Sixty-five juvenile offenders in residential care completed the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale, and their scores were matched for IQ and memory with those of 60 adult offenders. The juveniles gave in significantly more to interrogative pressure through negative feedback but were no more yielding to leading questions than adults. (JPS)

Concludes that after treatment using a taxonomy of comprehension skills adolescents more accurately perceived the distinctions between positive and negative authority figures. (RB)

College-age females (N=58) provided information about their risk-taking behaviors. Participants engaged in a variety of risky behaviors. Analysis showed that participants' justifications were largely goal-oriented or reflected a preoccupation with personal needs. These results are contrary to the widely held belief that adolescents' risk-taking is…

Examines characteristics of today's teenagers and discusses their buying power and buying patterns. (GT)

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…

Responses of 123 adults were used to develop a measure to assess expectations and stereotypes about adolescents. The developed scale was refined and tested with 361 college students and 112 parents of young adolescents. The measure's subscales demonstrate adequate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. (SLD)

Examines the relationship between alcohol consumption and leisure behavior. Discussions include alcohol consumption in relation to leisure activity patterns and experiences, as well as the implications for the leisure service profession and the approaches professionals can use to deter alcohol consumption. (GLR)

Tested generality and stability of Holland's vocational choice model by examining preference for avocational (leisure) activity. Developed six hypotheses relating Holland groups to particular types of avocational behavior. The initial test of these hypotheses confirmed five of the six predictions. A follow-up nine years later confirmed all six…

Using a 1987 sample of 526 undergraduates, this study examines changes in student alcohol use, alcohol abuse, and attitudes toward drinking over their college careers. The maturation of attitude and behavior observed in females was not seen in males, for whom college may represent a period of protracted adolescence. (SLD)

Anonymous questionnaires administered to 1283 middle school/high school students and 930 college students revealed that most of these students viewed all types of alcohol intervention programs as somewhat effective in reducing alcohol abuse among youth. Analyses revealed that drinking motivations and behavior produced a significant effect on the…

A sample of 18 focus groups (subject ages 15-24) revealed young people's clear opinions on what constitutes an effective drinking and driving education program. Such programs should be student-centered, conducted in small group settings, emphasize real-life situations, and be delivered by people affected by drinking and driving. (RJM)

The relationship of the Contraceptive Self-Efficacy Scale to contraceptive behavior was explored in four female samples: (1) 258 California adolescents, (2) 259 Chicago (Illinois) adolescents, (3) 231 Montreal (Canada) high school students, and (4) 148 college students. Results are discussed in terms of use in research and clinical settings. (SLD)

Examined differences in family function of high- versus low-identity achievement youth for 411 18- to 24-year-old males, and variables to account for differing identity levels. High-identity subjects belong to balanced families and experience more openness and less problems communicating with parents. Discusses implications for counseling and…

Cognitive development, egocentrism, and self-esteem were examined in relation to contraceptive knowledge, attitudes, and behavior for 300 high school and first-year college students. Adolescents with higher cognitive development and self-esteem scores had more knowledge about sexuality and contraception and were more likely to use contraceptives.…

Examines the various coping strategies that competitive adolescent athletes use to deal with errors, penalties, and unpleasant comments from spectators. Identifies and discusses four coping strategies: avoidance, approach, task-focused, and emotion-focused. Briefly reviews the literature on coping and the results of a survey of Australian…