bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological Studies of Aging: Their Origins, Development and Present Challenge
Authors: Welford A. T.
Published: May 2005

Present day psychological studies of aging had their origins in attempts to study, in fundamental terms, performances of people in later middle-age relevant to capacity for industrial work. From these beginnings fundamental psychological knowledge of aging has expanded rapidly during the last forty years. Application of this knowledge to practical problems presents a challenge and a wide field of opportunity. Needs and potentialities for application are considered in the areas of: Industrial and other work, Clinical assessment and intelligence testing, Assessment of attitudes, and Coping with everyday problems in old age and with interpersonal relationships, especially in old people's communities and between old people and caregivers.
Becoming Wise: A Psycho-Gerontological Interpretation of the Book of Job
Authors: Achenbaum W. Andrew , Orwoll Lucinda
Published: May 2005

The Book of Job, a prototypical “wisdom” text from the fifth or sixth century B.C.E., powerfully articulates a good man's struggle to understand unexpected misfortune. In coming to terms with his suffering and gaining understanding of his place in the universe, Job demonstrates the complex, dynamic yet integrative nature of growing wise. Drawing on our synthetic model of wisdom, we claim wisdom occurs in personality, cognition, and conation that transforms intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal experience. We discuss gender-specific obstacles that Job overcomes in attaining wisdom by analyzing modern interpretations of the text, which underscore its perdurance in a post-modern age.
An Application of Log-Linear Models: The Stress-Buffering Function of Alcohol Use
Authors: Aneshensel Carol S.
Published: May 2005

The buffering model hypothesizes that moderate alcohol use lessens the adverse psychological consequences of stress. This model is tested among a community sample of adult men ( N = 356) interviewed twice over a four-month period. Log-linear models are presented to assess the predicted interaction of alcohol use on the relationship between persistent strain and depression. Both alcohol use and strain are found to be related to the odds of subsequent depression, but alcohol use does not appear to modify the effects of strain on depression.
Custodial Grandparenting: New Roles for Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Emick Michelle A. , Hayslip Bert
Published: May 2005

An overview of grandparenting in light of changing demographics, family composition, and intergenerational dynamics is presented, as well as a review of custodial grandparenting which is impacted not only by these changes, but also by factors unique to this role. Research to date suggests that the demands of custodial grandparenting may be harmful to the psychosocial adjustment of those raising grandchildren and that such persons may be particularly in need of mental health services, especially if they are caring for problem grandchildren. However, such work also suggests that there are nevertheless many strengths and rewards associated with raising a grandchild later in life. The implications of these stressful demands on middle-aged and older persons' adjustment and life satisfaction are discussed, as are methodological issues in such research as well as future directions work in this area might take.
Some Methodological Problems, Solutions and Findings from Evaluating Risk Reduction Projects
Authors: Goldstein Harris K. , Di Nitto Diana
Published: May 2005

Three methodological problems and solutions used in comparing the effects of five risk reduction projects in Florida are reported. Some findings are also included to show how solutions effect outcome and because they were considered useful to the field of drug education.

The question whether the five projects should have different stated objectives because they expected baseline data on similar target groups to be different was resolved by permitting these differences. Baseline data, however, showed no significant difference from project to project for similar target groups. A better design for future projects would be two sets of objectives, one unique to each project and one facilitating inter-project comparisons.

A related problem was whether the same instrument could measure changes which were expected to be different because of different baselines, different target groups and different treatment methods from project to project. One instrument with two sections was used: one section to measure changes unique to each project and one for changes expected to be common to all projects. This was a satisfactory solution, but a longer instrument with more common items was suggested for future projects.

A third problem was that each project differed in both length of program and type of program. Analysis of findings used content analysis to hold one of these constant while noting changes in effects from variations in the other. Because of the small number of sites, this was only partially successful. Effects of projects in the future would be more comparable if at least two projects had either identical program types while varying program length or vice versa.

