An Ohio study found that a significant percentage of adolescents arrested for violent crimes had been victims of severe child abuse and were likely to behave violently toward family members and caretakers. Findings are discussed in relation to the culture of violence, learning, and stress theories of delinquency. (Author/MP)

Examined whether children of separation/divorce experience more associated family disorganization and stress than those from homes broken by parental death or from intact families. Findings indicated that divorce and not the more general case of family dissolution, is significantly related to increased levels of family stressors for the child.…

A study of 30 mothers with mentally retarded children and 30 with only nonretarded children found no overall group differences in maternal well-being. Child welfare issues and restrictive time demands were the most intense family problems reported by mothers with retarded children. (Author/JDD)

Analysis of questionnaires completed by 257 parents of children with multiple disabilities (of which 25 had previously substantiated maltreatment reports) on perceptions of stress and burden of care found no relationship between a history of child maltreatment and currently perceived stress levels. (DB)

Using an individual differences multidimensional scaling method with a sample of (N=38) parents, four dimensions of stress were identified. The first dimension, major versus minor child problems, was most problematic for parents and highly related to a set of adjectives describing unpleasant or stressful emotional states. (Author)

Relationship satisfaction, affect, and stress were examined in 313 same-sex couples who had had civil unions in Vermont during the first year of this legislation. Similarity between partners on age and on positive/negative affectivity was related to relationship satisfaction whereas there was no association with similarity in income, education,…

Teachers-in-service (N=36) and teachers-in-training (N=47) responded to a questionnaire related to their experiences with stress situations in the lives of children in their classes. Results indicated elementary teachers are well aware that children in their classrooms are involved in crisis and chronic stress situations in school and at home.…

Given current and projected divorce rates, many people will find themselves faced with being divorced in their later years. To determine if the way of becoming single affects well being, a matched sample of 40 divorced and widowed elderly women were compared. Results showed that the method of becoming single had some differential impact but…

To understand the origins of demonstrated tracking deficits possessed by parents of problem children, a study examined in detail possible differences between a sample of parents with behavior-problem children and a sample of parents with "normal" children. Subjects were 48 mothers who had children between the ages of 4 and 10. While…

Reviews research and theoretical literature concerning effects of mentally handicapped children on families. Discusses factors which mediate vulnerability to stress, material and practical needs, and coping and adaptation strategies of families. (NH)

Compared adults who came from disrupted families with those who lived with biological parents (at age 16). Little difference was found and those effects noted were positive. Results suggest that under certain circumstances a family disruption and associated stress may eventually turn to the individual's advantage. (Author/JAC)

This study assessed Alcoholics Anonymous (Al-Anon) participation as a factor in stress of wives of alcoholics. Additional data focused on attitude and behavior variables. Two groups of 20 subjects each were enlisted from Al-Anon, personal contacts, treatment centers, and referrals in three urban areas in the southeastern United States. Group A…

Compared to the center's general sample of clients, 15 farm families who visited a therapy center for stress-related problems were more reluctant to enter therapy, showed a slightly better increase in well-being over the course of therapy, had less reduction in stress levels, and had lower life satisfaction at three-month follow up. (Author/NB)

This study examined the relationship of overall family conflict and stress to adult personality development in young adult college students from intact families, as compared to young adults who had experienced childhood parental divorce. Seventy-five students from divorced families and 78 students from intact families completed a screening…

Consequences of mothers' participation in child care (interaction and child-care tasks) on 160 Caucasian middle-class fathers and mothers were examined in an interview study of parents of kindergarten and fourth grade children. In half of the families, mothers were employed. Three forms of mothers' participation were examined in relation to two…