Examined was the nature of "psychosomatic" diabetes in children-a condition resistant to treatment and thought to be triggered by emotional upheaval. Continuous blood samples taken during the child's viewing parental conflict indicated that the psychosomatic diabetics were different in their stress reactions than control groups. Results of family…

Reflects on the history of anorexia nervosa among adolescent ("fasting") girls, suggesting that its psychodynamics have changed over time. Focuses on the social and cultural processes by which anorexia nervosa became a disease. Argues for a conception of anorexia nervosa that incorporates culture as well as biomedical and psychological…

Eating disorders than may beset teenagers and seriously affect their health are discussed. Facts about causes, symptoms, and treatments for anorexia nervosa and bulimia, a disorder which involves overeating, followed by self-induced vomiting or purging, are presented. (PP)

A rejection of the goals and means of the university system tends to come largely from both male and female students who are dissatisfied with their academic performance. Study results suggest that locus of responsibility is important in determining the nature of the responses to unsatisfactory positions or experiences in a social system. Students…

Functional complaints constitute the major reason why adolescents visit the physician's office. These complaints may coexist with organic illness of minor or major significance. Proposes a definition of functional disorders, sets forth a classification of the differential diagnosis of these disorders and suggests techniques for their management.…

Discusses voodoo illness, a form of psychosomatic illness which can result in death when sufficiently intense and prolonged. The extreme physiological arousal pattern to stimulation that comprises emotional behavior produces pathological changes in physiological functioning. Persons who are socially prepared or physically predisposed are…

Grandparents' and mothers' drug use predicted hyperactivity, psychosomatic complaints, and social problems for boys, and acting-out behaviors for boys and girls. Maternal drug use predicted fearfulness, hyperactivity, and social problems for boys, and developmental problems for boys and girls. (BC)

Selective mutism (SM) is a rare and complex disorder associated with anxiety symptoms and speech-language deficits; however, the nature of these language deficits has not been studied systematically. A novel cross-disciplinary assessment protocol was used to assess anxiety and nonverbal cognitive, receptive language, and expressive narrative…

Stress and its influence upon physiological and emotional functioning has been well documented in research literature. In order to extend this research to study the relationship between accumulated life stress, symptoms, and coping responses, 202 college graduates and undergraduates, (144 females and 58 males) responded to three self-report…

The effects of family life, background, and social class are discussed in relation to the mental health of the adolescent. (DEP)

Conditions of the work environment can cause some degree of physical or emotional disability in the individual and make coping difficult or impossible. (Available from American Management Associations, Subscription Services, Box 319, Saranac Lake, NY 12983; $15.00 annually) (Author/MLF)

The real demand for health education lies in learning about stress and tension, facing up to anxiety, and understanding one's own behavior, according to the author, who has taught psychological aspects of health successfully to adults for several years, with neuromuscular relaxation techniques the matirx unifying and integrating his course. (AJ)