Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This work is the report of a longitudinal study, conducted over a ten year period, of the influence of family relationships and genetic factors on competence and psychopathology in adolescent development. The sample for this landmark study included 720 pairs of same-sex adolescent siblings - including twins, half siblings, and genetically unrelated siblings 0 and their parents.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. ix)
• Preface (p. xi)
• Reader's Guide (p. xvii)
• 1 Introduction: Reconciling Social and Genetic Influences on Adolescent Development (p. 1)
• Part 1 Logical Tools for Analyzing Adolescent Development (p. 11)
• 2 Relationships and Adolescent Development (p. 13)
• 3 Genetic Influences on Development (p. 44)
• 4 Genetic Analysis of Adolescent Development (p. 69)
• 5 Studying Adolescent Siblings and Their Families (p. 103)
• Part 2 Genes and Relationships: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis (p. 145)
• 6 Thesis I: A Theory of Adolescents' Shared and Nonshared Family Relationships (p. 147)
• 7 Thesis II: Major Findings on Adolescents' Family Relationships (p. 168)
• 8 Antithesis I: Influences on Stability and Change in Adolescent Adjustment (p. 206)
• 9 Antithesis II: Influences on Stability and Change in Adolescents' Families (p. 243)
• 10 Antithesis III: Linking Family Relationships and Adolescent Development (p. 269)
• 11 Synthesis I: Genetic Influences on Change in Family Relationships and Adolescent Development (p. 309)
• 12 Synthesis II: The Relationship Code (p. 343)
• 13 Synthesis III: Genetically Informed Portrayals of Adolescents and Their Families (p. 385)
• 14 Epilogue: The Family (p. 417)
• Appendix A Explanation of Methods for Data Presented in Chapters 8 through 13 (p. 429)
• Appendix B Explanation of Results (p. 451)
• Appendix C Additional Genetic Analyses (p. 481)
• Glossary (p. 483)
• References (p. 489)
• Index of Tables and Figures (p. 511)
• General Index (p. 519)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This first volume in Harvard's new series presents the data from a 12-year longitudinal investigation of nonshared environmental influences involving 720 pairs of same-sex adolescent siblings. One unique aspect of this study is the fact that the sibling pairs represent six degrees of relationship, ranging from monozygotic twins to unrelated step siblings. The first part of the book introduces some central assumptions in both psychosocial and genetic research on psychological development; the second part presents the results of the study. The authors first discuss their results in relation to their thesis: nonshared aspects of the family are closely linked to levels of adolescent adjustment. They then look at the same results in relation to the antithesis--genetic factors have the strongest influence on adolescent adjustment. The discussion culminates in a synthesis that integrates previous findings into a unified "relationship code." All the information is presented in a highly readable format that does not presume any training in statistics. In addition, all the data are presented graphically rather than in tables, which aids in highlighting the key patterns in the information. Highly recommended for all graduate students, researchers, and professionals interested in adolescent development or in empirical investigations into the impact of family systems on development. S. Hensch; University of Wisconsin Colleges

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Is a professor emeritus, department of Psychology, University of Virginia.

(Bowker Author Biography)