This is the third of a four-part study that explored the function of social networks in school community relationships in Pontiac, Michigan. The research consisted of utilizing any available data on Pontiac to supplement the researchers' in-depth analysis of community networks. This volume begins by discussing modifications in the original…

Adult day care is increasingly being offered as an alternative to institutionalization. However, this alternative is not suitable for nor is it available to all elderly. There is need to determine if elderly users of these services have distinguishable characteristics from those who do not. This study evaluates 35 impaired elderly day care clients…

Social network research can determine the possibilities and limits of informal support systems for handicapped adults. Analysis of 370 handicapped adults' social networks focuses on: social network characteristics, demographic characteristics, amount of support received, type of support needed, and feelings of balance/imbalance,…

Studied the role of structural and qualitative components of social support in depression, coping, health, and life satisfaction in bereaved persons (N=192) between the ages of 50 and 93. Found that social support played a significant but modest role in bereavement outcomes during the first two years after the death of a spouse. (Author/ABL)

Examination of 390 Black American adolescents demonstrates that males and females experience very different structured forms of social support. Females report more frequent contact with network members, who were both male and female, slightly older, and met in private settings. Males report larger groups of intimate friends, who are overwhelmingly…

A program should be made available to families that offers them differing ways of becoming involved. The progress of one such program, Family Matters, is detailed, and the results discussed. Although Family Matters empowered parents to a degree, the program failed to address several issues. (BJV)

Explores geographical definition of communities and tendency for community relations to transcend geographical boundaries. Reinterprets Durkheim's theory of social solidarity to argue that division of labor directly reduces solidarity but indirectly increases solidarity through secondary groups, the state, and the cult of individuality. (LFL)

Compares patterns of support of the elderly in Jerusalem with those reported in other Israeli and foreign studies. Examines the role of ethnicity, sex, and age in explaining differences in patterns of informal support. (JAC)

Blogging is a widely used means of communication for millions of Internet users around the world. Blogs, which are Web sites or Weblogs where entries may be posted on a regular basis, frequently serve as online diaries or commentaries and may include text, images, and links to other sources. Diaries are no longer kept under lock and key. Today's…

"Data Trends" reports present summaries of research on mental health services for children and adolescents and their families. The article summarized in this "Data Trends" examines research on the "contribution of informal support linkages in the achievement of treatment outcomes" in three models of family-based practice: Intensive Family…

In a recent survey of continuing and professional education leaders, the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) reported that marketing budgets are steadily rising with institutions spending an average of $319 million on an integrated marketing mix that targets would-be students. What the numbers do not tell is the potential benefit of…

A survey of 166 employed persons with visual impairments investigated major barriers to employment, how these barriers were overcome, and their perceptions on why they were successful in overcoming barriers when many individuals are not successful. Results of the survey indicate that the primary barriers to employment were employer attitudes,…

This paper explores the question of who should be involved in strategic decisions that affect a school, a cluster of schools, or an entire school district. It discusses the common problems that hamper effective participation: such as workgroups that are too large or too small; selecting the same roster of persons to serve as team members; choosing…

This book examines oral and written communicative practices of a binational network of Mexican immigrants in Chicago and their relatives and friends remaining in three rural Mexican towns. The book's primary goals are to demonstrate the richness of the linguistic and cultural resources available to adult Mexicanos and to provide a basis for…

This report describes principles of community organization that can contribute to sustainable community renewal. Community is composed of social networks which form the community infrastructure. Relationships among people with the same roles are passive; relationships that cross role boundaries are active. Communities that exhibit active…