Age Differences Among Homeless Individuals: Adolescence Through Adulthood

The present study examines differences between homeless adolescents, young adults, and older adults served by homeless shelters or food programs to inform service provision. Four homeless studies using the same sampling and measurement methods were pooled to permit comparisons across age groups. Results showed that homeless adolescents demonstrated greater resilience than younger and older adults. Adolescents reported the shortest duration of homelessness, lowest number of life stressors, fewest physical symptoms, largest social networks, and fewest clinically significant mental health problems. Adolescents also received fewer alcohol and drug abuse diagnoses than younger and older adults. Younger adults reported less time homeless and fewer physical symptoms than older adults, but more life stressors. Younger adults also endorsed higher levels of hostile and paranoid psychological symptoms. Implications for service provision and policy are discussed.     

Investigating the Roles of Neighborhood Environments and Housing-Based Social Support in the Relocation of Persons Made Homeless by Hurricane Katrina

This study examined whether social support tied to relocation efforts and neighborhood social climate may mediate the effects of stressful life events on mental health outcomes following Hurricane Katrina. Participants were 108 adult persons made homeless by Hurricane Katrina and evacuated to Columbia, South Carolina. Civic leaders developed an intervention model that emphasized (a) a one-stop point of entry, (b) living in hotels and apartments rather than shelters, and (c) matching hotels with volunteer “hosts” to assist in relocation efforts. Results revealed that perceived neighborhood factors and satisfaction with host relationship were related to several mental health outcomes. Neighborhood social climate partially mediated several mental health outcomes. Implications of this intervention model and the utility of social ecological perspectives on homelessness interventions are discussed.     

Urban planning and mental health

Abstract

Both the product and the process of city planning have been shown to have an influence on mental health. This paper presents a model of the process through which community design characteristics influence mental health. The model emphasizes the importance of local social interaction and physical stimulation, as well as adjustment mechanisms used to dampen stress resulting from undesirable levels of interaction and stimulation. The research on the relationship between four community design characteristics and social interaction, stimulation and mental health is then reviewed. An argument for the importance of citizen participation is also presented, stressing the influence of participation on both sense of control and the development of social support. Commonly employed participation techniques, however, differ in their ability to affect support and control. Neighborhood council programs are identified as having the greatest potential for influencing sense of control and social support. Finally the obstacles to improving community design and specific recommendations for the prevention of environmentally induced mental health problems are presented.     

Residual Effects of Repeated Bully Victimization Before the Age of 12 on Adolescent Functioning

Abstract

In this study, data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY 97) were used to examine early adolescent functioning as a result of being bullied. The NLSY 97 asked 4807 youths from age 12 to 14 whether they had been the victims of repeated bullying before the age of 12. In this study, 19.1% of the youths responded that they had experienced this repeated violence. It was found that the youth who have been bullied are exhibiting behaviors that are very different than their non-bullied peers. In every instance those individuals that admit to being repeatedly bullied before the age of 12 were less successful in negotiating various aspects of their life as a teenager. This underscores the need for programs that address bully prevention. Some programmatic initiatives aimed at reducing this victimized population are discussed.     

Chapter 3. Mental Health Care of Hispanic Immigrant Children

Abstract

This chapter addresses the mental health care of Hispanic immigrant children within a school-based context. The school system is presented as a natural support agent that is psychologically, culturally and geographically accessible for the delivery of culturally competent mental health services. The development of a multifaceted New York City public school-based program created, by the first author of this chapter, in response to the psychosocial needs of Hispanic immigrant children is discussed as a viable approach that may be used in the provision of ethnic-sensitive mental health care.     

Criminal Court-Ordered Psychiatric Evaluations:Does Gender Play a Role?

This study examines potential gender differences among defendants referred by criminal courts for psychiatric evaluations by analyzing demographic, clinical, and criminal history variables and evaluation findings. This study offers a large sample size of 718 females, as well as 3,627 males. Bivariate logistic regression and heterogeneity analyses were utilized to assess potential differences. Females were older; diagnosed more with mood, anxiety, and borderline personality disorders; less likely to have prior felony convictions; and more likely to be in the community than jail at the time of the evaluation. In addition, when controlling for other factors, females were more likely to be evaluated as having a mental disease or defect, to need hospitalization pending trial, and to be incompetent to stand trial.     

合同纠纷中精神障碍者民事行为能力评定

目的寻找并确证合同纠纷中精神障碍者民事行为能力评定的考量的指标。方法回顾性收集合同纠纷中精神障碍民事行为能力评定案例中被鉴定人相关资料;对所提炼民事行为能力评定应当考量的6项指标,即处境认识、争端理解、结果认识、信息利用、环境功能和决定交流进行评定与分析。结果纳入与精神障碍者民事行为评定相关的合同纠纷案例56例,所有案例中民事行为能力均实行三级划分,即完全民事行为能力、限制民事行为能力、无民事行为能力。合同类型主要集中于两类,与房屋相关合同38例,劳动合同14例。经统计发现各考量指标与专家鉴定结论的相关性较高,相关系数0．703～0．834,6项指标内部相关性高,相关系数0．712～0．877。结论合同纠纷中精神障碍者民事行为能力可实行三级划分,上述6项指标对精神障碍者的民事行为评定具有较强代表性,可以此为基础进一步开展民事行为能力评定标准化和量化研究。     

公安边防部队官兵压力分析与应对

公安边防部队作为担负出入境边防检查、边境管理、打击偷渡、走私、贩毒贩枪等暴力犯罪的特殊武装力量,工作具有点多、线长、面广的特点。与社会其他成员相比,官兵受到的压力更大,压力源更为广泛。因此,相关部门应采取切实措施,关注官兵心理健康,以有效减少其身心压力。     

成年人民事行为能力——从行为主义到意思主义

我国的成年人民事行为能力采用传统大陆法系的禁治产和准禁治产制度,主要分为完全民事行为能力,限制民事行为能力和无民事行为能力三类,并对非完全民事行为能力人设置了宣告制度,随着时代的进步和发展,自我决定和正常化理念的深入人心,发达国家都改变了自己的成年人行为能力理论,逐渐回归意思主义。文章主要以英国的意思能力法为参考对象,对比我国的制度不足,从法律理论和实践的角度论述我国成年人民事行为理论的改革。