A review of the clinically relevant literature on prevention of child maltreatment was conducted in an attempt to provide: (1) a definition and theoretical understanding of some aspects of prevention, child maltreatment, and social support systems; (2) a proposal of the usefulness of social isolation as an important theme in interpreting the…

Although the differences in supportive resources for males and females have rarely been studied, it seems reasonable that these differences exist because socialization for males and females typically emphasizes different traits. To explore gender differences in the nature of social support, 97 male and 82 female undergraduates completed the…

This paper reviews the rationale for social network programs in the effort to deinstitutionalize the mentally ill. Stress and mental health problems are discussed in terms of biological and social determinants, measurement techniques, and coping mechanisms. Supportive relationships as buffers to stress are examined and the concepts of social…

Characteristics that might help predict student prominence within a medical school class were studied. The prominent student is one who is highly visible and extensively involved in key relationships with other students. This prominence is expected to provide the student with greater access to information and resources held by classmates. A total…

The social support literature lacks empirical studies addressing structural distinctions between social network ties. It often divides social support into functional categories such as material, emotional, or advice support, with little regard to specific support providers or how the support from these providers can be delineated by individuals…

A babysitting exchange program was created for a group of women in order to build a social support network and to provide a test of the buffer hypothesis (i.e., the idea that social support may shield an individual from the negative physical and mental consequences of stress, particularly when stress is at high levels). The sample consisted of 30…

The Community Aging Program is a demonstration outpatient, mental health program designed to study and treat elderly individuals. The individual's skills relevant to living independently are assessed and those individuals with deficits enter an appropriate treatment program. Two of the treatment programs or modules help the individual adjust to…

This monograph presents results of a survey of 13 ethnic groups conducted in the Greater Cleveland area in 1980-81 to determine how ethnicity was affected by communication and the mass media. In the introductory section, the monograph describes the ethnic composition of Cleveland (which includes Hispanics, Vietnamese, Koreans, Filipinos, Indians,…

Despite low levels of criminal victimization, older people often express greater fear of crime than others. To examine the causes and consequences of such fear, 1,185 adults aged 60 and over, were interviewed about their personal characteristics, social resources, environment, subjective well-being, and lifestyle. Results showed that older people…

This mini-workshop sought a framework for examining the dynamics of migration processes, especially the interlinkages between sending and receiving countries. These two focuses emerged as directions for further research: (1) a topology reflecting the concepts underlying international migration; and (2) empirical studies which attempt to apply the…

Considers the following factors in the process of how Filipino immigrants in Hawaii obtain employment: (1) chain migration; (2) the existing employment situation of this group; and (3) the basic features of immigrant employment and the process of obtaining jobs. Discusses the double-edged implications of reliance on personal network links in…

Examined patterns of concomitant support to elderly blacks from family, friends, and church members using the National Survey of Black Americans. Eight out of 10 respondents reported receiving assistance from friends, 6 out of 10 received aid from church members, and over one-half received support from family. (Author)

Followed 133 elderly residents of mid-Manhattan hotels for 1 year using 19 network variables. Findings confirmed the direct and buffering effects of social networks. Of clinical relevance was the non-linearity of the network effect: Depending on a person's stress level, different network dimensions must be emphasized and strengthened. (Author/NRB)

Examines classroom language learning from the perspective of research and teaching. Looks at the classroom as a special social situation; identifies eight features of the classroom as culture and applies them to the language class. Argues that the classroom has its own communicative potential for language learning. (SED)

A social support model for predicting the ease of transition into the motherhood role is presented. Four kinds of social network supports (relational, ideological, physical, and informational) and six social network agents (husband, friends, relatives, work associates, neighbors, and institutions) are considered. Policy and research implications…