Although concerns about peer contagion are often cited in critiques of group treatments for troubled youths, few studies have examined the effects of exposure to deviant peers in residential group care settings. This study used administrative data of youth served at Boys Town, a nationally-known group care provider. Using latent class growth…

Considers cults as gangs, but also distinguishes cults from gangs by the cult's reference to and insistence on allegiance to single higher authority, usually spirit figure or spiritual leader. Examines Satanism, identifies Satanic holidays and symbols, and describes characteristics of cult-influenced youth. Includes list of organizations and books…

Research into the characteristics of at-risk juveniles that contribute to violence and the patterns of behavior and neighborhood characteristics and patterns that are associated with youth violence or victimization are reviewed. The results of the studies reviewed cannot be generalized to the total population of juveniles, but the findings of…

Summarizes major, recent research findings concerning illegal alcohol use and intoxicated driving among American youth. Examines what research revealed about the nature of underage drinking and driving; what health, social, and legal ramifications are associated with drinking and driving; and what characteristics and behavioral patterns are found…

This monograph is based on papers presented at a technical review of patterns of cocaine use in the United States which was held in 1984. The foreword by Jerome H. Jaffe acknowledges that, over the past 10 years, cocaine has become a major public health threat in this country. Papers contained in this monograph include: (1) "Cocaine Use in…

Thirty-two terminators and 28 continuers in personal counseling were compared on three measures derived from precounseling Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) data. It was concluded that poor adolescent prospects for counseling are those characterized by marked rebellion toward authority. (Author)

A description of the socio-demographic characteristics associated with student drug use is discussed. Findings indicate that while drug usage began to increase in the seventh grade, substantial increases occurred after this grade level. For all substances, drug use peaked in the ninth or tenth grade with dramatic decreases in the twelfth grade.…

From a sample of eighth-grade pupils, 96 class clowns were identified and compared to a sample of 237 nonclown classmates. Clowns were predominantly males, and were seen by their teachers to be higher than nonclowns in Asserting, Unruliness, Attention Seeking, Leadership, and Cheerfulness, and to be lower in Accomplishing. (Author/CP)

In a case study, it was found that behavior assignments demonstrated that adolescent behavior which was in accord with parental wishes did indeed exert control over their privilege granting behavior. (KJ)

A study examined the cognitive and behavioral profiles in 10 individuals (ages 14-51) with Smith-Magenis syndrome. Results found the individuals showed significant relative weaknesses in sequential processing and strengths in naming a partially completed drawing, identifying things, and in reading/decoding. Behavioral findings indicated…

A follow-up study of 26 children (ages 5-13) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and low intelligence found that children identified with both characteristics have significant behavioral and emotional problems while in their early adolescence. A significant minority had problems at school and with the law. (CR)

This study documented suicidal behavior among 90 children and adolescents with mental retardation and psychiatric disorders in a psychiatric hospital. Suicidality was found in 21% of admissions and was distributed across gender, level of mental retardation, and psychiatric diagnosis. Results indicate that suicidality is an underrecognized but…

Recent literature on the topic of pregnancy resolution among unmarried adolescent women investigates differences between women choosing abortions and those not so choosing, and is organized into studies dealing with social correlates of pregnancy resolution and research centering on psychological variables. The social correlate studies address…

Reported are the results of a series of studies conducted to identify the possible correlates of perceptual curiosity in retarded and normal IQ Ss (13-21 years old), and to determine the modifiability of perceptual curiosity in mentally retarded Ss through training and the possible transfer effects of such training. In a section on general…