Self-concept and adjustment data from anatomical males seeking sexual reassignment surgery were compared with that from a male homosexual group. Findings indicated that the homosexual group had a better self-image and was better adjusted than the sex change group. (Author)

Presents a model emphasizing the interactions between reorganization of social systems and individual competencies in old age. The model suggests the process by which loss of coping abilities and feelings of worthlessness develop. Implications for effective intervention with the elderly are discussed. (DP)

Results indicated that it is possible to distinguish children on predispositions such as social and task orientation and self-assurance sufficiently well to predict their behavior in certain specific situations. (Authors)

Adjustment to having a sibling who is gifted was explored with 366 triads consisting of a mother and two children, ages 7 through 14, of whom either one child was gifted, both were gifted, or neither was gifted. Having a sibling who is gifted did not appear to be stressful. (SW)

Examines frequently used measures and procedures in social comparison research. The question of whether a method truly captures social comparison requires a clear understanding of what social comparison is; hence a definition of social comparison is proposed, multiple ancillary processes in social comparison are identified, and definitional…

Rational Emotive Education (REE), derived from Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), is a humanistic approach for helping children cope more objectively and effectively with the stress of modern living and personal problems. To investigate the efficacy of teaching REE, 38 acting-out and 42 socially withdrawn adolescents were randomly assigned to one of…

Areas of psychological theory relevant to the coming out process are discussed, including identity formation, self-disclosure and self-validation, and socialization. Differences are noted in the experiences of men and women with regard to conformity to and violation of sex-role expectations, as well as to political and legal issues. (Author/WI)

This study is a preliminary effort to delineate areas in which male and felmale clients in a university counseling center are viewed and treated differentially. (Author)

Examined factors influencing Asian Indian immigrant acculturation references and how acculturation styles may be associated with adolescent psychological functioning. Found that parents and adolescents had similar acculturation styles, but adolescents were more likely to identify as Indian American. Adolescents with integrated acculturation style…

Developed two self-report measures of belongingness (social connectedness and social assurance) based on self psychology theory. Measures proved to be highly reliable and unidimensional. Social connectedness was related to one's opinion of self in relation to other people. Social assurance correlated with one's reliance on other people. (RJM)

Ninety individuals with social phobia were randomly assigned to a waitlist control group, a cognitive-behavioral therapy group, or an exposure therapy group without explicit cognitive intervention. Two independent raters classified more than 2,000 thoughts that were reported by participants while anticipating socially stressful situations at…

This research examined the hypothesis that a tendency to base one's self-worth on peer approval is associated with positive and negative aspects of children's well-being. A sample of 153 fourth through eighth graders (9.0 to 14.8 years) reported on need for approval, global self-worth, social-evaluative concerns, anxiety and depression, and…

Evaluation and results of this program study revealed significant overall improvements in adolescents who had participated in a therapeutic rehabilitation program. Further research needs to be done into areas where the treatment program was a failure. (Author/DEP)