Surveys of 190 unemployed job seekers and interviews with 17 employers in the remote northern Highlands of Scotland found that the employability of many job seekers, particularly the long-term unemployed, was limited by significant gaps in their skills and work experience, their lack of connection to informal social networks used in job seeking,…

Low-income parents completed a social map and measures of self-esteem and child-rearing practices. Results indicated that American Indians had an interconnected web of kin; Hispanics, close-knit social networks; and Anglos, diffuse but supportive networks. Affective dimensions of social networks were related to parenting. Parental self-efficacy…

Focuses on the impact of sex, race, and social networks in the hiring processes of a midsize, high-technology organization using information about applicants (n=35,229) from 1985-94. Reports that for gender, age and education account for all sex differences; for ethnic minorities, the hiring process is partly reliant on social networks. (CMK)

A study involving 670 nonabusive families and 166 abusive families compared Spanish and Colombian cultures in relation to community social support variables and the relationships between these variables and child maltreatment. In both cultures, abusive parents showed lower levels of community integration, participation in social activities, and…

Examines variation in coresidence among undocumented Mexican and Central American immigrants in San Diego (California). Proposes that by creatively forming and reforming coresident groups, undocumented immigrants use social organization strategically and effectively as a resource to assist them in their struggle to live and work in the United…

Alumni get involved in a network when they share their professional expertise with undergraduates. Programs to bring alumni and students together include: mentor, alumni hosts, alumni rosters in which former students are listed by profession and geographic area, credentials service, etc. (MLW)

Argues that the Black community should be viewed as a complex of family and kin networks that support the survival and function of the Black family in a racially discriminatory society. Discusses the roles of male and female networks and the Black church. (FMW)

Structural aspects of school-based peer networks of adolescents in grades 6 through 12 were mapped in 3 school systems in a major Midwestern city. The results indicated that female students were more connected to their peer network than were male students, and that peer networks became more exclusive with increasing grade. (MDM)

Widows of varying ages (n=246) in urban Israel were investigated to examine the effects of widowhood-related needs along the life cycle and variables hypothesized to be related to it. Findings support previous research regarding the role of locus of control as a support mobilizer. Discusses importance of personal as well as environmental resources…

Site visits to three demonstration projects for high-risk Hispanic youth examined factors affecting collaboration between substance abuse prevention agencies and Hispanic natural support systems (NSS). A developmental framework outlines four phases in collaboration: assessing NSS, identifying and mapping NSS, relationship building, and…

It is argued that if colleges and universities want involved alumni, they must begin during the student years. Activities and approaches to take during each of the four college years to help establish a mutually supportive relationship are outlined, and illustrated with examples from a variety of institutions. (MSE)

Members of 451 families were observed interacting in their home and completed questionnaires that assessed family processes, characteristics, and economic circumstances. Found that economic pressure disrupted parenting; spouse support had a direct effect on parenting; and, for mothers, spouse support moderated the impact of economic strain. (BC)

Analyzed data from San Francisco 85+ Study to examine families of oldest-old African Americans (n=122). Found that women received more help from relatives and friends, and men received more help from immediate family members. Findings also indicated that principle of substitution operated among some segments of older African-American population,…

Assessed similarities between 192 target children and their friends and nonfriends. Found that children and friends were more similar to one another than nonfriends across the dataset. Friendship similarities were greater in antisocial behavior than in other domains. Similarities between friends in sociometric status and size of the friendship…

A survey of 317 German parents of children with hearing impairments found parents who frequently met with other parents had warm, accepting, trusting relationships with their children. Parents who had many contacts with adults with hearing impairments had a strong sense of competence in regard to their child's upbringing. (Contains extensive…