Traditional efforts to assess behavioral health needs in communities have relied on objective population characteristics to define need. Newer conceptual models must be developed that incorporate survey data into definitions of need. One preliminary model includes resident subjective perceptions of life changes in their personal and social…

In order to understand the psychological meaning of menarche it is necessary to examine cultural beliefs, socialization, and actual experience. A sample of 641 fifth to twelfth grade girls, 40% of whom were premenarcheal, completed a modified version of the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). Half of the sample completed the MDQ according…

Group contingencies structure situations which link individual behavior with group outcomes, attempting to change behavior through peer pressure. As such, group contingencies raise numerous methodological and ethical problems, and illuminate the relationship between what data is collected and what subsequent decisions can be made. Over 100…

By means of an extensive self-report questionnaire, this study was completed to determine the relationship between sources of counseling support and (1) present formal religious practice and specific drug usage, (2) present formal religious practice and particular influences militating against specific drug usage, (3) present formal religious…

Describes a study which examines the relationship between a rise in juvenile crime and the school term. Concludes that adolescents act out in the community the roles they acquire in schools. Journal available from Joan Watson, Distribution Secretary, The New Era, 54 Fontarabia Road, London, SWII 5PF. (KC)

Describes a project to help keep Washington, DC, youths in foster care enrolled in school and to improve their school attendance, academic and job performance, and self-esteem. Intervention program strategies included peer mentorship, employment, and social support. (SO)

Conducted large-scale cannabis educational project involving 1,237 elementary and 1,022 secondary school students to examine effects of peer and parent influence on a young person's drug use. Findings suggest that parents rather than peers will be the determining factor in a child's decision to use drugs. (NB)

Identifies children's basic social needs; describes the effect of social pressures provided by family, schooling, peer groups, and television on children's social needs; and provides suggestions for balancing social priorities for children. (BB)

Summarizes a sampling of theoretical and empirical research on play leadership in young children, and suggests ways in which teachers can encourage leadership or following behavior in their classes. (BB)

Urges development of gifted programs appropriate to rural schools. Discusses groupings, curricula, technology, and differentiated education. Emphasizes the importance of peer and community involvement. Provides 21 references. (SKW)

The concept of entrapment, viewed as a conceptual framework for social interaction skills training, is a behavioral process whereby newly acquired social responses come under the control of naturally occurring reinforcers, usually the social behavior of peers. Selection of target behaviors and intervention procedures to promote entrapment are…

The education and health of students are at risk due to a rise in drug and tobacco use in schools. Social workers can help schools and students by designing, executing, and evaluating prevention interventions. Empirical data from two controlled studies are presented. (VM)

Two experiments investigate how attributes of peer models influenced achievement behaviors among children who had experienced difficulties learning mathematical skills in school. Children in the single-coping-model, multiple-coping-model, and multiple-mastery-model conditions demonstrated higher self-efficacy, skill, and training performance,…

Recommends and offers methods for teaching decision making skills to developing adolescents using controversial topics pertinent to their stage in life. (SRT)

The Fear of Success Consequence Scale was used to assess early and mid-adolescents' fears of potential social consequences of academic success. Results indicated that fear of academic success decreased through adolescence and girls generally had a greater fear of academic success. (DWH)