Problems in Adolescents: What Are the Psychological, Social and Financial Consequences?

Dear Colleagues,

Behavioral problems are often defined as disorders that contradict specific age, cultural and social values and norms. Internalization and externalization disorders in early life constantly impact a number of related personal and social problems in later life if left untreated. Behavioral problems often lead to aggressive behavior, anxiety, stress, addiction, strained relationships, decreased self-esteem, alienation and social exclusion, with profound direct and indirect effects on the child's cognitive, social and learning development. This might have negative short-term and long-term effects on an individual’s personal, social and professional lives.

This Special Issue is focused on the theoretical, empirical and practical research implications of various risk and protective factors from the perspective of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model or ecological systems theory. The aim is to examine individual and personal factors of the microsystem, the importance of proximal social relations in the mesosystem, as well as the more distal social influences in the surrounding community, such as the importance of social institutions, norms and values at the exosystemic and macrosystemic levels.

The invited contributors are asked to provide novel perspectives on contemporary research approaches in the field of risky and problem behaviors in adolescents. The topics should be focused on the roles of family, school, peers, the media and leisure activities, as well as broader potential social agents and cultural influences (education, health and social welfare, community life and civil society).

The invited contributors should aim to provide insights into recent advances in problem behavior research and successful prevention programs or educational and social strategies with adolescents.

Contributions must fit into one of three journal paper categories (article, conceptual paper or review) and address the topic of this Special Issue.

Dr. Goran Livazovic
Guest Editor

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