobes, G.; Smith, M.; Upton, P.; Heverin, A.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Interpersonal Violence

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: University of East London (England). Dept. of Psychology.

SOURCE: 14(8): pp. 887-902; Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA., August 1999; p. 238

ABSTRACT: The relative extent to which mothers and fathers administer physical punishment sheds light on family relationships, parental roles and, perhaps, the identity of potential abusers. In this study, 362 British mothers and 103 fathers of randomly selected children from 366 two-parent families were interviewed. According to self-reports, the proportions of mothers and fathers who had used physical punishments were similar, as were the frequencies with which they used them. About 50 percent more mothers than fathers smacked or hit their children weekly or more often, whereas fathers were more prone to restrain or push their children. A nonsignificantly higher proportion of fathers than mothers had used severe punishment. Fathers whotook an equal share in caretaking used no more frequent or severe physical punishments than did mothers. These findings are compared with those of previous studies and discussed in terms of mothers and fathers caretaking and disciplinarian roles in different families. 31 references and 2 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: great britain; punishment; corporal punishment; physical abuse; incidence; mothers; fathers; child abuse research

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/

TITLE: Childhood Victimization, Running Away, and Delinquency.

AUTHOR: Kaufman, J. G.; Widom, C. S.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

SOURCE: 36(4): pp. 347-370; Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA., November 1999; p. 243

ABSTRACT: This study examines the interrelationship among childhood victimization, running away, and delinquency, and whether running away served to mediate or moderate this relationship. Data are from a prospective cohorts design study in which documented cases of childhood abuse and neglect were compared to matched controls, and followed-up and interviewed between 1989 and 1995. Results indicate that being abused or neglected in childhood increases the likelihood that a youth will runaway fromhome, both childhood victimization and running away increase the risk of juvenile arrest, and chronic runaways were at greater risk of arrest as juveniles. Furthermore, running away does not mediate the relationship between childhood victimization and delinquency, because running away increases the risk of juvenile arrest for both childhood victims and nonvictims. The effect of running away is stronger for nonabused and nonneglected youths than for abused and neglected children. Implications of these findings for research and policy are discussed. 41 references, 3 figures, and 5 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: juvenile delinquency; runaway children; child abuse history; sequelae; predictor variables; risk factors; child abuse research; utilization

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.sagepub.com/

TITLE: Secret-Keeping Behaviors of Black and White Children as a Function of Interviewer Race, Racial Identity, and Risk for Abuse.

AUTHOR: Dunkerley, G. K.; Dalenberg, C. J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Trauma Research Institute, San Diego, CA.

SOURCE: 2(2): pp. 13-35; Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 1999; p. 319

ABSTRACT: The tendency for children to keep the secret of child abuse is an important practical impediment to adequate research, prevention, assessment, and treatment. While some studies have established that children will readily keep adult secrets, few have investigated the predictors of ease of disclosure. In this research, race of the interviewer requesting the secret strongly affected disclosure, with Black children particularly showing an unwillingness to disclose a negative secret to a different race interviewer. Children at high risk for sexual abuse (as assessed by the Finkelhor checklist) also were more likely to keep the secret. 53 references and 4 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: disclosure; children at risk; racial factors; racial identity; interviews; child abuse research; child witnesses; sexual abuse

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com

TITLE: Questioning Children Who May Have Been Sexually Abused: An Integration of Research Into

AUTHOR: Faller, K. C.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor. School of Social Work.

SOURCE: 2(2): pp. 37-59; Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 1999; p. 320

ABSTRACT: This article derives from an Open Forum on Leading Questions sponsored by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. It represents the thoughts of participants in the Open Forum, and the article attempts to integrate analogue research that relates to questioning children about past events into questioning practice with children who may have been sexually abused. It proposes a continuum of questions that includes four categories: most preferred; preferred; less preferred; and least preferred. General and invitational questions are most preferred, while presumptive questions and use of coercion are least preferred methods of interviewing. 37 references and 1 table. (Author abstract modified)

KEY TERMS: interviews; sexual abuse; child abuse research; leading questions; assessment; child witnesses; suggestibility; best practices

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com

TITLE: Addressing Challenges and Controversies in Child Sexual Abuse Interviewing: The Forensic Evaluation Protocol and Research Project.

AUTHOR: Carnes, C. N.; Nelson-Gardell, D.; Wilson, C.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: National Children's Advocacy Center, Huntsville, AL.

