Managing terror. Public health officials learn lessons from bioterrorism attacks

When a photo-journalist presented with the first case of inhalation anthrax in the United States in 23 years, it marked the worse case of biological terrorism in our nation's history. It also marked a significant management challenge for numerous local, state and federal officials. Review what was learned and how we can better prepare for future attacks.     

Developing culturally competent marriage and family therapists: treatment guidelines for non-African-American therapists working with African-American families

To serve African-American families effectively, marriage and family therapists need to develop a level of cultural competence. This content analysis of the relevant treatment literature was conducted to examine the most common expert recommendations for family therapy with African Americans. Fifteen specific guidelines were generated, including orient the family to therapy, do not assume familiarity, address issue of racism, intervene multi-systemically, do home visits, use problem-solving focus, involve religious leader, incorporate the father, and acknowledge strengths. Conceptual and empirical support for each guideline is discussed, and conclusions are made regarding culturally competent therapy with African-American families.     

BONDED FATALITIES:

I build on previous findings in disaster research with a quantitative examination of individual-level fatality risk in a fire evacuation. Using data concerning people who were present at the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire of 1977, I show that the probability of an individual perishing in the fire was a function of the relational and ecological properties of their evacuation environment. Logistic regression analyses suggest that individuals for whom at least one group member died experienced a drastic increase in fatality risk. Physical threats and situational constraints in the environment distributed fatality across blocks of people, which were defined largely by primary group membership. This effect is due, in part, to the strengths of the social bonds that these individuals had to group members who perished.     

The emerging self in conceptualizing and treating mental illness

1. The course of severe mental illnesses is more heterogeneous than previously thought and is influenced by many complex, interacting factors. 2. The experience of self and capacity to cope of people with mental illnesses contribute to the recovery process. 3. Changes in traditional treatment models and a focus on broader societal interventions are needed to facilitate recovery. 4. Psychiatric nurses play an important role in these new developments as evident, for example, in the 3R Program (relapse, recovery, and rehabilitation).     

Sex pigs: why porn is like sausage, or the truth is that--behind the scenes--porn is not very sexy

The author examines the gay adult video industry from an insider's perspective. The workaday reality of making porn is contrasted with the skin trade's glamorous myths, and the idea that porn consumers prefer these myths to "truth" is outlined.     

The evolution of Israel's third sector: The role of predominant ideology

The article presents a case study of the evolution of Israel's third sector. It uses quantitative data on the economic structure of the sector, as well as historical data on the changes it has undergone in the past 80 years or so. This period is subdivided into three eras, each characterised by a different dominant ideology within which third sector organisations develop. The analysis emphasises the interplay between the dominant ideology and the type of existing third sector organisations in each era, and their functions in society. The changes are illustrated using the examples of two key organisations (the Histadrut-Federation of Labour Unions, and the Jewish Agency) and two minority populations (the Charedi-Ultra-Orthodox and the Arab). Studying the Israeli third sector within the context of its social history provides an opportunity to test some of the theories explaining the evolution and characteristics of that phenomenon. Thus, the article explores the implications and contribution of the Israeli case to international third sector theory.