Experts are constantly talking with fellow parents and caregivers and analyzing their styles.
Following is some of the latest data and research that may be of use as we raise our adolescent(s).
Child Trends
Child Trends is dedicated to improving the lives of children
by conducting research and providing science-based information to improve the decisions, programs, and policies that affect children.
Growing Absolutely Fantastic Youth: A Review of the Research on "Best Practices"
The primary goal of this report is to provide a research-based guide to healthy youth development. This report is based on information gained from years of research in adolescent health promotion. To set the stage, and to create motivation for action, the report begins with a overview of adolescent health issues. Then, based on evaluated programs and policies, a review of promising approaches for the promotion of healthy youth development is presented.
For more information on Growing Absolutely Fantastic Youth click here.
The Importance of Family Dinners
"For 10 years, CASA has been conducting a back to school survey of the attitudes of teens and those, like parents, who most influence them. While other surveys seek to measure the extent of substance abuse in the population, the CASA back to school survey probes substance abuse risk and identifies factors that increase or diminish the likelihood that teens will smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. The tragedy of a child's substance abuse can strike any family; there are no silver bullets, but one factor that does more to reduce teens' substance abuse risk than almost any other is parental engagement, and one of the simplest and most effective ways for parents to be engaged in their teens' lives is by having frequent family dinners." To see the full report click here.
Parent-Teen Relationships and Interactions: Far More Positive Than Not
Results from a nationally representative survey of U.S. teens indicates that most teens say they admire their parents and enjoy spending time with them. The brief also includes a roundup of findings from rigorous U.S. studies showing the link between positive parent-child interactions and a wide range of positive outcomes for teens, as well as similar findings about positive parent-teen relationships in other industrialized countries. A brief is available from Child Trends (pdf) - click here.
Lawrence Steinberg Presidential Address
This PDF format document examines the most important ideas to have emerged in the last 25 years of research on adolescent development in the family context and suggests some direction for the future.
Click here for a PDF of the Lawrence Steinberg Presidential Address, Journal of Research on Adolescence Article. This document examines the most important ideas to have emerged in the last 25 years of research on adolescent development in the family context and suggests some direction for the future.
Positive Parenting for Adolescent Health Study
To view the results of a comprehensive study of parents of teens in the Twin Cities metro area, click here.
Raising Teens: A Synthesis of Research and a Foundation for Action
Center for Health Communication, Harvard School of Public Health. For more information, click here.
TeenLink
A resource for parents and professionals about adolescence. Click here for more information.
The Experiences of Parents of Adolescents with Mental Health Problems
This Data Trend summary presents findings from an interview study designed to investigate the experiences of parents of teenagers aged 13-16 with mental health problems. Analysis of the interview data revealed a process of "parental deskilling" and "parental reskilling" in response to relations with service providers and the role changes experienced by parents. To see the summary click here.
Overscheduled Kids, Underconnected Families Fact Sheet
The Family Environment and Adolescent Well-being: Exposure to Positive and Negative Influences
ChildTrends has released a new report with indicators of father and mother closeness and communication with their adolescent children, among other findings. Find the report online: www.childtrends.org/Files/FamilyEnvironmentRB.pdf.
Overscheduled Kids, Underconnected Families: The Research Evidence
Study About Parental Influence
Teens Report Parental Inattention to Their Important "Rites of Passage" Has High Price Tag (December 16, 2005). National study ties teen transitions to alcohol and drug use, sexual behavior, driving habits, and mental health. Click here.