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Defining Adolescent Substance Use and Abuse Adolescent substance use refers to the consumption of psychoactive substances—including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and illicit drugs—by individuals typically aged 10 to 19. This behavior exists on a continuum, ranging from experimental or occasional use to problematic use, dependency, and the clinical diagnosis of a substance use disorder (SUD). While […]
Introduction and Conceptual Definition Adolescent substance use refers to the consumption of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and illicit or misused prescription drugs, by individuals typically aged 10 to 19 years. This phenomenon is a critical concern in public health and developmental psychology, primarily because substance use during this formative period can profoundly disrupt […]
Defining the Scope of Adolescent Substance Use Adolescent substance use (ASU) represents a critical public health concern, encompassing the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, or misuse of prescription medications by individuals aged roughly 10 to 19. This period of development is characterized by significant physical, psychological, and social transitions, rendering youth particularly vulnerable to […]
Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Abuse: An Encyclopedia Entry Adolescent substance use, encompassing the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit or non-prescribed psychoactive drugs, represents a significant public health crisis with profound implications for neurodevelopmental trajectory and lifelong health outcomes. The period of adolescence, defined roughly between the ages of 10 and 19, is characterized by […]
Defining Adolescent Substance Use and Abuse Adolescent substance use refers to the consumption of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, by individuals typically ranging in age from 10 to 19 years. This behavior exists on a complex continuum, ranging from experimental or occasional use, which may involve minor risk, to severe substance use […]
Introduction and Definition of Adolescent Suicidal Behavior Adolescent suicidal behavior encompasses a complex spectrum of thoughts, communications, and actions ranging from passive ideation to completed suicide, representing a significant and growing public health crisis globally. Defined specifically as self-injurious behavior with the intent to die, this phenomenon is distinct from non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), although the […]
Introduction and Scope of the Problem Adolescent suicide represents a profound public health crisis and remains one of the leading causes of death among young people globally, necessitating intensive research and formalized intervention strategies within the field of psychology. Understanding the etiology of suicidal behavior in this population requires an appreciation of the unique developmental […]
Defining the Adolescent Cancer Survivor Population The cohort of adolescent cancer survivors (ACS) represents a growing segment of the long-term survivor population, defined generally as individuals diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 13 and 24, although clinical definitions often vary slightly. This population is distinct from both pediatric and adult oncology patients, facing unique […]
Introduction and Definition of Adolescent Temperament Temperament, often defined as the constitutionally based individual differences in reactivity and self-regulation, represents the foundational biological substrate of later personality traits. When examining the adolescent period—a critical phase characterized by rapid neurobiological maturation, increased social complexity, and the formation of identity—the study of temperament gains profound significance. Temperament […]
Adolescent Therapeutic Community Treatment Process