Examined the relationship between early loss of a parent due to death or divorce, and later depression and suicide. Comparison of students (N=10) who lost a parent before age eight with controls (N=10), showed early loss subjects were easily reminded of death and tended to structure death cognitively. (JAC)

Investigated children's (N=566) personal and familial adjustment as a function of familial configuration and gender. The results revealed less positive adjustment among children from divorced families. Males appeared to be favorably affected within the single-parent configuration, while females were more favorably adjusted within the reconstituted…

Assessed behavior problems in blind children (N=104) at a residential school. Teachers completed the Behavior Problem Checklist and results were compared with previous studies of deaf children. Results were more similar to those with hearing impaired children in the residential setting than to deaf children at home or nonhandicapped children.…

Reanalyzed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised subtest scores in Dean's 1978 study of learning disabled and emotionally disturbed children. Analysis revealed a marked similarity between the groups. Results support Sattler's contention that Dean's data do not present evidence of a perceptual organization deficit in learning…

Uses a cohort case study of Americans born between 1900 and 1905 as an example of how history and social forces shape the experiences and educational needs of adults. Implies that knowledge of adult students' social, historical, economic, and cultural experiences can be used to improve their educational experiences. (Author/SK)

Tests the relationship between locus of control and drug abuse and the influence of test instructions and social desirability. Results of research with incarcerated offenders indicated test instructions aimed at heightening social desirability artificially inflated locus of control scores. Found no significant differences between drug abusers and…

Studied preferences for family versus nonfamily sources of care for the elderly. Preference for family as the primary source of care was found to be independent of age, cohort, gender, education, and marital status, but significantly associated with race. Implications for age stratification theory and family functioning are discussed. (Author)

Assessed changes in MMPI normative scores for age, year of birth, and time of measurement, in police academy recruits (N=1119). Age and year of birth did not affect MMPI scores. From 1964-1971 more "symptomatology" and less "defensiveness" was reported, but reversed when the police department hired a consultant clinical…

Determined incidence of near-death and intense spiritual experiences for a sample of 305 persons from ages 17-85. Found incidence of near-death reports did not vary significantly by age of respondents, but elderly respondents were significantly less likely to report intense spiritual experiences. (Author)

Presents study of two groups of students in an early French immersion program in British Columbia. In comparison to peers in regular English program, immersion students performed at similar level in mathematics and attained equivalence in English language skills soon after English language arts were introduced into curriculum. (Author/BK)

Observed 100 funerals in a southern state and described the roles enacted by ministers, family members, and friends. Discusses variations by church size, the overlap of role styles, and the process by which socialization into the various roles occurs. Examines the complementary interaction between roles. (Author/JAC)

Surveyed 928 older Bostonians and found a negative correlation between age and alcohol consumption among older adults. Retrospective data suggest that there are cohort or generational patterns of drinking behavior by older adults. Survey provides no insight into the historical factors which account for the differences in alcohol use. (Author/JAC)

Analysis of demographic trends suggests that, despite a recent rise in numbers of births, total school enrollment in North Carolina may continue to decline into the 1990s. (Author/MLF)

A review of the literature of the decade focuses upon two broad issues: the epidemiology (prevalence and incidence) and the etiology (correlates and causes) of premarital sexual attitudes and behavior. A research and theory agenda for the 1980s is presented. (Author)

Since the introduction of the 40/60 policy, community colleges have had a great impact on the higher education system of New York State. The increasing size of the community college transfer cohort should not alter spatial patterns of enrollment at four year colleges and universities in the State University system. (Author/BEF)