Showing papers by "Michael Rutter published in 1983"

Stress, coping, and development in children

Abstract: How does stress affect the coping abilities of children? Is response to stress a matter of nature, nurture, or both? Is stress good, bad, or neutral? From a multiplicity of viewpoints, twelve eminent researchers and clinicians here examine the problems of stress in children. Considering stress from a neurochemical as well as a developmental perspective, they examine a wide range of specific stressors including prematurity, hospitalization, birth of a sibling, deprivation, death of a parent, divorce, and war. "Stress, Coping, and Development in Children" is a work of signal importance to psychologists and to every mental health professional involved with infants and children.

School Effects on Pupil Progress: Research Findings and Policy Implications.

Abstract: RUTTER, MICHAEL. School Effects on Pupil Progress: Research Findings and Policy Implications. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1983, 54, 1-29. Some of the differences in conclusions on whether schooling influences pupil progress have stemmed from the use of difference concepts of school "effects." These are reviewed in terms of the proportion of the variance accounted for, the reduction of inequality, and the raising of standards. It is argued that multiple indicators of school effectiveness are required; these should include scholastic attainment, classroom behavior, absenteeism, attitudes to learning, continuation in education, employment, and social functioning. The methodological issues inherent in the determination of school effects in raising standards are reviewed, with an emphasis on the need to control for variations in intake and to determine whether the differences among schools in pupil outcome are attributable to measured features of the schools themselves. It is concluded that there are important school effects that probably represent causal influences. The school features that might be responsible for beneficial effects on pupil progress are reviewed in terms of resources and physical plant, size of school and class, organizational structure, composition of student body, degree of academic emphasis, classroom management, discipline and pupil conditions, pupil participation and responsibility, and staff organization. The policy implications that stem from the research findings are considered.

Cognitive deficits in the pathogenesis of autism

Abstract: En rupture avec les conceptions initiales proposees de l'autisme, l'auteur soutient que ce trouble ne consiste pas dans un trouble d'abord affectif, ni ne se limite a un deficit du registre du langage, ni ne se definit par les handicaps sociaux qui affectent le sujet, mais que l'autisme est fonction d'un deficit crucial dans le domaine cognitif. Ce deficit cognitif est fondamental au double sens du terme, dans le mœsure ou il n'est pas secondaire aux autres traits qui caracterisent l'autisme et ou il est sous-jacent aux autres handicaps qui accompagnent l'autisme. Considerant cette definition comme un acquis des recherches les plus recentes, l'auteur pose la question des relations de cette dimension cognitive fondamentale dans l'autisme aux dimensions du desir et de l'affect

Children in lesbian and single-parent households: psychosexual and psychiatric appraisal

Abstract: SUMMARY Thirty-seven school-age children reared in 27 lesbian households were compared with 38 school-age children reared in 27 heterosexual single-parent households, with respect to their psychosexual development and their emotions, behaviour and relationships. Systematic standardized intervews with the mothers and with the children, together with parent and teacher questionnaires, were used to make the psychosexual and psychiatric appraisal. The two groups did not differ in terms of their gender identity, sex role behaviour or sexual orientation. Also, they did not differ on most measures of emotions, behaviour and relationships-although there was some indication of more frequent psychiatric problems in the single-parent group. It was concluded that rearing in a lesbian household per se did not lead to atypical psychosexual development or constitute a psychiatric risk factor.

Stress, coping and development: some issues and some questions

Abstract: SUMMARY The concept of psychosocial stress is reviewed in relation to empirical findings on the effects of different types of life, events in childhood and adult life. It is concluded that the concept is unhelpfully broad and that the events need to be subdivided according to their characteristics and meaning. In considering all types of, stimuli, individual differences in response are crucial; so-called stressors may have no effect or may be cither beneficial or harmful in their sequelae, The elements involved in these individual differences include personal characteristics, vulnerability and protective factors, a person's cognitive appraisal of the event and his process of coping with it. The various ways in which stress events may influence later development are discussed with particular reference to the possibility of altered sensitivities to later stress.

Prevention of children's psychosocial disorders: myth and substance

Abstract: A critical appraisal of primary prevention of children9s psychosocial disorders indicates that our knowledge on this topic is limited and that there are few interventions of proven value. Nevertheless, there are possibilities for effective prevention. Myths associated with unwarranted claims for the value of prevention are reviewed in terms of unproven assumptions that: (1) prevention cuts costs; (2) prevention in childhood will improve adult health; (3) improved living standards will reduce mental illness; (4) sensible interventions can only be beneficial; (5) providing people with information leads to preventive action; (6) the main issue in prevention is implementing what we know; (7) the best approach is to tackle the basic cause; and (8) the crucial issue is to identify that one basic cause. Principles of causation are discussed and a model of causative influences is used to consider potentially effective primary prevention policies with respect to those directed at (a) individual predisposition; (b) ecologic factors; (c) influences on opportunity and situation; and (d) current stresses and strengths. It is concluded that a good deal is known about risk factors and the areas in which primary prevention might be effective, but that less is known concerning precisely how to intervene in order to bring about the desired results. There is a potential for effective primary prevention but, so far, it remains largely unrealized.