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Importance of investing in adolescence from a developmental science perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Ronald E. Dahl

    (School of Public Health, Institute for Human Development, University of California)

  • Nicholas B. Allen

    (University of Oregon)

  • Linda Wilbrecht

    (Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California)

  • Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman

    (Institute for Human Development, University of California)

Abstract

This review summarizes the case for investing in adolescence as a period of rapid growth, learning, adaptation, and formational neurobiological development. Adolescence is a dynamic maturational period during which young lives can pivot rapidly—in both negative and positive directions. Scientific progress in understanding adolescent development provides actionable insights into windows of opportunity during which policies can have a positive impact on developmental trajectories relating to health, education, and social and economic success. Given current global changes and challenges that affect adolescents, there is a compelling need to leverage these advances in developmental science to inform strategic investments in adolescent health.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald E. Dahl & Nicholas B. Allen & Linda Wilbrecht & Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman, 2018. "Importance of investing in adolescence from a developmental science perspective," Nature, Nature, vol. 554(7693), pages 441-450, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:554:y:2018:i:7693:d:10.1038_nature25770
    DOI: 10.1038/nature25770
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    2. Borra, Cristina & Iacovou, Maria & Sevilla, Almudena, 2023. "Adolescent development and the math gender gap," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Anika Frühauf & Martin Kopp & Martin Niedermeier, 2022. "Risk Factors for Accidents and Close Calls in Junior Freeriders, Adolescent Alpine Skiers and Adult Freeriders—A Comparison," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Lambon-Quayefio, Monica & Peterman, Amber & Handa, Sudhanshu & Molotsky, Adria & Otchere, Frank & Mvula, Peter & Tsoka, Maxton & de Hoop, Jacobus & Angeles, Gustavo & Kilburn, Kelly & Milazzo, Annamar, 2024. "Unconditional cash transfers and safe transitions to adulthood in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
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    6. Elisabetta Aurino & Whitney Schott & Jere R. Behrman & Mary Penny, 2019. "Nutritional Status from 1 to 15 Years and Adolescent Learning for Boys and Girls in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 38(6), pages 899-931, December.
    7. Olaosebikan, Olusola Isaac (Ph.D.) & Olorunyomi, Titilope Adetilewa (Ph.D.), 2023. "Effect of Electronic and Digital Media Use on the Health of Adolescents in Ondo City," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(11), pages 1745-1758, November.
    8. Corazza, Ilaria & Pennucci, Francesca & De Rosis, Sabina, 2021. "Promoting healthy eating habits among youth according to their preferences: Indications from a discrete choice experiment in Tuscany," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(7), pages 947-955.
    9. Cattan, Sarah & Lereya, Suzet Tanya & Yoon, Yeosun & Gilbert, Ruth & Deighton, Jessica, 2023. "The impact of area level mental health interventions on outcomes for secondary school pupils: Evidence from the HeadStart programme in England," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    10. Michaela Paffenholz, 2024. "Adolescents’ Mental Health and Human Capital: The Role of Socioeconomic Rank," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2024_526, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    11. Louise Black & Margarita Panayiotou & Neil Humphrey, 2019. "The dimensionality and latent structure of mental health difficulties and wellbeing in early adolescence," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(2), pages 1-24, February.
    12. Anna P. Giron & Simon Ciranka & Eric Schulz & Wouter Bos & Azzurra Ruggeri & Björn Meder & Charley M. Wu, 2023. "Developmental changes in exploration resemble stochastic optimization," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(11), pages 1955-1967, November.
    13. Mohamed Ahmed Said & Amnah Ahmed Almatar & Mohammed Shaab Alibrahim, 2023. "Higher Sedentary Behaviors and Lower Levels of Specific Knowledge Are Risk Factors for Physical Activity-Related Injuries in Saudi Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-19, March.
    14. Zych, Izabela & Rodríguez-Ruiz, Joaquín & Marín-López, Inmaculada & Llorent, Vicente J., 2020. "Longitudinal stability and change in adolescent substance use: A latent transition analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    15. Ana Estévez & Paula Jauregui & Janire Momeñe & Laura Macia & Hibai López-González & Iciar Iruarrizaga & Conchi Riquelme-Ortiz & Roser Granero & Fernando Fernández-Aranda & Cristina Vintró-Alcaraz & Ge, 2021. "Longitudinal Changes in Gambling, Buying and Materialism in Adolescents: A Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-15, March.
    16. Lior Miller & Nicole M. Butera & Mary Ellsberg & Sarah Baird, 2023. "Polyvictimization and Adolescent Health and Well-Being in Ethiopia: The Mediating Role of Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-28, September.
    17. Martin Niedermeier & Claudia Kogler & Anika Frühauf & Martin Kopp, 2020. "Psychological Variables Related to Developmental Changes during Adolescence—A Comparison between Alpine and Non-Alpine Sport Participants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-10, October.
    18. Grosch, Kerstin & Haeckl, Simone & Rau, Holger & Preuss, Paul, 2023. "A Guide to Conducting School Experiments: Expert Insights and Best Practices for Effective Implementation," UiS Working Papers in Economics and Finance 2023/2, University of Stavanger.
    19. Florence Gignac & Caterina Solé & Jose Barrera-Gómez & Cecilia Persavento & Èlia Tena & Mónica López-Vicente & Jordi Júlvez & Jordi Sunyer & Digna Couso & Xavier Basagaña, 2021. "Identifying Factors Influencing Attention in Adolescents with a Co-Created Questionnaire: A Citizen Science Approach with Secondary Students in Barcelona, Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-19, August.
    20. Maria Giuseppina Bartolo & Rocco Servidio & Anna Lisa Palermiti & Maria Rosaria Nappa & Angela Costabile, 2023. "Pro-Environmental Behaviors and Well-Being in Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Place Attachment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-12, May.
    21. He, Jinbo & Chen, Xinjie & Fan, Xitao & Cai, Zhihui & Hao, Shudan, 2018. "Profiles of parent and peer attachments of adolescents and associations with psychological outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 163-172.
    22. Chakrabarti, Averi & Handa, Sudhanshu & Angeles, Gustavo & Seidenfeld, David, 2020. "A cash plus program reduces youth exposure to physical violence in Zimbabwe," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    23. Ana Cerqueira & Tania Gaspar & Fábio Botelho Guedes & Emmanuelle Godeau & Margarida Gaspar de Matos, 2022. "Chronic Conditions, School Participation and Quality of Life of Portuguese Adolescents: Highlights from the Health Behavior in School aged Children study - HBSC 2018," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(1), pages 297-313, February.
    24. Huma Akram & Maqsood H. Bhutto & Muhammad Salman Chughtai, 2022. "An analysis of business students’ stressors and their coping strategies in the post-pandemic era," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 49(2), pages 239-252, June.
    25. Kaylin Ratner & Qingyi Li & Gaoxia Zhu & Melody Estevez & Anthony L. Burrow, 2023. "Daily Adolescent Purposefulness, Daily Subjective Well-Being, and Individual Differences in Autistic Traits," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 967-989, March.

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