1. Problems in Adolescence -- Overview “Storm and Stress” legacy “Storm and Stress” legacy In reality, most A’s manage and many are resilient when coping with problems In reality, most A’s manage and many are resilient when coping with problems Still, teens and twenties are a time when various probs are more likely to occur (e.g., risky automobile driving; schizophrenia) Still, teens and twenties are a time when various probs are more likely to occur (e.g., risky automobile driving; schizophrenia) Are problems “A-limited” – transitory – or “life- course”? (Origin & onset is important.) Are problems “A-limited” – transitory – or “life- course”? (Origin & onset is important.)

2. Factors involved in problems Bio-Psycho- Social perspective Biological (e.g. prefrontal cortex; Puberty) Psychological (e.g., sensation- seeking, resiliency, ability to manage stress) Socio-cultural (e.g., expectations, gender roles, Peers, neighborhood)

3. Two Broad Problem Types 1. Internalizing Problems – primarily affect a person’s internal world (cause distress) More common in females More common in females 2. Externalizing Problems – create difficulties in a person’s external world More common among males More common among males Often motivated by thrill-seeking, not necessarily underlying unhappiness or psychopathology Often motivated by thrill-seeking, not necessarily underlying unhappiness or psychopathology Reality: Not so distinct -- problems are often a combo of internal/external (e.g., substance abuse)

4. Internalizing Problems Examples: Schizophrenia (The Secret Life of the Brain, PBS DVD Eating disorders Depression and anxiety

5. Externalizing Problems Examples: Risky driving behavior Delinquency issues Substance abuse

6. Driver Crash Involvement: Fatality Rates per 100,000: 1997 Sex and age diffs

7. Risky Driving 16 – 24 year olds have the highest rates of auto accidents, injuries, & fatalities Possible Reasons? Driver Inexperience?Risks taken while drivingDriving while impairedNot wearing a seatbeltLack of parental monitoring Cultural norms that glorify speeding and racing Belief that friends approve of risky driving Sensation-seeking personality Aggressiveness Optimistic Bias

8. Shope’s Model of Young Driver Crash Risks (2002)

9. Delinquency issues (Increasing in severity) (Increasing in severity) Delinquency – destructive, antisocial, and/or lawbreaking activitiesDelinquency – destructive, antisocial, and/or lawbreaking activities Oppositional Defiant Disorder (DSM-IV criteria)Oppositional Defiant Disorder (DSM-IV criteria) Conduct disorder (DSM-IV criteria)Conduct disorder (DSM-IV criteria)

10. Two Types of Delinquency Life-course-persistent delinquents Pattern of problems from childhood Pattern of problems from childhood May originate in neuropsychological deficits (difficult temperament, LD) (see next slide) May originate in neuropsychological deficits (difficult temperament, LD) (see next slide) Likely to grow up in high risk environment Likely to grow up in high risk environment Adolescence-delimited delinquents No signs of early problems No signs of early problems Period of occasional criminal activity between ages of 12-25 (e.g., vandalism) Period of occasional criminal activity between ages of 12-25 (e.g., vandalism) (Moffit, 1993)

11. –A’s with conduct disorder Fail to show normal fear Fail to show normal fear Fail to avoid punishment Fail to avoid punishment May have under-aroused CNS (next slide) (next slide) –A’s with conduct disorder Fail to show normal fear Fail to show normal fear Fail to avoid punishment Fail to avoid punishment May have under-aroused CNS (next slide) (next slide) Neurobiological influences in conduct problems

12. Arousal level in boys (as a predictor of criminality) Adrenaline excretion(ng/min) 15 10 5 0 Nonstressful situation Stressful situation Those with later convictions have lower levels of arousal No criminal conviction Criminal conviction

13. Prevention and Treatment Prevention programs for children who show signs of risk for serious delinquency (life-course pattern) Prevention programs for children who show signs of risk for serious delinquency (life-course pattern) Individual and family therapyIndividual and family therapy Group therapyGroup therapy Scared Straight “Boot Camp”Scared Straight “Boot Camp” Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH)Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) Wilderness &/or outdoor adventure therapy Wilderness &/or outdoor adventure therapy

14. Preventing Crime & Delinquency Problems with prevention programs: Problems with prevention programs: 1.Participation is typically non-voluntary 2.Prevention comes too late (in adolescence) after behavior patterns have been established 3.Often have too narrow an approach The Multisytemic Approach has been met with some success MST includes parent training, job training, vocational counseling, development of neighborhood activities and centers – directing the energy of delinquents in positive directions. See the next slide for data on MST.

15. Preventing Crime & Delinquency Multisytemic therapy (MST) vs. usual Juvenile Justice Services for serious adolescent offenders

16. Substance Use & Abuse ATOD – Alcohol, Cigarettes, other drugs (e.g., MJ, cocaine, LSD, X) ATOD – Alcohol, Cigarettes, other drugs (e.g., MJ, cocaine, LSD, X) A & T use common in adolescence and emerging adulthood A & T use common in adolescence and emerging adulthood When is use problematic (e.g., “addiction,” substance abuse)? Biopsychosocial approach (“teen brain DVD”) When is use problematic (e.g., “addiction,” substance abuse)? Biopsychosocial approach (“teen brain DVD”)

17. Gateway theory in Substance abuse 1.Drinking beer and wine 2.Smoking cigarettes and drinking hard liquor 3.Smoking marijuana 4.Using “hard” drugs