Assessed preschoolers' peer relations and measured the frequency of parents' and children's initiations of children's play interactions with peers. Frequent parent initiations were associated with high levels of children's prosocial behavior. Children who more often initiated interactions displayed less anxious behavior than children who less…

Approximately 6,400 adolescents reported on their parents' child rearing practices. Data on adolescents' school performance and concentration on studies were collected over two years. Authoritative parenting led to better school performance and stronger concentration on studies than did other styles of parenting. (BC)

Examines changes in level and types of support that children receive from parents, from young through middle age, using data from National Survey of Families and Households. Finds that, in general, there is no change or only a slight increase in support when children are in their twenties. Decline in all forms of support occurs after age 30. (KS)

Analysis of achievement data for over 20,000 Mexican primary school graduates shows that mathematics and Spanish achievement were significantly related to being male, being younger, having better educated parents, and living in states with developed educational systems. Student preschool experience increased achievement scores, particularly in…

Describes the characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs), indicating that they are an increasing part of the college campus population. Discusses nine steps that instructors may take to assist the academic success of ACOAs. Indicates that college staff must recognize the syndrome and provide a therapeutic environment for students. (14…

Survey of middle school children examined their perceptions of their parents' actions toward one another. Fathers' ratings correlated to the reciprocated love between parents. Mother ratings only varied with the love they exhibited toward their husband and not vice versa. Self-concepts varied among sexes and were correlated to parental loving.…

Examines important issues for parents to consider when dealing with children of divorce and discusses several problem points to avoid, including loyalty conflicts, good parent/evil parent, family secrets, and feeling cheated. Several suggestions for helping children cope are offered. (SM)

A survey of parents of 174 gifted students identified specific parenting skills that respondents felt had influenced their children's personal and social development. Skills identified included support and help; respect, valuing, honesty; praise, encouragement, rewards; strong work ethic and high expectations; love and affection; and communication…

Found that, contrary to prevailing assumptions, parents retain a notable but indirect influence over their child's peer associates during adolescence. Specific parenting practices, such as monitoring, encouragement of achievement, and joint decision making, were significantly associated with specific adolescent behaviors, such as academic…

Provides ideas to help parents determine whether their children are spending too much time with electronic media, noting children learn both good and bad from every device they use. Parents are encouraged to offer their children interest, support, and suggestions for alternate ways to spend their time. (SM)

A study was designed to determine psychological complexity and reinforcement characteristics of popular arcade video games, including sex differences in game content, clientele social structure, human-to-human interaction contingencies, and value content. Results suggest a need for public control of children's access to the games and the video…

This study examined maternal contributions to development of spontaneous mastery in 30 toddlers with and 31 without cerebral palsy. Mothers in the 2 groups did not differ in the quality and appropriateness of interactions with their children. Maternal involvement was found to contribute significantly to both spontaneous mastery and developmental…

Examined parent involvement during childhood/adolescence as it influences child's well-being. Longitudinal data revealed that children's (n=762) perceptions of maternal and paternal behavioral and emotional involvement were equally important for well-being of girls and boys. Results suggest that relationships with parents are more telling for…

Examines two studies (n=18, n=103) of high school students' approaches to college choice, using a "brand elimination" approach to consumer decision making and analyzing each stage of the student decision process. A salient finding was that different sources of information are important to the student at different stages of college selection. (MSE)

This essay takes the form of a dialog between the human "Self" and a questioner and explores the nature of individual self-consciousness, the Freudian model of the self, the development of the self in early childhood, the importance of parents in the self's development, and special problems of self-awareness in gifted students. (DB)