COURSEWORK AND SELF-STUDY IN THE FAMILY TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE: EXPANDING HEATH AND ATKINSON'S CURRICULUM

In designing a course on the family treatment of alcohol and drug problems, a number of important issues and topics need to be addressed. A design by Heath and Atkinson (1988) provides an excellent, innovative model for such coverage. These authors, however, had to contend with certain constraints that have had a bearing on the course content and how it is taught. The present paper offers some revisions and alternatives to Heath and Atkinson's model in order to make it generalizable to a greater number of contexts. For clinicians who are less interested in teaching such a course, the two papers, combined, could serve as a guide for self-study in this area.     

Multinomial and conditional logit discrete-choice models in demography

Although discrete-choice statistical techniques have been used with increasing regularity in demographic analyses, McFadden's conditional logit model is less well known and seldom used. Conditional logit models are appropriate when the choice among alternatives is modeled as a function of the characteristics of the alternatives, rather than (or in addition to) the characteristics of the individual making the choice. We argue that this feature of conditional logit makes it more appropriate for estimating behavioral models. In this article, the conditional logit model is presented and compared with the more familiar multinomial logit model. The difference between the two techniques is illustrated with an analysis of the choice of marital and welfare status by divorced or separated women.     

INTEGRATING INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMS APPROACHES: STRATEGIC-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

The existing literature on the integration of family and individual approaches, largely analytic in orientation, consists of models which, for the most part, are not brief in application. An alternative, brief model is presented which integrates an individual, cognitive-behavioral approach with a strategic approach at both pragmatic and theoretical levels. The Strategic-Behavioral model justifies the selective use of behavioral frames in strategic therapy and offers guidelines for their selective application.     

Developing “A Framework for Planning U.S. Federal Statistics, 1978–1989”

The Statistical Policy Division of the Office of Management and Budget has the overall responsibility for the planning and coordination of U.S. government statistics. The present staff of the Statistical Policy Division is attempting, through an integrated publication entitled “A Framework for Planning U.S. Federal Statistics, 1978–1989,” to state its perspective on necessary developments in the coming years. This article illustrates the character of the Framework materials and outlines the process for public review and comment on this undertaking.