American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

About: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Family therapy & Anxiety. The organization has 16 authors who have published 15 publications receiving 575 citations. The organization is also known as: AAMFT.

Characteristics and clinical practices of marriage and family therapists: a national survey.

Abstract: This report presents data from a telephone survey of a randomly selected sample of 292 marriage and family therapists (MFTs) who were Clinical Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The study, designed to better understand the current state of the field of MFT, provides descriptive data on the demographic characteristics, training, clinical practices, and treatment of substance abuse disorders by MFTs. Participants reported they most commonly treat marital and couple difficulties, depression, anxiety, and problems of children and adolescents. It was also found that MFTs commonly assess for substance abuse problems, but these problems represent a relatively small percentage of their caseload. The data support the continued maturation and growth of the field. Implications for the field and comparisons to other national data are addressed.

The Self-Reported Behaviors of Juvenile Sexual Offenders

Abstract: Information was gathered from 485 males younger than 18 being evaluated as possible juvenile sex offenders. More than 60% reported involvement in child molestation, more than 30% in pornography, and 10 to 30% in exhibitionism, fetishism, frottage, voyeurism, obscene phone calls and phone sex. Compared with adult males, juveniles had greater frequencies of fetishism, obscene phone calls, child molestation, and phone sex. Juveniles reported engaging in between 9 and 46 acts of sexual offenses. The average age of onset for the sexual offenses was between 10 and 12 years. Juveniles unwilling to admit violations of common social mores reported fewer sexual offenses than juveniles willing to admit such violations. Of the boys who reported never being accused of child molestation, 41.5% reported they had molested a younger child. Findings are discussed as they pertain to the assessment and treatment of juvenile sexual offenders.

Workforce Competencies in Behavioral Health: An Overview

Abstract: Competency-based training approaches are being used more in healthcare to guide curriculum content and ensure accountability and outcomes in the educational process. This article provides an overview of the state of competency development in the field of behavioral health. Specifically, it identifies the groups and organizations that have conducted and supported this work, summarizes their progress in defining and assessing competencies, and discusses both the obstacles and future directions for such initiatives. A major purpose of this article is to provide a compendium of current competency efforts so that these might inform and enhance ongoing competency development in the varied behavioral health disciplines and specialties. These varied resources may also be useful in identifying the core competencies that are common to the multiple disciplines and specialties.

Lesbian Aging: Review of a Growing Literature

Abstract: The literature on lesbian gerontology is a relatively new, growing, and valued research topic. Sixty-eight articles on lesbian aging were reviewed and empirical findings summarized. Non-empirical articles from the academic and professional literature, as well as narrative accounts related to lesbian aging were also reviewed. These 68 combined works indicated that the cultural marginalization of both women and homosexuals stimulates in many lesbian women adaptive strategies which are useful in meeting the challenges of aging, even while older lesbians are constrained by social constructions of gender, sexual orientation, and age. These factors combine to present a unique profile of challenges to lesbians as they age. Topics for research in lesbian aging have been limited in the past to preliminary studies of relationship formation and maintenance and issues of aging, and to social services advisories regarding lesbian-consciousness in case management and planning of gerontological services. A crit...

Gay Male Aging: A Review of the Literature

Abstract: A review of empirically-based publications on gay male gerontology was conducted. A total of 58 articles is presented. Findings indicate that the long-held negative stereotypes of gay male elders are unwarranted and have been repeatedly debunked. Happiness and successful adaptation to old age are possible and are frequently reported by older gay men. Substantial and unique competencies in old age that may be useful in addressing the needs of aging populations in general are identifiable in this population. A discussion of needs for future research and a brief methodological critique are given.