Data concerning delinquency, deviance, and development were collected on over 800 adolescents aged 10 to 17. Structural models were constructed to investigate the effects of development (pubertal development and physical development) on delinquency. The view that variables typically used to define delinquency form a unitary latent trait was rejected. Instead two moderately related traits (r =.28) were required: (1) Criminal Behavior as defined by theft, aggression, and vandalism and (2) Autonomy Seeking Behavior as defined by substance use, sexual experimentation, and sensation seeking behaviors. Gender effects were found in levels of criminal behavior whereas autonomy seeking behavior was not so differentiated. Age effected only autonomy seeking behavior while pubertal development effected both traits. Differential gender effects were discovered in the influence of age on autonomy seeking behavior and the effect of pubertal development on both traits. Girls appear to be more strongly influenced by pubertal development for both traits while boys appear to be more susceptible to age effects.

Dual-career couples are a rapidly growing population who face many challenges due to their complicated lifestyle. The qualitative case study method was employed to specifically explore the decision-making processes of three dual-career couples in order to broaden the knowledge base about these couples and to yield information that would facilitate the development of educational and counseling programs to better serve this population. The following methods were used to elicit information from the participants: audiotaped discussions of four career-related scenarios and individual responses to a short values survey. Factors identified in the couples' decision-making processes included money, geography (location), opportunities for career advancement, satisfactory job opportunities for both partners, family, future children, opportunity costs, career and personal happiness, and financial security. Recommendations for future research and suggestions for counselors, educators, and employers were made.

The Japanese family/firm analogy has been utilized in the past by anthropological and business scholars for the purposes of better understanding the traditional Japanese family household (the ie) and the modern-day firm. The purpose of this study is to determine the appropriateness and utility of this analogy. To accomplish this, the study reconstructs the analogy by describing the models and theories upon which it is based and then examines it from a critical viewpoint. The conclusions are mixed. The study finds that the family/firm analogy is applicable, but only within the narrow limits defined by the specific ie and modern firm models. The analogy suffers further from its misrepresentation of Japanese families and firms, internal contradictions, and a disregard for social, economic, and political contexts. What is ultimately lost through the use of the analogy is the great complexity and diversity of Japanese society.

The present study examined the possible predictors of precocious sexual behavior in 418 sibling pairs between the ages of 10 and 17. Sexual behavior was measured on a continuum ranging from dating to intercourse. Specific predictors examined included pubertal development, pubertal timing, parental affection, and the personality constructs under-control and extraversion. In addition, several moderating effects between the predictors were tested, none of which were significant. As an additional analysis, this study also examined the effects of precocious sexual activity among one sibling on the other sibling. Results revealed different predictive patterns for males than for females. For males, the personality variables proved to be the strongest predictors of precocious sexual behavior; whereas for females, pubertal timing, extraversion, and parental affection were the strongest predictors. Among sibling pairs, precocity of one sibling was most often the strongest predictor of precocious sexual behavior in the other sibling.

This study was designed to investigate if adult children who have returned home to live affect their parents' marital satisfaction. The contributing factors that preceded the return of these adult children were also examined. To measure marital satisfaction, the Kansas Marital Satisfaction (KMS) Scale was used. The Marital Conventionalization Scale (MCS) was also utilized to measure marital social desirability distortion. Seventy-seven married individuals, recruited from the general population, were divided into three subgroups consisting of parents whose adult children have either returned, departed from, or remained at home. Participants were administered a questionnaire containing specific questions regarding one's adult children along with the two test instruments. The findings indicate no significant differences in marital satisfaction between parents who have returning adult children and the other 2 subgroups. However, many factors (financial problems, college, divorce, etc.) contributing to an adult child's presence at home were discovered.

<p> The District of Columbia's Child and Family Services Agency introduced me to the family of two documented here. Photojournalism and audio clips depict the growing bond between a mother and adopted daughter, with unshared pasts to foster a new feeling of home. They have been together for just over a year. At the Adoptions Together Family Connections Conference (Maryland, Fall 2013), this photographic experience will be replicated for other adoptive families. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources: Administration for Children and Families, show that a child not adopted by the age of eight or nine reduces the chance of being adopted by half. A prevailing misconception of youth having difficulty bonding to new families is being disproven by research. Neuroplasticity suggests the brain is not a static organ. Later child adoption works more than generally recognized. This presentation shows success in the first person.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop and fund a project to add a mental health component that will serve former gang members and their families. The host agency for this project is Aztecs Rising in Los Angeles. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to build insight and knowledge about the gang culture, risk factors for joining gangs, risk factors for leaving gangs, and mental health needs that pertain to the gang population. A thorough search for potential funding sources led to the California Endowment as the funding source for this project. A grant application was developed to support this project. Submission of the actual grant was not a requirement of this thesis project.</p>

<p> Children enter foster care due to substance abusing-parents at a significant rate. Even when reunified, children are at risk for re-entry into care due to the nature of addiction. Child welfare agencies favor the mother as the caregiver and focus of services. Fathers are viewed as unnecessary or dangerous despite evidence of the benefits of their involvement. Evidence-based practices have been developed for women in substance abuse treatment, while limited advances have occurred for men. This is true in San Luis Obispo County, where mothers can receive evidence-based perinatal programs with enhanced contact with their children when compared to fathers. The purpose of this project was to create a grant proposal that could be submitted to obtain funding for a gender-responsive addiction treatment and attachment parenting program for fathers of children ages 0-5. Actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not a requirement for successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project is to develop a grant to fund a program to support transition age foster youth. Designed to be implemented within the nonprofit, Families Uniting Families, the program serves to help foster youth prepare for adult life through hands on training. This one year program consists of six workshops in the areas of mental health, health and wellness, social etiquette, money management, finding housing, and cooking, which will be facilitated by contracted professionals and experts. Use of funds will also include monetary incentives to be earned for participation to provide additional concrete support. The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation was selected as the funding source due to their focus on programs for youth. Actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not required for successful completion of this thesis project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the efficacy of naturebased therapies to increase the social functioning of foster care youth. A convenience sample of 10 youth and secondary data were used in this study. At a confidence level of .05, results indicated a significant relationship between the use of combined therapies and the promotion of peer-preferred behavior (<i>p</i> = .07) as well as prosocial behavior/social competence (<i>p</i> = .05). The effects of the remaining two scales (school adjustment and teacher preferred behavior) were not significant. Further research is required to explore the efficacy of the evaluated therapies for the purpose of promoting pro social behavior. Recommendations for future studies include random sampling, use of a control group, an extended evaluation period, and use of an instrument that measures the frequency of prosocial behaviors. </p>