Modeling sensitivity and specificity with a time-varying reference standard within a longitudinal setting

Diagnostic tests are used in a wide range of behavioral, medical, psychosocial, and healthcare-related research. Test sensitivity and specificity are the most popular measures of accuracy for diagnostic tests. Available methods for analyzing longitudinal study designs assume fixed gold or reference standards and as such do not apply to studies with dynamically changing reference standards, which are especially popular in psychosocial research. In this article, we develop a novel approach to address missing data and other related issues for modeling sensitivity and specificity within such a time-varying reference standard setting. The approach is illustrated with real as well as simulated data.     

Developing and using local community wellbeing indicators: Learning from the experience of Community Indicators Victoria

The recent upsurge of interest in local community wellbeing indicators in Australia and internationally reflects growing awareness of their importance as a platform for citizen engagement, community planning, and evidence based policy making. More broadly community wellbeing indicators are part of an international movement towards rethinking the ways in which political priorities are debated and in which progress and wellbeing are defined and measured. This article documents the establishment of Community Indicators Victoria (CIV), a local community wellbeing indicators initiative in Victoria, Australia. The article begins by locating the CIV initiative in the broad historical and international context of work on wellbeing, progress and sustainability indicators as well as the Australian and Victorian policy context. We then outline the steps involved in the establishment of CIV, critical partnerships and initial outcomes. We conclude with some reflections on lessons from the CIV experience to date and on future research and policy development priorities.     

Adolescent females who have sexually offended: comparisons with delinquent adolescent female offenders and adolescent males who sexually offend

Very little is known about adolescent females who commit sexual offenses. In this two-part exploratory study, a sample of 11 adolescent females with sexual offense histories is described. In Study I, the sample is compared to an age-matched sample of 11 adolescent females with non-sexual victim-involved offense histories. The sexually offending group had significantly fewer antisocial behavior problems, such as alcohol or drug use problems, problems with fighting, or problems at school. They began their offense behaviors at younger ages than their non-sex offending delinquent peers. Few differences emerged with respect to attitudes about offense behaviors, such as level of denial. In Study II, the same sample of females with sex offense histories was compared with a group of age-matched adolescent males with sex offense histories. The two sex-offending groups were found to be remarkably similar. There were few differences with respect to psychosocial and criminal histories, antisocial behavior, and variables related to clinical presentation and treatment (e.g., level of denial about offense). Likewise, the two groups are remarkably similar with respect to specific sex offense behaviors. The females, however, appear to have experienced more severe and pervasive abuse compared to the males.     

Building the San Francisco Beacons

San Francisco's Beacon Initiative is designed to foster youth development on a large scale. Its intermediary, Community Network for Youth Development, used a theory of change process to forge consensus and create a road map to guide this large collaborative toward its long-term goals.     

Pregnancy,the Family,and Work: An Historical Review and Update of Legal Regulations and Organizational Policies and Practices in the United States

In spite, or sometimes because, of extensive employment legislation, women have still not achieved economic equality. Traditionally, pertinent employment legislation either singled women out for less-preferential treatment (treating women very differently from men) or treated them exactly the same as men. Both extremes may be based on the idea that the workplace is essentially male, and women should either be prohibited from entering the workplace, or should accept standards designed around male employees. An historical review of the issue of pregnancy/family leave examines the impact of such gendering. Recent legal developments are described. Finally, additional changes that would help create a more gender-neutral workplace are identified and discussed.     

Assessing parents with learning disabilities: The parental skills model

Definitions of what constitutes adequate or inadequate parenting continue to be unclear. Not surprisingly, professionals who are required to formulate opinions regarding parental competency often experience difficulties with this task. These difficulties are further compounded when the assessment involves parents with learning disabilities. They comprise a heterogeneous population many of whom have varying deficits and skills. The Parental Skills Model outlined in this paper is offered as a guide to professionals in their assessment of such parents. The model focuses on three primary areas which have been identified as crucial to parenting, namely, parents' life skills, familial history and access to support/resources. When difficulties are encountered by parents with learning disabilities in any of these three areas it appears to have a direct and indirect effect on the child's care and development. A model of good practice is proposed and illustrated with a case study.     

The HIPP consultation and rehabilitation team: developing a streamlined service and its implications for work processes

This paper addresses the particular experience of negotiating, creating and operationalizing streamlined processes for a specialized consultation team, within a multi-site academic health science complex, for determining the rehabilitation needs and appropriate program for patients who had experienced surgery for a fractured hip. Background information concerning the main study is provided with the focus of analysis and discussion being upon the processes and outcomes of changing the way work had been undertaken over many years. It also addresses the complexity of attempting to encourage ongoing reflection related to roles and functions within a multi-disciplinary health care team.