This study of 258 girls (ages 6-12) found that sexually abused girls and clinical controls had more developmental and psychiatric problems prior to the abuse and more past stressors than normal controls. In the sexually abused girls, prior developmental and psychiatric problems were associated with increased behavioral and emotional problems,…

This paper describes the development and standardization of a self-report measure, the Subjective Stress Index, for use by people with mild mental disabilities. Items were derived by people with disabilities from stressful events in their lives. The scale enables users to quantify the frequency and intensity of daily hassles and major life…

A stress management program focusing on promoting competence was evaluated with 157 students in 3 samples in sixth-grade classes of an urban public and a suburban parochial school. The program had the same beneficial effect in all three samples, supporting the efficacy of direct treatment in reducing children's stress. (SLD)

Examines hypothesis that effect children have on parents' marriage is due to stress in parental role. Collected data from 287 intact couples with children living at home. Findings indicate parenting was affected by number of children and economic distress, but not by other roles. For both spouses, psychological well-being and perceived marital…

Questionnaires completed by parents of 40 patients with Lesch-Nyhan disease provide information on developmental history, life course, management, medication, variability, and topography of self-injury. Analysis indicated that patients could not inhibit self-injury but could predict it and request restraints; self-injury was strongly related to…

Comparison of 37 abusive mothers with a nonabusive sample revealed that abusive mothers had more children, showed more stress, had fewer people to count on in time of need, perceived less neighborhood support, felt less satisfaction with their spousal relationship, and were less involved in the community. (Author/JDD)

Discusses exercise-induced stress that results from motor unit recruitment, the impact of recruitment on selected systemic support systems, and some of the environmental overlays that affect the degree of physiological stress. Adaptations to sustained changes in physical activity and muscle and myotendinous injury induced by stress are examined.…

Examines the economic resources of displaced blue-collar workers (n=324) coping with job loss for varying lengths of time. Data revealed the pivotal role of unemployment benefits in maintaining a household's economic viability. Findings suggest that the service needs of unemployed workers may become much greater as their economic plight deepens.…

Illuminates the nature and direction of social comparison research using a sample of 168 Dutch individuals. Some of the findings revealed uncertainty and frustration related to a need for social comparison, a desire more for information than affiliation about similar others, and the influence of health problems in evaluating one's situation. (RJM)

This study assessed stress experienced over 7 years by 93 parents of children with intellectual disabilities. The effects of the life events of initial diagnosis, school entry, and school leaving were examined, as were supports that parents found most helpful and stress attributed to younger children without disabilities. (SW)

Families (n=725) with young children with disabilities completed the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and their scores were compared with the PSI's normative sample. No differences were found between samples on parent-related stress, supporting the normality or family strengths perspective. A normative table of PSI scores for families with children…

This survey of 716 professionals working with children having mental handicaps found 12 percent reported fairly high levels of stress and tendency to burn out. These individuals were likely to (1) have a higher educational level; (2) have a feeling of incompetence; (3) have negative attitudes; (4) feel generally dissatisfied; and (5) tend to…

Administration of the Willoughby Personality Schedule-R to 27 adult male Yugoslav stutterers revealed internal consistency of the assessment. Factor analysis revealed three separate dimensions: social isolation, social confidence, and social sensitivity. Results are consistent with the contention that hypersensitivity to interpersonal stress is…

An expanded model of treatment evaluation is presented, and connections to stress and coping theory are examined. Examples are taken from a research program on the long-term outcomes of alcoholism and depression. Implications for assessment and diagnosis, program design and improvement, and stress and coping theory are explored. (SLD)

Reviews the important relationship between end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and hypertension for African Americans; and considers issues associated with ESRD and the subsequent need for kidney transplants, including organ availability. Individual and societal implications of these diseases are discussed. (SLD)