Samples college students (N=440) to assess the impact of parental divorce and family functioning on their development. Results indicate that parental divorce and family functioning have unique effects on key developmental tasks associated with a college-age population. Discusses an intergenerational family-systems approach. (Author/MKA)

To measure self-protective behavior on dates, the Dating Self-Protection Against Rape Scale (DSPARS) was developed. The relationship among previous sexual victimization, self-perceived risk for sexual assault, rape awareness education, gender of dating partner, and DSPARS scores was assessed among 152 college students. Results, implications, and…

Colleges and universities are responsible for providing a safe environment for members of the campus community. This article describes problems that can arise in dealing with nonstudents who potentially create safety problems on campus. (Author)

Peer interactions and cognitive outcomes during college were studied at 23 institutions. Models of college impact are reviewed. Peer interactions include course-related and other activities occurring inside and outside classroom settings. Outcomes for three years are reported. Data support a strong positive effect of peer interactions on cognitive…

Originally published in July 1989, uses meta-analysis to integrate and summarize the empirical research from 1966 through 1987 regarding the influence of college residence halls on the academic performance of undergraduate students in the United States. Results indicate that residence halls do not generally exert a major influence on students'…

Originally published in March/April 1996, reviews the interconnections between two national reports, "Involvement in Learning," and the "Student Learning Imperative." Focuses on the issue of shared values and demonstrates how student affairs professionals can utilize the most recent research to realize the full potential of the…

Examines the coming out process experienced by 20 gay, lesbian and bisexual students in the residence halls of a major research institution. Students report how they disclosed their sexual orientation, factors influencing the process, and reactions to their disclosures. Provides recommendations for residence hall professionals. (Contains 40…

Thirty-six students attending an evangelical college completed Loevinger's Sentence Completion Test of ego development and wrote stories in response to 3 Thematic Apperception Test pictures. Findings indicate increased intrinsic moral motivation, broader perception of ethical dilemmas, richer conceptualization of a moral self, and holistic…

The Measure of Epistemological Reflection was revised to reflect a constructivist view of epistemological development that emerged from a longitudinal study of young adults' development. This article includes a description of the new constructivist interpretation process, how it is used, and criteria upon which to judge its value. (Contains 44…

Examines students' learning and intellectual development while living in formal learning communities in residence halls. Students in residential learning communities had significantly higher levels of involvement, interaction, and gains in learning and intellectual development than did students in traditional residence halls. Participation in…

Faculty and administrators are more likely to take responsibility for student learning and development if they believe that assessment data represent their students and identify specific actions for improvement. An earlier study found that NSSE scalelets provide dependable metrics for assessing student engagement at the university, college, and…

Tested a new, shortened scale for measuring willingness to seek help from mental health professionals. Scores correlated with the 29-item scale developed by Fischer and Turner (1970); the new scale's brevity (10 items) should make it easier and less obtrusive for use in research. Discusses the need for further studies on attitudes toward…

Using a sample of 2818 first-year college students, this study relates their identity processing styles as determined by the Identity Styles Inventory to self-perceived academic self-efficacy and academic performance. Conceptualizes obstacles to identity development and academic success and discusses proactive interventions within a context of…

Examined rates of cognitive and psychosocial development and the influences of salient life experiences of traditional-aged college students. Results from 15 college students over one academic year suggest that intellectual and psychosocial developmental processes are not uniform, occur at discrepant rates, and are significantly affected by life…

This study sought to identify differences between 100 randomly selected Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) and nonACOAs attending a black university. The ACOAs reported significantly more drinking problems and less healthy family environments and social support than nonACOAs, but no difference in mastery of developmental tasks like autonomy,…