Study indicates states with high urban homicide rates also had high rural homicide rates, but no such relationship was found with suicide rates. Social disintegration was strongly associated with urban and rural suicide rates; however, rural suicide rates were higher in states that were relatively more urbanized, and rural homicide rates were…

Applied eight categorical definitions of "rurality" to all 93 Nebraska counties. Cluster analysis yielded four clusters of counties that exhibited substantial differences from one another. Discussion includes implications for policy and research. Tables and reference list. (TES)

Finds that 44 urban Virginia and rural West Virginia ministers faced similar challenges following 1985's severe floods, but differed in available resources, varieties of disaster relief roles they took, extent of posttraumatic stress symptoms, and strategies used to meet community needs. Contains 14 references and the interview instrument. (SV)

Analyzes the 1983 distribution of inpatient mental health facilities and estimated inpatient beds for all 3,137 U.S. counties categorized on an 18-position urbanization scale. Finds services available in only 13 percent of all nonmetro counties and in virtually none of the most rural, nonadjacent, nonmetro counties. Contains 30 references. (SV)

Finds that, among 36 of 42 Nebraska juvenile court judges, rural judges were more likely than urban judges to take an activist role in obtaining services for youth, to have an informal relationship with local service providers, and to welcome non-judicial solutions for problem youth. Contains 29 references. (SV)

A survey and three measures of attitudes toward disabilities were completed by 391 undergraduate and graduate students in human services fields (62 percent in nursing). Groups categorized by size of home community generally were similar in attitudes, except that rural-origin students had more negative attitudes on two factors: derogatory…

Presents a factor analysis of the psychological constructs of "ruralness" and "urbanness" of place and person using university student survey. Found that population and physical environment account for perceived ruralness of place, but did not identify factors that account for ruralness of person. Includes three tables and references. (Author/TES)

Compares rural and urban child and adolescent partial hospital mental health programs in Pennsylvania. Rural areas were much smaller, more exclusively served adolescents, had stronger financial and administrative links to local community health centers and special education authorities, and had more deficient educational facilities. (KS)

A classification of nonmetropolitan counties based on type of economy, socioeconomic level, and land use was applied to inpatient psychiatric services data of the National Institute of Mental Health. The scarce inpatient mental health services in nonmetropolitan areas were located mostly in nonfederal general hospitals in specialized-government…

Block granting disburses mental health funds largely at the discretion of state mental health authorities, and state priorities typically focus on the most severely ill persons. Rural centers may suffer because multipurpose programs responding to a wide range of community needs are excluded from the mental health service delivery concept. (JHZ)

Introduces five papers in special issue on prevention in rural mental health services. Emphasizes importance of giving attention to characteristics of the rural population and to the scarcity of information about prevention applied to special conditions of rural settings. (LFL)

Examines the relations among achievement motivation, locus of control, and the occupational and educational aspirations of 92 rural and 98 metropolitan 11th graders from South Dakota. Rural subjects had lower occupational and educational aspirations but did not differ from urban subjects in achievement motivation or locus of control. (Author/TES)

A study of 34 lesbian women in an informal helping network in a rural community found that nearly half were uninvolved in heterosexual social networks. For help with personal problems, respondents turned to other lesbian women and nongay friends who knew of their affectional status. (JHZ)

Examines relationship of client and therapist characteristics to length of stay and premature treatment termination in 595 psychotherapy cases at a rural Arizona community health clinic. Finds results similar to those obtained in urban settings: small number of psychotherapy sessions attended and tendency to premature termination unrelated to…

Suggests that rural cummunity psychology focus on preventive interventions instead of traditional service delivery. Discusses special nature of intervention in rural communities, types of preventive interventions, understanding/utilizing community social ecology, and training issues. Advocates greater preparation for rural psychology and greater…