The present study examines potential variation in the family environments of African American and Caucasian males and females coming to the attention of the juvenile court. Results of initial analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures indicated a significant Gender x Ethnicity interaction on scores from the family/parenting domain of the Global Risk…

Our culture discourages male friendships by taboos against intimacy and vulnerability, homophobia and competition. Men need to learn to communicate more honestly, become more involved with their home and children and be more open to changing sex roles. (JAC)

Children spent about 20 percent of their waking time in play. Boys played more with vehicles and girls spent more time in domestic role play. Both boys and girls played about equally with items considered nonstereotyped. Boys spent more time watching television, while girls spent more time reading. (Author)

Investigates sources of variation in parents' assessment of parental stress and the effects of early institutionalization. Participants included 109 mother-father pairs who adopted children from Eastern Europe. Significant differences between mothers and fathers were obtained on child- and parent-related stress. Results indicated that children's…

Examined relationships between quality of day-care program, level of cognitive stimulation in caregiver home, and social-emotional climate of caregiver's own family life. Data from 44 family day-care providers suggest relationship between level of cognitive stimulation and quality of day-care program and between quality of day-care and dynamics of…

Reviews day care research since 1980, focusing on the role of family as primary influence on the child's development, the characteristics of high quality day care environment, and effects of day care on children's development. Specifically considers how qualities of home environment interact with qualities of day care environment to mediate…

Russian adolescents (N=159) were surveyed at a school near Moscow. Purposes were (1) to explore the relationship of Russian family environment with adolescent substance use and depression; (2) to use cross-national research methods for replicating U.S. studies. Many findings were similar, but others may be unique to Russian youth. (Author/EMK)

Conducted a preliminary test of a model of family leisure functioning by examining the relationship of core and balance family leisure patterns to family cohesion and adaptability. Hypothesized that core leisure patterns address family needs for stability and facilitate cohesive relationships, whereas balance leisure patterns address the need for…

Sixty-five parent-child pairs were studied to portray the potential family processes that put children at risk for obesity and to illustrate the household environment, parenting beliefs, and child characteristics of obese and non-obese children. Results suggest that efforts to curb childhood obesity should address improving parent knowledge of…

Investigated relationships among parenting knowledge, quality of stimulation in the home environment, and infant developmental performance in three socioeconomic status groups. In low socioeconomic status families, parenting knowledge was significantly associated with quality of stimulation in the home environment, which in turn was significantly…

Changes in rituals and routines between drinking and sobriety were examined in families in treatment due to paternal alcohol abuse. Information was gathered through a semistructured family interview. Recurrent disruptions of rituals and routines were found between different phases in the drinking cycle. Disruptions were found typically with regard…

Ratings by mother, father/stepfather, and adolescent of 28 stepfamilies and 28 first-marriage families revealed lower family cohesion, adaptability, and quality in male parent-adolescent relationship in stepfamilies. Length of remarriage, amount and quality of contact with biological father, and adolescent gender were not related to family…

Presents a model of the family in which parental beliefs about child development play a critical mediating role between family structure and interaction. Counselors must consider belief systems and the family as a unit rather than isolating the problems of the individual. (JAC)

A study of parents in Milwaukee revealed most were well satisfied with their family lives. Few differences were found between mothers and fathers in terms of overall satisfaction, values, and goals for children. Half of the parents expressed worries about their children. Few favored help from professionals. (Author)

Evidence indicates that kind of intensive in-home intervention described produces positive changes likely to be maintained in families in which the mother has some self-esteem, a satisfactory relationship with her own mother or a desire for a better relationship, and an adequate social support system. (Author/BEF)