Used clustered sample household survey of 329 males and females aged 14 to 17, and 470 of their parents to examine influence of parental factors on adolescent sexual behavior and contraceptive use. Found parents' reported behavioral norms accounted for 5% of variance in whether adolescents had had intercourse, and for 33% of variance in…

Examined parent-child relationships and self-reported delinquent behavior in over 700 adolescents. Indicated that males were more delinquent than females; adolescent gender was not related to strength of parental attachment; both males and females were closer to mother than to father; and closeness to father was the better predictor of delinquent…

Questionnaire responses from parents (N=146) of sixth graders indicated strong support for the inclusion of a broad range of sex education topics including more sensitive topics, regardless of parental age, sex, marital status, income, education, or child's sex. Results suggest that these parents found a broad sex education program in the school…

Studied high school students' (N=31) perceptions of significant adults as well as possible relationships between facets of alienation. Results showed parents were the adults most frequently named as significant. Teachers were not often chosen. There were no differences in adult relationship patterns between alienated and nonalienated students.…

Examined the amount of time adolescents spend viewing television. Findings indicated that adolescents viewed television 147 minutes per day. Employment of mother significantly affected the time adolescents spend viewing television. Sex of adolescent, age of father, mother, and adolescent, education of father and mother, income of family, and day…

Examined contribution of personal, interpersonal, and demographic variables to prediction of adolescents' problems among 391 Yugoslavian adolescents. Found personal and interpersonal variables to be better predictors of adolescents' problems than were demographic variables. Best predictors were neuroticism (personal variable) and nurture of father…

This study examined the relative impact of parent and peer reference groups on frequency of marijuana use in a nonrandom sample of university students. Ordinal type scales and tau-b provide a statistically strong degree of association between the type of reference group orientation and marijuana use. (Author/SJL)

Examines the prediction of delinquency in early adulthood. Results indicate relationships between aspects of parenting and severe delinquency and arrests/convictions, but not minor delinquency. The interaction of low levels of maternal communication/problem-solving skills and negative family variables was associated with higher rates of…

Study explores why some female adolescents in La Paz, Bolivia, become pregnant while others in similar circumstances avoid early pregnancy. Results reveal that girls who had experienced a pregnancy were less likely to have reported affectionate and supportive parents, more likely to have reported fighting in their home, and exhibited lower levels…

Surveyed 813 adolescents to examine the relationship between father absence and adolescent drug use and sexual activity. Found that while adolescents were more likely to discuss problems with peers than parents, father absence was related to behavior problems, especially for boys. (JAC)

Dean's alienation scale was employed with a sample of adolescent suicide attempters. Several variables were examined by multiple regression procedures and eight found to be statistically significant. The fact that adolescence, by itself, seems to be a good predictor of whether a person will attempt suicide is discussed (Author/SJL)

A representative sample of 347 college men and women were queried on their experience with premarital sex. Responses were correlated to subjects' self-reported philosophy of sex, relationship with parents, physical attractiveness, religious feelings, drug use, commitment to last sexual partner, and attitudes toward marriage and women's liberation.…

Tested an empirically based prediction model of school dropout on juvenile delinquents (N=137). Identified four factors yielding a high level of prediction: misbehavior in school, disliking school, the negative influence of peers with respect to dropping out and getting into trouble, and a marginal or weak relationship with parents. (Author/ABB)

Examined the parent-peer orientation of 236 high school seniors. Results showed race was the strongest predictor of parent-peer orientation: Blacks tended to be more parent oriented. Respondents with high self-esteem were more parent oriented, while respondents who had an internal locus of control tended to be more peer oriented. (JAC)