From Book News, Inc.
Biglan (Oregon Research Institute) presents clinical and public health perspectives on the causes and consequences of adolescent behavior problems. Contributors review the epidemiology of serious youth problems, then discuss risk and protective factors for problem behavior, looking at biological, family, school, peer, and community influences. They describe treatment approaches, and address ways to promote the development and dissemination of research-based intervention models at the community, state, and national levels.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Review
"Multiproblem Youth summarizes research on the etiology and consequences of multiple problem behaviors and on a wide variety of prevention strategies appropriate for the prenatal through adolescent years. The volume also provides sound advice for translating this wealth of research into practice. The use of nontechnical language makes this work suitable for use by prevention practitioners and policymakers as well as students aspiring to careers in prevention. The book is most appropriate for use in undergraduate classrooms, but will also be useful as a reference in graduate-level courses in prevention."--Denise Gottfredson, PhD, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, College Park

"This text provides a comprehensive overview of the most current theory, research, and practice related to working with multiproblem youth. It offers an excellent foundation for students and professionals in a range of disciplines. Describing biological and social influences on youth behavior--and reviewing evidence-based interventions that decrease problem behavior--the book provides a road map for anyone designing statewide or local programs to meet the needs of at-risk youth. Prevention specialists, adolescent health specialists, counselors, and public health professionals will all benefit from the information contained in this text, as will students in courses on prevention, adolescent problems, and family and community intervention."--Barbara Cimaglio, Community Prevention Systems, Oregon Department of Human Services

"This book makes the strongest case of any that I have read for developing a national focus on youths with multiple problem behaviors. The writing is clear and precise, and is admirably grounded in theory and a rigorous, well-documented literature review. Among the volume's major contributions is its use of economic analysis to underpin the main thesis while recognizing that such analysis is itself an area of research. The kinds of solutions proposed are scientifically based and are not excessively costly--in fact, to ignore the authors' recommendations would ultimately exact a far greater cost."--Sheppard G. Kellam, MD, AIR Center for Integrating Education and Prevention Research in Schools; Professor Emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; past president, Society for Prevention Research

"As the field of prevention science has come of age, there has been a growing recognition of the close association among various forms of problem behavior. This book provides the most comprehensive and systematic look yet at what is currently known about youth with multiple problems and how to intervene to change their life course. The extant literature is viewed from the dual perspective of public health and lifespan development, and the authors identify the most effective programs and policies for prevention and treatment. Lucid, well-written, and authoritative, this is an essential resource for prevention scientists, policymakers, public health professionals, educators, and practitioners."--Gilbert J. Botvin, PhD, Institute for Prevention Research, Weill Medical College of Cornell University



Review
"Multiproblem Youth summarizes research on the etiology and consequences of multiple problem behaviors and on a wide variety of prevention strategies appropriate for the prenatal through adolescent years. The volume also provides sound advice for translating this wealth of research into practice. The use of nontechnical language makes this work suitable for use by prevention practitioners and policymakers as well as students aspiring to careers in prevention. The book is most appropriate for use in undergraduate classrooms, but will also be useful as a reference in graduate-level courses in prevention."--Denise Gottfredson, PhD, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, College Park

"This text provides a comprehensive overview of the most current theory, research, and practice related to working with multiproblem youth. It offers an excellent foundation for students and professionals in a range of disciplines. Describing biological and social influences on youth behavior--and reviewing evidence-based interventions that decrease problem behavior--the book provides a road map for anyone designing statewide or local programs to meet the needs of at-risk youth. Prevention specialists, adolescent health specialists, counselors, and public health professionals will all benefit from the information contained in this text, as will students in courses on prevention, adolescent problems, and family and community intervention."--Barbara Cimaglio, Community Prevention Systems, Oregon Department of Human Services

"This book makes the strongest case of any that I have read for developing a national focus on youths with multiple problem behaviors. The writing is clear and precise, and is admirably grounded in theory and a rigorous, well-documented literature review. Among the volume's major contributions is its use of economic analysis to underpin the main thesis while recognizing that such analysis is itself an area of research. The kinds of solutions proposed are scientifically based and are not excessively costly--in fact, to ignore the authors' recommendations would ultimately exact a far greater cost."--Sheppard G. Kellam, MD, AIR Center for Integrating Education and Prevention Research in Schools; Professor Emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; past president, Society for Prevention Research

"As the field of prevention science has come of age, there has been a growing recognition of the close association among various forms of problem behavior. This book provides the most comprehensive and systematic look yet at what is currently known about youth with multiple problems and how to intervene to change their life course. The extant literature is viewed from the dual perspective of public health and lifespan development, and the authors identify the most effective programs and policies for prevention and treatment. Lucid, well-written, and authoritative, this is an essential resource for prevention scientists, policymakers, public health professionals, educators, and practitioners."--Gilbert J. Botvin, PhD, Institute for Prevention Research, Weill Medical College of Cornell University



