Adolescent Vulnerability: A Framework for Behavioral Interventions

A general framework is offered for characterizing behavioral risks in a way that might help coordinate behavioral interventions. It is demonstrated in terms of adolescents' vulnerability, arising from the life situations confronting teens, from teens' understanding of those situations, and from the beliefs of those entrusted with helping them (parents, educators, psychologists, etc.). The framework provides a rationale for identifying opportunities to reduce adolescent vulnerability, based on research regarding the genesis and control of risks. It provides a common language for characterizing alternative theoretical approachs to these issues and a systematic way to integrate their results. It is illustrated with results from research on the role of information in determining adolescent vulnerability.