Although the onset of illicit substance use during adolescence can hit parents abruptly like a raging flood, its origins likely start as a trickle in early childhood. Understanding antecedent factors and how they grow into a stream that leads to adolescent drug use is important for theories of social development as well as policy formulations to…

Two music programs were developed specifically to meet therapeutic objectives for newly arrived immigrant and refugee students and for adolescent boys in a residential care facility. The author's observations justify further research to establish whether music can support and nurture the social, physical and mental wellbeing of young people,…

This investigation addresses the mediational role of friends' characteristics between adolescents' activity breadth (i.e., variety in activity participation) and their later adjustment. Data were drawn from 2 longitudinal studies: the Childhood and Beyond (CAB; N = 925) study and the Maryland Adolescent Development in Context Study (MADICS; N =…

The association between marijuana use and depressive symptoms was examined longitudinally in a sample of 622 African American youth, interviewed on six occasions, using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). We considered whether depressive symptoms predicted changes in marijuana use and vice versa from high school through the transition into young…

Basic quality-of-life indicators including employment, access to health care, and involvement with the criminal justice system paint a grim picture for the lives of urban Black males; thus, it is increasingly important to identify prevention and intervention strategies that can improve outcomes for this group. After-school programs have been…

To describe trajectories of aggressive behaviors for adolescents living in rural areas, we compared the patterns, timing and sex differences in development of physical and social aggression using five waves of data collected from youth in school surveys administered over 2.5 years. The sample (N = 5,151) was 50.0% female, 52.1% Caucasian and 38.2%…

The "National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program" is a residential education and training program designed for youth ages 16 to 18 who have dropped out of or been expelled from high school. During the 22-week residential period, participants are offered GED preparation classes and other program services intended to promote positive youth…

Filling a significant gap in the literature, this book examines the impact of culture on the social behaviors, emotions, and relationships of children around the world. It also explores cultural differences in what is seen as adaptive or maladaptive development. Eminent scholars discuss major theoretical perspectives on culture and development and…

Presenting a developmentally grounded approach to treating a wide range of adolescent problems, this book shows how troubled teenagers and their parents can be helped to use family relationships as catalysts for growth and change. Case examples, practical discussions of the process of assessment and therapy, and straightforward clinical advice are…

Argues that adolescent exhibitionism can be viewed as a strategic interaction that is characteristically adolescent. Suggests using adolescent's account of his misconduct to develop interventions which will foster a strategy change and reduce recidivism. Offers three clinical vignettes to illustrate the model. Discusses theoretical limitations and…

Challenges the traditional conception of adolescence as a time of stress and instability in self-concept, using multiple measures of self-concept with a longitudinal sample of adolescents from seventh to tenth grade. Three components of self-concept are distinguished: the experienced self, the presented self, and self-feelings. (Author/CB)

Presents school counselors with an overview of ego psychology theory that can be used in working with adolescents. Ego psychology can account for the intensity of peer relationships, ambivalence with parents, rejection of authority, and seeking out of charismatic leaders. (JAC)

Argues that Erikson's concept of identity was originally proposed as something constructed to a significant degree by the individual, i.e., an Instrumental Identity. With the decline in instrumentality in a consumer/service-oriented society, Erikson's original concept fits less well. A new conceptualization of identity, that of Existential…

This review of primarily Canadian literature summarizes what is known about the access of youth age 10-15 years to structured recreational activities and the effects of these activities. Data come from literature reviews and reference documents on the subject of recreation, leisure, or physical activity as well as books on the subject. Researchers…

Twenty-three articles by five educators who wrote in the 1960's and 1970's about the then new concept of the middle school are gathered, along with current essays reflecting on the insight these papers provide for current middle-school concerns. In the first section, C. Kenneth McEwin reflects on the current impact of these writings of William M.…