S. Shirley Feldman

Uplifts, Hassles, and Adaptational Outcomes in Early Adolescents

The relationship of daily uplifts and hassles to adaptational outcomes has gained increasing attention in recent years. However, investigators have focused considerably more on hassles than uplifts. In an attempt to rectify this trend, the present study examines the relationship of uplifts and hassles to anxiety, depression, distress, self-restraint, perceived sup-port from friends, perceived social competence, and general self-worth in a sample of 23 sixth graders (141 girls). Results indicate that both hassles and uplifts are substantially related to these outcomes in the expected direction, with the exception of a modest positive association between uplift and anxiety for girls. Moreover, in most cases uplifts add significantly to the relationship between hassles and outcomes, thus high-lighting the importance of uplifts. Other findings idicate that uplifts/hassles patterns vary as a function of gender and the particular outcome being considered. Similarities to and differences from adult findings are discussed in regard to gender-role and general development.

The Nature and Stability of Ethnic Identity in Chinese Youth Effects of Length of Residence in Two Cultural Contexts

This study explored the ethnic identity of first- and second-generation Chinese-Australian and Chinese-American adolescents. Ethnic identity was assessed by: ethnic identification, the extent to which individuals engaged in culturally expected behaviors and their knowledge of the culture, the importance of maintaining these behaviors, and the value ascribed to their ethnic origins. Responses of Chinese-Australians and Chinese-Americans were remarkably similar. There was erosion over time of ethnic identification and behaviors/knowledge but not of the importance and evaluative components of ethnic identity. No change over time occurred in individualism-collectivism, nor did this measure relate substantially to the ethnic identity measures. Correlations between ethnic identity measures were low to moderate, suggesting that these facets of ethnic identity overlap but are not identical. The importance of analyzing separately distinctive components of ethnic identity was confirmed. Despite some attrition over time of the most external aspects of that identity, those that are more internal are more resistant to change.

The Acculturation of Autonomy Expectations in Chinese High Schoolers Residing in 'Iwo Western Nations

Abstract In two studies. conducted in the United States and Australia. first-and second-generation high schoolers of Chinese descent, together with adolescents from the host culture (Euro-Americans and Anglo-Australians) and from Hong Kong were asked about their age expectations for behavioral autonomy. ANOVAS of 19 items and the total Tan Timetable score revealed that in both countries acculturation was very gradual. On many items second generation Chinese students were more like their Hong Kong than their Western counterparts. Rate of acculturation varied with domain, with age expectations for heterosexual interactions showing the least influence of the host culture. Discriminant analyses revealed that using all 19 items, the groups of subjects could be placed in their cultural/generational groups significantly better than by chance. Results were interpreted in terms of cultural beliefs and special factors faced by immigrant families.

Depressive Affect and Restraint in Early Adolescents: Relationships with Family Structure, Family Process and Friendship Support

This study investigates the relationship between depressive affect and restraint and family and friendship variables in 103 unselected sixth graders (56 girls). Family measures included family structure (intact vs. two-parent families) and four family processes; communication with father, communication with mother, family cohesion and family adaptability. In addition, friendship support was assessed. Family structure was related to depression, but not after family processes were partialled out. Stepwise multiple regression models indicated that family cohesion and friendship support accounted for more than 50 percent of the variance in depressive affect. A high risk group for depressive affect was identified: Adolescents from single parent families with low friendship support had scores in the clinically depressed range. Restraint was best predicted by gender and mother-adolescent communication in the regression models, whereas family structure and friendship support did not account for further variance. Both depression and restraint were related to the number of stressors. The implications for the etiology of depressive affect and behavior problems were discussed.

Conflict negotiation tactics in romantic relationships in high school students

To investigate how teenagers deal with conflict in romantic relationships, 869 high school students (mean age 16, range 14–19), experienced in romantic relations, completed a conflict tactic scale (adapted from Rands et al., 1981, and Straus, 1979). A principal components analysis revealed six factors, which in descending frequency of use were Compromise, Distraction, Avoidance, Overt Anger, Seeking Social Support, and Violence. Conflict tactics varied as a function of demographic characteristics. Specifically, older teens used Compromise more than younger; girls used Compromise and Overt Anger more and Distraction less than boys; African-Americans used Violence more and Compromise less than European-Americans, whereas Asian-Americans used Distraction and Avoidance more than European-Americans. To assess predictors of conflict tactics, teens also completed scales assessing self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965), immature and mature defense mechanisms (Araujo and Steiner, 1998, under review) and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors (Achenbach, 1966). Each of these was singly and jointly associated with the use of conflict tactics. In multiple regression analyses, the externalizing problem score best predicted Overt Anger and Violence in dealing with romantic conflict, the internalizing problem score best predicted Avoidance and Distraction; whereas the mature defense mechanism score was the best predictor of seeking Social Support and Compromise.

