Homophobia and heterosexism in social workers

Increasing evidence supports a role for mast cells (MC) in the control of tissue remodeling. Using the cyclic growth and regression activity of the murine hair follicle (HF) as a model, we have previously demonstrated that MC are involved in regulating the HF transformation from resting (telogen) to active hair growth (anagen). In the present study, we investigated the potential role of skin MC in spontaneous HF regression (catagen), a rapid and highly controlled process of organ involution characterized by massive epithelial cell apoptosis. By histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy, we first assessed the number, location, and granulation status of perifollicular MC during the anagen-catagen-telogen transformation of back skin HF. Spontaneous catagen induction was associated with a dramatic reduction of dermal MC numbers, preceded by an increase in the percentage of degranulated MC. In vivo, the MC-secretagogues substance P and adrenocorticotropic hormone induced premature and dystrophic catagen development in anagen HF, whereas inhibitors of MC degranulation retarded normal catagen development. Comparing HF cycling in MC-deficient WBB6F1-KitW/KitWv and congenic normal (+/+) mice, catagen development was retarded in the virtual absence of MC. These data support the notion that MC function as hair cycle regulators and are involved in the control of HF regression. The mouse model employed here offers an excellent tool for dissecting the physiologic role of MC as "central switchboards of tissue remodeling" in developmentally regulated systems, specifically in organ involution processes.     

Prospects for social workers in health planning

The nature and extent of social worker's involvement in regional health planning agencies was the subject of the nationwide study reproted here. Social work proved to be more heavily represented on the professional staffs of these agencies than any other discipline. This was just one of the findings that can help shape the profession's response to the possibilities this new field represents.     

Postpartum depression: a review for perinatal social workers

Postpartum depression is a common and treatable clinical syndrome which effects up to fifty percent of all women and which can best be considered as a triad of disorders. Postpartum blues, postpartum affective disorders or major depressions, and postpartum psychosis have distinct symptoms with corresponding implications for social work interventions and treatment strategies. The role of prevention can be pivotal in terms of reducing negative impacts of psychological problems after birth and minimizing adverse consequences for the new baby and all family members.     

Vocational interests of male and female social workers.

For a sample of 496 male social workers, a key was constructed for the Strong VIB that differentiated them from a Men-in-General group with only 16% overlap. A key for female social workers (N = 464) differentiated them from Women-in-General with only 29% overlap. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

When social workers and physicians collaborate: positive and negative interdisciplinary experiences

Interdisciplinary collaboration is becoming increasingly important as the current complexity and cost of health care require an efficient and well-coordinated service delivery system. To understand the factors contributing to positive and negative collaboration, 53 social workers and 50 physicians in 12 hospital settings were interviewed about their best and worst experiences collaborating on a case. Thirty precoded items were classified into three constructs that reflect aspects of collaboration related to the case, to interaction between collaborators, and to the competence of the collaborator. Differences between the two professions were greatest on the interactional factors, with social workers valuing them much more than physicians did. Communication appeared to be the only intrinsic or universal aspect of collaboration equally important to both groups in both types of cases. Implications for social work practice and leadership are discussed.     

An assessment of accountability areas by psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers

Sixty-nine psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers rated the usefulness of fifteen studies representing seven broad areas of accountability. Although respondents differed in experience, training, and position in the hospital hierarchy, their ratings were highly similar. Results suggest that, in the hospital under study, members of the three professions respond as members of a single profession--clinician.     

The 1983 Mental Health Act in five local authorities: a study of the practice of approved social workers

This paper represents the first report of an ongoing collaborative project and charts the activities of social workers undertaking their duties within the framework of the 1983 Mental Health Act in five English Local Authorities for one year. Social workers are involved in a range of duties under the Act, but most commonly they are involved in assessments with a view to compulsory detention. The characteristics of people assessed are examined, and a profile emerges of vulnerable subgroups, typically younger men, older women, and people living in socially impoverished situations. Considerable variation between Authorities is found in terms of numbers of assessments, and in numbers of detentions. Low levels of 'diversion' into alternative care are identified. Comparisons are made with a major national study which took place four years earlier. Higher rates of detention are found on average, but lower rates of use of emergency provision (Section 4). An examination of the organisational context within which Approved Social Workers (ASWs) practice reveals a great deal of variation between authorities in terms of the ongoing experience of assessments available to ASWs. Social workers based in Emergency Duty Teams and Hospital Teams are compared, and a distinctive profile of their work emerges, the hospital-based ASWs being more likely to be assessing 'known' people, often already in hospital, and referred for assessment by consultants. The implications of these findings for the management and deployment of Approved Social Workers are briefly discussed. The emphasis is upon the role of the ASW in terms of balancing the rights and needs of people assessed under the Act.     

