Considers current psycho-social changes occurring in the last half of the 20th century and the possible consequences of such processes upon the experience of adolescence. (Author)

Examined parental drug use and parental attitude toward adolescent drug use in 106 drug-using and 96 nondrug-using adolescents. Results confirmed that adolescents who use drugs are significantly more likely to have parents who use drugs, or have permissive views about drug use. (JAC)

Teenagers responded to a questionnaire about their villains; 917 villains from all walks of life were selected. Nine times more male than female figures were selected. The naming of a villain was unrelated to demographic variables. Reasons for dislike and influence of figures as avoidance role models are discussed. (Author/EMK)

Explored community parental surrogates and their role for adolescents. The rabbi/tutor and coach/umpire help resolve oedipal issues and promote the establishment of cohesive self. Clinical vignettes illustrate how de-idealization by proxy may aid detachment from childhood love-objects and allow healthy partial identification with the same-sex…

Investigated the effects of social learning and symbolic interaction on adolescent self-esteem. Adolescents (N=368) and their parents completed measures of self-esteem, parental behavior and parental power. Results suggested adolescent self-esteem is more a function of social interaction and the reflected appraisals of others than a modeling of…

Examined similarities and differences in like-sex and unlike-sex parent-adolescent modeling. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories were administered to 59 emotionally disturbed adolescents and their mothers. Results showed that the mother-daughter profiles were very similar but the mother-son profiles were dissimilar. The mother-daughter…

Offers various observations on mentoring, claiming that it is a powerful way to provide adult contacts for youth who receive little guidance in schools, homes, and elsewhere. Claims that supportive one-on-one relationships provide youth with opportunities to explore career paths and to broaden their horizons. (RJM)

This project was inspired by a belief that too little attention is paid by the academic structure to its responsibility within the school experience of developing "caring" individuals. The project's goal was to test the idea that "Caring Quality" could be "taught". (Author/RK)

Sought to describe and categorize specific processes by which friends serve to influence emerging life structures of early adulthood. Five categories were developed from open-ended interviews of 34 young adults between 20 and 28 years of age. These categories describe friends in the roles of models, active agents for change, reactors, interactors,…

A Survey of youth agencies examined and found evidence of adult leaders' influence on their youths' health practices. Mediating influences included formal and informal health programs and explicit policies regarding smoking and fitness for both leaders and youths. Identified significant gaps in the potential influence of such measures. (Author)

Describes one program for diverting troubled children from the juvenile justice system. Reports on a social work education and agency collaboration to conduct an evaluation of participants' satisfaction with the program. (RMH)

Oberle's (1974) research examined the role model preferences of black and white youth and found that young blacks had different role models from white students; however, he did not examine whether place of residence was related to role model preference. This study extends Oberle's research by analyzing the relationship between place of residence…

Describes the development of a pilot preventive mental-health intervention, the Personal and Racial/Ethnic Identity Development and Enhancement (PRIDE) program, designed to provide components of parenting that are necessary for promoting positive self-image in ethnically marginalized adolescents and that are typically lacking in the group…

Describes and evaluates the Life Choices Program for girls (N=66) aged 9 to 12, which emphasizes empowerment as an intervention. Comparison of the Life Choices participants with controls (N=50) showed no significant differences in locus of control. Differences in values suggest Life Choices participants are more aware of role alternatives. (JAC)