ORTHOPSYCHIATRY IN THE COMMUNITY

• Published in: American journal of orthopsychiatry 1941-07, Vol.11 (3), p.413-422
• Main Author: Schroeder, Paul L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child Guidance Clinics; Communities; Human; Orthopsychiatry; Program Development; Psychiatry; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 0002-9432; 1939-0025
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.1941.tb05823.x

The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry is a criterion of the concern of this Association over a specific problem, then it will be interesting to note that only 10 per cent of the scientific articles appearing since its inception in 1930 deal directly with delinquency and crime, according to title. Only one of the first 32 articles has any reference in its title to delinquency. In 1936, only one of the 48 papers published referred in its title to delinquency or crime. At this current meeting, only 4 of the 42 papers indicate in the title that they deal with this subject. This is a trend away from the study and treatment of the more pathological subjects and is out of keeping with the evolution of medical knowledge. This trend may be considered an escape from the reality of the problem of delinquency and criminality and an unwillingness, except in isolated instances, to deal with the problem. Although this escape may be said to be reflected in our formal clinic program, our group workers have not been so fearful. In certain cities the child guidance clinic, through its group workers, has established itself in the community for study and treatment. It has adapted itself to the conditions that exist in those communities and has set up a program of activities in keeping with the needs. Orthopsychiatry has already served a great function and is largely responsible for two important contributions to the understanding of human behavior; first, the change from a static to a dynamic psychiatry, and second, its integration of the biologic and social sciences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)