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Comparisons of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in different cultures are important in determining the degree to which particular syndromes are culture-bound in their manifestations. In this study we looked at both clinical evidence and objective measures of behavior with the Peterson-Quay and Rutter Behavior Rating Scales in Canadian and African primary-school-aged children. We conclude that the hyperactive syndrome, albeit in a somewhat different form, occurs in Africa and hence may be a basic deviation in behavior.

This study examines the relative contribution to early maternal behavior of the psychosocial history of the mother, perinatal events, and infant behavior. The interaction of 32 mothers and their very low birth weight infants was observed both during maternal visits to the premature nursery and feeds during the infants' first 3 months at home. It was found that mothers showed a consistent level of activity vis-a-vis their infants; that this activity level was related to their responsivity to behavioral cues from the infants; and was predictive of caretaking patterns at home. Only psychological variables within the mothers' background were found to be significantly related to these maternal activity patterns.

This study examines 20 pairs of twins with a birthweight of less than 1500 g and their parents during weekly parental nursery visits and during home feedings at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the twins' expected date of birth. All infants were rated daily on 19 operationally defined medical complications. During each of these visits various maternal and infant behaviors were recorded and the preference of the mother toward either twin assessed. Results indicate that mothers generally develop a clear preference for one twin within 3 weeks after birth, and that the preferred twin almost invariably is the healthier one. In addition, the preferred twin at 3 and 6 months shows significantly more social behaviors than the nonpreferred twin.

A sample of low birthweight preterm infants was assessed for temperamental characteristics at 3, 6 and 12 months of age by parent report. Results indicate that this sample contains a significantly higher percentage of “difficult‘’ infants (p

The present paper discusses the concept of infant psychiatry and assesses a variety of treatment approaches which have been used with psychologically disturbed infants. Psychoanalysis, behavior therapy, and various forms of parental counseling by both pediatricians and mental health professionals are evaluated critically. Short- and long-term effects of early infant stimulation programs are discussed. Finally, the importance of collaboration among the various professional groups caring for infants is stressed and the need for further research emphasized.

their parents' rights permanently, or when the court has ordered that the children be placed outside their parents' home pending adjudication. The major difficulty with this proposal is that neglect proceedings are not easily divisible into distinct and separate stages as the authors suggest. Many cases are resolved by negotiation before the dispositional hearing occurs. Counsel's ability to represent the child effectively will depend upon his or her presence at all stages of the negotiations and having sufficient time to investigate the case fully. Given the very brief time periods within which most neglect cases must be handled, counsel's entry at the dispositional stage will generally be too late for him or her to function as an effective advocate. Although mandatory appointment of counsel prior to an adjudication of neglect or abuse certainly constitutes intrusion into the parentchild relationship, such intervention may be necessary to protect the distinctive interests of the child, especially when those interests are in conflict with the parents' interests. Here, as throughout the book, the authors assume that the interests of children, except in cases of extreme abuse or cruelty, will be best promoted through state support of parental decision making. Although I agree with this as a general principle, the delicate accommodation of competing interests among parents, children, and the state requires a more flexible formulation which would balance the degree of state intrusivencss into tIic family against t.hc bcnefits to be gained from the intervention.