Psychology 350
11-13-00
Adolescence
Outline: Adolescent Problems
Monitoring The Future Study
Binge drinking
Substance abuse
Crime & violence
Suicide
Depression
Adolescent pregnancy
Monitoring the Future Study
Annual surveys of adolescents
National sample
Questionnaires given in school
Focus on historical and developmental trends
Binge drinking
Distinct developmental trajectories
25% males drink excessively from 19-24+
Who is most at risk?
White males, many nights out, drink to get drunk
Risk takers, substance abusers
Low religious importance, social apathy
Communal living, Greek life
Substance Abuse
Historical increase in prevalence
Early experimentation to
strengthen social bonds
provide relaxation
proclaim independence
Factors associated with abuse
Low SES
Dysfunctional family
Rejecting-neglecting parents
Non-religious family
Low self-esteem, poor school performance
Delinquency
Depression or anxiety
Factors that influence marijuana use
Availability? Cost? No
Perceived risk? Punishment? Yes
Adolescent Smoking Habits
Increased awareness of risks but
Increased smoking among high school students
Why?
Crime & Violence
Almost 60% of crimes are committed by people less than 25 years old
America has highest homicide rates
Adolescents and young adults at risk
African-American males at greatest risk
Correlates of Violence
Family dynamics
Gender
Race
Poverty
Availability of weapons
Gang membership
Parallels Between Drinking & Crime During Adolescence
Contexts of adolescence change and:
Pose new risks
Elicit delinquent& illegal behavior
Threaten health & safety
Developmental trajectories established
Dilemma: Policies that Punish or Reform
Suicide
Rare among children under 12 years old
Rate increases dramatically during adolescence
1,000 adolescents attempt suicide in USA every day: 18 are successful which is >6,000/year
Males commit suicide more than females
Why?
Correlates with Suicide Attempts
Family Stress
Ethnicity
Poverty
Perceived Failure
Other Suicides
Drug Use
Time of Year
Symptoms of Depression
Loss of interest, sadness, irritability
Changes in appetite or weight
Altered sleeping patterns
Fidgety, restless
Excessive self-blaming & guilt
Drop in school performance
Recurrent thoughts of death & suicide
Adolescent Pregnancy
Half million babies born annually to teenage mothers
Greater risks for mother and baby
Consequences
Economic, Social, Educational
Supportive programs
Recap: Adolescent Employment
Career goals
Part-time work
Effects of premature affluence