Using a 10-year longitudinal study, examined the relative strength of objective, subjective, and congruency variables as predictors of life satisfaction among low-income rural youth (N=322). Results show that support was provided for variables representing all three types of life satisfaction predictors, especially subjective variables such as…

Examined drug and alcohol use and social background to determine their relationship to adolescent suicide attempts. Survey of 2,690 adolescents revealed that young women, farm residents, and in general, drug users were more likely to report suicide attempt. Women who were frequent alcohol users and heavy users of marijuana were more prone to…

Examined educational and occupational attainment of young women from low-income, rural Appalachian families. Data from 10-year longitudinal study found that educational attainment did not predict occupational attainment of these women. Several findings for family socioeconomic background and social psychological variables were interpreted as…

Formal education bombards children with information but is weak in meaningful learning experiences. Outdoor education offers learning experiences that integrate experience and information. The Foxfire philosophy and John Dewey's principle's advocate this approach to learning. Organized camping provides an experience-rich environment. (KS)

Focuses on efforts in Connecticut to combat teenage pregnancy. Describes a model program that emphasizes a collaborative venture between a state-funded community-based pregnancy prevention program and a regional vocational-technical high school located in a rural setting. Describes Northeast Connecticut Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and the…

Compared the problems and coping strategies of 231 adolescents (mean age, 15 years) from rural mid-south alternative and non-alternative schools. Results indicated that, overall, alternative school students tend to respond to given problems by using more negative coping strategies than do non-alternative school students. (SLD)

Study explored the relationship between substance use and spirituality and religious participation with a multicultural sample of youths. Logistic regression measured efficacy of spiritual and religious participation as predictors of substance use. Although increased participation in religious activities predicted a greater probability of never…

The purpose of this study was to listen to rural students' voices about their present schoolwork and educational plans for the future and discern, via factor analyzing their survey responses, what they view as the most important factors in their academic performance and post-high school plans. The first objective was to access the 2001-2002,…

As economic, technological, and social changes transform rural areas, female youth face particular challenges in making educational/career decisions. Relationships within the community enhance and constrain future paths. Building on an earlier research study (Shepard, 2004), the co-construction of a community-based workshop with research…

Far more has been written about the possible outcomes of cross-age mentoring than about actual outcomes and the processes that lead to change. This study examined the effect of mentors' attendance on their mentees' outcomes after six months of developmental mentoring. Developmental mentoring is a structured, cross-age peer mentoring program…

An exploratory analysis of the meanings families attach to schooling, this article is based upon interviews conducted with three white, middle-class families--one from rural West Virginia, another from a small West Virginia city, and a third from rural Pennsylvania. I hoped that this preliminary effort would help me think about how families view…

Time spent in freely chosen leisure activities offers a distinct developmental context that can support positive youth development; however this potential for growth depends in part on adolescent interest and engagement in their free time activities. Research indicates that many adolescents report experiencing boredom, instead of interest, in…

This bibliography lists 122 citations of documents and materials related to international rural youth issues contained in the holdings of the National Agricultural Library (NAL). The bibliography is based on computerized on-line searches of the AGRICOLA data base. All entries are in English. Each entry contains detailed information about author,…

Today's high school students encounter a diversity of complex issues affecting both their family and school relationships. It is necessary for parents, school personnel, and students to understand each other's perspectives. In recent years there has been a change in family patterns, societal expectations, and lifestyles. These changes have had a…

The paper describes the major needs of gifted rural students and suggests ways parents can use nonschool as well as school resources to help meet those needs. Students need guidance to deal with their differentness, to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and to make plans for the future. Parents are advised to gather information and create a…