Few studies have examined the relation between maternal caloric intake during pregnancy and growth in child academic achievement while controlling for important confounding influences. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the current study examined the effects of reduced prenatal caloric intake on growth in scores on the…

Data indicate that for girls, affective dispositional factors (empathy, depressive affectivity, aggression, and self-concept) are intimately linked to cognitive development and academic achievement. (PCB)

Examined the relation between authoritative parenting and school achievement in 120 adolescents of 10-16 years. Adolescents who described their parents as treating them warmly, democratically, and firmly were more likely than their peers to develop positive attitudes toward their achievement and do well in school. (RJC)

Investigates indirect socialization effects of parents' occupational conditions on children's school behavior. Subjects were 60 women of lower socioeconomic status and their adolescent and preadolescent children. As predicted, mothers' job autonomy and skill utilization were significantly associated with their children's academic behaviors.…

Examines the relation between children's mastery motivation, self-assessment of performance, and task-related, help-seeking behavior during task performance. (PCB)

The association between boys' peer relations, antisocial behavior, academic skill deficits, and family ecology was examined. Two cohorts of boys and their families were interviewed, observed in the home, and assessed in school. (PCB)

Children whose mothers were consistently more responsive during the children's infancy and early adolescence achieved higher IQ and arithmetic scores, had more positive self-esteem, and were reported by teachers to exhibit fewer behavior problems than children of mothers who were consistently less responsive. (BC)

Structural equation modeling was used to test a conceptual model and alternative models of competence in 191 children. Found that competence had at least three distinct dimensions in childhood and five in adolescence. These dimensions reflect developmental tasks related to academic achievement, social competence, and conduct important to both age…

Examined familial factors in relation to 93 fifth-graders' motivational orientation and academic performance. High parental surveillance of homework; parental reactions to grades that included negative control, uninvolvement, or extrinsic reward; and over- and undercontrolling family styles were found to be related to children's extrinsic…

Cognitive ability of nondiabetic children and early and late onset diabetic children was compared. Diabetic children scored in the normal range in intelligence and academic performance, but showed evidence of school difficulties and memory deficiencies. Children's perceived self-competence and parents' reports of children's functioning and…

Sibling differences in family processes, such as parental monitoring, and in individual adjustment were examined for 133 pairs of 10- to 18-year-old siblings in divorced families. Found that siblings who lived apart after their parents' divorce differed more than siblings who lived together. (MDM)

Analyzes what is known about how children's judgments of their intellectual competence and their definition and criteria for evaluating competence change with age and experience in achievement contexts. (PCB)

Examined whether sixth graders' adjustment to the school context (assessed by grades, achievement scores, and disruptive behaviors) was affected by factors from both the family context (as represented by the number of divorce-related parenting transitions and perceptions of current family climate) and the peer context (represented by peer norms…

Examined the empirical validity of a model of human motivation as it applies to school success and failure, assessing how indicators of context, self, and action related to measures of risk and resiliency. Subjects were 10- to 16-year-old African American youth in 3 independent samples. Found that parental engagement predicted school performance…