The most difficult target group in mental health care for youth, is recognizable from social debates: An alarming example of a suicide or severe non-suicidal self-injury illustrates the... Show moreThe most difficult target group in mental health care for youth, is recognizable from social debates: An alarming example of a suicide or severe non-suicidal self-injury illustrates the vulnerability of these adolescents and underlines a powerless society. Notably, this target group is often excluded from scientific research. Hauber attributes this exclusion on the many psychiatric problems young people face and a rigid classification system. Theoretical models do not accommodate overlapping problems, despite the most serious conditions being characterized by such an overlap. Hauber described the need for a dimensional classification system to enable care providers to assess serious problems, such as an overlap of personality disorder, insecure attachment and non-suicidal self-injury. The influences of puberty, attachment insecurity and the adolescent’s social dynamics should be included in such a model. By having young people reflect in writing on their treatment, relevant information can be obtained to tailor personalized care, and drop-out can be minimized. New developments suggest improving resilience and connection with others, rather than just reducing symptoms. Hauber's research similarly showed the importance of connecting with others to grow emotionally in adolescence. This is a challenge in modern society, with loneliness being the highest mortality risk for humans. Show less
The first study of this thesis (Chapter 2) showed that the majority of the internationally adopted children are well adjusted, although a relatively large minority of adopted children had behavior... Show moreThe first study of this thesis (Chapter 2) showed that the majority of the internationally adopted children are well adjusted, although a relatively large minority of adopted children had behavior problems of clinical significance or were referred to mental health services compared with non-adopted children. Nevertheless, adoption may often be the best solution for a child who would otherwise be raised in an institution or in other adverse environments (see also Juffer, 2002; Van IJzendoorn et al., 2005). The second and third study (Chapters 3 and 4) showed several longitudinal and concurrent influences on the behavioral and social development of adopted adolescents. The second study (Chapter 3) showed that early-onset delinquency was associated with stress hyporeactivity. The differentiation between delinquency and aggression, and between childhood-onset and adolescence-onset delinquency (Moffitt, 1993) appeared to be important for our understanding of the development of externalizing problem behaviors. The third study (Chapter 4) showed that individual development from infancy through middle childhood to adolescence was rather stable and that concurrent environmental experiences and child characteristics were essential influences on middle childhood and adolescent social development. Early parent-child relationships did not determine in final form social development in adolescence, but they provided the basis for healthy social development through the influence on earlier social development, even in the absence of genetic similarities between children and parents. Bowlby__s (1973, 1980) thesis that adaptation is always a product of both developmental history and current circumstances was supported. Show less
