The psychometric integrity of a measure of ecological stress in families with children who are handicapped was investigated using bootstrap factor analytic logic and the FACSTRAP program. The instrument is known as the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress--Friedrich short form. Subjects included both parents (N=132) in each of 66 intact families.…

While the open oceans remain relatively unpolluted, many coastal areas are suffering from oil, sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural run-off. This document presents some of the key facts related to these kinds of water pollution. It focuses on the major sources of contamination in the world's seas, and provides an overview of how these…

Members of a group of hospitalized children under 4 years of age (48 under care for child abuse, 97 for accidents, 41 for failure to thrive, and 23 for ingestions) were matched individually on age, social class, and race with controls suffering from comparable acute medical conditions. A structured maternal and paternal interview yielded 63…

Depression is the single most widespread mental health problem facing the elderly, with pharmacotherapy the most frequent standard treatment modality for these patients. A psycho-therapeutic alternative to pharmacotherapy is Life Enhancement Counseling, a counseling approach matching therapeutic techniques to client characteristics and providing…

One hundred and eighty school personnel held a workshop with representatives of the petroleum, natural gas, and electrical power industries. The objectives of the workshop were (1) to provide participants with a common body of knowledge and a common understanding of the energy crisis and its implications for the public schools, (2) to delineate…

This paper summarizes the findings of a series of studies on the effects of "ecological variables" on mother-father-sibling-infant interactions. Under consideration were: (1) the effects of stress on the parental preferences of young infants; (2) the effects of the presence of one parent on the interactions within the other parent-infant dyad; (3)…

Reports on an investigation into the behaviors and attitudes of visitors viewing a public exhibition about environmental problems concerning Madrid (Spain). Results indicated that the major variable related to the amount of time spent viewing specific photographs was related to the location of the photographs. (TW)

Introduces classroom and other activities for teaching the importance of the tropical rain forest. Includes some resources and reading materials. (YP)

Describes Ocean Thermal Energy Conservation (OTEC) as a method for exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface waters of the sea and its cold depths. Argues for full-scale demonstrations of the technique for producing energy for coastal regions. (TW)

Discussed are the costs of deriving energy from the earth's natural reserves of salt. Argues that, as fossil fuel supplies become more depleted in the future, the environmental advantages of salinity power may prove to warrant its exploitation. (TW)

Describes the work of a Unesco-sponsored workshop which was held to develop population education materials specifically intended for the illiterate and semiliterate population, the rural poor and urban slum dwellers. Principal users of the materials are to be nonformal educators. (TW)

Discusses the perceived lack of use of games and simulations in population education programs. Describes two games, "Teaching Tips--Futures Wheels," and "A Card Game on Family Welfare." Reproducible game cards are included. (TW)

Describes the philosophy, history, curriculum, faculty (22), and students (200) of the College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor, Maine), which offers a single degree: Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology. (MH)

Describes a simulation game in which the objective is to highlight the social, political, economic, and environmental factors related to the building of a natural gas pipeline. Groups of players represent private enterprise, government, local people, environmentalists, and news media. For journal availability, see SO 507 287. (Author/CK)

This study examined relationships between parenting, severity of disability, and 5 aspects of family ecology for 83 preschool and 69 elementary school children with disabilities. Family ecology variables included socioeconomic status, coping styles, social support, stressful life events, and marital quality. Results showed positive correlations…