Development of self-esteem tends to become stable in middle adolescence for mainstream groups, but relatively little is known about self-esteem development of individuals in groups undergoing cultural adaptation, such as Spanish-speaking adolescents. The idea that immigrant students (voluntary minorities) are alike in many psychological and social…

This book assesses the current state of foster care in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the pressures which have shaped it, and the challenges it faces. Emphasizing the importance of fostering within a coherent child care policy, the contributors examine the latest research into key areas of foster care, and explore how practice can be improved.…

Noting national survey data from the past three decades showing consistently that more than 60 percent of American high school seniors agree that religion is important to them, and in light of increased interest in faith-based initiatives, this research brief summarizes findings from recent studies that examine linkages between adolescents beliefs…

This report presents the results of a survey on drug and alcohol use among students in elementary and secondary schools. Schools in 15 counties along the Texas-Mexico border were oversampled so that substance use among students could be looked at in detail. A total of 63,292 students (grades 7-12) and 43,915 students (grades 4-6) were sampled.…

Because of geographic isolation, many Australian families find it necessary to send their children to boarding schools for an appropriate secondary education. To determine the impact that leaving home has on young adolescents, and how they cope with the change, 38 year-8 boarding-school students from remote areas of Western Australia were…

In this paper, an overview of children's psychological processes is presented within the context of adoption, foster care, or other type of placement which requires the child to develop the coping skills necessary to continue toward optimal growth psychologically, cognitively, and socially. Findings from a research review indicate that children…

In the nation there are four or five million children who have educational needs so unusual that they require special help from the schools. Such children include those with physical handicaps, mental retardation, serious social or emotional problems, or giftedness. Progress is being made in providing for these children, but educational provisions…

Comparison of the thinking styles of 21 corporate chief executive officers (CEO's) and 23 school superintendents from across the United States reveals CEO's as right-brain oriented (innovative, intuitive), and superintendents as left-brain oriented (logical, rational). Author suggests both groups strive for "whole-brained thinking," balancing both…

Observers identified four types of behavior in junior high school students: good, outgoing, rebellious, and withdrawn. Results were compared with behavior patterns found in first-grade students, and similar findings emerged. Questions are raised about how student roles are established and whether teaching affects them. (Authors/PP)

Investigates the adaptation strategies of Mexican American adolescents in order to determine the effect of environment on acculturation. Describes the characteristics and similarities of Mexican-, Chicano-, and Anglo-oriented life-styles. Describes the manifestation of each life-style in an urban and suburban high school setting. (SB)

Although self-esteem and locus of control orientation differ for American Indian and White children at all educational levels, internality increases with age and is positively related to self-esteem for both groups. American Indian students have a more external orientation and lower self-esteem than White students. (SB)

Investigated relationships among prenatal maternal resources, perceptions about parenting, and children's temperament at 6 months, and adaptation of 90 adolescent mothers three years after the birth of their first child. Found that maternal resources uniquely predicted later maternal cognitive functioning, personal adjustment, and child abuse…

Uses the careers of President John F. Kennedy and the legendary Greek hero Achilles to explore the intersections among mythological status, public perception, and leadership. Observes fascinating parallels between both men and their roles as soldiers, generational representatives, and martyred heroes. (MJP)

Presents evidence of unconscious bias in the content of the 1986 Ontario Curriculum Guideline for History and Contemporary Studies. Examines sex bias in the liberal-progressive view of history which undergirds the curriculum and explores gender bias present in the theoretical assumptions underlying the guidelines. (LS)

Changes in traditional social work graduate students who take six instructional quarters to complete their degree were compared with changes in extended degree students who take eight instructional quarters (a combination part-time/full-time work/study arrangement). Fourteen self-measures of personality, values and helping skills were assessed.…