Wyndol C. Furman - US grants

The role of siblings in development and adjustment has received less attention than the roles of parents or peers. Until recently, most of the research was primarily concerned with family constellation variables. In contrast, this project focuses on the qualitative features of the sibling relationship--i.e. the warmth, conflict, relative power, and rivalry in the relationship. A model is proposed in which such qualitative features are not only expected to be affected by constellation variables, but also by each child's relationships with parents, the relative quality of the two children's relationships with parents, the parental management of the sibling relationships, the martial relationship, the two children's social and personality characteristics, and the intermeshing of those characeristics. This project will develop new means of assessing these features, examine how the different factors in the model are associated with individual differences in sibling relationships, and examine how sibling relationships differ from other relationships. Six studies are planned. The first study examines the relations among parent-child relationships, parental management of sibling relationships, marital relationships, and school-aged children's sibling relationships, using questionnaire, interview, and observational data. The second study addresses similar issues in a sample of preschool children. The third study compares and contrasts relationships with handicapped and nonhandicapped siblings and examines the variation in such relationships. The fourth study examines the role of individual children's characteristics and the intermeshing of such characteristics. The fifth study examines twins' and closely-spaced siblings interactions with each other and friends. The final study compares children's interactions with older siblings and parents. Thus a range of topics will be studied, using a number of different methodological approaches. The findings should lead to a better understanding of the nature of sibling relationships and their role in the social network.

Children with peer relationship problems have been shown to be poorly adjusted and risk subsequent problems in mental health and social adjustment. Social skills training, social cognitive interventions, and co-operative group programs are promising approaches for treating these problems in the classroom. These approaches, however, have several limitations: a) the evaluation of programs has often been limited, particularly in terms of observational measures, the assessment of implementation, and the determination of whether effects are maintained; b) studies have not determined whether classroom-based programs affect children with peer relationship problems as well as those without; and c) the programs are usually implemented by research investigators or a select group of teachers. It is unclear if ordinary teachers can or will implement such programs such programs and if they do, how well they can implement them and whether changes will be effected in themselves or their students. In the proposed study, teachers will be provided workshops and consultation on peer intervention programs. One school will receive the consultation program during the first and second year, whereas a second school will serve as a control and not begin to receive it until the second year. Data will be collected at the beginning and end of the first two years and at the beginning of the third. The evaluation includes measures of: a) principals' perceptions of teachers, b) teachers' attitudes toward and use of peer intervention programs, c) teacher ratings of children's social skills and individual problems, d) children's perceptions of peer relations, school life, and their own competence, e) sociometric measures, and f) children's classroom interactions. Measures of implantation (level of usage, innovation configurations, and stage of concern) will be collected every six weeks. Although the primary focus is on stage of implantation, the study address several methodological and theoretical issues as well.

