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Social and Emotional Learning During Adolescence

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Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion

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Introduction

Early adolescence often involves significant increases in adjustment problems, including internalizing problems such as depression and anxiety (Karevold, Roysamb, Ystrom, & Mathiesen, 2009), delinquency, and substance use (Farrington, 2004), in addition to decreases in academic achievement (Dotterer, McHale, & Crouter, 2009; Fredricks & Eccles, 2002; Ryan & Patrick, 2001). However, any understanding of adolescent health and well-being is incomplete without systematic attention to social and emotional competence. Summarized here is the current knowledge regarding social and emotional competencies, the relationship of these competencies to indicators of problem behavior, and principles to guide best practices for promoting social and emotional learning in schools.

Definitions and Context

Social and emotional learning (SEL) can be defined as the capacity to recognize and manage emotions, solve problems effectively, set and achieve positive goals, appreciate the perspectives...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Livingston Campus, 53 Ave. E., Tillett Hall, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8040, USA

    Maurice J. Elias

  2. Wm. Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education, Jewish Theological Seminary, 3080 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Jeffrey S. Kress

  3. Rutgers University, Tillett Hall, Room 402, 53 Avenue E., Piscataway, NJ, 08554, USA

    Gwyne W. White

Authors
  1. Maurice J. Elias
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  2. Jeffrey S. Kress
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  3. Gwyne W. White
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Correspondence to Maurice J. Elias .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, New London, CT, USA

    Thomas P. Gullotta

  2. University of Connecticut, West Hartford, USA

    Martin Bloom

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Elias, M.J., Kress, J.S., White, G.W. (2014). Social and Emotional Learning During Adolescence. In: Gullotta, T.P., Bloom, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Primary Prevention and Health Promotion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5999-6_179

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5999-6_179

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