Delinquency, victimization, and substance use among adolescents with female same-sex parents.

The question of whether parental sexual orientation has an impact on human development has important implications for psychological theories and for legal policy. This study examined associations among family type (same-sex vs. different-sex parents), family and relationship variables, substance use, delinquency, and victimization of adolescents. Participants included 44 adolescents living with female same-sex couples and 44 adolescents living with different-sex couples, matched on demographic characteristics and drawn from a national sample. Analyses indicated that adolescents were functioning well and that their adjustment was not associated with family type. Adolescents whose parents described closer relationships with them reported less delinquent behavior and substance use, suggesting that the quality of parent-adolescent relationships better predicts adolescent outcomes than does family type. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Same-sex and opposite-sex best friend interactions among high school juniors and seniors

Eighteen adolescents were videotaped during same-sex and opposite-sex interactions in the eleventh and twelfth grades. In both grades, females felt more comfortable during same-sex interactions than during opposite-sex interactions, and they rated their same-sex partners more positively than did males. Females in both grades and males in eleventh grade showed more peer intimacy than did males in twelfth grade. Eleventh-grade females showed the most playful behaviors (the most engaged state). More synchrony (matching of behavior) was found for the animated state in the twelfth grade as compared with the eleventh grade.     

Victimization, social support, and psychosocial functioning among children of same-sex and opposite-sex couples in the United Kingdom.

To further develop an understanding of psychological and social functioning of children raised by lesbian couples, the authors compared 18 students ages 12-16 raised in families led by female same-sex couples, who were identified from a large school-based survey, with 18 matched students raised by opposite-sex couples and the general student sample. Comparisons were made on factors including victimization, social support, and psychological functioning. Results indicate that those students raised by female same-sex couples did not differ significantly from those raised by opposite-sex couples or the general student sample in terms of reports of victimization, psychological functioning, experience of common adolescent concerns, or prospective use of support outlets provided by family and peers. However, children of same-sex couples reported significantly less likelihood of using school-based support than did children of opposite-sex couples or the general student sample. Findings indicate the need for school administrators, teachers, and psychologists to be knowledgeable of and provide appropriate support and resources for these children. Additional implications for research and application are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychosocial functioning and family environment of depressed adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This study examined measures of functional impairment and family relations in a sample of 62 adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 38 normal controls with no history of psychiatric illness. METHOD: Ratings of the following domains were obtained: mother-child relations, father-child relations, spousal relations, sibling relations, peer relations, and school performance. Ratings of each domain for the 3-month period preceding the assessment were derived from information obtained using a semistructured interview administered independently to the adolescents and one of their parents. RESULTS: Adolescents with MDD were found to have severe difficulties in all areas. Ninety percent of the depressed adolescents had scores greater than 2 SD above the mean of the normal controls on one or more of the domain ratings. In addition, adolescents with difficulties in parent-child relations were more likely than those adolescents without problems in family relations to have difficulties in peer relations and school performance. CONCLUSIONS: The authors discuss the importance of systematically examining psychosocial variables in future studies of the etiology, course, and treatment of MDD in adolescents.     

Same-sex and cross-sex help exchanges in the classroom.

For this study, we combined interviews and naturalistic observations of the same children to examine same-sex and cross-sex help exchanges in reading and math classes among third- and fifth-grade boys and girls. Overall, girls were perceived by their classmates to be more academically competent and more likable as helpers than were boys. Nevertheless, girls were not the targets of cross-sex help seeking more than boys were. Both boys and girls sought help more frequently from same-sex than from opposite-sex classmates. When help seeking occurred between opposite-sex classmates, girls were more likely than boys to report liking these helpers as much as their same-sex helpers. The implications of these findings for children's learning and peer status are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of postweaning social experience on response of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus) toward young.

Between 18 and 50 days of age, 83 male and 66 female Siberian hamsters were housed either with (a) same-sex littermates; (b) opposite-sex littermates; (c) opposite-sex littermates and parents; or (d) opposite-sex littermates, parents, and a younger litter. When adults, Ss were presented with 2 3–8 day old pups for 8 hrs, and their responses were recorded. Rearing conditions did not affect behavior of females. Males housed with female littermates in the absence of a younger litter showed fewer pup attacks and more nesting with pups than did males housed only with other males. Thus, housing with females in the early postweaning period may influence males' adult responses toward pups. Only among Ss housed with same-sex littermates did males and females differ in their response to pups, a result emphasizing that sex differences in behavior may depend on early social rearing. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multisystemic treatment of juvenile offenders: Effects on adolescent behavior and family interaction.

