Elaborates the concept of "keystone target variable selection" for school psychological practice. "Keystone variables" refers to relatively narrow targets for change having the most widespread benefits to clients. The hypothesized benefits of selecting keystone targets for change include more effective and efficient interventions. (KW)

This article describes the Dina Dinosaur Social, Emotional and Problem Solving Child Training Program for young children with conduct problems. The program emphasizes training children in skills such as emotional literacy, empathy or perspective taking, friendship and communication skills, anger management, interpersonal problem solving, and…

Therapeutic games were invented or adapted to assist in counseling deaf children with emotional or behavioral difficulties. The games dealt with assertiveness, giving/receiving compliments, problem-solving, being a friend, self-control, and paying attention. The games helped in overcoming: negative attitudes toward counseling, communication…

Describes an instrument designed to assess the suicide potential of youth (ages 14-18) who are at risk for suicidal behaviors. Two samples were used to examine psychometric properties of the Measure of Adolescent Potential for Suicide (MAPS). Results revealed strong validity (content, criterion, construct) and reliability (internal consistency)…

Surveyed 154 nursery school teachers in Greece concerning their perceptions of the nature and extent of behavior problems exhibited by their pupils. Found that geographic region and the location of the nursery school (city, town, or rural area) affected teachers' perceptions of children's emotional and developmental problems, but not conduct…

Factors that place older adults at risk for problems associated with the bereavement process are identified and discussed. Provides guidelines for distinguishing between normal bereavement depression and clinical depression, discusses the impact of different types of loss, describes three types of intervention, and explores countertransference.…

Potential long-term effects of the trauma of severe sexual abuse on a child's sense of living in his/her body and in the world are explored. Trauma and dissociation are analyzed and linked to a posttraumatic sense of personal identity. Then dissociation, multiple personality disorder, eating disorders, somatization disorder, self-mutilation, and…

Reviews "La Educacion Preescolar: Desafio y Aventura" (Lavanchy Bobsien); "Working towards Better Childcare" (Peeters and Vandenbroeck, editors); "Children's Savings: A Study in the Development of Economic Behavior" (Sonuga-Barke and Webley); "Curvas de Crecimiento Estaturo-ponderal en Escolares" (Saez Crespo and others); and "Helping Bereaved…

Sixty-nine female college students report more depressive symptoms and more maladaptive attributional styles than 64 male college students as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory and the Expanded Attributional Style Questionnaire. A study involving 77 male and 95 female college students' responses to the Selves Questionnaire supports these…

A selective view of the professional literature indicates that, although most adoptees are well within the normal range of functioning, as a group they are more vulnerable to various emotional, behavioral, and academic problems than their nonadopted peers living in intact homes with their biological parents. Methodological problems associated with…

The study, with 89 gifted girls in grades 1-12, found decreased self-regard, self-confidence, inner courage, and self-assurance with increased age. Levels of perfectionism, hopelessness, discouragement, and emotional vulnerability rose with increasing age. Findings suggest the need for strong identity information and models and the encouragement…

Sixty-seven female elementary education preservice teachers participated in a cognitive self-instructional procedure aimed at eliminating or reducing negative emotions related to student teaching by altering their self-talk. The training program significantly reduced subjects' anxiety about teaching. (SLD)

Examined relation between college students' (N=172) expectations about counseling and measures of students' psychosocial development. Found significant relations between students' expectations about counseling and scores on Student Development Task Inventory, but no significant relations were found between scores on Expectations about Counseling…

Outlines issues that socially and economically disadvantaged urban students may face (student jobs, family problems, home factors, feelings of inadequacy, and financial factors) that may contribute to their lack of preparation and interest in school. Offers some humanistic strategies for effectively managing urban secondary classrooms, and notes…

Presents various signs that may indicate emotional problems in children or teens, noting that if children exhibit any of the warning signs, it is important to talk to a doctor, counselor, or mental-health professional. The warning signs are categorized as things that trouble the child, things that limit the child, behavior problems, and sudden…