The developmental period of adolescence is explored in Swaziland from a multidisciplinary perspective. Study compares early anthropological research with contemporary interviews of Swazi parents. While the Swazi language has no term for "adolescent," there is evidence of a definite developmental period which could be defined as…

Investigated differences between what people believe is proper premarital sexual behavior, what they do and what they think others are doing at five stages of dating. Results indicated persons are more restrictive in beliefs, more permissive in behavior, and most permissive in perceptions of others. During the early stages of dating, males and…

Studied relationship between gender and delinquency among inner-city adolescents (n=64) in court diversion program. Males were more likely to be referred for violations of law, to have been arrested, and to have engaged in aggressive offenses/selling drugs. Females were more likely to be referred because of status offenses. Gang membership had…

Young adolescents (N=163) were administered a 23-item self-report inventory measuring antisocial behaviors. Results showed antisocial behavior to be multidimensional and to have different factor structures for males and females. The three factors accounting for the majority of variance in antisocial behavior are discussed in terms of…

Assessed sexual maturation and sociosexual behaviors in 101 nine- to 11-year-old low and middle income Black children. Data confirmed that girls were more advanced in sexual maturation than boys. Results of a self-report behavior scale indicated sexual behavior was related to physical development in boys but not girls. (JAC)

Differences between males and females in regard to conflict behaviors toward same-sex and opposite-sex peers were examined in a sample of 501 undergraduate university students. Findings support the view that preferences regarding conflict behaviors are different for males and females, particularly as exhibited toward same-sex and opposite-sex…

Studied whether or not masculine and feminine traits relate to self-reported delinquencies of males and females. Assessed the relationship between gender traits and delinquency when opportunity and social control variables were controlled. Data suggested a lack of relationship between gender traits and delinquency as measured by frequency and…

Investigated the influence of the feminist movement on preadolescents' conceptions of sex role behaviors in a sample of 321 students in grades five through eight. Results showed that, while significant sex differences existed, boys who felt positively about Womens Liberation tended to have lower male stereotype scores. (JAC)

Explored possible gender differences in clothes-shopping behavior among adolescents. Findings from 387 college students revealed that: parents financially assisted sons and daughters equally; there was no gender difference in shopping frequency; mothers more frequently shopped with sons than with daughters; fathers rarely shopped with any…

Examined self-perception during late adolescence as a correlate of individual temperament. Found that positive self-perception correlated with approaching, flexible, and positive mood patterns, and with high task orientation. Different aspects of self-perception showed distinct relationships with specific temperament dimensions. Noted men's and…

Examined patterns of rural adolescent alcohol use and factors associated with such use. Found gender and grade in school to be significant predictors of alcohol use for age at first drink, frequency of drinking, amount of drinking, and a composite heavy drinking index. Time spent in social acitivities was also significant. (Author/ABB)

Surveyed alcohol use patterns among Mexican American (N=402) and Anglo American (N=116) college students. Results indicated significant differences in whether or not students drank, with whom they drank, how frequently, where, and what they drank. Found ethnicity had the strongest influence. (Author/RC)

Prevelance of self-reported victimization was found to be high, both while youth were in and out of school. Males and younger students reported higher rates of victimization. Males and 9th grade students were more likely to report engaging in delinquent behaviors. Students who report moderate/high levels of delinquency were more likely to report…

Investigates rural and urban adolescents' perceptions of mental health. Provides insight into rural and urban students' perceptions of problematic behaviors, who should intervene, and how. Recommends that health care providers help adolescents expand their range of coping behaviors, especially in regard to alcohol abuse and violence. (Author/GCP)