Tested the usefulness of Lewis's and Spanier's theory of marital quality and marital stability for the prediction of divorce adjustment, in a study of 216 recently divorced persons. The quality of the marriage, external pressure to remain married, and level of alternative attractions were all useful predictors. (JAC)

Examined social and psychological factors related to suicide, using a sample of primitive societies from the Human Relations Area Files. Results showed suicide prevalence was high where the society is stable agricultural, expects either very restrained or very open emotional expression, and emphasizes individual pride and shame. (JAC)

Explores the utility of Bandura's self-efficacy theory for studying older adults' behavioral competencies in college. Expectations of personal efficacy are viewed as mediating mechanisms for predicting the initiation and persistence of educationally relevant behaviors. Theoretical issues related to the assessment of self-efficacy and performance…

Surveyed 691 teachers to investigate whether those who regretted their career choice differed in perceived occupational stress from those who were content. Results showed 52 percent of the teachers would not choose teaching again. They were absent more often and reported stress as a factor in their absences. (JAC)

Despite the fact that both national and regional statistics show that violent crimes (murder, non negligent manslaughter, aggravated assault, robbery, and forcible rape) in the U.S. have been declining in recent years, many believe that violent crime rates have been steadily escalating. Exaggerated media portrayals of violence, including both news…

This study investigated the influence of maternal employment on perceptions of the specific costs and benefits to children associated with mothers working outside the home and professional ambition among young adults. A sample of 90 college students completed a survey including the Beliefs About the Consequences of Maternal Employment for Children…

Previous research has suggested that increased use of school suspension and expulsion may be associated with increased risk of dropout and lower achievement. Part of the purpose of school discipline is to maintain school climates conducive to learning. This paper describes analyses exploring the relationship between school use of out of- …

This study investigated the influence of maternal employment on perceptions of the costs and benefits to children associated with mothers working outside the home and professional ambition among junior high school adolescents. A sample of 151 suburban and urban junior high school students completed a questionnaire relating to their professional…

To what extent are predictor variables associated with teaching and learning in graduate school related to graduate students academic self-efficacy, or their perseverance to achieve course goals? Graduate students (n=145) at a southern university completed a short form of the Student Assessment of Teaching and Learning (original developed by C.…

This study sought to determine variables that influence HRED postsecondary faculty to spend more time in research than fellow HRED postsecondary faculty. Reviewing theory and literature led to the design and evaluation of a mediated model investigating the influence of environmental variables (control variables), perceived organizational…

This report examines risk and protective factors associated with adolescent tobacco involvement. Of interest are family contexts, peers, and individual covariates. Participants were 399 youth, parents, and a close-in-age sibling. Of the youth, 150 initiated use early (7th, 8th, or 9th grade), 82 later (10th or 11th grade), and 167 abstained.…

The Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) Project first investigated the effect of small class size on student achievement with over 6,000 Tennessee primary students in 1985 through 1989. The study found a consistent and significant benefit of small classes for all students, with the greatest advantages for minority, inner-city students from…

This report from the United States Surgeon General is the result of a review of the scientific literature and analyses of new data relating to youth violence. It identifies and quantifies factors, in particular settings of combinations, that increase the probability that violence will occur. It also presents an array of interventions of…

Previous research has indicated that depression, the most common psychological disorder experienced by over 19 million Americans, can be related to such factors as ethnicity, social support, social economic status, academic achievement and gender. One hundred and sixty students from Johnson C. Smith University and Tennessee State University were…

This monograph details the growing body of research showing the connection between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency. In 2000, nearly 879,000 children were victims of child abuse and neglect. Although juvenile crime has declined recently, the level of crime committed by youth remains high. This monograph describes an array of program,…