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SummaryIn this analysis, we argue that the ‘treatment gap’ for common mental disorders often reflects lack of demand, arising because services fail to address the needs of disadvantaged communities. We propose a route forward for global mental health, with explicit focus on action on the socioeconomic determinants of psychological suffering.

Most of the global population live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), which have historically received a small fraction of global resources for mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly in many of these countries. This Review examines the mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in LMICs in four parts. First, we review the emerging literature on the impact of the pandemic on mental health, which shows high rates of psychological distress and early warning signs of an increase in mental health disorders. Second, we assess the responses in different countries, noting the swift and diverse responses to address mental health in some countries, particularly through the development of national COVID-19 response plans for mental health services, implementation of WHO guidance, and deployment of digital platforms, signifying a welcome recognition of the salience of mental health. Third, we consider the opportunity that the pandemic presents to reimagine global mental health, especially through shifting the balance of power from high-income countries to LMICs and from narrow biomedical approaches to community-oriented psychosocial perspectives, in setting priorities for interventions and research. Finally, we present a vision for the concept of building back better the mental health systems in LMICs with a focus on key strategies; notably, fully integrating mental health in plans for universal health coverage, enhancing access to psychosocial interventions through task sharing, leveraging digital technologies for various mental health tasks, eliminating coercion in mental health care, and addressing the needs of neglected populations, such as children and people with substance use disorders. Our recommendations are relevant for the mental health of populations and functioning of health systems in not only LMICs but also high-income countries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with wide disparities in quality of and access to mental health care.

We aimed to map evidence on the development of mental health care in Central Asia after 1991. We conducted a scoping review complemented by an expert review. We searched five databases for peer-reviewed journal articles and conducted grey literature searching. The reference lists of included articles were screened for additional relevant publications. We included 53 articles (Kazakhstan: 13, Kyrgyzstan: 14, Tajikistan: 10, Uzbekistan: 9, Turkmenistan: 2, Multinational: 5). Only 9 were published in internationally recognised journals. In the 1990’s mental health services collapsed following a sharp decline in funding, and historically popular folk services re-emerged as an alternative. Currently, modernised mental health policies exist but remain largely unimplemented due to lack of investment and low prioritisation by governments. Psychiatric treatment is still concentrated in hospitals, and community-based and psycho-social services are almost entirely unavailable. Stigma is reportedly high throughout the region, psychiatric myths are widespread, and societal awareness of human rights is low. With the exception of Kyrgyzstan, user involvement is virtually absent. After many years of stagnation, however, political interest in mental health is beginning to show, along with some promising service developments. There is a substantial knowledge gap in the region. Informed decision-making and collaboration with stakeholders is necessary to facilitate future reform implementation.

Designing and implementing long-term management strategies for chronic biological invasions is amongst the most vexing ecological research problems. Two key challenges to resolving this problem are: (a) integrating science-based and values-based (e.g. spiritual, cultural, economic and ethical) knowledge sources and (b) developing durable knowledge generation and curation platforms to co-ordinate long-term research efforts. We begin by identifying knowledge sources (stakeholder values, forecasts of invader spread and impacts, management technologies and operational logistics) to guide the high-level actions (governance framework design, selection of ethical management technologies, definition of long-term objectives, design of management strategies and operational plans implementing strategies) required for management of chronic invasions. We use exotic conifer invasions in New Zealand as an example. Next, we propose a transdisciplinary knowledge ecology framework where each knowledge source is represented by a separate knowledge generation and curation platform (i.e. knowledge ecosystem) and linked through high-level actions. We detail the structure and function of a single knowledge ecosystem (forecasting spread and impacts), and document two case studies to illustrate how knowledge ecosystems might (a) increase participation of individual researchers within long-term research efforts, and (b) facilitate inclusion of non-researchers in developing a common knowledge base. Finally, we propose a set of guidelines for combining science-based and values-based reasoning in decision-making via localised governance structures. We suggest that viewing knowledge ecologies as an integrated collection of distinct knowledge ecosystems offers a promising approach for identifying, generating, curating and integrating the knowledge sources needed to improve management of chronic biological invasions.

