Teenagers and Dating Violence

Developmental and clinical researchers have only just discovered the phenomenon of adolescent romance as a topic of serious scientific inquiry. This discovery may be related to the overwhelming evidence that adult romantic relationships are failing at alarming rates. Dramatic increases in the rates of divorce, out of wedlock childbirth, and relationship violence lead to questions about the developmental precursors of romantic love and commitment. What's wrong with love and can it be fixed? This book brings together a diverse group of experts from various disciplines to address a serious gap in the understanding of adolescent development. Part I focuses on romantic relations and sexual behavior from the perspective of normative adolescent development. Part II centers on high-risk adolescents and Part III explores the practical implications of current theory and research for clinicians, educators, and health administrators. Together the chapters in this integrative and clinically useful book lay a foundation for understanding how adolescents successfully navigate the tumultuous waters of young love.

Addiction and relationship violence are serious and undeniably prevalent societal problems with high costs to families and individuals, as well as concomitant costs to health care, school, and social systems. The co-occurence of addiction and abuse is a reality that has yet to be fully acknowledged and explored from either a theoretical or practical perspective. The Violence and Addiction Equation: Theoretical and Clinical Issues in Substance Abuse and Relationship Violence addresses the addiction-violence overlap by assembling state-of-the-art theory and research in these areas to document the connection and the problem while also exploring prevention and treatment. Chapters cover biological bases of addiction and abuse, personality factors in the equation, developmental, psychopathological and cognitive social-learning models, and numerous issues in clinical treatment. Also presented are perspectives on interpersonal violence and addiction across the lifespan: from adolescence and young adult through partnership, parenthood, and maturity. This book represents a primary effort to pull together separate fields and offer essential assistance to researchers and practitioners working to alleviate the combined impact of addiction and violence.

A Prescription for Stopping Youth Violence Before It Starts'A clear, compelling, and much-needed examination of what causes youth violence in small towns and big cities all over America, and how one community was able to bring many partners and pieces of a complex puzzle together to curb youth violence in its neighborhoods. This book is an important reminder that youth violence is preventable. It should be read by every elected official, public health professional, community leader, advocate, and parent ready to move beyond despair or fear and take action.'-Marian Wright Edelman, president, Children's Defense Fund'Essential reading for public officials, concerned parents, and citizens.'-Senator Edward M. Kennedy'An eye-opening and well-documented book by two of the foremost pioneers in violence prevention efforts in America. Through their own personal stories and an astute analysis of the complexities of violence prevention initiatives, the authors argue that violence is learned behavior that can be significantly reduced. This is an inspiring book; I highly recommend it.'-Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston, Massachusetts