Describes how the greening of the urban environment is becoming an increasingly significant part of innercity renewal. Discusses the importance of urban wildlife, barriers to change, and opportunities for improving urban wildlife habitats. (14 references) (MCO)

The article explores motivation as it relates to worksite health promotion participation, addressing incentive use as a motivational means of getting and keeping employees involved in health promotion programs. It suggests various incentives to help program planners, categorizing them as social or material reinforcers. (SM)

Describes Quality of Student Life Questionnaire (QSLQ), which may be of particular use to family therapists attempting to understand perceptions of adolescents within family constellations. Notes that QSLQ is comprised of four factors (Satisfaction, Well-Being, Social Belonging, and Empowerment/Control). Calls QSLQ reliable, unobstrusive, and…

With the 1990s witnessing a unique type of extended family that is always on the run, public park and recreation departments are providing recreational programs to meet the needs of individuals of all ages. The article examines changing demographics and how they affect physical fitness behavior in American families. (SM)

The Texas Comprehensive School Health (CSH) Initiative assessed the status of CSH programs in seven public school districts using a case study approach. Results indicated considerable support for CSH programs but little coordination of programs. The districts were overwhelmed with other health responsibilities, so CSH programing was not a…

The article describes morale, welfare, and recreation programs and activities developed by professionally trained civilians for U.S. service personnel stationed in the Persian Gulf. Army, Navy, and Marine service personnel responded overwhelmingly to programs that allowed them to stay physically fit, participate in activities, write, draw, and…

Surveyed adults who were parents of preschool children and employed in dual-earner families. Found that adults' high commitment to roles was not associated with psychological well-being; diverse sources of support for women were linked with their psychological states; and men's well-being was responsive to wives' support. (BC)

This article reviews definitions of quality of life; explores the subjective nature of life quality for people with disabilities; relates the concept to cultural norms and universal human values and needs; explores the optimal theory of personal well-being; and surveys the source and use of research and implications for planning and evaluating…

Examines research on sport and physical activity for individuals with physical disabilities, focusing on psychosocial characteristics of participants, physiological impacts of participation, and performance enhancement. With the advent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), such research has relevance for all recreation professionals. (SM)

Examined relationship of parental alcoholism and family functioning to problem-solving appraisal, social support, interpersonal cognitive schema, and substance use among 40 adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and 40 non-ACOAs. Participants from dysfunctional families reported more negative problem-solving appraisal and interpersonal cognitive…

Discusses the developmental process that takes a child from Montessori's "absorbent mind" period to the period when the child creates interior cognitive structures. Suggests practical ways for teachers and parents to support the six- and seven-year old's need to design projects and accomplish goals. (HTH)

What individuals do during leisure time significantly affects illness, disease, and longevity. Leisure studies and services can offer much to the understanding of health and the provision of health services. The article notes that the tendency to separate leisure and health within the physical education and recreation curricula is dysfunctional.…

Compares at-risk students who reported receiving no or low social support with those who reported receiving an average amount with respect to perceptions of their neighborhood, school, peer group, family, and health and well-being. Discusses results and implications of the results so that school social workers can better prepare themselves to work…

Examines the mechanisms through which children with externalizing behaviors impact parents' feelings of stress and perceptions of parenting. Results, based on parent and teacher reports of 75 first-grade children, indicate that spousal support was the most important resource variable. Parents highly agreed on perceived support in childbearing.…

Utilizes self-report questionnaires to assess the impact of employment status and a nonspousal partner on the well-being of 148 single mothers of children with developmental disabilities. Although generally multiple roles were associated with greater well-being, the quality of the roles was more predictive. (Author/MKA)