SOURCE: 2(2): pp. 82-103; Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 1999; p. 322

ABSTRACT: This article describes a forensic evaluation protocol, designed at the National Children s Advocacy Center (NCAC). The means by which the NCAC forensic evaluation protocol addresses the challenges and controversies inherent in the fieldof sexual abuse allegation assessment are discussed. Results of a two-year study are reported, in which efficacy of the protocol is demonstrated in three areas: in gathering facts to validate true abuse, thus assisting the child protective and legal systems in case decision making; in determining when initial concerning statements of children are actually not due to sexual abuse, but to other events or circumstances; and in uncovering false allegations and vindicating the falsely accused. A multi-site research project currently underway that involves more than 40 Children s Advocacy Centers across the United States, which will further test the efficacy of the model and further refine practice, is described. The multi-site project will also include data on the evaluators own abuse history and whether or not this affects evaluation outcomes. 33 references and 2 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: sexual abuse; interviews; forensic psychiatry; protocols; assessment; false allegations; program evaluation; validity

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com

TITLE: Overcoming Obstacles to Just Evaluation and Successful Prosecution of Multivictim Cases.

AUTHOR: Dalenberg, C. J.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Trauma Research Institute, San Diego, CA.

SOURCE: 2(2): pp. 141-163; Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY., 1999; p. 324

ABSTRACT: The multivictim case presents special difficulties for the child protection system, including enhanced probability of multiple interviews and potential contamination of children s narratives by a variety of sources. Further, multivictimcases have been empirically shown to be more likely to involve severely abused children, fantastic claims, and other complicating factors. This paper presents several complications likely to arise in such cases and a number of potential routes to mitigate the problems that occur. The complications include the impact of repeated interviews and delayed interviews, the use of leading questions, bizarre detail disclosed by the child, allegations of extreme trauma or abuse, contamination of testimony,the involvement of the child s therapist, advocacy groups and the media, and accusations against the interviewer. 46 references and 6 tables. (Author abstract modified)

KEY TERMS: multivictim cases; investigations; barriers; memory; interviews; protocols; testimony; suggestibility

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com

TITLE: Maternal Disciplinary Practices in an At-Risk Population.

AUTHOR: Socolar, R. S.; Winsor, J.; Hunter, W. M.; Catellier, D.; Kotch, J. B.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

JOURNAL TITLE: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill. Dept. of Pediatrics.

SOURCE: 153: pp. 927-934; American Medical Association, Chicago, IL., September 1999; p. 392

ABSTRACT: A total of 186 maternal caregivers were interviewed for this study of factors associated with the disciplinary practices of mothers in at-risk families. A measure, based on coding parental responses, was used to assess disciplinary practices of mothers of 7- to 9-year old children for 5 different misbehaviors. Limit setting was the most commonly used disciplinary practice for 4 of 5 misbehaviors, with 63 percent of mothers reporting that this method generally worked best. Spanking was more likely used as a secondary response for each misbehavior, when the primary one had not succeeded. Conversely, teaching or verbal assertion was always less likely as a secondary response. Teaching or verbal assertion was used more commonly for lying than for any other misbehavior, limit setting for disobeying, spanking for stealing, and spanking with an object for being disrespectful. Regression modeling for the 4 most common disciplinary practices showed that black race, lack of Aid to Families with Dependent Children receipt, more-educated mothers, and female sex of the child were associated with higher use of teaching or verbal assertion; a biological father in the home was associated with less use of limit setting; and black race and report for child maltreatment were associated with more use of mild spanking. The findings indicated that disciplinary practices varied depending on the type of misbehavior and other contextual factors, including child, parent, and family characteristics. 51 references and 5 tables. (Author abstract)

KEY TERMS: discipline; punishment; risk factors; families at risk; longitudinal studies; mothers; predictor variables; child abuse research

PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal Article

INTERNET URL: http://www.ama-assn.org/peds

TITLE: Novices, Old Hands and Professionals: A Study of Adoption by Single People.

AUTHOR: Owen, M.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Sussex Univ., Brighton (United Kingdom). School of Cultural and Community Studies.

SOURCE: British Agencies For Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 1999; p. 411

ABSTRACT: Thirty single parents and the 48 children they adopted were interviewed for a study of the process and outcomes of adoption by single adults. Parents and children were interviewed separately as well as together about their adoption +; experience. Data were also collected from a review of agency case records. Topics of the study included the characteristics of adopters, attitudes of agencies, the approval process, post-placement child care, employment and finances, family and community+; relationships, changes in the family, contact with the birth family, and placement outcomes. Overall, the placements were successful and relationships between the adoptive parents and children were very good. The adoptive parents were very attentive to +; the children and advocated on their behalf for services. All parties reported commitment and satisfaction with the adoption. The final chapter of the book outlines recommendations for policy and practice. Numerous references, 3 figures, and 13 +; tables.

