The demographic, family, medical, and psychiatric characteristics of 87 autistic children, age 3-16, in Hong Kong are described. Follow up of 66 children found the sample to be similar to samples in other countries in sex ratio, intelligence, language ability, behavioral characteristics, and outcome. The Hong Kong sample was dissimilar in other…

Surveyed literature in family therapy, social work, and psychology to determine most important characteristics of beginning marriage and family therapist. Found that no set of skills could be derived empirically. Surveyed experienced counselor educators (N=372) to determine characteristics they found important. Found approximately one-half of the…

This study of 60 male adolescents showed that assaultive offenders' family relations evidenced rigidity and low cohesion and peer relations evidenced aggression. Sex offenders and their mothers reported neurotic symptoms. Peer relations of sex offenders showed low levels of emotional bonding. (RJC)

Reviewed four studies of nonparticipation in adult basic education programs and found that nonparticipants are not homogeneous and have aspirations that may or may not involve education. Determined that nonparticipation is more complex than previously assumed. (JOW)

Of 341 adults, half estimated the incidence of giftedness in Quebecers and half estimated the incidence of talent, and reported on differences between being gifted and being talented. The average estimate for talented persons was 36%, with 17% for gifted persons; the perceived discrepancy was the same even for those respondents who judged the two…

Examines the characteristics of four selected social work journals in terms of their child welfare content. Analyzes journals representing social work education, scholarship, research, and general practice. Identifies and discusses insights about the journals, authors, and content. (DR)

This article highlights studies conducted before 1950 that attempted to provide insights into varying aspects of human ability such as genius and giftedness. Particular attention is given to a 1767 publication on the qualities of original genius written by William Duff and the relevance of Duff's thoughts to the current examination of creativity.…

Discusses development of the Sonnier Model of Hemispheric Preference. Notes frequent references to the senses "visual" and "auditory" rather than the two hemispheric functions "visual" and "analytical." (RS)

Using national survey data on child abuse reporting, the impact of selected case and personal characteristics was examined. Previous abuse, severity, and recantation were powerful predictors of abuse-relevant judgments and reporting intentions. Child age, perpetrator intent, and socioeconomic status also were influences. (BRM)

Examined personality and background characteristics of adolescent sexual offenders (n=21) and oppositional defiant adolescents (n=17) who completed High School Personality Questionnaire. Findings revealed no significant difference between offenders and oppositional defiant adolescents using multiple analysis of variance. Sex offenders tended to be…

This paper reviews research describing demographic characteristics of child abuse cases in the legal system, such as percentage of cases accepted for prosecution; research on children's memory, suggestibility, and similar cognitive and moral capacities; and research focused on children's in-court testimony. (JDD)

Self-Directed Search and NEO Personality Inventory were completed by 102 female and 91 male students. For females, overlap in the two scales was represented by a Nonpersonal-Interpersonal Orientation dimension and Closedness-Openness dimension. For males, dimensions were Closedness-Openness and Introversion-Extraversion. Results were consistent…

Compared characteristics of suicides by jumping to those of suicides by hanging, ingestion, or shooting. Method used was significantly associated with sociodemographics, occupation, and mental health status, even after adjustment for individual access to suicide means. Findings provide evidence for hypothesis that controlling access to agent of…

One in 15 employed women was self-employed in her main job in 1990. The decision to become self-employed appears intricately linked with several other decisions for a woman--as an individual, as a household member, and over the course of her life. (Author)

A study of 52 volunteer mentors of single parents found that 24 of the 30 successful mentors had higher education levels; 20 had social work or training background; 11 successful and 12 unsuccessful mentors had altruistic motives; 19 successful and 3 unsuccessful mentors had career motives; 6 who were motivated by personal experiences were…