Family responses to family-school conflicts may be manifested in family interaction and/or work performance and are influenced by numerous factors including socioeconomic status, child's grade level, family structure, cultural background, financial or structural stress, and rigidity of functioning. (Author/PB)

Investigates the incidence of potentially stressful life events among members of an urban population of 433 minority youths of low socioeconomic status. Results are discussed, and potential directions for future research are suggested. (TE)

Mental illness has a catastrophic impact on the family, subjecting its members to severe burden and life stress. In addition, families are often implicated in the origins of the illness by themselves, society, and mental health professionals. New alliances with clinicians are helping to support and destigmatize these families. (AF)

The first article describes an eight-year censorship battle and offers practical advice for the personal survival of the school librarian involved in such a situation. The second offers suggestions for preparing the best possible defense, including steps to be taken before an incident occurs as well as when it occurs, and helpful resources and…

Utilizes two different experiments to test the effectiveness of a variety self-instructional training methods to reduce the dental fears of groups of 8- to 12-year-old children. Results indicate that high levels of anxiety impair the effectiveness of self-instruction. (FMW)

Surveys, focus-group interviews, observations, and journal writings of 11 Canadian student teachers revealed sources of stress during the teaching practicum: role clarification, expectations, conformity, time, evaluation, assignments, peer discussions, and inconsistent feedback. Student teachers identified communication, conformity, initiative,…

After presenting positive and negative aspects of stress, the paper looks at definitions of stress that emphasize the environment, responses to the environment, individual characteristics, or a combination of these elements. A proposed definition of stress is offered. (SM)

Special educators experiencing stress are urged to take greater responsibility for their own well-being by maintaining a balanced lifestyle, planning for success, expanding their support network, creating a positive belief system, making learning a lifelong priority, and learning to cope with complexities and challenges. (DB)

This study examined effects of the Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty on 64 Palestinian children, ages 11 through 12. The level of neuroticism was significantly lower after the treaty than before, and children's earlier exposure to trauma was significantly related to high neuroticism and low self-esteem after the treaty. (Author/SW)

This article describes the experience of grade one through two students with language disorders as they put together the parts of literacy knowledge necessary for each to discover a writing process that produced readable work. Included are perspectives of how to help students make sense of the literacy code. (Author/SW)

Interviews with 13 Japanese individuals (mean age 50 years) with physical disabilities found that their disabilities permeated every aspect of their daily experience. Informants described a life style in which they maximized their energies and abilities and limited unnecessary activities. Those who worked in the community or were able to…

Investigated homesickness in boys ages 8 through 16. Results indicated that homesickness was prevalent and varied in intensity, was experienced as a combination of depression and anxiety, was presented most often as internalizing behavior, and was more typical for younger boys. The most-homesick became increasingly so during the separation,…

Reports on a study of the sources and levels of stress in relation to locus of control and self-esteem among 675 British university students. Finds differences between male and female students. Maintains that students with high self-esteem are less stressed than those with low. (CFR)

Causes of preschoolers' anger, and preschoolers' reactions to anger, were studied. Measures of social competence and popularity were obtained. Sex, age, and context differences in coping strategies were found. Socially competent and popular children coped with anger in relatively direct and active ways that minimized conflict and damage to social…

Describes how young unmarried Canadians cope with sexuality in the era of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Responses of 1,775 Anglophone and 493 Francophone college students in Canada indicate that those who are most aware of the risks of AIDS are also the most careless in putting themselves at risk. (SLD)