Considers present and future roles of the Aging Service Network that is funded by Title III of the Older Americans Act. Discusses accomplishments, historical evolution, and current dilemmas of the Network. Analyzes policy issues and proposes amending Title III to establish a nationwide network of Aging Resources Centers for Help. (Author/ABB)

Correspondence analysis can provide spatial or clustering representations by assigning spatial coordinates minimizing the distance between individuals linked by a sociometric relationship. These scales may then be used to identify individuals' locations in a multidimensional representation of a group's structure or to reorder the rows and columns…

Subjected three models involving social support, orientation to support utilization, and psychological distress to path analysis using data from 176 college students. Findings supported models that: (1) support network resources affect support appraisals indirectly through support behavior; (2) orientation to support utilization affects resources,…

Reports on the activities and accomplishments of school and college faculty groups that are part of the national network of Academic Alliances. Includes information on the Rockefeller Fellowship Program, a listing of eight new member groups, information on four new statewide networks, and a synopsis of meetings and events of some groups. (SED)

Assessed relationship development of single-parents, focusing on the communicative affect of their immediate social network (children and ex-spouse) by using Levinger's developmental scheme. Interpretations of data are presented in light of relationship development for the single parent within the communicative context of his/her immediate social…

Research indicates that socially supportive relationships and effective social networks have therapeutic value in mental and physical health. Counselors and psychologists believe support facilitates coping. Examines definitions, constructs, and theories of social support and summarizes studies concerning recently devised scales for measuring…

Analyzes the differences in social support available to a sample of 91 married and 183 nonmarried Black females residing in a metropolitan area. Results indicate that having a spouse has little influence on the number of socially supportive relationships or the most important sources of assistance with financial problems. (Author/ABB)

Results indicated the social support resources, supportive behaviors, and perceptions of support among Black and White college students were strikingly similar. However, sex differences are reported. (BL)

This study used the naturalistic inquiry technique of personal interviews to investigate the exchange that exists between illiterate adults and their readers. A nonmonetary payment pattern in the form of a service exchange was uncovered. Case studies are used to illustrate major aspects of the exchange. (Author/CT)

Compared the effectiveness of two visiting programs designed to increase social participation and psychological well-being in a group of 35 older adults. Results showed the network-building program, which encouraged community involvement, showed higher means on most variables, but few significant differences were found. (JAC)

Studied the role of such professional contacts as consultants, mentors, and advisors (specifically Blacks) in the selection and placement of Black school superintendents. Found that White consultants were disproportionately selected by school boards to advise on hiring decisions. Holds that sponsorship, mentorship, and networking control and limit…

This information packet presents five readings about community participation and social networks of people with developmental disabilities and an annotated bibliography. The first paper, "Building Stronger Communities for All: Thoughts about Community Participation for People with Developmental Disabilities" (Robert Bogdan and Steven J. Taylor),…

IMPACT II is an intercity teacher-to-teacher system whereby teachers who have developed exemplary programs can receive grants and join a network that enables them to disseminate their programs to other interested teachers. (MLF)

Describes a Job Club for still-unemployed students after graduation. Informal monthly meetings allow students to network; obtain moral support and encouragement; and get ideas, suggestions, and leads. Department faculty serve as informal brokers in bringing employers and graduates together and provide a support system for students during their job…

A case study of an official organization's attempt to organize Dutch rural women who had already formed their own informal groups illustrates issues of knowledge, power, and control. The resulting conflict demonstrates the wisdom of following local organizing practices when attempting development interventions. (SK)