Article introduces this journal's themes that are used to discuss issues surrounding analysis of multilevel data. It cites Butler's work on whether the effect of welfare benefits on premarital childbearing varies by context, Hoffman's work on the effect of context on adolescent drug use, and Simons' research on how the relationship between…

The relationship between family environment and delinquency was assessed with 9th grade students (N=127) who completed the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales and a version of Self-Report Delinquency Scale. Results suggest the relationship was moderated by whether the family had traditional or nontraditional living arrangements.…

This study examined effects of an intervention (planned play, use of conversational social interaction strategies, and evaluation of play strategies) on the social-communicative interactions of six preschool children at risk for language delays and behavior problems. The intervention led to increases in social communicative behaviors, use of…

A journalist has interviewed numerous youth and families who have placed problem children in private camps or boarding schools which promise to turn them into model citizens. Many of these programs operate outside the realm of regulators and insulate children from contact with their families. (Author)

With an increasing array of problems affecting children in the home, schools are facing a vast array of behavioral and emotional concerns affecting childhood behavior. Yet, many school-based mental health professionals lack the knowledge to provide direct interventions. This article examines contemporary problems facing families, considers the…

A study involving 64 Australian sex offenders and 33 non-sex offenders found childhood emotional abuse and family dysfunction, childhood behavior problems, and childhood sexual abuse were developmental risk factors for paraphilia. Emotional abuse and family dysfunction was found to be a risk factor for pedophilia, exhibitionism, rape, or multiple…

Explored relations between additive and cumulative representations of contextual risk, caregiver emotionality, child adaptability, and teacher reports of problem behaviors of 6- and 7-year-olds from economically disadvantaged families. Found evidence that the relation for cumulative risk may be moderated by caregiver negative emotionality and…

Investigates the relations among consultant and consultee verbalizations and behavioral consultation treatment outcomes. The study consisted of analyses of a database generated from three behavioral consultation training grants which included 25 graduate student consultants, 26 teacher consultees, and 102 children with emotional disabilities…

Investigated relations among parenting, sibling relationship, peer group, and adolescents' externalizing behaviors. Found that contributions of parental negativity, parental monitoring, and sibling negativity to adolescents' externalizing behaviors operated directly and also indirectly through deviant peer associations. Relationships varied as a…

Three studies examined mothers' reactions to and thoughts about sibling conflict and aggression. Most mothers attributed sibling conflict to a variety of factors. Maternal intervention was related to contextual factors, including mothers' own tolerance. Although preschoolers' mothers expected that physical aggression would decline with increasing…

This article describes the Effective Academic and Behavioral Intervention and Supports (EABIS) program, a comprehensive inservice professional development program that provides direct support to schools as they engage in a team-based problem solving process of self-evaluation, implementation of systems change, and selection of prevention-based…

Contrasts the use of behavioral and developmental theories to address a child's aggression. Presents concerns about the use of social reinforcers, activity reinforcers, and tangible reinforcers. Asserts that behavioral techniques that shape children's surface behaviors without placing the behaviors within a developmental context may interfere with…

Through a coordinated effort by several campus offices that look at all aspects of a student's situation, the Barnard College Deans Evaluation Committee addresses student problems by creating a collaborative environment that works with students in distress, an approach that considers and supports the whole student. (BF)

Examined effects of four coping dimensions on conduct problems, depression, and achievement in multiethnic, inner- city sample of early adolescents. Found that for girls, interactions of active coping with family and community stress revealed a classic stress-buffering effect for active coping. Findings for boys did not support this effect.…

This article discusses requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments of 1997 for functional assessments of behavior (FABs) and provision of positive behavioral supports (PBSs). It describes steps in implementing FABs and examples of appropriate PBSs with students with disabilities. (Contains references.) (Author/DB)