Transforming conflict: mediation and reparation in a staff team

Working with the aftermath of child sexual abuse places the individual practitioners, teams and organizations involved at risk of re‐enacting the abusive dynamics of dominance and submission. An example of an effective intervention into a dysfunctional team illustrates how an alternative pattern of supportive companionable relating can be promoted. The team were enabled to re‐evaluate their relationships and to rebuild in six stages via a process of mediation and reparation. Theoretical concepts informing a framework for change at personal, professional and organizational levels are drawn from attachment theory and research, trauma work, advocacy and groupwork. Reflections are offered on the wider need for transformation and repair as the millennium approaches after a decade of painful controversies in the professional and public domains. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Positioning the Booty-Call Relationship on the Spectrum of Relationships: Sexual but More Emotional Than One-Night Stands

Most research on human sexuality has focused on long-term pairbonds and one-night stands. However, growing evidence suggests there are relationships that do not fit cleanly into either of those categories. One of these relationships is a “booty-call relationship.” The purpose of this study was to describe the sexual and emotional nature of booty-call relationships by (a) examining the types of emotional and sexual acts involved in booty-call relationships and (b) comparing the frequency of those acts in booty-call relationships to one-night stands and serious long-term relationships. In addition, the manner in which sociosexuality is associated with the commission of these acts was also examined. Demonstrative of booty-call relationships’ sexual nature was individuals’ tendency to leave after sex and infrequent handholding. In contrast, the romantic nature of booty-call relationships was demonstrated through the frequency of acts like kissing. The results suggest the booty-call relationship is a distinct type of relationship situated between one-night stands and serious romantic relationships.     

Comparative analysis of two community-based efforts designed to impact disproportionality

Children of color are overrepresented in child welfare in Iowa at a rate double their percentage of the population. In 2005 the Iowa Department of Human Services implemented two pilot demonstration projects to address overrepresentation of Native American and African American children in the child welfare system. The projects, called the Minority Youth and Families Initiative (MYFI), included ongoing evaluation. Results obtained over two years indicate improved worker and participant alliance, family functioning, and outcomes for children. Findings are discussed and recommendations are provided for further improvements in practice, research, and evaluation to reduce racial disparities the child welfare system.     

Gender and racial inequities in retirement resources

Two waves of a Social Security Beneficiary survey were analyzed to consider differences in the retirement resources of women and men based on marital status and race/ethnicity. Despite increased workforce participation the economic situation of single women, including white women, worsened over time. A bifurcation in retirement resources was found, with men relying more on private income sources and women depending more on Social Security. Current retirement policies based on privatization will continue to adversely impact women who work at low-paying jobs, receive lower wages, and live longer than men.     

The important role of mass media in the diffusion of accurate information about AIDS.

This paper explores the vital role of mass media in diminishing the lack of consensus among those at risk for AIDS and those who treat them. It examines the perceptions of these groups with regard to the seriousness of the AIDS threat, what people at risk are really doing to protect themselves and others, and the accuracy and objectivity of media reports about AIDS. Results indicate that there is a disarming lack of consensus among those people who can do the most to influence the spread of AIDS. Results also indicate that those people at greatest risk for AIDS and for spreading the disease distrust the accuracy and objectivity of the media. The authors argue that consensus is required for a concerted fight on AIDS and that the mass media offer an effective avenue for encouraging it. They also explore methods for regaining media respect among high risk groups with regard to AIDS reporting.     

A grassroots prototype for trauma-informed child welfare system change

The development of trauma-informed child welfare systems (TICWSs) that advance individual agency practice to target transformation of the system as a whole has been conceptualized but not documented. A grassroots effort to build a TICWS with key participants (e.g., Department of Human Services, Community Mental Health, Family Court, schools) in nine Michigan communities provides a field tested model for implementation. This article described what emerged as the core elements for a TICWS, which includes (1) development and support of a project champion, (2) trauma identification, (3) comprehensive assessment of traumatic impact, (4) evidence based trauma treatment, (5) establishing a common trauma language, and (6) trauma-informed decision-making. Several new instruments for assessing aTICWS are identified. Lessons learned are highlighted for consideration of communities seeking to develop TICWSs.     

Public hospitals: an assessment and plan for the future.

We are currently living in very difficult times for most health care providers. Even though we have always known it, the fact that resources for health care are limited is now abundantly apparent to consumers, health care providers, fiscal intermediaries, government (local, state, and federal), health care planners, and policy makers. Hospitals, especially, are being severely pressured to reduce resource consumption and costs. Conditions that are difficult for nonpublic hospitals are critical for public hospitals in general and nearly fatal for rural public hospitals. Fortunately, nonpublic hospitals are beginning to realize for the first time that their future depends, to a significant degree, on a strong and financially healthy public hospital system. If the public hospital, the hospital of last resort, closes, medically indigent patients will have to be treated in nonpublic hospitals, with the resultant medical, financial, economic, political, and social consequences. Therefore, the importance of public hospitals has to be even better recognized and appreciated and these institutions actively supported in order for the private and total health care systems to be successful.     

Non-strict ordinal 2 × 2 games: A comprehensive computer-assisted analysis of the 726 possibilities

Game theory has provided many tools for the study of social conflict. The 2 × 2 game has been found to be a particularly useful model. This paper describes the enumeration and analysis of all 726 distinct 2 × 2 games. A computer is used to generate the complete set, and a wide variety of maximin, equilibrium and stability calculations is performed for each player for every outcome in every game. The resulting data set is of great value for both the modeling and analysis of social conflict.