This guide is addressed to children in the often neglected middle years--ages 9 through 12--to help them see themselves as better persons and students in the process of growing up. Part one discusses issues that concern children as persons: self-esteem, things that can hurt and annoy, disabilities, dilemmas and decisions, learning to say no to…

It has been suggested (Youniss and Smollar, 1985) that the re-negotiation of the parent-adolescent relationship involves processes of separation and connectedness, with separation characterized, among other indicators, as the withdrawing of information by adolescents in order to establish territories that are unsupervised by the parents. This…

The developmental psychology of adolescence emphasizes the central role of identity formation in the adolescent's transition to adulthood. The images of the adolescent carried by family members and the manner in which they are conveyed play a crucial role in the adolescent's identity development. The Q-Sort of Adolescent Delineations (QAD) is…

Research findings in the area of brain growth periodization establish that the human brain does not grow on a constant continuum. Eighty-five to ninety percent of youngsters of average and above ability experience periods of great brain growth between ages 3-10 months, 2-4 years, 6-8 years, 10-12 years, and 14-16+ years. Mental growth data have…

A number of interacting factors are discussed which significantly influence the development and expression of adolescent sexuality, including: (1) biological development; (2) societal trends; (3) psychological aspects; (4) familial patterns; and (5) historical and political influences. Adolescent cognitive development and psychoanalytic theories…

Three studies assessed the relationship between expressive writing (poetry writing and journal keeping) and ego identity development among high school and college students. Poetry writers were more likely to be in the identity achiever status. No differences were found between students keeping personal journals and those who had not. (Author/GDC)

Data from 45 men and 46 women explored early adolescence satisfaction, high school satisfaction and physical attractiveness, and social mobility and satisfaction. Subjects rated high on the use of denial reported higher levels of retrospective life satisfaction. (Author/NRB)

Analyzed correlates of social problem solving in 63 2-parent families with a preadolescent. Structured interviews were held when child was about 9.5 years old, and again 2 years later. Found a substantial decline in the quality of family problem solving during preadolescence associated with changes in the participation and affective behavior of…

Discusses the origins and context of adolescence as a cultural phenomenon and illustrates how rites of passage can nurture healthy developmental changes in adolescents. Describes and evaluates the application of a rite of passage during a backpacking experience that was designed to usher teens from adolescence to adulthood in a Christian context.…

Increasing violence and suicide among adolescent boys is attributed to a lack of security in our fast-changing society and a lack of direction and value for young men. Rites of passage constructively channel the undirected energies of youth to initiate a purposeful and responsive adulthood. Nine British programs are described, and recommendations…

Examines the impact of long-term foster care on adolescents, using dimensional analysis to investigate adolescent perceptions of impact. Results indicate that foster care negatively influenced identity development. The institutional structure of group foster care, diminished status, and stereotypical views of the foster child devalued the…

The association between attachment representations and adolescents' coping with 3 developmental tasks of emerging adulthood-leaving home, advancing in the capacity for mature intimacy, and developing individuation-was examined. Israeli male adolescents (N = 88) were administered the Adult Attachment Interview during their high-school senior year.…

Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood, a period during which an individual acquires the skills necessary to survive on his or her own, away from parents or other caregivers. Adolescence can be a very confusing time. They experience changes in sleep, diet, mood, weight and attitude and a decreased pleasure from daily activities.…

The teenage years can be particularly challenging due to the multitude of developmental and environmental changes that occur in tandem. It is a crucial time for mental health intervention because several behavioral and emotional difficulties increase from childhood to adolescence. The mental health of adolescents depends heavily on the ways they…

Noting that parents raising adolescents need to know when to be quiet and when to act, as well as what to do when something needs to be done, this guide for parents offers guidelines for handling the complex situations and dilemmas that teenagers often present. Topics covered include managing teenage risk-taking, the relationship between…