Two overseas survey-based scales measuring perceived quality of neighbourhood were adapted and replicated in a New Zealand context. An Italian study (Bonaiuto, Fornara, and Bonnes. (2003). "Landscape and Urban Planning," 65, 41-52) measuring Perceived Residential Environmental Quality (PREQ) and an American study (Carp and Carp. (1982).…

The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development signals an unparalleled opportunity to link education with sustainability. But in the age of corporate globalization, will education bow to the external pressures that have always sought to subordinate it to vested interests, or will it reach beyond these narrow confines to the…

In the management of common property resources, privatization is often advocated as the surest path to sustainability because of its reliance on human self-interest in natural resources decision making. This article demonstrates that the motive of self-interest, though powerful, does not necessarily lead to environmental outcomes that promote the…

Research shows that subjective indices of social integration are related to general well-being. In order to study the relationship between social interaction and well-being, 31 healthy Caucasian adults, with a mean age of 73 years, were given two questionnaires. The first contained eleven subjective social interation variables and was derived from…

The widespread assumption that play enhances the quality of children's lives is investigated in this paper. Theorists and rsearchers have given the word "play" definitions which emphasize (1) its complexity and degree of approximaton of the adult world, (2) initial conditions and themes and motives that characterize the realization of…

While increasing population pressures on the resources of the world do present real difficulties, they are not such as to be unsolvable. More and better science, technology, and growth in economic welfare are vital components in meeting these difficulties. Ideas for a new National Development Act are presented. (Author/RH)

Based on a paper presented at the 1977 Western Social Science Association Meeting in Denver, Colorado, the article reports on a study that compared major demographic features of a sample of 70 legally blind adults with the sighted adult sample studied in the 1975 National Opinion Research Center General Social Survey. (Author/DLS)

Examines concepts related to vengeance and forgiveness as forms of social action, maintaining that forgiveness is the prior element in social cohesion and control. (CM)

The author advocates adult learning that helps adults pursue meaning as opposed to technical-pragmatic matters. He titles this pursuit "worldview construction." (CH)

Examined the relationship between several aspects of perceived life satisfaction and the extent to which one possesses attitudes and skills associated with self-direction in learning in older adults (N=64). Results suggest that self-directed learning and life satisfaction may be linked in a way that offers implications for improving quality of…

The article presents data relating to the perceptions of quality of life for deaf and hard-of-hearing rehabilitation clients 3.5 years after closure. Discussion highlights objective and subjective criteria to describe long-term adjustment. (DB)

Provides editorial perspective on the selection of papers chosen for publication in the March 1988 IJBD. Emphasizes the multi-cultural mix of the papers which deal with a range of issues related to human development and the importance of rigorous life-span perspective regarding developmental disabilities. (RWB)

Examines the role of correctional education programs in America; suggests that correctional education has maintained a limited perspective regarding the functions that education may serve. Argues that by using the Justice Model, programs would more effectively improve quality of life in prisons and perhaps reduce recidivism. (JOW)

Because of increased lifespans, economic and technological change, and decreasing importance placed on work, the retired population is growing. A survey of 140 retirees indicated that maintenance of (1) adequate pensions, (2) health care, and (3) social activities as well as flexible retirement roles help retirees enjoy retirement. (Author/CH)

Lists seven issues in suicide prevention, gives Thomas Szasz's libertarian perspective on those issues, and argues against Szasz's perspective. (ABB)