The engagement process in group therapy is a significant step in the treatment of clients in building feelings of safety and inclusion, which becomes challenging when the clientele is attending involuntarily. The following research project monitored the progress of a 20-week batterer intervention program, measuring the perceived effectiveness of the facilitator in engaging the clients, and the congruency of the facilitator’s and the participants perceived level of engagement. The observations of groups and the facilitator’s interview proved helpful in determining that group members and the facilitator did have likeminded perceptions of group engagement, but perception of the level at which the participants were presumably engaged in the therapeutic process was different. This study could impact social work practice by encouraging modification of the criteria for group members, and diversifying the therapeutic techniques used by facilitators.

This study investigates key factors contributing to literacy development of underachieving readers in a junior secondary school. Two intervention programs designed to enhance the reading skills of eight underachieving readers in a junior secondary school were used. These eight individuals, of normal intelligence, had in common a history of reading difficulties. In the first of these programs eight students participated in a one-on-one reading intervention program using an adaptation of the program Making A Difference (Ministry of Education and Training, Victoria, 1992). In the second program four students from the above-mentioned cohort participated in a one-to-four intervention program involving the use of a Meta Language Awareness Program involving, among other things, Reciprocal Teaching (Palinscar and Brown 1985) procedures. The underlying premise to this study is that underachieving readers are characteristically non-strategic and that through two explicit methods of instruction used they can improve their reading. A key to helping the participants break the cycle of failure in reading is to help them make the connection between effort in the use of particular reading strategies and success in the reading process. This study reveals that struggling adolescent readers have many reasons for their difficulties with reading and require different approaches to the process of reading. However, with teacher persistence in appropriate conditions, and tailoring reading experiences to meet student needs, such individuals can become successful, engaged readers who enjoy reading. A detailed analysis of one case, ‘Sarah,’ is presented since “it can provide insight into the class of events from which the case has been drawn” (Burns, 1995, p. 320). Evidence measured in tests and anecdotal records illustrate general findings about Sarah and the other seven participants. Themes related to the participants’ ultimate success in reading are elaborated in this thesis, not because they are thought to be unique but because they will most likely be recognisable to other teachers of struggling adolescent readers.

Carta al editor / Revisión por pares

Introdução – A inatividade física tem se tornado um problema de saúde pública principalmente no período da adolescência. Objetivo – Descrever o nível de atividade física em escolares do ensino médio de uma escola da rede estadual de ensino localizada no distrito da Vila Nova Cachoeirinha em São Paulo. Métodos – A amostra foi constituída por 775 adolescentes do ensino médio de uma escola da rede estadual de ensino localizada no distrito da Vila Nova Cachoeirinha em São Paulo. Para coleta de dados foi utilizado o questionário de avaliação da atividade física proposto por FLORINDO et al. (2006), um questionário de avaliação sócio-econômica (ABEP) e parte do questionário de avaliação sobre condições de saúde (MINISTÈRIO DA SAÚDE, 2004). Foi definido como fisicamente inativo o adolescente que se envolveu por um tempo menor do que 300 minutos por semana em atividades físicas, exercícios ou praticas esportivas. Para comparação das proporções foi utilizado o teste Qui-quadrado com nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados – A proporção de inatividade física nos adolescentes foi de 64,3% (IC 95%: 61,7-66,9). O percentual de inatividade física esteve positivamente associado ao período de estudo, à série acadêmica do aluno, ao grupo etário mais velho, ao nível sócio-econômico, ao uso de tabaco e bebidas alcoólicas, a não participação nas aulas de Educação Física, a falta de incentivo dos pais para a prática de atividades física e ao maior tempo de TV. Por outro lado, o percentual de inatividade física esteve negativamente associado à quantidade de modalidades esportivas praticadas pelos adolescentes e ao tempo de uso de vídeo game/computador. Conclusão - A proporção de adolescentes inativos foi elevada na maioria das variáveis avaliadas, o que demonstra que este grupo apresenta um elevado potencial para o desenvolvimento de programas de intervenção com o objetivo de aumentar o nível de atividade física. / Introduction - The physical inactivity has become a public health problem mainly in adolescence age. Objective – Was to describle the level of physical activity in adolescents from a public school of the district Vila Nova Cachoeirinha in São Paulo – SP. Methods – The sample was constituted by 775 high school adolescents from a public state school situated in the districit of Vila Nova Cachoeirinha in São Paulo. To collect the data, a questionnaire of evaluation of physical activity proposed by FLORINDO et al. (2006), a questionnaire of social and economic evaluation (ABEP) and part of the questionnaire of evaluation about conditions of health (MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE, 2004) were used. It was definied as physically inactive the adolescent who is involved by a smaller timer than 300 minutes per week in physical activities, exercises or sports practices. To compare the proportions, the test Qui-square with level of significance of p<0,05 was used. Results - the proportion of inactive adolescents was 64,3% (IC 95%: 61, 7-66,9). The percentage of physical inactivity was positively associated in adolescents the evening classes, in 3rd grade students, in social economic level B, in adolescents who use tobacco, alcoholic beverages, who do not participate of Scholar Physical Education classes, who do not receive incentive from the parents to practice a physical activity and who spend more time watching TV. On the other side, the percentage of physical inactivity is negatively associated to the quantity of sports modality they go in and to the time using video game/computer. Conclusion - The proportion of inactive adolescents was high in the majority of the evaluated variables, which shows that this group presents a high potential for the development of intervention with the aim of increasing the level of physical activity.

