Analyzed correlates of social problem solving in 63 2-parent families with a preadolescent. Structured interviews were held when child was about 9.5 years old, and again 2 years later. Found a substantial decline in the quality of family problem solving during preadolescence associated with changes in the participation and affective behavior of…

Findings from two studies investigating sources of variations in perceived control appraisals of parents involved in a family-centered early intervention/family support program are described. Results indicated that parent, family, and child characteristics were not related to differences in control appraisals. Practitioner help-giving styles and…

Discusses ethical issues surrounding health care for independent elders, those in long-term care, and those with cognitive impairments, as well as death, dying, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. Suggests that nurses should focus on older adults' choice, autonomy, and personal control. (SK)

Investigates parental intervention in sibling disputes to reveal how different developmental models inform us about the role of social conflict in early development. Examines predictions made by Piagetian, socialization, and conflict-mediation models regarding the role of adults in children's conflicts, as they are applied to a series of studies…

Developed a multifaceted definition of the intrapersonal component of empowerment, based on a review and synthesis of selected expository and empirical literature. Consisting of 20 dimensions, each with a standard definition of the construct, the model may be useful in facilitating discussions, developing training programs, and constructing…

Assessed Hong Kong tertiary students' readiness for learner autonomy in language learning by examining their views of their responsibilities and those of their teachers, their confidence in their ability to operate autonomously, and their assessment of their level of motivation to learn English. (Author/VWL)

This paper reviews teaching strategies that may facilitate independent performance on the part of preschool children with disabilities. Among these are environmental arrangements (schedules, staff assignment, room arrangement); antecedent prompts (instructions, time, task); peer-mediated interventions; and consequent events. (Author/DB)

A ninth-grade student with cerebral palsy began to exhibit behavior problems in the classroom, and his parents disagreed in their problem-solving approach. Family counseling helped the boy improve his behavior, and helped the parents to realize that their adolescent son was struggling with the issue of independence. (JDD)

Autonomous language learning is justified by three arguments: the ideological, the psychological, and the economic. This paper discusses how teachers can use autonomous learning as an approach to the curriculum as a whole, bridging the gap between public classroom activities and private learning activity, and examining all practices from the…

Reviews studies of peer assessment in higher education and describes a study that attempted to capitalize on the benefits of peer assessment in terms of improving the learning process, sharpening critical abilities, and increasing student autonomy. Results indicate a close correspondence between lecturer and peer assessment. (Author/LRW)

This exploratory, cross-sectional study examined the impact of independent variables on the adult development cycle of 33 African-American professionals. Shifts in locus of control and life themes and the impact of racism on locus of control were focuses of the inquiry. Implications for diagnosis and intervention are discussed. (SLD)

This article addresses issues of power residing within various special education processes that result in processes of hegemony and domination in the lives of children considered to have emotional disturbances. A critical theory approach is proposed which is explicitly political and stresses the need to value the child's personal history and…

Three adults with moderate developmental disabilities living in the community learned to independently self-schedule their leisure activity by choosing picture cards and placing them in a sequenced activity book. Self-scheduling was maintained at follow up, and resulted in increases in the weekly frequency and diversity of self-directed leisure…

Used vignettes and self-reports to examine adolescents' and mothers' reasoning about family conflicts. Found that mothers and adolescents differentially evaluated reasons for parental requests and adolescent noncompliance. They also differed in their judgments of the likelihood of particular justifications succeeding or leading to conflict. (BC)

A survey of 216 adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities who belong to self-advocacy groups found that individuals unemployed and employed in sheltered settings perceived themselves as having less control than individuals employed competitively. Results are examined in light of quality of life findings, focusing on the need to include…