Introduction
Note: The assessments in this course build upon each other, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them in sequence.
Professionals are often asked to support their organizations’ research on issues, present their findings, and recommend next steps.
While there is a myriad of potential problems in adolescence, some of the more common issues include increased participation in risky or delinquent activity, increases in physical and mental health issues, and issues related to socialization (such as peer group dynamics, sexual identity, and body image).
Risky behaviors, such as crime, substance use, unprotected sex, and reckless driving, reach their peak during adolescence as compared to other stages of life (Steinberg, 2014). To date, the research indicates few empirically supported programs for reducing risky health behavior during adolescence (Steinberg, 2015).
Nutrition, exercise, and sleep are other major areas that offer health-enhancing or health-compromising behavioral choices for adolescents (Santrock, 2023). Adolescents and young adults have less access to health care than other age groups due to a variety of factors (Cobb, 2007).
Socialization for today’s teens looks very different from just a few decades ago. Adolescents spend more waking time in a school setting than in any other environment (Eccles & Roeser, 2011). Navigating the balance between peer groups and individual identity, sexuality, and body image are sources of intense stress for many adolescents. The way in which issues of loyalty, compassion, and acceptance are dealt with during this period often forms the templates for subsequent adult relationships (Santrock, 2023).
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the professional community.
Identify what you consider to be the most under-addressed adolescent health issues, problem behaviors, or social/identity issues in the United States today.
Why are these issues so crucial to the present and future health of adolescents?
What might be an ideal approach to ensuring related healthy interventions for American teens?
What venues and organizations might be the most effective at executing the proposed intervention (or interventions)?
How might adolescent social relationships (friendships, intimate relationships, or relationships with parents) affect the approach to interventions?
References
Cobb, N. J. (2007). Adolescence: Continuity, change, and diversity (6th ed.). McGraw Hill.
Eccles, J. S., & Roeser, R. W. (2011). Schools as developmental contexts during adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(1), 225–241.
Santrock, J. W. (2023). Adolescence (18th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Steinberg, L. (2014). Age of opportunity: Lessons from the new science of adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Steinberg, L. (2015). How to improve the health of American adolescents. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(6), 711–715.
Overview
Instructions
Evaluate current research related to your chosen topic in adolescent development.
What are the current challenges that adolescents experience in relation to your chosen issue?
How does that issue impact adolescent development?
Evaluate the relationship between the literature and real-world practice in relation to your chosen topic in adolescent development.
What has current research suggested about underlying causes and evidence-based best practices for addressing the issue?
Recommend best practices for positive adolescent development.
What subsequent solutions or best practices would be viable options for your organization to adopt in response to the issue?
Use grammar, punctuation, and mechanics expected of graduate-level composition and expression.
The quality of your writing will determine the clarity and acceptability of your argument.
Use APA format and style in written documents, with only minor errors that do not detract from meaning.
Grounding your argument in the accepted format for the field lends credence to your document.
Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA style and formatting: Resources and citations should be formatted per current APA style and formatting standards.
Use APA subheadings.
Include a title page, abstract, table of contents, and reference list, per APA guidelines.
Length of paper: 5–7 double-spaced pages, not including title page, table of contents, abstract, or references list.
References: A minimum of 12 peer-reviewed resources are required.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 points.
