Presents prevalence data on 4 specific mental disorders among 452 Cuban immigrants who arrived in the Mariel crisis and 500 Haitians who arrived in the United States at the same time. Only among the Cubans was the standard inverse relationship between socioeconomic status and rate of mental disorder observed. (SLD)

Examined personality characteristics of first-time (n=174) and repeat (n=64) driving while intoxicated offenders. Found that repeat offenders differed significantly from first-time offenders on 12 of 24 personality characteristics, were less expressive emotionally, and were less flexible in ways of finding stimulation; however, self-reported…

Surveyed 1,340 students in grades 6 through 12 to test model of antecedents of adolescent alcohol use/misuse. Found that two largest direct effects on both adolescent alcohol use and misuse were from susceptibility to peer pressure and peer use and approval of alcohol use. Other predictors, including parental behaviors, were significant when…

Reports on a survey of high school students in two school systems. Information was obtained on patterns of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, indices of AOD use for grade and gender, and relationships of indices to individual, family, and social competence/adjustment risk factors. (SM)

Describes an experimental rehabilitation program for drug addict prisoners which is based on Winnicott's propositions on "object relationships" and was carried out in a hostel in Israel. The program applies a variety of therapeutic modalities, from education to individual, group to family therapy, and evaluates and screens potential…

DWI offenders (N=123) referred to treatment who remained drug and alcohol free for six months posttreatment are well distinguished from those returned to court by the Anxiety, Depression, and Sensation Seeking, scales and the composite Dysphoria scale of the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised administered at intake. Predictive validity…

Predictors of alcohol consumption were investigated across age and sex among junior and senior high school students (N=1,942). The dominant predictor for young boys was whether their friends drink; for girls it was related to interpersonal disorder. Peer pressure was important for older girls and continued dominant for boys. (EMK)

Discusses several postulates of empowerment theory particularly relevant to guiding the practice and analysis of substance-abuse prevention and education programs. The empowerment model predicts that the empowerment of students and staff will increase both the effectiveness and the longevity of programs. (EMK)

Describes and tests the Stay Alive from Education (SAFE) program, a one-hour behavior modification program that informs students of the dangers associated with driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and not wearing seat belts. Quantitative data seem to suggest that students may change their driving behaviors due to the influence of…

Systematically analyzes the characteristics of 22 instructor-led parent-oriented programs of which the objective was to prepare parents to prevent their children's alcohol and other drug use. Discusses 120 criteria used to analyze and review the characteristics of the program. Summarizes study findings and makes recommendations to inform…

Examined precursors and correlates of sexual intercourse patterns among 10th- and 11th-graders. The transition to onset of sexual intercourse was associated with increases in delinquency and slower increases in school grades. Earlier onset and a more persistent pattern of sexual intercourse were associated with more childhood problem behaviors,…

Surveys of factors associated with mothers' interest and participation in community task forces for preventing adolescent alcohol use, as part of Minnesota's Project Northland, found nine factors related to interest and participation (e.g., membership in community organizations and contact with parents of children's friends to discuss…

A 3-year follow-up study of alcohol prevention among 4,406 children showed that neither a comprehensive school curriculum nor a community intervention was successful in preventing adolescent drinking. Predictor variables for drinking are examined and the importance of tolerance and encouragement of drinking by adult role models are noted. (Author)

Reports a study that examined African American parents' perceptions of their involvement with their Head Start children in an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention program. The results provide information on barriers to and benefits of participation, cues to action, perceived threat, and contributing background variables. (SM)

Describes preferred places of drinking by Jewish, Moslem, Christian, and Druze adolescent drinkers (n=1,480) in Israel. Jewish adolescents obtain alcohol from pubs, while non-Jewish adolescents obtain alcohol from home. Presents gender, grade- and cultural-oriented suggestions for prevention of adolescent alcohol use. (SNR)