Validity of work-related assessments

Insufficient evidence of the validity of work-related assessments is frequently reported as a major concern in occupational rehabilitation. Despite this concern, and the continuing development of new and old assessments, no comprehensive evaluation of the evidence has been conducted. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to first determine the extent and quality of available evidence for the validity of work-related assessments, and then where sufficient evidence was available, determine the level of validity. STUDY DESIGN: This study examined available literature and sources in order to review the extent to which validity has been established for 28 work-related assessments. RESULTS: The levels of evidence and validity are presented for each assessment. Most work-related assessments have limited evidence of validity. Of those that had adequate evidence, validity ranged from poor to good. There was no instrument that demonstrated moderate to good validity in all areas. Very few work-related assessments were able to demonstrate adequate validity in more than one area, or with more than one study, even when contributory evidence was included. CONCLUSION: With this study clinicians will be able to examine their options with regard to the validity of the assessments they choose to use.     

八十年代的“问题管理”

什么是“问题管理”?为什么它如此引人注目?问题管理为显示预测和未来研究的价值提供了一个重要机会。它是未来学家新的、主要的机会领域。问题管理与未来研究的相似之处在于:多学科的结合,以预测、未来研究、环境探索、规划、公共关系、政府关系和公共事务为基本成份。一个组织制定一项包括上述成份的计划,以调动该组织的各种资源来预测、提出和回答正在出现的、对该组织具有潜在重要意义的问题,这种方式就叫问题管理。显然,预测和未来研究在其中起着极为重要的作用。     

Can't do it alone: housing collaborations to improve foster youth outcomes

Research documents that youth transitioning out of the foster care system experience a variety of negative outcomes, including homelessness. Housing collaborations, which aim to comprehensively address resource and service needs for transitioning youth, including permanent connections, education, and employment, have resulted in innovative programming and forged new relationships among child welfare, social service and housing developers, and providers. This article describes the partners, models, and resources several collaborations used and their progress and outcomes; shares insights gained; and explores productive directions for future work.     

The relationship between fishermen's health and sleeping habits

This article describes research on fishermen's health and sleeping habits in Iceland. It presents the first findings of the project that were presented in October 2002 at a conference that was organized during Seamen Safety Week in Iceland. It covers physical and mental stress symptoms, sleep disturbance, and obesity, as well as fishermen's own reaction to their health and well-being. Take notice that the findings that are presented in this article can be found in a report presented in August, when the whole study will be finished. Finally, it is concluded how successful the response has been and how the project can be used positively with other studies. It is also noted that, in fact, these findings will be used for further studies linked to safety on board.     

Patterns of Autonomic Arousal in Imaginal Situations of Winning and Losing in Problem Gambling

AIMS: To examine changes in skin conductance level (SCL), for problem gamblers in response to personally relevant imaginal tasks, representing winning or losing. SETTING, DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: SCL and subjective arousal were compared for problem poker machine gamblers (n = 13) and a control group (n = 20). Participants were asked to describe a situation in which they had (a) won and (b) lost during a period of gambling. Before and during the task, recordings of SCL were taken. FINDINGS: There were significant differences between responses of problem and social gamblers. A significant interaction indicated that social gamblers became more aroused in reaction to winning than losing, whereas problem gamblers became equally aroused in response to both tasks. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that it may be responses to losing, rather than winning that are paramount to the development and maintenance of problem gambling.     

南非的班图人

一千年的迁徙一千多年前,班图人开始移动。但关于造成他们移动的原因,因缺乏资料,研究起来是很困难的。根据人类学家的意见,公元1000年左右,班图人居住在维多利亚湖地区。名为“班图人”的非洲黑人,代表着一些历史相似的族群,不过,他们之间的语言、传统和习惯各不相同。今天,     

Challenging the one-size-fits-all myth: findings and solutions from a statewide focus group of rural social workers

Of America's counties, 76% are rural, comprising 83% of U.S. land and 25% of the American population. Yet most child welfare programs are designed to fit the needs of urban and suburban families. This article reviews the unique needs and assets of rural children and families in Texas. It presents recommendations from a focus group for overcoming the inappropriate transfer of urban models to rural communities.