Examines new studies of family-level dynamics that explain individual variability in early socioemotional development. Shows that family processes help explain unique variance in conceptually related measures of child development. Reviews studies showing prospective links between family processes during infancy and behavior at age 4, and…

Examined factors contributing to individual differences in the educational attainment of African American young adults from families of low socioeconomic status. Subjects were 123 participants and their families. Found that characteristics of the participants at the time of school entry were predictive of the participants' achievement and…

The role of family relational problems in the assessment and treatment of psychopathology in children, including the relationship between family and individual disorders, is considered. The study of family relational problems is placed in historical and theoretical contexts and in relationship to assessment issues. Current diagnosis and…

Assessed the role of attention processes as mediators between family environment and school readiness, analyzing data from 1,002 children and their families participating in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care. Found that sustained attention partially accounted for the link between family environment and achievement and language outcomes.…

Examined the relationship between the family environment and children's language and literacy skills, guided by the three models of: (1) Family as Educator; (2) Resilient Family; and (3) Parent-Child Care Partnership. Found that only the Family as Educator model was significantly related to child language and literacy outcomes. (Author)

Researchers examined relationships among children's television viewing, school readiness, parental employment, and the home environment's educational quality. Thirty low-income parents completed surveys. Their preschoolers completed IQ and school readiness assessments. Television viewing adversely related to school readiness and the home…

Presents the results of an evaluation of a family support program for female, long-term recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Findings show that program participants perceived that training had given them greater self-efficacy and competence, but not increased self-confidence, when compared to control group members. (RJM)

Thirty Chinese mothers of adult children with mental retardation were interviewed to explore the source and nature of their stress and social support. Results found common stressors were future planning and behavior problems of the children. Mothers received support mainly from family members and training center staff. (Author/CR)

Argues that three specific areas of influence contribute to shaping the attitudes and expectations of adolescent reading in Britain: family; friendship groups; and school peer groups. Responses from 255 children reveal marked patterns of gender difference in the reading experience and identify the school curriculum's role in promoting particular…

Studies of Mexican American parents in East Austin (Texas) and rural southern Arizona found that parents' ethnolinguistic vitality was an important determinant of family transmission of Spanish to children, but parental experience of ethnic and language prejudice was an equally potent negative determinant. Implications for language maintenance,…

Data on Hispanic students from the National Education Longitudinal Study revealed no differences in 12th-grade educational outcomes between students from one-parent and two-parent families when socioeconomic factors were controlled. For outcomes 2 years after high school, socioeconomic status was a much more important predictor than family…

Based on 1970s data, the "Heyneman-Loxley (HL) effect" proposed that in developing nations, school variables were more important than family socioeconomic status in determining academic achievement. A reassessment of the HL effect using 1990s TIMSS data found the relationship between family background and student achievement to be…

This study found that, although the mental representations of 20 sexually abused and 20 physically abused females (ages 7-12) did not differ, the internal images of the abused groups differed from images of 20 nonabused but distressed children. Thus it is abuse, and not simply family distress, that results in impaired object relations. (Author/JDD)

Suggests that race may be a significant factor in the perception of occupational and familial roles that are universally employed and derived from early sex role socialization. Focuses on the need to expand and delineate relationships that may exist between certain family socialization and role performance variables for Black women. (AF)

Examines the impact that separation from family has upon the educational experiences of the Turkish migrant children in West Germany. Cites epidemiological research showing little difference between West German and migrant children relative to psychological disturbances. Discusses two case studies which indicate that there is relevant educational…