Prevention, Powerlessness, and Politics: Readings on Social Change

This provocative book of readings examines the need for social change and political action to effect broad-based prevention of psychopathology. Addressing those in the caring professions such as social psychiatry and social work, the editors argue that this need arises from the feelings of powerlessness among those who are attempting to deal with the abuse and exploitation in today's society while working in existing programmes. After a descriptive discussion of the effects of powerlessness which includes examples of some of the victims of the social system, the volume explores those primary prevention programmes aimed at reducing victimization and at a redistribution of power. Topics addressed include programmes for individuals and families, programmes for larger political change affecting groups and identification of sources of resistance and opposition from protectors of the status quo. The volume concludes with suggestions of ways in which power can be redistributed in an effort to remove the feelings of futility now confronting workers in prevention programmes. A distilliation of the finest papers in the Primary Prevention of Psychopathology series, Prevention, Powerlessness, and Politics is a useful tool to both students and field practitioners.Albee, George W. is the author of 'Prevention, Powerlessness, and Politics: Readings on Social Change', published 1988 under ISBN 9780803931640 and ISBN 0803931646.