This report, first in a series of seven, addressed the question, "What events disrupt classroom instruction and what are the most effective techniques teachers use to cope with these distractions?" This report describes the events which occurred in the evolution of the research study. The major sections are: (1) selection of the…

The interactional aspects of support within social networks of the elderly were investigated with a particular focus on the role which reciprocal exchanges play in defining the nature of the support channeled along the links in the network. The sample consisted of 50 adults, 55-83 years of age, living in an urbanized region of North Carolina.…

Many factors contribute to teacher stress and burnout including discipline problems, physical and emotional abuse of teachers, low pay, little support from superiors, public criticism of educational quality, and an almost traditional attitude of low esteem for teachers as professionals. The failings of current teacher education indicate that…

The loss, deterioration, or atrophy of internal bonding has been found in large segments of the youth population; such youths are characterized by apathy and aimlessness regarding major life values and goals such as education, vocation, individuality, and social affirmation. Social disconnectedness in terms of the loss and deterioration of…

Systematic investigations have verified the existence of a number of behavioral manifestations of the "Type A" behavior pattern. For example, brief exposure to salient uncontrollable stress has led to enhanced performance by Type A's on a subsequent task, whereas prolonged exposure has lead to performance deterioration. The ongoing experiences of…

Socio-psychological research concerning the relationship between attributions and coping with negative events unrelated to marriage suggests two constructs, blame and perceived control, which may influence conflict resolution in marriage. Married women (N=32) were interviewed in an investigation of attributions of control and blame for marital…

Few counseling services are available to or utilized by rape victims, which implies that many women turn, instead, to their social networks for support. Research literature suggests that anxiety is reduced and coping skills are enhanced when a victim uses her interpersonal social network for support. Unfortunately, many women have the same…

The term "burnout" has become popular for describing a condition of workers and administrators in professions with a high degree of people contact. Burnout involves feelings of exhaustion, development of chronic negative attitudes about oneself and/or clientele, and lowered job performance. A review of literature reveals that burnout as…

This volume of studies which focus on women themselves is intended for persons who want to know more about what current research is revealing about women, their lives, and their mental health. The research topics address the following areas of concern: (1) sex roles and sex stereotypes; (2) women and work both inside and outside the home; (3)…

By reading fiction designed for adolescents, teachers can learn how to help middle school children to resolve the conflicts characteristic of their lives. Analyses of 23 such books that focused on the ways that 10- to 16-year-old characters cope with a variety of problems and on the roles that adults play in causing or helping to alleviate those…

The author addresses the nature of the differences between coping and manipulative styles of behavior. The difficulty in clearly differentiating the two is examined in relation to the implications for clinical practice. Presented at American Psychological Association Convention, New Orleans, 1974. (SJL)

The article describes "Teaching, Learning, and Caring" (TLC), a program designed for partially mainstreamed behavior disordered adolescents (ages 14-18). Eight TLC skill areas are the focus of interpersonal skills training: communication mode, empathy, goal identification, cue sensitivity, alternative thinking, skills implementation, consequential…

The author discusses five predictable stages of development in transition counseling. They include comfort (reassurances about self-worth and identity); reflection (exploration and understanding); clarification (with respect to career and self); direction (exploring possible life/career directions); and perspective shift (putting the transition in…

Examines the situation of 40 Missouri farm families who were forced out of farming because of financial reasons. Includes family members' experiences with 15 common reactions to stress, sources of help, degree of adjustment to the uniform way of life, and characteristics of families and farms involved in the study. (JHZ)

Disputes that original data of Minuchin, Rosman and Baker (1978) support their assertions that some diabetic patients' physiological disturbance serves a function in their families. Concludes that their psychosomatic family model decontextualizes families, assigning to them characteristics more appropriately seen as reflections of the disease…