A longitudinal study of depressiveness in children in public care

Rajhvajn Bulat L. A longitudinal study of depressiveness in children in public care Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 412–423 © 2009 The Author, Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. The aim of this article is to analyse the challenges involved when making longitudinal observations of depressiveness in children raised in public care. The first measurement comprised 375 children from children's homes and foster families; however, most of the results are based on an analysis of the 139 children who participated in both parts of the research. We used the Child Depression Inventory and the anxiety/depression subscales of Youth Self Report and Child Behaviour Checklist as measures of depressiveness. The comparison of results from the first and second measurements showed that depressiveness in children in public care decreased over time. Children who grew up in children homes were, in the first measurement, more depressed than those living in foster families, but after five years that difference had disappeared. Furthermore, decrease in depressiveness is predominantly associated with less frequent delinquent, aggressive or hyperactive behaviour, less withdrawal and better control over uncomfortable emotions.     

城市人口密度、国内市场规模与就业增长

我国经济“高增长、低就业”现象的原因在于我国贸易成本过高，国内市场规模较少。解决我国就业问题的关键在于减少行政干预，顺应市场要求，促进人口在空间上的适度集中，提高人口密度，提高消费效率，扩大市场规模。应进一步完善城乡一体的户籍制度，完善整合城乡劳动力市场，提高要素流动能力等。     

Supporting foster and kinship carers to promote the mental health of children

The majority of children and young people removed from the care of their parents by the state of Victoria, Australia, reside in foster or kinship care. These children have experienced a broad range of adverse conditions and are up to 4 times more likely to experience problems with mental health than their mainstream peers. This paper draws on the perspectives of foster and kinship carers, describing the disconnection between their role as mental health advocates and their interest in early intervention in a field which is dominated by crisis and the historic marginalisation of foster and kinship carers. Thirty‐one foster and kinship carers across greater metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, contributed to this study through interviews and focus groups. Participants demonstrated a practical understanding of mental health and an ability to identify a range of conditions that have an adverse impact on the mental health of children and young people in their care. The paper concludes that there is a lack of systemic support and even a range of barriers that affect the capacity of foster and kinship carers to promote the mental health and well‐being of the children and young people in their care.     

Key Determinants to using Telehealth Technology to Serve Medically Ill and Depressed Homebound Older Adults

Despite the increasing evidence for the effectiveness of telehealth technology in screening and treating chronic diseases, and comorbid depression among older adults, they have been slowly adopted by home health care (HHC) agencies. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors that determine telehealth technology adoption. Twenty directors from the National Association for Homecare & Hospice member agencies completed a 45-min telephone interview. Questions were asked regarding their perceptions of telehealth, the key determinants of telehealth adoption and use, and recommendations they would give on telehealth adoption. The majority of the participants perceived telehealth as effective for managing symptoms and reducing cost. Meanwhile, some participants had a mixed feeling toward telehealth for depression care as they did not recognize their agency as equipped with the necessary resources and trained staff. Moreover, significant determinants of telehealth adoption included the agency-related characteristics, the patient-home environment, reimbursement and cost-related factors, and staff telehealth perception. Findings imply that there is a need for financial support both at the state and the federal levels to encourage telehealth adoption among HHC agencies. Future studies should consider exploring strategies used by successful programs to overcome barriers.     

让大学成为学生的精神家园——刍议大学人文教育

目前,中国学者关于大学人文教育现状及后果的研究与思考方兴未艾。大学人文教育是对一种全面发展的理想人格的肯定和塑造。大学培养人才应该关注其在学识、道德和美感的全面实现。完善大学人文教育是高校教育体制改革的一个标本兼治的方向,具有现实的针对性和迫切性。应使大学生"精神成人",让大学成为学生的精神家园。     

基于家庭网络的数字融合及其影响分析

在描述家庭网络的重要性的基础上对基于家庭网络的数字融合及其影响进行分析和研究。随着信息技术和产品逐步由多标准向标准融合过渡,网络、通信、软件、硬件和消费电子产品等生产厂家通过成立联盟,推动家庭网络技术和产品相互兼容。于是产业融合得到促进,家庭网络市场逐步扩大。家庭网络推动服务融合和创新,促进形成新的价值链。在新的价值链中,新的商业模式促进网络运营、应用和服务的改变和融合,合作和协同不可或缺,并得到了政策和资源方面的支持。对于家庭网络业的发展来说,技术是基础,内容是源泉,应用是动力,协同是关键。     

家庭状况对残疾人服务模式选择的影响

利用2009年北京市残疾人服务需求状况调查数据,以1 198名残疾人为研究对象,采用Logistic Regression模型进行逐步回归,研究了残疾人的家庭状况对其服务模式选择的影响。研究发现,家庭特征、照料资源、家庭及社区环境等因素对残疾人的服务模式选择有重要影响:残疾人多乐于选择居家服务;由子女/孙子女和配偶照料的残疾人选择机构托养服务的较少;社区服务设施状况越好,残疾人越乐于利用社区服务。     

公共政策视阈下政府购买居家养老服务研究

在人口老龄化问题日益凸显的中国,养老问题引起各界的关注,一些地方政府尝试推行购买居家养老服务作为政府公共服务供给的重要方式之一。通过对上海市政府实行购买居家养老服务的政策问题界定、政策内容、政策组织机制以及政策执行状况进行分析可以发现,目前政府购买居家养老服务的制度建设有待加强,应由原来的政策层面上升至制度层面,从而推动政府购买居家养老服务的持续稳定发展。