Investigated the extent to which family environment predicted differences in trajectories of adaptive development in young children with Down syndrome. Found that growth in communication, daily living skills, and socialization domains were predicted by family cohesion and mother/child interaction beyond that predicted by maternal education. Bailey…

Determined predictors of and prevalence rates for U.S. high school students who carried weapons, were threatened or injured with weapons, or were involved in fighting on school property from 1993 to 1995. Youth Risk Behavior Survey data indicated that gender, race, and grade predicted school-related violence. Males, minorities, and younger…

This article presents childhood disability prevalence trends and their interaction with economic status. Estimates derived from National Health Interview Survey data (1983-96) indicate a significant increase in childhood disability rates. Analysis indicates a greater risk in single-parent households and a growing relationship between poverty and…

Used panel data in event history analysis examining association between family structure and departure from parental home, specifically possible mediators (parent-child relationship quality, household work efforts, psychological efficacy, family/personal income, peer involvement, childbearing). Single-parent family structure (and for girls,…

Examined relations between nonmaternal child care and maternal sensitivity and child positive engagement ratings during mother-child interaction; infants were between 6 and 36 months old. Found that more child care hours predicted less maternal sensitivity and less positive child engagement. Child care effect sizes were similar to those for…

Examined extent to which demographics, students' personal resources, and family resources predicted stable or lowered educational expectations from eighth grade to 2 years post-high school. Found that predictors of lost talent or lowered expectations over time included low SES and racial group membership. External locus of control predicted lost…

Examined risk factors associated with acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among adolescents. Found that demographic factors were associated with being sexually experienced, but few demographics were associated with specific STD-related risk behaviors. Knowledge was not associated with any risk behaviors. Use of alcohol and drugs was…

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of three variables (type of augmentative technique used to communicate, disability label, and user competence in communicating with an augmentative technique) on the attitudes of 289 preservice speech pathologists. Findings indicate that user components influenced cognitive evaluations, but…

This study surveyed 3,595 teachers to determine judgments of prevalence and types of problems children present upon entering kindergarten. Up to 46% reported that half their class or more had specific problems in any of several transition areas. Rates of perceived problems were related to school minority composition; district poverty level; and,…

Explores factors that predict adolescent participation in cooperative activities, which may indicate a predisposition to become involved in community activities later in life. Specifically examines the idea that middle schoolers' subjective experience of challenge may be linked to cooperative behavior later in adolescence. (Author)

This study drew on two approaches to identity formation, each postulating differing but complementary exploration components, in an effort to better understand the identity exploration process. Overall patterns of results revealed by hierarchical regression analyses were consistent with a process model of exploration and with the view that…

Article reports the results of a brief, computer-based assessment of reinforcer dimensions affecting choice and the application of information yielded by the assessment in informing interventions for classroom disruptions of two students. Results showed that choice (time allocated problems within each set) was differentially affected by the…

Relative reinforcing efficacy refers to the behavior-strengthening or maintaining property of a reinforcer when compared to that of another reinforcer. Traditional measures of relative reinforcing efficacy sometimes have led to discordant results across and within studies. By contrast, previous investigations have found traditional measures to be…

A self-administered questionnaire was filled out by 349 Jordanian men to examine the correlation between their patriarchal ideology and their beliefs about wife abuse. The results revealed that high percentages of Jordanian men tended to justify wife abuse, to blame women for violence against them, and to believe that women benefit from beating.…

Social workers in the United States were queried on their attitudes toward transracial adoption (TRA), defined here as African American children being adopted by White parents. An analysis of 363 questionnaires found that optimism about the future of race relations was the most powerful predictor of TRA attitudes. For both African American and…