In search of the gerontological self

The concept of self has a long history stretching back to antiquity. The meanings of self explored and debated in 19th and 20th century philosophy are intertwined in contemporary gerontological discourse. This review of diverse theories of the gerontological self is evoked by a personal encounter with a frail, aging friend whose fragmented conversation is framed by the clear persistence of her personality. Four approaches to the concept of self are examined: the humanists' “narrative” self, the behavioral self found in textbooks and handbooks of gerontology, post-modernists' views of the aging self, and the phenomenological self. While significant philosophical and methodological differences are uncovered, the question is asked as to what distinct contribution each approach offers when used to interpret meaning and responsibility in an actual relationship with an aged person.     

Differences in family functioning and health between older adult volunteers and non-volunteers

The purpose of this investigation was to identify differences in family functioning and health between older adult volunteers and non-volunteers. Two findings emerged from the data: volunteers reported higher family functioning as well as better health compared to non-volunteers. Implications for social workers involved with volunteer programs and services are discussed in terms of volunteer recruitment and retention, and the related need to develop policies that permit more flexibility and choice with regard to volunteer responsibilities.     

Integrating child welfare, juvenile justice, and other agencies in a continuum of services

This article presents a comprehensive strategy framework for integrating mental health, child welfare, education, substance abuse, and juvenile justice system services. It proposes an infrastructure of information exchange, cross-agency client referrals, a networking protocol, interagency councils, and service integration models. This infrastructure facilitates integrated service delivery.     

Neighborhood disorder, psychophysiological distress, and health

How do neighborhoods affect the health of residents? We propose that the impact of neighborhood disorder on self-reported health is mediated by psychological and physiological distress. We hypothesize a stress process in which chronic stressors in the environment give rise to a psychological and physiological stress response that ultimately affects health. The exogenous variable of interest is the neighborhood where disadvantaged persons live, which may expose them to chronic stressors in the form of crime, trouble, harassment, and other potentially distressing signs of disorder and decay. The mediator is the stress response that occurs in the body and brain. Of interest here is a psychological stress response in the form of fearful anxiety and depression, and a physiological stress response in the form of signs and symptoms of autonomic arousal, such as dizziness, chest pains, trouble breathing, nausea, upset stomach, and weakness. The outcome is poor health. This model is supported using data from the Welfare, Children, and Families project, a sample of 2,402 disadvantaged women in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago, Boston, and San Antonio.     

Emissions from Mass Burn Resource Recovery Facilities

Recent resource recovery facility stack tests have increased the available pool of data on emissions from these facilities. This has led to more accurate predictions of emissions from proposed facilities. The source, type, and rate of emissions presented are based upon a review of the literature, theoretical approaches, stack test data from existing facilities, permit levels of other facilities, and discussions with equipment manufacturers. The pollutants selected for study are those regulated by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations and other pollutants of concern. The pollutants studied are particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, nonmethane hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, reduced sulfide, reduced sulfur compounds, total reduced sulfur, lead, mercury, beryllium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, chromium +6, copper, manganese, nickel, vanadium, zinc, hydrogen chloride, fluorides, sulfuric acid mist, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, vinyl chloride, dioxins, furans, formaldehyde, and asbestos.