Psychosocial theories focused on the intrafamilial transmission of anxiety often concentrate on specific parenting behaviors that increase risk of anxiety disorders in children. Two such theories--affectionate versus affectionless control--both implicate parenting, although differently, in the pathogenesis of childhood anxiety. The present article…

A search of the literature to differentiate among definitions of physical discipline, corporal punishment, and physical child abuse identified five studies which revealed that abusive parents spanked their children more often than did nonabusive parents. Aggregated data from nonabusive parents suggested a "normal range" of daily spanking…

This discussion focuses on elements of children's immediate experience that influence their food preferences. Some evidence suggests that there may be sensitive periods early in life that are critical for the formation of food preferences and aversions. Additionally, the familiarity and the sweetness of foods appear to be important determinants of…

The 3-year-old's mode of expressing separation distress, observed during nursery school adaptation, was explored in relation to parental child care styles. The father-child relationship and the nature of parental differences were associated with the quality of nursery school adjustment, as illustrated by case reports. (Author/DB)

Reviews and critiques research that has assessed the effect of infant temperament on caregiver behaviors and concludes that the relationship between temperament and caregiving behavior has not been adequately tested. Offers conceptual and methodological guidelines for future research. (HOD)

Patterns among children in foster care are described, such as having little contact with or information about their biological families, feeling that they have no control over their lives, and needing help in coping with separation and loss. Recommendations for supporting these at-risk and special needs children are discussed. (JDD)

Characteristics such as prematurity, illegitimacy, handicaps, or behavior deviations have been found with high frequency in abused children. Aggressive/coercive behavior may be typical of child rearing techniques in abusing families who tend to be socially isolated and experience environmental stress. Investigators must interpret such factors with…

This paper presents examples of nonconscious or intuitive parental behaviors in parent-infant dyads in which the parent or child is deaf, discusses these behaviors in terms of the ways they help infants adapt to the postnatal environment and transition from preverbal to verbal development, and examines difficulties in parent-infant interactions.…

After a number of years of study by many experts, adolescent sexual intercourse, pregnancy, and childbearing have continued to elude understanding and control. Orthodox students and clinicians have studiously avoided the moral dimensions of such behavior, in spite of the social reality of values and expectations that reject precocious sexuality.…

This paper cites published literature and quotations from parents in discussing the pressures of adolescence on hearing-impaired youth, rebellious behaviors that are specific to speaking and listening, adult attitudes regarding speech use and auditory function, and strategies for coping constructively with adolescence. (JDD)