Examines the relationship between employment factors and well-being for a sample of White and Black middle-aged men and women. Findings include a positive correlation between job satisfaction and life satisfaction for all four groups, and between job satisfaction and happiness for White women and Black men. (FMW)

Examined effect of social and physical environmental features of small unregulated board and care homes on psychological well-being of elderly residents. Collected data from operators (N=177) and residents (N=285) of board and care homes in five counties in Ohio. Found social aspects of environment had greater impact on psychological well-being…

Compares self-report measures of depression and psychological distress in U.S. and Japanese university students. Reassesses sex differences on these measures for U.S. students and examines sex differences for Japanese students. Finds that Japanese students had higher scores on depression measures but not on psychological distress. (Author/ LS)

Attitude change among older and younger participants in intergenerational programs is investigated. While elderly participants in several programs reported positive feelings resulting from their involvement with children, children's attitudes attributed to intergenerational experiences were mixed. Research should consider longitudinal growth and…

The impact of a major curriculum revision on students' perceptions of the quality of the medical school learning environment, social supports, and their own mental and social well-being was examined. (Author/MLW)

Evaluates the methodology and conclusions reached in the 12 research articles in this issue as they pertain to 3 questions: (1) is homosexuality a choice?; (2) what psychological risks are unique to the mental health and well-being of lesbian and gay youths?; and (3) what are the effects of being raised by homosexual parents? (MDM)

This 20-year review examines (1) determinants of job satisfaction and work commitment and (2) the trend toward connecting work and nonwork life, emphasizing life satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and emotional well-being. Issues related to the influx of women in the labor force are highlighted. (297 references) (SK)

A new perspective on the health status of African Americans in the United States is presented as a foundation for developing ethnically acceptable, culturally sensitive health education programs. Health educators must scrutinize social, economic, and political contexts within which minority populations are exposed to health risk factors. (SM)

Discusses a survey of 498 parents from 2 midwest cities. Responses to questionnaires indicated that parents considered normal weight very important to children's health. Most felt it was not the schools' job to treat obesity. Many supported physical education classes teaching lifelong fitness or food and weight control. (SM)

Surveyed 103 parents of Head Start children. Found that various aspects of positive parental functioning were related to increases in overall leisure time and leisure time spent with spouse for both mothers and fathers; increases in leisure time with extended family for mothers; and increases in leisure time with children for fathers. (MDM)

Study investigated the relationships between a children's life satisfaction measure, the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS), and a self-concept measure, the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale (PHSCS). Analyses demonstrated a strong relationship between the SLSS and one PHSCS subscale, providing support for the construct validity of the SLSS.…

Researchers examined claims that those who follow a healthy lifestyle will live mostly free of disabling diseases and injuries up until the end of life. Results affirmed this theory with the strongest support coming from alive and deceased men. The authors also detected an inverse correlation between education level and degree of disability. (RJM)

Researchers surveyed 213 caregivers to test the influence of personality traits on negative outcomes of caregiving. High scores on a measure of neuroticism indicated increased levels of burden and health complaints both at initial and follow-up assessments. Personality traits and other variables remained consistent over time for caregivers…

Findings from study of daughters (n=112) in midlife who were caring for their elderly mothers indicated that employment outside of home was related only to increase in physical strain in caregiving. Presence of children in household predicted lower levels of caregiver strain and greater caregiver well-being. (Author/NB)

The immediate and short-term effects of a preplanned, 10-day overnight respite on 14 mothers of school-age and adult children with multiple disabilities were evaluated. Results indicated that, during respite, mothers experienced increased well-being and less depression, and these changes continued after respite. Mothers also exhibited changes in…