Changes in knowledge of effects of smoking and drinking appear most likely related to programs of “mixed” type containing educational elements aimed at producing positive self-awareness, and including exposure to a range of enjoyable and rewarding non-drug activities.
Effects of Computer and Noncomputer Environments on Students' Conceptualizations of Geometric Motions
Authors: Johnson-Gentile Kay , Clements Douglas H. , Battista Michael T.
Published: May 2005

This study investigated the effects of computer and noncomputer environments on learning of geometric motions. Two treatment groups, one of which used specially designed Logo computer environments, and one of which used manipulatives and paper and pencil, received eight lessons on geometric motions. Interviews revealed that both treatment groups, especially the Logo group, performed at a higher level of geometric thinking than did a control group. Both treatment groups outperformed the control group on immediate and delayed posttests; though the two treatment groups did not significantly differ on the immediate posttest, the Logo group outperformed the nonLogo group on the delayed posttest. Thus, there was support for the effectiveness of the curriculum and for the notion that the Logo-based version enhanced the construction of higher-level conceptualizations of motion geometry.
Psychosocial Moderators of Substance Use among Middle School-Aged Adolescents
Authors: MacNeil Gordon , Kaufman Allan V. , Dressler William W. , Lecroy Craig Winston
Published: May 2005

Recent statistics show a decrease in the overall use of drugs and alcohol in the general population [1]. In sharp contrast to this trend is the indication that adolescents' use of drugs and alcohol is increasing [2]. Because the use of drugs and alcohol can have serious implications for adolescents' physical, emotional, and social development, it is important that human service practitioners working with them understand those factors that influence their substance use, in order to develop effective interventions to deal with this growing problem. This article reports the findings of a study of drug and alcohol use among a sample of 779 adolescents who attended middle schools in a large urban city in the southwest United States. The study examines the relationships between substance use, social support, and a variety of other psychosocial factors. The implications of those relationships for human service practice and research are discussed.
A Multivariate Comparison of Elderly African Americans and Caucasians Voting Behavior: How Do Social, Health, Psychological, and Political Variables Effect Their Voting?
Authors: Bazargan Mohsen , Kang Tai S. , Bazargan Shahrzad
Published: May 2005

No study until now has examined the impact of the physical and psychological condition on voter turnout among elderly African Americans and Caucasians. Utilizing data from a national survey (Aging in the Eighties) and using multiple logistic regression, the present study examines the impact of health rating and life satisfaction as well as other socio-psychological characteristics on voting turnout among elderly Caucasian and African Americans. The results provide some empirical evidence that the pattern of election participation can be significantly influenced by the self-assessment of health and life satisfaction. For elderly Caucasians self-assessment of health is significantly related to voting behavior, whereas among elderly African Americans life satisfaction shows significant impact on turnout. Elderly African Americans who identified their personal political philosophy as “liberal” were more likely to vote, while among elderly Caucasians, those who identified their personal political philosophy as “conservative” were more likely to vote. In addition, SES, age, and organizational activity proved to have significant independent impact on elderly Caucasian turnout, whereas among elderly African Americans, education was detected as a significant predictor.
Relations Between Health-Related Quality of Life and Well-Being: The Gerontologist's New Clothes?
Authors: Spiro Avron , Bossé Raymond
Published: May 2005

Is the recent construct of health-related quality of life (HQL) distinct from what gerontologists have long referred to as “well-being” or “life satisfaction?” We addressed this question using data from men in the VA Normative Aging Study to examine relations among twelve scales assessing HQL and seven scales of well-being (WB). We hypothesized that these two constructs would be distinct factorially, and that the derived factors would have different correlates. Correlations between scales of HQL and WB were moderate. When the nineteen scales were factored, four factors were extracted with HQL and WB scales generally loading on separate factors. The factors had distinct patterns of relations with general quality of life, personality, and the presence of a health problem, controlling for sociodemographics. These results suggest that HQL is distinct from the older construct of well-being. Although the two constructs are conceptually related, there is only a moderate amount of statistical overlap between them. Gerontologists should readily adopt health-related quality of life, which maintains continuity with such classics as well-being. This new construct, although needing slight alterations to broaden its assessment of well-being and life satisfaction, holds promise as more than an accessory in the study of health and well-being among older persons.
Measurement of Subjective Quality of Life of Elders
Authors: Ranzijn Rob , Luszcz Mary
Published: May 2005

There are two aims in this article, to define subjective quality of life and to suggest a way to standardize its measurement to enable comparisons to be made across studies. One of the unresolved issues in gerontological research has concerned the definition and measurement of quality of life (Lawton, 1991). This article focuses on subjective well-being, one of the four components proposed by Lawton (1991). There seems to be a growing consensus that most scales of well-being have at least two concepts in common, positive and negative affect. To test this hypothesis, two well-being scales, the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (Lawton, 1975) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977), were subjec ted to confirmatory factor analyses, using data on 1717 participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing aged between 70 and 103 years. Each scale was shown to contain factors of positive and negative affect. The article concludes with a suggestion that the measurement of quality of life in elders should include, at a minimum, scales of positive and negative affect as well as other measures relevant to the aspect of quality of life under consideration.
Speculative Gerontology Revisited: The Herd Instinct
Authors: Seltzer Mildred M.
Published: May 2005

