This study examined the amount of psychosocial disturbance experienced by adults (n=53) in India with epilepsy, as well as the relationship between psychosocial dysfunction, duration of illness, and computerized axial tomography findings. Results indicated that three-quarters exhibited no or very mild psychosocial dysfunction. (DB)

The potency of different sugars as calming agents in human infants was investigated in 2 experiments with 40 infants. Sucrose and fructose were equally effective calming agents, whereas glucose was less effective. Results indicate that the calming effects of milk lie in components other than its sugar. (LB)

The complex ideas of William James on emotion were oversimplified during his lifetime, with his emphasis on the interpretation of the stimulus largely overlooked. Damaging scientific consequences of this mischaracterization are described. (SLD)

Compares Hispanic adult children of alcoholics with Hispanic adult children of nonalcoholics on Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms. Finds significantly higher scores in Somatoform Disorders and Psychological Factors Affecting Physical Conditions scales among children of alcoholics. Women displayed higher scores than men on Affective…

Examined effects of adult children's problems on elderly parents' (n=2,008) psychological distress using data from Canadian national survey. Results demonstrated parents whose adult children experienced serious problems reported greater depression; effect appeared to be direct, rather than mediated by such factors as parent-child conflict, lack of…

Determines through the analysis of data collected from students the primary causes of stress among high school seniors. Presents research findings based on 348 responses to open-ended questions regarding stress. Lists stresses in six categories: school, family, employment, intimate relationships, friends/peers, and worrying about college. (HB)

Evaluation of the psychiatric histories and projective test responses of 102 sexually abused girls found that the following characteristics of abuse were significantly associated with greater psychological disturbance: more than one perpetrator, an early age of abuse onset, and periods of intense and frequent abuse episodes. A relatively stable…

Recalled abuse was examined in relation to dissociation in a sample of 312 undergraduates. Significant correlations were found between the abuse variables and the dissociation variables. Prevalence of sexual abuse, but not physical abuse, was significantly higher for females than males. (Author/DB)

This article examines effects of separation and divorce on children in the context of possible psychological maltreatment. Common behavior patterns of children in this situation are discussed in terms of those that are acceptable and those that must be considered harmful. (Author/DB)

Examined work-to-retirement process, using quantitative and qualitative evaluations to verify whether pre-, intra-, and postretirement periods are different from one another when individual's internal organization is examined. Findings from 17 experimental and 22 control subjects, aged 65, revealed that at quantitative level retirement transition…

Identifies fundamental principles of psychology to explain how the self begins and develops over the life span. The influences that contribute to the creation of false and true selves in gifted children are discussed and strategies for promoting the true self of gifted children are offered. (Author/DB)

Examined age differences in self-esteem concepts. Found that with increasing age, children's concepts increasingly resembled those of some theorists. Subjects believed that liking oneself influences internal reactions to events. From nine years, children used self-esteem to explain others' thoughts and feelings, and expected self-esteem to resist…

Examines the variables related to multiple episodes of sexually transmitted disease (STD) among adolescent females (n=88) and males (n=44). Results indicate that acquisition of an STD is related to the demographic characteristics of age and gender, as well as to the number of lifetime partners and attitudes about STD acquisition. (RJM)

A study of the sleep patterns of 28 people with severe or profound mental retardation and epilepsy found atypical sleep stages with significant depletion of REM sleep and a predominance of indiscriminate non-REM sleep. Sleep diaries completed by caregivers reveal lengthy sleep periods, especially among those with profound mental retardation.…

A study of 36 British survivors of childhood abuse found participants described different types of abuse-memory experiences: continual knowledge (70%); unexpected abuse memories from a prior state of having no awareness of abuse (16.5%); and unexpected memories from a state of having partial prior awareness of abuse (30%). (Author/CR)