Compares three children's novels and considers a child's attitude of dealing with frustrations versus struggling for power. Suggests that food and its associated codes and rituals are powerful social tools that can be used to create, maintain, or modify realms of inclusion and exclusion. (SC)

Examined continuity in attachment classification from infancy through adolescence and related it to autobiographical memories of childhood, divorce, and maladjustment in white middle-class children. Found no continuity in attachment classification from 1 to 18 years and no relation between infant attachment status and adolescent adjustment.…

Studied the relationship between parental and friends' social support in 2,918 adolescents aged 12 to 24 years, focusing on emotional problems. Results indicate that parents' and friends' support seem to be relatively independent support systems. Parental support remains the best indicator of emotional problems during adolescence. (SLD)

A study of 20 mothers and their adolescent daughters found that both groups distinguished between going on a diet and watching eating habits. Dieting/watching patterns varied in content, duration, and intent. Daughters' modeling of mothers' behavior varied depending on degree of identification with mothers or mothers' verbal reinforcement.…

Explores whether fathers living apart from their children have concerns about possible disruptions in their relationships with their children. Results show: quality of the marital or partner relationship predicts fathers' concerns; fathers with a history of living apart from their child and maintaining high levels of involvement express the least…

Examines the effects of home-based consultation for parents of young children with behavior problems. The program included in-home training of behavioral child management strategies. Results indicate increased praise rates by parents, improved compliance with instructions by children, and decreases in inappropriate child behaviors. Minimal changes…

Modification of traditional family therapy approaches are warranted if there is to be any chance of success in the treatment of Parental Alienation Syndrome families. Especially important is the full support of the court. Describes the special family therapeutic techniques warranted in the treatment of families in which the Parental Alienation…

Explores factors and characteristics related to the extent to which support is a component of parent-grandparent relationships in families of children with disabilities. Results, based on in-depth interviews of 12 parent-grandparent pairs, revealed that the presence and/or type of disability were unrelated to availability of grandparent support.…

Reviews articles (N=26) from 1984 to 1993 and analyzes the tone, quality of information, and advice given to parents concerning communication with children about sexuality. Articles reflected current research but readership was primarily white mothers in traditional families. Little advice was offered on handling more difficult issues (e.g.,…

The influence of different values on adolescent problem behaviors is explored in an 18-year study of 199 families. Drug use, delinquency, dropout, and sexual behavior are identified as risk factors for problem behavior. Maternal, traditional, and humanistic values as predictors of adolescent behaviors were studied. (Author/MMU)

The similarity between clients' perceptions of their therapists and their parents was studied in terms of relationship qualities. Participants were 62 actual therapy dyads. Results did not support the hypothesis but suggest that therapists' perceptions of transference may reflect perceptions of their clients' nontransferential, or "real…

Thirty adolescents and their parents participated in a study of family interaction and optimal experience in which family members reacted to videotaped family discussions. Family communication complexity was associated with members' reports of more optimal experience. Findings and the novel study methodology are discussed. (SLD)

Examined emotional closeness between mothers and their children to determine whether mother-daughter pairs exhibit closer emotional relationships than mother-son pairs. Results with 41 mother-child dyads show girls to be physically closer to their mothers, engaging in more eye contact and higher in global enjoyment. (SLD)

The meaning of familial responsibility to older members was investigated by interviewing two or three generations in families (N=15 families) providing assistance to older family members in a noninstitutional setting. Shared responsibility and responsibility to other family members are found to be important. A broader conceptualization of filial…

The competitive culture of adolescent mothers and the sociodemographic characteristics that explain the formation and diffusion of this culture are examined. Data were gathered during a 3-year participant-observation study of mothers enrolled in a high school program for adolescent parents. Implications of findings for counseling and for policy…