Nested latent variable causal models were contrasted to compare the relationships of distal family and child and proximal adolescent factors to dropping out of high school in a sample of 194 Euro-American families over 19 years. Dropping out was a multiply-determined process with early influences developing in childhood. (SLD)

Drawing on a multiyear research project, describes the intellectual, psychological, familial, and cultural dramas that are played out in the lives of first-generation college students. Examines the effects of these dramas on students and what colleges can do to help students play them out. (RJM)

An eighteen-year longitudinal study of 1,265 New Zealand children examined the relationship between retrospective reports of physical punishment/maltreatment and rates of adjustment difficulties at age 18. Results found the children exposed to harsh or abusive treatment were at-risk for juvenile offending, substance abuse, and mental health…

Discusses Title I, as amended by the Improving America's Schools Act, and the involvement of parents in their children's education. Focuses on family literacy, noting that an investment in the education of parents is an investment in the whole family and the future of that family, including its children. (GR)

Describes negative contributors to young children's pretend play development and how early childhood educators can support both play development and foundational skills. Identifies ways that play influences development and contributes to children's ability to profit from academic activities. Offers suggestions for helping children create an…

Seventy-six men convicted of a sexual offense (57 child molesters and 19 rapists) completed the parental bonding instrument and were interviewed. Affectionless control style of parental bonding was highly prevalent. High overprotection in mothers was linked with parental separation and sex play with male peers in childhood. (Contains references.)…

Reviews research examining the relationship between family functioning and child behavior problems. Focuses on parenting styles, intergenerational relationships, family structure, and family interaction patterns. Finds that child behavior problems are related to a lack of parental support, an imbalanced parent- child relationship, a lack of…

Explores the use of research in early childhood education and the relationship between quality early childhood education and school success, providing a historical perspective on young children's care and education, describing factors that have changed thinking about the needs of young children and their families, and suggesting steps for…

Studied parent-adolescent conflict and late adolescents' attachment anxiety and depressive symptoms as predictors of late adolescents' romantic relationships. Findings based on questionnaire responses of 256 college students highlight the differential roles of familial and individual attributes in female and male adolescents' romantic relationship…

Examined data from two waves of National Survey of Children to investigate impact of family transitions on changes in children's emotional and behavioral problems as reported by mothers. Results revealed gender differences in changes in emotional well-being attributable to transitions. Found that increase in emotional and behavioral problems could…

Temperamental characteristics, especially low reactivity-high manageability, appeared to curtail the influence of adverse family factors on children's adjustment. Strength of relationships between temperament and children's behavioral adjustment differed as a function of time, temperamental characteristics, and the source of behavioral ratings.…

Looks at changes in attitudes toward the intellectual development of infants and young children in the United States during the 20th century. Conducts a content analysis of samples of articles from the popular literature of the period. (KO)

Parents of 23 Alberta, Canada, children with mild to severe mental handicaps were asked to describe their parenting experiences. Parental concerns were analyzed in terms of severity of the handicapping condition and dealt with education and social integration, emotional stresses, future prospects, impact on the family, support systems, and…

Hypothesized that individual differences in 81 sixth-grade boys' self-restraint would serve as a mediator between family factors in preadolescence and sons' delinquent behavior 4 years later. General family functioning at preadolescence, independent of other scores, predicted boys' level of self-restraint four years later. (MDM)

Reports a study comparing academically at-risk elementary students with typical students to determine differences in family functioning. Researchers collected data on the families and students and determined that at-risk families were different in demographics and family functioning and were less cohesive and adaptable than families not at risk.…