Data on cult membership and the characteristics of cults are provided. The process of cult affiliation and its relationship to family dynamics are reviewed. Defection, the processes of disaffiliation (voluntary and involuntary), and clinical symptoms after cult disaffiliation are discussed. Implications and recommendations for counselors are…

Studies the association between parent involvement in early intervention and children's later school competence. Results indicated that even after controlling for family background, the number of activities in which parents participated in preschool and kindergarten was significantly associated with higher reading achievement, with lower rates of…

Patterns of work and family balance were examined for 184 employed parents of children with serious emotional disorders. Results found that caregivers employed outside the home had higher levels of job stress than those working in the home but reported using work as a way of coping. (CR)

Daughter's early childhood stress, conflict in the family environment, childhood behavioral symptoms, early puberty, and early dating behavior are related to mothers' early menarche and sexual involvement by a retrospective self-report survey (21 mothers; 28 daughters). Intended as a test of Belsky's theory, alternative explanations for findings…

Children lacking sufficient mediated learning experiences (MLEs) are ill-prepared to handle the cognitive challenges confronting them at school and cannot benefit even from hands-on learning experiences. Reuven Feuerstein's theory of MLE holds that our cognitive abilities are modifiable, that we can change the course of a child's early cognitive…

Explores qualitative effects of the Bosnian peace-keeping deployment on 36 American military children whose parents were the first to be assigned. Many children experienced anxiety; distressing images of war; anger at the government; family abuse; worry about their mothers' coping abilities; and disruptions in family life, peer relationships, and…

Examined experience of 150 persons related to the phenomenon "being at home." Common aspects identified entailed cognitive, emotional, and conative dimensions. The sense of being related was a common experience, that is, related to significant others, things, places, and activities. A progression in the experience throughout the life…

An observational study of families watching television was conducted in six households, using a video camera. Results show that family members were absent for substantial proportions of the time the television set was in operation, and when present, for most of the time did not pay full attention. Thirteen tables depict information. (AEF)

The idealized nuclear family values of romantic love, maternalism, and domesticity are being supplanted by postmodernist sentiments such as consensual love, shared parenting, and urbanity. Today's "competent" kids are developing more stress-related problems. Schools can help families by placing students' and teachers' needs above…

Employed an experimental research design in evaluating intensive family preservation services to reunify families after out-of-home placement. Found significant difference between the treatment group and control group in terms of family reunification, and mixed findings in terms of family functioning. Discusses research design with implications…

Because today's families tend to be scattered geographically, children are less likely to interact with grandparents and other older adults. A volunteer coordinator describes the enriching experiences stimulated by a senior pen- pal program in Staten Island (New York) schools involving third graders and senior citizens. (MLH)

A father tells about his son with autism, who is now 26 years old, and describes how his son differs from the portrait of autism presented by professionals. The lessons he learned from his son and how his son helped him to become a more loving person are discussed. (Author/CR)

Societal trends indicate ambivalent attitudes about marriage, specifically a greater acceptance of divorce and nontraditional living arrangements. This paper examines adolescent attitudes toward marriage and their association with premarital sexual activity and cohabitation. Recommendations for helping adolescents understand the realities of…

Interviews professionals working with delinquent youth in a rural area in an attempt to better understand their opinions of youth behavior. Comparisons are made between professionals' observations and existing research findings regarding Disruptive Behavior Disorders, such as Attention Deficit Disorders and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Strong…

A study of 18 families who adopted children with developmental disabilities found that nearly 12 years after their adoptions, families reported generally positive outcomes and good adjustment to their adopted children. Changes in the families were perceived as potential sources of reward as well as sources of stress. (Contains references.)…