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Inconsistencies exist among Air Force commanders when disciplining spouse abuse offenders, possibly owing to inadequate training, unclear role expectations, conflicting policy statements, or personal biases. This situation may lead to inappropriate decisions, further endangering victims and negatively impacting mission readiness. A sample of 624 Air Force squadron commanders was surveyed to measure how their perceived role and operations tempo affect their disciplinary decisions on two abuse scenarios. The study tested role and decision-theory concepts. Statistical results supported role theory in the predicted direction, and decision theory, but in the opposite direction hypothesized. Implications for theory, practice, and policy development for the military are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically evaluate a model that delineated the processes whereby clinical social workers experience burnout and job dissatisfaction in their workplaces. First, on the basis of an array of relevant variables as stress-strain (burnout)--outcome (job dissatisfaction), the proposed model specified interrelationships among work stressors and burnout, the intervening factors between burnout and job satisfaction, and the final outcome variable, job satisfaction. Then the theoretical model was translated into an empirically testable model. Finally, the model was tested with a sample of 165 clinical social workers in Florida by using linear structural relation (LISREL) techniques. The results of analysis of components fit indicated that role conflict did intensify the amount of burnout and job dissatisfaction. Social support acted as an intervening and moderating factor between burnout and job dissatisfaction. lmplications for social work practice are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding effective ways to prevent adolescent pregnancy is a concern of public health officials, educators, social workers, parents, and legislators. Numerous programs exist, but there is debate as to whether it is the specific program itself or other factors that are responsible for participants' successful outcomes. Using a quasi-experimental design, this study sought to determine which factors predicted changes in knowledge and beliefs among middle school students (N = 1,450) after exposure to Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI), the curricular component of Education Now and Babies Later (ENABL), a pregnancy prevention program. It was found that the single most important predictor of improvement in knowledge and beliefs about pregnancy prevention was PSI itself, not background variables. The findings contradict some of the previous studies on factors impacting teenage pregnancy and lend support for the continued examination of ENABL as a promising component of pregnancy prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors identified the number, type, and frequency of protective behaviors that undergraduate college students who consume alcohol use to prevent alcohol-related consequences. Their hypothesis was that students who engage in more types of protective behaviors with greater frequency would be less likely to experience alcohol-related consequences. Participants consisted of a randomly selected sample of 1,355 undergraduates aged 18 years and older at a large public university. Students completed a mailed questionnaire on alcohol and health behaviors in spring 2002. The findings (after adjustment for covariates) indicated that self-protective behaviors are inversely associated with alcohol-related problems for women but not for men. The influences of gender and racial and ethnic differences are considered in relation to prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing alcohol-related consequences on college campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]