Investigated the validity of 3 American College Testing-Proficiency Examination Program tests for predicting the academic performance of registered nurses by studying scores of a sample of 2,600 enrolled in baccalaureate nursing programs. Results support the validity of the test scores. (JOW)

Examined relationship of perception of risk regarding the use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine to use of these substances by college students (N=242). Determined perceptions of risk significantly predicted usage patterns and attitudes toward the use of various drugs. (Author/ABL)

Longitudinal data indicated a significant relation between five-month vagal tone and negative reactivity elicited in the laboratory and maternal ratings of activity level and smiling behavior. Newborn vagal tone predicted maternal ratings of frustration and fear. Moderate stability was found for infant reactivity. (RH)

A study was designed to determine how well selected academic variables predict student performance on the Communication Skills and General Knowledge portions of the National Teachers Examinations (NTE). A strong association was found between the independent variables, Scholastic Aptitude Test-Verbal scores, and required freshman English grade…

Discusses three topics related to interpretation of discriminant analyses (DA's): (1) partial F ratios and partial Wilks's lambdas for predictor variables in standard, step-down, and stepwise DA's; (2) relation of goals of classification to definition/evaluation of classification rules; and (3) significance tests for total hit rates in internal…

Predictors of premature withdrawal from a 12-week program of behavioral conditioning for childhood nocturnal enuresis were examined for 47 children (ages 5-14). The function containing number of previous techniques used, presence of child behavior problems, and parent tolerance of enuresis was a significant predictor of early termination of…

Examined nature and correlates of self-reported relationship quality for husband/wife pairs (N=458) in six types of newlywed couples. Classified couples' according to marital history and presence/absence of stepchildren. Found demographic, marital history, and presence/absence of stepchildren variables weak when compared to individual-differences…

Surveyed undergraduate college students (N=212) near completion of an introductory nutrition course to identify their patterns of food usage, changes in food habits, and previous nutrition background. Found one-half increased use of milk/milk products and one-half decreased fat and sugar. Cluster analysis indicated students could not be…

College students participated in a study to test competing hypotheses derived from Bem's gender schema theory and Spence's gender identity theory. In two samples, sex, self-concept, and spatial activities made significant direct contributions to the prediction of spatial performance, supporting Spence's theory. (RH)

Examines the relationship between the total number of absences from a single community college class in fall 1985 and four measures of academic achievement (i.e., cumulative grade point average, ratio of courses passed to courses attempted, graduation, and course withdrawals) obtained three years later. (DMM)

Findings from this investigation with 81 college students indicate ideational fluency as a valid predictor of student achievement in an interior design course. Both original and popular ideational fluency as measured by the Multidimensional Stimulus Fluency Measure were related to course grade, design criteria scores, and final project grade.…

Sixty-three parents of children with severe handicaps who were placed out of the home were interviewed regarding why they did not place their child sooner. Factor analysis indicated three main factors that delayed placement: guilt feelings, social support, and family relationships. (Author/JDD)

To investigate stress among parents of mentally retarded children (aged 6-17) who demonstrate behavior disorders, 17 children who demonstrated disruptive behavior and 22 who did not, and their families, were assessed. Levels of children's pathology and aspects of family climate predicted the parental stress, pinpointing different variables for…

A model was developed for estimating individuals' true changes on test scores using the additional information provided by an auxiliary variable correlated with a trait being measured. This provides an improved and more precise estimate when compared with simple difference scores. It involves the reliability of "X" scores only. (SLD)

Investigated the relationship between specific features of the residence environment and the persistence and performance of Black students. Found race, high school grade point average, family income of roommates, and residing in residences with other Blacks was related to college grade point average for Black female freshmen. (Author/ABL)