Examined association between maternal responsiveness during infancy and middle-childhood behavior problems. Found that responsiveness was significantly associated with disruptive behavior problems but unrelated to attention problems. Absence of MRes during infancy increased risk of later disruptive behavior problems, even with concurrent parenting…

Examines life-skills training in school-based, school-age child care programs in two southeastern states. The frequency with which specific life skills were provided by programs revealed several gaps in training related to safety, personal development, and interpersonal relations. Implications are discussed. (37 references) (MLH)

Compared verbal and visuo-spatial working memory (WM) performance under initial, gain, and maintenance conditions for nine age groups from 6 to 57 years to determine if differences were attributable to specific or general processing functions. Found support for a general-capacity explanation of age-related differences, reflecting demands placed on…

Two studies examined developmental changes in handwriting variability. Results indicated that, between 3 and 5 years, the number of grip patterns that children routinely use declines and the variability associated with pen-surface positioning declines. Older 3-year-olds used an adult grip pattern more often and were less variable in pen-surface…

Suggests that although "learning to learn" has become part of the skills agenda, it actually involves far greater depth of personal development than skill development alone. Discussion of personal development and academic assessment leads to identification of related issues of power, knowledge, involvement, and design. (Author/DB)

Study uses longitudinal growth curve modeling to examine the dynamic relations between refusal skills and alcohol use. The estimated means for alcohol use indicated that on average these adolescents increased their alcohol use by a factor of 140% over a four-year period. Refusal skill efficacy declined by a factor of 13% over the same time frame.…

Examined the effects of early child care experiences on children's social development between 1.5 and 15 years of age. Found that out-of-home care experiences appeared to influence social competence by fostering individual differences that remained stable through childhood and early adolescence. (Author/HTH)

Identifies interaction effects as the defining feature of resilience and resilience research. Maintains that interaction effects are responsible for the unique contributions of this field of study to the understanding of human development. Suggests that the methodological and statistical challenges posed by interaction effects do not, by…

Similar themes related to the concept of adaptability and well-being psychology include long-term perspective, relationships, self-development, and future focus. These themes may be combined into the construct of "possible selves," which links well-being and career development. (SK)

Argues that systematically investigating proximal processes as unifying and overriding forces in human development may be an overlooked aspect of contemporary developmental science. A study of 10,000 high school students showed that those whose parents were more involved in school performed better in school, irrespective of the parents' gender or…

Young people's knowledge of rights was examined through open-ended interview questions and detailed content analysis (N=169). Interviews were coded to assess development of knowledge about rights from childhood through adolescence. Results are reported for specific questions. Findings are related to developmental theory, research, and practical…

In seeking to nurture the human spirit while improving intellectual ability and performance, holistic learning tries to provide a broader vision of education and human development. This process is assisted by three key elements: balance, inclusion, and connection. Balance is needed among transmission, transaction, and transformational learning…

Adolescents of diverse ethnic background (n=201) reported whether they considered any adult other than their parents to be a very important person (VIP) in their lives and described attributes of the VIP and their relationship. Girls were more likely to have a VIP. Differences in VIP attributes were associated with adolescents' psychosocial…

The Young Adult Learners Project focuses on personal development and social inclusion through a curriculum emphasizing these topics: self-management, using information, rights and responsibilities, relationships, support, risks, self-knowledge, coping with feelings, and beliefs. Mentors play a key role in guidance and assessment. (SK)

One hundred eighty community college students enrolled in an alcohol and drug counseling certification program were surveyed to determine differences between recovering alcoholic/addicts and nonalcoholics. Alcoholic students had less education and income, were more likely to be enrolled for personal growth, or to obtain a job in the addictions…