An exploratory study of family‐centred help‐giving practices in early intervention: families of young children with autism spectrum disorder

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate the early intervention (EI) experiences of mothers who have a young child at risk for autism spectrum disorder. Data were collected through observations, interviews and document analyses. Results of the study suggest (i) interpersonal skills of practitioners and provisions for family choice and collaboration lead to positive experiences for mothers; (ii) asset‐based attitudes lead to family progress and competence; (iii) effective partnerships are developed through supportive provider communication techniques; and (iv) satisfaction with EI services results from practitioner responsiveness to help families access resources and facilitate child development.     

Elder Abuse: What Coroners Know and Need to Know

This article presents findings from a survey examining knowledge of elder abuse among Georgia's coroners. More than half of the 116 respondents indicated that they know “almost nothing” or “a little” about distinguishing signs of physical abuse from signs of aging (54%) and mandatory reporting laws and related elder abuse statutes (63%). When asked the frequency with which older adult cases were referred to the medical examiner, 49% indicated “rarely if ever.” Study findings reveal specific opportunities for enhancing training efforts aimed at coroners, who play a critical role in the identification of elder abuse.     

地理信息科学专业本科生需求与能力期望调查结果分析

为了解社会对地理信息科学专业学生生源需求和对学生能力的期望,设计了地理息信科学专业本科学生需求与能力期望调查表,并在测绘与地理信息行业单位开展调查。对调查结果进行分析,发现社会对地理信息科学专业学生需求量仍比较大,更多希望学生从事GIS工程开发与维护工作,更注重学生的专业基础知识、GIS软件操作与二次开发能力、科技创新能力以及团队协作精神。构建了地理信息科学专业学生能力结构体系,可以作为地理信息科学专业课程体系设置的基础,为地理信息科学专业学生能力培养提供很好的参考依据。     

Enhancing the capacity of kin caregivers and their families to meet the needs of children left behind

Based on qualitative research of the experiences of 23 kin caregivers and five school personnel, this article explores the role of informal kinship care in addressing the needs of school-age children left behind in rural China. The findings of this study suggest that kin caregivers' child-rearing capacity is limited in the rural context, and they are often overwhelmed by children's diverse and complex needs, particularly their emotional ones. In view of the huge population and their vulnerability, it is imperative for the state to take up its responsibilities and develop specific social work services and other support for children left behind and their families.     

Motivations for Sexual Intimacy: Development of a Needs-Based Sexual Intimacy Scale

ABSTRACT

To assess motivations associated with sexual intimacy, a need for sexual intimacy scale (NSIS) was developed within a needs-based framework, focusing on needs for sex, affiliation, and dominance. Participants were 347 individuals associated with two large Southern California universities. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) were utilized, as were multiple attitudinal and behavioral measures for validation purposes. EFA found 22 items to be associated with the three need sets, with good internal consistency reliability. CFA confirmed these findings, and promising construct and criterion validities were also noted for the factors. Those reporting a greater need for sex noted more lifetime sex partners and one-night stands, but were less likely to use condoms. Individuals with affiliation needs were more likely to be truthful with their partners and more likely to practice safe-sex. Those reporting dominance needs want to control their partners sexually, but were less likely to use condoms. Men were found to exhibit greater needs for sex, while women reported higher levels of affiliation need. Sexual health and primary prevention concerns are discussed.     

Service Patterns of Adult Survivors of Childhood Versus Adult Sexual Assault/Abuse

This analysis compared the characteristics and service patterns of adult survivors of childhood sexual assault/abuse and adult survivors of adult sexual assault/abuse. Utilizing data from sexual assault crisis centers serving survivors in a Midwestern state over a six year period and controlling for revictimization, we describe and compare the demographic characteristics, referral sources, and service patterns of the two groups. Results indicate that paths into service differ for the two groups. Furthermore, adult survivors of childhood sexual assault/abuse obtain significantly more hours of service and service contacts on average than adult survivors of adult sexual assault/abuse. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.     

Grandparents as Caregivers: Emerging Issues for the Profession

Over the last two decades, the number of grandparents caring for their grandchildren has grown exponentially. The 2010 census revealed that 7.5 million children lived with a grandparent. This article is based on a study to find out from grandparents in the southwest region of the United States the circumstances that led to caring for their grandchild, needs and challenges in their role, and finally, to examine the level of stress they experience as a result of the parenting role. Based on the findings, recommendations related to social work practice and policy are provided. Additionally, the need to educate social workers in competency-based education is highlighted.     

Looking for a Grandview: introducing concepts of robust sampling to policymakers and practitioners engaged in measuring the well‐being of children at the local authority level

Local authorities are increasingly required to measure and monitor the well‐being of children. One key aspect of ensuring that these data on child well‐being are robust is that they form an accurate and representative picture of that child population. Rather than being only the purview of researchers, the act of gathering outcome data now falls within the remit of policymakers and practitioners. This article therefore describes the principles and importance of solid sampling methodologies to this audience and also considers the practical reasons as to why policymakers and practitioners may require larger samples than may be necessary for a representative picture of child well‐being. These ideas are illustrated by one local authority in the UK’s approach to measuring child well‐being, using representative sampling techniques and the subsequent expansion of this sample. The consequences of expanding the sample size are illustrated by examining the impact upon key findings related to child well‐being. The potential benefits and limitations of larger samples are discussed, as are some practical solutions to the apparent impasse.     

基于农民文化需求的新农村文化建设研究——以湖南嘉禾县为例

新农村文化建设作为我国文化建设的主要组成部分和最为重要的文化建设主战场,对推动社会主义文化大发展大繁荣起着至关重要的作用。而加强新农村文化建设,需深入了解当前农村文化建设以及农民群众精神文化的内在需求,理论联系实际,认真研究分析,提出对策建议。以湖南嘉禾县为例,系统分析了农民文化需求的状况,提出了坚持以地方政府为主导、以先进文化为引导、以保护传承民俗传统文化为基础、以加强农村文化基础设施建设为保障,加快新农村文化建设,不断满足农民文化需求的对策建议。     

Into the Lion's Den:

The need to "couple," to have that special person with whom we share not only sexual intimacy but a past, present, and future, is not limited to the "straight" world. Raised by heterosexual parents, gays (male homosexuals) desire that same type of intimacy. Given that intimate relationships provide a very necessary function for the larger community of heterosexuals, those relationships should provide the same function for gays. This paper examines the differences and similarities between long-term gay and heterosexual intimate relationships, and the support each of those types of relationships receives from the community in which they exist.