This paper organizes concepts used to describe and measure social life of individuals with mental retardation. Social life involves the people (social network) with whom an individual experiences social interactions and the impact (social support) that network members have on the individual, in the context of social interactions, particularly…

Provides a framework encompassing components of the migration experience to aid research on human adaptation. The framework is a response to the argument that social networks, socioeconomic status, and culture should be treated as intertwining transitional experiences and therefore juxtaposed in research to examine their effects. (GLR)

Approximately 230 Louisiana principals and assistant principals were surveyed about social networking behaviors and topics discussed with other administrators. There were no differences by location, except that rural administrators discussed student discipline less often than other administrators. Among rural administrators, there were no…

Describes the process 1 family used to facilitate friendships for their 10-year-old daughter with Down's Syndrome. The article explains to teachers how children who are mainstreamed into regular schools can feel lonely without a support network to provide social interactions that might not otherwise occur. (SM)

Examines health-oriented conversations in informal, interpersonal networks. Investigates the network structure, nature of relationships, contents of interactions, and impact of support manifested in a "stay-at-home" mothers' toddlers' play group. Identifies members' roles, and characteristics of opinion leaders, and includes anecdotal…

Argues that developing and internationalizing discipline-based networks are effective ways to develop and disseminate good practices in learning and teaching, and to promote the structures necessary for accomplishing these networks. Calls on geographers in other countries to develop educational networks and suggests that all geographical networks…

Reviews the literature on technology-based groups and presents the results of a survey of group practitioners which focused on their experiences with telephone and computer groups and other factors. Results show that this technology increased accessibility, convenience, and anonymity. Discusses implications of using telephones and computers for…

A study investigated various psychosocial factors related to the distress of 102 mothers whose children disclosed sexual abuse. Emotional distress was related to a maternal history of childhood sexual abuse, a maternal history of adolescent sexual abuse, lack of social support, and greater use of avoidance coping strategies. (Author/CR)

Tests socioemotional selectivity theory among African Americans and European Americans. Older people reported as many close partners but fewer peripheral partners as their younger counterparts, thus confirming the theory. A greater percentage of close social partners in social networks related to lower levels of happiness among the young age group…

Tested for social class differences in social support among older adults. Data suggest social class differences emerge when measures of contact with friends, support provided to others, and satisfaction with support are examined. Significant differences failed to emerge with indicators of contact with family, support received from others, and…

This study of three high school students with severe disabilities in regular education classes found that regular class participation was an important source for meeting peers without disabilities who subsequently became members of students' social networks. Perceived quality of social contacts was not dependent on initial contact being made…

Examines the association between men's and women's social capital and their likelihood of starting a business. Suggests that heterogeneous social networks provide greater access to multiple sources of information. Women had a greater proportion of kin and greater homogeneity in their networks, but it was network characteristics rather than gender…

Investigated the link between social networks and the ability to find a job through a personal contact among adult inner-city residents using data for 2,490 inner-city adults. Ethnic differences were found in the rate of finding jobs by word of mouth and in the way social networks connect job seekers. (SLD)

As a reservoir of virtual spaces, the internet can be researched. It is empirically accessible. The questions focusing on the possibilities of the internet to support or maximise learning processes do not necessarily have to be at the centre of the inquiries. It is also possible to develop questions relevant to this research from the perspective…

We examine the connection between personal network characteristics and the activation of ties for access to resources during routine times. We focus on factors affecting business owners' use of their core network ties to obtain legal, loan, financial and expert advice. Owners rely more on core business ties when their core networks contain a high…