Analysis of the relative contribution of age, gender, and verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities (measured by subtests of the Scholastic Aptitude Test) as predictors of success in accelerated secondary science courses found that a composite of verbal and mathematical reasoning ability was the most powerful predictor and verbal reasoning…

Tests five hypotheses about attitudes toward illegal immigration and undocumented migrants using public opinion data from southern California. Data supported cultural affinity between respondents and undocumented migrants and to the role of education. Respondents' evaluations of tangible costs and benefits to themselves also influence their…

Investigated the development of inattentiveness and hyperactivity in middle childhood through a prospective study that followed 191 children from birth through age 11. In early childhood, quality of caregiving better predicted distractibility, an early precursor of hyperactivity, than did early biological or temperament factors. Caregiving and…

Addresses the validity of the Cognitive-Affective Response Test-Music by clarifying the theoretical assertions on which the construct validity of the instrument rests. Presents nine specific assertions and data from two studies. Concludes that the test is valid for college-bound high school students. (CFR)

Examined cognitive-behavioral (health-belief, social cognitive, peer support), risk-taking, and stress/coping models as predictors of safer sex practices among 136 gay/bisexual males, ages 14-19. Components of the health-belief, self-efficacy theories, and emotional distress models corresponded with safer sex practices; peer support was not…

Expanded the applicability of stage models to the reduction of HIV-risk behaviors. Distributed not-in-treatment crack cocaine smokers and intravenous drug users across three levels of intention to change, which revealed that benefits of change and condom assertiveness varied across the stages of change. Discusses other findings. (RJM)

Sexually abused girls (n=56) and their nonoffending female caretakers from primarily low-income, African American families were assessed to determine factors related to child symptomatology and self-blame. Child self-blame was related to overall relationships with caretakers, disruptions in relationship with a primary caretaker, child age, general…

Forty-seven children (ages 6 to 14) with mild mental retardation, of whom 27 also had an articulation disorder, were evaluated to identify distinguishing characteristics. Task performance results successfully discriminated 89.3 percent of the children with articulation disorders and 80 percent of the children with normal articulation. Fine motor…

Examined the role of individual characteristics and peer influences in evoking early substance abuse in young boys. Individual characteristics, such as fighting, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviors, and likability, were found to be pivotal in the development of substance abuse--more than friends' deviance. Results suggest that prevention…

Discusses the relationship between lifestyle choices and low birth weights and the opportunity that pregnancy offers women for adopting more healthful lifestyle behaviors. It reviews the literature that focuses on the roles of drug use, nutrition, stress, physical activity, employment, social support, violence, and sexually transmitted diseases in…

Screened 391 women for a history of sexual assault during childhood and then assessed subjects for mental disorders. Results indicate that rape and molestation, but not noncontact sexual assault, increased incidents of mental disorders, suggesting that physical sexual contact leads to severe mental health effects. Other findings are discussed.…

Tested the relative influence of relationship variables in the family of origin and sexual abuse characteristics in predicting the long-term adjustment of child sexual abuse survivors. Subjects (n=103) completed self-report measures. Persons with histories of sexual abuse reported greater parental conflict than did their nonabused counterparts.…

Examines reasons for the overrepresentation of blacks in emotionally handicapped (EH) programs and this relationship to 15 variables. Results show a decrease in EH representation with an increase in black population and numbers of black teachers. No significant relationships were found involving black school psychologists or the overrepresentation…

Discusses the integration of different media and describes Bunkyo Museum of Literature, a hypermedia system developed in Japan. A study that tested the instructional effectiveness of the system with college students is described, including results related to level of interest, learning of factual information, and degree of perceived participation.…

Found that 75 percent of variance in children's first-grade achievement was predicted by measures of their achievement, object play, and peer interaction in kindergarten; and that aspects of first graders' personality disorders and aggressive behavior were predicted by their popularity in kindergarten. (MM)