Examined the role of stressful life experiences and social support in the health of 292 community-living elderly. Findings suggest that the number of hours worked at a paying job, lower levels of depression, and greater perceived social support were directly related to higher levels of life satisfaction. (RJM)

This article summarizes concerns expressed at the SENCo-Forum about the stress that the Key Stage 1 Standard Assessment Tasks procedures place on children with special needs. Concerns include effects on student confidence, forcing teachers into roles that run counter to their educational ethos, and the time given to test preparation. (CR)

Examined the relationship between fathers' parental stress and their perceived sense of competence in parenting roles. Regression analyses of data from 94 fathers suggest that fathers' depression in their parental role and perceptions of their children's demandingness are the best predictors of their perceived parental competence. (Author/TE)

Adult educators can help students cope with stress by (1) designing programs that are responsive to stress factors; (2) including information on stress effects in orientation sessions; (3) developing individualized programs of study; (4) integrating education into students' work and other life roles; (5) providing personal attention, advising, and…

Concerns of students at risk of dropping out of school in an urban setting were studied using innovative ethnographic methods. Students served as collaborators to tape dialogues between themselves and peers. Results for 77 dialogues among 61 individuals indicate the importance of pressure from outside and boredom within the school. (TJH)

Synthesizes theoretical and empirical findings about psychological responses to traumatization across survivors of rape, childhood sexual or physical abuse, domestic violence, crime, disasters, and the Vietnam War. Describes five major categories of response and presents new theoretical model for understanding individual variations in victim…

Societal and institutional sources and appropriate interventions for faculty burnout are examined, and an approach to faculty evaluation that rewards quality instruction is recommended. (MSE)

Summarizes what is currently known about the potential, immediate, and long-term impact of child sexual abuse. The various problems and symptoms described in the literature on child sexual abuse are reviewed in a series of broad categories including posttraumatic stress, cognitive distortions, emotional pain, avoidance, an impaired sense of self,…

Discusses results of an informal survey conducted in 17 child-care facilities in the Nacogdoches area of east Texas. The survey focused on parents' needs and concerns about child care. Results revealed what parents want in caregivers, which experiences are best, which services are valued most, what parents would change, what concerns parents most,…

Studied gender and career track influences on susceptibility to stressors. Results from 397 undergraduates show women studying for careers in traditional male professions were more susceptible to stressors than men with the same goals. Chronic job tension and home life events were stronger predictors of certain symptoms for these women than for…

Examined differences in the independent and interdependent self-construals of 79 American and 71 East Asian graduate students studying in the United States and the influence of these self-construals on coping and stress. Self-construals and direct coping were the strongest predictors of stress for East Asian students, but were not predictive of…

Examines types of life changes that young children may experience and suggests developmentally appropriate curricular strategies teachers can implement to help children cope more effectively. Promotes teacher-parent partnerships and includes list of readings for both. (ET)

A study with 48 family caregivers of children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) examined the relationships of family functioning, stress, and social support. A family adaptational model is suggested, which integrates the concepts of stress, coping, and ecological systems. Service delivery considerations for family support are discussed. (JDD)

Researchers have not yet agreed upon links between stress and illness. Levels of response mediated by the central nervous system are considered important in predicting and determining health consequences of stress. The paper uses the cardiovascular system to examine experimental evidence for the relationship between stress, health/illness, and…

Examines conceptual issues related to using exercise as a stress-management technique. The paper considers stress a complex process that involves the body and the mind. Coping strategies other than exercise include cognitive, somatic, and behavioral techniques. Research indicates exercise is as effective as other stress-management techniques. (SM)