Longitudinal self-report data from 4,071 students are used to examine the degree to which students' perceptions of their social environments (people and places) are associated with changes in 3 school success outcomes: school engagement, trouble avoidance, and grades. Specific variable dimensions within the neighborhood, peer, and family domains…

In Australia, Indigenous young women are more likely to become pregnant while in their teens than non-Indigenous young women. Factors such as poverty, educational outcomes and unemployment play a major role; however, there is little understanding of the attitudes of young women themselves with regards to pregnancy. This paper explores young…

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to identify how school factors were related to perpetration of dating violence among adolescents; and (2) to assess how these factors may reduce or exacerbate the relationship between parental domestic violence and adolescents' perpetration of dating violence, while accounting for individual and family…

Objective: To identify beliefs about eating 2.5 cups of vegetables and to assess how well these beliefs predict intention to eat them. Design: A survey based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Setting: Two public high schools in 2 counties in eastern North Carolina. Participants: 157 ninth-grade students (mean age = 14.71 years [SD = 0.82]).…

This study analyzes the effects of several factors related to high school, such as the kind of school (public or private), the type of education (general or vocational), school location and peers on undergraduate performance from students of the University of Barcelona (Spain). Particular attention is given to the functional form and to the…

We discuss how the five core competencies for healthy adjustment in adolescence (a positive sense of self, self-control, decision-making skills, a moral system of belief, and prosocial connectedness) are represented in theories of aggression and youth violence. We then discuss research supporting the relation between these core competencies and…

One hundred and forty-three Jewish and Arab 6th grade children in Israel participated in this study, which explored several attitude dimensions and willingness to communicate (WTC) in the language of the other. Analysis of variance indicated differences between groups, with Arab children having in general more positive attitudes and higher WTC in…

Objective: The authors' aim in this study was to determine, after adjustment for the effects of body mass index and socio-demographic measures, whether sex-specific weight control norms would have significant independent relationships with the weight control behavior of college women and men. Participants: The authors used an anonymous…

Adolescent psychologists readily acknowledge the role that peer expectations and pressures may play in causing youth to act in ways that conflict with previously assimilated attitudes and beliefs. However, minimal research has been focused on self-presentational behavior during adolescence. This study was designed to determine whether the…

A student participatory model, developed to combat a drug problem, could be helpful in solving other school problems. (Author/MLF)

A university student describes her experiences as a peer mentor in the "Keep Youth in School" program. She recounts the benefits the program provides through its tutoring, mentorship, and employment projects. Young foster children enjoy activities, friendships, and encouragement that they might not find outside of the program. (SO)

Examines the influence of parents, peers, and partners on teenage women's contraceptive-seeking behavior and identifies sources of variation in the amount and direction of influence. (Author/ABB)

Analysis of questionnaire responses of 112 males between the ages of 10 and 14 revealed intention to use smokeless tobacco correlated significantly with attitude toward the behavior and perceived social pressure. Significant differences between those who intended to use smokeless tobacco and those who did not were found on several outcome and…

Explores the roles of mothers, fathers, television, and street culture as significant others and socializing agents for Black youth. Also discusses how significant others might be used to foster achievement. (CMG)

The effect of social facilitation, particularly the impact of perceived evaluation and relative competence of handicapped learners, was tested for efficacy in predicting 26 learning disabled elementary children's oral reading performance. Results revealed that children who read with similar-ability peers performed significantly better than with…