Assessed the health decision-making dynamics of adolescents in New York and Montana. Results indicate that health promotion decision makers intended not to engage in future, risky sexual behavior or drinking and driving behavior(s). Health-risky decision makers were, however, more reflective in making their initial choice. No effects for stress or…

Evaluated the effects of involvement of adolescents in community service activities on levels of alienation in 50 ninth graders. It is suggested that adolescent involvement in service activities can produce positive benefits, including reduced levels of alienation, improved school behavior, improved grade point average, and acceptance by the adult…

Ninth-grade girls (n=157) rated their own experience of menarche and answered 4 open-ended questions. Responses suggested several ways that early preparation could be revised, and supported a conceptualization of menstrual education as a long-term, continuous process, beginning well before menarche and continuing long after. (JPS)

Eighteen ninth-graders participated in cognitive-behavior modification program designed to change adolescents' self-statements and increase their self-esteem. Compared to nine control subjects, program participants had significant increase in positive self-statements immediately after training and three months later. There were no significant…

Examined effects of maternal employment on use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and other drugs by ninth graders (n=48). Comparison of maternal employment patterns (full-time versus part-time versus not employed outside the home) indicated no significant differences in substance use behavior among adolescents. Findings support literature on…

Explored effects of psychoeducational intervention on adolescents' involvement in extracurricular activities, self-esteem, and locus of control. Randomly assigned 52 ninth graders to either empowerment or control group. Students in empowerment program maintained their level of involvement during transition to high school, time when participation…

Investigated the effects of assertive training on measures of assertiveness, state anxiety, and mathematics performance in highly anxious ninth graders (N=96). Found that assertive training resulted in increased assertiveness and decreased state anxiety, with no significant effect on mathematics performance, and no significant effect due to sex.…

Explored possible link between development of moral reasoning/behavior and metacognition. Examined awareness of moral processes involved in moral reasoning and behavior in 139 adolescents in grades 7, 9, and 12. Found number of significant moral metacognition-reasoning-behavior correlations. Findings support notion that specific types of metamoral…

Study of problems experienced by ninth and eleventh grade Israeli students (n=1,645) indicated that younger adolescents were concerned with studies/career problems and with social "I"; older adolescents were concerned with existential issues and army/national service. Boys were concerned with existential issues, army/national service,…

Assessed ninth- and tenth-grade adolescents' (n=90) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) knowledge and attitudes before and after AIDS education program and compared data to those from control group (n=41). As result of AIDS education, knowledge gains were indicated for girls but not for boys. Both genders gained in tolerance for persons…

Examined predictors of cigarette smoking and alcohol use in nationwide sample of 1,200 Icelandic adolescents. Found that use of tobacco and alcohol was related to sex, residence, hours of paid work, physical activities, social network, educational performance and beliefs, and psychological distress. Concludes that existing theoretical perspectives…