Caring for Parent Caregivers, an Australian support program to empower parents of children with intellectual disabilities and thereby strengthen family resources, was evaluated using quantitative and qualitative procedures. Program participants displayed less emotional distress than control group subjects; outcomes were positive for both mothers…

Partners in Policymaking is an ongoing, federally funded empowerment and self-advocacy education program for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Minnesota which is being replicated in other states. A survey of 130 program graduates indicated satisfaction with the program and the presence of many active citizen…

Physicians and other health professionals attended either a two-day voluntary (n=27) or one-day mandatory (n=23) conference on toxicology. Groups did not differ in pretest/posttest scores; two-day participants were significantly more satisfied. Both groups demonstrated significant knowledge gains. (SK)

According to a 10-year follow-up of 178 gerontology graduates of Rhode Island College (44 responses), the majority never worked in the field and most had not recently worked in the field. Age, gender, degree, and prior experience were not significant. Most would pursue the certificate program again. (SK)

The SPATIAL model (satisfaction, perception, achievement, transcendent/immanent attributes, authority, layout) posits that (1) individual perception of space affects satisfaction, participation, and achievement; (2) certain aspects of a space are subjective or beyond physical attributes; and (3) authority and layout are external and can be…

Four studies evaluated perceptions of fluency of persons who had been treated with the "smooth speech" fluency shaping technique. The studies examined (1) client satisfaction with treatment; (2) increased employment opportunities for program completers; (3) employer perceptions of employees' speech quality; and (4) possible determinants…

Examined factors associated with service use among 186 urban African American elderly people. Interviews with elders and caregivers indicated that many elders were unaware that older adult services were available, that those elders who were socially isolated and who suffered from poor health used services more, and that most elderly respondents…

Examined clients' evaluations of sessions using Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) and Session Impacts Scale (SIS) with large sample (n=2,414 sessions with 218 clients). One or both of SEQ's independent session evaluation indexes, Depth and Smoothness, were highly correlated with SEQ's postsession Positivity and Good Therapist indexes and with…

A study investigated 463 East Tennessee State University sophomores' perceived academic advising needs, levels of satisfaction with advising sessions, and impressions of the advisor. Results revealed dissatisfaction with advisors' assistance, and suggested areas for improvement. Several institutional and programmatic strategies are outlined.…

The impact of a training program to help staff prevent and effectively manage aggressive behavior was assessed with 109 staff members who worked in services for persons with developmental disabilities. Instruction in distraction, defusion, and nonaggressive physical intervention strategies was provided. The training significantly improved…

Comparison of what people with developmental disabilities in Wyoming and South Dakota wanted and received in programs in 1988 (N=2,927) and in 1996 (N=3,934) found that the percentage of people placed in their preferred setting rose substantially, from 51% to 84% in Wyoming and from 62% to 72% in South Dakota. (Author/DB)

Individuals who received genetic counseling for cancer (N=36) provided feedback on the quality of services and identified areas for improvement. Reasons for counseling and need for psychosocial support are also considered. Generally high levels of satisfaction with care provided were found. Four areas for improvement are identified and discussed.…

Hypertensive patients (N=21) were interviewed regarding their views and experience of information and communication with respect to antihypertensive medicines. Patients' attitudes toward hypertension and antihypertensive drugs, communication with pharmacist and physician, perceptions of drug information, and the information environment are…

The development of a videotape for patients considering treatment options for clinically localized prostate cancer is described. The effectiveness of videotape in improving short-term recall of treatment options and outcomes was assessed quantitatively; qualitative analysis was used to assess the likelihood of patient's active participation in the…

A study examined university students' satisfaction with the on-campus living environment and perceptions of the importance of 63 environmental attributes. Subjects were 1,779 students not returning to campus housing the following fall semester. Two scales were developed to measure the relationship between perceived importance and satisfaction with…