Child physical-sexual abuse: The role of sadism the role of sexuality

Abstract

Starting from several examples of clinical material, the author proposes an understanding of the mental functioning of a physically and/or sexually abusive parent. He bases his theoretical reflection on two analytical concepts: narcissism and perversion Relating the sadistic instinct to the former and the sexual instinct to the latter, he discerns two modes of functioning which have some points in common and some diverging points, but which show the dynamics involved in physical and sexual child abuse.

The relationship distinguished between the type of emotional relationship between the parents and the type of their emotional investment of their child allows us to understand how the complicity of the parents works against the child.

This approach to the functioning of the physically and/or sexually abusive parent implicitly gives an insight into the structuring of the personality of the child-victim, who in turn undergoes the risk of becoming a physically and/or sexually abusive parent with his own children.     

The dual role of the action researcher

This article aims to provide more insight into advantages and challenges of conducting action research with the intention to improve health care. Action research is distinctive in the sense that the researcher has a dual role as both researcher and implementer of the program studied. The article is based on two Norwegian action-oriented studies that aimed to explore the potential role of online self-help groups for breast cancer patients and adolescents with mentally ill parents respectively. We argue that action research can contribute both to the generation of knowledge, as well as a greater sense of ownership to the program among those who are intended to use it. Nonetheless, a potential conflict between the researcher's pursuit of data, and ethical considerations became apparent in the contexts studied here. Bearing these challenges in mind, we still conclude that action research offers an important contribution for the further development of health care services.     

The role of spirituality in the recovery process

Though innovative approaches to working with substance-abusing parents of maltreated children have emerged within the last few years, child welfare agencies continue to be challenged by the chronic nature of addictive diseases. This article discusses the often ignored element of spirituality as a critical component of recovery for parents. It also highlights how the regulation of spirituality by parents has a significant influence on their ability to responsibly care for their children.     

The strategic role of gainsharing

Gainsharing is reported to greatly enhance organizational performance, but there is little empirical research that explains how gainsharing works and why companies adopt it. We employ a human resource control framework to examine the role gainsharing plays within the organization. Our analysis of 802 organizations suggests that gainsharing plans are used to enhance employee participation in organizations that employ marketbased control methods. Organizations that use bureaucratic or clan controls are not likely to adopt gainsharing; they are more likely to use participation initiatives that do not involve a group bonus. The authors thank Peter Cappelli, David Crawford, John Deckop, Peter Sherer, and Harbir Singh for comments on earlier drafts, Towers Perrin for access to these data, and Temple University for funding support.     

The role of the clinician in natural family planning

Despite skepticism on the part of the health care delivery system, increasing numbers of women and couples are relying on natural family planning methods to avoid or achieve pregnancy. Most clients require 2-4 cycles to become familiar with the delineation of the fertile phase. Both the ovulation and the sympto-thermal methods are considered to have a method effectiveness of at least 98%. Teaching-related unplanned pregnancies fall below 5%. Use of the Billings ovulation method requires the couple to abstain from intercourse from the beginning of mucus until the 4th day after peak. The sympto-thermal method is preferred by those desiring a multiple-index approach. 75-80% of users of this method can detect cervical softening and dilatation, and 50% are aware of the change of position of the cervix. Knowledge of mucus buildup patterns can be expecially important for adolescents, lactating women, and premenopausal women in helping them to determine whether cycles are ovulatory. Instruction in interpretation of the mucus cycle is further advised in cases of infertility. Unwillingness of the partners to practice it constitutes the only contraindication to natural family planning. However, couples are advised to wait for the postovulatory infertile phase of the cycle to have intercourse in cases where prgnancy would pose a serious threat to the life of the mother or fetus. Although some groups recommend the use of a barrier method rather than abstinence during fertile periods, this practice makes mucus recognition more difficult and impedes confidence in the method. Attainment of couple autonomy in natural family planning involves 2 phases: 1) correct recognition of the signs of fertility and 2) comfort with periodic asbsinence. Successful autonomy is reflected in the high continuation rates found in programs that offer adequate counseling support.     

The role of Jews in the transatlantic slave trade

The recent controversy instigated by Leonard Jeffries has prompted discussion of the relationship between the development of the transatlantic slave trade and European Jewish communities. Closer attention to the role played by Jews in the development of the trade, and its associated enterprises, suggests that little direct involvement can be identified. In the Dutch slave trade Jews can be said to have had tangible significance, but even here their involvement was relatively marginal. Through detailed analysis of the historiography of slavery, the ‘conspiracy theory’ approach to the issue is substantially challenged and disproved.     

