This paper reports on an experimental test of coercion theory early onset model of delinquency. Results are from the Oregon Divorce Study-II, a randomized preventive intervention trial with a sample of 238 recently separated mothers and their sons in early elementary school. The objective was to experimentally manipulate parenting variables…

This source book introduces perspectives and skills which can contribute to successful "co-parenting" (joint custody, joint parenting, co-custody or shared custody) of preadolescent children after parents are separated or divorced. Chapter One introduces the concept of co-parenting. Chapter Two advances an approach to developing flexible…

This study compared the psychosocial adjustment and social behavior of children from divorced or separated single-parent families with that of children from two-parent families. The theory of attachment was adopted as the conceptual framework for the study because of similarities between the behavioral response of children to parental separation…

Appraisals about the implications of stressful events that are evaluated as involving a threat to self (negative self-evaluation, negative evaluation from others, rejection by others) have been shown to place youth at risk for the development of mental health problems. This longitudinal study tested a protective-stabilizing interactive model, in…

To determine whether support systems ameliorated the impact of divorce on family stress and child adjustment, the present study examined the availability to divorced families of various support systems, including the extended family, church, work, and community groups. Specifically, the study addressed the impact of parental support systems on…

Implemented at a community center, this practicum developed an educational program which informed parents and teachers of ways to help children progress during and after divorce. Specific goals were: (1) to implement an educational program for parents, children, and teachers that focused on reducing the effects of divorce on children; (2) to…

Examined extended effects of divorce on men's relations with their adult offspring by comparing ever-divorced fathers (N=261) and fathers (N=594) in intact marriages. The results indicated divorce had a pronounced negative effect on frequency of men's contacts with their adult children and sharply reduced probability that fathers considered adult…

This study of 707 sibling pairs, 10- to 18-years-old, examined parent-child and sibling interactions to determine the effects of genetics on family environment. The sample included identical and fraternal twins and full siblings in nondivorced families, as well as full, half, and unrelated siblings in divorced families. Found significant genetic…

Two basic concerns of this study were to discover if cognitive level affects a child's understandings about family and to explore the effects of social learning factors on a child's understandings of family. Subjects were 28 boys and girls at each of the three higher Piagetian cognitive levels who were each given a newly constructed interview…

Examines effects of parental participation in work and family roles on perceptions of responsibility for their children's school adjustment for 129 female and 124 male college students. Results raise concerns about perceptions of responsibility for divorced working mothers, who were given less credit and more blame than other groups. (SLD)

Results of this study of 96 sibling dyads demonstrated necessity of going beyond the examination of between-group differences in the study of divorce effects to look at the processes by which developmental outcomes for children are enhanced or undermined. Findings draw attention to the heightened vulnerability of dyads containing older boys in…

This executive summary reports on an investigation of the impact of parent-absence on the socialization of black children. Four different studies were conducted by the Parent Improvement and Child Socialization Project among respondents identified through lists of inmates supplied by the D.C. Department of Corrections and by visits to penal…

Describes investigation of effects of mothers' dating behaviors on adolescents' sexuality using reports from a sample of adolescents and their divorced mothers. Suggests mothers' dating behaviors directly influenced sexual behavior of males and indirectly influenced sexuality of females. Mothers' sexual permissiveness influenced daughters' sexual…

This paper reports the outcomes of a study that investigated the effects of family conflict on childhood functioning. The sample consisted of 95 children (ages 3-17) applying for clinical services at the Yale Child Study Center Outpatient Clinic. Forty-nine children were from families in which the custodial parents were currently married, 33 were…

Uses data from the Second Malaysian Family Life Survey to examine effects of mother's divorce/separation or widowhood on Malaysian adolescents' school participation. Children (ages 15-19) of divorced or separated (but not widowed) mothers were at greater risk of leaving school than those in other family situations, regardless of individual…