Few differences in quality of life results are reported between different primary surgical treatments for breast cancer. Assumptions regarding the role of informed choice in psychosocial morbidity have not been substantiated, and fewer women than expected take an active role in decision making. Rigorous research is needed. (Author/EMK)

A follow-up study of 29 British students, transferred from their special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties into mainstream schools, found high levels of unemployment among these young people ten years later and indications that the quality of their adult lives is less than satisfactory. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This paper explores social and psychological issues facing those with acquired hearing loss, including self-identity, dealing with the loss, communication issues, and the impact of hearing impairment on significant others. Strategies and innovative approaches to promoting the well-being of deafened and hard-of-hearing individuals and their…

Reviews data from 13 major follow-up studies of youth with learning disabilities regarding postschool outcomes, postsecondary education, and employment, with attention to gender differences. Notes contradictions in the findings and identifies five methodological issues that appear to influence the conduct and interpretation of follow-up studies. A…

Describes an exercise where students examine their perceptions of normative developmental patterns in life domains across an adult life span. Explains that the activity aims at eliminating the myth of a single prime of life. Discusses the post-exercise discussion and student evaluations of the exercise. (CMK)

Offers an interview with Jo Leeds, a retired art educator, because an elder's insights about teaching art could serve to enrich and sustain younger art educators as they overcome the trials and tribulations of teaching. Presents Jo Leeds' perceptions on various issues in art education, such as the push for a standards-based curriculum. (CMK)

Content analysis was used to evaluate diary entries of six adolescents with physical and cognitive disabilities. Themes concerning daily stress-coping phenomena were identified including time and task management, awareness of limitations caused by disability, and intense, yet naive, concern about boy-girl relationships. (DB)

Explains that education should provide the knowledge and skills that promote improvement in ones quality of life and foster personal development during the life span of an individual. Identifies various suggestions for encouraging lifelong music learning in adults ages 35-50 through age-appropriate and challenging activities. (CMK)

In this article, the author suggests it is possible for older persons to renew community connections with storytelling and, through this means, to ask some compelling questions. The answers to these questions provide a sense of meaning and purpose for a life well lived.

Diabetes is a prevalent disease in the United States. The emergence of Type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents within the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities brings increased public health and quality of life concerns. In this article, the authors describe an initiative titled "Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools K-12…

Background: Deinstitutionalisation of services for people with intellectual disabilities has become a focus of disability policy in many countries. Research for the most part supports this strategy. However, outcomes are not uniformly better for everyone who moves to community living. This paper explores reasons for variability in service quality…

The concept of quality of life currently impacts program development, service delivery, management strategies, and outcome evaluation in the area of intellectual disabilities. Maryland uses peer interviewers to assess consumer-perceived quality of life among adult recipients of MR/DD services and supports. In this article we describe the survey…

An urgent demand from Connecticut parents for behavioral intervention resulted in the development of the River Street Autism Program (RSAP). This research-to-practice program implements intervention service based on empirical research findings conducted with children diagnosed with autism and pervasive developmental disorders. RSAP is provided…

This study used data from the British National Child Development Study (NCDS) to examine the relationship between materialism/postmaterialism and later mental health. Materialism/postmaterialism was assessed (using Inglehart's 4-item index) at age 33 and mental health (measured by the GHQ-12) was assessed at age 42. It was found that after…

Constant change necessitates lifelong learning for those in the workforce, if they are not to fall behind in the skills and knowledge needed as their occupations evolve. Learning new skills and knowledge remains a part of life for those no longer in paid employment. Not only is learning essential in order to keep up with changing needs and…