It is estimated that 9-14% of children from birth to age 5 experience social and emotional problems that may significantly affect their ability to learn later in life and students of any age may experience an array of problems resulting in difficulty learning. Although interventions are available to address these issues within the school context, government funding for programs is often limited to those that are evidence based. Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) address a variety of barriers to learning but many are not supported by empirical evidence. The purpose of the study was to determine if Breakthrough, a specific SAP, had a significant effect on the dependent variables of grade point average, attendance, and behavioral referrals among N = 727 public school students in Grades 9-12. The independent variables were completion or noncompletion of the program, time, and grade level. This quantitative study used a systems perspective, nonequivalent control group design. The statistical analyses performed were a mixed ANOVA and a generalized estimating equation. The interaction of treatment, time, and grade level were found to be significant on attendance, and the interaction between treatment and time on was found to be significant for attendance. The main effect of time was found to be significant on grade point average, attendance, and behavioral referrals. The main effect of treatment was found to be significant on number of behavioral referrals. Increasing the types of supports for school-aged students may bring positive social change by allowing for higher academic achievement and by intervening with issues that may follow students into adulthood such as mental illness and substance abuse.

Introdução – A inatividade física tem se tornado um problema de saúde pública principalmente no período da adolescência. Objetivo – Descrever o nível de atividade física em escolares do ensino médio de uma escola da rede estadual de ensino localizada no distrito da Vila Nova Cachoeirinha em São Paulo. Métodos – A amostra foi constituída por 775 adolescentes do ensino médio de uma escola da rede estadual de ensino localizada no distrito da Vila Nova Cachoeirinha em São Paulo. Para coleta de dados foi utilizado o questionário de avaliação da atividade física proposto por FLORINDO et al. (2006), um questionário de avaliação sócio-econômica (ABEP) e parte do questionário de avaliação sobre condições de saúde (MINISTÈRIO DA SAÚDE, 2004). Foi definido como fisicamente inativo o adolescente que se envolveu por um tempo menor do que 300 minutos por semana em atividades físicas, exercícios ou praticas esportivas. Para comparação das proporções foi utilizado o teste Qui-quadrado com nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados – A proporção de inatividade física nos adolescentes foi de 64,3% (IC 95%: 61,7-66,9). O percentual de inatividade física esteve positivamente associado ao período de estudo, à série acadêmica do aluno, ao grupo etário mais velho, ao nível sócio-econômico, ao uso de tabaco e bebidas alcoólicas, a não participação nas aulas de Educação Física, a falta de incentivo dos pais para a prática de atividades física e ao maior tempo de TV. Por outro lado, o percentual de inatividade física esteve negativamente associado à quantidade de modalidades esportivas praticadas pelos adolescentes e ao tempo de uso de vídeo game/computador. Conclusão - A proporção de adolescentes inativos foi elevada na maioria das variáveis avaliadas, o que demonstra que este grupo apresenta um elevado potencial para o desenvolvimento de programas de intervenção com o objetivo de aumentar o nível de atividade física. / Introduction - The physical inactivity has become a public health problem mainly in adolescence age. Objective – Was to describle the level of physical activity in adolescents from a public school of the district Vila Nova Cachoeirinha in São Paulo – SP. Methods – The sample was constituted by 775 high school adolescents from a public state school situated in the districit of Vila Nova Cachoeirinha in São Paulo. To collect the data, a questionnaire of evaluation of physical activity proposed by FLORINDO et al. (2006), a questionnaire of social and economic evaluation (ABEP) and part of the questionnaire of evaluation about conditions of health (MINISTÉRIO DA SAÚDE, 2004) were used. It was definied as physically inactive the adolescent who is involved by a smaller timer than 300 minutes per week in physical activities, exercises or sports practices. To compare the proportions, the test Qui-square with level of significance of p<0,05 was used. Results - the proportion of inactive adolescents was 64,3% (IC 95%: 61, 7-66,9). The percentage of physical inactivity was positively associated in adolescents the evening classes, in 3rd grade students, in social economic level B, in adolescents who use tobacco, alcoholic beverages, who do not participate of Scholar Physical Education classes, who do not receive incentive from the parents to practice a physical activity and who spend more time watching TV. On the other side, the percentage of physical inactivity is negatively associated to the quantity of sports modality they go in and to the time using video game/computer. Conclusion - The proportion of inactive adolescents was high in the majority of the evaluated variables, which shows that this group presents a high potential for the development of intervention with the aim of increasing the level of physical activity.

