Predicting future smoking of adolescent experimental smokers

This prospective study examined the usefulness of seven selected variables from Jessor and Jessor's problem behavior theory in predicting the future smoking levels of adolescent experimental smokers. Experimental smokers were identified through a survey of 2,550 seventh- and eighth-grade students assessing subjects' current smoking levels as well as subjects' responses to the selected variables. Twelve months later the entire sample was resurveyed to assess subsequent smoking levels of subjects initially reporting experimental smoking. Experimental smokers who responded to both surveys (n=225) were subjects of the present study. The full model discriminant function was significant in discriminating between the two groups; 68% of the subjects were correctly classified. This moderately successful hit rate was 24% better than what could be expected by chance. Increased smokers had lower expectations for academic achievement, had stronger beliefs about the positive functions of smoking, and perceived more smoking among their classmates and close friends. Educational interventions are suggested.Received Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1987. Research interests include human behavior change strategies.Received Ph.D. from University of Illinois in 1968. Research interests include behavior and health.     

Alcohol: The gateway to other drug use among secondary-school students

The stepping-stone theory of progression into drug use is examined, based on the alcohol and other drug use of over 27,000 seventh-through eighth-grade students in New York State. The data show that students do not use illicit drugs unless they also use alcohol. White, black and Hispanic students all tend to initiate the use of drugs in the following order-alcohol, marijuana, pills, and hard drugs. Among blacks and Hispanics, pills are not as important a transition between marijuana and hard drugs as they are among whites. Cigarettes form an important step between alcohol and marijuana use for younger students, particularly for females. Since alcohol serves as the gateway to all other drug use, prevention approaches that control and limit alcohol use among adolescents may be warranted.He received his Ph. D. in Psychology for the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1976. His research interests are the social and psychological correlates of drinking.She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1983.     

Family contexts of pubertal timing

This study examined the influence of pubertal timing upon family interactions in normal and psychiatric adolescent samples. An important feature of our approach is its emphasis upon micro-analysis of family behaviors (individual speeches) and family processes (theoretically specified speech pairings). Rather than assume that global family patterns (e.g., power) shift in response to pubertal changes, we follow how types of speeches and speech sequences are associated with different pubertal timing. Using the previously constructed family coding system, the Constrainig and Enabling Coding System, we found that on-time adolescents and their parents differed from both off-time groups (early or late). These results are discussed in terms of current implications and suggestions for future research.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the SRCD Study Group on Timing of Maturation, October, 1983, at the Education Testing Service, Princeton, NJ. This research was supported by NICHD Grant 1 R01 HD18684-01, and an NIMH Research Scientist Award (Dr. Hauser).Received his Ph.D. from Harvard University. Research interest is adolescent development within the family and impact of chronic illness on adolescent development and family interaction.Received her B.A. from Wellesley College. Research interests are in humor and attractiveness.Received his M.A. from Boston University. Research interests are in methodology and statistics.Received Ed.D. from Harvard University. Research interests are in adolescent development within the family, and family coping with stress.Received M.D. from University of Chicago. Research interests are in psychosocial aspects of diabetes.Received Ed.D. from Harvard University. Research interests are in developmental psychopathology, and moral and ego development.Received Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Research interests are in assessment of ego development and family systems.Received Ph.D. from University of Miami. Research interests are in family studies and adolescent development.     

Crossroads of High Asia: A review article—books on Ladakh

Eva K. Dargyay and Ulrich Grüber, Ladakh, Innenansicht eines Landes. Düsseldorf/Cologne: Diederichs, 1980. 300 pp, colour photographs, bibliography, glossary, chronological table, index.

Heinrich Harrer, Ladakh, Götter und Menschen hinterm Himalaya. Innsbruck: Pinguin, 1983. 172 pp, photographs, end paper maps, bibliography.

Andrew Harvey, A Journey in Ladakh. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1983. 236 pp., end paper maps, $13.95.

E. Joldan, Harvest Festival of Buddhist Dards of Ladakh and Other Essays. Srinagar: Kapoor Brothers, 1985. 104 pp., photographs, Rs. 30.

Detlef Kantowsky and Reinhard Sander, (editors), Recent Research on Ladakh: History, Culture, Sociology, Ecology. Munich, Cologne and London: Weltforum, 1983. 282 pp., photographs, diagrams, bibliography, DM 59.

Anneliese Keilhauer and Peter Keilhauer, Ladakh und Zanskar, Lamaistische Klosterkultur im Land zwischen Indien und Tibet. Cologne: DuMour, 1982. 414 pp., maps, diagrams, chronological chart, photographs, index, DM 36.

Sanyukta Koshal, Ladakhi Grammar. Delhi: Mortilal Banarsidass, 1979. 338 pp., index, Rs. 103.

Michel Peissel, Zanskar, the Hidden Kingdom. London: Collins, 1979. 205 pp., maps, photographs, index.

Janet Rizvi, Ladakh, Crossroads of High Asia. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1983. 224 pp., photographs, glossary, bibliography, end‐paper maps, Rs 140.

Margaret Schettler and Rolf Schettler, Kashmir, Ladakh and Zanskar: A Travel Survival Kit. South Yarra, Victoria, Australia/Berkeley, CA, USA, 1984.203 pp., maps, diagrams, photographs, index, $7.95.     

The nuclear family: Correspondence in cognitive and affective reactions to the threat of nuclear war among older adolescents and their parents

In order to assess the relationship between family members' cognitive and affective responses to nuclear war issues, 317 college students and their parents (n=559) independently completed a multifaceted questionnaire that included items concerning personal reactions, predictions, opinions, and attitudes about nuclear war. Results revealed a negligible relationship between the responses of college students and their parents, although the level of concordance between mothers and fathers was somewhat greater. Moreover, parents and students were relatively poor at predicting each others' nuclear threat attitudes, and the strength with which an attitude was endorsed did not enhance its predictability. Results are discussed with regard to heterogeneity in attitudinal and affective reactions within families, and with regard to the idea that infrequent communication concerning nuclear war issues may be occurring.Portions of this article were presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, California, August 25, 1985.Interested in clinical and counseling psychology, the psychological effects of the threat of nuclear war, and parent training.Interested in counseling psychology, nuclear war issues, and the concept-specific measurement of emotionality.Interested in counseling psychology, nuclear war issues, and factors influencing custody decisions.