A study found good problem-solving skills, reading at or above grade level, ability to get along with peers and adults, likeability, sense of humor, and having an adult mentor at school were associated with the positive educational progress of 652 boys (ages 13 to 17) with severe aggression and emotional disturbance. (Author/CR)

Tested the spatial ability of 423 sixth-grade students in international schools around the world, using the Institute for Academic Advancement of Youth's Spatial Test Battery (STB). Results showed the STB's ability to predict the future academic success of sixth graders, regardless of their familiarity with English. (MLH)

It is more important than ever for colleges and universities to manage the resources they have and guard against unnecessary loss. Student bad debt is one loss that can be resolved. A study identified certain predictors of student bad debt, including academic indicators and student characteristics, and offers suggestions to institutions for…

Examines parent-teen communication about sexual topics in mother-teen (n=666) and father-teen (n=510) pairs. Results show that, aside from gender of parents and teens, demographic variables were insignificant; relationship and attitudinal variables were linked to sexual discussions in both mother-teen and father-teen dyads. (Author/MKA)

Examines the use of alcohol by adolescents (N=535) in Dade County Public Schools during 1992. Significant factors that increase the probability of alcohol use are friends who drink, awareness of risks associated with alcohol use, and ease in obtaining alcohol. Family-related variables, smoking, religion, gender, race, academic performance, and…

Explores academic performance of Caucasian and African-American college freshmen (N=2,600) in a Southeastern public research university. Four cognitive and 30 psychosocial and demographic variables were used to predict the students' GPA and retention. Findings reveal cognitive and psychosocial variables for predicting student success. (Author/MKA)

A survey of 291 parents of children with Down syndrome found that parents of younger children, children in early intervention and general education, and mothers with higher education were more satisfied with their children's current programs. Parents of children in general education were least likely to want a program change. (Author/CR)

A study of occupational stress and personal-strain levels among new and experienced male and female college faculty found no differences in stress or strain between male and female faculty or between new and experienced faculty. Role overload and avoidant coping were significant predictors of strain, with hardiness and responsibility for…

This investigation at California State University, Chico seeks to identify those variables that prove indicative of the demand for monographs by subject. Analyzes interrelationships among circulation, expenditure, and enrollment by subject and develops a model for allocating subject funding based on circulation statistics. (Author/LRW)

Configural analyses of teacher- , peer- , and self-assessments of students' interpersonal competence were evaluated with 948 students (including 107 students with mild disabilities) in 59 elementary classrooms. The study found 54% of boys and 64% of girls with mild disabilities were in configurations suggesting adjustment problems or poor outcomes…

Describes a study that examined which factors made a difference in distance learners' achievements and their continuous enrollment status over one year in the Korea National Open University. Results of a path analysis discusses learners' job load, grade point average, study time, social integration, face-to-face activities, and drop-outs. Contains…

Predicts, using independent variables such as student effort and campus environment, how community college students perceive their gains in general education and personal and social development. Finds that quality and quantity of student effort, as well as a positive perception of the campus environment, were significant predictors regardless of…

A longitudinal study evaluated child-care effects on young children's self-control, compliance, and problem behavior. Findings indicated that mothering was a stronger and more consistent predictor of child outcomes than child care. There was little evidence that early, extensive, and continuous care was related to problematic child behavior.…

Twenty-four families of a child with learning disabilities were analyzed with respect to their perceptions of their child's Locus of Control (LOC). Mothers' perspectives were more correlated to the child's LOC. Parents' educational level and income, and child's age when diagnosed, are variables that may influence the child's LOC. (Contains…

Compared stress levels in families of children with Down syndrome (DS), Williams syndrome (WS), or Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). Found that DS families experienced less Pessimism than others and less Parent and Family Problems than SMS families. Strongest predictors of Parent and Family Problems were maladaptive behavior in SMS, younger age in DS,…