Family Cohesion and Romantic and Sexual Initiation: A Three Wave Longitudinal Study

Although the relation between family relationships and the timing of sexual debut has been the focus of many studies, research on mediating factors is scarce. This study examines whether low levels of family cohesion result in an earlier onset of romantic and sexual experiences, and whether the link between family cohesion and an early sexual debut is mediated by early romantic initiation. A longitudinal sample of 314 adolescent girls and 222 boys, aged 12–17 at Wave 1, completed questionnaires at three measurement points with three year intervals. The results showed that sexual debut followed romantic initiation for 77% of the participants. For early adolescent females (aged 12–14), high levels of family cohesion resulted in a later sexual debut and this association was fully mediated by a delay of romantic initiation. Among boys and older girls, timing of romantic initiation did not mediate the link between family cohesion and timing of sexual initiation. Early adolescent girls who have negative relationships with their parents turn to romantic relationships for intimacy and support, which subsequently provide the opportunity for an early sexual debut. Low levels of family cohesion thus primarily precipitate romantic initiation and sexual initiation appears to be secondary to this process among girls in this age group.     

Acculturation, Enculturation, and Symptoms of Depression in Hispanic Youth: The Roles of Gender, Hispanic Cultural Values, and Family Functioning

The risk for depression increases as Hispanic youth acculturate to U.S. society. This association is stronger for Hispanic girls than boys. To better understand the influence of culture and family on depressive symptoms, we tested a process-oriented model of acculturation, cultural values, and family functioning. The data came from Project RED, which included 1,922 Hispanic students (53?% girls; 86?% were 14?years old; and 84?% were U.S. born) from Southern California. We used data from 9th to 11th grade to test the influence of acculturation-related experiences on depressive symptoms over time. Multi-group structural equation analysis suggested that both family conflict and cohesion were linked with depressive symptoms. Hispanic cultural values were associated with family cohesion and conflict but the strength and direction of these relationships varied across cultural values and gender. For girls and boys, familismo and respeto were associated with higher family cohesion and lower family conflict. Moreover, gender roles were linked with higher family cohesion in girls but not in boys. These results indicate that improving family functioning will be beneficial for boys' and girls' psychological well-being. This may be achieved by promoting familismo and respeto for boys and girls and by promoting traditional gender roles for girls.     

Internalizing Symptoms: Effects of a Preventive Intervention on Developmental Pathways from Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood

This study examined the mediated and moderated effects of a universal family-focused preventive intervention, delivered during young adolescence, on internalizing symptoms assessed in young adulthood. Sixth grade students (N=446; 52% female; 98% White) and their families from 22 rural Midwestern school districts were randomly assigned to the experimental conditions in 1993. Self-report questionnaires were administered at seven time points (pre-test to young adulthood-age 21) to those receiving the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP) and to the control group. Results showed that growth factors of adolescent internalizing symptoms (grades 6-12) were predicted by ISFP condition and risk status (defined as early substance initiation). Moderation of the condition effect by risk status was found, with higher-risk adolescents benefitting more from the ISFP. Results also supported the hypothesis that the ISFP's effect on internalizing symptoms in young adulthood was mediated through growth factors of adolescents' internalizing symptoms; risk moderation, however, was only marginally significant in young adulthood. The relative reduction rate on clinical or subclinical levels of young adult internalizing symptoms was 28%, indicating that for every 100 young adults displaying clinical or subclinical levels of internalizing symptoms from school districts not offering an intervention, there could be as few as 72 displaying those levels of symptoms in school districts that offered middle school prevention programming. These findings highlight how the positive effects of family-focused universal interventions can extend to non-targeted outcomes and the related potential public-health impact of scaling up these interventions.     

Associations of Participation in Service Activities with Academic, Behavioral, and Civic Outcomes of Adolescents at Varying Risk Levels

Youth who participate in service activities differ from those who do not on a number of key demographic characteristics like socio-economic status and other indicators of risk; and most studies demonstrating positive outcomes among service participants employ small non-representative samples. Thus, there is little evidence as to whether the outcomes associated with service participation are similar among students with varying levels of risk. The National Household Education Survey of 1999, a large nationally representative cross-sectional data set that focused on community service, was analyzed to investigate associations between the risk status of 4,306 adolescent students (50.2% female; 63.3% European American, M age?=?15.9), their participation in community service, and their academic adjustment, behavioral problems, and civic knowledge. Because adolescents who participate in service differ from those who do not with respect to demographic characteristics, propensity score analyses were used to correct for potential selection bias in the examination of these relationships. Analyses tested competing theoretical models of service??protective versus compensatory??among students at varying levels of risk, and suggested that service acts as a compensatory factor with respect to academic, behavioral, and civic outcomes. Propensity score analyses revealed patterns suggesting that, in some cases, students with certain demographic profiles that are themselves related to the likelihood of service participation may benefit from service participation more than others. Findings are discussed in terms of their significance for adolescent development, for planning service programs, and for educational policy.     

