1.
Handbook of
Adolescent
Development
Research & Its
Impact on
Global Policy
Prerna Banati, UNICEF Innocenti
Jennifer E. Lansford, Duke University

2.
ADOLESCENCE:
The developmental period from the onset of puberty until
the transition to adulthood (approximately ages 10 - 20).
It can be defined by one or more of these events: marriage,
parenthood, completion of formal education, financial
independence from parents.

3.
About Us
Prerna Banati Chief of Programmes, UNICEF Innocenti.
Focus: social and structural forces that are fundamental
determinants of poor wellbeing among children.
Jennifer E. Lansford Research Professor, Sanford School
of Public Policy & Faculty Fellow, Duke University.
Focus: development of aggression and other behavior
problems in diverse cultural contexts, with an emphasis on
the influence of family and peer contexts.

4.
About the Book
Over 50 contributors from a variety of institutions.
23 chapters divided into 5 sections:
Introduction: Adolescence in a Global Context
● Domains of Adolescent Development
● Social Relationships
● Risks and Opportunities
● Interventions and Policies
● Empowerment of Adolescents
Conclusion: Adolescent Development Research
and Its Impact on Global Policy

5.
Common Themes
Many factors impacting adolescents are
structural (poverty, gender inequality)
Supportive relationships (family, peer
environments) are important for optimal
adolescent development
We can add value by including adolescents
themselves as key stakeholders
Need for more research with focus on low-
and middle-income countries and fragile
contexts

6.
What is different
about this book?
The book frames adolescence in a positive light,
representing young people as opportunities, rather
than an issue to be solved.
Existing literature on adolescence disproportionately
focuses on adolescence in high income Western
contexts. This book represents young people’s
experiences across the globe.
With over 50 authors from different backgrounds, the
book’s diversity reflects the complexity of
adolescence and adopts bigger picture thinking.

7.
Why this
Matters Now
The book provides guidance on the
operationalisation of the Sustainable
Development Goals.
Many policy and programme responses
are fragmented. The book is a response
to this, promoting decision-making which
better addresses adolescent well being.
Investments in early childhood should
continue into adolescence.
A positive shift in discourses around
young people is encouraged.

8.
The Voices of
Young People

9.
“I ask for attention to the ones whose destinies
are pre-determined from the day that they were
born. We don’t choose to be born in the slums,
we don’t choose to be born in a community
where every lane seems like a thread of the
perpetuating loom of poverty.”
Priyanka Patil, Age 17, India

10.
“We do not want privileges to avoid mandatory
provisions or receive special treatments; we
demand similar conditions for our individual
growing… in order to be accurately empowered
with self-confidence to build our future.”
María Fernanda Lucía Silva Morote, Age 18, Peru

11.
Highlights

12.
Adolescents and Armed Conflict: war, conflict, and
child soldiers Betancourt et al.
‘In situations of armed conflict, as in other situations of risk, adolescents faced with
insecurity… may engage in adaptive behaviors and survival strategies that put them at
risk in other areas... Banding together for protection and personal advancement can foster
a sense of identity and community… even when shaped by war or retribution ideology…
Joining an armed group may help young people to secure their basic needs for food,
shelter and a livelihood.’
‘Despite their vulnerability, however, adolescents in war-affected settings should be
seen not only as victims but also as individuals with the agency to act and make
decisions in accordance with their evolving capacities.’
‘Their risky and adaptive survival strategies, a demonstration of the agency of youth and
families, can serve as a roadmap for programs and policies to provide more productive
alternatives and to work alongside adaptive strategies rather than supplanting them.’

13.
Teens in Public Spaces and Natural Landscapes:
Issues of Access and Design Brunelle et al.
‘For most adolescents around the world, the reality is that they have no obvious rights to
public space, and their ability to access landscapes and nature is often more
restricted today than in previous generations.’
‘We further explore the need for and benefits associated with public spaces, including
natural landscapes, for adolescents… We identify adolescents as a distinct landscape
user group with significant spatial needs, and discuss ways to harness the power of
adolescents in environmental debate, and in civic and natural disaster relief efforts.’
‘We examine ways to incorporate teens’ developing needs, both physical and
psychosocial, into public space design that facilitates their connection with local
communities, and prioritizes their engagement with public space, civic life and natural
environments.’

