Discusses effects of long-term parental illness, focusing on effects on children. Describes effects on family homeostasis and family coping mechanisms. Discusses school counselor's role in bringing about a more balanced viewpoint of power and sharing within the family. Recommends establishing a strong therapeutic bond, assessing what the child is…

Reviews research on stresses associated with normative developmental transitions, the effects of psychological stress on adult parenting and parent-child interactions, and stresses associated with transition to parenthood during adolescence, with emphasis on school-age parents. Provides suggestions for design of developmentally and ecologically…

Parent-child attachment has been extensively confirmed as a central contributing factor to children's positive developmental outcomes. Theory and research imply that the non-parental caregiver is an important figure that may assist parents in the development of a secure attachment relationship with their infants. Specific practices that increase…

In order to develop an understanding of the history of childhood, an interdisciplinary approach is needed. Such an analysis presents special challenges, since different traditions of inquiry and interpretation generate different research questions and correspondingly divergent versions of the past and its relationship to the present. At this point…

For many children, sports participation develops skills and provides a fun activity. For others, however, it may have negative effects, including loss of self-esteem, depression and agressive behavior. Major psychological issues associated with youth sports are discussed and suggestions on how to encourage a child's participation are offered. (JL)

Reviews recent research showing that child and parent, or caregiver and care receiver in nonfamilial, group settings, need each other reciprocally and need to find mutual fit. Focuses on stress laid on importance of dependence support, attachment behavior, and mutuality of caregiver and care receiver. Discusses effect of day care and significance…

Describes the theory of logical consequences and its use as an alternative to punishment. Presents concrete examples of logical consequences and illustrates its use in three case studies. Discusses implications for parents and counselors. (RC)

Identifies the common elements from three popular adult development theories (Gould, Levinson et al., and Sheehy). Synthesizes these elements into a framework for describing development during the young adult years. Defines the concept of developmental transition. Discusses the implications of a composite adult development framework for helping…

Describes a class of paradoxical interventions the author calls "parental reversals" which involve inducing parents to reverse either their injunctions or their position regarding a problem with a child. Presents three types of paradoxical interventions, a taxonomy, and guidelines for their selection and implementation. (Author/JAC)

The significant difference between life-event scores of mothers providing adequate care and of mothers providing inadequate care indicates that environmental stress is an important factor in the etiology of child abuse and neglect. However, there are multiple causes and stress is only one part of the explanation. (Author)

The problems facing an epileptic eight-year-old girl following a seizure in the classroom are discussed. The girl's epilepsy, in this instance, served to exaggerate an already existing conflict between the mother and father. Family counseling was implemented to help resolve the problem. (PHR)

This commentary focuses on new directions in the study of fathers and families. Several topics that are ripe for more theoretical and empirical scrutiny are outlined. These include the biological determinants of fathering, cultural constraints on fathers, the impact of becoming a father on men?s development as adults, and an intergenerational…

Professional standards of practice for psychologists are vital in child custody work. The psychologist should examine all parties involved and should be acutely aware of and compliant with the current state laws as related to child custody. Objectivity is of paramount importance. This can best be achieved if the psychologist is appointed by the…

The value of infant stimulation is stressed in a report on the characteristics of infant development. The following five areas of development are discussed: sensorimotor, language, mental, emotional, and social. Stages of development during the first year in each of the areas are surveyed, and traditions in different countries are highlighted to…