Conceptual approaches to positive development of adolescents

Abstract

Comprehensive interdisciplinary studies of well-being of children and youth that could serve as a starting point for planning scientifically based policies and interventions in Croatia are still rare. There is a visible shift in focus of domestic research towards the strengths of children and youth, but most often only specific aspects of their development and/or individual problems are examined. The lack of national studies prevents a thorough understanding of the etiology and epidemiology of the problems of children and youth at a national, regional and/ or local level. In line with the above, the aim of this paper is to clarify conceptual approaches to the positive development of adolescents, which could be used as a starting point for future, more comprehensive, research. The paper presents approaches to the positive development of adolescents, developmental benefits, and resilience, with particular emphasis on differences and similarities between them. It also highlights methodological challenges in the study of adolescent developmental trajectories, problems of questionnaire measurements and difficulties in the design of research studies. The paper emphasises the importance of observing the potentials of adolescence as a starting point for strategic investment and underlines the necessity of widening the perspective from the individual towards the micro level, social policy, community and a broader cultural environment.