Abstract: This paper describes a risk-protection perspective on adolescent problem behavior and mental health and its implications for experiential and adventure educators. Empirically, multiple biological, psychological, and social factors in the individual, family, and environment are predictive of various adolescent antisocial behaviors such as delinquency, violence, substance abuse, and school dropout. Behavioral involvement increases with greater number of risks present, and most problem behaviors share common risks. Although not all children and adolescents exposed to risks engage in problem behavior, protective factors moderate or mediate exposure to risks, protecting individuals by reducing their negative effects or by altering the individual's reaction to them. The Social Development Model hypothesizes that children and youth learn prosocial and antisocial behaviors through an iterative socialization process involving family, school, community, religious organizations, and peers, and that youth who are bonded to a social group are unlikely to risk rejection by violating behavioral standards. With regard to experiential education and adventure therapy, programs must be designed to address specific risks associated with targeted behavioral problems. Additionally, the Social Development Model directs attention to the types of opportunities provided to clients and to the social networks in which they are provided. Includes a chart of adolescent problem behaviors and their associated risk factors. Contains 12 references. (SV)

Title: Adventure Programming & Prevention of Adolescent Problem Behaviors: Applying Research and the Public Health Model of Prevention.
Author: Ayers, Charles; Shavel, David
Note: 10p.; In: Deeply Rooted, Branching Out, 1972-1997. Annual AEE International Conference Proceedings; see RC 021 269.
Publication Year: 1997
Document Type: Project Description (141); Conference Paper (150)
Target Audience: Practitioners and Teachers
ERIC Identifier: ED414125
Clearinghouse Identifier: RC021271
This document is available from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service.

Descriptors: * Adolescents; Adventure Education; At Risk Persons; * Behavior Problems; Delinquency; * Experiential Learning; Intervention; Models; * Prevention; Public Health; * Risk; * Socialization

Identifiers: *Adventure Therapy