A conceptual framework for early adolescence: a platform for research

Abstract

Early adolescence (ages 10-14 years) is among the most neglected stages of development, yet there are few stages during the life course where changes are as dramatic. The present conceptual framework proposes four central goals to be achieved by early adolescence: engagement with learning, emotional and physical safety, positive sense of self/self-efficacy, acquisition of life/decision-making skills. The framework proposes an ecological model where the macro level factors (economic forces, historical events, national priorities, laws/policies/norms and values, national events, and political realities) all set the contexts that influence community, family, school and peer factors that all in turn influence the adolescent. Existing indicators for points of development are noted as are future areas of research priority.

Figure 1

Risk factors that contribute to years of life lost (YLL) and years of life with disability (YLD) for 10 to 14 year olds measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by region and sex. Source: Gore et al. (17).

Figure 2

A conceptual framework for healthy early adolescence.

Figure 3

Potential indicators of early adolescent healthy development. Abbreviations: GSHS, Global School Health Survey; Search Inst., Assets Assessment of Search Institute, Minneapolis, MN.; Add Health, National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health; MICS, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (UNICEF); HBSC, Health Behavior of School-age Children; PSSID, ; WVS, World Values Survey.