The Children's Perception of Support Inventory (CPSI) which assesses the extent to which children perceive their families and peer networks as understanding, responsive, and supportive is described. This measure was constructed (1) to differentiate children on family and peer-support scales and to demonstrate the relationship between the…

Psychological training programs developed and implemented for gymnasts of a wide range of age and varying ability levels are examined. The programs utilized strategies based on cognitive-behavioral intervention. The approach contends that mental training plays a crucial role in maximizing performance for most gymnasts. The object of the training…

This paper presents a problem-solving process for stress management, which is based on the premise that the ability to manage stress is a survival skill necessary for parents if they are to provide a home environment conducive to children's social, emotional, and mental growth. The materials delineate a four-stage model for the: (1) identification…

The notion that life stresses and personality have an interactive role in illness is part of the wisdom of the ages. Most past research has studied either life stresses or personality. A model for understanding health/illness status is presented that includes stressful life events and the resistance resources of personality, social supports,…

This annotated bibliography includes books that were written to help children cope with death, divorce, and various physical and mental handicaps. The grade levels for which each book is appropriate are also provided. (Author/MP)

This bibliography of literature from the 1970s related to crises, family stress, coping, and adaptation contains references of particular interest to professionals in the areas of counseling, education, and family social, psychological and health services. The bibliography is divided into 26 categories; references are classified according to major…

Alcohol abuse is a serious problem affecting not only the individual abuser, but also family, friends and society. The effectiveness of contracts as positive tools in the treatment of alcohol abuse was investigated for 15 current abusers randomly assigned to individual therapy sessions. Each subject completed a Personal History Questionnaire, the…

Ways in which early childhood educators can help children prepare for medical events through play are suggested in this pamphlet. Three qualities are seen as essential to a valuable hospital/medical play experience: (1) a focus on the child's current medical interests and experiences, (2) inclusion of information about a child's forthcoming or…

Relocation caused by employment transfers may favorably affect the attainment of career and financial goals; however, it is experienced as a stressful situation by many families and may create traumas for individual family members. If variables can be isolated that contribute to a family's adjustment to a new community, coping strategies may be…

This paper suggests that groups are effective modalities for meeting older persons' psychological needs and enhancing their sense of well-being. Following a review of the literature on group work with the aged, the effectiveness of group work as an intervention strategy for the treatment and prevention of mental health problems is demonstrated.…

Various studies of stress are considered in relation to certain aspects of developmental theory. "Stress" is defined as a general rubric which encompasses a whole spectrum of interacting elements including developmental status, individual coping styles, temperamental characteristics, and environmental influences. Case material is presented in a…

These case studies of nine elementary school teachers explore possible relationships between teacher mood and supportive instructional behavior. Each case study is presented in three sections. Section One examines the context of the classroom being observed. Included are descriptions of the schools and their environs, characteristics of the…

The Madison (Minneapolis, MN) school program provides intensive instructional and treatment services to students 12 to 16 years old with serious emotional and behavioral problems. The primary goal of the program is to aid individual students to develop sufficient coping skills and self based behavioral controls so they can successfully return to…

Effects of sex, ethnicity and their interaction on initial status and year-long change in (1) Language Arts and Social Studies achievement; (2) attitude toward school, and (3) self-rated coping were examined. Subjects included 1657 sixth graders from 51 classes in Austin, Texas. Each class was comprised of a mixture of Anglos, Blacks, and Chicanos…

This report, second in a series of seven, addresses the question, "What events disrupt classroom instruction and what are the most effective techniques teachers use to cope with these disruptions?" This report is a formal presentation of the research. The methodology of the study is delineated, the participants (teachers and observers)…