For years, the period of adolescence has been widely viewed as one of unpredictable, barely endurable "storm and stress." Research has not borne this out, except for a minority of adolescents. For most youth, adolescence represents a period of transitions that guide the search for self and prepare youth for their role in the adult world.…

The development of a caring value orientation was investigated in four age groups: grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. Subjects (N=1,247) completed a questionnaire designed to measure preference for more caring personal values. Findings are discussed in terms of theories that hypothesize gender differences in world view. (Author/EMK)

A majority of 151 4-H members felt the program gave them good relationships with adults; most had 22 of 40 assets (internal qualities and external supports) needed for resilience and prevention of at-risk behaviors. Use of the asset framework was recommended for youth program development. (SK)

This study examined relationship between a sense of humor and symptoms of depression among adolescents. Findings on measures of humor and depression for 140 adolescents revealed that a sense of humor can be reliably measured and may be inversely related to symptoms of depression. (LBT)

Presents a model for using family systems theory within the context of adolescent small group counseling. It is designed to assist young people in becoming more self-differentiated, thus enabling them to move successfully through this developmental stage. Includes a six-session series of exercises for facilitating this process. (Author/MKA)

Reviews achievements during the first 50 years of 4-H club work, including volunteer leadership development, funding support, and response to society's needs during the war years. Demonstrates how 4-H has changed to meet societal needs while remaining true to the original mission. (SK)

Introduces this theme issue on middle childhood and early adolescence. Notes the importance of the 9- to 14-year-old developmental period and the need for research into these years. Suggests several research areas that need to be explored. (LPP)

Surveys of 19 summer camps in the East and Midwest asked directors, staff, and campers to identify what camp was about. The highest ranking outcome for all three groups was social competence. The extent of agreement among the three groups' opinions varied widely across camps. Plans for a national study of youth development outcomes in camps are…

Introduces a special issue on youth, discussing current youth-focused therapeutic recreation research and practice, comparing this issue with another theme journal on youth (emphasizing the roles of professional preparation and professional organizations), examining the role of therapeutic recreation and adventure therapy, and noting theoretical…

Explains briefly identity development and health and safety concerns specific to gay and lesbian youth. Proposes a variety of strategies for meeting their intellectual and developmental needs. (SR)

Responds to van Hoof's (1999) critique of the identity status paradigm. Concludes that a useful strategy with university students may be to focus on the social-cognitive processes underpinning identity statuses and to conceptualize these identity orientations as different styles of dealing with the demands, challenges, and opportunities afforded…

Responds to Waterman's (1999) and Berzonsky and Adams' (1999) commentaries regarding review of the identity status field. Demonstrates that arguments and data from commentaries often support the view that the statuses are insufficiently valid and that they are unsuitable for measuring identity development. Advocates fundamental revisions of the…

Articles in this special section illuminate progress, challenges, gaps, and future directions for theory and research concerned with peer relations and psychopathology. Advances reflect the emergence of developmental psychopathology, with its emphasis on systems theory, dynamic interactions of individuals in context, processes and change,…

The construct of psychological control, important in research on parenting and adolescent development, is much in need of clarification.

In "The Haunting," "The Changeover," and "The Tricksters," Margaret Mahy fuses supernatural iconography of witchcraft and magic with images of ordinary and domestic adolescence. This article argues that Mahy's "fantastic realism" illuminates aspects of female teenage experience through a blend of myth, fairy tale, folklore and history, as well as…