Describes the use of family systems theory to explain career decision-making (CDM) problems in late adolescence. Reviews research on family dynamics and CDM, and outlines the advantages and limitations of using family systems theory in the treatment of career decision problems. Introduces the concept of "problem-determined" systems as an…

The family's values, attitudes, and ways of relating internally and externally determine its health-creating or destroying power. The family's overwhelming impact on human competence makes a strong case for premarital and parent education that prepares people for roles as spouses and parents. (SK)

Compares family role dysfunction, college adjustment, chemical dependence, and family functioning among college students (n=245) from three groups: dysfunctional homes with significant substance abuse; dysfunctional homes without significant substance abuse; and nonabusing, nondysfunctional homes. Results suggest that substance abuse or dependence…

This study examined 87 pedigrees of individuals with histories of preschool phonology disorders. Significantly more family members with dyslexia and learning disabilities, but not stuttering or hearing impairment, were found in pedigrees of individuals with phonology disorders than in pedigrees of nondisabled individuals. (Author/JDD)

Evaluated Negative Personal motives and Positive Social motives, two drinking motives scales derived from Mulford and Miller's Definitions of Alcohol Scales, and Negative Family Models scales for internal consistency and association with college students' scores on drinking-related Social Complications scale. In both initial (n=553) and…

Examines various research strategies designed to identify invulnerable children, or children who are reared in a disadvantaged home and socioeconomic environment but who nonetheless excel in life. A total of 800 children between 12 and 14 years of age in Orissa State, India, were tested with various peer, teacher, and individual measures designed…

A group of 296 female undergraduates completed the Strong Interest Inventory, Biographical Questionnaire, Bem Sex-Role Inventory, and Self-Esteem Inventory. Life history was a better predictor of vocational interests than either sex-role orientation or self-esteem. The only significant exception was that Femininity correlated with interest in…

Examines the effect of birth order on child development, noting that spacing of children, gender, family size, and family configuration all play a role in determining what effect birth order will have. The article looks at various traits of firstborn, middle, lastborn, and only children. (SM)

Parent involvement in the classroom is important for student success. Though the idea is not new, invovlement is more difficult to achieve with today's changing families. The article notes advantages to parent involvement, describes how to get parents involved, and examines potential problems teachers may encounter. (SM)

Examined correlates of enlistment of young men in military. Focused on all volunteer force, paying attention to effects of work, school, and family roles on enlistment. Work and school enrollment significantly reduced likelihood of enlisting in military for whites but not for African Americans. Marriage and parenthood did not affect likelihood of…

Focus group discussions with Native-American adolescents aged 11 to 17 in Oklahoma examined why teen smokers started smoking, family and peer influences on smoking, reasons for continuing to smoke, reasons not to smoke, effectiveness of strategies to prevent adolescents from smoking, and awareness of the health risks of smoking. (SV)

A family process model was used to link mothers' and fathers' psychological functioning to sibling relationship quality in a sample of 9- to 12-year-old African American youth (N=85) living in the rural Southeastern United States. Better parental psychological functioning was linked to more supportive relationships in the family, and youth in…

Ninety-two adults with developmental disabilities were interviewed about their church attendance. Fifty-two percent reported they had attended church in the last seven days. Of these attendees, 73 percent attended a Christian church, 94 percent know the name of their church, and 48 percent attended church with a family member. (Contains…

Reports that separation and divorce are associated with increases in behavior problems in children, regardless of the level of conflict between parents. Explains that in marriages that do not break up, high levels of marital conflict are associated with even greater increases in children's behavior problems. (Author/JDM)

Examines the prevalence and types of substance use in inner-city and rural eight- to twelve-year-olds (N=29) and the relationships between child substance use, self esteem, peer substance use, and family climate. Personal drug use and peer drug use were present in both groups. Inner-city children reported more alcohol and marijuana use, while…