1. Problems in Adolescence
Chapter 13: Introduction
Problems in Adolescence

2. Problems In Adolescence
Remember “adolescent generalization gap”
Negative stereotyping
73% of adolescents have a positive self-image
Not ALL adolescents face problems
Adolescence is a time of many changes
Problems in adolescence are generally associated with a combination of factors

3. Biopsychosocial Approach
Biological Factors
Genetics, puberty, hormones, the brain
Early maturation - drug abuse & delinquency (girls)
Puberty – depression (girls)
Early sexual intercourse – delinquency & drug abuse
Brain development (prefrontal cortex/amygdala) – risk taking & sensation seeking bxs

4. Biopsychosocial Approach
Psychological Factors
Identity, personality traits, decision making, self control
Search for identity/ experimentation
Early adolescent emotional fluctuations can become intensely negative – depression and aggression
Low conscientiousness – substance abuse & conduct problems
Emotions can overwhelm decision-making ability
Low self-control – substance abuse, delinquency

5. Biopsychosocial Approach
Social Factors
Family, peers, schools, SES, poverty, neighborhoods
High levels of parent-child conflict, inadequate supervision, insecure attachment
Increase time and connection with peers (+/-)
Rejected adolescents – low self-esteem, depression, suicide
Delinquent peers – substance abuse & delinquency
Early dating – substance abuse
Break-ups -- depression
Schools are not meeting the needs of adolescents
Impersonal, no counseling available
Low SES
High SES – male substance abuse

6. Developmental Pathway Approach
Where does the problem start?
What are precursors? Risk factors? Early experiences?
How does the problem develop over time?
Longitudinal studies
What are protective factors?
Ultimately seeking to inform treatment and prevention, and develop effective interventions.

7. Developmental Pathway Approach
Parental psychopathology – childhood depression
Maternal depression
Infant Attachment style – Adolescent problems
Insecure attachment in infancy – adolescent anxiety
Avoidant attachment in infancy – adolescent conduct problems
Early supportive care (secure attachment)  early peer competence  decrease chance of problems in adolescence and early adulthood (protective factors)
Patterns of problems in adolescence – patterns in adulthood
continuity

8. Internalizing & Externalizing
Problems turned inward
Anxiety, depression, suicide
Predicts internalizing problems in adulthood
Middle SES – overcontrolled
More characteristic of females
Problems turned outward
Delinquency, aggression, violence, bullying
Elevates risk for antisocial problems in adulthood
Predicts adult female internalizing problems
Lower SES – destruction of property, fighting
More characteristic of males

9. Characteristics of Problems
Wide spectrum
Duration, severity
Gender, SES, age in development
Referrals to MH services
Unhappiness
sadness
Depression
Difficulties in school (primary or secondary)
Risk factors vs. developmental assets
External: Support, empowerment, boundaries & expectations, constructive use of time
Internal: commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, positive identity

10. Stress
The response to circumstances and events that threaten and/or tax one’s coping abilities
Acute or chronic
Physical, emotional, psychosocial stressors
Many sources of stress
Perception of stress decreases in late adolescence

11. Coping
Managing taxing circumstances, expending effort to master problems, seeking to reduce stress
Healthy vs. unhealthy coping strategies
Individual characteristics
Active and internal coping increase as adolescents age
Problem-focused coping: face one’s troubles and try to solve them
Emotion-focused coping: responding to stress in an emotional manner (using defense mechanisms)
Rationalizing, denying, avoiding, joking
Maladaptive

12. Coping Thinking positively Behaving positively Seek support
Optimism
Behaving positively
Increase self control
Active, not reactive
Seek support
Close, secure friendships
Professional support
Do not isolate
Context specific
Coping depends on the context you are in
Coping flexibility