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Objectives: The prevalence rates of disorders among a community-based sample of Hawaiian youths were determined and compared to previously published epidemiological studies. Method: Using a two-phase design, 7,317 adolescents were surveyed (60% participation rate), from which 619 were selected in a modified random sample during the 1992-1993 to 1995-1996 school years: 590 selected randomly and 29 at risk (i.e., Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression score of [greater than or equal to] 35 and suicidal risk) from grades 9-12. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Version 2.3, was used to determine DSM-III-R diagnoses. Prevalence rates, weighted for ethnicity, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scores, and suicide attempts, were calculated for any diagnosis and various disorders. Meta-analyses compared the Hawai'i sample to four community-based studies (randomly selected youths from community populations) and two high-risk studies (homeless, low-income, or high unemployment communities). Results: Hawaiian females had the highest rate for any diagnosis (37.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 28.4%-48.0%) and non-Hawaiian males had the lowest rate (19.6%; 95% CI 14.8%-25.5%). Hawaiian males (26.8%; 95% CI 18.2%-37.5%) and non-Hawaiian females (27.9%; 95% CI 22.2%-34.4%) had intermediate and comparable rates. Overall, Hawaiians had significantly higher rates (32.7%; 95% CI 26.1%-40.1%) than non-Hawaiians (23.7%; 95% CI 19.9%-28.0%) when controlling for gender, and girls had significantly higher rates (30.8%; 95% CI 25.8%-36.3%) than boys (21.1%; 95% CI 16.8%-26.1%) when controlling for ethnicity. These findings were primarily the result of the significant differences in rates regarding anxiety disorders. Meta-analyses showed the Hawaiian youth rate for any diagnosis was comparable to high-risk studies and nearly three times higher than the community studies. Conclusions: Hawaiian youths, especially females, are at high risk. Research on the sociocultural factors that underpin both the genesis of and protection from psychopathology is imperative for Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian mixed-ethnicity youths. (Contains 4 tables.)

Native Hawaiian high school students, N = 1779, were surveyed for symptoms of psychopathology and suicide attempts in the previous 6 months. Seventy-seven (4.3%) of the students reported making a suicide attempt. There were no significant differences in prevalence rates for males and females. Depression, anxiety, aggression, substance abuse symptoms, and low family support, but not peer support, were significantly correlated with suicide attempts. On logistic regression, depression, substance abuse, and family support independently predicted attempts. The lack of gender difference may indicate a cultural characteristic of the Hawaiian population that differentiates it from mainstream American populations but likens it to the Native American population.

A follow-up study of intact families in Hawaii found that Japanese Americans' perceptions of family values and roles were more likely than those of European Americans to reflect a hierarchical family status with greater role differentiation and the male role as central. Additionally, Japanese Americans emphasized collective harmony, cooperation, interpersonal acceptance, and positive mutual social interactions. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Analyzes data from children and families seen at the Children's Divorce Clinic. Finds that preschool children are often told nothing about the divorce and that ethnically mixed marriages tended to fail before nonmixed marriages. Reports data concerning custody and parents' emotional response to the divorce. (Author/ABB)

Forced separation of a parent from the family because of military service creates a crisis for all family members. A series of children's single-session briefings involved talking with parents and children in a large group, talking with children in small groups while their parents observed and then large group discussion with parents. The children were encouraged to express feelings related to separation and parents were assisted in developing strategies for coping with the family changes resulting from the deployments. The children's briefings were organized pre- , mid- and post-deployment and utilized lecture, slides, and coloring books. The groups were led by two clinical social workers and a chaplain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The emotional needs of 18 patients in a maternal-fetal intensive care unit wcre assessed using a semistructured interview. Patients were asked to rank ordcr thc stresses they experienced while on the unit as well as the supports which they felt enabled them to cope with the hospitalization. Responses were analyzed taking into account the duration of the patients' hospitalizations and the differences in two settings of the intensive care unit. Being away from home and family, physical discomforts, medication side effects, and feelings of helplessness and loss of control were the cornmon stresses noted. Physicians, nurses and family and friends werc the most frequently mentioncd supports. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In a study of family roles, 85 adolescent sons and daughters from 27 families initially attributed "power" roles to fathers and "support" roles to mothers. Three years later, daughters perceived power and support roles as shared, while sons still perceived the earlier dichotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]