Taking on the roles of educator and mediator: two means of preventing ethical conflicts for community psychologists when financial resources are scarce.

Three approaches are presented in this commentary on ethical conflicts in the practice of community psychology. The first is the prevention of such conflicts, in contrast with ways in which conflicts can be coped with or resolved. The second is a re-examination of the roles of the community psychologist, and of how a modification of these roles could reduce the likelihood that ethical conflicts would arise. And, finally, a more general problem is pointed out concerning the fact that communities do not generate funds sufficient to meet the needs of their citizens. Community psychologists are drawn into ethical conflicts revolving around the allocation of funds if and when these conditions prevail.