ImportanceLess than 10% of research on psychotic disorders has been conducted in settings in the Global South, which refers broadly to the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. There is a lack of basic epidemiological data on the distribution of and risks for psychoses that can inform the development of services in many parts of the world.ObjectiveTo compare demographic and clinical profiles of cohorts of cases and rates of untreated psychoses (proxy for incidence) across and within 3 economically and socially diverse settings in the Global South. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) demographic and clinical profiles of cases with an untreated psychotic disorder vary across setting and (2) rates of untreated psychotic disorders vary across and within setting by clinical and demographic group.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe International Research Program on Psychotic Disorders in Diverse Settings (INTREPID II) comprises incidence, case-control, and cohort studies of untreated psychoses in catchment areas in 3 countries in the Global South: Kancheepuram District, India; Ibadan, Nigeria; and northern Trinidad. Participants were individuals with an untreated psychotic disorder. This incidence study was conducted from May 1, 2018, to July 31, 2020. In each setting, comprehensive systems were implemented to identify and assess all individuals with an untreated psychosis during a 2-year period. Data were analyzed from January 1 to May 1, 2022.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe presence of an untreated psychotic disorder, assessed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, which incorporate the Present State Examination.ResultsIdentified were a total of 1038 cases, including 64 through leakage studies (Kancheepuram: 268; median [IQR] age, 42 [33-50] years; 154 women [57.5%]; 114 men [42.5%]; Ibadan: 196; median [IQR] age, 34 [26-41] years; 93 women [47.4%]; 103 men [52.6%]; Trinidad: 574; median [IQR] age, 30 [23-40] years; 235 women [40.9%]; 339 men [59.1%]). Marked variations were found across and within settings in the sex, age, and clinical profiles of cases (eg, lower percentage of men, older age at onset, longer duration of psychosis, and lower percentage of affective psychosis in Kancheepuram compared with Ibadan and Trinidad) and in rates of untreated psychosis. Age- and sex-standardized rates of untreated psychoses were approximately 3 times higher in Trinidad (59.1/100 000 person-years; 95% CI, 54.2-64.0) compared with Kancheepuram (20.7/100 000 person-years; 95% CI, 18.2-23.2) and Ibadan (14.4/100 000 person-years; 95% CI, 12.3-16.5). In Trinidad, rates were approximately 2 times higher in the African Trinidadian population (85.4/100 000 person-years; 95% CI, 76.0-94.9) compared with the Indian Trinidadian (43.9/100 000 person-years; 95% CI, 35.7-52.2) and mixed populations (50.7/100 000 person-years; 95% CI, 42.0-59.5).Conclusions and RelevanceThis analysis adds to research that suggests that core aspects of psychosis vary by historic, economic, and social context, with far-reaching implications for understanding and treatment of psychoses globally.

IntroductionThere are few robust and directly comparable studies of the epidemiology of psychotic disorders in the Global South. INTREPID II is designed to investigate variations in untreated psychotic disorders in the Global South in (1) incidence and presentation (2) 2-year course and outcome, (3) help-seeking and impact, and (4) physical health.MethodsINTREPID II is a programme of research incorporating incidence, case–control and cohort studies of psychoses in contiguous urban and rural areas in India, Nigeria and Trinidad. In each country, the target samples are 240 untreated cases with a psychotic disorder, 240 age-matched, sex-matched and neighbourhood-matched controls, and 240 relatives or caregivers. Participants will be followed, in the first instance, for 2 years. In each setting, we have developed and are employing comprehensive case-finding methods to ensure cohorts are representative of the target populations. Using methods developed during pilot work, extensive data are being collected at baseline and 2-year follow-up across several domains: clinical, social, help-seeking and impact, and biological.Ethics and disseminationInformed consent is sought, and participants are free to withdraw from the study at any time. Participants are referred to mental health services if not already in contact with these and emergency treatment arranged where necessary. All data collected are confidential, except when a participant presents a serious risk to either themselves or others. This programme has been approved by ethical review boards at all participating centres. Findings will be disseminated through international conferences, publications in international journals, and through local events for key stakeholders.

Introduction: Governance, the least studied health system component, comprises a system of rules and processes, and is a key determinant for effective decision making for health care planning. This study aims to identify institutional, legal and policy factors which are either barriers or facilitators for the implementation of integrated mental health in primary care in the India. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 key informants at the district and national levels with policy makers, state level health care planners and district planners and managers in India. The data were analysed using thematic analysis using the qualitative software NViVO 10. Findings: Participants stated that a conducive environment for mental health service delivery is necessary at the legislative, policy and planning levels, to facilitate integration of mental health into primary care. Amongst other factors, the need for active involvement of civil society and service user organisations, strengthening mental health information systems, and building the non-technical skills of the mental health workforce, were identified as particularly necessary to deliver adequate mental health services.Conclusion: Amidst the favourable policy context supporting collaborative and integrated care in India, this study identified low resourcing, weak collaborations and inadequate information to be crucial for integrated mental health in India at present.

