A short version of the Approaches to Studying Inventory administered to 169 college psychology students in early semester revealed that scores for meaning orientation did not predict academic performance in any way, whereas there was a very small negative correlation between reproducing orientation and academic achievement. Internal reliability of…

Compared participants (n=131) and non-participants (n=59) of support groups for families of persons with mental illness. Results indicate that participants used fewer services, provided care to a relative requiring greater assistance, and were more likely to live with the relative. Participants attended groups to obtain emotional support and…

This study evaluated use of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence Second Edition (TONI-2) with 258 individuals (ages 4 to 41) with autism. Results indicated that age, verbal ability, and lack of attention deficits were most predictive of TONI-2 scores, whereas attention deficits and a moderate number of autistic symptoms predicted untestability on…

Adolescent prostitutes (n=45) and adolescent nonprostitutes (n=37) were interviewed regarding their experiences related to childhood physical and sexual abuse, leaving home, family functioning, parental alcohol and drug use, and level of self-esteem. Although results replicated previous findings, when a comparison group was considered the same…

Aging mothers who lived with an adult child experiencing mental retardation (n=308) or mental illness (n=73) were studied to determine the antecedents and consequences of the end of coresidence. Consequences of this transition with respect to maternal burden and depressive symptoms were similar for most participants. (Author/MKA)

Investigates demographic and psychological predictors of 58 older adults' successful adjustment to a nursing home. Findings suggest that demographic variables were not effective predictors of successful adjustment. Perceived self-efficacy accounted for more of the unique variance in adjustment than locus of control. Discusses results in the…

Investigates familial alcoholism effects and the comparative probability of risk that adult children of alcoholics have for alcohol dependence. Results, based on a national survey of 12,686 young adults over a five-year period, show that the risk for alcoholism is relatively greater for males than females. (MKA)

An attitude survey of 184 men and 152 women with similar math backgrounds and ability found that women appeared to prefer rote over autonomous learning and familiar over novel situations. They felt less confident in their ability to do word problems. Attitudes rather than Scholastic Aptitude Test scores were more useful in predicting grades. (SK)

Two types of market-referent information--number of applications filed and amount of information about wages--were significantly related to turnover for a sample of 152 entry-level, part-time workers. Differences between beginning wage and wage expected were also related to turnover. Referent choice theory proved useful for studying job search…

Sex differences are investigated in the use of sexual aggression in the dating relationships of single adult heterosexuals (N=380 males, 241 females; mean age 22.5). This study replicates and extends previous work by simultaneously testing the predictive ability of variables from three domains: social-environment, relational-environment, and…

This study of 174 children meeting criteria for learning disabilities revealed that the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) factors accounted for a large portion of the achievement variance during hierarchical regression analyses. Proposes that the practitioner should refrain from focusing on global scores and…

Analysis of questionnaires completed by parents of young children with either Prader-Willi syndrome (N=84), Down syndrome (N=56), or typically developing (N=86), found children with Prader-Willi exhibited more compulsions, skin-picking, and tantrums than did the other groups. Discriminant analysis identified two functions (developmental milestones…

Results of a study indicate that of 37 students who met the criteria for hyperactivity-impulsivity-inattention and conduct problems in third grade, 13 continued to meet the criteria in fifth grade. Students who remained stable, who improved, or who became worse differed significantly on key risk and protective variables. (Contains references.)…

A study involving 424 Cuban Americans, 1,620 Mexican Americans, and 603 Puerto Ricans found that Mexican Americans with 0-6 and 7-11 years of education had significantly lower risks of visual impairment than those with 12-17 years. Prevalence rates were lower among Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans born outside the mainland. (Contains…

Assesses child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual, physical, and psychological abuse with a sample of 633 college women. Survivors of CSA experienced more instances of physical abuse and psychological maltreatment than nonvictims. They were more likely to report unwanted sexual intercourse both by acquaintances due to force, and by acquaintances…