The Subjective Experience of Youth Psychotropic Treatment

Abstract

The psychotropic treatment of youth is increasing dramatically. This article examines child and adolescent psychopharma-cological research and argues that social work practice and research must examine the complex relationships, social and psychological, in youth pharmacologic treatment. Regarding identity formation, this article explores the developmental consequences when youth adopt an illness narrative to make sense of everyday medication treatment. A conceptual framework for mapping the socio-cultural context of youth medication management is outlined. In the conclusion, youth psychotropic treatment is connected to a perplexing ‘interpretive gap,’ which highlights the subjective quality of medication treatment.     

Using Student-Written Cases to Enhance Competency-Based Assessment and Diagnostic Skills

Abstract

The current article describes the use of student-written cases as a pedagogical tool in helping direct practice graduate students improve competency-based assessment and diagnostic skills. The history of the case method and case writing is presented, followed by an example of a student-written case that was assigned in a course that covers mental disorders. The use of the student-written case is explored in regard to its efficacy in helping students improve their assessment and diagnostic skills using the competency-based model. Student-written cases are then discussed in terms of their benefit to: (1) the student writing the case; (2) the student learning from the case; and (3) the instructor who uses the case as a teaching tool.     

Urban Depression Patients Should Receive Public Attention

正In China,although some celebrities like Leslie Cheung and Yang Kun openly disclosed their symptoms of depression and many people have heard about depression,few people really understand and pay attention to depression.Not long ago,the famous American comedian Robin Williams committed suicide due to depression,which upset many people.However,generally,people still believe that depression is only a"mood disorder",and     

北京市终端能源消费及碳排放变化影响因素

近些年,北京市能源消费需求不断增加,能源对外依存度较高,资源瓶颈问题日益突出.基于LMDI方法定量分析了1996—2009年北京市第一、第二、第三产业终端能源消费的变化特征,研究影响北京市二氧化碳排放变化的主要因素及各因素的贡献程度.研究结果表明:调整产业结构起到的影响作用正逐渐减弱,而降低能源强度能够有效抑制终端能源消费和二氧化碳排放量的增加.虽然优化能源消费结构的作用在目前并不显著,但未来仍有很大发展空间.因此,北京市在快速发展经济的同时,应该重视转变经济增长方式,优化产业结构调整,降低能源强度及碳排放系数,提高能源利用效率,以减缓能源消费及二氧化碳排放的增长速度.     

Impact of the Most Frequently Reported Traumatic Events on Community Mental Health Clients

This survey of 354 community mental health clients examined the relative impact of client self-reported events that they deemed “most traumatic” for predicting posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) symptom severity. Results of the voluntary survey revealed the most traumatic lifetime events to be (in descending order of frequency): sudden death of a loved one, sexual abuse, physical abuse, suicide attempt, and having been in a serious/life-threatening accident. These factors were then tested for gender differences, and regression models were developed to test the predictive power of traumatic events relative to primary diagnosis, psychosocial well-being, other key psychiatric indicators, and drinking to cope with negative emotions. Results demonstrated that sexual abuse was reported to be among the strongest predictors of PTSD symptom severity. Separate regression models also revealed important gender differences. Implications for social work assessment of seriously mentally ill clients are suggested.     

A Comparison of Leisure Patterns and Morale Between Retired Professional and Nonprofessional Women

Differences in levels of post-retirement leisure activity and morale between professional and nonprofessional women were examined. Results showed retired professional women to have significantly higher levels of participation in leisure activities and higher morale than retired nonprofessional women. Differences in leisure patterns in terms of specific activities were also reported. These findings were interpreted as reflecting leisure choice as a function of psychological needs.     

Schizophrenia,Community Integration,and Recovery

Abstract

Rooted in deinstitutionalization policy, the community inclusion required by the Olmstead case, and the grass roots recovery movement, community integration for those who have diagnoses of serious mental illnesses has become an increasingly important policy goal. The purpose of this project was to examine empirical evidence describing experiences with social or community integration for people with psychiatric disabilities, with a particular interest in the schizophrenias. Studies chosen for review all involved direct survey or interview data from people with psychiatric disabilities and examined subjective experiences with social relationships or linked social participation with clinical, functional, or quality of life outcomes. Experiences involving the dynamics of social stigma, the achievement of personal agency, and innovative pathways to satisfying social inclusion are core themes found that are highly relevant for practitioners. Social work, with its ecological perspective, is well suited to address the complexities of conflicting interests and objectives that have arisen in mental health care in the pursuit of community integration. Suggestions for fruitful responses are presented.     

Issues Related to HIV Stigma in Nepal

ABSTRACT

We conducted a qualitative study to understand and describe experiences of people living with HIV and AIDS with regard to HIV-associated stigma in Nepal. The study has revealed four key themes associated with HIV stigma: a hierarchy of stigma (sexual transmission and women stigmatized more than injecting-drug transmission and men); exclusion and rejection (denial of care services, rejection from family); death as a form of punishment (untimely death is seen as a punishment for something done wrong in the past); and Mumbaiya disease (caught from working in “other places”). Cultural contexts are the best ways to understand HIV stigma in Nepal along with socially and culturally established gender roles. This study has confirmed that stigma manifests at different levels: individual, social, and structural, with denial and rejection being a key mechanism of stigma.     

The Longitudinal Discharge Planning and Treatment Model (LDPTM)

Abstract

A longitudinally based discharge planning and treatment model that integrates essential components of other successful approaches (PACT, PACED, and Bridge to Discharge) is described. The development of linkages between the inpatient and community mental health providers during the early stages of hospitalization could improve the continuity of care and establish an aftercare plan rooted in existing community resources. Placing the client's need first will ensure a smoother transition from the structure of the inpatient ward to the community while maintaining continuity of care and reducing potential re-admissions to the hospital. Potential barriers that may prevent the adoption and implementation of such a system are discussed. Belcher and DeForge (2005) in Part 1 provided a review of case management and discharge planning, as well as a critique of case management models. In Part 2, DeForge and Belcher (2005) present and describe the components of the longitudinally based discharge planning and treatment model (LDPTM).     

高校突发公共事件之心理诱因分析

引发高校突发公共事件的原因是多方面的,心理疾病是其中一个重要诱因。高校应提高对心理健康教育重要性的认识,加强大学生心理健康教育,这是新形势下预防高校突发公共事件和建设和谐校园的一项重要而紧迫的任务。