Marital Quality and Health Over 20 Years: A Growth Curve Analysis

Although there is substantial evidence linking marital quality to physical health, few studies have been longitudinal. This study examined data from the Marital Instability Over the Life Course Study; 1,681 married individuals followed for 20 years were included in these analyses. In order to control for life course effects, participants were divided into 2 cohorts: early life and midlife. On the basis of latent growth curve analysis, the results indicated that initial values of marital happiness and marital problems were significantly associated with the initial value of physical health among both cohorts. In addition, the slope of marital happiness was significantly associated with the slope of physical health among the younger cohort, and the slope of marital problems was significantly associated with the slope of physical health among the midlife cohort. These results provide evidence of the significant association between positive and negative dimensions of marital quality and physical health over the life course.     

Challenges of Safe Motherhood: Program and Policy Recommendations

ABSTRACT

This article synthesizes the major findings from research and case studies on safe motherhood and focuses on best practices and changes in public policy. Many factors that negatively influence safe motherhood can be ameliorated—and have been in numerous societies through education, access to resources, public–private partnerships, and grassroots efforts. A model identifying the interrelationship of variable is provided. Policy recommendations are discussed.     

Maternal Health in Post-Soviet Georgia

ABSTRACT

During the post-Soviet economic and political transformation, underprivileged social groups frequently experienced economic instability, financial insecurity, and lack of political representation. During the transition from communism to democracy Georgian women with low social status experienced not only economic hardship but also deterioration of health. Among the negative outcomes of post-Soviet transition were unsafe motherhood, increased cigarette and alcohol consumption, unsafe sex, increased gender violence, and a decline of maternal health. This article analyzes maternal health conditions of Georgian women after the collapse of the Soviet Union.     

Managing moods and parenting: Perspectives of former system youth who struggle with emotional challenges

Young adults who were served in public systems of care as children are much more likely than their peers to be parenting in adolescence and young adulthood. They are also more likely than their counterparts to have a history of mental health problems. This study examined the perspectives of young adult parents with mood problems who had been involved in public systems of care before age 18. Qualitative interviews with twenty-eight participants were analyzed to examine the experience of managing moods and parenting. Young parents described how their symptoms impact their parenting and how parenting impacts their coping. They also described the strengths and challenges of using mental health services while parenting. Findings highlight the need to provide interventions that include supports for both parenting and symptom management and for providers to include both tangible and emotional support in their interventions.     

Increasing spiritual diversity in social work discourse: a scientific avenue toward more effective mental health service provision

The costs associated with mental disorders are substantial, yet treatment efficacy is still in its infancy. Drawing from key concepts in the philosophy of science literature, this paper argues that increasing spiritual diversity in social work discourse represents one important avenue to increase the effectiveness of mental health service provision. Toward that end, the role that cognitive diversity plays in scientific advancement is discussed. Demographic data is related suggesting most social workers hold secular values and, consequently, secular perspectives enjoy a privileged status in professional discourse. The effects of the lack of spiritual diversity are delineated on disciplinary discourse, interventions, and service provision. Islam is used as an example to illustrate how effectiveness can potentially be augmented by incorporating the voice of Muslims and other people of faith into disciplinary discourse.     

Accredited Mental Health Social Work in Australia: A Reality Check

Abstract

Accredited mental health social workers (AMHSWs) have a great deal to offer the clients they see in their private practices, many of whom have complex needs. However, they are constrained by the inflated expectations Government has about evidence-based psychological interventions. The restrictions placed on the professional private practice of AMHSWs by Federal Government Medicare funding of a narrow set of psychological interventions ultimately limits the services received by clients. In this article, the findings of a survey of AMHSWs are presented, highlighting the tensions between individualised responses promoted by Medicare payments, and those premised on principles of social justice and social inclusion.     

The effects of socioeconomic inequalities of working life on health: implications for an ageing population

Abstract

This study examines suggestions that inequalities in health related to socioeconomic status (SES) will increase in older age. A representative sample of the New Zealand population aged 55–70 years (N = 6662) responded to a postal questionnaire with measures of health (SF-36), SES, and health-related behaviours. Hierarchical multiple regressions supported predictions that the SES of working life will continue to influence physical and mental health in early old age. The strongest predictor was self-reported economic living standards. This subjective measure of SES is an important construct for future investigations of health and wellbeing among older people in an ageing population.     

论医疗改革的伦理本位

从哲学视角反思始于1999年的医疗改革失败的根本原因,探讨医疗改革成功的基础是中国当代哲学需直面的时代课题。研究发现,医疗制度设计过度理性、伦理缺失是导致改革失败的最核心的原因。为此,构建医疗卫生改革的伦理内涵,回归医改的伦理本质是中国医疗改革成功的哲学基础。     

新生心理普查对心理危机筛查及心理建档的作用分析

新生心理健康普查是大学生心理健康教育工作的常规工作之一．在这项工作的深入开展过程中呈现了诸多问题,而解决问题的关键在于认识心理测验的有限性,认识心理危机预警因素的复杂性,重新审视新生心理普查的目标,重新定位新生心理普查的功能,将筛选心理危机目标转化为心理健康服务目标,将心理档案建设工作拓宽延伸,充分发挥各级力量,始终贯穿于学生的大学生涯期间。