Background There is a large “treatment gap” for depression worldwide. This study aimed to better understand the treatment gap in rural India by describing health care use and treatment-seeking for depression. Methods Data were analysed from a two round cross-sectional community survey conducted in rural Madhya Pradesh between May 2013 and December 2016. We examined the proportion of individuals who screened positive for depression (≥10) on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) who sought treatment in different sectors, for depression symptoms and for any reason, and compared the latter with health service use by screen-negative individuals. We analysed the frequency with which barriers to healthcare utilisation were reported by screen-positive adults. We also analysed the association between seeking treatment for depression and various predisposing, enabling and need factors using univariable regression. Results 86% of screen-positive adults reported seeking no depression treatment. However, 66% had used health services for any reason in the past 3 months, compared to 46% of screen-negative individuals (p Conclusions These findings suggest that the majority of adults who screen positive for depression seek healthcare, although not primarily for depression symptoms, indicating the need to improve detection of depression during consultations about other complaints. Private providers may need to be considered in programmes to improve depression treatment in this setting. Further research should test the hypotheses generated in this descriptive study, such as the potential role of marriage in facilitating treatment-seeking.

BackgroundDespite attempts to improve universal health coverage (UHC) in low income countries like Nepal, most healthcare utilization is still financed by out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, with detrimental effects on the poorest and most in need. Evidence from high income countries shows that depression is associated with increased healthcare utilization, which may lead to increased OOP expenditures, placing greater stress on families. To inform policies for integrating mental healthcare into UHC in LMIC, we must understand healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure patterns in people with depression. We examined associations between symptoms of depression and frequency and type of healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure among adults in Chitwan District, Nepal.MethodsWe analysed data from a population-based survey of 2040 adults in 2013, who completed the PHQ-9 screening tool for depression and answered questions about healthcare utilization. We examined associations between increasing PHQ-9 score and healthcare utilization frequency and OOP expenditure using negative binomial regression. We also compared utilization of specific outpatient service providers and their related costs among adults with and without probable depression, determined by a PHQ-9 score of 10 or more.ResultsWe classified 80 (3.6%) participants with probable depression, 70.9% of whom used some form of healthcare in the past year compared to 43.9% of people without probable depression. Mean annual OOP healthcare expenditures were $118 USD in people with probable depression, compared to $110 USD in people without. With each unit increase in PHQ-9 score, there was a 14% increase in total healthcare visits (95% CI 7–22%,p p ConclusionsIn this population-based sample from Central Nepal, we identified dose-dependent increases in healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure with increasing PHQ-9 scores. Future studies should evaluate whether provision of mental health services as an integrated component of UHC can improve overall health and reduce healthcare utilisation and expenditure, thereby alleviating financial pressures on families.

Aims Research from high-income countries has implicated travel distance to mental health services as an important factor influencing treatment-seeking for mental disorders. This study aimed to test the extent to which travel distance to the nearest depression treatment provider is associated with treatment-seeking for depression in rural India. Methods We used data from a population-based survey of adults with probable depression (n = 568), and calculated travel distance from households to the nearest public depression treatment provider with network analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We tested the association between travel distance to the nearest public depression treatment provider and 12 month self-reported use of services for depression. Results We found no association between travel distance and the probability of seeking treatment for depression (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.98–1.02, p = 0.78). Those living in the immediate vicinity of public depression treatment providers were just as unlikely to seek treatment as those living 20 km or more away by road. There was evidence of interaction effects by caste, employment status and perceived need for health care, but these effect sizes were generally small. Conclusions Geographic accessibility – as measured by travel distance – is not the primary barrier to seeking treatment for depression in rural India. Reducing travel distance to public mental health services will not of itself reduce the depression treatment gap for depression, at least in this setting, and decisions about the best platform to deliver mental health services should not be made on this basis.

Our understanding of the nature and aetiological architecture of psychotic mental disorders has advanced notably in the past 20 years. It is now widely considered that psychotic disorders occur as consequence of a complex range of factors, spanning multiple domains and levels, that act on several psychological and biological mechanisms. In recent years, evidence has accumulated that exposure to, broadly, adverse social conditions and experiences over the course of development constitute part of this complex array of factors that influence onset. In this chapter, we will provide a critical overview of this evidence, including consideration of outstanding conceptual and methodological issues that limit the causal inferences that can be drawn from existing findings. From this, we will propose and sketch a sociodevelopmental pathway—as one of several pathways—to psychoses.

