Abstract: Relations between sociometric status and school adjustment (classroom grades, prosocial behavior, and irresponsible behavior) were examined over time with a sample of 204 students. Perceived support, efforts to learn, and goals to be prosocial and to be responsible also were examined as mediators of these relations. Sixth-grade sociometric status predicted eighth-grade school adjustment when controlling for sixth-grade school adjustment. Compared to students of average sociometric status, controversial status students had lower classroom grades, rejected status students were rated as less prosocial, and members of rejected and popular status groups were rated as more irresponsible. In addition, neglected status group members perceived less peer support, controversial status group members reported less frequent efforts to learn, and rejected status group members reported less frequent pursuit of prosocial goals than did average status peers. Models, whereby perceived support and motivation explained signif...

Abstract: The present study examined the association between adolescent perceptions of parental psychological control and adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms across four dyadic relationships (mother/daughter, mother/son, father/daughter, and father/eson) cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Participants were 306 sixth- and seventh-grade students,287 mothers, and 115 fathers, interviewed at two time points one year apart. Cross-sectionally, father psychological control predicted higher adolescent-reported internalizing both for boys and for girls only when mothers also were perceived as high in psychological control. Similarly, but only among girls, father psychological control predicted higher externalizing only when mothers also were perceived as high in psychological control. Longitudinal analyses indicated that adolescents with higher internalizing symptoms at one time are especially likely to perceive parents as using psychological control one year later; earlier psychological control did not p...

Abstract: This longitudinal study assessed the characteristics that predicted the timing of first sexual intercourse in a high-risk sample of adolescents between the ages of 11 and 14 years. The analyses were conducted with 162 adolescents (total sample of 215) who were virgins at baseline and for whom it was possible to determine the date of first sexual intercourse. Event history analyses were employed and predictor variables were defined using multimethod and multiagent assessments. The modal age of first intercourse was 14 years. Pubertal status externalizing ratings delinquency substance use monitoring and deviant-peer involvement were univariate predictors of age of first sexual intercourse whereas deviant-peer involvement was the sole predictor in the multivariate analysis. These results suggest that precocious sexual initiation can be understood using models of the etiology of other problem behavior and that deviant-peer involvement is a particularly salient dimension of this trajectory. (authors)

Abstract: The current study tested the diathesis-stress component of Beck's cognitive theory of depression in a sample of early adolescents. The study also examined whether high levels of social support and self-esteem buffer against depressive reactions in children with high levels of dysfunctional attitudes. At Time 1, 184 seventh graders completed measures assessing dysfunctional attitudes, social support, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. Six weeks later, they completed measures assessing depressive symptoms and hassles. In support of Beck's theory, higher levels of dysfunctional attitudes were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Contrary to hypotheses, however, dysfunctional attitudes served as a vulnerability to depressive reactions following negative events in children with high but not low levels of self-esteem. Similarly, contrary to hypotheses, dysfunctional attitudes served as a vulnerability to depressive reactions following negative events in children with high but not low levels ...

Abstract: This study explored the role of perceived family transactions of daily hassles, social support, and involvement with family in leisure activities in a sample of racially and ethnically diverse urban adolescents living in poverty as they made the transition to junior high school. Adolescents who perceived fewer daily hassles and more involvement with their families prior to the transition to junior high school appeared less vulnerable to declines in scores of self-esteem. In addition, adolescents who perceived fewer daily hassles also appeared to have fewer declines in preparedness for class. Social support moderated the effect of daily hassles on preparation for class: Under conditions of high hassles and high support, adolescents were most vulnerable to decrements in class preparation, whereas adolescents who perceived low hassles and high support were highest in class preparation. Implications for further research and interventions are discussed.

Abstract: The role of adolescents’ family relationships as moderators of the negative associations between early steady dating and adjustment was investigated. Two hundred forty-four adolescents 13 to 14 years old reported on family and peer relationships (attachment security to mother and father marital conflict parenting style friend nominations) and adjustment. As predicted negative associations between early steady dating and adjustment were moderated by family factors and gender. For girls in families high in marital conflict steady dating was associated with lower self-esteem and in authoritarian families with more symptoms of depression. Girls securely attached to their mother and not dating steadily had higher grades. These findings suggest that success in prior relationships contributes to adolescents’ abilities to cope with later developmental challenges. (authors)

Abstract: Relations among characteristics at 3 years and 10 years of age and delinquent behavior at 10 years of age were investigated. Four hundred sixty mother/child pairs were interviewed. Psychological status, substance use, IQ, temperament, and behavior problems were assessed. Logistic regression and structural equation modeling were used. Pathways to delinquent behavior were identified using Configural Frequency Analysis. Race and gender were significant predictors of delinquent behavior at age 10. Temperament, IQ, and emotional instability at age 3 predicted delinquent behavior at age 10. Psychological status, perceived peer substance use, IQ, and temperament at age 10 were correlates of delinquent behavior. Three distinct pathways to delinquent behavior were identified. Early childhood characteristics can identify risks of delinquent behavior at age 10. Characteristics at age 3 were mediated by parallel measures at age 10. Early identification might reduce onset of delinquent behaviors and guide targeted pre...

Abstract: Confirmatory factor analysis was applied in a test of alternative factor models and measurement invariance across gender groups using data from the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire (EATQ). Mothers rated their 10- to 14-year-old children (116 girls and 115 boys) on the EATQ Shyness, High-Intensity Pleasure, Activity Level, Attention, Irritability, and Fear scales. A first-order six-correlated factor model best represented the structure of temperament. As expected, factor models based on composite indicators showed better overall model fit than did those based on single items. The measurement invariance of the first-order model across gender suggests that the EATQ measures the same aspects of temperament regardless of gender. A significant gender difference emerged at the latent mean level: Boys were rated high in high-intensity pleasure and activity level, and girls were rated high in attention.