KEY TERMS: adoption; single adoptive parents; single parent families; adoption research; adoption process; post adoption services; adoption outcomes; post adoption contact

PUBLICATION TYPE: Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk

TITLE: The Sibling Relationships of Adopted Children and Patterns of Contact After Adoption.

AUTHOR: Neil, E.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: University of East Anglia, Norwich (United Kingdom). School of Social Work.

SOURCE: In: Mullender, A. (Editor). We Are Family: Sibling Relationships in Placement and Beyond. British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 1999; p. 568

ABSTRACT: More than 120 adopted children were interviewed for this study about their relationships with their birth siblings, patterns of contact, and factors influencing contact arrangements. Of the 85 children with siblings, 39 percent had fullsiblings, 76 percent had half-siblings with the same mother, and 34 percent of the children had half siblings with the same father. Twenty-two percent had one sibling, 22 percent had two siblings, 18 percent had three siblings, 15 percent had four siblings, and 22 percent had five to ten siblings. Approximately one-third of the children with brothers and sisters were placed with at least one of their siblings. Reasons for the lack of placement with siblings included: the siblings were not in care or adopted; siblings did not enter care at the same time; and the siblings had never lived together. However, approximately half of the children with siblings had one or more brothers and sisters who were also in placement and 76 percent had siblings whowere living with a birth parent or relative. Forty-two percent of the children with siblings had some sort of contact with all of their siblings. Twenty-three percent reported contact with only some of their siblings and 35 percent had no contact with brothers, sisters, or parents. The adopted children in the study were more likely to have face-to-face contact with their siblings if their brothers and sisters were also in placement. Indirect contact was more common with siblings who still lived with the birth parents. Contact with siblings who had the same father was rarer than contact with siblings who shared the same mother. Implications of the study for research and practice are discussed.

KEY TERMS: sibling relationships; adopted children; visitation; adoption research; birth

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk

TITLE: Sibling Separation and Contact in Permanent Placing.

AUTHOR: Dance, C.; Rushton, A.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: King's College, London (United Kingdom). Institute of Psychiatry.

SOURCE: In: Mullender, A. (Editor). We Are Family: Sibling Relationships in Placement and Beyond. British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 1999; p. 592

ABSTRACT: The characteristics of 32 singly placed children and 40 sibling groups were examined in this study to determine how decisions are made to place children singly or in groups and what plans are made to ensure contact between separated siblings. Data collected one year after the permanent placement was made indicated that most placements were an extension of previous placements. Only two of the singly placed children were separated from siblings with whom they had been placed. Six of the sibling group placements were reunions after separation. Eleven of the 32 singly placed children and 13 of the 40 sibling groups had one or more siblings living in a different placement. These separations were attributed to different times of placement or placement availability. In some cases, problems were identified with the behavior of one child or the interaction between children. The tolerance and commitment of caregivers and caseworkers may influence decisions about the separation of children with behavior problems. Plans for face-to-face contact between separated siblings were made for 29 of the 72 placements in the sample. Two other cases had plans for contact by mail. Social workers interviewed for the study indicated that lack ofcontact with siblings is problematic for placed children especially those who are placed alone. Feedback from caseworkers and parents about actual contacts during the first year of placement was positive. 9 references, 3 figures, and 3 tables.

KEY TERMS: adoption research; sibling relationships; siblings; visitation; separation; birth families; outcomes; decision making

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk

TITLE: Single Adopters and Sibling Groups.

AUTHOR: Owen, M.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Sussex Univ., Brighton (United Kingdom). School of Cultural and Community Studies.

SOURCE: In: Mullender, A. (Editor). We Are Family: Sibling Relationships in Placement and Beyond. British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 1999; p. 601

ABSTRACT: Thirty single adoptive parents and their adopted children in Great Britain were interviewed to explore the structure of single adoptive families and the characteristics of sibling relationships in those families. Twenty-eight of the single parents were women and the majority had professional qualifications in health, education, or social welfare. All of the adoptive parents began by adopting one child. Twelve subsequently adopted a second child and seven more planned to adopt at least one other child. The additional adoptions took into careful consideration the needs of the first adopted child and the parent's desire for their child to have sibling relationships. One-third of the children had contact with their birth siblings either as part of parental contact or with only their brothers and sisters. The adopters supported these relationships because they realized the importance of attachment for their adopted children. The older birth children also provided support to their adopted brothers and sisters as their extended family. Overall, single parent adoptions were determined to be successful and further consideration of single parents by adoption agencies is recommended. 13 references.

