This article describes an intervention designed to reduce the guilt of parents, experiencing marital difficulties, who had a child with profound physical and intellectual deficits. Following a formal assessment of their daughter, the emotional climate of the marriage was much improved and they felt more able to cope. (Contains references.) (CR)

Examined the effects of child maltreatment and interadult violence on children's developing strategies of emotion regulation and socioemotional development, and the role of emotion dysregulation in mediating the link between children's pathogenic relational experiences and behavioral outcomes for 3- to 6-year-olds. Found that maltreatment history…

The resettlement experiences of 36 New Zealand people (ages 0-20+) with intellectual disabilities were discussed by family respondents. Results indicated the families desired to have their relative live at home for as long as possible and an initial reluctance to consider alternative care arrangement outside of the family home. (Contains…

This study examined whether raising a child with Down's syndrome affects a family (n=34) differently than does raising a child with another developmental disability (n=74). Results found that long-term adjustment to raising children with other disabilities was comparable to that of raising children with Down's syndrome. (CR)

This article discusses resiliency behaviors and characteristics that can be nurtured within a family, school, or agency. These include practicing unconditional positive acceptance; establishing close, supportive relationships; communicating realistic standards; establishing clear boundaries; using a low-criticism style of interaction; focusing on…

Two case studies and clinical examples document the capacity of highly gifted adolescents to mask severe depressive disorder symptoms. Factors contributing to this masking phenomenon include shame for being incapacitated and unable to resolve their dilemma; depression's signature cognitive confusion, which disengaged their coping mechanism; and…

Results of descriptive analyses of 41 children (ages 7-12) from two residential treatment centers painted a picture of chaotic childhoods marked by significant stress and trauma. Gender, child's satisfaction with current discharge plan, and multiple traumatic experiences were found to be associated with variations in symptomatology. (Contains…

A study involving 23 mothers of children with deafness and 23 controls investigated the impact of child deafness on stress, social networks, and social support satisfaction. When children were 22 months, mothers of children with deafness expressed more stress, however at ages 3 and 4, stress was comparable to controls. (Contains references.)…

Examined interviews with 43 White single mothers for thematic content relating to economics of single parenthood, feelings about single parenting, the children's fathers, and stigmatization. Results showed that these women had developed coping strategies and were proud of their ability to survive under adverse circumstances, but that they felt…

Compared the levels of perceived stress on several dimensions of parenting in mothers and fathers of 159 children divided into 4 groups: conduct disorders, autistic, Down syndrome, and developmentally normal. Results showed that mothers and fathers reported similar levels of stress when parenting exceptional children, although their patterns of…

Using ethnographic research, data were gathered from 22 deaf adults, aged 55 to 84. Results indicated the educational programs they attended as children had ramifications throughout their lives, affecting their development of adaptive strategies, particularly their peer-based society and lifetime friendships which maximized sociability. (Author/DB)

The article identifies behaviors and issues related to being a nonexceptional sibling of a brother or sister with mental retardation. The parent's role in helping a nonexceptional sibling cope is briefly considered. A two-day workshop and an instructional unit designed to support siblings are outlined and briefly described. (DB)

Effects of loss of a parent--assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory and other measures--were measured using 34 female and 16 male adolescents. High levels of informal social support, good relations with the surviving parent prior to the loss, balanced personality, and the presence of religious beliefs influenced healthy adaptation. (SLD)

Used stress-coping model in group work with Israeli single parents to help single parents develop relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and social relationship skills. Data were collected on attendance, participation, stress, and satisfaction. Experience with the group supported the view that single parents experience multiple sources of…

Evaluated effectiveness of 16-week intervention for 52 second- and third-grade children of divorce. Participants were compared with 52 divorce controls and 81 children from intact families on child, parent, and teacher measures of adjustment. Experimental group improved significantly more than nonprogram groups from multiple perspectives,…