First published in 1992. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

In large part, this volume is a product of the 1989 Kent Psychology Forum, where the volume's contributors presented their ideas about various facets of later-life families, challenged the ideas of others, and had their own ideas challenged in return. In planning this book, the authors' goal was to invite outstanding scholars in three areas related to social gerontology - stress, social support, and caregiving. This work includes some of the best and most creative thinkers in each of the three content areas and focuses their collective attention on a problem of growing social concern - how older adults and their families cope with the vicissitudes of later life.

Contents:
Epidemiology of bulimia nervosa, J.H. Crowther, et al. Part 1 Developmental and familial factors: overview, P.A. Crawford and D. Watts; developmental issues in the study of eating problems and disorders, I. Attie and J. Brooks-Gunn; toward a model of the developmental psychopathology of eating disorders - the example of early adolescence, M.P. Levine and L. Smolak; body image, weight control and eating disorders among children, M.H. Thelen, et al; relationship of family and personality factors in bulimia, S. Wonderlich. Part 2 Individual factors: overview, D.S. Rosch and K.L. Shepherd; chronic dieting and eating disorders - a spiral model, T.F. Heatherton and J. Polivy; body-image disorder - definition, development, and contribution to eating disorders, J.C. Rosen; personality characteristics as a risk factor in the development of eating disorders, C. Johnson and S. Wonderlich. Part 3 Future directions: overview, D.L. Zotter and N.E. Sherwood; prevention of bulimia nervosa - questions and challenges, R.H. Striegel-Moore; aetiology of bulimia nervosa - conceptual, research and measurement issues, J.H. Crowther and J.S. Mizes.

The purpose of this book is to review existing and developing family assessment methods relevant to the study of psycho pathology. It is our intention not only to inform clinical re searchers of the many valuable family assessment methods that are available, but also to encourage the incorporation of such procedures into future research efforts. In so doing, we believe that our understanding of the etiology, course, treatment, and prevention of adult and childhood disorders will be greatly enriched. The book begins with an overview of the larger social and intellectual forces which have led to the current interest in study ing family influences on psychopathology in children and adoles cence. For each "stream of influence," we attempt to highlight theoretical and methodological contributions relevant to the fami ly's role in the etiology, exacerbation, and treatment of childhood disorders. Next, a framework for classifying family measurement procedures is introduced in which three major dimensions are emphasized: unit of analysis, source of data, and construct as sessed. The third and most important chapter provides detailed reviews of a selected number of methods within each of the major groupings that have been delimited, references and brief descrip tions of other measures that cannot be reviewed in detail, and a discussion of the promising and developing techniques that are known to the authors."