Compared five subgroups of aggressive children and adolescents on several adjustment correlates. Found that the reactive group and the group high on both instrumental and reactive reasons for aggression showed consistent maladaptive patterns across the adjustment correlates. The instrumental and typical groups (moderate on instrumental and…

An eighteen-year longitudinal study of 1,265 New Zealand children examined the relationship between retrospective reports of physical punishment/maltreatment and rates of adjustment difficulties at age 18. Results found the children exposed to harsh or abusive treatment were at-risk for juvenile offending, substance abuse, and mental health…

Examined relations of parents' reactions to first- through fourth-graders' negative emotions with children's social and emotional competence at school and the moderating role of children's dispositional emotionality. Found that problem-focused parental reactions related positively to socioemotional competence for boys but negatively for girls.…

This study investigated relationships between parent-perceived psychological intensities of a heterogeneous sample of 67 preschool-age children and standardized measures of intelligence and creativity. Total intensity scores correlated negatively with children's chronological age and positively with intelligence scores, indicating that bright…

The study compared the effects of different play conditions (microcomputer, remote-control robot, or no toys) on the amount of time four dyads of handicapped/nonhandicapped children would interact during structured play. Results suggested that microcomputers may serve as social facilitators for children with significant social and language…

Evaluates the leisure perceptions held by adolescents in institutional settings. Neulinger's (1986) "What Am I Doing?" scale (WAID) is used to measure the differences between adolescents in therapeutic and nontherapeutic settings. Discusses whether the two cohorts differ in regard to their scores when concomitant variables are statistically…

Outcomes were predicted by similar factors, regardless of drug problem or type of treatment. Greater substance use at follow-up was predicted by greater severity of use at admission, not number of services during treatment. Social adjustment was negatively predicted by more severe psychiatric problems at admission and positively predicted by more…

The program involved each adolescent receiving 10 weeks' consecutive training. The results suggested that individualized training was superior to standardized training. Skills important for making friendships were included in the program, and provision was made for meeting the needs of both impulsive and unassertive adolescents within group…

This article describes one gifted child's social and emotional adjustment over time, as an interaction among many factors including his own personality, his family, and his school situation. The article demonstrates the child's difficulties in elementary school adjustment and describes the changes that occurred which enhanced his self-esteem and…

This study evaluated possible relationships between academic aptitude and psychosocial adjustment in students (total n=475) in 3 gifted programs (grade 2, grades 5 to 11, and early college entrance). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses provided little evidence for a relation between aptitude scores and adjustment within these groups.…

A 15-year longitudinal study in Sweden compared 211 male alcoholic inpatients and their children with a random sample of 200 men and their children. Men in both groups who used hepatotoxic drugs had more psychosocial problems than men in both groups who did not. Children of inpatients required more social assistance than children of controls. (MDM)

Examined children's social status, friendship, and adjustment. Found that peer relationships contributed uniquely to children's socioemotional adjustment, academic performance, and self-concept. Peer status also affected adjustment, with peer rejection and neglect being significant negative predictors. Effects of friendship appeared positive, with…

A new instrument, the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C), was developed. Results from 6 studies with nearly 600 children indicate that the SPAI-C is a reliable and valid measure for childhood social anxiety and fear. It may be useful for improving clinical assessment and documenting treatment outcomes. (SLD)

Investigated factors considered by 118 school psychologists, 119 principals, and 108 special education teachers in making distinction between students with serious emotional disturbance and those with social maladjustment. Found moderate disagreement between groups on behavioral or background descriptors differentiating emotionally disturbed and…

Examines the relative adjustment of Kibbutz and city children in Israel. The Kibbutz is a collective farm or rural settlement in Israel. Hypothesis that Kibbutz-adopted children would show better adjustment is not supported by the study. Indicates that no differences exists in the adjustment between adopted children of the Kibbutz and adopted…