Introduces strategy for evaluating how drugs, administered in varying doses, affect dependent variables (physiological, psychological, and social functioning and quality of life) that fluctuate in level. Tests hypotheses with statistics computed from benefit/harm scores, measuring longitudinal associations between dose and dependent variable…

Demographic changes, migration, and industrialization are having drastic effects on older adults in developing nations. Local programs such as Pro Vida in Colombia, supported by Help Age International, rely on the support of volunteers to improve the quality of life for elderly people. (SK)

Identified those aspects of experiences of siblings of children with cancer that might have impact on school functioning. Also examined extent to which parents and siblings concurred in their reports of siblings' psychosocial functioning and adjustment. Findings from 15 children and adults attending pediatric oncology camp revealed that most…

Identifies barriers that keep education from contributing effectively to people's quality of life, focusing on typical community-based health promotion interventions concerning adolescent drug education, school readiness, and African American lifestyle choices. Resource people cannot determine a community's health education and promotion agenda.…

This article examines the interpersonal relationships, community participation, and employment of 5 individuals with severe handicaps (ages 23 to 27) based on observations and interviews with key informants. Results indicated that subjects' lives were over simplified by rigidly controlled routines and schedules that fostered passivity and…

Surveyed 1,200 residents of rural North Carolina to examine the effects of gender on feelings of community attachment. Studied the relationship between emotional responses to the community and community attachment. The results, though inconclusive, indicate that community attachment has more importance in explaining women's response to questions…

Examined likelihood of parent-adult child coresidence and implications of coresidence for quality of life as perceived by parents. Data from 1987-88 National Survey of Families and Households showed that positive home environment was strong selection factor in predicting probability of coresidence. Middle-class parents reported more negative…

The senator from Massachusetts introduces this special issue by reviewing his family's interest in persons with mental retardation, the potential of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) program, and the importance of improving care for residents of ICFs. (DB)

This paper addresses the processes by which state agencies regulate services for individuals with developmental disabilities and explores whether the regulatory process can be directed to issues affecting the quality of life of people receiving developmental services. Limitations of regulations include the unpredictability of long-term effects,…

A book excerpt depicting images of the European conquest of America 500 years ago and the continuation of it today. Discusses the "American dream" of independence in light of the environmental destruction prevalent today and calls for a rediscovery of the meaning of making North America "home." (MCO)

Monetary costs and benefits of supported employment to individuals with mental retardation (n=20), taxpayers, and society were assessed, as was the quality of life of supported employees. Supported employment was found to be cost-effective over a five-year period during which programs moved from sheltered to supported employment. (DB)

Discusses the complex issues involved in decision making concerning the treatment of catastrophically ill children. Through several examples of actual cases, posits that decisions should be arrived at by considering the child's best interests rather than the prolongation of life or principles of social utility. (MDM)

Interviews with 45 priests/ministers identified 6 career development themes: control, burnout, role confusion, isolation, mixed messages, and inadequate seminary preparation. Professional continuing education for clergy requires collaborative involvement of seminaries, church headquarters, and congregations to alleviate the apparent crisis of…

Contains 10 articles addressing the aging of U.S. society and its impact on the leisure industry. Some topics are delivering of leisure services, leisure awareness and education, quality of life programs, group travel programs, ethnic group considerations, enhancing leisure participation, and fitness programming. (GLR)

This study compared results of supported living services for 20 adults with mental retardation and 20 adults receiving traditional residential support. Results indicated that supported living participants experienced significantly more and varied community activity, did both community activities and preferred community activities more frequently,…