Despite numerous anecdotal assertions and budding empirical evidence, the profession of social work continues to ignore the influence of religiousness on parenting practices in the African American family. This study expands on what is already known and asks two related questions: Does religiousness influence parenting practices, and does religiousness influence parenting stress in the African American family? Moreover, this study uses a multidimensional measure of religiousness, allowing for an analysis of what specific aspects of religiousness (service attendance, private worship, or subjective/intrinsic religiousness) influence parenting. Results reveal that private worship and intrinsic religiousness (i.e., spirituality) positively influence parenting practices, but that attendance at religious services was not related to parenting. Moreover, religiousness had no influence on parenting stress.

Objectives Literature regarding Montessori-based activities with older adults with dementia is fairly common with early stages of dementia. Conversely, research on said activities with individuals experiencing late-stage dementia is limited because of logistical difficulties in sampling and data collection. Given the need to understand risks and benefits of treatments for individuals with late-stage dementia, specifically regarding their mental and behavioral health, this study sought to evaluate the effects of a Montessori-based activity program implemented in a long-term care facility. Method Utilizing an interrupted time series design, trained staff completed observation-based measures for 43 residents with late-stage dementia at three intervals over six months. Empirical measures assessed mental health (anxiety, psychological well-being, quality of life) and behavioral health (problem behaviors, social engagement, capacity for activities of daily living). Results Group differences were observed via repeated measures ANOVA and paired-samples t-tests. The aggregate, longitudinal results-from baseline to final data interval-for the psychological and behavioral health measures were as follows: problem behaviors diminished though not significantly; social engagement decreased significantly; capacities for activities of daily living decreased significantly; quality of life increased slightly but not significantly; anxiety decreased slightly but not significantly; and psychological well-being significantly decreased. Conclusion Improvements observed for quality of life and problem behaviors may yield promise for Montessori-based activities and related health care practices. The rapid physiological and cognitive deterioration from late-stage dementia should be considered when interpreting these results.

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There is a growing body of research on mental health outcomes among, and interventions with, children exposed to disaster. A recommended form of postdisaster intervention is psychological first aid (PFA). This research examines the use of a 6-week PFA group intervention among children ages 5 to 15 displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. Within 20 months post-Katrina, children participated in the Weathering the Storm Psychological First Aid (WTS PFA) groups in public schools and at a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailer park. A total of 99 children (95% African American) completed the WTS PFA intervention. Mean posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores remained in the moderate range two years postevent. Postintervention scores reflect a statistically significant improvement in PTSD symptoms among the sample.

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Using pilot data and practice experiences, this paper reports on an attempt at a controlled postdisaster intervention. The authors discuss use of Psychological First Aid (PFA) with children in a group format, focusing on the challenges inherent in responding to distress subsequent to a hurricane disaster. Difficulties in providing services in a timely manner are explored, and the value of PFA, even months and years after experiencing a natural disaster, is discussed. The pilot study included 27 African-American children aged 6À15 years, but due mostly to mobility, only 12 completed the entire set of six sessions and were included in the analysis. The small sample that resulted did not show positive gains with respect to reduction in trauma symptomatology but did show positive results in terms of participant satisfaction. Challenges in providing timely and relevant services included access to children, timing difficulties, multiple and ongoing sources of stress, and developmental considerations. Lessons learned are provided for others providing postdisaster services with children, as well as suggestions for subsequent research. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 8:313-326 (2009)] KEY WORDS: children and disaster, psychological first aid, group interventions.