Studied the role of structural and qualitative components of social support in depression, coping, health, and life satisfaction in bereaved persons (N=192) between the ages of 50 and 93. Found that social support played a significant but modest role in bereavement outcomes during the first two years after the death of a spouse. (Author/ABL)

Examination of 390 Black American adolescents demonstrates that males and females experience very different structured forms of social support. Females report more frequent contact with network members, who were both male and female, slightly older, and met in private settings. Males report larger groups of intimate friends, who are overwhelmingly…

A program should be made available to families that offers them differing ways of becoming involved. The progress of one such program, Family Matters, is detailed, and the results discussed. Although Family Matters empowered parents to a degree, the program failed to address several issues. (BJV)

Explores geographical definition of communities and tendency for community relations to transcend geographical boundaries. Reinterprets Durkheim's theory of social solidarity to argue that division of labor directly reduces solidarity but indirectly increases solidarity through secondary groups, the state, and the cult of individuality. (LFL)

Compares patterns of support of the elderly in Jerusalem with those reported in other Israeli and foreign studies. Examines the role of ethnicity, sex, and age in explaining differences in patterns of informal support. (JAC)

A survey of 166 employed persons with visual impairments investigated major barriers to employment, how these barriers were overcome, and their perceptions on why they were successful in overcoming barriers when many individuals are not successful. Results of the survey indicate that the primary barriers to employment were employer attitudes,…

This paper explores the question of who should be involved in strategic decisions that affect a school, a cluster of schools, or an entire school district. It discusses the common problems that hamper effective participation: such as workgroups that are too large or too small; selecting the same roster of persons to serve as team members; choosing…

This book examines oral and written communicative practices of a binational network of Mexican immigrants in Chicago and their relatives and friends remaining in three rural Mexican towns. The book's primary goals are to demonstrate the richness of the linguistic and cultural resources available to adult Mexicanos and to provide a basis for…

This report describes principles of community organization that can contribute to sustainable community renewal. Community is composed of social networks which form the community infrastructure. Relationships among people with the same roles are passive; relationships that cross role boundaries are active. Communities that exhibit active…

Describes a workshop for college women designed to facilitate awareness of alternative ways of viewing personal relationships so that personal and professional needs can be met. The group format explores the range of available relationships, considers vocational choices and sociocultural influences and includes a review and evaluation. (JAC)

Presents general comments outlining the major features of the needs of teachers and assistants from overseas and discusses in-school needs and roles of such teachers and assistants separately. These comments touch on salary, social networks, family support, accommodation, general induction, the position of the native-speaking teacher, important…

Maintains that many of the professional development skills needed to survive and prosper in academia are learned through contacts and activities within professional organizations. Describes a workshop given to graduate students to promote membership in these organizations. Includes a list of 25 professional organizations in sociology. (MJP)

A national survey of parents (n=240) newly referred to Parent to Parent programs was conducted. These programs match an experienced parent of a special needs child in a one-to-one relationship with a newly referred parent. Newly referred parents preferred a wide range of supports, with the child's age and severity of disability affecting the need…

Presents a response to Gifford-Smith and Brownell's "Childhood Peer Relationships: Social Acceptance, Friendships, and Peer Networks" (this issue). Suggests that an ecological/developmental perspective of the development of peer relationships, the contextualization of knowledge, and the utilization of action research as essential to the future of…

A study of a junior high school inclusion program that provided four students with disabilities with nondisabled student aids found the students with disabilities experienced growth in levels of independence, social networks, academic skills, and in behavior. Describes beneficial outcomes for the student aids and contributing successful program…