KEY TERMS: siblings; adoptive parents; single adoptive parents; adoption research; sibling relationships; visitation; family relationships; great britain

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk

TITLE: Adult Birth Siblings: Who Are They and Why Do They Search?

AUTHOR: Pavlovic, A.; Mullender, A.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: University Coll., Northampton (United Kingdom). Dept. of Sociology.

SOURCE: In: Mullender, A. (Editor). We Are Family: Sibling Relationships in Placement and Beyond. British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 1999; p. 603

ABSTRACT: Twenty-four individuals searching for siblings through the Adoption Contact Register for England and Wales were interviewed about their motivations for searching for siblings, the meaning of sibling relationships, and the implications of sibling relationships for policy and practice. The participants were from a wide range of care experiences, including conventional families, stepfamilies, kinship care, adoption, foster care, group homes, and orphanages. Although sibling status did not matter to the individuals seeking half- or stepsiblings, it was important to those looking for full siblings (both parents in common). Participants described the following elements in their attempts to identify what it means to be a sibling: blood ties; lifelong relationships; shared history; childhood memories of siblings; the need to resolve a personal emotional issue; and parental feelings toward the missing sibling. The intense feelings of loss experienced by the searchers demonstrates the need to reform legal and social work practices to preserve sibling relationships. 5 references.

KEY TERMS: siblings; sibling relationships; birth families; adopted adults; reunions; search for birth children; adoption research; reunion registries

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk

TITLE: Looking Back: Childhood Separations Revisited.

AUTHOR: Prynn, B.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: University of East London, Essex (United Kingdom). Centre for Adoption and Identity Studies.

SOURCE: In: Mullender, A. (Editor). We Are Family: Sibling Relationships in Placement and Beyond. British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, London (United Kingdom)., 1999; p. 605

ABSTRACT: Individuals aged 30-90 were interviewed about the lifelong impact of separation from siblings. The interviewees reported a wide variety of circumstances, from locating a sibling after her death to continuous contact between siblings living in different households. Sibling relationships were very important to these study participants as sources of support and identity. Long-term separations often resulted in feelings of isolation, severed bonds between siblings, and unsuccessful reunions. A few of the interviewees were able to establish relationships with their siblings. Participants who were raised in foster homes sometimes formed sibling-type relationships with the other foster children in the home. 19 references.

KEY TERMS: siblings; sibling relationships; separation; adoption research; adopted adults; lifelong impact; reunion; foster families

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.baaf.org.uk

TITLE: Comparing Mothers of Children in Kinship Foster Care: Reunification vs. Remaining in Care.

AUTHOR: Harris, M. S.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Illinois Univ., Chicago. Jane Addams Coll. of Social Work.

SOURCE: In: Gleason, J.; Hairston, C. F. (Editors). Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research. Child Welfare League of America, Washington, DC., 1999; p. 655

ABSTRACT: Twenty African American mothers of children with experience in kinship foster care were interviewed to identify differences in the characteristics and constructs of mothers whose children return home and mothers whose children remain incare. Ten mothers in the reunification sample and 10 mothers in the placement sample were asked about demographic characteristics, involvement with the child welfare system, problems and strengths that influenced their ability to care for their children, object relations, severity of substance abuse problems, and the availability of support from extended family. Findings indicated that the women whose children had been returned to them had higher incomes and were more likely to be employed thanthe women whose children remained in care. The mothers of reunified children also had less severe drug problems and mental illness. No statistically significant differences were found in object relations or the quality of support from extended family members. Mean rankings revealed slightly higher levels of development and positive maternal relationships among the reunified mothers. The implications of these findings for policy and research are discussed. 34 references and 4 tables.

KEY TERMS: kinship care; family characteristics; birth mothers; predictor variables; family reunification; demography; african americans; child welfare research

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.cwla.org

TITLE: The Effect of Caregiver Preparation and Sense of Control on Adaptation of Kinship Caregivers.

AUTHOR: Petras, D. D.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Illinois Univ., Chicago. Jane Addams Coll. of Social Work.

