Advances in Adolescent Psychology

Jane Heath is a psychology instructor at Ryerson Polytechnical
University.

This book’s stated aim is to provide “a detailed and in-depth
analysis of central issues in adolescent psychology.” Much of the
book’s empirical evidence is drawn from findings derived from the
author’s own studies on adolescent concerns. The bulk of the text is
devoted to an examination of youth and education. The topics of
attachment, emotion, delinquency, sexual abuse, and suicide are briefly
and clearly dealt with in the concluding sections of the book.

While at times thoughtful and stimulating, the book appears to be
informed more by speculation and the author’s theoretical biases than
by hard data and an evaluation of the available research literature. At
times the author’s point of view is unclear; for example, a critique
of Offer’s rebuttal of adolescent Sturm und Drang is followed by an
apparent acceptance of it.

Although the book presents some provocative insights and useful
analyses of issues, it fails to offer a clear or comprehensive view of
the field of adolescent psychology.