Examines various psychodynamic and behavioral theories in a discussion about obesity and mental health. It is revealed that modern theory finds no identifiable personality profile, behavior, or family structure influencing large weight gain thus discounting psychopathology as the cause of obesity. Individual assessments for causes of obesity are…

Responses from 574 of 827 students in introductory home economics classes identified positive influences in selecting home economics as a major: friends, high school home economics teachers, and home economics faculty. Negative influences were family, other high school teachers, radio advertisements, and campus recruitment. (SK)

Discusses several family literacy programs that promote parent support and involvement while promoting mutual learning for all family members. (MG)

Explored the effects of the family system on the potential for alcoholism in 209 college students. Findings showed that students' gender, race, and how often they consumed alcohol were unrelated to the potential for alcoholism; however, perceived conflict in the students' family of origin appeared to increase potential. (Author/PVV)

This literature review discusses gender differences in psychosocial determinants of adolescent smoking. Studies show that external pressures (e.g., peer and parental smoking) are important for boys and girls, although their influence may be moderated differently by age and type of smoking behavior assessed. Gender-specific components of…

Among 1,243 adults nationwide, individuals who experienced parental divorce as children scored lower than those from happily intact families of origin on measures of psychological, social, and marital well-being. Multiple parental divorces and divorces involving deterioration of parent-child relations appeared particularly problematic. Contains 39…

Among 87 American Indian students at a Montana college, those from traditional families were more task and achievement oriented, had higher grade point averages, and spent more time doing homework. Those from modern families cared more about professors' opinions and skipped more classes. Contains the survey questionnaire. (SV)

Colleges are using current students' and their parents' enthusiasm for the institution as an effective recruitment tool. Student contact with prospective students on campus visits, hometown contacts, and parent phone calls to prospective students' parents are useful strategies. Most are volunteers though some students are paid for their time as…

Examines historical context, generalizability, methodological strengths and limitations of construct of "expressed emotion" (EE), designed to explore impact of family and social environment on vulnerability to relapse of schizophrenic patients, and Camberwell Family Interview, as well as nature and effects of treatment intervention programs…

LISREL analysis of Toronto (Canada) survey data suggests that the search for adolescent role exits such as early marriage or parenthood was most strongly related to family strains and absence of parental controls, followed by female gender plus maternal unemployment, feelings of depression, father's socioeconomic status, identification with…

Investigated adolescent suicidal ideation, focusing on measures of family conflict and adolescent self-derogation as predictors. Data from 473 adolescents support hypothesis that effects of family conflict are mediated by self-derogation, for both male and female adolescents. Independent effects of diverse forms of family conflict (marital,…

Presents a case study of a fourth-grade boy who was an active, intelligent boy who was not coping well with reading and writing in school. Discusses observations of, and conversations with, the boy and his parents in their home. Demonstrates the importance of educators' having a family perspective on students' language and literacy development.…

Argues that both parents' and children's educational expectations are spurred by between-family social capital and within-family social capital, and that agreement between parents and children on educational expectations facilitates children's achievement. Indicates that high levels of parent-child interaction increase expectations, and higher…

Examined factors that influenced the formation of neutral or negative attitudes in physically competent 10th graders toward physical education and physical activity. Observations, surveys, and interviews with 10th graders indicated that the primary influences on students' attitudes were issues relating to the physical-education program, the…

Examines the importance of a university-based community and perceived social support of family and friends in facilitating the growth and persistence in higher education of Latina students and Chicanas using a sample of 357 Chicana undergraduates. Factors that facilitate academic persistence are discussed. (SLD)