Labels for toys were taught to 64 infants. In follow-in labeling, the experimenter labeled a toy at which infants were looking; in discrepant labeling, one at which they were not looking. Results revealed that infants learned follow-in labels and made no mapping errors after discrepant labeling. (BC)

The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) was administered to 96 expecting mothers. In a one-year followup, mothers were seen with their child in the Strange Situation procedure. Maternal representations of attachment from the AAI predicted infant-mother attachment patterns in the Strange Situation. (BC)

Mothers' emotion and personality characteristics were assessed by behavior ratings and self-reports; infants' characteristics by maternal reports and objective coding. Security of infant-mother attachment in the Ainsworth Strange Situation was predicted by mothers' emotional experience, expressive behavior, and personality traits, and by infants'…

Self-efficacy beliefs, perceptions of infant temperament, social and marital support, and parenting behavior of depressed and nondepressed mothers of infants were assessed. Maternal self-efficacy beliefs were related to maternal behavioral competence. When demographic variables were controlled for, self-efficacy correlated with maternal perception…

Mothers of toddlers were interviewed and observed. In laboratory observations, maternal employment adversely affected maternal behavior when satisfaction with social support or work role was low. In home and laboratory observations, the effect of poor quality child care was greater when mothers were employed. (BC)

A study of 8 to 35 month olds found that informally employed mothers had more undernourished children than did formally employed or nonworking mothers. With maternal education controlled for, no effects of maternal employment on children's growth patterns were found. Percentage of family income earned by the mother was associated with children's…

A total of 44 mothers of 4 year olds were interviewed about their social networks and observed in a play session with their children. Mothers who were more satisfied with their networks, and mothers with larger or less cohesive networks, demonstrated optimal maternal behavior more often than did other mothers. (BC)

Peer interactions of abused and nonabused children in a day care setting were evaluated. Abused children initiated fewer positive interactions with peers and exhibited a higher proportion of negative behaviors than did nonabused children. Peers viewed abused children as less well liked than nonabused children. (BC)

A sample of 183 third through sixth grade students were administered the Revised Class Play (RCP). Seven years later, these children and their parents completed a questionnaire measuring the students' behavioral symptoms and social, athletic, and academic competence. The RCP scores were related to adolescent competence and psychopathology. (BC)

Adolescents 10 to 18 years of age were interviewed 4.5 years after their parents' divorce. Adolescents' feeling of being caught between parents was related to high parental conflict and low parental cooperation. Closeness to both parents was related to low feelings of being caught between parents. Feeling caught was related to poor adjustment…

Each of 111 families with seventh grade daughters was observed in a family interaction task. Results indicated that conflict with parents, and especially with the mother, was more frequent shortly after menarche than at other times. Withdrawal of positive affect was associated with menarcheal status. (BC)

Of 4,100 adolescents, those who characterized their parents as authoritative scored highest on psychosocial competence and lowest on behavioral dysfunction. The reverse was true for neglected adolescents. Adolescents from authoritarian homes scored high on obedience but low on self-perception. Adolescents from indulgent homes evidenced…

Second and third grade guests were observed while they tried to join peer hosts who were playing a game. Females guests were less obtrusive than male guests in their entries, and males guests were more assertive. Guests were less constrained when approaching same-sex than opposite-sex hosts. Female hosts were more attentive to guests than were…

In one experiment, kindergartners and second and fourth graders made quantitative predictions about how many items children would share based on information about the children's previous behavior. In a second experiment, kindergartners' quantitative predictions were more consistent with the behavioral information than were their dichotomous…

Data from several studies indicated that most children understood what they were asked to do in psychological studies. Few under the age of 12 years believed their performance would be confidential. Many children believed there would be negative consequences if they ended their participation. Parental permission added pressure on children to…