Examines the degree of cultural similarity and specificity in the emotional experiences of subjects from the United States and Japan. Found a high degree of cultural agreement in the antecedent/evaluation process, but some differences in relative/expressive aspects of emotion. (Author/BJV)

Studied intimacy in best friendships of 217 children of 8-14 years. Results showed that: (1) intimacy between best friends was relatively low at age 8, but increased in late childhood; (2) some components of intimacy developed before others; and (3) females and androgynous males formed a homogeneous high intimacy group. (RJC)

Investigates the relationship between 24 children's experiences in their second year, their mental and emotional disposition before and after the second year, and their motivational competence. Type and quality of experience were related to mental and emotional disposition. (RJC)

Reviews new research into what young children know about emotions and how their knowledge may develop. Notes that the developmental timetable for the emergence of various emotion states and expressions is well documented and that teachers need to take into account individual and sociocultural differences in children's emotional behavior. (MDM)

The quality of marriage and family life depends on the quality of the relationship between the adult partners, who create the emotional environment. A marriage education program based on adult learning principles should be a continuing process reaching into each developmental stage of the family life cycle. (SK)

Compared family relationships and the social and emotional development of children in families created by new reproductive technologies with those of natural and adoptive families. Found that quality of parenting in experimental families was superior to that of families with a naturally conceived child. No group differences were found for measures…

Two studies examined 19 preschoolers' ability to distinguish between pretense and reality, testing whether emotionally charged events can cause children to lend probability to pretense. Subjects were assigned to various conditions including termination or no termination of pretense and emotionally colored pretense play scenarios. Found that, even…

Discusses ideas outlined in a recent report from the Council on Physical Education for Children on the importance of a success-orientated physical education (PE) program for elementary school students. Emphasizes the importance of (1) instructionally appropriate PE; (2) motor skill and movement concept development; (3) social and emotional…

Many ethnic-majority college students have strong emotional reactions to ethnic-American literature and the conflict of social myth with social reality. Teachers can guide students through the seven stages leading from disillusionment to understanding (shock, denial, anger, rejection, examination, understanding, and acceptance) in part by…

This case study describes emotional problems experienced by two gifted children as they grew to adulthood. The children were from a minority immigrant family background and suffered from parental pressure to excel, conflicting cultural demands, and family problems as well as lack of acceptance. (DB)

Examined patterns of interaction between Mexican parent-child dyads to understand the relationships between childrearing practices, culture, family social environment, and children's social and emotional development. Found that warm, supportive parenting was related to both supportive and assertive, self-expressive child behavior, whereas…

Applies a 5-stage model of suicide causal theories to the ways in which 113 adolescents handled their suicidal impulses. Distinguished three types of resources that foster coping with such impulses: (1) general motivational resources; (2) general dimensions of ego development; and (3) commonsense theories as a specific interpretation of a concrete…

Examines the role of continuity of self-concept during changes faced by adolescents in insulating them against the risks of suicide, outlining five increasingly complex ways in which adolescents define themselves. Compares the continuity claims of suicidal and nonsuicidal adolescents, finding that those considered at high risk for suicide lacked…

Discusses the importance of a sense of wonder in young children's social and emotional development. Offers ideas for ways in which parents and teachers can help create, nourish, and sustain a sense of wonder in children. (GLR)

This article describes several books published by Free Spirit Publishing which help gifted students to understand their giftedness. The books deal with such issues as parental pressure, teasing of peers, perfectionism, stress, underachievement, personal autonomy, self-esteem, lying, and strategies for success in school. (JDD)