A comparison of value preferences of various respondent groups involved in long term nursing home care revealed that although societal values varied by resident status, there were large areas of agreement. Family members of nursing home members, however, most often differed from other groups. (Author/ABB)

Research conducted in an institutional living environment during times when program activities were minimal and clients were typically inactive showed that empirically based toy selection, construction, and modification, and environmental engineering to ensure convenient and constant material availability increased Ss' active engagement with toys.…

Gifted eighth graders in a rural district participated in a program addressing their needs for stimulating educational experience and the needs of institutionalized elderly people for psychosocial stimulation. The project's successes and problems are described within the framework of the developmental stages of groups. (Author/CL)

Examines the assumed negative effects of nursing personnel turnover rates and nursing home and aggregate resident characteristics on resident discharge and death rates. Although the effects of nursing home and aggregate resident characteristics were expected, the unanticipated influence of nursing personnel turnover rates suggest that turnover…

The study compared changes in mental retardation level among persons in community-based services and institutionalized persons from the same geographic region. In general, persons in the community were more likely to increase their functioning level, while institution Ss decreased at a higher rate. Noteworthy differences were found among severely…

Presents an activity program in which nursing home residents utilized their life experiences to teach an oral history class to third-grade students. The program resulted in improved self-esteem among the nursing home residents and heightened community understanding and involvement. (Author/JAC)

Describes the Family Support Group model which reinforces the ongoing importance of families and helps individual family members learn to maintain a key role in linking institutionalized relatives to their past lives. Helps family members learn what they can do to expedite adjustment and advocate effectively for their relative's care. (LLL)

Describes the development of a true-false scale to measure intense ambivalence, suggested as a characteristic of those predisposed to schizophrenia. Tests with college students, schizophrenics, depressed patients, psychology clinic patients, and controls, showed schizophrenics scored higher than controls but depressed patients scored highest of…

Data gathered on 401 school-age children (part of a nationally representative sample of individuals living in residential facilities for mentally retarded persons) found that at the same time the General Accounting Office study was conducted, substantial numbers were not in school programs and eight percent were in no day programs whatsoever.…

A program is described in which institutional staff were successfully trained to use behavioral principles with severely retarded aggressive adults. Group training (self-care instruction, token economy, social skills and activity programing) as well as individualized training are described along with such organizational aspects as team structure…

The study evaluated a program for teaching family-style mealtime skills to four profoundly retarded institutionalized adolescents. The program used forward chaining with a less-to-more intrusive prompting sequence and contingent reinforcement to teach the skills. (Author/DB)

The study was designed to increase the amount of time 37 severely handicapped students living in a residential facility engaged in age-approprite and functional activities. Results showed that after a supervision program was implemented, the students' participation in activities increases and that these increases maintained for a 5-month period.…

Examined the games played by 561 juvenile offenders in coeducational correctional facilities. The types of games used against staff and peers varied considerably. The games were defined as therapeutic games, material games, psychological games, and physical games. Peer-oriented games included attention-seeking activities and a variety of dominance…

Studied the use of computer games with a group of 50 frail elderly nursing home residents. Four computer games were especially modified for this population. Moderate mental and physical impairments did not hamper the residents, who indicated the games were fun, challenging, and improved self-esteem. (JAC)

Presents a group counseling approach for enhancing communication and social skills of psychiatrically disturbed adolescents. Describes contents of the 16 sessions and results of an informal evaluation which suggested the sessions were both enjoyable and effective, particularly structured drama and role play situations. (JAC)