Adolescent perceptions of relevant social problems.
OBJECTIVE
Social problems can be a significant stressor for adolescents. Disturbed youth often experience negative outcomes to social problems, solve problems poorly, and display distortions in reasoning about social problems.


METHODS
A series of focus groups was conducted with adolescents (N = 36), and the data was analyzed inductively. Activities to increase the rigor of the study data (establishing credibility, trustworthiness, and transparency) were incorporated into the phenomenological research design.


RESULTS
Five social problem themes with critical attributes were perceived to be relevant to teenagers in today's society.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents' social problems shift in response to a changing society. Findings from this study can be used to help target assessments and treatment plans when working with disturbed youth.
Erwin
Elizabeth
E
University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, USA. ehe7e@virginia.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011340:Problem Solving; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012922:Social Change; D012938:Social Perception; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology