The middle school originated out of an understanding for the need of a learning environment geared specifically to the needs of the early adolescent. The transition from concrete to formal operational thought and the affective and psychomotor developmental stages demonstrate the uniqueness of the early adolescent experience. (JN)

Analyzed 15 popular fiction books in terms of problem-concerns of young adolescents. Five were by author Judy Blume. The books reflected personal, family, and interpersonal problems and a trend toward realism. Fiction can be helpful in counseling and in developmental programs. (JAC)

Adolescent work experience is often proposed as developmentally significant. This study attempts to demonstrate that different work settings expose youth to substantially different experiences. Opportunities for learning, initiative and autonomy, and interaction are examined in six job types commonly held by adolescents. (SK)

Using a two-wave panel design, examined antecedents and short-term consequences of teenage marriage, parenting, and school-leaving. Findings showed that while these three role transitions are not greatly related to social origins, academic ability, or performance, dropping-out is more highly linked than the other two. (Author)

Assessed the maturity of delinquents' perceptions of self and of a best friend. Results indicated delinquents did not show evidence of being developmentally delayed in peer and self-cognition. (Author/DB)

Presented is an annotated bibliography on the early adolescent (ages 10 to 15). (KC)

Preoccupation with food and weight, low levels of physical activity and fitness, and moving patterns are only a few indicators of adolescent difficulties. Educational alternatives to meet adolescent needs include integrated studies, multi-disciplinary approaches to critical issues, cooperative education and work study programs, and community and…

Compared to grade 8 students in intermediate schools, grade 8 students in K-8 schools are more involved with school activities and assume greater responsibility for those activities. K-8 schools apparently serve the needs of young adolescents better than intermediate schools. (SB)

Traces the middle school movement from the early 1960s through the year 2,000 and beyond. (JM)

The rationale, description, and evaluation of a course about adolescence taught to university students. This interdisciplinary approach includes materials from literature, philosophy, history, and the arts. Primary source material is extensively used. (Author/MLF)

Presents a conceptual and empirical framework for examining the developmental changes that romantic relationships undergo over the course of adolescence. Describes several empirical studies that have examined age differences and delineates an agenda for subsequent developmental work. (JPB)

Examines same-gender and cross-gender friendships as potential contexts for development of preferences and skills that may influence the quality of adolescent dating relationships and adult marriages. Considers how children's traditionally gender-segregated peer relationships contribute to miscommunications and power asymmetries in later…

Discusses conceptual issues involved in comprehensive understanding of processes and development of adolescent romantic relationships. Explores (1) the possible common features that regulate relationships; (2) the interplay between romantic relationships and other significant relationships in adolescence and the ways these relationships change…

Used two path models to examine the influence of ethnic identity and intergroup contact on adolescents' attitudes toward other ethnic groups: (1) ethnic identity increases with age and predicts positive in-group attitudes which contribute to positive out-group attitudes; and (2) diversity outside school leads to more out-group interaction in…

Examined adolescents' and mothers' understanding of children's self-determination and nurturance rights at home. Found that eighth- and tenth-graders were more likely than their mothers to endorse self-determination requests and less likely to support nurturance requests in hypothetical vignettes. Mothers of tenth- graders were more likely to…