Early intervention programs for handicapped preschool children may have long-term implications for the children and their families. Economic eva luations of these programs have been conducted to measure costs and bene fit s, but parental wi l lingness-to-pay has been overlooked in these analyses. Parental willingness-to-pay, as a measure of consumer surplus, could complete the measure of benefits and provide both policymakers and practitioners with useful information for decisionmaking. In this study, the impli cations of eliciting willingness-to-pay responses for an early intervention program for handicapped preschoolers are discussed. A survey technique, known as the contingent valuation method (CVM) , is applied to program to empirically estimate wil lin gness-to-pay for the total program and for particular components of the program. Also investigated are the implications of using a rationality test in the survey to determine if consumer responses are in accordance with assumptions for rational consumer behavior. Results indicate relatively high willingness-to-pay for the program as whole, but low value is associated with program components. This implies that parents may value these programs more for the respite rather than specialized services offered. Results of the rationality test support the hypothesis that such a measure is necessary in survey designs of this nature.

Three cholesterol interventions were evaluated in a work-site setting to determine which was most effective in modifying physiological, behavioral, and knowledge measures related to total serum cholesterol. Of the 246 employees initially screened, 135 (55%) were identified as having elevated total serum cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dl) and were eligible for the study. Treatment consisted of either a six-session cholesterol reduction course requiring 30 days dietary monitoring, a six-session course without dietary monitoring, or an incentive only approach. Significant increases in cholesterol knowledge and dietary fiber consumption was found in both the education intervention with logging and intervention without logging groups. The results indicate that positive learning effects can take place in work-site settings and that such learning can lead to dietary changes that reduce the effects of high serum cholesterol.

The purpose of this study was to examine a sample of students who participated in a student assistance program in Southwest Virginia. Using existing data from a school system in Southwest Virginia, this sample was observed to measure changes in student academic performance. The sample was also examined to determine the extent to which they instituted positive behaviors such as school attendance and reduction of disciplinary actions taken. In addition, this study assessed differences in demographic characteristics among student participants. Also studied was the extent to which gender differences related to academic performance and behavior. Significant changes in students’ academic performance, attendance and disciplinary measures were established in the present study. Negative associations were established for those participating in the student assistance program and grade point average. Positive associations were found for those participating in SAP and attendance and disciplinary measures. No significant differences were yielded in the comparison of gender to academic performance and behavior. SAP coordinators recorded that the majority of participants did improve since referral to program and most completed or currently remained in the student assistance program. However, a small percentage of students actually entered treatment programs following recommendations made to parents from the student assistance program committee. This research assessed only the demographic and individual characteristics: gender, gifted or special education status, ethnicity and age. Therefore, other demographics such as socio economic status may offer additional explanation into academic and behavior outcomes of students involved in student assistance programs. / Ph. D.

