An exploration of kaupapa Maori research,its principles,processes and applications

This article discusses whether the focus group method can be employed with troubled groups and for the discussion of high‐involvement topics. It analyses focus groups' discourse of high‐involvement topics, such as ‘the body’, ‘relationships’, and ‘sexuality’, conducted with female adolescents aged 15–20 years at a detention home. Contrary to the traditional belief that the focus group method is designed for low‐involvement topics and mainstream groups, our analyses of the discursive devices employed suggest that the method can indeed be used for high‐involvement topics. We also argue that other methods would not have given us ‘deeper’ insights and that the focus group method can be seen as a less intrusive method to be used in this setting.     

A note on current research of immigrant groups in Japan

"This article seeks to present a statistical summary of Japan's immigrant groups and a review of current research on these groups, with the aim of discovering what crucial ethnic problems are faced both by the immigrant groups and the Japanese people themselves."     

Couples treatment for interpersonal violence: a review of outcome research literature and current clinical practices

Conjoint couples treatment for interpersonal partner violence (IPV) remains controversial despite a growing body of research and practice experience indicating that it can be effective and safe. In addition, developing typologies of couples who are violent suggest that a "one-size-fits-all" treatment approach to IPV is not appropriate and conjoint treatment may have a place in the treatment of at least some couples. In this article, we review the experimental studies and clinical practices of conjoint treatment. Based on this review, we suggest current best practices for this approach to treatment. Best practices include couples treatment as part of a larger community response to IPV, careful screening of couples for inclusion in couples treatment, modification of typical conjoint approaches to promote safety and ongoing assessment of safety with contingency plans for increased risk.     

Extending the boundaries of climate change research: A discussion on agriculture

Global environmental change is one of the most significant research and policy issues facing humankind. Although vast financial and human resources are being allocated to climate change research, there are numerous knowledge gaps between understanding climate variations and human responses, particularly in the area of farm adaptation. In this paper, we argue that four issues need to be addressed, in order to narrow these gaps. First, greater attention needs to be directed towards impact assessment. Second, future researchers should consider critical methodologies and theories clearly articulated in cognate disciplines. Third, we need to have an improved understanding of how present agriculture adapts to both climatic and societal forces. Lastly, we need to have an improved understanding of the decision-making process. We address these issues by drawing upon three areas of research: (i) the climate change and impact assessment literature; (ii) the natural hazards literature; and (iii) the agricultural restructuring literature, drawn primarily from the disciplines of rural geography and rural sociology. From a review of this literature, we argue that each area provides an incomplete assessment of the relationship between climate change and agriculture in developed countries. Consequently, we conclude that an approach which situates farm-level decision making in relation to both broad structural (including biophysical) and internal forces, provides for a greater understanding of the nexus between climate change and farm adaptation.     

A description and clinical research application of the control-mastery theory

An introduction to the key concepts in a new psychoanalytic theory, “control-mastery theory” is offered. The role of the trauma and the resulting development of pathogenic beliefs is emphasized in the etiology of all psychopathology. The clinical interventions therapists can use to help patients disconfirm pathogenic beliefs are described. An empirical study is referred to which demonstrates the power of the theory to predict the patient's immediate reactions to the therapist's termination interpretations (Bush & Gassner 1986).     

A survey of current research studies on drug education programs in America

This article surveys recent research findings on drug education programs in America. Findings have been somewhat contradictory but a pattern of encouraging results seem to favor prevention programs that focus on resistance training. Research results were complimentary of D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and S.A.P. (Student Assistance Program) which emphasizes intervention strategies. Experts noted that drug education programs require interagency collaboration among schools, communities, and families. Authorities appealed for a higher funding priority toward evaluating the effectiveness of drug education programs. The article also provides information about what parents, schools, students, and communities can do concerning drug prevention efforts.     

The dream: Mechanisms and clinical applications

The clinician's use of client dream reports to promote self-discovery and foster a therapeutic alliance is examined in the context of borderline personality psychodynamics. The mechanisms and operations central to understanding dream processes are explained, using both Freudian and information processing models. This paper's thesis is that the effective, differential use of dream material hinges on the assessment of the client's ego functioning in the object relations sphere and relative to level of cognitive development.     

Individualisation, choice and structure: a discussion of current trends in sociological analysis

In this paper we seek to explore a tendency in current sociological thought to highlight notions of choice and autonomy in writings about contemporary Western societies. We wish to draw attention to some of the consequences of leaving out discussions of the structural aspects of societies and people's lives, for individuals as well as for the development and application of sociological theory and its ability to understand the connection between history and individual biography. Our discussion is based on qualitative research that we have conducted in recent years, and draws on focus groups with young people in Norway and Britain. From this critique we seek to demonstrate how concepts that take account of context and structure as well individual subjectivities can create a better ‘fit’ with complex and diverse realties.     

Relationship education research: current status and future directions

The overarching aim of this article is to review the research on relationship education programs and approaches that has been published or accepted for publication since the last review article in 2003. This article provides a critical overview of the relationship education field and sets an agenda for research and practice for the next decade. A theme weaved throughout the article is the ways in which relationship education is similar and different from couples therapy, and we conclude that there can be a synergistic, healthy marriage between the two. We then provide recommendations for future directions for research in the relationship education field. Finally, the coauthors comment on our experiences in both the relationship education field and the couples therapy field as both researchers and interventionists.     

A competence based approach to management education in social work: A discussion of the approach and its relevance

Over the past few years there has been developing interest in competence based approaches to training in many contexts. This interest is also evident in management development circles in the consideration of competence based models of management education and development. This development has been met with enthusiasm in some quarters and constructive criticism with reservations in others.

This paper seeks to consider some of the points about competence based training in general and apply them to social services management development/education/training in the light of papers from CCETSW on post-qualification courses and the management element that they may include. The article is selective rather than comprehensive in its use of reference material. It considers what competence based models are; what the implications of their use might be in management development and looks in some detail at the relevant proposals made by CCETSW which follow a competence based approach.     

An overview of current clinical issues in separation and placement

This article reviews a wide range of literature and the knowledge base that is necessary for effective treatment of children in foster and adoptive homes. The pitfalls in clinical work with placed children are identified. In addition to the psychological effects of placement on children, there is review of knowledge affecting both foster and adoptive parents. Treatment approaches and tools that are presented in the literature are summarized.     

Stigma and problem gambling: current knowledge and future research directions

Stigma has been identified as a major barrier to help-seeking, treatment and recovery from gambling problems. However, little research has attempted to examine in any depth the causes, characteristics and consequences of stigma in relation to people experiencing gambling problems. The effects of stigma on people experiencing gambling problems, although not directly examined, are apparent through low rates of problem disclosure and treatment-seeking. In this paper, we aim to inform research into stigma associated with problem gambling by highlighting gaps in existing research and by providing direction for future research. The contribution of this paper is that for the first time stigma and problem gambling are drawn together and reviewed using broad constructs and literature from a range of seminal and new sources to present a synthesis of new and important information on stigma. In regard to problem gambling, the dimensions of stigma, except for origin, have yet to be investigated, as well as the processes of stigma creation, the characteristics of public and felt stigma, and coping strategies used to manage stigma. The practical implications of this review are summarized in a framework provided to inform future research into stigma related to problem gambling.