Family Influences on Childhood Behavior and Development

Thomas P. Gullotta, M.A., M.S.W. is C.E.O. of Child and Family Agency and is a member of the psychology and education departments at Eastern Connecticut State University. He is the senior author of the 4th edition of The Adolescent Experience, co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion, and editor emeritus of the Journal of Primary Prevention. He is the senior book series editor for Issues in Children's and Families' Lives. Tom holds editorial appointments on the Journal of Early Adolescence, The Journal of Adolescent Research and the Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation. In 1999, Tom was honored by the Society for Community Research and Action, Division 27 of the American Psychological Association, with their Distinguished Contributions to Practice in Community Psychology Award.Gary Blau, Ph.D. is the Chief of the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch of the Center for Mental Health Services. Blau has received several awards including the Governor's Service Award, the Phoebe Bennet Award for outstanding contribution to children's mental health in Connecticut, and the Making a Difference Award presented by Connecticut's Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. He currently holds a clinical faculty appointment at the Yale Child Study Center.

• About the Editors. About the Contributors. Introduction. Gullotta, The Family, Treatment, and Prevention: How Theory Influences Practice. Williams-Washington, Melon, Blau, Childhood Growth and Development Within a Family Context. Osher, Osher, Blau, Families Matter. Goode, Jones, Cultural Influences on Child Development: The Middle Years. Keys, Leaf, Public Health Principles and Approaches to Systems Interventions to Support Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Health. Arcus, Chambers, Childhood Risks Associated with Adoption. Mensah, Fine, Divorce and Children. Hennon, Hildebrand, Schedle, Stepfamilies and Children. Fisher, Easterly, Lazear, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Families and their Children. Plant, Siegel, Children in Foster Care: Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health Problems. Nicholson, Cooper, Freed, Isaacs, Children of Parents with Mental Illnesses. Portwood, Physical Abuse in Childhood (Ages 5-13). Spitalnick, Younge, Sales, DiClemente, Sexual Abuse in Childhood (The Abused Child). Epilogue.

"In this volume, the authors explore what family means today, what functions it serves, and those circumstances that can make family life painful. They provide clearly written information drawn from the most recent scientific investigations suggesting how the topics in this volume might be addressed to either ease that discomfort (treatment) or prevent its occurrence." - Adolescence, Vol. 42, No. 172, Winter 2008 "[Family Influences on Childhood Behavior and Development] will serve as a solid reference for all of us who aspire to do a better job in prevention and intervention for children and youth and families." - PsycCritiques, March 11, 2009, Vol. 54, Release 10, Article 7"The entire book is well organized. Each chapter can be read fairly quickly and contains a wealth of information. This information is useful for a variety of mental health professionals working in both school- and community-based settings. In particular, the book focuses on both prevention and treatment interventions, which is a refreshing change! Finally, it is a useful supplemental resource for educators in counseling and related fields." - Laura Bruneau, The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families