ⅢThis article analyzes the invariance of the factor structure of the Perceived Neighborhood Scale (PNS)-a measure of neighborhood perceptions for parents of young children-across two waves of data. Scale items were theoretically derived to represent four dimensions of neighborhood context: social embeddedness, sense of community, satisfaction with neighborhood, and fear of crime. The longitudinal invariance of the factor structure of the scale was confirmed by testing the goodness-of-fit of four nested models. Results from longitudinal confirmatory factor analytic models (a) provide support for the hypothesized scale structure, (b) demonstrate convergent validity, and (c) demonstrate nonmetric and strict metric invariance. In addition, correlation analyses examining the associations between neighborhood characteristics and scale scores indicated external validity. Both sense of community and satisfaction with neighborhood were significantly associated with parental sense of efficacy. Findings are discussed in light of the implications for longitudinal research with children and the effects of neighborhood characteristics on parenting and the development of preschool children.

Individual and age-related differences in the patterning of adolescents’ beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority were examined in a sample of 3425 Chilean adolescents (Mage = 15.0). During early, middle, and late adolescence, three analogous patterns of beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority were identified using latent class analysis (LCA). Youth in the Parental Control class ceded parents legitimate control over issues in the multi-faceted and prudential domains and were relatively likely to cede parental control over the personal domain. Those in the Shared Control class differentiated the prudential from other domains. Those in the Personal Control class denied parents legitimate authority over issues in all domains. Within analogous classes, younger adolescents were more likely to grant parents legitimate authority than older adolescents. Results are consistent with prior research documenting age-related differences, but raise important questions about the normative nature of age-related change in legitimacy beliefs. The advantages of studying sub-groups and variability in the patterning of legitimacy beliefs are discussed.

The purpose of this article is to examine evidence regarding whether the period of the life course referred to as ''emerging adulthood'' exists, or is likely to develop, in Latin America. Central to this examination is recognition of differences in cultural practices and expectations related to adulthood across countries and differences in gender and socioeconomic factors (power, access to education, and degree of economic independence) within countries. Data from diverse sources suggest that some individuals in Latin America experience a period of emerging adulthood in which they are free to pursue different lifestyle options and delay marriage and parenthood. However, the data also suggest that these individuals are largely from wealthier families, urban areas, and more developed countries. For the many Latin American youth confronted with poverty, child marriage, and inadequate educational and occupational opportunities, emerging adulthood will probably unfold quite differently, if at all, even as they are increasingly exposed to new expectations about role exploration and selfdevelopment in their transition to adulthood.

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Tobacco control remains a significant challenge in global health, requiring innovative strategies that address changing social contexts as well as the changing epidemiological profile of developing regions.

Neighbourhood social cohesion, measured by trust and reciprocity, is associated with higher self-rated health. However, social participation did not appear to be associated with better health in this predominantly low income neighbourhood. These findings provide preliminary support to the relevance for social capital as a determinant of health in Chile.

The authors use examples of youth civic engagement from Chile, South Africa, Central/Eastern Europe, and the United States--and also emphasize diversities among youth from different subgroups within countries--to illustrate common elements of the civic domain of youth development. These include the primacy of collective activity for forming political identities and ideas and the greater heterogeneity of civic compared to other discretionary activities, the groupways or accumulated opportunities for acting due to the groups (social class, gender, ethnic, caste, etc.) to which a young person belongs, and the role of mediating institutions (schools, community-based organizations, etc.) as spaces where youths' actions contribute to political stability and change.

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