Introduces conceptual framework for developing positive, nonaversive, behavioral support plans for students with severe disabilities. Notes that framework is comprised of multiple components (alternative skill training, antecedent interventions, lifestyle planning) and offers comprehensive, proactive approach to reduction and prevention of…

Smoking among young women is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. Gender-specific influences on smoking, quitting, and attempting to quit were hypothesized and surveyed. More women than men currently smoke, but quitting attempts are equally common. Programs addressing issues of concern to young women smokers are needed. (AF)

The success of appeals for increased measures of traffic safety, and how much a community is ready to pay for safety, depend in part on conventional ceilings on risks to life and limb the community is ready to bear. Safety campaigns must appeal both to self-interest and self-esteem. (AF)

The Personal Development File involved undergraduate business students in exploring the present, envisioning the future, and bridging the gap within the framework of a support group. However, many students opposed the behavioral and attitudinal objectives involved, and negative group interaction caused some students to withdraw from the project.…

This paper outlines challenges for community research endeavors such as avoiding exploitative relationships with research participants. It then outlines 10 values for community research and action, involving establishing collaborative relationships with research participants, determining research goals and methods, designing and disseminating…

When two nonhandicapped peers of an autistic five-year old were trained to initiate social interaction, social interaction increased and then dramatically decreased in a reversal phase, and no decrease in the autistic child's disruptive behaviors was observed. When the autistic child was trained to initiate interaction, social interaction…

This study evaluated effects of computer-assisted biofeedback on the electromyographic activity of three students (grades four and six) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results indicated increased relaxation abilities and, in the case of the one student also observed in the classroom, increased on-task behavior after the biofeedback…

Describes a model of adaptation to the environment across the life span. Proposes that an individual's performance in an activity is affected not only by cognitive capacity but also by perceptions and definitions of the activity. Empirical support for the model, based on a survey of individuals' everyday experiences and on laboratory studies, is…

Introduces the articles in this issue on AIDs in various minority groups, with implications for social workers to improve prevention and education stategies. There is significant knowledge about AIDS, and attitudes related to the illness are more positive in the 1990s than in the 1980s. Suggests that having this information does not necessarily…

A trend analysis compares attitudes of randomly selected Cornell University students (n=1500) toward 35 specific items utilizing the New Environmental Paradigm growth and technology scale to test the hypothesis that people who see benefits of economic growth or have faith in technological solutions are less willing to make personal sacrifices. (33…

Tests social cognitive hypotheses that self-efficacy can be enhanced more effectively by symbolically modeling risk reduction information and by encouraging its cognitive rehearsal than by the presentation of risk reduction alone. Confirms hypotheses at both posttest and follow-up. (PA)

Examines the process of media supplementation in the Stanford Five-City Multifactor Risk Reduction Project, a long-term trial of communitywide cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Indicates that accessible awareness media disseminated early in the education campaign promoted use of information-rich depth media later. Suggests that information…

Researchers studied the predictive utility of the health belief model in relation to prevention of HIV infection among Asian-American college students. Surveys of 141 students indicated that perceived severity and barriers to preventive action were significant predictors of the adoption of HIV-preventive behaviors in that population. (SM)

Elements of a model for delivering statewide behavioral programing services to individuals with mental retardation in residential, training, and educational settings are described. The model includes such components as identification of levels of behavioral competence among staff members, an intervention approval process, regional behavioral…

Suggests that student problem behaviors are best addressed through instruction; teacher-student interactions are the best arena for teaching social behaviors; and problem behaviors have the same social ends as desirable ones. Outlines steps for analyzing the child's desired outcome of problem behaviors, choosing replacement behaviors, and planning…