14.
Poverty, Risk and Resilience: The Case
of Street-Involved Youth Koller et al.
‘...The empirical evidence collected to date does not
allow firm conclusions to be drawn about the long-
term impact of street life, because (with a few
exceptions) prior research has not been grounded in
the literature that examined developmentally relevant
factors, or followed youth prospectively.’
‘This chapter aims to present a selective review that
can be used to identify some contradictions about
street life, which once recognized may be used to
inform interventions and social policy initiatives.’

15.
“Adults - government leaders, policy makers,
educators, social workers, activists this is an
open invitation. Come and help us recreate our
own loom where we shall thread our own stories
in new colors of dreams and hope.”
Priyanka Patil, Age 17, India

16.
“An important and timely resource. It
combines up-to-date reviews of research
on adolescent development by the world's
leading authorities with thoughtful
discussions of some of the most pressing
concerns that societies face in both
developed and developing countries in
their efforts to minimize problematic
outcomes and maximize positive
development during this critical stage of
development. I recommend it highly.”
Larry Steinberg, Temple University

17.
Chapters
Introduction: Adolescence in a Global Context Prerna
Banati and Jennifer E. Lansford
Section 1: Domains of Adolescent Development
2. Health and Wellbeing in Adolescence: A Dynamic Profile
Susan M. Sawyer and George C. Patton
3. Neurocognitive Development During Adolescence Nikki
C. Lee, Miriam Hollarek, and Lydia Krabbendam
4. Studying Positive Youth Development in Different
Nations: Theoretical and Methodological Issues Richard M.
Lerner, Jacqueline V. Lerner, G. John Geldhof, Steinunn
Gestsdóttir, Pamela Ebstyne King, Alistair T R Sim, Milena
Batanova, Jonathan M. Tirrell, and Elizabeth Dowling
5. Adolescent Civic Engagement in Contemporary Political
and Technological Realities Colette Daiute
Section 2: Social Relationships
6. Parent-Adolescent Relationships in Global Perspective
Marc H. Bornstein and Diane L. Putnick
7. Peer Relationships Doran C. French and Hoi Shan
Cheung
8. The Contribution of Nonfamily Adults to Adolescent Well-
Being: A Global Research and Policy Perspective Peter C.
Scales and Eugene C. Roehlkepartain

18.
Chapters
Section 3: Social Relationships
9. How to End Child Marriage Around the World: Strategies, Progress and Action
Needed Lakshmi Sundaram, Ellen Travers, and Matilda Branson
10. Adolescents and Armed Conflict: War, Conflict, and Child Soldiers Theresa S.
Betancourt, Stephanie Zuilkowski, Emily Coles, Katharine Collet, and Musu Jambai
11. Immigrant and Refugee Youth Positive Adaptation and Development Frosso Motti-
Stefanidi
12. Push-out, Pull-out, or Opting-out? Reasons Cited by Adolescents for Discontinuing
Education in Four Low and Middle Income Countries Renu Singh and Protap Mukherjee
13. Poverty, Risk and Resilience: The Case of Street-Involved Youth Silvia H. Koller,
Juliana Prates Santana, and Marcela Raffaelli
14. Parent-Based Models of Adolescent Substance Use: A Global Perspective Andrea
M. Hussong and Ruth K. Smith

19.
Chapters
Section 4: Interventions and Policies
15. Making Strategic Investments in Adolescent Wellbeing
Elena Camilletti and Prerna Banati
16. Social Protection, Adolescent Well-Being, and
Development in Low-and Middle-Income Countries Suman
Verma
17. Mental Health Challenges and Interventions for
Adolescents: The First 1,000 Weeks Lorraine Sherr
18. Teens in Public Spaces and Natural Landscapes: Issues
of Access and Design Sara Brunelle, Mariana Brussoni,
Susan Herrington, M. Kyle Matsuba, and Michael W. Pratt
19. HIV Prevention Among Adolescents: What Have We
Learned and Where are We? Audrey Pettifor and Hamsa
Subramaniam
Section 5: Empowerment of Adolescents
20. Adolescent Development and Capacity Building Esther F.
Akinsola and Anne C. Petersen
21. Gender Equity and the SDGs: Collective Impact for
Change Elizabeth Dettori and Geeta Rao Gupta
22. Young People's Participation in Program Design
Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Pamela Wridt
23. Conclusions: Adolescent Development Research and Its
Impact on Global Policy Jennifer E. Lansford and Prerna
Banati

20.
Thank You!
Joint volume between the
Society for Research in Child
Development (SRCD) and
UNICEF’s Office of Research at
Innocenti
Published by Oxford University
Press.
Available to order here