This study surveyed empirical studies of psycho-educational programs for parents in Japan, with the purpose of clarifying its present state and current issues. First, a literature search was conducted, followed by a comparative analysis of the respective studies. The literature search was conducted using the online database service CiNii. Additionally, the author reviewed reference lists of the identified studies, as well as other publications unrelated to CiNii. As a result, 25 studies of psycho-educational programs were selected and analyzed. The analysis resulted in 6 significant findings: (1) psycho-educational programs can be divided into three distinct categories (primary psycho-education for parenting support, secondary psycho-education for parenting support, and tertiary psycho-education for parenting support), (2) the importance of the linkage between the psycho-educational program and everyday life, (3) respecting the “diversity” of parenting styles and the parents' “autonomy” regarding parental decisions, (4) the importance of participants learning from one another, (5) the importance of scientific evidence based evaluation of psycho-educational programs, and (6) the importance of a stable and supportive marital relationship to parenting. Accordingly, the psycho-educational approach is an effective parenting support intervention, and further development in psycho-educational programs, particularly with respect to the 6 findings outlined above, is necessary.

The purpose of this paper was to clarify the facts concerning how social work for children initially developed in Britain, in response to the evacuation of civilians from urban areas during the Second World War. This paper sees Clare Britton as the key figure in the fundamental development of this field, and by examining her career, it discusses social work for children in the 1930s and 1940s. Specifically, it examines how Britton developed her career before she worked in an evacuation hostel. This paper concludes that Britton became deeply concerned with the development of social work for children, during this time when many social workers were needed to address the needs of evacuated children. Britton took a training course in psychiatric social work during the war and she changed her career as she came to partake more in this field as it developed over time.

This study aimed to analyzeommunity-based parenting support centers and examine their defining features. The study was also the first phase of research toward constructing a practice theory of community-based parenting support. The research method employed for the study was to examine previous pioneer cases using a qualitative coding system with an inductive approach. As a result, the following six categories were identified: (1) clarification of condition and needs, (2) fostering of maternal abilities, (3) developing support systems for mothers, (4) support for self-help activities and community planning, (5) supporting community based activities, and (6) the formation and utilization of networks. Furthermore, the features of the above six functions were examined in terms of empowerment, situation-based resource generation, and development of multi-dimensional support. In order to establish these six functions as fundamental functions of community-based parenting support centers, a theoretical foundation is necessary.

This article aimed to clarify the characteristics of resilient children in residential foster care, specifically the characteristics of those children who were at high risk but now demonstrate their resilience by adapting successfully to high school. The method of the study was to qualitatively analyze interviews with children. The interviewees were children who had passed the entrance examination, and have performed well at their respective high schools. The analysis found that resilient children in residential care have five common characteristics: they feel physically and emotionally safe in their residential foster care settings, they recognize support from others, they have come to understand complexities in their families, they have come to accept the reality that they are living in residential care, and they have a clear outlook for the future. The findings of this study provide support for the type of family social work interventions necessary to promote resilience in children living in residential care.

The purpose of this research was to identify factors that parents of infants recognize as supporting healthy family functioning. Two groups, one consisting of eight mothers, another consisting of four fathers, were asked to discuss the topic of child rearing in a focus group format. Analyzing the mothers' responses resulted in the extraction of 84 codes, 24 sub-categories and 5 categories. The 5 categories were as follows: (1) the ability to bring unfavorable situations under control, (2) reflecting on the meaning of receiving help, (3) the ability to anticipate and respond accordingly, (4) the ability to find value in child rearing, and (5) working with family members dynamically and appropriately. Analyzing the father's responses resulted in the extraction of 32 codes, 13 sub-categories, and 5 categories. The five categories were as follows: (1) actively participating in housework and child care, (2) accepting change and adjusting accordingly, (3) recognizing one's wife's needs and responding accordingly, (4) the ability to comprehend the dynamics of extended family relationships, and (5) holds firm beliefs regarding marriage, parenting and raising children. This study helped clarify how healthy families face and work through family problems by adjusting to changes, shedding light on family strengths that prevent parents from abusing their children and/or experiencing parenting anxiety.

The purpose of this study was to clarify how mothers of young children reach a state of being overwhelmed with parenting and recover. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine mothers, and the data was qualitatively analyzed using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach. The results suggested that the process by which mothers reach a state of being over-whelmed involves a fundamental pre-occupation with “doing what's right for the child," coupled by experiences of, a lack of concrete support, a lack of psychological support, and being unableto understand and/or accept one's child's behavior. This state of being “overwhelmed" is then followed by a sense of “relief." The repeated process of experiencing a state of being “overwhelmed” followed by “relief,” results in the mother developing a grasp for what constitutes “good enough parenting."

In recent years, staff of child welfare institutions charged with the care of children have increasingly encountered difficulties on the job. The purpose of this study was to look at how these child care workers view the maladaptive behavior of children and to consider the variables that impact the difficulties they face at work. A questionnaire was sent to child care workers of residential foster care institutions and short-term residential treatment facilities for emotionally disturbed children in Japan, and an analysis of the data obtained was undertaken. The data revealed that child care workers feel that a large number of children require special care and support, regardless of the status of an official diagnosis. It was also found that child care workers view maladaptive behavior from a framework consisting of four categories: (1) distorted thinking, (2) attention deficiency, (3) developmental and attachment disorders, and (4) lack of control over one's actions. Furthermore, the responses suggested that a shared perception among child care workers was most common in the case of children who clearly had problems controlling their behavior. The findings also indicated that close cooperation with Child Guidance Centers helped generate a shared perception of a child's maladaptive behavior, and reduced questions and concerns about what support was required.

Since April2 004,th e municipal level child and family welfare consultation system has been strengthened. Accordingly, the relationship between the municipal level consultation system and Child and Family Support Centers has become very important. In this study, the function of the Child and Family Support Center in regard to its relationship with the municipal level consultation system was examined. Accordingly, six Child and Family Support Center functions were identified: (1) building collaborative relationships, (2) supportive collaboration with the local community, (3) support of organic cooperation, (4) support of developmental practice, (5) preventative parenting support, and (6) support of children and families in need of preventative and/or protective care.T his paper concludes with a discussion of how these functions might be more effectively performed.

The purpose of this study was to identify the abilities required of parenting support service coordinators, who practice at local level government offices. A questionnaire was mailed to the parenting support division of 1,717 local level government offices, of which 873 questionnaires were completed and returned (return rate of 50.8%; valid return rate of 42.8%). Factor analysis identified three outstanding abilities required of service coordinators: (1) the ability to maintain a basic positive attitude towards parents seeking support, (2) the ability to manage social resources in a planned manner, and (3) the ability to collaborate with other service coordinators and professionals. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis suggested that these three abilities made a significant contribution to successful service delivery. The results imply that social work education and training are necessary in order that service coordinators competently provide parenting support services.