Using as a vehicle the history of “Speculative Excursions into the Everyday Lives of Old People” (or some variant of that title) sessions at the Gerontological Society of America's Annual Scientific Meetings, this article is a semi-serious discussion of the place of humor in gerontology. The article describes the purposes of these sessions, the reactions of colleagues, the rejections of papers, and the hopes and future prospects of Speculative Excursion Gerontology.
Young Children's Attitudes and Perceptions of Older Adults
Authors: Burke Judith Lee
Published: May 2005

Children ages four to seven judged relative ages of unfamiliar adults from photographs and chose photographs of adults in response to sociometric items. Age discrimination was highly accurate by age six. Children identified older adults as sad, lonely and not busy, but older adults were bypassed on items like “knows a lot” and preferences for teachers. In interviews, most of the children accurately identified older people by relying on physiognomic cues. Most described their grandparents as examples of known older people and expressed positive views of the activities they share. Images of passivity, and of older people engaged in domestic, but not “outside” work were also present. Children's attitudes were found to parallel those held by older adults in recent polls; older children in the sample were more likely to hold stereotypical images. Two-thirds of the children preferred not to grow old. Contact of children with older adults other than their grandparents was limited, especially in work settings or schools. It was concluded that deliberate programming in preschools and elementary schools is important to offset early ageist attitude formation.
Expectations and Outcomes after Hip Fracture among the Elderly
Authors: Borkan Jeffrey M. , Quirk Mark
Published: May 2005

Hip fractures among the elderly are a common occurrence, with high social and personal costs. Sequelae not infrequently include loss of independent functioning, permanent disability, and death. This prospective study of a cohort of eighty recently diagnosed “hardy” hip fracture patients examines initial rehabilitation expectations using a combination of methods. The study addresses the relationship between initial expectations and changes in ambulatory status from prefracture to three months post-fracture. The importance of previous experience with illness is also explored.

Participants who had positive expectations for recovery and those who had greater previous experience were likely to have less negative change in ambulation from prefracture to three months, and better overall ambulation at three months. The findings suggest a relationship between patient expectations for recovery and actual recovery of ambulation, and support the heretofore “clinical impression” that cognition and affect influence the course of rehabilitation after hip fracture.
Do Past Experiences Predict Agitation in Nursing Home Residents?
Authors: Cohen-Mansfield Jiska , Marx Marcia S.
Published: May 2005

The relationships between the three syndromes of agitated behavior aggressive, physically nonaggressive, and verbally agitated) and three aspects of past personality (exposure to stress, history of a mental disorder, and leisure habits) were examined in 408 nursing home residents. Results showed that residents who had experienced the following stressful events during their lives — a life-threatening experience, separation from spouse, retirement, financial problems, and immigration — exhibited more physically nonaggressive behaviors (such as, pacing). Residents who had not experienced the stressful event of relocation manifested more aggressive (e.g., hitting) and physically nonaggressive behaviors. Neither history of a mental disorder nor past preferences for leisure activities were found to be related to agitated behaviors manifested by nursing home residents. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.
Caregiver's Anticipatory Grief in Dementia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Theut Susan K. , Jordan Linda , Ross Louis A. , Deutsch Stephen I.
Published: May 2005

Twenty-seven wives who care for their spouses suffering from dementia completed the Anticipatory Grief Scale (AGS) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist—SCL-90-R. The alpha coefficient for the AGS was 0.84, indicating good internal consistency. The AGS was also positively and significantly correlated ( p < 0.001) with the depression, anxiety, and hostility dimensions of the SCL-90-R, demonstrating good validity. This study explores bereavement issues of spouses of patients with dementia and provides preliminary findings on a new instrument to measure anticipatory grief.
Measuring and Interpreting School-Based Prevention Outcomes: The New York City Model
Authors: Sullivan Arthur P. , Guglielmo Robert , Opperman Prudence
Published: May 2005

Theoretical standpoint, procedures and instruments used to evaluate school-based substance abuse prevention in the New York City public schools are detailed. Outcome measures are discussed, and the argument is made that the process by which the outcome behavioral change was achieved must be explored before the outcomes are certified as beneficial and appropriate for an educational environment. The changes in the meanings the student attaches to objects and events in his environment and the way in which he construes his environment and self which are antecedent to behavioral change are explored by obtaining written responses from the student, but more fully by repeated observation of the prevention process for the duration of the prevention activities. If the changes in meaning and construct are likely to enhance the student's life, the outcome behaviors are judged adequate. A further argument is made that prediction of future behaviors can be made from the meaning and construct data, and these favorable or unfavorable predictions caused by changes attributable to prevention activities can serve as a basis for evaluation of the prevention work, even in the absence of presently observable behavioral outcomes.
Need for College Drug Education Courses
Authors: Eddy John , Knoderer M. Barbara
Published: May 2005

