Four-year panel study examined whether alcohol use improves adolescents' peer relations and self-esteem over time. Results showed that effects of early alcohol use were limited to enhancing peer relations only among adolescents who used alcohol to belong to group. Early alcohol consumption had delayed effect on increasing self-esteem only for…

Results indicate that peer support networks exist on the wards of two adolescent units in two mental health centers and outside the institutions as well. Two emergent types of networks, with some overlapping, are the action-oriented and the dialogue-oriented networks, with age and gender as the factors discriminating between them. (Author/RH)

Explores the future goals and objectives of camping in order to identify trends that may help install camping as a social institution which provides adolescents with opportunities to develop identities in relation to peers. (Author/CM)

Examined the influence of chumship relationships and altruistic behavior on loneliness in 116 students aged 12-14 who completed four measures. Results indicated that chumship relationships did not account for differences in loneliness. Students reporting close chumship and weak altruistic behavior were loneliest. (JAC)

Examines social and academic competence of 157 secondary school students. Results show a significant interaction effect for academic effort, academic subject, and academic achievement. Argues that the contrasting correlations between academic and social competence may be explained by the various operationalizations of social competence.…

Examined the perception of basic primary group criteria in closest friendship groups when friends were of the same, opposite, or both sexes. (Author/DB)

An examination of female adolescent attitudes toward parents and peers was undertaken by the writer. The basic hypothesis, that adolescents' attitudes toward their peers is not more favorable than their attitude toward their parents, was made evident by a survey of the attitude scores. (KC)

The challenge to demonstrate competence at personal physical risk as expressed by the dare phenomenon" is a functional aspect of the life space of early adolescent boys. (Author)

During first year of operation, Teen Line (peer telephone listening service) received 2,270 calls, two-thirds of which were from females. Four percent of topics discussed dealt with crisis situations (suicide, physical abuse); 96 percent were concerned with issues such as peer relationships, family dynamics, and need to have someone "to talk to."…

Investigates the telegraphed emotion of "the look," a feature of adolescent social interaction that can quickly initiate or escalate conflict. Using focus groups, teenage females were asked to define the look and to discuss its use and the consequences. Results indicate that the look often results in escalation of conflict, especially a…

Forty adolescents were observed at McDonald's restaurants in Miami and Paris to assess the amount of touching and aggression during their peer interactions. The American adolescents spent less time leaning against, stroking, kissing, and hugging their peers than did the French adolescents. Instead, they showed more self-touching and more…

Study examined the effects of different aspects of parenting, father absence, and affiliation with delinquent peers on delinquent behavior in a cohort of Black male adolescents. Study suggests that Black male adolescents are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior if they are closely monitored and supervised by their parents. (Contains 38…

Describes suicide in 17-year-old boy. Uses extracts from interview with his mother to illustrate his violent behavior, delinquency, relationships with family and peers, efforts to seek treatment, and clues he gave to his impending suicide. His lifestyle and subsequent suicidal behavior are related to his middle-born sibling position. (Author)

Details the peer counselor-client relationship from the point of view of a participant observer. By examining the relationship through the clinical lenses of self-psychology and object relations, it was found that peer counselors are seen as transitional objects who can both interpret and meet client needs. (RJM)

Differences between males and females in regard to conflict behaviors toward same-sex and opposite-sex peers were examined in a sample of 501 undergraduate university students. Findings support the view that preferences regarding conflict behaviors are different for males and females, particularly as exhibited toward same-sex and opposite-sex…