Volunteers (n=203) obtained through Compassionate Friends newsletters completed questionnaires consisting of Purpose in Life Test, Grief Experience Inventory, and questions on meaning. Findings indicated that lower purpose in life for bereaved parents was related to less time since death, loss by suicide, loss of only child, and loss of more than…

Evaluated personalized feedback and financial incentives as adjuncts to self-help materials for smoking cessation among subjects (n=1,217) randomized to 4 treatment groups and followed up at 3 and 12 months. Financial incentive increased self-help material use, did not increase cessation rates, and was associated with higher relapse rates.…

Evaluated effect of smokers' hotline as adjunct to self-help manuals. Subjects (n=1,813), assigned to manual only or manual plus hotline condition, were followed over 18 months. Results showed consistent, significant hotline effect across outcome measures and follow-up periods. Findings suggest effectiveness of hotline in enhancing self-help quit…

Nongovernmental projects intended to assist Mozambican refugees in Malawi are limited by unresponsiveness to local conditions, inadequate resources, constraints on production and marketing, lack of sustainability, limited participation, and gender inequities. Such projects are likely to increase refugee dependency. (SK)

Most depressed adolescents do not access medical care for symptoms, yet many improve without professional intervention. While several self-help interventions have empirical support, teens' non-directed efforts to reduce symptoms are not documented. We reviewed 14 depressed adolescents' reports of attempts to reduce depressive symptoms. Results…

There is growing evidence that psychosocial treatments incorporating behavioral intervention strategies can be effective in the treatment of depression in older adults with cognitive impairment. However, less work with such cases has focused on the use of cognitive interventions in tandem with these behavioral intervention strategies. This case…

Traditionally, supervisors work with students on an individual basis and postgraduate development programmes are run on site. However, with increasing numbers of part-time and international students, supervisory relationships are likely to be conducted at a distance as students study alongside other commitments. Isolation can often be a key…

Two groups (experimental and control) totaling 239 low-income asthmatic children, aged 8 to 11 years, were studied. One group was exposed to an asthma health education program. Findings indicate asthma health education for children increases management skills, reduces symptoms, and improves school performance. (Author/CH)

Discusses the "hidden illness" of compulsive gambling. Describes course of the disease, theories of compulsive gambling, effects of compulsive gambling on gambler's wife and children, the organization Gam-Anon, and human service agencies' staff training and counseling intake procedures. Recommends self-help groups for all family members.…

Reviews and critiques 11 stepfamily self-help books for children and adolescents. Codes books on dimensions of appropriate audience, author background, issues, advice, and strengths. Rates general interest and quality of writing of books and assigns categories of recommendation. Discusses use of the books as an adjunct to therapy. (Author/NB)

Followed eight male smokers with chronic pulmonary or cardiac disease through a smoking cessation program of gradual nicotine withdrawal, self-management, and relapse prevention. At one year, half remained abstinent, while relapsers smoked substantially less than before treatment. Reductions in carbon monoxide and thiocyanate levels were…

Results of questionnaire data from 98 consumer groups in the United States and Canada are reported in terms of characteristics of local chapters, participants, and change occurring as a result of group involvement. Findings suggest the viability of the self-help/self-advocacy consumer movement for persons with mental retardation. (Author/CL)

Methods of successful weight loss and factors affecting dieting are discussed. Eating hints are given with the characteristics of an exercise program which has cumulative effects on weight loss. (CM)

In 19th-century England, mutual improvement societies developed, through which working class men attempted to educate themselves and engage in political discussion. Many were associated with groups that did not conform to the Church of England. (SK)

Discusses addictive model of compulsive sex among some homosexual men. Describes commonalities between two most prevalent and successful approaches used to treat this disorder: group treatment and self-help Twelve Step addictive model. Contends that, whether compulsive sexual behavior is accepted as an addiction, the addictive model itself seems…