SOURCE: In: Gleason, J.; Hairston, C. F. (Editors). Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research. Child Welfare League of America, Washington, DC., 1999; p. 658

ABSTRACT: Eighty kinship care providers were interviewed for this study to determine the impact of preparation and sense of control on satisfaction with the kinship care arrangement. Participants were asked about experience caring for children, relationships with caseworkers, family health, depression, satisfaction, and child behavior. A positive correlation was found between caregiver depression and child behavior problems, and between caregiver satisfaction and the denial of responsibility for success. The association between denial of responsibility and satisfaction is attributed to the cultural history of African Americans, the absolution of responsibility for the behavior of the children's parents, and the spiritual faith of the caregivers. These findings can be used to develop policies and services that will support kinship caregivers. 39 references.

KEY TERMS: kinship care; foster parents; foster parents training; foster parent retention; outcomes; control; child behavior; child welfare research

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.cwla.org

TITLE: Child Rearing Perspectives of Grandparent Caregivers.

AUTHOR: Osby, O.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Illinois Univ., Chicago. Jane Addams Coll. of Social Work.

SOURCE: In: Gleason, J.; Hairston, C. F. (Editors). Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research. Child Welfare League of America, Washington, DC., 1999; p. 776

ABSTRACT: Ten grandparent kinship caregivers were interviewed for this study to examine the reasons for placement and the world views of grandparents who take on parenting responsibilities for their grandchildren. The ethnographic interview facilitated information-sharing about the grandparents' background, life experiences, child rearing beliefs, and values regarding family and home. Perceptions of the legal and child welfare systems and recommendations for reform were also solicited. Mostreported that they agreed to take care of their grandchild or great-grandchild because of the substance abuse or maltreatment behavior of the child's parents. Many of the grandparents had taken care of the child before. Some believed that their role in life was to care for children, while others resisted the responsibility. Few could name other relatives who could care for the children. Caregivers who did have support from family members were the most satisfied with their role. Other caregivers had no support from the family, friends, church, or community and felt very isolated. Many of the grandparents expressed frustration with the court process and the rights retained by the parents. Some felt that the rules and regulations for kinship care providers were too restrictive and that their parenting experience was not valued. This world view analysis can be used to inform assessment procedures, formulate a relevant service plan, and create innovative interventions. 13 references.

KEY TERMS: kinship care; grandparents; child rearing; parenting; parental attitudes; child welfare services; family support systems; case studies

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.cwla.org

TITLE: Casework Practice With Fathers of Children in Kinship Foster Care.

AUTHOR: O'Donnell, J. M.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Illinois Univ., Urbana-Champaign. School of Social Work.

SOURCE: In: Gleason, J.; Hairston, C. F. (Editors). Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research. Child Welfare League of America, Washington, DC., 1999; p. 777

ABSTRACT: This study examined the characteristics of caseworkers that affect their work with the birth fathers of children in kinship care. Fifty-four caseworkers were interviewed about case assessment procedures, permanency planning activities, service provision, frequency and content of contacts with the child and family, and consultations on 100 cases. Almost two-thirds of the caseworkers participating in the study reported that they had no contact with the father of the focus child during the previous six months. Only 2 percent of fathers were involved in the most recent case review and 6 percent provided input for the most recent service plan. No correlations were found between the involvement of the father and caseworker characteristicsof race, length of professional experience, or size of caseload. Fathers of children placed with paternal relatives had more contact with caseworkers and were more involved in planning and service delivery than the fathers of children placed with material relatives. Few caseworkers attempted to involve fathers or noted the lack of paternal participation in case records, supervisory meetings, or discussions with the fathers' families. Limitations and implications of the study are described in the chapter. 23 references and 7 tables.

KEY TERMS: kinship care; birth fathers; caseworkers; attitudes; case management; individual characteristics; service delivery; assessment

PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter in Book

INTERNET URL: http://www.cwla.org

TITLE: Caregiver Burden in Kinship Foster Care.

AUTHOR: Cimmarusti, R. A.

PUBLICATION YEAR: 1999

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL. Dept. of Counseling Psychology.

SOURCE: In: Gleason, J.; Hairston, C. F. (Editors). Kinship Care: Improving Practice Through Research. Child Welfare League of America, Washington, DC., 1999; p. 778

ABSTRACT: Sixty-three kinship care providers were interviewed for this study to examine the relationship between the burden and social support felt by caregivers and their emotional distress (defined as depression, anxiety, hostility, somatization, obsessive-compulsiveness, phobic anxiety, and psychoticism). Instruments included the Caregiver Burden Inventory, the Social Support Appraisal Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Emotional distress varied widely among caregivers. No relationship was found between social support and caregiver burden or emotional distress. However, the Social Support Appraisal Scale may not have measured the types of support that are most important to kinship caregivers. The caregivers expressed a need for love and acceptance, as well as advice, money, food, other tangible goods, and spirituality. Major concerns noted by interviewees