This study deconstructs cumulative risk to probe unique relations to basal cortisol for family income and four distinct aspects of poverty-related instability. Participants were 288 children aged 3-5 years who attended Head Start preschool. Parents reported on poverty risks. Children provided samples of salivary cortisol at four times of day on…

Used data from a longitudinal study of 16-year-old girls to test predictions about psychosocial factors in the onset of menarche. Found that family conflict and father's absence in childhood predicted an earlier age of menarche, and these factors in combination with weight showed some evidence of an additive influence on menarche. (Author/GLR)

Adolescents 10 to 18 years of age were interviewed 4.5 years after their parents' divorce. Adolescents' feeling of being caught between parents was related to high parental conflict and low parental cooperation. Closeness to both parents was related to low feelings of being caught between parents. Feeling caught was related to poor adjustment…

Investigated the role of emotionality and self-regulation in understanding 3rd- through 5th- graders' adjustment responses to multiple risk. Found that negative emotionality predicted adjustment problems, positive emotionality predicted positive adjustment, and self-regulation predicted both. Children low in self-regulation were more vulnerable to…

The concept of reproductive strategy is applied to the study of childhood experience and interpersonal development to develop an evolutionary theory of socialization. The relationship between this theory and prevailing theories of socialization is considered, and research consistent with the evolutionary theory is reviewed. Discusses directions…