The need for graduate level drug education courses for educators is presented. A review of three different studies indicated that many educators have not taken college credit courses in drug education. Recommendations containing both process and content elements consistent with the recommendations of the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse for drug education are proposed.
Friendship in Childhood and Adulthood: Lessons across the Life Span
Authors: Sherman Aurora M. , de Vries Brian , Lansford Jennifer E.
Published: May 2005

Friendship occupies an important place in the growing body of literature in child development and gerontological research. As such, it may be useful for researchers from both fields to consider what can be learned from work carried out in each tradition. Therefore, we present a selected review of topics in friendship research across the life span. Through discussion of the value of friendship, the development of friendship, challenges to friendship, the gendered nature of friendship, and the connection between friends and family, points of commonality and contrast are identified. We conclude by presenting possible avenues for future investigation for researchers interested in friendship at any point in the life span.
Failing to Act: Regrets of Terman's Geniuses
Authors: Hattiangadi Nina , Medvec Victoria Husted , Gilovich Thomas
Published: May 2005

The regrets reported by Terman's intellectually gifted subjects were analyzed to determine the nature of their regrets, whether they are the same as those reported by the general population, and whether they stem predominantly from errors of omission or commission. A 1986 survey of these subjects in their advanced years (mean age = 74) asked them to specify what they would do differently if they could live over again. An analysis of their responses indicated that, like the population as a whole, they harbor many more regrets of inaction than regrets of action. The implications of these findings for a proposed temporal pattern to the experience of regret is discussed.
Sex Differences and Interpersonal Relationships: A Cross-Sectional Sample in the U.S. and India
Authors: Norman Dennis K. , Murphy J. Michael , Gilligan Carol , Vasudev Jyotsna
Published: May 2005

This study introduces a methodology for exploring sex differences and life span patterns in a small sample for the purpose of generating hypotheses concerning the frequency and kinds of relationships people identify as important. Sixty-two participants from the United States and India, ranging in age from nineteen to seventy-five were interviewed as part of a study on ego and moral development. These open-ended, semistructured interviews yielded information on relationships that was subsequently coded for analysis. Sex differences were found in the number of relationships mentioned, with females mentioning a higher number of relationships than males. Life span patterns regarding the number of relationships mentioned were different for men and women between ages nineteen to thirty-one, with women naming more relationships. At age thirty-five there was a convergence in the number of relationships mentioned by both sexes. This age also was the low point in the number of relationships mentioned by both sexes, with later life ages (50–75) the high point for both. The most marked differences in the kinds of relationships mentioned occurred between the two cultures. The U.S. participants mentioned parents and immediate family more often, while the Indian participants mentioned extended and collateral kin more often. These findings support the literature suggesting that there are developmental sex differences regarding the salience of interpersonal relationships. In addition, several age related patterns appear concerning frequency and types of relationships considered important.
Child and Adolescent Drug Use: A Judgment and Information Processing Perspective to Health-Behavior Interventions
Authors: Cvetkovich George , Earle Timothy C. , Schinke Steven P. , Gilchrist Lewayne D. , Trimble Joseph E.
Published: May 2005

Information-based interventions to health behavior enjoy considerable popularity and are frequently used. This is so despite the fact that they often fail to successfully change health behavior. This article develops a transactional process model of human judgment and information processing that directs attention away from the mere accumulation of information to the needs, motives, and abilities of the information user. It is argued that the model can be used to improve the effectiveness of information-based interventions. Two structural aspects of drug use images are discussed in detail: personal mental images related to drug use/abstinence and the selection of images pertinent to drug use. The developed model suggests what specific judgment and information-processing changes should occur as the result of successful information-based intervention.
Predicting Exercise in Late Midlife from Young Adult Personality Characteristics
Authors: Schnurr Paula P. , Vaillant Caroline O. , Vaillant George E.
Published: May 2005

