DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY EMOTIONAL INVOLEMENT AND CRITCISM SCALE (FEICS): A SELF-REPORT SCALE TO MEASURE EXPRESSED EMOTION

This paper reports on the development, reliability, and validity of a self-report scale to assess from the recipients' perspective two factors derived from Expressed Emotion (EE) theroy. The Family Emotional Involvement and criticism Scale (FEICS) has two subsles: Perceived Criticism (PC) and intensity of Emotional Involvement (EI). These two factors are analogous to Critical Comments and Emotional Overeinovlvement, the two main factors of EE that are assessed through the camberwell Family Interview, the original direct observation measure of EE. FEICS was completed by 83 respondents who were a random sample of patients over 40 years of age receiving care at a Fmily Medicince Center. Cronbach's alpha was. 82 for the PC subscale and .74 for the EI subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that each item loaded onn its propsed factor (all at ≥ .50) and not with the other factor (all at ≤ .15). The subscales exhibited expected correlations and partial correlations with FACES III subscales, ISEL subscales, the SCL-90 depression and anxiety subscale, and demographic variables. We conclude that the EFICS is a reliable instrument with perliminary evidence of its construct and criterion validity.     

Towards a typology of female entrepreneurs

This paper reviews some of the employment problems faced by women and examines how these difficulties might be overcome through entrepreneurship. However, recent empirical work by Goffee and Scase suggests that it is inappropriate to speak of ‘the’ female entrepreneur: there are different types of female business proprietors. Based on an empirical study of 34 aspiring female proprietors, the authors investigate the validity of Goffee and Scase's assertions. Results suggest that there are indeed different types of female entrepreneur, and that while there are some similarities between the typology developed in this paper and that presented by Goffee and Scase, there are also significant differences between them. Possible policy implications of the findings are discussed.     

CUSTODY RESOLUTION COUNSELING: AN ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTION*

As the number of divorces increases, so does the number of families litigating child custody. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Hennepin County Domestic Relations Division, a social services arm of the Family Court, has developed Custody Resolution Counseling (CRC) as an alternative to the traditional Custody Study intervention. The CRC process helps families toward making their own decision regarding custody as opposed to the court imposed decision which follows a Custody Study. The article describes the CRC process and presents a case illustration.     

Marital Therapy — The Therapist

This article applies systems principles to an appreciation of the couple therapist. It offers an overview of the changing role of therapists and addresses the philosophical debate of the therapist as scientist or artist. It demonstrates how the worldviews, beliefs and values of clients and therapists are influenced by, and in turn influence, the therapeutic and wider social contexts to which they belong. The question of how a therapist simultaneously maintains personal values and neutrality is considered. The implications of examining the therapist's role from a systems framework are discussed. It is concluded that research needs to adopt a more holistic methodology and that impasses need to be analysed by examining beliefs at different levels within the systems involved. Finally, a personal account of the effect that therapy has on the therapist is offered.     

Designing information systems for strategic decisions

In this article the authors argue that recent events have given rise to a need for a new class of information related to strategic decision-making. They describe some of the characteristics of “ideal” systems to meet this need and suggest a program of less sophisticated systems which will develop towards that ideal.     

Improving nonprofit management: What's new?

The Nonprofit Organization: Essential Readings, edited by David L. Gies, J. Steven Ott, and Jay M. Shafritz. Pacific Grove, Calif.: Brooks/Cole, 1990. 402 pp., $23.50 paper. A Nonprofit Organization Operating Manual: Planning for Survival and Growth, by Arnold J. Olenick and Philip Olenick. New York: Foundation Center, 1991. 484 pp., $29.95 paper. Executive Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations: New Strategies for Shaping Executive-Board Dynamics, by Robert D. Herman and Richard D. Heimovics. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1991. 173 pp., $22.95 cloth. Quality Management in the Nonprofit World: Combining Compassion and Performance to Meet Client Needs and Improve Finances, by Larry W. Kennedy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1991. 194 pp., $22.95 cloth.     

Reviewing Respite Services: some lessons from the literature

Although the community care reforms raised the profile of respite services for adults with learning disabilities, little is known about the character of respite provision in Britain. This lack of information is compounded by the way the literature about respite is dispersed across user groups and is often restricted to particular types of services or to specific localities. In order to highlight some of the key issues associated with respite, this paper draws on a wide range of literature. Regardless of differences in terms of the service user groups, common themes are identified which are relevant to service planning and provision for adults with learning disabilities. The paper discusses these themes and argues that a break with the traditional notion of respite as primarily a way to relieve carer burden is long overdue. Adopting the perspective of the primary service users affords the opportunity to re-think respite services.     

CRITIQUING THE NEW EPISTEMOLOGIES: TOWARDMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A SCIENTIFIC THEORY OF FAMILY THERAPY*

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the structures of the new epistemologies. Epistemology is a technical term within the field of scientific philosophy. When it is used looselyby family therapists, confusion results. The central argument of the present author is that the new epistemologies are, in fact, weak theories. It is suggested that the practice of using the term “epistemology” to denote theory or paradigm, be discontinued. A more limited and narrowly defined use for the term “epistemology” is proposed. Specifically, this paper presents: (a) a discussion ofthree areas of philosophy that serve as foundations for the construction of scientific theory, (b)a critical analysis of the new epistemologies, (c) a logical structure for scientific family therapy theory, and (d) minimum requirements for a scientific theory of family therapy.     

The “Zen Lady” An interview with Insoo Kim Berg

In May this year, Insoo Kim Berg was a visiting professor at Southern Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Adelaide. Heather Hayes spoke with Insoo about her work at the Brief Family Therapy Center, Milwaukee, where she is a co-director.