Investigated the roles parental and peer informal control structures play in predicting adolescent alcohol use and abuse, using data from high school students (N=345). Suggests that "youth world" and "adult world" control structures are predictive of adolescents' orientations toward alcohol, though generally in different…

This study attempted to (1) examine differences in the curiosity behavior of abused preschool children in situations with their mothers, a teacher, and a stranger; (2) determine whether the children exhibited more curiosity when exposed to novel versus familiar objects; and (3) examine adult behaviors theoretically related to children's curiosity.…

Examined influence of traditional factors on career choices of Nigerian students (N=400) in their last year of secondary school. Results revealed traditional factors (social prestige, family occupation, religious beliefs, etc.) ranked very high on the list of factors influencing career choice. Psychological factors (interest, aptitudes,…

Suggests that parents can encourage independence, self-reliance, and healthy self-concept by involving children in appropriate household tasks. Describes a six-week project designed to encourage parents to attain this goal. (KS)

College undergraduates (N=53) reporting use of a hallucinogenic mushroom (Psilocybe) were matched to nonusers. Hallucinogenic mushroom use by men was most associated with peers' mushroom use, whereas mushroom use by women was most associated with parental drug use, especially fathers' marijuana use. Personality measures were secondary in…

Research into return migration of Blacks to four urban communities in North Carolina suggests that differences in motivation existed between older, female and younger, male return migrants. The former returned for personal social reasons mainly, the latter for economic reasons. (RDN)

Only a third of students in this study accepted the medical model of alcoholism. Those who had the least knowledge of, and experience with, alcohol were the most likely to consider alcoholism as an illness. The source of information on drugs most conducive to acceptance of the medical model was parents. (Author/ABB)

Surveyed students who had viewed parental violence (N=44); who had viewed nonviolent discord (N=43); and whose parents were satisfactorily married (N=77). Results indicated that students who had viewed parental marital violence were significantly more anxious than those from satisfactory relationships, and that women who viewed violence were more…

Studies families showing parenting difficulties and examines possible origins of those difficulties. Findings demonstrate a strong link between multiple parenting breakdown and markedly disrupted family experiences in childhood. Concludes that explanatory models based exclusively on either personal or material factors are inadequate. (RH)

Suggests that the apparent lack of effectiveness of alcohol and drug education programs may stem from the lack of a sound theoretical basis for program development and evaluaton. Reviews (1) the relevance of socialization theory to adolescent drinking and (2) the influence of parents and peers. (JAC)

Describes theory and research on parental influence on young people's career development and highlights an important implication of this relationship for career counseling. The authors discuss a seminar that helps parents help their children choose careers. (CT)

As part of a longitudinal study on the environmental origins of mastery motivation, 6- and 12-month-old infants were observed at home with each parent separately and their motivational characteristics were assessed in a laboratory setting. Differential relationships between two aspects of parental stimulation and the infants' mastery motivation…

Contains suggestions from two contributors, the first discussing the importance of distinguishing opinion from fact and the second suggesting 12 activities parents can initiate to improve teenagers' reading skills, such as helping them develop resumes or autobiographies and reviewing important business forms together. (DF)

Distinguishes between surface and meaningful parent involvement in reading. Describes six situations that meaningfully involve parents in school: (1) parent learning stations, (2) newspaper activities, (3) a parent talent bank, (4) "thin-book" reading from "cut up books," (5) parent activity sheets, and (6) a parent recreation room. (BJD)

Music education for preschool children holds much growth potential for music educators. Parents should be encouraged to sing lullabies to their babies and to provide a home atmosphere rich with music. Music educators should serve as guides to parents in an effort to influence positively the musical development of children. (RM)