Examined the developmental benefits of adolescents' close intimate friendships with real same-sex friends and imaginary companions in two studies of adolescents who wrote diaries. Found that, even with a high incidence of imaginary companionship as described in diaries, adolescents preferred intense relationships with close real same-sex friends…

Reviews literature on music as a component of instructional materials. The relationship between music and emotion is examined; the use and effects of music are discussed; music as nonverbal communication is considered; effects on cognitive and attitudinal learning results are described; and emotional, cognitive, and structural needs are discussed.…

Analyzes spontaneous written expression (sampled from 11 workshops) according to a structured model of Creative Poetry Therapy. Finds similarity in the poetic indicators and in the expression of psychological needs, despite profound differences in the composition of the groups (children, youth, adults). Argues that the healing process of poetry…

Describes a multifaceted program established in response to the complex psychological and social needs of immigrant children. The program is based in an elementary public school in a joint partnership with a graduate school of social work. Program focuses on Latino immigrant children, although the principles of the program are sufficiently generic…

Describes the physical losses suffered by various Head Start facilities in the Midwest during the 1993 floods and how program staff helped Head Start children and their families cope with the negative effects of the flood. (HTH)

This article discusses the importance of parental hierarchy in regard to meeting the developmental nurturing needs of the child. It builds on Stonefish's (2000) epigenetic model of hierarchical relationship development. Through complementary and supplementary relationships between parent and child, the child is able to have his or her nurturing…

This study investigated the extent to which mothers' psychological control predicts their children's mathematical performance during the children's transition from preschool to primary school over and above the impact of maternal affection and behavioral control. Also investigated was the extent to which maternal affection and behavioral control…

This study examined longitudinal patterns of affiliation with delinquent friends during late childhood and early adolescence, i.e., from ages 10 through 13, in a sample of 376 participants of both genders. Four groups with distinct affiliation profiles were found: an early affiliative group, a late affiliative group, a declining group (i.e., a…

Emotional competency is defined as developed ability and skills in the areas of self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. These skills are nurtured, developed, and practiced until they become competencies and serve as a resource when a tragic event occurs. They are relatively undeveloped in very young children…

Role-plays and other dramatic activities fulfill tweens' urge to try out different life roles, to explore the world beyond their own reality, and to learn new areas of competence. Wilhelm's research into reading and motivation has shown that students value learning that they can see as immediately meaningful. He argues that drama strategies bring…

Special education teachers were surveyed to determine the social and emotional goals they had for their students with identified disabilities who were educated in the general education classroom for at least 80% of the school day. Seventy special educators reported on the assessment techniques they used to identify students' social and emotional…

Examination of motivational dynamics in academic contexts within self-determination theory has centered primarily around both the motives (initially intrinsic vs. extrinsic, later autonomous vs. controlled) that regulate learners' study behavior and the contexts that promote or hinder these regulations. Less attention has been paid to the goal…

This is a call for community psychologists to engage in research, consultation, and program development and evaluation in supporting military families and communities. Barriers to such involvement are identified and discussed. It is argued that the needs of military families and communities cannot be ignored when military and civilian communities…

There is a general consensus that international students are a high-risk group who have a far greater number of psychological problems than their counterpart U.S. students. International students experience a number of problems due to the massive adjustments they are required to make abruptly in their social and academic lives. A review of the…

Use of the life history technique with the elderly is described in two settings--in a university class and in a class of senior citizens. The technique helps the elderly to record and interpret their histories, to make intergenerational connections, and to experience the continuity of their lives. (Author)