This resource bulletin focuses on problems in the lives of adolescents that affect students' engagement in schoolwork (drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, the increasing adolescent suicide rate) and considers the school's role with and responsibility for troubled students. It looks specifically at the high school's use of support groups to help such…

Primarily an assessment of current conditions among America's children, youth, families, and of relevant public and private sector policies, this report also contains examples of how families and communities are responding successfully to the challenges before them. Specifically, part I addresses issues of infant mortality; children's health; the…

Concentrating on the development of the brain, this book discusses the impact of children's social environment on their potential for psychological and personal growth. The introduction identifies many child and adolescent behavior patterns that have changed within the last 20 years and are symptomatic of larger societal problems, which include:…

Examined national data on firearm suicides and accidental deaths for 15- through 19-year-olds from 1955-1979. Considered improved accuracy in determination and certification of suicide in equivocal firearm deaths, actual increases in rate of firearm suicides, or combination. Data support hypothesis of certification changes as primary factor…

The 1987 American Association of School Administrators survey on students at risk reported that school districts and administrators are alarmed about increasing dropout rates and are taking action to stem this tide. This report analyzes the problems of at-risk youth and recounts ameliorative efforts throughout the United States. Section A reviews…

Investigated the relationship between adolescents' suicidal behavior and family dysfunction by focusing on the concepts of boundary transgression, double-bind interactions, and the demarcation of family kinship roles. Explores the possibility that suicidal behavior is a double-bind response to contradictions in the way families distribute roles…

Gina Smallwood always worried about whether her teenage son was wearing a seatbelt or having unprotected sex, but she was certainly never concerned about whether he was at high risk for depression. After all, Kelvin Mikhail Smallwood-Jones was a dean's list student with a 4.0 grade point average on a full academic scholarship to one of the most…

Examined psychosocial risk factors for attempting suicide in 1,508 high school students, 26 of whom attempted suicide during year following entry into study. Strongest predictors of future suicide attempt were history of past attempt, current suicidal ideation and depression, recent attempt by friend, low self-esteem, and having been born to…

Adolescents in a technological society are shown to be ignored and abandoned. While in transition and defining their identity, death may be an escape from the failure of finding self-worth. A guarantee of adolescents' place in society is needed; types of psychopathology leading to suicide need to be understood. (CM)

The incidence of teenage depression has increased all over the world. In some populations it is has been accompanied by suicide, but suicide remains rare. Clinical depression, which entails many debilitating physical and psychological symptoms, is a serious disease that can do terrible and even permanent damage to a teenager's developmental…

This book examines the impact of socioeconomic and school environments on youth. It was inspired by the author's work investigating a suicide pact involving four teenagers in Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1987. Through that investigation and afterwards, the author befriended suburban adolescents considered to be outcasts by their families, educators,…

For many parents and students, the transition from elementary school to middle school can be difficult. This book is a compilation of advice and information to help parents prepare for the behavioral, social, and academic adjustments that students may encounter. In this book, the author offers practical tips on topics such a setting up rewards for…

Data were gathered on a statewide basis in 102 Illinois counties on both the incidence and prevalence of adolescent public psychiatric hospitalizations and the identified self-destructive behaviors: (1) completed suicides; (2) assaultive behaviors; (3) runaway behavior; (4) substance abuse; and (5) teenage births, from fiscal year 1985 through…

Growing public concern with student discipline, increases in student suicide rates, homicides, and high pregnancy rates of teenage girls are causing educators to give renewed attention to the concept of "character development" in public education. (MD)

Sport-specific preparticipation examinations do not address social problems (drug abuse, suicide, murder, accidents, and sex) epidemic among teenagers, but they are often the only contact these youth have with a physician. This article discusses these risk factors and presents methods for assessing them during preparticipation exams. (SM)