In two recent papers, Cnaan, Blankertz, Messinger, and Gardner (1988;1989) identified 15 principles which together com posed the unique definition o f psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR). These principles were based on a thorough literature review but were not empirically validated. In a later study, these 15 principles were operationalized and presented to a group o f experts to assess their relevance and relative im portance in PSR (Cnaan et al., 1990). However, experts are only one o f three vital com ponents in the field o f PSR. The missing partners are consumers and practitioners w hose perceptions o f PSR are equally important. In this article we report the results o f a study administering the sam e instrument which operationalizes PSR to samples o f consumers, practitioners, and experts. The findings indicate distinct differences am ong the three groups with the largest differences mostly between consumers and experts. While differences exist between groups, all groups provided support for the 15 principles. The differences in perception are interpreted and recomm endations fo r future studies are presented.

Over the last 200 years since the first vaccine was used in the U. S. to prevent smallpox, some Americans have been fearful and mistrustful about inoculation as a means of protection from lethal viruses. 1 Historically, Delawareans have been no less suspicious. For instance, despite the efficacy of vaccination for smallpox, opponents to inoculation continued throughout the 1920s. Opposition was especially fierce when compulsory vaccination was enacted. In fact, in 1926, while at a health office in Georgetown, Delaware to vaccinate residents, a retired Army lieutenant and a city councilman led a violent and armed mob to run the vaccinators out of town. 2

Previous studies focused on African American caregivers of the elderly indicated that they experience less caregiver burden, stress, and strain than caregivers of other ethnic groups. But newer studies point to the stress, strain, burden, and depression among contemporary African American caregivers. A review of the literature reveals three key stressors: limited economic resources, multiple caregiving roles, and dwindling social support. These stressors appear to affect the mental health status and well-being of African American caregivers in negative ways. This article discusses in detail the stressors and their effect on the psychosocial functioning of a population at risk.

No abstract

Having mapped the human genome, the Human Genome Project maintains that certain genes can be linked to specific diseases and certain forms of human behavior. This breakthrough, it is hoped, will lead to the effective treatment, even the elimination of serious, debilitating illnesses for all groups of people. However, because the project conjures up memories of eugenics, the project raises concerns about its potential for identifying and linking diseases and social conditions (e.g., criminal behavior) to certain groups. This article places the Human Genome Project in historical context in terms of its resemblance to the eugenics movement in America and a period in social work history when the profession embraced eugenics and was guided by the movement's premises in its response to poor people.