Background There is a large treatment gap for common mental disorders (CMD), with wide variation by world region. This review identifies factors associated with formal health service utilisation for CMD in the general adult population, and compares evidence from high-income countries (HIC) with that from low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). Methods We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and Scopus in May 2016. Eligibility criteria were: published in English, in peer-reviewed journals; using population-based samples; employing standardised CMD measures; measuring use of formal health services for mental health reasons by people with CMD; testing the association between this outcome and any other factor(s). Risk of bias was assessed using the adapted Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We synthesised the results using “best fit framework synthesis”, with reference to the Andersen socio-behavioural model. Results Fifty two studies met inclusion criteria. 46 (88%) were from HIC. Predisposing factors: There was evidence linking increased likelihood of service use with female gender; Caucasian ethnicity; higher education levels; and being unmarried; although this was not consistent across all studies. Need factors: There was consistent evidence of an association between service utilisation and self-evaluated health status; duration of symptoms; disability; comorbidity; and panic symptoms. Associations with symptom severity were frequently but less consistently reported. Enabling factors: The evidence did not support an association with income or rural residence. Inconsistent evidence was found for associations between unemployment or having health insurance and use of services. There was a lack of research from LMIC and on contextual level factors. Conclusion In HIC, failure to seek treatment for CMD is associated with less disabling symptoms and lack of perceived need for healthcare, consistent with suggestions that “treatment gap” statistics over-estimate unmet need for care as perceived by the target population. Economic factors and urban/rural residence appear to have little effect on treatment-seeking rates. Strategies to address potential healthcare inequities for men, ethnic minorities, the young and the elderly in HIC require further evaluation. The generalisability of these findings beyond HIC is limited. Future research should examine factors associated with health service utilisation for CMD in LMIC, and the effect of health systems and neighbourhood factors. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number: 42016046551. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12888-018-1837-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Despite attempts to improve universal healthcare coverage (UHC) in low income countries like Nepal, most healthcare utilization is still financed by out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, with detrimental effects on the poorest and most in need. Evidence from high income countries shows that depression is associated with increased healthcare utilization, which may lead to increased OOP expenditures, placing greater stress on families. To inform policies for integrating mental healthcare into UHC in LMIC, we must understand general healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure patterns in people with depression. Aims: We examined associations between symptoms of depression and frequency and type of general healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure among adults in Chitwan District, Nepal. Methods: We analysed data from a population-based survey of 2040 adults in 2013, who completed the PHQ-9 screening tool for depression and answered questions about general healthcare utilization. We modelled associations between increasing PHQ-9 score and healthcare utilization frequency and OOP expenditure using negative binomial regression. We also compared sector-specific utilization of outpatient healthcare and their related costs among adults with and without probable depression, determined by a PHQ-9 score of 10 or more. Results: We classified 80 (3.6%) participants with probable depression, 70.9% of whom used some form of general healthcare in the past year compared to 43.9% of people without probable depression. Mean annual OOP healthcare expenditures were $118 USD in people with probable depression, compared to $110 USD in people without. With each unit increase in PHQ-9 score, there was a 14% increase in total healthcare visits (95% CI 7%-22%, p

Rationale and objective Fewer than 15% of adults who meet criteria for a depression diagnosis in India seek treatment for these symptoms. It is unclear whether this reflects limited supply of mental health services or lack of demand for medical intervention for these experiences. This paper aims to identify and describe self-reported barriers that contribute to this “treatment gap” in a rural district in central India, where depression treatment had recently become available in primary care facilities.MethodIn this qualitative study we conducted in-depth interviews with 35 adults who screened positive for depression and who had not sought treatment for their condition, and 15 of their relatives. We analysed the data using the framework approach.ResultsA key barrier to seeking health care for psychological symptoms was lack of perceived need for treatment for these symptoms. Low perceived need for health interventions arose because participants frequently attributed depression-like symptoms to their socio-economic circumstances, or to the stress of physical illness, which conflicted with the biomedical approach associated with health services. Despite widespread recognition of the links between psychological symptoms, social circumstances and physical health, it was believed that health care providers are equipped to treat only somatic symptoms, which were commonly reported.ConclusionsLow demand for depression treatment reflected discrepancies between the community's perceived needs and a narrow biomedical model of mental health. Meeting their needs may require a radical change in approach that acknowledges the social determinants of distress, and the interactions between mental and physical health. The capabilities approach may provide a framework for more holistically conceptualising people's needs.

