Relates how psychology's negative view of the adolescent has been
altered by accumulated data so that adolescence is now characterized in
more positive terms. More; From 'Promoting the Health of Adolescents: New
Directions for the Twenty-First Century,' by Bruce E. Compas.
By
PT Staff, published on November 01, 1993
ADOLESCENCE
"Psychology's view of the adolescent has been sufficiently negative
that for much of the past a discussion of the nature of positive mental
health during adolescence would have constituted a contradiction in
terms. Adolescence was viewed as a period of stress and storm in which
psychopathology, personal distress, and behavioral dysfunction were
considered to be the norm. Adolescents were characterized as
self-focused, depressed, rebellious, hostile toward the family, and
likely to be involved in deviant peer group activities. The accumulation
of considerable empirical data has led to substantial changes such that
we now characterize adolescence in positive terms as a developmental
stage offering tremendous opportunities for growth and positive
outcomes."
PHOTO: Boy dressed in "hip" clothing. (JOSEPH
RODRIGUEZ/BLACKSTAR)
From Promoting the Health of Adolescents: New Directions for the
Twenty-First Century (Oxford University Press; 1993)
Tags:
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hip clothing,
joseph rodriguez,
mental health,
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new directions,
norm,
oxford university press,
peer group,
personal distress,
positive mental health,
psychology,
substantial changes,
twenty first century
