This article focuses on (a) the types and incidence of casualties reported for encounter groups; (b) participant, group, and leader variables associated with negative outcome, (c) procedures for minimizing casualties, and (d) research considerations. (Author/AM)

A study of the training needs of extension specialists in 1890 land-grant institutions concludes with the finding that the greatest need for training is in the area of evaluating and reporting extension programs. Data were collected from questionnaires returned by 81 extension specialists and 14 extension administrators. (Author/EC)

Voluntary organizations offer a unique opportunity to interpret participant relationships, leadership influences, and organizational effectiveness unencumbered by employment relationships. Regardless of organizational structure or purpose, all organizations are affected to some degree by their leadership and their membership. Based on the…

Asserting that President Bush's proposal to shift responsibility for Head Start to the states would allow the federal government to abandon its promise to truly give children a head start, this report, with accompanying executive summary, outlines what is known about children receiving Head Start services and how the program addresses their needs.…

A ten year pattern of reaching out to the community through a family life conference series is described. Particular coverage is given in regard to structure, the content of various conference years, and the evaluation process. A family life conference sponsored by cooperative action of youth and adults is believed to be an effective method of…

An instrument was devised to test three components of leisure attitudes: cognitive, affective, and behavioral. A final test was administered to 1,042 subjects. The results supported the use of the three components in testing for leisure attitudes. (FG)

Sociology of sport research has focused on describing sports and sports participants. Future research should study: (1) structural diversity of sports programs and their implications for behavior; (2) participation of males and females throughout the life cycle; and (3) links between sports and other social institutions. (PP)

Investigated participants' assessments of the anticipated effectiveness of their judgmental decisions in several studies. Found that their estimates were poorly and inconsistently related to objective measures of effectiveness. This result raises a need for improved approaches to assessing judgmental decisions and identifying participants who make…

Measured quality of life of 373 preretirees and retirees to determine the contributions to life satisfaction of age, sex, retirement status, education, marital status and volunteer status. Found persons engaged in volunteer activities more satisfied with their lives. Educational level was also positively related to life satisfaction. (Author)

Describes a program for training day care providers in which resource specialists visited caregivers in Seattle and surrounding suburban and rural areas in a specially equipped and staffed van. Outcomes of the program as well as trainee characteristics are reported. (RH)

Used multiple groups (N=9) and multiple counselors (N=9) to study correlates of effectiveness in group counseling. Results indicated that both counselor and group composition variables related significantly to member interaction, to how much they valued the group, and to changes in member self-images. (RC)

The American School Health Association (ASHA) surveyed its members who were nurses to identify their needs for improved member programs and services. Recommendations include that the needs of both school-based nurses and those with administrative roles be considered independently for annual meeting programs. (JN)

Discusses an instrument developed to assess the counseling needs of older persons. The Older Persons Counseling Needs Survey was administered to (N=107) older persons. Results of a statistical analysis indicated that older persons have a variety of counseling needs that are all approximately at the same need level. (RC)

This study sought to determine whether three groups of ninth-grade girls--interscholastic basketball players, interscholastic gymnasts, and nonathletes--were similar or dissimilar in seven selected motor characteristics. Only three of the seven variables (dash, stand and bob, balance test) significantly contributed to the discrimination among the…

Investigates student attitudes toward activities that would strengthen their apparent developmental "weaknesses" or areas of less extensive development. Students (N=200) completed measures of psychosocial development and intended program participation. Results show that students preferred programs and services related to developmental…