Developmental-academic and social-emotional checklists completed by teachers were used by the Hawaii Department of Health teams to screen preschool age children. The checklists reliably distinguished between 1,376 developmental referrals and 226 non-referrals. The developmental checklist data indicated that the teachers' most frequent…

A survey sent to parents of 1,189 students in grades 1 through 8 in three school districts explored the connection between family history of diabetes mellitus and learning or behavior problems. A yield of 816 returns gave results such as the following: of 418 returns for males, 233 students had a diabetic background (BG); of 398 returns for…

Sex of the absent parent was correlated with the type behavior manifested; absence of the father with "acting-out" and absence of the mother with "acting-in" behavior. The propensity of children of absent fathers to "act-out" and of absent mothers to "act-in" was related to whether children were aware of their parents' incarceration. (Author)

Many psychologists assert that boys are in dire straits in U.S. society, but in fact, there is no evidence of an emotional or behavioral epidemic for either sex. If there is any truth to the claim that boys are in trouble, it results from practices that foster aggression. It is a mistake to regard either gender as "fragile." (SLD)

Investigated the relationships of problem behavior, emotions, and psychosocial factors using a three-dimensional model of three elements: positive/negative coping resources, rebellion from/ conformity to adult norms, and secretive/obvious behavior. Found that the model fit for both genders. Results suggest that males who do not have positive…

Baseline assessments of 64 girls and 158 boys (ages 4-7 years) diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or early-onset conduct problems, or both, were examined for gender-linked differences in behavior symptoms. Results indicated significant gender differences in behavioral symptoms according to independent home observations. Discusses…

This study of 150 males and 121 females approximately 16 1/2 years of age explored relations among developmental levels and styles of interpersonal negotiation strategies (INS) and competence in social problem-solving skills. Also assessed relations among levels and styles of INS and self-reported engagement in problem behaviors. (RH)

Comparison of 61 self-identified rape victims in France with 122 nonvictims found a prevalence rate of rape of 0.9% for girls, 0.6% for boys and a relationship between rape and current sleep difficulties, depressive symptoms, somatic complaints, tobacco consumption, and behavior problems. Additional problems for male victims included attempted…

Explored suicidal behavior in 291 adolescents using runaway shelters in St. Louis. Found 30 percent of runaways reported having attempted suicide in past. Suicide attempters had significantly more behavioral and mental health problems, and reported having more family members and more friends with problems, than nonattempters. Substance use,…

Information from nine New Zealand secondary schools about suspension for disruptive behavior in 1980 and 1981 showed that boys and girls were suspended with similar frequency, though for different reasons. Further study showed that suspended pupils were in poor health, came from multiply disadvantaged families, and had serious reading problems.…

Data on the relation between marital turmoil (i.e., discord and divorce) and behavior problems in children are reviewed. Several parameters of this relation are outlined, including type of marital turmoil, form of the child's behavioral response, sex differences, age effects, parental buffering, and effects of parental psychopathology. (Author/MP)

Examines the relationships of sexual, physical and emotional abuse to emotional and behavioral problems among incarcerated girls and boys. Analyses indicated that girls were more likely than boys to internalize their problems. The only abuse variable that was positively and significantly associated with emotional problems was emotional abuse.…

Explored externalizing behavior problems in suburban Head Start children. Found parents identified almost one-quarter of children as having externalizing problems in the borderline/clinical range, with twice as many girls as boys having borderline/clinical levels of behavior problems. Found children with parent-identified externalizing problems…

Applied structural equation modeling to twin data to assess impact of genetic and environmental factors on children's behavioral and emotional functioning. Applied models to maternal ratings of behavior of 515 monozygotic and 749 dizygotic twin pairs. Importance of genetic, shared, and specific environmental factors for explaining variation was…

Examined competence and problem behavior of 70 adolescent suicide attempters for effects of gender, age, and high-risk versus low-risk suicidal status. High suicide risk youth reported greater clinical levels of problem behavior than did low-risk counterparts. Few differences were found for reported competencies. (Author/NB)