A Study of Interactions Emerging Issues in the Science of Adolescence: Workshop Summary (2006) / Chapter Skim
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3 A Time of Risk
3 A Time of Risk
Pages 15-26
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From page 15... ...
The combination of an incompletely developed capacity for decision making, the impulsiveness and stimulation-seeking characteristic of teenagers, their heightened sensory impulses, and their relative emotional volatility -- all occur in the context of a culture that is replete with enticing portrayals of risky behavior and other sources of risk for young people.1 This mix of develop 1The Board on Children, Youth, and Families convened two planning meetings in 2004 that explored aspects of adolescent decision making and adolescent connectedness that are relevant to this discussion. Copies of the background papers prepared for these planning meetings can be found at http://www.bocyf.org/043004.html and http://www.bocyf.org/ 100804.html.
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From page 16... ...
Depression is a serious and potentially debilitating health problem, and it is also linked to virtually all other prevalent adolescent disorders. David Brent, Daniel Pine, and Bruce Compas addressed some of the key factors and interactions that influence the onset and course of adolescent depression, interventions and treatments that are currently available, and thoughts about future directions for research, treatment, and prevention.
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From page 17... ...
Improving the overall health of younger children before their behaviors become rooted in certain patterns could potentially prevent them from being affected by certain risks -- so that they do not, for example, end up associating with deviant peer groups, experimenting with drugs or alcohol, and generally, as he put it, "manufacturing" other problems. Three approaches are available for treatment of adolescent depression: antidepressant drugs, cognitive behavior therapy, and interpersonal therapy.
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From page 18... ...
These underlying forces also have the potential to explain a great deal about variations in the ways young people experience depression and respond to drug therapies or other treatment. Bruce Compas reinforced the points made by both Brent and Pine about the links between brain function and environmental influences.
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From page 19... ...
while normative declines emerge in the early to mid-20s, with the onset of adult roles. She highlighted some key characteristics of adolescence that have already been discussed: increased sensitivity to immediate rewards, a focus on peers and social rewards, immature inhibitory and self-regulatory processes, increased risk taking and sensation seeking, and difficulty with mood regulation.
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From page 20... ...
Some young people are more resistant to problems with substance use than others, and, as a group, even those who have problems display significant variance in terms of the age of onset of substance use; the speed with which they escalate the behavior; and their degree of persistence with certain patterns of use and abuse. Chassin distinguished among two groups of adolescents who develop problems with substance abuse: those who begin the behavior early in the adolescent period and those who begin it late.
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From page 21... ...
In short, they are at a significantly increased risk for clinical substance disorders that persist into adulthood. Chassin discussed several theoretical models for understanding the role of family factors and processes in the development of substance abuse.
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From page 22... ...
While extensive research has been conducted on adolescent dating behaviors, little is known about key risk factors, such as violence, that frequently emerge in intimate relationships. Jay Silverman began his discussion with the point that while violence in dating relationships among teens is a serious problem, it has only recently begun to be addressed as a personal health and public health concern.
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From page 23... ...
Specifically, Silverman presented data obtained from public health surveillance studies suggesting that girls who experience physical or sexual dating violence are more likely to become pregnant, attempt suicide, smoke, and use illicit drugs. Many have also grown up with abuse and other sources of dysfunction in their families.
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From page 24... ...
. sexual content and that shows containing sexual scenes average more than three per hour.4 The percentage of shows containing sexual content that include any mention of possible risks or responsibilities of sexual activity or any reference to contraception or safer sex practices has increased since 1998, although the rate of increase seems to have diminished in recent years; the Kaiser Family Foundation found that in 1998 9 percent contained such references, in 2002 14 percent did, and in 2005 15 percent did (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005)
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From page 25... ...
Music videos frequently portray violence, substance abuse, and sexually suggestive behavior, DiClemente pointed out, and particular attention has focused on gangsta rap music lyrics and videos, in which women are frequently portrayed as sex objects and in subservient roles. In a more recent small-scale study of girls (ages 14 to 18)
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From page 26... ...
CONCLUSION These observations about the causal influences and associations with problem behaviors that influence adolescent health and development led to further discussion about positive influences and preventive strategies that can support positive trajectories and diminish negative risks and disorders. The workshop participants suggested that it would be helpful to understand more about the relationships among increased supports (such as connectedness with family and communities)
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