Preface
Correlation Guide
Topic Guide
Internet References
UNIT 1: Perspective on Adolescent Development
Unit Overview1. Trashing Teens, Hura Estroff Marons, Psychology Today, March/April, 2007
Teens are far more competent than our society assumes. Robert Epstein, in his new book, "The Case Against Adolescence," states that most of teen’s problems stem from restrictions placed on them.2. Profile in Caring, Kirsten Wier, Current Health, April/May, 2008
The author presents many reasons for teenagers in the United States to become volunteers.3. A Peaceful Adolescence, Barbara Kantrowitz and Karen Springen, Newsweek, April 25, 2005
This article presents evidence that, despite raging hormones, adolescents and families can have a peaceful friendship. A longitudinal study has identified socialization practices that unite parents and teens against peer pressures and cultural temptations. Moral and ethical character are modeled from caring, competent, and confident adults.4. Something to Talk About, Ashley Jones, EContent, March 2008
The article presents results of a study that shows that teenagers today are more connected than ever, and with the help of the Internet, will become even more intertwined.5. Youth Participation: From Myths to Effective Practice, Jennifer L. O’Donoghue, Ben Kirshner, and Milbrey McLaughlin, The Prevention Researcher, February 2006
The concept of youth participation is a hot topic. Yet many people struggle to understand what youth participation means, what it looks like, and how it happens. This article defines participation, provides a review of what it looks like and where it takes place, and concludes by debunking four myths surrounding youth participation.UNIT 2: Developmental Changes of Adolescents: Physical, Cognitive, and Social
Unit Overview6. Healthier Students, Better Learners, Beth Pateman, Educational Leadership, December 2003/January 2004
The author addresses the links between student health and academic performance. She cites the efforts of the Council of Chief State School Officers and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials to encourage development of state education programs in the schools. She describes the Health Education Assessment Project.7. Mental Assessment Test, Eddy Ramirez, U.S. News and World Report, May 12, 2008
This article discusses the challenges faced by college applicants with mental health issues, as well as the worries on the part of college admissions offices.8. Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescent Females and Males: Risk and Resilience, Katherine Presnell, Sarah Bearman, and Mary Clare Madeley, The Prevention Researcher, September 2007
An understanding of the factors that increase the risk for body dissatisfaction can help guide prevention efforts. This article examines the prevalence of body dissatisfaction among adolescent boys and girls, discusses the role of body dissatisfaction in psychological disorders, and explores predictors of the development of body dissatisfaction.9. Goodbye to Girlhood, Stacy Weiner, The Washington Post, February 20, 2007
This article describes the troubling trend of women and girls in sexual media depiction. Pop culture images are targeting younger girls and the psychological damage as a result is forecasted to include eating disorders, lower self-esteem, and depression.10. Influence of Music on Youth Behaviors, The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL), June 2006
The article discusses the influence of various kinds of music on teen behaviors.11. Researchers Examine the Impact of Early Experiences on Development, L. Alan Sroufe, The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL), November 2005
Dr. L. Alan Sroufe outlines some of the arguments surrounding what impact early experience may have on individual development. He discusses data from 30 years in practice to debate this issue.12. Adolescent Stress, Kathryn E. Grant et al., The Prevention Researcher, September 2005
There is evidence that increases in stressful life events account, at least in part, for the increased rates of psychological problems in adolescents. This article introduces the issue of adolescent stress by providing a general conceptual model of the role of stressors in the development of mental health problems for adolescents.13. Coping with Stress, Bruce E. Compas, Jennifer E. Champion, and Kristen Reeslund, The Prevention Researcher, September 2005
Evidence suggests that exposure to stress and the ways individuals cope with stress are of central importance for prevention of adjustment and mental health problems during childhood and adolescence. This article summarizes the relationship between stress and psychopathology in adolescents and discusses the current coping research.14. ADHD and the SUD in Adolescents, Timothy E. Wilens, Paradigm, Fall 2006
The author discusses the overlap of teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD).Unit 3: Relationships of Adolescents: Family, Peers, Intimacy, and Sexuality
Unit Overview15. Supporting Youth during Parental Deployment: Strategies for Professionals and Families, Angela J. Huebner and Jay A Mancini, The Prevention Researcher, December 2008, Volume 15, Supplement
The recent wars in Iraq and Afganistan have heightened our awareness of the stresses placed on military service members and their families. This article explores the ways that youth development professionals can support youth and their families through all phases of military deployment.16. When Play Turns to Trouble, Jennifer Seter Wagner, U.S. News and World Report, May 19, 2008
Many parents are wondering: How much is too much time spent playing computer and video games. Many teenagers are becoming addicted.17. Aggression in Adolescent Dating Relationships: Predictors and Prevention, Jennifer Connolly and Wendy Josephson, The Prevention Researcher, December 2007
In many adolescent romantic relationships youth act aggressively toward each other. This article reviews adolescent dating aggression, focusing on warning signs and methods of prevention.18. A Host of Trouble, Emma Schwartz, U.S. News and World Report, October 8, 2007
Parents are being held criminally liable for their teen’s drinking parties.19. Great Expectations, Polly Shulman, Psychology Today, March/April 2004
According to this article—which combines the research and experience of many relationship experts—the expectation that our partner should be our soul mate is a recipe for disaster and unhappiness.20. Reclaiming ‘Abstinence’ in Comprehensive Sex Education, Bill Taverner, Contemporary Sexuality, April 2007
