Multicultural considerations in the application of child protection laws

Professionals exercise a great deal of discretion in the application of mandatory reporting laws and child welfare laws. This paper examines the subjective factors that influence the decisionmaking process from labeling an incident as possible abuse or neglect through the disposition stage. Multicultural issues that affect each stage of the process are discussed. Areas of disparate treatment of minorities are considered. Disparate treatment stems from biased and unequal application of the laws in some cases, or when standards are applied and interventions made that are insensitive to the cultural context of the family. Potential consequences of failing to consider culture in applying child protection laws are biased reporting, errors in assessing perceived risk, ineffective interventions, and increased out- of- home placements. The need for a culturally sensitive approach to assessment and intervention is emphasized. Areas for future research are recommended.     

Estimation of binomial parameters when both , are unknown

We revisit the classic problem of estimation of the binomial parameters when both parameters n,p are unknown. We start with a series of results that illustrate the fundamental difficulties in the problem. Specifically, we establish lack of unbiased estimates for essentially any functions of just n or just p. We also quantify just how badly biased the sample maximum is as an estimator of n. Then, we motivate and present two new estimators of n. One is a new moment estimate and the other is a bias correction of the sample maximum. Both are easy to motivate, compute, and jackknife. The second estimate frequently beats most common estimates of n in the simulations, including the Carroll–Lombard estimate. This estimate is very promising. We end with a family of estimates for p; a specific one from the family is compared to the presently common estimate and the improvements in mean-squared error are often very significant. In all cases, the asymptotics are derived in one domain. Some other possible estimates such as a truncated MLE and empirical Bayes methods are briefly discussed.     

Exploring and Assessing Nonsocial Play in the Preschool: The Development and Validation of the Preschool Play Behavior Scale

Recently, researchers have investigated the different structural forms of young children's nonsocial play behaviors. The primary goal of this research was to develop and validate the Preschool Play Behavior Scale (PPBS) , a teacher rating scale designed to assess the multiple forms of young children's solitary behaviors. In this regard, two studies were conducted. In Study 1, 39 preschool children were observed, and their social and nonsocial behaviors recorded over a three month period. Teachers then completed the PPB S. Results supported the construct validity of the PPBS ; teacher-rated and observed nonsocial and social behaviors were significantly associated in predicted ways. In Study 2, parental (e.g., demographic, child temperament) and teacher (e.g., PPBS , child behavior problems) ratings were collected for 337 preschoolers. Results established the psychometric properties of the PPBS (e.g., inter-rater reliability, factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity).     

Economic Conditions in Rome and Their Lessons for Us

Abstract

The Economic and Social History of an English Village (Crawley, Hampshire) A.D. 909-1928. By N. S. B. Gras and E. C. Gras. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1930, XV, 730 pp. $7.50.

The American Revolution and the British Empire. By R. Coupland. Longmans, Green and Co. London, New York, Toronto, 1930; vii, 331 pp. $4.50. Reviewed by Robert Livingston Schuyler.

The Genius of Mexico. Lectures Delivered before the Fifth Seminar in Mexico, 19.10. Edited by Hubert C. Herring and Katharine Terrill. The Committee on Cultural Relations with Latin America, New York, 1931. 334 pp. Reviewed by Milton W. Hamilton.

A Guide to the Study of Medieval History. By Louis J. Paetow. Revised Edition under the Auspices of the Medieval Academy of America, Dana C. Munro, editor in chief. New York, 1931. (Crofts, $6.00). Reviewed by John L. La Monte.

International Government. By Edmund C. Mower. D. C. Heath &; Co., Boston, 1931. xix, 736 pp. $5.00.

International Law. A Restatement of Principles in Conformity with Actual Practise. By Ellery C. Stowell. Henry Holt &; Co., New York, 1931. xxvi, 829 pp. $4.75. Reviewed by Walden Moore.

A History of South America. By Charles Edmund Akers. E. P. Dutton and Co., New York, 1930. xxxii, 781 pp. Illus. Maps. $5.

A History of the Argentine Republic. By F. A. Kirkpatrick. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1931. xxvii, 255 pp. Illus. Maps.

Narratives of the Discovery of America. By A. W. Lawrence and Jean Young. Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, New York, 1931. viii, 300 pp. Maps. $3.

Select Documents Illustrating the four Voyages of Columbus. Vol. 1. By Cecil Jane. The Hakluyt Society, London, 1930. Illus. Maps. Reviewed by A. Curtis Wilgus.

The American Public Mind. By Peter Odegard. Columbia University Press, New York, 1930. 308 pp.

American Society. By Charles F. Thwing. The Macmillan Company, New York, 1931. 271 pp. Reviewed by R. Stanley McCordock.

The Cabinet Council of England in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, 1622-1784, vol. 1. By Edward Raymond Turner. The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, 1930. xi, 469 pp. $7.50. Reviewed by Charles F. Mullett.

A History of the Hebrew People from the Earliest Times to the Year 70 A.D. Largely in the Language of Bible. Prepared by George A. Barton. The Century Co., New York, London, 1930, 464 pp. $3.50. Reviewed by Salo Baron.

Nelson W. Aldrich: a Leader in American Politics. By Nathaniel Wright Stephenson. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1930. xii, 496 pp. Reviewed by Herbert B. Howe.     

Effects of a Solution-Focused Mutual Aid Group for Hispanic Children of Incarcerated Parents

Children of incarcerated parents are five to six times more likely to go to prison than their peers (Johnston, 1995). Yet, there is a lacuna in the literature that examines the effectiveness of interventions for children with an incarcerated family member. The purpose of the present study is to describe a solution-focused, mutual aid group intervention and to examine the effects of the group on the self-esteem of elementary-age Hispanic children of incarcerated parents when compared to a no-treatment comparison group. Implications for social work practice and research with this vulnerable population are addressed.