Ricardo F. Muñoz - Böcker

Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Originally published in 1987, the purpose of Depression Prevention was to consider the proposition that clinical depression can be prevented. The book contains contributions from researchers, as well as research-oriented theorists and practitioners, who were actively engaged in studying depression prevention at the time. Scientific knowledge about depression was growing at a tremendous rate, however, prevention intervention research was still in its infancy. It was hoped that the ideas and research findings provided here would aid the development of the depression prevention research field. Today it can be read in its historical context.

In the early 1990s, as medical costs skyrocketed and health issues inspired heated national debate, preventive health care received increased attention and emphasis. In the area of mental health, however, the subject of effective prevention remained controversial and generally neglected. The National Institutes of Mental Health and the Institute of Medicine conducted systematic reviews of the state of prevention science in the mental health field. Originally published in 1993 contributing to this growing attention and offering the most comprehensive summary to date of this new area of study, The Prevention of Depression presents and evaluates the current research on efforts to prevent what many still considered to be the "inevitable suffering" that is associated with depressive disorders. Ricardo Munoz and Yu-Wen Ying bring together the latest information about depression and review methods of evaluating medical and psychological intervention at the time. Chapters are organized in five sections: an introduction to key concepts; an explanation of the steps to be followed in conducting research on preventive interventions; a report on the authors’ work with the San Francisco Depression Prevention Research Project; discussion of the implications of such research and the goals of the prevention field; and general comments and recommendations directed to mental health professionals. The authors conclude with a call for well-designed prevention programmes to reduce the human suffering associated with depression. Today it can be read in its historical context.

Originally published in 1979, the primary emphasis in Social and Psychological Research in Community Settings is on research-oriented interventions. The focus of the book is two-fold: to showcase model research studies of change in community contexts and to present the process of carrying out such studies – the “behind the scenes" material that is usually omitted from formal research reports. It was hoped that the book would serve as a catalyst to rigorous thinking about community psychology and as a resource book to psychologists and social scientists who were willing to take the plunge into community work. Today it can be read in its historical context.

Interested in cutting down on your drinking without giving it up altogether? This encouraging, science-based book can help make that goal a reality. Distinguished clinician-researchers William R. Miller and Ricardo F. Muñoz have spent more than 40 years studying whether moderation works, who it works (and doesn't work) for, and how to achieve it. They give you tools to evaluate your alcohol consumption, decide what changes you want to make, and create a doable plan of action. Learn new ways to enjoy social events, defuse tension and stress, and cope with difficult emotions--with or without a glass in hand. The updated second edition incorporates the latest scientific data and features a new chapter on mindfulness. Helpful forms and worksheets can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2 x 11 size.