This paper reviews literature relating to extracurricular participation and adolescent development. Areas covered include personal-social characteristics, academic achievement, educational aspirations and attainments, participants' roles in activities, and the environmental social context. Specific characteristics of the studies reviewed are…

Questionnaires and interviews completed by 60 gifted adolescents indicated that both sexes were highly sensitive to societal pressures. Females accepted their body image, social image, and inner emotions better than the males who perceived themselves as having poorer peer relationships and less leadership potential. Case studies illustrate…

This presentation of a speech to gifted teenagers discusses the pressures of giftedness. It focuses on the demands placed on gifted teenagers by others and by themselves, their need to develop self-confidence, their uniqueness and yet similarities with others, the balance between creativity and conformity, and the unimportance of popularity. (JDD)

Explored influence of developmental psychology instructional unit on self-concept and academic achievement by comparing 43 junior high school students who took the course and 39 students who did not. Concluded that instruction did not significantly improve self-concept. Found positive relationship between achievement scores on knowledge test of…

During a major population study of adolescent functioning, pupils from four comprehensive schools were used to compare validity of several screening measures in this age group. Showed that screening instruments tended to be behavior specific and that antisocial and neurotic behavior were relatively sex specific. (Author)

Three case histories elucidate a discussion of the developmental nature of the behaviors of juvenile male sexual offenders. The sexual assault cycle is defined in the stages of negative self-image, predicting rejection, isolation, fantasies, planning the offense, and committing the offense. Tools for treating the offender are outlined. (Author/JDD)

Asserts that inadequate attention has been paid to the problems of the young soldier entering army life in Israel. Delineates some areas of friction and vulnerability between the worlds of the youth and the military. Describes the systematization of these encounters into groups, creating the "Binary Model," which helps in locating and…

Explored the relationships between late adolescents' self-reported personal adjustment and individuation from their families of origin. Adolescents' perceived involvement in their family's patterns of fusion related significantly to self-esteem, mastery, college maladjustment, and the number of reported health problems. Involvement in the family…

The counseling and consultation component of Duke University's Talent Identification Program Summer Residential Program was developed to address the unique psychosocial and emotional needs of gifted adolescents. Focus is on counseling interventions; involvement of residential, academic, and administrative staff; and outreach workshops. (CB)

While the United States has no effective bridges between school and work, half of West Germany's 16 to 18-year-olds learn a career in the workplace while attending school one day a week. This model can be adapted for American students to increase their employment opportunities and make academic learning easier. (Author/LHW)

The rationale, origins, and practice of peer counseling, a system of training people to help each other through empathy and decision making, are detailed. Specific applications are described, with particular attention to involving adolescents as peer counselors. Peer counselor training as practiced by the Peer Counselling Project (University of…

This study explores intrapsychic structures underlying Marcia's ego identity statuses in terms of separation-individuation patterns. Marcia's Ego Identity Status Interview and Hansburg's Separation Anxiety Test were administered to 140 undergraduates in New Zealand. As predicted, high statuses showed less anxiety than secure attachment or…

This paper reviews some of the maturational events that are applicable in studying psychological effects of pubertal status and timing. Nine changes are reviewed (bone, height, weight, body fat, breast, body hair, penile, testicular, and menarcheal changes) in terms of measurement techniques, psychometric properties, and intercorrelations with…

In an effort to measure adolescents' perception of parental criticism, a questionnaire covering 18 criticizable behaviors or attitudes was administered to high school students. Gender differences were examined as were the relationship between perceived criticism and self-image and the differential impact of criticism in the context of parental…

Examined the role of difficult temperament or behavioral style and tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use in the 133 subjects of the New York Longitudinal Study. Results indicated that the possession of difficult temperamental characteristics at age five and in early adulthood are associated with drug use in young adulthood. (JAC)