Examines the role of the family counselor in working with cancer patients and their families. Suggests ways in which the family counselor can work proactively with families in the area of cancer prevention and helping them cope more effectively with its impact on their lives. Uses a clinical case example to illustrate intervention with cancer…

Evaluated ability of self-regulation and emotional-drive theories to explain effects of informational intervention entailing objective descriptions of experience on outcomes of coping with radiation therapy among 84 men with prostate cancer. Consistent with self-regulation theory, similarity between expectations and experience and degree of…

Examined the safety and effectiveness of an outpatient treatment program for suicidal children and adolescents (n=47) that used a clinical team approach and clinical team/family member gatherings to prevent future extreme reactions to stresses and developmental transitions. Evaluation of the program indicated significant long-term improvement.…

Describes stand-up comic Jim Pelley's knack for making educators see a light side to serious problems. Principals should always be aware of the power of humor to take the edge off potentially depressing situations. Advice is provided for lightening up, including creating a humor first-aid kit, posting staff baby pictures and cartoons, and…

Examined role of pain episodes and active and passive pain coping strategies in predicting depression in 287 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Findings revealed pain, passive coping, and interaction between the 2 accounted for higher depression. Results also indicated that frequent use of passive pain coping strategies in face of high pain…

Presents seven mini-cases illustrating eight different coping tactics and nine long-term stress management strategies which may be applicable in either a business or academic environment. (SR)

At the Brooklyn (New York) College Principals' Center, findings from a 1987 stress workshop revealed that principals need a stock of mental bandaids for stress emergencies and help in discovering activities that prevent debilitating emotional changes occurring during stress reactions. A table presents a taxonomy of stress coping strategies.…

Investigates longitudinally the relationships among coping with uncertainty, nonsubstitutability, and subunit power in nine health care clinics of three subunits each. Results show previous power position to be the main predictor of subsequent power. Includes 27 references. (MLH)

Explores custom of post-mortem photography. Describes practice of post-mortem photography in 19th century America and traces changes in post-mortem photography in the 20th century. Discusses value of photographs in mourning process and suggests more thorough examination of the place of death-related photographs in grief management. (Author/NB)

Investigated awareness of strategies for coping with uncontrollable stress of 72 children of 5-12 years. Children mentioned approach strategies infrequently. Findings showed an age increase in the proportion of cognitive distraction strategies suggested. Behavioral distraction strategies were most frequently suggested by children of all ages. (RJC)

Reviews research on the use of play as a therapeutic technique. Discusses the purpose and use of play therapy in classrooms, types of play therapy techniques, and the value of collaboration between parents, teachers, and therapists. Recommends monitoring the play of traumatized children, noting that reenacting traumatic events is an essential part…

A sample of 66 college women's retrospective reports of childhood sexual abuse was examined in order to identify the coping strategies implemented by victims of intrafamilial and extrafamilial sexual abuse at the time of their abuse. Reports indicated that both groups used emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies, with intrafamilial…

An Oklahoma City vocational teacher describes the impact on her life and the lives of her students of the bombing of the federal building. (SK)

Interviews with 32 grandparents of children with disabilities found that few knew in advance about the disability. Most provided emotional and financial support; they were concerned about their grandchild's future and the stress experienced by the child's parents. They received support from family more than from support groups or counseling. (SK)

Conducted meta-analysis of 14 studies to determine gender differences in caregiving stressors and burden. Found essentially no significant gender differences in functional impairment of frail care recipient or total caregiver involvement in care or in money management tasks. Female caregivers were more likely to carry out personal care and…