Validation of scales measuring attitudes, self-efficacy, and intention related to smoking among middle school students.

Attitudes toward smoking, self-efficacy to avoid smoking, and smoking intention, widely cited correlates of youth smoking prevention, are often measured in large-scale youth tobacco surveys. The psychometric properties of these scales have not been well studied among middle school youth. We examined the factorial, discriminate, and convergent validity of these scales among sixth to eighth graders from a convenience sample of 22 Texas middle schools (51.2% female; 51.21% White, 32.1% Hispanic, 16.9% African American, and 8.8% Other; 67.8% nonsmokers, 21.9% experimental smokers; 3.3% former smokers; and 7.6% current smokers). Confirmatory factor analysis and invariance testing suggest that smoking attitudes, self-efficacy, and intention have evidence of construct validity in this multiethnic sample, and the scales are appropriate to assess these constructs among middle school adolescents. Additional studies are needed to establish additional evidence of validity of these constructs in other middle school samples and other subgroups (e.g. current, experimental, and former smokers). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of caring youth sport contexts on efficacy-related beliefs and social behaviors.

Understanding what factors influence positive youth development has been advocated by youth development researchers (P. L. Benson, 2006; J. S. Eccles & J. A. Gootman, 2002). Consequently, the purpose of this study was to examine whether perceptions of a caring youth sport context influenced prosocial and antisocial behavior through efficacy-related beliefs, that is, positive and negative affective self-regulatory efficacy (ASRE) and empathic self-efficacy (ESE). Multiethnic youths taking part in summer sport programs (N = 395) completed a questionnaire that measured perceptions of the caring climate, ESE, ASRE, and social behavior. Structural equation modeling was used to test whether ASRE and ESE mediated the relationship between caring and social behaviors. Findings revealed that perceptions of caring positively predicted ASRE and ESE. In turn, positive ASRE positively predicted ESE. Prosocial behaviors were positively linked to ESE, whereas antisocial behaviors were negatively predicted by positive ASRE. The results suggest that caring influences prosocial and antisocial behavior because such contexts develop youths' ability to monitor, manage, and control positive affect, which in turn enhances their belief in their ability to empathize. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

实施素质教育必须提高教师素质

从探讨素质教育的内涵着手讨论当前素质教育过程中存在的问题 ,指出素质教育顺利实施的前提之一是提高教师素质     

Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology: Judith V. Torney-Purta.

Judith V. Torney-Purta, recipient of the Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology, is cited for leadership of rigorous research on the development of democratic attitudes and civic knowledge among adolescents from more than 30 countries that has served as a catalyst for education and youth policy reform. Torney-Purta led research projects that are prime examples of international collaboration. She drew on these experiences in contributing to an initiative on international collaboration among behavioral and social scientists sponsored by the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Psychological Science. Along with the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of Torney-Purta's works are presented. Also included is her paper, entitled "International psychological research that matters for policy and practice," a version of which she presented at the American Psychological Association's annual convention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The association of form of gambling with problem gambling among American youth.

A random telephone survey was conducted with 2,274 United States residents aged 14 to 21. Analyses were performed to assess the relationship between the specific gambling games played and the extent of problem gambling symptoms. The forms of gambling that were most associated with gambling problems were card games, casino gambling, “other” gambling on routine activities, and betting on games of skill such as basketball, pool, or golf. The form of gambling that made the largest contribution to gambling problems per 14 days of play was casino gambling. The hypothesis that rapid forms of gambling, such as slot machines, would be the most problematic forms of gambling was not upheld. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The public health approach to youth violence and child maltreatment prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Millions of people in the United States suffer the consequences of violence, including physical injuries, psychological trauma, and death. Solutions to violence have traditionally been reactive. Through the lens of the public health perspective, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) views violence as predictable based on various contributing factors, and thus as preventable. Within CDC, the Division of Violence Prevention (DVP) leads efforts to prevent injury, death, and disability, and to reduce the suffering and medical costs caused by violence. DVP employs a multidisciplinary, public health approach to identify factors associated with violence, and to develop, evaluate, and disseminate preventive interventions. Psychology is one discipline that has contributed to our approach. The authors present a series of violence prevention initiatives funded by the CDC that are framed within a public health perspective, with attention to the contributions of psychology to youth violence and child maltreatment prevention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The interplay between learning and the use of ICT in Rwandan student teachers' everyday practice

The paper describes a study conducted in Rwanda involving 12 participants selected from a larger cohort of 24 final-year university students who were part of a group-based training programme. The programme was about how to search, retrieve, and use web-based literature. Empirical data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The purpose was to explore ways of using information and communication technology (ICT) in student teachers' everyday learning practice. The study draws from a sociocultural perspective and emphasis is put on a literature review involving ICT in teacher education. The findings reveal that utilization of ICT pertains to three major types of variation among student teachers who use ICT: passive, reluctant, and active users. The active ICT users demonstrated a capacity to cross group boundaries and play a central role as agents of change in learning practice. The point is that more experienced student teachers can assist their colleagues in the zone of proximal development and, therefore, enhance the integration of the new technology in teacher education. This implies that having access to ICT together with some instruction is not sufficient to prompt students to start using this technology as a pedagogical tool. Moreover, confrontation of different experiences regarding the use of ICT can spearhead change in student teachers' learning practice through critical reflection.     

Predictors of high-risk alcohol consumption in young offenders on community orders: Policy and treatment implications.

The present study examined the relationship between a set of individual and contextual variables and high-risk alcohol use among young offenders placed on community orders in New South Wales, Australia. Participants (n = 777) were compared on a set of factors known to be strong predictors of high-risk alcohol use among adolescents. The authors assessed the strength of the relationship between gender, age, ethnicity, geographical region of residence, school attendance, father absence, history of childhood trauma, and the presence of severe conduct disorder on weekly levels of alcohol use. Living in rural locations, not currently attending school, being female, and not having been raised with a biological father present were associated with significantly increased odds of alcohol abuse. Father absence was a more important risk factor for rural young offenders, but school dropout was associated with more hazardous drinking among young offenders in urban areas. Accordingly, the authors suggest family-focused intervention programs for young offenders living in rural areas and school-based programs for vulnerable young people living in urban areas, although programs should consider including both factors for both groups if feasible and warranted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

英语阅读理解障碍的认知与对策

英语阅读理解作为一项基本技能,越来越受到重视。不过,英语阅读还是一个复杂的心理过程,有许多影响有效阅读的因素。阅读时的思维过程、阅读习惯、生僻词汇、难懂句式、内在含义及背景知识等方面都是影响阅读的不利因素。教师和学生应充分认识阅读时存在的这些障碍,采取有效措施,提高大学生的英语阅读能力。     

Ethnic differences in social-emotional development in preschool: The impact of teacher child relationships and classroom quality.

Drawing from the National Center for Early Development and Learning (NCEDL) Multi-State Study of Prekindergarten and the State-Wide Early Education Programs Study (SWEEP), this study examined the effects of classroom and teacher variables on social-emotional development in prekindergarten. Results indicated that prekindergarten teachers rated males significantly higher in behavioral problems and lower in social competence than females. However, when teacher-child ethnic match was taken into consideration these differences were not present. In contrast to existing evidence, African American males in particular were no more likely to have teachers who report behavior problems than their Latino and White male peers. Implications for the prevention of behavioral problems are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)