Analysis of the functional and personal characteristics of 336 persons with mental retardation living in 181 small, specialized foster care homes and group homes found some differences in resident characteristics across facility type, including communication and toileting skills, age, and mobility. (Author/DB)

A questionnaire asking respondents to list adjectives describing 4 hypothetical stutterers (2 8 year olds and 2 adults) was completed by 103 elementary and secondary teachers. The majority of reported adjectives were negative stereotypical personality traits, indicating perceptions of stutterers similar to other groups including speech-language…

Creatively gifted individuals propose ideas that initially seem odd, but they "invest" in these ideas, bring them to fruition, and convince other people of their worth. Creatively gifted individuals display a combination of six resources that function interactively: intelligence, knowledge, styles of thinking, personality, motivation, and…

Content analysis of 325 case records resulted in the identification of 7 main child care arrangements in which sexual abuse occurred, varying by the routinization and formality of the caregiving relationships, methods of caregiver selection, and reimbursement. Differing characteristics of female and male perpetrators were identified. (BRM)

Literature concerning "idiots savants" is reviewed, and various theories and possible explanations are discussed, as are common areas of expertise and cognitive traits. Several case studies are used to illustrate the possible relationship between autism and idiots savants. Educational implications of these findings are considered.…

Children (n=110, ages 2-17) placed in foster care as a result of sexual abuse were found to have similar behavioral problems and other attributes as children placed for other reasons. Sexually abused children exited foster care for planned permanent living arrangements at a significantly faster rate than nonsexually abused children. (Author/JDD)

This comparison of the attitudes of 78 employers, who identified traits needed by either handicapped workers or workers in general, found no significant differences in ratings of the importance of various traits. (DB)

Thirty-three mothers with mental retardation with or without a history of child abuse/neglect were compared. Abusing mothers had higher intelligence quotients, were married, and had at least two children. Removal of abused children occurred if the mother had a problem in addition to retardation or was unwilling to participate in a training…

Discusses qualities needed by library school graduates to fill positions in industrial special libraries and the skills industrial library managers expect to be included in the curricula of library schools. Topics addressed include professional knowledge and skills, interpersonal skills and personal characteristics, personal and professional…

The prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome among 1,474 nurses was addressed through a mailed questionnaire (202 respondents). Demographic characteristics, symptoms, and possible prevalence rates are presented and discussed. Implications of these findings are considered, and the methodology used is analyzed. Suggestions are made for conducting…

Established innovative interest-free loan program in midwestern metropolitan area as response to deteriorating economic circumstances of low-wage-earning single parents and their dependent children during 1980s. Interviews with participants revealed personal characteristics and economic circumstances of target population and purposes for which…

Examines relationships between acceptance of disability and demographic characteristics, disability conditions, and other psychological factors in a sample of adults with disabilities. Finds that self-esteem and emotional support from family had a positive impact on acceptance, perceived discrimination had a negative impact, and type of disability…

A discussion of young donors to colleges and universities, usually alumni ages 20 to 50, looks at the distinctive characteristics and considerations of donors in this population and makes suggestions for finding and cultivating major gift prospects. Two young female philanthropists are profiled. (MSE)

Responds to the initial article in this issue that proposes a set of 22 sequentially structured statements on the nature and origin of human abilities, gifts, and talents. Offers an alternative psychometric, quantitative perspective that sees gifts as broad, general analytic capabilities, and talents as specific, content-bound capabilities. (CR)

A longitudinal study involving 400 children, one third of whom were identified as hyperactive in 1974, investigated tobacco smoking and substance dependencies. The results found almost twice as many participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder smoked cigarettes daily as controls and twice as many were cocaine dependent. (CR)