Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach Chapter 13 Problems Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Adolescence and Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Emerging Adulthood: A

Cultural ApproachCultural Approach

Chapter 13Chapter 13

ProblemsProblems

Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett. Copyright © 2004 by Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Chapter OverviewChapter Overview


Externalizing problemsExternalizing problems• Problem behavior theoryProblem behavior theory• Risky automobile drivingRisky automobile driving• Substance useSubstance use• Delinquency and crimeDelinquency and crime• Factors involved in risk behaviorFactors involved in risk behavior

Internalizing problemsInternalizing problems• DepressionDepression• Eating disordersEating disorders

Two Broad Problem TypesTwo Broad Problem Types


1.1. ExternalizingExternalizing Problems – create difficulties in a person’s Problems – create difficulties in a person’s external world (a.k.a. “undercontrolled”)external world (a.k.a. “undercontrolled”)

Tend to go together (a person that fights is also more likely Tend to go together (a person that fights is also more likely to commit other crimes)to commit other crimes)

More common among malesMore common among males Often motivated by desire for excitement, not necessarily Often motivated by desire for excitement, not necessarily

underlying unhappiness or psychopathologyunderlying unhappiness or psychopathology

2.2. InternalizingInternalizing Problems – primarily affect a person’s internal Problems – primarily affect a person’s internal world (A.k.a. “overcontrolled”)world (A.k.a. “overcontrolled”)

Tend to go together (a person who is depressed is also more Tend to go together (a person who is depressed is also more likely to have an anxiety disorder)likely to have an anxiety disorder)

More common in femalesMore common in females Associated with experiencing distressAssociated with experiencing distress

Bear in Mind… The distinction between the two types is not absolute. A delinquent adolescent might also be depressed. Research shows adolescents with both types have had difficult family backgrounds.


Externalizing Problems = Risk Behavior

= Problem Behavior

Extensively studied by social Scientists in the

past 30 years

Substance Use

Risky Driving

Risky Sexual Behavior

Crime

Problem Behavior TheoryProblem Behavior Theory


Problem Behavior Problem Behavior SyndromeSyndrome = Pattern of = Pattern of correlations between externalizing correlations between externalizing problemsproblems

Theory: Problems have common origins Theory: Problems have common origins • BackgroundBackground factors – e.g., family income factors – e.g., family income• PersonalityPersonality factors – e.g., self-esteem factors – e.g., self-esteem• SocialSocial factors – e.g., parental control factors – e.g., parental control

(Jessor)

Bear in Mind… The correlations among the different problem behaviors are not always high and should not be over-emphasized. It’s important not to jump to conclusions!

Risky DrivingRisky Driving


Highest rates of auto accidents, Highest rates of auto accidents, injuries, & fatalities?injuries, & fatalities? Youth aged 16-24Youth aged 16-24

Leading cause of death for thisLeading cause of death for thisage group?age group?

Auto accidentsAuto accidents

Possible Reasons?Possible Reasons?

Driver Inexperience?Risks taken while drivingDriving while impairedNot wearing a seatbeltLack of parental monitoringCultural norms that glorify speeding and racingBelief that friends

approve of risky drivingSensation-seeking

personalityAggressivenessOptimistic Bias

Other factors?Other factors?Are these individual, social, cultural, Are these individual, social, cultural, factors?factors?


Shope’s Model of Young Driver

Crash Risks (2002)

Driver Crash Involvement: Driver Crash Involvement: Property DamageProperty Damage


Rates per 100,000: 1997

What do you notice?


Driver Crash Involvement: Driver Crash Involvement: InjuryInjury

Rates per 100,000: 1997

What do you notice?

Driver Crash Involvement: Driver Crash Involvement: FatalityFatality


Rates per 100,000: 1997

What do you notice?

Prevention: Two ApproachesPrevention: Two Approaches1.1. Driver EducationDriver Education

• Generally hasn’t worked too well…Generally hasn’t worked too well…• Get your license faster…you’re out Get your license faster…you’re out

there driving and getting into there driving and getting into accidents!accidents!

2.2. Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)• More effectiveMore effective• Address a variety of risk factorsAddress a variety of risk factors• Restrict the conditions under which Restrict the conditions under which

novices can drivenovices can drive


Graduated Licensing StrategyGraduated Licensing Strategy Three Stages to a Three Stages to a GDL GDL program:program:

1.1. LearningLearning License – getting driving License – getting driving experience under supervision of experience under supervision of experienced driverexperienced driver

2.2. RestrictedRestricted License – can drive License – can drive unsupervised, but with restrictions unsupervised, but with restrictions designed to reduce crashes (e.g., designed to reduce crashes (e.g., driving curfews)driving curfews)

3.3. Full Full License – after 1 year restrictedLicense – after 1 year restricted


N

L


Substance UseSubstance Use

AlcoholAlcohol

CigarettesCigarettes

Illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, Illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy…)cocaine, LSD, ecstasy…)

Adolescent substance use became target of a great deal of political attention,

public policy programs and researchIn the 1980s and beyond….

