Rodney A. Ellis

Impact of an intergenerational program on 4th graders' attitudes toward elders and school behaviors

Abstract The rapid growth of the elderly population coupled with research demonstrating the existence of ageist stereotypes even among very young children have led to the rise of intergenerational programs. Very limited research has been conducted, however, to demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs in producing attitudinal change or other beneficial outcomes for at-risk children. This study examined the impact of an intergenerational program on childrens attitudes toward elders and on their school-based behaviors. Eighty-one 4th grade children enrolled in an inner-city school participated in the study. Forty-one children, with matched seniors partners, engaged in activities based on the 4th grade core curriculum within an outdoor classroom environment, while the remaining 40 children participated in usual core curriculum activities. At the conclusion of the program those children who participated in the program had significantly more positive attitudes towards the elderly and significantly better school behavioral grades than did non-participating students. Impli-

Profile-Based Intervention: Developing Gender-Sensitive Treatment for Adolescent Substance Abusers

Objective To identify differential treatment profiles between genders among adolescent substance abusers and make treatment recommendations based on those profiles, if identified. Method The sample included 137 adolescents in a residential treatment facility. Psychosocial Problems and problem behaviors were examined using a cluster analysis of 23 variables. When differential profiles were identified, the literature was reviewed for treatment implications. Results: Important implications for treatment based on the profiles were identified and discussed. Conclusions The current study suggests that treatment for adolescent substance abusers should have different characteristics for each gender. The findings have important implications for micro, policy, and research practitioners.

Optimizing Treatment Effects for Substance-Abusing Women With Children: An Evaluation of the Susan B. Anthony Center

Substance abuse among women is a significant national problem. Historically, the treatment of this condition has been difficult, but it has been even more challenging when the woman in treatment has had children. This article reports the results of an evaluation of the Susan B. Anthony Center (SBAC), a residential treatment facility for recovering women and their children. Researchers studied outcomes for 41 women who were first treated in a detoxification program, then referred to either SBAC or a day treatment program. Although random assignment to groups was not possible, the groups were comparable on four major demographic variables. The SBAC groups reported better outcomes on three psychosocial variables: abstinence, arrest, and employment. They improved their total score on the Functional Assessment Rating Scale substantially more than did the comparison group. Consumer satisfaction was also high.

Steering Currents for the Future of Social Work

In considering the future of the social work profession, three influences must clearly be considered: increasing cultural diversity, expanding technological development, and managed care. Although the profession of social work has responded successfully to many challenges in the years since its inception, it has faced perhaps no greater challenges than these. As the diversity of the population of the United States increases, social workers must respond with flexibility and openness. As the already burgeoning field of electronic technology continues to enhance information storage and processing, communication, and perhaps even therapeutic processes, social workers must be willing to learn, adapt, and implement.

Combining Drug Court with Adolescent Residential Treatment: Lessons from Juvenile and Adult Programs.

ABSTRACT Drug courts have been recognized and empirically supported as an effective means of reducing recidivism and use of substances for both juveniles and adults. The paper reports the results of an outcome evaluation of a juvenile drug court in the Upper Cumberland area of Middle Tennessee. As with previous studies, the program showed impressive outcomes for many juveniles. Improvements, however, may be possible. Adding a residential component similar to the one for adults currently operated by the Davidson County Drug Court might enhance program retention, provide housing opportunities during treatment for neglected and abused youth, and offer opportunities for more regular and intensive supervision of specific juveniles. Such programs would likely be both practical and fundable, and should be considered by courts and treatment providers.

Sexual addiction: A literature review of treatment interventions

ABSTRACT This article reviewed the available studies of treatments for individuals suffering from sexual addiction. Sexual addiction may affect as many as 3–5% of all Americans and can result in dire consequences for those affected. Because the existence of sexual addiction remains controversial, this problem has been understudied. A search of five databases for peer-reviewed studies revealed a dearth of empirical studies on targeted treatments for sexual addiction. The treatment modalities that have been studied are primarily modified cognitive behavioral techniques, as well as expressive and exposure techniques. Seven studies were selected for this review. The studies had several methodological weaknesses, with two showing promising outcomes. More research is needed in the area of sexual addiction.

Harm by Her Own Hand

Abstract Recent research regarding violence among juveniles has left important questions unanswered. One question involves the effect of gender. This paper reports the results of a study examining gender differences in violent behavior. The records of 136 juveniles (m = 71; f = 65) were reviewed to test the hypothesis that sexual abuse, low levels of family support, and low levels of support from friends would predict self-directed violence more effectively among females than among males. Logistic regression models correctly classified 71% of the girls and 76.06% of the boys. The model for girls identified 79.49% (9.59% improvement) of the non-mutilators and 57.69% (16.62% improvement) of the mutilators. The model for boys predicted non-mutilation with 100% accuracy (25% improvement), but did not correctly classify any mutilators (23.61% decrease in predictive capacity). The study supported the hypothesis and has important implications for social work practice.

Residential Treatment of Substance Abusing Adolescents: Trends in the Post-Managed Care Era

ABSTRACT This paper explores historical and recent trends in the delivery of residential adolescent substance abuse treatment, looking specifically at the impact of managed care on the service delivery system. Three historical eras are conceptualized by the authors: (1) an era prior to managed care in which services were provided on a fee for service basis by health insurance companies and lengths of stay were relatively longer; (2) an era of managed care in which services were funded through managed care organizations and lengths of stay were significantly reduced; and (3) the current era in which residential services are provided through self-pay and through other service systems. Awareness of these changes is important for all practitioners who provide services to adolescents and demonstrate the need to advocates for residential substance abuse services for all adolescents.

Culturally Grounded HIV Prevention for Latino Adolescents in Border Areas: Rationale, Theory, and Research

ABSTRACT This manuscript presents a theoretical, rational, and empirical argument for the development of culturally grounded programs for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. It focuses specifically on adolescents of Mexican descent residing along the southwestern border of the United States. The differential effects of five life dimensions that produce diversity (inherited endowment, learned values and culture, developmental history, specific patterns of problems, and personalized styles of coping) between and within groups are noted, and relevant outcomes of those differential effects are identified. On the basis of these outcomes, a number of specific recommendations for culturally grounded programs are made, then illustrated in the description of a current, empirically tested program. Finally, implications for social work practice and research for the prevention of HIV/AIDS are discussed.