Reports the multistage development of the Community Service Attitudes Scale, an instrument for measuring college students' attitudes toward community service. Analysis of scores for samples of 437 and 332 students yields strong reliability evidence, and principal components analysis supports the helping behavior model of S. Schwartz. (SLD)

Presents a comprehensive, research-based rationale for rejecting "get-tough," punitive approaches to juvenile detention and implementing "helpful programs" in detention settings instead. Offers a review of the information that explains why and how juvenile detention should be a first step in the treatment of young offenders,…

Discusses ways of helping children learn to care for one another. Notes that even very young children respond with empathy to others' expressed distress. Explores ways to enhance children's natural empathy in terms of empathy as identification, as communication, as a caring act, as a moral act, and as respect. (DLH)

A study explored how 432 visual impairment professionals learned of the field and why they entered it. Newer teachers were more likely to identify professional contact as the way they first learned about the field. The desire to help others was the major factor motivating entrance to the field. (Contains nine references.) (CR)

A study examined the mentorship experiences of three gifted underachieving male adolescents. Findings indicate that open-minded and nonjudgmental characteristics of the mentors were required to sustain an on-going relationship. A plan of strength- and interest-based strategies for intervention to reverse patterns of underachievement was…

Describes a peer helper program developed for students in grades K-5. The program applies the concept that each student has something positive to offer the school and is responsible for providing that service. Discusses program goals and objectives, ways to gain support for the program, training, implementation, and evaluation. (RJM)

Examines the influence of caregivers' Attachment Styles and personality traits on their experiences of caring for dementia dependents. Results, based on 126 caregiver-dependent pairs, indicate connections between attachment style factors and caregiver experiences. Those choosing to institutionalize dependents ranked higher on Avoidance factors…

Interviewed adolescents and young adults regarding helping in distant and close relationships. Found that both groups judged it important and satisfying to help and wrong not to help, particularly within close relationships. With increasing age, helping was viewed as less obligatory and more a matter of choice with distant relationships. Females…

About 5 to 15 percent of teachers in 2.7 million public-education classrooms are marginal or incompetent. Assistance plans offer structure, purpose, and remedial help. Plans have six components: definition of the problem, statement of objectives, intervention strategies, a timeline, data-collection procedures, and final judgment. (MLH)

Of 27 countries in a World Health Organization survey, American children report the most physical complaints, Portuguese children are most kind to one another, and Lithuanians watch more TV. U.S. and Czech teens are great dieters. Northern Irish, Scottish, and Finnish youngsters love computer games. (MLH)

Levels of personal control exercised by 76 adults with mental retardation were contrasted by substitute decision-making status. Individuals with no guardian or conservator exercised more personal control than did those with a conservator, who exerted more personal control than those with guardians. Similar group differences were observed in…

Responses from 179 prosecutor-based and domestic violence victim assistance programs indicated that 67% of practitioners had college degrees, 68% belonged to professional associations, and more than one-third participated substantially in continuing education. Type of organization, gender, and age were not related to professional attitudes;…

Because youth who are in residential facilities are sometimes dangerous to themselves or others, there are times when physical restraints must be used for the safety of both residents and staff. But the use of restraints is coming under increased scrutiny because of potential dangers. In this article facilities share how training can help reduce…

Reflects on a meditation that is used with women's groups. Describes its purpose as helping women access their inner source of wisdom and knowledge about their bodies and their lives. The meditation is aimed at ridding women of the question, "What's wrong with me?" Describes participants' comments about their reactions and the benefits…

A study evaluated a program for reducing job coach assistance provided for three individuals with multiple severe disabilities. Workers were taught additional skills or the environment was modified to allow assistance reduction. Work activity and quality continued at a high level for each worker, although productivity decreased. (Author/CR)