Describes rhythm and presence, then focuses on roles of rhythm and presence in forming connections with troubled youth. Contends that techniques used to manage behavior and promote growth only work when workers are present (real) and in sync with children's rhythms. Offers six suggestions that are helpful in creating situations in which rhythm and…

Abridges Glasser's (1975) theory of United States as identity society to explicate causative characteristics of "identity achievers" versus "failures" in U.S. society. Discusses Reality Therapy and therapeutic treatment programs developed by Hope Center Wilderness Camp. Presents evidence to suggest that group-integrated reality…

Summarizes findings from "The Troubled Journey: A Portrait of 6th-12th Grade Youth," a study of society's role in youth development. Highlights missing supports, destructive influences, at-risk behaviors, and promising strategies (e.g., reduce deficits/increase assets, strengthen youth-oriented institutions, involve youth in caring for others,…

The Toughlove network, which currently includes over 500 parent support groups, is comprised of parents and teen offspring on the verge of suspension. Parents and children attend separate meetings; parents learn limit-setting and supportive behavior; and troubled teens learn to make some difficult changes and accept responsibility for their…

Responses from 1,139 secondary students in London and Glasgow revealed significant differences in perception and experience of bullying. Boys experienced more as perpetrator and victim. Considerably more ethnic minorities believed minority students were more likely to experience it. (SK)

Responding to the needs of estranged youth, a group of Benjamin Tasker Middle School teachers created the Thoughtful Pedagogy Model. The program allows adolescents to reconstruct images of the adult world through self-exploration; participate in field trips, assembly programs, and adult/adolescent bonding activities; and experience the love and…

Explored adolescent seat belt use and psychosocial risk factors in urban minority population (n=541). Found seat belt use reported by 49 percent of respondents. Those reporting no or intermittent seat belt use were significantly more likely than seat belt users to feel down, have decreased home support, have problems with school and the law, and…

According to a recent survey of American School Counselor Association members, the tendency to use non-school-certified personnel to serve school counselor functions is common. Although the association strongly supports collaborative efforts with community agencies, the group is concerned that such services are often provided by improperly trained…

Examined contribution of personal, interpersonal, and demographic variables to prediction of adolescents' problems among 391 Yugoslavian adolescents. Found personal and interpersonal variables to be better predictors of adolescents' problems than were demographic variables. Best predictors were neuroticism (personal variable) and nurture of father…

Describes a trip by youth from around the nation to Washington, DC, to testify about various issues (e.g., drug abuse, disability rights, and foster care) at a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Human Resources as part of National Children's week. Photographs from the hearing are included. (SM)

Summarizes major, recent research findings concerning illegal alcohol use and intoxicated driving among American youth. Examines what research revealed about the nature of underage drinking and driving; what health, social, and legal ramifications are associated with drinking and driving; and what characteristics and behavioral patterns are found…

Focuses on one aspect of contemporary youth violence, youth gangs and groups, in effort to open broad discussion of youth gangs and frame the process of developing a comprehensive prevention/intervention strategy in proyouth way. Examines three ways of framing youth gang phenomenon: youth violence as racism, alienation, and criminality. Considers…

Asserts that this book, number 30 in the Research Highlights in Social Work series, provides readers little of value concerning either research or social work, and that much of the research cited is dated and precedes the revival of rehabilitative optimism. Summarizes the book's chapters, and concludes that students may be the audience to find the…

A review of international statistics indicates that youth suicide rates are not increasing in all nations. Furthermore, it is suggested that the quality of life in nations is improving and that this improvement itself may increase the risk of suicide, especially in youth with narcissistic personality traits and antisocial personality disorder…

Examines 15 common myths about adolescent suicide, presenting the actual facts corresponding to each. The myths relate to such issues as prevalence, warning signs, education about suicide, differences between males and females, common methods of adolescent suicide, mental illness and suicide, suicide prevention, genetic factors, poverty and…