Benchmarks in Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Programs: A Review of the Literature

A product of Project EASe (Evaluation Assistance Services), this report describes current knowledge about what works in the prevention of adolescent substance abuse

Enhancing the Educational Experience: Policy Alternatives

Family Impact Seminars have been well received by federal policymakers in Washington, DC, and Indiana is one of several states to sponsor such seminars for state policymakers. Family Impact Seminars provide state-of-the-art research on current family issues for state legislators and their aides, Governor\u27s Office staff, state agency representatives, educators, and service providers. One of the best ways to help individuals is by strengthening their families. Therefore, the Family Impact Seminars speakers analyze the consequences an issue, policy or program may have for families. The seminars provide objective, nonpartisan information on current issues and do not lobby for particular policies. Seminar participants discuss policy options and identify common ground where it exists. This third seminar featured the following speakers: Douglas R. Powell, Ph.D., Linda B. Foley, Ph.D., and David Grissmer, Ph.D

Blessing or Burden? The Impact of PTSD Service Dogs on Military Families

While PTSD service dogs are specifically trained to interact with their veterans, emerging evidence suggests that service dogs may also have an impact on other members of veteran households. To our knowledge, only one study quantifies these effects focused on veteran spouses (McCall et al., 2020). Our study aimed to quantitatively measure the impact of PTSD service dogs on military family wellbeing. Data was collected from survey responses of 88 veteran spouses who rated their experiences on standardized outcome measures. Each spouse answered the surveys at two time points: (1) baseline, and (2) three months post-baseline (follow-up). Spouses in the control group (n=40) were on the waitlist for a service dog for both baseline and follow-up, while the service dog group (n=48) received a service dog after baseline. Multiple regression analysis yielded statistically significant differences between the waitlist and service dog groups which suggested that service dogs may increase caregiver burden and decrease caregiver satisfaction, but potentially encourage increased participation in activities for veteran spouses. Small effect sizes suggested service dogs may also foster increased companionship and positive affect in veteran spouses. Analyses indicated no notable impact on veteran children. These findings suggest that the impact of PTSD service dogs may extend to veteran spouses, potentially encouraging interest and investment in this complementary intervention option. Two statistically significant negative effects emphasize the need to inform the military family of practical strategies to minimize possible detrimental effects, which would likely lead to an improved family experience with the service dog

Ultra-rapid development and deployment of a family resilience program during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from Families Tackling Tough Times Together

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty, anxiety, and stress into households; however, it also created an opportunity as many families, sequestered at home, found themselves spending much more time together. To support families and improve their ability to cope, recover, and build resilience amid the pandemic, Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) launched Families Tackling Tough Times Together (FT), a strength-based multi-week online program informed by scientific evidence about family resilience. Offered through a Facebook group, FT targeted parents or caregivers, children, youth, young adults, older adults, and helping professionals serving families. FT was designed to appeal to both military and civilian families, in part because both groups were experiencing similar challenges associated with the pandemic. This was not only an opportunity to bring civilian and military families together, but also for civilian families to learn from the experiences of military families in surmounting significant challenges. This article describes the development and implementation of the FT program, as well as lessons learned. Strategies highlighted in this article may be helpful to researchers or practitioners who wish to implement a rapid-response intervention aimed at building family resilience

Reported Barriers to Mental Health Care in Three Samples of U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers at Three Time Points

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108379/1/jts21942.pd

2004 Rosabeth Moss Kanter Award for Excellence in Work-Family Research Publication

Over the past few decades there has been an explosion of research on the relationships between work and non-work life. Researchers studying these issues come from many disciplines and professions, resulting in fragmented awareness of one another\u27s work. In addition, exchanges of research information among scholars, consultants and corporate practitioners are limited. Many research studies are not well-grounded in theory, slowing the generation of new knowledge. As a result, it has been difficult to develop shared standards for research quality and to avoid redundance in the research literature. Some excellent studies have failed to have impact because of lack of awareness. This award raises awareness of high quality work-family research among the scholar, consultant and practitioner communities. It fosters debate about what the standards of quality for work-family research should be, and ultimately will raise those standards. And it identifies the best of the best on which to base future research. The award is named for Rosabeth Moss Kanter, who has been identified by leading scholars as the person having the most influence on the modern research literature on work and family. The proposals contained in her 1977 monograph “Work and Family in the United States: A Critical Review and Agenda for Research and Policy” remain timely almost a quarter-century later. The Kanter award is given to the authors of the best piece of work-family research published during a calendar year (note that family is defined broadly). No external nominations are accepted for the award. Instead, every article published in a large number of scientific journals is scrutinized by a large committee of esteemed scholars who generate a list of candidates for the award

Healthy Environments for Young Children

Family Impact Seminars have been well received by federal policymakers in Washington, DC, and Indiana is one of several states to sponsor such seminars for state policymakers. Family Impact Seminars provide state-of-the-art research on current family issues for state legislators and their aides, Governor\u27s Office staff, state agency representatives, educators, and service providers. One of the best ways to help individuals is by strengthening their families. Therefore, the Family Impact Seminars speakers analyze the consequences an issue, policy or program may have for families. The seminars provide objective, nonpartisan information on current issues and do not lobby for particular policies. Seminar participants discuss policy options and identify common ground where it exists. This seminar featured the following speakers: Dan Lichter, Ph.D., Deborah Vandell, Ph.D., and Susan Kontos, Ph.D

Work/Life: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

Text of a plenary address delivered at the University of California Work/Life Symposium. Provides an overview of the connection between family life and work performance, as well as the responses implemented in recent years in workplaces. A list of over 50 references and a set of handouts is included