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Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are rarely used to evaluate social and behavioral interventions designed for releasing prisoners. Objective: We use a pilot RCT of a social support intervention (Support Matters) as a case example to discuss obstacles and strategies for conducting RCT intervention evaluations that span prison and community contexts. Method: First, we summarize existing studies with current and former prisoner samples that highlight RCT methodological techniques. Then, we introduce the trial of Support Matters and discuss obstacles and efforts to overcome those obstacles. Results and Conclusions: We focus on factors related to sampling frame, participant eligibility, sample size, engagement, and attrition. We conclude with general recommendations related to project delays, compromised research sites, and retention. This article provides guidance based on lessons learned from an RCT of a social support intervention with releasing prisoners and their loved ones. Barriers discussed and recommendations presented here will help interventionists develop and implement RCTs in prison to community contexts.

Objective: Rates of serious mental illnesses (SMIs) among university students are increasing, and universities are struggling with how to respond to students who show SMI symptoms. Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) allow individuals, when well, to document their wishes for treatment during a psychiatric crisis. This project explored the feasibility of using PADs in university settings by examining students' views towards PADs. Participants: Forty university students with SMIs were recruited for this study from 1 large university. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used, with both quantitative survey instruments and qualitative interviews with students. Results: Respondents were positive about PAD utility for students. Respondents saw PADs as beneficial because PADs gave students control over their treatment. However, students also considered PADs potentially problematic because PAD use raised a risk of breaching student privacy and stigmatizing students with SMIs. Conclusions: Although a promising intervention for students with SMI, this approach requires further research. (Contains 1 note.)

We examine how well schools of social work prepare students to work with people with developmental disabilities (DD). Using websites of 50 U.S. schools of social work, we examine their curricula to determine the number and nature of disability studies courses. We examine tenure-line faculty to identify potential for current staff to expand DD courses. We provide evidence of growing demand for DD services, and show minimal opportunities exist for students to obtain a concentration or certification in disability studies. Also, a large percentage of tenure-line faculty have research backgrounds in the DD field which are not reflected in current course offerings. Implications for social work education are discussed and recommendations given for future research. (Contains 1 table.)

In 2005, there were 20,888 prisoners in the U.S. prisons known to be HIV-positive, many substance-involved. The high reincarceration rate of substance-involved prisoners, coupled with the fact that substance-involved prisoners are more prone to HIV-risk behaviors in the community, necessitates attention to preventing substance use and HIV transmission risk behaviors of prisoners upon reentry to communities. We use a social support framework to explore the role of social support in HIV+ prisoners' expectations of release and postrelease plans. Interview data from 23 participants were collected from August 2005 to January 2006. Participants reported concerns about their ability to access needed formal and informal prosocial support upon release. Implications of these findings for release planning are discussed. (Contains 1 table.)

Farmers experience high stress and elevated suicide risk. Using surveys distributed at a regional agricultural exposition, our study identified those who are closest to farmers and trusted during times of high stress, and how to communicate stress-related information to farmers. We found farmers were most likely to trust spouses, other farmers, friends, and faith leaders and preferred information from other farmers, agricultural publications, social media, churches, and Extension offices. Farmers and non-farmers differed significantly in views on these questions. This work identifies potential partners for Extension programming on farmer stress, highlighting the importance of including farmers in program development/delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women with mental illnesses have reported that one painful aspect of living with their diagnosis is the loss of personal identity when they are labeled 'mentally ill.' Although a number of studies have focused on services to address issues of relevance to women, few have explored the different ways in which women and men view services within the mental health system. Using a focus-group approach, the authors conducted a study that examined the service needs and views of women and men with mental illnesses. This article reports on this study and identifies the participants' common and unique needs and views and discusses the implications for research and practice. Keywords: gender-based services; mental illness; narrative; service needs

There are several organizational, social and psychological factors that may impede profitathletes' successful transition out of their salient athletic role set. Consequently, this article summarizes the results of post-athletic surveys and interviews of (n = 17) former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) profit-athletes from a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) university. Analyzed data reveal clear evidence of prominence of athletic role set, including normative expectations, athletic role domination, salient athletic identity, and post-eligibility career transition difficulties, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, degree completion, or sport. The results indicate all participants experienced various degrees of athletic role engulfment, which impacted their overall athlete career transition experience. Researchers discuss implications for sport, specifically the need for proactive programming to address athletic role engulfment to ensure positive athlete career transition experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study which examines the attitudes of mental health providers toward psychiatric advance directives. The study findings suggest that psychiatric advance directives include documenting advance instructions and designating health care agents. The study shows that clinicians' legal defensiveness is potentially important determinant of treatment decision making.