This study explored the relationship between personality and exercise over the life span by using young adult personality characteristics to predict current exercise behavior in late middle-aged male graduates from the Harvard University classes of 1942 to 1944. After controlling for prior exercise behavior, body build, and fitness in young adulthood, we found that personality variables improved classification accuracy in discriminant analysis, and especially improved identification of frequent exercisers. Personality variables positively associated with frequent exercise include affective vitality, integration, lack of anxiety, and lack of shyness. Results are interpreted as supporting a psychobiological account of exercise behavior. Caution is suggested in generalizing the results to other populations, such as less privileged socio-economic classes or females.
Experience Sampling with Elderly Persons: An Exploration of the Method
Authors: Hnatiuk Sarah H.
Published: May 2005

The daily lives of a sample of elderly widows (> 69 years of age) were studied using the method of experience sampling developed by Csikszentmihalyi and his colleagues [1]. The purpose of the study was to investigate the response of elderly people to experience sampling as a means of collecting information about their activities, thoughts, and moods during the course of one week. The method proved acceptable to the majority of participants and yielded reliable, valid data about their home lives, particularly from among the younger, more physically able women. Experience sampling was, within certain limits, a useful method of obtaining information from elderly people.
Trends in Violent Death among the Elderly
Authors: Wilbanks William
Published: May 2005

Since a literature review produced no study of violent death rates over time among the elderly, the author presents data to suggest the extent to which rates for homicide, suicide, all accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and other accidents have changed in the U.S. for each age category from 1960 to 1975. Rates for these causes of death among the elderly are also broken down by sex and race. While homicide rates among the elderly have increased over this sixteen year period by approximately 100 per cent there has been an offsetting decrease in rates for the other violent causes of death. Consequently, the overall violent death rate among the elderly has decreased significantly over this time period. The pattern of decreases in accidents and suicide and increases in homicide is also found when the elderly population is broken down by sex and race.
Trends in Financial Satisfaction among Middle-Age and Old-Age Americans, 1972–1996
Authors: Hsieh Chang-Ming
Published: May 2005

Using data from the General Social Surveys (1972–1996), this study decomposes the trends in financial satisfaction into intercohort and intracohort patterns to assess the intracohort change and cohort replacement effects on financial satisfaction. The results suggest that a positive intracohort component of financial satisfaction trends, indicating more financial satisfaction with time; and a negative intercohort component, indicating that younger cohorts are less satisfied financially. The multivariate analysis further suggests that the change in financial satisfaction trends is mostly due to a strong intercohort replacement effect. That is, the change in financial satisfaction trends can be largely accounted for by the intercohort replacement effect of younger cohorts' being less satisfied financially.
Stress, Health, and Mental Health Symptoms of Older Women and Men
Authors: Sinnott Jan D.
Published: May 2005

The objectives of this inquiry were to examine Langner mental health symptomatology screening scores in a community-dwelling sample of older adults, and to explore relations between Langner scores, health, and stress. Older adults ( N = 364), who were participants in a study of sex roles, were interviewed in their homes concerning mental health symptoms, health, recent life stress, sex-role conflict, and demographic factors. Respondents reported relatively few symptoms. Symptoms were related to health and independent reports of nervousness and depression in both sexes, and to age in men, but not to stress and conflict in either sex. Mental health symptom screening devices may not mean the same thing for male and female older clients and should be used with caution until behavioral validation can be done.
Exploring Intra-Ethnic Diversity among Four Groups of Hispanic Elderly: Patterns and Levels of Service Utilization
Authors: Dietz Tracy L. , John Robert , Roy Lonnie C.
Published: May 2005

This study investigates service use by a sample of 2,135 Hispanic elderly in order to address the issue of the homogeneity or heterogeneity within the older Hispanic population as revealed by the use of formal services. Factor analysis revealed a high degree of homogeneity in the patterns of formal service use among the four Hispanic groups in this study that follows three latent, but distinct, patterns of behavior: the use of federal entitlement programs, in-home services, and senior center services. Although the patterns of service use reflect substantial homogeneity among the Hispanics in this sample, there is a high degree of heterogeneity in the level of service use. Overall, service use was systematically lower among “Other” Hispanic elders and systematically higher among Puerto Rican elders, with somewhat more erratic use among Cuban American and Mexican American elders. Controlling for between-group differences in socio-demographic characteristics did little to reduce relatively systematic between-group differences in levels of service use.
Smoking Behavior Change among Junior High School Youth
Authors: Reid Elizabeth Lindsay , Stone Donald B.
Published: May 2005

The authors studied a sample of junior high school students who had made a change of behavior either from smoker to nonsmoker or from nonsmoker to smoker. The purpose of the study was to identify those attitude-belief factors associated with a change in smoking behavior.

