Examined personality and background characteristics of adolescent sexual offenders (n=21) and oppositional defiant adolescents (n=17) who completed High School Personality Questionnaire. Findings revealed no significant difference between offenders and oppositional defiant adolescents using multiple analysis of variance. Sex offenders tended to be…

This investigation examined how personal, environmental and substance use factors predicted psychosocial functioning for youth with alcohol and drug problems. Four hundred twenty-four adolescents (M = 15.9, SD = 1.3) completed comprehensive assessments, including personal characteristics (e.g., Axis I diagnosis, motivation, self-esteem),…

Debates about children's mental health problems have raised questions about the reliability and validity of diagnosis and treatment. However, little research has focused on social reactions to children with mental health problems. This gap in research raises questions about competing theories of stigma, as well as specific factors shaping…

This study examined motivation (prosocial goals), individual characteristics (sex, ethnicity, and grade), and friendship characteristics (affective quality, interaction frequency, and friendship stability) in relation to middle adolescents' prosocial behavior over time. Ninth- and 10th-grade students (N=208) attending a suburban, mid-Atlantic…

Attempts to show one way in which cognitive theories can be used to draw implications about development during adolescence. Epstein's theory of self-concept (1973) is presented along with a discussion of Piaget's formal operations stage. (Author/RK)

It was the major intent of the present study to investigate personality trait differences among adolescents judged to be differentially gifted. (Author)

As elaborated and illustrated in this paper, learning difficulties determined by the combined impact of psychodynamic factors constitute a fairly specific pattern of psychological disturbance that can be labeled passive-aggressive underachievement. (Author)

Data from 11 substance abuse treatment programs revealed that street youth in treatment for substance abuse had larger number of social and drug abuse problems than did non-street youth in treatment; were more likely to be unemployed, on welfare, and to have legal problems; and had more depression, had lower self-esteem, and used more alcohol and…

When children in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12 were administered the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire, data suggested that sibling relationships become more egalitarian and less asymmetrical with age; become less intense with age; and encompass experiences that are partially determined by the child's standing in the family constellation. (RH)

Considers cults as gangs, but also distinguishes cults from gangs by the cult's reference to and insistence on allegiance to single higher authority, usually spirit figure or spiritual leader. Examines Satanism, identifies Satanic holidays and symbols, and describes characteristics of cult-influenced youth. Includes list of organizations and books…

Presents an heuristic model of the personality characteristics of adolescents and the supportive dimensions of interactions, relationships, and groups. The results of several empirical studies are presented to illustrate the model. Together, these studies present a transactional picture of the personality of adolescents and their relationships in…

Uses data concerning all young sex offenders (N=56) to construct and validate an introductory young sex offender typology based solely on offense characteristics. A 5-cluster solution received optimal support from cluster analysis of 15 offense-related variables. Survival analysis revealed that the clusters differed with respect to sexual but not…

A moderation-mediation model was developed to investigate relationships among adolescents' family, school learning environments, individual characteristics, and measures of the academic, affective, and social outcomes of young adults from different cultural backgrounds. Data were collected as part of a longitudinal survey of Australian youth. The…

Out-of-school time programs can provide valuable supports to the positive development of children and youth. These programs can help cultivate social and emotional skills, and further students' academic achievements. Furthermore, the safe environment provided by out-of-school time programs can offer children and youth, especially those living in…