The role of exercise on the innate immunity of the elderly

The increased life span in human population has shown that some diseases, as infections, cancer and autoimmune phenomena, occur more frequently in the elderly than in the younger. We describe the ageing process involving the innate immune system and the improvement given by moderate physical activity. In addition, we discuss the altered neutrophil granulocytes function, the role of macrophages and natural killer cells, besides the influence of cytokines and secretory IgA. The acquired information help us to explain how these changes could favor the onset of diseases in the elderly and how they may boost their immune function.     

The best interests of the child? The role of the court welfare officer

SUMMARY. The current developments in practice, where children are involved with the courts, will form a fundamental part of work with children under the 1989 Children Act. One of the key actors will be the Court Welfare Officer, part of the Probation Service. This article reviews the role as it has developed in recent years, pointing out the different practices which coexist, even in the same area. Using evidence from a small scale research study in one Service, the article argues for a clearer and more consistent role, which can only really develop under a Family Court Welfare Service     

The role of observation in the assessment of child neglect

This paper focuses on physical and emotional neglect from a social work perspective. Neglect is the highest category of registration on Child Protection Registers in England, and is therefore a significant preoccupation for social work. However, historically, social workers have found child neglect a difficult area of practice. In this paper, we suggest that neglect is best understood as an absence of care, that is, a breakdown in the relationship between the primary carer and child which results in difficulties in offering reliable and adequate care. One focus of assessment in cases of child neglect, therefore, needs to be on ascertaining the nature and degree of relationship failure. We set out a framework to inform such assessments which critically examines the relationship between primary carer and child/ren. We note that discussion of neglect often involves criticism of women/mothers, and seek to develop an approach to child neglect which challenges stereotypical ideas about gender and caring, ideas which can lead to inappropriate intervention and to mother‐blaming. Consideration is given to operationalizing this framework of ideas. Intentional, structured observation is identified as a particularly useful tool in accurately assessing the complexities of the mother – child relationship, and the discussion considers observation's contribution to the assessment of neglect at a number of different levels. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of theory in the assessment of sex offenders

No generally accepted theory of sex offender behavior exists at this point. As clinical experience and research findings interact within an evolving theoretical framework, the picture of what is important, as well as what is possible to know about a sex offender, is rapidly changing. It is vital that mental health professionals, the legal system, social service agencies, and other consumers and providers of sex offender assessments be aware of both what is possible to learn about an offender as well as the limitations on that knowledge and its application. Prominent theories that influence the assessment of offenders in North America and Europe are presented and examined. Uses and limitations of each theory are discussed. Several trends emerge which could influence the future of sex offender assessment, treatment, management, and policy.     

The role of teacher relationships in the lives of students

This chapter examines positive teacher-student relationships, as seen through a variety of psychological models and provides recommendations for schools and teachers.     

The role of the forestry industry transactions in the rural economy

This paper assesses the economic contribution of forestry to the rural economy of Wales within an input–output modelling framework. This assessment is undertaken in the context of a need for improved economic information on forestry industry activities to inform policy directions in the new devolved political environment of Wales. Moreover, the analysis is undertaken at a time when the forestry industry is experiencing poor market conditions, and where a series of supply- and demand-side rigidities restrict opportunities for policy initiatives. The paper begins by summarising the scale and scope of the forestry industry in Wales, and examines the use of input–output modelling techniques in assessing forestry industry activity, and the specific methodological problems this creates. The paper uses Welsh input–output tables, augmented by survey data to analyse the dimensions of forestry industry activity. An evaluation of “within-industry” forestry transactions reveals the degree of inter-dependence between forestry sectors in the rural economy. The implications of the findings of the paper for the development of new policy are explored in the conclusions.     

The role of the therapist: what effective therapists do

After expressing enthusiastic agreement with Blow, Davis, and Sprenkle's (in press) call for research focused on what effective therapists do in therapy, this article dissents from two notions that serve as the foundation for these authors' ongoing advocacy of client-worldview/model-worldview matching as a privileged means of enhancing therapeutic outcome. In response to their assumption that client-worldview/model-worldview dissonance almost inevitably produces a therapy-threatening disruption of the therapeutic alliance, two scenarios are described in which such dissonance can not only be compatible with, but might also even contribute to, positive therapeutic outcome. In response to Blow and colleagues' notion that extant research supports the superior efficacy of client-model matching, this article underlines that the research they cite is substantially mute on the matter of switching models in order to accommodate to client worldview.