Although the use of mindfulness is increasing in other areas of applied psychology, school psychology has yet to embrace it in practice. This article introduces school psychologists to the burgeoning field of mindfulness psychology and to the possibilities that it offers to their discipline. A background on the Western scientific study and…

To advance the role of school psychologists in mental health prevention and wellness activities, in this article we describe (a) a social ecological theory for guiding school-based prevention research, (b) the role of schools in the development and prevention of depression, (c) a continuum of school-based support for meeting the needs of children…

We investigated gender differences of children and adolescents on positive social and emotional competencies using a new strength-based measure of positive social-emotional attributes and resilience--the Social-Emotional Assets and Resilience Scales (SEARS) cross-informant system. Caregivers, teachers, and students in grades kindergarten through…

This article reviews the contributions of the Oregon Resiliency Project, an effort to enhance positive social-emotional development of children and youth through social and emotional learning (SEL). The project was launched in 2001 as a collaborative effort between faculty and graduate student researchers at the University of Oregon. The primary…

This study describes the initial validation of an innovative social-behavioral observational assessment tool that is designed to be used on a repeated basis to assess growth and development of social competence over time to: (a) identify the social functioning of all students, (b) assist in planning support for students at risk, and (c) evaluate…

This article provides an overview of the literature on relational aggression of school-aged children and adolescents, with the specific aim of making this information relevant to school settings and education professionals. Relational aggression is discussed in terms of definitions, terms, and the importance of the school context. The literature…

Examines the symptoms of self-reported internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety) of mid-elementary-age gifted students as compared to a control sample of non-gifted students. Results show that gifted students reported significantly fewer internalizing symptoms than did the comparison group. Findings are contrasted with previous…

Details the development of a new objective self-report instrument--the Internalizing Symptoms Scale for Children (ISSC)--for assessing the broad domain of internalizing symptomatology in children. Discusses results of a factor analysis and describes potential uses of the ISSC. Implications for future assessment in child psychopathology are…

Compared 64 learning-disabled, 46 low-achieving, and 40 average elementary-age boys on teacher ratings of hyperactivity and self-control. Found significant group differences in both areas. Learning-disabled and low-achievement groups differed significantly from average group in social-behavioral competence, with no significant difference between…

Examined uses and concurrent relations of Teacher's Self-Control Rating Scale (TSCRS) and The Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment (Walker-McConnell Scale) through analysis of classroom teachers' referral of students (N=92) with academic problems. Found moderate to high levels of concurrent validity and significant…

Investigated factors considered by 118 school psychologists, 119 principals, and 108 special education teachers in making distinction between students with serious emotional disturbance and those with social maladjustment. Found moderate disagreement between groups on behavioral or background descriptors differentiating emotionally disturbed and…

Examined relationship between social behavior and self-concept among 41 fifth and sixth graders. Teachers rated students on School Social Behavior Scales (SSBS); students completed Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). Found several significant positive relationships between Social Competence scores on SSBS and SPPC self-concept scores.…

Investigates relationships between adolescents' perceptions of their parents' responsiveness and demandingness, locus-of-control orientation, and self-concept rating with students in eighth and ninth grades (N=198). Findings indicate authoritative style of parenting may contribute to development of self-adequacy by being associated with internal…

Presents research findings regarding the relationship of social skills deficits and behavioral characteristics associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among kindergarten-age children. Children with ADHD characteristics (N=95) were rated as having significantly poorer social skills than children without ADHD characteristics…

Examined administration method (standard written administration versus oral administration by an examiner) as a variable influencing children's self-report test scores. Subjects included 139 students in grades 3-6, randomly assigned to an administration condition. Results suggest that method of administration did not affect test performance. (JBJ)