Substance Use, 1975-1999Substance Use, 1975-1999


Source: Monitoring the Future, 2000

Alcohol & Marijuana Use by AgeAlcohol & Marijuana Use by Age


Notice the higher levels of use during

age when unstructured socializing is

most prevalent

Sequence of Substance UseSequence of Substance Use

1.1. Drinking beer and wineDrinking beer and wine

2.2. Smoking cigarettes and drinking hard Smoking cigarettes and drinking hard liquorliquor

3.3. Smoking marijuanaSmoking marijuana

4.4. Using “hard” drugsUsing “hard” drugs


Some people have interpreted the Some people have interpreted the “gateway drug” theory as indicating “gateway drug” theory as indicating that if adolescents could be that if adolescents could be prevented from using alcohol and prevented from using alcohol and cigarettes, they would also be less cigarettes, they would also be less likely to use marijuana and hard likely to use marijuana and hard drugs.drugs.

Do you think this is true, or would Do you think this is true, or would they be more likely to use other they be more likely to use other drugs if their access to alcohol and drugs if their access to alcohol and cigarettes were curtailed?cigarettes were curtailed?

Discussion StopDiscussion Stop


Adolescents use in different ways…Adolescents use in different ways…


ExperimentalExperimental curiosity “to see what it’s like”curiosity “to see what it’s like”Once or twiceOnce or twice

SocialSocial Use during social activities with one Use during social activities with one or more friendsor more friends

MedicinalMedicinal To relieve unpleasant emotional To relieve unpleasant emotional state such as sadness or anxietystate such as sadness or anxiety

AddictiveAddictive Dependency either physical or Dependency either physical or psychologicalpsychological

What do you think?Which adolescents use more frequently? Which adolescents tend to be healthier psychologically?What are implications of each type of use? What types of prevention strategies might work best for each type?

Delinquency and Crime: DefinitionsDelinquency and Crime: Definitions Delinquency – when “juveniles” commit Delinquency – when “juveniles” commit

crimes:crimes:

1.1. StatusStatus Offences – only a violation of the law Offences – only a violation of the law because committed by juvenilebecause committed by juvenile

2.2. IndexIndex Crimes – serious crimes at any age Crimes – serious crimes at any age Violent CrimesViolent Crimes

Property CrimesProperty Crimes

3.3. Nonindex Nonindex Crimes – less serious offenses Crimes – less serious offenses such as gambling, disorderly conductsuch as gambling, disorderly conduct


Age and CrimeAge and Crime


1842 1977

Two Types of DelinquencyTwo Types of Delinquency

Life-course-persistentLife-course-persistent delinquents delinquents Pattern of problems from birth on upPattern of problems from birth on up

Originate in neuropsychological deficits (difficult Originate in neuropsychological deficits (difficult temperament, LD)temperament, LD)

Likely to grow up in high risk environmentLikely to grow up in high risk environment

Adolescent-delimitedAdolescent-delimited delinquents delinquents No signs of problems in infancy or childhoodNo signs of problems in infancy or childhood

Period of occasional criminal activity between ages of Period of occasional criminal activity between ages of 12-25 (e.g., vandalism, illegal drug use)12-25 (e.g., vandalism, illegal drug use)


(Moffit, 1993)

What do you think of Moffit’s What do you think of Moffit’s claim that adolescence-claim that adolescence-delimited delinquents are delimited delinquents are motivated by a desire to claim motivated by a desire to claim access to adult power and access to adult power and privilege?privilege?

What other motivations do you What other motivations do you think may be involved in AL think may be involved in AL delinquency?delinquency?



Preventing Crime & DelinquencyPreventing Crime & Delinquency

Prevention programs for children who Prevention programs for children who show signs of risk for LCPD and for show signs of risk for LCPD and for adolescents engaging in serious adolescents engaging in serious delinquencydelinquency

Varied Strategies:Varied Strategies:• Individual therapyIndividual therapy• Group therapyGroup therapy• Vocational trainingVocational training• Outward Bound type programsOutward Bound type programs• Scared Straight “Boot Camp” type programsScared Straight “Boot Camp” type programs



Two problems with prevention programs:Two problems with prevention programs:

1.1. Participation is typically non-voluntary or Participation is typically non-voluntary or against one’s willagainst one’s will

2.2. Prevention comes too late (in adolescence) Prevention comes too late (in adolescence) after behavior patterns have been establishedafter behavior patterns have been established


• The Multisytemic Approach has been met with some success

• MST includes parent training, job training, vocational counseling, development of neighborhood activities and centers – directing the energy of delinquents in positive directions.

• See the next slide for data on MST.



