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This article presents the findings of an interview case study of six family foundations. The study explored the impact of family dynamics on organizational structure, grant‐making procedures, board continuity, and board and staff interaction. The core finding was that developmental stage—as measured by generation, beginning with the founder—is of critical importance in understanding the operations of family foundations. The article concludes with a series of hypotheses for future research.

This longitudinal study examines patterns of emerging substance use among sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in two New England towns. The results show substantial levels of experimentation and use extending down to the sixth grade and variations in use level depending on the students' community, sex, race, and parents' marital status. This study also examines rates at which students were offered various substances and, by comparing use and offer rates, charts rejection/acceptance rates for the gateway substances across the three grades. The findings suggest the notion of critical periods for substance use initiation and underscore the importance of understanding these early use patterns as the first step in the design and implementation of primary prevention programs.

2 We have focused on family enterprise continuity as researchers, teachers, and consultants for over 30 years. Our firm has advised hundreds of business families from around the world, including the United States and Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

A primary prevention research project is described which tests an intervention model based on cognitive and interpersonal skill enhancement. Thirty-two classrooms of sixth grade students were randomly assigned to either Program or Control conditions, with Program classrooms receiving a twelve-session cognitive skill development curriculum aimed at reducing rates of substance use as measured by a drug use survey. Students in Program classrooms showed greater decision-making skills, including the ability to generate alternatives and to consider consequences and risks, greater ability to utilize social networks, and greater understanding of group roles, behavior, and alternatives. In addition, Program students reported less use of tobacco in the past year than Control Group students, but no differences between groups were found in use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs except for a tendency on the part of Program students to show greater experimentation with alcohol. The effectiveness of the intervention in promoting skill development and factors influencing the impact of the intervention on substance use behavior are discussed.

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