This study is based on a drug prevention project for children in the German-Polish border region known as "Pomerania." The aim of this project was to minimize risk behaviors while developing social skills as protective factors through project-specific training interventions. The present study especially investigates the development of social skills and risk behaviors at German and Polish primary schools in the critical transitional period from primary to secondary school. Data on German 4th graders and Polish 6th graders were collected by means of a longitudinal and control group design through 3rd-party assessment from teachers. The data on social skills was collected through the use of standardized assessment instruments. The study established that social skills could indeed be increased through training and that risk behaviors decreased in both of the treatment groups. The control group showed altogether an increase in risk behavior and a decrease in coping skills. In the Polish treatment group, even risk behaviors which had been detected previously decreased. The German control group showed an increase in risk behaviors and a decrease in coping skills. In the case of the younger German pupils, the effectiveness of the interventions was exhibited indirectly. Despite variations in age and cultural differences, the effects of training were noticeable in children from both countries. The intervention program offered the children adequate assistance in order to successfully cope with this stressful life event. It promoted the development of social skills while minimizing risk behaviors.

303 psychiatric opinions were given between 1947 and 1969 regarding the termination of pregnancy. 45,2 per cent of the applications were supported, 53,4 per cent were rejected. In 10 per cent of the cases neurological disorders were present. 79 per cent of the women had psychiatric disorders among which reactive depressions had a definite majority of 89 per cent. Endogenous psychoses only represented a marginal group. Among the reactive depressive group young unmarried women in their first pregnancy with environmental conflicts and an increased readiness to express suicidal tendencies could be separated from a second group of older married women with one or more children, with fear of the future resulting from the feeling of an imminent in ability to cope, and restraint in the formulation of suicidal thoughts. The frequency of preceding suicidal attempts and the percentage of abnormal personalities were equally high in both groups. The investigated group must clearly be considered to a suicide-endangered high risk group. If abnormal personality traits, preceding suicide attempts, family and social conflicts with existing suicidal tendencies, and a reactivated state of depression occur together a reactive depression must also be considered an important criterium for a supportive attitude.

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