DESCRIPTION (adapted from the investigator's abstract): Romantic relationships are central in adolescents' social life and emotional experiences, and have important implications for socio-emotional adjustment and health. Surprisingly little work, however, has been done on these relationships. In our current grant, we examined the pattern of relations among adolescents' romantic relationships, their cognitive views of different close relationships, and psychosocial adjustment. Specifically. 197 high school seniors were interviewed thrice about their romantic relationships, friendships, and relationships with parents, completed questionnaires, and were observed with partners. Significant links were found among their relationships, views, and adjustment. These results are encouraging, but are limited by their cross-sectional nature. We propose to extend this research up by conducting a longitudinal study to a) describe the developmental course of romantic views and relationships, b) to examine how romantic views and relationships are related, c) to examine how they are related to views and qualities of other relationships, and d) to examine the links with sexual behavior and psycho-social adjustment. Multi-agent, multi-method data will be gathered from a cohort of 200 tenth grade adolescents with three subsequent waves collected yearly. In the first wave, adolescents will be observed interacting with their romantic partner, a close friend, and mother; they will be interviewed three times to assess their views of these close relationships. In the following waves, they will be interviewed about romantic relationships and observed with their partners. Questionnaires about relationships, sexual behavior, and adjustment will be gathered from multiple agents at all waves. Latent growth curve analyses will examine the predictors and outcomes of individual romantic and sexual development. The findings will have important implications for understanding adolescents' romantic and sexual behavior and the health problems associated with them.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Romantic relationships are central in adolescents' social lives and emotional experiences, and have important implications for socio-emotional adjustment and mental health. During the current funding period of this grant (RO1-MH50106), we have been examining the pattern of relations among adolescents' romantic relationships, their other close relationships, sexual activity, substance use, and mental health. We have been following a sample of 200 adolescents who were recruited in the 10th grade and will be seen for 4 years (with 99+ percent retention after 3 years). Observations, interviews, and questionnaires are gathered from the adolescents. Their parents, friends, and partners also provide information about their relationships and mental health. Consistent with our theoretical model and the grant's aims, we have found: a) developmental changes in these relationships, b) links with other close relationships, and c) evidence that romantic experiences may both promote healthy adjustment and be linked to problems in mental health, including risky sexual behavior, depression and other internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and substance use. This application is for a competing continuation to examine the course of their romantic experience in the period of emerging adulthood. Using the same multi-method, multi-agent approach as in the prior waves, we propose to gather three additional assessments spaced 18 months apart. Major new aims are: 1) to examine development, continuity, and change in romantic relationships and experience from adolescence into and during the critical period of emerging adulthood, 2) to determine the degree to which past romantic experience and experiences in other close relationships are predictive of romantic experience in the emerging adulthood years and, 3) to determine the degree to which romantic experiences are predictive of adjustment and mental health problems in the emerging adulthood years as well as how adjustment and mental health problems are predictive of problematic romantic experience in merging adulthood. The findings will contribute both to basic theories of psychosocial development and to prevention science. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Romantic relationships are central in adolescents' social lives and emotional experiences, and have important implications for socio-emotional adjustment and mental health. During the current funding period of this grant (RO1-MH50106), we have been examining the pattern of relations among adolescents' romantic relationships, their other close relationships, sexual activity, substance use, and mental health. We have been following a sample of 200 adolescents who were recruited in the 10th grade and will be seen for 4 years (with 99+ percent retention after 3 years). Observations, interviews, and questionnaires are gathered from the adolescents. Their parents, friends, and partners also provide information about their relationships and mental health. Consistent with our theoretical model and the grant's aims, we have found: a) developmental changes in these relationships, b) links with other close relationships, and c) evidence that romantic experiences may both promote healthy adjustment and be linked to problems in mental health, including risky sexual behavior, depression and other internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and substance use. This application is for a competing continuation to examine the course of their romantic experience in the period of emerging adulthood. Using the same multi-method, multi-agent approach as in the prior waves, we propose to gather three additional assessments spaced 18 months apart. Major new aims are: 1) to examine development, continuity, and change in romantic relationships and experience from adolescence into and during the critical period of emerging adulthood, 2) to determine the degree to which past romantic experience and experiences in other close relationships are predictive of romantic experience in the emerging adulthood years and, 3) to determine the degree to which romantic experiences are predictive of adjustment and mental health problems in the emerging adulthood years as well as how adjustment and mental health problems are predictive of problematic romantic experience in merging adulthood. The findings will contribute both to basic theories of psychosocial development and to prevention science. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a competing continuation application to conduct theoretically-driven research to determine the relations between romantic relationships and psychosocial adjustment and mental health. We have been following a sample of 200 youth who were recruited in the 10th grade and have been studied for the last 10 years with a very high retention rate. By the end of this grant period we will have collected 8 waves of data including observations, interviews and questionnaires. Their parents, friends and romantic partners also completed measures about their relationships and mental health. We have examined the youth when they were adolescents (14-19 yrs. old) and emerging adults (20-25 yrs. old). We propose to extend the work to examine the adult years of 26 to 30 years of age, which is the period when relationships typically become more interdependent, with the majority cohabiting or marrying. Our aims are: 1) To examine continuity and change in romantic experiences from adolescence and emerging adulthood into and during adulthood when many become involved in more interdependent relationships, such as cohabitation and marriage;2) To determine the degree to which past and present romantic experiences affect adjustment, mental health and risk in adulthood, and conversely, how adjustment, mental health and risk affect romantic experiences in adulthood;and 3) To determine the degree to which past romantic experiences, current relationship cognitions, ongoing interpersonal processes, the characteristics of the person and the characteristics of the partner are interrelated and affect the future course of the relationship, adjustment and mental health. To meet these aims, we propose to collect three additional waves of interview, observational and multi-agent questionnaire data, and spaced 18 months apart. We also propose to gather diary data from couples to assess key processes of daily interaction such as support, conflict, jealousy and reactivity. The project is designed to identify risk and protective factors and processes. Thus, it will contribute both to basic theories of psychosocial development and to prevention science. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This project examines the association between young adults'relationships and multiple facets of adjustment and mental health, including interpersonal competence, depression and other internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, substance use, sexual behavior, risky sexual behavior and sexual victimization. We examine the long-term consequences of adolescent and emerging adult's romantic experiences and the precursors of mental health adjustment in adulthood.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a competing continuation application to conduct theoretically-driven research to determine the relations between romantic relationships and psychosocial adjustment and mental health. We have been following a sample of 200 youth who were recruited in the 10th grade and have been studied for the last 10 years with a very high retention rate. By the end of this grant period we will have collected 8 waves of data including observations, interviews and questionnaires. Their parents, friends and romantic partners also completed measures about their relationships and mental health. We have examined the youth when they were adolescents (14-19 yrs. old) and emerging adults (20-25 yrs. old). We propose to extend the work to examine the adult years of 26 to 30 years of age, which is the period when relationships typically become more interdependent, with the majority cohabiting or marrying. Our aims are: 1) To examine continuity and change in romantic experiences from adolescence and emerging adulthood into and during adulthood when many become involved in more interdependent relationships, such as cohabitation and marriage; 2) To determine the degree to which past and present romantic experiences affect adjustment, mental health and risk in adulthood, and conversely, how adjustment, mental health and risk affect romantic experiences in adulthood; and 3) To determine the degree to which past romantic experiences, current relationship cognitions, ongoing interpersonal processes, the characteristics of the person and the characteristics of the partner are interrelated and affect the future course of the relationship, adjustment and mental health. To meet these aims, we propose to collect three additional waves of interview, observational and multi-agent questionnaire data, and spaced 18 months apart. We also propose to gather diary data from couples to assess key processes of daily interaction such as support, conflict, jealousy and reactivity. The project is designed to identify risk and protective factors and processes. Thus, it will contribute both to basic theories of psychosocial development and to prevention science.