Surveyed over 600 adolescents and their parents to examine adolescent problem behaviors in single-mother families. Results indicate that nonresident father involvement buffers the negative effects of single-mother families for white adolescent males. However, black male adolescents reported fewer problem behaviors when nonresident fathers are…

Reviews research examining the relationship between family functioning and child behavior problems. Focuses on parenting styles, intergenerational relationships, family structure, and family interaction patterns. Finds that child behavior problems are related to a lack of parental support, an imbalanced parent- child relationship, a lack of…

Data from a 25-year study of 194 individuals indicated that teacher and peer reports of aggression, compliance, and self-control at age 8 distinguished high-agreeable from low-agreeable 33-year-olds. High-agreeable childhood types had fewer disobedience and concentration problems than low-agreeable childhood types. High-agreeable childhood boys…

Fifty-nine teachers generated what they thought were typical outcomes of physical and emotional abuse on children's classroom behavior. Responses generally fell into the following categories: lowered self-esteem, heightened aggression, academic difficulties, and poor social interaction skills. Teachers' responses generally mirrored research…

This article discusses the difficulties some individuals with developmental disabilities have in responding to behavioral treatment and suggests an alternative to traditional behavioral treatment programs. It describes the use of the accommodation approach in which an individual's environment is rearranged to prevent or lower the occurrence of…

A biopsychosocial model of the development of adolescent chronic conduct problems is presented and supported through a review of empirical findings. The model posits that biological dispositions and sociocultural contexts place certain children at risk in early life but that life experiences with parents, peers, and social institutions increment…

This study evaluated a program to teach social skills to children and adolescents using a cognitive behavioral approach in small groups that met weekly. One group of seven children and a parallel parents' group are described. Evaluation indicated improved social functioning for most children. The importance of liaison with parents and teachers in…

Data were analyzed from an epidemiological sample of 5-year- old twins and their parents. Findings indicated that the less time fathers lived with their children, the more conduct problems their children had, but only if the fathers engaged in low levels of antisocial behavior. When fathers engaged in high levels of antisocial behavior, the more…

This study examined toddler precursors of preschoolers' externalizing behaviors. Findings indicated that boys initiated more conflictual-aggressive interactions as toddlers and had more externalizing difficulties 2 years later, yet girls' (not boys') conflict-aggressive initiations at age 2 related to subsequent externalizing problems. The…

A study examined the degree to which parents are informed about syndrome-based behaviors in children with Down syndrome (n=21), Prader-Willi syndrome (n=25), and Williams syndrome (n=21). Parents were informed about blatant behavioral features, especially maladaptive behaviors, but were less informed about certain subtle syndrome-based cognitive…

A study probed the self-perceptions of 46 children (ages 6-9) and 34 children (ages 10-13) with specific language impairment (SLI) and their peers. In the older group, children with SLI perceived themselves more negatively in scholastic competence, social acceptance, and behavioral conduct than typical children. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A study evaluated a comprehensive school-wide program based on an effective behavioral support approach for preventing disruptive behaviors implemented in seven elementary schools. The program included a school-wide discipline program, tutoring, conflict resolution, and functional behavioral intervention plans. Schools showed positive effects on…

This case study evaluated effects of errorless compliance training on cooperation of sons of two fathers with brain injury and chronic pain. Following treatment, children displayed high levels of compliance to parent requests as well as generalization and maintenance of treatment gains. Errorless compliance training is recommended to foster…

A study evaluated the efficacy of a multicomponent program for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in 50 students (ages 8- 9). Teachers (n=29) were trained in behavior modification techniques, cognitive behavior strategies, and instructional management strategies. Parents' and teachers' ratings detected improvement in primary…

This address examines the future of biobehavioral science and the opportunities and pitfalls it holds for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Examples of recent advances in genetics and neurosciences are discussed, as well as opportunities that these advances hold for understanding the effects of the environment on…