Judgment of adjustment by psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and college students, and its relationship to social desirability.

Q-sort arrays of the characteristics of "well-adjusted people" were elicited from psychologists. These were compared one with the other, with ratings by social workers and college students, as well as with the findings of previous research. The results indicated that psychologists as a group seem to agree, social workers are less consistent amongst themselves. There is general agreement between all 3 groups, partial agreement with previous research. The dimension of social desirability was seen to be playing a role in what characteristics were culled as being characteristic of adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Functional disabilities of disabled workers in vocational aid facilities and a social welfare factory

Detection of nucleic acid sequence at the ultrastructural level has allowed us to better understand the expression of genes in some fields of application in cell biology. In situ hybridization at the ultrastructural level can be carried out using three different methods: on vibratome sections before embedding in epoxy resin, on ultrathin frozen section, or on ultrathin section of tissue embedded in hydrophilic resin such as Lowicryl. Before starting the detection of nucleic acid sequences at the electron microscope level, the experimenter has to choose various parameters; the type of tissue fixation, the probe and its label, and the in situ hybridization method, depending on the sensitivity, the resolution and the ultrastructural preservation required. This review of technical aspects, by describing the different methods of ultrastructural in situ hybridization, will help the experimenter to optimize each step of the hybridization procedure.     

Differences in social support among retirees and workers: Findings from the Normative Aging Study.

Cross-sectional differences between retirees and workers in the importance of coworkers as a source of support, as well as in general quantitative support (social networks and frequency of interaction) and qualitative support (confidants and the perceived reliability of support) were examined. The sample consisted of 1,513 older men (mean age?=?61), participants in the Normative Aging Study. Half (56%) were working, and the rest were retired. Slightly fewer retirees than workers reported coworker friends, especially among those who were long-term retirees or who did not work at all in retirement. Whereas similar findings were seen with quantitative support, workers and retirees reported nearly identical levels of qualitative support. However, retirees almost never discussed personal problems with former coworkers. The relevance of these findings for the convoy construct is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The contribution of civilian health and social workers in the districts of S?r-Varanger and Vads? during World War II]

The eastern part of the county of Finnmark in North-Norway played a prominent part in the German planning of the attack on Murmansk in 1941. The Norwegian civilian population suffered badly from the warfare. In the last phase of the war, the Germans burnt down and destroyed almost everything in the entire county, and a considerable part of the Norwegian population was forced to evacuate. This paper recounts some of the wartime episodes on the coast between the city of Vard? and the Nordkinn peninsula. Vard? with its hospital and a number of fishing harbours were completely destroyed. Attention is drawn to the excellent job done by the civilian Norwegian health and social workers during the terrible years of German occupation.     

Job strain, social support and mental health: a study on the male heavy manufacturing workers

OBJECT: The aim of this study is to explore the influence of work experience on workers' psychological function. Specifically, the researchers will examine the effect of job demand, decision latitude, job strain, and social support at worksite on the mental health status of male heavy manufacturing workers. METHOD: By purposive sampling, from October 1994 to March 1995, the present investigators implemented a self-administered questionnaire survey on the workers in southern Taiwan. The Karasek job strain model and its measure were embedded in the questionnaire to evaluate workers' perceptions of their job conditions. In addition, Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ) was utilized to evaluate the workers' status of mental health. RESULT: Totally, 1,117 workers were selected for this survey. An unviriate analysis showed the younger the workers, the lower their monthly income, and the newer their employment, were more likely to be classified as high risk in mental health status. The workers with more decision latitude and higher social support would be better in mental health status. In addition, it also showed that workers under high job strain were more likely to be in poor mental health status. Result from multivariate logistic regression showed those who served longer, had more decision automony, and had higher social support, were less likely to be in poor mental health status. Instead, those who sustained high job strain were more likely to be in poor mental health status. DISCUSSION: The implication from those findings for the implementation of health promotion program. would be raised, and the limitation of this inference would also be discussed.