Adolescence is a period of growing focus on social interactions and relationships. The peer context is one of the most significant developmental contexts in this transitional period and positive peer experiences contribute positively to adolescent well-being. Although negative peer influence on antisocial behaviour has received much attention, we…

Empathy is a critical factor in maintaining peace, respect and civility in our schools. The experience of reciprocal affect and accurate perspective taking comprise the components of empathy and stimulate the motivation to ameliorate the condition of another. The cognitive, physiological and social development of empathy is described with…

This report summarizes the peace research and curricula that have proved to cause a deep change in the attitudes and behavior of the human being. The document focuses on the last 40 years with the work of the United Nations and UNESCO. It is designed for adults and is dedicated to peace education and peace educators. There are three modules in the…

A recent approach to dealing with adolescent problems is social skills training, which emphasizes specific prosocial alternative responses for problematic situational interactions. Research has shown that social skills training has positive outcomes. However, it is not known whether an emphasis on the cognitive might enhance maintenance and…

The Lilly Endowment's Research Grants Program on Youth and Caring explored the concept of caring, with the intention of effecting changes in settings and practices. This report is meant to give a brief account of the genesis and development of the Program, summarize the issues raised and findings gleaned from the research and investigation, and…

Presents a literature review on the relationship between religiousness and adolescent well-being. Among the findings is that religiousness is positively associated with prosocial values and behavior; negatively related to suicide ideation and attempts, substance abuse, premature sexual involvement, and delinquency. Policy suggestions are offered…

In Latin America and the Caribbean, poverty is not merely a problem of marginalized communities. It is the situation in which 240 million people--50 percent of the population--are living. This report describes research undertaken by the Quality of Life Project, which aims to improve the situation of children in these disadvantaged communities. The…