Because there are so many chance factors that potentially affect the psychological development of gifted students, the outhor has sorted them into categories. For example, there are genetic, lifestyle, environmental, overarching vs. instance, experiential, and coincidental chance factors. To do justice to this topic, a series of columns will focus…

Discusses survival roles adopted by children growing up in families where alcohol is abused, relating them to birth order, and emphasizing their maladaptivity for later adult interactions. Presents case studies of two common roles of adult children of alcoholics (ACAs), those of hero and scapegoat, and demonstrates how ACAs interact in a mixed,…

The authors discuss trends in middle-aged adults' households, emphasizing phenomenon of adult children and elderly parents living with the "sandwiched" generation. Implications for home economists are presented. (CH)

Proposes an outline for a counseling model which combines individual and ecological approaches to assessment and intervention in a general systems theory, followed by an application of these principles to family assessment and intervention. Case examples illustrate how the ecological systems model is translated into clinical practice. (Author/WAS)

It is estimated that 29 million American children have alcoholic parents. The author documents the unstable environment and psychological consequences suffered by these children, who are at great risk to become alcoholics themselves. (Editor)

Summarizes and critiques Asarnow's 1988 review of 24 longitudinal studies identifying environmental factors and individual vulnerability important to development of schizophrenia. Found Asarnow's analysis well conducted but summary should have addressed longitudinal research design. Concludes that identifiable behavior and family interaction…

Often, reports on poverty present official statements and analysis about its causes, but an official statement is not the same thing as poor people expressing themselves. This report records the life histories of five families living in extreme poverty with the belief that future problems cannot be addressed without an accurate understanding of…

This paper summarizes a study that involved ethnographic research and a survey on how home climate, school climate, and interaction between the two might affect learning and behavior of students of different racial/ethnic groups, sex, and socioeconomic background. Major findings include: differences in student absences, academic achievement, and…

Examines reasons why families at all economic levels are becoming increasingly ill-equipped to provide the home setting that schools are designed to complement and augment in preparing the next generation. Indicates which elements are missing from home and community and suggests an approach toward a solution of the problem. (PS)

Hypothesizes a conditional logit model of decision making to explain collegiate major selection. Results suggest a link between student environment and preference structure and preference structures and student major selection. Suggests findings are limited by use of a largely commuter student population. (KMF)

Describes two research projects linking family processes with elementary school children's competence in school to provide examples of methodological issues related to investigations that cross systems of family and school. Issues discussed include gaining cooperation from school, recruitment and consent procedures, data collection and measurement…

Illustrates some important differences between interdisciplinary and ecological perspectives on meeting the needs of adolescents experiencing emotional difficulties. Highlights use of ecosystemic models in residential and school facilities and enumerates areas where ecologically based changes might be appropriate. Outlines operational guidelines…

This paper reviews how cascading levels of contextual influences, starting with family factors and extending to neighborhood and school factors, can affect children's behavioral and emotional development. The ability of contextual factors to trigger or to attenuate children's underlying temperament and biological risk factors is emphasized.…

Using a four-level sequential model of work task mastery, proposes a process task approach to task learning involving watching and listening, assisting, participating, and performing. Identifies the social, cognitive, and self-concept components contributing to the development of traits, attitudes, and values that undergird work behavior. (RC)

This paper describes trends in public elementary and secondary education in the United States. The data were obtained from the "Condition of Education" and the "Digest of Education Statistics," which are prepared annually by the National Center for Education Statistics. Information is presented on the following areas: enrollment, minority…