Adolescent Girls in Distress: A Guide for Mental Health Treatment and Prevention

While women are now achieving at unprecedented academic and professional levels, the shifting and conflicting pressures to be perfect have resulted in increasing mental health problems among young girls. This guide to the cultural stressors affecting girls and the subsequent mental health issues they often face offers mental health professionals highly effective treatment approaches and strengths-based prevention strategies that facilitate successful navigation of girlhood and adolescence. The book focuses on the socialisation processes that begin in early girlhood and contribute to the development of problems that are increasing in todays adolescent girls. The book describes how the confluence of societal, family, peer, school, and individual developmental influences can negatively affect adolescents. It considers the pressure on young girls to be sexualised, to look and act older than they are, the effects of consumerism and materialism, the pervasive use of social media, and the pressure to excel in all areas. It addresses how current cultural trends contribute to such disorders as depression, substance abuse, self-injury, eating disorders, conduct disorders, sexual victimisation, relationship violence, and suicide. In addition to practical and detailed treatment interventions, the book emphasises the importance of early intervention to prevent these problems prior to their onset, and promoting girls resilience to cultural pressures so they can successfully cope with complex life demands. Case studies, discussion questions, skill development activities, recommended readings, and online resources reinforce content.