Compared characteristics and behaviors of 211 male inpatients of an alcohol clinic and a random sample of 200 men from the greater Stockholm area. Those individuals from both groups who used alcohol and hepatotoxic drugs were equally likely to develop social maladjustment problems, including abuse of alcohol and drugs, while they were growing up.…

Evaluated outcomes of freshman orientation seminar on orientation to college. Found college freshmen's (n=113) participation was associated with improved academic and social adjustment, in contrast to normal trend of declining adjustment over first semester. Seminar seemed successful at increasing participants' knowledge of university and…

Tested the tracking/surveillance explanation of why parental knowledge is linked to adolescent adjustment. Found that across age and informant, high parental knowledge was linked to good adjustment in Swedish 14-year-olds, but children's spontaneous information disclosure explained more of these relations than parents' knowledge. Suggested that…

Examines the impact of inner-city values on the social adjustment of inner-city commuter students. Notes that inner-city commuter students can be affected by the social climate of a college by becoming part of mainstream or marginal groups or failing to develop social connections within the college. Describes methods for helping this population…

Self-report, peer nomination, and teacher rating assessments of depression, anxiety, and social acceptance were obtained for cohorts of 139 and 184 African Americans and 328 and 339 Caucasians for six waves of data from third to eighth grades. Results indicate more evidence of depression in African-American children in grades 3, 4, and 5. (SLD)

Compared adjustment of 30 young adults who had a stable, reciprocal best friend in fifth grade and 30 who did not. Found that lower peer rejection uniquely predicted overall life status adjustment. Friended preadolescents had higher general self-worth in adulthood, even after controlling for perceived preadolescence competence. Peer rejection and…

Describes a method for including picture storybooks and response journals in a structured social skills training program for special needs students to increase the effectiveness of lessons. Includes a list of social skills topics and related picture books. (JPB)

This study examined the connections between children's self-representations at age 5 and their self-perceptions, socioemotional competence, and peer acceptance at age 8. Findings generally revealed the expected connections between the positiveness of self at age 5 and self-perceptions and socioemotional functioning 3 years later, supporting the…

Examines a sample of 37 black adolescent male homosexuals and the factors affecting their social-psychological adjustment. Results from a Likert-type questionnaire reveal the majority of the respondents were comfortable with their sexual identity, although all of them were passing as heterosexuals. Their minority status has not deterred the…

Examined whether activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system, as indexed by average home afternoon levels of cortisol in children age 4.5 years, would predict socioemotional adjustment measured a year and a half later. Found that higher cortisol levels were associated with withdrawal-type behaviors of internalizing and social…

Evaluated effects on children in Bosnia and Herzegovina of a 5-month psychosocial intervention program of weekly group meetings for mothers. Found that although all participants were exposed to severe trauma, their distress varied considerably. The intervention program had a positive effect on mothers' mental health, children's weight gain, and…

Discusses what the research says about the social challenges that international students face when leaving their homeland for school in the United States and highlights ways that colleges and universities can encourage the social success of international students. (EV)

This article offers a glimpse into the life of Frank Peretti, who as a child suffered abuse because of his physical disfigurement. He was bullied and physically assaulted by peers and sometimes adults. Now well known for his novels, Peretti suggests that people who cause others to suffer also suffer from a wounded spirit. (Author)

Using qualitative research methods, the authors investigated African American college students' social climate experiences. Results expanded upon previous research on the college transitions and counseling needs of African Americans in predominantly White campus environments. Advantages and limitations of using qualitative designs to examine…

The New Zealand Progress at School project, investigating school effects, found that individual academic progress is associated with a set of noncognitive dispositions: aspirations, self-concept, and acceptance of the institutional regime. School composition or mix effects were minor. Working-class kids read more proficiently in high-SES schools.…