Fifty-five mothers of young children with Down syndrome completed the Parenting Stress Index. Low internal reliability coefficient for the Adaptability/Plasticity Child Domain subscale was found. Factor analysis of the scale found that the Adaptability/Plasticity factor did not perform as a unidimensional structure, but provided information on…

A study involving 225 regular primary school teachers and 42 principals in western Australia found that the inclusion of a child with a mild intellectual disability significantly increased the educators' appraisal of stress severity. Gender and special school/regular school variables were analyzed. (CR)

Issues and conditions affecting the black faculty member's morale in a predominantly white faculty are discussed, including isolation and marginalization, threats to tenure and financial security, disparity of workload, tensions over affirmative action, and limited access to research resources. These are compared with conditions common in a…

Quantitative and qualitative measures from 19 parents and 19 siblings of children with learning disabilities showed that family functioning and self-concepts of siblings were comparable to those in families of nondisabled children but parents experienced greater stress than did parents of nondisabled children. Families also experienced…

Sources of stress in Hong Kong teachers were investigated, with specific reference to guidance work as a potential source of stress. A survey of 415 secondary school teachers revealed guidance-related aspects of work constituted a major dimension of stress, with guidance teachers, female teachers, younger teachers and junior teachers perceiving…

Two studies examined whether the relationship between the belief in a just world (BJW) and psychological well-being would benefit by distinguishing between the just world for self, for others, and in general. When various measures of the construct were examined jointly, only the BJW for self emerged as the most powerful and consistent predictor of…

Studied demographic characteristics, incidence, and levels of general life stress, burnout, and traumatic stress among a random sample of counselors (N=161). Younger counselors and those with the least amount of experience in trauma appeared more vulnerable to general stress and traumatic stress, respectively. Provides a profile of impaired…

This study investigated how stressful environmental conditions influence the relation between mothers' social support and parenting strategies among poor, African American single mothers and their young adolescent children. Findings indicated that as neighborhood conditions worsened, the positive relation between emotional support and mothers'…

Surveys of 43 student teachers taking a 9 week practicum in rural Australian primary schools and case studies of four of them found that student teacher stress diminished over time. Five coping strategies were identified: communicating with others, self help, relaxation/recreation, teaching and managing, and organization. (Contains 32 references.)…

Discusses a longitudinal study that tests undergraduate students'"hardiness" (ability to thrive under stress) and their likelihood of advancing to sophomore year. Gives a detailed definition of hardiness and its importance in retention in schools. Although the study is ongoing, authors anticipate that the results will support their hypothesis.…

Investigated how 657 fathers' job satisfaction and job stress were related to four domains: individual, parent-child, marital, and child. Results showed that the job affected all four domains. Job stress and job satisfaction were directly related to family functioning. Discusses implications for families with school-age children. (RJM)

Discusses ideas to help teachers ease the anger and fear of children confronted with a new school situation. Suggests that transition from preschool to kindergarten can be difficult, as many students face for the first time limits to their activities. Also discusses another problem for students, the change from self-contained classroom to one with…

Three focus groups examined stress and conflict among 30 older African American women in Boston. Stress stemmed from worries about functional disability, accessing transportation, conflicts with family and peers, and grandchildren's lack of respect. Participants tended to use avoidant strategies to deal with stress and conflict. A training program…

College academic success and retention have traditionally been predicted using demographic and academic variables. This study moved beyond traditional predictors. A survey of 218 undergraduate students revealed that emotional and social factors (e.g., stress, frequency of alcohol consumption) related to GPA and emotional factors (e.g.,…

A review of articles concerning use of social support to alleviate stress in mothers of children with autism found an association between challenging child characteristics and mothers seeking social support, with mothers under greater stress being more prone to pursue social support. Informal support appeared more effective than formal support.…