A multidisciplinary team, including representatives from medicine, psychology, and residential living, examined 436 mentally retarded residents' regimen of psychotropic medications, with the goal of finding the least restrictive method of behavior management and lowest drug dosage. Significant reductions in psychotropic drug use were observed,…

Examines the overhaul of the treatment of Dutch criminal children between 1830 and 1880. Discusses reforms taken, including the placing of children considered reeducable in separate youth prisons. Argues that private institutions, like the Dutch Prison Society, sponsored these reforms. Analyzes the success rate of educating these children. (DB)

Describes the Maison Paternelle de St Antoine near Tours, France, which operated as a private institution for the correction of recalcitrant bourgeois adolescents from 1855 until 1909. Cites the suicide of an inmate as the factor which led to the closing of this facility and the focusing of attention in France on the rights of children. (KO)

A measure of quality of life called PALS was developed, focusing exclusively upon subjective psychological dimensions. The measure contains 4 scales (Perceived stress, Affect, Loneliness, and Satisfaction) and was normed with 100 individuals with mental retardation residing at a large facility. Potential uses and limitations of PALS are discussed.…

Examined adolescents' perceptions of their family environments and suicidal behavior. Fifteen suicidal adolescents, 14 psychiatric controls, and 14 normal controls rated their families on cohesiveness, adaptability, parent-adolescent communication, parental caring, and parental overprotectiveness. Suicidal adolescents rated their families as least…

A series of 6- to 10-week programs in creative collage were given to disabled elderly residents within a special care facility. The program stressed choice, decision making, and personal autonomy in the design process. Participants were involved in all stages of the creative process including exploration, manipulation, establishing a unity,…

Young (n=80) and older (n=71) adults evaluated speakers in taped conversation of secondary baby talk or neutral variant addressed to elderly resident in nursing home by nurse or volunteer. Caregivers who used baby talk were rated as significantly less respectful and competent than peers in neutral condition; no differences were observed for…

Interviews with a random sample of 1,598 persons aged 65 years and older in 1975 with followups in 1984 provide information about the distribution between community and institutional care of urban elderly in Cleveland (Ohio). Support factors that enable persons to remain in the community are identified. (SLD)

Institutionalized persons (n=149) with severe or profound mental retardation who were treated with heterocyclic antidepressants were divided into responders and nonresponders and compared. Responders were more likely to be those subjects who exhibited symptoms of depression, psychosis, or tantruming and had a higher social age than did…

The study examined frequency of contact with family members of 474 mentally retarded persons in Norwegian residential placements. Age trends in family contact were noted with decreasing contacts as the individual aged. Results have implications for the increasing numbers of older adults in such placements. (DB)

Surveyed nursing home administrators (n=124) to determine mental health problems of residents, mental health issues of staff, mental health professionals used as consultants, and intervention programs to improve mental health environment of facilities. Results identified combative and demanding behaviors, depression, and confusion as difficult…

Examined prosocial moral reasoning in Brazilian institutionalized delinquent, orphaned, and noninstitutionalized adolescents. Found that compared to nondelinquent adolescents, delinquent adolescents were less likely to prefer higher level, internalized types of prosocial moral reasoning and more likely to prefer lower levels of prosocial moral…

Examines group work with transgendered male-to-female adolescents who engage in sex work. Provides an overview of the role that sex work plays in the lives of some transgendered youth, using case examples, and offers guidance for those utilizing group work approaches with transgendered adolescents. Discusses homelessness and institutionalization,…

The hypothesis that improving the aesthetic quality of the environment of a functionally dependent person with traumatic brain injury would show a corresponding positive effect in the attitudes and behaviors of the resident's family system was tested. Effects of environmental manipulations on family and patient are assessed and discussed.…

This study focused on procedural and substantive aspects of special education services for students with disabilities in one state's correctional facilities. Results indicated that, although some incarcerated youth received educational services, few received related services. Students enrolled in special education programs received a…