A família além de vivida cotidianamente, é pensada, refletida e pesquisada com diferentes enfoques e objetivos, por diferentes perspectivas teóricas, práticas e metodológicas. Para se estudar a família é preciso antes de tudo desnaturalizá-la e recuperar sua própria história, pois os modelos que hoje temos são resultados de processos de transformação da forma de se ver e educar a criança, como também do contexto social, histórico e cultural em que vivemos. Isso inclui o fenômeno da Violência Doméstica, e mais especificamente o uso de violência física de pais contra filhos, que apesar das modificações ocorridas na visão da criança e das práticas educativas na família ao longo do tempo, sempre existiu e persiste de forma endêmica em nossos dias, constituindo um problema de saúde pública, e requerendo estratégias de intervenção por parte dos serviços de saúde e desenvolvimento social. O presente projeto tem o objetivo de investigar, junto a pais e mães com histórico de violência física contra seus filhos, a visão sobre o que é educar uma criança, sobre seu papel de pai/mãe e sobre as conseqüências de seus comportamentos sobre o filho. Busca, dessa forma, trazer contribuições para uma melhor compreensão do problema da agressão física de pais contra filhos, necessária a programas de intervenção que ultrapassem ações punitivas e de cunho imediatista, visando transformações nas relações familiares a partir da consideração da ótica do agente agressor. Os entrevistados são pais e mães denunciados por agressão física contra os filhos ao Conselho Tutelar da cidade de Barretos ? SP. O modelo de entrevista utilizado é denominado ?história de vida temática?, que prevê inicialmente o relato da história de vida do entrevistado, complementada por um conjunto de tópicos previamente definidos pelo pesquisador. Optou-se pela não delimitação prévia do número de sujeitos, utilizando-se o ponto de saturação. Dessa maneira, foram realizadas seis entrevistas, tendo sido gravadas, transcritas e analisadas qualitativamente. A análise dos dados aponta inconsistências entre as concepções parentais a respeito do que é educar e de seu papel como educadores e as práticas educativas que utilizam com os filhos no cotidiano. Evidencia dificuldades dos pais em utilizar recursos educativos alternativos à punição física e uma naturalização cultural do bater como forma de colocar limites e disciplinar a criança; aponta também a falta de suporte social e econômico dos pais como fatores de risco e de estresse, e a necessidade de implementar programas de intervenção que promovam a integração entre suas concepções e práticas como educadores. / Nowadays, family is investigated, studied and the object of research of many theoretical perspectives, with different goals and methodologies. However, in order to study the family it is necessary to rescue its history, because the present models we have are the final result of a complex process of social, historical and cultural transformation, and also changes in the ways we see the childhood, what do parents expect from their children and the childrearing practices used to get to the educational goals. Domestic violence is included in all this process, especially the physical violence that parents use against their children, and that constitutes a public health problem in our context. The main objective of this research is to investigate points of view of parents that use physical violence against their children, their conceptions about the educational process, their role as parents and the consequences of their actions in the child?s development. In this direction, it searches contributions to understand the problem of physical violence of parents against their children, to improve intervention programs that overcome punitive actions, seeking effective transformation in family relationships, considering the parent?s point of view. The study was performed in a city of State of São Paulo through interviews with three mothers and three fathers from different families, that had been disclosed for physical violence against their children. Methodology was constructed in a qualitative perspective, using a model of semi-structured interview called ? Thematic Life History?, where participants expose their personal history since their childhood, followed by a previously defined list of topics. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and qualitatively analyzed. Data analysis revealed that parent?s conceptions are not corresponding to their every day actions with their children; the difficulty of parents at knowing or using alternative and non-violent chidrearing practices and a cultural and historical naturalization of the use of physical punishment to establish limits and discipline the child. It also points out the parents` low social and economical support as a risk factor and as the cause of stress for the studied families as well as the necessity of changes in intervention programs to offer the possibility of joining parents conceptions and practices, aiming the improvement of child`s positive global development.