Examination of suicide data in the United States shows that peaks occur only in a few subpopulations. Day-of-the-week effects are found almost exclusively in middle-aged suicides. Day-of-the-month effects are found for elderly males, and month-of-the-year effects occur for teenagers and the elderly. (SLD)

This study, involving 40 young siblings of either handicapped or nonhandicapped children, found that siblings of handicapped children engaged in more parallel and social play and were more nurturing with their siblings than were control children. Mothers were more likely to deliver commands, directives, and reprimands to siblings of handicapped…

Presents meta-analysis of 30 recently published research studies which reported influence of clearly identifiable family socialization variables on self-reported adolescent drinking. Variables were sorted along the dimensions of support and control and along a family structure dimension. Results indicated a low support and lax control were…

This study, based on observation of 28 children with autism in an integrated preschool, explored whether differing levels of autistic behavior were associated with the presence of nondisabled children or with the presence of other children with autism. Results indicated significantly decreased levels of autistic behavior corresponding to the close…

Describes a study of California public-school principals aiming to identify important parameters of secondary instructional leadership, estimate their effect on school achievement, and determine whether they are the same for secondary and elementary principals. The ways that principals govern the school, build school climate, and organize the…

Mothers of 137 children (with or without a sibling having Down's syndrome) were interviewed regarding their child without Down's syndrome. There were no significant differences between groups regarding expectations of "typical" children, but mothers of girls with a Down's syndrome sibling reported significantly more conduct problems than did other…

This observational study of three preschool children with profound disabilities in an integrated setting revealed frequent opportunities for peer social interactions and indicated that subjects engage in interactions of comparable length to those of nondisabled peers. The importance of helping young nondisabled children understand and respond to…

The role that language plays in mediating the influence of verbal descriptions of persons on trait ratings of those persons was studied for 280 college students. Results suggest that the influence of verbally communicated descriptions of persons on trait ratings is mediated by the expected latent factors. (SLD)

Teachers as Facilitators (TAF) program used teachers as leaders of small groups that promoted social, emotional, and academic development of children at high risk for substance abuse. Found that school personnel were capable of accurately identifying and referring students; TAF program was effective in improving students' perceived academic…

Cluster analysis was used to compare the leisure activities of 218 Scottish young adults with and without mild mental retardation. Results showed that for both sexes some proportion of both groups were in each cluster, but the proportions varied widely. Leisure patterns were strongly influenced by gender and marital status. (Author/JDD)

Structured direct interviews with 43 adults having moderate to severe mental retardation evaluated how they expressed grief and dealt with loss. One hundred service providers were also surveyed. Subjects were found to experience feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, confusion, and pain; to continue some emotional turmoil one year after the loss;…

Two studies with 50 students (ages 1 to 21) with severe, profound, and multiply handicapping conditions examined similarities and differences in behavior state conditions. Among findings were that profile groups could be identified by behavior state patterns and that students spent an average of 42 percent of classroom time in state conditions not…

Presents cost- and time-effective assessment technique for school counselors. The technique described, early recollections, uses children's early memories to help counselors discern a pattern of their behavior. Discusses assumptions upon which technique of early recollections is built and explains how to incorporate early recollections into…

Summarizes a study that expands the contextual parameters of effective schools research by defining the school district as a macro social system containing individual schools as microsocial systems. Analyzes principals' and superintendents' perceptions of six identified effective schools to determine the significance of the superintendent's role…

A graduate student in educational administration at Florida State University reflects on a practicum to develop leadership skills through role-playing activities. Although this student was effective at active listening, eye contact, voice qualities, and information solicitation, word choices were a problem. Feedback from participating principals…