In America, it is estimated that between 500,000 and two million children run away each year. A majority of these runaways become involved with illegal substance abuse. This study questions whether children experience substance abuse prior to their running away or if their substance abuse is an attempt to cope with the new stressors created by street life. Data collection will include having 50 volunteers complete a questionnaire, with consideration of race and gender. The findings suggested that no relationship exist between runaways engaging in drug use and the amount of stress experienced at home or during the runaway.

This thesis aims to explore a topic of attachment and its influence on adolescents' risk behaviour. First, the theoretical part provides an overview of important milestones of the developmental period of middle adolescence. Afterwards, it introduces the concept of attachment and finally, it deals with risk behaviour with great emphasis on researches addressing the substance abuse, antisocial behaviour and sexual risk behaviour in the Czech Republic. The practical part focuses on correlation between attachment styles (secure, preoccupied, dismissive avoidant and fearful avoidant) and risk behaviour using a questionnaire survey. In addition, it deals with the prevalence of above-mentioned types of risk behaviour and their relationship. Survey dealing with the prevalence of risk behaviour showed that respondents of this research were more likely to engage in risk behaviour in comparison to participants of other studies. It was also confirmed that there was a close association between different types of risk behaviour, so it could be beneficial to perceive them as a unitary syndrome. As far as the main aim of this thesis is concerned, adolescents with the preoccupied attachment style were proved to be at highest risk of development of risk behaviour. These individuals were more likely to use drugs,...

An investigation into the prevalence and causative factors of adolescent depression in the greater Johannesburg area was undertaken. Present-day South African socio-economic pressures together with the normal demands and difficulties of adolescence, led to an investigation into which factors were having a bearing on adolescent depression and whether more male than female adolescents were depressed. A literature study was done and major factors, which could potentially influence the development of depression, were identified. The results of the empirical investigation indicated that negative family relations and negative peer relations play a significant role in the development of adolescent depression. Other identified factors did not appear to have a statistically significant bearing on adolescent depression. No significant statistical difference was found between the prevalence or severity of male and female adolescent depression. Educational implications of the findings are discussed and guidelines are given to teachers and parents. / Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

An investigation into the prevalence and causative factors of adolescent depression in the greater Johannesburg area was undertaken. Present-day South African socio-economic pressures together with the normal demands and difficulties of adolescence, led to an investigation into which factors were having a bearing on adolescent depression and whether more male than female adolescents were depressed. A literature study was done and major factors, which could potentially influence the development of depression, were identified. The results of the empirical investigation indicated that negative family relations and negative peer relations play a significant role in the development of adolescent depression. Other identified factors did not appear to have a statistically significant bearing on adolescent depression. No significant statistical difference was found between the prevalence or severity of male and female adolescent depression. Educational implications of the findings are discussed and guidelines are given to teachers and parents. / Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)