Clusters of pre-sexual and sexual behaviors were identified in an urban US sample of 546 mid-adolescent girls. No distinct group of girls engaging in sexually risky behavior was revealed. Sexually active girls were older, lived with a single parent, and reported more substance use and depression, but similar levels of conduct problems, impulsivity…

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between socioeconomic status and family structure with risky sexual behaviors in adolescents. Methods: A total of 1782 15-year-old Belgrade schoolchildren (47.5% boys and 52.5% girls) completed a questionnaire from the WHO study, "Health behavior of schoolchildren."…

Examines whether there are differences in parent-child communication and in adolescent self-esteem among adoptive, separated, and intact non-adoptive families. Results suggest that through the comparison of different types of families, it is possible to shed light on the correlations between non-normative events and family relationships and…

Among 1,493 adolescents ages 14-20 years, the lower the social group, the higher the average neurotic defense style score. Boys had higher scores of mature defense styles than girls. Among boys who had lost their father, lower social class was related to immaturity. Social class differences in defense styles may partly explain later differences in…

Utilized the Family Environment Scale and the Experience Sampling Method to evaluate how family discord was related to adolescents' age, in 101 single-mother families. Mothers' reports of overall discord decreased across adolescence. In immediate interactions, boys reported feeling more anger towards their mothers with age, while girls reported…

This study, using Andersen's health care utilization model, examined how predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, need, personal health practices, and psychological factors influence health care utilization using a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of Canadian adolescents. Second, this study examined whether this process…

The prevalence of suicide attempts and associated risk factors such as sociodemographic conditions, emotional/behavioural problems and parent-child relationships were examined among 591 indigenous Sami and 2100 majority adolescents in Arctic Norway. There were no significant ethnic differences in prevalence of suicide attempts. In both ethnic…

The present study examined the effect of parental loss and gender of adolescents on their coping with stress. Sample included those adolescents who had either of their parents died (N=40) and those having both living parents (N=40). It was hypothesized that adolescents with one parent alive would differ in their ways of coping with stress compared…

Examined peer relations of young people from nuclear families, step families, and single-parent families. Findings suggest peer relations were affected by parental separation only to a minor extent as compared to, e.g. gender- or age-specific effects. A central aspect of friendship quality, however, namely admiration by friends, clearly suffered…

Data from 520 British secondary school age children were used to explore determinants of and mental health outcomes (measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) from their non-resident fathers' relationships (child-reported father's involvement and frequency of contact) with them. Frequency of contact was negatively related to time…

Investigated differences among adolescents (N=13,953) living in intact families, one-parent families, and stepparent families. Results indicate that adolescents from one parent and stepparent families reported lower self-esteem, more symptoms of anxiety and loneliness, more depressed mood, more suicidal thoughts, and more suicide attempts than…

A sample of high school students revealed that 43% had drunk regularly; 32% had smoked; and 11% had experienced sexual intercourse. Going to school in Seoul, not having two parents in the family, and living away from immediate family were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing these behaviors. (BF)

Surveyed 585 adolescents to examine relationship between family structural and process variables and adolescent participation in family decisions and vigilant decision making. Family socioeconomic status, high family cohesion, good parent-adolescent communication, and sound parental conflict resolution skills were related to adolescents' vigilant…