Written by a prominent array of scholars and practitioners, this book elucidates the complexities, contradictions, and confusion surrounding adolescence in American culture and education. For too long, harmful public myths and lies have portrayed teenagers as a principal cause of our nation's social ills. Similar unfair charges have been lodged…

This paper describes a study that examined the possibility that there is more than one category of only children. The study attempted to resolve inconsistencies in previous research outcomes with only children. The study involved data from female only children who were assessed longitudinally from early adolescence to late middle age on the…

Studies have indicated that mature women maintain a permanent role identity along two dimensions, i.e., traditional women or nontraditional women. However, the lifeset of many mature adult women may be on the continuum between these two positions, i.e., in the position of "deferred achiever." The personality variables and sex-role orientations of…

Describes practical, psychological, and sociological barriers adult women encounter on returning to postsecondary institutions. Investigated the effectiveness of a comprehensive supportive service for such students. Designed a group counseling intervention to effect change in self-concept, self-esteem, anxiety, and grade point average.…

The "Research & Action Report," published twice a year, is a window on the activities and initiatives at the Wellesley Centers for Women. The report typically features news about the Centers, interviews with researchers, commentary on recent events or social trends affecting women and girls, announcements of new publications, and…

Investigated factors accounting for differences in numbers of men/women (N=180) at the doctoral level in science. Examined mathematical, spatial, attitudinal, and personality characteristics of male/female biology/physical science majors and nonmajors. Results (including few differences between males/females in sciences) and implications are…

Two focus groups of high-risk inner-city African-American and Caucasian adolescent girls (15 to 16 years old) were organized to explore issues related to sexual decision making. Transcripts of the groups were reviewed for recurrent themes and viewpoints. Verbatim examples are presented. Participants reported pressures to have sex and a lack of…

The study examined the antecedents and correlates of general life satisfaction as reported by 108 gifted and talented young women. Results of the six-year longitudinal analyses supported the predicted centrality of instrumental self perception to social self esteem, occupational confidence, and general life satisfaction. (Author/DB)

Reports on a study of the effects of culture, gender, and age on interpersonal distance, body orientation, and touch among 381 same-sex and mixed-sex dyads in 7 nations. Finds that more touch was observed among Italian and Greek dyads than among English, French, and Dutch dyads. (CFR)

This study investigated achievement motivation based on a survey of 63 Latina women (43 doctoral graduates and 20 completers of doctoral coursework) and interviews with 10 of the women. Results indicated varying strengths in intrinsic achievement motives of mastery, work, competitiveness, and personal unconcern; low levels of sex-role…

Despite their individual creativity and achievements, many girls confront common obstacles (like sexual harassment) and expectations that limit accomplishments. Nonetheless, girls get better grades than boys, score higher on certain test measures, and attend college in greater numbers. Their resilience and resistance to cultural norms are…

Female athletes may be at greater risk for disordered eating than their nonathletic peers, but the psychological antecedents of this dysfunctional behavior in athletes have yet to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to develop an athletics-oriented measure of psychological predictors of disordered eating and to test its initial…

The purpose of this study was to explore the personal life stories of women who became mothers while still in their teen years. The focus was on themes that evolved as important in the lives of these women, including family support, partner support, mentor support, economic opportunity, resiliency, optimism, and spirituality. Each of the 22 women…

Information about the experiences successful leaders perceive as vital to their development can be helpful to one's understanding of resiliency. Such information can also offer insights into the ways successful leaders use positive and negative situations as learning opportunities and the strategies they implement in addressing adversity. The…

The Women in the Workplace Vocational Education Project, an 8-hour workshop, was presented in fall 1986 to 15 women between 17 and 25 years of age who were enrolled at either Elizabethtown (Kentucky) Community College or Vocational School and who were at or below the poverty level. A spring 1987 workshop, "Sex Bias in the Workplace,"…