HANDLING PROBLEMS



Issue:	Due to inexperience with independent problem solving, teens often feel overwhelmed by predicaments they have not previously faced.

Project:	Create a multi-media presentation running on a computer that gives teens a variety of techniques and tips about problem-solving including when to seek help from others. Make sure that the intervention takes no more than the average 15 minutes waiting time in a teen clinic.

Result:	Building the capacity of teens to handle problems, including those that accompany biological maturity, holds promise for increased self-esteem, better energy placement, and better decision-making. More well-thought-out solutions can avoid some of the unwanted consequences that can occur when teens try to meet normal needs for feeling: part of a group liked attractive to others and more grown-up in ways that may not be in their best interests.