Citation

Wilczynska-Kwiatek A. Int. J Disabil. Hum. Dev. 2009; 8(2): 175-180.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Nova Science Publishers)

DOI

10.1515/IJDHD.2009.8.2.175

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to show the psychosocial causes of social exclusion risk for children and youth in Eastern Europe and particularly in Poland. The notion of youth at risk among a group of young people who during childhood and adolescence encounter in their local environment a number of situations with which they are unable to cope. Maturing youngsters lack constructive patterns for handling difficult situations, and they often make decisions that impair their future development. In early adolescence, the increasing force of inner drives combined with a relatively weak ego cause teenagers to experiment in new situations, commence early sexual activity, engage in aggressive behavior, try drugs and other substances, drop-out of school, and even attempt suicide. A poor and dysfunctional family is often unable to fulfill such young people's basic needs, nor does it offer any support while they are going through difficult or crucial developmental periods. Disturbed behavior occurring during adolescence is often related to depression that manifests in increased aggression. A fairly common notion used when referencing adolescents, especially boys, is the so-called atypical depression characterized by the absence of external symptoms of sadness and the presence of intensified resistance, physical aggression and dangerous conduct. In this article, we attempt to show indicators and predictors of youth social exclusion risk as well as discuss methods of prevention. © 2009, by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; decision making; treatment; depression; aggression; suicide attempt; social isolation; child behavior; social adaptation; conference paper; controlled study; sexual behavior; social psychology; social exclusion; family interaction