This collection of papers presented at a 1996 conference on children's mental health focuses on utilization research. Papers have the following titles and authors: (1) "Information Equity: A Critical Component of Strong Service Systems" (Catherine Batsche and Allison Metcalf); (2) "Utilization of Children's Mental Health Services: Differentiating…

The use of log-linear models for investigating differential item functioning (DIF) associated with examinee/respondent background characteristics was examined. The Likert-type items used in this study were drawn from a 36-item self-report measure--the Suicide Probability Scale. Specifically, log-linear models were used to investigate whether…

Primary prevention refers to activities directed to high-risk groups, within a community not yet labeled as psychiatrically ill. These activities have the purpose of preventing the onset of emotional disturbance and enhancing the level of mental health. In general, whatever contributes to human stress in a community so that the individual or group…

Research findings produce a positive argument for the inclusion of relaxation training in the school curriculum. Since today's children face a great deal of stress, they must learn coping techniques. Learning to relax at will is one method of learning to survive, because the relaxation response is incompatible with anxiety; the child learns to…

Twelve priority areas for health education in the 1980s are identified, based on the magnitude and seriousness of the problems addressed; the solidity of the research base; and the likelihood that health education may facilitate improvement in the area. The twelve areas are: (1) cigarette smoking; (2) aging and the aged; (3) mental health; (4)…

This paper discusses mental health service issues for minorities who confront racism and pressures toward conformity to middle-class standards and at the same time feel the need to explore their own history and values. The paper describes group identity as a source of adaptive mechanisms for coping with discrimination and then reviews themes in…

Cultural differences between the American (dominant) and Hispanic (minority) cultures and inadequate mastery of the English language are the most salient problems in measuring psychological adjustment among Hispanics in the United States. Some dimensions of psychological adjustment (perception of reality, anxiety, self-esteem, depression,…

Developmental theorists have suggested recently that at midlife women often want to reduce responsibilities to family and concentrate on self-development and growth, which earlier in their lives would have seemed to them selfish and therefore not acceptable. The aim of this comparative study was to determine if women returning to school at midlife…

The years between 1900 and 1920 marked the formative era in the history of school social work. Social work programs were introduced into the schools by private organizations and community groups and were formed to prevent truancy and delinquency, to rehabilitate poor families through relief services, and to "Americanize" the foreign-born…

Schools are expected to assume increasing responsibility for the health of children, but teacher education programs have been slow to include a substantial health component in the curriculum. An outline is given of a teacher education program that incorporates studies in the following areas: (1) observing for health; (2) recognizing symptoms of…

After asserting that minorities do not have the health resources available to them in quantity or quality as do members of the dominant society, this paper describes and discusses six features which should characterize appropriate mental hygiene services for minorities: (1) cultural relevance; (2) a holistic orientation; (3) an organizational…

Non American Indians categorize many urban Indians by their behavioral and emotional modes of adaptation to their social situations. Three images of Indians have developed: the savage, the child, and the noble of the forest (the stoic Indian). The images of the savage and the child come into play when the Indian encounters the dominant society…

This paper reports on clinical and school outcomes after 6 months of implementing the North Carolina FACES (Families and Communities Equals Success) mental health program. Of the 210 children and youth participating in the program evaluation, 42 percent were African American, more than three quarters were male, 55 percent of families had annual…

This report explores the impact of managed care on providing preventative mental health services to young children at risk for serious emotional disturbances (SED). The study included a sample of kindergarten and 1st grade children (n=121) at-risk for SED that were identified in two public schools. Results of the study indicated that the move to…

This article describes the results of a study on interagency collaboration required to make major systemic changes in order to address the needs of emotionally and behaviorally disturbed youth. Interviews were conducted with practitioners from a cross-section of agencies that worked with high-risk gang youth. The intent was to examine both the…