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Dr. Bowen presented this paper at a conference on Psychotherapy and the Family at Temple University on March 30, 1961. It was also published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry in 1961. At the conclusion of his research project at the NIMH (1954-1959), Dr. Bowen was appointed as a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine and had begun a clinical practice in Chevy Chase, Maryland. This presentation describes ninety-four families with a wide range of family problems. Sixteen families had an overtly psychotic offspring, nine families had delinquent problems in teenage children, twenty-one families had behavior and learning problems in adolescent children, and forty-eight were husband-wife families where the children were not the main focus of the family problem. The treatment course ranged from brief family psychotherapy from ten to twenty hours to long-term therapy of 200 to 300 hours extending up to two to three years. In these ninety-four office practice families, the principal problem was in the child in 49% and between the parents in 51%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of delinquent behaviour is largely determined by the presence of (multiple) risk factors. It is essential to focus on the patterns of co-occurring risk factors in different subgroups in order to better understand disruptive behaviour. Aims and hypothesis: The aim of this study was to examine whether subgroups could be identified to obtain more insight into the patterns of co-occurring risk factors in a population of adolescents in residential care. Based on the results of prior studies, at least one subgroup with many risk factors in multiple domains and one subgroup with primarily risk factors in a single domain were expected. Methods: The structured assessment of violence risk in youth and the juvenile forensic profile were used to operationalize eleven risk factors in four domains: individual, family, peer and school. Data from 270 male adolescents admitted to a hospital for youth forensic psychiatry and orthopsychiatry in the Netherlands were available. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups and significant differences between the subgroups were examined in more detail. Results: Based on the fit statistics and the clinical interpretability, the four-class model was chosen. The four classes had different patterns of co-occurring risk factors, and differed in the included external variables such as psychopathology and criminal behaviour. Conclusions: Two groups were found with many risk factors in multiple domains and two groups with fewer (but still several) risk factors in single domains. This study shed light on the complexity of disruptive behaviour, providing a better insight into the patterns of co-occurring risk factors in a heterogeneous population of adolescents with major psychiatric problems admitted to residential care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This reprinted article originally appeared in American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1979, Vol. 49, No. 2, 240-245. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2013-43131-006.) The fourth follow-up study of adolescent delinquent boys treated in a community-based program that combined job placement, remedial education, and psychotherapy indicates that the better overall adjustment of the treated group, compared to untreated controls, is maintained well into adulthood. It reaffirms the importance of developing sound, innovative means of reaching adolescents in crisis, and suggests the value of a fullscale replication of the original program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This reprinted article originally appeared in American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1981, Vol. 51, No. 3, 391-402. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2013-42918-004.) This article focuses on reflections on mental health in the United States. This accumulation of wisdom and knowledge from experts inside and outside government has for the most part been ignored or shelved over the years because of revisions, deferrals, impoundments, vetoes, threatened vetoes, reorganizations, budget cuts, inflation, and military demands. Programs such as Head Start, which have been proven successful, have been fighting for survival, and community mental health centers, which in many ways represented a bold, new approach with much creative promise, were threatened with the loss of federal funding in the early 1970s. The humanist tradition in mental health and social services is best exemplified by Pinel's unchaining of psychotic patients: Itards infinite patience in working with Victor, the wild child: and Jane Addams's extraordinary development of community programs. On an international level a recent report of the WHO European Regional Office also has called for a wide ranging, independent group that would cut across national governments and exercise influence at high political levels to insure that important mental health policies are implemented. Perhaps the day will even come when an American President will feel responsible and accountable to the nation in an annual report to Congress and the people on the progress made in health and social welfare areas in his or her administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the psychology of human rights discussed at the first Greenville Family Symposium, sponsored by the American Orthopsychiatric Association in Greenville, South Carolina in March 2009. Topics include the principle of universality, rights for children with emotional disturbance, and the rationale for family-related rights. The lecture features Clemson University's Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life director Gary B. Melton.

