Examined social and psychological patterns of the adolescence of females who become adult suicide attempters. Obtained life histories of 50 adult female suicide attempters and personal documents written during adolescence. Identified two patterns: Cheap Thrills pattern of defiance, rebelliousness, acting-out, drug use, and indiscriminate…

Describes the activities of three 11- to 13-year-old cousins and one two-year-old during a family vacation. Discusses the youngsters' swings from adult-like behavior to childish rambunctiousness in terms of adult expectations and attitudes. (CB)

Describes a method for teaching adolescent psychology which requires that students interview adolescents on course topics. The reports of these interviews become the basis of classroom discussions which are designed to demonstrate that concepts of adolescence vary as a function of time. (Author/DH)

Explores use of fiction in the classroom as a tool for enhancing the self-understanding of adolescents. Two novels by S.E. Hinton are used as examples. Discusses theoretical consideration as well as practical classroom activities. (Author)

The role of the counselor in analyzing institutional features and curriculum plans of middle schools so that they become self-enhancing, safe, sane environments for adolescents is discussed. (BL)

Suggests that the high incidence of anorexia nervosa in adolescent girls may be related to developmental sexual pressure. Symptoms appear with the onset of puberty and are related to physiological and psychological changes. (JAC)

Attacks the trend in recent young adult novels to focus on individual adolescents and their self-centered concerns without having these characters confront the consequences of their actions and their effects on other people. Specifically examines the novels of Judy Blume and Alice Bach. (RBW)

Assessed changes in the ability of girls from early to late adolescence to recognize their bodies. Subjects (N=157) were asked to choose their own picture (head occluded) from among five photographs. All were able to identify themselves with considerable accuracy, particularly the late-adolescent group. (JAC)

Describes a system of care and clinical issues central to service delivery to adolescents with alcohol/drug problems. Recognizes the importance of adolescence as a developmental period and its implications for treatment. Develops criteria to distinguish the most appropriate level of care for the adolescent's presenting clinical condition. (CMG)

This analysis synthesizes recent reports concerning future research on adolescent health and development; identifies broad-based trends in research priorities; describes gaps in the existing knowledge base; and suggests approaches for developing and implementing a national adolescent health research agenda. Priorities for research in four major…

The primary aim of this book is to integrate findings on health and illness in adolescence. The book is geared towards those in the health psychology field as well as others concerned with the issues of adolescent health. It argues the value of following a developmental approach to the study of health or illness in general, and especially for…

Television includes a substantial amount of sexual content, and TV's sexual messages are clearly an important part of adolescent sexual socialization. At a time when the nation is facing a sexual health crisis among young people, special attention needs to be paid to those media depictions that could influence how young people develop their…

Aspects of adult culture are being pushed upon adolescent girls, forcing them to cope with an adult agenda before they are developmentally prepared. Mothers want to be a source of guidance and support but this can be a frustrating endeavor. This paper provides an overview of the developmental issues of adolescent girls and offers mothers one…

The amount and type of decision-making activities available to and used by adolescents are examined. Adolescents' effectiveness in making decisions, methods they employ while doing so, and various decision-making models that may help adolescents perfect decision-making skills are discussed. (CJ)

Authors Joshua Baran and Susan Rothbaum discuss why young people join cults; involvement with spiritual groups as part of the developmental search for identity; the comforting familiarity and security offered by authoritarian spiritual groups; and the ways institutions and counselors can deal with students drawn to or leaving such groups. (AYC)