Dimensions and correlates of third through eighth graders' sex-role self-concepts

The sex-role self-concepts of 238 third- through eighth-grade children were assessed by means of a modified Bem Sex Role Inventory. Most children's sex-role self-concepts were congruent with their biological sex, although a large portion of the sample was categorized as having androgynous self-concepts (33.98% of males and 31.11% of females). The frequency of cross-sex-role self-concepts was very low. The stability of children's sex-role self-concepts was evidenced by nonsignificant developmental trends in the percentage of children classified as masculine, feminine, androgynous, and undifferentiated. The relationship between children's sex-role self-concept and general self-concept, occupational stereotyping, frequency of TV watching, and a variety of parent-rated behaviors was also explored. While some developmental trends and sex differences occurred, sex-role self-concept was nonsignificantly related to these variables. Results are discussed in terms of the usefulness of the sex-role self-concept, particularly androgyny, as a developmental construct.The authors would like to thank the children and parents of St. Helen's Grammar School for their cooperation, and Karen Hyde, Jeff Wilbert, and Jill Tschopp for their help in data collection and analysis.     

Ethical and consultation issues in the behavioral sciences and terrorism

This paper briefly examines ethics as a process and as an element of philosophy with a long historical tradition. The paper then reviews elements of the professional ethics of a terrorist or hostage event, issues involved with consulting with an institution, and ethical issues for the clinician who chooses to become personally involved in a hostage event. Although reference is made particularly to psychiatrists, the principles discussed apply in large part to other mental health professionals as well. The paper concludes with the principles articulated by the American Psychiatric Association's Task Force on the Psychiatric Aspects of Terrorism and Its Victims as guidelines for psychiatric intervention in hostage or terrorist situations.     

Training of interns and practicum students at community mental health centers

The training of interns and practicum students has become a significant part of the overall program of CMHCs over the last decade. Although many centers provide innovative training in areas consistent with the philosophies of community mental health/community psychology, CMHCs consider the outstanding training which they provide to be in the traditional clinical areas. The fact that the revolution envisaged by the early proponents of the CMH/CP ideology has become transformed into an evolution is not cause for dismay but rather constitutes a study in social change. The planned incorporation of additional CMH/CP components into training programs augurs well for the future. However, the future of training programs is dependent on the extent to which the profession as a whole marshals its resources to not only maintain but increase the financial resources required for maintaining our network of training facilities—CMHCs along with other facilities.     

Reactions following the sudden death of a classmate

Findings from a study of adolescents grief reactions following the sudden death of a friend and a classmate are presented. The group (26 classmates) was followed up after one and nine months. Interviews and a questionnaire including the Imapact of Event Scale and the Hogan Grief Inventory were used. The general grief scores on the Hogan Grief Inventory indicated that the grief level was similar to that of adolescents who had lost siblings. The scores on the Impact of Event Scale showed a descline in distress level from 1 to 9 months. However, after 9 months about 1/5 of the students still scored above a clinical cut-off point indicating post-traumatic stress levels. Recommendations for improving help following such events are presented.     

Religious Studies at Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley has had a Group Major in Religious Studies since 1970, but there is no core faculty for the program. Efforts on the part of distinguished Berkeley faculty members over the years to create a viable department have met with no success. Now (in 1999), as a result of actions taken by the administration, the group major is in serious jeopardy.     

Exploring young people's perceptions relevant to counselling: A qualitative study

Findings are presented from a qualitative study exploring young people's perceptions that are relevant to the provision of a youth counselling service. Data were collected through individual and group interviews with a sample of 42 young people, most of whom were between 15 and 18 years old. The data were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Two key categories emerged from this analysis: factors which hinder young people's willingness to seek counselling, and factors which would encourage young people to make use of counselling. Specific themes within these categories are explored, and the wider implications of findings from the study are discussed.     

BEYOND THE MEASUREMENT TRAP

Many areas of women's health, including battering, suffer from conceptual and methodological deficits. This article uses the "measurement trap" (Graham & Campbell, 1991), a set of conditions defined by lack of information resulting from a narrow conceptualization of the problem, poor existing data sources, inappropriate outcome indicators, and limited measurement techniques, as a framework for describing how current approaches to conceptualizing and measuring battering hamper research and program efforts in the field of domestic violence. We then describe an alternative conceptualization–and–measurement approach that is based on battered women's experiences. We argue that an experiential approach, which grounds measurement in women's lived experiences, improves our ability to conduct research that correctly identifies, monitors, and explains the epidemiology of this phenomenon and provides a solid basis for policy and program development.