Two and one-half years after the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attack, 204 middle school students in an Immigrant community located near Ground Zero were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as influenced by "dose" of exposure to the attack and accumulated lifetime traumas. Ninety percent of students reported at least one traumatic event other than 9/11 (e.g., community violence) with an average of 4 lifetime events reported. An interaction was obtained such that the dose-response effect depended on presence of other traumas. Among students with the lowest number of additional traumas, the usual dose-response pattern of increasing PTSD symptoms with increasing 9/11 exposure was observed; among those with medium to high cumulative life trauma, PTSD symptoms were substantially higher and uniformly so regardless of 9/11 exposure dose. Results suggest that traumas that precede or follow mass violence often have as much as if not greater impact on long-term symptom severity than high-dose exposure to the event. Implications regarding the presence of continuing or previous trauma exposure for postdisaster and early intervention policies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early, mid-, and late adolescents (N = 406) from an ethnically diverse community completed questionnaires describing positive and negative features of relationships with their mothers, fathers, and same-sex best friends. School grades, self-reported adjustment problems, and self-worth differed as a function of both the number of relationships that adolescents described as high on positive features and the number of relationships that adolescents described as high on negative features. Adolescents with relationships that were uniformly good quality (i.e., high on positive features and low on negative features) were better adjusted than adolescents with relationships that were uniformly poor quality (i.e., low on positive features and high on negative features). The results failed to support the proposition that a single high quality relationship buffers against suboptimal levels of support in other relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the experiences of youth leaving foster care as they enter adulthood has noted that they often reconnect, and sometimes live with, members of their family of origin. This is often thought to be a curious finding because at some earlier point, the families were deemed unsafe, requiring removal of the child to foster care. Although this finding has been consistent, it has not been the central focus of a research study and, therefore, its implications have been largely unexamined. In this article; the authors review what is known about the extent to which young adults reunite with their families after they leave foster care. To provide guidance in thinking further about former foster youth reuniting with their families, the authors also examine research and theoretical literature on family development and family transition. Implications for research, policy, and practice are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the importance of addressing issues of economic stress in standardized treatments for major depression. Using a sample from the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program, the study found high levels of patient introduction of economic stress topics, with relatively high levels of therapist approach of this material. There was significant evidence for a positive association between therapist approach of these economic stress topics and outcome. There was very little evidence for socioeconomic status differences in any of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between violence exposure in three different contexts (home, school, and community) and internalizing and externalizing outcomes in early adolescents. We modeled both context-specific and cumulative effects of exposure to violence. After controlling for a number of risk factors associated with violence exposure, violent incidents encountered at school and at home were consistently related to multiple outcomes. Violence exposure in the community was related only to aggressive fantasies but not to other externalizing or internalizing problems. High levels of violence exposure in the community attenuated the relationship between home violence and internalizing symptoms and school violence and externalizing problems. Cumulative exposure to violence was related to all aspects of adjustment, but the number of contexts in which violence occurred did not predict beyond the effects of cumulative exposure. Finally, high levels of cumulative violence exposure were associated with a plateau or decrease in emotional distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaining a better understanding of the types of child symptomatology that predict age at first admission and risk for readmission to a child psychiatric inpatient facility could help to inform the focus of intervention. Accordingly, the current study examined whether internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, alone or in combination, were associated with age at first admission and risk for repeat admission. Analyses were based on a sample of 372 children (M = 9.13 years, SD = 1.91) admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient facility. Internalizing behavior was associated with a later age at admission, but unrelated to repeat admission. Externalizing behavior was associated with an earlier age at admission and increased risk for repeat admission. Co-occurring internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were associated with increased risk for repeat admission, but were unrelated to age at first admission. Implications for findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a life course perspective, studies of cumulative disadvantage often identify early risk factors as predictors of poor outcomes. This study examined the influence of prenatal substance exposure on children's externalizing behaviors at 14 years postadoption. Using Wave 4 data from the California Long-Range Adoption Study, the authors employed growth curve modeling to examine behavioral trajectories of 275 children as influenced by foster care status, age at adoption, and gender. Outcomes are measured using a shortened Behavioral Problem Index. Prenatal exposure predicted elevated behavior problems that increased normatively compared with nonexposed children, and were not found to trigger the negative behavior sequelae once feared. Foster children tended to fare better over the life course than those adopted through other means, except for children adopted at older ages. Adopted children's problem behaviors may be directly associated with the success of their placements. The authors discuss implications for practice and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines risks, resources, and adjustment among siblings of children with severe emotional disturbances (SED) involved in an initiative to develop family centered Systems of Care in North Carolina. These siblings experience many of the same risks as the children who have been diagnosed with SED (i.e., "targets"), but have received relatively little attention from the system or researchers. This first systematic study of these siblings describes an early sample (n = 56), compares them to their system-identified brothers and sisters, and explores contextual factors