This study examined age differences in autonomy and relatedness in adolescents' relationship with parents, and same-gender friend. Questionnaire responses of 205 Israeli adolescents indicated that older adolescents had greater autonomy in relationships with parents than did younger adolescents. No age differences were reported in closeness and…

This paper reviews the literature on empowerment as a psychological construct and as an outcome of disability service provision. Key components of empowerment are identified, such as self-efficacy, sense of control, and participation/collaboration. Models of empowerment and allied constructs, including locus of control and power/powerlessness, are…

A study demonstrated the effectiveness of a three-phase treatment package for determining setting preferences and for teaching three adults with severe mental retardation to express their choice between settings for similar leisure activities. Participants learned to use objects associated with different settings to communicate their choices.…

Two studies examined psychometric properties of a new criterion Q-sort for children's emotion regulation and autonomy. Multitrait-multimethod matrix and factor analyses indicated impressive convergence among the emotion regulation Q-scale and established affect regulation measures. The new scale was not discriminable from measures of related…

Sets out the positions of Liberal and Communitarian philosophers on the fundamental requirements for a democratic civil society. Argues that a cultural, pluralist, democratic society will be characterized by a diversity of controversial moral positions at a range of levels. Offers discussion as a method of reconciling controversial moral…

This article discusses self-determination for people with significant cognitive disabilities and their families. It argues that there is inadequate attention to the profound influence of significant cognitive disabilities on achieving self-determination and that cultural values influence one's definition of self-determination. Research needs are…

NewLink helps adults at risk through quasi-autonomous local community organizations that provide training and employment opportunities within a learning organization framework. The concept derives from an extensive range of metaphors drawn from religious, humanist, and scientific thought. (Author/SK)

Study examined how adolescents defined leisure and accessibility problems encountered as they attempted to pursue chosen activities. Interviews indicated that regardless of location, adolescents shared concern about inability to independently access leisure pursuits. Causes of frustration were lack of accessible spaces and social sanctions…

Findings from a study of the relationships among autonomy deficits, low self-esteem, and eating disorders of 71 college women supported a mediational model in which lack of autonomy was related to decreased global self-esteem, which in turn was associated with bulimia and body dissatisfaction. (SLD)

Levels of personal control exercised by 76 adults with mental retardation were contrasted by substitute decision-making status. Individuals with no guardian or conservator exercised more personal control than did those with a conservator, who exerted more personal control than those with guardians. Similar group differences were observed in…

Examined effects of contextual and individual differences on mothers' autonomy support versus control on homework-like tasks with their third-grade children. Found that mothers in the high-pressure condition were more controlling on the poem task. For the map task, mothers with initial controlling styles in the high-pressure condition were more…

Suggests that parents underestimate children's capacity for regulating wisely what and how much they eat. Examines issues in nutrition, noting that, although it is important for young children to eat right, it is more important for them to like food, enjoy being at the table, know when they're hungry, and to quit eating when they are full. (HTH)

In this article, the authors deal with the question whether the concept of "Bildung" or "cultivation/edification" is still a concept which one can use to analyse and criticise actual developments in the field of education (both in thought/discourse and in action/technique) which are themselves related to broader social transformations often…

This paper discusses three technologies used in an adult continuing education Masters programme: blogging, learning objects and e-portfolios. My reflections on their use and on the literature underpinning their use form the basis of the discussion. All three of these technologies were used to promote self-directed learning, reflection and learner…

To date, few studies have examined perceptions of control in interpersonal relationships, and whether such perceptions reflect individual characteristics (e.g., age) and features of relationships (e.g., quality). One hundred and eighty-seven individuals aged 13 to 99 (M = 45.62, SD = 25.69) provided information about their close and problematic…