For adolescents faced with many developmental tasks, a loved one's death by suicide is a tragic event linked with increased morbidity, death fears, and psychopathology. Adolescents struggle to master tasks such as refining abstract thought, achieving independence, developing values, exploring intimacy in social and sexual relations, and becoming…

Research using expectancy models has shown contraceptive choice among adults to be a rational process in that intentions and behaviors reflect an individual's beliefs, values, attitudes, and perceptions of social norms. This study examined whether such an approach could accurately represent adolescents' contraceptive decision-making. It used the…

A study of the value systems of 739 adolescents in Grade 5, 7, 9 and 11 using the Rokeach Value Survey. Discussion focuses on the relative stability of the rankings over grades and value differences related to age and sex. (SDH)

Draws on studies in different cultures and subcultures and in different age groups to develop a psychosocial perspective for viewing youthful suicide. Uses disciplines ranging from demography to psychodynamics to discuss relationship of violence to suicide; role of families in producing youngsters who become preoccupied with death and suicide; and…

Used case study approach to assess self-concepts of pregnant adolescents regarding life history, personality traits, and development. Results revealed common themes of historic background and personality traits: no intact families, lack of trust in family members, history of drug and alcohol abuse, permissive sexual attitudes and early sexual…

The article summarizes procedures in the development of a valid and reliable instrument for measuring three social components of alienation (isolation, powerlessness, and normlessness) in 10- to 14-year-olds and discusses the instrument's practical applications for school and community health educators, parents, and other professionals who…

Discusses adolescent spiritual development using the three traditional stages in Catholic spiritual heritage (the purgative, illuminative, and unitive). Suggests specific strategies for helping young people "progress" or move to higher levels in their spirituality. (GEA)

Notes usual presumption that pregnant adolescents are in good health but suffer from socioeconomic and cultural disadvantages, which the pregnancy will exacerbate. Presents case study to illustrate how problems of pregnant adolescent are more complex when she also has a severe medical handicap and when medical problems interact with the…

Many learning disabled adolescent students can have a successful college experience if a school follows appropriate guidelines for counseling such students. The guidelines include establishing objective criteria for students' college abilities and needs, continuing to evaluate learning problems, and researching available college programs. (CJH)

This paper presents findings from a longitudinal, participant-observation study of one boy's spontaneous drawings from preadolescence to adolescence. Themes related to adolescent developmental psychology emerge in the drawings. Concludes that doodling and memory drawing permit imaginative play and free ideation while drawing from pictures…

Relations between hormone levels and aggressive behavior of adolescents in family interactions were examined. Higher estradiol and androstenedione levels were associated with higher degrees of aggressive behaviors in girls. Findings for boys were sparse. (PCB)

A study was conducted to assess how a training program on adolescent development affected health professionals and their work performance. Changes in trainees' attitudes and knowledge about adolescent development were measured with pre- and posttraining tests. Short-term training affected basic theoretical knowledge of adolescent development,…

Explored social and psychological problems associated with male youth growing up in the 1930s. Examined how transitions to adulthood, search for identity, and role development were affected by social, economic, and political factors in the depression. It appears that the transition to adulthood has not been a smooth evolution but has been affected…

Discusses the psychosocial context of unintended teenage pregnancies, including emotional and cognitive development during adolescence, family and peer relations, and norms for gender-appropriate sexual expression. The main goal in counseling is helping clients reach and implement an informed and fulled integrated decision about the pregnancy.…

Examines reasons that adolescents use alcohol and drugs, including role confusion, developmental factors, parental influence, and peer pressure. Reports that adolescents also abuse substances to feel excitement, cope with personality conflicts, and express their individuality through rebellion. (ABB)