related to sibling resources and adjustment. Findings suggest the siblings, much like the targets: (a) have been exposed to extremely high levels of adversity, and (b) evidence substantial variability in behavioral and emotional strengths and social-emotional adjustment. Although many siblings exhibit significant strengths and positive adjustment, a substantial proportion displays levels of competencies or problem behaviors on par with those targeted to receive services. Factors associated with positive sibling adjustment are consistent with those identified in prior risk and resilience work. Additional systematic study of these children could have implications for service delivery and preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the stability of treatment outcome one year after discharge from an inpatient treatment programme for adolescents with severe behavioural problems combined with psychiatric disorders. Symptom Check List-90 Revised (SCL-90 R) ratings were obtained at admission, discharge and one-year follow-up for 75 patients. Treatment outcome was determined by calculating clinically significant change on the SCL-90 R Global Severity Index (GSI) between admission and discharge. Stability of treatment outcome was determined by comparing the clinically significant changes on the GSI between admission and discharge, and between admission and follow-up. Compared to baseline, 46.7% of the patients recovered (reliable change was found and their GSI at discharge was below the cutoff point for the functional population), 20% improved (reliable change was found, but the GSI was still above the cutoff point). For the other patients no reliable change was found (12.0%) or they deteriorated (21.3%). At follow-up, compared to the base score, 52.0% recovered, 13.3% improved, 12.0% showed no reliable change, and 22.7% deteriorated. Although for the whole sample no significant change was found between discharge and follow-up, some individual patients continued to improve after discharge, while others deteriorated. Analyses show that drug usage during the follow-up period is a strong predictor for these changes. The results indicated that the majority of the patients recovered or improved during treatment and this treatment outcome was relatively stable at one-year follow-up. However, in a minority of patients the treatment results deteriorated during the one-year follow-up period. Drug usage turned out to be an important predictor for this deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assist in designing socially and culturally specific preventive interventions for refugee youths and families, this study identified the processes by which refugee families adapt and apply family beliefs concerning youths. A grounded-theory model constructed with ATLAS/ti for Windows and named the family beliefs framework describes (a) family beliefs concerning refugee youths, (b) contextual factors interacting with these family beliefs, (c) adaptation of family beliefs concerning refugee youths, and (d) the interplay of adapting family beliefs and behaviors concerning refugee youths. Preventive interventions for refugee youths and families would be more socially and culturally specific if they addressed the specific processes of adapting family beliefs experienced by refugee youths and their families amid transitions and traumas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study of 88 self-reports examined the subjective perceptions of men attending a group treatment program to address theft violent and abusive behaviors. For the majority of participants, this was a positive experience, with education and self-control described as the most helpful learning experience. No clear themes emerged regarding negative experiences with the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practicing child and adolescent clinicians (N = 309) completed a survey regarding their actual and preferred child and adolescent assessment practices. Most reported using the following tools: family interview, individual child/teen interview, and a review of previous treatment records. The majority reported interviewing the identified child/teen patient and the adults in the home with a parental role. Clinicians reported they would also prefer to use parent rating scales, teacher rating scales, child/teen self-report scales, naturalistic observation, and a review of recent report cards and previous educational testing. The top 3 factors reported to influence assessment practice were ethics, organizational pressures, and theoretical orientation. Twenty- one percent of the sample reported that research findings are unimportant in their assessment decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research focuses on cultural variations in the experience of daily stresses and strains. It simultaneously examines the experiences of daily hassles among people holding different cultural orientations (individualistic vs. collectivist) and different socioethnic groups (Jews and Arabs). Data were gathered from 662 Jewish and 300 Arab Israeli respondents by means of a random telephone number dialing. Differences were found in self-related hassles between individuals holding different cultural orientations and in family-related hassles between members of different ethnic affiliations. Multidimensional scaling analysis revealed a different configuration of relations among hassle domains in four groups of Ethnic Affiliation × Cultural Orientation, yielding a continuum from most typical individualists to most typical collectivists, with groups in cultural transition found in between. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating different types of aggression is important to facilitate a better understanding of excessive maladaptive aggression in referred youth. Using regression analysis, the authors investigated demographic, historical, diagnostic, and treatment correlates of proactive aggression and reactive aggression in a heterogeneous population (N = 323) of psychiatrically referred youths. Ratings of Proactive and reactive aggression. Results suggest the importance of hyperactive/impulsive behavior, disruptive behavior disorders, and self-reported hostility in youths with both reactive and proactive aggression. Substance use disorders, a family history of substance abuse, and family violence were specifically associated with proactive aggression. Younger age and a history of abuse were correlated with reactive aggression. Implications for clinical interventions and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty adults were interviewed about theft experiences in a 6-week program for recovery from posttraumatic stress. The most valued aspects were their relationships with staff and the staff's expertise in treating the long-term effects of abuse. They valued the structured group treatment that allowed them to process emotions with the goal of healing. A few were upset by process groups, whereas others had difficulty with the sudden loss of support at discharge from the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the effects of anti-psychotic drugs, particularly the creation of dependency disorders. Problems of non compliance by patients and reasons thereof; Use of tranquilizers which results in tranquilizer psychosis, tardive dyskinesia being one symptom; Advantage of orthomolecular psychiatry, with its use of non-toxic nutrients, over traditional therapies.

