An adaptive randomized design with application to estimation

When allocating observations to two populations for estimation or testing, the optimal proportion of the data that should be allocated to the first population, if it exists, often depends on unknown parameters. Adaptive designs have thus been proposed, in which allocation of the next observation is based on an estimate of the optimal proportion computed from the data already gathered. The authors introduce a simple randomized adaptive design and give some of its properties. Applications are given to estimating the difference of two success probabilities, and the difference of two normal means.     

AN EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH TO FAMILY-OF-ORIGIN WORK WITH MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY TRAINEES

An experiential approach to family-of-origin work with marital and family therapy students is offered as a complement to didactic study. Recommendations are made for structuring courses to include family-of-origin work without blurring the roles of instructor and therapist.     

Reports of Conferences,Institutes, and Seminars

This quarter's column features a report from Electronic Resources and Libraries held March 16–19, 2014, in Austin, TX; another from Potomac Technical Processing Librarians (PTPL) held in Annapolis, MD, on October 17, 2014; and several reports from ALA Midwinter held January 30–February 3, 2015, in Chicago, IL. By necessity, these reports are not exhaustive in covering the respective conferences.     

Pathways to Problem Gambling in Seniors

Little is known about problem gambling in older adults, particularly when gambling problems only commence late in life. Knowledge of pathways to later life problem gambling can assist prompt and effective interventions for vulnerable older adults. This study builds on a generic Pathways Model. It proposes routes to problem gambling for individuals aged 55 years and above, with a particular focus on late-life, rather than lifetime problem gambling. Gambling-related risk and protective factors/correlates were extracted from the literature based on the extent to which the studies were senior-specific. Common themes were then identified and classified into 3 main clusters: 1 concerning individual vulnerability factors, a 2nd concerning social and environmental factors, and a 3rd concerning factors affecting behavioural regulation.     

Psychiatric rehabilitation: Current practices and professional training recommendations

Emphasis on community-based treatment, along with the development of effective psychotropic medication, has resulted in a major shift in treatment methods for individuals with severe mental illness over the past several years. The primary strategies emphasized in current psychiatric rehabilitation efforts include the strengthening of (a) client skills and competencies and (b) environmental supports. The purpose of this article is to discuss successful psychiatric rehabilitation models and their impact on the social integration of people with severe mental illness.     

Religion and Spirituality in Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents: A Survey of Canadian Practitioners

Empirical evidence about the relevance of religion/spirituality for children and adolescents contrasts with the limited number of studies inquiring about the role of religion/spirituality when working with this population. In response to this lack of knowledge, this study explored the professional attitudes, experiences, and practice behaviors of social workers and social service workers working with youth and determined the predictive factors for using spiritually-derived interventions. A cross-sectional survey design, with proportionate stratified sampling, was used to gather data from 307 Canadian social workers and social service workers working with youth in Ontario (response rate was 40%, with 5.06% margin of error). Respondents reported favorable views toward the role of religion/spirituality in social work practice, in general. They also reported positive attitudes about the relevancy of religion/spirituality for this population and somewhat frequent encounters with religious/spiritual abuse and neglect. They used a wide variety of spiritually-derived interventions; however, over two-thirds (69%) reported their formal education “never” or “rarely” included content on the topic. Barriers to using spiritually-derived interventions included: lack of knowledge/experience, concern about presenting one's own bias, disapproval from caregivers, and lack of agency/supervisor support. Multiple regression analysis revealed two assessment variables, two attitudinal variables, one education/training variable, and one personal religious/spiritual variable predictive of the use of spiritually-derived interventions, accounting for 55% of the variance. Findings suggest a need for emphasizing spiritually-sensitive practice guidelines and for social work education and continuing education to include content about religious/spiritual diversity as well as content about spiritual development that includes spirituality in childhood.