The author discusses in detail the abstinence education curriculum being presented to teenagers today.21. Give Students the Knowledge to Make Wise Choices about Sex, American School Board Journal, January 2006Controversy continues about what should and shouldn’t be included in sex education programs in school. This article from the American School Board Journal discusses the two sides: abstinence only or comprehensive.22. The Perils of Playing House, Nancy Wartik, Psychology Today, July/August 2005Living together before marriage may lead couples to wed for all of the wrong reasons, as discussed in this article.Unit 4: The Contexts of Adolescents in Society: School, Work, and Diversity
Unit Overview23. The Dropout Problem: Losing Ground, Paul E. Barton, Educational Leadership, February 2006
Why is the dropout rate steadily rising, and which programs convince students to stay in school?24. My Year as a High School Student, Deborah Waldron, Educational Leadership, March 2006
A high school physics teacher enrolls in a 9th grade biology class.25. School’s New Rule for Pupils in Trouble: No Fun, Winnie Hu, The New York Times, April 4, 2008
One school’s answer to working with students in trouble is to demand adherence to strict rules. An army-drill-instructor approach is discussed.26. In an Era of School Shootings, Lockdowns Are the New Drill, Tina Kelley, The New York Times, March 25, 2008
Some high schools today experience lockdowns as a new drill that some believe are necessary to keep order.27. Effects of After-School Employment on Academic Performance, Garman S. Zierold and H. A. Anderson, The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL), November 2005
A study of 7,500 high school students revealed that part-time work was not associated with less time spent doing homework, lower grades, higher absenteeism, or tardiness.28. Immigrant Youth in U.S. Schools: Opportunities for Prevention, Dina Birman et al., The Prevention Researcher, November 2007
Many of the acculturative struggles of immigrant youth unfold within the school environment. This article advocates for restructuring educational programming and involving immigrant parents to promote the mental health and positive adjustment of immigrant children.29. Reducing School Violence: School-Based Curricular Programs and School Climate, Michael B. Greene, The Prevention Researcher, February 2008
This article examines two different, but interrelated approaches to reduce school violence: school-based curricular programs, and efforts to change school climate. The state of the research for each approach is reviewed and the relationship between them is explored.30. The Cultural Plunge, Jesús Nieto, Teacher Education Quarterly, Winter 2006
The author addresses the fact that "the number of K–12 students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds" is continuing to grow, and he proposes a model to help student teachers have immersion "experiences" with students who are from culturally different backgrounds than their own. He refers to this practice as helping student teachers take "cultural plunges."31. Character and Academics: What Good Schools Do, Jacques S. Benninga et al., Phi Delta Kappan, February 2006
The authors present a strong case that well-defined and implemented character education programs should exist alongside traditional academic programs in the schools. Students need to learn about such values as respect, civility, honor, perseverance, and many others.32. High School with a College Twist, Terry B. Grier and Kent D. Peterson, Principal Leadership, December 2007
Small high schools on college campuses help rekindle the interest of disengaged students. The two factors of small size and the college context are extremely important.Unit 5: Problem Behaviors and Challenges of Adolescents
Unit Overview33. Video Game Violence, Emily Sohn, Science News for Kids, January 2007
Extensive research finds that violent video games are harmful. Several specific games are cited and scientific study of the effect of violent video games is reported.34. The Overdominance of Computers, Lowell W. Monke, Educational Leadership, December 2005/January 2006
Heavy use of computers at a tender age may rob teens of important social and physical experiences.35. Bullying at School among Older Adolescents, Sandra Harris, The Prevention Researcher, September 2004
The author examines the types of bullying students observed in grades 8 to 12 and how students felt about whether school personnel were interested in stopping the bullying.36. Underage Drinking Debate: Zero Tolerance vs. Teaching Responsibility, The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL), March 2006
The article examines the two sides of the underage drinking debate—whether to fight for zero tolerance or teach responsible drinking.37. Problem Gambling in Youth—A Hidden Addiction, Keith Whyte, The Brown University Child and Adolescent Letter (CABL), September 2005
As gambling becomes, at least in some circles, a more acceptable form of entertainment and teens see images of adults gambling on networks like ESPN, it is important to stay informed about the danger of problem gambling. How to recognize and treat problem gambling is presented.38. Understanding Cutting in Adolescents: Prevalence, Prevention, and Intervention, Jennifer Dyl, The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter (CABL), March 2008
Author Jennifer Dyl describes cutting as the most prevalent form of non-suicidal, self-injurious behavior. She examines prevalence in teens and then explores possible prevention and intervention techniques.39. Violence in Adolescent Dating Relationships, Ernest N. Jouriles, Cora Platt, and Renee McDonald, The Prevention Researcher, February 2009
This article defines dating violence and reviews its prevalence. It then explores factors which impact dating violence and ends with a review of two school-based prevention/intervention programs.40. Prevention of Domestic Violence during Adolescence, David A. Wolfe and Peter G. Jaffe, The Prevention Researcher, February 2005
For the most part, the response to domestic violence has been one of crisis management. While crisis management is important, Drs. Wolfe and Jaffe examine emerging prevention efforts which focus on adolescents.41. Prescription for Disaster, Bob Smithouser, Plugged In, June 2006
Youth are abusing prescription drugs which often results in addiction and sometimes death. Suggestions are provided as to what can be done to help.42. Youth’s Reactions to Disasters and the Factors That Influence Their Response, Betty Pfefferbaum et al., The Prevention Researcher, September 2008
A number of factors can contribute to youth’s reactions to disasters. These factors can include characteristics of the event; the nature of the youth’s exposure; and individual, family, and social predictors. This article describes both outcomes and predictors in order to prepare professionals who may work with youth in post-disaster situations.Test-Your-Knowledge Form
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