Examined relations between structural and process quality in preschool classrooms across four countries. Structural quality variables included classroom, center, wage, and regional characteristics. Found differences in levels of structural variables used in the different countries, although many of the same structural features affected process…

Studies sheltered homeless and low-income housed families to examine predictors of academic achievement, focusing on housing status, mobility, and race/ethnicity. Results reveal that housing status was not associated with academic achievement. Discusses how homeless and housed children had comparable rates of absenteeism and other school-related…

Youthful antisocial behavior is often viewed as a precursor to later violent behavior. Examines the assertion that aggressive reaction patterns in males over time approach the stability of intelligence by studying evidence from 82 reports of prospective studies. Analysis finds considerably more modest relationships between earlier antisocial…

Investigates potential predictors of suicidal behavior in adolescent psychiatric patients (N=60) during an 18-month follow-up period. Follow-up suicidality was most strongly predicted by high intake levels of hopelessness, and an increase in or persistent problems with depression. Proposes a model in which the impact of family functioning on…

Examines the prison suicide phenomenon by evaluating all suicides occurring in Austrian prisons between 1975 and 1997 (N=220). Results reveal suicide rates for prisoners on remand and mentally ill prisoners are 8 times higher than that of the general population. Recommends that psychologists concentrate on the suicide prevention of high-risk…

Examines the hypothesis that as central district offices try to assert their power over school buildings, students' performance will decline. Uses the National Educational Longitudinal Study as a database to test this expectation. Results suggest that intrusive central offices are associated with somewhat lower student performance. (Contains 27…

Studies characteristics of 70 adolescents who affiliate with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Participants completed in-patient treatment and were contacted as part of follow-up survey. Half had affiliated with AA. Used discriminant analysis to predict affiliation. Found affiliators were more likely to have had prior treatment, friends who did not use…

Finds that children's ability to identify and label the letters of the alphabet and to write their own name at school entry were the most powerful predictors of successful reading by the end of the year. Finds a weaker, but still positive, relationship between understanding the conventions of print and reading achievement. (RS)

Data from 3 successful executive master of business administration classes (n=126) identified subjective factors to add to quantitative factors (scores, grade point average) used to predict student performance. The Graduate Management Admission Test remains the best single indicator, but qualitative factors enhance the predictive ability of the…

Expands an existing nonlinear dynamic epidemic model of onset of social activities (EMOSA), motivated by social contagion theory, to quantify the likelihood of pregnancy for adolescent girls of different sexuality statuses. Compares five sexuality/pregnancy models to explain variance in national prevalence curves. Finds that adolescent girls have…

Examined attachment's relation to multiple domains of psychosocial functioning in 131 moderately at-risk adolescents. Found that security displayed in adolescents' organization of discourse about attachment experiences was related to competence with peers, lower levels of internalizing behaviors, and lower levels of deviant behaviors.…

Presents findings from a study of students enrolled in college algebra. Concludes that the predicted success of students is related to explanatory variables using a linear model. Recommends advising cut-off scores in terms of student success rated as well as the mission statement and philosophy of the university. Contains 12 references.…

Study compares the characteristics of 1,763 parolees with substance abuse problems who successfully completed a postincarceration drug treatment program. Those who completed the program were more likely to be women who had not used drugs 30 days before program admission, had fewer prior treatment experiences, remained in the program longer, and…

A study investigated the use of different interventions for 151 individuals with mental retardation in residential care: Individualized Habilitation Plan objectives concerning challenging behavior, one-to-one crisis intervention in the preceding 30 days, and behavior management professional services in the preceding 6 months. Externalized…

Measures completed by 250 men convicted of drinking under the influence of alcohol were analyzed to examine the direct effects of parental problem drinking and the mediational influence of drinking motives on alcohol use. The findings extend predictive utility of specific drinking motive dimensions on alcohol use and problem outcomes from previous…