At-Risk Youth: A Comprehensive Response For Counselors, Teachers, Psychologists, and Human Services Professionals

by McWhirter, J. Jeffries; McWhirter, Benedict T.; McWhirter, Ellen Hawley; McWhirter, Robert J.

• ISBN13: 9780534548711
• ISBN10: 0534548717
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-09
• Publisher: Brooks Cole

Summary

Part I: AT-RISK CHILDREN AND YOUTH: THE ECOLOGY OF PROBLEMS. 1. An Introduction to At-Risk Issues: The Tree. 2. Environmental/Societal Factors that Contribute to Risk. 3. Family Problems of At-Risk Children and Youth. 4. School Issues that Relate to At-Risk Children and Youth. 5. Individual Characteristics of High-Risk and Low-Risk Children and Youth. Part II: AT-RISK CATEGORIES. 6. School Dropouts. 7. Substance Use and Addiction. 8. Teenage Pregnancy and Risky Sexual Behavior. 9. Antisocial Behavior, Delinquency and Youth Gangs. 10. School Shooters. 11. Youth Suicide. Part III: PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND TREATMENT APPROACHES. 12. A Prevention/Early Intervention/Treatment Framework and Other Environmental Considerations. 13. Core Components of Programs for Prevention and Early Intervention. 14. Peer Interventions. 15. Family Interventions. 16. Legal and Ethical Issues.