57 delinquent adolescents received family ecological treatment, 23 delinquent adolescents received an alternative treatment, and 44 normal adolescents served as developmental controls. The mean age of the adolescents at pretreatment was 14.8 yrs. Pre- and posttreatment assessments were conducted with the adolescent and his/her parents. Measures included the Behavior Problem Checklist, the Eysenck Personality Inventory, and self-report and observational measures of family relations. Ss who received family ecological treatment evidenced significant decreases in conduct problems, anxious-withdrawn behaviors, immaturity, and association with delinquent peers. The mother–adolescent and marital relations in these families were significantly warmer, and Ss were significantly more involved in family interaction. In contrast, the families who received the alternative treatment evidenced no positive change and showed deterioration in affective relations. The normal families manifested relationship changes that were consistent with those identified by investigators of normal adolescent development. Findings support a multisystemic model of behavior disorders and treatment. (59 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Three-year follow-up of same-sex couples who had civil unions in Vermont, same-sex couples not in civil unions, and heterosexual married couples.

This study was a 3-year follow-up of 65 male and 138 female same-sex couples who had civil unions in Vermont during the 1st year of that legislation. These couples were compared with 23 male and 61 female same-sex couples in their friendship circles who did not have civil unions and with 55 heterosexual married couples (1 member of each was a sibling to a member of a civil union couple). Despite the legalized nature of their relationships, civil union couples did not differ on any measure from same-sex couples who were not in civil unions. However, same-sex couples not in civil unions were more likely to have ended their relationships than same-sex civil union or heterosexual married couples. Compared with heterosexual married participants, both types of same-sex couples reported greater relationship quality, compatibility, and intimacy and lower levels of conflict. Longitudinal predictors of relationship quality at Time 2 included less conflict, greater level of outness, and a shorter relationship length for men in same-sex relationships and included less conflict and more frequent sex for women in same-sex relationships at Time 1. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Girlfriend, boyfriend: Age and sex differences in intimate friendship.

Investigated changes in intimate friendship with same- and opposite-sex friends in preadolescence and adolescence, using the Intimacy Scale. Ss were Israeli children from the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades (60 boys and 60 girls from each grade), who rated their friendship with a same- or opposite-sex best friend. There was a significant age difference in overall intimacy with same-sex friends. Frankness and spontaneity, knowing and sensitivity, attachment, exclusiveness, and giving and sharing were factors that changed with age. Trust and loyalty, and taking and imposing did not. Opposite-sex friendship revealed a significant increase in intimacy with age. Boys and girls did not differ in reported opposite-sex friendship in the 5th and 7th grades, whereas girls in the 9th and 11th grades reported higher intimacy than did boys. This sex-by-age pattern of interaction was particularly evident for attachment and for trust and loyalty. Girls were higher in knowing and sensitivity, giving and sharing, and taking and imposing. The implications for further differentiation among types of peer relations and interrelation of dyadic friendship and cognitive growth are discussed. (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of family relationship quality and testosterone levels in adolescents' peer experiences: A biosocial analysis.

Grounded in a biosocial model, this study examines the interaction between adolescents' testosterone levels and qualities of the parent-adolescent and sibling-adolescent relationship in adolescents' peer experiences and contributes to empirical research on the role of biological factors and family socialization processes in adolescents' peer competence and involvement. Participants included 331 adolescents (M=14.68 years of age, SD=1.53) and their mothers and fathers in 173 families. During home visits, data were collected from family members regarding adolescents' family relationships, peer relationships, and psychosocial adjustment; daily time-use data were gathered during a series of 7 nightly phone interviews; and testosterone levels were assessed through saliva samples. Hierarchical regression results revealed that when boys had close relationships with mothers and sisters, testosterone was positively associated with their peer competence and involvement. Discussion focuses on the value of exploring biosocial interactions and highlights the particular importance of boys' relationships with opposite-sex family members in efforts to understand their peer experiences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The interpersonal structure of family interaction settings: Parent–adolescent relations in dyads and triads.

