The field of school psychology has the potential to make important contributions to health care in light of the central educational elements of psychotherapy and major health crises. Given that some form of health care reform is imminent, school psychologists now have a unique opportunity to realize long-standing agendas for role expansion and…

Discusses developments related to understanding the etiology, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents over the past decade as they relate to school psychologists. Discusses the "mini-series" edited by Philip Saigh regarding understanding of PTSD. Provides commentary…

A major problem faced by schools across the country is student absenteeism. Although the problem is pervasive in American schools, the attention focused on this issue has been inadequate. Poor student attendance has far reaching effects on the individual, the school, and society in general. The intent of this paper is to document the problem,…

Research indicates that high numbers of African American children receive special education services. To address the overrepresentation of African Americans in special education, this study examined the source of referral and the behaviors that precipitate the referral of African Americans for evaluation due to behavioral or emotional concerns.…

Counseling psychology in South Africa is undergoing significant changes, much like the country itself. The authors examine the state of counseling psychology in South Africa through discussion of both its racial history and present-day positions. The history of psychology cannot be devoid of its politicized past, and remnants of its history are…

As the size and diversity of the older population increases, mental health providers will be called upon to deliver high-quality services to the elderly. However, many of these professionals hold negative attitudes toward the elderly; psychotherapy conducted with older adults by clinicians with such biases could represent a waste of time and…

This study is an examination of the relationship of perceived social support and adolescents' adjustment behaviors over time. The sample (n = 82) included students from two at-risk urban middle schools. Utilizing two measures, the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CASSS; C. K. Malecki, M. K. Demaray, & S. N. Elliott, 2000) and the…

"Disruptive" vocal behaviour is common in nursing homes, but presents significant management challenges. Non-pharmacological approaches have been found to be effective and preferable interventions in such situations. A case study is presented of an 85-year-old woman who displayed frequent screaming and calling out during personal care…

Obesity among children and adolescents is a major public health concern affecting the physical and emotional health of youth while increasing their risk of reduced quality and duration of life. Schools and communities have begun to galvanize to address this epidemic and need quality empirical information to guide their policy, programming, and…

Research has produced mixed results in evaluating whether people are influenced more by computer output than by other information. The present study examined how teachers' perceptions of psychological reports differ when the reports are identified as being produced by a computer program or by a school psychologist. Subjects were 40 experienced…

Psychologists and educators have struggled to understand the devastating influence of racial intolerance on children, on their personality development, and on their academic growth. The emotional and cognitive elements that underlie racial intolerance, along with its theoretical underpinnings, are examined in this paper. It is believed that five…

The use of tests of statistical significance was explored, first by reviewing some criticisms of contemporary practice in the use of statistical tests as reflected in a series of articles in the "American Psychologist" and in the appointment of a "Task Force on Statistical Inference" by the American Psychological Association…

A school psychologist becomes indispensable to a school by responding to school needs and becoming and instrumental part of the solution. An essential prerequisite to responding to a need is first identifying it. However, the need identification process is fraught with pitfalls. Immersion into the culture of the school is critical to establishing…

School psychologists have a long and successful history in making themselves indispensable in schools by expanding their roles and their skills to meet the demands of an ever-changing clientele. As the rates of survival of children with a wide spectrum of genetic and neurodevelopmental disorders and acquired injuries and disease affecting the…

This practicum was designed to evaluate the needs of clinicians in identifying substance abuse issues in severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, and its dynamics in their family histories. This writer designed and administered pre and post questionnaires to both professional and paraprofessional staff members to evaluate attitude…