Conducted a retrospective study of 102 Swiss seniors to determine nonmedical factors affecting substantial care days required prior to death. Protected senior housing and an independent and helpful personality seemed to contribute significantly to compression of morbidity and to reduced need for long-term institutional care. (JAC)

Indicates that the Bayley Scales are a useful assessment tool for characterizing the behavior of premature infants. Results further indicate the need for going beyond summary scores of mental and motor performance and assessing performance in specific areas to obtain a more meaningful picture of individual infants' development. (RH)

Widows and divorcees appear to be confronted with a number of similar problems. Their reactions to being single again, sometimes quite suddenly, are frequently based, however, on a different sequence of events. The similarities and differences of the two statuses are discussed as they are affected by legal issues and in terms of the implications…

Examined the use of informal and formal support networks and factors associated with their use among older rural adults from different socioeconomic groups. For each group, three patterns of network use were identified. Formal service use among the poor group was limited to situations of extreme need. (Author/BL)

Examined preexisting psychological, perceptual-cognitive, demographic, and physical differences between 34 adults reporting near-death experiences and 386 controls. Results indicated differences in perceptual-cognitive style in those reporting near-death experiences. Medical conditions have some effect on the experience. (JAC)

Reviews literature on hemispheric specialization. Argues that foundations of hemispheric specialization are present very early in life and that children's greater ability to recover functions following brain injury suggests developmental changes in brain organization. (CMG)

Compared the early recollections of 50 first-borns and 98 later-borns. The first-borns mentioned significantly more nonfamily members, illness/injury, hospital/doctor's office. Later-borns mentioned significantly more siblings than did first-borns. Findings were discussed in the context of Adler's personality theory. (JAC)

Compared levels of burnout and job satisfaction in 124 rehabilitation counselors and 115 administrators, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Muthard and Miller Job Satisfaction Inventory. Results showed administrators reported higher levels of job satisfaction than counselors and that an inverse relationship existed between job…

Examined the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) profiles of peer-nominated assertives, unassertives, and aggressives (N=80). Profile analysis of the CPI indicated that assertives and aggressives were significantly more similar than were assertives and unassertives, and unassertives and aggressives. (LLL)

Age differences in memory performance have been ascribed to corresponding differences in the effectiveness of mental memorization procedures. A comparative assessment of opportunity and capability hypotheses is evaluated with reference to results of previous studies of procedural maintenance and transfer following instruction, using a sample of…

Examined the psychosocial characteristics that cognitively mediate between life stressors and the stress response in 235 subjects. Results from the five instruments used showed self-esteem was by far the most important characteristic discriminating between good and poor copers. Other factors were external control, life pace and irrational beliefs.…

This study was performed to resolve the question of comparability of manual dexterity scores obtained on wooden and plastic versions of the USES pegboard. Currently authorized equipment, either plastic or wooden, may be used with the confidence that scores are not affected by the type of equipment used. (Author)

This study investigated implications of using full rank-ordering information obtained when undergraduate Canadian students are asked to rank orientation preferences on the operationalized Clark-Trow typology. It was hypothesized that orientation blends resulting from first and second rank-ordered orientation choices were predictable. Each…

This research project ascertained personality profiles of rehabilitation clients. Three personality inventories were used. Results indicated state agency rehabilitation clients are characterized by differential patterns of personality characteristics. The taxonomic procedure used was profile analysis, and data was based on self-report. (NG)

Full-time homemakers (N=55) and 63 full- or part-time outside job holders completed a questionnaire which assessed their level of satisfaction overall and with specific aspects of the homemaker work role or job. It was found that both full-time homemakers and job holders were quite satisfied with the homemaker work role. (Author)