A Developmental Approach to the Prevention of Adolescent's Aggressive Behavior and the Promotion of Resilience

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Malti, Tina | Noam, Gil G.

Note: [] Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Tina Malti, Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 1, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic mail may be sent to malti@jacobscenter.uzh.ch

Abstract: This article introduces the clover model, a research-based developmental model of resilience and psychopathology related to the prevention of aggressive behavior and the promotion of resiliency in adolescents. It describes how social cognitions and emotions function differently at different periods of adolescent development and influence problem behavior, such as aggression and antisocial conduct, as well as resiliency. A prototypical prevention program based on the model is discussed. Finally, we describe an organized after-school activity, also based on the model, as a concrete example of this developmentally differentiated intervention approach.

Keywords: developmental prevention, aggressive behavior, resilience, adolescence

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2009-3303

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 235-246, 2009