Tests a theoretical model for the constitution of the self among adolescents in a cross-cultural, comparative study. Examines the impact of schools and families, as institutions and networks of interaction, on the self of adolescents. Based on data from three sample surveys from an East/West study of adolescent students. (DSK)

Discusses the goals of early intervention for infants born with a cleft or craniofacial anomaly, which include facilitating feeding, counseling the family regarding expectations for growth and development, and identifying the nature and extent of family resources required. Program features of effective intervention are described. (Author/CR)

Describes a study conducted to determine the reasons behind the high rate of student attrition at Mountain Empire Community College in Virginia. Work demands and family conflicts were found to be the primary causes of drop out, conclusions that led to the formation of a task force and a student retention plan to improve persistence. (KC)

Tracks the relationship between alternative family structures and children's educational and occupational success over four decades (1960s-1990s) using four nationally representative surveys. Addresses the discrepancies observed in the literature on the effects of family structure on children. States that the findings are most consistent with an…

Examined the parenting practices in 99 young, low-income, African American multigenerational families through home-based observations of grandmothers, young mothers, and the mothers' 3-year-old children. Residence with grandmothers was found to have negative consequences on the quality of both mothers' and grandmothers' parenting. (MDM)

Examines the relationship between family cohesion, family adaptability, student satisfaction with family, and self-esteem in 619 middle school students. Analysis indicates that within the specified model, family satisfaction was the strongest predictor of student self-esteem, and that eighth- grade students reported a significantly lower level of…

Examined the relations between family characteristics, childhood temperament, and convictions for violent and nonviolent offenses at age 18. Found that family factors were associated with both violent and nonviolent offenses, whereas childhood temperament was associated primarily with convictions for violent offenses. Results suggest potentially…

Proposes four categories of children in difficult circumstances: (1) abandoned or orphaned; (2) independent, maintaining family contact; (3) working, living with families; and (4) living with economically deprived families. Suggests that rapid urbanization, family environment, global economy, and educational deprivation contribute to difficulties.…

Determines the barriers encountered by African American women holding senior-level administrative positions in higher education. The author identifies their challenges as they advanced to their current positions and discusses the support systems utilized. Results show racism and sexism were perceived as impediments to progress, mentoring was key…

Examines research on the fundamental contexts for social contact: the family and networks of social support. It focuses on the processes and dynamics within these systems of relationships that are considered vitally important to normal and abnormal mental and emotional development. (GR)

Seeks to identify and describe certain familial factors and child characteristics that may impact the likelihood of an incident of childhood sexual abuse occurring, provide a comprehensive demographic portrait of families with a child who has been sexually abused, identify children most vulnerable to abuse, and heighten understanding of this…

Examined how female African Americans worked toward upward social mobility via community college attendance, highlighting the role of interpersonal relationships in the process. A 5-year ethnographic study found that: all kinds of supportive relationships were considered important, unsupportive friends and faculty were generally ignored, and…

Data gathered during a 20-year longitudinal study of New Zealand women were used to describe the extent and timing of pregnancies within the cohort up to age 20; and to examine the extent to which the risk of early pregnancy was related to a range of social background, family, individual, and peer relationship factors measured over the course of…

Examines the relationships among social status, proximate family settings, student responsibility for school outcomes, and self-concepts of 460 South African high school students. Reports that social status, family settings, and student responsibility had modest to strong associations with self-concept development including gender-related…

Investigated the problem of teen night drifters in Hong Kong, examining teens' social background, subculture, reasons for drifting, services needed, and problems faced. Results from interviews indicated that most drifters were different from homeless or runaway youth. Although they still lived with their families, they were alienated or detached…