The Playground Movement Confidence Inventory (PMCI) was designed to assess movement confidence and the bases for performance decisions by children. Analysis of the responses of 250 fifth graders showed the PMCI to successfully classify 85.16 percent of total cases. (MT)

Participants in a communitywide stop-smoking contest were interviewed for cognitive, behavioral, and general smoking modification strategies used and amount of social support received specific to stopping smoking. Subjects reported using a variety of cognitive strategies but relatively few behavioral techniques during their attempts to quit.…

Two status variables were examined in an academic setting through monitoring of reprint-sending behavior; requester's sex and academic ranking had no significant effect on total number of responses received. Males, however, received responses significantly faster than females, and male authors were more likely than female authors to honor…

Examined influences on decisions regarding pregnancy outcome in 43 adolescents who completed the Adolescent Life Change Event Questionnaire and the Social Support Questionnaire. Those continuing the pregnancy (N=30) had higher life event change scores, lower social support scores, and more personal and family problems. (JAC)

Presents a model of extramarital sexual permissiveness, focusing on several aspects of the marital dyad and dyadic independence. While autonomy of heterosexual interaction, the comparison level of alternatives, and marital satisfaction each play some role in accounting for permissive attitudes, the strongest predictor is the diffuseness of…

Examined variations in female juvenile crime according to age, educational level, IQ, family structure, and geographical location. No significant relationships were found except a slight influence of age. Girls raised in mother-only homes committed a higher rate of violent crimes. (JAC)

Modeled the intake decisions of four clinicians at a community mental health center by principal components-discriminant function analysis. Results showed that clinicians' written notes can predict decisions. Cues most important in arriving at intake decisions were therapy history, interview site, level of functioning, diagnosis, and behavioral…

Examined preexisting psychological, perceptual-cognitive, demographic, and physical differences between 34 adults reporting near-death experiences and 386 controls. Results indicated differences in perceptual-cognitive style in those reporting near-death experiences. Medical conditions have some effect on the experience. (JAC)

Surveyed 398 adolescents who reported using drugs or alcohol to examine whether drug involvement and perceived positive affective impact were related to high levels of arousal. Results indicated a relationship between impetuosity and perceptions of relaxation and accentuated motivation in extended drug users. (JAC)

Surveyed 208 Protestant couples to examine the predictive effects of religiosity, socioeconomic rewards, and family development characteristics on marital adjustment. Religiosity was found to be the most predictive variable, even when controlling for social desirability. The results are discussed in terms of implications for theories of family…

Surveyed 143 older adults to examine their interest in various vocational courses and their overall educational needs in relation to sex, race, educational attainment, and course location. Results suggested older adults generally are interested in vocational education related to home life, avocational interests, health, and technical updating.…

Examined health service utilization by 4,800 Canadian elderly. Findings suggested that most elderly are healthy and are infrequent users of services. Identifies a minority of very high users of health care and discusses the potential influence of physicians on health care use by the elderly. (JAC)

Assessed vulnerability to rape as a function of deficits in coping mechanisms. Comparison of 72 rape victims and 72 controls showed victims were characterized by low levels of psychosocial competency and higher scores on external locus of control. Drug abuse, psychiatric hospitalization, and suicidal thoughts also added to vulnerability. (JAC)

Used loan-approval data to analyze the effects of life-cycle stage on housing consumption. The detailed typologies were not generally superior to the more simplified approaches, except for per capita consumption. For per capita consumption, price, and quality, clear evidence is found for structural nonhomogeneity across life-cycle stages. (JAC)

Surveyed 498 Kansas City residents to determine their attitudes regarding contraception and resolution of teenage pregnancy. Results showed 80 percent favored contraceptives for adolescents. Over half favored keeping the baby or placing it for adoption, while 40 percent favored abortion. Responses showed significant demographic differences. (JAC)