Examined whether associations between marital discord and trajectories of adolescent depression and delinquency varied as a function of intrapersonal attributes. Found that difficult temperament potentiated effects of marital discord on adjustment trajectories. Heightened perceived family support protected adolescents from adverse marital discord…

This behavioral genetic study examined perceived competence and self-worth in same-sex twins, siblings, and stepsiblings 10 to 18 years old, and again 3 years later. Findings at second assessment showed six of seven subscales heritable. Genetic contributions to stability were found for perceived scholastic competence, athletic competence, physical…

Explored relations between additive and cumulative representations of contextual risk, caregiver emotionality, child adaptability, and teacher reports of problem behaviors of 6- and 7-year-olds from economically disadvantaged families. Found evidence that the relation for cumulative risk may be moderated by caregiver negative emotionality and…

Using data from 5,070 youth ages 11 to 18 years old who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, concurrent and longitudinal associations among cumulative risk, protective factors, and youth maladjustment were examined. Cumulative risk was associated with concurrent conduct problems and depressed mood. For conduct…

Explores the relation between the infant's ability to negotiate the environment and the quality of the infant-mother attachment relationship. (HOD)

Implications are that increasing a child's ability to think in terms of alternative solutions to real-life problems could supplement a primary preventive mental health program. (Authors)

Results indicate that the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) Inventory might be useful for screening Black children in order to identify those at risk for school failure. (Author/RH)

Examined effects of work intensity on 1,000 employed adolescents. Found that students who worked at higher intensity engaged in more alcohol use. Negative effects on mental health, academic achievement, and 2 other indicators of behavioral adjustment were not found, but seniors working at moderate intensity (fewer than 20 hours per week) had…

Examined children's beliefs about the origins of gender differences and age-related changes in these beliefs. Findings suggested that young children may have an early bias to view gender categories as predictive of essential, underlying similarities between members but later come to acknowledge the role of other causal mechanisms in shaping how…

Studied the sociocultural context in which Brazilian children acquire and use everyday mathematics in terms of currency use. Participants were 105 children, ages 4 to 11, and their parents. Found decreased use of currency with increasing age. Children also used currency to aid their problem solving and progressed from global estimates to the…

Examined how peer acceptance and friendships moderated the link between family adversity and child externalizing behavioral problems. Found that peer acceptance in kindergarten and Grade 1 moderated the relationship between family adversity measures and externalizing behavior problems in Grade 2; friendship served as a moderator for harsh…

Investigated factors influencing substance abuse among sixth- and seventh-graders from an affluent suburban community. Found high rates of depressive symptoms among older girls, links between internalizing symptoms and substance abuse, and peer approval of substance use among older boys. Distress was linked to achievement pressures and isolation…

Provides background information and a practical guide for including demographic information in developmental research. Describes historic demographic trends reflecting ways family and economic environments have been and continue to be transformed; presents demographic statistics to provide basis for comparison of research populations; and offers…

Examined the effect of residential and school mobility in the academic performance of 5- to 15-year-old maltreated children. Found that maltreated children encounter more academic difficulties in part because they experience relatively high levels of residential mobility and school transfer. Found little evidence to support the role of mobility in…

Examined the effects of change in parental work status on 883 early adolescents' school adjustment. Based on parental work status, families were characterized as deprived, declining, recovery, and stable. Teacher reports indicated that adolescents in deprived and declining families were less competent than adolescents in recovery and stable…