To improve the quality of life of institutionalized individuals, libraries can serve as a constructive escape mechanism for dealing with stress, a representation of external reality, and a therapeutic agent, in addition to offering bibliotherapy. Ideally, the library should be an integral part of the institution and provide a user-appropriate…

Ninety-seven developmentally disabled mentally retarded persons (aged 10 to 48 years) living in an institution, in group homes, or at home were trained in environmental language, speech, and reading skills using a game oriented multisensory approach. The evening tutorial program consisted of 20 sessions over a 6 month period. A pedagogic and task…

Multiple effects of an increased rate of teacher questions on the verbal behavior of three institutionalized severely retarded children were investigated. Teachers were observed in training situations with the Ss and were then instructed to increase the number of questions requiring answers other than "yes" or "no." Results showed that the…

The growing body of gerontological research examining the correlates of life satisfaction indicates that physical health is its strongest correlate. Within this framework, the relationship between satisfaction and health among 29 institutionalized subjects was investigated through a longitudinal study. Unlike previous studies, objective measures…

THIS STUDY INVESTIGATED THE LEVELS OF ACHIEVEMENT IN BOTH READING AND COMPUTATION AS THEY WERE ASSOCIATED WITH SELECTED INDEPENDENT VARIABLES--AGE, OFFENSE, AND GRADE COMPLETION IN SCHOOL. INMATES WERE SELECTED FROM ALL CLASSES OF AGE, TYPE OF CUSTODY AND TYPE OF OFFENSE. GROUP I INCLUDED 597 SUBJECTS WHO HAD NOT REACHED FOURTH GRADE. GROUP II…

This study investigated the relationship between both age and conservation and education and conservation. The participants were 16 middle-aged adults, 16 institutionalized adults, and 16 noninstitutionalized adults. Each individual was given three conservation of substance problems, three conservation of weight problems, and three conservation of…

The program was set up to involve, on a continuing basis, the significant other of frequently-readmitted hospitalized psychiatric VA patients. The couples identified their characteristic strengths, and their maladaptive ways of functioning, and were expected to make use of alternative ways of behaving which were recommended by the staff. A…

Historically, the study of health communication has been confined primarily to the field of medicine. Recently, however, it has increased in importance in other areas of human communication. Exploring a new approach to health communication is the purpose of this paper. Specifically, the thrust of this investigation is the use of dialogue as a mode…

Ninety-five females (aged 61-100, mean=80.88) were interviewed in a study to determine correlates of self-regard, as measured by the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale (PGMS) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). The PGMS correlated with the RSE, implying that the two reflect a single construct. Both scales correlated with self-reported…

The influence of type of residence, institution or community, on the direction and/or realism of vocational interest was investigated using 60 sheltered workshop-employed, mentally retarded young adults. The Picture Interest Inventory was used as the measure of vocational interest. Statistical analysis of cell means indicated that the…

A study assessed the current status of library services in Florida state-supported institutions in order to establish a long-range plan for the future of those libraries. Through reviews of materials, site visits, and interviews, the services of each library and their relationship to the community were studied, areas for improvement were…

This paper presents a theoretical and clinical account of a psychotherapeutic approach to the aged. The approach is called "competent coping" therapy. It is oriented to helping older adults acquire and practice better adaptive strategies in handling problem situations. The author notes that unlike most work with older adults which is based largely…

The research was conducted to determine the attitudes, general aptitudes, and interest patterns of residents of a county prison and, on the basis of the test performances, to offer recommendations concerning prison reforms. The results of the assessment techniques were interpreted to residents and to prison administrators. Examples of new programs…