Adolescent Research

Abstract

Adolescent research can be productively conceptualized and integrated within a life span developmental framework. Research on pubertal timing and adolescent stress is presented in order to illustrate the application and utility of the life span perspective. Reasons for an apparent dearth of life span oriented investigations are discussed; relatively few studies actually examine the childhood precursors and/or adult derivatives associated with adolescent behavior. The necessity for long-term longitudinal designs is underscored as a major obstacle for life span oriented investigations. Alternative strategies by which life span oriented research can be implemented are considered. Such strategies include: reanalyses of data in longitudinal archives, utilization of retrospective data, employment of sequential data collection procedures, and analyses of interindividual differences assumed to reflect developmental differences. While a variety of strategies are available for the life span oriented adolescent researcher, it is concluded that life span developmental principles ultimately must be substantiated by longitudinal data.

Growth-Related Responses to the Threat of COVID-19 among Adolescents

“…This is particularly true with regard to the age group in question that such growth changes require some free space in the physical and symbolic sense, in which young people can express their autonomy and undertake a variety of exploratory activities allowing them to test themselves in different life circumstances and thus gain greater insight into themselves, their own preferences, needs, etc. [24,57,58]. It is usually in this way that adolescents shape their identity while preparing to make important commitments that will give direction to their lives, to pursue in the future the goals and values that are important to them.…”