Although recent research suggests that drug misuse involves multiple etiologies, more information is needed to aid in the development of individualized treatment regimens. Individuals with high sensation-seeking (SS) needs do not appear to respond well to traditional counseling approaches. Adolescents (N=584) aged 15 or 18 at time 1 (T1) and 18 or…

A survey of resources is provided for improving youth programs conducted by religious organizations. After a brief introductory chapter establishing the focus of the document, the second chapter offers an overview of adolescent physical, intellectual, moral, social, emotional, and religious development. In addition, the attitudes of young…

Schooling for young adolescents (middle grade education) is the weakest link in the chain of public education. Young adolescents pose a unique problem for educators. The central characteristic of this age group is its diversity, resulting from extreme variations in the rates of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. Strong…

Frequent mood changes in adolescents are often attributed to the influence of shifting hormone levels. The presence and magnitude of menstrual-related mood changes in adolescent women were examined in 10th and 11th grade females (N=158) who completed the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). Self-reports of the onset date for the next two…

The concept of "structure" is discussed in connection with the biological and psychological sciences and shown, through a short historical analysis, to have been subject to imprecise use. The recent "structuralist movement" in the social sciences has also tended to cloud the meaning of structure rather than to clarify it. Using…

Describes the psychology of motherhood during the daughter's adolescence. Describes normal maternal development with an emphasis on the synergistic, maturational tasks of the mother and adolescent offspring; maternal conflicts; and counseling approaches that promote the mother's individuation and appropriate responses to her child. (Author/ABB)

Describes how intervention for families with abused or neglected adolescents usually focuses on the troubled youth with the abuse or neglect either overlooked or ignored. Argues that a developmental perspective is essential to the understanding and assessment of the family dynamics of adolescent mistreatment, and presents case examples. Offers…

Appraises current research, which is linked to the distinctive cognitive, social, and biological features of adolescence. The domain of investigation needs to be expanded to encompass ethnic groups and family structures. (NH)

Examined parent-adolescent communication and dimensions of parent-adolescent interaction that predict parents' self-esteem. Showed that adolescents and parents had similar but distinct perceptions of their relationships; self-perceptions of these relationships, especially self-judgments of communication, were predictive of self-esteem for both…

This article reports on the growth of sexual awareness and physiology among a randomly-selected sample of 541 Chinese middle school students. Maintains that the results show the need for sex education and the harmful results of failing to provide it. Advocates that a general discussion on the subject of sex education be promoted in educational…

This study examined the influence of pubertal timing upon family interactions in normal and psychiatric adolescent samples, emphasizing microanalysis of family behaviors and processes. It was found that on-time adolescents and their parents differed from both off-time groups. (Author/LMO)

Describes examples of adolescent behavior which parents and school personnel find obnoxious. Explains why intelligent, reasonable, and well-adjusted teenagers periodically behave in this way, as something that is developmentally inevitable given the uneven development of competencies in several important areas. Adolescent incompetencies in four…

Reviews the nature of middle schools and distinguishes them from junior high schools. Places special emphasis on the role of art in the middle school's curriculum in order to achieve knowledge, skill, and personal development goals. (JDH)

Urges teachers to resist common adolescent desires to copy or trace figures rather than draw them freehand. Cites evidence supporting the need for drawing instruction in the middle school. (JDH)

Examines three contrasting teaching styles in a middle-class junior high school. Performance expectations of the school culture often conflict with the developmental needs of early adolescents to integrate expressive, peer-oriented behavior into classroom activities. Teachers' responses to this tension determine their teaching styles. (Author/LHW)