学习宣传实践工会发展道路推动工会工作创新发展

当前,新疆维吾尔自治区正处在大建设大开放大发展时期。各级工会要认真贯彻落实自治区和全国总工会的会议精神,切实增强建设大美新疆和坚定不移地走中国特色社会主义工会发展道路的坚定信念,团结动员和组织广大职工为进一步加快新疆的经济社会发展建功立业。     

中美两国“和平崛起”之比较

国际关系中一个经久不变的现象是:当霸权国的地位受到崛起国的威胁时,它们之间的竞争有可能演变为冲突。现实主义认为这种导致战争风险的权力斗争不可避免,而"和平崛起"理念恰与现实主义这种"霸权易位、战争难免"逻辑相反。中国近十多年来一直承诺要"和平崛起",而且可能在20世纪70年代改革开放启动之时就已经奉行"和平崛起"政策。回顾历史,能够声称自己是"和平崛起"的现代大国可能只有美国。中国和美国是仅有的两个试图和平崛起的大国,考察它们各自历史经历的异同是一项有研究价值的工作。美国崛起于1865—1945年,在时间上比当今中国的崛起早一个世纪,虽然中国的崛起与美国的崛起处于不同的历史发展阶段,但如果有经验可供借鉴的话,中国可以从美国崛起之路学到哪些?本文在深入分析"和平崛起"的含义和中美"和平崛起"的案例可信度的基础上,比较当今中国的崛起过程与19世纪晚期美国崛起之路的主要相似点和不同点,得出了可供中国与国际社会参考的六条经验。     

苏维埃俄国的经济计划(续完)

本刊2012年第3期刊载了20世纪上半期俄罗斯著名经济学家鲍里斯·布鲁兹库斯(Boris D.Brutzkus)的《苏维埃俄国的经济计划》一书上卷1—6章,2013年第1期刊出该书上卷第7—10章及下卷第1—2章,2014年第1期刊出了下卷第3章1—3节。本期刊出该书下卷第3章第4—6节及第四章。至此,全书连载完毕。鲍里斯·布鲁兹库斯,1874年10月生于立陶宛,1908年在彼得堡农学院任教,1918年任彼得堡农业研究所教授,作为俄罗斯一流的农业问题权威,1922年任农业人民委员部彼得格勒省农业计划委员会主席。还在苏俄处于战时共产主义时期的1920年,他不断发表演讲批评苏俄的共产主义试验。1921年底将演讲内容整理成文,以《社会主义制度下的国民经济问题》为题,在俄国技术协会第十一部(工业经济部)创办的《经济学家》杂志上连载。杂志的立场和观点受到列宁、季诺维也夫等布尔什维克领导人激烈指责,杂志被查封,布鲁兹库斯和杂志编辑部其他大部分成员被捕并被驱逐出境。布鲁兹库斯被驱逐后去了德国,任柏林俄语学院教授。他和一些被驱逐的俄国学者一道创办了"俄罗斯科学研究所",继续从事苏维埃俄国经济问题研究。德国纳粹上台后,"俄罗斯科学研究所"宣告解散,布鲁兹库斯谢绝英国伯明翰大学的邀请,前往耶路撒冷的希伯莱大学任教。大战爆发前患肺癌去世。在社会主义思想史上,布鲁兹库斯的《苏维埃俄国的经济计划》一书第一次结合社会主义建设的亲身体验系统地批评了计划经济体制,论证了市场经济必然性与合理性。冯·哈耶克把布鲁兹库斯与冯·米瑟斯和马克斯·韦伯并列为20世纪早期确定了社会主义经济学研究核心问题的开拓者,认为他们对计划经济体制的批评显示了非凡的预见。种种原因,中文读者对布鲁兹库斯了解甚少。本刊1997年第1期发表的俄罗斯经济史专家列·希罗格罗德的文章《论布鲁兹库斯及其专著〈社会主义制度下的国民经济问题〉》,中央编译局张文成教授在《当代世界与社会主义》2002年第2期上的文章《计划经济体制命运的预言者?——布鲁兹库斯及其〈苏维埃俄国的经济计划〉一书》,可能是对布鲁兹库斯作系统介绍的仅有的两篇中文文献。刊发《苏维埃俄国的经济计划》一书,望能有助于学界对这位思想家的研究。本译文根据George RoutledgeSons,Ltd.1935年版译出。     

俄罗斯精英共识与地区经济发展——鞑靼斯坦共和国的经验

国际经验表明,地区发展可以成为大国经济增长的助推器。在俄罗斯经济发展模式需要转型的背景下,俄罗斯高等经济大学的研究团队对鞑靼斯坦共和国的发展管理模式进行了分析。从21世纪第一个十年中期起,鞑靼斯坦共和国的发展管理模式,在俄罗斯就被视为实践典范。当前在鞑靼斯坦共和国已经形成了独特的投资环境,与俄罗斯其他地区相比,其突出特点在于,地方政府的政策可预见度高,且能够为地区重点项目的投资者提供切实保障,地区商业支出与投资风险低。鞑靼斯坦共和国主要精英群体在利益方面相互协调,在地区发展重点与实现路径上具备共识,这在过去是而且也将持续是鞑靼斯坦共和国发展的重要优势。鞑靼斯坦共和国能否建立起在亚洲国家成功运作的追赶型发展模式,这将取决于当地精英能否找到应对近期地区新挑战的共识性对策,同时也取决于俄罗斯联邦层面的地区政策架构。封闭性的固定资产所有制结构,以及劳动报酬水平落后,是鞑靼斯坦共和国面临的主要发展障碍。     

Benevolence in Beijing

My brand new bicycle had been stolen! Disbelief. Anger! Disappointment... I had been riding it for only a day,and was as excited as a,well,a boy with a new bike. Even though I only paid what would be the equivalent of half a tank of gas for my truck back home,I was still sorely put out.