Argues that adolescents are not always psychologically mature enough to decide whether or not they need psychiatric treatment. Says that the role of the court should be to assure that adolescents receive adequate treatment, rather than to assure that they consent to treatment. (Author/GC)

Adolescents with varying combinations of pubertal delay and growth retardation were given the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire. Delay in sexual maturation by itself had no deleterious effect on self-image but growth retardation did. (Author/GK)

A new inventory for examining the first six of Erikson's psychosocial stages is described. It is concluded that the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (EPSI), a self-report questionnaire, is a useful measure for researchers interested in development from early adolescence and in mapping changes as a function of life events. (Author/GK)

A developmental dimensional model of maturing is presented that has received some transcultural and longitudinal validation. Specific principles, induced from such research and from existing psychological research more generally, provide guidelines about how to encourage healthy growth. (Author)

This annotated bibliography cites 15 references on cognitive development in adolescence and its implications for secondary school teaching. Particular attention is given to Piaget's theory of the formal operational state of thought. (SJL)

Presents logical, theoretical, and empirical arguments for a new rehabilitative agenda for juvenile justice, based on positive principles of youth development. Offers critical examination of dominant intervention paradigms within juvenile justice, compares underlying assumptions of a competency-based rehabilitative model with deficit-based…

Studied religious development in 365 adolescents from white, two-parent families participating in the Iowa Youth and Families Project. Found that farm youth had stronger ties to religious institutions and expressed stronger commitments to religious values than nonfarm youth. The correlates of religious change and continuity indicate that social…

Using longitudinal data, provides an empirical test of an identity capital model as it applies to university students' (N=170) passage toward adulthood. Results suggest that the model has merit and can be used to direct future research. The developmental-social psychological perspective provided the most useful framework for testing and building…

Outlines a new model for applying concepts from resilience research to education, prevention, and treatment. Suggests how these concepts can guide practitioners in creating more powerful interventions and in fostering positive development for all youth. Focuses on caring relationships, high expectations and positive beliefs, and opportunities for…

Examined concurrent and longitudinal associations between peer crowd affiliation and internalized distress in a sample of 246 youth. Found that adolescents' report of peer crowd affiliation was concurrently associated with self-concept and levels of internalizing distress. Follow-back analyses revealed that "Populars/Jocks" had…

Compared peer relations, developmental expectations, perceived competence, and well-being in Dutch and Japanese adolescents, investigating cultural influences. Survey data indicated that Dutch adolescents were more satisfied with their peer relationships, expected to achieve developmental tasks at earlier ages, felt more competent about their…

Summarizes research that shows the benefits of avoiding corporal punishment, putting recent defenses of corporal punishment in perspective, explaining a paradox concerning trends in corporal punishment, and concluding with an estimate of the benefits to children, parents, and society as a whole that could occur if corporal punishment were to…

Assessed how the youth empowerment process encouraged positive youth development. Observation, interview, and focus group data from an urban community health promotion project indicated that practitioners created environments conducive to adolescents taking responsibility for their quality of life by welcoming and enabling youth. Power was…

Contains an interview with Hawaiian writer Graham Salisbury about his young adult novels, such as "Blue Skin of the Sea,""Under the Blood-Red Sun," and "Shark Bait." Discusses the struggles and conflicts of boyhood. (TB)

A survey of California middle school students (1,137 responses from 3,542) showed that youth could be both bullies and victims at the same time and under variable conditions. The results call into question the likelihood of success in bully-proofing programs. Promoting positive youth development programs and creating a sense of safety in schools…