Reports on a national sample of adults (N=2,592) surveyed on the association between adult depression and childhood parental divorce. Results suggest that parental divorce may disrupt a person's life course and create lifelong consequences for their well being, by lowering socioeconomic status and increasing problems in interpersonal…

Examines trends in the well being of Swedish youth to determine whether they show improvement or deterioration since the passage of the 1979 corporal punishment ban. Data collected from various national sources indicate that rates of involvement in crime, substance use, rape, and suicide have decreased. Trends in rates of nonsexual assaults are…

Nancy's recent psychotic episode left her an anxious, fearful person. Participating in an adventure therapy program enabled her to connect with peers, regain social skills and physical stamina, adjust to a full-day activity, regain her confidence, reconstruct purpose and meaning in life, and follow through on plans to complete university and get a…

Interviews with 27 Dutch adults with dyslexia found most felt a strong impact of their dyslexia on daily life and experienced many educational and career problems. Parental support was a powerful predictor of adult adjustment and well-being. Those with positive elementary school experiences were more accepting of their disability. (Contains…

Focuses on Latina mothers' well-being and the effects of having a mentally retarded child. Results, based on 148 mothers with and 101 without children with mental retardation, show that the former exhibited significantly higher levels of depressive symptomatology relative to controls. Depression was predicted by low family cohesion and other…

Provides suggestions to assist parents in helping their gifted children. These include: stay informed of research and data in gifted education; advocate; guide your gifted child; provide support; encourage social skills; encourage independence and interdependence; challenge; teach your child to overcome adversity; teach empathy; and provide…

As a supplement to student development research, reviews clinical psychological research on the concept of purpose in life. Provides implications and recommendations for practice in the higher education setting. Proposes that by encouraging students to identify a purpose in life and assisting them in this process, student affairs practitioners may…

Compares the development of self-esteem and psychological well being in clients who participated in an experimental course on group process with those who did not participate. Results suggest that clients who were taught group process showed greater increases along these variables. Discusses the implications for the importance of helping clients…

Used the investment model to predict relationship status and satisfaction among a sample of heterosexual dating couples. On several dimensions, females had cognitions that were more relationship maintaining than males. Findings suggest that females may be more invested in their relationships than males. This greater investment may provide them…

Looks back on the history of suicidology to discuss important concepts that have become well established, such as clues to suicide, ambivalence, crisis services, suicide consultations, and psychological autopsies. Recommendations for the long-term treatment of patients are provided. Research on youth suicide is reported. Examines new developments…

Examined female child welfare workers' perceptions of their work. Found that despite positive aspects, subjects felt that their work had adversely affected their physical and mental health; they used a variety of problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies to cope. Findings posed implications for intervention strategies and the appropriateness…

The psychosocial well-being of 115 adolescents with visual impairments was compared with 44 adolescents with chronic conditions and 607 typical adolescents. Adolescents with visual impairments, especially those with blindness, had more difficulties in their relationships with friends, but had fewer problems with psychological well-being than those…

Examines the impact of counselors' spiritual well-being on the spiritual well-being of patients in their clinical care. Results indicate that the values of wisdom and loving from the Rokeach Value Survey and self-acceptance from the Personal Orientation Inventory account for approximately half of the spiritual well-being variance. Follow-up…

A study examined stress and coping processes among 133 married mothers and fathers of adults with mental retardation. Mothers used significantly more problem-focused coping strategies. Unlike fathers, mothers' use of problem-focused coping strategies and lower use of emotion-focused coping buffered the impact of caregiving stress on their…

Focuses on the theme of safe and comforting places for children, and how libraries can help provide safe havens for children. Presents a survey of safe places in selected works of children's literature. Includes a sampler of creative activities focusing on the theme, and a list of resources (books and videotapes). (AEF)