Presents a comparative analysis of individual and group psychotherapy process research. Identifies commonalities between these two treatment formats across the therapeutic dimensions of relationship, interventions, and factors. Explores the distinctive characteristics of group treatment and suggests conceptual implications for the practice and…

Reports two studies analyzing the effects of family background on students' achievement in Thailand and Malawi, using measures of social class valid for developing countries. Found that family background accounted for achievement in both countries, suggesting that previous research may have underestimated these influences. (LS/Author)

Reviews research on influences on children's symbolic play. Finds little support for the effects of child-adult symbolic play interactions on child solitary play. Discusses three theoretical perspectives that should support these effects: attachment, ethological, and scaffolding theories. Reconsiders the essence of specific variables affecting…

Response to article by Bornstein and Tamis-LeMonda in this same issue. Delimits the faults of the ethological, scaffolding, and attachment theories in assessing maternal effects on children's symbolic play. Concludes that environmental influences are important to, but are not necessarily the sole cause of, child behavior. (JW)

Compares Asian and white eighth graders' performance on reading and math test scores and grades. Results indicate that the difference between these two groups can be explained by family background. Whites and Asians differed substantially in their grade performance, suggesting that cultural and behavioral differences may be an important influence.…

Examined sociocultural influences on mathematics achievement. First generation Chinese American and Caucasian American mother-father-daughter triads were audiotaped as the fifth- and sixth-grade girls solved a spatial puzzle. Chinese American triads were quieter, more respectful, more serious, and more orderly, whereas Caucasian American triads…

Reviews current issues concerning American Indian families and the education of Indian children. Highlights urbanization and its implications for American Indians' relationships with the public schools. Also discusses the need for culturally relevant school programs for American Indian students and their families and portrays several American…

Examines the effect of unsupportive family relations and low self-esteem on teenage sexual activity and alcohol use. Data from a telephone survey of 301 male and 242 female adolescents in Iowa suggested significant gender differences, with young women in unsupportive contexts seeking compensatory intimacy outside the family. (JB)

Reports results of interviews with children ages 4 to 12 regarding their reading interests that were conducted by graduate students in a children's literature course. Common themes are discussed, including enthusiasm about reading, positive reading experiences, adult influences, positive attitudes, and reading preferences. Possible reasons causing…

Examined afterschool care for 390 third through fifth graders who were part of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Children in the care of single mothers after school had higher ratings for antisocial behaviors, anxiety, and peer conflicts. However, indications of these problems disappeared when analyses controlled for family income and…

Data from 10,957 students in the High School and Beyond survey were used to explore relationships between stable and changing family configurations and student achievement, attitudes, and behaviors in the last two years of high school. Differences in family configuration have little effect on these outcomes. (SLD)

The impact of family situations on the health of children is examined along the dimensions of (1) the growing povertization of parents who are of color; (2) health risks for children in poverty; and (3) consequences of placement in the foster care system. (SLD)

Reviews 15 years of research to identify advances in understanding the association between education and equality. Divides the studies into three general categories: (1) social-arithmetic investigations that deal with the impact of contextual and individual variables, (2) environmental press (or directional tendency) research into the family and…

Examines family achievement orientation (parental beliefs regarding education) perceived by 73 fifth-grade and 75 sixth-grade African-American students (59 males and 89 females) in an urban school district. Studies how these perceptions affect students' achievement orientation. Family demographic variables contribute little to achievement…

Surveyed 1,913 students on extent and type of influence they thought desirable in developing moral judgment in elementary, secondary, and college students. Average response across subjects, year of administration, and age of individuals for whom item was being tapped was highest for influence of individual him/herself and relatively high for three…