Basic assumptions of an ecological-behavioral view of assessing behavior disordered students are reviewed along with a proposed method for ecological analysis and specific techniques for measuring ecological variables (such as environmental units, behaviors of significant others, and behavioral expectations). The use of such information in program…

Describes an experimental approach to family treatment and training in which family therapist trainees met in the homes of their families of origin to explore the origins of their emotional roots. Concentric effects developed naturally as family members began to share more fully in the therapeutic process. (JAC)

Examining in particular the impact of fostering on birth children, this article reviews the literature on the needs of birth children of foster parents. Among the findings are that the behavior and emotional difficulties of the foster child, and the difficulties between foster children and birth children in one family are two factors that…

The possibility of presenting a family communication course to large numbers of students and to students who cannot be present in the classroom makes interactive television a delivery mode worth considering. A family communication course was introduced experimentally at Northern Arizona University in Spring, 1983 and was designed around the…

This paper discusses family systems theory and advances a communicative model of family functioning that is process orientated and encourages children to develop self-control. Family systems theory postulates that each member of a family has an impact on the behaviors of other family members, and that children's behavior is influenced by their…

Explores relationships between family environment and family food intake. Findings indicate a significant negative relationship between the family's dysfunctional environment (indicated by high conflict, control, and organization) and family dietary intake. A significant positive relationship was found between the family's cohesive and independent…

A reprinting of Don D. Jackson's classic 1957 article on family homeostasis, with an homage to the author. Considers certain theoretical aspects of family interactional patterns and how they relate to therapy. (Author/RC)

Although the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child has been criticized as antifamily because of its emphasis on family function rather than form, careful reading shows that it is not only supportive of strong families but offers a creative and conceptually coherent foundation for government action to promote and protect family life. (SLD)

Family environments of 22 underachieving gifted students in grades 1-11 were compared with those of gifted achievers. Analyzed were family structural characteristics such as birth order and family size; family climate, such as attitudes toward children, child rearing philosophies, and family relationships; and parental values including achievement…

Used a model of family process to predict 178 children's emotional adjustment and behavior problems during parents' divorce. Findings showed that the parents who had less marital conflict had better relationships with their children after separation, which in turn was associated with more adaptive child functioning. (TE)

Ecocultural theory proposes that ecological effects are mediated through the activity settings of the daily routine, and emphasizes the importance of the "sustainability" of everyday activities as a predictor of child and family outcome. The theory's applications are illustrated using case materials from a study of 102 families with…

Four subtypes of family climate were identified through analysis of the Sense of Coherence Scale, Family Environment Scale, and Global Measure of Satisfaction from Family, using 77 mothers of disabled children in Israeli kibbutzim. The four subtypes emphasized personal growth orientation, conflict orientation, nonsupportive disorganized…

Examined mother-infant teaching interactions, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) scores, and infant attachment security in 197 adolescent mothers and their infants. Adolescent mothers who were living with neither their own mothers nor their partners had better teaching interactions but lower HOME scores than those…

Studied the structure and psychometric properties of a self-report measure of adolescents' helping behavior within the family. Factor analyses yielded four internally consistent subscales for the Sibling Helping Scale and five for the Parent Helping Scale, all of which were conceptually related to inventories reflecting family support among…