Using data from a grounded theory study with 59 college students with disabilities, this article documents the complex process of developing self-advocacy during the transition from K--12 to post-secondary school settings. This article draws on rich student narratives to illuminate the nuanced self-advocacy processes that college students with…

Information technology (IT) has in the recent times dominated all aspect of the business world, and, for this reason, today's business environment is more challenging and more dynamic than in previous years. Therefore, this study focused on examining job satisfaction of Information Technology professionals in the D.C. area, paying particular…

Power is the capacity of an individual to self-determine his or her life and to participate in the creation of an appropriate environment for that life. The exercise of personal power is necessary to develop one's unique potential, and it is necessary if society is to benefit from contributions and participation of all its members. In an effort to…

This paper presents a guide for persons interested in conducting a workshop designed to introduce a process or strategy to help adolescents self-generate strokes to foster positive self-esteem. The steps in the process include: (1) introduction to the notion that each person has the power to take control of and direct his or her own life; (2) an…

Compared two groups of college students, those with and those without a visible physical disability, on self-reported assertion. Students with a physical disability reported higher assertion and measures of loneliness and perceived control. (Author/ABB)

Conducted assertiveness training courses among students, emphasizing relationship between assertiveness and everyday problems, female and male socialization, differences between assertiveness and aggression, and self-esteem. Used behavioral rehearsal in role play situations on anger, giving and receiving compliments, requesting changes, and…

This study used surveys, interactive focus groups, and telephone interviews to explore the concept of advocacy and advocacy activities experienced by 32 parents and 11 individuals with developmental disabilities. Advocacy activities and supports (such as communication skills and networking) and barriers to successful advocacy (such as costs and…

Compared 76 reentry working women with 78 career women. Found reentry women held lower-level jobs and scored lower on measures of assertiveness and autonomy than did career women. Reentry women did not score lower on self-esteem measures or dominance measures, and did not score higher than career women on either conflict or need for achievement…

A study was conducted to determine what progress is made by nursing students during their first two years of study in the development of affective characteristics closely associated with professional level practice. Two affective characteristics associated with professionalism were studied; autonomy and assertiveness. The Inner Directed Scale of…

Examined mother-child interaction in play and teaching tasks. Mother-child interaction aggregates represented task orientation, positive emotion, and allowance of autonomy. Maternal interaction aggregates predicted teachers' ratings of children's positive social behavior, assertiveness, and sadness in the preschool setting. (BC)

This monograph describes projects of the Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities which focus on empowerment and self-advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their family members. Individual sections address: (1) Partners in Policymaking (an intensive course to train individuals with disabilities and family…

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…

This study characterized individual advocacy performance differences of 3 individuals with developmental disabilities and 21 parents before and after participating in training programs called Partners in Policymaking. A three group taxonomy of advocate development (beginner, involved, and activist) is suggested. (DB)

Mothers and children were observed in laboratory and home settings in a study of the relationship between maternal control strategies and child behavior. Child compliance and self-assertion were associated with less powerful control methods; defiance with power-assertive methods. A combined control-guidance strategy elicited greatest compliance…

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…