Psychosocial Disturbances in Young People
Challenges for Prevention

The book considers what is special about adolescence and what is known about the risk factors for psychosocial problems in this age period.

Michael Rutter (Edited by)

9780521598736, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 July 1997

426 pages, 12 b/w illus. 8 tables
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.58 kg

'This is an interesting and useful book dealing with important contemporary issues highly relevant to the adolescents of today … Child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, educators, youth workers and other professionals who have to work with adolescents on a daily basis will find this book invaluable.' Paul Lee, Australian and New Zealand Journal

Since the time of the Second World War, there has been a marked rise in all sorts of psychosocial problems in young people - these include crime, suicidal behaviour, alcohol and drug abuse, depression and eating disorders. The rise has been striking because, during this same time period, the physical health of people and their living conditions have improved in most developed countries. Why have psychosocial disorders in adolescents increased? What, moreover, can be done to prevent these disorders, or at least to reduce their adverse impact? In Psychosocial Disturbances in Young People: Challenges for Prevention, experts provide an overview of important areas in adolescence, ranging from delinquency to depression, and address many key questions. The volume successfully integrates various perspectives, with a concluding chapter framing the issue of psychosocial problems in adolescence.

Part I. Challenges: 1. What is special about adolescence? Anne Petersen and Nancy Leffert
2. Timing of puberty and reactions to pubertal changes FRANCOIS ALSAKER
3. The challenge of teenage antisocial behaviour DAVID FARRINGTON
4. The challenge of depressive disorders in adolescence KATHLEEN MERIKANGAS and JULES ANGST
5. Toward explaining patterns and trends in youth crime DAVID SMITH
6. Depression and suicidal behaviours in adolescence: sociocultural and time trends Rene DIEKSTRA
Part II. Preventive Strategies: 7. Promoting successful coping during adolescence BRUCE COMPAS
8. Positive effects of participation in youth organizations JANE QUINN
9. Community influences on adolescent behaviour ALBERT REISS
10. The positive effects of schooling PETER MORTIMORE
Part III. Conclusions: 11. Sociocultural trends affecting the prevalence of adolescent problems Lee ROBINS.

Subject Areas: Child & developmental psychology [JMC]