Discusses the volitional basis of Personality Systems Interaction Theory (PSI) and applies it to the improvement of conditions for learning and psychological treatment. The theory explains motivational and volitional phenomena, including concentration, coping with failure, identification and intrinsic commitment to personal goals, persistence, and…

Beginning superintendents should reconsider before buying homes and settling into new communities. Today's superintendent, like the Old West hired gun, has a short, precarious tenure. Superintendents should be prepared, learn to recognize signs of trouble, quit while they're ahead, and keep their (metaphorical) bags packed. Board hostility is…

Individuals should address prejudicial statements made in their presence by pulling the prejudice out of the comment and restating it in a calm and objective way; stating their own personal beliefs clearly and assertively; making a positive statement about the specific subjects of the prejudice; and gently turning the subject to a new direction.…

Interviews with 25 primary care physicians found that (1) self-employed and salaried doctors view important practice issues identically; (2) they have different views of professional role and image; (3) self-employed doctors were concerned with protecting economic autonomy; and (4) salaried doctors' technical autonomy was threatened by the…

Previous research has shown evaluative organization of self-knowledge explains variances in self-esteem and mood beyond those accounted for by positive or negative content. Here, that model is applied to the changing self-perceptions of women in a life transition. Uses a sample of 120 older women who had relocated within the past year. Discusses…

Tests the relative effects of several antecedents to users' behavioral coping responses to quality programs in four organizations. Finds that users' attitudes, concerns for performance, normative influence, uncertainty, and their perceptions of the context of change affect each of three dimensions of their behavioral coping responses. (SR)

This article discusses the impact of childhood deafness on family dynamics, with particular attention given to the influence and role of grandparents. Results from a survey of 10 parents of young deaf children (ages 1-4) found the majority felt their parents were supportive at the time of diagnosis and presently. (Contains references.) (CR)

This study with 203 college students used structural equation analysis and found that the relationship between students' academic stress and course grades was influenced by problem-focused coping and motivation, but not by emotion-focused coping. Greater academic stress covaried with lower course grades. (DB)

A study of five women scientists revealed the following life strategies: concentration in a subject because of its appeal, acceptance of hard work, development of a strong sense of self, flexibility in timeframes for work and family, planning of children around career needs, and anticipation of childcare needs. (Contains four references.) (CR)

In this article, the mother of 5-year-old son with autism shares two essays that highlight her son's uniqueness and gifts. She discusses her feelings of coping with the diagnosis, her fear that he will be rejected by his peers, and her trepidation about taking her son to visit his grandparents. (CR)

In this article, a young adult with autism who is nonverbal shares poems that describe his feelings about autism, the symptoms of autism, and his likes and dislikes. (CR)

Describes how schools can help children cope with issues related to divorce, explaining the importance of reaching out to children and families of divorce. The entire school environment can become more open to the needs of such children by de- stigmatizing, de-mystifying, and discussing the issue. A sidebar presents resources that provide…

Study elaborates on Tinto's (1975) theory of student departure by focusing on the concept of social integration. Examining freshmen at a Research I institution using three quantitative instruments, study finds that how students deal with stress impacts their level of social integration, institutional commitment, and intent to reenroll. (Contains…

The authors examined the ways in which 40 women with chronic illnesses used religious beliefs as a means of coping with their illnesses. The majority reported that religious beliefs were important in living with chronic illness. In addition, more women who were identified as coping well reported strong religious beliefs. (Author)

This article argues that if professionals categorize parents as "in denial," unaccepting, or difficult, professionals may lose the chance to understand and learn from the parents. Recommendations are provided for rethinking denial and working with parents, including supporting parents' hopes and dreams for their child, suspending judgment, and…