Adolescence. What is normal?
D. Offer, E. Ostrov and K. I. Howard
Center for the Study of Adolescence, Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, IL 60616.
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.
