Developmental psychology/Chapter 10/Sadness & Anger

Although an exciting time, the teenage phase of a human being can be marred with severe sadness and anger.

1. Depression - The "immediate social context" of a teenager is important for him/her to establish self-esteem, including school environment, family, and the surrounding community. Each race of teenagers has its ups and downs. For example, Latinos help around the house, which establishes pride and self-worth. On the other hand, Latinos fearing deportation of their parents experience depression. Immigrant youth can experience depression because they may question their identity vs. their surrounding culture. Perfectionism may prove to be a sword rather than a wand. Some teenagers fall into major depression, a complete and hopeless sadness that lasts for 2+ weeks. It is caused by genes and early care and is pushed onto teenagers during puberty. A study has found that the short allele of 5-HTTLPR [serotonin transporter promoter gene] increase female rates of depression but only increased male rates of depression if they were in low-SES areas. Girls ruminate more than boys, which leads to depression. Rumination may lead to depression, but with the right friend, can actually deter one from suicide. Suicide ideation peaks at age 15 which can lead to parasuicide (attempted suicide). Depression and parasuicide are more common in girls but boys possess a higher rate. This may be because boys don't know their emotions as much as girls know theirs, they may think it's not "manly" to kill themselves and males complete suicide more often than girls. Due to the media's presence, one suicide could trigger more suicides - leading to cluster suicides.
2. Rebelliousness - Teenagers jailed for assaults are at a higher risk of suicide. Anna Freud believed that teenage anger towards their parents is necessary for their development. Studies have disapproved this, where teenagers who did not get arrested grew up to be successful (in a 30-year study). For jailed teenagers to be swayed into a good path, they need at least two of the following: a supportive family/teacher and religious community/good friends surrounding them. Boys, especially youth of minority groups/low SES families, are more likely to go to jail vs. girls. Young people may falsely claim that they committed a crime because they want to defend their families/friends or their immaturity (not thinking of the long-term consequences of a jail record).
   1. Some teenagers may be adolescence-limited offenders, who stop criminal activity before age 21. This may be because of their poor friend group. Other teenagers may be life-course-persistent offenders, who pursue a criminal career. This may be because of genetics or early experiences which is accompanied by childhood rebellion and language/writing disabilities.

Prevention of Defiance?

What usually keeps teenagers away from jail are good social relationships, emotional regulation, and learned moral values. These are signs of childhood defiance:

1. Stubbornness [needs social support]
2. Shoplifting [needs better relationships]
3. Bullying [cognitive tutoring and restrictions]

Adolescent crimes have dropped since the 90s, possibly to more education, less lead poisoning, better policing and judges, supportive families, and more immigrants.

In conclusion, adolescents are more likely to break the law than at any other stage of life. This goes for all crimes except "white collar" crimes/more sophisticated crimes, such as forgery and fraud.