Adolescent substance abuse is best understood as an adaptive behavior by an individual embedded within a rigid family organization. Substance abuse helps the individual deal with distress associated with family interactions. It becomes a means for raising estimates of self-appraisal and asserting some control over self and the environment.…

Tested the hypothesis that psychological adjustment to epilepsy would be a joint function of subjects' (N=50) perceived repertoire of self-control skills and the extent to which they were exposed to uncontrollable seizures. Results showed that high-resourceful epileptics exposed to lower frequencies of seizures coped better with their disability.…

Presents an overview of the problem of bulimia and reviews a program for group therapy involving 14 college women treated at a university counseling center. Issues frequently encountered and suggestions for counseling interventions are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Examines the way Roald Dahl's adventure story provides children with a framework to work through their regressive fantasies. (HOD)

Argues that low self esteem and familial environment are causatively linked to substance use and abuse, and that the parent-child relationship provides the experiences from which self esteem is learned. Substance abuse is a frequently observed, maladaptive attempt to cope with the experience of pain associated with low self esteem. (Author/BL)

Identifies three workshop series which address the developmental needs of single parents to form a new identity and master the adjustment process, to interact with their children in a positive parenting role, and to form new relationships after divorce. Specific guidelines and materials are discussed to facilitate the first of these programs…

The socialization process that changes a nurse from a caregiver to a teacher of the knowledge and skills that underlie caregiving is discussed. Role theory is presented as one context through which this socialization process can be guided. Individuals are encouraged to learn problem-solving mechanisms to cope with expected role conflict and…

Suggests coping strategies for dealing with the anxieties caused by unfamiliar technologies. (HOD)

The article presents an instructional model for teaching frustration management without sacrificing traditional academic content. An illustration is offered of an adaptation of a language arts objective to promote acceptance of and coping with frustration. (CL)

Considered academic and nonacademic consequences of holding a part-time job while attending school, and the strategies used by students (N=300) to balance these responsibilities. Results indicated that employment has no adverse effect on students' academic performance and both costs and benefits seemed to be job-specific. (LLL)

Discusses the importance of accurate assessment of the patient's motivations for noncompliance and of wise planning of management to meet these needs. These are essential social work tasks that will enhance patient compliance. (Author/JAC)

Examined 145 parents' experiences after a child's death from cancer or a blood disorder. Data revealed men and women differed significantly in the extent to which they encountered distance and lack of comfort in spousal relationships and difficulty during first-year postdeath holidays. (JAC)

Discusses the discrepancy between the attitudes of social workers and parents of developmentally disabled children. A recent study showed that 75 percent of the parents (N=27) reported the experience had made them stronger, while only nine percent of the social workers surveyed believed parents felt that way. (JAC)

Describes the group counseling program at the House of Shalom Youth Centre in Ontario. The goals of the program are to facilitate mastery of normative developmental crises and to establish coping skills to meet present and future environmental demands. (JAC)

Investigated parent coping behaviors in a sample of 100 mothers and 100 fathers of infants using the Family Coping Inventory. Factor analyses yielded three coping patterns: seeking social support and self-development; maintaining family integrity; and being religious, thankful, and content. Coping patterns were affected by respondent gender. (JAC)