Approximately 9.2 to 15.8 million American youth are considered to be at risk, according to a 2000 publication of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. Drug and alcohol abuse, depression, sexual promiscuity, delinquency and dropping out of school are each risk-associated outcomes for teens. According to Denise LaRue and Judith Herrman, whose research appeared in the September 2008 issue of “Pediatric Nursing,” adolescent difficulties are often precipitated by stress regarding school, money, relationships and parents. Warning signs include externalizing behaviors—such as lying, stealing, truancy and bullying others—or internalized difficulties such as sadness, withdrawal and apathy. Academic difficulties may also be present.
Step 1
Talk to your teen. Ask about his friends, schoolwork and extracurricular activities, and discuss appropriate behavioral limits. Although he may seem disinterested, adolescents need parental involvement. As noted by Michael Ungar, whose research appeared in a 2004 issue of “Family Processes,” teenagers rely on adults to provide a structured environment that encourages autonomy, which helps them become valuable members of society and avoid at-risk behaviors.
Step 2
Enlist community resources. Depending on the nature of your teen’s difficulties, intervention strategies may involve individual or family counseling, adult mentorship and residential treatment programs. LaRue and Herrman further suggest peer support groups to help teens develop healthy coping strategies. Consulting with your family physician may also be warranted.
Step 3
Explore educational programming. According to the United Nation’s 2003 “World Youth Report,” schools often provide social-emotional and behavioral supports—in addition to academic instruction—that are essential for developing life skills. Such skills may include conflict management, social adaptability and impulse control. Helping your teen develop a positive sense of self should also be a primary objective.
Step 4
Evaluate outcomes. In the December 2002 issue of “American Psychologist,” the American Psychological Association notes the importance of effective intervention for meeting defined goals. Look for evidence that your strategies are working, knowing that it will take time for your teen to form new behavior patterns. If difficulties persist, revisit previous steps and adjust your responses accordingly.
Step 5
Monitor your teen’s behaviors and emotional health continually. As supported by Ungar’s study, adolescents want ongoing parental involvement. Assume difficulties may be present, even if not readily observed. Maintain accurate records, such as a journal of events and symptoms; this data may inform future interventions.
References
- National Governors Association Center for Best Practices: State Youth Development Strategies to Improve Outcomes for At-Risk Youth
- “Pediatric Nursing”; Adolescent Stress through the Eyes of High-Risk Teens; Denise E. LaRue and Judith W. Herrman; September-October 2008
- “Family Processes”; The Importance of Parents and Other Caregivers to the Resilience of High-risk Adolescents; Michael Unger, Ph.D.; Vol. 43, No.1, 2004
- United Nations: World Youth Report 2003
- American Psychological Association: Criteria for Evaluating Treatment Guidelines
