The early development of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in 16 young children with developmental disabilities was tracked over an 18-month period. Naturalistic observations in each child's classroom found a significant association between early SIB and low levels of social contact, which may be considered as a risk marker for SIB exacerbation.…

Examines responses of 40,435 students from the "Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey" and uses student self-reported school risk behaviors to "predict" recent weapon possession at school. Although school risk behaviors were moderately correlated with school weapon possession, many frequent weapon carriers displayed zero…

The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory was given to 156 early entrants at the University of North Texas. The inventory successfully identified 90% of students who subsequently had academic problems (based on first semester college grade point average). Successful and unsuccessful participants differed in concentration and attention, ability…

Describes a study conducted using transcripts from Miami-Dade Community College and the Florida State University System to identify predictors of transfer students' upper-division grade point averages. Suggests that satisfactory associate degree completion alone may not be adequate for upper-division success, with much depending on student…

Examined the relations between family characteristics, childhood temperament, and convictions for violent and nonviolent offenses at age 18. Found that family factors were associated with both violent and nonviolent offenses, whereas childhood temperament was associated primarily with convictions for violent offenses. Results suggest potentially…

Examined parent-child interaction during toddlers'"terrible twos" stage. Found that families experiencing difficulty could be identified, troubled behavior could be predicted based on family ecology, and families at moderate and high contextual risk were more likely to experience troublesome behavior when the child experienced 20 or more hours per…

A study of 1,640 adults (ages 18-29) with disabilities examined factors associated with employment outcomes. Several factors were significantly associated with employment outcomes, including the following: gender, race, family income, educational attainment, activity limitation, health status, hospitalization, and Supplemental Security Income…

Predicted children's attachment security and style from parents' report of their style and marital adjustment. Found that mothers' anxious attachment style uniquely predicted children's insecure attachment to both parents and that attachment by parent-child pair differed by self-concept domain for either parent. (DLH)

Studies factors related to academic performance and student retention of Asian American freshmen (N=96) at a predominantly White university. In addition to SAT-mathematics score, three noncognitive variables were found to be significant predictors of GPA: realistic self-appraisal system, successful leadership experience, and demonstrated community…

Two studies of gifted high school dropouts (n=3,854) found many dropouts were from low socioeconomic-status families and racial minority groups, had parents with low levels of education, and participated less in extracurricular activities. Dropout behavior was related to student's educational aspiration, pregnancy or child-rearing, gender, and…

A study explored variables associated with engagement in seven inclusive community-based preschool classrooms. Results found disability status did not predict engagement, but activity characteristics were significantly related to engagement. Another variable, coteacher team characteristics, was also found to be a significant predictor of…

Examined 475 adolescents from Grade 7 through early adulthood to identify antecedents and pathways of teen parenthood. Found that teen fatherhood and motherhood were predicted by individual and peer configurations such as a combination of high aggression, low academic competence, low popularity, and low family SES. Peer characteristics, race, and…

Constructed a path model mapping the effect of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and degree utility on persistence of underprepared college students. Found that students who believed college would provide employment opportunities and better careers were more likely to persist, and that CDMSE has a direct effect on social and academic…

This paper on the behavioral manifestations of child sexual abuse first reviews previous research concerning child variables, parent/family variables, sexual abuse in combination with other maltreatment, and physiological outcomes. Criteria for future research are offered and specific research needs in the areas of developmental progression,…

Reviews the research on medical sequelae of child sexual abuse; identifies unanswered questions; and suggests areas of research, including prospective studies of child sexual abuse, follow-up of victims, studies of nonclinic populations, studies of male victims, examination of additional variables (such as regional variation and age), diseases…