Results from this study indicate that there are certain attitude and belief characteristics that correlate highly with current smoking behavior status. This study has also shown that the attitude-belief scale employed by the authors was sensitive to change of attitudes and beliefs by reflecting significant changes in total scores obtained by the different smoking behavior groupings.
The Development and Validation of the Computer Apathy and Anxiety Scale
Authors: Charlton John P. , Birkett Paul E.
Published: May 2005

A new computer attitudes scale entitled The Computer Apathy and Anxiety Scale is presented. The scale is shown to have a stable factor structure, and consists of three subscales, interpreted as Computer Apathy, Computer Anxiety, and Societal Overemphasis of Computers. The first of these reflects a behavioral component, the second an affective component and the third a cognitive component. It is argued that the constructs of computer apathy and anxiety are highly related, but distinct. Possible uses of the scale are discussed in the context of a brief review of the literature on computer anxiety and computer dependency, the emphasis being on gender-related issues.
Interactive Performance Assessment in Computer Science: The Advanced Placement Computer Science (APCS) Practice System
Authors: Bennett Randy Elliot , Wadkins J. R. Jefferson
Published: May 2005

The Advanced Placement Computer Science (APCS) Practice System is an instructional assessment device meant to give students practice in, and feedback on, elementary programming tasks. The system includes a programming editor, item pool, two feedback facilities, and electronic portfolio tools. Students write Pascal procedures using the editor, test them with system-generated data, and, for selected problems, can call for a nonsyntactic analysis that produces a partial-credit score and a diagnostic commentary. Results of solution testing and nonsyntactic analysis are recorded by the portfolio tools. This article describes the system's background, instructional model, feedback facilities, and potential uses.
An Evaluation of Two Visiting Programs for Elderly Community Residents
Authors: Bogat G. Anne , Jason Leonard A.
Published: May 2005

While many researchers have asserted that social participation enhances psychological well-being among the elderly, few empirical investigations have studied this relationship by systematically enhancing activities and developing supports for the isolated elderly. In the present study, elderly community residents participated in a network-building visiting program, which reinforced and encouraged involvement in community settings; in a relationship-oriented visiting program, which emphasized empathy and concern; or in a nonequivalent control group. All three groups were administered pre- and postpoint scales on life satisfaction, health, depression, I-E, current and desired social networks, telephone calls, and visitors. Weekly activities and biweekly quality-of-life-ratings were collected on the two experimental groups. At the program's end, the network-building group exhibited directionally higher means on most variables; however, few significant differences were found. Prepoint correlates of current and desired networks emerged as central factors affecting the psychological well-being of participants in this study.
Low Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Substance-use Problems
Authors: Riley Hannah , Schutte Nicola S.
Published: May 2005

This study explored the relationship between low emotional intelligence and substance-use problems in adults. One hundred and forty-one participants completed the Self-Administered Alcoholism Screening Test [1, 2], the Drug Abuse Screening Test [3], an emotional intelligence scale [4], and a measure of psychosocial coping [5]. Low emotional intelligence was a significant predictor of both alcohol-related problems and drug-related problems. Poorer coping predicted drug-related problems, but not alcohol-related problems. Coping was not found to be a significant mediator between emotional intelligence and substance-use problems. Possible implications for intervention and treatment efforts are discussed.
Second Thoughts about Silicosis
Authors: Rosenberg Beth
Published: May 2005

The decisions that a society makes can lead to workplace and environmental illness and injury. After some years working on the hazards related to exposures to silica and studying interventions to prevent them, the author assesses the results of her efforts. She succeeded in getting silica added to the list of substances regulated under the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act, though not easily. And she found some of the obstacles to doing so nonsensical or stubbornly resistant. The next step, she foresees, is leveraging that outcome to ban or limit the use of sand in blasting operations. But in the course of her work, she also has seen that interest in mitigating the dangers of silica, which is strong among medical and public health professionals who rightfully argue that nobody should be made ill today by this completely preventable problem, is tepid among the workers most affected by it. Although they understand the dangers of silica, it is not their main concern, and she understands why. In future work, she concludes, it may be more worthwhile to allow the community of workers to set the agenda and to help them achieve their goals.
Older People—The Reserve Army of Volunteers?: An Analysis of Volunteerism among Older Australians
Authors: Warburton Jeni , Le Brocque Robyne , Rosenman Linda
Published: May 2005