Observed parental interactive patterns in the presence (a triadic setting) and in the absence (a dyadic setting) of the spouse in 44 families with 16 female and 28 male early adolescents (approximately 13 yrs old). Findings indicate that in accordance with hypotheses, the presence of the father enhanced the quality of mother–son relations, whereas the presence of the mother reduced the quality of father–son relations. The presence of the spouse influenced the extent to which parents treated girls and boys differently: Mothers differentiated more between girls and boys in the presence of the spouse, whereas fathers differentiated more between girls and boys in the absence of the spouse. Relative to the dyad, parental role differentiation increased in the triad but only in families of boys. In demonstrating interdependencies among family relationships and the responsivity of parental behaviors to the interpersonal structure of interaction settings, the results support a systems model of family processes. Implications for the study of family relations and sex typing at early adolescence are discussed. (60 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adult romantic relationships as contexts of human development: A multimethod comparison of same-sex couples with opposite-sex dating, engaged, and married dyads.

This article presents a multimethod, multi-informant comparison of community samples of committed gay male (n=30) and lesbian (n=30) couples with both committed (n=50 young engaged and n=40 older married) and noncommitted (n=109 exclusively dating) heterosexual pairs. Specifically, in this study the quality of same- and opposite-sex relationships was examined at multiple levels of analysis via self-reports and partner reports, laboratory observations, and measures of physiological reactivity during dyadic interactions. Additionally, individuals in same-sex, engaged, and marital relationships were compared with one another on adult attachment security as assessed through the coherence of participants' narratives about their childhood experiences. Results indicated that individuals in committed same-sex relationships were generally not distinguishable from their committed heterosexual counterparts, with one exception--lesbians were especially effective at working together harmoniously in laboratory observations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The early development of sex-differentiated patterns of social influence.

Examined the verbal social influence styles of 36 boys and girls aged 41–52 mo and 38 boys and girls aged 54–66 mo. Ss were observed in the classroom for 36 min each, over several months. Results indicate that boys emitted a greater number of influence attempts than girls and that this was almost entirely due to their greater use of direct forms of requests. This sex-differentiation in the use of direct requests became more pronounced with age. In contrast, girls increased their use of indirect forms of influence between the ages of 3 and 5 yrs. Success of peer influence attempts towards boys decreased with age from 3 to 5 yrs, especially attempts of the indirect type, while success of attempts toward girls remained relatively stable with age. Girls' direct requests were more successful toward same-sex than opposite-sex peers. These patterns are discussed in terms of the role they might play in perpetuating the rigidity with which children establish same-sex groups during the preschool period. (French abstract) (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparability of cross-sex scores in the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory.

Scores on the male and female scales of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory were compared for 310 male and 215 female entering college students to evaluate the claim that the male scales should be used with female counselees. For the 37 same-name occupations, results show many substantial differences between scores on the 2 scales; not more than half the correlations between scales could be considered high, and differences in scores for individuals ranged as high as 44 standard-score points. Both males and females tended to score higher on the opposite-sex scales, a phenomenon previously attributed only to women. The many complex relationships between scores on the 2 sets of scales support D. Campbell's (1974) statement that, technically speaking, only same-sex scores should be interpreted by a counselee. Results suggest that possible interest in an occupation should be inferred from high scores on similar occupations based on same-sex norms rather than from opposite-sex scores. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pioneers in Partnership: Lesbian and Gay Male Couples in Civil Unions Compared With Those Not in Civil Unions and Married Heterosexual Siblings.

This study compared 212 lesbians and 123 gay men who had civil unions in Vermont (during the first year legislation made this available) with 166 lesbians and 72 gay men in their friendship network who had not had civil unions, and also with 219 heterosexual married women and 193 heterosexual married men consisting of civil union couples' siblings and their spouses. Married heterosexual couples had been together longer and had more traditional division of labor and child care than did lesbians and gay men in both types of couples. Lesbians in civil unions were more open about their sexual orientation than those not in civil unions, and gay men in civil unions were closer to their family of origin than gay men not in civil unions. This is the first study on same-sex couples with civil unions, and the first to compare lesbians and gay men with their married siblings. At a time of legal changes for same-sex couples, these results indicate that legalized same-sex relationships are related to visibility of same-sex couples to their family and the general public. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parent/child relationships in single-parent families.

