This literature review of home and family influences on the development of literacy is organized around the child in three major transactions: (1) child and environment; (2) child and ecology; and (3) child and family. (Author/GK)

Data from past studies on adolescent alcohol misuse and family structure of adult alcoholics formulate a picture of family environment which contains high levels of anxiety, maintenance of the problematic behavior by the family, parental modeling of inappropriate alcohol use, and lax parental control. (Author)

Summarizes longitudinal and other research on (1) demographic and family predictors of mild mental retardation in children and (2) the effects of two types of early education programs on child performance. (Author/ RH)

This longitudinal study examined the relationship of three domains (personality/attitudinal orientations, peer relationships, and family socialization factors) with initiation into adolescent marihuana use. (Author/DB)

As an example of the insights into creativity and cultural influences which may be gained by analyzing children's spontaneous play, the authors present a case study from Jamaica, where they observed young boys making their own toy trucks. (SJL)

Discusses the controversy of the relationship between birth order and intellectual performance through a detailed evaluation of the confluence model which assumes that the rate of intellectual growth is a function of the intellectual environment within the family and associated with the special circumstances of last children. (CM)

Discusses the relationship of familial influence, victimization, gun ownership, and attitudes toward gun control. Victims whose parents owned guns are much more likely to own guns and oppose legislation. (JMF)

The "push" explanation emphasizes parental failure to meet the needs of the child and adolescent and to establish a satisfactory parent-adolescent relationship. The "pull" explanation states that an adolescent is led by peers to become less favorably oriented toward parents. Presents research findings supporting the "push" explanation. (Author/JM)

A study of 794 families in South Wales clearly suggests that parents' and children's reported roles in selecting a new school are susceptible to variations over time. A three-step model predicts that simply dividing families into "alert" and "inert,""disconnected" and "privileged," or…

Examined the potential of family cohesion and organization to act as buffers against the long-term, negative impact of childhood sexual abuse. College women (N=266) completed various self-report measures. Results indicate no evidence for a buffering effect, although both family characteristics were related to participants' current social and…

Tested six hypothesized risk factors of a model for anorexia nervosa. Results confirmed three of the risk factors: family history of depression, feelings of ineffectiveness, and poor interceptive awareness. Alcohol and drug abuse also figured prominently in the family history of patients with anorexia nervosa. (RJM)

Investigated the effects of pubertal timing, demographics, family processes, and leisure activities on the timing of first sexual experience among adolescents (N=702). Higher levels of parental monitoring predicted later initiation of sexual experience for most participants. Higher levels of risky leisure also predicted earlier first sexual…

Presents an analysis of personal, socialization, and structural factors affecting the lifespan achievement of 15 Asian American women identified as gifted. Their families' intense focus on educational achievement and hard work are described, and the need for better preparation to overcome obstacles in the workplace is discussed. (Author/CR)

Examined the antecedents of infant-father attachment among 136 father-son dyads using the Ainsworth and Wittig Strange Situation procedure and questionnaires. Found that fathers of secure infants were more extroverted and agreeable than fathers of insecure infants, tended to have more positive marriages, and experienced more positive emotional…

Use of nutrition information networks (consumer market, media, authority, family, and high school classes), food choices, fat practices, and nutrient intake were rated by 179 male and 300 female undergraduates. Family was an important influence; media and consumer market influenced fat practices, especially for women. No source was used very…