Why is the sex gap in feelings of depression wider in high gender equity countries? The effect of children on the psychological well-being of men and women

This study uses data from 23 countries in the World Values Survey and the National Survey of Families and Households and finds that the sex gap in feelings of depression is wider in high gender equity societies even though overall levels of feelings of depression are lower. Using hierarchical logistic modeling, we find that the sex difference in feelings of depression is wider in high gender equity societies because children increase depression for women in high gender equity societies, while they reduce depression for women without paid employment in low gender equity societies. There is little difference in the effect of children on feelings of depression for men across societies.     

Vulnerable infants program of Rhode Island: promoting permanency for substance-exposed infants

The Vulnerable Infants Program of Rhode Island is a care coordination program to promote permanency for substance-exposed infants by addressing parental needs and increasing collaboration among social service agencies. Over the first four years of the program, there was a decrease in time spent in the newborn nursery beyond medical necessity and identification of permanent placements by 12 months for 84% of infants, with the majority of infants (78%) placed with biological parents or relatives.     

Preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living

This paper reports on findings from a qualitative study that focused on the quality and adequacy of preparation of youth in congregate care for independent living. This study, conducted in New York, NY, USA, explored the extent to which youth feel prepared to leave care and the opportunities they are given to participate in planning and decision‐making regarding issues that personally affect their future. Interviews were conducted with professionals and young adults who had exited foster care after placements in congregate care settings. Both professionals and young adults stated concerns about the quality of independent living preparation. Many young adults stated that they were not ready to live independently and expressed concerns about failure of staff to begin preparing youth sufficiently in advance of their discharge dates. Young adults also reported limited opportunities to participate in the planning and decision‐making processes affecting them. Recommendations for improvement of independent living preparation are proposed.     

Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives on Domestic Violence: Implications for Social Action

Theoretical and methodological paradigms used by researchers and applied workers to conceptualise domestic violence are examined, with particular emphasis on the implications for social action. It is argued that the gender assumptions underlying the theoretical framework adopted are often implicit, unacknowledged, and that when they assume equal power between men and women may do a disservice to female victims. We maintain that the consequence of discrepant approaches of professionals encountering domestic violence is insufficient dialogue between researchers and applied workers, reducing the potential for effective social remedy. Some resolutions of this dilemma are proposed; specifically, these concern the adoption of feminist paradigms, the importance of making victims more visible, and empowering women to overcome violent oppression.     

中国在联合国中的责任与担当

联合国是新时期中国外交"有所作为"、积极发挥重大全球影响力的主要场所。联合国作为全球核心制度的社会影响力、中国对自身地位的关注以及中国规范与原则和联合国某些规范与原则之间的互补性可以解释中国行为的这一变化。中国作为安理会"五常"之一,安理会的制度设计有助于中国实施对某些行为的限制和许可能力,以及对特定行为赋予合法性或削弱合法性的能力;中国作为发展中国家的代表,能够有效运用联合国大会体系表达其广泛的政治和道义诉求;中国在联合国维和行动中的积极参与,对中国人民解放军非战斗力量走出去及其能力建设也很有助益。中国积极介入当地的斡旋外交,在收益上存在不确定性。总的来说,中国更多参与联合国的部分核心活动所承担的国内与国际成本相对较低而潜在收益巨大,同时,联合国也是中国可以有效依托的表达其世界观与全球秩序观的平台。     

Role of bisphosphonates in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis: an update on recent safety anxieties

Following their introduction in the 1990s, bisphosphonates have become the mainstay of treatment in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and their use continues to rise. Commonly noted adverse effects in clinical practice include gastrointestinal side-effects, acute phase reactions (predominately seen with intravenous preparations) cutaneous reactions and more rarely, ocular side-effects. However, recent reports of potentially serious adverse effects of bisphosphonate therapy, including atypical subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures, atrial fibrillation, oesophageal carcinoma and osteonecrosis of the jaw, have prompted concerns regarding the long-term safety of this class of drugs. This review summarizes the benefits and potential adverse effects of bisphosphonates used in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Although evidence of a definitive casual relationship between bisphosphonate therapy and serious adverse effects is lacking, concern remains particularly in relation to atypical subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures. This has important consequences in terms of determining optimum duration of therapy and how best to target therapy at those most at risk. Recently, attention has focused on individual fracture risk assessment in order to optimize the risk-benefit ratio of treatment for individual patients. A review of the role of hormone replacement therapy in younger women with significant risk of osteoporotic fractures may be timely in these circumstances.