Housing needs of grandparent caregivers: grandparent,youth, and professional perspectives

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study examined the housing needs of grandparent caregivers and the youth in their care in New York State. Nine focus groups were conducted separately with grandparent caregivers (n = 46) and youth (n = 34), and interviews were conducted with key informants (n = 17) knowledgeable about housing and issues. Housing needs of greatest priority, contextual differences, and potential barriers to securing housing and social services were identified. Key themes indicated that housing challenges stem from four problem domains: the experience of poverty, which creates affordability challenges that trap grandparent caregivers and their grandchildren in unsuitable homes and unsafe neighborhoods; physical challenges of aging grandparents, which require specific housing accommodations; changes in family composition when taking in grandchildren, which necessitate moving out of prior accommodations or changing housing plans due to regulatory issues; and obstacles to obtaining needed benefits, including a lack of information, burdensome application processes, ineligibility, and a shortage of resources. These issues are discussed with implications for policy and practice.     

An exploratory study of family‐centred help‐giving practices in early intervention: families of young children with autism spectrum disorder

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate the early intervention (EI) experiences of mothers who have a young child at risk for autism spectrum disorder. Data were collected through observations, interviews and document analyses. Results of the study suggest (i) interpersonal skills of practitioners and provisions for family choice and collaboration lead to positive experiences for mothers; (ii) asset‐based attitudes lead to family progress and competence; (iii) effective partnerships are developed through supportive provider communication techniques; and (iv) satisfaction with EI services results from practitioner responsiveness to help families access resources and facilitate child development.     

Elder Abuse: What Coroners Know and Need to Know

This article presents findings from a survey examining knowledge of elder abuse among Georgia's coroners. More than half of the 116 respondents indicated that they know “almost nothing” or “a little” about distinguishing signs of physical abuse from signs of aging (54%) and mandatory reporting laws and related elder abuse statutes (63%). When asked the frequency with which older adult cases were referred to the medical examiner, 49% indicated “rarely if ever.” Study findings reveal specific opportunities for enhancing training efforts aimed at coroners, who play a critical role in the identification of elder abuse.     

地理信息科学专业本科生需求与能力期望调查结果分析

为了解社会对地理信息科学专业学生生源需求和对学生能力的期望,设计了地理息信科学专业本科学生需求与能力期望调查表,并在测绘与地理信息行业单位开展调查。对调查结果进行分析,发现社会对地理信息科学专业学生需求量仍比较大,更多希望学生从事GIS工程开发与维护工作,更注重学生的专业基础知识、GIS软件操作与二次开发能力、科技创新能力以及团队协作精神。构建了地理信息科学专业学生能力结构体系,可以作为地理信息科学专业课程体系设置的基础,为地理信息科学专业学生能力培养提供很好的参考依据。     

Enhancing the capacity of kin caregivers and their families to meet the needs of children left behind

Based on qualitative research of the experiences of 23 kin caregivers and five school personnel, this article explores the role of informal kinship care in addressing the needs of school-age children left behind in rural China. The findings of this study suggest that kin caregivers' child-rearing capacity is limited in the rural context, and they are often overwhelmed by children's diverse and complex needs, particularly their emotional ones. In view of the huge population and their vulnerability, it is imperative for the state to take up its responsibilities and develop specific social work services and other support for children left behind and their families.     

发展中国家应对气候变化立法及其启示

在目前气候变化国际谈判陷入僵局、《京都议定书》实施困难重重的情况下,各国的国内立法已经成为应对气候变化的主要途径。目前,世界各国气候变化立法形成了两个阵营：以欧盟为代表的发达国家和以墨西哥、韩国、巴西等为代表的发展中国家。近年来,发展中国家在气候变化立法上取得了较大进展,形成了包括综合性立法模式、专门性立法模式、政策性立法模式、分散性立法模式在内的多种立法模式。从整体上看,发展中国家的气候变化立法毫不逊色于发达国家,已经成为推动气候变化立法发展的主要力量,值得我国借鉴与参考。     

当代中国农民企业家人性分析

农民企业家是在我国社会转型时期产生的特殊群体,除具备一般企业家的本能和本性外,他们的以官为本、收益理性、投资依赖、家族庇护、居功自傲、自由散漫、吃苦勤俭、小富即安等人性特点比较突出。人性的表现是很复杂的,当代我国农民企业家人性表现出“经济人”、“社会人”、“政治人”、“道德人”等多方面的倾向性;农民企业家人性及其表现的多倾向性对社会资源配置、社会结构变迁、公共权力分配、企业家道德体系构建等方面产生重要作用,应从经济、社会、政治、道德等方面构建制度,激励农民企业家人性表现朝良性方向发展,促进其成长。     

Motivations for Sexual Intimacy: Development of a Needs-Based Sexual Intimacy Scale

ABSTRACT

To assess motivations associated with sexual intimacy, a need for sexual intimacy scale (NSIS) was developed within a needs-based framework, focusing on needs for sex, affiliation, and dominance. Participants were 347 individuals associated with two large Southern California universities. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) were utilized, as were multiple attitudinal and behavioral measures for validation purposes. EFA found 22 items to be associated with the three need sets, with good internal consistency reliability. CFA confirmed these findings, and promising construct and criterion validities were also noted for the factors. Those reporting a greater need for sex noted more lifetime sex partners and one-night stands, but were less likely to use condoms. Individuals with affiliation needs were more likely to be truthful with their partners and more likely to practice safe-sex. Those reporting dominance needs want to control their partners sexually, but were less likely to use condoms. Men were found to exhibit greater needs for sex, while women reported higher levels of affiliation need. Sexual health and primary prevention concerns are discussed.     

Service Patterns of Adult Survivors of Childhood Versus Adult Sexual Assault/Abuse

This analysis compared the characteristics and service patterns of adult survivors of childhood sexual assault/abuse and adult survivors of adult sexual assault/abuse. Utilizing data from sexual assault crisis centers serving survivors in a Midwestern state over a six year period and controlling for revictimization, we describe and compare the demographic characteristics, referral sources, and service patterns of the two groups. Results indicate that paths into service differ for the two groups. Furthermore, adult survivors of childhood sexual assault/abuse obtain significantly more hours of service and service contacts on average than adult survivors of adult sexual assault/abuse. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.     

Grandparents as Caregivers: Emerging Issues for the Profession

Over the last two decades, the number of grandparents caring for their grandchildren has grown exponentially. The 2010 census revealed that 7.5 million children lived with a grandparent. This article is based on a study to find out from grandparents in the southwest region of the United States the circumstances that led to caring for their grandchild, needs and challenges in their role, and finally, to examine the level of stress they experience as a result of the parenting role. Based on the findings, recommendations related to social work practice and policy are provided. Additionally, the need to educate social workers in competency-based education is highlighted.