Emeritus Prof. J. David Hawkins: Preventing Teen Substance Abuse | Raising Parents #28

Adolescence is a time of exploration and self-discovery, often accompanied by a range of risky behaviors. While risk-taking is a natural part of adolescent development, excessive and uncontrolled behavior can have detrimental consequences. In order to navigate this crucial stage successfully, parents play a pivotal role in understanding, supporting, and guiding their children.

Adolescents are more prone to engage in risky behaviors due to various factors, including brain development, peer influence, and the desire for independence. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control, undergoes significant development during this period. As a result, teenagers often exhibit increased sensitivity to reward and reduced sensitivity to potential risks, making them more likely to engage in thrill-seeking activities. Moreover, peer pressure and the need to fit in can lead adolescents to make impulsive choices without considering the potential consequences.

Join host Dina Sargeant in this enlightening episode as she welcomes J. David Hawkins. He is the Endowed Professor of Prevention Emeritus and Founding Director of the Social Development Research Group. He received his BA in 1967 from Stanford University and his Ph.D. in Sociology from Northwestern University in 1975. 

Moreover, David’s research focuses on understanding and preventing child and adolescent health and behavior problems. He seeks to identify risk and protective factors for health and behavior problems across multiple domains; to understand how these factors interact in the development of healthy behavior and the prevention of problem behaviors. He develops and tests preventative measures that seek to reduce risk through the enhancement of strengths and protective factors in families, schools, and communities.

During the episode, David emphasized the role of the environment and parents in responding to adolescent behavior and minimizing the risks that will occur.

Get connected with J. David Hawkins on his social media: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-david-hawkins-84020028 Facebook: David Hawkins Instagram: Davidhawkins1518 Website: http://www.communitiesthatcare.net/ https://depts.washington.edu/sdrg/ 

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