Drug misuse of prescription and OTC drugs was studied among 67 older subjects to determine the frequency of misuse and relationship to various psychosocial, medical and pharmacological factors. Drug misuse was found among 43 percent of subjects with number of prescribing physicians and number of pharmacies directly related to misuse. (Author)

Five symposium papers evaluate the usefulness of ideas associated with the life-span view for enriching, highlighting, or expanding issues, theory, and research pertinent to change processes during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and for intervention programs during these periods. (Author/MP)

Data from 87 high school students indicated significant differences between high and low psychoticism scorers on teacher appraisal, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, marijuana smoking, and sex of student; no significant differences were found between high and low psychoticism scorers on television viewing and residence with one or both…

Discusses the implementation and utilization of specific behavioral skills and techniques designed to aid the parent or teacher in dealing with disciplinary and disruptive behaviors both within the home and the school, which enable the teacher or parent to effectively communicate with the child. (Author/CM)

Studied the social and emotional adjustment of women and children from single-parent families. Widows and divorcees did not differ significantly from married women on social and emotional adjustment but did report more positive and negative life changes. Children of widows and divorcees reported significantly poorer emotional adjustment. (Author)

Compared two levels of goal setting. In the first level adolescents were involved in setting goals for behavioral counseling. In the second level they were informed that goals were set, but were not involved. Results indicated greater degree of goal attainment and counseling satisfaction for participating pupils. (Author/JAC)

Presents a method of therapy for families with an acting-out adolescent or young adult. Aims at altering the underlying problem of immaturity. Outlines a four-phase process in working with the parents over an extended period of time. (Author/JAC)

An experienced teacher presents guidelines for starting Sustained Silent Reading in a classroom, including explaining the program to the students and dealing with those who forget their books, disrupt the class, or fidget. A list of teacher background readings is included. (SJL)

Thirty-nine students in classes for deaf-blind children were assessed using the Behavior Rating Instrument for Autistic and Other Atypical Children (BRIAAC). Each child was observed for two hours and was rated on the eight BRIAAC scales. The Behavior Rating Instrument evaluated the child's motivation as it emerged in daily context. (JN)

Nonproblem and problem children were compared on Minnesota Child Development Inventory, Classroom Adjustment Rating Scale, Ottawa School Behavior Survey, AML Behavior Rating Scale, Teacher Rating Scale, and Denver Developmental Screening Test. Problem children scored significantly lower than nonproblem children on all measures. Minnesota Child…

Problem-child families and normal families were classified using the dyadic parent-child interaction coding system (DPICS). The DPICS was found to be a reliable, clinically practical research instrument that correctly classified 94 percent of the families and predicted 64 percent of the variance in parent report of home behavior problems. (Author)

Artificial cumulative folders were constructed for eight fourth grade boys and examined by teachers. Each folder contained varied information on previous misbehavior, race, and parents' educational attainment. Results showed that teachers were most influenced by comments concerning behavior when judging whether the student needed special…

Looking at the emotional and academic needs of the chronically disruptive student, the author proposes a temporary alternative class, emphasizing self-esteem development and individualized instruction, as the best programmatic solution. (SJL)

Results of two studies of teachers' attributions for school problems indicate that teachers hold student factors more responsible for classroom problems than teacher factors, and that teachers' attributions vary for learning v behavior problems. The second study also indicates that students perceived as lacking motivation were criticized more…

The multimodal career counseling model is a logical extension of Lazarus' multimodal behavior therapy through the assessment of seven modalities that affect the career of the individual. Interventions may be directed at the early decision-making stage or when difficulties are encountered. (Author)