Studies five peer-response groups in a freshman composition class before and after a semester of reading and responding to literature. Examines how the reading of literature affects the quality of responses to student written texts. Demonstrates the potential that the reading of and responding to literary texts holds for peer response. (MG)

Puerto Ricans are among the poorest and least well educated of Hispanic Americans and continue to drop out of school at a high rate. Recommends peer counseling programs, because there are few Puerto Rican teachers or other professionals to serve as role models. (DM)

A school-based survey administered to 7,611 adolescents in New York State indicates a decline in illicit drug use during the period 1983-88. The decline may be explained by a corresponding decline in the ratio of youths to adults, changes in peer influence, and differences between high and low drug use areas. (CJS)

Responses to a questionnaire completed by 800 male and female high school students in southern California supported the hypothesis that increased family size contributes to delinquent behavior, especially for females. Parental influence in large families is often diluted. Children of large families are more influenced by peers. (DM)

Participants were college fraternity men (N=155) who were in either a pretested and posttested rape-prevention program, a posttested rape-prevention program, or an untreated control group. Significant declines in rape myth acceptance and behavioral intent to rape were shown among program participants regardless of whether they were pretested.…

Focus group discussions with Native-American adolescents aged 11 to 17 in Oklahoma examined why teen smokers started smoking, family and peer influences on smoking, reasons for continuing to smoke, reasons not to smoke, effectiveness of strategies to prevent adolescents from smoking, and awareness of the health risks of smoking. (SV)

Explains the "circle of friends approach" as one strategy aimed at using peer group support to promote the inclusion of children with autism into mainstream schools. It describes use of the approach with six autistic children in years 3 to 10 of British mainstream schools. Evaluation comments by the circle leaders, circle members, and…

Study surveys secondary school students (N=4,773) about five items concerning the circumstances of smoking initiation: age at first cigarette; source of supply; location of first smoke; persons present; and perceived degree of coercion. Although there was a highly significant gender difference on the item concerning age at first cigarette, with…

Drug Strategies' updated guide evaluates the 50 most popular U.S. prevention programs. Project ALERT scored high in overall quality, administrative ease, and rehearsal and role plays. Key components include age appropriateness, identification of social pressures, instruction in refusal skills, interactivity, normative education, family…

Examines "social norms" marketing, an effort by several colleges and universities to encourage healthy student behaviors by countering perceptions of unhealthy "cool" behaviors and stressing the positive behaviors of "most" students. Examples of posters and other marketing strategies are from Virginia Commonwealth University, Gustavus Adolphus…

Tests the premise of peer cluster theory as it applies to individual alcohol use, and makes a comparative analysis between its ability to explain alcohol use and marijuana use among college students (N=1312). Results of the causal models show some support for peer cluster theory. Discusses the study's limitations and implications. (Author/MKA)

Examines the prevalence and types of substance use in inner-city and rural eight- to twelve-year-olds (N=29) and the relationships between child substance use, self esteem, peer substance use, and family climate. Personal drug use and peer drug use were present in both groups. Inner-city children reported more alcohol and marijuana use, while…

A study investigated ability-related differences in planning skills, as well as the performance impact of working with peers. Fifty preschool-aged children did not differ in planning skills on the basis of cognitive ability. High-ability preschoolers performed equally well when working alone or with a peer of same or less ability. (Contains…

Peer mediation is one of hundreds of programs schools are using to enhance security or prevent violence. The Winning Against Violent Environments (WAVE) conflict-resolution program in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the oldest in the country. Lists seven sources of information. (MLF)

Reports on students (N=40) who were confronted with the choice of riding with a driver who appeared intoxicated. Results show that participants' consistently chose to enter the car in all conditions except when the peer refused. The condition of the driver had no effect on participants' reported concern. (EMK)