This literature review discusses gender differences in psychosocial determinants of adolescent smoking. Studies show that external pressures (e.g., peer and parental smoking) are important for boys and girls, although their influence may be moderated differently by age and type of smoking behavior assessed. Gender-specific components of…

Studies the processes by which organizational newcomers acquire information from their peers. Indicates types of information acquired, channels through which they acquire it, and the relationship between type and channel. Suggests that information acquisition is affected by type of organization, newcomer-peer work interactions, and newcomer…

Colleges are using current students' and their parents' enthusiasm for the institution as an effective recruitment tool. Student contact with prospective students on campus visits, hometown contacts, and parent phone calls to prospective students' parents are useful strategies. Most are volunteers though some students are paid for their time as…

Reports on a study in which 19 doctoral students were interviewed regarding their own self-esteem and their attitudes toward undergraduate student and professors. Finds differences between precandidate and candidate graduate students in all three areas. Asserts that these differences are evidence that doctoral programs encourage a shift away from…

Discusses how a fifth-grade teacher gained a new perspective on the reading habits of a reluctant male reader identified as having a specific learning disability in language. Notes that the student became enchanted with nonfiction, forcing the teacher to reevaluate her value system that placed reading, writing, and speaking above all other forms…

Explores the experiences of English youths who have been excluded from school and are young offenders. Identifies four main themes in their stories: bullying, home life in relation to school, peer pressure, and truancy and exclusion. Examines the peer pressure-deviancy relationship in greater depth. (DSK)

Structured interviews with 555 Puerto Rican youth aged 16-24 found that the impact of risk factors on drug use was offset by cultural knowledge, being culturally active, group attachment, and identification with Puerto Ricans. Ethnicity variables also enhanced the protective effect of other protective factors. Contains 36 references. (Author/SV)

Rites of passage are a normal part of a young person's growth from adolescence to adulthood and many are marked with the use and abuse of alcohol. Describes three phases of the rites of passage (separation, liminal, and reincorporation) that youth undergo. Suggests that educators and advisors help them create meaningful rituals without resorting…

Notes that kindergarten children often use invented spelling but want to learn the correct way to spell. Presents components of a spelling program that allows a variety of learning procedures while maintaining a reasonable amount of independence for students. Program includes weekly homework assignments, daily spelling efforts, picture/word…

Discusses a school-based prevention program initiated to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use among adolescents. Investigates changes in reported ATOD use from 1987 to 1991. Significant decreases were found for use of most drugs with the exception of alcohol. Involvement in problem behaviors was the most salient risk factor whereas…

Racial differences in adolescent premarital childbearing were largely explained by racial differences in neighborhood quality. These neighborhood effects were attributed to peer attitudes and behaviors, adolescents' more tolerant attitudes toward unmarried parenthood, and greater residential mobility in distressed communities. Neighborhood effects…

Reports findings from the College Alcohol Study to help institutions develop intervention campaigns with binge drinking. Findings address the prevalence of binge drinking, the inadequacy of alcohol education alone, student support for tougher policies, the value of marginalizing the heaviest drinkers, the easy availability of low cost alcohol, the…

Short-term longitudinal study compared influence of 6th, 8th, and 10th graders' closest friends (CF) and friendship groups (FG) on cigarette and alcohol use. Results showed that CF influenced initiation of cigarette and alcohol use. Only FG use predicted transition into current cigarette use. Only CF use predicted transition into current alcohol…

Investigated the relationship between participation in school and non-school based extracurricular activities and peer influence on adolescent substance use. Surveys of 3,189 11th graders from 33 midwestern high schools indicated that while school and non-school based extracurricular activities significantly influenced substance use, peer…

Study creates and tests a comprehensive model of adolescent problem drinking. Results indicate that high levels of parental support and a positive school climate in the 8th grade influence the formation of relationships with peers with positive values in the 10th grade that guard against problem-drinking behavior in the 10th grade. (Contains 40…