Charlene Cook

Interventions to Prevent and Reduce Cyber Abuse of Youth: A Systematic Review

Objectives: The Internet has created a new communication tool, particularly for young people whose use of electronic communication is exploding worldwide. While there are many benefits that result from electronic-based communication, the Internet is concurrently a potential site for abuse and victimization. Methods: This paper systematically reviews the effectiveness of cyber abuse interventions in increasing Internet safety knowledge and decreasing risky online behavior. Results: Significant results were found between pre- and posttest scores related to Internet safety knowledge. Most results related to risky online behavior were not significant. Conclusions: Results provide evidence that participation in psychoeducational Internet safety interventions is associated with an increase in Internet safety knowledge but is not significantly associated with a change in risky online behavior.

Women's health theorizing: a call for epistemic action

The womens health community is challenged by global social and economic pressures. In order to ensure the salience of their empirical and theoretical research, womens health researchers are struggling with an analysis of what has successfully typified womens health and a critical awareness of the pressures that will mark its future. For many researchers, this has provoked a quest for new womens health paradigms to inform and spur action regarding the future of womens health. Re-theorizing womens health cannot be successful in the absence of an analysis of the epistemological orientation of womens health research. However, little has been done to examine these epistemological roots. This paper examines the historic epistemological foundation of womens health research in order to facilitate an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of womens health. This review is intended to guide future epistemic action necessary to advance the field of womens health research and highlight current efforts that may support work in this field.

Expanding the Playroom: School-Based Treatment for Maltreated Children

The aim of this article is to report on a qualitative study of a school-based ecological treatment intervention for maltreated children and to articulate best practice guidelines. Sixty-three interviews were conducted at 6, 12, and 18 months with parents, teachers, and therapists of 11 maltreated children, exploring the childs development, the influence of therapy on the family, and the therapists relationship with teachers and parents. Findings indicated that the treatment was effective in improving the childrens emotional, social, and academic functioning. An ecological treatment approach requires team building which in turn requires flexibility, consultation, and two-way communication between therapists and others. Implications for practice are presented.

Research Note--A Pilot Cyber Counseling Course in a Graduate Social Work Program.

Cyber counseling is a new and growing medium for offering mental health services to children and youth. However, there is a lack of identification of the core competencies required to provide effective online counseling. A school of social work, in partnership with a national service agency providing online counseling to children and youth, developed and offered a 13-week course to participating MSW social work students and agency staff. The development of online counseling competencies was assessed through individual interviews with participants and a content analysis of online posts. Participants scored well in areas of assessment and intervention. Challenges were identified in relationship building within an online environment. This research was funded by Bell Canada.