Examines the effects of a group counseling intervention on the self-concept of children of alcoholics. Fourth- and fifth-grade students were assigned randomly to a counseling intervention support group. Results indicate that group counseling helped children of alcoholics improve their self-concepts and also increased their social skills. (RJM)

Surveyed over 600 adolescents and their parents to examine adolescent problem behaviors in single-mother families. Results indicate that nonresident father involvement buffers the negative effects of single-mother families for white adolescent males. However, black male adolescents reported fewer problem behaviors when nonresident fathers are…

A survey of 940 university students found that adolescents of Type A parents have higher Type A scores. Moreover, Type A parent-adolescent relationships varied depending on the Type A dimension measured and the gender of the parent-adolescent dyad. Analyses indicated that perceived family environment influenced the development of Type A behavior.…

Examines the correspondence between late adolescent children and their parents when assessing aspects of parental bonds with children. A sample of older undergraduate students and parents completed retrospective accounts of their relationships. Student perceptions of attachment accounted for significant unique variation in self-esteem but not in…

A study examined how eight parents experienced their child's mainstream schooling and exclusion from a mainstream secondary school. Parents of excluded students felt they were judged as unworthy parents and were mere observers to a decision that had radical implications for their child's future education. (Contains references.) (CR)

A biopsychosocial model of the development of adolescent chronic conduct problems is presented and supported through a review of empirical findings. The model posits that biological dispositions and sociocultural contexts place certain children at risk in early life but that life experiences with parents, peers, and social institutions increment…

This study used a sample of 2,379 seventh through twelfth graders in 5 Protestant denominations to test the hypothesis that parental influences on religious faith are mediated through peer selection and congregation selection. Findings revealed that peer and parental influence remained stable during the adolescent years. Parental influence did not…

Data were analyzed from an epidemiological sample of 5-year- old twins and their parents. Findings indicated that the less time fathers lived with their children, the more conduct problems their children had, but only if the fathers engaged in low levels of antisocial behavior. When fathers engaged in high levels of antisocial behavior, the more…

Assessed the effects of youth and parent factors on school functioning among 70 black 8th graders. Student, parent, and teacher surveys indicated that hostile control positively related to delinquency symptoms; achievement control negatively related to academic performance; negative peer behavior positively related to aggression and delinquency…

This study examined toddler precursors of preschoolers' externalizing behaviors. Findings indicated that boys initiated more conflictual-aggressive interactions as toddlers and had more externalizing difficulties 2 years later, yet girls' (not boys') conflict-aggressive initiations at age 2 related to subsequent externalizing problems. The…

Evaluates the Lynch Enabling Survey for Parents (LESP), and determines the scale to be reliable and valid. Also examines the differences between at-risk and honors students and their parents' LESP scores. Results reveal that the LESP scores of parents of at-risk students were significantly more enabling than were the responses of parents of honors…

Mothers (N=120) and fathers (N=85) of young children with conduct problems completed measures of child adjustment, personal adjustment, a Life Experience Survey, and were observed with child. Teachers (N=107) completed Behar Preschool Questionnaire. Found that fathers' perceptions of children's behaviors were significantly correlated with…

Presents a rationale for practicing democracy with four and five year olds. Discusses techniques and activities that enhance children's understanding of democracy. (BB)

This paper investigated the role of family encouragement in the gender gap seen in mathematical talent. Results of 340 pairs of questionnaires completed by students scoring high on the Scholastic Aptitude Test for math and their parents indicated that stereotyped behaviors of parents may impair subsequent achievement by gifted females in…

Surveyed 43 female and 34 male high school students who denied any use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Compared "nonuser" sample to "user" sample. "Nonuser" students reported better physical and mental health, academic achievement, and their parents exhibited a significantly lower rate of similar problems. (Author/BH)