Cross-cultural living represents a transition that entails significant psychological disequilibration, to which individuals may respond with assimilation (retention of existing schemas) or accommodation (creation of new schemas; J. Block, 1982). Using the 3 California Psychological Inventory vector scales, the author assessed the personality of 97 Taiwanese young adults studying in the United States prearrival and at 1 and 2 years postarrival. The study found support for both assimilation (stability) and accommodation (change) in personality secondary to cross-cultural living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the appropriate legal and ethical response to those whose advocacy of "alternative" or unvalidated therapies places people at risk of harm. What are our professional responsibilities with respect to such advocacy, and what sorts of harm will justify government intervention? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profiles Oscar A. Barbarin, 2001-2003 president of the American Orthopsychiatric Association. Information on the educational attainment of Barbarin; Account of the career of Barbarin in mental health; Details of the family background of Barbarin.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an after-school program that is designed to meet the specific needs of African American youth. The program is called the Academic Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Mentorship Program and is sponsored, in part, by the Champaign Park District. The purpose of the program is to provide students with the competencies and skills needed to be involved, resilient, and successful. The program seeks to foster positive Black identities in the participants, and to develop strong math, reading, oratorical, and analytical thinking skills. The program has a strong African cultural component, as well as academic and recreation components. Three research questions guided the evaluation project: 1) Are the program s goals being achieved; 2) Do the parents and leaders perceive a positive change in the participant's behaviors and attitudes as a result of their participation in the program; and 3) What are the salient program aspects of the ACE Mentorship Program. The evaluation took place over a two-year period. Pretest and posttest survey data were collected from the participants for two consecutive years. Additionally, at the end of the second year, interviews were conducted with leaders, parents, and participants. The participants' academic grades were also examined. The information collected from the surveys indicated that the pretest and posttest scores on the Protective Factors Scale and Harter's Self-Perception Scale were not significantly different. The academic grades did indicate positive changes for most of the participants. Further, the information received from the interviews with the parents, leaders, and participants consistently indicated that the program is meeting its goals and is having a positive impact on the children. The salient program elements that seemingly contribute to the positive outcomes include effective and consistent leadership, parental involvement, and innovative programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguments for treating racism as an illness or an addiction are critiqued, and it is suggested that such efforts constitute a step backward in the battle against racism and discrimination. Medicalization, rather than being a catalyst for social change, is a mode of social control. The assumptions underlying the disease model are examined, and a strategy is outlined for dealing with racism as a structural phenomenon broader and more complex than personal prejudice and individual pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how relations between risk and protective factors and psychopathology vary by ethnic group, gender, and informant. Data were collected from Caucasian and American Indian adolescents, and their teachers. Results indicate a need for interventions that reduce risk, increase protective factors, and bring about greater convergence in the perceptions of teachers and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editioral. Gives a history of assertive community treatment (ACT) as it relates to orthopsychiatry. Reference made to the concept of deinstitutionalization; Definition of desinstitutionalization; Conclusions reached.

