The self-image of physically abused adolescents

Thirty physically abused adolescents were compared via the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire to thirty nonabused adolescents who were from a similar background. Another control group was comprised of normal adolescents tested by Offer, Ostrov, and Howard (1981). Results showed that physically abused adolescents feel worse in a number of areas when compared to nonabused adolescents. These areas include family relations, emotional stability, psychopathology, impulse control, coping skills, as well as poorer overall self-image. Implications are drawn for the professional's treatment of abused children and their responsibility to report abuse.This study was completed as part of the first author's doctoral dissertation at California Graduate Institute.Received Ph.D. from California Graduate Institute. Current research interests are psychoanalytic therapy and adolescent development.Received Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.     

Anorexia nervosa in the context of daily experience

This research employed the Experience Sampling Method to study the daily lives of two anorectic women. They and 24 women from a normative population filled out reports on their experience at random moments during an ordinary week in their lives. The sample of 40-to-45 reports per person suggests that the anorectics spent more of their time alone and experienced lower average affect than other young single women. In addition, the reports from Case 1 provide concrete quantitative demonstration of an abnormal preoccupation with food. The reports from Case 2 show how this woman's moods are strongly tied to her fluctuating sense of controlThis research was partially funded by the Judith Offer Fund and the George Barr Fund.Received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.     

The Premises of Decision-Making within the Australian Public Service

Decision-making is usually studied in the context of a particular choice or institution. This article proposes an alternative, cross-cutting approach. It argues that federal policy-making involves three forms of rationality — technical, economic and political. Standard operating procedures develop around each. This simplifies much decisionmaking but may also produce narrowness of outlook and a failure to see other dimensions to a policy problem.     

Pleural pearl. An immature pleural ball?

An incidental, pearl-like body was attached to the visceral pleura of a young man who committed suicide. The lesion consisted of concentric laminations of collagen and mesothelial type cells, and was associated with a resolved pleurisy. The possible relationship of this lesion to previously reported "pleural balls" is discussed.     

Commercialization activities in the SBIR program (part 1)

Telephone surveys were conducted over a three-year period on more than 800 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II projects initiated during the first three years of the program. For most of these projects, respondents were surveyed four years after receiving their Phase II award Five distinct levels of commercialization activity were identified ranging from “commercialization has occurred” (Level 1) to “commercialization is not expected” (Level 5). At the time of the survey, 12% of the projects had achieved commercialization (Level 1) and 18% were experiencing some commercialization success (Levels 1 and 2 combined). Of the participating federal agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services had by far the largest percentage of commercialized projects. For all agencies, over 60% of the respondents attributed nearly all of their projects' success to the SBIR program. Eighty-four percent stated that the technology development effort would not have been pursued without SBIR. Survey responses were also analyzed for a series of factors to determine their influence on the extent of commercialization activity. Factors included in the series are those related to the SBIR company conducting the project, the technology being developed, and marketing the product or service expected to be derived from the SBIR effort.     

The Canadian Auditors General What is their role?

Abstract. A review of the role of the auditor general at the provincial and federal levels of government is desirable at this time. This article suggests and comments on several significant issues which should he considered in a review of the auditor general's role. The article notes why an auditor's services are essential and suggests that he must undertake a broadly conceived role which is concerned with financial, efficiency-systems, and program audit duties. It is pointed out that for the auditor general to function properly, an internal audit group must exist with direct responsibilities to a government minister or senior civil servant. It is argued that the auditor general, while directly responsible to the federal or provincial legislative body, must not see himself as an adversary of the civil servant or government politician. Several suggestions are made to strengthen the auditor general's ability to perform effectively. Finally, a controversial issue is introduced concerning whether or not the auditor general should enlist the aid of private, commercially-oriented, professional auditing firms to assist him in carrying out his responsibilities. It is argued that the role of private, professional firms should be limited to selected projects in the field of program audits. Sommaire. Il est opportun, à l'heure actuelle, de reconsidérer le rôle du Veri-ficateur général des gouvernements fédéral et provinciaux. L'auteur de cet article soulève et commente quelques questions fondamentales qui devraient être rete-nues lors de l'examen du rôle du Vérificateur. Il indique pourquoi les services d'un Vérificateur sont essentiels; il propose que son rôle soit envisagé de façon très large et que sa rompétence sétende aux questions financières, aux systèmes de rendement, et au contrôle des programmes. Il fait remarquer que le Vérificateur, pour jouer convenablement son rôle, devrait avoir un groupe interne de vérificateurs relevant directement d'un ministre ou dun haut fonctionnaire. L'auteur démontre que le Vérificateur général, tout en dépendant directement de l'organe législatif, ne doit pas se considérer comme l'adversaire du fonctionnaire ou de l'homme politique. Il propose différentes mesures dans le but de permettre au Vérificateur de mieux exercer ses fonctions. Enfin, il soulèe une question controversée à savoir si le Vérificateur général devrait engager l'aide de cabinets comptables privés, pour l'aider à s'acquitter de ses responsabilitks. Il démontre que le rôle des cabinets privés devrait être limitéà des projets particuliers, dans le cadre du contrôle des programmes.     

'Worrisome Trends': The voice of the churches in Malawi's third term debate

During 2001–3, Malawi's United Democratic Front governmentattempted to secure a constitutional amendment to allow PresidentBakili Muluzi to stand for a third term in office. A significantfactor in the failure of this attempt was the opposition ofMalawi's churches. Having played a prominent role as midwivesof the democratic dispensation inaugurated in 1993–94at the end of Kamuzu Banda's autocratic rule, the churches continueten years later to play an integral role in the nurturing anddevelopment of democratic politics. This article offers a surveyof the statements issued by the churches and an analysis oftheir role in the defeat of the third-term proposal. It is notedthat Malawi's churches have come to regard themselves as custodiansof democratic values, champions of the constitution and spokespersonsfor the people. The significance of appeal to the Bible is assessedand the churches' emerging challenge to the politics of patronageis examined. It is argued that, within civil society, the churcheshave proved to be the most effective agent in challenging theruling elite. The unity and unanimity with which they opposedthe third-term bid is identified as the key to their effectiveness.     

Asymmetric Effects of Intergovernmental Grants: Analysis and Implications for U.S. Welfare Policy

Theories of federal grants to states and localities suggestthat these grants have a stimulative effect on spending, causingrecipient governments to expand and contract programs alongwith changes in the grants. However, policymakers may responddifferently to grant decreases than to grant increases becausethey face political and bureaucratic pressures to expand programs.These asymmetric reactions may depend on specific politicalstructures. Pooled time-series regressions of data from theAid to Families with Dependent Children program across 46 statesfrom 1965 to 1994 demonstrate state government responses togrant changes. Bureaucratic pressures and proposals lead statesto expand their welfare benefits upon increases in federal grants,but not to contract them upon decreases in federal grants. Withregard to the 1996 welfare reforms, this study indicates thatthe switch to block grants will lead to little or no state reductionin welfare payments.