Social services,social work,and information management: Some european perspectives

Social services are entering the information society. Over the past decades, information technology applications have slowly permeated service agencies. Although originally the domain of administrative and management staff, now core operational staff are also confronted with making increased use of technology. The way information management in human services is shaped is not only dependent upon technology, but increasingly seems to result from an interaction between social policy developments and information technology opportunities. Similarly, social policy developments are shaped by the existing information management infrastructure. One of the purposes of this paper is to explore–taking social services and social work as the exemplar, and mainly drawing upon experiences from the UK and the Netherlands–the relationship between new technology and the policy environment. We also reflect on whether or not this relationship is more complex than indicated by globalization and related post-Fordist theories.     

Postabortion Depressive Reactions in College Women

Abstract

Depression as a postabortion phenomenon is explored in relation to women at a major university. Characteristics of depressive reactions are presented in light of the merging of adolescent and adult symptomatology. Research on the psychological sequelae of abortion is reviewed, with the focus on both short-term and long-term effects. Finally, some reflections are made on the experiences of women seen in a college health service, suggesting the continued importance of assessing the woman's capacity for mastery in a crisis situation, her ability to assimilate loss, and to regain a sense of personal autonomy. There is evidence to suggest the usefulness of ongoing therapy in the postabortion period for some women.     

Wula (Voices) of Aboriginal women on barriers to accepting smoking cessation support during pregnancy: Findings from a qualitative study

Aim

To gather Aboriginal women’s stories of smoking and becoming pregnant to identify the barriers in accepting smoking cessation support during pregnancy.

Unpacking intergenerational (IG) programs for policy implications: A systematic review of the literature

Intergenerational care is a program where both the younger and older generations are receiving programmed care in an environment where activities and resources are shared between them. Anecdotally, an intergenerational care program takes on many forms. This paper presents a systematic literature review of intergenerational care models. Our findings are relevant to policy makers as the paper highlights the opportunities to create an age-friendly environment by introducing intergenerational models in Australia, where intergenerational care development is in its infancy. Future research will help articulate the personal, social, and economic value of intergenerational care.     

The Democratization of Environmental Policy

Hazardous Wastes in Rural America: Impacts, Implications and Options for Rural Communities, by Steven H. Murdock, Richard S. Krannich, and F. Larry Leistritz. Controlling Technocracy: Citizen Rationality and the NIMBY Syndrome, by Gregory E. McAvoy. The Politics of Ecosystem Management, by Hanna J. Cortner and Margaret A. Moote.     

Response to Eric J. Krieg's “The Two Faces of Toxic Waste: Trends in the Spread of Environmental Hazards”

Sociological Forum -     

Context-driven gero-infusion: lessons learned from a curriculum development institute cohort

This article describes and compares the successes and challenges experienced by three social work programs in the United States working to infuse geriatric competencies into foundation Master of Social Work (MSW) courses, including field education. Adhering to the Planned Change Model each project utilized a range of approaches and strategies that emerged in each setting’s unique organizational and community context. This article examines and analyzes three context-driven accounts of curricular infusion for gerontological social work and lessons learned in this effort to establish gerontology as part of the implicit curriculum in social work programs in universities diverse in mission, size, programming priorities, and student population. Given the experiences of these programs, following the Planned Change Model, maintaining the context as being central to the process, anticipating common challenges, and preparing to engage strategies to overcome challenges are offered as recommendations for successful infusion and sustainment of the efforts.     

A structural analysis of a game: The Liverpool v Manchester united cup final of 1977

A team is more than the sum of its individual players, and so implies a structure of relations on the set. The q-analysis, or polyhedral dynamics, of Atkin is chosen to define and operationalise intuitive notions of structure in a soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United. The injection of q-holes, or obtrusive objects, by the defense of one team appears to contribute to the fragmentation and loss of the other.