Results of the Coates Caring Efficacy Scale for 193 preentry to final-semester nursing students indicated that mean scores were higher than in Coates' sample of novice student nurses. Students were able to articulate the role of caring in nursing. Even preentry students scored well, suggesting that factors other than nursing education contribute…

Personal knowledge is essential for learning the artful use of self in therapeutic relationship but is difficult to teach. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter was used to help nursing students identify their communication and interaction preferences and acquire personal knowledge on a journey toward understanding the power of therapeutic nurse-patient…

Study of caregivers of people with dementia suggests that the depression so frequently described in the literature may not be as severe or clinically significant as previously thought and may be described as anticipatory grief. Results may assist practitioners in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of clinical interventions. (RJM)

Explores the concept of enablement and provides a framework for the counselor and counselor educator to use in facilitating client- or student-directed goals. Examines use of enablement, enablement versus co-dependency, the use of the enablement framework in the counseling role, and clinical examples of the enablement framework. (RJM)

Designed program for preschoolers and elders to promote sharing, cooperating, and helping behaviors in children. Used contact with natural grandparents in preschool, regular elderly volunteers in preschool, competent elderly visitors, contact with less able elders in nursing home, and classroom activities about older adults. Program resulted in…

Surveyed 1,131 university freshmen. Found subjects able to recognize suicidal behavior in peers but unsure of how to respond helpfully. Model of self-efficacy, emotional comfort, knowledge of helpful response, and knowledge of suicidal behavior predicted student's intention to ask suicidal peer directly, "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"…

Examined identity and activities of secondary caregivers of elderly persons. Found that secondary caregivers were often spouse and children of primary caregiver. They provided wide variety of help, but much less than primary caregiver. Help was provided in pattern supplementary rather than complementary to that of primary caregiver. (Author/NB)

Sportscasters, in conjunction with educators and others, could form a unique partnership aimed at encouraging young people to stay in school and prepare for the future. (MLH)

Studied relative importance of family, friends, neighbors, and others in support networks of elderly persons. Data from interviews with 1,284 elderly respondents in Winnipeg, Manitoba offer limited support for hierarchical compensatory model which contends that kin, particularly spouse and children, are of primary importance, followed by friends,…

Discusses whether humans have a capacity to care about others, or if the target of concern is always oneself. Presents evidence that supports the empathy-altruism hypothesis, suggesting that humans are capable of empathy and caring for another in need. Discusses limits on human capacity for altruistic caring. (JS)

A discussion of staff-resident relationships as expressed by three metaphor types (organic, mechanical, and personal) suggests that the first two are inappropriate and potentially damaging, while the personal metaphor views and understands residents as persons with needs similar to those of all persons, creating a sense of agency and of personal…

Considers several ways to help children make decisions, develop new friends, and seek independence. Six types of parental helping, which vary in style and kind of help given, are discussed. (NH)

Examined the stability and circumstances of helping behaviors of 51 children of 41-69 months in a preschool classroom. Frequency of helping behaviors was not correlated with age or sex and was not stable over four 10-minute observation periods. Most helping acts were performed during nonimaginary play. (RJC)

Addresses problem of adolescent suicide by developing five stages (suicidal signs, establishing rapport, making referral, constructive actions, and self-management) that may be used to help adolescents in distress. Uses five stages in case study to demonstrate the roles played by teacher, friend, and parents in helping adolescent through a crisis.…

When working with parents of handicapped children, principals should be aware of the various grieving stages that such parents may be experiencing. This article details these stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) and advises principals to develop a supportive, nonjudgmental attitude while helping parents plan their…