Replicated and extended American research on overt and relational aggression with Italian children. Found that peer and teacher nominations for aggression and prosocial behavior were highly stable, although with very poor concordance between them. Peer nominations for overt and relational aggression were linked to peer rejection. Boys' scores were…

Compares second-grade children's judgments and ratings of punishment severity on children who broke neutral, sex-appropriate, or opposite-sex toys. Findings from 80 urban school children illustrate both the direct and the devious impact of gender stereotypes on children's social cognitive processes. (GR)

The first of two studies found direct effects of sixth and seventh graders' perceptions of their parents' marital conflict on the children's internalizing behaviors; and indirect effects, through parent-child relationships, on externalizing behaviors. The second study found indirect effects of marital conflict and parent-to-child hostility,…

Examines family-related factors which affect the psychological adjustment of the child victim of sex abuse. Findings suggest that lower cohesion characterizes families who have a child victim as a member and that a significant positive association exists between the intensity of parent's emotional reaction to the abuse and behavior problems of the…

This review examines research done on affection behaviors of children with visual and hearing impairments. A social interaction perspective is utilized, and areas for further empirical investigation are identified. (DB)

Examined the relationships among parents' stress, parents' work overload, and adolescent problem behavior. Adolescents in dual-earner families reported on parent-adolescent relations and their own problem behavior. Their parents provided reports of work overload, levels of stress, and parent-adolescent relations. Findings indicated…

Describes the essential self-care of an eight-year old second-grade student. This study illustrates a school counselor's use of a multimodal, behavioral intervention to increase the level of self-care in the classroom. Relevant reinforcements, individual and group counseling, and peer support, resulted in improved self-care. (RJM)

Describes a study of the multimedia constructions of children 8-10 years of age, composed of both acoustic and visual elements. Suggested that arts provide a great deal of interest to children in the acquisition of computer literacy and that links need to be made between existing curricula and corresponding computer applications. (AA)

Explains why play is an important tool for understanding and diagnosing children's problems, outlining signals for concern in children's play. Focuses on three areas of play where deviations can be observed: thematic content, style of play, and social interactions in play. Suggests strategies for dealing with these deviations, examining the role…

Telephone interviews were conducted with 39 college-educated mothers of 3-year-old children to examine the conditions surrounding the occurrence of physical punishment. Responses suggest that certain types of misbehavior, notably aggression, were more likely to elicit spanking than other misbehavior. In addition, parents' positive attitudes toward…

Observed behaviors of 37 female and 23 male Australian preschoolers. Found that only 20% engaged in thematic pretend play (linked to perspective taking, language development, impulse control, divergent problem solving) whereas 24% used cooperative social play (linked to divergent problem solving). Results suggest need for assistance in the…

Homesickness is a normal response of campers to the stress of being separated from their families. Suggestions for interventions include preparing children and parents for the camp experience, educating staff concerning child development and homesickness, developing a plan for the child who has adjustment problems, and following-up with campers at…

Studied verbal disclosure of abuse in a sample of 28 children who presented with purely physical complaints later diagnosed as a sexually transmitted disease. Only 43 percent gave any verbal confirmation of sexual contact. Disclosure was strongly associated with the attitude taken by the child's caretaker toward the possibility of abuse. (RJM)

The Parent Perception Inventory (PPI), used to measure children's perceptions of parental behavior, was administered to children in 12 physically abusive families, 15 child problem behavior families, and 16 nondistressed families. All families were single parent, mother-headed, and impoverished. Data from the present sample were compared with data…

Contrasts prevailing attitudes with new research that presents a new portrayal of young children's social disposition: children are social and sensitive to the needs of others and take other viewpoints into consideration, aggression is a rare form of conflict resolution, and children negotiate and compromise with peers in the absence of adults at…