This study found race and sex differences with regard to proximity, smiling, and touching among preschoolers who posed for photographs with a same-sex peer and with an infant. (PCB)

Compared 723 third- and fourth-graders with and without cross-sex friends on measures of social and cognitive competence, endorsement of sex role stereotypes, and family composition. Found that children with primarily opposite-sex friends had poorer social skills than children with mostly same-sex friends, although they were less stereotyped about…

Interviewed second through sixth graders to assess parameters of worry. Found that girls reported more worries than boys, and African American students reported more worries than white or Hispanic students. The three most commonly reported areas of worry were school, health, and personal harm. Anxiety was significantly associated with worry. (BC)

Internal-external control (IE) expectancies of disadvantaged Head Start children were compared with those of middle class children in one Montessori and two parent cooperative nursery schools using the Stephens-Delys Reinforcement Contingency Interview IE measure. Middle class groups had significantly higher internal control scores than Head Start…

An observational method was used to investigate the effects of race, socioeconomic status, and the child's sex on maternal interactive behavior. Both free-play and command periods were used. Of the three independent variables, socioeconomic status proved to be the most significant in determining the nature of maternal behavior. (Author/CS)

Studied the psychological well-being of 159 white and black students during the transition to junior high school. Group differences in adjustment were examined with respect to race, sex, and academic competence. Adjustment patterns were found to be complex and highly differentiated. (PCB)

Assesses the effects of gestational age, race, and sex on neurobehavorial responses of 510 singleton infants who were evaluated at term conceptual age using a modified Prechtl Neurologic Examination. Results suggest that gestational age at birth is the most influential variable; race is also important, but gender has minimum impact. (Author/CB)

Examined factors that influence children's competence in mathematics when they begin first grade. Results indicated that parent education, family economic resources, and parent expectations influenced children's competence. Race and family structure, when considered apart from other variables, were not significant influences. (PCB)

Reports a comparison of depressed and nondepressed subjects undertaken to identify aspects of the early parent child relationship that may be associated with depressive illness in adult life. Results show maternal rejection was found more closely associated with depression in female children; the effect was essentially the same among Black and…

Assessed child behavior, maternal depression, and family socioeconomic status and observed mother-child interactions for 376 first graders and their mothers. Found that the quality of mother-child interactions mediated the relationship between maternal depression and child behavior problems for boys, girls, and Caucasians but not for African…