Reviews and compares six methods used to assess family functioning. Results showed that methods of total family assessment are nearing the formation of a family systems paradigm, although psychometric qualities of the instruments lag behind theoretical development. Recommendations are made for further development of procedures to assess family…

This issue of a research journal on gifted education examines a number of research projects that delve into questions of how family life affects intelligence, especially among gifted children. Specific articles include: (1) "Are We Raising Smarter Children Today?" (Wendy M. Williams), which discusses the effects of school-related factors…

The first paper in a series of articles reporting the findings, life course, and psychiatric outcomes of a group of 34 families where at least one member of the family developed a delusional system. Discusses several issues regarding the genesis, ways of reinforcement, and perpetuation of the delusional ideation. (Author)

Examined the links between young adolescents' everyday experiences and parental depressed mood. Found that adolescents with depressed parents, especially girls, reported less positive mood when with their families. Identified characteristics that distinguished between adolescents with depressed parents who themselves were experiencing elevated…

A family's trip to Winterville Indian Mounds State Park in Mississippi is described, focusing on the frustrations of a gifted six-year old who fell in the muck of the Great Temple Mound, and on the joys of seeing spectacular displays of ancient earthworks. (JDD)

Cooperative learning approaches can create a cooperative family environment, involving positive interdependence and appropriate social and communication skills. This is especially important in families with a special needs child. Activities which can minimize competition among family members include participative rule-making, planning special…

This study of 707 sibling pairs, 10- to 18-years-old, examined parent-child and sibling interactions to determine the effects of genetics on family environment. The sample included identical and fraternal twins and full siblings in nondivorced families, as well as full, half, and unrelated siblings in divorced families. Found significant genetic…

Examined adolescents' perceptions of their family environments and suicidal behavior. Fifteen suicidal adolescents, 14 psychiatric controls, and 14 normal controls rated their families on cohesiveness, adaptability, parent-adolescent communication, parental caring, and parental overprotectiveness. Suicidal adolescents rated their families as least…

This article provides suggestions for parenting gifted adolescents, including: say yes as often as possible, give adolescents choices, provide opportunities for career exploration, allow adolescents to try on different personalities, help adolescents develop moral thinking, be your adolescent's excuse for resisting antisocial behavior, and…

Assesses variations in the levels and determinants of family support and family conflict in 3 age groups of noninstitutionalized physically disabled individuals (18-49; 50-64; 65-older). Results indicated life-course related differences in the levels of both family support and family conflict, with the oldest group perceiving the greatest support…

Proposes a framework that considers differences in the type of work contributions to family (amount, style, person specificity, and consensus), the impact of various circumstances (age, gender, competence, preference, family position of individual, ethnic background, custom, parents' needs, or availability of children), and the feelings people…

Examined relationship between help seeking behavior and family functioning. Adolescents who sought help clustered into two groups of families - one high in conflict and low in democratic parenting style, and one low in conflict and high in democratic parenting style. Complex relationships between help seeking behavior, type of family, and type of…

This study re-examined the ability of intensive family preservation services (IFPS) to prevent out-of-home placements of children in abusive or neglectful families. A retrospective, population-based design was used. The sample comprised a statewide, six-year, archival population of high-risk child protective services children. The study ensured a…

This article addresses conceptual challenges and theoretical approaches for examining the role of the family in responding and adapting to genetic testing for inherited conditions. Using a family systems perspective, family-based constructs that are relevant to genetic testing may be organized into three domains: family communication, organization…