Media portrayals of stepfamilies influence societal views of stepfamilies and individuals' expectations for remarriage and stepfamily life. This study examines portrayals of stepfamilies in films released in 1990 through 2003. Using content analysis to understand how stepfamilies are portrayed and to identify film clips appropriate for use in…

We tested a hypothetical model linking maternal education and maternal coping behavior with parent-child relationship quality, and in turn, children's self-regulatory behavior and mental health difficulties. Consistent with predictions, mothers' use of active coping behaviors predicted more positive parent-child relationship quality, greater child…

Nebraska's rural school districts have a rapidly growing Spanish-speaking student body and few qualified instructors to meet their educational needs. This investigation examined factors that promote and challenge the ability of rural Nebraska paraprofessional educators to complete an online B.S. program in elementary education, with a K-12 English…

Reviews literature, including a definition of child maltreatment, characteristics of maltreated children, rating of incidence, and approaches to understanding child maltreatment. Suggests several strategies for treatment and intervention, with special attention given to one model program which provides treatment for entire families. (Author/RC)

The roles of the state, the parent, the United States Supreme Court, and the child in the decision-making process relating to medical treatment of minor children are outlined and analyzed in four articles. Several case studies, recommendations and opposing viewpoints are presented. (Author/JAC)

Examined adolescents' perceptions of variables at three levels of the family system in relation to four dimensions of adolescent empathy. Results show that gender, family cohesion, parental support, self-esteem, and communicative responsiveness were related to empathic concern. Personal distress, perspective taking, and fantasy were also…

Discusses the social construction of adoptive parenting and adopted children as reflected in clinical and adoption triangle research. Although clinicians view adoptive families as second best to biologically related families, a random sample of 150 respondents did not differentiate between the functioning of adoptive and biologically related…

Explored application of mediation approach to resolution of intrafamily disputes between parents and adolescents as a means of preventing child maltreatment. About 90 percent of 50 participating families were able to reach a mediation agreement, and 80 percent of these agreements were adhered to after 2 months. Results indicated considerable…

Examined the relationship between fathers' parental stress and their perceived sense of competence in parenting roles. Regression analyses of data from 94 fathers suggest that fathers' depression in their parental role and perceptions of their children's demandingness are the best predictors of their perceived parental competence. (Author/TE)

Analyzed national data to identify characteristics that distinguished early and late coital behavior among black adolescent females. Compared to early coital initiators, late coital initiators were better informed about sexual issues and were exposed to life circumstances that encouraged them to delay sexual onset (two-parent families, higher…

The process that occurs in relationships between volunteer adult mentors and pregnant adolescent "mentees" is described empirically; testable hypotheses based on findings concerning the mentor role are proposed. Case records from 20 mentors are analyzed; findings regarding mentors' roles are discussed. Criteria for conceptualizing quasi-parenting…

Child welfare legislation and policy have shifted away from a standard of reasonable efforts toward reunification for children in foster care to a standard in which the best interests of the child have priority. Authors apply a family bonding perspective to address risk assessment for children in foster care and demonstrate potential for…

The present study investigated the associations between family functioning, acculturation between parents and their adolescents, and adolescent adjustment problems. Chinese adolescents and their parents (N=41) living in the United States and Canada participated in this study. Results showed that differences in acculturation between parents and…

Examined the relationship between an adolescent girl's family relationship patterns and her peer relationship patterns. Measured degree of connectedness in family relationships using global coding of family interaction process, and peer connectedness by a sociometric questionnaire. Demonstrated similarities between degree of connectedness…

Examined husbands' and wives' perceptions of parents' relationships with shared and unshared children, and spousal differences in these perceptions, in first married and remarried families. Found significant differences in parental relations with "his,""hers," and "their" children, and in parental perceptions of these…