A survey of school-counseling-association members concerning peer-helper programs examined the nature and prevalence of programs within Washington state. Results indicated that peer helper/counseling programs were widely used but were often supervised by non-counseling professionals. Significantly more completed suicides were at schools where…

A study explored the role of grandparents in the families of seven children with deafness. Results indicated that grandparents were willing to provide diverse support services to their children and grandchildren to the extent permitted by their resources and the nature of their existing relationship with the child's parent. (Author/CR)

Conversation analysis was used to investigate a conversational partner's strategies when assisting with the word searches of an aphasic person. Analysis of 38 authentic videotaped conversation sequences identified four conversation strategies systematically and collaboratively used: guessing, alternative guessing, completion, and closing…

Observations of and interviews with seven nursing students during their clinical experience showed the importance of a close, facilitative relationship with a knowledgeable practitioner. Students developed enthusiasm and commitment to professional development and became autonomous learners. (SK)

Presents results of Teacher and Classmate Scale, a brief self-report measure on perceived support from teachers and classmates administered to 13- and 15-year-olds (N=315). The teacher and classmate subscales both correlated moderately with school motivation. Scale offers promise as an inexpensive self-report measure on classmate and teacher…

Reviews the prevalence of suicide among older people in the United States and how it has changed over time. Considers the characteristic intent and implementation of suicidal behavior, and reviews literature on risk factors. Discusses training primary care providers to recognize high-risk, isolated older people. Provides recommendations concerning…

Interviews with 27 adults with multiple sclerosis living in their own homes found that they had little choice about who, how, or when help with daily living activities was given. This was especially true as the individuals needed more assistance in toileting and moving around the home. (DB)

Explores the negative reputation of evaluation outside the evaluation profession, considering evaluator credibility, evaluation costs, undesirable consequences of evaluation, and the frequent doubts about evaluation in the academic community. To improve both reputation and practice, evaluation must become known as a helping profession. Evaluators…

Presents results of a study of eight leaderless groups. Findings included a serendipitous forming process, minimal norming, a support system extending beyond the group, a spontaneous and flexible group process, and unresolved issues. Focus and purpose of the groups were found to be the factors that have changed over time. Discusses results in…

Discusses Tikkun Olam--the Jewish tenet of healing the world through individual good deeds--and its applicability to the practice of adventure therapy. Focuses on the therapeutic relationship, as it develops in group settings, and the role of adventure leaders and therapists in nourishing such relationships to provide a vehicle for healing or…

A therapy camp for bereaved children gives campers a weekend of one-on-one support to help them deal with the loss of a loved one. Psychologists lead workshops, evaluate children for need of further counseling, and assist the big-buddy volunteers. Matching people, activities that encourage sharing, and the need for flexibility and understanding…

Data from 238 Canadian employees in human services, service/sales, management, clerical, and physical labor occupations indicated that hose performing "people work" did not have significantly higher emotional exhaustion. There were differences between job-focused emotional work (work demanding emotional expression) and employee-focused…

A study of traditional mentor relationships in the lives of 35 creative people used a hermeneutic (interpretive) approach. Findings suggested that the mentoring process remains the same at whatever age mentoring occurs; that mentors can help latent creativity to flourish at any age; and that those who have experienced mentor relationships go on to…

The Helping Skills Measure (HSM) was constructed to assess client perceptions of the helping skills used by beginning helpers in sessions. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated 3 scales (Exploration, Insight, Action) that were internally consistent and moderately to highly intercorrelated. Scores on all 3 HSM scales increased…

Sociologists have long recognized the relationships between family background and social class attainment. However, by neglecting the multiple ways in which families and parents provide advantages and the extent to which these advantages extend into adulthood, they may still be underestimating the role of families in the reproduction of class…