A survey of 95 students withdrawing from dental school investigated the reasons for dropping out. Predental school academic achievement was not found to be a significant predictor of withdrawal, but curricular and professional concerns were most commonly cited, followed by economic issues. (MSE)

Examines cross-metropolitan variation in Puerto Rican poverty rates using an instrumental variables regression model. The analysis highlights the roles of residential segregation and economic restructuring on Puerto Rican poverty rates in 1970 and 1980. During the 1970s, the contributory effects of segregation grew stronger, whereas the…

This survey of 750 young adult males found that the combination of emotional abuse with multiple events of sexual abuse in the respondent's childhood was a relatively good predictor of both poor mental health, and later sexual interest in or sexual contact with children. (Author/DB)

A study with 317 college freshmen found that the utility of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory to predict academic achievement, beyond that which could already be predicted by student background and entry-level variables, was quite limited. (MSE)

Two components of life orientation emerged in study of 145 men and 142 women at age 26: Positive Orientation (PO), which included self-percepts of personal control over development; and Motivated Questioning (MQ), which consisted of identity exploration and dissatisfaction with present achievements. In comparison with MQ, PO was more strongly…

Describes findings of the Spoken Language and New Technology (SLANT) research project which studied the talk of primary school children in the United Kingdom who were working in small groups at computers with various kinds of software. Improvements in the quality of talk and collaboration during computer-based activities are suggested. (Contains…

Summarizes four documents and seven journal articles in the ERIC database that examine children's self-esteem. Topics include self-esteem and academic achievement in black male adolescents, self-esteem and social responsibility, factors associated with self-esteem, self-esteem and peer relationships, enhancing self-esteem, and predictors of…

Examines the adjustment of 172 Taiwanese students during their first months in the United States. A multidimensional model is used that accounts for 39% of the variance of adjustment. Mediating factors of the model include demographics, personality, number and severity of problems experienced, prearrival preparation, social support, language…

A hierarchical regression analysis featuring 35 community, family, student, and school program characteristics was used to assess prediction of employment of 2,405 students who had left special education high school programs. Personal characteristics (especially being male and having living skills and academic skills) dominated the prediction of…

Different models of spoken word production make different predictions regarding the extent of effects of certain word properties on the output of that model. This article examines these predictions with regard to the effect of these variables on the production of semantic and phonological errors by aphasic subjects. (60 references) (Author/CK)

A study at an urban university found that, while type of child care used by classified staff was not a significant predictor of absenteeism, care by nonrelatives was associated with significantly more absences than was care by relatives. However, satisfaction with care was a significant predictor of absenteeism. (MSE)

Explored the role of relationship orientations, gender-related characteristics, and perceptions of friendship quality during preadolescence and adolescence. Results indicated that grade and sex differences are evident in the early adolescent years and are linked to perceptions of friendship quality. Preliminary evidence showed that relationship…

Evaluated predictors of child day care satisfaction by surveying the families of 104 children in center-based care and 45 children in family child day care homes. Results indicated that perceived social support derived from the care arrangement was the best predictor of parental satisfaction in both types of care. (MDM)

Explored the environment for literacy in day-care centers, its relationship with traditional measures of day-care quality, and its influence on children's cognitive and language development. Observations in 30 community-based day-care classrooms revealed relatively impoverished literacy environments. Found that both day-care quality and…

Examined risk factors leading to adolescent substance abuse so as to provide greater understanding of their influence. Divided risk factors into four categories: demographic, social, behavioral, and individual. Separated each category into its respective components, including ages of susceptibility and gender differences. Offers information on…