In Australia, as in other Western countries, policy-makers are turning their attention to older people, particularly the early retired, as a rich potential source of volunteers. This study examines volunteer behavior in a sample of older Australians in either their immediate pre or post retirement phase. It involves a secondary analysis of data collected for a study on retirement, and seeks to examine the main social and demographic differences between those who volunteer and those who do not. The key concepts associated with volunteering are the availability of 1) time and 2) social and personal resources. Logistic regression analyses revealed that volunteers are significantly more likely to come from the higher occupational classes, are less likely to be self-employed, and are more likely to view their health positively. Implications of these results for social policy are discussed.
The Cumulative Effects of Life Event, Personal and Social Resources on Subjective Well-Being of Elderly Widowers
Authors: Balaswamy Shantha , Richardson Virginia E.
Published: May 2005

A multidimensional Life Stress Model was used to test the independent contributions of background characteristics, personal resources, life event, and environmental influences on 200 widowers' levels of well-being, measured by the Affect Balance Scale. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that environmental resources were unrelated to negative affect which is influenced more by the life event and personal resource variables. The environmental resource variables, particularly interactions with friends and neighbors, mostly influenced positive affect. The explanatory model for well-being included multiple variables and explained 33 percent of the variance. Although background characteristics had the greatest impact, absence of hospitalization, higher mastery, higher self-esteem, contacts with friends, and interaction with neighbors enhanced well-being. The results support previous speculations on the importance of positive exchanges for positive affect. African-American widowers showed higher levels of well-being than Caucasian widowers did. The results advance knowledge about differences among elderly men.
A Cognitive Model for Conceptual Change in Science Instruction with a Focus on Educational Software Development
Authors: Rezaei Alireza , Katz Larry
Published: May 2005

In this article the authors introduce the Inventive Model as a theoretical base for science instruction and for software development in science education. The Inventive Model is a constructivistic approach to conceptual change. This model is presented as a response to the urgent need for a theoretical framework for software development in the area of conceptual understanding in science and mathematics. The model is based on the theoretical works of the pioneers in the field as well as the recent innovative/effective practices in science instruction. Some components of the model have been tested successfully in the past. However, the effectiveness of the whole model needs to be tested.

Natural language understanding is a major limitation of computer-based instruction [1]. However, in this article it is shown how simple diagnostic tests, students' log files, and other advantages of computer assisted instruction (CAI) may compensate this limitation. In ongoing research the authors are developing an instructional multimedia program for conceptual change in physics based on the model. The multimedia program can be used individually, in small groups, or by the whole class under the teacher's guidance. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between the individualized version of the multimedia program and the traditional physics instruction are the main goals of the ongoing research.
A Look at Some Current Programs
Authors: Seabright Carol L.
Published: May 2005

Drug abuse prevention programs have been proliferating across the country without much exchange of information. The author has reviewed a number of drug abuse prevention programs outlining such aspects as the basic orientation and comprehensiveness of the programs and the audiences to whom the programs are directed. The review also covers the different individuals involved in the direction and presention of the program and their use of persuasive and educational techniques. The different types of training for those involved in the presentation are also reviewed. Some conclusions are presented about drug education programs based on opinions of drug education experts, and some suggestions are included for a model that could be formulated from the review.
Paired Keyboards as a Tool for Internet Exploration of Third Grade Students
Authors: Peters Joseph M.
Published: May 2005

This study focuses on the use of paired keyboards attached to a single microcomputer as a means to facilitate internet exploration. A classroom teacher with nineteen years experience and an educator worked with an intact third grade class of twenty-nine public school students. Children worked in pairs, with one child considered as the knowledgeable other who, through interaction with a partner, might extend the partner's Zone of Proximal Development. This type of learning environment allowed for selective intervention among groups which facilitated and accelerated internet exploration and made the experience a much more successful and rewarding one. Interviews along with ongoing weekly observations were employed to examine this scaffolding approach while the students were on-line. The use of paired keyboards become, in a Vygotskian sense, a tool in children's learning. Review of the process indicated that this approach enabled students who were unfamiliar with either computers or the internet to be successful in their quest for information and global collaboration. The implication is that meaningful learning takes place when educators are creative in the way that computer hardware/software is used in support of facilitating education through internet exploration.
Thursdays With Morrie: The Use of Contemporary Literature in a Death and Dying Course
Authors: Masters Julie L.
Published: May 2005

Educating college students about death and dying can be a difficult task when their experiences have been limited to trivial encounters through television and movies. The use of a book such as Tuesdays with Morrie (Albom, 1997) in a course on death and dying offers both college age traditional and older non-traditional students an opportunity to become acquainted with the dying process and to confront contemporary issues such as the September 11th tragedy in a non-threatening manner. This article describes the method in which this book has been incorporated into a death and dying course, a sampling of questions used with a class project and an overview of the adjustments made since its inception as a required reading.
Do Parents Today Need Drug Education Programs as Badly as their Parents Needed Them?
Authors: Manning Terri Mulkins , Banfield Kimberly Casper
Published: May 2005