The article focuses on the thoughts of Jacques Lacan on film theory. It notes the concept of Lacan that the theory is about the conception of mirror as the screen. Relative to this, it reveals that this conception has created two ideas: the gaze and the apparatus. It also mentions a passage from the collection of essays by feminists on film from the periodical "Re-vision" that the panoptic gaze defines the situation of the woman under patriarchy which obliges a woman to monitor herself under the supervision of her husband.

The article presents an overview of several articles with topics related to family therapy, that were published in various journals. Articles summarized include "Financing Outpatient Mental Health Care: How Much Does Insurance Actually Help?" by Steven Walfish and Lisa Janzen published in the "American Journal of Orthopscychiatry," "The Categorical Representation of Personality Disorder: A Cluster Analysis of DSMIII-R Personality Features," by Leslie C. Morey published in the '"Journal of Abnormal Psychology" and "Is the Counselor an "Active Ingredient" in Substance Abuse rehabilitation? An Examination of Treatment Success Among Four Counselors," by A. Thomas McLellan, George E. Woody, Lester Luborsky and Leslie Goehl published in the "Journal of Nervous and Mental disease."

The article presents several topics published in the 1984 issue of the "American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. The article, "The father's contribution to child care: Effects on children's perceptions of parental role," by B. E. Carlson discusses the pattern of child care in a dual-career families. The study looks into the differences among three groups of families with young children. The topic by R. Halpern titled "Lack of effects for home based early intervention? Some possible explanations," discusses about the programs during the prenatal period until the child reaches the age of three. Another topic by H. R. Conte discusses the techniques for assessing sexual functioning gives an analysis if the different sexual behaviors in the general population.

The article presents information on several articles related to family therapy which were published in various journals. The article "Assessing for Parenting Compentency," by P.E. Steinhauer that was published in the "American Journal of Orthopsychiatry" is about evaluating families, childen and parents. The article "Dimensions of Female Sexuality: A Factor Analysis," by D. Myers, P.R. Kilmann, R.L. Wanlass and A. Stout that was published in the journal "Archives of Sexual Behavior" is about a study which examines the interrelationhips among sexual attitudes and behaviors among young women. The article "Children As Independent Variables: Some Clinical Implications of Child-Effects," by R.E. Emery, J.A. Binkoff, A.C. Houts and E.G. Carr was published in the journal "Behavior Therapy."

The article offers information on a number of articles published in various journals on psychotherapy. The article "Issues concerning parental harmony and children's psychosocial adjustment," by E. Ellison was published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. The article "Motivation of Surrogate Mothers: Initial Findings," by P. Parker was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The article "The Long-term Effects of a Videotape Modeling Parent-Training Program: Comparison of Immediate and One-Year Follow-Up Results," by C. Webster-Stratton.

The article the presents news briefs related to people with mental deficiencies. The Southbury Training School represents one of the most important steps in the development of modern state institutions. The Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association will be held at the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York City on February 20-22, 1941. The third annual regional meeting of Mountain States Division of the American Association on Mental Deficiency will be held on October 4-5, 1941 in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Dr. Augustus Leon Beier died on November 13, 1970 on November 13, 1940.

A key word index for the vol. 76, no. 2, April 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Orthopsychiatry" is presented.

Presents a case report on the benefits offered by orthomolecular medicine and psychiatry in the treatment of schizophrenia. Outline of patient's history and previous treatment; Initiation of orthomolecular treatment after initial diagnosis of biochemical imbalances; Correction of the bio-chemical etiologies of the mental illness after the gradual reduction of medicines and follow-up with the "Prescription for Vitality".

If the American Orthopsychiatric Association is to prosper, it must follow a vision grounded in its historic concern with social justice, relevant to contemporary concerns, and pursued through the expertise of its members. Such a vision may lie in a 3-part agenda: (a) a psychologically-minded analysis of, and advocacy for, human rights: (b) attention to mental health concerns in the work of the Washington Group of international agencies; and (c) advocacy for access by disadvantaged people with mental health problems to a broad array of services and to a climate of respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]