In the Double ABCX Model, family stress is defined as an imbalance in demands (the A factor: stressor event, related hardships, prior strains), and capabilities or resources (the B factor). The family's definition (C factor) of the imbalance influences its impact. When the family is unable to balance demands and capabilities without making a…

This brief factsheet presents information on mental illness in mentally retarded persons. The most prevalent disorders found in this population are schizophrenia, organic brain syndrome, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, depression, and behavioral problems. Few standardized methods of assessment exist for the diagnosis of mental illness…

This symposium contains reports on two studies on the following topics: (1) ways of helping children manage stress, by Jayne G. Garside, (2) psychological stress and coping in adolescent victims of sexual abuse in Singapore, by Colleen Ward, and (3) an abstract of a study on estrangement, by Jaya Nagaraja. The article on stress management…

This study explored the efficacy of semantic behavior therapy in the management of chronic osteoarthritis pain in elderly patients as well as the relationships among pain, physical health, personality, and social characteristics in this population. The sample consisted of 8 elderly persons who had osteoarthritis of the knee, and 11 healthy elderly…

A study followed up on 75 dyslexic young adults who had been referred to the Word-Blind Centre in London, England to examine remedial help received, present level of skill, educational record, achieved occupational status, and coping strategies. Subjects, 68 men and 7 women ranging in age from 18 to 30 years, were interviewed for two hours…

The study addresses parental coping patterns of children with congenital heart disease in the state of Hawaii. Attention was given to geography and ethnicity as well as parental and child characteristics as factors impacting on the coping pattern. Telephone interviews with parents (N=32) obtained data concerning parent characteristics, their…

The paper reviews the effects of a handicapped child upon parents and families in terms of adjustment responses, stress, behavior and role change, divorce, economic functions, and general coping and support systems. Professionals desiring to enhance parent involvement must first be sensitive to the parent's emotional well-being and must be able to…

The "Where Do We Go from Here?" conferences provide information to meet the long-term needs of unemployed workers (career change and retraining) and the short-term needs of coping with the psychological problems of being out-of-work. The conference presentation includes 70 to 100 volunteer professionals, providing optimistic and motivational…

Religious minorities, as well as ethnic and racial minorities, present specific clinical and treatment concerns. Counselors of Hasidic and Orthodox Jews should be aware of the special characteristics of these populations which separate them from other subcultures and subgroups, and which may play an important part in the psychotherapeutic process.…

Although many studies have documented age-linked shifts in values, few studies have demonstrated the relationship between values and psychological adjustment. To explore the relationship between values, daily stressful experiences, positive experiences, and coping strategies, 100 white, middle-aged adults (ages 45-64 years) completed the Ways of…

Youth is considered to be a developmental stage between childhood and adulthood. In this stage, adolescents have to master certain developmental tasks step by step, and as they manage to do so, they will grow to the status of adulthood. This study examined how adolescents direct themselves towards the expectations and conduct requirements of their…

Although researchers have investigated quality and cost of residential care, little is known about the people who own and manage residential care facilities. In an attempt to find out more about these managers, members of the National Association of Residential Care Facilities (NARCF) were surveyed. Members (N=175) responded to questionnaires…

Stress and burnout are common in the caregiving professions. Stress negatively affects both the caregivers and patients. In order to help caregivers deal with stress effectively and to improve the care in residential care facilities, it is essential to learn more about the particular stressors that managers of such facilities experience. In this…

Research on residential relocation has reported mixed findings on the impact of such relocation on psychological well-being. Theorists have postulated that one's perception of an event will influence one's response to it and that response will influence the outcome. This study examined older persons' reactions to a residential relocation based on…

The Geelong Regional Group of the Australian College of Education focused on the problem of teacher and student stress at its annual conference in 1985. Three persons with special knowledge of the topic were invited to present papers on the theme "Coping with Stress in Education." A panel discussion was an important part of the…