Multisytemic therapy (MST) vs. usual Juvenile Justice Multisytemic therapy (MST) vs. usual Juvenile Justice Services for serious adolescent offendersServices for serious adolescent offenders

Note: Lower is better!


Factors involved in Risk Behavior

Socialization and DelinquencySocialization and Delinquency

What is a “socialized delinquent”? What is a “socialized delinquent”? An “unsocialized delinquent”?An “unsocialized delinquent”?

Check out the chapter!

Find out about research on other factors involved in Risk Behavior outlined in the Previous Slide

Culture and Risk BehaviorCulture and Risk Behavior In traditional cultures, Schlegel and Barry In traditional cultures, Schlegel and Barry

(1991) found that boys and not girls tend to (1991) found that boys and not girls tend to engage in risk behavior during adolescenceengage in risk behavior during adolescence

Evidence of antisocial behavior in less than half Evidence of antisocial behavior in less than half of the cultures studiedof the cultures studied

In Western countries other than the USA, In Western countries other than the USA, engage in less risky driving behaviorengage in less risky driving behavior

USA has highest rates of violent crimesUSA has highest rates of violent crimes


See the following two slides for data related to See the following two slides for data related to culture and risk behavior culture and risk behavior

Deaths from Suicide & HomicideDeaths from Suicide & Homicide


The USA has the highest homicide rate;

Canada the highest suicide rate

15-year olds Who Report Smoking Daily 15-year olds Who Report Smoking Daily


Levels of DepressionLevels of Depression


Depression is an enduring period Depression is an enduring period of sadness:of sadness:

• Depressed moodDepressed mood: enduring period of : enduring period of sadness without any related sadness without any related symptomssymptoms

• Depressive syndromeDepressive syndrome: addition of : addition of symptoms such as frequent crying, symptoms such as frequent crying, feeling guilty, lonely or worriedfeeling guilty, lonely or worried

• Major Depressive DisorderMajor Depressive Disorder: Episode : Episode includes five or more symptoms includes five or more symptoms during a two-week period and disrupt during a two-week period and disrupt functioningfunctioning

Major Depressive DisorderMajor Depressive Disorder


1.1. Depressed or irritable mood for most of the day, Depressed or irritable mood for most of the day, nearly every day.nearly every day.

2.2. Reduced interest or pleasure in all or almost all Reduced interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities, nearly every day.activities, nearly every day.

3.3. Significant weight loss or gain, or decrease in Significant weight loss or gain, or decrease in appetite.appetite.

4.4. Insomnia or oversleeping.Insomnia or oversleeping.

5.5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation, observable by Psychomotor agitation or retardation, observable by others.others.

6.6. Low energy or fatigue.Low energy or fatigue.

7.7. Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.

8.8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate.Diminished ability to think or concentrate.

9.9. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal thoughts.thoughts.

Constructing Ideas:Constructing Ideas:Causes of Depression?Causes of Depression?


Define and discuss the diathesis-stress model in terms of genetic and environmental factors.

How does gender relate to this?

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) recognizes

that depression is characterized by

negative attributions, and a belief that the

situation is permanent and uncontrollable

The goal of CBT is to help the young person recognize the cognitive habits that are promoting depression and

work to change those habits. Strategies include

discussion, role play, practicing new ways of

interacting

Treating Depression with CBT…

Relapse is less likely after CBT treatment than drug treatment

Suicide: Risk Factors and FactsSuicide: Risk Factors and Facts RiskRisk factors: factors:

• DepressionDepression• Family disruptionFamily disruption• Substance abuse problemsSubstance abuse problems• Relationship problems outside familyRelationship problems outside family• Result of series of difficulties over timeResult of series of difficulties over time


Females 4 times more likely than males to attempt suicideFemales 4 times more likely than males to attempt suicide

Males 4 times more likely than females to kill themselvesMales 4 times more likely than females to kill themselves

Rates are highest where guns are most availableRates are highest where guns are most available

Third most Third most common cause of common cause of death ages 15-19death ages 15-19

Higher rates among White than Black youthHigher rates among White than Black youth

Rates highest among Native American youthRates highest among Native American youth

Eating DisordersEating Disorders


Anorexia Nervosa – Anorexia Nervosa – intentional self-starvingintentional self-starving

Bulimia – binge eating and Bulimia – binge eating and purgingpurging

Cultural ideal of thinnessCultural ideal of thinness Puberty and body changesPuberty and body changes

More common among upper and middle socioeconomic classesMore common among upper and middle socioeconomic classes

Girls who read magazines like “Seventeen” are moreGirls who read magazines like “Seventeen” are morelikely to strive for thinnesslikely to strive for thinness

Occurs most often among females in teens and early 20sOccurs most often among females in teens and early 20s

Warm and controlling parentsWarm and controlling parents

What would you What would you propose as an propose as an effective effective treatment for treatment for different eating different eating disorders? Why?disorders? Why?



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Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach Chapter 13 Problems Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett