Introduces the articles in this journal issue, noting the burgeoning interest in the roots of parental beliefs, values, and goals. Highlights thematic continuities among the otherwise diverse research approaches presented, for example, synthesis of different theoretical perspectives of parent beliefs, or the context in which parental beliefs…

Assessed family perceptions of parent-adolescent conflict four times from grade six to summer following grade eight. Mothers, fathers, and adolescents from 80 families reported on parent-adolescent conflict. Conflict over chores, appearance, and politeness decreased over 2.5 years whereas conflict over finances increased. Substance-use conflict…

Of 4,100 adolescents, those who characterized their parents as authoritative scored highest on psychosocial competence and lowest on behavioral dysfunction. The reverse was true for neglected adolescents. Adolescents from authoritarian homes scored high on obedience but low on self-perception. Adolescents from indulgent homes evidenced…

Interview data from 40 inner-city seventh graders challenge the stereotype that adolescents' peer conflicts (APCs) are senseless, wasteful, and destructive. Rather, these conflicts raise important micropolitical concerns about power, conflict, coalition, and policy. APCs can increase the relevance of education, play an important role in social…

Studies psychosocial development and friendship of 85 secondary school students and 138 college students (71 males and 152 females). Finds no gender preference in choice of developmental style. Friendship variables are more strongly associated with development for boys; girls view their relationships as closer than those of boys. (SLD)

Presents a historical overview of the development of junior high schools for young adolescents, focusing on the unique physical, emotional, and social needs of that population. The article examines the views of James Conant, the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, and a junior high school teacher. (SM)

Reviews the literature concerning homosexual identity development. Discusses at-risk issues (suicide, human immunodeficiency virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome infection, school problems) and developmental difficulties for gay and lesbian youth (sensitization, identity confusion, identity assumption, commitment). Proposes developmental…

A model is proposed to delineate several sociocultural, family, neighborhood, and personal coping factors thought to moderate the effects of stress and risk factors that ordinarily contribute to adverse developmental outcomes in children and adolescents. Research is proposed on issues related to resilience and coping. (SLD)

Middle schools must place high academic emphasis on health education and critical thinking skills which are developmentally important for young adolescents. Reasons why young adolescents should apply critical thinking to health issues include enhancing cognitive development, making health risk decisions, and preparing to be informed citizens. (SM)

Used a structural-equation model with latent constructs to differentiate the domains of adolescent emotional autonomy from parents and specify the intervening processes. Found that individuation was associated with lower academic achievement and higher rates of deviant behavior through the intervening effects of higher susceptibility to negative…

Examined characteristics of perceived relational support from four key providers for 12- to 18-year-olds. Variable-centered factor analyses yielded five support dimensions, three specific to providers and two specific to provisions. Person-centered factor analyses identified five types of adolescents with different configurations of perceived…

Reviews developmental models for understanding adolescence as they might be applied to emerging sexuality and the challenges and risks that may be associated with different sexual orientations and identities. Models have been identified as: cumulative events or simultaneous change, accentuation, or trajectory models. Models have been useful in…

Two studies, involving 314 junior high students, examined effects of academic achievement, sex, and urban/rural community of residence on career decision-making diffusion, need for emotional support in decision making, approach-approach conflict, and perception of external barriers. Findings suggest that age, sex, and level of academic ability…

Examines the extent to which substantial differences in the attitudes of children from the same family are mediated by nonshared environmental processes or by genetic factors. Results suggested that parental and sibling negativity is significantly related to adolescent adjustment through nonshared environmental processes, although genetic factors…

Tested a model linking parental formal religiosity to early adolescents' academic competence and socioemotional adjustment. Found that greater parental religiosity led to more cohesive family relationships, less interparental conflict, and fewer externalizing and internalizing problems in adolescents. Found that religiosity indirectly influenced…