Girls receive considerable amounts of unwanted sexual attention (UWSA) and behaviors (UWSB). Less is known about boys' unwanted sexual experiences. The primary goal of this study was to obtain a descriptive profile of the types and perpetrators of childhood UWSA/B. Secondary goals were to examine sex differences in emotional reactions to UWSA/B…

Three types of depressive illness of childhood (masked depression, acute depressive illness, and chronic depressive illness) are described; contributing factors (heredity and parental behavior) are discussed; and indications of depression are considered. Briefly reviewed are various methods of treating depressed children, including the use of…

The third and final paper in a series on underachievement presents a case study of a 12-year-old underachiever. The boy's family situation, psychological test results, and reactions to treatment (a combination of behavior modification, psychotherapy, and environmental manipulation) are recounted. (CL)

Reviewed the literature on stepchildren and compared clinical to empirical research. Comparisons were made on theoretical approaches, methodology, types of stepfamilies, issues and dependent variables examined, other variables considered, and conclusions drawn. There was little congruence in the foci of studies by researchers and clinicians.…

It was expected that children with high as compared to low SD would state overly cautious bids suggesting low expectancy for success, and would adopt a failure avoiding pattern of Rotter's level of aspiration task. The results support the hypotheses on SD and cautious, failure avoiding behavior. Age must be carefully controlled. (CJ)

The demographic, family, medical, and psychiatric characteristics of 87 autistic children, age 3-16, in Hong Kong are described. Follow up of 66 children found the sample to be similar to samples in other countries in sex ratio, intelligence, language ability, behavioral characteristics, and outcome. The Hong Kong sample was dissimilar in other…

A study of 202 patients with autism found the incidence of a dodecamer duplication in the HOPA gene was not significantly different between patients and controls. Three female patients inherited the duplication from nonautistic fathers. Also, there was no systematic skewing of X inactivation in female patients with the duplication. (Contains…

This study examined parent and child gender effects on parents' attributions and beliefs in regards to child symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants included mothers and fathers of 19 girls and 17 boys with ADHD. Groups of boys and girls, aged 5-13 years, were equated on age and medication status, as well as ADHD…

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…

In compliance with Section 724 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of July 22, 1987 (Public Law 100-77), this GAO report to Congressional Committees provides estimates of the number of homeless children and youth in all states. Estimates are reported, along with additional information on subgroups for whom it was not possible to…

Examines the hypothesis that temperament judgments associated with different body types are dependent upon the sex and age of the respondents. Five hundred male and female subjects ranging in age from 6 to 60 years matched 40 temperament or behavior descriptors with one of three body silhouettes representing an ectomorph, an endomorph, and a…

Treatment refusal was found to be associated with fear of "medical" people, intolerance for pain or discomfort, and difficulty in approaching novelty or adapting to change. In contrast to parents of controls, parents of treatment refusing children rated them as having greater difficulty in playing with unfamiliar children and negative in…

This study presents reliability and validity evidence concerning a new measure of a generalized locus of control for children. Construction procedures leading to the final 40-item scale are described. (Author)

Describes the development of an integrative theoretical model of children's fears that provides a comprehensive view of the normal development of fear. Model components are individual characteristics, fear stimuli, arousal, fear, coping, and adaptation. Suggestions for using the model are presented. (Author)