The IOR project (Idea and reality underlying educational reforms of higher education) used women's life stories as case studies to help understand the reforms of higher education during an expansive, "rational" planning period. The project gathered data from 300 women who returned questionnaires. A central topic in the IOR-questionnaires…

Research shows that subjective indices of social integration are related to general well-being. In order to study the relationship between social interaction and well-being, 31 healthy Caucasian adults, with a mean age of 73 years, were given two questionnaires. The first contained eleven subjective social interation variables and was derived from…

A 12-item list of human abilities/activities was developed to measure quality of life of 9 rheumatoid arthritis adults from 2 aspects: "present condition" and "relative importance" of each item. Pilot testing indicated that importance and present condition represent different aspects. Differences between self-assessments and physicians'…

Measures of occupational stress were completed by 16 vocational rehabilitation placement officers in New Zealand. There were high negative correlations between job stress and life satisfaction, and subjects reported particularly high levels of role conflict in their work. Strategies for stress reduction focused on improving communication and…

Gerontologists have shown particular interest in whether old people's morale or life satisfaction is influenced by the quality of their residential environment. The extent to which older persons' assessments of their lives are influenced by their place of residence was examined through structured interviews with a random sample of 400 persons aged…

A 1981 mail survey revealed evaluations by 701 Alabama farmers of recent life experiences in farming and expectations for life quality in the future as a function of farm structural characteristics were more important determinants of well-being than were farm structure dimensions. (NEC)

The validity of the Five Dimensional Life Satisfaction Index was evaluated with 48 adults with moderate mental retardation. Results showed reliability of alternate forms and internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and construct validity. (Author/DB)

This guide examines the evolution of human services systems toward the recognition that individuals with handicaps can make consumer choices and should be included in decision-making sessions. Consumers with disabilities are seeking empowerment through their presence and participation in political processes and community events. Choices regarding…

The Neugarten Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA) was completed by 760 randomly selected farm residents in an upper midwest state. Significant differences were found between mean LSIA scores according to subjects' education level and income but not age or gender. Generally, as education and income level increased, life satisfaction increased. (JHZ)

Comparison of 160 adults with Down's syndrome (DS) and their aging mothers with 253 adults with mental retardation resulting from other causes (and their mothers) found that the DS mothers reported less conflicted family environments, more satisfaction with their social supports, and less stress and burden associated with caregiving than did the…

Studies conducted in the 1960s (Aldous and Hill, 1969) examining the quality of life in families based on their affective and financial resources identified the childbearing stage and the stage when adolescents were present as especially stressful periods. Findings from the 1978 Quality of American Life survey (Campbell and Converse, 1980) were…

Presents a thorough analysis of a massive survey done in Moscow in 1991. The survey covered a wide range of topics, including attitudes towards education, teachers' job satisfaction, and criminal tendencies among young people. The survey differentiates between occupational and social groups. (MJP)

Presents the concluding section of a thorough analysis of a massive survey done in Moscow (Russia) in 1991. The survey covered a wide range of topics including; attitudes towards education, teachers' job satisfaction, criminal tendencies among young people, and others. Preceding sections appear in an earlier issue. (MJP)

Examines 218 black migrant farm workers to determine applicability of Index of General Well-Being, compare level of mental health with that of the general population, and assess and identify variations in subjective well-being. Finds lifestyle, social support, housing conditions, age, sex, and education influence subjective well-being. Discusses…

Presents a brief overview of the current disintegration of Russian society. Maintains that the decline in social services and the education system, in particular, threatens the well-being of Russian children. Currently Russia's educational system is failing to provide for its students' needs. (MJP)