Table of Contents

Dedication	v
Preface	xvii
PART 1 At-Risk Children and Youth: The Ecology of Problems	1	(92)
An Introduction to At-Risk Issues: The Tree	3	(16)
The Scope of the Problems: An Overview of the Ecology of At-Risk Youth	5	(5)
Facts of an At-Risk Society	5	(1)
The Use of the Term At Risk: Definition Problems	6	(3)
Assess the Context of Problems, Such as Poverty and Racism	9	(1)
Case Study: The Andrews Family	10	(3)
At-Risk Problems and Issues	13	(1)
Cause or Effect?	13	(1)
Vulnerable and Underserved	13	(1)
The At-Risk Tree: A Metaphor	14	(4)
Conclusion	18	(1)
Environmental/Societal Factors That Contribute to Risk	19	(17)
The Ecological Model	21	(1)
The Economy and Poverty	22	(4)
Poverty	22	(1)
Welfare Reform	23	(1)
Stagnation of the Working Poor	23	(2)
Single Mothers	25	(1)
Case Study: The Baker Family	26	(3)
Homeless Families	28	(1)
Socioeconomic Status	29	(1)
Health Problems and SES	29	(1)
At-Risk Categories and SES	30	(1)
The Widening Gap	30	(1)
Ennui and Purpose	30	(1)
Parenting Networks	31	(1)
Training for Life	31	(1)
Modest Proposals and Suggestions	32	(3)
Child Care	32	(1)
Skill-Building Programs	33	(1)
Comprehensive Preschool Programs	34	(1)
Conclusion	35	(1)
Family Problems of At-Risk Children and Youth	36	(21)
Societal Changes Affecting the Family	37	(2)
Divorce	38	(1)
The Erosion of Extended-Family Networks	38	(1)
Changes within the Family	39	(4)
The Family Life Cycle	39	(2)
The Family System	41	(2)
Case Study: The Carter Family	43	(3)
Families of Color	45	(1)
Families of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth	45	(1)
Family Problems and Problem Families	46	(2)
Families That Are Stressed	46	(1)
Families with Dysfunction	47	(1)
Child-Rearing Practices: Three Dimensions of Child-Rearing	48	(8)
Parental Inconsistency	49	(2)
Clusters of Child-Rearing Behaviors	51	(5)
Conclusion	56	(1)
School Issues That Relate to At-Risk Children and Youth	57	(20)
The Value of Education	58	(5)
Research on Effective Schools	63	(2)
Variables in Research on School Effects	63	(1)
Definitional Issues in Research on School Effects	64	(1)
Case Study: The Diaz Family	65	(6)
Educational Structure: Schools and Classrooms	71	(5)
School Structure	71	(1)
School Choice	72	(1)
Charter Schools	73	(1)
Classroom Structure	73	(1)
Curriculum Issues	74	(2)
Conclusion	76	(1)
Individual Characteristics of High-Risk and Low-Risk Children and Youth	77	(16)
Resiliency and Invulnerability	79	(1)
Factors That Contribute to Resilience	79	(3)
Social Environment	80	(1)
Family Milieu	81	(1)
Individual Characteristics	81	(1)
Common Characteristics of Resilient Youth	82	(1)
Skills That Characterize High-Risk Versus Low-Risk Youth	82	(8)
Critical School Competencies	83	(1)
Concept of Self and Self-Esteem	84	(2)
Connectedness	86	(2)
Coping Ability	88	(1)
Control	89	(1)
Things to do to Increase the Five Cs	90	(1)
Conclusion	91	(2)
PART 2 At-Risk Categories	93	(126)
School Dropouts	95	(19)
Definitional Issues of the Dropout Problem	96	(1)
Literacy Standards	96	(1)
Definition of Dropout	97	(1)
Scope and Characteristics of the Problem	97	(3)
Immigrant Students	98	(1)
Latino Students	98	(1)
Exceptional Students	99	(1)
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Students	99	(1)
The Consequences of Dropping Out	100	(1)
Economic Consequences	100	(1)
Social Consequences	100	(1)
Predictive Indicators and Type of Dropouts	101	(3)
Differences Between Stayers and Leavers	101	(1)
Predictive Variables and Dropout Types	102	(2)
General Prevention and Intervention Strategies	104	(5)
Family and Community	104	(1)
School	105	(4)
Specific Intervention: Comprehensive, Competency-Based Guidance	109	(2)
Specific Intervention: Solution-Focused Counseling	111	(2)
Conclusion	113	(1)
Substance Use and Addiction	114	(19)
Definitional Difficulties and Assessment	115	(1)
The Scope of the Problem	116	(2)
Some Determinants of Substance Use and Common Characteristics of Users	118	(4)
Environmental and Social Correlates of Substance Use	118	(1)
Peer Influence on Substance Use	119	(1)
Family Correlates of Substance Use	119	(1)
Personal Correlates of Substance Use	120	(2)
Some Consequences of Substance Use	122	(1)
Physiological Consequences	122	(1)
Psychosocial Consequences	122	(1)
General Prevention and Intervention Strategies	123	(6)
Prevention	124	(1)
Community Treatment Programs	125	(1)
School Treatment Programs	126	(2)
Guidelines for Best Practices in Drug/Alcohol Intervention	128	(1)
Specific Intervention: Motivational Interviewing	129	(3)
Conclusion	132	(1)
Teenage Pregnancy and Risky Sexual Behavior	133	(23)
The Scope of the Problem	134	(2)
Precursors of Teen Pregnancy: Common Background Characteristics	136	(4)
Adolescent Development	136	(1)
Antecedent Characteristics	137	(1)
Interpersonal Influences	138	(1)
Media Influences	139	(1)
Consequences of Early Childbearing	140	(2)
Socioeconomic Consequences	140	(1)
Educational Consequences	140	(1)
Health-Related Consequences	141	(1)
Family Development	141	(1)
AIDS and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases	142	(2)
General Prevention and Intervention Strategies	144	(2)
Sexual Antecedent Programs	144	(1)
Nonsexual Antecedent Programs	145	(1)
Specific Intervention: An Adlerian Model	146	(9)
Purposiveness of Behavior	147	(1)
Goals of Misbehavior	147	(4)
Corrective Procedures	151	(2)
Natural and Logical Consequences	153	(1)
Encouragement	154	(1)
Conclusion	155	(1)
Antisocial Behavior, Delinquency, and Youth Gangs	156	(21)
The Scope and Nature of Antisocial Behavior, Delinquency, and Gangs	157	(4)
Family Aggression and Violence	158	(1)
