This paper reviews research on childhood depression and its relation to developmental processes, family functioning, academic performance, and peer relationships. The methodological strengths and weaknesses of the research are examined. A section on developmental perspectives looks at early childhood, school age children, and adolescence. Support…

This paper explores the findings and current state of research on the familial characteristics of persons with borderline personality disorder (BPD). A review of the borderline personality disorder emphasizes the development of the term, etiological issues, and treatment issues related to BPD. Two formal approaches for obtaining accurate diagnosis…

Within the mental health treatment field there is an underutilization of services by Asian Americans. Researchers have questioned how to lessen the gap between the number of Asian Americans who need mental health services and the significantly lower number who successfully use these services. A review of current research points out that matching…

This paper describes a family laboratory project designed to provide young children with opportunities to participate in learning experiences with babies, school age children, adolescents, adults who were single or married, parents and grand parents. A review of the literature focuses on the need for communication between children, parents,…

This review of the literature on the "only child" indicates that the single child is likely to be oriented more toward adults than towards peers, to be subjected more to an adult culture, to be an achiever who strikes out on his own, and to have a heightened sense of responsibility compared with children who have siblings. Statistics…

The "new homeless" of the eighties and nineties are not only more numerous; they are younger, more likely to use drugs, and they exhibit symptoms of mental illness. Homeless mentally ill individuals typically have estranged family relationships and fewer supportive relationships compared with other homeless persons. They typically have…

In the 1960s suicide was the fifth leading cause of death among adolescents. In the 1980s suicide is second only to accidents as a cause of adolescent death. In their 1966 study of 50 adolescents who had attempted suicide, Teicher and Jacobs conceptualized suicide as the end product of progressive isolation from meaningful relationships. From…

This review of research studies on the psychological adjustment of gifted persons focused on five dimensions: social/behavioral conduct, family adjustment, emotional functioning (personality characteristics, anxiety, depression), social functioning (interpersonal relationships, social skills), and perceived competence (self-concept, self-esteem,…

This paper reviews current literature pertaining to the effects of divorce on children and makes suggestions regarding general ways in which parents and other adults may assist children in coping with divorce. The population of children towards which this study is directed includes preschool through latency age children. All inferences made in…

This study investigated the problem-solving effectiveness of family units, in order to account for social class differences in problem-solving ability. Basil Bernstein's theory concerning the role of speech styles in perception and information processing formed the basis for investigation; family speech styles, leadership patterns, and role…

This publication marks the first volume of what is intended to be an annual showcase of outstanding research papers from the College of St. Thomas' (Minnesota) Masters of Arts in Gifted/Creative/Talented Education program. Section 1 focuses on gifted programs and teachers' perceptions, and includes "Taking Care of the Affective Needs of…

Nine high schools selected at random from 62 schools in Northeastern Indiana participated in this study to determine where high school students get their ideas about marriage and family living. Students answered a questionnaire consisting of 24 items ranging in nature from dating and knowledge of the opposite sex through engagement to marriage and…