Background The incidence, presentation, and course of psychotic disorders are highly variable across populations. A recent review noted a lack of evidence from low- and middle-income countries in the global South, where around 85% of the world’s population lives. Robust population-based data from these contexts are needed to better understand the sources of variation in psychotic disorders. INTREPID II is a multi-country programme comprising incidence, case-control, and follow-up studies of psychotic disorders in three diverse catchment areas with populations at risk of ~ 500,000 in Tamil Nadu (India), Oyo state (Nigeria), and northern Trinidad. Here, using baseline data from the initial 15 months, we present findings on variations in incidence and clinical presentation. Methods Baseline recruitment and assessment is ongoing. In each site individuals with an untreated psychotic disorder are identified through a comprehensive case detection system that includes professional, folk, and popular sectors. Inclusion criteria are age of 18–64, resident in catchment area, presence of a ICD-10 psychotic disorder, and no more than one continuous month of treatment with antipsychotic medication prior to the start of case identification. At baseline, detailed data on demographic and clinical characteristics and putative risk factors are collected using established tools. Results In the first 15 months, we identified 614 cases (199 in India, 92 in Nigeria, and 264 in Trinidad). There was wide variation in where cases were identified: In India, 9% via professional services and 91% via the popular sector (i.e., in the community); In Nigeria, 33% via professional services and 63% via the folk sector (traditional and religious service providers); In Trinidad, 98% via professional services. Further, there were notable variations in incidence and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Age-adjusted rates were highest in Trinidad (men: 47.1, 95% CI 39.8–55.4; women: 38.7, 95% CI 32.0–46.3) compared with India (men: 23.0, 95% CI 18.4–28.4; women: 30.2, 95% CI 24.9–36.4) and Nigeria (men: 13.0, 95% CI 9.5–17.2; women: 12.4, 95% CI 9.0–16.6). The proportion with age of onset before 29 years was higher in Trinidad (74%) compared to Nigeria (45%) and India (36%). Among those on whom full data are currently available (n, 327), more in Nigeria were assigned a diagnosis of schizophrenia (63%) than in India (46%) and Trinidad (42%). Median duration of untreated psychosis was was longer in India (5.1 years, IQR 1.9–13.6) than in Nigeria (1.5 years, IQR 0.1–4.1) and Trinidad (2.6 years, IQR 0.3–15.2). However, an insidious onset (i.e., gradual emergence of symptoms over several months) was more common in Trinidad (50% of cases) than in India (28%) and Nigeria (14%). Education levels were lower in India (31% completed secondary education or higher) than in Nigeria (74%) or Trinidad (68%). However, the proportion of cases who were married or in a steady relationship was similar in all sites (India: 42%, Nigeria: 38%, Trinidad: 38%), as was the proportion who were unemployed (India: 48%, Nigeria: 55%, Trinidad: 51%). Discussion In initial analyses, we found evidence that the incidence and presentation of psychoses varied by site, findings that both further highlight the heterogeneity of psychoses across contexts and challenge assumptions about the basic epidemiology based on findings from the global North. For example, the data from our India site suggest higher rates among women and a later age of onset than commonly supposed. Our findings also show that many people with psychotic disorders in these settings are untreated for long periods, indicating an urgent need to develop more accessible services.

ObjectivesTo estimate the proportion of adult primary care outpatients who are clinically detected and initiate treatment for depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in low-income and middle-income country (LMIC) settings.DesignFive cross-sectional studies.SettingAdult outpatient services in 36 primary healthcare facilities in Sodo District, Ethiopia (9 facilities); Sehore District, India (3); Chitwan District, Nepal (8); Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, South Africa (3); and Kamuli District, Uganda (13).ParticipantsBetween 760 and 1893 adults were screened in each district. Across five districts, between 4.2% and 20.1% screened positive for depression and between 1.2% and 16.4% screened positive for AUD. 96% of screen-positive participants provided details about their clinical consultations that day.Primary outcomesDetection of depression, treatment initiation for depression, detection of AUD and treatment initiation for AUD.ResultsAmong depression screen-positive participants, clinical detection of depression ranged from 0% in India to 11.7% in Nepal. Small proportions of screen-positive participants received treatment (0% in Ethiopia, India and South Africa to 4.2% in Uganda). Among AUD screen-positive participants, clinical detection of AUD ranged from 0% in Ethiopia and India to 7.8% in Nepal. Treatment was 0% in all countries aside Nepal, where it was 2.2%.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest large detection and treatment gaps for adult primary care patients, which are likely contributors to the population-level mental health treatment gap in LMIC. Primary care facilities remain unfulfilled intervention points for reducing the population-level burden of disease in LMIC.

