Examined the relationship between empathy and moral reasoning, age and gender differences in expression of emotional empathy, and flexibility of moral reasoning in 330 adolescents, ages 12 to 20. Moral reasoning, assessed by Flexibility of Moral Judgement Index, and empathy were found to be unrelated. (Author/DST)

The Self-Image Questionnaire for Young Adolescents (SIQYA), an adaptation of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ), designed to measure aspects of self-image among young adolescents, was administered to two groups of sixth graders. The development of the SIQYA is described and reliability and validity results are presented. (EGS)

Describes a developmental guidance curriculum on transition for grades six, seven, and eight. Provides the background, methodology, and some of the children's responses to the material, which consists of units on awareness, understanding, and challenge. Includes a list of children's stories on transitions. (JAC)

Intended to help parents with the dilemma of how to wade through the video deluge, this guide provides complete and informative reviews of the best videos for youngsters of all ages. Each listing includes the company that produced the video, the video's running time and recommended viewing age, as well as a synopsis and critical commentary. All of…

This study examined the effects of exposure to violence on young children. A random sample of 236 Massachusetts 6th graders living in urban communities completed a quantitative survey on violence and its effects, including the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children-A (Briere, 1996). It was found that almost 60 percent of the children reported that…

This article discusses the nature of resilience in children, means to measure and verify it, and attempts to promote it through education; it also describes a study of parental, teacher and caregiver efforts to promote resilience in children. The International Resilience Project examined resilience factors children and their parents use in…

This paper examines the effectiveness of a universal school-based prevention program designed to increase coping resources in preadolescents through the modeling and teaching of optimistic thinking skills in response to real and hypothetical events. Six classroom teachers implemented the program in grades five and six within the regular school…

In this study, questions regarding the prevalence of mutual antipathies and their relation to the behavior of individual children were examined among preadolescents and adolescents. Mutual antipathies were defined as relationships in which children mutually nominated one another as least liked on a sociometric task. A distinction was drawn between…

Examined the influence of intelligence level on the performance of children (N=121), aged 9-14, on the Halstead Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery. Results indicated a significant influence of IQ on level of performance on six of 14 measures. Tests of problem-solving abilities, language skills, and auditory perceptual analysis were most…

Describes and evaluates the Life Choices Program for girls (N=66) aged 9 to 12, which emphasizes empowerment as an intervention. Comparison of the Life Choices participants with controls (N=50) showed no significant differences in locus of control. Differences in values suggest Life Choices participants are more aware of role alternatives. (JAC)

Focusing on the interaction influences of scorer achievement expectations and writer handwriting quality on the scoring of essays, results found handwriting quality and scorer expectations both influence essay scores. However, there was no evidence of interaction between handwriting quality and scorer achievement expectations. (Author/PN)

Research indicates that, each year, children who abuse drugs start using them at an earlier age. Social attitudes that may encourage drug use and ways that parents and teachers can discourage it are discussed. A list of commonly abused drugs including symptoms, means of use, and dangers is included. (PP)

Presents evidence that differences among adolescents' behavior in romantic relationships are imbedded in both earlier and concurrent relationship experiences that foster a capacity for intimacy. Summarizes a 20-year longitudinal study based on this view, with particular attention to links between relationships with parents and interactions with…

Argues lack of encouragement starves the young poet. Describes a teacher's effort to bring an appreciation of poetry and the writing of poetry into a classroom of 9-12 year olds. Suggests specific exercises in using metaphor, comparisons, wish lists, dreams, humor, and rhythm. Also suggests classic poetry for motivating students. (SD)

Examined continuity in parent-child relationships in a sample of German families. Traced connections between individual differences in a composite of markers of the parent-child attachment relationship system and later parent-child communications. Found that the composite modestly predicted variability in children's competence in forming…