Describes the development of a taxonomy of social and psychological well-being for 900 elderly small town residents. Compares the four largest groups (partially engaged, fully engaged, disengaged, and frail) in terms of mental and physical health, contact with others, and activity. (JAC)

Examined the influence of race, age, sex, and vocational preference on attitudes toward older workers in a study of 125 business students. Results showed Blacks rated a younger worker more favorably and an older worker less favorably than Whites on three of four work-related dimensions. (JAC)

Examined family reactions to widowhood using data from the Longitudinal Retirement History Study. Found that average frequency of interaction with available kin increased for both married and widowed persons over time, with greatest increase among women who became widowed. (JAC)

Investigates whether women in dual-earner families maintain full responsibility for domestic tasks. Based on data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Work Experience (NLS data), the findings indicated substantial variability as well as some decrease in the extent of home responsibilities. The major correlates are race, residence, and income.…

Examined the long-term effects of early parental divorce on sex role development in 219 college students. No significant differences were found between subjects from intact and divorced parents. However, children's age at the time of divorce, siblings, and post-divorce parental conflict were mediating factors. (JAC)

Investigated changes in subjective age in 323 older Mexican Americans and Anglo Americans. Results showed those whose subjective age increased from young or middle-aged to old were generally less educated, older, and in poorer health. No significant differences were found between those whose subjective ages decreased or remained old. (JAC)

This mini-research project examined middle school students' participation in and identification with school as a social unit. The study used a student survey to explore: (1) middle schoolers' perceptions of their family educational culture, instructional quality in their school, and their ability/academic self-efficacy; (2) their patterns of…

Three studies of prediction of academic achievement in introductory psychology courses are reported. The Achiever Personality scale of Fricke's Opinion, Attitude and Interest Survey and Brown and Holtzman's Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes made independent contributions beyond intelligence in the prediction of course grades in two of these…

Study was designed to examine the validity of the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire in predicting achievement of college sophomores majoring in Education. (Authors)

Examined the athletic expectations of high school male athletes (N=386). Results showed that 36 percent of the Black starters and 14 percent of the White starters expected to become professional athletes, although other data indicate only 2 percent will succeed. Race and coaches' encouragement were significant predictors. (JAC)

Assessed differences in cardiovascular reactivity between high and low life-stress students (N=26). Results indicated high life-stress individuals maintained their elevated stressor levels throughout recovery from a laboratory stressor, and showed significantly higher systolic recovery levels compared to the low stress group. (JAC)

Identified wives (N=56) of hemodialysis patients at risk for problems adapting to their husband's illness, and explored personality variables that might enhance coping. Results showed greater external locus of control was related to poorer adjustment, but greater internal locus of control was not related to better adjustment. (Author/JAC)

Examined female college students' (N=466) drug use, marihuana use in particular. Results indicated that the gap in marihuana usage patterns between females and males has substantially narrowed. Female marihuana users used other drugs quite extensively and had friends who use marihuana. Peer influence was a major factor in drug use. (JAC)

Administered the Brief Symptom Inventory to married residents (N=106) of a retirement community. Three scales (Anxiety, Interpersonal Sensitivity, and Paranoid Ideation) provided maximum separation between males and females. Concludes that with marital status, education, and health controlled, male and female elderly show distinct patterns of…

Studied predictors of longevity among 252 panelists in a 25-year longitudinal study of aging. The strongest independent predictors for men were health self-rating, work satisfaction, and performance intelligence; for women they were health satisfaction, and physical function rating. (Author)