Adolescent Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Theory, Research, and Intervention
Rew, Lynn (2005).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications; 424 pages. $59.95. ISBN 0761929118.
The text covers a range of issues related to adolescent health, including physical, cognitive, and psychological development, stress and coping, risk and resilience, and models related to self-care and health interventions. Rew clearly outlines the progression in our theoretical understanding in these major areas. After an initial overview of the current state of health and major health issues facing adolescents today, there is a fairly dense chapter on the theoretical bases behind adolescent health. The text then uses the theoretical framework discussed in that section to analyze the theories presented in the remainder of the text. For each of the major theories, the author discusses the origin, purpose, and meaning of the theory, then analyzes it using a framework assessing scope, parsimony, generalizability, logical adequacy, usefulness, and testability. Brief summaries of research using the theories are provided throughout the text, providing interest and a practical grounding in how the theory increases our understanding of adolescent health issues. At the conclusion of each chapter, she provides her perspective on the research gaps that still exist in the area being discussed and ways that research grounded in theory could further increase our understanding of that topic. In the resource sections, she includes lists of related web sites, as well as standard bibliographies. A voluminous reference list is provided at the end of the text.
In the sections discussing cognitive, sexual, spiritual, and psychosocial development, theories involving the influence of community and the environment are included along with more individual-focused theories of development. The chapters discussing health risk-behaviors emphasize resources and resilience, reflecting our evolution in understanding regarding these behaviors. The inclusion of theories related to health promotion and interventions are also a welcome addition. They are relevant for clinicians working one-on-one with adolescents, as well as individuals working to promote adolescent health in community settings.
Rew succeeds in her attempt to create a textbook that will be of interest to individuals representing the broad range of disciplines involved with adolescent health. Other excellent textbooks are available that focus on adolescent health, however they primarily take either an adolescent medicine or social science perspective. The unique contribution of this book is its concerted effort to bridge the gap between these two approaches to adolescent health, making it a good foundation textbook for students in interdisciplinary adolescent health programs. Adolescent health practitioners and others on the front line of adolescent health care in communities may find the chapter on the theoretical foundation of theory tedious, though they are still likely to appreciate the abbreviated theoretical framework that is drawn from that chapter and provides a foundation for the remainder of the text. The many examples presented in the text highlight the practical implications of the theories behind adolescent behavior and health care interventions, making the material relevant for individuals engaged in clinical care and/or community work as well as those in strictly academic spheres. Throughout the text, the resources and references that are cited reflect a good understanding of the key individuals and groups at the forefront of research being done in the adolescent health topic areas being presented. The sheer volume of material that the author is attempting to summarize in the text necessitates relatively brief discussion of each of the theories that are presented, but the extensive reference lists provided will facilitate further in-depth study of any areas that spark a reader’s interest. The summaries of research gaps in each topic area should inspire graduate students and others to engage in cross-discipline research using methods that are solidly grounded in theory.
Reviewer Information
Stanford University School of Medicine
Cynthia Kapphahn received her MD from Yale School of Medicine. She completed a residency in pediatrics and received her MPH from Johns Hopkins, and did a fellowship in adolescent medicine at University of California, San Francisco. She is currently a Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she provides clinical care for adolescents, teaches, and does research on policy issues related to adolescent health care.