The purpose of this article was to determine if being socialized in a drug culture has increased knowledge levels and eliminated the need for adult drug education programs. A large group of parents was surveyed and it was found that the parents of the late 1980s had knowledge levels only slightly higher than the parents of the early 1970s. Today's parents significantly lack the knowledge and resources to informatively educate their children. Parental knowledge of and attitude toward drugs and alcohol were assessed in relationship to the ages of their children, parental educational level, parent's age and parent's past drug experience.
Values Clarification in Drug Education: A Comparative Study
Authors: Smith Bryan C.
Published: May 2005

The purpose of this study was to measure the relative effectiveness of two methods of teaching drug education to preservice elementary school teachers. The methods compared were the traditional teacher confined approach, and the value clarification group-centered process. The latter approach was found to be superior in all ways measured. Members of this group read more independently, achieved greater gain scores in affective and cognitive testing, and they developed a sense of community that brought them together to solve problems.
Centenarians: Their Memories and Future Ambitions
Authors: Merriam Sharan B. , Martin Peter , Adkins Geneva , Poon Leonard
Published: May 2005

Research investigating how the recall of one's past functions in maintaining psychological well-being and/or adaptation to the aging process is widely scattered and generally inconclusive with regard to significant findings. One way to address the lack of a systematic research thrust is to replicate previous work. The purpose of the study reported herein was to replicate Costa and Kastenbaum's 1967 study of the relationship between past memories and future ambitions of centenarians using data from the Georgia Centenarian Study. Ninety-seven centenarians and 189 eighty- and sixty-year-olds were asked the same four questions as found in the Costa and Kastenbaum study. Contrary to Costa and Kastenbaum's results, no significant relationship was found between the ability to recall three types of past events and being able to conceive of the future in the Georgia study. Other similarities and differences in findings between the two studies are discussed.
Correlates of Reported Drug Abuse Problems among College Undergraduates
Authors: Wright Loyd S. , Moore Ron
Published: May 2005

Among 619 students enrolled in freshmen level psychology classes at Southwest Texas State University 13.5 per cent of the males and 4.2 per cent of the females reported that they perceived themselves to have drug abuse problems. Male drug abuse problems were significantly related to perceived maternal emotional problems, parental rejection and angry parents, conflicts with parents, reported physical abuse by a parent, suicidal thoughts, delinquency and feelings of being bored, unappreciated, unrecognized, dependent, unstable and dissatisfied. Female drug abuse problems were significantly related to perceived parental emotional problems, maternal drinking problems, parental depression, parental anger and parental rejection, poor relationship with father, reported physical abuse by a parent, conflicts with and between parents, unhappy childhood, delinquency and feelings of being shaky, bored, unrecognized, troubled, unstable, dissatisfied and unhealthy.
Marital Relationships in Late Adulthood: Synchronous versus Asynchronous Couples
Authors: Kulik Liat
Published: May 2005

The article presents a study on marital relations in late adulthood, conducted among a sample of 469 Israeli couples, who were divided into four groups based on occupational status and spousal timing of retirement. Two of the groups were categorized as synchronous: pre-retired couples (both partners are close to retirement); and retired couples (both partners are retired), and two of the groups were categorized as asynchronous: employed husband/retired wife and retired husband wife/employed husband. Differences between the groups were examined in three areas: Division of tasks in the home; marital power relations; and quality of marriage. Regarding division of tasks in the home, feminine tasks were usually more egalitarian among retired couples and retired husbands/employed wives than among pre-retired couples and employed husbands/retired wives. In addition, synchronous-retired couples were found to be more egalitarian than synchronous-pre-retired and asynchronous employed husbands/retired wives with regard to general tasks, while masculine tasks were usually carried out by husbands in all four groups. With respect to quality of marriage, the pre-retired couples expressed more marital complaints than did the retired couples, while no differences were found between either of the asynchronous groups. Nonetheless, marital power relations were generally egalitarian in all four groups.
Interaction Effects of Students, Drugs and Alienation
Authors: Jones Woodrow
Published: May 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction effects of students, drugs and alienation in a large university. More specifically, the study attempts to test the linkages of both social and political alienation with drug behavior. By using a statistical technique to test for interaction the study found that certain forms of alienation were important predictors of drug usage. The interaction terms which composed these forms of alienation were evaluated as to their comparative ability to produce drug behavior.