This study examined the relationships of incarcerated fathers (n = 185) with their children while in a maximum security prison. Despite the attention to parental incarceration and at-risk children, the child welfare and corrections literature has focused mostly on imprisoned mothers and children. Demographic, sentence, child-related, and program participation factors were investigated for their influence on father-child relationships. Multiple regression analyses indicated race and sentence contributed to the father's positive perceptions of contacts with their children. Most important, many, though serving lengthy sentences, valued and perceived a positive father-child relationship. Results are discussed in light of implications for future research and social policy.

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High incarceration rates have led to more interest in the effects of incarceration on families, especially children. Most research has focused on the relationship between incarcerated mothers and their children. This study centered on father-child relationships and potential barriers to maintaining and developing them. A sample of 185 incarcerated fathers was interviewed within a maximum security state prison in the southern United States. Multiple regression analyses indicated two family barriers (children's mother's attitude and children's attitude) made a statistically significant contribution to explaining inmates' self-reports concerning relationships with their children. Measures of institutional barriers were not found to statistically contribute to the models. Fathers' responses to an open-ended question about relationships with their children support the quantitative findings. The research suggests that strategies for improving parent-child relationships for the male incarcerated population should focus not only on institutional barriers but also on family barriers.

This study reports on the results of an exploratory examination of the presenting diagnosis of 48 emotionally disturbed children from 11-16 years old in a residential Wilderness Treatment Program. Researchers explored the presence of symptoms indicative of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An assessment procedure was developed and applied by clinicians to review residents' case records. The analysis indicated most residents were diagnosed with conduct disorder at or prior to admission to the program. The DSM-IV criteria were used to assess the life events and symptoms reported in those records with psychosocial histories. Of the 43 records with a psychosocial, findings indicated the potential for alternate diagnoses, including events and symptoms suggesting PTSD with chronic traumatic events experienced for a majority and a single traumatic event and/or both types for a few of the children. Implications for assessment are discussed.

This study describes the range of performance expectations for tenure and promotion for baccalaureate social work (BSW) faculty by the institution's mission. BSW program directors reported that faculty workloads are heaviest in institutions with a research mission. The weights assigned to each of the three traditional areas for rank and tenure were reported to be clear for the majority, with the most weight assigned to good teaching, then research and scholarship, followed by service. Of values assigned to various recognized forms of scholarship, publication in refereed journals was the most valued, even if not required for tenure. Although service was valued by many programs, it was not by their institutions. Faculty workloads and tenure criteria significantly varied by the university's mission. The study showed a discrepancy between the reported expectation to publish in refereed journals and what previously published research indicates as the norm in faculty performance. This raises a question about the incidence of BSW faculty not gaining tenure. Advocacy and faculty support measures are discussed.