Book Description
This comprehensive volume reviews current knowledge about multiple problem behaviors in adolescence, focusing on "what works" in prevention and treatment. Cutting-edge research is presented on the epidemiology, development, and social costs of four youth problems that frequently co-occur: serious antisocial behavior, drug and alcohol misuse, tobacco smoking, and risky sexual behavior. A framework for reducing these behaviors is outlined, drawing on both clinical and public health perspectives, and empirically supported prevention and treatment programs are identified. Also addressed are ways to promote the development, dissemination, and effective implementation of research-based intervention practices. Authored by an interdisciplinary panel of experts, this is a state-of-the-science sourcebook and text for anyone working with or studying adolescents at risk.



Book Info
Provides a comprehensive and systematic look at what is currently known about youth with multiple problems and how to intervene to change their life course. Subject is viewed from the perspective of public health and lifespan development and the most effective programs and policies for prevention and treatment are summarized.


About the Author
Anthony Biglan, PhD, is Senior Scientist at Oregon Research Institute, where he conducts research on the prevention of child and adolescent problem behavior and on the childrearing practices that affect child and adolescent development. His current work focuses on contextual analyses of childrearing practices in communities.

Patricia A. Brennan, PhD, is on the faculty of the Department of Psychology at Emory University. Her research interests include the study of etiological factors of aggression and violence from a biological perspective, and parental psychopathology (depression/schizophrenia) and its effect on child diagnostic, neurological, and behavioral outcomes.

Sharon L. Foster, PhD, is Professor in the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Dr. Foster is the author of three books as well as numerous articles and book chapters on children's peer relations, assessment and treatment of parent/n-/adolescent conflict, and research methodology.

Harold D. Holder, PhD, is Senior Research Scientist at the Prevention Research Center, Berkeley, California. His research has explored two major areas: prevention of alcohol problems and costs and benefits of alcoholism treatment. Dr. Holder was the 1995 recipient of the Jellinek Memorial Award for his research on social and economic factors in alcohol consumption.



Excerpted from Helping Adolescents at Risk : Prevention of Multiple Problem Behaviors by Sharon L. Foster, Patricia A. Brennan, Anthony Biglan, Harold D. Holder. Copyright © 2003. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
1. Youth with Multiple Problems 2. The Extent and Consequences of Multiple Problems 3. The Social Costs of Adolescent Problem Behavior, Ted R. Miller 4. Influences on the Development of Multiple Problems 5. Prevention of Adolescent Problems through Interventions in the Preteen Years 6. Prevention Practices Targeting All Adolescents 7. Interventions Targeting Adolescents with Behavior Problems 8. Comprehensive Community and Statewide Interventions 9. Integrating Science and Practice to Enhance the Well-Being of Children and Adolescents References Author Index Subject Index

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Clinicians and researchers have long recognized that adolescent delinquency, substance use, smoking, and risky sexual behavior tend to co-occur. Until now, however, the field has lacked a thoughtful examination of why this pattern exists and the implications for research, policy, and practice. Filling a crucial gap, this volume provides a comprehensive analysis of current knowledge on the multiproblem phenomenon. Leading interdisciplinary experts draw on clinical and public health perspectives to shed new light on the causes and consequences of adolescent behavior problems -- and to examine "what works" in prevention and treatment. Mapping out important future directions for the field, this is a state-of-the-science sourcebook and text for anyone working with or studying adolescents at risk.

The volume first reviews the epidemiology of serious youth problems and documents their costs to individuals, families, and communities. A lifespan developmental perspective is brought to bear on understanding risk and protective factors for problem behavior, with consideration of biological, family, school, peer, and community influences. Building on these foundations, subsequent chapters present empirically supported prevention and treatment approaches. Coverage encompasses a range of applications for teens who are already showing signs of problems, as well as programs for the general population of adolescents and early interventions for children and families. The book summarizes the targets and methods of each approach, reviews the evidence for its efficacy, and provides a cost-benefit analysis wherever possible. Particular attention is given to helping the reader differentiate between practices that have been demonstrated effective and those that have not, and to identifying salient questions for further investigation. Also addressed are ways to promote the development and dissemination of research-based intervention models at the community, state, and national levels. Timely and authoritative, this volume provides vital knowledge for practitioners, researchers, and students in clinical, child, school, and developmental psychology; child and adolescent psychiatry; social work; juvenile justice; public health; and related disciplines. It will serve as a uniquely informative text in advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses.

SYNOPSIS