Families with Adolescents: Bridging the Gaps Between Theory, Research, and Practice (Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development)

Despite their flocking to social networking sites in unprecedented numbers, research confirms that adolescents continue to be influenced primarily by their families rather than their peers and other social contexts. Consequently, the family unit remains a vital setting for understanding and intervening with youth. Synthesizing important findings from the literature on family science and such related fields as psychology, sociology, social work, and public health, __Families with Adolescents__ focuses a unique panoramic lens on the study of adolescent development. This concise volume offers a clear blueprint for more consistently improved practice, emphasizing family process and structure instead of individual developmental stages. Its chapters deftly summarize the recent knowledge base across the mental health and social services disciplines, illustrating family concerns and theoretical perspectives coupled with real-world vignettes and making cogent use of family assessment measures. Featured topics include: * Central concepts of family development, family systems, ecological, attachment, and social learning theories in relation to families with adolescents. * Impact of the family on adolescent behavior, education, and mental health outcomes. * Selected studies on parenting behaviors, conflict resolution, and other major aspects of families with adolescents. * Application topics in family-based intervention and prevention programs. * Integrating theory, research, and applications to create a “triple threat” model. __Families with Adolescents__ is an essential resource for researchers and graduate students as well as mental health therapists in clinical child and developmental psychology, family studies, human development, sociology, social work, and education. Despite their flocking to social networking sites in unprecedented numbers, research confirms that adolescents continue to be influenced primarily by their families rather than their peers and other social contexts. Consequently, the family unit remains a vital setting for understanding and intervening with youth. Synthesizing important findings from the literature on family science and such related fields as psychology, sociology, social work, and public health, Families with Adolescents focuses a unique panoramic lens on the study of adolescent development. This concise volume offers a clear blueprint for more consistently improved practice, emphasizing family process and structure instead of individual developmental stages. Its chapters deftly summarize the recent knowledge base across the mental health and social services disciplines, illustrating family concerns and theoretical perspectives coupled with real-world vignettes and making cogent use of family assessment measures. Featured topics include: Central concepts of family development, family systems, ecological, attachment, and social learning theories in relation to families with adolescents. Impact of the family on adolescent behavior, education, and mental health outcomes. Selected studies on parenting behaviors, conflict resolution, and other major aspects of families with adolescents. Application topics in family-based intervention and prevention programs. Integrating theory, research, and applications to create a "(Btriple threat" model. Families with Adolescents is an essential resource for researchers and graduate students as well as mental health therapists in clinical child and developmental psychology, family studies, human development, sociology, social work, and education Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Introduction....Pages 3-7 Overview of Theory, Research, and Application Topics....Pages 9-21 Front Matter....Pages 23-23 Family Development Theory....Pages 25-32 Family Systems Theory....Pages 33-39 Ecological Theory....Pages 41-47 Attachment Theory....Pages 49-55 Social Learning Theory....Pages 57-64 Front Matter....Pages 65-65 Research on the Parent–Adolescent Dyad....Pages 67-76 Polyadic Research on Families with Adolescents....Pages 77-89 The Family’s Impact on Adolescent Outcomes....Pages 91-109 Front Matter....Pages 111-111 Family Therapy and Other Family Intervention-Based Efforts....Pages 113-123 Family Prevention Programs....Pages 125-135 Front Matter....Pages 137-137 Outlook on Theoretical, Research, and Application Efforts to Date....Pages 139-150 The Need to Integrate Theory, Research, and Application Efforts....Pages 151-158 Back Matter....Pages 159-197 Overview Of Theory, Research, And Application Topics -- Family Development Theory -- Family Systems Theory -- Ecological Theory -- Attachment Theory -- Social Learning Theory -- Research On The Parent-adolescent Dyad -- Polyadic Research On Families With Adolescents -- The Family's Impact On Adolescent Outcomes -- Family Therapy And Other Family Intervention-based Efforts -- Family Prevention Programs -- Outlook On Theoretical, Research, And Application Efforts To Date -- The Need To Integrate Theory, Research, And Application Efforts. Stephen M. Gavazzi. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 159-190) And Index. This book focuses a unique panoramic lens on the study of adolescent development. It offers a clear blueprint for more consistently improved practice, emphasizing family process and structure instead of individual developmental stages.