School Problems	158	(1)
Vandalism	159	(1)
Juvenile Delinquency	159	(1)
Gang Membership and Youth Violence	160	(1)
The Origins of the Problem	161	(7)
A Developmental and Ecological Model	161	(1)
Society, Communities, and Neighborhoods	161	(2)
Risk Factors in Society, Communities, and Neighborhoods	163	(1)
Family and Home Environment Risk Factors	163	(1)
School Environment and Risk Factors	164	(2)
Peer Group Environment	166	(1)
Onset of Delinquent Behavior	167	(1)
Gang Involvement	167	(1)
Gang Risk Factors	167	(1)
General Prevention and Intervention Strategies	168	(2)
Family Prevention and Intervention	168	(1)
School Prevention and Intervention	169	(1)
Community Prevention and Intervention	170	(1)
Specific Intervention: Reality Therapy	170	(6)
Assumptions of Reality Therapy	171	(2)
Theoretical Components of Reality Therapy	173	(1)
The Seven Principles of Reality Therapy	174	(2)
Conclusion	176	(1)
School Shooters	177	(18)
Scope of the Problem	178	(1)
Ecological Contributions to the Problem	179	(2)
Guns	179	(1)
Media	180	(1)
Identifying Potential Shooters	181	(2)
Profiling and Checklists	181	(1)
Predicting Versus Preventing	182	(1)
General Prevention and Intervention Strategies	183	(5)
Targets of Intervention	183	(5)
Specific Intervention: Preventing School Shootings	188	(5)
Anger Management	189	(2)
Anti-Bullying Interventions	191	(2)
Conclusion	193	(2)
Youth Suicide	195	(24)
The Scope of the Problem	197	(2)
Risk Factors and Characteristics of Youth Suicide	199	(5)
Interpersonal, Family, and Psychosocial Characteristics	199	(2)
Intrapersonal and Psychological Characteristics	201	(3)
Warning Signs of Suicide	204	(3)
Suicide Motivations	204	(2)
Verbal Messages	206	(1)
Behavioral Changes	206	(1)
General Risk Factors	207	(1)
Common Misconceptions of Suicide	207	(1)
Identification and Assessment Strategies	208	(3)
Forms of Depression	208	(2)
Interviews for Suicide Lethality	210	(1)
Self-Report Inventories	210	(1)
General Prevention and Intervention Strategies	211	(1)
General Prevention	211	(1)
Brief Therapy and Skills Training	211	(1)
Specific Early Intervention, Crisis Management, and Postvention	212	(5)
Crisis Management and Response	213	(2)
Postvention and Follow-Up Treatment	215	(2)
Conclusion	217	(2)
PART 3 Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Approaches	219	(101)
A Prevention/Early Intervention/Treatment Framework and Other Environmental Considerations	221	(19)
A Comprehensive Prevention/Early Intervention/Treatment Framework	222	(1)
History of Prevention Programs	223	(2)
Prevention Defined	225	(1)
Description of the Framework	226	(3)
The Risk Continuum	226	(1)
The Approach Continuum	226	(3)
The Prevention/Treatment Continuum	229	(1)
Environmental Settings	229	(5)
Society/Community	231	(1)
Family	231	(1)
School	231	(3)
Practical Considerations	234	(1)
Counselor/Psychologist/Teacher Interface	234	(1)
Additional Environmental Issues	235	(4)
Relationships	235	(1)
Empowerment	236	(3)
Conclusion	239	(1)
Core Components of Programs for Prevention and Early Intervention	240	(24)
Critical School Competencies	242	(5)
Training in Life Skills	242	(2)
Prevention Strategy for Children: Interpersonal Cognitive Problem Solving (ICPS)	244	(3)
Concept of Self	247	(4)
Training to Prevent Depression	247	(1)
Optimism	248	(1)
Basic Skills of Optimism	249	(1)
Application for At-Risk Problem Prevention	250	(1)
Connectedness	251	(3)
Training in Interpersonal Communication	251	(1)
Assertiveness Skills	252	(2)
Coping Ability	254	(3)
Beneficial Relaxation	254	(1)
Progressive Relaxation	255	(1)
Visual Imagery	255	(1)
Affirmations	256	(1)
Control: Strategies for Cognitive Change	257	(6)
Control of Decisions	258	(1)
Self-Management and Self-Control	259	(2)
Control for Learning	261	(1)
Cognitive Restructuring	261	(2)
Conclusion	263	(1)
Peer Interventions	264	(21)
Importance of Peers	265	(3)
Peer Influence---For Good or Bad	266	(1)
Peer Cluster Theory	267	(1)
Cooperative Learning and Peer Support Networks	268	(5)
Cooperative Learning	268	(1)
Positive Effects of Cooperative Learning Groups	268	(2)
Peer Support Networks	270	(2)
Elements of Cooperative Learning	272	(1)
Peer and Cross-Age Tutoring Programs	273	(5)
Cost-Effectiveness	273	(1)
Readiness	274	(1)
Preparation	274	(1)
Sample Method: Pause, Prompt, and Praise	275	(1)
Program Implementations	276	(2)
Peer Mediation Programs	278	(5)
Background	278	(1)
Theoretical Assumptions	279	(1)
Benefits to Students and to the School	279	(1)
Training Staff Members	280	(1)
Training Student Peer Mediators	280	(1)
Implications	281	(1)
The Ripple Effect	282	(1)
Counseling Ramifications	282	(1)
Peer Facilitation	283	(1)
Training Phase	283	(1)
Service Phase	283	(1)
Conclusion	284	(1)
Family Interventions	285	(19)
Family Counseling	287	(5)
Referring the Family for Counseling	288	(1)
The Nature of Family Counseling	289	(1)
Strategies in Family Counseling	290	(2)
Alternatives and Adjuncts to Family Counseling	292	(11)
The Family Check-Up	293	(1)
Parent Education and Training	293	(3)
Parent Education and Training for Families of Color	296	(1)
Parent Effectiveness Training	297	(4)
Parent Support Groups	301	(2)
Conclusion	303	(1)
Legal and Ethical Issues	304	(16)
The Legal System	305	(8)
Criminal Law	306	(3)
Civil Law	309	(4)
Specific Legal Concerns	313	(6)
Legal Issues in Problems of Substance Use	313	(1)
Legal Issues in Youth Sexuality	313	(2)
Legal Issues in Delinquency	315	(1)
Legal Issues in Youth Suicide	316	(2)
Testifying in Court	318	(1)
Conclusion	319	(1)
References	320	(44)
Name Index	364	(6)
Subject Index	370