Proposed the degree of social discomfort to be indicative of an individual's perceived locus of control and level of self-esteem. Students completed questionnaires for Social Avoidance and Distress (SAD). Found high SAD subjects had significantly greater external locus of control and lower self-esteem than moderate or low SAD subjects. (Author)

Compared single retired women and widows for the extent of their social involvement and degree of adjustment to old age. Widows were more socially engaged than singles, primarily because of their involvement in kinship roles. Never-married women were better adjusted than the widows. (Author)

Most men had made a satisfactory social and emotional adjustment over time, but a significant number were troubled by chronic illness. The most common stress factor reported was death of a friend. Past personality patterns coupled with current life stress factors were not predictive of present personality functioning. (JAC)

Those who were active in local community life had access to social support for both personal and everyday needs. Social support was also associated with the presence of children in the household. Suggests campus preventive programs that reflect the importance of contextual factors affecting the development of social support. (Author)

Standardized achievement test scores, behavioral and social adjustment ratings, and school cumulative record data of firstborn children of Black mothers, aged 15 and under, paralleled closely that of peers born to older Black mothers (aged 20 to 24). (Author/CP)

Descriptive and evaluative information is presented about the Interpersonal Cognitive Problem Solving (ICPS) program, which utilizes sequenced games and dialogs to teach young children new ways of thinking about and coping with interpersonal difficulties. (SJL)

The effect of the mentally retarded child on the family was examined by a structured interview technique on a sample of 80 Australian families. Results suggested that parents be given the information earlier and that fathers be included in this crucial interview. (DB)

Describes the ways and means of adaptation and interaction used by a purportedly invisible ethnic minority, the Samoan population of Seattle, Washington, and discusses both how these ways and means of adaptation and interaction relate to each other and how they are facilitated or blocked by the relative invisibility of the group. (Author/JM)

Tested the individual characteristics and deviant peer association theoretical models of friends' influence on the development of delinquency in disruptive boys. Found that moderately disruptive boys with aggressive-disturbing friends were more delinquent at age 13 than other subgroups of moderately disruptive boys. Highly disruptive and…

Two studies examined young children's internal working model of self and their competence, social acceptance, behavioral adjustment, and behavioral manifestations of self-esteem. Results indicated significant and positive relations of the positiveness of self with competence and social acceptance, with behavioral adjustment to school, and with…

Asserts children who grow up with adults who encourage initiative, model healthy cooperation, and value individual differences and cooperative efforts will develop a healthy sense of belonging. Defines belonging and discusses four human ecological systems. Suggests strategies to encourage connectedness including welcoming children and families,…

The experience of students withdrawing from a university in their first year is explored. Students' perceptions of the factors which influenced their withdrawal decisions are examined. Findings support the hypothesis that the main factor influencing withdrawal/persistence behavior is the degree to which students can adjust to the new academic and…

Analysis of first-year roommate pairs found that versions of the Roommate Compatibility Questionnaire better predicted roommate conflict than did the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Discrepancies between perception of a roommate and descriptions of an ideal roommate predicted the most variance on a measure of roommate conflict. Discusses…

Implemented a social-emotional intervention for at-risk 4-year-olds in seven day-care classes. Teachers were trained to perform activities associated with relationship building. Compared to children who did not experience the intervention, children who had it were observed showing decreases in negative emotion, greater involvement, and more…