A study investigated the effectiveness of a therapeutic motor development program in increasing the social adjustment and peer acceptance of a mainstreamed 10-year-old educable mentally retarded boy. The motor development program was based on the games analysis model and involved the S and 13 of his normal classmates. (Author/DLS)

A 2-year longitudinal study investigated influences of social support and self-esteem on adjustment in early adolescence. Findings obtained using latent growth curve modeling were consistent with self-esteem mediating effects of social support on emotional and behavioral adjustment. Lack of balance in social support and self-esteem in direction of…

Assesses two opposing theories regarding the causes of the social disengagement of African-American youth. Argues that many of these youth adapt to their problematic environments and engage in antisocial behaviors. Urges further research on their attitudes, perceptions, and behavior about sexuality and fatherhood. (FMW)

Suggests techniques for camp directors to help older adults enjoy adventure camping. Discusses sociological and psychological changes accompanying aging. Emphasizes outdoor group activities as ways of helping older adults adjust to aging. Offers tips for adventure program development, staff development, and program evaluation. (TES)

Claims that children's peer relations are significant in their social, cognitive, and moral development, and are correlated to later problems in social adjustment. Includes a brief historical perspective on the subject, and explores direct and indirect influences. Claims that peer relations develop within ecological frameworks, and identifies the…

Presents a study examining the following three issues: (1) changes in students' social and academic expectations from beginning to end of their first year of college; (2) how consistent the expectations are with actual experiences, and (3) whether students of different racial or ethnic categories differ in their expectations and experiences.…

Investigated the reading development of children as they arrive in mainstream school in order to assess their progress from the emergent literacy phase into the early stages of beginning conventional reading. Found that if children enter school with developed alphabet knowledge and adjust quickly to school, they have an 80 percent chance of…

Examined the subsequent life and development of teenagers under probation who abused alcohol and drugs. Suggests that regardless of the social environment in which they grow up, children, both boys and girls, are in a risk zone if they use alcohol and drugs, and there is an enormous gap in their social adjustment compared with children that do…

Assessed impact of school-based social competence training on skills, social adjustment, and self-reported substance use of 282 sixth and seventh graders. Found positive training effects on subjects' skills in handling interpersonal problems and coping with anxiety. Teacher ratings revealed improvements in subjects' constructive conflict…

Investigated parenting behavior, parent/adolescent relationship, and adolescent attitudes and behaviors in three family types. Results showed minimal support for the hypothesis that welfare is negatively related to family processes and adolescent attitudes and behavior, although mothers receiving welfare reported fewer effective parent-management…

Examines one aspect of the same-sex parent-child hypothesis within the context of mother's versus father's custody. Stresses that the gender of the custodial parent matters very little for the social functioning of the children. Finds the social adjustment of adolescents of divorced parents is somewhat poorer than adolescents from intact families.…

Examined technical and adaptive competence in coping among 97 African-American adolescents with learning disabilities. Findings indicated that short-term, reactive, technical competence was a better predictor of feelings of efficacy, and longer-term, developmental adaptive competence was a better predictor of behavioral problems. Gender subsample…

A study of 3,331 college freshmen in 18 institutions investigated the factors influencing their openness to cultural diversity and challenges to their beliefs and values. Results indicated a nondiscriminatory racial environment, on-campus residence, participation in a racial or cultural awareness workshop, and involvement with diverse peers had…

Reviews recent research on the development of aggressive behavior in childhood and early adolescence using an ecological perspective focusing on social development in the family, school, peer group, and community. Asserts family processes and early childhood peer relations that appear to tip developmental trajectories toward social rejection at…

Discusses the feelings of displacement and alienation suffered by members of aboriginal groups who must leave their communities to attend institutions of higher education. Notes specific problems encountered by these individuals and suggests some solutions that can ameliorate the lack of cultural support in urban areas. (DSK)