Integrating theory, research, and practical applications, this book provides a comprehensive examination of defense mechanisms and their role in both normal development and psychopathology. The author describes how children and adults mobilize specific kinds of defenses to maintain their psychological equilibrium and preserve self-esteem,…

As a result of an effective feminist movement and effective technological developments, men are faceing drastic and dramatic changes in their personal and work lives. Consequently, more men, and specifically more older men, are entering psychotherapy than ever before. Men in their 50's are facing problems associated with shifts away from…

Research indicates that families that adopt have many problems that would have existed even if the adopted child had been a biological member of the family, but that become more complex and intense due to adoption. A psychosocial and psychodynamic perspective toward family life suggests that in the adoption process, child and family pass through…

Explored timing of widowhood and its long term effect on morale among Anglos, blacks, and Mexican-Americans aged 45 to 75 years. Age was related in a weak manner to morale among widowed Anglos and Mexican-Americans. Current availability of widowed peers, rather than the timing of the life event, appeared to be more important for morale. (Author/BL)

Although self-esteem (SE) has been studied across the life span and across social groups, few studies have focused on the changes in self-esteem within a social group. To investigate the cohort and gender differences in SE in three-generational families (child, parent, grandparent generations), 6 members of 47 families (282 individuals) completed…

The personal problems and psychological needs of college students may vary according to their living arrangements. To compare the types and number of problems resident and commuter students bring to a university counseling center, the intake data of 345 students (152 dormitory residents, 193 commuters; 177 women, 168 men) seeking individual…

Traditional- (n=103) and nontraditional-aged (n=85) women majoring in education were surveyed concerning the relationship of multiple roles to student role strain and affective well-being. Multiple role incumbency was unrelated to student role strain for either group but was positively related to well-being in the nontraditional-age group.…

Analysis of interactions during 55 videotaped interviews of high-risk sex abuse cases found no support for the assumption that a credible disclosure of abuse must include the display of emotion by the child. Some behavioral differences between preschool and school-age children were found, but no gender differences. (Author/DB)

By critically examining a variety of personological and environmental attributes that influence a person's disclosure patterns in individual or group therapy, the paper attempts to present a clearer picture of self-disclosure as a crucial part of the therapeutic relationship. Following a definition, the paper is arranged into eight parts. Part 1…