Examined the longitudinal predictability of spatial ability in late-adolescent females. No timing of puberty or lateralization effects were observed. These findings strengthen evidence that sex-related differences in spatial ability could be experientially determined and may help to focus the search for exactly how this occurs. (Author/GLR)

Girls in mixed-sex schools who experienced early menarche were at greater risk for delinquency than those who experienced late menarche. Individual differences in delinquency were more stable across time among girls in mixed-sex schools than among those in all-girl schools. (BC)

Tests the hypothesis that normative developmental transitions can be associated with increased dysphoria if they occur in close temporal proximity. Among females experiencing pubertal changes, dysphoria was highest for the 15- and 19-year olds and lower for the 16-, 17-, and 18-year olds. This pattern did not emerge for males or females not…

Positive rites of passage are sorely lacking in today's society. In our culture, teenagers experience several passages: the major transformation at puberty, a challenging transition from middle to high school, and completion of high school. Two programs show how educators can guide students from adolescence to responsible adulthood. (MLH)

Examined gender differences in effects of menarche in females and voice change in males, specifically with regard to depression, self-esteem, body image, and externalizing problems. Analyses indicated prepubertal males had more externalizing problems and females increased in depression, externalizing problems, and negative body image post…

The early years of school provide opportunities for active learning, including developing habits of resiliency and perceptions of self-worth. Girls in particular may be at risk for developing negative self-perceptions. This article presents a pilot group (psychoeducational and counseling) designed to educate members about pre-adolescent…

Two general evolutionary hypotheses were tested on 756 White children (397 girls) studied longitudinally: (1) rearing experiences would predict pubertal timing; and (2) children would prove differentially susceptible to rearing. Analysis of pubertal measurements, including some based on repeated physical assessments, showed that mothering and…

A community-based sexuality education program for parents and their puberty-aged children is described, and findings of a follow-up survey of the program are reported. The program was developed to provide factual information about puberty and sexuality which would serve as a basis for increased communication about sexuality between parents and…

It is possible that conflicts in families with adolescents are linked to the transitions and individual development that occur during adolescence. A study was conducted to describe domains of conflictual issues associated with adolescent grade in school, pubertal status, and gender. The sample was comprised of 78 seventh graders, 115 ninth…

Conflictual family issues appearing during adolescence have not been adequately dimensionalized. In addition to this problem, researchers have focused on age-related variations in family conflicts without investigating other characteristics. A study was conducted to describe organized domains of conflictual family issues and to describe variations…

This study examined whether problem behavior in early adolescent girls was associated with pubertal processes and other life events and whether social support and positive relationships buffered the adolescent from possible negative effects of biological and social events. White girls (N=150) between the ages of 10 and 13 years completed the Youth…

This paper discusses the relation between feelings about body development and other aspects of self-image such as social relations, external mastery and impulse control. The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire was administered to about 400 sixth grade students in two middle class suburban school districts. Results indicate that, compared to boys of the…

Describes the physical and emotional changes of adolescence and suggests ways teachers can help their students cope with these growing pains. (JMB)

Reports the results of a broad-scale survey of the sexual knowledge and development of Chinese middle school youth. Includes information on sources of sexual knowledge, age of onset for specific sexual acts, psychological characteristics, and the goals of the sex education curriculum in Chinese middle schools. (JDH)

The premise that effects of maturational timing are mediated by social context is explored by comparing adolescent girls in dance and nondance schools. The findings are discussed in terms of a goodness of fit between the requirements of a social context and a person's physical and behavioral characteristics. (Author/LMO)