This article describes an innovative approach to the prevention of adolescent cigarette smoking, called Life Skills Training. The program was designed to facilitate the development of general coping skills, including techniques for resisting social pressures to smoke. Evaluation studies are summarized. (MT)

Teachers can play a significant role in adolescent suicide prevention by encouraging classroom discussion on depression and self-destructive behavior. Effectiveness of suicide prevention programs are discussed. Myths and signs of impending suicide are listed. (DF)

A rationale is presented for using a coping-skills training approach with college students who face important environmental demands. Two case examples of college students suffering from test anxiety illustrate the effectiveness of brief therapy approaches in teaching coping skills. (Author/CJ)

Evidence indicates that kind of intensive in-home intervention described produces positive changes likely to be maintained in families in which the mother has some self-esteem, a satisfactory relationship with her own mother or a desire for a better relationship, and an adequate social support system. (Author/BEF)

Evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral approach to stress management for teachers. Results showed the training program significantly reduced stress and anxiety among 128 urban secondary school teachers. Results also indicated decreases in motoric manifestations of anxiety in the classroom as a result of training. (Author/JAC)

Describes a model for group work with young adults from divorced families using an 8-session psychoeducational group intervention. Goals include reducing isolation, establishing connectedness, and building a stronger sense of identify. By educating young adults on topics such as assertiveness, communication skills, and self-esteem, it will give…

Occupational mental health deals with the quality of life associated with work. This article demonstrates how rational emotive therapy can be applied to occupational mental health, and suggests counselors be sensitive to stress of work as well as home. (Author/JAC)

A conceptual framework for identifying stress variables includes: (1) systematically identifying causes of job stress; (2) identifying factors mitigating stress; and (3) identifying possible consequences of job stress. (JN)

A study of 20 gifted children (ages 9-14) provides the basis of a model of social and emotional adjustment to stressors presented in this article. Intrapersonal, family, school, and peer influences, as well as functional and dysfunctional patterns of social and emotional adjustment, are explained within the framework of the model. (Author/CR)

Family-centered intervention after the death of a baby due to sudden infant death syndrome facilitates reorganization, growth, and development of the family system. A potentially defeating crisis becomes an opportunity to develop coping skills and strengthen family members. Public health nursing is an essential component of the program.…

Contemporary society is failing to meet the developmental needs of youth. A peer counseling program using a variety of approaches including unstructured drop-in time for arts and crafts, games or simple interaction; planned social activities; and weekly 3-hour meetings was implemented. This study examined the outcome of the peer counseling program…

The education and health of students are at risk due to a rise in drug and tobacco use in schools. Social workers can help schools and students by designing, executing, and evaluating prevention interventions. Empirical data from two controlled studies are presented. (VM)

Female drug addicts show greater personal distress and have fewer personal resources a9d social supports than other women. To gain new knowledge about female addicts, the Services Research Branch of the National Institute on Drug Abuse funded several research projects to analyze personality, attitudes and value measures of addicted women, support…

This study, third in a series of seven, was written by two kindergarten teachers in different schools. A description is given of the two schools, the community in which they are located, and the physical layout of each of the teachers' classrooms. The characteristics of the teachers and their pupils are described as are the types of distractions…

This paper describes a summer program teaching independent living skills to 20 adults with visual impairments. Results suggest the program had a lasting and profound impact on clients' previously low knowledge of job hunting, decision making, stress management, and self-care skills. Interaction with other adults with visual impairments and…