Examined alcohol use among 7,799 adolescents. Found alcohol use highly correlated with composite effects of variables (behavioral intention; attitude toward school; school misconduct; time spent on sports, extracurricular activities, religion, and academics; grade average; gender; and grade level). Alcohol use was positively correlated with…

The mental capacity of 120 children aged 10 to 16 years was measured with 2 visual information-processing tasks, and their level of moral development was assessed with the Sociomoral Reflection Measure. Results suggest that mental capacity is a necessary but not sufficient condition for moral developmental growth. (LB)

Construction, field testing with children with disabilities, and analysis of the preliminary version of the Preadolescent Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (PA-HOME) are described. The paper concludes that the assessment is a reasonably reliable scale with moderate correlations with other measures of the family environment.…

Examined young runaways' current risk behaviors, knowledge of AIDS, and beliefs about preventing AIDS by questioning 130 male and female subjects from shelters in New York City in 1988-89. Results did not explain the 6.7 percent seroprevalence rate reported in l988. Recommends closer inquiries regarding IV drug use and prostitution. (DM)

Describes a program implemented in Navarra, Spain, to prepare children for hospitalization and to provide psychopedagogical follow-up to develop positive self-concepts. Describes the effects of the program on 40 hospitalized children between the ages of 8 and 12, reporting a more positive self-concept among the children who received the…

Compared the psychological characteristics of withdrawn, aggressive, and average fifth-grade children. Both withdrawn and aggressive children were found to be less popular among peers than were the average group; the aggressive group was most actively disliked. Teachers rated aggressive children as most hostile and as having more learning problems…

Examined selected problem-solving behaviors of school-age children and their parents in dyadic and triadic contexts. Parent-child interactions revealed sex-of-parent and sex-of-child differences as a function of problem-solving contexts. (Author/BB)

Examined cognitive and emotional reactions to family discussions as experienced by 8- to 11-year-old sons (n=35) and their mothers from homes with physically aggressive (PA), verbally aggressive (VA), and low-conflict (LC) marital relationships. Sons of PA couples demonstrated more self-interference, self-distraction, and arousal and less…

On basis of psychological and educational tests, 10 education students, 10 school psychologists, and 10 directors of special schools diagnosed learning problems in 4 children and gave prognoses for students' development over following 6 months in cognitive and social-emotional domain. On average, prognoses appeared very inaccurate when compared to…

Explored relationship among drug use, school performance, and academic aspiration among Anglo and Hispanic youths (n=446). Results indicated a significant relationship between current school performance, future educational aspirations, and drug use. Important differences in response patterns occurring with age, ethnicity, and gender were found.…

Responses from 709 Ohio eighth graders indicated that self-esteem and self-perceived development of competence, coping, and contributory life skills are complementary. Participation in 4-H and other clubs positively influences perceived development. (SK)

Examined learning style characteristics of Mexican-American students (n=687) in grades 4 through 6 and compared results to those from 70,000 Anglo-American children. Compared to Anglo Americans, Mexican-American students preferred formal seating designs and were significantly more peer oriented. Sex differences also were found. (Author/NB)

This study investigated the standards children between 9 and 12 years of age use to evaluate the quality of four types of children's programs: news, educational, dramatic, and cartoons. The quality standards children considered most important were comprehensibility and aesthetic quality. Additional standards were entertainment, involvement,…

Sociodemographic characteristics, delinquency and dependency referral histories, and psychosocial functioning were compared for three groups of youth (N=9,583) at a juvenile assessment center. Findings indicate that eight- to twelve- year olds tend to be ethnic minorities, live in mother-headed households of low economic status, and have a…

Investigates the incidence and patterns of substance use and predictive risk factors in fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade low-income family Mexican Americans. Results capture patterns of substance use among this population over two years, as well as the relationship between reported risk factors in year one and the use of minor and major substances…