Adolescent Health : The Role of Individual Differences

Adolescence is one of the most turbulent yet exciting phases in life. Increased autonomy brings with it new health risks ranging from drugs and sexually transmitted disease, to eating disorders and suicidal depression. Even though todays teenagers are more concerned with and educated about their health than any previous generation, they still engage in risky behaviour.

Adolescent Health explores how individual differences contribute to health and illness across a wide range of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Patrick Heaven blends the latest research findings from a range of sources with practical suggestions on how to improve health care services for adolescents. Adolescent Health will prove valuable to professionals working with young people, social science students and parents.

Patrick C. L. Heaven is Senior Lecturer in psychology at the University of Wollongong, Australia. His previous publications include Contemporary Adolescence: A Social Psychological Approach (1994); Adolescence: An Australian Perspective (1990, edited by Heaven and Callan) and Life Span Development (1992, edited).