Adolescent Risk Behaviors : Why Teens Experiment and Strategies to Keep Them Safe

by David A. Wolfe, Peter G. Jaffe, and Claire V. Crooks

• ISBN13: 9780300110807
• ISBN10: 0300110804
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2006-05-28
• Publisher: Yale University Press

Summary

This book focuses on the crucial role that relationships play in the lives of teenagers. The authors particularly examine the ways that healthy relationships can help teens avoid such common risk behaviors as substance abuse, dating violence, sexual assault, and unsafe sexual practices. Addressing the current lack of effective prevention programs for teens, they present new strategies for encouraging healthy choices. The book first traces differences between the "rules of relating" for boys and girls and discusses typical and atypical patterns of experimentation in teens. The authors identify the common link among risk behaviors: the relationship connection. In the second part of the book, they examine the principles of successful programs used by schools and communities to cultivate healthy adolescent development. An illuminating conclusion describes the key ingredients for engaging adolescents, their parents, teachers, and communities in the effort to promote healthy, nonviolent relationships among teens.

Author Biography

David A. Wolfe is Royal Bank of Canada Chair in Children’s Mental Health, director of the CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, and professor of psychology and psychiatry, University of Toronto. Peter G. Jaffe is professor and academic director, Centre for Violence Against Women and Children, University of Western Ontario. Claire Crooks is assistant professor, faculty of education, University of Western Ontario.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword
Alan E. Kazdin	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
CHAPTER 1 Valuing Adolescence	1	(27)
CHAPTER 2 Learning the Rules of Relating	28	(25)
CHAPTER 3 The Dark Side of the Rules	53	(21)
CHAPTER 4 Choices and Pressures of Today's Youth	74	(26)
CHAPTER 5 Making Sense of Making Choices	100	(28)
CHAPTER 6 What Works in Prevention: Promises and Pitfalls	128	(24)
CHAPTER 7 The Blueprint: Best Principles for Program Design	152	(24)
CHAPTER 8 The Delivery: Best Practices for Strengthening Relationships and Managing Risks	176	(23)
CHAPTER 9 The Context: Overcoming Barriers and Engaging Schools	199	(25)
CHAPTER 10 The Evolution of Universal Efforts to Reduce Adolescent Risk Behaviors	224	(13)
References	237	(30)
Index	267