Investigated personality and family-of-origin differences in male and female alcoholics. Results, based on medical records (N=204) of patients admitted to a residential chemical dependency center indicate that, regarding personality disturbances, men were healthier than women. More women had psychiatric treatment, were married to an alcoholic, or…

Explored ethnic and gender differences in sexual behavior among 148 white and 202 Asian American college students. Found that Asian and Caucasian American college youth differ in their sexual experience, with the former reporting fewer sexual partners. Individual, peer, and family correlates of sexual experience were quite similar across the two…

Regression analysis of 40 years of data on median income, education, divorce rate, and female-headed households was conducted to determine their influence on crime rates, especially homicide. Educational attainment had a significant bearing on criminality. Single parenting was less significant than low income. (SK)

Several inconsistencies in literature on adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) were found. This paper emphasizes that clinicians and those developing prevention programs should stop believing that certain characteristics are typical of all ACOAs. It makes recommendations for factors to be considered in programs for African American collegiate…

Reviews the literature to identify the most important antecedents associated with adolescent initiation of sex, contraception use, and pregnancy. Results indicate that over 100 antecedents create a complex, detailed picture of the correlates of adolescent sexual behaviors. They describe characteristics of adolescents themselves, their partners,…

Examines sibling influences on adolescent delinquency. Based on maternal and self reports, a moderately strong association between siblings' delinquency is found. Relationship remains significant controlling for childhood aggression and family environment factors measured during childhood (age 5) and adolescence (age 14). Effect varies according…

Factors related to psychosocial adjustment of 113 adolescent immigrants to the United States from the People's Republic of China were studied. Levels of psychosocial functioning were lower for adolescents with higher family conflict, lower family organization, and higher family authoritarianism. Value orientation mediated the relationship between…

Assesses traumatic experience symptomatology, resiliency factors, and stress among young adults who had experienced alcohol within their family of origin. Results indicated adult children of alcoholics had more self-reported stress, more difficulty initiating the use of mediating factors in response to life events, and more symptoms of personal…

Provides a discussion of the multiple dimensions of the grieving process. Using an example of an Italian American family, it also shows how to assist bereaved families as they cope with loss in the context of individual, familial, and social/cultural influences. (Contains 29 references.) (GCP)

Findings of European research illustrate how young adults construct professional identity through (1) socialization for work--family and social experiences and education; and (2) socialization by work--workplace social interactions that include direct and assisted (i.e., apprenticeship) integration into work. (Contains 31 references.) (SK)

A model is presented for analyzing the influence of culture on the coping behavior of families with disabled children, using examples from families in Norway and Botswana. The model considers culture's impact on the process of coping through emotional patterning, expectations of life and future, life experiences, and actual opportunities. (JDD)

Examined relationship between adolescent school achievement and family factors which may mediate negative influence of divorce. Findings from 71 early adolescents and their recently divorced mothers revealed that adolescents with high grade point averages had mothers with lower depression, higher education, less conflict with ex-spouse, and less…

The role of social supports throughout the lifecycle has dynamic implications for health and psychosocial wellness. Establishment of a stable supportive family life early in life seems to be a consistent support drawn upon throughout the lifecycle.(IAH)

Examined the correspondence between the roles of family and work figures, using 10 adults who had at least one year experience in their jobs. Results support the view that in working, people reenact roles and dramas from their families of origin, but these results must be regarded as tentative and promising. (ABL)

Most college students who default on federal loans come from low-income families and drop out of school within a year. Borrowers from more affluent families take out bigger loans, but stay in school longer, and are likely to secure steady employment and repay their loans. The Guaranteed Student Loan program seems designed for borrowers least…