Analyzes role that the family plays in the development of adolescent autonomy. Three family factors are analyzed in relation to the development of adolescent autonomy: parenting styles, family interaction, and transitions related to the family life cycle. (Author/NB)

The mentoring program for reentry women at Metropolitan State College in Denver is based on a cafeteria approach in which the student selects resources from multiple choices. A multifaceted course teaches women how to access career resources and choose mentors, placing them at the center of a web controlling the strands of their own progress. (SK)

A model for evaluating traumatically brain-injured adults' competency to consent to rehabilitative interventions is presented. Assessment foci are capacity to understand and reason. Judgments regarding competency should be based on best observed performance under optimal conditions in a rehabilitative context that promotes patient self…

Tested conceptual model of context, processes, and outcomes of joint marital decision making of married couples (N=188) which specified spouses' process variables as individual-level measures and partners' consensus as a couple construct. Found context factor of spouses' emotional interdependence influenced both partners' coerciveness and degree…

Developed and tested normative-resource model of parent-adolescent power dynamics in stepfamilies using White, middle-class, suburban family sample (N=87). Identified patterns of power relationships for both major and everyday decisions and normative or resource variables associated with either greater parental or greater adolescent power. Results…

An understanding of adult learning principles will enable staff developers to select the most appropriate learning environment for participants. The purpose and sample activities of formal, informal, or non-formal learning environments are presented. (JD)

Examined extent to which developmental theories of Erikson, Chickering, and Gilligan explain sex differences in autonomy and intimacy development in college students. Results from 441 college students suggest that both Gilligan's and Chickering's theories contribute to understanding of autonomy and intimacy development. Intimacy was strongest…

Narrative is essential to the study and teaching of morality. Acknowledgment of authorship of moral choices, actions, and feelings is central to the development of moral sensibility. Children's storytelling about their own experiences is an important approach to moral education. (SK)

This article presents guidelines for providing individuals with severe disabilities with a wide range of personal choices. It provides a rationale for teaching all individuals to participate in meaningful choice-making; describes basic types of choices; and suggests ways to generalize choice-making skills across settings, times, and people. (DB)

Examined changes over three annual assessments of perceptions of gay and lesbian couples on current levels of attachment, autonomy, and equality in the relationship; the importance of these factors in an ideal relationship; and relationship commitment. Changes in relationship commitment over time were explained by changes in the discrepancy…

Parents are provided with directions for making inexpensive mini-communication boards for children with expressive communication problems, and suggestions are provided for training the child in board use. Small pictures or objects selected to reflect the child's vocabulary needs are mounted on a simple board, allowing the child to express his…

Developed Personal Independence Profile (PIP) as an instrument to measure aspects of independence beyond physical and cognitive functioning in people with diverse disabilities. PIP was tested for reliability and validity with 185 subjects from 10 independent living centers. Findings suggest that the Personal Independence Profile measures the…

The use of polarity analysis in child abuse case management provides a way to identify interdependent polar opposites, their positive and negative consequences, and actions to manage them over time, rather than compete for one right solution. An example of polarity analysis is presented with the two poles being parental autonomy and the agency as…

Interviewed 13 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. All believed that they alone should make decision regarding use of mechanical ventilation. Factors they considered important were quality of life, severity of disability, availability of ventilation by means of nasal mask, possible admission to long-term care facility, ability to discontinue…

Compared women's (n=40) and men's (n=20) levels of self-evolvement based on Kegan's Constructive-Developmental Theory. Findings from U.S. military personnel in Europe revealed no gender differences in self-evolvement. Results suggest stereotypically masculine orientation toward individuation and increased autonomy and stereotypically feminine…