A study investigated racial patterns in students withdrawing from York University (Ontario). Results indicate differences in overall retention rates for Blacks and students of South Asian, Chinese, "other" non-European, and European origins are small. While racial origin was not a predictor of voluntary withdrawal at the end of the first…

Used a subsample from the Infant Health and Development Program to examine effects of neighborhood and family income and family risk factors on developmental test scores at ages 1 through 3. Family poverty was associated with lower scores at ages 2 and 3. Neighborhood affluence was associated with higher scores at age 3. Home environment was a…

Levels of personal control exercised by 76 adults with mental retardation were contrasted by substitute decision-making status. Individuals with no guardian or conservator exercised more personal control than did those with a conservator, who exerted more personal control than those with guardians. Similar group differences were observed in…

Compares the adequacy of five theories to predict dropping out of high school before the 10th grade. Theories include full mediation by academic achievement and direct effects related to general deviance; deviant affiliation; family socialization; and structural strains. Results reveal that none of the theories was fully adequate to explain the…

Explores the association between parental involvement (PI) and children's positive academic performance and social competence. Study examines the relations between a set of family and demographic risk factors and PI. Results reveal different patterns of relations between the risk factors studied-parental education, maternal depression, and…

Student athletes (N=563) were surveyed to examine their attitudes toward the use of painkilling drugs. Twenty-nine percent reported that they felt there is nothing wrong with using painkilling drugs on the day of competition (when injured) to cope with pain. Recommendations for coaches, educators, team physicians, team trainers, and administrators…

Describes a study that examined the effect of moderating variables on the attitude-behavior relationship within the context of traditional-aged undergraduate students' experience of distance education. Results showed attitude and subjective norms were the most important predictor variables of behavioral intent to enroll in a distance education…

Assessed whether risk factors for youth violence measured at 10 years influenced later violence directly or indirectly through predictors measured at 14 years. Found that many childhood risks had strong and persistent effects on later violence. Mediation effects were noted for most factors. School and peer predictors at 14 years were the strongest…

Investigated concurrent and longitudinal relations between attributions and negative behavioral interactions between 177 fathers and young adolescents. Found that children's attributions about father played a significant role in negative interactions within and across time. Father's earlier negative interactions with their children predicted…

Conducted a series of analyses under various assumptions concerning affirmative action plans, causes of racial differences in average college admissions test scores, and racial differences in accuracy of performance predictions. Evidence suggesting a lower level of predictive accuracy for African Americans implies that, under affirmative action,…

A study compared components of insulin resistance syndrome between 75 adults with Down syndrome and 70 with mental retardation. Women with Down syndrome had lower fasting plasma glucose and lower systolic blood pressure than comparison women. Men with Down syndrome had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than comparison men. (Contains…

This study was based in data from a national survey used to examine the extent to which precollege outreach programs contain components that address the known predictors of college enrollment. The analyses show that only one fourth of programs targeting historically underrepresented groups contain components that correspond to five of the most…

Three groups of fifth graders (total n=104) classified as either at-risk and with anti-social behavior/hyperactivity, at-risk only, or controls were contrasted on protective and risk factors from third-grade using multivariate analyses. Seven of eight variables were found to predict group membership including protective factors (e.g., academic and…

The Twenty Statements Test (TST), a lotus of control test, was administered to 16 undergraduates with visual impairments, along with open-ended questions. A generally positive view of self emerged, but negative responses focusing on disability also occurred and sometimes were associated with deteriorating vision loss and time of onset. (Contains…

School completion and dropping out of school are developmental processes with strong social and emotional antecedents. The early development of attachment bonds, and subsequent positive and negative behaviors and relationships set an early path toward school completion or drop out. Discusses ways to enhance emotional bonds before and during the…