American Indian grandmothers are almost universally occupied with child care and child rearing at some time in their lives, but cultural variables influence the definition, role, and status of grandmothers in different tribes. This book contains nine chapters that blend documentary history, oral history, and ethnographic observation to illuminate…

Increases in delinquency and violence among adolescents in the last decade are rooted in a number of interrelated social problems that may originate within the family structure. This publication is one of several in the "Family Strengthening Series" that describes the effectiveness of family intervention programs and provides resources to families…

This paper reports the outcomes of a study that investigated the effects of family conflict on childhood functioning. The sample consisted of 95 children (ages 3-17) applying for clinical services at the Yale Child Study Center Outpatient Clinic. Forty-nine children were from families in which the custodial parents were currently married, 33 were…

This study examined individual differences in young children's understanding of emotion and potential correlates in the domain of family experiences. Participating in the study were 49 children, ages 40 to 75 months from a predominately white, middle to upper class sample. Self-report questionnaires concerning the expression of emotion, management…

Considering the mother-child relationship as the first in which culturally-related interdependence or independence is learned, this study examined whether the interdependency hypothesis holds for the mother-child relationship in Indonesia. The study focused on the quality of the mother-child relationship, children's daily social interactions, and…

Contains four articles exploring the relationship between aging and family life and myths about treatment of the aged. Offers psychological perspectives of autonomy and interdependence in the adult family, while examining research needs of the frail elderly and demonstrating the important role of intrafamily resource transfers. (RC)

Compares the attitudes of family members (N=208) about the nature of a healthy family with a previous study of family therapists' attitudes. Results emphasized the value of family unity to families. Families valued cohesion and communication aspects most highly, while therapists valued a blend of cohesion, adaptability and communication. (JAC)

Compared the interaction of normal families and families with a drug-abusing member in order to describe the differences in their communication patterns. Concluded that addict families generally display more rigid communication patterns than do normal families. (PD)

Provides plot summaries of books for young readers two to nine years of age that present images of different types of family life. Books about the origin and development of families, family roles and relationships, alternate caretakers as well as books focusing on nonsexist roles, and emotions are briefly described. (Author/RH)

Reviews literature focusing on the effect of the high divorce rate on the family support system of older adults. Discusses possible short- and long-term effects of the demands and emotional consequences of divorce. Suggests implications for public policy. (Author/JAC)

Applies social exchange principles to the difficulties of setting up a stepfamily. Discusses obstacles to role adjustment and maintenance of equity among members. Concludes that if the reconstituting family can establish a basis of trust, the stepfamily can merge as a developmental unit toward expansion and commitment. (Author)

Considers whether research on family violence can be applied to clinical practice. Suggests limitations of the knowledge base constrain the application of research on family violence to clinical work, and certain aspects of the research paradigm also limit the transfer of research knowledge to clinical practice. (Author)

Discusses the role of family life education in the 1980s. The 21 articles deal with curriculum development, the role of the family life educator, changing life-styles and values in family relationships, and the impact of research. (JAC)

Outlines two formulations that generate conceptual perspectives of immediate phenomena: (1) the family system has a time-enduring stability; (2) the family system has an immediate and temporary organization. Integrates systems thinking and Gestalt Therapy while recognizing individual experience as embedded in a self-maintaining system of the…

Describes the role of the adult children of the elderly who are "sandwiched" between their aging parents and their own maturing children, thus subjected to a great deal of stress. Suggests this group, as a major support for the elderly, has a special need for social services. (Author/JAC)