The practice of international adoption of children is critiqued, using an egalitarian concept of a distributive method of social justice. From this perspective, international adoption may be perceived as contradictory to principles of social justice by ignoring the social context within which it occurs. Possible solutions are critiqued and…

Discusses social, economic, and political components of environmental issues and their foundation in modern economic and scientific values. Examines implications of environmental concerns for social work practice and research. Includes examples illustrating range of linkages. Proposes expanded use of ecological model of social work practice as…

The effectiveness of personal versus systemic-structural social-work practice models is evaluated. Recent independent studies (N=45) are analyzed for differential findings of effectiveness. Client's focus for change (on themselves or on environmental factors) is evaluated in relation to the success of the treatment models. Research needs are…

The diversified expertise of social welfare professionals in urban development areas is a key to increasing their participation in assessing the social impact of municipal development. The experience of a Chicago program suggests specific ways of restoring social concerns to urban planning. (Author/BEF)

Investigates the extent to which attitudes, family, and environmental correlates are associated with the escalation from nonviolent to violent offending among incarcerated youths. Beliefs that power equates safety and a violent home environment were salient in understanding escalation in offending behavior, and prior criminal victimization was…

Outlines the recent biological findings regarding schizophrenia and presents a model for social work interventions with schizophrenic individuals and their families. (Author/ABB)

Suggests that despite social work's commitment to a person-in-situation framework, the social work literature contains a client-blaming bias. A review of recent reseach on practice effectiveness shows that problems were often defined in person-centered terms and that person-centered measures of outcome were frequently used. (Author/JAC)

Therapist's pregnancy creates new problems and opportunities for therapeutic relationships. Patient reactions relate to impending separation and psychological and physical events of pregnancy. Pregnant therapists also have new reactions to patients and must consider potential benefits of communicating something personal about themselves. (NRB)

Workers involved in counseling potential abortion recipients are subject to strains. The author uses observations made at one abortion clinic to conclude that these strains and methods of coping developed by staff and administration must be considered in formulating any policy on abortion. (Author)

Reports findings of national survey on school violence in Israel. Revealed high rates of violence in all areas and among all age groups, but relatively higher rates of low-level violent behaviors and lower rates of more severe violent events. Reports on age-related, gender, and cultural differences; discusses social workers' roles in shaping…

An emphasis on psychological aspects of behavior has constricted social work's view of the social environment and narrowed its theoretical base for intervention. Broadening perceptions to include the physical and social environment is critical in establishing a synthesis between the individual and society. (Author/RC)

Considers some of the issues involved in the debate over codes of ethics regarding the right to effective treatment. Offers suggestions for how ethical codes could be modified to include clients' right to receive effective treatment and social workers' obligation to be educated about and to provide such treatment. (RJM)

Provides a historical framework for defining peer sexual harassment as a sex discrimination issue and as a potential mental health issue. Reviews the research on teenage-peer sexual harassment. Explores a theoretical context in which to understand sexual harassment and discusses the implications for social work practice in education. (MKA)

Examines job-related, client-perpetrated threats or physical violence against social workers in general, and community outreach mental health professionals in particular. Highlights the critical role of supervisors and administrators in developing proactive prevention and postincident response policies and procedures that create an organizational…

Examines the traditional concept of confidentiality juxtaposed with newer developments in theory and practice. Proposes guidelines for a more workable definition of confidentiality that reinforces the role of social workers in dealing with people in their environments. (Author)