Investigates environmental and behavioral risk factors as predictors of involvement in violent behavior among African American youth. Analyzed risk factors include exposure to violence, deteriorated school environment, negative peer environment, traumatic experiences, alcohol use, and substance abuse. Explores gender differences and suggests that…

Self-esteem, modes of coping, and interfamilial relationships of asthmatic children and adolescents were investigated (N=51; mean age=12.26). Asthmatic children have lower scores on psychological factors, coping with stress, and family interaction measures. Medical and psychological findings are related, and psychological and educational support…

The breakdown or "dumbing down" occurring in today's public schools stems not from poorer teaching but from poorer parenting. The parents most responsible for making public school a priority were goaded by memories of the Great Depression. As prosperity increased, parental attitudes have changed. Citizens of some states (like Indiana)…

A review of eight studies investigated the life quality of people caring for a relative with a severe disability within their family. An analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data indicate that primary caregivers are at considerable risk of high stress, clinical depression, and abnormally low subjective quality of life. (Contains…

A study involving 130 parents of children with visual impairments found parents were generally supportive of mainstreaming, but many also identified a number of risks and problems with it. Their child's social isolation concerned parents, along with the general education teacher's lack of knowledge and experience with visual impairments. (Contains…

Discusses theoretical and clinical developments that have accompanied family therapy's entry into the postmodern era. Clinical trends, including use of reflecting teams, self-of-the-therapist issues, increased therapist self-disclosure, and postmodern supervision are examined. Feminist critiques, health-care reform, and increasing collaboration…

Describes a self-report scale measuring levels of disaffection toward one's spouse. A questionnaire containing the Marital Disaffection Scale (MDS) and other disaffection measures of marital happiness was administered to 76 spouses. Results indicated good criterion-related validity, discriminant validity, and interitem reliability. Findings…

To examine correlates of suicidality, 282 young adults at a medium-size southern university completed measures of depression, family environment, attitudes toward life and death, and suicidality. High suicidality (n=38) was not significantly correlated with attitudes toward life and death, family environment, or depression. Low suicidality (n=132)…

Examines the distress symptomatology and family functioning in female undergraduate students who had been sexually victimized in childhood and revictimized in adulthood. This group was contrasted with a child sexual abuse group, peer sexual abuse group, and a no sexual trauma group. Findings indicate the victimized group reported the most severe…

In this article, a mother shares her experience of learning that her son has autism. Coping with the diagnosis, along with the stresses of family life, are discussed, including the effect of the diagnosis on her marriage, which ended in divorce. The need to persist is emphasized. (CR)

In this article, a mother of an adult son with autism discusses the neurology of autism that makes stress so difficult to handle, even when it is the excitement of something positive. The uniqueness of the disability is highlighted, including the need for routines and the lack of coping skills. (Contains three references.) (CR)

Questions the rising incidence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) diagnosis in the United States. Suggests that AD/HD is a socially constructed phenomenon rather than biologically based. Urges educators, medical personnel, and parents to take a holistic view of each child, with a serious examination of the wide range of causation…

Interviewed adopted college students regarding perceptions of adoptive family life. Found that overall satisfaction with adoptive status and family life was the strongest predictor of perceived general family environment. Perception of adoptive parents' communication styles predicted different aspects of family environment. Acknowledgment of life…

Presents the parish programs at the Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Plano, Texas and at the Holy Family Parish Community in Inverness, Illinois as examples of what can be accomplished when imaginative, inspired, and knowledgeable teachers take on family catechesis as their mission. (VWC)

A Minnesota study showed that changing school starting times to accommodate adolescent sleep patterns profoundly affected many families. Implementation processes substantially influenced how families received changes. Policy makers should inform and involve all stakeholders, allow ample time, provide research-based justifications, support…