Summary Just over 25 years have passed since the major sociopolitical changes in central and eastern Europe; our aim was to map and analyse the development of mental health-care practice for people with severe mental illnesses in this region since then. A scoping review was complemented by an expert survey in 24 countries. Mental health-care practice in the region differs greatly across as well as within individual countries. National policies often exist but reforms remain mostly in the realm of aspiration. Services are predominantly based in psychiatric hospitals. Decision making on resource allocation is not transparent, and full economic evaluations of complex interventions and rigorous epidemiological studies are lacking. Stigma seems to be higher than in other European countries, but consideration of human rights and user involvement are increasing. The region has seen respectable development, which happened because of grassroots initiatives supported by international organisations, rather than by systematic implementation of government policies.

In this second article on the theme of parents and teachers the letters sent by parents to teachers at an urban primary school are examined for indications of the nature of relationships between them. The setting for these relationships in therms of the parents' home experience and the teachers' school experience is also examined. The letters provide evidence of pressure on both the young parent, coping with the demands of family life and the teacher, coping with the demands of parents. A conflicting view of relationships between parents and teachers emerges since the letters show on the one hand the anxiety of parents to conform to school conventions and on the other their confident assumption that special treatment will be given to their own children. A further complication is the lack of facility in writing which many parents demonstrate and which may contribute a particular element of inequality to parent/teacher relationships as evidenced in letters. It is suggested that an occasional review of colle...

Summary. An examination was made of the ‘actions’ of early reading—analysis and synthesis—within the modalities of sound alone and sound with sight. The relative difficulty of these skills for a sample of forty 5 and 6-year-old children was established through an assessment of their performance of four different tasks of analysis or synthesis involving four word lists of equal difficulty. Purely auditory synthesis was found to be considerably easier than any other skill; analysis involving both sound and sight was found to be by far the most difficult.

Summary An attempt is made to reconsider the implications of Piaget's theories for the teaching of reading. It is argued that the way the theories have typically been interpreted in relation to reading is unhelpful and does not accord with the behaviour of young readers. Alternative ways of linking Piagetian theory to the teaching of reading are proposed. It is considered that they both provide a more adequate explanation and offer the teacher more helpful directions along which to develop reading.

Summary 168 five‐year‐old infants from six different Social Priority Schools were examined for their ability to perform tasks of auditory synthesis (sound blending). Voiced consonants were used although doubts about this practice are widely expressed in the literature. The majority of children were either competent or not competent, only 29 being in a transitional state of moderate competence. In one school, although this pattern of discontinuity remained, the number of competent performers was considerably greater than in any other school. This suggested that factors within the school may affect the ease with which children acquire sound blending ability at this early age.

Summary The accuracy rate of 125 second‐ and third‐year infants randomly selected from five infants departments was assessed by means of counting errors made in reading from a current reading book. Only .23 of the sample was reading at Instructional Level according to Betts’ definition, while .57 was at Frustration Level suggesting that teachers did not consider these defined Levels appropriate. In addition, in a sixth school, the total reading population of the infants department (N = 62) was assessed in this way and only .18 was found to be reading at Instructional Level, while .66 was at Frustration Level. In this school, however, children in the junior department were reading at an above‐average level of accuracy and comprehension and showed no signs of antipathy towards reading.

(1987). Teacher‐Centred In‐Service Education. British Journal of In-Service Education: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 172-176.

The ability of 112 first year junior children to read 20 words drawn from reading tests in common use was compared with their ability to write these words. The strategies for spelling used by good readers were examined and the extent to which setting the words in context affected their performance of the tasks was also investigated. It was found that while the children could read 92% of the words in context and 87% of them in isolation they could spell only 51% of them in context and 50% in isolation. Good readers who were also good spellers appeared to be more likely to use visual orthographic strategies for spelling than good readers who were comparatively poor spellers.