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.     

Anti-Doping Policy in Sport: The Politics of International Policy Co-ordination

The characteristics and functioning of international policy processes are examined through the analysis of a case which explores the development of policy towards doping by athletes. Changes are traced in the dominant perception of the issue of doping in sport from a series of relatively self-contained problems which could be addressed by individual sports federations or competition organizers to one that requires extensive co-operation between federations and governments, and which has brought the issue of harmonization of policy to the forefront. The interests of the policy actors are identified and the role of two key organizations, the Council of Europe and the International Olympic Committee, in facilitating closer co-ordination, is examined. It is argued that the process is best understood by using the concept of a policy network as both a metaphor and as an analytical tool. The value of the concept of an epistemic community is also considered and it is suggested that not only are doctors and scientists marginal in shaping anti-doping policy, but that there are also limited conditions under which epistemic communities can fulfil an effective role in the policy process.     

Reviews

Victoria E. Bonnell, Ann Cooper & Gregory Friedin (eds), Russia at the Barricades. Armonk, NY and London: M. E. Sharpe, 1994, xx + 371 pp.

A. S. Chernyaev, Shest’ let s Gorbachevym. Po dnevnikovym zapisyam. Moscow: Izdatel'skaya gruppa ‘Progress—Kul'tura’, 1993, 528 pp.

S. Ardittis (ed.), The Politics of East‐West Migration. London and New York: Macmillan and St. Martin's Press, 1994, 257 pp., £40.00.

Victor Peppard & James Riordan, Playing Politics: Soviet Sport Diplomacy to 1992. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, x + 184 pp., $43.95.

János Kovács (ed.), Transition to Capitalism? The Communist Legacy in Eastern Europe. New Brunswick, NJ and London: Transaction Publishers, 1994, xxiii + 323 pp., $34.95.

R. J. Crampton, Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century. London and New York: Routledge, 1994. xx + 475 pp., £45.00 h/b., $14.99 p/b.

John O. Norman (ed.), New Perspectives on Russian and Soviet Artistic Culture. Selected papers from the Fourth World Congress for Soviet and East European Studies, Harrogate, 1990. General Editor: Stephen White. London: Macmillan Press, 1994, xiv + 158 pp., £45.00.

Lynne Attwood (ed.), Red Women on the Silver Screen: Soviet Women and Cinema from the Beginning to the End of the Communist Era. London: Pandora Press, 1993, 260 pp., £12.99

Peter J. Potichnyj, Marc Raeff, Jaroslav Pelenski & Gleb N. Zekulin (eds), Ukraine and Russia in their Historical Encounter. Edmonton: Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Press, University of Alberta, 1992, xv + 346 pp., $24.95.     

Rural household livelihood strategies in a Sri Lankan village

This paper examines the household income‐generating strategies in a Kandyan village. Pushed by population growth, heads of households are forced to enter into increasingly complex relations with the outside world. Those with the initial advantage of larger landholdings are able to educate their children, find more secure sources of outside income and invest in agriculture productivity. The tenants and landless are forced to sell their labour, often outside of the village. The critical contacts for both owner‐operator and other households are increasingly channelled through local political leaders, which adds political differences to economic tensions.     

Making Short Politics Placements Work

Short placements can provide an important and meaningful experience of politics in action for students who are unable to benefit from the generally lengthy placements currently on offer. This article is based on the findings of the three-year HEFCE-funded project The Scholarship of Engagement for Politics and explores the potential of short, local, research-based placements, which are embedded in modules, supported by online journaling and effectively assessed, to enrich students' understanding of politics and enhance their employability.     

Harassment and stalking of Members of the United Kingdom Parliament: associations and consequences

A survey concerning intrusive/aggressive behaviours towards MPs was administered at Westminster, and in Queensland, New Zealand and Norway. Follow-up interviews were conducted with a sample at Westminster. This paper examines the experiences and associations of the 239 Westminster responders, of whom 81% had experienced intrusive/aggressive behaviours, 18% been subject to attack/attempted attack, and 53% stalked or harassed. Being stalked and subject to certain types of intrusive/aggressive behaviour were associated with younger age and being in the Commons five years or less, but serious incidents were more common in those who had been MPs for longer. There were no associations with brief periods of harassment. Some differences with party and constituency type emerged. Mental illness was prominent amongst perpetrators. Motives predominantly concerned personal grievances. Significant proportions of MPs suffered psychological ill-effects, necessitating inconvenient behaviour changes. Internal consistencies in these results and similarities to other sites are explored, and their implications discussed.