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The Adolescent Life Change Event Scale: its development and use.
R C Yeaworth1, M J McNamee, B Pozehl
1College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198.
Adolescence
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Researchers reviewed adolescent life change events, finding gender and age differences in stress. The Adolescent Life Change Event Questionnaire showed a link between experienced events and suicidal ideation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Numerous instruments exist to assess adolescent life change events.
- Many instruments lack rigorous validity and reliability testing.
- Limited synthesis of studies using specific instruments hinders progress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review all known studies utilizing the Adolescent Life Change Event Questionnaire.
- To lay the groundwork for future validity and reliability testing of the questionnaire.
- To synthesize existing research on adolescent life change events.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of 25 studies was conducted.
- The review included 4,024 adolescent subjects across nine states.
- Data synthesis focused on instrument usage and reported findings.
Main Results:
- Identified gender and age-related differences in the number of life change events experienced.
- Found variations in the perceived stressfulness of life events based on gender and age.
- Established a significant relationship between experienced life change events and suicidal ideation in adolescents.
Conclusions:
- The Adolescent Life Change Event Questionnaire has been widely used, indicating a need for its further psychometric evaluation.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering demographic factors in adolescent life event research.
- The link between life change events and suicidal ideation underscores the need for targeted interventions and support systems.