Investigates characteristics of students and their close friends and how they affect college aspirations and attendance. Focuses on whether gender, race, and track placement in school result in different peer-influence processes. Finds influence varies with racial and gender compositions of friendships. (NL)

The article examines why women and young girls are predisposed to tobacco use, what gender-based variables are at play, what external variables facilitate the initiation of tobacco use, why women continue to smoke, and what intervention strategies can address females and at-risk subgroups. (SM)

Describes a community peer participation, alcohol prevention program designed to prevent or delay alcohol use among young adolescents. Groups of students from 20 Minnesota schools planned supervised, alcohol-free activities. Program goals included peer leadership, social support for nondrinking, creating opportunities for alternative behaviors,…

Describes Nebraska's experience with a successful prevention program to form and maintain local drug-free youth groups. Over 4,500 youths were involved at a 6-year evaluation. Results showed that the programs attracted a significant number of high-risk youths. Nearly all reported being alcohol and tobacco free in the previous month. (SM)

A questionnaire on attitudes toward war play was given to 316 Italian and 84 English parents of children aged 2 to 6 years. In both cultures, boys were significantly more likely than girls to engage in solitary and social war play. Parental attitudes, television, and peers were the major sources of influence on war play. (Author/LB)

A study of 1,478 adolescents (364 males and 1,114 females) attending 10 private schools nationally explored factors influencing male and female adolescent sexual behavior. Most factors examined were significantly correlated with sexual intercourse frequency. Few gender differences were observed. Differential peer association was the strongest…

Studies alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use by fourth graders in Washington, DC (n=4,675 in 1988-89 and n=4,678 in 1990-91). Lifetime prevalence of self-reported alcohol use, alcohol use without parental knowledge, and smoking more than a puff of a cigarette declined, although marijuana use and cigarette experimentation did not decline. (SLD)

Discusses five premises that shape design and delivery of postinservice staff development programs (focusing on health education): teachers respond to innovations in developmental stages; a multiphase approach is necessary; opportunities for teacher collaboration are crucial; staff development approaches must fit stages of teacher development; and…

Relationships between academic achievement and amounts of time devoted to various pursuits were studied for 1,584 seventh and ninth graders. Findings are discussed in terms of the impact on academic achievement of adolescent subculture and of family, school, peer group, and mass media as means of socialization. (SLD)

A peer modeling procedure was shown to induce swallowing in a young child with dysphagia, and to increase food acceptance in a young child who consistently declined food. A peer-mediated procedure, consisting of rotated opportunities to consume food with a peer, increased consumption more than did modeling alone. (Author/JDD)

Examines how three different feedback methods and drawing approaches influenced peer interaction among fifth grade students and their communication with the teacher. Suggests that the frequency of different types of talk was influenced by the form of teacher feedback, the drawing approaches used in the lesson, and other contextual factors. (KM)

Describes levels of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge, condom use, self-efficacy, and intentions to practice HIV-safe behaviors among 52 young incarcerated African-American males. Although overall knowledge and intent to practice safe sex were moderate, transmission knowledge was low. Peer and subjective norms support condom use. (SLD)

Adolescents in New Zealand (492 boys and 468 girls) completed a 22-item scale concerning their self-perceived strengths. Parent, peer, and school attachment, part-time work, and number of physical activities in which they were involved (NPAs) were central for boys. Girls' strengths were best predicted by parent attachment and NPAs. (TJH)

Examines the correlates of substance abuse among New Jersey middle school students by employing an epidemiological perspective in which an individual's risk of using cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs is predicted to increase in relation to the amount of vulnerability and/or risk an individual faces. (Author/MKA)

Four high school students and one 1993 graduate interviewed about school shootings identify contributing factors: parent neglect, ignorance of emotional problems among students, peer pressure exerted by cliques, stress caused by pressure to excel, and alienation resulting from large schools and overworked teachers. Prevention measures include…