The growing number of single-parent families has not been matched by an increase in our understanding of their family functioning. This study examined parent/child perceptions of relationships and actual interactions as a function of family structure. Participants were 28 Grade 10 adolescents and 28 parents, representing matched groups of mothers and fathers from 1- and 2-parent families. They completed a questionnaire regarding the quality of their relationship, were interviewed about their conflicts, and then participated in a parent/child discussion session. Both children and parents in single-parent families were found to be somewhat ambivalent in their relationships, with both greater intimacy and heightened conflict than evidenced in 2-parent families, as well as less adequate ego functioning when dealing with conflicts. No support was found, however, for the commonly held notion that children in single-parent families fare better in the custody of same-sex parents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The child as elicitor of parental sanctions for independent and dependent behavior: A simulation of parent-child interaction.

32 mothers and 32 fathers were shown videotapes of boys and girls performing independent and dependent behaviors. Ss were asked what they would do or say in response to the child being viewed and their responses were recorded. 13 categories of parental response and certain combinations of the categories were analyzed to examine the differential impact of childrens' independent and dependent behavior, and hypotheses regarding the reactions of cross-sex vs same-sex parents. Dependent behavior in children elicited greater encouragement of dependence and directiveness from parents, whereas independent behavior elicited greater encouragement of independence and nondirectiveness. The opposite-sex parent did not respond more directively, but the same-sex parent did respond more nondirectively. Mothers encouraged greater dependence than fathers when children were dependent, and showed a greater shift in their rewarding than fathers as children changed from independent to dependent behavior. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Significance of family relations for coping with psychological disorders--results of an empirical study of therapy prognosis of children and adolescents with psychological disorders

The importance of family relations for the therapy of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents is discussed reporting results from an empirical study carried out in an inpatient sample of a child and adolescent psychiatric unit with regard to the quality of mother-child resp, father-child relation and its influence on coping processes. Whether adolescents suffering from a psychiatric disorder are able to cope with their problems during the course of a therapy, depends on their individual and social resources. Therapy outcome is to a great extent influenced by the emotional quality of their family relations. Hostility and rejection as well as unstructured and disorganized parental behavior contribute to a negative outcome. A differentiated analysis shows further that the relation between the adolescents and their fathers is particularly important for therapy prognosis. Nevertheless, one has to consider the respective relations with both parents for therapy prognosis, as problems with one parent may be partly compensated by a good relationship with the other parent. Finally, the cooperation between parents and clinical staff is discussed. Data and experiences show that interest and readiness of parents (mothers as well as fathers) for a close cooperation are higher than generally expected.     

The co-occurrence of depression and substance abuse in late adolescence

This article examines the role of adolescent social relationships in fostering the occurrence and co-occurrence of depression and substance abuse, using two waves of data from a community sample of adolescents (N = 900). Multinomial logistic response models were estimated to identify the extent to which risk and protective features of youths' family and peer relations were differentially linked with depressive symptoms, substance abuse, and their co-occurrence. Taking a within-person, configurational approach to adolescent adaptation, contrasts involved four subgroups of adolescents: those high on both depressed mood and substance abuse, those who experience neither problem, those evidencing high levels of depressive symptoms only, and those high on substance abuse only. Risk for depressive symptoms was differentiated by its association with conflict and lack of support in the friendship domain. Substance abuse was associated with negative peer pressure, but these youth were otherwise little different from youths with no problems. Whereas co-occurrence of depression and substance use was associated with more difficulties in both the family and peer environments, the most distinctive risk was that of low family support. Discussion centers on the developmental antecedents of co-occurring problems and family relations during adolescence.     

Individual, family, and peer characteristics of adolescent sex offenders and assaultive offenders.

This study examined the individual functioning, family relations, and peer relations of 60 male adolescents who were divided into 4 demographically matched groups (sex offenders, assaultive offenders, nonviolent offenders, and nondelinquent controls). Mothers and adolescents completed self-report inventories and a video-taped interaction task, and teachers completed a rating measure. Results showed that assaultive offenders' family relations were characterized by rigidity and low cohesion and that their peer relations evidenced high levels of aggression. Nevertheless, assaultive offenders and their mothers reported little anxiety or interpersonal discomfort. In contrast, sex offenders and their mothers reported high rates of neurotic symptoms, and the peer relations of sex offenders showed relatively low levels of emotional bonding. Implications for research and emerging theories of delinquency are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)