At-Risk Youth: A Comprehensive Response. - book reviews

Adolescence, Summer, 1994

At-risk behaviors are the biggest single problem of youth today, a topic of growing importance in the fields of psychology, counseling, and education. Whether the term "at-risk" connotes a local school district's problems with youth suicide and school dropout, the correction system's concerns with juvenile delinquency, or the health system's concerns with teen pregnancy, child abuse, and AIDS, the individuals labeled at risk need the ongoing help of professionals to enable them to overcome their problems.

In this book the authors show how at-risk individuals can become responsible and productive adults. The book provides up-to-date information and research on the different at-risk categories and puts the categories in a unified and consistent conceptual framework. As the authors focus on the various aspects of at-risk behaviors seen by different helping professionals, especially counselors and teachers, they present educational, psychological, and counseling interventions for prevention and treatment in each problem area. In addition, the authors examine prevention strategies that focus on the family, the school, and the individuals, as well as legal concerns for human service professionals.