This article describes an exploratory analysis of self-determination for individuals with disabilities and factors that promote or inhibit their self-determination. Analysis of a series of focus groups and semistructured interviews identifies typical characteristics of self-determined individuals, revealing that the availability of financial…

Explored model integrating human capital, family resource, employment, and psychosocial factors to explain variation in economic self-sufficiency among 851 single mothers on public assistance. Workplace support was most significant factor affecting degree to which mothers reduced their reliance on welfare as source of household income over…

A program was developed to offer meal-related choices to adults with severe/profound mental retardation. Results indicated that the program, which included a choice-making skill assessment and teaching component along with a staff training and management component, effectively increased choice opportunities offered as well as actual choices made…

For a sample of 96 adolescents, found that, when the affective nature of the parent-adolescent relationship was positive, adolescent adjustment was more likely to be positive when adolescents reported less rather than more emotional autonomy. When family environments were stressful, emotional autonomy was positively associated with adolescent…

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)