Urban Bound was begun in 1967 as an experimental two-phase program to help delinquent boys develop self-confidence and channel their energies appropriately. Phase one, a 21-day mountain program, was designed to build youth-group and youth-instructor relationships, develop self-confidence, provide an acceptable male image, promote communication,…

The purpose of this report was to consider factors that might be important for understanding how schools as organizations respond to environmental stress. Literature from psychology, sociology, education, and political science is reviewed and an attempt is made to integrate a diverse body of findings, using concepts from general systems theory and…

A discussion is presented on the psychological and physical nature and origin of stress, changes in life stages that individuals make in response to events, and situations in life that create pressure and tension. This discussion is followed by examples of how to deal with stress through awareness of: communication skills; coping techniques, both…

The pervasiveness of stress as a problem, with its many harmful effects on people, makes it a matter of growing interest for counselors and other personnel workers. This monograph provides definitions of stress, distress, and eustress, and discusses numerous causes of distress, as well as the benefits of stress to a healthy, productive life.…

When faced with threats to physical or psychological well-being, our bodies and brains respond in a variety of self-protective ways, including the production of stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Our ability to turn this response on and off is critical to healthy functioning in society, and scientists now believe that significant…

During the last three decades, remarkable transformations have occurred in the American family, including changes in economic well-being, gender roles, family relationships, and family structure. Based on a 15-year study begun in 1980, this book examines young Americans coming of age in the 1980s and 1990s among families experiencing these social…

Compares the characteristics of current foster carers with those of earlier years and assesses the impact on turnover and recruitment of the financial and professional support carers receive. Indicates that financial reward and the support infrastructure that links social workers and foster carer groups play an important part in attracting and…

Discusses two problems related to young children's arrival to and departure from child care centers: parents who have a hard time separating from their children in the morning; and children who cry and do not want to go home at the end of the school day. (AA)

A study of 161 substance-abusing mothers assessed 10 maternal risk factors: maternal depression; domestic violence; nondomestic violence; family size; incarceration; no significant other at home; negative life events; psychiatric problems; homelessness; and drug use severity. Parenting stress and child abuse potential was higher for women with…

An analysis of costs associated with the dental licensure process looks at the financial costs to both dental and dental hygiene license candidates, financial costs to the dental school, temporal costs to schools and candidates, financial costs from loss of clinic income and faculty and staff productivity, curricular time spent in board…

Case histories of four women who developed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder after learning of their daughters' sexual abuse are presented. The women also exhibited depression and personality disorders. Their children's abuse catalyzed a reliving of their own childhood victimization. Case psychodynamics and treatment strategies are…

A study of stress among 786 faculty at a land-grant university found differences in stress levels among discipline groups and higher stress reported by women than by men. The findings are discussed, and several proposals are made for individual faculty members, department heads, and academic administrators for addressing the problems of workplace…

Describes perceptions of conflict as a utility (functional conflict) among 1,953 department executives in programs of social work, education, and nursing (the emergent professions); and analyzes perceptual data in terms of organizational conflict climate and demographics. Variations in terms of perceived operational utility of organizational…

Longitudinal data in St. Paul (Minnesota) for 1,001 ninth graders and 962 of them as tenth graders show that part-time work experience and mastery orientation are reciprocally related for adolescents. Youth more internally oriented in grade 9 had less stressful jobs in grade 10. Extrinsic work conditions are sources of control orientation. (SLD)

A random household survey of 569 African-American adults in Oakland and 568 in San Francisco (California) indicates a high prevalence of smoking (41.9 percent), with smoking more likely by those reporting high stress. Stressful environment may contribute to high-risk smoking behavior among urban African Americans. (SLD)