Abstract: The authors report the intervention implementation and outcome evaluation of the Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14),involving a sample of African American families with young adolescents. Implementation feasibility clearly was demonstrated. A sufficient number of families was recruited successfully, retention rates were strong, and observer ratings showed high adherence to the intervention protocol. Control group comparisons at posttest showed positive results for intervention-targeted child behaviors and for child participation in family meetings but not for other outcome measures. Findings of the investigation are discussed in terms of their relevance to ongoing intervention research with minority populations and considered in light of study limitations.

Abstract: Drawing from a larger longitudinal investigation, the links between young adolescents' everyday experiences and parental depressed mood were examined in 201 primarily Caucasian family groups. The c...

Abstract: Mothers’ generalized beliefs about adolescents were used to predict a mother’s expectations for her own child’s adolescent years. Participants were 75 mothers of children in either sixth grade or seventh grade. Generalized beliefs about adolescents predicted the mother’s expectations for her own young adolescent even after accounting for the young adolescent’s current attributes (e.g. depressed mood closeness to mother). For example the more likely a mother was to believe that adolescents as a group are conforming risk-taking and rebellious or internalizing the more likely she was to expect adolescence to be difficult for her own child. Greater beliefs that adolescents are upstanding/ prosocial predicted greater expectations for a closer parent/child relationship during the child’s adolescence. The link between a mother’s generalized beliefs and her expectations for her young adolescent did not vary by the child’s pubertal development or gender. Potential implications of parental beliefs concerning adolescence for parenting and parent/child relationships are discussed. (authors)

Abstract: The relation between perceived dissimilarity to peers, assessed with replicated multidimensional scaling (RMDS), and a host of peer-reported characteristics was examined with data collected from 478 students from 26 fourth-grade through sixth-grade classrooms. Three hypotheses as to why a student might be perceived as dissimilar to peers were examined. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that perceived dissimilarity was related positively to perceptions that a student was odd, socially excluded and withdrawn, bullying, and inattentive and negatively with being fun to hang around. Furthermore, peer-rejected students who were on the periphery of their group's RMDS space were behaviorally discriminable (i.e., more odd, inattentive, excluded, and shy or anxious) from peer-rejected students located more proximally to peers. It was argued that in early adolescence, when learning to fit in with peers is an important task, being perceived as dissimilar to others and on the periphery of the group's organiza...

Abstract: Focus groups were conducted with young adolescents ( N = 61) to obtain a consumer perspective on esteem-enhancement strategies for their age group. Overall, the input obtained supports a comprehensive, psychosocial/developmental approach. To address the views and preferences expressed by young adolescents, program content should (a) provide esteem-enhancing experiences in multiple domains of early adolescent development, (b) reduce reliance on “unhealthy” sources of self-esteem, and (c) be sensitive to diversity in participant backgrounds (e.g., race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status). Program designs should (a) be inclusive (i.e., include all youth) and involve multiple important persons in young adolescents’lives; (b) emphasize an experiential, individualized approach; (c) allow for participation over extended periods of time; and (d) incorpo rate strong linkages to the surrounding community. Based on current findings and related research, the need for esteem-enhancement strategies that are environmentally oriented and integrated within broader youth development initiatives is emphasized.

Abstract: Current conceptualizations of perfectionism view the construct as consisting of two subtypes: adaptive and maladaptive. Although research in perfectionism has investigated negative outcomes such as depression and anxiety, little research has investigated how a general sample of children identified as perfectionists differentially might perceive their quality of life. In this exploratory study, a total of 132 middle school students were administered the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised and the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale. Results indicated that both perfectionist subtypes reported significantly higher global satisfaction than did nonperfectionists, whereas adaptive perfectionists reported significantly higher satisfaction ratings on self-satisfaction than both maladaptive and nonperfectionists. Implications of these findings are suggested.

Abstract: Focus group discussions were conducted with inner-city ethnic minority families with regard to current life concerns mother/child communication of concerns and the influence of maternal HIV on both of those issues. Participants included early adolescents who were HIV-negative and their mothers (one-half were HIV-positive and one-half HIV-negative). Early adolescents were most concerned about sexual activity pregnancy safety and violence and drugs. Early adolescents whose mothers were HIV-positive were concerned additionally with their mothers’ sickness and death adult responsibilities stigma and ostracism and an even greater uncertainty about their futures. Mothers’ concerns for their children included safety and violence sexual activity drugs and parenting. Mothers who were HIV-positive also were concerned about their own HIV related issues of stigma disclosure becoming ill and children assuming adult roles. Although early adolescents and mothers reported talking to each other about concerns the quality of those discussions was unclear. Implications for family-based HIV prevention interventions are discussed. (authors)

Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify risk and resource factors related to body dissatisfaction for girls and boys in early adolescence. Participants were 91 girls and 79 boys in Grades 7 and 10 who were participants in the second wave of a 3-year longitudinal study of adolescents' psychosocial maturity. Separate hierarchical regressions were conducted for girls and boys. Three risk factors for girls' body dissatisfaction were identified: weight (higher body mass index), greater figure management, and being teased about appearance. For boys, being teased was the only significant risk factor. Perceived mother acceptance and father acceptance were the only significant resource factors for girls. No resource factors were significant for boys. Resource factors did not evidence protective effects (i.e., moderate effects of significant risks) against body dissatisfaction for girls or for boys. Findings are discussed in relation to previous research that has linked body dissatisfaction to disordered eating.