The stereotyped, media-perpetuated view of early adolescence as a period of storm and stress is highly destructive. By defining all young adolescents as innately egotistical and rebellious, we risk a self-fulfilling prophecy and we limit their chances to develop as individuals and to assume responsibility. (Author/SJL)

Data from 45 men and 46 women explored early adolescence satisfaction, high school satisfaction and physical attractiveness, and social mobility and satisfaction. Subjects rated high on the use of denial reported higher levels of retrospective life satisfaction. (Author/NRB)

The development of the formal operations and creativity from early to middle adolescence was investigated across high and average levels of school achievement. Two sixth grade classes (sixth-high and sixth-average) and two tenth grade classes (tenth-high and tenth-average) were given formal thinking and creativity tests at separate sessions.…

Explores the relationship between adolescent reports of the level of kinship support they experience as members of an extended family network and racial socialization beliefs. Responses from 229 African American adolescents support the hypothesis that adolescent perceptions of the importance of racial socialization relate directly to perceived…

Examined gender differences and whether self-esteem and locus of control change during the high school years. Longitudinal analysis of students (N=174) indicated a significant main effect for gender, with lower self-esteem scores for girls. Locus of control was influenced by grade and an interaction between grade and gender. (RJM)

Clarifies inconsistencies in research on family characteristics and identity formation, tests a model on family systems theory, and explores gender differences within hypothesized models. Results suggest that family context and gender role socialization are differentially related to ideological and interpersonal identity. There are some gender…

Describes a program developed by the Youth Services Division at the Queens Borough Public Library's Central Library to help teenagers maximize growth opportunities, build self-esteem, and see the library as a life resource. Highlights include securing funding through LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act), recruiting participants, and…

Analyzed correlates of social problem solving in 63 2-parent families with a preadolescent. Structured interviews were held when child was about 9.5 years old, and again 2 years later. Found a substantial decline in the quality of family problem solving during preadolescence associated with changes in the participation and affective behavior of…

Discusses the origins and context of adolescence as a cultural phenomenon and illustrates how rites of passage can nurture healthy developmental changes in adolescents. Describes and evaluates the application of a rite of passage during a backpacking experience that was designed to usher teens from adolescence to adulthood in a Christian context.…

This 3-year longitudinal study examined depressed affect during early adolescence. Variable-centered analyses yielded general stability in depressed affect for both boys and girls. Person-centered analysis revealed five patterns of depressed affect, with gender differences only in smaller subgroups that showed patterns of change in depressed…

Describes evolution of the Montessori perspective as Montessori adolescent programs attempt to reinforce the elementary and early childhood stages. Asserts that although development of these programs is experimental and undefined, a crystallization point around the whole of Montessori may occur amid diverse implementation. Asserts that Montessori…

Explores reasons why adolescents lose interest in art by focusing on the internal and external disruptions in their artistic development. Discusses the influence of manga, or comics, on the artistic development of children in Japan and relates the characteristics of manga. Addresses the use of manga within the Japanese art curriculum. (CMK)

Discusses how young male voices change due to development during puberty, the make-up of their voices, and the effect male peers have on their decision to become a choir member. Explains how male adolescents can be encouraged to join the choir and how teachers can strengthen their male students' voices. (CMK)

This study is a replication and extension of the work of Forbes and Ashton (1998). Seventy-seven African American high school students completed the revised version of the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status. Most of the students were found to be in uncommitted identity statuses. Similar results were found in both ideological and…

In a study examining attachments to celebrity figures, 79 male and female fifth, eighth, and eleventh graders and college sophomores described themselves and their favorite celebrities. It was found that such attachments are equally important to males and females, and that gender and age affect the nature of the attachment. (DM)