Discusses ideas to help teachers ease the anger and fear of children confronted with a new school situation. Suggests that transition from preschool to kindergarten can be difficult, as many students face for the first time limits to their activities. Also discusses another problem for students, the change from self-contained classroom to one with…

Examines superintendents', principals', and teachers' coping strategies for dealing with externally imposed problems or disruptive change in four Manitoba school divisions. Identifies seven major coping strategies and analyzes them in terms of strategic choice theory versus environmental determinist theory. Contains 30 references. (SV)

Research indicates that leisure participation enhances health at various levels, reducing stress and promoting better physical and mental health. Participation in personally meaningful leisure activities serves as a buffer to life's stressful events. Leisure professionals must work to promote leisure as a priority in people's lives. (SM)

A review of research was conducted on family reactions to having a child with a disability. From this review, a conceptual framework was developed to locate major research orientations. Two new strands have emerged recently, and the review explores how these approaches can help improve linkages between families and schools. (Contains references.)…

Three focus groups examined stress and conflict among 30 older African American women in Boston. Stress stemmed from worries about functional disability, accessing transportation, conflicts with family and peers, and grandchildren's lack of respect. Participants tended to use avoidant strategies to deal with stress and conflict. A training program…

A study examined how self-efficacy beliefs influenced motivation, affect, and adjustment in five students aged 9-13 with cancer, receiving educational services in a hospital setting. Education was an effective vehicle through which children with cancer could experience control and autonomy and also achieve many necessary developmental outcomes for…

This study assessed attitudes of parents in 48 families with young children having special needs concerning: (1) social support, (2) family satisfaction, and (3) impact of the special child on the family. Significant differences were found between mothers' and fathers' responses on subscales concerned with time demands, coping, and well-being.…

Briefly discusses the evolution of children's real and imaginary fears and appropriate ways that preschool teachers and caregivers can help children cope with these fears. (BB)

Family responses to family-school conflicts may be manifested in family interaction and/or work performance and are influenced by numerous factors including socioeconomic status, child's grade level, family structure, cultural background, financial or structural stress, and rigidity of functioning. (Author/PB)

Investigates the incidence of potentially stressful life events among members of an urban population of 433 minority youths of low socioeconomic status. Results are discussed, and potential directions for future research are suggested. (TE)

Mental illness has a catastrophic impact on the family, subjecting its members to severe burden and life stress. In addition, families are often implicated in the origins of the illness by themselves, society, and mental health professionals. New alliances with clinicians are helping to support and destigmatize these families. (AF)

The first article describes an eight-year censorship battle and offers practical advice for the personal survival of the school librarian involved in such a situation. The second offers suggestions for preparing the best possible defense, including steps to be taken before an incident occurs as well as when it occurs, and helpful resources and…

Utilizes two different experiments to test the effectiveness of a variety self-instructional training methods to reduce the dental fears of groups of 8- to 12-year-old children. Results indicate that high levels of anxiety impair the effectiveness of self-instruction. (FMW)

Surveys, focus-group interviews, observations, and journal writings of 11 Canadian student teachers revealed sources of stress during the teaching practicum: role clarification, expectations, conformity, time, evaluation, assignments, peer discussions, and inconsistent feedback. Student teachers identified communication, conformity, initiative,…

After presenting positive and negative aspects of stress, the paper looks at definitions of stress that emphasize the environment, responses to the environment, individual characteristics, or a combination of these elements. A proposed definition of stress is offered. (SM)