Questionnaire surveys were completed by 1,717 West German students between the ages of 13 and 16. Data support hypotheses that psychosomatic symptom frequency is reinforced when adolescents experience failure in school and social and emotional conflict in their relationships with parents. Multivariate analysis showed these effects to be…

The study of 48 mother-father pairs of young children with handicaps tested over a two-year period found parental adjustment related to the child's communication competence and sex; satisfaction with support related to parents' adjustment to the child; and fathers' views at pretest predicted mothers' views at posttest. (DB)

The family systems of 45 underachieving and 45 achieving gifted male adolescents were compared on the variables of family functionality, family satisfaction, family environment (conflict, achievement orientation, independence, and expressiveness), and achievement satisfaction. Achievement satisfaction and family satisfaction differentiated…

Presents the family resolution adopted by the Canadian Home Economics Association and describes family principles to provide direction for policy in terms of well-being, diversity, roles, equality, networks, partnership, finances, and other areas. (SK)

Studies adult perceptions of benefit from child sexual abuse in 154 low-income women who were sexually abused as children. Almost half reported some perceived benefit. Benefits fell into four main categories: protecting children from abuse, self-protection, increased knowledge of child sexual abuse, and having a stronger personality. Degree of…

Correlational analyses examined in 81 incarcerated substance abusers revealed significant relationships among parental substance abuse, family dynamics, and exposure to both child and adult maltreatment. These variables were associated with subjects' own later substance abuse. An intergenerational model of these variables is applied to…

Argues that, as the weakening of the family and a deteriorating cultural climate for children pervade American society, minority families and black families in particular are disintegrating at an alarming rate. Suggests that creating alternative schools that will expose children, especially boys, to positive role models will help. (RS)

A comparison group study of abusing and nonabusing caregivers suggested a correlation between alcohol use and violence against elderly parents. Findings reveal that abusers were more likely than nonabusers to drink, to become intoxicated, and to be identified as having a drinking problem. Policy and practice implications are discussed. (Author)

This paper considers 168 child fatalities due to house fires in Scotland. It concludes that the fires were largely a direct result of adult activities, including behavior patterns involving alcohol and inadequate child supervision. (DB)

This discussion examines the sociological implications of poor interactions in families in which a member is deaf. The paper recommends bringing hearing families together with the deaf community and using American Sign Language to facilitate functional symbolic interaction in hearing/deaf families. (Author/DB)

This article discusses basic problems inherent in being extremely gifted, primarily from developing feelings of loneliness and rejection. A case study is provided of an extremely gifted nine year old who became suicidal because of family problems and feelings of isolation. The study describes the individual and family counseling that helped him…

Used data from National Child Development Study of Great Britain to identify social risk factors for becoming father at young age. Findings suggest that boys whose families experienced financial hardship were at greater risk for fathering child during adolescence. Presence of older siblings was associated with transition to early fatherhood.…

This study examined the court records of 206 seriously abused or neglected children and their families in a large urban area and found that in over half the records a parent had been diagnosed as having an emotional disorder and/or low intelligence, with a majority of these diagnoses indicating significant impairment. (Author/DB)

Uses family discourse perspective to analyze social relations in a Work Incentive Program (WIN). Analysis focuses on ways in which WIN staff members oriented to and assessed family as an excuse and extenuating circumstance, instructed clients on the organizationally preferred relationship between WIN and family, and responded to clients whom they…

Compared homelessness among persons in a metropolitan setting based on whether or not the person had migrated from a rural area. Found that those from rural areas had a lower level of educational achievement, experienced a higher degree of isolation from families, and frequently had come to the urban area seeking jobs. (KS)