Adolescent Mental Health Study, 1978-1990

The purpose of this study was to examine the development of mental health or psychological difficulties during adolescence. A longitudinal design was used to study 327 young adolescents and their parents during the transition from childhood to adolescence (grades 6-8) in two successive cohorts (1979 and 1980). These two cohorts were then followed up in grade 12 and again when participants were 21 years old to provide information about the later significance of adolescent experiences. This longitudinal study consisted of 327 randomly selected young adolescents and their parents from two suburban school districts and was designed to examine the interrelationships among physical, mental, and social development adolescence. Biological, psychological, cognitive and social development were assessed in relation to parental support and family relationships, to school transitions and the environment. The objectives of this study were to assess the various changes involved with the transition from childhood to adolescence (grades 6-8) and to examine the coping skills which develop as a result of such challenges. The sample was followed up in 12th grade and once again at age 21 to assess the extent to which coping skills, developed during adolescence, affects mental health in early adulthood. Over 70 instruments were used to assess the physical, psychological and cognitive development of the participants, the parental and family support they experienced, and several aspects of both peer relationships and the school environment. The data include interviews, self-image questionnaires, attitudes toward sexuality and gender roles, teacher ratings, family assessments, measures of cognitive ability/skill, and more. The Murray Archive holds additional analogue materials for this study. If you would like to access this material, please apply to use the data.