Decisions Hispanic families make after the identification of deafness

This study examines the decision-making process for Hispanic families living in the United States who have a child with a hearing loss. Twenty-nine families in four geographical areas shared their experiences in searching for appropriate interventions and making choices regarding communication and education. We explored the impact of language, culture, minority status, and access to information and services on the decision-making process. The results indicate that the deliberations of Hispanic parents are often complicated by language and cultural barriers and by limited access to information, resources, and a full range of options. The communication method chosen tended to be the one recommended by professionals, usually a combination of spoken English and sign language. Parents frequently expressed the hope that their child would learn Spanish as well. These subjects displayed a higher degree of assertiveness in obtaining services for their children than other studies have suggested.     

Hematological Changes Elicited by Prolonged Intermittent Aerobic Exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the acute and chronic effects of a strenuous work task, in a moderately high heat stress environment, upon selected hematological components. Twenty experienced long-distance runners competed in a 24-hr relay, running approximately one mile each hour in relay fashion. Food and fluid intake was allowed ad libitum during rest intervals. Blood samples were secured three times: (T1) within 1 hr prior to the start; (T2) approximately 10 min after the first mile run; and (T3) approximately 10 min after each subject completed his last mile run. Main blood variables of interest were Hb, Hct, total protein, albumin, WBC diff, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, Ca⁺⁺, glucose, cholesterol, T-bilirubin, LDH, SGOT, CPK, BUN, uric acid, and creatinine. Within the limitations of this study, the following main conclusions appear warranted: (a) hemoconcentration changes between T1 and T2 may be the causative factor underlying the moderate, but significant, increases in the majority of other hematological components between T1 and T2. As hemoconcentration did not appear to increase further between T2 and T3, component changes between T2 and T3 may be due to other causative factors; (b) the data from LDH, CPK, SGOT, BUN, uric acid and bilirubin is suggestive of muscle tissue damage and hemolysis.     

Family Turbulence and Child Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors: Moderation of Effects by Race

This study examined the impact of residential instability and family structure transitions on the development of internalizing and externalizing problems from age 2 through 10.5. Child's race was examined as a moderator. Caregiver reports of internalizing and externalizing behaviors were obtained on 665 children at ages 5 and 10.5. Early-childhood residential and family structure transitions predicted elevated internalizing and externalizing problems at ages 5 and 10.5, but only for Caucasian children. These findings suggest that residential and family structure instability during early childhood independently contribute to children's later emotional and behavioral development, but vary as a function of the child's race. Community organizations (e.g., Women, Infant, and Children) can connect turbulent families with resources to attenuate effects of residential and family structure instability.     

Cultural consultation: Implications for hispanic mental health services in the United States

The need to maximize the influence of the limited number of Hispanic mental health professionals in the United States requires the development of new roles. One possible role is that of cultural consultant to non-Hispanic providers. Cultural consultation can serve to help mental health providers differentiate between cultural differences and cognitive, affective and social deficits. This article will operationalize the concept and goats of cultural consultation, issues related to non- Hispanic staff providing services to Hispanics will be outlined, and a series of recommendations will be presented to assist individuals and organizations in developing cultural consultation programs.