Choice making was studied among 7 students (ages 7-17) with Rett syndrome. Half the opportunities to choose food, beverage, and leisure items elapsed without a choice being made. Results suggest that the relationship between selecting and accepting items vary as a function of task configuration, and lack of choice may not necessarily indicate lack…

Critiques self-defense courses. Many of these courses ignore the fact that most violence against women occurs at home. Questions whether self-defense courses are genuinely empowering for women. States that programs may make individuals safer, but they do not reduce endemic violence in our communities. (CC)

Observed the interactions of 24 well and 26 depressed mothers with their 5-year-old children. Found no difference between well and depressed mothers' granting or denial of their children's requests. Depressed, but not well, mothers' responses to child requests could be predicted from their self-reported mood and child behavior. (BC)

This study of 46 highly successful and 25 moderately successful adults with learning disabilities found that the overriding theme in their successful functioning was control. Control was sought through making conscious decisions to take charge of one's life and through adapting and shaping oneself to move ahead. (Author/JDD)

The psychological distress reported in a survey of 335 male and 239 female Australian secondary teachers was ameliorated by 2 factors associated with control over the work environment: (1) level of influence and autonomy and (2) perceived level of efficacy and achievement. The effect varied somewhat for males and females. (SK)

The risk society characterized by reflexive modernization features individualization; rather than being controlled by social conditioning, individuals make their own life decisions. The ambiguous nature of this process is a challenge to adult education and applications of traditional life course theories. (SK)

Results of research directly and indirectly applicable to life support indicate that patients and intimates suffer less psychological distress if those who have close positive relationship with patient maintain emotional closeness to patient and participate in making decisions concerning life support. Suggests that people feel less distress if…

This article offers guidelines on the development of the gifted adolescent with learning disabilities into an adult. Topics considered include the struggle for autonomy, provision of all diagnostic information to the young adult, the special problems of the adult with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, rights and responsibilities, living…

There should not be a split between literacy of function (ability to deal with institutional procedures) and literacy of voice (expression of knowledge and experience). Acquiring functional literacy often involves voicing experience as well as questioning institutional power. Teachers and students should collaborate in bridging the gap. (SK)

Presents interview with Ralph Mero, Executive Director of Compassion in Dying, Seattle (Washington)-based organization that has brought new voice to controversial issue of physician-assisted rational suicide. Mero explains how his years as minister watching people suffer with cancer or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome led him to work for…

Defines the concept of autonomous learning. Presents the Strategies Program for Effective Learning/Thinking (SPELT), including its underlying assumptions, instructional model, teacher training procedures, research findings, and anticipated future development. Research results include implications for learning-disabled and gifted students. (KS)

Data from 622 workers (83% in hospitals, 17% banks) showed that workers who perform emotional labor (requiring public contact and production of emotional state in customers) are no more likely to suffer emotional exhaustion, especially those with higher job autonomy. Women and those with high autonomy express more job satisfaction. Self-selection…

This study examined whether individuals with Down's syndrome preferred to participate in bowling with other people with Down's syndrome or with people with no apparent mental retardation. It found that 15 of the 21 adult subjects preferred to bowl with others who had Down's syndrome. Implications for the free choice of leisure activities are…

Explored sociotropy and autonomy among 70 Turkish psychiatric inpatients and 189 university students, who were administered Beck Depression Inventory, Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, and Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale. Results seem to support relationship of sociotropy with other depression measures in both samples.…

Focuses on United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to examine childhood, child development, and child advocacy. Looks at social, legislative, administrative, and individual advocacy and raises issues dealing with children's rights. Considers developmental perspectives on children's rights and examines youth empowerment efforts. (NB)