The transition from expectancy to parenthood: Impact of the firstborn child on men and women

In this short-term longitudinal study, 31 middle-class primigravidae and their husbands were seen once during the last trimester of pregnancy and again when their infants were 6 months old. At both times, a common core of self-assessment instruments was administered: mood scales, social change ratings, anticipation/experience of parenthood, and a modified Bem satisfaction scale. Some additional items were given at parenthood. For both men and women, expectancy was marked by optimism and contentment, despite some emotional and physical strain. Similarly, as parents of an infant, subjects rated the experience as highly positive. However, the transition to parenthood involved major role upheaval with both more positive and more negative changes reported by women than men. Despite these changes, women displayed considerable stability in mood and self-satisfaction over time and situation. In contrast, measures of the anticipation and self-reported experience of parenthood revealed no consistency for women; the types of mothers they turned out to be were unrelated to their expectations. Men successfully predicted their parenting behavior on more than half of the dimensions measured. The results were discussed in terms of the stresses inherent in role changes encountered during transitions from one stage of life to the next.

Defense mechanisms in adolescents as a function of age, sex, and mental health status.

OBJECTIVE To modify an existing instrument to provide a valid assessment of defense mechanisms in adolescents and to examine defense structure and usage as a function of age, sex, and mental health status. METHOD Six hundred ninety-three subjects (187 nonclinic adolescents, 229 internalizing females, 99 incarcerated male delinquents, and 178 nonclinic adults) completed the modified Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ), which yielded 19 defense scores. RESULTS Factor analyses of the 19 defense scores on the adolescent sample yielded three factors: Immature, Mature, and Prosocial Defenses. These were similar to those from studies of adults. Additional factor analyses were conducted on defense scores of subjects grouped by age, sex, and mental health status. The Immature and Mature Factors were relatively consistent across groups, but the Prosocial Factor varied by group. Multivariate analyses of variance and analyses of variance on individual and composite defense scores revealed differences by age, sex, and mental health status. CONCLUSIONS Although the modified DSQ needs further work to improve its psychometric properties, it is clearly fruitful to assess adolescent defense mechanisms. Results from extant studies of adults and males on the structure of defenses cannot be validly extrapolated to other age groups and to females.

Assessment of mother-child interaction in preschoolers with behavior problems

Abstract Sixty-four mothers and children, aged 24 to 54 months, were studied in three groups: a clinically-referred group of children with behavior problems, a clinic group with behavior problems and delayed development, and a matched comparison group. Mother-child dyads were seen in a session adapted from a problem-solving procedure and were scored on their approach to tasks, relationship, and separation-reunion behavior. Mothers reported on childrens behavior using a Problem Behavior Checklist. Results showed that behavior of dyads varied as a function of problem group. Clinic mothers were less supportive and helpful in assisting their children than comparison group mothers. Clinic children had difficulty in relationships with their mothers but only delayed children had difficulty with the tasks. Childrens behaviors reported on the Checklist tended to match their behavior as observed in the play session. Discriminant analysis predicted problem group for 93% of the dyads. Semistructured play assessment can be an easily used diagnostic tool for understanding the role of the relationship in childrens problem behavior.

Sexual Betrayal Among Late Adolescents: Perspectives of the Perpetrator and the Aggrieved

The present study investigates the occurrence and experience of sexual betrayal in adolescents and young adults from the perspectives of both the perpetrator and the aggrieved. Subjects (N = 216) who had been in monogamous relationships were asked whether they had ever cheated on their partner (by petting or having sexual relations with another) and whether their partner had ever cheated on them. Subjects also reported their motives and reactions and the consequences associated with these betrayals. Approximately two-thirds of the sample had experienced betrayal, as the perpetrator, the aggrieved, or both. Perpetrators typically know their betrayal partners and are motivated by sexual attraction, the regular partners absence, and the influence of drugs or alcohol. Although 42% of betrayals are not discovered by the aggrieved, the majority of those that are discovered result from confessions by the perpetrator. As expected, those who are betrayed generally react with anger or sadness. Perpetrators often feel guilty, but also report a number of positive emotions, suggesting that betrayal may play an important role as adolescents struggle to establish their identities. Gender differences were absent in the incidence, motives, and experience of sexual betrayal. Results are interpreted in terms of competing demands of intimacy and identity formation.

Defense reactions and coping strategies in normal adolescents

In exploring the relationship between defense reactions and coping strategies in a non-clinic sample of adolescents (N = 81), we assessed: defense structure by the Bond Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ); coping behaviors by the Coping Responses Inventory-Youth Form (CRI-Youth); and general adjustment by Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) ratings. Defense reactions and coping strategies were modestly associated and made independent contributions in predicting the GAF. Mature and immature defenses and avoidance coping comprised the optimal combination in predicting the GAF, accounting for 20% of GAF variance. It is therefore important to assess both unconscious and conscious processes when assessing general functioning in normal adolescents.