Asks whether or not there is a need, which emerges inescapably during the course of human development, to identify some people as allies and others as enemies. In answering this question, it describes the potential for moral splitting within everyone, and the circumstances that activate this potential. (Author)

Ideas are presented for developing and enhancing a positive self-image in deaf children, focusing on: (1) the impact of positive and negative interactions, and (2) encouraging teachers and others to make an introspective evaluation of their communication with deaf children. (Author/JDD)

Data from the Monitoring the Future Project, a longitudinal national survey of 26,504 high school seniors with an 83% response rate were used to examine short-term health effects of cigarette smoking. The adverse respiratory and other effects of smoking increased with both the amount and duration of smoking and may indicate underlying mental…

Health professionals now understand that child and adolescent depression constitutes a major public health problem. Children's depressive symptoms can be subtle and varied. Adolescent diagnosis is complicated by behavioral manifestations related to hormonal changes. Etiology and treatment remain controversial. Recent pharmacotherapeutic…

Many children come to school without the essential loving backgrounds they need to learn effectively. Children's experiences in the first months and years of life determine how they will later manage their lives and how readily they will use opportunities for formal learning. Meeting infants' and toddlers' needs--providing a "heart…

Explored hypothesis that the need for approval and perfectionism evident in patients prior to treatment for depression would have differential interactions with various therapies. Results showed neither factor interacted significantly with different forms of treatment. Perfectionism was seen as a primary disruptive element in short-term treatment…

Presents a model that integrates individual grief and family grief models and then describes this interaction. Highlights the importance of family processes in each individual's perceptions of the death, as well as each family member's influence on the overall grief reactions and coping strategies of the family system. (RJM)

Sport-specific preparticipation examinations do not address social problems (drug abuse, suicide, murder, accidents, and sex) epidemic among teenagers, but they are often the only contact these youth have with a physician. This article discusses these risk factors and presents methods for assessing them during preparticipation exams. (SM)

An interview with a specialist in childhood trauma examines such issues as what childhood trauma is, what signs teachers should be on the alert for, what traumatized children have in common, how long the effects of trauma last, when psychiatric help is necessary, and how teachers can help. (SM)

Educational change requires a balance among approaches promoting consistency and coordination on the one hand and variety and creativity on the other. Seven metaphors depicting the "changed school" illustrate the conflict educational leaders face when implementing change. This conflict arises in contrasting behaviors elicited by the…

Discusses theories of self and argues teachers may place too much emphasis on achievement, competence, and performance. Suggests focusing on human qualities of kindness and generosity to form a basis for self-esteem and to correct the ethos of competition and achievement. Suggests a basis for self-esteem can be found by distinguishing between…

Examines issues related to the ethics of disclosure in naturalistic inquiry, discussing subtle and less subtle shifts in ethical concerns that underlie positivistic and naturalistic methodologies. The process and products of personal disclosure may be understood with increased efficacy through the application of guidelines customarily applied to…

A qualitative study of 10 mothers who received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and chose to continue their pregnancy examined how the diagnosis was presented, the decision to continue the pregnancy, and the mothers' experiences with professionals from diagnosis to delivery. Mothers' suggestions to others facing the same challenges and to…

Examines the need to cognitively structure reality through the use of stereotypes as a predictor of individual attitudes toward homosexuality. Shows that responses were slightly, yet significantly, related to attitudes toward homosexuality and that the gender of the respondent did not significantly alter the impact. Suggests additional future…

Maintains that, for recovery, victims of prolonged trauma need to attach words to their "unspeakable" experiences. Argues that, as informed members of a treatment team, literacy teachers can play an invaluable role in the recovery of traumatized students. Outlines briefly the symptoms of trauma. Discusses the three stages of recovery and the…