As part of the continuing search for the environmental antecedents of competence in young children, this study investigated several parameters of a population of disadvantaged Mexican-American children. The factors of child competence on which this study focused were behavioral adjustment and linguistic ability. The antecedents of competence were…

Several articles are concerned entirely with explicating some of the core Adlerian principles which center, ultimately, on the purposiveness of all human behavior. Among the theoretical topics included are: (1) a conflict solving strategy; (2) the characteristics of the family constellation; and (3) the implications of misbehavior viewed as having…

The focus of this study was to compare the relative influence of the two theories commonly utilized to explain the development of a child's self-concept and to examine some contingencies under which one or the other process is more important. The "mirror theory" looks to the reflected appraisals of significant others as the important influence on…

Two groups of mothers and children were sampled for this study. One group of 39 was identified as middle-income or higher and the other group of 32 was identified as lower-income. The children ranged in age from kindergarten through third grade. The teaching task was adapted from the Eight Block Sort used by Hess, et al. (1968). No reliable…

QUESTIONNAIRE DATA WERE USED TO DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ADOLESCENT EDUCATIONAL EXPECTIONS (DEPENDENT VARIABLE) AND PATERNAL EDUCATION, FAMILY SOCIAL STATUS, PARENTAL EDUCATIONAL PRESSURE, AND FAMILY SIZE (INDEPENDENT OF PREDICTOR VARIABLES). THE DATA WERE GATHERED FROM 2,852 MALE SOPHOMORES (HIGH SCHOOL), LIVING IN SIX MIDDLE-SIZE…

Public health nurses (n=191) were queried regarding their observations of alienation in families who abuse their children. Comparison was made of social isolation and powerlessness in abusive families and a control group of non-abusive families, through the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale and FIRO-B, with significant differences noted in…

Describes study of 42 first and second graders which was conducted to determine whether older siblings could enhance their comprehension of television programs. The hypotheses tested are discussed, research methodology using analysis of variance is explained, videotapes of sibling interaction are analyzed, and future research needs are suggested.…

Examined the relationship between an adolescent girl's family relationship patterns and her peer relationship patterns. Measured degree of connectedness in family relationships using global coding of family interaction process, and peer connectedness by a sociometric questionnaire. Demonstrated similarities between degree of connectedness…

Examines the effects of the following variables on the adolescent achievement and postgraduation plans of 4,587 Washington high school students: (1) mother's socioeconomic index; (2) father's socioeconomic index; (3) family socioeconomic status; (4) mother's education; (5) father's education; (6) number of siblings; and (7) Grade Point Average.…

In a review of the literature, some of the reasons traditional college-age students withdraw are applied to adults. Conclusions regarding adults who persist versus those who drop out are offered and suggestions for increasing the retention of adult students are presented. (Author/MLW)

Discusses the influence of external environments on the functioning of families as contexts for child development. Describes studies on the interaction of genetics and environment, on relationships between the family and hospital care, day care, peers, schools, parental employment and support networks, the community, and major transition life…

Describes a study of home language use patterns of urban Hispanic families to determine the differences between academic achievement, language development, and psychosocial adjustment of children whose families have maintained Spanish as the main home language and those whose families have switched to English. The results challenge the assumption…

Examined the influence of age, social class, and maternal employment on changes in nutrition knowledge and dietary quality following a nutrition education program for 10- to 13-year-olds. Results indicated that nutrition knowledge but not dietary quality were increased by the program. (JAC)

Support for learning, as perceived by 516 adolescents, was compared to data collected five years earlier on family characteristics, ability, achievement, and school attitude. Educational aspirations were related to parents' and teachers' support. Females' occupational aspirations were influenced by situational variables; males were also influenced…

Reading ability, symbol-processing speed, and spatial reasoning ability were examined in families with reading disabled children and in control families. For both types of families, comparable moderate familial influences were found, which also accounted for phenotypic correlations between traits. Multivariate path analysis and other statistical…