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Three hundred twenty-six undergraduates who participated in a diversity-based course or voluntary intergroup dialogues completed a written questionnaire about their attitudes toward and comfort with people who are African American, Asian American, First Nation, Latina/o, white, and lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). Secondary analysis of quantitative items revealed that students were significantly more likely to report greater discomfort with and more negative attitudes toward LGB individuals than toward the specified ethnic/racial groups. Respondents' gender, ethnic/racial, sexual orientation, and religious differences were correlated with attitudes and comfort. (Contains 4 notes and 4 table.)

This article reports findings of an exploratory study of 71 parents with substance abuse conditions involved in a child dependency court. Over half (59%) of the parents had a co-occurring mental health condition. Parents with co-occurring conditions (PWCC) differed in several important ways from those with only substance abuse conditions. PWCC were also more likely than their case managers were to report a need for mental health treatment. Implications for child welfare practice and research are offered. (Contains 3 tables.)

Explores the unique values and characteristics of rural communities and farm families, particularly individual, family, and community factors that may protect children from potentially negative developmental effects of chronic stress or adversity. Considers community strengths in supporting children's healthy development. Identifies implications for child welfare practice in rural communities, especially the importance of assessment skills, competence in several practice areas, and respect for the special strengths of rural areas. (KB)

In the lesbian community, there are many women who entered same-sex relationships in midlife after previously identifying as heterosexual. This article reviews the state of knowledge regarding this unique group of women. Attention is given to the impact of this life-changing event on the woman; her relationships with family members and friends: her awareness of status-related oppression; and the process of becoming a cultural insider given her new identity. Suggestions are included for providing support to women who are undergoing the transition and for future research with this understudied population. Keywords: lesbian; mid-life; identity; homosexuality; queer

Relationships among childhood abuse, subsequent adult functioning (with a focus on severity of substance abuse), and child placement were explored in an urban sample of low-income, African-American mothers. Childhood sexual trauma and age were found to be correlated with severity of later drug use; history of physical or sexual abuse was significantly related to psychological distress in adulthood; and addiction was highly correlated with child placement. Implications of the findings are discussed, with particular reference to collaborations between child welfare and substance abuse treatment.

Understanding problem behavior among adolescent mothers is critical, as their behaviors affect not only their own lives but the lives of their children. Using confirmatory factor analysis with an ethnically diverse sample of 233 pregnant adolescents, we test a hypothesis derived from problem behavior theory that diverse problem behaviors are manifestations of a single underlying construct. Three measurement models of problem behaviors are compared: a single factor model, a four factor model, and a second order factor model in which a single higher order factor is posited to account for the covariation among the four factors. The results show support for the higher order factor model, suggesting a constellation of related problem behaviors in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]