Mental health is different than mental illness. Yet, public and professional's views of mental health often confuses the two terms. This commentary explores what mental health is, what components consist of a mentally healthy person, and how one can improve and enhance mental health among youth.

This study evaluated the effects of a sexual victimization history, trait disinhibition, alcohol use history, number of lifetime sexual partners, and the contextual features of dating and social events (i.e., sexual activity and alcohol use) on women's response choices to a set of vignettes describing diverse social situations. A total of 170…

School-based prevention programs are an important component of problem gambling prevention, but empirically effective programs are lacking. Stacked Deck is a set of 5-6 interactive lessons that teach about the history of gambling; the true odds and "house edge"; gambling fallacies; signs, risk factors, and causes of problem gambling; and…

This study examined the relationship of social influences to use drugs and competence variables with lifetime poly-drug use for adolescents residing in inner-city regions. The same model was tested separately for boys and girls. Sixth- and seventh-graders (N = 2400) in inner-city schools self-reported substance use, social influences to use drugs…

This study examined effects of computer-assisted instruction on decision making, assertiveness, and interpersonal communication related to responsible sexuality. Health science classes from four secondary schools in three midwestern states participated in the study. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Ninety undergraduate students, acting as jurors, viewed a videotape of a male or female aggressive, assertive, or passive defense attorney and a male prosecuting attorney in a simulated courtroom trial. The aggressive and assertive presentation styles resulted in significantly more "not guilty" verdicts than the passive style, for both the male…

Provides review of substance abuse prevention programing over the past 20 years. Describes an empirically promising approach based on teaching assertiveness and decision-making skills and cites the results of a longitudinal evaluation of the assertiveness training component. Concludes with a description of the authors' current program in the…

Indecisive students often present with social skills problems, which may make academic and vocational decision-making tasks difficult and complex for them. This article presents a training program devised to augment assertive competencies in indecisive students choosing a university course of study. Intended aims and the analyses to assess the…

Assertiveness training involves pursuing personal goals, protecting individual rights, and achieving results without violating the rights of others. (ABM)

Used two fundamental models of assertion training to develop a counseling strategy for integrating assertive behavior in the career decision-making process. Includes identification of both assertive skills and thoughts that enhance career decision-making. Focuses on assertive behavior in five stages of career decision-making, not on problem…

During the fall of 1987 Arizona State University received a grant to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of using student professionals to teach assertive and decision making skills to their peers. These skills were taught as an early intervention strategy to address the dynamics of peer pressure in drug use among high risk college age…

Analyses of the children's communication patterns revealed that LD children were less likely to disagree with classmates, less likely to try to argue for their choices, and more likely to agree with their peers. (Author)

This monograph describes a program developed to meet the needs of adult women continuing their education and planning careers. Experience CUE (C=career; U=you, the woman in the middle; E=education) was designed for women who are moving into a role change and need assistance in planning for it. The monograph describes in detail the group counseling…

Responses to interview questions regarding self-determination opportunities, outcomes, and importance were compared across 21 adults with developmental disabilities and 20 advocates. Self-determination skills in the areas of problem solving, assertiveness, decision making, and goal setting were also addressed. Areas of agreement and disagreement…

The effectiveness of two decision-making training approaches in increasing independent decision-making skills of 36 women with mild mental retardation responding to hypothetical social interpersonal situations involving abuse was evaluated. The approaches addressed either cognitive and emotional aspects or only cognitive aspects of…