USING OLD SOCIOECONOMIC DATA FOR DEFINING NORM GROUPS

Socioeconomic data for communities are often used to define norm samples for tests. Standardization of the tests frequently occurs several years after the socioeconomic data are collected. Are the socioeconomic data sufficiently stable to be useful several years after they have been collected? To help answer this question, correlations were obtained between 1950 and 1960 census data for three socioeconomic variables for a sample of 200 communities. The socioeconomic data for 1950 and 1960 correlated approximately .90, indicating a high degree of relative stability over a 10-year period. It was concluded that old socioeconomic data are useful for defining norm samples.     

Content and method in a thanatology training program for paraprofessionals

A training program of paraprofessionals was developed in a university teaching hospital. Trainees were exposed to seminars and a supervised practicum. The objectives of the experience included sensitization of persons in the natural helping network to (a) psychosocial needs of seriously ill persons and their families, (b) experience and comfort in interaction with such persons; (c) the structure of the health care delivery system, and (d) the usefulness of peer support groups.