This dissertation is composed of four stand-alone yet linked chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of the constructs of adaptive behavior and support needs and their evolution throughout history. There is also a review of the limited literature available examining the relationship between the two constructs that…

This collection of nuanced, insightful papers is a welcome contribution to research and policy dialogue around international youth development. At the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the lead government agency for foreign assistance, a growing understanding of the profound links between the well-being of youth and…

Recognizable symptoms and features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) appear during adolescence. However, there has been resistance to diagnose or research this disorder prior to adulthood because of clinical lore that BPD is a long-standing illness and that personality traits are not stable until adulthood. This has resulted in little…

We examined the relations between maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing and externalizing problems in a sample of 125 adolescent Latina mothers (primarily Puerto Rican) and their toddlers. We also tested the influence of mother-reported partner child care involvement on child behavior problems and explored mother-reported partner…

Mexican American adolescents have higher rates of externalizing problems than their peers from other ethnic and racial groups. To begin the process of understanding factors related to externalizing problems in this population, this study used the social development model (SDM) and prospective data across the transition to junior high school from…

It is well established that children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently experience co-occurring mental health problems in addition to difficulties in their peer relationships. Although substantial research has focused on the extent to which peer functioning contributes to subsequent co-occurring mental…

Based on available evidence, it appears reasonable to assume that the psychological and social consequences of becoming a father during adolescence are the same as those more traditionally associated with adolescent motherhood. (Author)

Research NeedsObjective: To examine associations between exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and clinical patterns of symptoms and disorders in preschool children. Method: Two hundred and thirteen referred and non-referred children, ages 24 to 48 months (MN = 34.9, SD = 6.7 months) were studied. Lifetime exposure to PTEs (family…

Research on teenage pregnancies has usually neglected young fathers. Most studies ignore fathers entirely, or use data confused or confounded by biased reporting techniques. Retrospective and post hoc analyses often produce inaccurate conclusions, and subject samples often are unrepresentative. A closer examination of adolescent fathers is…

Examined existing literature on links between bereavement after suicide and the subsequent development of adolescents including increased suicide risks. Found inconsistent definitions of adolescence in literature, samples of adolescents were drawn from those in psychotherapy, and other methodological problems. (Author/ABL)

Teenage pregnancy prevention programmes targeted at young women have received considerable attention from researchers and programme developers. However, to date, relatively limited information is available on preventing teenage fatherhood or improving outcomes for young fathers. A notable gap is concerned with understanding the forms of sexual…

Controversies continue regarding the effects of corporal punishment on children. Research has demonstrated an association between levels of corporal punishment and negative outcome behaviors such as aggression and other mental health problems. However, most of these studies have been cross-sectional and correlational in design, thereby precluding…

This document presents an overview of the issues involved in youth suicide which were considered by the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide assembled by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The findings of the task force are presented. The task force concluded that: (1) state of knowledge about youth suicide is much less developed than…

Reviews recent developments in the following areas of research on affective disorders and related syndromes in the preadult years: (1) psychiatric and diagnostic (nonbiological) studies; (2) hypothesis-testing and causal-explanation studies; and (3) studies of developmental psychopathology. Indicates directions for future research. (Author/BJV)

Discusses research issues in childhood depression including advantages/disadvantages of research designs, level of diagnosis used, significance of age of onset on severity, and specific areas of needed research. Concludes that many depressive symptoms are transient, diminishing or disappearing with age and/or changing environmental circumstances,…