Hormonal aspects of normal and abnormal behavior in adolescents. Study group report

As stated initially, a significant proportion of health problems of youths have genetic predispositions and potentially identifiable antecedents of disease during childhood and adolescence. Until there is advancement in delineating the multiple dimensions and relationships of a psychobiologic developmental framework, interventions may fall short of their potential to either prevent or ameliorate these problems. To date, research has been limited by narrow definitions, lack of uniformity among measures, small samples, and homogenous populations. As a forward step, longitudinal investigations of subpopulations of youths may provide an opportunity for definitive study of the basic processes of puberty and be fruitful in evaluating the deleterious effects that stresses of contemporary life place on children and adolescents. In addition, efforts to communicate existing knowledge across disciplines and to approach psychobiologic research from an interdisciplinary perspective will enhance an understanding of the interplay of social, biologic, and environmental factors that are essential in the maturational process. This multidimensional approach with newer, broader perspectives is critical to advancing the development of a psychobiologic framework that will shed further light on the mechanisms of maturation and the interferences of this pubertal process that is the hallmark of adolescence.