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What Is Normal?

Daniel Offer, MD; Eric Ostrov, JD, PhD; Kenneth I. Howard, PhD

Am J Dis Child. 1989;143(6):731-736.

Abstract
• We present in some detail what constitutes normal behavior, or mental health, among teenagers. Our data are based on the results of a specially devised psychological questionnaire by one of us (D.O.). This questionnaire has been shown to reliably distinguish mentally healthy from psychiatrically disturbed populations. Results are presented across three decades (1960s, 1970s, and 1980s), across genders, and across the high school years. A conceptual framework is presented to help the clinician working with adolescents to understand the fluctuation in psychopathology among youth. Adolescent density in the total population is shown to be a significant factor in determining the rate of disturbance among teenagers. Our research findings demonstrate that the rate of behavioral disturbance among adolescents is the same as in other parts of the life cycle. The clinician working with adolescents tends to underestimate the severity of adolescent problems because of the near-universal belief that all adolescents undergo "adolescent turmoil." We have found that adolescents who are experiencing turmoil need professional help.

(AJDC. 1989;143:731-736)

Author Affiliations
From the Center for the Study of Adolescence, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center (Drs Offer and Ostrov), and the Department of Psychiatry, Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago (Dr Offer), Chicago, Ill; and the Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill (Dr Howard).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication January 19, 1989.

Presented at the AMA/Duke University Conference on Adolescent Health, Durham, NC, June 9, 1988.

Reprint requests to the Center for Study of Adolescence, Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Lake Shore Drive at 31st Street, Chicago, IL 60616 (Dr Offer).

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