W. Robert Beavers

Comparing Males' and Females' Perspectives through Family.Self-Report.

The development of reliable and valid means of assessing family functioning has been the subject of much research and theory-centered debate in the past several years. Self-report family rating scales have the advantage of being able to be administered to large samples and being subjected to scaling, statistical analyses, and factoring procedures (Bloom 1985; Olson et al. 1983). Still, there may be influences on ones perception of his/her family functioning that are unique and often not accounted for in analyses of such self-report scales. One fundamental, yet minimally researched, factor is whether male and female respondents differ systematically in the weights attributed to different elements of family functioning.

Family therapy and outcome: Relationships between therapist and family styles

This study examined therapeutic outcome for a group of 175 clinic families divided into levels of family competence and style, and, later, into seven clinical groupings. The division into these groups was based on the level of rated Competence and Style determined by using the Beavers Systems Model. Therapists also rated their level of Openness/Sharing Strategy, Power Differential, and Partnership with the family at the third session. Results indicate that more competent families who fared well in therapy had therapists who formed a partnership, disclosed strategy, and employed a minimal power differential with the family. The most disturbed families, and those with a Centrifugal style, did better with therapists employing a high power differential and lower levels of openness and partnership. The study also presented the distribution of individual diagnoses by family groups. Implications for family therapists, including the value of family assessment, are provided.

Family assessment: Centripetal and centrifugal family systems

Abstract A consideration of interactional style is useful to both researchers and clinicians interested in family assessment. This paper offers data and process evaluation scales designed to determine family interactional style, conceptualized as a continuum ranging from centripetal (CP) to centrifugal (CF), and containing at the midpoint a mixed area in which facets of both the CP and the CF styles are found.

Effect of Chlorothiazide on Vascular Reactivity.

Summary Chlorothiazide (Diuril), an orally effective diuretic, has been shown to decrease arterial pressure response to injections of norepinephrine, epinephrine and isopropylnorepinephrine in the anesthetized dog. The possible relationship of this finding to the reported hypotensive action of the compound is discussed.

Observational assessment of couples and families

Assessment of Couples and Families considers the impact of recent changes on the assessment process and provide practitioners with a review of contemporary techniques and the means by which they can be implemented into practice in conjunction with new reporting inventories and observational methods. These new assessment strategies will be presented collaterally with case material that addresses a specific problem, such as family violence or marital suitability. This unique problem focus will provide practitioners with a handy point of reference to acquaint themselves with modern practice techniques that address issues new to the therapy session while providing a supplement to coursework on assessment.

Family therapy in the People's Republic of China: An update

This article describes cultural and structural changes in Chinese families over the past decade and offers descriptions of the increasing, yet limited, recognition of the importance of family systems interventions. These impressions were garnered from a 14-day visit to the Peoples Republic of China by a delegation of 40 marital and family therapists and researchers led by the authors.

Vascular Reactivity as Influenced by Acetazolamide, Dichlorophenamide and Mercaptomerin.∗

Summary The effects on the vascular responses to norepinephrine and isopropyl-norepinephrine induced by 3 diuretic agents, acetazolamide, dichlorophenamide and mercaptomerin were determined. Acetazolamide and mercaptomerin diminished vascular responses to these catechol amines similarly to the decrease previously reported with chlorothiazide administration. It is considered probable that the effect on vascular reactivity resulting from these agents is due to augmentation of sodium excretion.